Chapter 5
GIDEON stared blankly at the closed door after Rona—Lyzza went out. His jaw clenched and he almost pulled his hair because of the woman’s actions toward him; the very same woman who has occupied his mind ever since he woke up from a coma four months ago, right after he purchased her that night.
He came to that auction because of his friend’s influence, telling him to unwind more often. He was sent by that bastard friend of his, named Alejandro Almeradez. He was one of his best friends since they were in military school.
He was on leave at that moment and was processing his divorce papers with his ex-wife. That slut of an ex-wife who wasn’t content in life and had the nerve to find another guy. Gideon used to think she was an angel because they had been in a relationship for one and a half years before they decided to get married. She acted demure in her external actions and through her appearance, but she was wild in bed; the reason why both of them reached two years, adding up the eight months of his marriage with her.
However, unknowingly, someone was making his ex-wife happy in bed while he was busy with his military service. His whore of an ex-wife was a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. She jumped from one bed to the next with several men during those times he was not around, revealing her true color whenever she moaned in pleasure.
Even when they were already married, she was still doing it—cheating. He didn’t know where he lacked to even experience such a thing from her. Whatever she wanted, she would get it. Gideon tolerated all of her caprice and gave her even his time when he was on vacation. But it seemed like she still wasn’t satisfied with him because she found comfort in another guy’s arms.
After six months of being together as husband and wife, he decided to divorce her as soon as he saw her grinding on top of another man inside his own house—right on their own bed.
He was in a rage, but he stopped himself from pulling his gun from his pocket and blowing the guy’s head off. His ex-wife didn’t even respect his house or their master’s bedroom.
He managed to calm himself and filed for a divorce. His ex-wife even protested and even blamed him for his shortcomings. Gideon chose to understand her up until the court approved the divorce he filed in Las Vegas, right where they tied the knot.
Moreover, he made sure that his ex-wife would not get anything from him, not even a dime from his properties and money. She attempted to file a case against him, but he threatened her that if she did that, he’d also file a case against her for committing adultery. The woman knew well how much power he had to acquire solid evidence to prove his claim and make her pay for that crime.
He was in the military, after all.
In the end, his ex-wife chose to leave him alone and left the country.
Exactly a week after the court approved his divorce papers, Alejandro invited him to go to a bar. They also brought Riguel with them, their other friend. The three of them were called the bad-ass trio in military school back in their batch. They always got each other’s backs.
His friends presumed that he was goddamn lonely, or at least that was what Alejandro believed, and so he asked his driver to pick him up and send him to that hotel where that auction took place. He showered his friend with all sorts of curses right at that moment when he realized where he was. His anger tripled when he heard Riguel’s laughter from the other line.
In Alejandro’s defense, Gideon needed to at least unwind. And when they said to unwind, it meant he would go pick a woman and spend his time having a happy hour.
His irritation with his two best friends vanished when his eyes fell on a beautiful young girl. She was nineteen or twenty years old, perhaps. She looked innocent and frightened all at the same time. It was like she was only forced to do it; that she didn’t really like selling her body, but she just had to.
She was quite different from the other women she was with on the make-stage who wanted to attract clients’ attention. Gideon saw how the young girl was scared when she saw the old, foreign man had the highest bid for her.
It was his cue to make his move. Suddenly, he felt a strong urge to save the girl and claim her at the same time. It was a fatal attraction, and he couldn’t do anything to fight it. He was thinking that Alejandro was correct after all; he was lonely and needed to concentrate on the young woman.
But deep inside, it was more than that. If he really wanted to permanently forget about his ex-wife’s betrayal through a woman, he would surely go to a bar, pull some almost naked woman and fuck her inside the comfort room of the establishment.
After all, he didn’t need to approach them since he was the one being approached by women. Alejandro told him that he was the exact replica of his brother, Nexus Almeradez. Too serious, had an expensive smile and had intimidating looks.
But because of the fact that he spent three million for just one night with that young girl, he knew it wasn’t just because he wanted to forget about the divorce he had with his ex-wife.
He was attracted to that girl, named Rona.
‘It was Lyzza. Her name is Lyzza. Damn it!’ He was left dumbfounded when he found out her real name. Of course, she would never tell him her real name that night.
It only confirmed his doubt that night. He already thought that her name was not her real name. And now, the girl pretended that she didn’t know him. It was unacceptable. Even more so because she was the first person who occupied his mind when he woke up from a coma.
That morning, four years ago, he received a call from the camp that he needed to get back to service for another mission. He didn’t have any choice but to go and leave the beautiful young lady sleeping safely and soundly beside him.
However, on his way to the camp, he was ambushed by the notorious international syndicate, which they had been keeping an eye on for so long. He was cornered and, despite him being badly beaten up, he managed to blow off each of the enemies’ heads who attempted to attack him.
It was already too late when he found out that there was a bomb planted inside his car. There were a few seconds that were left before he figured it out. He immediately threw it away, but the impact was so severe that it still harmed him. He just woke up after four months of being in a state of coma.
When he regained his strength, his driver came to visit him and told him what had happened that day. The driver told him that he hadn’t seen the woman he was supposed to fetch after that night. The hotel management confirmed that the girl left thirty minutes after he exited the building. The red envelope wasn’t beside the lampshade either, so he assumed that she had already read what was written there.
However, that girl was a real hard-headed person. She was too stiff and refused to talk to him. Because of that, he chose to return to his military service to finish his remaining years.
He promised his mother that he would leave the military at the age of thirty-two. And he did. Right after that, he spent his time learning about his family business.
As their eldest and only son, it was his responsibility to take the company and manage it as soon as his father, the chairman of the company, retired. It was also not an option to not take care of his younger sister.
His little sister was a spoiled brat, and he knew that she didn’t want to be caged in the four corners of the office he was currently in. She would surely get bored to death—at least those were her words.
And now that he had become the CEO of Vesarius Airlines, he immediately hired a private investigator to find that woman. But it looked like he didn’t have to bother spending his money because he had already seen her again.
“Sir, what should we do to the remaining students outside the office?” Cleo, his secretary, asked while peeking inside his office.
Gideon turned his back on him and slammed his ass against the swivel chair. He leaned against the headrest and picked up his sign pen.
“Transfer them to HR. I’m done with what I needed to do.”
He didn’t care if the Head of HR spent her entire day until midnight just interviewing the students that wanted to get on-the-job training at their company.
“Yes, Sir,” his secretary answered, and he carefully closed the door behind him. Cleo was used to his behavior. He didn’t need to say a ton of words just for him to understand his order.
Cleo wouldn’t have stayed as his secretary for a year if he didn’t know that. He chose his employees very well. He didn’t need an incompetent one.
Gideon looked at Lyzza’s resume once again. The woman was smiling in the picture. That smile was only a little, but was enough to capture his attention.
He detached her passport-sized photo from her CV and kept it in his drawer. He then put her resume along with the three other resumes of the students he had already interviewed.
“WHAT happened to you, Lyz? You look like you’ve been showered by jinx all day!” Quincy asked Lyzza when she saw her at the cafeteria inside Vesarius Airlines.
It was already lunchtime, so she decided to go there. The truth was, Lyzza spent her time there right after leaving Gideon’s office, and that was three hours ago.
She suddenly felt so small and regretful. And yes, her chest was full of negativity.
It was like a big slap landed on her face when Gideon didn’t even give her a chance to showcase her abilities to be able to enter the airline that he owned. Vesarius Airlines was a big opportunity for each and every fourth-year tourism student like her.
It seemed like fate was playing tricks on her. Out of all the people who could be the boss, it had to be that guy who knew her darkest secret, aside from her family and two best friends.
“Nothing. I just don’t feel well today,” she answered, biting the straw of an empty glass. It was her third glass of juice. Lyzza felt a bit ashamed if she continued to just spend her time inside the cafeteria without buying anything.
“Not feeling well? Why? You’re even lucky to have seen a glimpse of Vesarius’ CEO,” Quincy uttered, and put her tray on top of the table with the food she ordered.
Lyzza just sighed but didn’t speak. If only she could tell Quincy that the man she was swooning over was the reason she was like this. If she attempted to tell her that, Quincy would probably start to ask her questions. She didn’t want her classmate to find out her secret—about Summer’s real father, and so she chose to shut her mouth.
“And you know what, Lyz?” Quincy asked while she took a spoonful of food. Even though her mouth was full, there was no way to stop her from chattering. “Those students that were assigned to the CEO were deliberately transferred to HR,” she informed her with a grin. “Have you been interviewed?”
She nodded and snatched some strands of fries from Quincy’s plate.
“Ah, you’re so lucky!” her friend exclaimed while focusing on her, not minding that she was already taking a lot of fries from her plate. “Well, the nerve-wracking witch at the other block, she didn’t get her chance. She thought she would hit the jackpot this day. We’re all out of the ship.”
Quincy Mae laughed like she was really happy that all of the students she disliked were transferred to HR including the other woman from the other section.
Lyzza sometimes thought that Quincy was a brat.
Moreso, she knew that she was kind. She befriended almost all of the students at their university. But she was the only one she chose to spend her time with ever since Lyzza came back to finish her studies.
Lyzza heard that Quincy’s family was well-off, but because she was a real-time rebel in the family, her politician father threw her into a public university. Because she was always the center of attention, she was overjoyed to attend a public university. In Quincy’s defense, she felt suffocated by the pressure and standards of her father when she enrolled in a private school.
“Would juice be your lunch?” Quincy asked when she noticed that she didn’t have any food with her.
“I’m still full. Full with juice intake,” she answered and looked at her friend.
Quincy Mae was staring at her—no, she was staring at her back as if she was seeing a ghost… more on something she really liked. That shocked expression that eventually gave out a creepy smile, or more like a grin. Her eyes almost turned into two beating hearts.
That only meant one thing. She already saw one of the reasons for her day becoming brilliant and complete. Lyzza followed her gaze and almost lost her grip on the fries that she was supposed to eat when she saw Gideon standing a few meters away from her.
He was standing in the middle of the cafeteria, crossing his arms arrogantly while looking at them—at her. His eyes traveled toward their table, taking a longer look at her empty glass. After that, he returned his gaze to her and down to her lips.
She absentmindedly covered her lips upon remembering how he “ravished” her with his kisses earlier.
From his blank expression, he then furrowed his eyebrows and raised his hand. He was signaling someone, and then a little later, his secretary approached him.
Gideon said something inaudible. She just heard the words ‘food’ and ‘service’. Another meaningful and deep gaze was given in her direction right before he decided to turn away and exited the cafeteria.
“Shit!” Quincy Mae squeaked, which made Lyzza look at her in confusion. After that, she crouched on the table and reached for both of her arms. “Tell me the truth, Lyz. Why is he giving you that kind of look?” Quincy asked her curiously like she was some kind of criminal that was being interrogated.
“W-what kind of look?” she asked, playing innocent as if she really didn’t know what kind of look he just gave her. She suddenly shuddered in her seat.
“That kind of deep, dark, yet entrancing look! That was the look he just gave you!”
Chapter 6“WHAT? You and Summer’s dad crossed paths again?”Jessica and Qyla asked in a literal synchronous way when they all got together in the evening at the bar where she used to work.“Do you really need to be in sync? Sure, say it louder,” she answered the two sarcastically.The two girls in front of her looked at each other, and when they returned their looks at her, they both laughed.“Sorry, we’re just surprised,” Qyla said as she filled her glass with a light alcoholic drink.Jessica shrugged and did the same thing. She even offered her a drink, which she declined.“You know, I don’t drink. I told my mother that I’d be home at 10 o’clock. I need to go home before the clock strikes ten. Summer will look for me,” she said, and took a sip of the soda she was enjoying at their table.Qyla nodded and tapped her shoulders while Jessica smiled at her.“Why?” she asked the two.“Having a child really matures a person, Sis,” Jessica answered. “You have matured a lot. It seems like yes
Chapter 7“MOMMY, I like that pencil case. It looks nice,” Summer spoke as the little girl looked up at her with her hands pointed to one of the mall stands with colorful pens and art supplies displayed on it.It was Sunday, and right after attending the worship service, Lyzza decided to take her daughter to the mall. No matter how hectic the time was, given the fact that she helped her mom with managing the store and she needed to study at the same time, she would always make sure that she’d have plenty of time to spend with her daughter at the end of the day.“Didn’t you have a new one already? You haven’t used that pencil case yet,” she answered strictly and looked down a bit to face the kid.“Yes, Mom.” Summer nodded. “But I like that pink one, Mommy. It looks so pretty.” Her daughter slightly pouted her lips and gave her the puppy-eyed look.Now, could somebody tell her how she could resist this cute little devil in front of her?However, she decided to be strict and chose to dis
“GIDEON, who’s that?” asked the lady with long and curly hair.Lyzza was able to successfully hide herself behind a huge shelf filled with display bags, only a few steps away from her daughter. She kept throwing glimpses to the scene in front of her while her heart races as a result of the nervousness she’s feeling.“What’s your name, baby girl?” she heard Gideon asking her daughter.“I’m Summer. Why didn’t you know my name? You are my dad.”“Daddy? Gideon, you have a child?”Gideon’s face was left with nothing but confusion as he stood right in front of Summer who was urrently looking up to face her dad.“No—I don’t know.”“Oh my…” The girl went on to face Summer and smiled. “Hi, baby. What’s your name?”“I’m Summer. What about you? We have the same eyes just like daddy.” She smirked.“Oh my God! Yes, we really do. You’re doomed, Gideon,” she jokingly teased her brother who couldn’t even move and think clearly. “Where’s your mom, baby Summer?”Summer’s eyes went huge, she just rememb
“Sir!”“Stop being so stubborn!” he hissed and deposited her in the passenger seat of the car.Right before she responds, he already closed the door without even having a word. Waiting for her to get a chance to speak, her eyes followed him while having his way to the other side of the car.He placed himself in the driver’s seat and started the engine of the car. He went back to the compound’s gate and immediately rushed the car on his way out.Her eyes grew larger and larger as soon as she saw some of her batch mates looking at the car. For sure they witnessed what happened a while ago. She won’t even get surprised once her name gets to be the center of the rumors tomorrow.It’s just 3 o’clock in the afternoon so the road isn’t congested yet. Gideon was driving the car more than its maximum speed. It’s as if he’s running after someone. She also noticed how tight Gideon holds the steering wheel which makes the veins in his hands look more prominent. He looks mad. If so, why would he b
Gideon tightens his grip on his steering wheel. He was clenching his jaw and doing his best to stop himself from taking a U turn and drive back to the jeep’s terminal and drag that woman to his car. He should be in the hospital at this point of time or in his office, working himself off with piles of paper that he needs to study and sign.His father was in the hospital. He had a minor attack yesterday. He and Carollete dragged themselves out of the mall and rushed to the hospital the minute his mother called. His father is already old, looking for a grandchild. It’s as if he thinks that kids could be born that easily.He’s having his meeting with the engineers and architects about the airport the father was planning to build years ago. They don’t have an airport yet built in Bicol— Camarines Sur, to be exact. That place has always been a good choice because of its high tourist demands and being the only working airport in the province would be beneficial for their business. According
Lyzza stared at the paper she’s holding where her new schedule is written. It’s only 5 o’clock in the morning when Ms. Helen informed her about the news of her sudden schedule change and that she needs to be in Vesarius Airlines at 6 o’clock to take the early flight to Davao.And now she stares blankly with the paper on her hand again because she had no idea that the schedule is for a private plane and not just a regular one. Most of all, the passenger on board is one of the VIPs so giving her best service is a must.She suddenly had the urge to scratch her eyebrows due to Ms. Helen’s quick and short notice. She doesn’t even have that much of an experience in the actual field and her training just got started. Where are the senior flight attendants?It’s only 6:15 in the morning when she checked her wristwatch. She gave Summer a tiny peck when she left and asked her mom to look after the kid while she’s away. Her original flight was scheduled at 8 o’clock in the morning, she never got
She saw Gideon’s lips move when he saw her. She stilled on her feet and unconsciously held the edge of the plane’s door.“Why is Sir Gideon here?” Ian whispered to the person beside him. She could feel how uncomfortable the man feels at the moment.She had no idea why he reacted this way when he saw the CEO, Gideon Vesarius. His unexpected visit seems to be the reason why Ian looks tense.He quickly went down the stairs so she immediately followed.“Good morning, Sir. The plane is ready,” Ian greeted and politely looked down as a sign of respect to the man in front of him.“Good morning, Sir.” She looked down while feeling a little uncomfortable as she sensed his eyes being glued to her direction again. He didn’t even bother to give Ian a tiny glance who greeted him first.“My things are in the compartment,” he said, which Ian understood immediately.He rushed his way to the rear side of the car and helped Gideon’s secretary gather all the luggage. She moved a few steps to help the tw
“Finish all that.” He took a sip in his coffee before pulling his eyes back to his tablet. She could still feel him giving glances at her. She drank her glass of orange juice when he spoke again.“How’s your feet?”“It’s better now. It doesn’t ache anymore. The cold compress and little massage did the trick.”“That’s good. You should dispose of your old shoes. You should throw it away once it’s two months old.”His statement made her choke. After two months of use, he thinks it’s better to throw it away? Well, if she’s that rich, owns a shoe factory, and there are no people dying out of poverty around the world, then why not?But since she’s not rich, doesn’t own a shoe factory, and has no means to help all the people dying out of hunger, all she could do is just use her shoes as long as it does the work.“I’m not that privileged, Sir and a lot of people out there are suffering out of poverty.”She bit her lower lip and annoyingly avoided his gaze. “You’ve been using too much honorifi