I once more drive the through my father's gate. The morning is bright and fresh. I believe that the skies are also happy about my audacious choice. Sigh!
I park my white gleaming Porsche and tell my driver to park the jeepney which was trailing behind me as well. I take my first stride with more vigor and confidence than I have ever had in my entire life. I am experiencing blissful ecstasy, but I am trying my best to conceal it. It's not yet time to celebrate."Mike, pull back the cover while you wait for the items to be unloaded and drive the jeepney back home. The rest will be handled by Sherry and Rose." I explain to mark once we are outside."Alright, ma'am. What time do you suggest I pick you up from the office?"Ahem! About that."Ah, that. I may not require your services for some time. I'll be spending a few days here at my dad's house." I elucidate."You are not ceasing my services, ma'am?" He inquires in a concerned tone.Mike is a decent person. The best chauffeur I have had in my life—by around ten—so far. Don't look at me like that. I simply can't stand any level of incompetence. You won't last a second with me if you don't provide your services exactly like I anticipated you to. Simple!"Definitely not, Mike. I am can't terminate just like that without a notice. While I'm here, why don't you go see your wife? When I return to my house I'll give you a call." I explain."Alright, ma'am." He says.It is virtually impossible for him to not be elated about such an opportunity given that his wife is expecting their first child. Unless he's a jerk, which I highly doubt."Alright. Say hi to your wife for me, and," I pause to fish out a small envelope from my purse and continue, "here." I hand him the envelope, which he accepts begrudgingly. "a small gift for you. Please, take good care of your wife.""Yes, ma'am, I will. Thank you so much for this." Before my father calls my phone, I give Mike a nod and begin to stroll toward the castle. I know my father well. He is a gratingly impatient man."Ma'am?" I turn to Mike in a half-turn, wondering what he wants once more."Yes, Mike?" I query."Happy Birthday, Ma'am."Wow! Ooh! How weird! The first person to wish me a happy birthday this year is my driver. Nevertheless, I'm not surprised. This morning neither Rose nor Sherry greeted me. I'm certain they have some mischievous bombshells planned for later. poor souls! The biggest shock of their lives will come from me."Thank you, Mike. Bye." I respond, grinning broadly as I pick my pace again and match towards the huge entrance of the castle."I was about to call you, my dear." My father's hoarse voice welcomes me the moment I pop my head inside, a black leather satchel in his hand. I told you. The elderly man is quite strict and punctual."Papa." I give him a slight embrace. "I'm here now. Sorry if I kept you waiting for so long." I apologise."It's alright. Happy Birthday, darling! Your father is chuffed with the woman you have grown into. And you're going to make me much more proud today." He adds while grinning widely after we pull away while the two witches roll their eyes at us. Their acrimony and venom are on a whole other level."Thank you, pa."That's all I can mange to utter, considering that at the end of the day, he won't feel anything but profound impairment and complete disgrace rather than pride. I'm not sure how he will handle such a tumble."Shall we?" I inquire before my emotions dominate my cool."Sure." He starts to pull me outside, but I halt and gawk at the two witches behind us."By the way, I kept my word. Your gift is right outside, Rose." They exchange intense stares as I speak to them. "Come on! It is not a bomb." I giggle and follow my father as the four of us exit the living room. Even my father is in bewilderment. We stride outside and match straight to the parking.Our hefty footsteps halt in front of the jeepney where the servants have gathered around, but maintaining a safe distance from us. All the eyes tumble on the luggage lying on the floor. On the white mattress which is on display, is clear, bold red writing that reads, "I'm the white who fucked my sister's boyfriend on their bed. ROSE!!!"I can see my father's jaw dropping to the floor, but I'm not more interested in his reaction.I turn to face this bitch behind me who is lurking behind her mother's back."Rose, how do you like my gift? Now you can enjoy your wonderful memories of sweet betrayal." I mutter, audible enough for everyone to hear."Would someone care to explain what is going on here?"My father's icy tone resonates while Gracia takes a step away from her daughter, revealing Rose's withered visage as humiliation is smeared all over her. Just as I had anticipated. She is quivering while dodging everyone's gaze. She's probably trying to be the ground she's standing on to open up and swallow her whole so she can escape from this embarrassment. And here I believed she was pleased with what she had done. Why is she now a trembling mess?"ROSE! I'm waiting!" My father repeats while glaring homicidally at the terrified blonde which. I am so enjoying this.Gathering the little courage left in her, she opens her trembling lips as she does us the honour of describing her repulsive behaviour."Sorry, dad. Things just spiraled out of control."I was about to smirk at the disgustingly squirming bitch, but the last sentence made me almost choke on my smirk. I suddenly feel a tight knot in my belly. What on hell does she mean by things just got out of control?"This was NOT, part of the agreement, Rose!" Mr Riccarford's stern voice rings once more, almost paralyzing me on my spot.Everyone is avoiding his face, but I muster up the guts to dart my eyes in his direction. I don't care about his frightening facial expression right now, which might frighten even the devil, but what kind of agreement is he referring to? Agreement! Even the sound of this term makes my blood boil. It rings with a dreadful sound."Pa..." He thwarts me just as I was about to demand an explanation, cutting me off."I don't want to ruin this day more than you already have, Rose, so I will let this go for now. But tonight after the party, you better have a better justification or else...""Richard, come on! My daughter did you a huge favour. Can you for once give her some credit?" This witch makes an effort to protect her daughter. I'm not surprised though.A favour, she said? Now I get it! However ridiculous it sounds, it now perfectly rings a bell. Loud and clear! Everything makes sense now. OMG!"Stop defending her, Gracia. She messed up!""But Richard, the outcomes are exactly what you wanted, right? Cut my daughter slack, will you!""I don't recollect any part that said she was to sleep with Leo, much less on my daughter's bed and that, is unforgivable!""What does it matter, huh?"I cover my ears to prevent them from blocking due to the yelling and barking.For a moment, all I can see is their mouths screaming furiously, firing at each. A she-devil by the name of Gracia who won't give up in her defense of her daughter and a demon by the name of my father who is so enraged. It seems as though we are in a live soap opera while the nannies, drivers, and security personnels are the audience. This is just too much!"STOP!" I yell while lowering my hands from my ears. They all stop their yapping and gawks at me as they exorcise their demons. Gosh! Never before has the tranquility of this castle been so disturbed. Never!"We are done here. I need a good explanation for this tonight, Rose!" Father states with an autocratic tone that no one would dare defy or question. He then turns to me. "Let's go, my dear." He says before turning to leave."No, Papa! I demand an explanation. What did you do this time?" I query, refusing to move a muscle."There is nothing for you to know, Ellie. We have a meeting with the board in a few and we are behind time. Let's get moving."He turns on his tracks once again, walking away, but today, I am letting him get away."Until you tell me what this accord was all about, Papa, I'm not moving an inch from here." I state. He makes a calm turn, but his veiled ire is clearly apparent in his demeanor. Wait. Isn't it me that supposed to be upset in this situation? "So, you are to blame for this treachery and ostracism?" I query.He moves slowly in my direction."Your stubbornness, Ellie, made me do this and it turns out that that boy wasn't good for you after all. He slept with your sister without a second. He wasn't deserving of you, my dear. A decent man with a bright guaranteed future has been waiting for you for years. You can't just toss such a guy aside for a useless scoundrel. Besides, this was inevitable. Come on!""And you pulled all strings just to make this happen? YOU HADN'T ANY RIGHT AT ALL, PAPA! You are meddling way too much." My anger speaks between gritted teeth."I do have all the rights over you as your father, Ellie!"I give him a stern look in his eyes as a tiny curtain of tears starts to form in mine. He irritatingly never ceases to astound me with his outrageous decisions regarding my life and for the first time in my existence, I feel so much resentment for the man in front of me. His face irritates me to the core. His demeanour is choking me. I can't believe he could result into this, honestly.Teardrops escape my eyes and fall as I blink. I dry them away and give him a direct gaze."I'm afraid if you keep acting like this, Papa, you will push me into detesting you. This is too much and unacceptable. Let's see if the supposed angel you are trading me off to as my fucking husband can make me forget this deception and brokenness. Maybe then, just maybe, I will be able to forgive you for this, father."I leave him to ponder on his misdeeds while I tap my foot on the linoleum and turn around. Away from all the madness of his autocracy. He has all the rights, he said? We will see about that Richard Riccarford. Without even sparing him or the vicinity a cursory glance, I hop into my Porsche and accelerate away. To wherever these resentments and heartaches take me, I'll go!I'm driving south in an obscure alley at the middle of a winter night in a modern city when all of a sudden my car stops in the middle of the road. The engine wouldn't start despite my chronic exertions to restart it. I glance at the fuel gauge on the dashboard with heavy eyes as anxiety and panic pervade my entire being. Damn! The tank is empty! Really excellent! Freaking wow! How come I didn't notice?With my heart thumping, I kick the door open and drag my lethargic, worn-out self outside. I'm not accustomed to spending so much time in the driver's seat. Heck! My longest solo drive so far has probably been an hour. And now, since I waltzed out of the office, how long have I been driving? My watch reads ten minutes to midnight. I'm worn out. I'm so drained. How I managed to maintain control of the steering for such an absurdly more than eight hours drive is indecipherable.It was at exactly two in the afternoon when the meeting ended at the Ricca court where our main office is locat
A short walk away from where my car broke down, we mosey into the stranger 's exquisite apartment. We left our autos and shuffled over here. Surprised? Well, it's not like I wanted to spend the night on that dreadful street, and I he left me with no choice but to come with him. So here I am, albeit a little fearful.He delicately places my satchels on the plush grey carpet as I ricochet my eyes for a quick tour around this exquisitely furnished sitting room, savoring the serene atmosphere. It's amusingly amazing. I'll be honest—I couldn't have anticipated this much of him. I underrated him. I blame the streetlights, though. They didn't do him enough honor in portraying a clear vision of him.A stunning mansion with luxurious modern amenities. I am awestruck by its grandeur. From the gleaming marble complex that I struggled to capture well in the dark, to this astounding sitting room that is wonderfully adorned. I wouldn't have imagined that a man would have this much taste but he has
I change into a short and a t-shirt after the invigorating shower I was scheduled to have last night. I unintentionally fell asleep while reflecting on the tragic anecdote of my life. I didn't eat dinner, and I didn't leave this room all day. Given the circumstances, I'm not sure how I managed to stay cooked up in a room for the first time in years. I also slept like a baby, which I believe was much needed. I don't know why the stranger bothered not to wake me up, and I am also not sure if I should thank him for that or not. I'm still not sure how I got so snug under the warm duvet. Unless... I don't know.I stomp my feet outside the room. The elongated rest and shower were quite therapeutic to me. As I make my way down the lengthy, sparkling stairwell, I feel so much better and more energised—apart from my terribly empty stomach. "Good evening"I turn toward that gruff voice at a spot I don't recall seeing last night. A bar? I walk up to him, and here seateth the Greek God drowning
I emerge from the kitchen holding a tray of pancakes - the only food besides eggs that I know how to cook, along with tea and sliced fruit. I cast a quick glance at the stranger who is still sleeping like a baby on the couch. He ought to be happy that I refrained from acting on the insane impulse to leave his house last night after dropping his inebriated ass on the floor. I changed my decision solely for the reason that if only it wasn't for him, I would have spent my first night in this city on the chilly, unsettling street. Just that.Despite my best attempts, I was unable to move his heavy ass up to his room. Not even a muscle of it. I had to softly lie him on the couch and retrieve a duvet from his room. That was the least I could do. Additionally, he ought to be aware that last night was my worst night ever as well. I was unable to get any sleep due to my frequent awakenings to check on him. Not even forty winks. The night was one hell of a torture for me and I am so furious at
"Is this thing even good for your health?" I ask Damian with concern.Fortunately for him, he apparently got a call from work after posing the facetious query in the morning. He was fortunate that the call saved him from incurring my wrath because I find it indecipherable how he could think of such an absurd mind-boggling idea. Who thinks like that? I really hope he won't bring it up once more. I am beginning my excursion through the city tomorrow with or without his damn services, and I am in a terrific mood tonight so I don't want anything to spoil this for me. If that is the price, as early as now I will have him know that I don't need his fucking services.He promised that he'd bring dinner when he got home from work because, well as customary, I couldn't cook, and he did. Sincerably, it's embarrassing, but what can I do? Sigh! He only just excused himself to have a quick shower while I set the table, and now he is just sauntering over with a drink. He truly is unbelievable!"You
"Behind the walls of alcoholism and cynicism, I discern a troubled soul. The raging fire in your eyes appears to hold a faint whiff of melancholy. There is something so deep hidden in these deep pools." I sputter, my eyes glued to his by a powerful spark which I am trying so hard to break from.A minute passes, his eyes threatening to burn me, and mine pleading otherwise, and it's now that I know I have to act before I find myself dancing in this fire. I want to say a lot about the expression in his icy eyes, they are hiding quite a lot, but the fire in them simply won't let me. Him becoming so lost in mine is not helping at all. He undoubtedly is feeling my twitching hands in his, or the wetness because I am sweating due to this heat.I release his grip while breaking our eye contact. I'm proud of myself for keeping my gaze on him for so long though. It's quite difficult. I mentally tap myself on the shoulder for that."Am I right or wrong?" To break the tedium, I speak once more aft
I pull myself up from the comfortable bed and drag my lazy ass to sit up. I have a blinding pounding headache and I feel so tired and wasted. It's like I puked all my lungs out leaving my belly empty. My wristwatch reads a quarter past ten. I am not even surprised that I slept this much. The shame of the mess I made last night in this house must have kept me in bed until this late. That was quite a huge mess. I wish there was a way I could evade catching a glimpse of Damian, but the only way for that is for me to latch myself in this room forever which I can't. Not when my stomach is growling like this. I need to grab something to eat and some painkillers for this damn headache. "Crap!"I curse as I tap my feet on the ground, my hands aiding my head. I feel like it weighs ten kilos. My goodness! Is this what they call a hangover? Is this what people experience after taking that fucking shit? If there was a time that I loathed that bitter liquid, it is undoubtedly this minute. I and
I am done washing the dishes we used for that mouthwatering omelette we had for breakfast. I turn to stroll out, but I almost collide with him walking in yet again.I step back.He has been overly quiet throughout the breakfast and I didn't meddle. I am beginning to think that he lied when he said he wasn't angry. It seems like he just wanted to massage my worry. Or just so I could leave his presence. That hurts, honestly."Do you feel any better now?" He says, standing a distance from me."Yes. The headache is gone." I mumble, shame and guilt plastered on my face."Are you sure?""Yes." I state."Alright. Go get changed."Ahem! Ahem!I take a good once over my look. There is nothing wrong with my clothes. Well, I understand my shorts are too short but duh, he still is shirtless and I am not complaining despite the trouble his orbs are making my eyes go through. I am not exposing anything."Why?" I implore."Because I say so."I stare at him for minutes, trying to understand his expre