“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
THEY FROWNED AT what I said. My lips pursed a bit. I still couldn’t help but warm my two cheeks every time I remembered that day. I felt embarrassed, but at the same time, I’m thankful because I met him at my downfall. He taught me how to stand up again and trust in love again.“Oh my gosh, you two really aren’t ashamed of Margaux!” Mirasol rebuked them. The two did not answer; instead, they just quietly whispered while trembling.“It’s okay, the truth is, our first meeting was not really good. He’s so arrogant. We also didn’t like each other at first. But everything has changed when I fall deeply for him,” I revealed.My face heated more after I said that. I just shook my head when Tanya and Rica tempted me.We finished the meal quickly. At the same time, the delivery truck arrived with some tents, tables, and chairs that I rented from Saavedra Resort.“Ma’am, we’ll take
“UH, YES! I mean, leave it to me!” I bit my knotted tongue firmly before I quickly turned my back on him.Fortunately, I reached out to Mirasol, who prepared the snack for the staff.“I’m sorry if it’s a little late for the snack,” she apologetically said.“It’s okay. I’ll go ahead and take them outside and continue what you’re doing upstairs.”I grabbed the tray with just the pitcher and some sandwiches.“Oh, no! When Lawrence finds out, he might get mad at me!” Mirasol insisted.“I’ll take care of Rence. We just finished talking.”She smiled in agreement with what I said. “Then I will go to the back of the house first to hang the blankets I washed.” I nodded as she turned her back on me to get out.I quickly turned around, but the tray I was holding almost fell due to Franco’s presence. He leaned against the door
IT WAS NOISY inside, and almost everyone is also busy. But it is still inevitable that some will stop working when they notice our presence.Franco walked away for a moment to talk to some staff. I just watched him as he spoke.He also glances at me from time to time. His eyes were deep and burning as if he had so much to say. I can’t help but wonder why Fontanilla is his last name when Lawrence is Saavedra. I don’t know what’s the real story behind it. So far, I am not in a position to ask.I straightened up when I noticed Franco approaching me again.“Would you like to go for a walk?”I agreed to his offer. We walked until we reached the banana farm.Franco inspected the trays of only ripe bananas before taking one to peel.“Taste it. That’s one of the sweetest fruits here in San Felipe.”I took a small bite. I was no longer surprised by its sweetness and softness.
THE MALE SINGER shouted using the microphone and greeted the guests. The band has also started playing. He had a clear, deep, beautiful, and genuine warmth to his voice. I smiled broadly at the guests’ applause while listening to it.Carrick and Cindy also arrived, taking care of some guests.My heart was pounding, and my breathing deepened as the night deepened and awaited the arrival of Lawrence.Until we wake up to a familiar vehicle, I took a deep breath and tried to rest my nerves. Gradually the guests screamed as the door of his wrangler jeep opened.Franco’s gaze was locked to me so intensely. He was wearing a black polo shirt with long sleeves and dark pants. My lips twitched when I noticed the clothes he was wearing. It was a cowboy outfit that is not suitable for tonight’s celebration.***“GOOD EVENING, MY lady,” he said in a smooth voice.My voice got stuck from my throat as he stood only a fe
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