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 door opened, I was struck by the grandeur of the roof garden. This place is spectacular, it’s so beautiful but why is this making me cry even harder?I really lost control of my emotions. It seems like lately, I can no longer truly understand who I am… or how I must feel. Everything was just a mixture of sensations that submerged me.Why did I even believe that Jaxson had a enough grudge against Daniella that’s making it impossible for him to forgive her. Why on earth did I assume that all he wants is to avenge and retaliate what they have done to him. Did I just believe that Jaxson was trying to forget about her?But… how did all of it come to be this way? Why did I end up like this..?“Why do I feel so… betrayed..?”“You feel betrayed because you gave him more trust than your naive self should. You surrendered everything.”I did not realize that the words in my mind had already slipped out of my lips.Fortunately, the only person that can hear me right now is only Gunther and no one else.“You are hurt because you love him.”I was distracted by the words he came out with.“— You are in so much pain right now because you just saw the person that you love with another woman in a room together. You feel cheated and heart broken. You feel like your world would come crashing down and you can’t do anything but watch it shambles. This shit hurts.”Even struggling, I tried to gaze at Gunther’s face with my eyes blurring by the tears that had accumulated in my eyes.“Look at yourself right now. If you weren’t that affected by what you saw, you wouldn’t be running away from them, confused on where to run. If you don’t love him, you wouldn’t be in pain and cry like a baby.” He added.I averted my eyes off him and shifted to stare on the ground.“I can’t love him…” I murmured. “It’s so ironic how I am going to marry that man tomorrow, whom I can’t even love...” I flashed a bitter smile.“Only you can tell whether you will love someone or not. It is your decision, not them. Loving someone doesn’t mean that the person should love you back. Don’t you know that?” Gunther talked in a tranquil voice. “Loving someone unconditionally without requiring them to love you back is pure fondness.”My eyes draw back to him slowly, as my hand ran on my cheek to wipe my tears away.“I can’t be his lover, Gun…” I murmured._________________We have been here for almost a few minutes but none of us intend to speak. We could only hear the gusts of wind as we both watched the sunset.“Are you calmer now? Should we go down already?”My gaze returned to Gunther who was also gaping at my face. I nodded at him as a smile flashed on my lips.I looked down for a moment when I noticed that he was handing something to me. When I had a glimpse of what it was, I saw that he handed me a handkerchief from the packet of the suit he was wearing.“Wipe your face.” Gunther voiced. “I can't stand seeing your tears any longer.”I immediately accepted the handkerchief that he offered with a soft chuckle and I wiped it on my damp cheeks and eyes as well as some of the parts of my face that had dried tears already.“I like how caring you are to me.” I uttered softly as my eyes redirected to watch the sunset. “I just hope that every time you are genuinely concerned, the outcome will always turn out great. Just like how you calmed me down today. I just want to apologize and say that I’m not really mad at you— It’s just like you know, you’re… maybe… a little bit annoying?” I jokingly let out with a weak laugh.I appreciate how even though we were in a fight yesterday and I screamed at him, he still got worried about me and somehow ease my heart. It’s enough for me. Just having someone to talk to and share a moment whenever I am feeling down like this and confused on what to do next, it heals me.I miss my Charles… If he’s here seeing me cry like this, I know that he will hug me tightly and let me cry on his shoulders.I can’t deny that whatever it is that I witnessed in Jaxson’s office completely devastated me. It irritates me to think that I completely assumed that I should be here to constantly protect him because of how Lance and Daniella treat him. Well, looks likely that I am no longer needed to do that anymore. And maybe, by just going with Jaxson here in Ruegold will just hinder their forbidden love.“Uhm, in my defense…” Gunther murmured with a tinge of tenderness in his voice. “I never want that to happen. I despise myself for pushing you to consume all those, thinking that it will make you healthier rather than giving you stomach pain.”I giggled. “Don’t worry about it. You just redeemed yourself today.” I patted his shoulders lightly. “Thank you for bringing me here. You just showed me a place where I could spend my time here.” I let out a loud sigh as I put down the handkerchief to his hand. “I don’t know what will happen next when I go down there. I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to stare directly into his face and talk to him. I couldn’t understand why thinking about the situation of facing him is giving me so much anxiety and weird emotions. If only I had a choice to just go out right now and not talk to him because I am disgusted with what he has done. But I also know that I couldn’t and I have no choice. Everything in my mind right now is tangled. It’s such a mess… I feel like I’m going crazy...”Gunther was silently listening to my words as his eyes were fixed on the sunset.I couldn’t help but to capture the beauty of the sunset and quickly took my phone out. I took only one shot for it to be so special, and uploaded it directly to friendsbuck.“You can go down now, Gunther.” I said. “I’ll just wait until it gets dark before I go down there and face him. I just need more time to breathe.”“What about your wedding? The coordinators are probably in Mr. Madrigal’s office and waiting for you to come.”“I don’t wanna go…” I let out in a hushed tone. “If Jaxson gets mad at me for not attending, then I’ll just let him. I don’t think I am in my right mind right now to face them and speak as if nothing just happened. Jaxson is probably wondering why I reacted like that. He knows that I have no right to feel so because we are not real—” I was astonished at the words that slipped my mouth. “Wait a second…”“What is it?” He replied.“Y-You…”Does Gunther know about the fake marriage contract?I shook my head, as I gape to his eyes.“No, no, I don’t think so...”Gunther made a soft chuckle which befuddled me to the moon and back.“What? That I know everything about the two of you? And that your engagement are all just an act?”I let out a weak gasp. “Really..?”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
[Cattleya]I was overwhelmed as the big door of the church opened in front of my eyes. I was met by so many people and all their attention was on me. At the same time, a romantic instrumental tune that I requested from Charlotte as the theme song for my walk down the aisle.I slowly took a small step, holding the pink with tinge of gold bouquet in my hand. I can now feel people's eyes on me, but I couldn't give them a look because my eyes are only fixed on one person.As I watched the man at the end of the aisle, it still hadn't sunk in to me that the day had come when we would marry each other. That the wedding that I have been dreaming about since I was a child is really happening today. It feels like last night that I just met him and now I am getting married to that man named Jaxson Madrigal. Though we met in only three days, it doesn’t really feel like a very short time. It's almost like years of getting to know him as a person. A lot had happened between us, and if they’ll ask me
The ring glided onto her ring finger, captivating her attention with its appearance. Cattleya found it to be quite lovely as well as unique. She took the ring next, resting it carefully on Jaxson's hand until it was finally on her finger.“I, Cattleya Santos, take you, Jaxson Madrigal, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” Jaxson couldn’t help but to stare at her finger for a while, having a peculiar feeling. He lifted his gaze to Cattley after being lost for a moment.“In the name of the Holy Spirit, I now solemnly declare you husband and wife. Let no one put asunder those that have been joined together today in the presence of almighty God. You may now kiss the bride.”Upon hearing that, Jaxson's hand moved foray extending towards Cattleya to slowly lift the veil that she is wearing.Cattleya raised her eyes to Jaxson, and they finally locked eyes. The moment their e
[CATTLEYA]I went out of the venue to get some air and at least steal time to rest.I really can’t stand Emily’s presence. She just always has something to say that makes the heat all of my body run quickly to my head, and makes me want to blow fire right to her face.“Aagh…” I breathe out. “So nice to be alone and get a rest from everyone…”It was a good thing that people are enjoying themselves, talking nonstop business, and having a buffet.Well, I don’t even know if I can call it sharing the food. Because as Emily said, it seems to be only Uncle Joe and my other neighbors eating and sharing the food together. Of course, I won’t stop them from what they’re doing. Those rich people don’t even move their plates. There would be so much food waste if not because of people like Uncle Joe. They should thank them. Actually.My knees are worn out and I could already feel my body screaming for bed because of how low my social battery is right now. Even if I charge it for three consecutive da
“What are you doing here?”“Joining my wife in his little party, I think?”I jolted from the couch, blown at how I didn’t realize Jaxson was here and he found me here in the balcony.“Well, you shouldn't be here!” I couldn’t help but to slightly raise my voice because I’m still in a state of shock.He answered by raising both his brows, pinning his eyes on me.“Come on, Jax. Look around! No people could possibly see us here. You can now drop the act, okay? Don’t push yourself too much.” I said with a tone of annoyance as I gently shoved his chest away from me.Jaxson shouldn’t pretend in front of me the way he does to others. He should be content at fooling other people and not include me.I know he’s been dying to mingle with Daniella at this time. Well, too bad for them because I don’t think that people are gonna leave any time soon now. “What do you mean pretending?”“Oh please,” My eyes rolled up as I turned my stance, so I won’t be facing him. [“Catcat? Hello? Who are you talkin
“You are seriously so immersed by your acting, aren't you?” I pushed Jaxson as hard as I could, giving all the strength left in my body making him stumble.“I am.” He said with a giggle. “Why are you being so cheeky to me suddenly?” Jaxson asked before moving next to my stance. We were only a few inches away from each other so I quickly moved back a little to catch my breath.I can’t answer Jaxson’s question directly right into his face. And I guess he pretty sure knew the reason why I am so distant to him ever since I saw Daniella in his office. I just don’t want myself to meddle with whatever it is that they are into. If they are still having an affair behind all of this marriage act that we are doing, sure they can. Who am I, really? Even if I completely dislike them for doing that, I don’t think I should care more.“What’s running through your mind?”I drew my eyes to Jaxson as he gently lay down next to me while I remained seated.“Come on, Cattleya. You can tell me.”My eyebrows