Chapter 16

Jaxson was in the front seat where I was standing, dumbfounded and seemingly deep in thoughts, as I was quietly finishing what I was cooking.

I want to slap myself hard for the person I became the second I felt his lips on mine.

It was as if I had just completely lost my sanity and myself earlier. Thank goodness, I woke up to reality before everything got even worse.

I have no clue what is running on Jaxson’s mind right now. He was simply staring blankly at the empty space.

I suddenly thought back to how he expressed regret to me after regaining consciousness earlier. I can't even explain how I felt when he apologized for kissing me. I feel like he thinks that's a mistake.

Because of the shock that went through his eyes when he uttered my name earlier, I reckon he is completely unaware that I was the person he is kissing.

I ladled the Chicken Noodle Soup for Jaxson as soon as I was through making it.

Since what happened earlier, neither of us has spoken anything, and we've remained in silence for about half an hour.

“The soup is ready,” I murmured lightly before presenting him with the meal I had prepared. “Be careful, it's hot.”

Jaxson gave me a flaky smile before accepting it and started eating.

Perhaps he is ashamed of me so he doesn't really want to talk. What had happened earlier was not entirely his fault. I was the one who was in the proper frame of mind, so I should've resisted it. Because I couldn't control myself, I was also responsible for what happened.

“Ah… By the way,” I broke the silence again. “My mother called me earlier about Charles. She mentioned that they will fly to America later to continue the treatment for my brother.”

“That’s good to know. Geo must’ve already called everyone that they will need, so you don’t have to worry about them.”

A smile drew to my lips as Jaxson finally spoke. I used to be afraid that he would think I was taking advantage of his intoxication. Fortunately, he was not angry with me and was just maybe embarrassed by what he did.

I gestured for him to eat more with a smile.

I took a quick glimpse at Jaxson's watch and saw that it was approaching dawn. I haven't gotten any sleep yet, but I'm really not sleepy.

It might be due to the number of incidents that happened.

My attention was drawn back to Jaxson as I remembered what Finn and I had discussed earlier, as well as what I had overheard Daniella say.

I'm not sure whether it ever crossed his mind that his brother Lance was planning to take Daniella there later just to enrage him and make him look like a dupe. Jaxson seemed to be prepared only to be present in their company right now and nothing else.

“Why are you staring at me?”

I was pulled back to reality when he spoke again.

“Uhm… Can I come with you?”

I quickly passed him the tissue as he was just about to spill what he was eating.

“And what was the reason?” Jaxson asked with a faint cough. “Didn’t I tell you that you have nothing else to do but just marry me? Cattleya, you don't have to work. Besides, why do you even need to come? You have nothing to do there anyway. And one more thing, don't give me that look. Wait for the wedding planner to arrive, and simply stay here and rest.” He stated emphatically.

“There's no reason. I just want to take a look inside. I have never been to an actual company before. Also, don't they need to know that you are getting married?”

I can't tell Jaxson that the true purpose I'm going to be coming with him is that Lance and Daniella are heading there too. I need to be there and help Jaxson not be distracted by the two of them.

I waited for his response as he paused for a minute to scrutinize me closely.

“You'll be accompanied by Gunther. I can't be around you all of the time.”

A smile flashed on my lips when I heard his answer.

___________________________

It was really good and Jaxson agreed to take me. If he left me at their manor, I would have no one else to talk to but his rude mother outside.

She's the last person I want to see there. If she only knew.

We are now in the car. Gunther was in the front seat where he was next to the driver. And Jaxson and I are here behind them.

My mom texted me recently, saying that they were about to board a plane. I'm not sure how long it will take them to get to America, so I'll just wait for her to call to let me know if they've arrived safely.

I also read Loren's text message. And it’s a list of all the things I've been missing out along and need to get caught up on. She also mentioned that if I still wanted to graduate, I needed to attend classes as soon as I could.

I'm still unsure when I'll be able to return to university, but I'll ask Jaxson tonight if I can go tomorrow, even if only for just a few hours.

“Mr. Madrigal, we've already arrived.”

I quickly looked around where we had pulled over and recognized a familiar area.

I had pleaded with Jaxson earlier to allow me to go through the apartment where my mother and I were residing so that I could get my belongings because I was already feeling guilty about always borrowing from Lovely. I also don't want Jaxson to force me to wear Daniella’s belongings again.

Even if he says he's the one who bought it, it doesn't make me feel any better.

“I'll go out first.” As Gunther opened the door from the outside, I said, “I'll be back in a few minutes.” I didn't wait for Jaxson's response and hurried into the house, fearful that he would be late as a result of my tardiness.

I sensed Gunther walking behind me. I just let him be since I knew I'd have to get used to seeing him all the time.

I knocked loudly on the apartment’s landlord's door when I arrived. “Uncle Joe!” I yelled as I continued knocking. “Uncle Joe!”

I was interrupted when Gunther abruptly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me behind him. He banged on the door vigorously with his huge hand. Compared to what I'm doing earlier, it seemed to have tripled its strength and sound.

“Uncle Joe!” I exclaimed once again as Gunther knocks.

“Cattleya, are you two planning to break my door?”

"Uncle Joe," I called as he finally came out. “Can I borrow the key to our unit? Mom and Charles are not here so I don't have a key to open the door.”

“Is that so? Where did your mother and Charles go?”

“Uh, they went to Am— Hospital. Charles' treatment is not over yet, so it looks like they will be staying there for a while. ”

“Ah, alas, that boy is really unfortunate. Alright, go ahead. Here is the key to the unit.” He muttered before handing me the key he was holding. “Who is this guy with you, hija? Is this your boyfriend?”

I shifted my gaze to Gunther before chuckling weakly. “No. Just my friend. I was just accompanied by him to get the supplies that will be needed at the hospital.” I lied.

I don't want people to talk behind my back about marrying a rich man for money.

“Jesus, don't keep it a secret to us, Cattleya.”

“She's not lying.”

Our attention was drawn to where the voice came from and saw Jaxson approaching us.

I was surprised when he suddenly approached me and took my hand. “—I'm his fiance.”

I felt my eyes gradually widen because of the words he just let out.

“Fiance? Is this Cattleya getting married?” Uncle Joe exclaimed, baffled.

His voice sounded like a siren that served as a noise for people to go out from their own respective units.

“What did you say? Cattleya getting married?” A woman named Maria in our neighborhood greeted us with a question.

“Yes, ma’am. We will be married in 3 days.” Jaxson replied to them with a simple.

I just shut my eyes in embarrassment because of the scene Jaxson made. He didn't know how horrible people are here that they talk almost everything about me behind my back.

“Are you going to get married without even telling us?” Uncle Joe replied again. “Weren't we even invited to that wedding, huh? It looks like your boyfriend is rich and can feed you at the party. I don't see why you're keeping it to us.”

I secretly turned to Jaxson to see how he reacted but he still looked happy rather than embarrassed.

“Of course, you guys are invited. I will send out invitation cards here before our wedding. ” He blurted with a wide smile that almost reached his ear.

“Oh, Cattleya has hit a jackpot! You're marrying a handsome man with good manners and money!”

“Right, right! I never thought Cattleya could find such a man! Well, she is such a beautiful child, so!”

I simply pulled Jaxson’s arm away from the crowd as they slammed and rained down questions and compliments to him.

I don’t know what he thought of inviting my neighbors. He probably didn’t think that we all had the same traits and habits that were different from the rich demeanor.

“Alright, alright, we're going now, Uncle Joe!” I said politely with a smile before pulling Jaxson away from them.

Gunther was ahead of us while I was still dragging Jaxson who kept looking around and grinning at the neighbors.

“Is this your first time seeing real people? Why do you look so happy? You even invited them to our wedding, which you know is not even authentic.”

He chuckled softly before facing me. “Don’t be such a brat. This is the first time that I have met people that were happy to meet me,” he uttered. “Even you weren’t happy with me when we first met, can’t you remember?”

I simply didn't respond to Jaxson since I didn't want to spoil his smiles. So I just moved my focus to Gunther, who was already making his way towards the door of the unit where we were staying.

I looked at him in astonishment with a frown on my forehead. “Wait, how did you find out our exact unit?” I asked.

Gunther paused for a moment to simply glance at me. “I’m the one who checked your background. Of course, where you live is a part of it.” He muttered sassily.

I couldn't even speak as he continued to open it like he was the owner of the house.

When the unit was finally opened, we were exposed to the stuff strewn across the floor.

“Sorry if it's messy! It's not normally like this.” I blurted. “The last time we were here, Charles had been struck by his illness and rushed to the hospital, so you see, his nebulizer was still stacked on the floor.”

“This is where you live?” I heard Jaxson ask.

“Of course. Do you think we would just come in freely if this house wasn't ours?” I sarcastically answered him.

My eye caught Gunther picking up the items scattered on the floor and then carefully returning them to the compartments.

“Just wait for me here as I pick up my stuff and some items that I will use in the university, then we’ll leave shortly.”

Jaxson just nodded, while Gunther took a seat for the two of them and turned on the electric fan himself.

I snickered because at this point, he really is acting like he is the owner of the house.

I began as soon as I entered the room, taking the largest bag I could find. I had already jammed my clothes inside without arranging them. I was even more rushed because Jaxson looked so hot outside and the place was packed.

When I finished packing, I changed into my own clothes, swapping Jaxson's large t-shirt.

I merely wore denim pants and a white shirt because I don't believe I need to dress up for the event. To make myself look decent, I combed my hair and lightly powdered my face.

As soon as I exited the room, I found Jaxson opening our refrigerator.

“You won't find anything there,” I said as I carried the two bags I decided to bring.

Gunther took my things from me right away, ensuring that I didn't have to deal with any further hassles.

It's honestly well worth the money to hire a guard from time to time. Life is so much easier.

Or is it just because Gunther also acts as an assistant?

“So, this is why you look like paper that is so thin.”

I couldn't help but giggle at Jaxson's comment. He saw that our refrigerator was nothing but water

“—I should take you out for dinner sometimes. There's so much more in the world to enjoy than water.”

By the tone of his voice, I'm not sure if he's taunting me or if he's truly concerned.

I'm not as thin as paper; in fact, I'm even thicker than Daniella.

“Are you done getting your stuff? ”

I simply replied with a nod.

“- Cause you're never going back here.”