001: The Ex Boyfriend

"Marry Augustine's son, darling. That's all I could think that would solve our problem."

I stiffened on my seat. "Who among the Alquezer brothers are you referring to, Dad?" I nervously asked.

Dad smiled at me. "It's August, darling."

I felt like I had been hit a million times. What the heck?! Why the fuck did it have to be August? Why of all people, he's the one I should marry off?

Why my ex boyfriend?

I immediately stood up from my sweviling chair. "No freaking way! There's no way that I'll be marrying him off! No way, Dad! I could accept anyone, but him!" I exaggeratedly exclaimed, trying my luck to stop the shit that I am hearing.

I saw how Dad heaved a deep sigh on my reaction. I averted my gaze. I got a little conscience knowing I jut raised my voice on Dad. This is the first time that I had raised my voice towards him.

"Why did it have to be him?" I say in frustration. "Why do I have to marry my ex boyfriend?" I say, more like a murmur.

Dad sighed and looked at me. "We don't have any other choice, darling. Alquezer Clan is one of the richest clan in the world. If you're to be married with August, our companies will merge and it would be a big help, darling," Dad explained, trying to convince me through that.

I closed my eyes and massaged my temples. "We broke up for a reason, Dad. I can't just marry him out of the blue," I say, protesting the idea of marrying him.

Instead of worrying after hearing my words, Dad smiled at me. "That's not a big deal, darling. And besides, you'd be married to him if only you didn't decline the marriage before," says Dad which gain me nothing but silence.

A glimpse of my old memories with him came back to me.

I can still remember how I decline our wedding before.

I can still remember how I turned my back while he was still on his knees, kneeling in front of me.

I can still remember how I leave him behind while proposing to me.

But...

That's not just the reason why did I decline on our wedding. There's more of it that I can't tell by now.

"Just think that you will now push on marrying him, sweetheart," Mom teasingly says which made me pout my lips.

"Mom, you're not helping," I say, groaning on the idea that she said.

Mom chuckled on my reaction. I heaved a deep sigh and took the courage to shook my head on Dad.

"No, Dad. I won't be marrying him. I'll find another way. I'll settle this alone," I firmly say.

Dad heaved a deep sigh. "Fine. But I'll talk to your uncle Augustine. It's better to have a backup plan if ever we can't solve it this week," says Dad which made me affirm on his words.

I didn't agree on marrying August. It's not on my vocabulary. I just affirmed just to make them at ease. Besides, I won't allow myself to tie up with him on that marriage. Not on my ex boyfriend.

Mom and Dad let me find another way to solve our company rather than marrying August. I took my way to my friends which I knew had the capabilities in life. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the desired money that I need. Some of them lend me a half million, some was able to lend me one. Some weren't able to just because they just started building a company.

"My apology, AB, I can't lend a money now. We just had our company built. We just started and our company would be at stake if I'll took out millions there."

I nodded my head on Thea, my friend way back in college. I know how sensitive it is to build a company that's why I didn't bother to force her. It would be such a shame if I'll also be the reason for their company's bankruptcy, if ever.

"I can understand. Thank you for the time, Thea," I say as I kissed her cheek.

I tiredly get in on my car and immediately leaned my back at the backrest, closing my eyes. I massaged my temples. It has been days since I ask for money on my friends and acquaintances but I still haven't got the money that I needed to save the company. I can't think of whom I'll ask for more.

What if I'll just sell my Ferarri?

I groaned when realization hits me. My Ferarri just worth millions. It wouldn't be enough compare to a hundred billion that our company has lost. Even if I'll sell myself, it won't be enough.

I opened my eyes when I thought of AC. I made her to the last option for me to have someone to lend on.

I smirked. I'm glad I have AC on my back.

I immediately drove my way there. Since I always come there, I've got to enter the house easily. The guards let me in without any inspection to do.

"AC!" I immediately called her as soon as I saw her on her garden, watering the flowers.

Instead of being shocked on my presence here on her house, she just raised an eyebrow at me. "What are you doing here?"

I sneered at the way she asked me. It's as if I'm not welcome on her house if she could ask.

"Visiting you? Duh! As if it's something new to you," I sarcastically say which made her laugh.

She stopped watering the flowers and entered the house. I immediately go after her and sat down on one of her couch without asking for a permission, acting like an owner.

"What do you want? I'll cook whatever you want," she said which made me smirk.

That's why I really wanted to go here. I'm always full whenever I go here.

"Just sandwiches, I won't be staying longer anyway. Sandwiches, okay? Sandwiches, AC," I emphasized the word sandwiches which made her look at me and raised a brow at me.

She chuckled. "What's with you? I know that already. If it's just one dish, you would mean different types of that dish. Ah! As if it's something new, AB. I know the way how your mind works after spending so much time here," says AC which made me smirk.

I followed her in the kitchen. Of all places here in her house, it would be the kitchen that I like the most, not because of the foods but because of the satisfying grandeur designs.

Chandeliers.

That's what captivated my eyes the most in the kitchen. I'm fan of chandeliers that's why I got to react like that.

"What's your purpose? I know what you are doing right now is not a simple visit. Thea told me that---"

I immediately groaned when I heard the name. Why did I forget they're much closer than us? Of course, Thea would tell it to her because they're as if connected to each other.

"The news spreads fast, huh?" I jokingly stated which made her laugh.

"You know, gossip sounds good to the ears," she stated while cooking the paddings of the sandwiches that I've requested.

I stayed silent and watch her. After that, I helped her carry the tray on her living room.

AC turned the television on. She sat down next to me and took a slice of sandwich before looking at me.

"Why do you need that much amount of money? Do you have a plan on moving away?" she joked which made me sneered.

"If I'll just plan on moving away, I wouldn't be here to ask for a money," I firstly stated which made her hissed. I smirk and continued what I've said. "Because I'll be moving in here," I say which made her shook her head.

"Silly. But the question is, am I going to let you in?" she joked that's why I gave her an eye look.

"You're so mean!" I groaned which made her laugh.

"So, what will you do with the money?" she asked, eyes are on the television.

I heaved a deep sigh. "Our company went bankrupt---"

I wasn't able to finish my line because she interrupted me. "What? So the news circulating in the business world is really true? Why? What happened?" she asked continuously.

I pursed my lips. Does she need to ask continuously?

"Our company lose a hundred billion that's why our investors are trying to pull out their shares." I heaved a deep sigh. "I don't know now what to do, AC."

AC looked at me with pity. "So that's why you're here? To borrow a money?"

I nodded uncertainly. "Yes," I replied which made her heaved a deep sigh.

"I can help, AB. But I can't lend a hundred billion. I can only help with a million," she responded which made me lose hope. "Why don't you ask for his help?" she added that made me crinkled my forehead.

"Whose help?" I confusingly asked.

In a smirk, she pointed the television using her lips and there, I saw an unexpected familiar face of a man.

It's August Alquezer.