Davian walked to and fro in an uneasy manner. Cia and her team of doctors and nurses have been in the operating room for more than nine hours without even a single soul coming out to give him an update. He was worried. What if...
Cia made his thoughts trail off as she finally came out of the operating room, some of the doctors and nurses followed suit.
"Cia?" he rushed to her.
"It's okay, Davian. Your mom's a real fighter, the operation was successful and your mother is completely out of danger, we don't even have to put her in the ICU anymore," she said.
Davian beamed with joy, he didn't know when he grabbed Sentencia into a warm embrace. He placed kisses on her forehead and cheeks. Cia laughed, blood rushed to her cheeks in embarrassment.
"Thank you, Cia. Thank you, you're the best. Always keep that in mind," he appreciated and she smiled.
"We'll take her to a normal ward, where she would be observed for a few days to see if the tumor is completely gone or if there'll be a potential growth of it. If none, she'll be free to go home, she may even wake up any moment from now," Cia said.
"Thank you so much, Cia. Can I see her now?" he asked excitedly.
"No, not yet. She's being transferred to her room in the ward, you may see her a little later," she replied and he nodded.
"Excuse me," she said and joined the remaining team in the operating room.
Soon, his mother was transferred and he was allowed to see her. He sat on a chair close to his mother's bed. He smiled from ear to ear, this was the happiest news he has received so far in the past three years.
"Mom, I hope you wake up soon. There's a lot we need to talk about," he said.
Just then, Cia walked in. She wasn't wearing her white coat anymore. She was on blue jeans trousers and a white top, her short shoulder length brown hair suited her brown eyes so much, which was clothed with her eyeglasses.
Even though she was always looking simple and almost geeky with those glasses of hers which aided her sight, she was still a beauty herself.
"I gotta run now, Davian. You're good," she asked. He smiled at her and nodded, she returned the smile, waved at him then shut the door.
...
"You never told us this, Olivia," Cia didn't know if she should be mad or sad or...
"It's like you're a totally different person from the lively and happy facade you portray. Why did you keep it to yourself? Why did you bottle it all up and bear the pain alone?" Cia asked, tears already forming in her eyes.
They were at a park. Olivia finally, fully opened up to them about everything.
"I'm sorry," Olivia apologized
"I always knew something was wrong. We're going to report this to the police," Silvia said.
"And then what would happen?" Olivia asked, matter of fact.
"You know they would still get away with it. And when it comes to the fact that they're forcing me to get pregnant for someone, the police would probably shrug it off, saying 'it's not today it has been happening'
"They would say 'this was a family issue that needed to be solved by the family members themselves. They would even add 'this is a job for a family therapist not the police' " Olivia elaborated and laughed a small laugh at the last part.
"This isn't funny, Olivia. Are you're just going to let them bully you and force you into doing something you don't want to?!" Silvia said and Olivia sighed.
"I know and trust me if there was a way out I'd take it without thinking twice. In less than two days time, I'll be giving my body to a man I don't even know, I haven't even seen him, I only hear things about him. Do you think I'm happy?" Olivia replied.
"Then run away. I'll help you with it," Silvia suggested.
"Why would you advise her to do that. She can't do that, she'll be automatically disowned by her family," Cia objected.
"Better disowned than to suffer," Silvia alighted.
"I...I still can't leave my mom alone. She might die of sadness and loneliness," Olivia also objected. Silence followed.
Cia began to cry, both girl's attention left their imaginary worlds and turned to Cia immediately.
"What's wrong, Cia?" Olivia asked.
"It's just... it's just, all my friends are going through a lot right now and there's nothing I can do for them. I really hope there was something I could do to help you guys," she sniffled.
"It's okay, Cia," Silvia said and hugged Cia.
"It's not your fault," Olivia added and joined the hug.
The trio remained like that for a while, as they found a little bit of solace in that embrace.
***
Olivia stared at herself in the mirror. Today was the day. Tears threatened to fall but she heard them back not wanting to spoil her make up, Axel could kill her if he hears she was doing it all over again. They were running late now as they waited for Olivia to finish dolling herself up with the help of just one of the maids.
She was done, but she hesitated to go downstairs. She was more than scared of tonight. She was no expert at seduction and she was a virgin. She was scared of how the man would treat her as she was the one that was going to throw herself at him.
What if he mishandles her like a slut? Or what if she fails to get him, what would Axel do to her?
Her door shut open; "Aren't you done yet?!" Axel thundered.
"I-I am," she stuttered.
"Then what are you waiting for. Let's go!" he said.
Olivia, her dad and Axel left in their car. Their driver was driving while Olivia and her dad sat at the back of the car as Axel sat close to the driver. They arrived at the place.
The mansion of the Yuls. It was unlike anything she has ever seen. It was like a gracious palace in the famous garden of Eden. Impeccable!
Cars were already parked at the parking lot, the driveway was flooded with fleets of cars, some just arriving like them. They were able to get a spot to park as the place was large enough with inexhaustible space.
They joined the party, they were truly late as the celebrants had already given their speech and tributes. Even, the organizer of the event, Leonard Yul had just concluded his speech when they entered.
"Please a loud round of applause for Mr. Leonard Yul,"
It was as if time stopped as her sequin blue eyes landed on the man. He was as breathtaking as the mansion, even more, he was exactly as she has heard. Too good to be true, everyone wants to get their own share of glancing at him yet his intimidating and cold aura would make you not to look at him for too long.
Axel shoved her shoulders jerking her out of her own world. He signalled for her to make her move as there were other tigresses waiting to make theirs just to have a night with this handsome devil, especially now that his family was looking forward for an heir from him.
Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat as she began to move towards him. Her heart hammered aggressively at her rib cage the closer she got to him.
He was standing with some of his family's old friends. The family friends were laughing leisurely with him but he didn't laugh, he just stood with them unimpressed by their jokes.
As she walked closer, everything Silvia and Sentencia said to her began to flood in. They decided to help her out as they couldn't save her, at least they'll be able to help her not to fail the mission and spare her from her father's and brother's wrath.
They would have followed her if they could but they weren't invited, not like Silvia would have accepted the invitation, he was her business rival.
'Leonard might be smart but there was one thing the Yul men have in common. Their Achilles heel, women,' Silvia said.
'They're all womanizers,' Cia added.
With their voices in her head, she let out a deep breath and walked more confidently, her head and chin high like a queen.
She can do this!, she assured herself.