“All of my documents and activities that I have to submit are already inside this envelope, Loren. I won't be able to go to university in the next few days, so you have to pass that to our professor for me.” I muttered softly to her as I handed the brown envelope that I was carrying. “I really wish to see you tomorrow at the wedding. You know I have no one but you… Charles and mom are away. So,” I look intently into her eyes trying to convince her.
I know that this is not a real wedding that is going to take place but still, I want someone that I care about to attend and be there for me. I already don't have a father to walk me down the aisle, but having a friend that I can lean on will be a great help.Loren flashed a tiny smile on her lips before accepting the envelope with the papers that I am handing her.“I will make sure to be there, Cattleya. I have no idea where this is going but I can sense that you need my absolute support and protection. So, if you are allowed to send me your address after getting married to that man, I will make sure to visit you from time to time like how I always do.” Loren said with a sweet smile on her lips before shifting her gaze to Jaxson and Finn who were standing and having a conversation not too far away from our stance. “Just make sure that there are no pests that are harmful to humans whenever I go there to where you will live from now on. I am going to see him tomorrow at the wedding precisely so I might have to go now and get ready to bring some earbuds for everybody.”I couldn't help but to crack up softly because of how Loren looked at Finn with disgust and annoyance. The tone of her voice sounds as if she really despises him from head to toe.“He’s a great guy. How many times do I have to enunciate that?” She rolled her eyes as if there was no chance for her to believe me. “Okay, maybe... He is acting weird for normal people like you, but you have also been taunting him all day, haven't you? He wasn't like that to me the first time we met. And one more thing, when you meet Finn again and really get to know him as a lawyer and not as what he is right now, you will be stunned!” The tone of my voice suddenly rises with excitement as if I am boasting about my son to other people and being a proud mother.I chorale after realizing everything that I said. Loren just stares at me while also close to laughing.I will miss these little moments with Loren where we just casually have a conversation and laugh at everything every lunch break or going home.“Oh gosh!” she exclaimed with a tinge of grimace on her face. “I can’t imagine how his clients handle him and sit with him for hours. That man is very loud, rude, and has nothing but bad manners.” She faked vomiting as she gripped her neck.I slapped her shoulders playfully as we both exchanged giggles.“You’re being too much.” I uttered in the midst of a sneer.Her eyes went down to the large paper bag that she was carrying before her eyes brought back to mine and gave me a delicate meaningful gape.“I have to go now and go back to the university to attend a few classes left. And of course, I still have to get ready and go straight to Deep Blue after class. If you have some time, maybe you can pay us a visit in the nightclub. They don't even know you're getting married, already. Especially Manager Sol.” One of her eyebrows raised as she paused for a moment. “How long do you plan to keep it to him? Would you like me to tag him along tomorrow to your wedding? He will definitely be surprised to know. I could hardly believe that my best friend, who used to be a man hater, is now going to be married to a man. A handsome and rich man to be exact. How come you just disappeared for a while and then we'll just hear that you got a man?”I shrugged slightly. "I do not know. If he wants to come, he can go. But, I was afraid of what he would think of me. He saw Jaxson at the club and heard everything he said to me. Manager Sol even stood up for me. So I'm afraid of what he'll think… You know what I mean.”Loren feigned a gasp. “Who wouldn't be shocked and think of something? Even I couldn’t help but wonder, honestly. If I hadn't seen that man treat you like that today and show me that he really loves you, I wouldn't believe it and think that he offered you something just so you will marry her. But no, I saw how you two actually care for each other.”I was silently suffocated because of what Loren just said so I averted my eyes off her and shifted to Jaxson with Finn, who was still talking in the distance. They looked serious about what they were talking about.Does Loren really see that to him..?Maybe, Jaxson is really good at pretending. Because even myself got fooled by his smiles and sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if he is still pretending or that what he is feeling in our relationship is true.And because of those actions, sometimes, I lose myself.“I will stop by Deep Blue every time I have nothing to do, Loren. I’ll make sure to be there when you’re on duty and to also have a chance to talk to Manager Sol as well.”She gave me a slight nod before turning to see if there was already a car back to the university.“You two really need to talk. I'm sure you will break his heart big time tomorrow.” She suppressed her laughs.My eyebrows met as I lifted my lower lip. “What do you mean by that?”“Nothing. Just… Don’t think about it!” Loren said before running away from me and starting to head to the car and quickly shoving her body inside without turning her back to face me.I was left with a crumple on my forehead and dumbfounded. What does she mean by those words?When Loren finally left, I was stricken dumb for a moment before I started to turn around and walk towards where Jaxson and Finn is waiting.I did not utter a word and silently approached them and they intentionally quit their conversation when I was finally able to draw near them so I did not have a chance to hear what they were talking about. They look very serious and I am wondering what it is.Jaxson's gaze just hovered over me before handing me the bouquet again without saying anything.My lips parted as I was about to talk to him, but I was astounded when he turned his back to me and walked away straight into his car. My lips slowly shut down again, baffled at what just happened. Is Jaxson mad at me?But, shouldn't I be the one who resents him?When he banged the door closed really loud without even saying anything, I just veered around my eyes to Finn with my mouth hanging open. “Couples really have some quarrel before the wedding so make sure to still show up at your wedding
12. 2006 [THIRD PERSON POV] “What’s with the hasty call?” Keegan Campbell raised a question as he folded his dripping umbrella. He ironed his coat by running his bare hand as it got a little wrinkle and damp from the downpour. It was already so late at night and it was raining strenuously when he received a call from the Madrigal that he needed to go in the manor as soon as possible. Keegan Cambell was presently appalled from the death of Matienzo Madrigal's wife, Ruella Madrigal after he finalized taking care of the documents that he requested. “Mr. Keegan Campbell, Mr. Matienzo Madrigal is already inside the headquarters waiting for you.” He gave a simple nod to the man that welcomed him before he quickly walked towards the Madrigal's headquarters. Keegan Campbell spotted young Jaxson on the stairs near the headquarters door. He is hugging his own knee as its eyes look out the window and he seems to be watching the raindrops. “Jax…” He called softly. Even though he was in s
“Elsie, is Jax already up in his room?” Matienzo turned his attention to Elsie who was in charge of the helpers, obviously avoiding the conversation. “No, Mr. Madrigal, not yet.” She answered politely as she gently put down the hot tea cups on the table. “Jax is waiting for you outside and he is silently sitting on the stairs. Shall I take him up to his room?”Matienzo shook his head which made Elsie scowl. “I- Uh… Honestly worried about Jax, Mr. Madrigal. He has been sitting outside for hours and doesn’t talk to anyone. He seems to be lost in his thoughts and I think Jax really needs to get some rest.” “I’ll be outside in a few minutes and send him to his room. Keep him safe.” Matienzo spoke very calmly.Elsie just nodded as a response before she left the room.“You have a son with another woman!?” Keegan was so shocked that he couldn't stop himself from screaming. “How did you manage to keep all of this to your wife, Ruella? Don’t you feel guilty of lying to her face? What was the
15. 2007 [THIRD-PERSON POV] “Jaxson, baby!” A young woman named Perry shouted as she approached the young Jaxson while carrying a large number of paper bags in her hands. Keegan Campbell and Matienzo Madrigal were distracted by her shrill voice and the annoying sound coming from her heels stomping on the floor. Perry is one of Jaxson’s cousins and belongs to the pure blooded Madrigal side. She also resides in the manor. Keegan and Matienzo get back to their conversation after Perry walks past them. “So, what I’m concluding here is that Mr. Yves offered you a huge help to save Ruegold at the moment, and in exchange for the largest share percentage of the company?” Keegan raised a question. “Yes. He paid me a visit earlier today to have a conversation about his offer and I already accepted it. The only thing left is the paper signing.” “I beg your pardon?” Keegan ejaculated. “Campbell, I have no other choice left and you know that. I was already lucky enough that Mr. Yves cam
I was startled when someone swiftly yanked my hand and tugged me. I turned to see who it was, and there was Gunther.He did not take a moment to glance at me and just continued pulling my arm with a restrained face. I am not sure where he's planning to take me, but my body deliberately stopped resisting and simply allowed him to drag me inside the elevator. I don’t know why… But I seem to be waiting for Jaxson to start chasing me as the elevator closes.Yet I know damn well that will never happen.I solely turned my eyes away when the door eventually closed. As soon as I felt scorching tears running down my cheek, I hurriedly crouched down to wipe it and hide from Gunther.Why does it hurt this much… Why does my chest feel like someone is clutching it strenuously, giving me an excruciating pain resulting in overflowing tears..? I don’t like how this feels… I just came to the realization that my tears kept on coming to the point that it was difficult to hold back them. The moment the
He simply nodded to me in response. I felt my jaw drop as my eyes widened.“So… If that’s the case… Then I don’t have to pretend in front of you just like whenever I am with Finn?” I exclaimed gladly as I felt like another rope on my neck was untangled. “It’s a good thing that you are aware of it.”I really thought that I messed up letting those words slip through my mouth. Even though I feel completely upset with Jaxson, the agreement that we signed will never change.“And, you have all the rights to feel emotions because you are a person. You have a heart, and a brain that controls it to feel love. Sometimes, we just have to accept that the person we love could never love us back the same way that we do.”“Hmmm,” I grinned. “Where in the depth of your heart are you pulling those words, huh?” I teased him with a laugh as I poked his shoulders. “Do you already have someone you love?” I asked in curiosity.“I do, but you know what? I can only be her lover. Just like you. She’s already i
“Cattleya, Hija!” Uncle Joe’s voice reverberated across the dressing room. I saw the beaming smiles of the people from our apartment that also shouted my name at the same time. “Come in, come in,” I said politely, before Gunther let them walk inside the room reserved for me. “Uncle Joe, Aunt Marie. Thank you guys for coming!” I was relieved when I finally let my bottom breathe by standing from the chair. I was sitting for almost three hours for hair and make up preparation. It feels flatter now than it used to be from too much sitting here while I have been staring at myself in the vanity mirror where I can see my face being doll-up.“Wow, Catt. You look spectacular! Ha-ha! That wedding gown is amazing, and I just want to mention how obvious it looks that this is expensive and only rich people like you can afford it!” Aunt Marie exclaimed as she ran her hand on the gown that I will wear. “Take a look at its fabric as well as the stones and diamonds attached to it. You’ll be a million
“Hey, how many times do I have to tell you that you can call me Richard?” I let out an awkward laugh because of what he said as my gaze slowly moved back and forth to Loren and Mr. Sol, trying to digest the situation. An uncomfortable silence enveloped us for a moment.I don’t think that it will ever be normal to me to call him by his first name. Besides, we are not that close either, considering that he is my manager and the owner of the club. Not to mention how I didn’t last for a year working under him. So, even if he tells me so many times to call him by his name, it seems like my lips couldn’t utter it because of the invisible wall between us. However, him helping me and the very first person to approach me when he found out about my overdue bills and tuition fee is what I am really thankful for. He allowed me to get an advance payment to save my education so easily, which never happened to me with my previous bosses. The ice broke in our midst because of Uncle Joe’s fake thro