HIDDEN PLAN

SEB POV

When Bree came out of the dressing room, I was stunned.

Gorgeous was an understatement on her looks today. She was stunningly gorgeous. As I watched her, I noticed that she was staring at me. I want to hug her and say how much I miss and love her, but I know I can't... not yet.

I still love her, from then until now. I know, and I feel that she still loves me. I could see it in her eyes. She was the only one I will treasure forever. I knew that I unintentionally hurt her because I engaged with Sam, but this was my only way to see and be with her again.

Even against my will, I went to America back then. I was scared when my mommy warned me that if I will not break up with Bree and will not follow her wishes for me to continue my studies in America, her family would suffer. I knew that it was not an empty threat. It was possible to happen.

Bree's father was working in a five-star hotel. We may not be the hotel owner where her father was working, but my mom was a close friend of the owner of that hotel. I don’t want Bree and her family to suffer because of me.

My mom knew that I could leave everything for Bree. I don’t care if they removed me as the sole heir of our family’s wealth nor will not support me financially. They knew that I would not bear to see Bree and her family face difficulties because of me. I can’t simply take that.

This was the reason why I chose to submit to my mom’s condition in the meantime until I can finally protect her.

Just like what I wrote in the letter I gave her, even though I am not with her, my love for her will never change. No one can replace her in my heart. I am very sure of that. It will always be her that owns my heart forever.

When I finished my degree abroad, I thought that I could finally go back to the Philippines and finally see her, but mom won’t allow me still. She made me handle our family business in America, which will serve as my training ground before I fully manage the whole family business. But I know better; she only wants me to be away with Bree.

I want to get mad, and I want to rebel. But I knew that it would do me no good. Instead, I chose to work hard and save. I am planning to run away with her, with Bree, and with her family. I know that if I run away with Bree, my mom will make Bree’s family her target. That is why I will bring Bree’s family with us to ensure their safety.

I know that it will not be easy because my mom will not easily give up. That is why I need to be prepared not only physically and emotionally but also financially. I know that I just need to wait for a little more, and I can finally be with Bree.

I already saved enough, but then my mom introduced Sam to me as my fiancee. Sam was my classmate at Harvard. We were not closed. I don’t have a friend there because my only focus and priority at that time was to graduate so that I can go back to Bree.

I want to get mad at Sam because she did not object nor reject our parents planned for us. But I can’t because she looks too weak and innocent. I don’t want to be unfair to her. That is why I told her about Bree. I told her about our relationship and even my plan to run away with her. And because of that, we can't be together. I can't marry her because it's only Bree that I want to marry.

She felt sorry for Bree and me. She wanted to help me. That is why we made a plan. We will let our parents believe that we were in love and that we want to already push through with the wedding. But we both want to do the wedding in the Philippines.

Once we arrived in the Philippines, we will continue our fake relationship until I win Bree back. In return, I will help her and her ex-boyfriend Gavin to be together again. She told me about his first boyfriend. She told me how much she loves him and her dream to marry him one day.

Our plan went smoothly—the reason why we were here now in the Philippines. But what shocked me was the night when I found out that Bree and Sam's ex-boyfriend, Gavin were together.

I want to be mad at her, and I want to confront her! Why didn’t she wait for me?! I waited for her! I’d only love her! Until now, I still can believe that she was able to love someone else, and she already forgets about me. While I am here still loving her.

I never let myself try to move on because I know that in the end, I will still choose to be with her. It was as if my heart was breaking every time I saw them together, especially when I saw them very sweet with each other.

I should have been in his place. I should be the one who should be with her, and I should be the one she cares for and loves!

It hurts even more because why does their relationship seem perfect?

Why do Bree and I have so many difficulties in dealing with?

Why isn't my Mom just like Gavin's Mom?

I hope that in the end, we will still be together.

Am I too late?

***

"Seb, are you okay?" Sam asked me.

I can hear the concern in her voice. We just arrived at her condo from our visit from Bree's photoshoot.

Until now, I can't believe that Gavin was right, that Bree was a natural model. It was her first time to post, but when you saw her earlier, it seems like she has been doing that for a long time.

Yes! She was beautiful and sexy but being a model never cross our minds. Bree's personality was too strong for that career. And it would be a waste of her talent if that were the career she would pursue. Don't get me wrong, and I do not underestimate modeling. I know that it was not easy, and not everyone can do that profession, but Bree's skills and intelligence do not fit in that kind of career.

"Same as you." I just said and shrugged.

I know, like me, Sam was also hurting. She loves Gavin so much that she has to do this. She's torn between Gavin and her family too.

What I just can’t understand was why can't talk to her parents about this? My situation with Bree was different from theirs.

Like Sam and me, Gavin's family was also wealthy. Inarez was even richer than the two of us. I'm sure their family will pursue their relationship. No one wouldn't dare to reject an Inarez.

"I still can't believe it. Everything was going according to our plan. And as far as I know, Gavin was still single. How did this happen? Why does it need to be now?" Sam said, a bit frustrated.

"I know," I said sadly.

Even I was surprised because even though I was in America, I will not let myself lose her, so I hired someone to tell me everything that was happening to Bree. I received no report about this from the person I hired.

When I asked her, she was even surprised. No one in her co-workers knew. I also paid one of Bree's co-workers. Bree was the reason why she's working in that company.

Based on what she had said, their relationship seems to be secret, and only during Sam's welcome party did the said relationship revealed. I don’t know who I should be angry with.

Should I be angry with Bree because she just let him hide their relationship? Is that guy ashamed of Bree? Or should I be mad at myself because maybe the reason their relationship was kept secret was that Bree was kind of traumatized due to what happened to our relationship?

Just like me, I know that Sam was frustrated too because of the unexpected things happening now. We were both excited about our plans and then suddenly as this happened.

"But the fight isn't over yet, right? We can still proceed with our plans, right?" Sam said desperately.

"I-i I don't know. Look at them. They look good together. They are perfect. Gavin's parents are there to support them, they complement well with their work, and they l-love each other." What I say almost breaks my heart.

Sam approached me. She hugs me to comfort me.

"Everything will be fine, Seb. The fight is not over yet. We can still proceed with our plan.”