Four

“Julian...”

He stood behind her in silence, hands on her slender waist, fingers lightly caressing the soft fabric but his touches burn. He lowered his head just enough he can nuzzle his nose against her slender neck, she tilted her head a little to give him more access and he can feel her smile on her neck, she let out a gasp when he pressed a soft lingering kiss on her skin.

“I'm so glad we finally had time to be together.” He whispered softly, closing his eyes in contentment.

She turned to face him, her smile was genuine and she was glowing, she wore the dress he sent to her and he knew it was perfectly made for her. She cupped his face, her eyes twinkling. “I'm so glad we meet tonight.”

“Sophie...” They stared on each other's eyes and he leaned down, kissing her passionately.

Terms like secret dating, private dating or secret romance refer to the concept of dating or romance between people who keep it private from others they might normally tell. It often overlaps with concepts like forbidden love (such as in affairs or disputes between families). That's what Wikipedia stated.

Individual freedom is an essential need for everyone these days. On top of that, media have exploited this kind of situation in their daily work. They are free to obtain and report any informations, news and stories about occasions, wars, stories or even well-known people's private lives.

She kissed him back and they stood like that, just kissing each other, savoring the moment until she pushed him a little laughing. Her hands now laid on his chest. “I missed you...” She leaned pecking on his lips and he pulled her closer.

“I miss you, too. I'm sorry I was busy with the company and there's the media. You know we need to be careful. I don't want them after you.”

She smiled. “I know. And there is also Faye. She comes first.”

He smiled. She was kindhearted and genuine. Two things he really adores about her. “Yes, I always miss her and spending time with her always makes my way better. Somehow at five, she understand my and Sandra's stand to the society...” Then he chuckled thinking about his daughter. “I don't think she really get it though. But she has the idea... she's really smart. She's growing up in this kind of world where anywhere she goes people took pictures of her and she always see herself on the TV... she stopped asking questions why people do that, when I asked her about it she simply said mom and dad are famous.”

She laughed with him and she patted his cheeks. “You spoke so fondly of her.”

“Of course. I adore her, I love her and I love you.” He pecked on her forehead.

Sophie Torres, the two of them had been dating for almost two years now. She's a model and he met her through his sister-in-law, Hannah. For almost two years he was able to keep the relationship under the radar and privately, he was rather proud of himself by that. He wanted to protect her, their relationship.

“That's why I wanted to protect our relationship.”

“I understand, Julian.” She sighed. “But you know I'm around the media all the time too. I can handle it.”

He chuckled. “I know you can, Sophie. It's just I want this just for the two of us, you know? It's not only the media.”

She shrugged and stepped away and grabbed his hand, she intertwined their fingers and she urged him. “Come on, let's eat... I made your favorite.”

“You're going to be a loving mother, Sophie.”

She glanced at him with a blush on her cheeks. “I hope to meet Faye, I'm actually nervous about it because what if she won't like me?”

“I'm sure she will like you.”

But Julian isn't sure if Sophie is going to meet Faye soon. He's not just going to bring Faye and have her meet Sophie on the spot, it will shock his daughter. He wasn't sure how Faye's going to react and there's also the reason that Faye had this dreams of her mom and dad being together. Although she knew that her parents doesn't live in the same room like the other kids and that her parents are practically estranged it didn't stop her from always talking and wondering and dreaming of a complete happy family.

Faye didn't knew anything other than her parents aren't living together, she asked a lot of questions, like why her daddy doesn't go home or why her daddy doesn't eat breakfast with her or her mommy and the most heartbreaking question she ever asked him was, why both her mommy and daddy can't spend her birthdays together with her?

Julian always wanted to, whatever it takes as long as Faye's happy but it's not only the problem between him and Sandra that's meddling it. Their busy schedules overlapped most of the time. Sandra had a condition to never involved his family if he was going to spend Faye's birthday with her and he can't let that too.

“Julian?”

He looked up; he didn't even realize he was already sitting across Sophie. He grinned and reached for her hand and squeezed it. “You're so perfect, Sophie.”

She laughed and playfully said. “Well, once the public kmew about us, I going to be call as a downgrade." He scowled but she continued. “Compare to Miss Sandra, I'm basically nothing."

His eyes widened. “Sophie!”

She looked at him innocently. “What?”

“Don't say that. That's not true." She shrugged but her smile is gone now and Julian narrowed his eyes just as she looked away from him. He sighed and squeezed her hand when she didn't budge. “Sophie... c'mom talk to me. Please?"

She turned to face him and at first he listened until her words flew because seriously... Women.

**********

“Wow. You brought Faye to work.”

Sandra turned away from Faye to watch Shawn coming in, Sandra smiled and caressed Faye's hair that was sitting on her lap and playing on her laptop. The little girl snapped her head up and beamed.

“U-uncle S-s-Shawn!” She jumped out of her mother's lap and run towards Shawn, the man crouched down to catch Faye on his arms

He grunted and eyes widening. “Whoa, Miss Faye you gain weight!”

The girl giggled and pecked on his cheeks and he narrowed his eyes at her. “You look taller too and bigger!”

She giggled again, snaking her arms around his neck, Faye glanced at her mother and took a deep breath. “M-mommy sa-said Faye is going to..to..to be a lady soon." Her words were slow and carefully thought that she didn't stammer a lot, knowing her mother is around and it will please her when Faye didn't stammer.

“Soon eh?” Shawn turned to Sandra who shrugged.

“I haven't spent time with her for a month...” She sighed. “The poor girl.”

Shawn grinned and walked towards her with Faye still on his arms but the girl decide she wanted to walk on her own and Shawn grinned at his niece and he let her go. “I heard Julian brought her to the family gathering?”

She raised her brow at him. “Where were you?”

He plopped on the chair across Sandra's desk and shrugged and she rolled her eyes. Faye rounded to Sandra's desk, Sandra smiled then leaned down to kiss Faye's cheek. “Baby, uncle Shawn and mommy are going to talk first. Why don't you play with your stuff toys there, hmm?” She pointed towards the couch on the receiving corner of Sandra's office.

Faye beamed and nodded and rushed towards the couch where her bag of toys was laid.

“Is this about the family gathering? I take he sneaked her out?”

Sandra's smile vanished and her piercing stare bore into Shawn's face. “He knew I forbit it every time he wants to bring Faye to his family.”

“I family too.” Shawn reminded her and Sandra scowled.

She turned her chair facing the glass wall, her fingers tapping on the end of the armrest of her leather chair. She watched the view of the outside, her eyes narrowing. “My lawyer told me that Julian is really taking the matter up to the court, he wants to battle it out. It's going to take a few months but your cousin already formulated a plan, it will happen so quietly and I may say, this case of fighting for Faye's full custody is going to be the court's top priority. The media won't know... “ She tilted her head. “Julian's lawyer also stated that they well do everything to not let Faye sit on court to testify.”

“Oh, well.” Shawn replied from behind her. “Faye is five and it'll be traumatic. It's not like you and Julian are going to be divorced of anything but still. It's sweet of Julian though.” When Sandra didn't say anything Shawn quickly said. “Ignore me, I'm being level minded.”

Sandra's tapped and tapped her fingers and for a moment silence stretched between Sandra and Shawn, the sound of Faye's soft humming filled the room. “The plan in the game of chess is the sum total successive strategically operations which are each carried out according to separate ideas arising from the demands of the position.”

“What?”

“Alexander Kotov said that, Shawn.” Sandra smiled.

“I don't know him. And I don't understand that.”

She tilted her head staring at the view from the outside with a thoughtful expression. “I'm really wondering why he wants Faye's full custody. Now. This year...” She took a deep breath. “Something's going on.”

“He hates that he only has 2 days visiting rights with his daughter.” Shawn mused from his seat.

“Why did he wait for five years...”

“He just realized he wants Faye to be a full Fernandez. I mean we all carry the blood and we should live like one. It's like a mandatory in the family.” Shawn snipped.

“Julian can be a little sly if he wanted too...” Sandra mumbled softly, her fingers drumming softly on the armrest.

“Oh, c'mon Sandra...”

“There must be something...”

Shawn groaned. “Oh please."

Sandra tilted her head. “I wonder–”

Shawn groaned loudly. “He wants to settle down! He's dating Sophie Torres secretly and it's pretty serious...!”

Sandra's swivel chair turned fast and she faced Shawn, Sandra's eyes was twinkling with amusement just as Shawn's eyes widen and he sucked a breath, Sandra smiled when he covered his mouth with both hands because he just said something that could get him into another huge trouble.

Sandra stood up and went to his side and she leaned down kissing his right cheek then whispered. “That can't be the entired reason but that's really helpful.

He shook his head. “No, no, no! No!”

He cursed inwardly for letting himself talk carelessly. It was supposed to be a secret! Damnit. Damnit! A slow smirk traced on her lips and Shawn just knew the little information will ruin something beautiful and important once again. And it's going to be his fault. Once again. Fuck.

“You're such a good boy, Shawn.”

Shawn raised both his hands up knowing that tone. “Woah, WOAH! Five years ago I learned my lesson not to mess up Julian's life.” He cringed. “I stayed in the hospital for 2 months...”

Sandra leaned, that dangerous gleam in her eyes reminded him of how she looked 5 years ago, when they were conniving against Julian and her mother. “You're not going to mess up his life, Shawn.” She smiled. “I will.”

He swallowed. “I don't want to be part of it.”

Sandra opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the door opened and a beautiful short blonde hair stepped inside, Sandra's secretary was frantically looking at her in apology as she tried to stop the beautiful woman. Sandra waved a dismissed hand and she looked at the woman.

The woman's eyes landed on Shawn first, she smiled brazenly. “Oh! Wonderful! Look what do we have here?”

Shawn blinked and look up at Sandra with narrowed eyes. “She only appears every time you're about to ruin someone physically, mentally and emotionally.”

“My timing is impeccable...” Said the woman.

Sandra rolled her eyes and walked around her desk and sat on her chair. “I don't remember inviting you here.”

The woman flipped her hair with a smile. “Isn't this wonderful, the true monsters of high society in the same room at the same time?”

“I don't like her here.” Shawn pointed out.

“What do you want, Catherine Hart?"

Catherine Hart shrugged and her gaze zeroed to Sandra who met her stare equally. “A proposal, as much I loathe doing transactions with people like you I really have no choice. My gallery is doing so well, more than well and awesome actually but I need to expand in some countries that are freaking strict and demands too much.” Catherin blinked. “That's where you're good at, Sandra Parker. Be my business partner.”

Shawn made face and turned to Sandra. “I wouldn't go that far. Doing a business with a Catherine Hart is like talking to the devil.”

Sandra and Catherine both laugh at him.

“Honey, if anyone of us here is any closer to the devil...” Catherine pointed at Sandra. “That would be her."

Sandra walked back to her leather chair and leaned back, she crossed her legs. Her smile was bright. “I must say, I should feel proud that you came here yourself and proposed personally."

Catherine smirked and Sandra smirked too.

“You got it, Miss Hart."

“What?! You should review the proposal first Sandra! Catherine cannot be trusted! She was engaged to a mobster's boss before!” Shawn snarled and Faye looked up from her dolls, watching them in curiosity.

The women ignored him. Shawn grunted.

“What do I get in return though?”

“Name it.”

“Host a grand ball party within this month. Make sure to invite Julian Fernandez..." Catherine raised a brow and Sandra smiled evilly. “...and a certain Sophie Torres.”

“Sandra!"

Catherine narrowed her eyes. “Sophie Torres? The actress?”

“She's a model! A model!” Shawn barked.

Sandra's eyes lit up. “Oh she's a somebody? Never heard of her.”

“No. Her acting sucks.” Catherine smirked. “Well, it's a lovely day and I'm leaving. Expect an invitation along with the legal documents for the business one of these days.” She winked at Shawn then she turned on her back and started to walk out but she slowed down when she passed by Faye who was playing on the couch, the girl smiled at her and Catherine smiled back.

Catherine glanced at Sandra and shook her head with a smile as she went out.

“This can't be fucking happening.” Shawn rubbed both his hands on his face frustratingly. “And Sophie Torres is a model and not an actress!”

Sandra laughed and stood up then walked towards Faye, sitting beside her daughter. Sandra beamed. “Can mommy play with little Faye?”

Faye beamed. “YES!”

**********

Two days later every well-known personalities from A-Listers to Politicians and Businessmen received a red invitation for the famous Catherine Hart, she organized another charity event. She doesn't usually do this, she was a known artist with attitude in heels.

But Julian didn't care as he read the invitation.

A charity event... A grand ball, a gathering, a party. Whatever they call them, or whatever they say their motives are, there are still other people who would throw a huge event and for Chris's sake, use a charity ball as an excuse to get together and brag whose the richest by donating the biggest amount of money and take the glory as the most generous and kind hearted.

But this was Catherine Hart. He knew the woman and she hated organizing events like this.

Catherine is an acquiantance; they moved in the same social circles for years and had gotten familiar with each other but not friends, no. She was controversial on her own and she was very vocal about her dislike towards Sandra who returned it with equal enthusiasm.

“M-mommy is g-going to a Ball?” Faye's eyes are so wide in excitement as she hold the red invitation. She looked up at Sandra with eager eyes.

Sandra pinched her cheeks. “It's not a ball, it's a Charity event and it's going to be very boring for a princess like you.” Faye nodded delightfully and handed back the invitation to her mother. Sandra smiled and turned around, her smile widened and her eyes glinted in mischief.

The Charity event is one party Julian Fernandez will never forget.