Six

He was at his cottage when he receive a call from his PA.

" Positive, sir. We found miss Candice Villanueva! She's currently living in Hacienda Villanueva ten kilometers away from Martha's Hotel and Resort together with her mom and dad. She's the only heir to the Villanueva Empire in this province. Miss Villanueva is quite famous in this place, sir. "

" Yeah. " He figured that out because her family is the wealthiest in this province. He'd heard of that family name before but he didn't know that his fat nerd of a girlfriend before is very rich. He thought she was just a simple employee to his company.

" Thank you, I'll take it from here. My secretary will give you the paycheck tomorrow. "

" Thank you, sir. Let us know if you need our help in the future. "

" I will definitely do that. Bye. " He inhaled deeply to relax himself. He felt that the burden he'd carry for the past years was lifted. He promise to himself that this time he will never be an arrogant bastard to Candice. This time he will take care of his lost love.

He's not familiar with the place his heading but it didn't bother him that much. Because he knew that after this trip, Candice will be him again. He followed the map from his phone and look for signages. Not long, he found the entrance of Hacienda Villanueva. The arch in front of him named after the latter. He slowed down his car and park at the side of the road. There was an old man there whom he can ask for direction.

" Excuse me. " He called the old man. The man turned to see him. He got wrinkles all over his face.

" Yes? What can I do for you, Mr. ? " The stranger asked.

" Oh hello there, sir! I am Brandon Garcia, I was wondering if this is Hacienda Villanueva? " The man smiled.

" Yes, young man. This is the entrance, would you mind if I ask you some personal questions? "

" Sure, sir." Brandon replied. The old man nodded at him.

" Where are you from, Brandon? "

" I'm from the city, sir. I just arrived yesterday to have a vacation here in your beautiful province. But then, I found my girlfriend Candice at Martha's resort. The receptionist there told me this address. " He gestured his hand to the entrance arch.

" So you are Candice's boyfriend? " Brandon nod to agree. " My son Zach and Candice were best of friends. By the way, I'm Juan Rodriguez. The family's gardener. " The man offered his wrinkled hand for a shake and without a doubt Brandon accepted it. He remembered the name Zach from yesterday. The man who was with Candice. So, that Zach from Martha's was his son? That's why they looked very alike. It only means that Candice didn't replace him in her heart after all these years had past. He couldn't explain the excitement he felt inside. He cannot wait to see and talk to her again.

" That's great! Could you accompany me inside, sir? " She smiled sheepishly.

" Nonsense! Of course, I can be your tour guide in the Hacienda." The man looks friendly.

" So, what are we waiting for? Hop in now, sir! " Brandon said excitedly. Then, they headed inside.

" Turn left, son. The ancestral house located at the end of the coconut trees. " Juan gently assisted him of the right way. He estimated the distance of their house as five kilometers from the entrance.

He saw the stunning three storey modern Victorian house in the middle of beautiful flowers and acacia trees.

Wow! He thought. He also saw the animals from afar. Candice family is beyond rich. He wondered why Candice work as her staff in the city? A typical rich kid who wanted to experience something in her life. But she was not a brat. She worked hard in his company before without complaining.

He park his car to their driveway. Both of them got out of the car and approached the entrance. There was a guard standing there.

" Juan! Who's this man with you? " The guard asked the old man.

" Gener, I would like you to meet Candice's boyfriend Brandon Garcia. " Gener's eyes widened. " Brandon, this is Gener, one of the guards here. " Juan introduced them to each other.

" Hey! " Brandon greeted the man.

" Welcome, sir! " He said panicky. " I'm sorry, I didn't know you are Ms. Candice boyfriend. Come in, sir. " He motioned his hand to the main door.

" Thank you. " He thank him.

" Your welcome, sir."

He couldn't believe it. He's at her house at last. He was waiting for Candice at the living room. While waiting,  he studied the intricate designed of the room. The interior screams of luxury. Wherever he turns his eyes he sees the stunning beauty of the house.

He immediately stood up when he sees her descending from the stairs. He plastered his sweet smile to her. He sees how she rolled her eyes to him. But it didn't bother him. He's here because he wanted to pursue her and gain her love again.

" Why are you here? Who let you in? How could you show your thick face in front of me! Leave! " She madly said it to Brandon. He immediately walk towards her direction.

" Please listen to me first, babe." He said pleading. " I promise, I will not force myself on you, please? " He looked like a puppy when saying it.

" Okay, talk. " She tried her very best to steady her heart. Brandon has no idea that she was fighting for her true feelings for him. She can't afford to be hurt by him this time. She'd moved on. So she thought. 

" I love you, babe. I've been looking for you for the past years. I realized that it's you that I love and not Arlene. " Her brows arched. Who was he talking about? She had no idea. 

" It's too late Brandon. I don't love you anymore." She tried to fight back her tears. She didn't want him to see her vulnerable side. She's way over it! 

" But babe, I know you still love me I can feel it in my heart. I promise, I will not hurt you again." He's getting desperate now. If Candice don't believe him he will have to pursue with her plan B.

" I think we are finish talking. I want you to leave my house now or the guards will let you? "  She said with a poker face. 

" Okay, I'll leave you for now. But I promise you babe that I will be back. This time I'll make it right. I will court you 'till you love me back.  " His determination made her heart skip a beat. Even though he will not do it her heart still longs for him. That's why she didn't let him come near her again. After what happened yesterday, she had a feeling that her heart will not remain angry with this man in front of her.

He turn to leave her.

" Oh please, don't comeback you A-hole! " She shouted at him. But he ignored her. She was left dumbfounded by Brandon.

We'll see if he was true to his word. She will not let him. He should suffer first before he can have what he wants. But she doubt it if he can do it. 

The following day Brandon return to their house. Even if he's not Chinese, he still came early in the morning. He offered her help but she refused to accept it.

" I can do this, Mr. I'm not handicapped. " She said with sarcasm. 

" I just want to help, babe. This is a man's work, let me help you, please? " He said softly to her. And then tried to get the shovel from her but she got mad at him.

" I said I can manage, right? You don't have to come here everyday because it's useless. I don't love you, anymore ! " He felt his heart tighten. Was Candice felt this way too before? Maybe it's karma on his side. He remembered getting angry with her without reason at all. He just did it to make her leave him and he succeeded in letting her out of his life. But this time he wanted her in his life. It's true that regret comes in the end.

He look at her brown eyes spitting fire on him. I know you still love me, babe. And I promise you, it will happen soon. He smiled sweetly to her. She rolled her eyes 

" The nerve! Get lost of my sight and never comeback!  " She was really mad at him to the point that she always shouts at him without any reason at all. She wanted revenge. Maybe this time she will really move on.

" I'm so sorry, babe. I just want to help , really. I don't want to argue with you, sorry." He looked sad saying it to her. Was he doing the right thing? Why did he allowed her to insult and make fun of him? You have to endure man because it was your doing.

He regret what he'd done from the past.

When is she going to forgive him? He will wait for it to come. He didn't come this far if he will give up the love of his life. He will do everything, anything to chase her rejected love. Until she fell inlove with him again.

Lying in her bed. She think of Brandon. She was weighing everything he'd done for her. Was he telling her the truth? Or he just let her fall into his trap? She will not believe everything he said to her not until she sees him being sincere with his words to her.