I WAS SO annoyed that I stabbed the steak in front of me so hard that I caught their attention and stopped talking.
“Sorry! The steak is a bit tough,” I explain.
Lawrence frowned at my reaction. He struggles to read what’s in my eyes. In the end, he is the first one to give up and look down before averted his gaze.
He quickly motioned for the waiter to approach us immediately. “Please change Ms. Collins’ food. Make sure the steak you serve is tender,” he ordered and looked at me seriously.
“Immediately, Mr. President!” the waiter politely said before taking my plate from me.
“No, I’m good.” I gently wiped my lips before standing up. “I’ll go take some rest. It looks like you have more to talk about,” I emphasized something to them.
“Oh, right,” said Elliesse, then shrugged.
Lawrence looked me in the eyes, so I decided to just look away. “Just enjoy your moment together. I’ll be upstairs,” I added before I walked away.
W
FEELING TIRED, I decided to go upstairs. I went straight to the umbrella tree where my ordered pasta and coconut juice arrived. After drying up, I leaned back in the lounge and put on my sunglasses. But even before I sat down, I noticed a couple running towards the sea. I took off my sunglasses and frowned at them. My lovely mouth opened with astonishment. The woman with smooth and silky hair quickly ran into the water. I frowned even more when I saw the man next to her. He’s wearing a pair of blue boxer shorts and a white shirt. It was as if I were watching a movie when they met in the water. It was painful to watch them laughing at each other. My heart feels like it’s been stabbed. I shook my head. I should not feel this pain. I should be happy for them because it looks like they are together again. I bit my lower lip. But why does my system seem unwilling to accept that? Suddenly, my vision became blurred. My tears fell on my cheeks
“YEAH, I KNOW, but you have no right to enter my room and for crashing that damn door,” I uttered in a cold voice. But instead of answering, he stepped closer to me. I quickly backed away until he cornered me in the bathroom. I could feel the cold tiles on my back. I sighed as he locked me with his two hands that were now also holding the cold tiles. The water from the shower that drenched us both is still pouring. “Show some respect, Mr. Saavedra,” I said in a shaky voice. I want to return my heartbeat to normal and prevent my body heat from rising, but why it’s so fucking hard? He tilted his head a bit. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?” he asked with a baritone voice. Yes, I am jealous. I was jealous because of that kissed. For ignoring me when she was around and for making me feel unwanted! I wish I could have uttered those words, but no words came out of my lips. I just kept getting colder and colder. “Damn, look at me, Margaux
I BIT DOWN my lip. I wanted to protest for what he did, but my throat seemed to be dry. “Not so fast, baby,” he told me before spitting on the surface of the bed. He held it in his hands as if it were hard steel, softly stroking it down and up. Because of the excitement that surrounded me, I wanted to withdraw. For a brief moment, he glanced down at me, and the swirls of emotion I saw there made me gasp. Slowly, his lips moved closer to mine. He is now softly kissing me; it was so slow and gentle. While one of his fingers combs my hair, the other caresses my face. I moan in pleasure. I was breathless with delight as he showered me with more gentle and soft kisses. As our kiss deepened, I ran my tongue across his teeth and swallowed his moan. I could feel his readiness between my thighs. For a little moment, we parted even more to open my thighs softly. I took a deep breath. I felt like I was on the brink of death when I thought about it. I alm
I ATE LUNCH by myself and then went for a walk along the beach. The camera’s flash caught my attention, as did the crowd gathered to observe the ongoing photoshoot at the shore.I stopped when I finally found a nice spot where I could see Elliesse posing. She looks stunning in a long, thin white gown that emphasizes her whiteness. She is sitting on a big tree with the lovely San Simon Sea in the background.As I looked around, I saw Lawrence with a man in the distance. He is now wearing a gray long sleeve polo and denim pants.My heart melted as he turned his gaze to met mine. I bit my lower lip. The intensity of his stare makes my heart pound so fast. I quickly looked down. Damn, I could still feel him inside me. The heat and the pleasure are still there.I only looked back at him when I saw him talking on his cellphone. The furrow in his brows is very visible at my sight. I also saw that he shook his head a few times while talking.I stared at him with a look of con
WHEN WE FINISHED eating, we went to the beach and lit a bonfire. It was nice to feel the heat coming from the fire due to the cold wind blowing. We sat around there while Jeremy and Santino came out with wine and some snacks. “You have beautiful skin,” Julia whispered, then pressed her brown arm to me. “You too, I really envy brunettes. I prefer to get tan just so I can achieve that color,” I said with a smile on my lips. “I guess that’s how it really is. You still won’t be able to get it if you don't have anything else,” she whispered painfully before turning to Jeremy. Without hesitation, I raised my hand to caress his back. She looked so surprised when she turned her gaze at me. “Girls instinct,” I said after smiling at her. “Are you going to drink?” Santino asked me. “No, she can’t drink,” Peter answered so I could do nothing but shook my head so as not to have a long conversation. So, in the end, Santino just offer
I FILLED MY lungs with salty air before I speak. “Do you really have a relationship with her? I-I mean, since when?” I don’t care if I sound desperate. I just really want to know the truth. They all looked at me as if my question had confused them. I wasn’t scared to ask him that question, perhaps because I was dizzy after a few straight shots. His perfect jaw tightened, tugging the corner of his lips frantically. “What do you want me to answer?” he asked bluntly. His eyes remained dark and shrouded. I swallowed hard; vision fixed on the ground. He seemed to be slowly eating me because of his dark stare. Everyone became silent, and no one dared to speak. “Okay, I’ll take the dare,” he rubbed the back of his neck frustratedly and waited for my reply. “Kiss me,” I bravely said. Almost everyone was stunned by what I said, but I lit up my chin to show I am serious. He clenched his jaw tight and lightly shook his head at my
BUT I FELT his warm palm on my arm and snatch the suitcase I was holding. I shut my eyes with anticipation. The truth is, I didn’t want to let go. I wanted him to hold me like this for as long as possible. But I was hurt. I was devastated and humiliated. I wanted to stay in his arms, but I just can’t. “I have to go,” I barely whisper to him and snatch my bag from his grip. I could feel his rejection of what I said and some violent breathing before speaking. “I’ll drive you home,” he finally said. I smirked. “You don’t have to. I can go alone, and I don’t need your help!” I shouted. I also tried to pull my arm away from him, but I only got weaker. “Let’s talk. There’s something you need to know.” I chuckled. “What do I need to know? I heard everything I needed to know last night. It’s clear to me. So stop making excuses, Mr. Saavedra,” I expelled angrily. He let out a sigh and looked at me for a long moment, then shook his head.
“MARGAUX, IT’S GOOD that you came. We’re all worried about you,” Julia told me with so much concern. “Yes, it looks like alcohol was bad for you in the past, ah?” Allysa groaned as Julia stopped her by tapping her at the shoulder. “Are you okay?” Samantha asked while keeping her eyes on her cellphone. “I’m okay, thank you,” I shyly said, both cheeks turned red with embarrassment because of the full attention they gave me. I also saw Cindy and Carrick coming with Elliesse and Lawrence. I didn’t want our eyes to meet this time, so I just decided to avert my gaze. “Everything is here, come on!” William shouted before pulling his girlfriend Allysa to a mini-boat to board a yacht not far away. One by one, we boarded the yacht that Lawrence allegedly owned. I just shook my head at what I found out. If I only knew, I would not have come and just went straight home. We stayed in the room reserved for us because the yacht was so big tha
I GOT A bit of a surprise when a row of resort employees greeted me. I reciprocated with a smile during my step. When my white heels stepped on the sand, I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe there is nothing wrong with undressing it? It doesn’t matter if I wore anything. The important thing is that I get to the end where I know someone is waiting for me. I can see the aisle from here. I can’t still believe this is happening. Tears started to form in my eyes when I saw my friends and relatives waiting for me. They are complete—Dad and Mom with Clarence, Cindy, Carrick, Jocko, and others with their complete attire. That’s when I can’t hold back my tears. It continued to run down my cheek. I paused for a moment as if unable to step on my feet due to too much emotion. Mom and Dad immediately approached me to hug me tightly. Mommy wiped away my tears and handed me the bouquet of roses. “I thought you couldn’t come?” I said with full of
“WILL YOU MARRY me tomorrow?”As if I wanted to laugh at what he said. I turned my attention back to the beautiful city because I could not find the answer.“Tomorrow, I will marry you. I want to make sure you never leave me again, that you will never escape me again.” I was swallowed up by what I heard.“Do you agree?” My lips quivered at his question. I know I have no reason to refuse, but why is it so fast?“We are not yet ready, Lawrence.”He groaned, he licked his lips, and it became redder.“It takes one week to prepare. I make sure everything will be finalized and perfectly polished before I discuss this with you.”My lips parted in his revelation. So, this is the reason he did not see me for almost a week.“I hate you!”My two eyes started to heat up. I let go of his embrace and wiped away my tears.“Hey, where are those tears co
I LOOKED UP at him again and saw his pale eyes. While staring at me, the tightness in his jaws did not let up.“Forgive me if I hurt you before. Maybe I need to correct my mistakes so I can make the right decision now. I don’t know how I can talk to him!” I cried.He walked up to me slowly and pulled me closer to him, wrapping his arms around me. “Shh, don’t say that. That’s fine. Just trust me.”I sunk into his warmth hard chest. I closed my eyes and smelled his fragrant smell. His hugs still did not change. It was still the same as before. I could feel the warmth of his body: the security and the gentleness.How could it be that I hadn’t seen his love before? Pure, unselfish, free, warm, cozy, and real.“Talk to him. Lawrence is the type of man who will not give up easily. Just trust him.”Maybe he was right. I have to trust and believe we can still fix this.I slowly let g
MAYBE HE REALIZED this too and just obeyed the command of his dad to choose Elliesse. It is also not a joke to lose everything he worked for just for Clarence and me.I shook my head as hate and enmity welled up in my heart.My eyes fall again, but I regain my strength. I quickly wiped away the tears that I wanted to drip and tried to calm myself.Eventually, I found myself wandering around the city. I was driving with no direction, and I didn’t know where I was going.Until I passed Peter’s restaurant, where he took me, I no longer bothered to park my car and get inside.I ordered a panzanella and pizza margherita. I suddenly felt hungry as it was served to me while it was still smoking.I started eating while waiting for Brigette to join the stage. I heard from some customers that she would sing tonight.I was enjoying my food when I heard a familiar voice near me. When I looked at it, I did not make a mistake; Jocko was
I DID NOT go to work the next day because of the bad feeling. Lawrence and I did not meet for a few days.After what happened at the party, I did not talk to him again. I don’t think it is the right thing to do. But this is probably the best thing to do right now.If I continue to have a relationship with Lawrence, I am sure there will be nothing left to him. Even everything he worked for will go to nothing. Maybe I should just follow his father’s wishes—and that was to be separated from him.“Margaux, can we talk?” Cindy’s voice spoke from outside of my bedroom door. “Please, Margaux!” she said with a series of knocks.I blew out a deep breath and was forced to open the door.“What are you doing here?” I turned my back on her and went back to bed, and sat down.I heard a deep sighed before she spoke.“I should have asked you the same question! Look at you, Margaux! You
SUDDENLY, MY CELLPHONE rang because of Cindy’s call.“Hello, Margaux?”I immediately noticed the noisy background on the other line.“Oh, why?!”“Come here now!” she said hysterically.I suddenly woke up in bed because of the tone of her voice.“Where?”“Here in Eastwood, in the Royal Highs Subdivision. Just say Carrick’s name to the guard!” After she said that, she turned off the call.Though confused, I obeyed what she said. I headed to the place Cindy was talking about. Gradually I got an idea of what was going on, but I did not want to make a conclusion about it until I had no concrete evidence.In a few moments, I reached the place she says. I looked up at the mansion, where a party was taking place.I tried to call Cindy, but I could not contact her. As she said, I mentioned Carrick’s name to the guard, so I went inside.The
I COULD NOT speak immediately. I would have liked to ask what the flowers were for, but I was even more confused when he invited me to have lunch with him.“Don’t worry. It’s a friendly date. I’ll pick you up at twelve. Alright, Margaux?”I was about to speak, but he immediately dropped the call. I could do nothing but sink into deep thought.Could it all have something to do with what he told me at the hotel? I shook my head and just put aside the doubt.When lunch break came, I got myself ready. I also arranged some of my belongings while waiting for Franco.“Mr. Franco Fuentanilla is here!” Karen broadly smiled as she peeked at the door.“Uh, tell him I’m coming out.” I just hovered for a moment as I looked in the mirror and finally left my office.I saw him sitting in the waiting area. He immediately stood up when he saw me.I couldn’t help but smile at him w
“HOW ARE YOU? When is the wedding?” Jocko asked him while swirling the wine in his glass.“Maybe next month, I want to make it as soon as possible,” he said thoughtfully.I was left out. The redness on my two cheeks immediately went up. Lawrence really handles all the details of the wedding. My only role is to wear the gown and the bridesmaids.“You really are a road to forever!” he joke, then had a fist bump with Lawrence.Carrick arrived later, bringing the dinner of Lawrence and me. We walked into the home and decided to dine there.Lawrence remained silent. Even the meeting of his brows was not enough to deter him from looking towards Carrick’s group.“Would you like to go swimming with them, Julia?” he asked coldly.“Uh, not first. I’m okay here.”He leaned back to his seat and looked at me with twitched brows. “So, what do you want to do, then?&
LAWRENCE PARKED HIS car at the famous hotel. He gave the valet the key to his car and then helped me get out of it.My jaw dropped open as I wandered around the lobby. This is actually my dream hotel. I used to dream of getting in here when I was a child. The beauty and quality of the place are really different. It was Mediterranean-inspired, from the terra-cotta roofing to the white tile floor. Its size is also not a joke.“Good evening, Mr. President!” The one who’s wearing a uniform greeted him.Suddenly I looked at Lawrence with amazement in my eyes. “This . . . is yours?!”He looked at me over his shoulder and smiled broadly.“Gosh!” I just patted my forehead because of stupidity.“I’m one of the stockholders of this company. Actually, I owned fifty percent share of this company,” he said casually.With his posture and kind of smile, I can say that he did not brag about