Chapter 30

He grabbed Alexendris' hand and removed the grip on his arm. He confronted the young man.
"Don't. I might disturb you. Send me away again." pasaring nya. "I'll just enjoy the outdoors. Goodbye!"
High when he turned his back on Alexendris then left the office. He smiled at Hera when he met her on the way to the elevator.
"Hello? Stephen?" he said on the cellphone
"I'm already here. Where are you? ...."
Stephen is his dad"s assistant who will assist him in training. He resigned from the job because he wanted to help. He was able to think that he would have more time if he worked for the company.
"Wait. Just go down!"
A few seconds and the elevator also opened. He immediately saw Stephen's car outside the building. He waved.
"Let's go?"
"No. We're just here." his sarcastic answer
He just shook the person next to him and then started the car away.
HE'S NOT HAPPY. From above, he could clearly see the girl entering the car with the man she did not know. He looked at the food she gave him. He dropped it on the table.
"Damn you Celestine! You really knew how to make come around." he kept his promise
He picked up the phone. He immediately answered the call.
"Follow the woman who left my office. Make sure she'll come home safe."
"Yess boss! ..."
"One more thing, report to me what they're doing."
He ended up the call. He leaned on the swivel chair and then picked up the paper hidden in the drawer of his desk. It's an envelope with Celestine's pictures from his father.
Alexendris saw it coming. They made a deal. He may not be dating Celestine but she's more than just a woman he's with and his father knew that.
Once he commit. Once he owned a woman. Once he have Celestine.
Deal is off.
Simple as that. He'll have to marry her, inherit the wealth of Courner. That includes their only law and it's repeat history again.
He released a deep calm breath before closing his eyes. Trying to control his self not to barge out his office and follow that damn stubborn woman.
"If it wasn't for that stupid rule. Long time no see Celestine." he murmured
The door opening rings in his ears before Hera's voice echoed in the whole room.
"Dris? Are you okay?"
"Leave me alone Hera. I need to calm down." He answered
He already turned his back from her but why do she kept coming back? Is she even aware of his harm towards her?
"M-do you need anything? Coffee? I'll make you some." Hera said again
He released a harsh breath. His eyes still close. In his mind. Only one woman comes out. It's not fair how she can make him think only her.
"I don't need coffee. I need her." More than anything else
One more step close to me Celestine and you'll be sorry. I will never let you go.
IN HUMAN RESOURCES he is assigned that he loves. He believes that a company will be successful if there are reliable workers who are not lazy and honest.
"What are you doing in the Courner building?" Stephen asked after teaching him what to do
He glanced over. "I was served some food."
Stephen frowned. "Is Ericka already working there?"
He laughed and looked at the man maliciously. "You just want to know where Ericka works e. Your style is rotten!"
He laughed as Stephen's ear and neck turned red. The man has a crush on his bestfriend. The two met when Ericka took him to her house, her parents, Stephen was right there so they agreed.
Kilig eggs one. That's why Ericka has a boyfriend. So there is no hope for a to but padin does not want to stop.
"She has a boyfriend. Don't dream about that."
"Then I won't dream when they stay together."
Aba, persistent?
"If it wasn't Ericka you served? Who?" its astonishing question
"Gossip or something?"
"You're kidding. You're gossiping."
Umismid sya. "I know that."
Stephen sat up in front. A few were looking at them. They were just gossiping.
"Don't do that! Don't talk to me. I'm working hard!" taboy nya
"Really?"
"Okay! I'm trying so shut up!" asik niya
"Who?"
Really gossip. It won"t really stop until you know the truth. Fortunately, they don't always meet because they will both be imprisoned when they join power in being gossip and gossip.
"Alexendris. Okay?"
Stephen's eyes widened quickly at his answer. It arranged a seat.
"Y-their rude boss who always growls?"
"Yeah that's it."
Who was the only one moaning there except Alexendris.
"Are you still alive?"
"You saw him still breathing, didn't you? Yes, I'm alive."
"B-but how? What did you do? Did you charm their CEO?" its question
He scratched his head because of the amount of questions Stephen asked. He just didn't speak again because he was expecting it. That's why he met Alexendris because of the news that the man seemed to be a life -eater.
"I'll leave you here. I'll do something else upstairs." goodbye Stephen
"It's okay. Don't even go down." she whispered
Time passed quickly at work until home came. He even passed by his dad's office to say goodbye. He even thought of burying himself tomorrow so that his dad wouldn't have to bother coming down for lunch.
"Pst! Busy?" he grabbed Stephen's attention who was still typing on the laptop
"No. Just come in. Of course you knock."
He first knocked three times and then entered. Her dad is squirming. Papauwi narin.
"Celestine?"
"I'll just say goodbye. I'm going home. By the way, tomorrow I'll cook you lunch so that it doesn't come down." saad nya
Her dad smiled. "Maybe there's no need. Often, your mom cooks my lunch."
"Tell me more, don't bother him. I'll get it back for you."
Her dad nodded. For a few moments, his face became serious.
"Are you and Alexendris still seeing each other?"
His forehead furrowed. Her dad's face didn't look curious. Looks like someone just wants to confirm. He nodded.
"Yes. Why, Pa?"
Her dad was silent for a few seconds before he opened his mouth but he didn't finish what he was supposed to say.
"You're an only child, Celestine. I just want what's best for you ..."
"Pa?" he wondered
Nawe-weirduhan na kasi siya. Her fathet dismissed it instead of answering her. So he became even more curious. It's not good when he feels like this because he's in trouble again.
"Tomorrow we'll talk after work. It's important. For now, go home first and rest. It's your first day of work afterall."
"But ..."
He was blown away by the wind then just nodded and left the office. Stephen saw him.
"What happened? Did you get scolded?"
He shook his head.
"Tired? Come on. Let's eat fishballs first. I'm free. At the chin, they're selling."
Suddenly he felt alive from what he heard. He immediately grabbed Stephen's arm and pulled him into the elevator.
"That's what I want from you."
After they ate. Stephen took him to a nearby boat first. He is close to home. Just a ride because Stephen delivered him. Maybe the young man will be trafficked if he is taken home. He is very special.
His forehead furrowed as he noticed the familiar car that Alexendris always used. Her eyes widened.
He's here!?
He turned the lock. That's tomorrow. He opened the door wide and then flicked the light switch. Her eyes widened as someone grabbed her arm.
He pinned her on the closed door. The palm of his hand covered his mouth that he did not know why. She was devastated to feel the young man's body pressing against hers.
He's so close that she felt his breath in her ear.
"How dare you .... laugh like that with another man?" He murmured
Before he cupped her chin, kissing her aggressively.

HE'S TIRED and just wanted to rest but his plan to rest didn't work out when his dad called him.
"What is it?" he asked with boredom
He lowered the suitcase then walked inside the mansion. Her father spoke. He stopped.
"Celestine Villanueva ... I said be careful son ..."
Her mouths cried. The fatigue in his body disappeared and was replaced by anger. He dropped his luggage.
"What are you saying ?!"
"You don't have to worry. You aren't dating with her, right? ...."
His fist turned into ball. By keeping her from going crazy. He see this coming. What's the use of his irritation?
"I call to remind you that once you stake a claim with that woman. Our deal is off ..."
"Are you that desperate to have another Liara?" He mocked. "Isn't my mother not enough?"
For a few seconds her dad didn't speak on the other line. He's like that whenever he opens up the past.
Whenever he talks about his mother who killed herself because of his very own father.
"Give Liara peace, Alexendris ..."
"The gut of you. You are the reason why she's dead. If you haven't impregnate her! She would've been alive! Happy and breathing!" he shouted on the other line
He's livid. Always. If her mother is the one to talk about. No way he would calm down!
"You watched her die every fucking day watching you with your wives! Your whores! You can't even give her break. You are the reason why my mother's dead and now you want Celestine to suffer the same thing? Fuck you!" He spat angrily
"I love your mom ... and letting her go isn't easy as said. You'll understand it too when she started forgetting you ..."
The call ended.
He tightened his grip on the cellphone when the person he was talking to disappeared from the line. He released a deep breath before going back to his car. Alexendris needs to calm down.
He manevouered his car out the mansion towards no where and stop in the middle of the rain. He got out of the car even though it was raining so hard.
Nothing could be heard around except heavy rain hitting the ground and strong winds. He crouched.
"I'd rather leave dying with a broken heart than seeing her die the same way you do."
Mom ...
He could hardly breathe when Alexendris broke the kiss. He could not see the front because it was dark inside the house but he could feel its breathing. Deep.
"A-Alexendris?"
"Remember when I got drunk. I meant what I said. I really hate you." its whisper
He was stunned. He remembered that day. So he was surprised to run away because of that. Her eyes narrowed.
"I thought you didn't remember ?!" his accusatory promise
Alexendris averted his eyes from her. The relish confront case looks very serious. There seems to be deep thinking.
Nameywang sya. He stared at the young man who was looking at others but his mind was flying somewhere. Maybe this was the right time for him to question.
"Why are you here?" he asked
"Am I not allowed?" looked up at him
"Why did you kiss me?" he asked directly
Alexendris averted his eyes again. He moved to the position where it was looking. The young man's forehead immediately frowned at what he had done.
"Why don't you laugh when you're not with me? Ha? Why ?!" kompronta nya
Alexendris moaned as he looked at her.
"Stop."
"Do you want me?" he asked boldly
Alexendris' dad told him how the young man might feel but that wasn't enough. She still needs to know how Alexendris feels.
Because he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to cry until he couldn't breathe in pain. Because he is not like that. He always wants to be happy because he is weak when it comes to illness.
"Because if not. I'll start to forget."
The young man's fist clenched. Its eyes were sharp looking at him.
"Then go, forget about me since it looks so easy for you to do it." its salt
The wind blew him away. He approached the young man and then touched both cheeks. He squeezed her cheeks.
Look at this. No more jokes.
"You look really young." he barely laughed. "Why don't you admit that you like me? That you can't afford to lose me in your life? That I'm so sexy that you miss me so much?"
The young man frowned at what he said. He just laughed at her face and then squeezed her cheek even more until it blushed.
"It hurts."
"I know. You're chilling. Do you know that? It's your strength to drive away and then you'll get angry when I'm happy with others." saad nya
"Don't laugh then if you don't want me mad."
He really enjoys Alexendris' childish behavior so his mischief works again.
"Admit it first you like me. When you admit it. I won't laugh anymore." suppressed the smile he offered
The young man was silent for a while before speaking again but what he heard was not a confession but also a question.
"Why aren't you mad at me?"
He caressed Alexendris's two cheeks. It was very red but the young man did not complain about what he did.
"I'm not angry. Just hurt."
"Then you should be avoiding me but you left me food instead. Are you even aware of what you're doing?" its a very serious question
"Would I do that if I didn't know what to do?" he asked back. "You? Are you aware that it hurts?"
The young man just stared at him. He is still waiting for something else to say.
"Why don't you want to admit it? Or you just don't want to admit it because you really just tripped me? Anyway, there are many other women out there. It's better. It's better." his shoulder dropped. "Those who know move at parties. Not like me. Only jokes know."
"Shut up." he stopped speaking because Alexendris covered his mouth
He slapped it and glared at the young man. He's still having a moment. Stops immediately.
"It's really bad of your habit to beat you up!" asik niya
"If I am ill-mannered. Long right me, Celestine. Don't test me. You might regret it."
"What ?!"
"If I tell you what I feel. You won't stay away from me. I can't let it happen."
"Is that how you hate me?" he asked bitterly
"You should be happy. I am giving you freedom."
He was so disgusted with the excessive frustrations. "I don't understand you. What freedom are you talking about?"
"There's a reason why I want you to go." the young man approached him. She was stunned when he caressed her hair. "I just don't like you ... it's more ... and I can't say it because ...."
"Because?" he asked
"Because you might hate me in the end. It's better this way."
The more he didn't understand Alexendris' answer. The young man seemed to be telling a riddle. He is not fond of solitude!
"Will you still avoid me?"
"Yes."
He frowned. "What if I don't want to avoid you. What are you going to do?"
Alexendris crossed his arms. The muscles in his arm then stretched. His gaze quickly went to the wall.
"I might have given you two options."
He looked back at it. Of course he was looking at her face. Not on the arm. His forehead furrowed.
"What's that?"
Her chest throbbed as the young man's finger landed on her chin until her thumb rose and passed her lower lip.
"It's either you choose me, or your freedom."
Her lips parted. There went the blue eyes of the young man in front of him. His eyes went back to meet hers. This time, the stares seemed to be hypnotizing.
"Would you choose me?"