A few hours later…
I wanted to leave soon. But I didn't want anyone to find out I was here.
I'm glad Stella postponed our tour today. However, I didn't expect George to lose a screw in his head too soon. As another day passed, I no longer wanted to play his games.
'I need to tell him the truth and convince him I am not fit to act as his girlfriend or lover for a crucial reason….'
Being linked to his name doesn't bother me anymore. However, I am concerned that I will drag an innocent person into this unlikely situation, and I don't want that to happen.
After I speak to Camilla tonight, I will cut ties with George and do my best not to cross his path again. It would be better if I returned home to Mirada soon.
I've just been away for a few days but am missing everyone already. If only I had known what awaited me here, I would not listen to their encouragement to breathe fresh air.
I don't know whether I should say I am fortunate or unfortunate that the moment I stepped into this country, everything went wrong.
Now I don't know how to take the exit. Camilla and Florian may help me leave this country. But of course, I will talk to Anna too.
'Ugh. I can't believe this!'
There are a lot of misunderstandings and misinformation circulating on social media. I don't want the news to worsen, and I become a target of envy and then criticize me, like Melinda's opinion about me after that crazy guy's business partner sees me coming out of his bedroom.
The more people see me around that guy, the more it would prove we are in a relationship.
Pacing back and forth on the indoor balcony, I couldn't help but feel restless.
"It's been two hours already. Haven't they done yet?"
If it weren't for the breathtaking scenery from the balcony, I would already feel bored staying here alone, and no one I could talk to, especially, knew someone out here.
I've already taken a lot of photos and posted a few. I would entirely get bored out here. Gratefully, several people kept commenting on my posts, and I got myself busy.
Everyone compliments the view and asks what place this is. At first, I could not reveal my location. I just responded to other comments that I was visiting Asia.
Greece, Spain, Portugal, and other European parts have magnificent ocean views. But this one was one of the most spectacular I had ever seen.
When everyone didn't stop leaving the same question, I asked George's permission to reveal this place, and it surprised me when he allowed me.
Thus, I took a photo of myself using the balcony's background.
I set the camera with a timer so that I could adequately pose.
The balcony was covered with trees and vines that give some shed, and the vast blue sea shimmering with tiny diamonds through the sunlight kissing the saltwater was the best background in my photos. Everyone wishes to visit the place.
Just half an hour after I posted new photos, my followers skyrocketed. I assumed this was the initial success of an influencer who traveled worldwide to captivate the best places on Earth.
It shocked me when a few known brands followed me and left a message.
They wished to send me their latest collections, but they needed to know where they should deliver the items.
This shocked me; thus, I sought Anna and Godmother Donny's advice.
Moreover, my new followers conveyed their envy. They wished to visit here soon, but their excitement dissipated instantly when they saw my recent post with a caption revealing my location.
"OCEAN VIEW COUNTRY CLUB"
"Eh? That resort is only exclusive to rich men!"
"I knew this place!"
"How sad! Non-members could not enter this club. Unless you were an immediate family member!"
"You were correct! This club carefully screens all their members' backgrounds!"
"Gosh! It's time to hook up a VIP member of this club!"
"Careful, hon. They don't allow mistresses inside."
I was having fun reading the comment section when that comment struck me.
'No, mistress allowed? Then? Why did the crazy guy bring me here when he believes I am Florian's mistress?'
~
GEORGE'S POV
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Graham."
"I'm confident with the success of our partnership, Mr. Rice."
"We're leaving now."
"Thank you, Attorney Lawrence. Have a good day."
I watched as the door closed. Leaning back on my swivel chair, I poured red wine into my empty glass and sipped the delicate content.
Letting out a breath, my gaze drew toward the blue sea before me.
"A little more…."
In the past few years, I have concreted my ground in Asia. My next step is to conquer the American Market using the production of my Asian companies.
From here on, I could ensure my position in the Graham Empire without relying on alliance through an arranged marriage, like Florian and Stella's unhappy union.
Securing my footing in the Graham, no one in my family can force me to get married, but I have my freedom whether I settle down.
"Sir, here's the document that you asked for."
I returned to my senses when my assistant approached me, placed a blue folder on the table, and then kept a distance. Working for me has a set of rules: the space to keep. It is why I only attend social gatherings that are necessary.
"Good. Thank you." Nodding, I picked up the document and began scanning the content. My assistant remained where he stood. So I assumed he had another matter he wanted to discuss with me. "Anything else?"
I gestured my hand, urging him to speak.
"Yes, sir. The Crow Corporation will throw a grand celebration for the Empire Dragon Hotel since its rebirth five years ago. They sent an invitation to you, Mr. Rowan, and Mr. Florian."
My assistant placed two golden envelopes on the table. I stared at it for a moment before I made my decision.
"Alright. Call Anna's store to prepare my tux..."
If it's an invitation by others, I would only send Rowan and Dillion to attend the party on my behalf. However, I must show my utmost respect to the Chairman of Crow Corporation and the Association leader, Nicholas Crow.
"Benny, tell Mrs. Lawrence to reserve her most spectacular evening gown for my date."
Benny remained silent. I raised my head to check on him, and he seemed to ponder my instructions.
"What do you have in your mind?" I asked.
"Ah. I'm just wondering if your date is Mrs. Graham, sir? Mr. Florian is..." My assistant blinked his eyes as he pushed his response. He trailed off the remaining words to complete his sentence.
I shook my head as I replied, "No. It's for Krishna."
"Oh, Miss Palermo! I almost forgot that you have a girlfriend now. My apologies, sir. I'll arrange your fitting schedule with Mrs. Lawrence."
My assistant said before returning to his table and making phone calls. He appeared more excited than me. It looks like spreading the rumors that I am in a relationship makes others enthusiastic.
'Tsk!' Even my parents bugged me about it.
"Sir…" Dillion called out to me as he strode closer. He halted a meter away and went on. "What are the main reasons you bring Miss Palermo here? Have you stopped suspecting her?"
I stopped reading and put down the document in my hand. I made eye contact with Dillion as I replied to him. "If my enemies sent her, soon the data of my new projects would leak."
"Then, you look forward to her digging on your computer? In this way, she will reveal herself."
I nodded and told Dillion, "If they were in a hurry, she would steal any information from my computer and finish her mission sooner. If they were cautious, she would do everything to stay with me. Her best friend had already wrapped Florian around her finger. Now let's see how she will seduce me."
Dillion froze. He remained silent, and I was curious about what he was thinking. "A penny of your thought?"
"Sir… What if she is innocent, and she does not know that you are the person who killed her fiance? How would you tell her the truth after she discovers it?"
"Do you really believe that she is innocent?"
"Yes, boss. I believe she is not the person we thought she was."
I creased my forehead when Dillion made this statement. "What do you mean by that?"
"Our men had emailed me the new information they gathered. I've already forwarded it to you. Regarding the additional information, our men asked what their next mission would be."
"Okay." I picked up my phone from the table and opened the attachment file Dillion sent to me. My men seemed to enjoy running an investigation regarding Krishna's background.
I began reading the reports. My phone would have already slipped out of my hand if it weren't for my good reflex.
I looked up and made eye contact with Dillion. I am waiting for him to wake me up if ever I am inside a dream.
"There are images attached to the email, boss. At first glance, I found several resemblances…."
I could no longer hear the rest of Dillion's words. I drifted away back to that night over a year ago….
Subconsciously, my feet stood on their own, and I found myself striding toward my bedroom.
"Boss, what do you want to do now?"
I paused and turned around, dazed. Dillion is looking at me patiently, waiting for my reply. "We need confirmation. You know what to do."
"Okay, boss. I'll give out an immediate order."
I could no longer wait for another second. I resumed moving my feet and flew through the narrowed hallway. I halted in front of my bedroom door and pushed the door open with a trembling hand.
Gradually, I went inside while my eyes searched for someone, but I could not find her.
For the second time in my life, I felt the emptiness harboring in my chest for over a year now.
'Where is she?' I could not control the loud thumping of my heartbeat.
I search every corner of my bedroom, including my bathroom, but everything is empty. 'Is she in my wardrobe?'
I pushed the sliding door. The same as in my bathroom; it was empty of her presence. But I didn't lose hope.
I'm yet to explore the balcony, and I am correct. I found her sleeping peacefully on the bench chaise under a tree.
"Finally… I found you."