Stella rode a taxi to her apartment. She was holding crying while she was in that taxi and as soon as she closes her apartment door behind her, she huddled against her door. Her tears just burst out.
"What did you do, Stella?" she asked herself, sobbing as tears continues to roll down her cheeks. Then she slapped herself. "Now you're dirty!"
How did winning a stay in that hotel make her situation even worse?
Days ago, Stella was just working her ass off, working two part-time to save up for her dream. Then suddenly her boyfriend of 3 years broke up with her and she felt half of her dreams shattered. She was coming to work with no more life. Her workmates saw that.
All the life was sucked out of her and that's when she won the all-paid stay in that grand hotel. At first, she didn't want to take it and considered just selling the pass. Then she changed her mind when she crossed a street filled with thoughts and almost got hit by a van. She knew she needed a break.
Stella with her friend Vanessa went to the hotel together. Vanessa was really outgoing and has big dreams of being a runway model which was impossible to achieve for people like them. It amazed Stella. They talked more about her broken heart and Vanessa brought up having a one-night stand with somebody which Stella thought was a joke.
During the night Stella was waiting for Vanessa since her friend told her she'd be waiting at the bar. They planned to have some drinks but Stella ended up having some strong drinks on her own.
And when she was back to her room, that guy was there. She felt like it was a dream and although at first, she pictured her ex-boyfriend, she knew it was someone else. It was a dream, she kept thinking but it wasn't. She felt guilty for doing it with somebody else when her ex-boyfriend asked her to have sex many times and all of it she refused.
Now she just feels disgusted by herself. Remembering how she begged and cried for that stranger to fuck her. Even she is sore till now.
After breaking down, Stella rashly wipes her tears with the back of her hand. She slowly stood up and went to her bed, tossing her bag. Then, she took out her phone and dialed Vanessa's number. It keeps ringing but no one is going to answer. Why do they keep playing her? Now she's more empty than ever!
"Stella Lacrone. That's her name," Dimitri informed Charles.
After that incident, Charles had received a phone call from his grandfather, saying that he had taken the fun too far. He had to lie and say Stella was his girlfriend and that the public had just invaded their privacy.
Now, his grandfather wants to meet the girl in person. This is why he has used the investigation to find out more about her and Stella herself. After all, they have an unfinished business. Just these past three days, he has been having dreams of her. A nightmare he would say.
"Where does she live? I need to know more about her than what she does."
Dimitri put a folder on his desk. He opened it and saw a photo of Stella and a bunch more places. Then on the paper is written information about her.
"It's all complete. The only thing we could not find out is her linking to Jason but she has a friend named Vanessa."
Charles knitted his brows almost instantly after hearing that name. So, did her friend betray her too? Is that why when he brought up Vanessa's name she immediately felt like crying? But he could not set aside the fact that she could be part of Vanessa's plan but not Jason's.
"Clear my schedule tomorrow," Charles ordered. "I'm going for a personal business. I'm visiting someone in the poor area."
Five days after that incident, Stella decided to pretend like it never happened, that the thing was just a nightmare. She had to restart and she quit her job where she won the trip. It's for her own good, to keep the thoughts out of her head. And to erase Vanessa.
Now, she works one job, a waitress at a nightclub. It's during the night so to make use of the morning, she will go job hunting today. She just hopes she finds one.
Stella was just fixing her hair when she heard a knock on her door. It made her stop and turn to the door for the longest time. Is it her mother? Vanessa? Or her ex-boyfriend? No one else knocks on her door but those three but she has lost contact with the two. Only her mother was left.
After tying a ponytail, she strides towards the door, opening it. Just when she raised her head, her eyes widened. Even though he is wearing damn sunglasses, she could tell who it was. The guy from her nightmare!
"He--"
Charles wasn't able to finish anything when Stella closed her door and locked it. She was now breathing heavily, fanning herself as she walk back and forth. Did the guy know she has a connection with Vanessa? Is she suspected of drugging him?
"I know you know me now! Open up Stella Lacrone!"
Stella rakes her hair with her fingers, frustrated that she has to face this reality. Shit! What should she do? Run or face this guy and tell him she really didn't know anything! Why am I even so scared right now?!
"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice obviously shaking.
"I'm here because of what happened."
That answer made her more nervous, biting her lower lip really hard. How can her life get any worse than what had happened to them?
"Look, I don't know anything! Will you just leave me alone and pretend it never happened! I don't want to see you ever again, pervert!"
She hears him release a sharp breath. Oh, why did she even add the pervert when she's a sus-- no, not a suspect! I am a victim too!
"I'm here to make a deal with you!" His voice was loud and clear.
A deal? she asked herself. What deal would that be? And why would he be making a deal with her? For all she knows this must be a trap to corner her.
"I'm asking you to be my girlfriend!"
Eh?
Stella opened the door to face Charles with one eyebrow raised. He took his sunglasses off to see her better. Both of them with serious faces."What do you mean to be your girlfriend?" she asked her arms across her chest. "You don't mean you've fallen inlo--""Of course not!" He immediately cut her off. "As you see, I'm a Castigado and--""What's a Castigado? Spanish for kings and queens?"Charles couldn't help but look at her disapprovingly. Seriously, this girl still has no idea who he is? The last time they have spoken when he told her who he was, he thought she knew her mistake. But now look at this, this girl is frowning at him with a look of hatred."It's my last name," he answers. "Anyways, I am a billionaire and my image is very important. You and Vanessa stained it through that incident."As Charles expected. When Vanessa is part of the conversation, Stella would cower away."What's Vanessa to you?"Stella did not answ
"You are not going to last in this job," Stella, in an ill-mannered way told Charles. Both of them were congratulated by the store manager a while ago for getting hired."This is an easier job for me," he uttered. "A proper time off and a proper time in."Stella glared at Charles for a second and shakes her head lightly. She can't with this guy. Honestly, she thought it was just a baseless threat that he would apply for the job himself but he freakin' did. The salary was high. She could not let the opportunity go.Now that she gets the job, it's time to head home. Stella went her way to Emma first and said goodbye then she went out the door. Charles followed her."So, where are we headed next?" he asked which made her turn around."We?" She raises a brow. "You and I, we're not the same people. Go back to where you came from!""Now don't be a stereotyping. Wasn't it enough that we fucked each--""Shut up!" Stella yells, covering
Stella didn't think of how much damage Charles' words are but now she does. Two weeks had passed and she still can't find a job, not even online. Some other companies needed more qualifications so there were not that many choices for her.If this continues, she will have to withdraw money from her savings and that's not good at all. Even though Charles is nowhere to be seen, he is still causing her the biggest trouble.Those are not the only problem she has. Her period has not come yet. It should have started two days ago since it usually starts in the first week of each month. It makes her nervous.Lately, she's been feeling nauseous without needing to vomit. There's something wrong with her but she didn't want to think about being pregnant cause it'd be the worst scenario."I'm just stressed out! I'm just tired!" she tells herself. But the more she denies it, the more her mind is troubled.For her, it's embarrassing to buy a pregnancy test kit. B
At dinner, Stella kept looking around. She is not comfortable being surrounded by these beautiful people. In fact, earlier she told Charles she didn't want dinner but suddenly her "you can save" instinct kicked in and she said yes. Now, look at where she is. "If you're uncomfortable, let's have a private roo--" "No, I am fine. We'll just have to be quick," she cut him off, fixing her composure. Forget about how she can save, she wants to get out of there so bad. "Alright then," he uttered, looking straight at her. "What made you change your mind?" "You're making my life complicated. I'm simply trying to take my peace back with interest." "Fair enough." He shrugged. "I usually do business in the middle of dinner and sometimes after." "You're not doing business with someone important, mister Castigado. I daresay we discuss it now." She took a deep breath, just preparing herself for what she is about to say. "I need thirty thousand dollar
Early in the morning, Charles made his way to Stella's apartment, knocking on her door. Then he started fixing his hair, something he does not usually do.The door opened, revealing Stella who is still rubbing her eyes. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were still a little puffed. He has seen this before."Good morning," he greeted."Why are you so early?" she asked back, opening the door wider while frowning at him."There was no time stated and we should get started as soon as possible. You have much to learn.""Much to learn? What do you mean by that?""You didn't listen last night." He looked at her disapprovingly. "Let me remind you. I've got a list of the people you can never trust. It's an advantage to know what my family is all about.""Ah, so this is like a test?" She nodded. "Oh right, give me the contract and I'll read it. Then I'll sign it and you can go.""You don't quite get it, huh?" He stepped forward, shoving he
Three days pass and Charles is really excited to see his girlfriend again. The past days he could only call her and each time Stella would hang up on him. Yep, that's all he is to her, annoyance.Today, he plans to exchange phones with her. It is also the perfect chance for him to upgrade her phone so he can see her during calls.Charles just parked at where he usually parks his car and went out. He leans against it, reached for his phone in his pocket and dialed Stella's number. It didn't take her long to pick up."Good morning, baby. You ready?""Ugh." He heard her groan. "I told you that I hate the endearments. Don't call me anything but my name!"He chuckled, gazing at her door. "Come outside when you're done. I am waiting for you.""Why are you so early?" she asked in an irritated voice.When he heard the door opening, the corners of his mouth immediately curved up. He raises his free arm and waved at Stella who had her forehead
"What took you damn long to answer?" She's surprised to see Charles on the screen. So, it's her nickname? "You look like you've seen a ghost.""Did you go through my phone?" she asked after snapping back. "Come home. We need to exchange phones now."Charles raised an eyebrow at her, slowly forming that evil smirk that made her frown. "Curse? Really? You nickname your boyfriend Curse?""Well you are one," she murmurs looking away for a second and back at him. "You didn't go through messages, right?""Should I go then? Hold up.""No!" she shouts. But Charles switched over to share his screen. Her hands immediately started shaking, eyes wide at her screen. "I swear I'm going to--" She stopped when she saw no doctor Akira's messages. So, she had really deleted them?"Erick? Who is this? Is this what you're afraid I'll see?"He opened their conversation and started scrolling. Stella didn't care if Charles read her and Erick's conversation.
In a private jet, the second grandson of the great Felius Castigado, Jason Zekiel Castigado boarded. He does not like the fact that half of his plan to ruin his cousin Charles didn’t go right.Vanessa, that little bitch. If she just did what they planned out, Charles’ issue would sure disseminate leaving Felius with no choice but remove Charles from the selection.At least it’s giving Charles a bit of a hard time. While Charles is tied to his issue, Jason has the freedom he has. It has always been like that.And as for that bitch Vanessa, Jason was kind enough to introduce her to a modeling agency. There should be someone who is willing to hire her with his name as a reference. If he needs Vanessa, he’ll just have to blackmail her. It’s easier now.The fact that he is about to go home again with his other cousins makes him plaster an evil grin. Them cousins