"Dude, what happened?" One of his close friends approached and asked him. "Did you get their approval? Can we certainly use the villa?" Clark heaved an abrupt sigh, making it even more readable to everyone that he failed us, and that he was only good with words. "Guys, I think we need to have a plan B. I tried, even sought help from Dad, but it didn't work. So I guess we have to look for a new place. Do you have one in mind? I'm open to suggestions." "How about we just have a night out? Have some beer and karaoke?" One suggested right away, trying to lift everyone's mood. Everyone's expression lowered as far as I was concerned. Their overwhelming excitement five seconds ago turned into disappointment and regret. I can see that Clark was embarrassed as well. Well, he fucking deserved that for taking advantage of his Dad's connection. But I could not help but wonder though. If Mr. Cedrick and Dad could have known each other for a very long time, then why was he rejec
"Don't worry about me, dude, I already had a plan on how to make sure no information about me getting exposed," I replied. "And call me 'Young Master' again, or I'm gonna kick you out of this place myself." I looked out of the sliding glass window to make sure no one heard us. "Fine... Fine... Fine. I'm not gonna say it again." John Dave laughed wickedly. "But you did a great job defending the old woman earlier, dude. By the way, does she know about this? About you?" Then he jumped onto the bed and swam his arms and legs like an eight-year-old kid. After putting on a new shirt, I set my luggage bag beneath the bunk bed. "I guess so. Mom and I discussed this two-day vacation in the villa. This is how we got the approval to use the entire place, not because of some boastful kid who only knew how to degrade someone weak." John Dave scoffed. "And he will keep on boasting it once yours and his family get knotted by marriage. That bastard's head would probably grow bigger,
John Dave debated, this time, he was afraid that something bad might happen to me while walking alone on the seashore. He insisted on coming with me. However, his ridiculous claim didn't work. We separated ways. He went to our classmates while I walked on foot on the seashore and grabbed some fresh air. Nothing beats walking on the seashore with a can of cold beer in my hands. Truth be told, this one we have in the villa was a man-made beach, but it looks the same as the ones we imagined. Granules of white sands. Sea water. It also had access to cold air that helped me clear my mind. In the middle of walking alone, the phone in my pocket suddenly rang, breaking the deafening silence of the night. The call came from Jennie, so I answered it. "It's already a quarter before ten, Ms. Pineda. Are you still working right now?" I couldn't think of any reason she reached out to me in the middle of the night unless it was work-related. Or at least something came up in our offi
Everyone around me bent half of their bodies toward Celestine and Sebastian before they evacuated their spots at the speed of light, leaving me alone, filled with uncertainties and discomfort. I stepped back when Celestine attempted to step forward, believing she would slap me in the face in front of Sebastian. "So Sebastian was right then? You do still have feelings for me." Celestine continued. "That's a one-sided kind of love, Zachary. No matter how you express your love for me, the doors and windows of my heart were already closed as someone already occupied them. I'm afraid that person is not you." Sebastian shrugged her off, his smile was from ear to ear while looking at me, and he was enjoying the show. "What else could I say, babe?" Sebastian replied on my behalf. "You were his first love as far as I can remember. He even told me that he was going to die if he lost you." I lowered my eyes to the floor. A part of me wanted to run as fast and as far away from Ce
John Dave was about to say something, trying to defend me from them, but I stopped him before everything could go out of hand. We joined the rest of our friends in the restaurant, not because we wanted to pick a fight, but because the worms in my stomach were hungrily complaining. And I had had enough of Celestine and Sebastian's sarcasm last night. Knowing that they hadn't reached the city was already enough for me to move on. Getting away from this place as soon as possible was now my priority. So I waved at the nearest female server. Suspiciously, the server bowed before me and asked, "Good morning, sir. It's an honor to finally meet you. Can I have your orders now?" John Dave and I exchanged bothered glances as we could not believe the server appeared to have recognized me. I gradually looked at the rest of the crew of the restaurant, one by one. They all looked at me with a smile on their faces. "Does this mean they knew who I am?" I whispered to John Dave.
But everyone knows Clark inside out even if I knew a few were just pretending they don't to make sure they could be part of his high-class life. He will not let a mere restaurant manager insult him in front of his friends. I need to do something. "Are you done?" I asked John Dave, but my eyes were fixed on the manager who went back to the cashier. "Just ignore them if you have no plan on telling them the truth, dude." He replied, ignoring my question and without looking at me. "I'm already considering that idea if Clark would do something beyond our imagination, dude. Let's wait and see what he'll do next." Five seconds later, the manager went back to the table. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Cedrick, we have tried swiping your card a few times, but the result remains the same. Perhaps we can try another card, or you can pay in cash." "You're kidding me right now, aren't you?" Clark insisted. "Who on earth would bring three million dollars in cash these days, huh? That's
"They're my enemies, Mom. Not even close to friends," I confessed and stopped mimicking Noah's tiny waves of laughter. "That party was made to get back at me. To make fun of me. They achieve it. But I achieved more from it. It's a win-win." "I'm so sorry about what happened to you in the past, honey. I couldn't imagine what you have experienced at the hands of your in-laws. And during your college days." Mom said, her eyes started swelling. "Don't worry about me, Mom," I reassured her as I rested Noah on my chest. "I was bullied, humiliated, mocked, and insulted. Whatever you call it for the past eight years. But looked at me now. I'm a little stronger." "And I couldn't be more proud of you, Zach. Mom and Dad raised you more than as a parent." Mom replied. "Speaking of them, how are they? Are they still living in that small house?" I can see in Mom's eyes she also longed to see her parents. Since he got married to Dad, she was forbidden to talk and see them, not e
I quickly rose from my seat and announced my side of the agenda before Mrs. Lincoln could finish her sentence when I already knew what she was about to say - to announce about Noah. "Thank you for rejecting my dismissal but I cannot accept it. Even for the short time, I have been part of this corporation, I learned a lot of things. Unfortunately, my decision was already irrevocable." Most of them, especially those who voted for the rejection, looked me in the eye, their faces filled with dismay and confusion. As much as it pains them, I have to protect what's mine. I have to protect Noah so I gave Mrs. Lincoln what he certainly wanted - to get rid of me. "Also, I would like to clarify that Ms. Jennie Pineda had nothing to do with the investment withdrawal. I've heard that someone approached and asked her to let the investment stay in the company. I decided to withdraw my ten billion dollars because the money was mine to begin with." Celestine and Sebastian's mou