EVE
After so many hesitations and a fazed mind, I picked up the cellphone. There it is, I already admitted it. It's true. I'm in love with Xenon Alister. For 5 years now. It started when I saw him on a summer music camp right before college started. I even said hi to him, hoping he would remember me as his childhood playmate. He didn't. Even when the school year opened and we both saw each other on the same building, he didn't recognize me at all.
I know that should have stopped my attraction with him, but it didn't. It went on and on hopelessly. I was a pathetic girl stealing glances across the library. I would even be on the first row of all his debate happenings and yet, none of those things made him notice me.
Until this one.
Perhaps that's why I took this as a big deal. It's Xenon. It's not just anyone else in the world, it is Xenon.
My fingers were shaking while I was dialing Tito Rusty's number, one digit at a time. It rang… and then ended. I tried again, and this time, the call was picked up.
"Genevieve…" – It was Tito Rusty's voice.
"Tito, about what you said… I already decided."
I can imagine him holding his breath on the other line.
"please tell me you're saying yes."
I bit my lower lip. I admit this decision has only come up at the spur of the moment. But right now, it sounded like a good one. An open door for something that can be great.
"yes, Tito. I'll marry Xenon."
…and I was responded with a loud "YES!" on the other line. It echoed, so I guess he's in his private room or something. My heartbeat was racing when I finally said it. I have no idea what awaits after this. I don't even know what marriage life is like. I'm only hopeful for the best. I could only wish hope is enough.
"thank you, Genevieve. I would always be thankful to you."
I smiled.
"it's fine, Tito. Does Xenon already know about this?"
A pause.
"I'll tell him later."
SO HE DIDN'T KNOW?
-
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XENON
My father has no idea of what happened.
He isn't aware that I had a girlfriend all throughout college named Sophie. He didn't get to meet her. I didn't want to drag her with my family's mess so I kept her from dad. Now that I knew of his condition before giving me the company, I wish I had told him before. Maybe he would like Sophie.
Hell, what's the use of that now anyway? She already left me for someone else.
And I would never forgive myself for just letting her walk away like that. I should have done more. I should have tried harder.
These thoughts just won't go away. Crap, it has been months.
I closed my eyes and breathed in some air.
I was outside in the pool area, a half-empty can of beer on my right hand. I walked along the sides of the pool, enjoying my solitude at 8 pm. I bet everyone's having dinner inside the house, including my father. For some reason, I crave nothing but beer for dinner. After grabbing one, I went here to deal with my own demons disguised as thoughts. All of them leads me back to what dad said though.
Marriage in exchange of the company.
THE COMPANY. The only thing I wanted since I was in business school. Especially when Gendry left and I have no other choice but to inherit it as my own. I really have to be the CEO. That marriage thing was the only problem. To make matters worse, I haven't dated since Sophie and I broke up.
I gulped the rest of the beer as if the solution to my problem lies on the bottom of the can. After it's empty, I placed it on the ground. One of the house cleaners would clean the pool later anyway.
Suddenly, the water in the pool looked inviting. With no hesitation, I pulled my shirt up and removed my shorts. I left my boxers on and with one deep breath, jumped into the water. A huge splash consumed me and I was underwater the next second.
I did some laps until on my forth one, I saw my old man sitting on one of the benches, my empty beer can on his hand. I swam to one side and got out of the water. A whiff of the wind blew and I shivered. Dad stood up and picked up my shirt.
"here. you look freezing."
I was. I got the shirt and dabbed myself with it. One of the cleaners passed and I called him, requesting for a towel from my room. The man nodded and ran back to the house.
"you only had beer for dinner?" – he stated.
"I'm full, dad."
He shook his head.
"anyway, I'll make this quick because I had an exhausting day. about what I told you the other night. She said yes already."
"she?"
"Genevieve. Your future wife."
Who?
I think the confusion was all over my face that I didn't need to voice it out for him to answer.
"you don't remember her? she's Antonio's daughter. You both played a lot when you were little. She's also your classmate in primary school. Also, this music camp you attended before college. That camp belonged to her father."
I was frowning. I think I know who he was talking about… but I don't remember her face. I just know I have this female childhood friend which I outgrew.
"I… I don't remember her."
"well, you should. And you would. She's moving to the manor tomorrow."
And then that's when it hit me. He really did choose a wife for me, didn't he? Not just that, he's also invited her to share the manor with us. Is he being real right now?
"wait… are you saying she's-"
"living with us? yes. gonna be your wife? Yes. No more questions. She's gonna be here tomorrow. Please be nice to her. She's a very sweet girl."
Before I can ask or say anything else, he got up and walked back to the front door. The cleaner came back with my towel. I got it and covered myself. Still, I felt cold. This time, I'm sure this isn't because of the cold weather.