"... and the official product release would be on XXXX. I, Jonathan Gonzalez, COO of the HE Corporation, together with the CEO Mr. Hernandez, and other officers, will be expecting each of you to attend the launch. That's all, good day."
Everyone applauded respectively as the Chief Operations Officer, Jonathan Gonzalez, ended his speech. One of them was Ari, the woman who likes her boss secretly.
Jonathan heaved out a sigh as he tugged his tie loose while glancing at the people around the table who were now getting up and heading out of the office. At last, the presentation has ended and he would only have to worry about its launch next week. He could finally breathe a little more once it was done.
Well, not totally, considering he'd be engaged tomorrow... with the person who still hates him to the core: Stefani.
It has been two days since they have last seen each other and even when Jonathan tried to call Stefani, Stefani would always either hang up or ye
It was finally the day of the engagement party.Different flowers were decorated around the garden of a five-star hotel, candle-lights in each of the round tables, food and drinks placed in long tables. There was even a pool at the side with a huge white cake near it for a more elegant-looking party. People in beautiful dresses and tuxedos scattered around the area with smiles on their faces."What a beautiful wedding," President Conti of an Oil Company said as he faced Mr. Hernandez with his butler at his side.If anyone would pass this area without an invitation, they'd surely think it was a wedding party instead of just an engagement one due to its extravagant atmosphere. All because it happened that Stefani's father was one of the richest men in the country, or maybe the world.Mr. Hernandez gave out a hearty laugh, "Sadly it's not a wedding... yet."Mr. Conti was surprised, "Really?" He ordered his own butler to hand the invitation card out ag
Jonathan's face was too close that it instantly made Stefani blush. Frowning, she pushed Jonathan's face away. "Don't get too close to me!! And there's nothing to talk about, okay? J-just leave me alone, you perverted alien!"Jonathan only stared at Stefani, thinking deeply. If they really were going to be engaged and then get married soon, then now would be the right time to actually have a "talk" with Stefani. He wanted to fix and settle things down between him and the person who hates him to the core. He wanted to know Stefani's real reasons for hating him.It was only after Bobby made the people laugh for the hundredth time and glanced at the stairs on his right did he notice his original role for the night. He immediately apologized jokingly as he then called out for Mr. Hernandez who greeted the guests. It wasn't even two minutes later in the speech where he introduced Stefani and Jonathan.Stefani's heart was beating crazy as she heard her name being call
Jonathan could smell the morning wet grass. There was also the faint smell of rusty iron. He felt his body becoming heavy inside but was aware it wasn't a fever. He slowly opened his eyes, finding a few metal objects right before him.He was lying on the ground. His hands were tied up. Slowly, Jonathan tried to recall what happened. He was heading out of the hotel, looking for the woman who was wearing a weird getup. Of course, he knew. Jonathan knew it was Stefani the moment he entered the elevator. Just the woman's scent alone was enough for Jonathan- to know it was his fiancee. What the brat was up to, Jonathan didn't know.So when the younger sprinted out, Jonathan was also quick to follow her. The brat went to a dark narrow alley that made Jonathan worry even more. Then there he saw his fiance being attacked by a group of dangerous-looking men. Jonathan tried to fight them, remembering all the martial arts classes he had back where he studied and trained. But ther
Stefani's heartbeat stopped. She looked over at Jonathan."It's going to be fine," Jonathan assured, giving the younger one a small smile.Stefani's heart hurt. She didn't like how Jonathan was looking at her. It was as if he was going away and never returning back. She didn't like that. Stefani was confused why. She hated Jonathan, from the beginning of this engagement plan, she has always hated Jonathan. She was the reason why Stefani wanted to escape. She hated Jonathan. So why was her heart aching upon seeing that smile?"I'm going to distract them. Run after I count to three. Here," Jonathan handed some cash he had hidden in his pockets to Stefani. "I don't know where we are but I could smell grass and soil, which means it's pretty far from the city. As soon as you're out, go to the nearest bus station and wait for me there."Stefani knew Jonathan was lying. How dare he lie to Stefani at times like this? Just what was he trying to do? Why was he acti
"Here, this is the only room we can offer for now. I'm leaving this key to you then," the auntie said and handed the key to Jonathan. She then walked away, going down to a mini village where her own house stood.Jonathan and Stefani stared at the only small house up in the center of trees and plants around like it hasn't been touched for the past hundred years. Suddenly, it became windy and the roof that was made of bamboo and hay moved like it would be swept away like a wig from a big muscled bald man. Now Jonathan had to think if there was even a use of the key if the house looked like it didn't even need a force for it to be opened at all. It was a house that looked like the ones people see in TV documentaries in remote areas.Jonathan shook his head. He needed to stay rational and practical. They needed a roof before it turned dark again. "Come on, let's head in-"He turned and found Stefani already walking away even if it was obviously not okay for her to d
"What? Are you just going to stand there all day?" Stefani asked as she had already stepped foot inside the small house.Jonathan balled his fists. The younger seemed to have not taken the accident too seriously as Jonathan. There wasn't even a look of shock or fear from her eyes the moment she fell down and hurt her leg. Jonathan wondered if the younger was only faking her bravery or she wasn't just as fragile as Jonathan thought her to be. Well, she did save Jonathan yesterday. The younger was dead serious when she said she could fight too.The moment Jonathan went in, it was becoming dark outside. They were lucky they had shelter for the night. Jonathan gave whatever he had to the old woman a while ago to let them stay. He only had a little cash left in his pocket. His wallet and Stefani's other belongings might've been stolen by the men who kidnapped them while they were unconscious.There was only one bed inside. Stefani was already heading for it. "I'm goi
There he saw Stefani standing on a chair in a corner. Her face was extremely pale as if she had seen a ghost."What happened?" Jonathan asked, looking at Stefani and all around the room.Stefani pointed to the bed. "T-There's a monster!"Jonathan's heartbeat finally became slower after seeing his little fiancee safe. "Monster?" He looked over the bed. What monster was this kid talking about now?"Under! It's hiding under the bed! It attacked me just now!" Stefani looked extremely terrified it was impossible to calm her down for now.Jonathan ducked, checking what was under the bed that was making the younger look so scared. He sighed though as he found a grasshopper sitting prettily under it.He stood up, staring at the younger. "A grasshopper?" Is Stefani being serious?Stefani looked disgusted and scared even more now. "I-It's a grasshopper? But it's so big! How can it attack me earlier?!"Jonathan sighed. "Just what do you e
A day after the first kissStefani rolled to her bed, screamed on her pillow, got up, frowned while panting, then rolled over again."Young Miss, I brought you hot milk. You should be able to sleep after drinking this. You still have school tomorrow.""Big sister, what does it mean when someone kisses you?" Stefani asked, now sitting at the edge of her bed and expectantly looking at Rose.Rose paused, taken aback by Stefani's sudden question. She then placed the tray at the bedside table and moved to sit next to Stefani who looked nowhere near getting a sleep."Well, it depends," Rose said, observing Stefani's reaction. By the way, Jonathan took Stefani back home a while ago and Stefani's death glare was thrown at Jonathan, and the way Jonathan stared at Stefani's back when he entered the mansion, she could already guess what had happened."What do you mean?" Stefani looked at her, now all too serious even with messy hair and wrinkled sleepi