Callea gritted her teeth when she realized the full scenario. She was tricked. He connived with Marina again. This was not what she expected. And she was not prepared to see his gorgeousness this early morning.
She removed the shawl from her shoulder and brought it back to him. "No, thanks. Mang Lito's family will bring me to church today. You can go first if you want."
He clucked his tongue. "Mang Lito won't come today. He said he would visit some relatives in Pagsanjan so he asked me to take you to church instead."
"What?!" she exclaimed with bulging eyes.
So he didn't just connive with Marina but with Mang Lito as well. Mang Lito knew that she hated the sight of Deive and he would leave the task of taking care of her to him? What was with this man that people close to her betrayed her on his whim.
She started to walk away from him. "Then I would just start walking to church."
No jeepney, tricycle or private car would let her ride or hitchhike. The area was notorious for ghost sightings and people thought she was a member of Satanic cult even if she goes to church.
"Get in the car. I will take you," Deive said and pointed at his car which was parked outside the gate. She didn't notice that it was not in the garage a while ago.
"No. I will just walk," she insisted.
"If you will walk to get to the church, what time will you arrive? It will take you an hour to get there by foot. It would be hot, too since you are wearing that dress."
She kept on walking and held her skirt on both sides. "Deive, our ancestors walked for centuries wearing dresses like this. And they don't complain much. I am sure I can manage." Her pride was still intact. She won't cave in.
"Maybe you'll reach it in the middle of the mass and it is already crowded inside. It is up to you," he stated nonchalantly.
Callea stopped walking when she heard her warning and groaned in frustration. If she would arrive at the church first, people would look at her but she won't see their expression because they were at the back. That was just fine. She could just pretend that other people don't exist.
But if she was late, that would be a disaster. She didn't want to see tons of people before her. She didn't want to get too much attention. It would make her feel uncomfortable and she might just run away in the end.
"Fine. I will ride the car with you but don't think that I owe you anything." He couldn't soften her up but doing her small favors. She was not that gullible.
"Sure! You are the boss," Deive answered with a salute then ran towards the car. He opened the door. Callea marched with her chin up high. He put the shawl on her shoulders when she was about to get inside the car. "The weather is cold. I don't want you to get sick, boss."
She schooled her face as she said a soft "thank you". She brushed off the giddy feeling.
She pulled the shawl closer to her body and sat beside the driver's seat. She didn't owe him the shawl either and the act won't make her melt. It looked like he was trying to make it up to him.
She thought that by giving him a cold treatment, he would go back to Manila and give up on her. Instead, he was trying to charm her. She admired her tenacity. If it was another woman, they might have given in. But not Callea. She was not easy.
"Did you eat well while you were cooped up inside your room? Did you sleep well? I was worried that you were sick."
She didn't speak or look his way. She focused on the view outside. Let him talk to thin air. So, what if she got sick? Would his conscience bother him?
But Deive was not discouraged and kept on talking. "I visited your bat friends in the attic. They might be missing you already because you didn't leave your room these past few days. When will you visit them again? Don't you miss them?"
She slightly tilted her head in his direction. He talked to the bats on the attic. Was he turning into a loco as well that he talked to the bats? Maybe he was too bored inside the mansion and he had no choice but to talk to the bats.
Her eyes turned into sharp slits with the idea. Who knows? He might be using his charms to the bats and they might join his alliance in the end. The caretakers, Marina, and even her cat Luna were on his side now. Isn't he happy enough?
He only stopped talking when they reached the church. There were only a few people around, a few old churchwomen wearing their white Sunday garbs. She made the right decision to ride the car with Deive. Although it was an ordeal, she survived. Maybe she could tolerate his presence during mass. She hoped he won't be a distraction or he was dead.
Deive hasn't gotten off the car yet and a woman knock on the windshield of the car then waved at him. "Hi, Deive!" the woman purred.
"Hi, Lindsye! You are early."
"I've been waiting for you," she said then gave him puppy eyes. "I know that you will attend the mass."
Callea's eyebrow lifted. So, Deive already made friends with some woman here. Nice. The woman also knows that he will attend the mass. Her lips pursed when she caught sight of the woman's dress. She was wearing and red sleeveless blouse with a plunging neckline. It was a sultry red dress again. She always wore that dress every time she goes to church like some scarlet woman. She looked like she wanted to bait men more than talk to God.
And Lindsye knew Deive. She thought he was cooped up inside the mansion as well while guilt eats him up with what he did to her. Instead, he was having a great time knowing other women to entertain himself.
It was like a slap on her face. She asked him to go away but meeting up other women? Really?
She got off the car then closed the door with a bang. With huge steps, she walked towards the door of the church.
"Callea, wait! Don't leave me," Deive yelled then ran after her. She felt him walking beside her.
"Thank you for the ride. Now, may I attend the mass in peace?" Callea asked in a cold voice.
"Of course. As long as I won't leave your side."
"Deive, let's go!" Lindsye said in a sweet voice and clutched his arm. "I want you to meet my parents."
"But…."
She didn't bother looking at Deive's direction and kept on walking inside the church. Good thing Lindsye took him out of her hands. She would finally have peace and can focus on the mass ahead.
Maybe he liked Lindsey. Well, they look good together. Deive would marry her but they won't have a relationship. He could meet or date other women if he wanted to as long as he was discreet.
But why did she feel like someone pinched her heart? She should be happy, right? She could use his interest with other woman so he won't bother her with her preferred looks. Linsye was sophisticated, she had lots of friends and connections, and had no problems in showing her beauty.
Once she got her mansion and Deive got the money for his business, they would go their separate ways. Deive could find the girl who could truly make him happy. He had the right to be happy. While she would stay inside her cold mansion.