Chapter 8 It’s You

Sebastian continuously drummed his fingers on his executive desk, creating an inconsistent beat. He can’t work like this. Buzzing Robert’s office, he talked, “Robert, are you sure the flowers were already ordered?” He knew his assistant was the most reliable person but these concerns about the anniversary made him illogically doubt the man.

A reply came out from the intercom, “Yes Sir, I scouted for the best shop that had Miss Andrea’s favorite flowers.” It was an unusual task for the assistant, but one he gladly accepted. If keeping Miss Andrea happy was what made his boss more tolerable at work, then he’d do more of it.

“White roses, forget-me-nots, and most especially, purple peonies. They got all of it?” Andrea had humble choices even when it came to her favorites. So it was stuck on Sebastian’s mind when one day, she said, “I know lavender peonies are so rare and expensive, but I’d love to have even just a stem of it on my nightstand.”

The CEO smiled at the thought. Getting into the marriage, he expected his wife to ask favors since he managed the largest entertainment company. And of course, he was loaded with so much money. But she never did, it was like the fifty million was already too much for her. So he thought of preparing something for their anniversary. To show appreciation, that’s all.

“Sir? Do you need anything else?” Robert asked.

“What about the projector and the screen?” He had long wanted to upgrade their movie nights that he commissioned for an outdoor theater in their backyard. Now, she can watch while star gazing. Her two favorite past times. “The men just finished putting them up. They’ve also installed the canopy and ground lights, so all you have to do is switch them on.”

“Alright, that’s good. Thanks, Robert.” Sebastian pressed the red button on the intercom. Still, an itch that wanted to be scratched that he buzzed for the second time. “Robert.”

“Yes, Sir?” He could almost hear the person chuckle but he didn’t care.

“Do you think the Philharmonic could perform on short notice tonight?” Robert almost choked on nothing at his boss’ request. “Uh, I’m not sure, Sir. Do you want me to check?”

“No, no, that would be too much.” He ended the call again, coming up with other ways to ease his growing agitation.

Before he could even press the button for the third time, Robert had already opened the door. “Nervous?”

As if insulted by the remark, Sebastian loudly replied, “I’ve shaken hands with the most powerful people in the world and you’re telling me I’m nervous because of this?”

Robert’s smile widened. “So that means yes.”

Sebastian gave up on his facade and sank to his chair. “Fuck! I don’t know why I’m nervous about this when I’ve been living with the woman for a year.”

Before the CEO would come up with more ridiculous ways for his anniversary, Robert changed the topic, “Are you going to watch her favorite movies tonight? If I remember correctly, you told me she loves watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Atonement, right?”

Sebastian chuckled, he almost memorized the lines in those movies with how many times she caught Andrea sobbing while they played. And how every time, he offered his shoulder to cry on. “Yeah, they’re her favorites. But I’m going to let her choose whatever she wants to watch tonight.”

He looked at his watch as the shorthand hit 2. “Andy’s shoot is almost done. Let’s go.”

“That’s it, Andrea! Now you’re feeling better because of the fabric!” The photographer directed as the actress, donned in a long coat, posed in front of the camera. After a few clicks and light adjustments, the producers felt pleased with the results.

“Look at this! This is the perfect shot.” The photographer showed Andrea the photo of her with the brand. Her face was warm while still keeping a serious look. The clothes that hang on her body fit so perfectly that it was as if they were only made for her. “Wow, Ken. You made me look radiant.”

After sifting through more photos, the Burberry shoot was finally done. “Alright, that’s a wrap, people!” Andrea all but ran towards Ren and took her phone. “Did someone call?”

Ren rolled her eyes at her friend’s almost animated actions. “From the last thirty minutes since you checked? No one.” When suddenly, Sebastian’s name popped on the screen. Putting the device to her ear, all Andrea heard was her husband’s deep voice saying, “I’m here. If you’re done, come quick. We can’t keep Grandpa waiting.”

“Oh no, Ren! I have to go, Sebastian’s here.” Going around the set to say her thanks and goodbyes, Andrea hurriedly changed into her own clothes. Ren, mocking the actress’ worried tone, said, “Oh no, you should go then! We can’t have the CEO go out of control on the set if he doesn’t see you right away.”

Robert was already waiting outside the car as she stepped out of the building. “Miss Andrea.”

Oh, she would’ve thought that Sebastian would at least be the first to greet her. “Hey, Robert.” The car door was opened for her with her husband’s soured expression welcoming her.

It was second nature to Sebastian to keep a stone-faced manner but Andy’s bright presence made it difficult. But for the surprise, he had to maintain his front. “Are you okay?” He heard her ask.

Looking out the window, he said under his breath, “Let’s just get this over with.” Robert shook his head at his boss’ approach after seeing his wife bow her head in dejection. The guy badly needed a lesson on subtlety.

The chairman’s dining table was filled to the brim with what people imagined with the word ‘feast’. Tens of maids and stewards were ready to answer the Adams’ whims at any moment. “Grandpa, you know that we’re not staying here for long,” Sebastian groaned at his extreme ways.

“Nonsense! I hear from Rose that you two don’t spend enough time at home so I know Andy’s not being taken care of.” All Andrea could do was laugh at the two men’s silliness. “Grandpa, we're taking good care of each other.” Meeting the eyes of the man beside her, Andrea truly meant what she said. He may be bound to do it because of the contract, but she sincerely did it because she wanted to.

“Good, good. Well then, time for your gift.” Edmond clapped his hands, signaling the butler to bring a box to the table. “Since it’s your anniversary, it’s only right I give you one.” Andrea winced at her grandfather-in-law’s reminder. At least one of the Adams remembered. She stole another glance at Sebastian only to see a stoic response.

“Open it,” the chairman encouraged. Pulling the silk ribbon, Sebastian slowly opened the present as if a bomb was placed inside. But what he saw may be worse. Andrea likewise gasped at the present. “Baby clothes?”

“Grandpa, come on!” Sebastian cried out.

The couple’s reaction was a shock to the grandfather. “What’s wrong? You two are married, the next thing would be to make a larger family.” The silence was palpable at the table.

Edmond furrowed his brows. “Plus, you two love each other, right?” Andrea saw that her partner was too frustrated to talk so she did what she usually does to soothe him. Taking his hand to hers and rubbing circles on it.

She spoke for them, “Grandpa, thank you for the gift. These are so cute so we’ll be sure to keep them.” She offered her most convincing look. “But I think right now, Sebastian and I have a lot on our plate to bring a child into this.”

Once the two were out of Edmond Adams’ estate, Sebastian let out a loud exhale. He faced Andrea and held her shoulders. “Thank you. Only you seem to find ways to calm me down.”

Andrea let out a soft giggle, enjoying the intimacy they had right now. “It’s no problem. And I’ve grown quite fond of the chairman, too. Shall we go home?” She asked, excited about the night she prepared for him. The steak she cooked for dinner, the chocolate cake she baked for dessert, and the gift she herself made for him. Andrea was quite proud, despite Sebastian's sudden coldness since last week.

But again, she expected too much. “You go on ahead, one of Grandpa’s driver will take you home. I’ve got a sudden meeting to catch so I might be home before dinner. I’m not sure.” He quickly got inside his car and sped away. “Oh, okay.”

A sudden chill went up her spine when Sebastian’s vehicle was out of sight. From far up the road, she saw a silhouette of a tall man facing in her direction. The same feeling of dread from last year came back as she looked to her bodyguards for protection. But they didn’t seem bothered nor did they even notice the guy. Before she could point him out, the shadow was already gone. “Again, it’s just your imagination,” she told herself.

“You here for the special order?” An old woman asked Sebastian right as he stepped into the floral shop.

She cooed, “What a sweet young man! And you chose the flowers with great meanings.” She carefully took out a boxed flower arrangement full of blues, whites, and light purples. “Meanings?” Sebastian raised his brow, he never really thought of that.

“Yes, meanings.” The florist pointed at each type of flower. “The white rose means loyalty and innocence. Forget-me-nots mean true love and these hard-to-find peonies mean uniqueness and strong character. Your girlfriend or wife will love these.”

The woman’s explanation of the gifts stayed with Sebastian even after he took the citrine-gemmed necklace he contracted the jeweler for. “The gem and my wife’s eyes are the same color: meek brown but turns to gold when the sunlight hits,” he answered when asked why this specific gem be used instead of the more expensive and beautiful ones.

He continued staring at the flower arrangement as he walked back to his car, not seeing another person walk by. The man only realized this after he found himself on the ground with Andrea’s favorites squashed between him and the stranger. “Shit!” he exclaimed.

The other person, who struggled to get off him, yelped, “I’m so sorry!”

This caused the CEO to stay still. “That voice.”

The mystery woman successfully stood up after a few tries. He heard a small laugh from her. Everything around them slowed down. He felt happiness, sadness, anger, and confusion all at the same time as he processed where he was and who he was with.

“How weird that this is where I see you again, after all these years.” He slowly got up, not minding the flowers falling on the ground. “It’s you.”

“You’re really here, Lilith.”

>>>

“He could come back any minute, I should reheat this,” Andrea said to herself while holding the plates of food back to the kitchen.

The sudden piercing ring of the house phone surprised her, causing all the ceramics to fall and shatter to pieces.

She ran straight to it with no care whether she stepped on a shard or not. “Hello?” Andrea panted, expecting Sebastian’s voice on the other line.

“Miss Andrea, it’s better if you don’t wait for him tonight,” Robert’s grim voice told her.

And as always, she answered, “Oh, okay.”