Gertrude Pov...
We are having our usual bonding with Jessica. Shopping and eating finger - licking food everywhere. This is how we treat our stress and depression. Luckily, we have a body that never gains fat. Whatever we eat, we are still sexy and flawless. Most envied us even our friendship.
"Oh god, Gertrude! Victoria's secret is having a fifty percent discount today, I almost forgot!" She exclaimed. One of our weaknesses is collecting Victoria's secret lingeries or any brand of lipstick as long as it's bold! She didn't even hear my response as she ran towards Victoria's secret shop. I laughed, catching up with her.
We were busy buying our lingerie when she received a call. She was ecstatic, jumping, and giggling in front of me before answering her phone. She calmed herself before talking.
"Hi!" She greeted, retraining herself on how excited and flattered she was. I bite my lip watching her.
"Okay! As in now?" She asked to confirm.
"Okay! I'm with my bestie right now but I can ask her to come with me!" She responded, still restraining her giggles, biting her lower lip.
After the call, we immediately asked the sales lady to wrap up our orders to go to the plaza where she was asked to go. I followed her silently as I couldn't relate to her happiness. I don't know what it is all about! All I know is to support my bestie.
While nearing the place where she was told, I could see a little crowd and my heart thumped faster! I couldn't breathe properly. My legs are starting to shake nervously! Why am I feeling this way? What is in that crowd that makes me shiver like this? I keep on asking myself. I was supposed to pull Jessica's hand when a group of couples serenaded her while they were giving her a bud of roses from each of the people she passed by. I stay back watching what is going on.
When they stop singing, another sexy baritone voice sings a song by Bruno Mars: Just the Way you are!
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
I focused on the voice and saw who he was. My heart sank, unable to breathe, staring at him lovingly singing a perfect song for her. I felt my heart slowly rip into my chest agonizing! Why? How? These are the words that slowly slip on my lips, watching them.
I can barely stand to watch them. My tears slowly fell as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs. I love him so much and supported him, but why did he pick Jessica?
After he sings the whole song to serenade her. He gave her the big bouquet of flowers before asking her:
"Hi, Jessica!" He greeted her, smiling and staring at her lovingly.
"Hi Jonathan!" Jessica giggled.
"I don't know how to court a woman, but one thing I know, and for sure, is that I like you!" He started. The pain is already unbearable listening to and watching them. I can't believe witnessing this scene. I thought Jonathan liked me as I got all his responses, but what just happened? I mumbled, sniffling a few meters away from them.
Jonathan pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it in front of Jessica.
"Jessica, will you be my girlfriend?" Jonathan asked. Jessica couldn't contain her happiness.
"Yes! I will Jonathan!" She beamed, accepting the necklace while covering her mouth full of excitement. Jonathan put the beautiful necklace on her neck.
I cried, walking away from the crowd. My heart is already crushed, unable to stand.
I was almost home when my phone vibrated. I smiled bitterly, accepting her call.
"Hi Jessica!" I pretended not to know anything even if my heart wanted to jump into my chest.
"Oh my god, Gertrude! I just said yes! You can't believe who asked me today to be his girlfriend!" She exclaimed, ecstatic! I can still hear people cheering at them.
"Congratulations Jess!" I beamed happily, masking my pain.
" Where are you? You shouldn't leave Gertrude. I should introduce him to you!" She whined. For what Jessica? Just to rub salt in my wounds! I mumbled, clenching my fists. She knows how much I like Jonathan, but now they are a couple!
I loved Jonathan and helped him all the way, but what happened? I thought he liked me as I received his notes saying he was excited to meet me and was grateful for all my efforts.
After this month we are graduating and I have enough reason to leave. I should pursue my dream and come back as the best designer. I will not let the Felicity name go in vain. Jonathan was the reason stopping me to go abroad and choosing to work at the company, but now it's time to let go. I heard Jessica will help her parents manage their school.
"I'm almost home, Jessica. Mom called! You can introduce him some other time. Just enjoy the night, there Jess!" I chanted before turning my phone off. I know she will not stop to keep on bragging. I sighed driving to our village.
"Hi! Good Evening!" I greeted the guard before completely entering the subdivision.
I slowly drive not to distract my parents. I told them Jessica and me, are having a sleepover in their house and yet I am coming home with swollen eyes.
I didn't grab my stuff, walking towards the door when the door suddenly opened. My eyes bulged in surprise seeing my older brother standing.
"Oh my god, Gideon! When did you arrive?" I exclaimed, surprised. I forgot about Jessica and Jonathan.
"Hello, my beautiful baby sister!" He beamed, pulling me into a bone - crushing hug.
"I miss you!" I cried, hugging him back. The only person that will never hurt me and always protect me is my brother, besides my father.
"I miss you too. I came to fetch you!" He stated. I pulled off our hug and looked at him. Is he serious?
"Are you serious?" I asked, unsure of him.
"I am Gertrude! They doubled the offer and I said, you are already graduating this month! Take it Gertrude, and it's just for four to five years, then you are free to build your own!" He enunciated.
I nodded, not thinking about declining his offer. I know this is the best for now and it's what I needed to grow up and become someone else. To pursue my dream I need to sacrifice something in exchange for fame! I am not a teenager anymore who is waiting for her crush to arrive. I need to establish myself for my future!
Jonathan Pov...Before we graduate, say our goodbyes and congratulations, and have our separate ways for our plans in life or where to work. I planned how to get her yes since we only had a few more days to see each other again. Our graduation is fast approaching and it's a tight leash. I called for a reinforcement to set up Jessica. Fortunately, everything worked as we planned. I was really nervous she would reject me if I compared it to what I got from her. I checked thoroughly to the last minute and she loved surprises! It's a nerve-wracking setup, but worth it now. I'm still not over what happened last night! I'm beyond happy that she said yes! Our plan with my colleague works. The smiles, giggles, and laughter we had that day are like music in my ears and keep on replaying. She's been helping me since my freshmen here. My family is rich and if I were to ask I wouldn't want to study hard, but my father needs to have our certificate hanging on our wall and I will manage our busin
Jessica Pov... No one will know that I betrayed my best friend and had the man she wished to have. Gertrude actually has everything! She is always an A student, beautiful, and a muse, while I am a dumb friend following her around. I had a perfect beautiful body that catches everyone's eyes, including Jonathan's attention, but my body wasn't enough. He also needed a brain and that's what Gertrude was capable of. While he was going to their company, I helped him finish his tasks regularly with the help of Gertrude and even used Gertrude to write perfect lines to capture his heart. I succeeded in being the beauty and brain in his eyes and the dream of getting laid by him successfully happened when I said yes to him. I will grab the chance since I have been dreaming of that for so long. Bumping with him before wasn't an accident, it was planned in an accidental way. I'm really happy that I want to tell Gertrude everything about how he courted me, but Gertrude is always busy. I walked to
Jonathan Pov....I woke up groaning with a heavy head. I know my parents were not just pissed right now, but damn furious. Who would publicly publish that video after our graduation? Who would plan like that? That video was already removed three years ago, and we paid the person who owned that video! How in the world, there is still a copy of it? Damn it! I cursed, furious.She seduced me that day when I was pissed. That cheer leader was always following me around, mocking me and calling me a gay. I just wanted to prove to her that I wasn't, the fact that I had just lost my virginity because of the bet with one of my classmate's sister who is also part of the cheering group.When I lost my virginity, I started to become wild and crave for more and here comes that cheer leader poking on my nose. She just got what she deserved that day. I totally rammed it wildly. I made sure she wouldn't walk around telling them I was a fucking gay who loves men, but why did I end up in that shame when
Jonathan Pov... It's been four years now and I survived managing the company. Dad was still there for me to guide me in everything. Some complained I was too young to take on the big responsibilities, but dad explained that he trained me well and must start when you are still young. Dad believes that wild ideas can bring us more luck. A lot of things happened and one is about Felicity Tower opening another tower and our investors are investing in them as well. My hatred towards Gertrude spiked. I believe she did that four years ago to steal our investors. They are already loaded, but why take ours? That's the question that I wanted to ask her but I can't ask her. Dad was still skeptical about what I told him and still looking for a chance to meet her. Dad believes something was not right that day. He thinks Gertrude is a pure and innocent woman, but for me, she is a gecko hiding from her beautiful color. I don't know if he knows Gertrude. That's why he was nice to her on our graduat
Jonathan Pov...It's our five years anniversary with Jessica. I want this anniversary to be different from our previous anniversary. I canceled all appointments for two days to spend with her. This year we will go to Korea as she dreamed to meet the kpop idols she was crazy at. She wasn't aware of my plan yet. Our flight will be later tonight, so, I prepared everything for us.I'm still staring at the ticket I bought two weeks ago. Surprising your beautiful woman is the best euphoric feeling I felt. She was the love of my life I always wanted to be with the rest of my life.We are not just going to Korea to spend our Anniversary. I planned to propose to her! I can't wait to see her reaction. This anniversary is well planned a few months ago.I was jubilant and excited to pack my stuff when my phone rang continuously. I stop packing and reach for my phone. I immediately answered as it was dad calling."Dad!" I grasp to answer him."Where are you?" He asked agitated."At my apartment da
Gertrude Pov...After graduation, I planned to come back, but when I started to get used to staying in Italy I choose to live there. My work was quite fun and I'm loving it. I also meet a new friend that was my high school classmate. We worked together and I maintained low-key living there. Some still recognize me as I look like my mom. I don't want people to chase me because of my fame or my wealth. All I want is for people to know me for who I am.I'm glad I didn't feel any homesickness and my brother was there for me though he loves to tease me most of the time. Gideon make sure I am not home alone!I don't want to come back as my heart is still recovering until now. I felt my best friend betrayed me, but I can't do anything as dad needed my help now that mom is sick. No one knew mom was sick as we always keep our personal life private.Maybe we had everything and deserved the limelight but we weren't. We wanted to have a simple and peaceful life as long as we eat three meals a day
Jonathan Pov...I am not comfortable after dinner the other night. It seems Gertrude is not aware of anything either. I know dad and Mr. Cushe is up to something and that bothers me so much!Today is our anniversary with Jessica but dad asks me again to come home early as we need to talk about some important matter that can't wait. Sometimes I feel like dad is doing this on purpose. I had my personal plans but he always calls interrupting my personal affairs. I just hope Jessica won't find faults in me!I sighed, picking up my stuff to leave and meet Jessica before going home. We could set some other day for our date."Hey, baby!""Babe, I'm already here! Where are you?" She asked, maybe worried I wouldn't show up."Just leaving the office. See you in a bit baby. I love you!""See you, babe! Love you too!" She beamed.I arrived at the restaurant quickly as no traffic jam. I already saw him sitting at the corner spot. I walk towards her and surprise her with a kiss on her head."Babe!"
Gertrude Pov..I'm still tired after my meeting and presentation but dad called to come over for some important matters to talk about. When dad called like this I know it was rare and really important."Thank you Ms. Cushe!" The host gestured smiling. I smiled and show my appreciation before leaving the conference room completely.I want my personal space that's why I didn't want to have a driver. I drive my own car though it's a hassle sometimes."Dad, mom I'm home." I bleat entering the house."Mam, they are in the dining room." Our housemaid informed me. I smiled in response."Thank you!" I uttered putting my bag on the side table before walking into the dining room. I kiss their cheeks before sitting."How was your day sweetheart?" Dad asked."Tiring but it's fun dad!" I laughed. Mom smiled. I'm glad she is recovering now."You will get used to it, sweetie. When your mom is finally fine I will go with you to all conferences to guide you." Dad chimed."I love that dad. I miss going