Chapter 4

BEFORE Laura could take a step closer to Gael, Astin pulled her out of the classroom. Her gaze stayed on Gael until they were outside. People in the hallway stared at them as they passed, recognising Astin. He had once spread around campus that she was his fiancée, which made her furious. Other girls, on the other hand, were overjoyed at Astin's simple smile. Some were practically squealing. Groups in the hallway were even nudging each other.

“Hi, Astin!” she heard Barbie's group from the Accounting Department call out.

He ignored them, keeping his focus solely on her. Laura just gave a quick glance towards the group that had called out to him.

When they reached the back of the building, she was startled as he suddenly pinned her against the wall. His grip was a bit rough, making her wince.

“So, you still haven’t told that guy we’re getting married?” She didn’t say a word. “You looked very pleased with the flower he gave you, didn't you?” he laughed bitterly and then continued, “I can get you something far nicer and more expensive than that. Just say the word, Laura, and I’ll buy it for you immediately,” he said, still angry with her behaviour.

She didn’t respond, only glaring at him. What did he think she was—obsessed with flowers? She almost felt like laughing at him.

What was he even doing here? She thought he had gone to work. His timing earlier had been spot on; she had been just about to accept the flower from her boyfriend Gael. She began to wonder who his “eye” on campus he mentioned was.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, avoiding his previous question.

Instead of answering, he pulled her back towards the building, taking them out of the university grounds.

“Astin, I still have class!” she protested, trying to pull free from his firm grip on her hand.

He stopped walking and looked at her.

“Well, if you’d just listened to me, you’d be in your class right now. Is it that hard to tell Gael I’m your fiancé?” he asked, as his face got redder because of anger and jealousy.

“Please, just give me some time to tell him. It’s hard, Astin. Really,” she said, lightly tapping her chest. “It’s not that easy for me because I love—”

“Shut the hell up, Laura!” he cut her off.

She froze when she saw his face. He was fuming red with rage. She’d never seen him so furious before.

Before she knew it, he’d taken her to his car, and she remained silent until they arrived at the HGC building, where he worked as the company's COO. Aside from managing the Hernandez Group of Companies, he also manages Hotel De Astin, with branches in Caramoan, other parts of the Philippines, and even abroad. She knew this was the project Astin had worked on when he travelled out of the country for two months.

Everyone they passed in the building's lobby looked at them as they were holding hands. They greeted him, but he didn’t respond. She felt embarrassed by his behaviour, so she smiled politely at them instead.

“They’re greeting you, Astin, and you never greeted back,” she commented once they entered the executive’s elevator.

“Don’t mind them,” he replied, leaving her with nothing more to say.

The elevator stopped on his office floor. Just like on the ground floor, all of the employees’ eyes were on them, which made her feel uncomfortable. A beautiful, striking woman greeted them, walking with a model’s stride in an exceptionally short skirt. Her role seems to be Astin's secretary.

“I wish you a good morning, Sir Astin. You have an—”

He snapped at his secretary. “Where is Romel? Do I have to keep telling you every day to talk to Romel and not me?”

“Please accept my apologies,” she said sincerely and sat back down.

The rumours she’d heard were true. Astin didn’t talk directly to his secretaries. Everything went through his personal assistant first. Everyone knew his mother, Aunt Kendra, had once been a secretary. That’s why many women had tried to attract him, but he hadn’t been swayed.

A moment later, he looked at her, pulling her hand as they entered his office. He gestured for her to sit on the long couch, removed his coat, and settled in his executive chair, loosening his tie as he focused on the papers in front of him. He eventually turned to his monitor as it powered on.

She watched him closely, realizing for the first time just how right Asia had been.

“Astin really is handsome, so why can't she fall for him?” she wondered.

But a part of her resisted those thoughts, feeling uneasy. Her gaze then fell on his reddish lips, which moved slightly. She wasn’t sure if he was intentionally wetting his lips, but it only made them look even redder. She found herself drawn to him. He had kissed her several times, but this was the first time she’d focused on it. She remembered his kiss from her birthday—a kiss that had completely blown her mind. She had to admit she’d enjoyed everything he did that night, feeling something then that she still couldn’t quite explain.

He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. Why was it so mesmerizing to watch? He looked incredibly attractive while he worked. She swallowed as she watched his chest move, wishing he wasn’t wearing a shirt.

She slapped herself, snapping out of her thoughts. When did she start fantasizing about him? She hadn’t noticed he was looking at her.

“Are you enjoying the view?” he asked with a smirk.

She swallowed at his question, sighed, and responded.

“Y-yes! I mean, no! I was imagining you were Gael,” she lied.

She jumped when he threw the pen he was holding. She clutched the couch, seeing his reaction. His eyebrows were furrowed.

She immediately regretted what she said when he stood up and walked towards her. Quickly, she moved to the single couch before he could get closer. She raised her legs and gripped her bag tightly. She gasped when he placed his hands on either side of the single couch, his face close to hers. She’d made a mistake again. She was now cornered by him. She should have stayed in her spot!

The anger in his eyes hadn’t subsided as she looked up at him.

“Repeat what you just said, Laura. Repeat it,” he ordered harshly.

She knew that wasn’t what he wanted to hear, so she shook her head.

He grabbed her chin, squeezing slightly, making her wince.

“Do you know how painful it is to hear that? And to hear it straight from your mouth? I’m right in front of you, but you’re thinking of another man!” His eyes were shut, holding back his emotions. “I want to punish you right here, right now, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Do you know why? Because I have so much respect for you, because I love you deeply, Laura. So please, stop testing my patience,” he said, his voice sad but firm, finally releasing her chin.

Then he lowered his gaze. She could feel the weight of his emotions through his breathing.

His hands were still gripping the couch tightly, showing his frustration. She heard his sighs hitting her knees and legs, sensing he was trying to calm himself.

When he raised his gaze, their eyes met. Sadness was written all over his face, making her feel a pang of guilt. His eyes dropped to her lips but quickly looked away. Straightening his necktie even more.

They both turned when his phone rang. He immediately picked it up and answered.

“Okay. Let her in,” he said to the caller, then hung up.

Romel soon entered with an elegant woman who made her feel insignificant. Her skin was flawless. Romel left right after introducing the visitor.

As soon as the woman saw Astin, she hugged him, making Laura’s brow furrow. To anyone else watching, it would seem they were a couple. She couldn’t see if he kissed her.

“I missed you, Aste,” the woman said with a smile.

“I missed you too, Elisa. How have you been?” he replied, hugging her back.

Laura felt a twinge of annoyance watching the two, though she couldn’t understand why. Since when did she care about who he hugged? But she didn’t know this woman.

Astin led Elisa to the long couch, completely ignoring Laura’s presence. It was as if she wasn’t even there.

Adjusting her position, Laura grabbed a magazine but couldn’t focus because of their laughter. She jumped when her phone vibrated in her bag. It was Gael calling.

Just as she was about to answer, Romel returned with another woman carrying a measuring tape. Astin noticed her and spoke with her briefly before pointing at Laura.

Laura felt lost in thought as Astin and Elisa left the room together. She hadn’t noticed the woman in front of her speaking. Apparently, Romel had already left without her noticing.

“May I take your measurements, ma’am?” The woman asked with a smile.

“F-for what purpose?” she asked in confusion.

“Oh, aren’t you Sir Astin’s fiancée?” the woman asked, her brow furrowed.

Was she? Then who was this woman Astin had been speaking with a while ago?

“Y-yes,” she replied.

“I just need to take your measurements for your wedding gown,” the woman explained politely.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “W-wedding gown? Astin hasn’t mentioned anything to me about this,” she said, still confused.

“I was informed that it needs to be completed by the end of the week,” the woman explained, leaving her even more shocked.

This week? Did that mean their wedding was being rushed? But why?

She glanced at the door where Astin had left through. Only Astin could answer this.

She just let the woman continue with her work. It wouldn’t be useful to discuss the upcoming wedding with her. She glanced at her phone, which she’d left on the center table earlier. It vibrated again, likely a call. She excused herself from Vivian, who was currently taking her measurements for what was supposed to be her wedding gown, to answer Gael's call.

“Love,” Gael greeted warmly.

“Gael,” she replied softly, glancing towards the door just in case Astin walked in.

“Are you alright? You didn’t come to class. Where are you? I’ll pick you up,” he said over the line.

“I’m good. Don’t worry about me. Astin and I just had to go somewhere,” she lied.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. It was hard for her to lie.

“Okay. I missed you, Love,” her boyfriend said sweetly.

She looked at Vivian before responding. Vivian was also on the phone with someone, so she managed a small smile.

“I miss you too, Love,” she replied.

“So, when are you free? Can we go on a date as a late celebration?”

She paused at his question. She didn’t have class tomorrow. Should she tell him everything? How would he react? She needed to talk to Gael soon before Astin got to him first.

“How about tomorrow? ” she suggested.

“Sounds good. See you then!” he replied happily.

They said their goodbyes a little later. She still wasn’t sure how to tell him everything. She felt confused and didn’t know what to do. She was also afraid of what might happen.

She took a deep breath before returning to Vivian. It didn’t take long for her to finish, and soon Vivian left her alone. Astin still hadn’t come back, which was starting to make her feel irritated.