Present Time. . .
One...Two…Three...
Kraius no longer knew how many women had come to his office that day. He didn't even know how many palms had landed on his face. All he knew was that he was hurt with all the slaps he received from them. He also knew that it was his fault why they were angry.
He shook his head. He was a very handsome man made for women—vulnerable women who immediately give in even if he only winks at them. He looked jaw-dropping, gorgeously hot body specs, and conceited it may seem, but he knew that it was the truth.
Kraius touched his cheek. It was still excruciating even though it was already a few minutes ago when the last woman who slapped him had left. He did not think that their hands would be that heavy, especially to be angry with him because he played them all together. Surely, it wasn’t their heart’s that bleed but much more of a damaged Ego’s. The real score was very clear from the beginning. But they were women with a self-proclaimed definition of self-value. How disgusting when their actions contradict their make-believe character and still dares to demand treatment more than what they deserved. As if they were truly hurt, but he knew better. Each of them has a price and he surely paid more than enough.
"Mr. Montreal?"
"What?!" Kraius asked sternly to his secretary when she suddenly talked to him. He frowned. He's not in the mood.
The secretary came in with a notepad. She walked confidently and didn't seem afraid of Krauis' air of seriousness. She is used to the man’s attitude because she has been Kraius' secretary for five years. It has also been five years since she’d known how playboy the lawyer was.
"I just want to inform you, Sir, about Mr. Andao's case. Today is the first hearing.”
Kraius nodded. He glanced at his secretary. She’s beautiful despite her old-fashioned get up. She’s undeniably sexy too, and has a curvy body in all the right places. It’s just that, he’s professional when it comes to working. He is not like his friend Andrius who engaged himself even with his secretaries. He’s a greedy man when it comes to beautiful women.
"It's very rude to stare, Mr. Montreal," the secretary said, which grabbed his attention.
Kraius made a discreet cough. He also turned his gaze to his desk. He was embarrassed by what she said because it was true. Nevertheless, he retained the authoritative aura then looked back at her and nodded.
"Has Mrs. Andao seen an attorney yet? Set an appointment for me if, yes. I want to talk to her lawyer, " he said.
"Noted, Mr. Montreal." She nodded.
“Anyway, if that was all then I'm leaving," she added.
"Wait!" Kraius stopped her.
"Can you stop letting a woman in? My cheek hurts," he complained.
The secretary grinned tauntingly that made Krauis glared at her. He knew that she intentionally let those women in inside his office. He has this feeling that he’s on the bad side with her without him knowing the reason. Even though he felt disgusted with it he still couldn’t get her fired. She’s good and very hardworking when it comes to her job. It’s like she had pledged her life making her job well-done.
"As you said, Sir."
"Good!"
A while has passed since his secretary came out of his office. And he has been acting like an idiot, too, because a lot of things were running in his head. First, the new case he’s going to handle. Handling a divorce case was no longer new for him. He was only two years in service as a full-fledged lawyer when he handled Olive Santillan’s case. It was also followed by a secret case of a famous actress Laura Moran.
Kraius wondered why they would get married if they would eventually separate. Some things in this world are very complicated. Each person's mind and way of thinking could also be very complex. Sometimes you couldn’t assess their thoughts and actions, but mostly, you couldn’t understand.
At the thought, Kraius couldn't help but clenched his fist. He suddenly remembered that woman. One of the most complicated people he had ever met. It was a graveyard memory that Krauis would not have wanted to return but to be kept buried, forever if it does possibly exist.
Kraius got up from the seat. He needed to divert his attention if he wanted to keep himself sane. He looked at his Piaget watch. It is exactly one in the afternoon. He also took the coat hanging on his swivel chair and put it on.
It was too early for his session but he had already decided to leave his law firm. Carrying his attaché case, he walked down the hallway as if he were a king in his realm.
He has an authoritative stance and an undeniably powerful aura. A well-built physique and a glorious face that every girl would droll. Clean cut hair, pointed nose, and beautiful brown eyes. He is half Turkish, so, it is natural for him to grow a beard just enough to keep his jaw and appearance clean.
Kraius drove his car fast in a coffee shop. He stayed there for hours before he decided to go to court. He wanted to meet Judge Aguirre for a conversation about the case. Thirty minutes of driving and he finally reached the place.
It was still quiet. Only a few people were there. Vacant chairs and long tables. He also saw the three witnesses of Mrs. Andao. And beside her seat was her psychologist Dr. Olive Ramirez. He also did an unnoticeable search for her attorney but he did not find his presence.
Kraius shrugged the thoughts off. He also did not pursue the plan to talk to the judge, even the intention to talk to Mrs. Andao’s attorney. He just shrugged his shoulders off of it. Instead, he continued walking and just waited for his client and sat down.
He felt bored. Especially since it’s been a few minutes already but the trial hasn’t started yet. Even his supposed client was nowhere to be found. He was disgusted with what was happening but he also had no choice but to wait. He is a very impatient man especially when the topic is about time.
Whatever Krauis was thinking stopped when he heard the shrill sound of heels. The whole place was quiet and it was the only noise that could be heard. The slow steps of its owner cause it to sound like music to his hearing.
Kraius adjusted himself and stood up to see if anyone had created a fine sound. He looked for it which he shouldn’t have done.
His heart beats faster than it hurts. His breathing hitched and his hand-formed into a fist. He will never forget that face. The face of someone who had left him in front of the Altar.
"Chubz," Kraius whispered. Which he also immediately withdrew. He shouldn't have said that. Because the former fat maiden ten years ago can no longer be traced to this woman.
She looks different. Very much different.
Kraius was feeling annoyed because of EDSA’s overwhelming traffic. He had been on the road for too long but the trip he had felt unending because of the long queue of various vehicles. Vehicles that were making horn signals here and there— where it was the only thing he could hear around him. Also, here’s the unmaintained jeepneys that’s emitting foul smoke from their exhaust and people walking on the narrow side of the road which completed the list on how to put him on the bad mode traveling. Sweat was forming on his forehead and he was already feeling irritated. The coldness from the built-in air condition of his BMW isn't enough for him. What he wanted was to get out of the traffic jam. To get out of that place and get to his destination.He even got more annoyed because of his thoughts. He hated to be late. His motto in life is, Time is Gold. That’s why he graduated law at a young age. But, he seems to have no choice and waiting was his only option for the traffic to move in EDSA
The two talked seriously afterwards. Kraius is Andrius' legal adviser. He gives opinions and ideas on everything he wants to do in his business. Even in the businesses he had in different parts of the world. Andrius was a pro in his league while Kraius was the best in his profession. They were the best tandem in town. Both powerful and influential."Anyway, Andrius. Why don't you smile often? When you frown, you look even uglier." Kraius laughed with his own remarks while he received an evil stare from Andrius. "I'm really very handsome," he added and laughed again."Get out of my office!" Andrius shouted angrily at Kraius. He also pointed to the door of his office.Laughing, Kraius stood up from his seat. He shook his head as he said goodbye to Andrius. He never did buy his jokes on him ever since because he was always easily getting mad at it. He immediately headed out of his office after saying goodbye. He also winked at his secretary before finally leaving the area.He was just g
Rhezi has been feeling annoyed. She looked at her phone and pouted. She even tapped the table in front of her. She sighed. She was very impatient, especially when it was related to food. They were in the canteen of their school. After their last subject they immediately went there. The place was large and there were plenty of tables and chairs. It is also very clean because of its white interior. The wall is also made of glass, so Rhezi can see what’s happening from outside their school to where she is seated. She looked around the canteen. She saw her best friend Mics at the counter, ordering food for them. She’s ahead of the line of students who were also standing and waiting for their turn to order. It’s just that, she will probably take a while before she will be entertained because of the great number of students in their school canteen. "Are you okay, Rhezaliza?”She frowned and looked at her other friend Carmina. She rolled her eyes on her. If she wasn't a Muslim she would h
Kraius was annoyed for a long while. His mother called him for something important. He thought of what it was that she would ask him, but his good mood was immediately ruined by what his mother said to him. However, he could still hear the tenderness of her voice imaginably. His mother knew very well how to make him say yes on her requests. There’s only one word that she would tell him and she has never forgotten it, too. One word that could change his decision. The word handsome.He shook his head as he remembered his mother's request. He left his job just to follow it. To be a fetcher of an obese child at an exclusive school she attended.Kraius looked at his phone. When he called the number given by his mommy earlier, he felt even more annoyed. He didn't get a sensible answer from her. She was only saying yes to everything he said so he turned off the call. He just looked for her on the tracker because he knew that she was in Saint Benilde College.Kraius found her in a waiting sh
Rhezi had laid on her bed for a few minutes already but had been turning herself side to side. She took her SpongeBob pillow and hugged it tight. She’s thinking of what happened inside of Kraius's car when she held his hand. Even until now, she could still feel the warmth of his hand on her. She’s probably not herself to feel that way. Rhezi sighed and pouted her lips. She looked up and saw Kraius' face on the ceiling. She blinked for a time to erase what she saw. That wouldn’t do any good for her. Frustrated by what she feels, she put aside her SpongeBob pillow and tweaked her own hair. She’s going crazy because of that man. She’s only having a crush on him and nothing more. She’s young and admiring someone is normal. When morning came, Rhezi still woke up early though she only did sleep at two A.M. last night. She spent her time stalking Kraius on his Instagram. Gawking his handsome face and fantasizing his gorgeously hot body. However, an eye bag still couldn’t be seen on her fa
“Why?” Tin wonderingly asked her. She also looked at their friend Mics and Carmina who's sitting in the back chair of Rhezi. The two did only shrugged their shoulders. Rhezi pouted her lips. She looked at her friends on her back. “I don’t have an answer in Trigonometry.” The three did a deep sigh in chorus. They were feeling bad because all of them had no answer. They’re only hope was Rhezi but she didn’t have an answer, either. “I thought you were done already because you kept on chatting with me about your crush last night.” Mics chided her. Rhezi pouted. “ If you are engrossed , you will probably forget your responsibility.”“It’s hard to hope so you should stop that Rhezi,” Mics retorted back and took her own notebook. Rhezi frowned. She’s not hoping, though. It’s just that, it was her first time liking an opposite sex and it was Kraius. Now she couldn't do what she needed to do and what was right. She felt strange and confused. She adored him for being famous and successful
Kraius shook his head as the vivid memory came flashing through his mind. He wanted to smack himself because even if it had been years ago, what had happened between them still lingered on his mind. Rhezi’s chubby and blushing face, who had claimed him as her boyfriend, has never left his mind. Kraius sighed when he looked at the paperwork he had been holding. There’s nothing that comes in his mind because he couldn’t think straight so drastically threw it instead above to the table. It was instantly scattered and blended together with the things that had been on the wooden table, too.“Fuck!” Kraius cursed loudly. He also scratched himself with so much frustration. “Fuck to the old man in the mound!” he uncontrollably shouted. Kraius’s secretary hurriedly came inside his office because of what he did. She was wearing a black corporate attire with an inner white blouse. She has dark rimmed glasses on and her hair was styled into a bun. She may have had a formal expression but curio
He left his law firm, the Montreal Laws. He walked directly to his black BMW. He greeted the guard of the building before he rode in his own car. He drove his car faster than usual. He doesn’t care if the various vehicles are heavily congested on public roads. He also tried not cursing though his mouth has been wanted to. He wanted to stay calm and relax. He was more excited about what the young model could do than anything. Kraius had gone to the said condo and came fastidiously. He just gave the valet of the building his car key before he entered inside the elegant hotel. He also shook his head because the hotel was owned by his friend Andrius. That bastard would surely curse at him if he came to know. Kraius only carried his phone and hurriedly got inside the elevator of the hotel. Just like what he expected, the staff knew him the moment he walked in the lobby a while ago. Other than that, he had no problem at all. He only made sure that his foolishness wouldn't reach Andrius'