My eyebrows furrowed as I scanned the place where he brought me. This is one of the famous boutiques for gowns and dresses. I've been here once but it's been ages.
That was before Dad's business went bankrupt.
I love this shop, all the gowns and dresses have unique styles and they're fancy.
I mentioned this shop to Magnus before.
I turned him to my side. "A-what are we doing here?"
"I'm taking you to an event," he said.
"Event?"
"I need my secretary there and you can't go looking like that," he said after I glanced over.
He glared at the designer in front of us. "Just do something simple."
"Yes Mr. Morrison!" said the female designer.
"What's your name sister?"
"C-celiza please." I stuttered. Entering the VIP room that was immediately his question.
"Are you related to Mr. Morisson?"
"S-secretary only ---"
"Oh!"
"Why?"
"You're the one that Mr. Morisson, his secretary, brings. It's usually Miss Aira. She almost buys all the vine designs here! It's so beautiful and so kind!"
The fix on me ended quickly.
"How does she look, Mr. Morrison? Passed? We didn't have a hard time fixing her because she's naturally beautiful."
He gulped after scanning me from head to toe. "Yeah."
"W-what event is that? Why do you have to dress up?" I asked after we left.
"Business event."
I sighed.
Business event, is there nothing specific yet?
"We're already late. Get in the car."
"Seatbelt," he said as we boarded.
"Ugh!" I grunted while struggling to put on my seatbelt.
I turned to him with his seatbelt on. "Magnus --- I mean Sir. I don't ---"
He almost rolled his eyes. He unbuckled his seatbelt.
I gulped when he leaned closer to me. I've never been this close to him since the day we first met. The day he claimed me again.
But who cares? He doesn't.
It hit both of our eyes. His eyes are staring at my lips.
I swallowed hard.
Calm down, Celiza. It's only natural that he's close to you now because he's adjusting your seat belt. There is no one else there.
It's only natural.
He probably had a lot of seat belt fixes, not just me. Because of his handsomeness, he probably had many girlfriends. Many will claim her looks, body and intelligence.
It's all up to him.
I sighed.
"I... I'm sorry about what happened years ago. I just want to talk about our past ---" he cut me off.
"There's nothing to talk about past Ms. Carosca. I'm your boss now you're my employee. Whatever you say won't change anything." His grip tightened on the steering wheel. Veins popped on his strong arms.
I sighed, "I'm not hoping for a change. I just want to clarify ---"
"I should have brought Belinda instead of you Ms. Carosca." he said and glared at me.
My mouth is covered. I averted my eyes from him. I focused my attention outside the car window.
Why did I even think of going back to that?
Magnus is right, even if I tell him the truth nothing will change. I still hurt him.
No matter what reason I have, it's unforgivable. It's already done. I pained him.
*******
My forehead furrowed as I got out of Magnus's car. Is he sure we're not getting lost?
We stopped in front of a grand and classic mansion made of stones and marbles.
I glared at him but he just stared straight ahead.
"It doesn't look like a business event." It's more of a party with all the hanging bright lights and fancy silver decor around the place.
A mini stage is set up in the middle of the spacious garden.
"Son!"
I gulped when she showed up in front of us.
"We're waiting for you! Where did you go? Why are you late?"
Magnus stared at me
"Something came up, it's urgent."
It made me look at it.
Her eyebrow raised, "Why are you with that girl?"
"She's my secretary Mom. I suppose you know her right?"
Her mother knows my name and my scandal with his son but he doesn't really know me the way Magnus did before.
"What ?! She's your what?" she glared at me.
"You heard me Mom." Magnus's calm promise.
"Why did you hire her ?!"
"I didn't. The HR did," he said.
"What? You must have a say about the employees! Is she even qualified as a secretary ?!"
I keep my eyes on the ground. I curled my body. If I could just get lost in front of it I would but I could do nothing but look at the ground.
I pressed my lips together and squeezed my thumb.
"Don't make a fuss about it Mom. It's nothing, just pure business."
He grabbed my wrist. "Let's go."
********
He introduced me to his various business partners for about thirty minutes.
"Yes, sir."
"You have a beautiful secretary, Mr. Morrison."
My cheeks warmed. How many times have I heard you tonight? Almost everyone says that.
"Thank you," I promised.
I turned to Magnus, looking away from the king. I followed the direction of his eyes.
My chest tightened as I found Aira approaching us.
What is he doing here?
If so, is everything true?
I looked back at him.
"Stay here," he said and left me speechless.
I watched him rush towards her. Aira smiled at the earth tones when she saw him. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheeks. He grabbed her arms and they went inside the mansion.
My chest tightened, as if I could not breathe at the sight.
I heave a deep sigh.
I sat down at a nearby table because my knees could no longer shake.
I've had almost four champagnes but Magnus still doesn't come back.
How many hours have passed? Is it just a minute? I don't know... It's been a long time.
I just stared at the door they entered. Hoping they will come out separately.
But who knows what they're doing inside the mansion?
The thought of them locking lips kills me.
Tears pooled in my eyes. I pressed my lips together trying to fight back the tears.
"Hey! You're here!" I immediately wiped away the tears as Jack appeared behind me.
"H-hello!"
"Why are you alone? Where's your boss?"
Go with the woman I hate.
"I didn't know he was going to take you here. If I only knew I wouldn't have brought a date." he chuckled,
"But don't worry I can dump her for you." he grinned.
"H-no need!"
"But you need a drink! I'll get you one. What do you want?"
"Uh... Champagne?"
"On it!" he winked.
While Jack was away I went to the bathroom first. I was disappointed that Magnus was not accompanied by the staff at the door.
I wanted to stay inside the bathroom and shed the tears earlier warning but I restrained myself, I didn’t want him to see me like this.
I adjusted myself then went out. I kept my eyes on the beautiful pattern on the hallway tiles of the mansion as I walked back to the garden.
I gasped when someone aggressively grabbed my arms from the back. "Why did you come back?"
"P-po?"
"I thought I made it clear to you that I want you out of my son's life! Why did you come back?"
"It's been a long time. H-I didn't even know he was the boss ---" she cut me off.
I winced as his nail dug into my arm.
"You didn't know ?! Oh come on. You can make a better excuse than that."
"Stay away from Magnus."
"I-i can't."
"What ?!"
"I'm his secretary."
"Leave him alone or else I will banned your sister and father from every hospital in the country!",
"W-how--"
"Do you understand me?"
My throat is dry.
"Time has passed and you're still the same. Gold digger." She said in disgust.
"T-thats not true ---"
"Wait a minute!" I protested when she grabbed me towards the back of the garden.
"Look at them." Command it. I followed the look in his eyes.
Why is Aira with him?
"He doesn't love you. She loves Aira, she's his girlfriend."
I stiffened on the stand.
"He's just using you for revenge. He hates you so much. And it would be better if it stayed that way."
Did Magnus just use me?
It makes sense! His girlfriend has been away for two weeks so he is looking for a place to stay.
So maybe when we first met, instead of explaining he preferred to kiss me!
That even if we are not in the right place he will have sex with me just to get pharaoh!
I can't believe it ...
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I found them in the mini stage, Aira kissed Magnus cheeks in front of the crowd.
"She's everything Magnus could ask for. She's perfect! They're perfect together!"
I pressed my lips together to stop myself from whining.
I looked down at the ring on Aira's finger. She showed her shining diamond in the crowd.
"They're engaged!"
His words pierced my heart like a dagger
Magnus is just kidding me! He’s just using me! He already has a girlfriend, he's getting married!
I stared at his cold eyes searching in the crowd.
Is he looking for me?
Of course he did. He's looking for me to assure me that I saw him happy with her.
"You can't do anything about that! If you still think that you have ---"
I faced him with courage. "I have no intention of ruining their relationship."
"I just want to work for my family ---"
"Don't play with me sister. I don't pity you anymore."
"I don't need your mercy. I accepted the help you gave us, we didn't have a choice. You used our situation to take advantage so you could get him away from me."
Her eyes widened.
I stared at Magnus and Aira on stage.
I heaved a deep sigh.
I walked quickly away from that place. I tried to hold back the sob coming out of my mouth until I got away from the mansion.
He is shameless! The thickness of his face will make me just a scapegoat!
I let the hot liquid on my cheek flow. I no longer care who saw me. I just want to cry it all out.
Why didn’t I immediately think of that? My mind warned me first! I know that kiss is wrong! I pushed him! But I'm this silly idiot, sent the call of the flesh!
My stupid fool!
I smashed my hand in the light post. My knuckles turned red. It looks painful.
But why can't I feel the pain? Am I just numb from the pain I feel?
Why me?! Why am I just experiencing misery in the world ?! Fate is making me even more miserable!
I glanced one last time at the mansion and walked away.