WE ENTERED the elevator, and because it was crowded, I could not help but cling to Calix. I frowned as I looked up at the light above as if it was a tortoise, too slow when moving a number. Calix almost hugged me because the people next to me were all men.
I do not know if I will breathe or shut up due to extreme nervousness. I also heard his heavy exhalation as he bent over me.
When the elevator finally opened, I was able to breathe correctly. We went straight to the office, and we were immediately welcomed.
Dawzon and the attorney stood up when they saw us.
“Good morning, Mr. Fuentes and?” He looked at me.
“Cherry, Cherry Mae Banaag,” I introduced myself as Dawzon reached out to me.
“Oh, I forgot. I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay, Mr. Del’Torre.” Calixto, who was looking at our hand, caught our attention. So I withdrew my hand and smiled slightly.
“Good morning!” Calixto’s attorney also greeted us.
“Please sit
“THERE SHE IS. Please come over here, Miss Cherry.” He motioned for me to come over. They waited for me to approach Rexon, who was now smiling while waiting for me. I want to slap him hard on his face because of what he did. This was not what I thought he would say to everyone because this was not included in our conversation earlier. I took a deep breath first and glanced at the press waiting for me. Until I glanced at the frowned forehead of Calixto and Dawzon, who were in a corner. I took another deep breath before smiling broadly as I approached Rex and the band. He’s smiling at me, who obviously enjoyed playing with me. If you think you can manipulate everything like that, you are wrong, Rexon Del’Torre,I whispered to myself as I got closer to him. “Hi!” he greeted. He quickly pulled my hand closer to him and addressed the press who was there before me. He even slightly smiled at the media, who went ahead to
CALIX and I hadn’t talked that much when we left the Del’Torre Corp. He didn’t bother to ask if I’m okay or not. I let out a few sighs and completely closed my arms because I seemed to be deaf to his silence earlier.“What do you want to eat for our late lunch?” He stared at me, so I sit properly. Then I looked down at my wristwatch. It was past one in the afternoon, so I could feel my stomach boiling.“Anything,” I replied.I just let him take me wherever he wants to, and we headed to a famous restaurant.I want to smile because this is my first time eating out with Calixto. If this can be said, I was probably the happiest woman in the world.But again, a deafening silence broke out between us as we ate. I reluctantly leaned back in my chair and drank the juice, which I immediately lowered, so that made a slight noise.My lips twitched as he caught my attention. “Don’t you like you
THAT NIGHT, Jacky visited when she heard that my father was in the hospital.“How is uncle?” she asked as she laid the fruits and bread she handed on the side table.“He needs an operation as soon as possible,” I said with no strength.“What happened? How about his medication?”“I really don’t know. Maybe I also have a shortcoming because I still let him get tired from work even though he has heart disease,” I whispered weakly.She leaned over me and gently held my palm. “Don’t blame yourself. Uncle Gorio just wants to have a normal life,” she said to me.I shook my head and could feel the warm tears in my eyes.“Nothing will happen if you blame yourself. Let’s just pray that uncle’s condition improves.” She tapped my back.I wiped away the dripping tears and watched him sleep soundly.“I heard you moved to the morning s
I WAS suddenly startled when my cellphone rang again. “Hello?” “Hey, babe.” I immediately peeked at the registered number before I became very quiet. Why didn’t I look at who was calling first?! “Please, Rexon, not now,” I murmured. “Be at my house tomorrow at eight in the morning,” he ordered. “What? No! Who says I agree with what you want, huh?!” I answered bluntly. “I do,” he countered back. I rolled my eyes and rubbed my head in pain. “I said, no! I will never be your personal assistant. Isn’t it enough that you used me just to get through your issue?” “That is why I’m here to help you.” “Well, I don’t need your help,” I said firmly. He paused for a moment on the other line before speaking again. “I’ll wait for you ’til 10.” After that, he dropped the call. I just sighed and got up to continue buying coffee. *** “Dad, you must be strong so that you can recover quickly,
“THANKS for your help. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to pay you.” Calix invited me to the cafeteria, and I felt ashamed of what I said.“Don’t be thankful. If I can pay the operation fee in full, I will do it. But I can only pay half of it.” He embarrassingly scratched his eyebrow.My eyes widened at what he said. I never thought he would pay half of Dad’s surgery.“Calix, you don’t have to bring out a lot of money just to help me.” Without saying a word, he held my hand on the table.“It’s just a piece of paper, the amount doesn’t matter. I can earn that much money again. Uncle Gorio’s life is even more important.” He gently touched the palm of my hand.“But—”“No buts, when I said, I said.” His eyebrows rose at me, so I shyly pulled my hand that had been burning on me earlier.“So I’ll better go!
“OMG! Tell me that this is just a dream?!” Jacky held me on both shoulders as her eyes widened while looking at me.I rolled my eyes at her because I almost lacked the excitement I felt when I recounted what Rexon and I had discussed earlier.“This is really unbelievable! Is it true that you will be Rexon Del’Torre’s P.A.? The heartthrob of my life? My prince charming? The one who will fulfill my dreams and fill my cold nights?” She looked up while her two hands clasped as if she’s dreaming.“I still didn’t accept the offer, and stop fantasizing about him! You don’t deserve a man like him, just find someone else who will fulfill your fantasy because I know the intestinal coil of such people!”“There is nothing wrong if I like him, ’cause even if I am just one of his women, I will be. How about you? Did he not even cross your mind?” Trembling again by her words as if she sw
“CHERRY, ONE MOJITO!” A woman named Cyril approached me.“Alright,” I said, then I turned my back on her, but I stopped—Wait, how can I do that? I glanced at Brian, who was still busy with what he was doing. I was so embarrassed to approach him.“Excuse me, someone ordered a mojito.”“Can’t you do that?” he asked as he continued to wipe the glass.“I’m sorry, but I have no idea how to mix a cocktail.”He faced the table and began to pull out a high glass.“This is a sparkling water with mint. And you can also add a simple syrup like strawberry or blue berry. The drink is then garnished with ice, lime, and a mint sprig.” He quickly ended the mixing as if it was a demo to me. I was impressed by his speed as if he had been trained in that field.He handed me the glass after signaling for me to take it to the counter.“T-thank you.&rdquo
I WAS SO EXCITED to go to the hospital to tell Dad the good news. I hurried inside the ICU with a broad smile on my face.“Miss Banaag, it’s good that you’re here. I have good news for you. Any moment now, the operation can be done on your father,” the doctor said to me and held my hand tightly.I immediately glanced at Dad. I’m sure he’ll be happy when he finds out that Calixto helped us with his operation.“Thank you, Doc.”“By the way, did you already talk to Mr. Del’Torre?”My broad smile faded as I turned to her in astonishment.“Mr. Del’Torre? Why?”“Didn’t he tell you? I’m glad that he paid all the expenses for your father’s operation, as well as the payment for all the medicines.”My eyes widened at what she said.“Haven’t you talk to him? He just left my office a while ago.” Confusi