HSC: Chapter 1

   

     Aaliyah Eunice's POV

      “Aah! Manang's pineapple juice is really delicious!” I said happily as I lowered the glass. I hoped Manang had made a lot of it so that I could take some to my room later and have something to drink while thinking about my designs.

     I put my drinking glass in the sink to wash. I'm used to this routine. I don't rely on our maids when it's like this, especially if I can do it. Manang raised me to know all the housework. Even though my parents are wealthy and we have maids at home, she still taught me for my sake and because I can use it one day.

      She also said that I need to learn because I am a woman, and it is good for a woman to know about these kinds of things, especially when I get married so that I can take care of my future husband. So, one day, I will cook Travis his favorite foods because he will be my husband! Then I would wash the dishes we ate while he helped me. I will be a good wife when Travis really becomes my husband.

     “My God, Eunice, there you are again in your imagination. It's impossible to happen! Even if you love that man, he doesn't care about the world because what's important to him is his company. You're just dreaming. You're going crazy! I'm talking to myself again! Tsk!” I scolded myself.

      After washing the glasses, I wiped my hands and went upstairs to continue my work. I was just coming out of the kitchen when I heard a loud shout. It was coming from outside. My forehead furrowed because the voice sounded familiar.

     “Brother! Come on!? She doesn't know anything about it, okay? Don't—brother!” "Brother!" Oh my gosh! It's Trish's voice! I hurried to the door to see what was going on outside. When I opened the door, I didn't expect to see a breathless Kaden Travis Dela Cerna.

     “Oh God! Brother! Let's go home, please. Don't make Daddy so angry!” I turned my gaze to my best friend, who was now behind her older brother, also gasping.

     “Trisha, shut up.” I stopped when I heard Travis's cold voice. Even the stare he gives me now terrifies me. Gosh, what's going on? Why are they here in front of our house? Though I'm nervous and clueless, I dared to ask.

    “U-uhmm... what's going on here? Why are you shouting, Bes? And why are you here in front of our house?” I asked, looking confused.

    “A-ah, bes, it's a lo-” Trish didn't finish what she was saying because her older brother spoke.

    “Come with me, Aaliyah.” What? Go with him? Why? I was even more confused.

    “Where are we going?” I asked, but to my surprise, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out. Oh gosh, what's really going on? I turned my gaze to where my best friend was standing. I could see the fear in her eyes. It shook before closing the door of my house and following us. What does the fear I see in her eyes mean?

     Aaah! What exactly is going on here? Travis took big steps as he pulled me away. Jeez! While I was trying to keep up with him, my legs are small, and he has long legs. Just one step of Travis equals two steps for me. My god!

  

     When we entered their yard, I felt his grip on my hand tighten even more. What am I going to do here in their house? Why did he bring me here? I looked behind me to see if Trish was next to us. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her, but I noticed that she seemed to be crying. Why?

     My best friend and I are just neighbors, and I don't know why her older brother pulled me here. It doesn't look like anything good is going to happen. We went straight to their garden, and there I saw Tito Troy and Tita Kim. We stopped in front of his parents. My eyes widened as he pushed me in front of them; I almost tripped. Jeez! He's rude in that part! Why does he have to push me?

     “Is she the one you say I will marry, Dad? Huh? This girl?!” My eyes widened at what I heard. I turned my gaze to him. What is this man saying? What does he say he will marry me?

     “Son, calm down, okay? We can talk about this calmly. Eunice, come here and sit down,” Aunt Kim said calmly. Even though I was confused by what Travis said, I still nodded to Aunt Kim and sat in the vacant chair. Trish, who had been behind me earlier, also followed me.

     “How can I calm down, Mom? Daddy won't let me into the office just because of this useless thing? There, I brought Aaliyah Eunice here so she could find out what we're talking about. If she's aware that you want me to marry her, to a woman I don't love!” 

    I was surprised by what he said. I just bit my lower lip so hard. I don't even understand what's going on, but I'm sure the last word I heard, Why is so painful to hear from him that he doesn't love me. Why does it hurt to hear those words from the person you love? Yes, I loved Travis since we were kids. Until now, I secretly loved him. Anyway, what else can you expect from him, Eunice? Do you feel he will love you?

     But somehow, at least I hoped that he might notice me because he used to when we were kids, but when he started college and took over their company, he became serious from then on. It hurts so much. It hurts when you secretly love someone. Then you will hear from the person you love that he does not love you.

    “Why, Kaden Travis? Who do you want to marry? The woman you're crazy about right now? The female model named Mikaela Mayell, huh?” We see how Travis's eyes widened because of what Tito said. A model? Who b-oh gosh, didn't Tito say that the woman he's crazy about is Mikaela Mayell Pielago, the famous model here in the Philippines?

      “Tss! What did that woman feed you to make you go crazy with her? You don't deserve that woman, Travis!” Travis's aura suddenly changed because of what Tito said. I can see that he didn't like what his daddy said.

     “And who do I deserve, Dad!? To that woman who is Trisha's friend!? You want me to marry a woman I don't like? I don't love!? Is that so, Dad?” 

     Ouch! Does he have to say those words over and over again? I know he doesn't love me. I just bowed my head... everything I had imagined earlier suddenly disappeared. It really hurts to hope, especially if you're the only one who loves him and he doesn't know that.

      “Yes! You and Eunice are getting married! Remember Travis, other board directors have a keen eye on you because you're young! Ariel and I talked about it! When you two get married, the board of directors will not block your CEO status! Do you understand what I mean? So you choose! You marry Eunice or you lose everything!?” 

     What is this? Why didn't I know about this? Are they marrying us for Travis' company? Did Daddy know about this? The pain I feel has doubled. I feel like a toy that can be given away. I had no idea that something like this was happening. Mommy and Daddy... Why?

     “Your Uncle Ariel and Aunt Erin will come home tomorrow. We'll talk about your wedding with Eunice.” 

     “No! I will not marry her! I will find a way for the company! I won't hurt Mayell! She is the one I love, and she is the only woman I will marry!” 

    After Travis said those words, he turned around and walked away, but he still couldn't get away when Tito called him again.

      “Travis! Is this the woman you're crazy about? Is this the one you say you love and don't want to hurt? Look at this picture and video.” 

     Tito took some pictures out of an envelope and put them down on the table. I stared at them, and then my eyes widened, unable to believe what I was seeing. Trish and I looked at each other.

      I looked back at Travis, who was now back at our table. He was looking at the pictures on the table. I could see how his face changed. His hands trembled as he looked at the photos one by one. The woman he's crazy about and says he loves is kissing another man, and that's not the end of the revelation.

     We turned our gaze to Tito when he played a video on his laptop. He turned it over to Travis, and because Trish and I were curious, we also peeked at Tito's laptop. Trish's older brother was standing next to her, so it was easy for us to peek at it. Mikaela Mayell and the man with her in the picture were in an expensive restaurant. The man was holding one of Mayell's hands; it was super sweet of them. I couldn't take my eyes off the video.

    “God, I miss you, love. How long have I waited to see you again?” the man in the video said.

   “I miss you too, love. I'm sorry. I just had time to escape. I'm busy with the photoshoot, and I'm always with Travis,” Mayell replied.

    “Tsk! When will you leave Dela Cerna? I want to show everyone that you are my girlfriend. I don't want this setup anymore. It's so hard; I only see you once and be with you. I no longer want us to hide from them all,” the man said.

   “Don't worry, love; I'm just looking for the right opportunity to break up with Travis. You're the one I'll choose; you're the one I love. ok?” Mayell replied.

  “Thank you, love. I love you too. I will wait for you to leave Dela Cerna and come with me.” 

  “Just be patient, love; we'll be fine. For now, let's enjoy the food you ordered, ok?” Mayell said. 

      I slowly looked at Travis, who now had a very serious face. You wouldn't see any emotion on his face right now. We could feel the anger building in him. He clenched his fist with pictures of Mayell and her man.

    “I'll talk to her,” he said.

     At once, he turned his back on us again. None of us spoke. Uncle Troy let his son go.

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