Three

" Damn! What have I've done? " He hit the table in front of him. It happened so fast that he couldn't control his outburst. He even saw the way Candice hugged the man and was surprised by his actions.

" Shit ! " He cussed.

Shouldn't he be happy now because he and Candice were over ? This is what he wants to happen, to end their relationship.

Why did he feel like there was a pinch in his conscience ? It's good that they are separated now, his problem is gone and what happened to them was to his advantage. He will not be branded as a cheater for reconcilling with his greatest love Arlene. Now, he is free to show the whole world his true love.

But he cannot forget her face when he saw her plead with tears in her eyes. Everything they've shared was not that important to him, maybe for Candice but not for him.

Now, he try to divert his attention to his paper works more than focusing on Candice. Later on his mind was pre-occupied with his work and successfully dismissed her from his thoughts.

After awhile, his intercom sound. Absentmindedly, he pick the phone.

" Yes ? " His voice sounds annoyed. Who the hell disturbed him?

" Hello, hon. " The other person greeted him. " Ahm, I was wondering if I can come inside your office ? Actually, I'm just a door away from you." She sounded sweet yet seductive. It tickes his imagination as he pump her hard non-stop..

Damn! What was he thinking ? He was affected once again with her sultry voice.

" Yeah, sure! " He answered without thinking. The door opened and there he saw the woman he loved. His brain didn't function well. She walk towards him like a slow motion, swaying her foxy. hips. He felt himself drooling at her.

And he wasn't prepared when she straddled him as soon as she was near him.

" Oh! " He hissed. She landed directly on his hard on. Double damn!

" I can't wait to be with you again so I decided to visit you here. " She said it with her fingers tracing the outline of his lips. He gulp and his adam's apple moved up and down. Arlene reach for his lips and give him a kiss. It was not a simple kissed but a torrid one. They exchanged salivas while their hands was busy touching and feeling each other. Arlene didn't changed and she looked young than her actual age of thirty-four, she was still the active partner when it comes to pleasuring him.

He can't help but close his eyes because of the tingling sensation he felt when Arlene's mouth suck his already tout nipple. But then, images of the happy woman and the crying woman in his office appeared on his mind. He automatically opened his eyes. He saw the woman pleasuring him as Candice. His eyes widened, on instinct he pushed the woman who looked like Candice.

" Ouch! Brandon! " Shout the voice that was so familiar to him.

" Oh, I'm sorry. " He abruptly stand on his swivel chair and helped Arlene to get up on her feet. Her face showed pain from the fall.

" I'm so sorry, Arlene. I didn't mean to-."

"Push me! Really, Bran? I heard you whispered a name of a girl. Who is Candice? " He was cut-off by Arlene. Her eyes showed remorse. His eyes flew to the other side of the room. He cannot face Arlene now considering he was caught by her.

He shouldn't be obvious to her.

" Why are you not answering me?! " She asked shouting. That it made him faced her. He frown. Why was she shouting at him? He didn't wronged her. He swallowed the lump from his throat before talking.

" Candice was my employee. " He said it without stuttering. He tried to look her in the eyes. Little by little her face changes from being a bitchy awhile ago to a sweet seductress. She tried to go near him again but he didn't allow it.

" I apologize for shouting at you, hon. " He nod. " Can we continue now? " She winked at him. He smiled lazily and shake his head.

" I want you to leave now, Arlene. I have so many paper works when you arrived that needs my attention, I hope you don't mind? " He said seriously to her. She was surprised to hear him said it. She wanted to shout at him again for taking her for granted. She came here because of him but he sent her away. Her ego was bruised.

She plastered a sweet smile in her face.

" Okay, hon. If that's what you wanted, I will go for now. But please meet me at my condo later. " She plead with puppy eyes.

" I will text you, Arlene. " He dismissed her.

" Fine. Bye for now, honey. " She kiss his cheek before heading to his door. She wave one last time and leave. He sigh. He thought Arlene would not leave him for a sec.

He felt something when they were making out.

Why on earth Candice came into his mind in the middle of their 'session'? Was Candice thinking of him that's why she came into his mind? Or some kind of a mantra.

He didn't understand himself. His head suddenly hurt without a reason.

¤¤¤¤¤

" Mom! Dad! " She exclaimed when she saw her parents at the arrival area. Happiness filled her heart. Though she was heart broken, she still felt happy because of her loving parents. She was an only child that's why their attention and love is only for her also.

She walked fast to them, pulling her two luggages with her right hand. She is so excited to hug them. Being far for two years from them made her missed them so much. They hugged each other when she finally got close to her parents.

" We missed you so much, darling. " The teary-eyed Martha hugged her.

" I missed you too, mom. " She said crying. " And I missed you, dad. "

" Your mom was right, we misses our little darling. Thank God you return home. " Her daddy was smiling and teary-eyed too.

" Oh, I love you both! " She exclaimed happily.

" We love you too darling !" Her mom said.

" We better be going ladies. " Rowland interrupted them and they agreed smiling.

Candice's eyes sparkles as they were entering Hacienda Villanueva. She saw the coconut plants surrounding the vast land of the Hacienda. Their family was an exporter of coconut products here and abroad. It was started by her great great grandparents and now her family. They also supply dairy and meat products to different supermarkets because they have cows and other and other animals, aside from fruits and vegetables.

Her dad and mom was the one handling their business. It was supposed to be her job but she wanted to live in the city so she convinced her parents before to go there. But after what happened to her and Brandon, she decided to go home. And here she is enjoying the scenery of their Hacienda.

While they were approaching the asphalted way to their home.

She saw her yaya Mary from afar. She was waiting for them outside their three storey ancestral home. She misses the old woman too. She can't wait to hug her tight as soon as they arrived.

When the car park at the driveway, she didn't waste time and immediately got out of the vehicle. Run towards her nanny and give her a. hug.

" I missed you so much, Nana! " She said pouting. Mary smiled widely to her.

" I missed you too, Candice. It's good that you visit us here after two years. " She was stunned and don't know how to answer her Nana. Is she going to tell her the reason why she moved back in this place? No! Mary might get worried and it's bad for her health to feel sad.

And so she plastered her wide smile to Mary.

" I'll be living at Hacienda Villanueva for good, Nana! " Mary's eyes twinkled.

" Really? " She nod. " Oh wow! I honestly don't expected that you would changed your mind, hija. But I'm so happy for you. "

" Thank you, Nana. "

They were at the dining when her dad talk.

" Now that you're here with us, I hope you could help me run the Hacienda, darling? " Rowland sounded expectant. She smiles to them.

" But of course, dad! That's my planned coming home in our province. " If only they knew the real reason. She wanted to forget the man who hurt her.

" That's great! It's good that you changed your mind about our family business, darling. Your mom and I wanted you to run our business but you said you want to work at the city. So, we let you. And now that you're here with us, telling us that you would like to be part of it, then I'm so over the moon. This is the time that I've been waiting for, darling. " Candice wiped the tears from her eyes. She wasn't expecting to be emotional after hearing her father's words. She had no idea what they've sacrifice for her dream.

" Oh, dad ! Thank you for supporting me all this years. I didn't know that you wanted me guys to run our family business. Thanks for understanding. From now on, I promise you and mom that I will be the better daughter you wanted me to be. And I will start it by taking over our business. It's about time that you relax, dad. Don't worry I can handle this, I'm a tough woman, remember? "

" Hush, now darling. You don't have to cry. We appreciate everything you said. We will always be ther for you no matter what. " It was Martha's encouragement that made her laugh.

" I'm so blessed to have you guys as my parents! " They all laugh of her words.

The dinner ended with both of them had a smile on their faces. She directly headed to hear princess inspired bedroom.

" It's nice to be back !" Looking at the interior of her room she remembered her childhood friend Zach.

Growing up overweight was a burden to her because she was always bullied by her classmates and acquaintances.

She was alone when a group of children bullied her but then a tall boy stopped them. She could still remember how he smiled at her.

" Are you hurt? " Said by the boy with freckles in his face. She slowly, shake her head.

" Y-you're just on time. Thank you for saving me. " She shyly said. She gave him a reluctant smile. He shrugged his shoulders. She frown when she remembered something.

" A-Are you Juan's son? " She remembered that this boy always accompany Juan when cleaning and talking care of their garden. He nodded.

" Yes, I'm Juan's eldest some. My name's Zach, by the way. " He introduce himself to her, offering his right hand for a shake. Her little hand reached for it.

" And I'm Candice. It's nice meeting you, Zach. " Showing her cute dimples in her cheeks.

" Would you mind if I want to be friends with you? " Zach asked after awhile.

" Sure! It's so nice of you to make friends with me. I-I don't have any. The children might bully you too if you make frineds with me. " She said worriedly.

" Nonsense! If I were you, don't mind those freaks. I want you to be my friend, Candice. If it's okay with you? " Her eyes lit up. The very first time that a child wanted her company.

" I want you to be my friend too, Zach! "

After that incident, they became best of friends. Zach helped her arranged her dull room into a disney inspired bedroom. And she loved it very much. She wondered if how was Zach now? He didn't want her to leave the last time they've talked. He was sulking knowing that she didn't listen to him. He was the only friend who accepted her despite being fat and of course, Donald!

¤¤¤¤¤

She slept well last night. She misses the fresh air in the province compared to the polluted city. Staying here is the best decision she ever made in her entire existence. She easily forgot the heartache she felt yesterday. Maybe because of the presence of the people around her.

She got up and went to her bathroom to take a bath. This is her first day of work here in Hacienda Villanueva. The excitement she felt was so overwhelming.

" Dad, I'm ready! " She revealed to his father. Rowland was amazed. 

" Let's eat breakfast first, darling. " Her dad smile to her. She followed him and take her seat at the dining. 

" The first thing we got to do is check all the areas if there is any problem. Our workers rises as early as four am to do their designated assignments like cleaning the barns, feeding the animals and watering fruits and vegetables. It's already seven-thirty in the morning I'm sure they are almost done doing these tasks. After this, we go directly to the factories. Check if there are discrepancies before we ship the products abroad. " Her eyes widened while listening to her father.

" That's a lot of work. " She can't helped but say it. 

" I know, darling. You've got a long way to go before you mastered everything." Rowland agreed. 

" I will do my best, dad. " She answered with conviction. If her dad can do it, she will also do it. After all, she was his daughter. 

" I know you can, Candice. "

" Thanks for the boost of confidence, dad! " 

On their way to the coconut plantation. She saw a man standing with his hands oh his waist, giving instruction to the workers. She couldn't beleive it with her own eyes. Zach! 

As soon as they parked, she immediately got out from the ranger and walk towards the man. 

" Zach! " She called him. He automatically turned to face here. Her smile faded when she saw him with a serious look in his eyes. 

" You shouldn't get near here, ma'am. The coconut might fall on your head and then you will get injured " He said a matter of factly. 

" Zach, I-I missed you so much. " Her voice was reluctant. He was not the same Zach she used to know. " Haven't you missed me too? " She was hoping that she felt the same with her. But he turned his back on her. 

Shocked was written all over her face. What's wrong with Zach? Is he mad at her? She admit she didn't listen to him before but it's not enough reason for treating her this way. They are best buddies. Or have he forgotten her? 

Zach resume giving instructions again. She was left alone by him. He didn't bother to turn around and see her. It hurts, but she has to be strong. She knew everything will be back to normal if she talk to Zach later. 

She decide to leave him and follow her father Rowland inspecting the other coconuts. 

" You shouldn't be here, ma'am. " It was his welcome greetings to her. She felt small upon hearing it from his bestfriend. Though, hesitant to come in his house. Still she continue, anyway.

" Will you stop calling me ma'am? We are bestfriends for Christ's sake, Zach! " She interrupted him when she was already inside his home. She'd been there so many times when they were younger, her last time was when she said goodbye to him before going to the city. 

He gestured her to sit on the couch and Candice followed. He then, sit on the single sofa opposite to her.