I STEPPED FORWARD to approach it, and I was immediately amazed at what I saw. It was a family picture—a teenage version of Lawrence with his mom and dad.
Now I am even more observant of how handsome he is even at a young age. I also take a short glance at his dad, who is almost a carbon copy of him. And his mom, she looks stunning wearing a white dress. There is also no denying her beauty and whiteness while smiling next to Lawrence.I was shocked to hear the door open on my side. I immediately put down the frame I was holding and faced him. I watched his dark eyes looking hard at the frame I held earlier.“Y-you have a beautiful family,” I commented.He just nodded and stepped closer to me. He has not lost his dark look since before. So I awkwardly step back. I feel there is something wrong with what I did.“I want to show you something,” he said as he passed me by.Immediately my feet stepped to follow him. In a few momenI QUICKLY TURNED around to go upstairs to change. It was there that my tears finally flowed. I can’t do it even if I stop it. My heart was being hit and twisted in both fear and excitement. Is this the right time to accept him back into my life?Maybe I just make mistakes and send in my own emotions. But when I saw Lawrence hugging his son, all my worries seemed to go away.Before I went down, there was a concrete decision formed in my mind. This time I will decide not just for me but for the sake of Clarence.Loud laughter greeted me as I went back to the living room. I immediately noticed Mommy carrying Clarence while Dad and Lawrence were in front of them.“You’re so adorable!” I heard Mommy say.I smiled, then I approached them.“How was my baby Clarence doing? I asked as I enter the living room.“He’s my grandson. I’m no doubt about it,” Dad said, then he tapped Lawrence’s right shoul
I LICK MY lower lip. It felt for a moment on my side before I opened my lips.“Uhm, I just want to apologize for what I did last night. I haven’t been able to say goodbye to you properly,” I started.But he did not answer; only a heavy sigh was released.I looked up at him, and those dark and piercing eyes looked down on me.“You’re not here just to say sorry for what happened last night, are you?” he said in a baritone voice.My former courage to stare at him is gradually dissolving. I lowered my head down ashamedly. My heart, which had been beating so hard before, seemed to speed up even more because of what he said.“I saw you with Lawrence last night. You also came together today.”I swallowed hard. I closed my eyes to stop the tears from falling in my eyes. I also bite down my lip hard and clasp my hand tightly.“Don’t worry about me. I understand. I always will, Margaux,”
“DAD TEXTED ME. I’m being sent to San Simon today. Let’s have dinner there too.”He did not wait for my answer because he quickly changed and deviated from the road. His face immediately turned cold; hardened eyes stared straight ahead.I firmly bit my lip and watched the car move as we left the city. I think we are running at a speed of ninety at these times.He was just quiet the whole trip. His sudden coldness already shook my heart. Ice seemed to cool his gaze on the dark road.I adjusted my seat as we entered San Simon. My thoughts are getting heavier, my pulse beyond wild now. This is actually my first time meeting his father. I’ve heard a lot of good about him, but the consequence is that he is strict and far from everything.“We’re here,” he whispered in a low voice. I cleared my throat, looking up at the open and lofty fence that seemed to be waiting for our arrival.When his car parked opposite t
“I DON’T HAVE much time to set up a meeting with Del’fierro’s, Dad. I have more important things to prioritize than that.” His voice was cold and arrogant.I heard his baritone laugh at what Lawrence said.“What is more important than visiting your fiancée, then?” Samuel asked his son authoritatively.The fuck! I immediately lowered the cutlery I was holding. My heart soared hearing those lines coming from his father. That’s when I knew I was waiting for it in favor of me. One more thing, did I hear it, right? Is she still his fiancée? I thought the marriage was canceled?“Dad, do not bring this up on the table.” His tone was laced with anger.His father gently wiped his mouth with a tissue and raised an eyebrow at him afterward.“And what do you want to talk about, then?” He quickly glanced at me with a smile that I could not name.I seemed to have realized the h
“WE’RE VERY SORRY, Mr. President. Please accept our sincere apology for our action,” the receptionist apologized.“Next time, treat her as one of your bosses here.”My heart automatically stopped because of what he said. It was as if something was tickling my stomach that I could not understand.He asked for the key to his presidential suite, which they immediately gave him.“I’ll expect your resignation letter tomorrow morning at my table,” he ordered in a harsh and rude tone.Before I could speak, Lawrence pulled me away from there. I feel sorry for them. In fact, they are not at fault. It is also not a valid reason that they did that to be fired.“You shouldn’t have done that to your employees!” I held on to his arm since we entered the suite.I was shocked when he looked at me. His face seems so dark and critical. His strong jawline clenched so hard. I know that he has been preve
I ORDERED A piece of pastry, sandwiches, and creamy hot chocolate with whipped cream and coffee.I laid those well on the table, but before I could finish, I felt hands clasping my hips and his delicate kisses on my neck and cheeks.“Hmm, good morning. How was your sleep?” His voice was still husky from sleep.I was unable to answer because of the sequence of kisses on my neck down to my shoulders. I dare not to move. I dare not to even breathe as I felt his hand entering from below my bathrobe.My heart moved fast. I couldn’t hear it, but damn! I could feel it, beating, pulsing, and thumping against my chest.“It’s better that we have breakfast so that we can go home early. I miss Clarence so much!” I took a deep breath and tried to calm my heart.“We will, but before that, I want to show you something,” he said, then chose to sit in a chair and sip the coffee in front of him.I was dazzled. He still
“YOU MUST HAVE been hungry during the trip.” I looked at Mirasol, who was pouring juice into our long glass.I bit my lower lip. Suddenly it seemed like I didn’t want to pick up the cutlery because of what she said.“You should try my caldereta and kare-kare. That’s delicious, hija!” This promise is still valid.I no longer refused because she had already put me a dish on my plate. I looked up at Lawrence, his lips curved, not quite smiling but tilting as if they mean to.“Uh, thank you . . .” I said, stopping to take a deep breath.It was good that they immediately left, so I was able to eat normally even though I was aware of Lawrence’s occasional glance at me.When we finished, he guided me to the second floor, which brought me even more excitement.“What are we . . . doing here?” My heart was beating wildly.“See for yourself.”He quickly grabbed the lock to
AFTER LOGGING OUT, I got bored getting up and wandering around the room. Until I thought about looking at the balcony, from here, I could see the wrangler jeep parked opposite the mansion.That was probably his brother Franco’s car. I used to think he was an only child. In the family picture, because they were in Lawrence’s condo, only three were in the photo. I just shrugged that thing and decided to go down because I felt thirsty.From the second floor, I could see the man Lawrence was talking to. Perhaps he is what they call brother Franco. I finally stepped down, causing me to grab his attention.His brown eyes were settling on mine, hard-rimmed and fixed. His dark brows were actually as graceful as Lawrence’s. Like him, he has the chiseled body of an athlete, brooding muscles, and bulging features. He got that brown skin, and two blazing eyes were full of intensity.“You didn’t tell me you had a visitor?” His voice was dee
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