Shangri-La Hotel
Since the board meeting ended early and there was nothing to do in the office, Eunice returned to the hotel, not allowing Leah to approach or speak with her, knowing her tongue was full of venom.
"There will be the perfect moment to deal with her." She curled her lips upon remembering the surprise on Leah's face. She looked like she swallowed a worm she was afraid of most. "I bet Leah is already plotting against me. I know her very well, so I am certain."
Foreseeing the near episodes, Eunice leisurely sipped a glass of champagne while looking out the window, fixing her gaze at the building across the lake.
Lopez Tower is the tallest skyscraper in this province. Many islands divide the region, and Claire City is the center island—the province's heart is just vast enough, but the products produced here are excellent for trading worldwide.
They were one of many cities that exported products and goods, contributing significant revenue to the country. It is why the city was progressive with its foreign investors.
"Do you want to bring it down?"
"What?" Eunice was startled when Christian sounded behind her and asked such a question.
While it may have appeared humorous to her ears when the gorgeous man was grinning at her, she did not find it amusing.
The tower was isolated from the rest of the surrounding buildings; still, it would cause a big commotion in the entire city and spread the news not only to the whole country as an act of terrorism but to the world.
Moreover, she means no harm to innocent people by making them suffer. She is not a criminal to plot out such things.
Seeing the shock on her face, Christian chuckled.
"Here, have some with your fave dessert."
He placed the tray in his hand on the coffee table and served the bowl of fruit salad to Eunice.
"Thank you." She reached for the fork, poked a cube of mango, and moaned with satisfaction upon the fruit meeting her tongue.
Mangoes from this region were known as the sweetest. They held the title of best producer of the said fruit.
"Could you stop behaving like I am others to you?" Christian groaned, complaining when she thanked him.
Eunice only smiled sweetly at him, then ignored him entirely as she enjoyed herself munching the sweet fruit.
Seeing how delighted she was with the fruit salad he had fixed, he didn't say another word but kneeled before her, took her free hand, and kissed the back of her palm.
Eunice once told him how her mom would fix her a bowl of mixed fruits, and she would add some condensed milk and all-purpose cream.
It was one of the few memories she had with her. Since then, he would make her a bowl of fresh fruits whenever they were together.
The last time he did that was months ago, when he attended Jillian's fourth birthday party.
"I'm just joking, you know," he told her when she remained mum and didn't make a comment regarding his joke about taking down the Lopez Tower. He asked further, "A penny of your thoughts?"
Eunice shook her head, saying, "It's nothing. I'm just thinking of something else."
Christian heaves a helpless sigh. Even though Eunice wouldn't say a word, he already knew what was on her mind.
It's been years, and nothing he wanted from her was to open up to him and share what troubles her so that he could do something about it.
It pained him to see her sad, especially seeing her shed tears and cry when she had nightmares.
"Sweetheart, I told you not to come back, but let me handle everything for you," he uttered with concern.
Eunice placed the fork and met Christian's eyes. She replied, "No. I will not simply wait until I receive word that Grandma has died in their hands. I could not wait any longer, but I need to settle the account with them ASAP. They owed me great; remember that, Chris."
"I understand. But you don't need to waste your precious time dealing with them. Those people are not worthy to breathe the same air as my queen."
Christian squeezed her fingers and looked at her affectionately. He reached out and combed her long hair.
Eunice smiled. She rested her head on Christian's shoulder, saying, "I would not let all my efforts to help the Lopezes get back on their feet go to waste. Therefore, I must not let Leah join the family. Her temperament isn't suited to becoming Mrs. Lopez. She'll only make the company bankrupt. Unless Jullian would not tolerate her; otherwise, she would only make a mess of his company."
'The Lopez again…'
Christian's face darkened when Eunice showed concern for them. It's good that she closed her eyes; that way, she didn't notice the gloom swirling above his head.
"Sweetheart, you help his family enough. What will happen in the future is no longer your concern."
He doesn't understand why Eunice has to deal with them personally when he offers to seek revenge on her behalf. He believes Eunice does not need to reach the Lopezes or the Dela Cruz family.
"Chris…" Eunice looked at Christian with a pleading gaze.
Helping the Lopezes is the only way to make her heart at peace. It was the least she could do so that her guilt would no longer eat her up.
"What are you so worried about? The past is no longer a part of your present, especially in the future."
Christian pulled away from Eunice and stared at her stunning face, caressing her blushing left cheek.
"You don't need to torture yourself," he said. "Instead, free yourself from the past and live a happy life with your son in the present. He is the person who needs you most."
Tears immediately moistened the corners of her eyes, blinking to push them back. "I've missed him already."
It was the first time for Eunice to be away from her son, Jillian.
If her intention isn't significant, she will not waste her time returning to a country where she isn't welcome.
"I'll take care of everything quickly, then return to Switzerland." My true home, she added in her head.
"That's good. I will visit you frequently," Christian promised. "And when everything is taken care of, I will join you there, and we will no longer be apart."
"Sure. Jillian would be over the moon."
"Glad to hear that. I missed that silly young man. I promised to teach him some good moves in fencing. Hence, I should return sooner."
"He's reminding me about it."
Christian chuckled. He gently kissed her forehead before he rose from kneeling on one foot. He straightened his back and smoothed his suit pants.
"Very well. Now, I must leave for my next appointment. I have to meet Mr. Robert Lim. It's time for his scenes to play out."
"Good." Eunice's eyes flicker.
"I told you I would take care of everything," he said confidently.
"I have no doubts." Eunice chuckled. Her voice has a lace of satisfaction in it. "You're the best."
"I know…" said Christian smugly, and the two pursed their lips with a wide smile. "Alright. If you need anything, Paul is working next door. You can instruct him however you want."
She giggled and said, "Definitely, I will enslave him."
"I heard that!" A man poked his head at the arched panel before he resumed heading toward the kitchen to get himself a mug of black coffee. "You two are so cruel!"
"Then you can hand me your resignation letter," said Christian coldly, glaring at the guy who spoke suddenly, even though he was not permitted to. He only spoiled the sentimental moment between him and Eunice.
"Hehe… I'm going back to work, boss!" Paul disappears before they know it.
Christian shook his head and said, "I'll head out now for my next meeting. By the way, I want to borrow Kyle to accompany me."
"Sure." Eunice nodded with a smile.
Christian pecked at her left cheek before he exited the door with Kyline, who was lounging comfortably in the foyer.
Finally, Eunice was left alone in the lounge area. She took out her phone and browsed through her gallery.
Her eyes were fixed on a particular photo.
"I missed you."
Tears misted the corner of her eyes as sorrow lingered on her chest.
It has been five years, but the wound is still fresh. Her heart was still aching.
~
Meanwhile, in a private room in the Secret Garden Restaurant, Robert Lim politely smiled when Christian entered the door.
Extending his hand for courtesy, he said,
"Mr. Meier, it was a pleasure to have you. I didn't expect that you would come personally."
Christian beamed as he reached for Robert Lim's hand.
"Of course, Mr. Lim's proposal is enticing. It would be such a great loss if I missed this opportunity."