Louise Rose.Unease grips me. Something feels off. This is not right.Two staff members guarded me, and they seemed friendly. I stepped into the elevator, took a deep breath, and smiled at my reflection in the mirror. I knew I looked good tonight. It was funny, but it took me a while to decide what dress to wear until I settled into a simple one—after all, it was not my date.This is Hendrix's fifth date, and I'm teetering on the edge of a significant decision. I hope that this will be the last one because right after this, I'm going to tell him that I will quit.The amount of money that was deposited in my account this morning was more than enough for a lifetime. I never saw this coming. We only agreed to the right amount, but Hendrix deposited more than twenty times.Something's not right. There's tension in the air, a brewing storm to come. I can sense it. What's Hendrix up to? Is it something good or something bad? Who knows? Maybe he has met the fifth candidate, and it happened
Hendrix."What?" Her eyes widened, and my effing heart lit up like fireworks. I love her reaction. It's a piece of art, and I want more from it."You're kidding, right? Tell me you're fooling, Hendrix.""No. I'm not." Confident with myself, I managed to finish my dessert.She couldn't talk for a few seconds and stared blankly at me. I chortled slightly and wiped my mouth."Is this your punishment for me? For not telling you the truth about me? Oh, god. . ." She looked away, now drinking her water. I gritted my teeth as I glanced at her quaking hands."I don't give punishment, Louise. I simply offer them something in exchange for their mistakes. You're not the first person to do this, but you are the first person I want for this plan to succeed."She sighed, and I felt her shoulder dropped."I'm sorry if I deceived you. Please leave my aunt out of this. Rosy is not part of the plan. I did this on my own, and you can only blame me. Don't include her." She looked at me firmly.I'm not s
Louise Rose.So, how will I do this?I looked at Hendrix, concentrating on his instructions and the details of how we met, but my mind was nowhere. It was flying in different dimensions, taking me back to when I was sixteen.Changes are: Hendrix has grown mature, solid, dominant, and more snobby than ever. I wonder if he could smile like how he used to when he was still intact."Are you listening, Louise?" he raises his brow."Oh, yeah." I swallow the sand in my throat. I wasn't paying attention at all. His deep blue eyes are brighter this time than usual. I remember when I was a teenager, Hendrix's eyes turned greenish, and it was beautiful. "Okay, then, we are good to go."I blinked fast as he stood up, getting ready for us to go now. We will meet his sister, his half-sister, to be precise. I didn't know this until he told me the truth about it. Hendrix is a Findlaech-Crinain, but not now because he is a Mondragon. He left the door ajar on the car's passenger side and abruptly mo
Louise Rose.I pulled out mine from my bag and compared them.Oh my God. Is this for real? No. It can't be.SAXEThe initial itself on the G-Dragon coming from my bag made my heart lose another heartbeat. Why did I never think of it?Saxe Hendrix Mondragon. Shit. It's him.I clenched my teeth and quickly stashed mine back into my bag as Hendrix approached me. I blinked to clear my mind, but the heck, no matter how fast I blinked, the image of Hendrix got into me.He owns the G-Dragon. It's his G-Dragon!"You did not get in?""No. Uhm, I prefer to wait," I return the key with the G-Dragon charm, swallowing the sand stuck in my throat."Come on in. I hope we are not late for the show." He checked the time on his wristwatch and then walked past me. He opened the passenger door and looked at me before walking back to his side. I nodded and took a deep breath as I stepped in.Should I ask? I should, right?The ignition started, and I waited for the car to reach the main road before asking
Hendrix."Did you have fun?" I put on my best smile as I opened the car door. She steps out, smiling a little tipsy."I did. Your mother is kind. I can't believe you fooled her. And I can't believe I'm such a good actress." She chuckled softly, and I embraced her from the other side.Mother and she had a good time talking. I did not know their conversations, but they seemed okay. She had a few drinks with my mother, and now she's drunk. This is my mother's way of getting to know what a person is like. She will get them to drink until they tell everything.I led her inside, and she held my hand tightly."How much did you drink?" My jaw tightened. She removed her shoes and flicked them to the side. I chuckled quietly. She removed her boots and flicked them to the side. I chuckled."Your mother kept offering me a drink, and I couldn't refuse her. How did she know my favorite drink? Did you ask her to get me drunk, to be honest about everything between us?" She shook her head, giggled, a
Hendrix."Your mother is not blind, Hendrix. She knows, of course. What do you expect?"I assisted Elle with her task of applying gold lining thread on the side cover of each book. I was about to visit her at home. Luckily, I called before driving to their mansion. Axton is not at home because her husband just returned from Greece, and the two are spending the day bonding together."Be honest, Hendrix, and listen to your heart. Pretending to be Louise’s fiancé is a mistake. You will only end up hurting her. Trust me."I chuckled and shook my head. My hands were busy doing the same thing as hers, but my ears were all hers as I listened."This isn't a good joke, Hendrix. If you're doing this because of what she did, then forget about it! You need to move on." She whirled halfway and reached for another gold thread."A contract is a contract, Elle. This is my business," I smirked."Really? A business, huh?" She laughs a little bit."You are impossible. It's obvious that Louise has no ot
Louise Rose.What was that for?My forehead creased as I looked at the dead screen of my cell phone. That was not like him. He is not rude, but that was unexpected.Hang on? Did I offend him when I sent back the money to his account?I gasped, covering my mouth. That must be it! Oh my God.I kept pacing back and forth, glancing at the time on the clock. It's not too late yet. It's only eight o'clock, and my assumption is that Hendrix will be here any minute and will throw a tantrum like a child.Dang it.After ten minutes, there's a knock on my door, and my heart bangs harder. I hope it's not him. I hope it's not Hendrix, but who will be coming to my place at this hour?Shella can't. She always rings me whenever she wants to sleep for the night or lets me know ahead of time.Oh, heck."Coming!" I swallowed hard, holding the knob, getting ready to open it."Oh, Hendrix? What can I do with tonight?" As expected, it was him. I felt the cold wind hit my system when our eyes met.His cold
Louise Rose."So, what do you want me to do? I already give you back your money. I don't want it, Hendrix! I know it was all my fault, but I don't want to go further with what you want anymore. I'm sorry," I mumbled, facing down.He rested both of his hands on his hips and did not move."I'm not going to accept this. Give me four more weeks, Louise. That's all I want."With a flickering butterfly feeling, I jerked my head to see his face, and my heart melted.His warm, soft stare made my body into jelly straight away. He seemed sad as if he was asking me to take him and give him another chance at this. I can't help but look at him in the same way."Louise. . ." he whispered and closed the distance between us.I stepped back a little bit, but I was trapped against the wall in my back, and I could only gasp warmly when Hendrix's gaze came down to my lips."Damn this," he mumbled, and I shut my eyes.Partly, I felt his lips on mine, and the electrifying feeling of wanting to envelop me.
Louise Rose.At times, you meet the right person when circumstances are not ideal. Other times, you encounter the wrong person when the moment is perfect. However, when you discover the right person at the right time in the right circumstances, it’s destiny. Fate has intertwined your paths, so hold on tightly and never let go.I still couldn’t believe it. After Hendrix’s proposal, the wedding took place.That was spot on. I wasn’t prepared. But when I saw Rosy in her wheelchair, I felt it was the perfect moment for everything. It was truly the right time for that. That night was perfect for us and everyone around us. Hendrix and I got married and were surrounded by our loved ones.It’s been a year, and everything around us moves smoothly. There are tough days alongside joyful moments. The silver lining is that we don’t argue. Even if we bicker over minor issues, we make sure that they are resolved by the end of the day.I’ve faced numerous challenges, beginning with Rosy, my father,
Hendrix."Is everything ready?" I whispered to Eleanor ahead. She gave me a thumbs-up.I took a deep breath and scanned my surroundings. I'm feeling anxious about this. I hope everything works out.This proposal is my second attempt. I chose to keep it simple. Eleanor will invite Louise to a Saturday event, which is my proposal for her.Rosy, my family, and a few of the boys will be here soon. I'm not sure what Reeve and Linus are up to, but I have a bad feeling about it. They've prepared something without telling me what it is."I'll return with Louise in two hours, okay? Everything is set. We have another surprise for both of you. So, no matter what it is, Hendrix, you cannot refuse. Understood?"I blinked. "Okay. . ." My forehead wrinkled."Don't worry. It's not going to harm you or Louise. It will be beneficial for you." She winked, patted my shoulder, and then walked straight ahead."Hendrix! What's up, bro?""Riley? What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Scotland?
Louise Rose.It feels like just yesterday, yet a month has already passed. As I glanced at my mother's name on her urn, I also looked at her picture beside it. I resemble her. She's beautiful, and I just look like her. For years, I have refused to look at her photos from Rosy's old albums. I didn't want to see her at that moment, nor did I want her image to linger in my mind. I didn't feel any anger towards her. I just didn't want to imagine what she looked like.Ideally, Rosy embodies the motherly figure I've always cherished, and during moments of hardship and solitude, it's her face I long for most.I have no regrets.If I were to look at old photos of my mother and notice how much I resemble her, I might feel resentment. Whenever I see my reflection, I see my mother, which prevents me from finding peace.As a child, I had many questions about why she left me with Rosy and why she never came back. But that was in the past. It’s all behind us now, and we are left with the answers
Louise Rose."Louise!"My heart lights in that last second before they toss me.I saw Hendrix running towards me. . . Stephanie screamed, and everything flew in the air.Splash!I held my breath quickly, and my hand automatically did the job. But the rope was tightly wrapped around my feet, and the bricks were heavy. I descended quickly at the bottom.I tried kicking, trying to get it out. I jerked my head up, trying to grasp the air. I can only hold my breath for thirty seconds at least. That was my best record when I went swimming with my friends back when I was only sixteen.I hate the waters. I'm scared of it. I can't breathe.Five, four, three, two, one. . .That's it. I can't do it. I can't untie myself. Am I going to die? Is this my end? Rosy…mum…Hendrix…***Hendrix.Damn it!"Louise!" My body was on autopilot. I run towards her."Oh my god!"I heard Stephanie scream and the rattles around.After extensive tracking, we finally caught them in the act. However, it seems too la
Hendrix.Reeve accompanied me when we arrived at El Puerto. A car was waiting for us. Xavion arranged it. He also contacted the authorities to check the area around. And because it's not yet twenty-four hours, they don't consider it as a missing person. So, we have no choice but to work out independently.The boys will be coming to help. Most of them were at the event, waiting for us, but the party was over. It hasn't even started."Mum, not now, please. I need to find Louise," I answer my mother in the line. She's been calling me non-stop."Look, son. Eddie and Marco are on their way. They might take a while, but they're coming."I sighed, feeling frustrated now. The camera recording shows not much. It did not even capture the face of the person with Louise. The area was quiet, too. They're making sure that they can't be seen. They prepare well for this and damn it. I will make them pay for this."Also, son, Eddie told me that Stephanie actually came back this morning. He doesn't be
Narrator's POV.Eleven hours earlier...Louise was supposed to call Shella, but that did not happen. Shella has been wondering all along why Louise hasn't called yet. "Why hasn't she called me yet? She was supposed to call earlier," she muttered before dialing Louise's number without any hesitation.Tot…tot…tot…"What the? Why is she unattended?"She attempted once more, but the result remained unchanged. After waiting another hour, she considered it might be the signal at that location. However, deep down, she realized it was unlikely. This area has a strong signal with telecommunications towers throughout. So, it's impossible.Shella then speculated that perhaps Louise's phone had a low battery.That's it!It was nearly seven o'clock, and Louise still hadn't arrived. She remained unattended.Shella felt a surge of panic. She realized that Hendrix would arrive shortly to pick up Louise. They needed to go to a surprise family event. This surprise was organized by Hendrix, of course
Louise Rose.I swear in my mother's name, I will make Stephanie pay for what she has done to me!"I'm busting! Hey!""Just pee on your pants. You're going to die anyway." She folded her arms across her chest while observing the two men getting ready for something.I chuckled. "I don't want to die smells like shit, at least! You should grant me some wishes, you know, bitch!"She twirled around, frustrated by my annoyance."Will you shut up! I can't concentrate!" She yelled like a maniac.I giggled at that. "Oh well, too bad. I will never leave you in concentration. So, better untie me, Steph, and bring me a moment of joy!"She disregarded me. She plugged her ears while waiting for the boys to wrap up.What the hell they're doing?I'm out in the dark, at least, and now the sun is shining brightly. I never had a wink last night. I've been thinking of many ways to escape, but I can't do anything.At least one of the boys is kind enough to let me use the toilet. But even there, there was
Louise Rose.I stepped out feeling confident about this. I already told Shella that I would be home before seven. It’s still early—it’s eight in the morning.A man dressed in black looked in my direction. I scanned around first, ensuring that no one matched his description.Last night, he messaged me that a man in all black would fetch me here in El Puerto.“Louise?” the man wearing all black looked at me.I nodded.“This way, please.”He led me to his car, which was only a short distance from where my car was parked. I glanced around again, ensuring it was really him. No one else was nearby, so it had to be him.He opened the sliding door of the van, and I climbed inside.“There are refreshments for you. Help yourself and enjoy the road trip,” he casually said before shutting the car door.I feel the van moving and become familiar with the road. I’m not hungry yet. I’m just enjoying myself while listening to music on the vehicle wireless. He remained silent while driving, avoiding e
Louise Rose.'Your mother… she has passed away a few months after she left you with me. That's why she couldn't come back for us, Louise…'Tears came rolling down my cheeks as I waited for Hendrix. I hugged my knees, crying in vain like a lost child.I laughed at Rosy's confession earlier. It was like a joke, and I didn't know how to take it in.I was speechless and shocked at the same time. Now that I'm all alone, here in the dark corner of Rosy's house, everything comes back haunted—my reality.The mother that I hated so much was long gone. Are you kidding me?I've been rehearsing a lot in the back of my mind, preparing myself for the day she will return for me. I have a lot to ask. Too many, to be exact. But what is it now? What will happen now? What will I do now…"Louise?"I gasped for air and stood up quickly when I heard Hendrix's voice outside. I wiped my tears, but my vision blurred, and my tears kept rolling down. It seemed like all the tears I had kept for myself for years