Monica
Adore
I couldn't sleep and I am tossing and turning on my bed. I just did something terrible again and I lost control.
I woke up early knowing that I didn't really sleep. Sitting on my bed while holding the wedding ring I kept in my drawer. This is my wedding ring to Paris. It keeps bugging the idea that they wanted to start merging our companies. I don't know if this was the right decision I made anymore. It feels like I am being trapped.
I looked at it again and this is not a simple ring. It has diamond details with a gold loop. Inside the ring was engraved Paris' name and the date of our marriage. Same as his.
If I were in a different situation, I would be happy. Holding this ring and wearing it, I might be proud.
There are times when I feel like throwing it away because I just couldn't stand having it near me. As soon as I landed at Manila airport, I removed this on my finger. And never wear it again.
My phone rang from my bedside table. A call from Paris early in the morning. I picked it up and coughed three times before answering.
"Ciao Paris,"
I heard the crumbling sound of a gunshot before he could answer.
"Ciao Monica. I apologize for the background sound. I'm just doing some shooting." He said.
I see. That's one of his hobbies.
"That's okay. But isn't it too early for your firing range? If I am not mistaken, it's still five in the morning there."
"We're doing it indoors. I just can't sleep because I keep missing you."
He did not even think twice before saying that.
I don't know how to respond.
"By the way, I went to dinner last night with your grandparents. I came with my family and we discussed the merger. Your Nonno mentioned that you have been enjoying your holidays there. You've been to many places already." He changes the topic of the conversation.
"Yes, I did. I've been to Boracay, Siargao and Vigan. Those places are exquisite! I just wish that you were here so you could also witness the beauty of the places I've been to."
How many more times will I lie? During the three months I remained in this country, I was the only prisoner. Boracay? Siargao? Until this day, I still dream of going there. But I think I don't have time because I would rather end this calvary when the problems I face are gone, then I will go.
"Really? I'll be with you soon when you visit those places again. I just can't wait for you to come home so we can plan those things."
He said that I can take my time without him. He never broke that. But he still didn't forget to care about me. He's always checking on me. I can really feel his sincerity and his responsibilities as my husband.
"I already paid the credit card bills for last month. You can use the card again. For your debit card, I also filled it up so you won't need to worry about your allowance. I just need you to enjoy your vacation. "
He did what?
"You don't need to do that. You insisted on giving me your credit card but you know that I will refuse. It's too much, Paris. I don't know how to use them all."
Before going here, he gave me his black credit card. He said that I will be using that more than he. I refused but he's just persistent.
"I don't care how you will use the card and the money that I gave to you. What I want you to do is to enjoy yourself and not worry about anything. If you want to go shopping every day, use my money. If you want to treat your friends, I don't care, use my card to pay for the food or anything. I gave it to you. So it's on you now how you will use it. " He said.
I expected this when we got married. His money will become my money and he will not let me live uncomfortably. He wants me to afford everything that I need and wanted without worrying about the prices. He wants to spoil me. But I don't know if this is still right. I am using mostly his money in my everyday transaction.
"Thank you, Paris. I just don't know if I can really express my gratitude to you."
I almost cried every time I gave him my gratitude. He's indeed the reason why I can still live in luxury. He never abandoned me and always giving what I need. He became close to me. He's my husband on paper but he's my special friend in real life.
We talked for an hour and we stopped when it was noon. I didn't have a chance to eat breakfast since I woke up late and he called. When I went out of my room, I glanced at the door going to the library where Francis' office is located at. I want to go shopping since Paris told me to use his money. I just need Francis' permission so I can go out.
I knocked thrice and waited.
"What? He's not answering." I wondered.
I knocked again and waited for two minutes.
"Is he not inside?"
My curiosity will kill me so I opened the door. It is not locked and he is not sitting at his table. It is empty and even his laptop was not there.
I entered his bedroom only to find out that he was not there also. When I went down to the kitchen, the maids and Nanny Ophelia was the only people I saw. Where could he have been?
Did he also leave me here?
"Good day, Signora." One of the maids greeted me.
I only answered back with a smile while my eyes are roaming around to find Francis.
"Are you looking for Francis, hija?" Nanny Ophelia asked.
For the first time, she spoke to me.
"I didn't find him in the library or in his room. I want to go to the mall. I need to inform him." I said.
"He's not here. He left early earlier." Another assistant answered me.
So it's true. He left.
"Leave? Where did he go?"
"He left early to go to Manila. He said he's needed in the office."
So he went to Manila without informing me. Did I think that where he was I should be there too? Why didn't he even wake me up?
"Do you know how many days he will stay in Manila?"
At least that I need to know.
"He said he will be there for three days before coming home here to the mansion,"
Three days? What am I going to do for those three days?
"Is that so? Did you see Carter too? I didn't see him at my door this morning." Even he is not here too.
"He took his day off today. We also don't know the reason."
What is this? I don't have the contact number of Francis and Carter so I can ask them myself why they are not here. They left me alone here!
On the other side, it's a good thing. No one will watch my every move. No one will disobey what I do. There is also no tail behind me wherever I go. And I realized that it's a perfect opportunity for going out. I want to go to the mall and do shopping. And that's what I'm gonna do.
"If you want to get out of the mansion, bring a driver with you-" Mother Ophelia didn't continue to say because I immediately went in to stop her.
"No need. I don't need it anymore. I'll just go fast and I just need to buy something."
I didn't wait for them to say anything and ran upstairs to the bedroom. I wore a dress that was comfortable but still looked elegant. I made sure I could still function properly without losing my fashion sense. This is my favorite outfit actually, super overrated and comfortable. A high wasted black jeans tucked the simple white shirt paired with a black two inched chunked ankle boots. I chose to wear my Dolce and Gabbana medium sicily handbag in dauphine leather. One of my favorites as well.
I didn't really include even a bodyguard. I want to do this shopping when I'm alone. I don't buy much so I won't have a hard time carrying my purchases. I drove the white range rover Francis had left in the garage. Yes, I know how to drive. Even though I always had a driver, I still learned to drive.
Before I went to the mall I saw a small coffee shop. I was attracted to coffee especially the Italian brew. I need to know if they also make the same coffee as how I like it. I parked my car at the side of the cafe.
Entering inside, I already felt the ambience. The instrumental music in the background and the peaceful surrounding.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am. Welcome to our coffee shop." The cashier greeted me.
"One medium cup of cappuccino, please."
"Will that be all?" She asked.
"Yes and to-go," I said.
I paid using my debit card. Since I am the only one ordering right now, I waited at the counter as well. The lady who accepted my payment prepared my order and she is a trained barista. The way she moves and makes the coffee, I can really see that she's doing this for a long time now. She has a lot of experience.
"Whose car is parked in front of this shop?" I heard a man speak after it entered.
I remembered that I am the only one who have a car that was parked in front of this shop.
"Mine!" I turned to him.
"You're parking illegally, Ma'am. You will have a fine." He said before exiting.
Illegal parking? Fine? No way!
I panicked and ran out of the shop while chasing the man in uniform writing on the paper he was holding. He stopped in front of my car and glued paper to my windshield.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
I pushed him when I got close to my car and removed the paper it had stuck to.
Five hundred pesos? For a fine!
"That's a fine for illegally parking your car. I'm just waiting for the truck to pull your car." Said the policeman.
"Why tow my car? Where will you take it?"
"If you want your car collected, you have to pay a fine first."
"I am going to pay! I didn't say that I won't! You don't need to tow my car!" I exclaimed.
This is so frustrating!
I pulled out my debit card and offered it to him. He just looked at my hand that was stuck in front of him. He wouldn't accept that so I even lifted it up to his face.
"Ma'am, I'm not the one collecting the fine. You have to go to our office to pay and collect your car." He said.
"How can I get to your office if you take my car?" I asked.
"It's not my problem anymore," he said and I turned around and walked away.
Is this true? I'll only drive once but I'll have more problems. This is the reason on why I have a driver. I am a careless driver.
I just hope that Francis would not know about this. It's so embarrassing!
I saw a taxi passing by this place and I immediately stopped it. He stopped in front of me and when I entered, it immediately started. I told him my destination and he knew immediately where it was. I don't know if I have enough cash to cover my fee. I was not able to withdraw because I could not find an ATM machine in this area.
After a few minutes we finally arrived at the office. I took this metered taxi so I knew immediately how much I would pay. I rummaged in my wallet and counted all the coins I could find. I was so thankful that it was correct and I didn't have any more problems.
"Thank you!" I told the driver before he left.
I immediately went inside the office and looked for the person in charge of this place. I told her my intention and she was still rude to me.
"It's a white range rover," I said.
"It was towed because of illegal parking. You're going to pay for the fine and the towing fee." She said inclemently.
So I have to pay more?
"Yes, and how much is the total?"
"You're total is four thousand and sixty-nine pesos, tax included." She said.
That's fucking expensive!
When just because of the illegal parking I did, I would pay up to four thousand. This is not the shopping I imagined about. I didn't expect this way I would spend Paris' money.
"I need your driver's license ... please sign it as well." She showed me the rounded box in which I would sign.
I gave her my license.
"The car you brought is not registered in your name. Did Francis Rodriguez know you were using his car? What is your relationship with him?" Its glare.
"He's my friend. He's friends with my lawyer cousin. They are in Manila for some business and they just leave this car to me so I can use it whenever I wish to go out." I said.
She never asked again and I think she believed my alibi.
Against my will, I paid as well. My hands weakened as I handed over the receipt. She also gave me the key to my car so I went to it in the back of theirs where the other car they collected was.
When I found the car I immediately approached it to drive it wherever I really planned to go. While I was on the flight I was still thinking about the four thousand I had lost for this vehicle.
"Never in my life that my car was getting towed! So humiliating!" I hissed.
I turn my annoyance and anger on the steering wheel by slapping and holding it tightly.
I yelled for a short moment to release my frustration.
My day was ruined because of that incident. I just really hope it doesn't happen again.
Fifteen minutes passed before I reached the mall. I made sure my parking space was correct before I got out of the car. I adjusted my clothes and hair and discarded the ugly energy that had been prevalent in my chest.
I will go shopping to brighten up my mood. I will make sure that I will buy all the things that will make me happy today.
"Let's go, Monica. Let's get started." I said to myself.
I took another step and the sound of my heel eased my mood. I was finally able to get out with no one tailing me. It feels good and different is the freedom I enjoy now.
The entrance of the mall is still far from my place and I am still in the middle of this whole parking space. I stopped in my tracks when somebody shrugged my shoulders so that I could face my back.
In my presence coincided with the cessation of the course of my world. I seem to have stopped processing things and I don't hear anything. A man is in front of me now and the distance we have from each other is unlikely to be even predicted. He was wearing a jacket with a hoodie and a black face mask but I knew he was a man.
There was a cold and sharp object now stuck in my side because I was bleeding so much in that part. My breathing was also accompanied by the discharge of blood from my mouth. I gasped for some air because my breathing became narrow. I held his shoulder because my knees are getting weaker and slowly bumping my body to the ground.
"W-who are you?" Even though I have a hard time speaking, I still insist.
He did not answer me. Instead he pulled out the knife that had stabbed me causing me to growl in pain. I couldn't stop him from standing up because my grip on him was weakening. My whole body was numb except for my side which did not stop the flow of blood.
I laid on the floor while looking at the clouds. The serenity of the clouds but hell is how I feel now. My car exploded from a distance, the fire and smoke almost reaching the clouds. I could no longer react because I felt paralyzed.
What is happening to me from this day?
"Help! There's a wounded woman here!"
"Hello? Please send help here at the mall. A woman is lying on the ground and she's wounded! Hurry!"
"Call the fire department!"
"Miss! Don't close your eyes! Miss! Help is on the way!"
A woman approached me and shook my shoulder so I could not close my eyes. I no longer understood what was happening right now around me. I also don't know where these people who now surround me come from.
"What's that, Miss? I don't understand you."
My mouth opens and I repeat what I say.
"C-call ... Francis ... phone inside."
I couldn't think of anyone else to call right now. He's the only person that popped up in my mind.
"C-call ... Francis ... phone inside ... bag ..."
Whenever I'm in danger, he's the only person I want to call. His rescue is the only thing that would matter.
"C-call ... Francis ... phone inside ... bag ..."
I can't talk anymore and my breathing is getting heavier. My body is now feeling the pain from the stab on my side.
I feel like suffocating now that people are surrounding me. I cannot see Francis from the crowd which made me panic. My throat feels narrowing and the rise and fall of my chest are not normal anymore.
Francis, where are you?
I need you.
Please help me.
I need your rescue.
You are the only person I want to see right now. And if this will be my last moment, please let Francis be by my side. I want to be held by him.
"Miss!"
The last word that I heard before I could blackout.