“IT’S OKAY! THE breakfast is delicious, so it’s okay,” I said shyly, although I have not forgotten what he did to me last night.
“The dress fits you perfectly. You look beautiful today,” he praises.
“Thank you for the dress. You shouldn’t have bothered in the first place.” My cheeks become redder.
“Don’t think about it. You’re beyond gorgeous in that dress,” he replied before turning his back on me and return to the man he talked to earlier.
With delight in my heart, the heat traveled to my cheeks. I followed him with my gaze. I thought I’d just go back to the suite first and called Cindy.
But I’m frozen to my feet when I saw Peter approaching me.
“Peter?!”
“Yes. You must be shocked?” A sweet smile flashed on him.
“No—honestly, yes!” I muttered.
He laughed a little. I quickly turned to Lawrence, who was now busy talking to someone again.
“I’m sorry for what happened last night. How are you? You alright?”
I REMAINED SILENT. I have no intention of discussing this matter further because I am not in the position to ask him for an explanation. I just went straight to the room he had reserved for me last night and slumped on the side of the bed. I calmed myself a few times before noticing the red rose he had given me. I closed my eyes for a moment and smelled its scent. I can’t help but smile when I saw again the letter he wrote. “Hmm. Lucky rose . . .” My eyes opened. Lawrence leaned against the door frame staring at me with a curved lip. His dimple shows. I can’t help but be overwhelmed. What would it be like to be trapped in his arms, especially if something more serious had happened to us last night? I quickly shook my head and scolded myself for thinking about that. “Our lunch is ready. Let’s eat,” he said before leaving. I quietly followed because I actually starving. He pulled out a chair for me and gently tapped my shoulder before si
A FEW HOURS after the wedding, guests went straight to the Pavilion de Saavedra, where the reception will be held. I decided to sit in a corner that was not too crowded as I quietly sipped the wine in the glass I was holding. “Why don’t you join them?” I suddenly turned to the source of the voice. Lawrence stood beside me, holding a glass of champagne. I sipped my wine instead of answering. “Don’t drink too much, Margaux,” he reminded me. I frowned at him and took another glass from a passing waiter. “It’s just wine, Lawrence,” I answered sparingly. I was about to drink again, but he snatched it and drank it straight. I just felt sorry for him for what he did. Then he suddenly took off his coat and covered it on my skin. “Thanks,” I murmured. “You look pretty as always,” he said in his husky voice. I looked up at him. He has a pleasant expression. “It’s getting colder here.” He gently took my hand and gu
“IF YOU CAN’T, it’s okay—” “No, it’s okay,” he cut me off. “Alright, then I will set a schedule for our meeting after we get back to Manila,” I declared. “No problem,” he still answered sparingly to me. Since it looks like he really has no intention of talking to me, I decided to just look out the window again. But to my surprise, the car suddenly turned to a restaurant. “Let’s eat first before going home,” he said, something I agreed with. “They have delicious food here,” he said as we walked inside. “Elliesse Restaurant”, that was the name of the restaurant he brought me. I can’t help but appreciate it since the diner’s overall structure is appealing. There’s also a large tree in there, as well as a stairway to the rooftop, which I’m sure I will love. The place is beautiful, and the theme color was green. The table and chairs are made of top-notch wood. A violinist is playing in the corner, and the restaurant is conne
TIME PASSED QUICKLY. I just finished my meeting with Mrs. Talameda. Our discussion was very long, and now it is past four o’clock in the afternoon. I was late for my meeting with Lawrence, and the traffic was still heavy. “Shit!” I said in disgust. I took my cellphone out of the bag to get even more frustrated because it turned out to be a low battery. “Why now?!” It was 5:30 pm when I got through the traffic. I was an hour and a half late for the meeting. I immediately parked the car in front of the famous coffee shop where Lawrence and I will meet. My eyes immediately searched for Lawrence as I entered. “For reservation, Ma’am?” the waiter politely asked me. “Yes, with Mr. Saavedra,” I replied as the nervousness was still in my body. “Ah, this way, please.” He guided me up the stairs, where there were very few people. “Thank you!” I said as he pointed me to our table. My chest tightened immediately when I saw
“HERE’S YOUR COFFEE!” I put the coffee in front of him and then decided to sit down. “Thanks.” He met my gaze, so I slowly bowed to the food. I swallowed a few times before speaking again. “Any plans for today?” he asked as he sipped a coffee. “Hmm, I don’t have any plans today.” “May I ask you out on a date?” he instantly said while looking directly at me. I pursed my lips. I did not immediately respond to his offer. “How about shopping? Or movies?” he suggested and laid his back against the chair. Maybe I’ll do the baking of the cake later. “I’m not busy, so let’s go,” I agree. After we ate, we went to the mall. He left me for a while to buy a ticket while I bought popcorn and drinks. From here, I can see how some women look at him. I have to admit that he’s attractive and definitely a head-turner. I can’t help but wonder if the women’s necks were not clenched as they look at him. He ca
THE THINGS I will take with me when Lawrence and I leave are ready. While waiting for him to arrive, I glanced in the mirror many times since the anxiety in my chest didn’t go away. I almost jumped in shock when I heard a series of doorbell rings. “Just a moment!” I yelled and glanced again at the mirror to check my reddish-orange dress and tiptoe shoes again. “Hi!” I greeted him warmly when I opened the door. I seemed to be burned by the way he looked at me. Nor did I escape his gentle look at my whole being. “Ah, come in first. I’ll just get my things,” I said before turning around. As he walked inside, I glanced at him. My heart flushed as I noticed the strength behind his stunning features. He was wearing a simple white T-shirt and faded denim jeans and his Nike shoes that matched his brown leather jacket. My eyes were wondering when his eyes met mine. “Let me help you with that,” he said, then took my bag from me.
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
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