Chapter Two: Sick of You

“Dress up tonight. We are going to a party,” Karlos suddenly said in the middle of our silent dinner.

“What?” I said and lifted my face after staring at my plate for a long time. “Party where?”

“At Mr. Montero’s engagement party,” he said while casually forking the steak on his plate and chewing it formally.

“Your business partner?”

“Yes. In three months, he is going to marry his fiance who is pregnant and we are also invited to their wedding.”

I pouted. “Do we really have to go?”

“Of course,” he immediately said. “You are going to be a CEO after your MBA in your dad’s company, Minerva. Mr. Montero is one of your powerful business partners, so you have to coordinate and get to know him very well. He is also a good friend of mine, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

I furrowed my eyebrows and secretly glared at him when he looked at his ringing phone beside his plate. He did not even hesitate just to answer it and excused himself from the table so he could talk to his office secretary from the other line.

He just sounds like my parents who dictate everything for me!

Karlo, you better prepare yourself someday! Argh!

Just like what he wanted, I prepared all of my fancy dresses that I used to wear in social, formal, boring parties where my parents attend to ever since I became eighteen. From my best golden to silver dresses, I plastered them all to my bed and contemplated what to wear tonight. I did not want to look bad, but I also do not want to steal the spotlight of the bride. I could be more beautiful than her, but the dress, man!

I shrugged and picked the golden rose satin dress that would perfectly shaped my body. I have not worn this but I remembered buying this one from one of the expensive boutiques in the city. It’s Versace.

After I did all of my dressing and makeup rituals, I went outside my room. I was carrying my silver mini purse while closing the door. I also heard the other room closing, and when I looked at it, Karlos’s eyes and mine met.

He was breath-taking. He was wearing a clean jet black tuxedo, black slacks, and shiny black shoes. With his hair gelled and styled into right places, he was astonishing to stare at. I had to gulp in intensity and snapped out before he catches me appreciating his looks tonight.

“Are you ready?” he asked after he looked at me from head to foot. “You’re very beautiful. As always.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. I cleared my throat. It should be nothing. I am already used to being complimented as pretty and sexy, but I don’t know - just feels awkward when he is the one saying it.

“Thanks. Y- You also look dashing…”

Why am I stammering?

After my pressured praise, he just nodded before turning his back and started going down the staircase. I let go of a long exhale, realizing that I have been holding my breath whilst talking to him.

Damn, Minerva, you look so stupid.

“I will go with you in the States when you take your MBA,” Karlos broke our deafening silence inside the car when he spoke. “It would be next week, right?”

We are already currently in our car, heading to the party of his friend in business. As usual, I am already bored in the passenger seat, watching the city lights with the huge buildings and infrastructures in the middle of the busy road. I mean, what’s new than this boring and forced marriage?

“Why are you going with me?” I reacted because that was all so sudden. “I thought you have also business trip that time?”

Of course I will react. I was planning to bring Ian with me in the States so while I am studying, I could spend my time with him in my apartment. And now, this annoying guy is going to be with me?

“I rescheduled my business trip,” he said, his eyes are still on the road but I saw how he got panicked a little bit, “and decided that I also wanted to have vacation for a while.”

“And your supposed vacation is in the States with me?” I sarcastically pointed out.

“Yes.”

I frowned. “Do you even know what vacation is? Going to beaches or hiking in the mountains? Not laying on the bed all day and waiting for me to come home from the university?”

A small smile formed in his lips. “The last one was better…”

I rolled my eyes. “You know what? I want to be alone while taking my MBA. Just focus on your business or something, but I don’t want you to be with me, Karlo.”

“But-“

“Don’t you get it? I am sick of you!”

His words stayed in his opened mouth. I could not see his expression anymore when he looked away and turned to the car window. I rolled my eyes and irritatedly looked at mine. But after a while, I was tempted to steal a glance at Karlo on the driver’s seat because he fell silent. That’s when I saw his mixed pain and confusion across his face, making me feel guilty about what I said.

Did my words hurt him that bad?

During the ride, both of us did not utter a word until we already arrived in a fancy hotel. It was mixed with gold and silver, and I know that only wealthy and influential people go here cuz it’s the most expensive hotel in the city. As I admired the beauty of the new hotel, I felt the heavy tension of Karlo beside me, urging me to look at his way. He was unbuckling his seatbelt. Then, he sighed.

“If you need me, I am just around the venue. You can roam in the party,” he said blankly.

“Okay,” I said, a playful smile on my lips because that would mean that he will not disturb me or anything. “If that’s what you say, then I will have fun…”

He did not even look at me when he went out of the car.