Gertrude 4 years

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 and have a regular job. We don't mind the fame everyone wanted. They don't know how terrible it was because you don't have enough space and private life.

When I came back I didn't know dad has crafted something behind my back. I haven't laid my back on my bed yet and dad calls me to have dinner with his business partner. I wasn't aware it was Jonathan's family.

I attended the meeting first before following dad to the address he gave me. It's been 4 years so I forgot everything and didn't recognize that I am entering Jonathan's mansion.

Dad trained us to be always grateful, and respectful and to feel sorry when we are sorry. I was really sorry for being late for the said dinner. I acknowledge my presence at the same time saying sorry while giving respect to Jonathan's parents as Gideon and I used to do. People think we are really rivals but actually, it's just the business but we don't do it personally.

I didn't expect to see Jonathan on my 1st day coming back. I was struck by him as usual. He becomes mature and hunk as he is! He gained muscles on his body and a perfect model face. He is the man who makes my heart flutter and stomach churn insanely.

When our eyes meet, my heart fluttered unable to breathe. I gasped locking our eyes, speechless. I want to run back to my car and hide but my feet were glued to where I am standing. I felt my mouth zip tightly unable to speak. I don't know how long we are staring at each other until our parents called us. His stare is like a laser!

"Sweetheart!" Dad called me. I close my eyes and calm myself to breathe properly before looking at dad. He smiled sweetly that he used to send us if he is comforting us publicly. I smiled back before acknowledging Jonathan.

"Hi! Glad to see you again! I hope I didn't offend you." I tried my best to speak comfortably even though I couldn't. I just think about dad to mask my emotions and become as professional as I was trained. I don't want to embarrass dad and myself.

"Hi!" He just simply uttered as he was struggling with what to say as well but when he grips my palm sends something else that I should be aware of and scared of! I lift my gaze to meet his and his eyes have a lot of puzzled emotions and questions. I maintained my posture and my face not alarmed by his signals.

Whatever it was I know I wasn't indebted to him, he was the one who is indebted to me same with Jessica but I didn't come here to deal with that. I am here to help my parents and our business! Just don't pull the trigger on me.

We both sit facing each other which is not a good setup as we are not comfortable. How are we going to mask ourselves to pretend we are fine looking at each other? I felt that Jonathan is mad at me but I don't know why? All I know before I left we are already friends but why isn't he pleased to see me? His deep stare is unpleased as well as his body language. I don't know what is this dinner about. I just came to say hi.

"Thank you Homer and Gertrude for coming tonight. Though it was short notice we still made it." Uncle James started. We click our wine glasses to cheer. Jonathan is masking his emotions. After Uncle James say that he glances at Jonathan who is not on himself. He was lost just staring at his food.

"Thank you, uncle James. We are pleased to see and join you tonight." I started to give Jonathan time. He was yanked from his reverie when I speak slowly touching his feet accidentally. He raised his head and looked at me but I move my gaze to his father. He paled when he realized he was lost.

" I'm sorry uncle Homer, Gertrude for being rude tonight. We are pleased that you accepted our invitation and I almost didn't recognize Gertrude. She's stunning and elegant!" He uttered. Everyone smiled and was happy but Jonathan wasn't. He just used those words to block his embarrassment and he succeeded as everyone cheered on him.

" I'm glad you find my daughter stunning, Jonathan. I really like you, honestly." Dad beamed, surprising me. What does he mean by that? Jonathan blushed unable to respond to dad. His parents were delighted as well smiling. Am I the only puzzled or the same with Jonathan? Our parent's smiles and gestures are telling us something else the naked eye can not see.

"Uhmn!" Still, Jonathan couldn't speak, blushing don't know where to throw his gaze until it landed again on me. He gasped before he smiled genuinely but for me, I don't think it was. I learned four years ago not to assume things it's painful. Better to assume the worst and it wouldn't hurt. I didn't expect a good thing to happen to me here personally but still looking forward to the bright side. As much as possible I want to work smoothly like in Italy.