"Hija!" I heard a shout as I walked out of the car. My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw Raze's mom standing at the entrance of the mansion, walking toward us.
"Hi hija, how was the trip?" she asked, holding both of my shoulders. I looked around, wondering where Mr. Rance was.
"He's not here. I know who you're searching for!" she whispered, as if she had read my mind, and gently traced my skin down to my hand.
"Hi, Mom!" Raze kissed his mom.
"Yiee, son! I love you!" She was acting like a kid, and her smile looked so cute and adorable.
"Mom, you sound like you need something!" he said seriously.
"Luh! I just want to have quality time with the two of you!" she exclaimed happily.
I just smiled to recover and went inside with a warm hold of Mrs. Rousey.
"Ma'am, who's with you?" I asked.
"I said it's already 'mom' for you. Well, I'm alone since I got bored hanging out with my friends and just playing mahjong all day," she replied with her funny gestures.
"But that's good for memory, well, according to the study," I responded, looking at Raze. He was just silently taking steps with his usual expression—stern and a bit confusing.
"What are your plans for today, Cath?" she asked seriously this time.
"Obviously to entertain you, MOM, WHOOOO~ it's hard to utter that word, ma'am. Anyway, that's it. You called us to come home, and I didn't feel tired yet, so resting isn't the best option," I exclaimed, fanning myself, but I didn't know why she burst into laughter.
I just awkwardly smiled and rubbed my nape.
"You're so adorable, I bet you don't know that?" she commented.
"Eh? I already know that. Your son always reminds me that I'm a puppy. Ruff!" I said, playfully barking. And yes, we were laughing this time, with the special participation of Mr. Ungentleman, Raze the Great.
"Son! You're still not expressive? You didn't say that she's beautiful?" his mom teased.
"My bad, Mom, but my stare is already telling her that she's the most beautiful... puppy in the world! Right, love?" he said, smirking.
"See! He's so mean to me. Hmmft!" I complained, pouting.
"He's just teasing, Hija, don't worry!"
"I'm not teasing, Mom! She looks like Vyan!"
"See! He sees me as a dog! Huhu!" I acted like I was crying, but obviously, he was just starting a game.
"You're ugly!" he said, being a bit of a badass.
"Ruff! Ruff!" I barked like a real cute dog.
"Lorence, SIT!"
"BAKA!"
"I'm not stupid, chump!"
"Because you're very ungentlemanly and mean!" I yelled.
"Both of you, are you arguing?" his mom asked worriedly, looking innocent. Kawaii~
"He's so mean to me / She's a dog!" we said in unison. I'm not a dog. Huhu!
"Guys, chill!" She intervened like we were about to kill each other.
"Mom, we're going to change first!" Raze excused himself and pulled me away without waiting for his mom's response.
Sebastian was currently carrying our stuff while Raze and I went straight to his room.
"Hey! Are we hiding or something?" I asked.
"Nope! We're going to escape!" he whispered.
"What? Are you crazy?"
"Shhhh!"
"This day might be boring!" he whispered again.
"You're crazy, I'm excited to hang out with your mom. Duh!" I giggled as I imagined that we were going to have fun with his mom.
After that nonsense talk, I checked my room and got the souvenirs out for the girls and had a quick talk with them since Mrs. Rousey was waiting.
A simple thing you give from your heart can make someone happy, indeed. At least I never forgot them the moment when I buy those cute stuff.
I changed my clothes and went back to Mrs. Rousey, knowing that she's waiting for us.
"Should I pick first?" I asked.
We'll play a game called 'Bake what you pick.' There are already folded papers inside a round crystal, and the words there were unknown to us since Mother Sharn wrote those. Well, I hope I can get an easy task.
"Sure, hija! Yiee, I'm excited!" she exclaimed, putting her hands together, while Raze looked sad because he didn't like the apron he was wearing and the potholder, which was pink with a bunny design. He's cute though.
I picked a paper, and I was about to open it when... "Oops! Let's open it together afterwards!" Ma'am Rousey said, so I did. Then it was her turn to pick, and Raze chose last.
"ONE! TWO! THREE! GO!" she loves yelling.
After the countdown, we opened the folded paper together, and I was so happy with the task I got. It is easy to bake brownies.
"What's yours?" I asked Raze.
"Very confidential, love!" he said, smiling as he hid the small paper in his pocket. Unfair!
"You don't really love me!" I chided sadly and kept my distance.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"Just kidding! What's yours first?" he asked, witty and wise.
"Brownies!" Argh! He already changed the mood, he made me hyped up again.
"I see, mine is still a secret!"
"That's unfair!" I was about to pinch him when...
"Ahem! You guys don't want to ask what's mine?" Oh! She's here. We forgot that she's around for a moment.
"What did you get, Mom?" Shoot! Did we really say it in unison?
Shit! My face turned hot, I was literally blushing.
"You're cute!" they said in unison too and laughed together.
I just laughed instead of reacting more.
"Okay! Let's begin. The one who cooks it perfectly can receive a reward," Ma'am/Mom Rousey announced.
It didn't sound weird? Calling her mom?
After that, we started to pick our ingredients. I was busy mixing when Raze put something on my face, and he laughed hard with his mom. Flour, I tasted it.
I sought revenge, so we ran inside the kitchen, trying to catch and escape from each other while Mom Rous—Oops! His mom was laughing at our childish acts.
"I surrender!" I finally uttered and accepted being defeated by that ungentleman. He didn't give me a lot of points, he just let me touch his skin once, and it was by accident. So basically, I only had one point.
"I guess that's a poop! You're baking a poop," I teased him, pointing at his mixture.
Yet, instead of getting irritated, he laughed while looking at my brownies.
"Your dough looks like one!" he fired back. I loved seeing him laugh. Lovely.
"Whoa! You're being so harsh again!"
"You started it!"
"At least let me win over you!" I begged.
"There's no way, love!" Then he chuckled.
"Come on, Cath! Don't mind him. Come here, let's have a talk," I looked back at Ma'am Rousey, she was waving us over again.
I stepped closer to her, bringing my dough. I was done mixing it; I was just flattening it using a rubber scraper and spatula.
"Almost done?" she asked.
"Yeah! I hope this turns out good!"
"I'm sure it'll, based on the texture!" she commented.
"I bet, look at Raze. He's serious!" I whispered.
"I know how to distract him!"
"Really? What is it?"
"Of course, I'm his mom. Remember?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, by cockroaches!"
"Eh! If I throw that at him, he might kill me out of surprise!"
"Yeah, so better not! He was also scared of lightning and thunder."
"That sounds so funny and unbelievable!" I whispered back and laughed.
"Both of you are weird!" he commented as he saw us looking at him while laughing.
I put some chocolate chips on the top and placed it in the oven. I was excited to see how it turned out.
Raze was still mixing, and Ma'am Rousey was about to finish her cake's dough.
I was still guessing about Raze's task. What if I ask Mother Sharn? Ahh! That's unfair.
Tik Tak! Tik Tak! Tik Tak! Tik Tak! Tik Tak! Tik Tak!
"Aha! You're making cupcakes!" I happily blurted out when I saw him taking out cupcake liners.
"You bet?" he said and shrugged.
"Aha!" My boyfriend is really goofy.
"Oh? It's already cooked!" Finally, after 38 minutes, it's done perfectly.
"Yay!" I excitedly exclaimed and took my brownies out of the oven.
"Wow! That looks delicious, and it really smells great, hija."
"Let's try it!" I said and got another flat tray and transferred it there. Then I got the glassine I use and cut it into little four same-sized pieces using a pastry wheel.
One moment later...
"Wow! This is very delicious, not too sweet, it's just right," Ma'am Rousey commented.
"I love it, love. I'll give you 10 out of 100!" Raze commented after a try and laughed. Did he really need to laugh? That's a nice joke after all. Deceiving.
"That's a pretty unfair judgment, Mr. Ungentleman!" I snorted out and took a bite of my precious brownies.
"I'm just kidding, love. I love you!" he said and pinched my cheeks with the intention of getting me dirty with flour again.
I just pouted.
"I hate your dirty games, I hate you!"
"Wait! You can wash it, but first let me take a selfie with you!"
"NOOOO!"
"You can't refuse, kiddo!" he said and held my waist so tight that it made me laugh through the pain.
"One! Two! Three! Nice. Another shot, Mom, join us!"
"S-stop! I'm not prepared, you're so unfair! You're so bad!" I complained.
In the end, I didn't have a good photo with them. I was just laughing and trying to get his arms around me all the time, but the photos turned out good, though — pretty candid shots.
Raze was really good at making icing, as well as his mother. Like mother, like son.
Around 3pm, everyone had snacks, and about the contest, we all won.
We were currently chilling while eating our baked foods with everyone, plus the very special smoothie made by Mr. Pryce Raze Coleman, the super-duper ultra-mega great man in the whole wide world. While eating, his mom requested me to call my Mom through video call on Messenger because she wanted to have a chat with her. I did it, and even Raze talked to my mom and dad.
Finally, our relationship seemed legalized, but what about his dad? That was still questionable.
Ma'am Rousey had fun talking to Toby after her conversation with my parents. Sadly, Stacey was still at school, so she couldn't join the video call.
"I'll call you again later, Toby. Hope you guys can visit here! Bye!" Ma'am Rousey ended the call, clearly referring to my mom.
"Love, we have to go now!" Raze said, fixing his necktie. He received a message from Tyron that he has a meeting, and he'll also send his mom home.
"Sure, bye, Ma'am!"
"Love, she already told you, call her Mom!"
"Yeah! Bye, hija. See you again."
"Alright! Raze, take care. I'm happy to have quality time with you, Mom!" I said and waved goodbye before they got inside the car.
This day was kind of tiring, but I didn't expect it to be this fun.
"Mother Sharn, I'm going to rest now. I'm very tired."
"Sure, Cath. Thanks for the souvenir, and I'm happy for the both of you."
"Uwo~ Thanks, Mother Sharn. I love you, bye!" I was very tired and sleepy, already yawning a couple of times.
"I love you too!" I heard her response before our distance became too far.
"Ahh! Finally, I can rest my back," I whispered and threw myself onto the bed before darkness prevailed.
My alarm rang, awakening my dramatic system.
I stretched my body and slightly opened my eyes. Shit! It's already 7:00 am, gush! I overslept, my eyes widened as I realized that.
I rushed, pulling myself out of bed and straightened it out before checking my phone.
"Good morning, Love!" I texted him and headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower.
I picked a dress and chose one of the stilettos that Raze gave me. Argh!
I rushed outside, my hair in a messy bun since I was in a hurry.
"Razzzzzzeeeeeeeee!" I called, ahm! no! I actually yelled. >_<
I saw him walking towards his car. He was really planning to leave without informing me. :(
"Raze!" I yelled again before he finally looked back. Aish!
I almost stumbled just to catch up.
"What?" he coldly asked.
"Are you going to leave me?" his expression was blank and unreadable again. Why? Did he have a bad dream or did he just wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
"I'm going now! Sebastian will accompany you. I just have something important to do!" I was dumbfounded.
"R-raze?" I couldn't believe what he just said. I really couldn't.
"I have to go, anyway, good morning!" he said before getting inside his car. Fudge! There's something off. What's happening? That moment stabbed my heart. Damn!
I returned indoors.
"Cath! Eat first!" It was Erika.
"I'm not hungry!" I responded weakly.
"What? You didn't eat dinner and you're not allowed to skip breakfast," she admonished, her tone reminiscent of Mother Sharn's.
"I don't really have the appetite," I replied, my voice trailing off as I slowly walked back, my face reflecting my somber mood.
"You look wasted," she commented from behind me.
"Am I?" I answered absent-mindedly.
"Hmm, something happened between the two of you?" she worriedly asked.
"No! actually I don't know what's going on!"
"Just talk to him later, maybe he is really busy right now!"
"Okay, thanks Erika. I have to go now. Bye!" I said, then searched for Sebastian. After a moment, I arrived at Texno and Raze wasn't there, he might be at his other company.
I arrived at our team's office and saw a tray on my table.
There was a slice of watermelon, a pack of ready-to-drink coffee, two American rolls, and a slice of fried chicken with tasty gravy.
"Eat well" was written on the note that stuck to the tray. I assumed it was from Raze, so I just ignored it.
"Good morning, Cath!" greeted Ranz.
"Good morning!" I replied with a smile.
"Where are the girls?" I asked.
"They went to the powder room," he replied.
"Ah, okay!"
"So, how was the trip?" Ranz asked, shifting his position to face me with a serious expression.
"We had fun an--"
"Oh! Hi, Cath! We missed you!" the girls interrupted, giving me a warm group hug.
"Hi, guys! I missed you too. Guess what, I have something for all of you!" I said, retrieving the box from inside my bag.
"Here! This is a silver bracelet with our names on it!"
"Wow, thanks, Cath!" Cassy hugged me tightly after receiving it, just like the other girls.
"Wow! Look at this. It really looks good on my wrist. Thanks, beautiful!" Ranz exclaimed.
"No problem, handsome!" I responded.
"Thanks that you guys love it!" I added and took a seat.
After that, I focused on my work until around 10 am when I got hungry. I decided to eat at LitDinner, ignoring the tray of food I have in the office. I was feeling a bit annoyed with the boss.
Later, after finishing my work, I planned to go home. To my surprise, Sebastian was already waiting for me at the lobby, as if I had contacted him, which I hadn't. Maybe Raze did.
I wonder how Raze is. He didn't message me all day.
As usual, I helped with the house chores as soon as I arrived at the mansion, then spent some time playing with the huskies.
Dinnertime arrived, but Raze still wasn't home, and I hadn't received any reply from him.
Is he really that busy? Tsk, he could at least send me a single message to let me know. But no, I guess I shouldn't expect a message from him because he's just so incredibly busy! I'm getting frustrated now and worried. I don't want him to keep his feelings bottled up, and I want him to know that I'm always here for him.
I waited for him to come home, but by 9 PM, I was too tired to stay awake any longer. The next morning, I woke up early to check on him, but he wasn't in his room. Where did he go? He didn't come home?
"Cath, Raze left early," Mother Sharn answered my unspoken question.
"What? Really?Hmm, what's up with that man?" I complained.
"He said he's busy," she added.
"Ah, okay. I get it. I'll go get ready now, Mother Sharn," I said before heading back to my room.
I opened my Instagram account to see if he's posted anything new. No new posts, but there's a new IG story. I checked it out. "Day 2 with Ms. Sanchez" is his caption, and the photo shows a restaurant, probably from a breakfast meeting. That story was posted an hour ago. Seems a bit early for flirting, doesn't it?
Who's Ms. Sanchez? Who's that girl? He's driving me crazy. Instead of losing my cool, I grab a towel and head into the bathroom. Maybe the shower will help me calm down.
After getting ready, I head back outside. Sebastian is waiting to drive me and as I arrive at the company I spot Tryon in the lobby, so I call him over.
"Hi, Lorence," he greets me, holding a folder.
"Hey, I want to ask you something."
"Sure, what's up?"
"I was wondering if you knew Raze's schedule for today?"
"Of course. He made me cancel all his meetings today for a special meeting with Ms. Alona Sanchez," he responds, showing off his boss' schedule memorization skills. Impressive!
"Really? I see. Thanks!"
"Why?"
"Just curious. Well, I'll go now!"
"Sure, have a great day ahead," he says.
Great day ahead? Tsk.
Who's Alona? I mean, what's her business and why is she so special that Raze had to cancel all his meetings just to meet her? Ugh! I'm rattled with that information.
I was bothered the whole time I was doing my job, of course. My boyfriend is ignoring me, and he even canceled all of his meetings for Alona. I feel like I'm going to cry.
Ugh! Alona! Alona! Alona! Her name is bothering me.
I keep checking the time, but it seems to move so slowly. It's really starting to annoy me, testing my patience to the limit.
"Cath! You're going to break the keyboard!" Cassy stops my hands and gives me a weird smile. I just sigh in frustration.
I couldn't shake Raze's image from my mind, and some crazy thoughts kept creeping in, ruining my calmness.
"Oops, sorry! I'm going to LitDinner now. Need some coffee!" I excused myself and left without waiting for a response.
"Ma'am, you've already had 4 cups—"
"Just bring me another one!" I commanded, feeling like a boss.
As I leaned back in my chair, my phone rang. It was Raze.
"What?" I scoffed.
"I can see you on the monitor. Please stop drinking coffee, you might end up with palpitations!"
I ended the call.
Palpitations, my ass. Only coffee can calm me down now. Wait! Monitor? That means he's here? He didn't even bother to come check on me? He's crazy!
"Here's your coffee, ma'am, probably the last as ordered."
"Ordered?"
"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Coleman called me and warned me that he'll fire me if I give you more," he explained.
"I see. Anyway, thanks!" I said and took a sip of my coffee.
Is he checking on me secretly? I understand now.
What could be the reason for him to do this to me? Making me worry? Making me jealous? Sigh, he's really unpredictable.
As my working hours ended, I hurriedly arranged my things so I could leave. Should I check on Raze first, or should I wait for him in the lobby? Ugh, neither idea seems ideal, especially since I already saw Sebastian's arrival. But I have no choice. I'm sure Raze contacted Seb to fetch me.
"Seb? How did you meet Raze?" I asked, glancing out the window.
"Hmm, it was 12 years ago at the hospital. I was there to process my mom's hospital bills and I was crying. Raze approached me and asked what was wrong, so I told him everything."
"I see. He's really kind and soft-hearted," I commented.
"He is," Seb confirmed. "Imagine, he paid all the bills and told me to meet him at his mansion's address. Then he hired me as his driver and even financed me to get a professional driver's license. He didn't fully know me, but he was willing to help. He's like an angel in a dark creature's body."
"It's refreshing to hear such a story and reminisce about some memories," I remarked.
"He's different from other rich men. Some people judge, but he's always willing to help plus, he was really young back then." I added, feeling relieved and happy.
I knew deep down that Raze wasn't the type of man to cheat or play with someone's feelings. I was sure of that.
"But you know what's funny?" Seb suddenly chuckled, as if remembering something amusing.
"What?" I asked.
"It's when he said that I could call him any pet names, but he didn't want me to call him by his actual name. No one dared to call him by his name, and he'd get mad if someone did. I found it weird at first, but as I stayed at the mansion longer, I eventually understood why," he continued.
"He's been struggling since then, but luckily, he's mentally strong and incredibly professional when it comes to handling emotions and making decisions. I suppose all I can do is support Raze, even though that support might also mean the possibility of losing him. Ugh!" I shook my head, feeling overwhelmed by my own thoughts. "I'm being too pessimistic again. I'm afraid of losing him, though."
We arrived home around 5:00 PM due to the traffic caused by an accident at the crossroad.
I quickly changed my clothes and helped with the household chores before playing with the huskies and taking the golf cart to the mini zoo. I've gotten quite skilled at driving it by now.
After enjoying some time in the backyard, I headed back inside because Mother Sharn called for dinner. Unfortunately, Raze's seat was empty, and it was clear he wasn't planning to come home. I already missed him.
I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to at that moment.
Feeling tired, I fell asleep easily.
"Love, roses for you!" Raze's voice rang out as he stood before me, still dressed in his tuxedo, presenting me with three white roses.
"I missed you, love," he added, leaning in to kiss my forehead before turning to leave.
"Please, don't go, Raze!" I pleaded.
With a whoosh, I woke up. It was just a dream.
But it felt so vivid, so real.
I rubbed my palm across my face and checked my heartbeat, it was racing as if it were genuinely frightened.
I checked the wall clock, it's already 3:00 AM. Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine as I remembered the superstition about the devil's hour. Was it real?
"Whaaa!" I screamed as I saw three white roses on the side table. Roses, just like in my dream. How could they be real? Was I still dreaming, or was this reality? My eyes weren't deceiving me.
I cautiously reached out and touched the roses. They were real. Was Raze here, like in my dream? Instead of dwelling on it further, I decided to distract myself and go back to sleep, pushing aside the unsettling thoughts.
"Cath? Cath!"
"Hmm?" I groaned.
"Cath! Raze is already here!" With that, my senses snapped to attention.
"Good morning, Mother Sharn. He's already here? So, he didn't go home yesterday?" I asked, curious.
"Yeah! He has a visitor," she answered.
If he had just arrived, then who had put the flowers on my table? It was mysterious!
"Who's his visitor, Mother Sharn?"
"He introduced her earlier. She's Alona Sanchez."
"What?!"
"Why, Cath? Do you know her?"
"Ah, no! Sorry for overreacting, but I don't know her!" I said, feeling my smile falter.
"It's fine. I've got to go now. Hurry up!" she replied, prompting me to nod.
I wanted to see this Alona girl for myself, so I hurriedly completed my morning rituals and rushed outside.
"Good morning, Erika! Have you seen Raze?" I ask, noticing her pout.
"Huh?" Confused, I try to decipher her expression, and her lips silently direct me upstairs.
"He's in the movie room with the woman!" she whispers.
My blood suddenly boils. I'm that freaking hot.
"Thanks. Did he request anything else?"
"Yeah! He asked for tea and toasted bread."
"Has it been provided?"
"Not yet, but maybe Nely is preparing it right now."
"Okay, thanks. I'll take care of it!" I say before leaving and heading to the kitchen.
As expected, Nely is already preparing, just as Erika said. The tea pot and cups are on the tray, awaiting the toasted bread.
After convincing Nely, I head to the movie room. A witty move, if I do say so myself.
I knock on the door.
"Just come in!" I hear his voice, and suddenly my heart starts pounding. I twist the doorknob nervously and push the food cart inside.
"Good morning!" I greet, feeling a bit uncertain about how to address him. Should I call him Raze, sir, or señorito? My mind is racing with possibilities.
"Ah, thanks, Cath," he responds, looking a bit surprised to see me but quickly recovering.
"And who might you be?" a beautiful woman asks. She seems to have a certain air of authority about her.
"Just a humble servant," I answer, opting for humility over sarcasm. It's not my place to challenge her, especially in front of Raze. After all, I'm just here to fulfill his requests.
"I'll leave the tray," I announce, setting it down on the coffee table with a bit more force than necessary. "Please excuse me, señorito, Miss," I add, my tone a touch cooler than usual as I turn to leave. Being that polite isn't really my style.
"Cath?" he calls out before I can take a step.
"Anything else, señorito?" I force the words out, feeling a twinge of discomfort as I say them. It's hard to address him like that when it feels like we've taken several steps back in our relationship.
"Ah, nothing. Thanks," he responds, his casual tone a sharp pang in my heart.
"Okay," I reply, keeping my voice steady as I turn to leave.
As I walk away, a wave of jealousy washes over me. Seeing them together tears at my heart, leaving behind a painful ache.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. I can feel the tears threatening to spill over, but I refuse to let my guard down. Am I ready for the heartache that seems to be looming on the horizon? No, I don't think so.
"I have to go now," I say, informing Mother Sharn as she asks me to stay for no reason at all.
I can't afford seeing him with her.
"I know and understand Sabrina's feelings when I'm with Raze now. I really do. It's hell," I lamented silently to myself.
"Are you okay?" Seb's concerned voice interrupted my thoughts as I got inside the car. Despite the turmoil inside me, I knew I had to put up a front.
"I'm okay," I replied with a forced smile, masking the turmoil brewing within me.
I couldn't understand what Raze was trying to show. Had he realized that he shouldn't choose me? That he should instead choose someone who could match his status? It was frustrating beyond measure.
"Cath! You're crying!" Seb's concerned voice pierced through my attempt to hide my emotions.
"H-huh? I-I'm not! My eyes were just irritated by the aircon. I guess!" I hastily reasoned, wiping away my tears. I hadn't even realized I was crying; the weight of my emotions had simply become too much to bear.
"I'll turn it off then!" Seb offered, swiftly turning off the air conditioning on my side. His understanding gesture only made me feel more guilty for lying.
Call me overreacting.
Call me paranoid.
But seeing him with her really stabs my heart.
What are they going to do in the movie room? What are they planning to do at the mansion? The questions swirled in my mind, tormenting me with uncertainty.
"Waaaaaahhhh!" I cried out loud, unable to contain my emotions any longer.
"Cath! Here!" Seb handed me a box of tissues, as though he had anticipated my need for them. It was almost as if he knew I would cry today, as if he had predicted it.
"Did you accidentally bite your tongue? I often experience that, it hurts, right?" he said, trying to offer some explanation for my tears.
"You're crazy, but thanks!" I replied, managing a weak smile through my tears.
"Everything happens for a reason," he added, his words imbued with a sense of understanding that surprised me.
How did he know that I was suffering inside?
"You cried!" my ego chided, without any consideration for my emotional state. :(
We arrived at Texno, but I stayed inside the car for a couple of minutes, trying to calm myself down.
I was walking like a zombie when my phone vibrated. I hesitated at first, but it rang again, so I reluctantly took it out and answered it without bothering to check who was calling.
"Finally, hey! What are you doing?" I recognized her voice immediately. It was Cynthia.
"Uh, just walking. What about you?" I replied, my tone cold and distant.
"You sound sick. Are you okay? Is it a heart problem?" Cynthia's words hit home, striking right at the core of my emotional turmoil.
"I'm just sleepy. Anyway, what's up? Why'd you call?" I yawned, hoping to sound convincing.
"Yiee, I have some good news. I got us tickets for ICEcore's fan fest!" Cynthia's voice bubbled with excitement.
"Really? That's awesome! Thanks!" I forced enthusiasm into my tone, not wanting to dampen her excitement.
"Yes, and if you're free later, we can buy ICEcore's merchandise and wear it tomorrow!" Cynthia continued, her excitement contagious.
I didn't have the heart to tell her about my pain. It would only ruin the vibe.
"I'm going to support her, it's my first time going to a fan fest and I think it would be so much fun, even though I'm not a solid fan," I thought to myself.
"Sure, I can free up my time," I replied to Cynthia, deciding to put in some overtime later.
"Yey! That settles it then. We're going to Royale Place around 11 am so we can have lunch together. What do you think?" Cynthia asked excitedly.
"Sure, that works for me. But don't you have work?" I inquired.
"I do, but I have a kind, very thoughtful, and considerate boss," she replied, giggling. Her laughter was soothing, and I found myself wanting to hear it again.
"Good for you then, I'll drop the call now. Chat with you later, Cynth. Bye!" I said, ending the call as I arrived at our floor.
"Bye, see you. Mwaah!" Cynthia exaggerated before I ended the call.
I found myself alone in our room as the rest of the team had tasks elsewhere. They were facilitating something, going over the games process, letting the other team critique our idea, conducting a survey, and seeking approval from our head games director.
I focused on my animation work, finding solace in the task as it helped drift me away from bad thoughts.
I searched for ICEcore's music and played it while working.
His voice had a mesmerizing quality to it, capable of lulling you into a trance and quickening your heartbeat. It was strangely enchanting, flawless, and soothing all at once.
Listening to him sing felt like being under a spell, as if he were a witch casting a charm on his listeners. I was so captivated that I almost drifted off to sleep, but I realized it was already 11 am and I needed to prepare.
"I'm stepping out to meet a friend. I'll catch up on overtime later," I jotted down on a note and pinned it to the bulletin board for my team to see easily.
I booked a taxi and arrived at the Royale Place ahead of Cynthia. The ground floor looked different from the last time I was here, with the shops neatly organized and bustling with shoppers.
I noticed some girls with wide smiles holding an album - ICEcore's, no doubt. It seemed he had quite the fanbase.
I waited for almost 20 minutes before Cynthia arrived, surprising me with a hug. It was nice to see her so excited.
Heading up to the 6th floor, we found ourselves in a long line, a true test of patience for those eager to get their hands on ICEcore's merchandise.
It took us an hour and a half to make our purchases. We bought ICEcore's shirt, jacket, and his album, but unfortunately, his personalized necklace was already sold out.
ICEcore's merchandise was definitely worth the wait. The design and quality were top-notch, explaining why everything sold out so quickly.
The jacket and shirt both sported his logo and the bold "ICEcore" display at the back in a sleek font. It was the kind of attire you'd proudly wear to show your support.
Cynthia was on a shopping spree, dragging me from one store to another. We ended up buying the same pair of hidden heel shoes, the same dress, and even the same sweatshirt design, albeit in different colors.
With our shopping bags in tow, we decided it was finally time to grab a bite to eat. I could practically feel my stomach grumbling in anticipation.
It was an interesting coincidence to eat at Garifo, a place that reminded me of Raze's father and his intimidating demeanor.
Before parting ways, Cynthia reminded me of our early start at Taz Hotel tomorrow, which was conveniently located just meters away from the arena where the fan fest would be held.
"Sure thing! See you tomorrow," I replied with a smile and waved her goodbye.
The fan fest was set to kick off around 2 PM and would likely run until 10 in the evening. Cynthia suggested we spend some quality time together afterward since it would be too late to head home. I welcomed the idea, eager to unwind after the event.
I booked a ride and arrived safely back at Texno around 3:30 PM. I wasted no time in getting back to work on my project, knowing that my supervisors might check on it later.
"Lorence, we're heading home now. Don't rush, okay?" Ranz expressed his concern as the girls waved goodbye.
Tik tak! I glanced at the time, realizing it was almost 5 PM.
"Sure, thanks Ranz!" I replied, stretching my back to relieve the numbness.
I was in the midst of finalizing the ads animation when I received a message from Sebastian. "I can't fetch you. I'm going back to my hometown to visit my family. Take care!"
"Take care, Seb. Enjoy your time with your family," I replied to Sebastian's message. I knew I could always book a ride if needed.
With the animation sent and Mr. Castro informed, I decided to call it a day.
While walking, I received a notification on Messenger.
'Ivor wants to video call with you.' I didn't see a reason to ignore his call.
"Yo! What's up, man?" I greeted him with excitement.
"Hey beautiful, I'm around Clasizo, street 5. Where are you? I bet you're still at your workplace. Can I send you home?" Ivor's message was straightforward.
"Ah, sure! I'm not really into rejecting someone's offer," I replied.
"Really? Can you be my girlfriend then?" His question caught me off guard.
"Ha?" I was taken aback by his sudden proposal.
"Just kidding, I just wanted to see if you're 'Not really into rejecting someone's offer,'" he said, mocking my earlier statement.
I see, he was just teasing me and I didn't realize it sooner. I ended the call, it's not safe to talk while driving.
I waited patiently in the parking area when a familiar car stopped in front of me. The windshield slowly opened.
"Hey, hop in!" It was Raze, and I noticed the same girl from earlier sitting in the shotgun seat. She waved at me – Alona Sanchez.
Hayss! Why did she smile? Now I feel obligated to smile back, so I did, forcing myself to smile.
"No, thanks!" If I joined the ride, I'd be calling myself a martyr. I'd only be hurting myself inside, knowing that my heart was racing while a killer was inside too. That's called another version of suicide, I guess.
"Why? Seb can't do the job for you, so get in!" He said it seriously, sounding commanding.
"I'm expecting someone at this time!" I replied honestly.
"Who? A stranger? You're safe with me, so don't force me to come out and pull you!" Hayss. Raze being possessive.
I look around; there are plenty of people. It'd be embarrassing if he forcibly pulled me into the car. People might think he's a handsome kidnapper.
A kidnapper who doesn't ask for ransom.
"What?" he repeated.
Yeah! I feel bad. I want to ignore him, but I can't, so I get inside, as if I had a choice. It's just that I'm being unfair to Ivor, so I messaged him, 'I'm on my way home,' and unexpectedly, he called via messenger.
"Hey! I'm really sorry. I'm on my way home now," I explained, feeling genuinely guilty.
"It's fine, but you have to make it up to me next time!" he said, smiling. I sensed he was hiding disappointment to spare my feelings.
"Sure, sure! I'm going to hang up on you now. Take care!" I said and pressed the red button to end the call.
I saw Raze looking at me through the rearview mirror. I turned away my gaze and looked outside, trying to ignore their laughter while we were on our way. But I couldn't bear it any longer, so I grabbed my earphones and plugged them in, drowning out the world with some instrumental music.
Despite the soothing music in my ears, the flames of jealousy continued to devour me from within. It was infuriating.
"Raze, I forgot that I have something to do tomorrow, so I really need to go home," I heard Alona say.
As we headed inside the mansion, the darkness outside was contrasted by the bright lamp posts. Raze's response to Alona's departure only served to drain what little strength I had left.
"What? I told you that you can sleep here. You're warmly welcome at my home," he said. His words felt like a punch to the gut, leaving me reeling with a mix of emotions.
"I know, thank you very much. We still have to meet tomorrow, right?" I forced out the words, trying to maintain my composure.
"Yeah! I'm quite excited. I even want to pull the time," he replied sweetly, his laughter grating on my nerves.
I wanted to cry and disappear into thin air. Was he genuinely being nice or was he completely oblivious to my feelings? Was he deliberately giving me a reason to give up? Damn it! He could have been straightforward with me.
I felt the urge to bolt out of the car immediately. I regretted ever getting inside his damn car. It felt like torture, and I was sick of it.
"We're already here, Cath," Raze informed me.
"I know," I replied tersely.
"I'm going to send Alona home, tell Masha. Thanks, by the way." His tone matched mine, cold and distant.
How could he do this to me? It felt like he was erasing all the love we shared, all the memories we made together, and any desire he ever had for me to be the last woman in his life. It seemed like he had forgotten everything.
"Sure! Take care," I said, trying to mask the hurt in my voice. I acted as though I was giving him up without a fight, as though I didn't care what they were going to do together, as though I had never felt an ounce of jealousy. Inside, however, I was burning with pain, consumed by the wild ache in my heart.
As the car drove away, I watched it with a heavy sigh. If he was happy with her, then I had to let him go and be happy for him. It felt like an act of martyrdom, sacrificing my own feelings for his happiness.
To distract myself and keep busy, I sped around the backyard in the golf cart, going back and forth until I felt dizzy and exhausted. After dinner, once again without Raze's presence, sleep enveloped me swiftly.
The next morning, I awoke feeling utterly drained. Beside me on the side table lay a bouquet of red roses, though this time I hadn't dreamed. The three white roses remained in their place by the window, a silent reminder of something I couldn't quite grasp. Perhaps Mother Sharn had arranged them.
Still in my pajamas, I ventured outside, clutching the bouquet of roses with the intention of questioning Mother Sharn about them.
Suddenly, Raze's voice echoed in my mind, his promise resounding loudly. "I promise, I'll make your heart completely mine!" He had indeed succeeded in claiming my heart, though it now felt poised for shattering.
"Good morning, Lorence!" The girls greeted me cheerfully.
"You all seem very busy!" I remarked, rubbing my right eye.
"Yeah, we have plans later," Erika replied with a wide smile. Her cheerfulness felt oddly reassuring, even as my own heart weighed heavy with uncertainty.
"Really? But I'm not invited? Anyway, where's Mother Sharn?" I asked, feigning a slight pout. Why wasn't I invited? It's okay, I have my own plans later.
"Sorry, that walk is for single citizens only!" they teased, their laughter echoing in the room.
"That's not fair, but I hope you can find a man," I retorted with a playful smile.
"Hmm, hope so. About Mother Sharn, she's in the kitchen."
"Thanks, I'm going now!" With a nod, I headed towards the kitchen, my mind still lingering on the conversation and the ache in my heart.
"Hi Cath!" Kyle greeted enthusiastically.
"Hi, hi Mother Sharn, Chef Markus!" I returned the greeting, placing the flowers on the table before taking a seat on one of the high chairs.
"What's wrong?" Mother Sharn's concern was palpable in her voice.
"Where did these flowers come from? They're quite creepy!" I pointed out bluntly.
"Ah, someone delivered those for you, but I can't see a note on the flowers," Mother Sharn explained.
"Yieee, you have a secret admirer, Cath!" Kyle chimed in, laughing to himself.
I see, the flowers aren't from Raze. I'm disappointed.
"Hmm, okay! I'm going to prepare now, bye everyone," I said, grabbing the flowers and tossing them into the kitchen trash can before continuing on my way.
Raze really loves to ignore my pain. I want to talk to him, but I don't have the courage to face him. I want to ask him and listen to his explanations, but we don't have the same free time, and he's quite busy with Alona.
I prepare myself, bringing the washed and iron merch of ICEcore so I can go directly to the venue later without a hassle. I booked a grab taxi again since Seb was still not around. I don't want to see Raze's face either.
The day was like yesterday, a boring one.
"Ms. Celo, someone's waiting for you at the lobby!" said the guard.
"May I know who it is, sir?" I asked, not expecting a visitor though.
"She's your friend!" The guard informed me.
"Thanks, I'm coming." Hmm?
I followed him out of curiosity.
"Cath! Yieeee!" Oh! It's Cynthia. She's here. She caught everyone's attention because she's excitedly loud.
"Hey, you're here?"
"Yep, I'm going to fetch you!"
"Huh, why?"
"We're going now. It's already 1:30 PM, okay!"
"Hmm, okay. Sorry, I didn't check the time!"
"Don't worry, go and prepare now. I'll wait here."
"Sure, enjoy yourself here!" I replied, though I couldn't shake off the sudden nerves.
I quickly fixed my things and changed into my clothes. I decided to wear the jacket, which I found very comfortable.
We jumped with the time, arriving at the hotel and checking into our reservation. As I saw the crowd at the arena, I felt a thrill of excitement, and I bet Cynthia did too.
I didn't know that she got us VIP seats, but I was grateful nonetheless. I made a mental note to treat her to some merch later. We were comfortably seated near the stage and runway, on the left side if you're looking from the stage. Got it?
I thought this event was only for ICEcore, but it turns out it's for all knownVloggers, with ICEcore as the highlight. I wondered what he was going to do later; perhaps he was going to reveal himself.
ICEcore's fans were no joke. It was clear he had the most dedicated fans here. I could see banners all around, and like us, many of them were wearing his jackets and shirts.
The event was underway, with the hosts taking the stage and introducing the firstVloggers.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying each presentation. These Vloggers knew how to entertain their audience, from their engaging introductions to their captivating performances. They were truly giving it their all.
After the sixth performance, the hosts announced a break for dinner. As VIPs, we received a food delivery package, a nice service perk that I hadn't expected.
The arena could accommodate 100,000 people, and it seemed like nearly every seat was filled. There must have been over 70,000 people in attendance. Coming from a province and being somewhat introverted, I had never experienced such a large crowd before. Perhaps I could now call myself an ambivert.
As we ate, the stage crew worked quickly to change the background and set up new props and panels.
"Alright everyone! Please welcome Riko and Niña!" The sound effects and smoke effects were incredibly entertaining, but I found myself getting sleepy as their performance went on.
"Cath! Wake up. ICEcore will be called next!"
"Eh? S-sorry!" I didn't even realize I had drifted off. I quickly wiped my face and focused back on the performers, who were now singing. Singing again!
As I checked my wristwatch, it was almost 9 PM. Aish!
"The last and most awaited performance, the highlight of the night!" The host's announcement was met with loud cheers from the audience. "Please welcome, ICEcore!"
I could see the excitement on everyone's faces, and I couldn't deny that I felt it too. It was a mix of excitement and thrill that I couldn't quite put into words. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself.
The music started, accompanied by a blast of fire instead of smoke. ICEcore appeared on stage, dressed in a white and glittering gold suit, while his backup dancers were clad in all black.
As ICEcore's performance continued, his every move made my heart thump in rhythm with the music. The loud cheers from the audience only added to the electrifying atmosphere, and it seemed like everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves.
His dance moves seemed to tell a story, an evolution of hip-hop that traced back to the music of the 90s. Some of the beats felt familiar, likely because of my dad's love for old songs.
ICEcore's charisma was undeniable, and I found myself joining in with the crowd, shouting "Kyaahhh! ICEcore!" along with everyone else.
As the performance reached its peak, ICEcore remained on stage, slightly panting from the exertion. The hosts approached him and handed him a microphone. I couldn't help but wonder what they were going to do next.
As ICEcore greeted the hosts and the audience with his trademark charm, I couldn't help but notice the way the hosts looked at him, their smiles conveying admiration and perhaps a hint of infatuation.
"Good evening ICEcore!" they exclaimed, their excitement palpable.
"Good evening ladies, good evening everyone!" ICEcore's voice resonated through the arena, eliciting enthusiastic responses from the crowd.
He stood there, exuding confidence and charisma, just like Raze often did. And in that moment, as I watched him, I couldn't shake the thoughts of Raze from my mind.
What if Raze were here with me? Would we be cheering together, holding hands as we celebrated each successful performance? The longing for his presence weighed heavily on me, and I realized how much I missed him.
Feeling a bit out of sorts, I realized that my mind was wandering, and I couldn't help but acknowledge that I was acting strangely. But the ache of missing Raze was undeniable.
As the crew secured ICEcore with a safety belt and he ascended to the tiny metal footrest attached to the pole, my heart pounded with a mixture of fear and admiration.
I've always loved heights and extreme rides, but the sight of ICEcore perched so precariously made me realize that this was a different kind of thrill, one that I wasn't sure I could handle. Even looking down from Raze's office had made me queasy, the height difference seeming much more daunting now.
As the pole began to rise and ICEcore started to sing, I found myself frozen in place. His voice echoed through the arena, sending shivers down my spine. Despite my fear, I couldn't deny the powerful effect his performance had on me. It felt like my heart was about to burst with emotion.
"The moment our eyes met,
Destiny whispered your name.
It's you,
The one destined to share my life.
I offer you my heartbeat,
To sync with yours forevermore.
With you, every moment feels alive.
You're the only one,
Together, we'll become one.
Please hold my heart gently,
And guard it with your own.
It's precious,
Beyond any measure,
Darling, you make life worth living.
I have three words,
Eight letters for you.
I love you.
Can you give me eleven?
For in your embrace,
'I love you too' is silently spoken."
As he sang, the pole gently rotated, ensuring his performance was visible to every corner of the venue, his face magnified on the giant screens scattered across the stage.
My heart raced in rhythm with his song. The crowd seemed to sway like trees in a breeze, moved by ICEcore's melody and the energy he exuded.
While everyone around me danced and swayed to the music, I remained rooted to my spot, captivated by his performance.
Despite the excitement around me, I couldn't shake off the feeling of agitation and nervousness. Everyone, including Cynthia, was eagerly anticipating the moment of the first reveal.
"Alright, folks! Who's ready for the big reveal?" ICEcore's playful chuckle echoed through the venue, adding to the anticipation. His voice sounded youthful and carefree, reminding me of someone I was desperately trying to forget.
I mentally scolded myself, urging myself to focus on the present moment and let go of the memories that threatened to overwhelm me.
Curiosity gnawed at me as ICEcore stood on stage, his mask concealing his identity as always. Yet, tonight, the mask was different—half white, half gold, with a striking touch of black. Despite my eagerness to see his face, I couldn't deny that the new design was undeniably cool.
As he ignited the crowd with his presence, the energy surged even higher. His mask, now a symbol of mystery and allure, seemed to amplify the excitement in the audience, stirring them into a frenzy of anticipation and enthusiasm.
"First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. A massive thank you to those who meticulously planned and organized this event, ensuring its success. Today, we're not just celebrating my 8th year anniversary, but also commemorating a remarkable milestone—we've reached 95 million subscribers! This achievement is a testament to your unwavering support and dedication. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Your enthusiasm and passion fuel every moment of this celebration, making it truly special and unforgettable."
The crowd hushed in anticipation as a video began playing on the stage screen, depicting scenes from what seemed to be his first vlog.
"As promised, I'm going to reveal my face, but before I do, I have a message for someone special," he declared, his voice carrying through the venue. "Since the day I laid eyes on you, I knew in my heart that you were the one. I can't explain why, but it's as if my soul recognizes yours from the very beginning. You've filled a void I didn't even know existed, and now that you're here, I feel complete. I love you to the moon and back."
"Awww!" echoed throughout the crowd in response to his heartfelt words.
"That girl must be very lucky," someone yelled nearby.
"Anyway, I want to extend my gratitude to someone special as well," he continued, his voice resonating with sincerity. "Without you, I wouldn't be here today. Thank you for your unwavering patience and for believing in me, even when I'm at my most stubborn. I know you won't give up on me."
As he spoke, the lights flickered on and off, creating an eerie yet mesmerizing effect, until the venue was engulfed in complete darkness.
"What's going on?" I whispered to Cynthia, perplexed by the sudden halt in activity.
"Shhhh," she hushed me with a finger to her lips.
And then, with a sudden *BOOM!, the lights dimmed before gradually brightening again. My heart raced as I watched ICEcore slowly remove his mask, eliciting screams and cheers from the crowd.
"Kyaahhhhhhhhh~" echoed throughout the arena as ICEcore's face was finally revealed. Pryce Raze—his name rippled through the crowd like an electric shock. I felt as though my heart had stopped beating, frozen in disbelief. Pryce Raze, the renowned business tycoon, was not just a Vlogger, but a celebrated one at that.
The crowd erupted into wild cheers, chanting Pryce Raze's name repeatedly, but I remained frozen, as if I were glued to my seat. Was I hallucinating? It felt surreal.
"A woman I treat as my queen," Pryce Raze began, his voice resonating through the arena, "the only queen who's not wearing a crown, yet my love for her serves as one. Thank you for being here tonight, thank you for accepting my invitation."
His gaze swept across the crowd, searching, while the spotlight followed suit, eagerly waiting for the superstar's next move.
My heart sank like a stone as I watched the scene unfold before me. "Invitation? Is he cheating on me?" The thought echoed in my mind, shattering the fragile remnants of hope I held.
"I-I'm going to the restroom!" I stammered, attempting to escape, but Cynthia held me back, her grip firm.
Alona's smile seemed to mock me as she ascended the stairs, Raze following closely behind. My tears threatened to spill over, a painful ache gripping my chest as I watched her reach his side and plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Congrats," Alona uttered, her voice cutting through the tense silence like a knife. She then crouched down and pressed something on the floor, her actions mysterious and perplexing.
The room fell into an eerie silence as everyone, including myself, waited with bated breath for the next revelation.
To my surprise, a small part of the floor began to move upward, revealing a crystal pedestal with a rectangular shape. Inside rested a stunning bouquet of various flowers, a sight of unexpected beauty amidst the confusion.
"Thanks, manager," Raze acknowledged, his words leaving me even more bewildered. Manager? What did he mean by that?
As Raze accepted the bouquet, Alona pressed something again, causing the floor to close back up, concealing whatever mechanism had brought the crystal pedestal into view. With a nod of acknowledgment, she left the stage, her departure leaving me with even more questions than before.
"Thanks for everything!" Raze's voice echoed through the room, the gratitude in his tone palpable as he bid farewell to Alona.
"The heavens gave me a chance,
To feel love and be loved,
The heavens gave me a chance,
Guiding your path to my palace."
His words triggered memories of our first meeting, a moment marred by my own embarrassment as I had lashed out at him, despite it being my fault.
"The fate made us fall in love,
You helped me pick up my pieces,
And now, you own my half,
The half of my heart."
As Raze walked down the runway, his gaze pierced through me, as if he never needed to search because he always knew where I belonged.
The spotlight passed over me, but then, it stopped, blinding in its intensity.
"You can call me by name, only you can.
You are mine, fate has spoken for the rest of my life."
He's here, singing in front of me.
"Hold my hand, let's run away together.
Listen to my heart, it's singing your name."
Surrounded by chaos and the frantic beat of my heart, he held my hand, igniting another wave of uproar from the crowd.
I couldn't process it all, couldn't grasp the reality of the moment. All I knew was that I was walking with him, clutching the bouquet of flowers as he sang a love song, every word feeling like it was written for me.
Then, as the song came to an end, he spoke again.
"I want you to be my other half forever," he said, dropping to one knee in front of me, amidst the gaze of thousands.
"...Will you marry me?" he asked, presenting a ring in a red box.
It shimmered—a beautiful diamond ring.
My heart reacts before my mind could catch up, momentarily forgetting all my sulking.
"YES!" Everyone yelled.
My mouth literally parted.
"Sissss, Yahoo. We're here! Sissy, say yessssss!" That was the loudest and most catchy voice I heard, making me search for its source.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing—it was Stacey and the whole family. She was happily waving her hand. Toby was in Dad's embrace, smiling innocently while holding a light stick.
I looked at Mom; she smiled as if giving her permission. Dad's expression mirrored hers. Then I turned to Raze and made up my mind.
His eyes were filled with hope. Tears began to stream down my face silently.
"Raze, yes! It's a yes. I'll marry you!"
"Whoo!" everyone chanted.
"Yes! YES!" he exclaimed, throwing the red box aside and placing the mic on the floor. He then sweetly slid the ring onto my finger, stood up, and kissed my forehead.
"Eight letters for you, love. I love you!" he said with so much affection and hugged me tight.
"Eleven letters for you: I love you too."
All the sadness, jealousy, doubt, and displeasure vanished, replaced by a profound sense of security now that he had proposed.
He had made me cry, and now he was explaining to his fans why he had hidden for so long—perhaps he was waiting for this day.
I love him, and he is the reason for my rare heartbeat.