Chapter 1

Present 

"HELLO Ma'am?"

["Klara. Are you already at the meeting place right now?"] my boss asked me on the other line.

"Yes ma'am, I just parked my car."

["That's good. So, good luck and impress Mr. Falcon with your presentation, please. And please convince him, Klara. I believe in your ability to get the deal for our company, Klara."]

"I-I'll try my best, ma'am. Don't worry," I suddenly stammered again when I heard the name she mentioned.

["Alright… bye, Klara. Just let me know right away after the meeting,"]

"S-Sure ma'am, bye-bye."

I hardly breathed when I ended my conversation with my boss.

I inhale and exhale many times. I want to be calm all the time as I scan the meeting place.

God! Why now? Oh, it's been four years since the last time I saw him. And now, I'm here and I have to show up. I hope he has already forgiven me if he is angry. I hope he's waiting. I hope it's not too late.

I heaved a sigh as I got out of my car completely.

Am I ready? Yes! No! I do not know.

But I have to face him, even though I'm not yet ready for our first meeting. I'm afraid. We haven't seen each other in four years and the last time we talked together was the day I lied to him... because it's necessary. I feel that he's mad. And there was no forgiveness for leaving him before.

My chest pangs when I saw Logan getting closer. I'm seriously looking at his back, I'm even observing him like he's a small object in my sight.

He's still the same as in the old times. His body is still physique. He's still very handsome even though I did not see his face that time because his back was facing me. That's the reason why I can't easily forget him. He is the one I loved the most before and the only one I love until now.

His broad shoulders, manly features, and his dark and handsome aura, I was completely crazy about all of that.

I hardly breathe again when I'm finally moving to his facade. I immediately saw an awed on his face when he looked up at me. I gulped and shrunk at that moment. Suddenly the expression on his face that had been calm just now changed.

His thick eyebrows became one line and his handsome face suddenly hardened while staring at me.

"WHAT---"

"Good evening, Mr. Falcon." I greeted him with my calm warm voice, but my hands, it doesn't stop trembling.

"Why- What are you doing here? Why are you here in front of me?" my heart fluttered at the tone of his question. The way he talks, I know there is a wave of anger.

I swallowed. I'm trying my best to stay calm and relaxed. "Uhm…" my legs are shaking so I sit even though she hasn't invited me to sit across from him, "You are expecting, Mrs. Salazar, right?" It didn't answer but just glared at me intently. "Uhm. I'm here for my, Lady Boss', replacement. Sorry if she can't attend the meeting. That's why she ordered me to face you here," I say, still keeping my voice calm.

He shakes his head like he's disappointed to see me. "I don't need you! Go away! And kindly tell your boss, I canceled this meeting because I don't want to have a meeting with the person she sent here today."

My heart ached as he openly disliked me.

I held my breath. I don't want to show him that it affects me. He's mad. I can't do anything there. I'm just going to excuse his behavior of him because I need to close the deal with him for my boss' company.

"I don't need you? It is the wrong choice of words, Mr. Falcon. I'm not here to be needed by you. I'm here for my job. So, shall we start the meeting right now?"

He frowns at my words. "You don't understand? I said GO AWAY. I do not want to have a meeting with you," he said harshly and with emphasis.

"Please be professional, Mr. Falcon. Don't take this job with any anger... uhm, I mean, I'm here for my job. Not for you or whatever else you're angry about."

His forehead furrowed even more at what I said. "Why did you appear now, Ms. Santos? How much do you need to get out of my sight? Money, right? That's what you've always wanted?" I avoided his gaze and didn't want to pay attention to his mocking question.

Yes. Money is the main reason. Maybe his father's information about him is completely wrong. That's why he's badly mad at me.

"I don't need your money. I have my money, and I am rich." Even though it was difficult to lie, I lied just to cover up the pain I'm feeling inside my chest.

"After me, did you get anything else? Wow, not bad, Klara. You still have your very lovely body, looks, and you have your way to seduce the richest businessmen using your angelic face. A filthy dirty old man will probably chase you down no matter where you come from. And you will probably grab it too for the sake of money. That's you. right? A kind of gold digger!"

I was hurt by his accusation. Yes, I have everything, if only in body and appearance. But I don't have any money. And I'm not that desperate to become a rich woman and cheat rich men. Only one passed through my life. No one but only him. It hurts me to be accused by the person I loved so much of being a paid woman just to get rich.

"That's not a necessary topic to talk about. Past is past. You need to move on from me, Logan, just like what I did to forget you and moved on with my life without you." I have increased my lying again. The truth is that I haven't moved on from him. Maybe like him, I'm a bitter person. I am not happy. Not now, not ever. "Please, don't be bitter with me," I added

"Hm, who told you I'm feeling bitter, Klara? Look at this." He raised his left hand. Then I saw there was a ring on his finger. "I'm getting married to the woman, I love. A woman who doesn't look for money. So, who's bitter?" he grinned at me.

What? Why I don't even know that he is getting married? I'm stalking him... but why didn't I hear anything about him getting married?

"C-congratulations." I didn't show him that my heart break down.

He's getting married now. How else do I intend to return to him? How can I claim him if someone already owns him? Is he doesn't love me that much? After all, why should I expect him to listen and wait for my return?

"A-alright, if you don't want to have a meeting with me. O-okay, I'll better go now." I stood up immediately so that he wouldn't notice my jealousy of what I found out.

I stood up and was about to leave when I felt his hand holding my arm. He was also standing next to me. I lowered my eyes and looked at his warm hand holding my arm. I immediately haul my wrist to his touch.

He sighs. "Sit down, lady... Let's proceed to the meeting. I don't want to waste our time together. Just be sure to amaze me with your presentation. Don't waste my time," his face was serious and dark.

I look down. I don't want to face his anger toward me. I want to apologize and beg him to forgive me. But how? It seems like I'm just wasting my time. He doesn't want me to waste his time. Do I need to explain my side now? But he is getting married. How is it?

But I still want to earn his forgiveness. So that my heart can be still. I want to correct everything. But I think, this is not the right time to talk about it. I know he won't listen to me but I hope he gives me a chance to explain.

"Sure. Let's proceed now." I said and sat across from him again.

I took out two folders containing papers. I gave him the other files. I saw that he opened it and I did the same.

I clear my throat to get his attention because I'm about to start my proposal plan. I gulped when he focuses his gaze in my direction. Even though I was a few of his dark gazes, I still started to speak in front of him.

"Is that all?" I nodded. "Everything you said I already have heard from others. There is nothing new. An unsellable proposal. Overall, your proposal is too simple and not convincing. There is nothing new, and it's like you are. Boring, tasteless, and very plain and condescending." I looked at her sharply and evilly.

I did my best for this proposal. I practiced several times just to make it presentable and perfect. Mrs. Salazar will promote me if I get this deal but I think, I have failed her. I didn't even get any good comments on it. It was all insulting and humiliating. He bases my presentation on my character. It is what he wants? Humiliate me? Underestimate my worth? My job? Even myself worth?

Enough!

It's hard to sin only once because even if you do the right thing, you are still dirty in their eyes. And I'm so damn hurt because of this saddened reality.

So, enough! I don't have to accept his accusation.

Pain really consumes my whole sense. I took a deep breath. "Know what, Mr. Falcon? I would have accepted if you just said, FAILED. But you also cursed. You insult my whole being. Is that not bitter? Tell me, what else do you think of me? To put a curse on my character. Tell me, add more?" I calmed down, but the truth is that I really wanted to get angry and cry because of all the hurtful words he said.

"You're a slut, a whore, cunning bitch and let me add, you are a gold digger bitch. You're exploitative and shameful. I regret meeting you, and helping you!" he directly burst it.

I bit my lip and smiled bitterly. He is blindly mad. It's hard to explain the kind of people who are so angry. "That's all? Okay. Thank you," I said calmly even though I was about to explode from the pain of what he was saying.

I took the files in front of him. I just fixed it with my shaking hand. There is no reason for me to stay in front of him. I can only hear bad accusations. Maybe he did the right thing to hurt my heart even more but I hope that will help me to forget him in my life.

He's really mad at me. Maybe he even cursed me for what I did before.

"By the way. Thanks for your time, Mr. Falcon, even if you're not paying attention, I appreciate it. Maybe I'm not good enough for you, but I did my best to impress you. Sorry huh, this is all I'm good at. I admit I'm cheap, I look like a gold digger, a dirty woman, and a user. But to tell you. I did it because I had to. Accuse me again and again if that will make you happy. Go, I'll let you. Again, thanks for your time, and have a nice evening." I stood up and I immediately left him alone.

My tears started to fall one by one as soon as I got into my car.

That is foul. Everything he said really penetrated deep into my heart. Very painful. All that is nonsense. Yes, I admit I've accepted money before, but it's because I need it. I had no other choice then. If only he knew it.

If only he knew.

Logan, I'm very sorry. It was also painful for me when I walked away. Yes, I walked away with your daddy's money. But I really only did it because I had to. And I hope one day you will understand me too. It just hurts because you judge my personality too much. I'm hurting too, my heart is hurting too...