On my way to work, I took the flash drive and connect it to my phone since they were compatible with each other. Then, I searched for the files of the CCTV footage of the case and transferred it to my phone for future reference. After successfully transferring the files, I watch a few clips of the videos and noticed some relevant information that could correlate to the case. I could not help but notice Malia's face in four of the clips I watched. She might have covered a portion of her face with a scarf, but I know it was her. My eyes and instinct could not be mistaken. No matter how hard I try thinking about it, two questions were brought into my mind. Did she follow me throughout the proceedings of my case? Is that how she found me and helped me pursue my dreams? All my assumptions were shattered into pieces when the cab driver told me that we have reached the address I booked. My mind has focused its undivided attention on watching the clips to the point
Even though my body was already standing outside the building hailing for a cab, still my brain could not help but think about what Uncle Robin confessed to me. Malia and I have been on a seven days vacation but all we did were to know her even more. With those fake acts on how to seduce her, holding hands, kisses on the lips, and sweet words. Does that mean I am already falling into them? Is this what they called jealousy? "No. You're simply imagining things, John. It can't be. You made a deal with Malia that you should not fall for her first, remember?" I uttered to myself. "But, how are you going to explain those weird actions?" asks my brain to my heart. "How am I supposed to know that? These weird feelings were simply constructed inside my subconscious?" my heart debated. "Dude, John. The heart doesn't have a subconscious. It's the brain that has that." my brain debated. And it so happened that my heart and brain were debating similarly to an i
"From the way I see him, he only wears an estimated total of like how much? A thousand bucks? His dirty and stinky tuxedo doesn't even have a brand name. Like he bought it from the streets. The price of that may be just a hundred bucks?" he added. "Come on, Roland. We are here to buy a tuxedo. Not to pick up a fight with some random guy." Malia tries to drag him out of the boutique but Roland was not moved an inch from his spot. Guilt was written all over Malia's face at the moment. She tried to give me this kind of stare that tells me to understand her situation. What boils my blood to the point that most of my veins were popping out of my skin was when Malia called me "just some random guy". She could have said a friend, an acquaintance, a classmate from high school, or anything reasonable. Instead of helping me out, she helps Roland and Roger open up an opportunity to humiliate me furthermore. This "just some random guy" saves her from humiliation and end
"Do you need something? Let me get it for you." I humbly proposed to Karen, Don Lucas' secretary for ten years. As far as my knowledge serves me right, Don Lucas hired Karen, not just because of her stunning appearance but because rumor has it that she is his hidden mistress. Not that I don't care about gossip and rumors, but my eyes witnessed it myself one time that they kissed on the lips when I once joined them in the car. Karen started working as Don Lucas' secretary at the age of twenty-two. It seems that the two have managed to hide their relationship since then. So, I must be more cautious every time I am with her because she indeed looks like a goddess. I don't want to lengthen the tension between me and gramps. Let alone for him to think that Karen and I were having an affair behind his back. "No. I'm not here to get something," she uttered awkwardly. "Actually, someone wants to talk to you." she then moved out of the door and slid to the corner.
I don't want to end the day with unfinished work, so, I informed Malia about what to do to help expedite the organizing of the company's financial statements. One to mention I still have Roland's party to attend after work. We still have unfinished business back in the boutique store. I'm pretty sure Malia could be there as well. A quarter before three in the afternoon, Malia and I finally finished the work assigned to me by his evil and manipulative uncle. Organizing an entire storage room drained my energy but it was all worth it. We kissed is all that matters to me. Afterward, Malia and I separated ways. She went back to the mansion to prepare for the party while I remained in Uncle Robin's office since I still have at least two hours before the office closes. "I'm done organizing the company's financial-" I cut off my words when no one is in Uncle Robin's office. He left the door unlocked so I simply step inside without knocking. "Where's the old man m
Malia simply let me lick her neck as though she likes me to go further than that. However, I don't want to ruin her gown so, I uttered, "we still have a party to attend, Malia. How about we'll do this later, huh?" Then, I stealth my first kiss on her lips for the first time before jumping out of the bed and extending my hands to her. While looking at her blemishing face, my little brain ticked something that might surprise her at the party. "Fine," she said. "but, don't let me wait for you for like an eternity, okay?" "Of course, I'm not gonna let you wait for that long, my princess!" I smiled at her. "Better get going now. It's almost five." As soon as Malia got out of the room, I flashed to the bathroom. Five minutes later, I hailed a cab, not to head to the party, but to my predominantly rustic-style villa that cost my account up to two billion dollars, which I bought a month ago. "Good evening, Mr. Stevenson!" says uncle Romnick, who is in charge to keep
After the short but uncomfortable introduction, everyone settled down to their respective seats. I was seated next to the gold diggers while Malia was next to Roland who never stopped smiling after his announcement. Malia, on the other hand, started to feel uncomfortable when she could barely lift her eyes at me sitting across from her. What is more annoying is that she never removes Roland's shrug from her as though she also likes his hands on her shoulder. That also makes me wonder about what happened between us recently. The sensation of that moment was pure to me. It was hard to believe but Malia managed to convince me that we shared the same feelings during those times. "Oh, I almost forgot, Mr. Stevenson. About earlier..." Roland cut off his words accompanied by a change in his mood. I am not aware of what it was about but it seems that his mood was saddened or feeling guilty for what he did. "I'm so sorry if I judged you wrong about not being able to
"This is ridiculous!" this time, Roland was the one who exclaims his utter disbelief. "We're only trying to prank you, John. Why are you involving my friends?" "And it was my idea to prank you. To make fun of you in front of everyone because of the incident back in the mall." Roger defensively supported Roland the way I expected. "Just a prank? Is that what you call this, huh, Roland... Roger?" I could not help but raise my voice at them, even in front of the cops. "Do you have any idea what I have been through four years ago because of the same reason?" Of course. What should I expect from Roland or Roger? They will protect their friends to protect themselves as well. If one of his friends will spill the beans about where they got their drugs, they will not only get arrested but will ruin their lives too. Just like how it ruined my life. And I believe that they cannot survive being expelled from school, degraded, and humiliated by the people around them, esp
"Don't forget to bring those with you, Miss Spencer!" Uncle Romnick added. He pointed a finger toward the table. "Relax, Uncle Romnick," I said in a calm tone, trying to take control of the situation. "How can I get relax, John." Uncle Romnick insisted. "Our enemies are here. And we are caught by surprise. We let our guards down." Without hesitation, Cecelia sprung into action. She swiftly gathered all the essential documents and pieces of evidence we had been examining, carefully concealing them from prying eyes. "I'll be hiding in the guest room." Cecelia cut us in. As she disappeared into the shadows, I followed Uncle Romnick, making our way toward the main door. With a touch of apprehension, we opened the door cautiously, revealing Don Lucas and Malia standing before us. Although I already knew the purpose of their visit, I could not let them suspect that this villa truly belonged to me. Taking a deep breath, I masked my true intentions and put on a c
"I would like to apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Roland. Let's go, John." Uncle Romnick bent half of his body toward Roland and his parents. Then he tried to drag me out of the room but I dodged him. "Are you challenging me right now, huh, Roland?" I scoffed with confidence while glancing at them, one by one. I groped my phone in my pocket and dialed Cecelia's digits which confused Roland and his parents. "How about canceling the European expansion?" "What are you doing?" Cecelia said from the other line of the phone. Good thing I did not put the call on speaker so no one could hear it apart from me. "Yes. It happens that I am confronting Roland in front of his parents for the five million dollar scheme but he denied it despite the evidence we have. Is that the kind of person are you going to be part of Mr. Stevenson's business?" Everyone's eyes, especially Roland's dilated in disbelief. He even tried to snatch the phone from me but I refused to give it to
"Are you sure about involving them in this case, John?" Uncle Romnick asked, his voice laced with doubts while looking at Chris and his friend from head to toe. "I mean, this is a crucial case in your life." I cannot blame Uncle Romnick to feel that way. He still doesn't know a thing about Chris and his hacker friend. I once informed him and Cecelia back at my office when we hired someone to be the fake Mr. Stevenson. But we already reached this far. Chris and his friend already know my secret and I was amazed by how they achieved a mission without any trace. So, keeping them on my side will be the best thing to do. Chris and I already sealed a deal that he will serve me until I say so. And their skills are one-of-a-kind. ''They are here to help us, Uncle Romnick." I smiled at them to lessen the tension. "And besides, I have something on them if they are going to betray me." Chris and his friend were taken aback in disbelief. Though it was simply a bluff, the
"I'm so sorry, John." Finally, some dare to speak up. However, it was neither Dad nor Mom but Uncle Romnick. Cecelia and I exchanged confused glances when we realized it was just the two of us who seemed to be unaware of what was currently going on. "Perhaps this is the result of what I did behind your back," he added, his voice sounding desperate and regretful. "Did I do something wrong to you in the past that I am not aware of, Unce Romnick?" I said back. "Was my monthly allowance not enough for you to betray me?" I tried to stay calm as much as possible but my nerves are showing the other way around. So I grasped the metal bars of the cell I was in to minimize the trembling of my nerves. One thing that I hate the most about trusting people is when they stab me behind my back. I already learned my lesson after what happened to me five years ago. That is why up to these days, I only limit those people who I talk and share my day with. And that includes Unc
Malia may have shown her tough side but I feel her heart was also in excruciating pain. She barely looks me in the eye even if my glace at her is quite obvious. It means to me that she still has feelings for me even if she was already married to Roland. So am I to her. Unfortunately, our love is not enough, and was bonded by a lie. As Cecelia and I left Don Lucas' dinner, the weight of her actions weighed heavily on my mind. I couldn't help but express my frustration as we started our journey back to my place. The car ride was filled with an awkward silence, punctuated only by the faint sound of the radio playing softly in the background. "Cecelia," I began, my voice tinged with disappointment. "I did not expect you to go that far tonight. Announcing our relationship in front of everyone, it's just... it felt like too much." Cecelia sighed, her gaze fixed on the passing city lights. "I'm really sorry, John, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just t
Don Lucas, who was sitting next to us, coughed all of a sudden. He quickly regained his composure and asked, "Why? Did something happen, Malia?" Malia glanced at Roland with her eyes sharp. "Well, my beloved husband didn't spend a single cent before and after our one-week honeymoon. His credit cards kept getting declined every time we pay something." The room went silent as we all caught up in the middle of absorbing Malia's shocking revelation. Then Cecelia and I exchanged glances, our mouths agape in disbelief. Not that I was trying to tease Roland. However, I couldn't help myself from bursting out laughing, finding the situation incredibly amusing. "I'm sorry for laughing," I said, trying to compose myself. "It's just that I find it hard to believe that a billionaire's son does not have anything on his credit cards. Perhaps he already maximizes his credit limits. It happens sometimes, right?" Malia suddenly gave me a stern look, clearly not amused by my reaction. But despite h
Then, I filled Cecelia and Uncle Romnick in on our plan to meet up. "Remember Chris, the one that I fired from this company?" I said. "You mean, the Branch Manager Chris, who we met in the shopping mall and humiliated you?" Uncle Romnick asked, pointing to the main event of our encounter. I nodded. "I ran into him outside, and brought me such wonderful news." "But I thought you already fired him?" Uncle Romnick furrowed. "Why changed of heart?" he and Cecelia looked me in the eye without even blinking. "He did something big for me in return," I uttered. "Something that I cannot just ignore. And it worked somehow." "If it has something to do with the Andersons, then perhaps that's what changed your heart and mind." Uncle Romnick said, however, this time, in a cold tone as though he disagreed with it even if I haven't told them anything yet. Before everything gets awkward, Cecelia's cut us in and said. "That's great! I'm glad you are now thinking indifferentl
Uncle Romnick and I looked at each other as if we had something in common, then back at Cecelia. There was a long pause before Uncle Romnick spoke, "That's... actually not a bad idea." I nodded. "But who and where should we hire someone to do the job? And how much was the probability this idea is going to work?" Before anyone could respond to my inquiry, my entire family appeared in the living area all of a sudden. Their unexpected appearance made me furrowed when as far as I could remember, I did not ask Uncle Romnick to invite my entire family back to the villa. What was more surprising by their unexpected visit was that all of them were carrying luggage bags and backpacks behind them as though they will be on a one-month vacation or more than that - to stay with me for good. If they could have bought with them their house's electrical pieces of equipment or utensils, I could have assumed they will be staying here with us forever. So, I glanced at Uncle Rom
Right after that, the tour continued. Cecelia and I did not waste more of our time but enjoyed the best the night could offer. We experienced eating street foods, listening to live music, and even taking a riverboat cruise. On top of that, I also found something new about the woman I spent them with. Cecelia Spencer is such a lovely woman, easy to go with, and she always put a smile on her face every time I asked her something. And the experience was all worth it. The next morning, Cecelia and I walked into Don Lucas' office, hand in hand. It was part of our plan to pretend to be a couple. I could feel the sweat on my palms as we walked closer and closer to the meeting room. We had been practicing our act, but it was finally time to put it into action. As we entered the meeting room, I could see the confusion and curiosity on Don Lucas and Uncle Robin's faces. I knew we had to sell this, so I kept my grip on Cecelia's hand. We greeted them warmly and made our way t