Chapter 6 Diamonique and Future Plans

Since realizing that she is part of the Alejandro family clan, Cheryl knows that her life will not be monotonous. Every day there must be new things that surprise and delight. Sometimes it's tense and scary too.

An example of this was today when her father said he was allowed to return to work after their cruise ship pulled over two days after Mateo and Veronica's wedding reception was over. Because they were planning to do a cruise for three days and two nights on his father's luxury ship.

It's been almost two year since her misterious accident, an odd accident that happened after she came home from Diamonique with Veronica, the diamond jewelry company that her mother left when Cheryl turned 21.

Until now, Cheryl didn't know who was behind the mysterious attacks, nor did she know what the purpose of the attack was. All she knows is since that incident, his father has re-hired people to take care of Diamonique and made Cheryl unemployed who have many unimportant events.

Then… now she's back to getting permission to work in her own company, back to a busy life filled with busy schedules and fun things like checking the final design of a shimmering piece of jewelry. Cheryl can't wait!

"You look very happy," Carlos came out of the bathroom and kissed Cheryl's forehead with cold wet lips.

Cheryl looked up, looking at her fiancé with a big smile. Then she stood up and kissed Carlos on both cheeks so that man held her arms in surprise.

"I'm going back to work!" She exclaimed, not caring about Carlos, who was watching her closely.

“You… what?” Carlos walked back and brought Cheryl to sit on the end of the bed.

“I'm going back to work at Diamonique!” Cheryl repeated the pleasant news she just got a moment ago.

"Oh really? That's very good news, Cheryl." Carlos smiled, then hugged Cheryl happily.

“I know. I feel so happy too. For the past two year, I've been wondering how long I'll continue to be unemployed," Cheryl rolled her eyes, "do you think Daddy's going too much?"

"What do you mean?"

“About forbidding me to work,” Cheryl shrugged curtly, “how long will I be restrained like a child? I'm 26 years old, Carlos."

Carlos walked to the closet and began to choose the clothes he would wear. Busy schedule in the morning made him unable to spend too much time listening to Cheryl's chatter even though deep in his heart, he really wanted to stay longer with his girlfriend.

"I don't think there's anything wrong if you start to reduce your busyness, Cheryl."

"What? Why?" Cheryl walked up to Carlos, she reached out and chose a red tie that looked good with Carlos' black shirt. "Looks like this tie suits you." She said.

Carlos accepted the tie chosen by Cheryl and then lowered his head to let Cheryl wear the tie around his neck.

“I feel our time is getting less and less because I am busy with my work. When can we spend time together if you're also busy with Diamonique?”

Cheryl frowned briefly, "I used to work at Diamonique too, but we can still see each other every weekend."

Carlos sighed, "I know how much you like Diamonique, but I hope you don't forget that soon I'll be moving to Seattle to build a new corporate center."

She had heard about Carlos's move to Seattle for a long time, from that man and Mateo and Veronica, who constantly mocked her because she often complained about Carlos being busy.

Carlos's family owns a textile business that supplies fabrics to well-known clothing brands such as Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton. Carlos has two sisters who also work in the same business, but because he is the first child, Carlos inherits the family business. It has been three years since Carlos officially became the head of the highest board of directors, who regulates everything from the production process to distribution. Last year Carlos gave a gift in the form of 5% shares of his company at Cheryl's 25th birthday, so now Cheryl is also included in the ranks of shareholders in the company owned by her fiancé.

"Yes, I know. I've also considered moving the Diamonique production center to Seattle, so we don't have to face the trouble of meeting each other.”

"Wow, really?" Carlos raised an eyebrow.

Cheryl shrugged her shoulders, “Veronica kept shouting taunts for three days when she heard of my plan. But you were the last person to know about it.”

“Why did you make me the last person to know about your plans? Don't you usually always tell me everything?" Carlos's eyes narrowed in disapproval.

"How can I tell you that for the past three days? You've always locked yourself in your room while I'm busy talking to my entire extended family."

Cheryl walked away from Carlos. She chose to sit at the bedside of the hotel room that Carlos had ordered before he returned to his house in two days.

“You know I don't like that crowd, Cheryl. Haven't I told you, I'm not good at dealing with family?"

Cheryl sighed "they will also be your family after we get married." Cheryl squeaked in a low voice.

"Come on, Cheryl. I always try to do whatever you want me to do. However, dealing with family is not something that suits me.” Carlos complained as he walked over to her.

Cheryl didn't make a sound. She knew that Carlos had always tried his best for their relationship. Loyal Carlos, who never protested over any shortcomings she possessed, and Carlos often had to sacrifice to fulfill all her desires.

“Cheryl, you know that I hate to see you cry. So, please wipe away your tears and tell me what to do?”

Cheryl looked up slowly. She just realized that her makeup was starting to run down her face

"I'm not as lucky as you who have a harmonious family. My family is not as good as your family, Cheryl. Please understand."

Cheryl nodded her head curtly. "When are you leaving for Seattle?" She decided to change the topic.

"Maybe two more days. I have to start moving important documents to make the office center of DMG corp. You want to come with me?”

Traveling with Carlos is what Cheryl likes the most because to be honest, she doesn't get many opportunities to spend time with her fiancé. However, two more days was the first day Cheryl could return to work after she had been missing from Dominique for the past year.

"I don't think I can come." She nodded slowly.

"Why? I thought you didn't have any important schedule for the next week, so you could come with me to Seattle." Carlos looked surprised.

"I'm going back to work, Carlos. Did you forget?”

“Can't you just quit your job? You can go back to Dimonique whenever you want, but going to Seattle together isn't a chance we'll ever get again for the next few months.”

Cheryl nodded her head again. Not like before when they were both studying at the same university. She realized since Carlos became the head of the family company and she chose to be busy with Diamonique, they were spending less and less time together.

If Carlos can't leave his job and Cheryl chooses to be selfish by prioritizing her desires, their relationship will be even further apart than they are now.

“Alright, tell me when your private plane leaves. I'll try to come with you."

***

"Nothing's wrong, Mom. I postponed my work schedule because I planned to go to Seattle with Carlos this week.” Cheryl slowly closed her eyes while receiving a gentle massage on the nape of her neck and scalp, while on the other end of the phone, her mother continued to nag after hearing her decision to cancel plans for the next week of work.

“Have you asked Daddy's permission to go to Seattle? If he doesn't give your permission directly, my permission has no effect."

“Would you like to use a hair mask, miss?” A regular salon employee asked in a polite voice.

“Yeah, my hair's been a bit tangled lately. I want to use a honey and olive oil mask.” Cheryl answered before returning to focus on her phone call with her mother.

"I'll call Daddy when I get to Seattle."

"Cheryl, you know Daddy won't like it if you go out on purpose without asking him."

Cheryl nodded briefly even though she knew her mother would not see the nod, “Daddy will never permit if I don't go stealthily. I purposely told Mommy to get support in case Daddy and Mateo scold me,” she grumbled in a voice that was made as spoiled as possible.

"No, Cheryl. Mommy doesn't want to interfere with your problems with Daddy or Mateo. Your seduction doesn't work for me!”

Cheryl pursed her lips. Her title as the spoiled princess of the Alejandro family never works when used to seduce her mother.

“Mom, I'm moving the Diamonique center to Seattle. I'm also getting married to Carlos soon. I'm already 26 years old. How long will I have to be restrained like this? What would the world say if I let my future husband go alone while I prefer work?” She started to complain.

“You talk like a woman who has been married for ten years.” Her mother grumbled.

" I have a plan for my future. I don't want to—"

“You're not going to Seattle until you get Daddy and Mateo's permission. It's Mommy's decision." Her mother said as she hung up the phone.

Cheryl threw her cell phone on the table, making a loud sound.

Even though she is 26 years old, Cheryl is still a princess who can't break her family's rules. Her father was very indulgent and always did whatever he wanted. Still, when it came to Carlos, somehow, her father turned into an antipathetic man who was very difficult to deal with.

And, even though she was engaged to Carlos, Cheryl still couldn't freely travel with him without his father's permission.

Now Cheryl is in a big problem between breaking her promise to Carlos or breaking her father's rules.

What should Cheryl choose for her future life, which she will certainly spend with Carlos?