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
“GOOD EVENING! THANK you for this wonderful surprise. Actually, I’m planning to celebrate my birthday with my loved ones only,” he paused and glanced intensely at me.I was out of breath because of what he said. I feel like he did not like the celebration I prepared based on his sharp stares at me.“Thank you! You made my birthday extra special tonight,” he continued. His words make me blush so heavily, my heart’s doubts completely dissolved because of what he said.“Thank you so much, Mr. Clarence Saavedra, our celebrant! Now let’s all welcome Mr. Samuel Saavedra!” introduced the emcee.I followed him with my gaze as I descended the stage. He’s still with Elliesse. I also noticed him following Lawrence, who just walked straight to the few guests he met.“Good evening, everyone! First of all, I would like to thank everyone who attended tonight, especially to all who organized and mad
I glanced at him. A stony glare carved into his dark eyes. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and looked straight ahead.“Rence . . .” my lips utter. I tried to caress his arm, but I just blew a crisp cheap.I bite down my lip. I closed my eyes tightly to calm my heartbeat.“Where are we going? How about Clarence?!” I finally said to break the silence. “And your dad, what will he say after what happened at the party?”“I don’t fucking care!” he shot with anger.I leaned heavily on the seat. I want to ask what makes him so annoyed. But I just chose to keep quiet first.“Aren’t you going to tell me something I don’t know?” he then asked me smoothly.There I turned to him in astonishment.I was a little bit confused. I do not know what he refers to.I was surprised when he suddenly stepped on the cylinder, causing us to speed up.“
“SO YOU MEAN you are single right now?!” Julia asked him softly. Her eyes were blinking, and a smile already played on her lips.“Hmm . . . yes,” he answered.Julia seemed happy with what she heard from Franco, so she leaned a little on his shoulder, probably because she was very drunk.“I’m done!” Jeremy suddenly shouted, lowering the glass of wine on the table. Then he violently stood up and, without saying a word, left.He immediately followed by Santino and carried him inside the mansion. Everyone knows that Julia and Jeremy are dating, but I have not yet confirmed that to Julia.Shaking, I just glared at Franco, who was now busy drinking.The night deepened, and almost everyone was drunk. Jocko was already dancing with Samantha to the accompaniment of the Logistic Band. Carrick and Cindy danced in the middle as well.“Do you want to dance?” Lawrence whispered to me while he la
“UH, I’M GLAD that you and Franco have a small talked.” I cleared my throat and looked over the window.“He’s my brother. I don’t want to make things worse,” he told me.I gave him a small smile before leaning on his chest. He was right; it looks like Franco will have no problem because I am comfortable that it will not do anything wrong.“Okay, let’s go!” Jocko shouted, and the car sailed away.I just waved at Clarence, who Doris carried. We did not include him and baby Kyzler in this trip because we will climb to get to Dinalayan Falls. We will definitely have a hard time with them. Besides, it is an isolated area and no electricity yet.***WHEN WE REACHED Dinalayan, we took a long walk to climb the rocky road.Lawrence was able to support me. At first glance, it seemed easy to climb the rocks, but I was sweating profusely because the place was steep. We spent a few minute
“LOOKS LIKE YOU and your brother are okay, now.” I looked up at him then he nodded.“Well, blood is thicker than water, you know?” He then smiled broadly.I did not speak until now. I still cannot believe what is happening.It feels good that they are probably okay with each other. I know that Lawrence’s heart is open for his brother.We spent a few more minutes in the water before we decided to go up. He picked up my clothes and handed them to me before traveling to the small hut there.Loud group stories greeted us. Lawrence turned his gaze at me. His features darkened, but his delicate lips always had a faint smile.He stood up and greeted me. “You should wear your shirt, sweetie. Don’t give me a hard time,” he whispered under his breath.My face heats up. I also immediately felt ashamed of what he said. So I decided to change my clothes.We just ate lunch and then agreed to re
AFTER EATING, THE group decided to do a movie marathon in the living room. I just quietly sat while waiting for Lawrence, who’s talking to his father on the veranda. A few moments later, I sat up when I felt he sat next to me.“Dad’s gone,” he said casually before hugging me.Only then did I breathe properly because of what he said. I leaned on his shoulder and hugged my arms around his body.“How’s Clarence?”“He slept in his room before I got off here,” I answered.“I’m sorry about Dad.” He lowered his head to look at me evenly. The same feeling hits me big time. It is even worse now because I gradually feel that it has a good destination.“It’s okay. I know he doesn’t like me.” My heart twisted a bit. Until now, the effects of what happened earlier still weigh heavily on me.I felt him grabbed my hand. He played it for a while and finall
AS TIME CHANGED, my chest tightened even more. I was not on myself while meeting with another client. My mind was occupying by Samuel Saavedra. I tried to breathe calmly, but every time I looked up at the clock, my panic and anxiety attack frightened me.My meeting with Mr. Talameda already ended, but I am still here in my swivel chair and facing the large glass wall of my office.From here, I can see the lofty hotel of Saavedra. Even from a distance, it can increase the height and size due to the few floors.I put air in my chest and then pounded the diamond ring on my shovel ring. I trust him. I trust Lawrence and our relationship, and no matter what happens, I will continue to fight for my love for him.I did not even inform Lawrence of our meeting. Indeed nothing terrible would happen if Samuel and I just talked.My heart beats louder than it should ever since my heels stepped on their hotel. I tightened my grip on my shoulder bag and forced my
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