Chapter 04

Flashback Part 3

Ella Victoria Everette's Point of View

I'm getting too used to when someone was telling me that I'm so beautiful. I mean, all of us are beautiful in our own way. I don’t know but when someone tells me that I'm beautiful, it hits different. But always remember that a person's beauty depends not only on their appearance but also on their heart. 

In my case, I was beautiful inside and out. Well, I'm just saying that we are beautiful in our own way.

"Can I ask what floor is Soren's office?" I asked, ignoring her remarks.

"Do you have an appointment with him, miss?" The lady asked. I immediately shook. Is it still necessary? I mean, he's expecting me so I don't have to make an appointment with him.

"I don't have, miss but he's expecting me. I'm his fiancée," I couldn't help but say that. I know that they are just being careful and I understand. The eyes of the woman I was talking to widened because of it but I just smiled at her instead.

"I'm sorry, miss. Please don't report me to Sir Soren. His office is on the third floor, Miss," she said in a taut voice. I just nodded at her and gave her a smile.

"Don't worry, miss. Anyway, thank you," I said then I immediately went to the elevator. I know why they are afraid of Soren because they are his employees and their boss is Soren. Also, the woman did not mean what happened earlier. Besides, no one knows that I'm Soren's fiancee aside from our families.

I then click the button on the side of the elevator to open it. Although five people were inside, there was still enough space for me. They smiled at me when they saw me so I smiled too. I entered the elevator and closed it by pressing ‘3’ from the buttons. We soon reached the third floor. I went out as soon as the elevator opened. 

When I saw a front desk, I headed for it. Eventually, I stopped and faced her. A lady, wearing the same uniform as the receptionist earlier welcomed me. I just smiled at her. She looks like Soren's secretary.

"Miss, is Soren inside?" I immediately questioned.

"Yes, Miss Evie. He told me earlier that you will come today and told me that when you arrive, you can just go straight inside but he has a visitor," I frowned at what she said. Does Soren have a guest? I wonder who? Although I was curious, I smiled at her.

"Thank you, miss," I said. She just smiled at me. I then excused myself and went to Soren's office. I quickly found out that it is his office because there is only one office up here.

It looks like this floor is for Soren only. When I got there, I heard noises as if they are arguing about something. I was about to knock but I stopped because of what I heard.

"She's your son, Soren," my eyes widened with what I have just heard. Did I hear it right? Does Soren have a child? I know it's bad to eavesdrop but I didn't mean to hear that. Wait, maybe she was that girl last night? I mean, I'm not sure but my feeling is, she was the woman last night because she looks like she has something to say to Soren.

So did Soren talk to her yesterday? I just sighed and knocked three times because I was curious. One more thing, I don’t want to be kept waiting.

"Come in," a very loud and clear voice from Soren acknowledge me to come in. I took a deep breath first before unlocking the doorknob. I slowly opened it and prepared myself for whatever I could witness. When I opened the door, I saw a woman and a boy with her.

The woman and the child turned their backs on me but the woman seemed familiar. She looks like the woman last night. Soren's eyes widened when he saw me. Why did he seem shocked when he saw me?

"E-Evie," his voice went hoarse. I just smiled at him and closed the door. I walked closer to him. As I approached him, my heartbeat quickened. I immediately hugged Soren and kissed him on the cheek before facing them.

I was frozen in my spot when I saw the woman. I then felt Soren touches my waist. My gut feeling is right, she was that woman last night. Now I can clearly see her. I can say that she's beautiful. I then looked down at the child who was looking at me now. My eyes widened when he looked familiar. I shifted my gaze to Soren who was still staring at me.

His face paled and his lower lip quivered. I gave him a puzzled look.

"Who is she? And that k-kid?" My heart is pounding as I asked that. I turned my gaze back to the woman and the kid, especially to the kid who was still staring at me. My forehead furrowed when he smiled at me. I think he's around 3 years old but I can say that this handsome kid will be more handsome once he grew up.

I then realized that he got S-Soren's features too, especially the eyes. I shifted my gaze to the woman looking at me. Her jaw clenched. It's like she wants to start a fight. I mean, why is she mad at me? Did I do something wrong? 

"Is she the reason, Soren? Is she the reason why you can't accept our son ?!" She spoke in a very high and shrill voice. My eyes widened at what she said. Soren's son? Does Soren have a child? I shifted my gaze to Soren who looks worried while still looking at me. Oh my, he had a son with this woman.

I don’t know but I suddenly felt bad for myself. I feel like I ruined their relationship. I felt that I will be the reason just in case the child grows up without a recognized father. Although, I'm not a product of a broken family I know the feeling. I know the feeling of having an incomplete family. 

"S-Soren," I called in a quiet and gentle voice. He instantly held my hand. It was as if he didn't want to let me go. He looks so feared. I mean, if it's true that the child is his child, it's a big mess. Especially with the Benavidez. They had a reputation to uphold and I'm sure, when the news will come out that Soren had a secret child, their immaculate prestige will be tarnished.

Especially, since Soren will marry me and everything can't be ravaged. I'm sure that my family won't sit still once they will found out that Soren had a son with another woman.

Now, I’m starting to get concerned for Soren because it will be big chaos as soon as our family will know about this. I don't know but Dad Ramon looks strict and it seems like he's hard to deal with. I turned my gaze back to the mother and daughter.

"A-Are you sure he's Soren's son?" I can’t help but ask that. The woman's nose flared. I'm just asking, why is she angry?

Does she want money from Soren? Well, I'm glad to give her some money knowing this woman, she looks like a social climber. I'm not being judgmental, I'm just telling the truth and describing her.

But then, realistically speaking, this kid resembles Soren so much but no one knows if this woman is telling the truth. 

"Wow! Excuse me, Miss. I'm telling the truth. This child is Soren's child. If you want us to DNA test the child to prove that he is a Benavidez--"

"Enough!" I was taken aback by Soren’s sudden shout that echoed throughout his office. Soren's gaze shifted to the woman and the kid.

"Leave first, Rachel," Soren said calmly to the woman he called Rachel. Rachel looked at me angrily. If only a look can kill, I might be gone now. Fortunately, no. I then raised my left brow at her as she looked at me. 

"Miss, if I were you, cancel your marriage with Soren because we have a child! Do you think I'll keep quiet after I find out that Soren is getting married?! No! Remember, I won't let you be happy while we are suffering! Remember that Soren, I will meet with Si-- "

Rachel couldn't finish what she was going to say when Soren slammed his desk hard. I looked at the child when he began to cry. Rachel immediately carried her son. I looked at Soren who was not even feeling sorry for the child. He just remained his blank expression. I don’t know but I feel sorry for the child.

I grabbed Soren by the shoulder and caressed it. I hope he calms down. I'm not sure if Rachel is referring to Dad Ramon but in situations like this, Rachel will approach the parents to let them know the truth.

"Soren, calm yourself, please. He's a child, please be considerate," I said calmly. He took a deep breath at what I said. When he didn't speak, I looked at Rachel who was carrying the child who was still crying. 

"Let's talk about it thoroughly, Miss. Just go back to us--"

"How much do you want, Rachel?" Soren cuts me off. My eyes widened as I looked at Soren. Seriously? He was asking that? I then heard Rachel laugh bitterly.

"You're still easy to talk to, Soren. In exchange for my silence, I want a house and land. As well as 50 million cash," my lips parted when I heard that from Rachel. I can’t believe what I just witnessed.

I then darted my gaze and looked at Rachel. Seriously? Is she really a social climber? Gold digger? Needless to say, I was right in my suspicion of her. She's a social climber and Soren, I can't believe that he's doing this. 

"How can I be sure that you'll stay quiet, Rachel?" Soren asked coldly.

"If you want, you can kill me when I bring out the truth. You know me Soren when I pledged a promise, I hold on to that. You can trust me, Soren. I just want a house and lot together with a 50 million pesos cash so that I won't bother you and your fiancee anymore," Rachel replied. Seriously, I can’t stand what I hear. I mean, Rachel asked too much. 

I know Soren can give her what she desired but she's overdoing it. I felt sorry for the child. If it is true that he is Soren's son, the child is really unfortunate.

"Deal. Expect a 50 million pesos, a house, and a lot later. You can leave now," Soren said in a voice that does not express any emotion. I saw Rachel smile. I guess everything can be silent through money. And I proved that just now. How was she able to involve the innocent child in her own will? Doesn't she have a conscience? 

I then looked at the child. He's a carbon copy of Soren. But as long as no DNA test result is shown, I will not believe it. There are many people who are like that. 

"Thank you, Soren. You're still easy to talk to. You've just lengthened our conversation," and with that, Rachel stormed out of the office. But before that, the boy looked at me, as if he was memorizing my whole face. What? Will the child going to take revenge once he grew up?

I just heaved a deep sigh. After they left, I looked at Soren who was looking at me now.

"Let me explain," he said in a sexually attractive and slightly mysterious way. I smiled at him.

"Okay but I'm sure, you're already hungry. I cooked and prepared a lunch for us. Let's eat first," I said. He did nothing but just nod at me. I took him by the hand and helped him rise from his seat.

Then I guided him to his living room. We sat there and I placed my paper bag on the center table. I first let go of my hold on Soren to pull out the two lunch boxes from the paper bag.

I opened it and placed a lunchbox across from Soren. I also put the cutleries there. There was also a bowl of rice in the middle of the dishes I cooked. I looked at him.

"I didn't make anything to drink because it will just melt. Let's just buy," I suggested and he just nodded at me. He pulled out his phone and dialed someone's number on his phone. 

"What do you want?" He asked me first.

"Fresh Orange Juice and a Strawberry Smoothie," I replied as he just nodded. He then typed what I ordered. When he sent that, we started eating. 

"How was it?" I questioned him. He glanced at me and gave me a thumbs up. My heart pounded with contentment when he appreciated my food. He swallowed what he was chewing before answering me.

"Yes, it's delicious. My future wife is a great cook, huh?" He praised making me grin. After that, I also began eating. Soon, a knock disturbed our lunch as it opened. The lady earlier entered the office, she was carrying a plastic with two bottles of water, orange juice, and a smoothie. The woman smiled at us before placing in front of us what Soren asked her to buy

"Thank you, Rosehip," Soren expressed. So Rosehip is her name, nice.

"Always welcome Sir. Enjoy your lunch with Miss Evie," Rosehip responded and beamed at me. I just grinned back at her.

"Thank you. You should eat your lunch too," Soren uttered which made Rosehip nod. With that, she exited.

"Your secretary is kind," I said out of the blue. Soren chortled because of that.

"Yeah, I'm lucky that I have her as my secretary. She's meticulous, intelligent, and kind," Soren approved as I just nodded. I am happy because he has people he can depend on.

Hopefully, Rachel will keep her promise to Soren, that she will keep quiet. Also, we cannot be sure that the child is indeed Soren's child because there is no proof.

Many people are like that today, like Rachel. Some of them will do everything to make money but who doesn't right? Especially money is at stake here.

To be continued...