I DROVE THE car away from the restaurant. I don’t want to stay there for long because I might just swallow everything I said and flatter Lester’s sweet words. I didn’t want to go home, so I decided to go to a resto-bar. For a time, I’d want to forget about it.
I chose to sit on the stool right in front of the bartender.
“One tequila, please,” I said.
“Yes, ma’am!”
A few minutes later, the bartender put down the tequila shot glass, which I immediately drank straight.
“One more, please!” I ignored the lemon in front of me. What could be more bitter than how I feel? Even if I suck a lemon and taste the salt, nothing can beat my already broken heart.
“Here, ma’am,” he politely said when he gave me another shot. Again, I drank straight. I asked for more until I felt dizzy.
“W-waiter, one more, please,” I whispered. My eyes were blurry.
The bartender shook his head before taking a glass. When he tried to reach for the glass, a hand grabbed it from me and drank it explicitly.
“Hey! That’s my drink!” I said between hiccups.
“You’re drunk,” a man said in his baritone voice.
I chuckled and slowly lifted my head to look at him. “And who the hell are you?” I slurred. I also made a few blinks. I couldn’t see him very clearly because of the glare from the lights. But he looks tall. His jaw was prominent and perfectly sharp.
When our eyes met, my heart throbbed.
“Where do you live? I’ll take you home,” he softly said.
“Who are you to take me to my house, huh?!” I exclaimed, nudging at his broad chest. I noticed that he was physically strong.
“You’re drunk. You can’t drive on your own,” he replied. He looked at the bartender before he took money in his pocket. “Keep the change.” He handed the payment and then confronted me again. “Let’s go. I will take you home,” he said with authority this time.
Because I was drunk, I could do nothing but go with him. But before we could leave, we met Lester, who was obviously shocked to see us.
“Baby, what happened?” The expression on Lester’s face immediately changed when he saw the man with me. “What did you do to my girlfriend, huh?!” Then he suddenly punched the man with me, who immediately backed away because of what he had done.
My jaw dropped. It was as if cold water had been poured on me because of what had happened. “Stop it, Lester!”
But the man with me returned the punch, causing Lester to fall to the floor. Lester would have retaliated, but I intervened between the two of them.
“F*ck! I said stop!” I shouted again with all my might.
“Margaux, don’t you see? That man wants to take advantage of you!” Lester shouted back.
“He just wanted to take me home,” I explained. D*mn it, why do I have to explain my side to this jerk?
“And did you agree? What if he does something bad to you?!” His eyes widened, his mouth also raging with anger.
The hell with his concern. “You don’t care what I do in my life anymore because we are done. You have no right to take me away from the man I want!” I said, full of rage.
I didn’t wait for him to answer. I pulled the hand of the man with me out of the bar.
We got straight into my car and let him drive for me after telling him where my condo was.
I leaned back in my chair and quickly fell asleep. Until I felt like my shoulder was shaking by someone. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at the guy by my side. He has a perfect pair of brown eyes that drill into mine. I couldn’t help but think, I’d never seen such eyes with so much light in them.
My cheeks got hot because of his stare. I cut off my gaze and slightly adjusted myself. “Where are we?”
“We are here in the condominium you told me,” he said in a hushed voice.
I cleared my throat and tried my very best to look away. “Uh, yeah . . .” That’s all I said.
He stepped out of the car to help me open the door. I stepped out of my car with trepidation. However, disorientation and drunkenness caused me to lose my balance.
It was too late for me to regret everything because I had sunk into his wide chest. His sturdy hands held me steady by the waist while I almost hugged him.
“Are you alright?” he whispered close to my ear.
I did not answer immediately. How I seemed to be more intoxicated by the smell of his perfume biting into my nose. D*mn, can I just rest here for a while? His scent . . . I quickly shook my head then I pushed him away.
“Yes, of course, I’m okay!”
I would have walked away, but I could not stop my feet from crossing. I almost jumped when he suddenly grabbed my elbow.
“You’re still drunk. Where is your unit here?” he asked without looking at me.
I slowly looked down at his long fingers. His hand was warm; it made me tremble.
“On the fourth floor,” I answered hoarsely.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but glance at him. He is tall and definitely handsome. His hair was slightly messy, but that did not pave the way for him to reduce his strong appeal.
He was making me feel hot, so I took my gaze back from him. We quickly reached my condo unit. I opened the door wide.
“Come in first. Want something to drink? Coffee, water, or juice?” I asked and smiled.
“Coffee would be fine,” he answered in a low voice.
I quickly nodded and walked toward the kitchen. He is in the living room.
When I got back, I found him turning his back and staring at the pictures of Lester and me hanging on the wall. I fake a cough before I laid the coffee on the glass table.
“Here’s your coffee,” I interrupted.
He turned around for a moment but turned his eyes back to the pictures.
“Why? Is there something wrong with the photos?” I asked with curiosity.
“No, nothing,” he said, then chuckled.
I frowned. “What are you laughing at?”
“I wonder why your wedding didn’t go through. It looks like you guys are perfect,” he commented before sipping the coffee I gave him and sitting on the sofa.
My forehead furrowed even more. How did he know that Lester and I did not get married?
“Is it in the news? Did you hear what happened?” I said, exhaling.
“No,” he answered quickly, then smiled.
“In that case, where did you hear about our wedding?” I asked impatiently. Honestly, I wouldn’t have asked because I don’t care anymore, but I wonder how he found out. I don’t even know him.
He stood up and slowly walked closer. He was an inch away from me before I could think of blinking.
“Don’t you remember me?” he whispered. I could feel his warm breath in my ear, wanting to consume the rest of my energy. “I was the one you shouted at and slapped in the middle of the road. Remember?”
MY EYES WIDENED. Anger started to stir up.“You!” At the same time, I pushed him hard as my eyes narrowed.“Hey, I have no intention of offending you,” he said. Then he smiled, which caused me to see his white teeth and his deep dimple.“Well, nice try!” I arched my brow at him.“Look, I’m sorry. I was just chasing a meeting that day,” he replied in a calm voice.I did not answer. Instead, I walked to the door and violently opened it.“You can go out now!” I said emphatically before averting my eyes.He smirked and slowly walked toward the open door. I stepped back to give him a way, but he stopped right in front of me.“Thanks for the coffee,” he muttered under his breath.I remained expressionless. When I think about how stupid I looked in the middle of the road when I hit him, my annoyance with him gradually returned.“Leave,&rd
I MADE MYSELF busier in the office the next few days.“Bestie, is everything okay with your wedding?” I asked while slicing the grilled pork chop on my plate. Cindy invited me to have dinner outside tonight.“I’m working on your gowns. I want you to wear something a little daring,” she said while her eyes were glowing.“Don’t make it too pretty. Your brides’ maid might beat you up. You should be the only one who is beautiful there.” I chuckled.“No. Of course, my gown also looks fancy and gorgeous for me just because Carrick thinks so.” She even touched both her cheeks then shook her head.I just rolled my eyes and continue to eat my food.“We will do the fitting of your gown this coming Saturday. Carrick’s cousin is with you to fit his too. Oh, bestie, he’s so handsome! My gosh!” she said with a red face.“Tsk. Here we go again, Cindy. I d
I COULD FEEL the heated stare of Lawrence behind my back. Maybe that’s the reason why I felt my face turn red as I measured the gown. I glanced at him. The heat in his eyes made me uncomfortable. “Isn’t he handsome?” the coordinator whispered to me. “That look is not my type,” I denied. “Really? But why do your eyes say otherwise?” he added. I just did not comment because I admitted what he said. After fitting the gown and measuring some more clothes, Cindy finally chose what I would wear. “Alright. You will be wearing a baby pink heart-shaped corset gown. It will definitely lift you up that night,” she said. I shook my head. “It’s okay with me even if it’s not too pompous. Besides, it’s your wedding day, not mine.” “Bestie, I want you to be the most beautiful after me because I know you deserve it. Even if you wear rags dresses, you will definitely shine,” she said as if she encouraging me. “I want you to wear
I JUST CLOSED my eyes and continued dancing but was immediately dilated when someone held me. “What are you doing here?” Instead of answering, he took off his coat and covered my body. “You’re drunk!” he shouted because the music is too loud. “No, I’m not!” I felt his hand on my wrist, and I was stunned. My heart was pounding. “Bestie, we have a problem. Carrick is here!” I heard Cindy say, and I succumbed to her tow as we saw Carrick approaching. “Hello, love! What are you doing here?” Cindy asked with wide eyes. “The group decided to continue the bachelor’s party here,” he replied and kissed his fiancée on the cheek. “You should not be here!” Cindy muttered. “It’s alright, love. They seem happy to see us,” Carrick replied before glancing at some of his companions. I looked to his companions. I think they are at ten. Some of them are familiar. “Okay, love,” Cindy agreed before hugging her groom and givi
“WHAT THE?!” I quickly stood up and covered my blushing face tightly. “You can use the shower if you want. I have prepared clothes for the employees,” he said softly as if nothing had happened. “No, thanks.” I lowered my hand and pretended not to be affected by his body. He was now wearing his black shorts. “As for what happened earlier, I just want to apologize for my action,” he began. “You should not have done that,” I said in my low voice. “Peter took advantage of you. Didn’t you notice that? He took advantage of you because you’re drunk; that’s why he tried to kiss you.” I watched his jaw clenching so hard, and the darkness of his eyes was staring at me intently. “But you should not hurt him! Besides, we’re just dancing!” I said without blinking. “So you mean, you like the idea of him kissing you?” I could not believe what he said. “Of course not!” I said quickly. “I’m not buying it,” he sai
“IT’S OKAY! THE breakfast is delicious, so it’s okay,” I said shyly, although I have not forgotten what he did to me last night. “The dress fits you perfectly. You look beautiful today,” he praises. “Thank you for the dress. You shouldn’t have bothered in the first place.” My cheeks become redder. “Don’t think about it. You’re beyond gorgeous in that dress,” he replied before turning his back on me and return to the man he talked to earlier. With delight in my heart, the heat traveled to my cheeks. I followed him with my gaze. I thought I’d just go back to the suite first and called Cindy. But I’m frozen to my feet when I saw Peter approaching me. “Peter?!” “Yes. You must be shocked?” A sweet smile flashed on him. “No—honestly, yes!” I muttered. He laughed a little. I quickly turned to Lawrence, who was now busy talking to someone again. “I’m sorry for what happened last night. How are you? You alright?”
I REMAINED SILENT. I have no intention of discussing this matter further because I am not in the position to ask him for an explanation. I just went straight to the room he had reserved for me last night and slumped on the side of the bed. I calmed myself a few times before noticing the red rose he had given me. I closed my eyes for a moment and smelled its scent. I can’t help but smile when I saw again the letter he wrote. “Hmm. Lucky rose . . .” My eyes opened. Lawrence leaned against the door frame staring at me with a curved lip. His dimple shows. I can’t help but be overwhelmed. What would it be like to be trapped in his arms, especially if something more serious had happened to us last night? I quickly shook my head and scolded myself for thinking about that. “Our lunch is ready. Let’s eat,” he said before leaving. I quietly followed because I actually starving. He pulled out a chair for me and gently tapped my shoulder before si
A FEW HOURS after the wedding, guests went straight to the Pavilion de Saavedra, where the reception will be held. I decided to sit in a corner that was not too crowded as I quietly sipped the wine in the glass I was holding. “Why don’t you join them?” I suddenly turned to the source of the voice. Lawrence stood beside me, holding a glass of champagne. I sipped my wine instead of answering. “Don’t drink too much, Margaux,” he reminded me. I frowned at him and took another glass from a passing waiter. “It’s just wine, Lawrence,” I answered sparingly. I was about to drink again, but he snatched it and drank it straight. I just felt sorry for him for what he did. Then he suddenly took off his coat and covered it on my skin. “Thanks,” I murmured. “You look pretty as always,” he said in his husky voice. I looked up at him. He has a pleasant expression. “It’s getting colder here.” He gently took my hand and gu