Chapter 5

Chapter 05

The air was filled with gossip and stares as I walked passed some people on my way to a photoshoot though despite being used to it I couldn’t help but fathom how they try to hide their curiosity but still shows it the moment I show up.

I work with professionals, no one dared to asked but the headline about being tangled with Rowan Hermoso was enough for people to gossip and judge me, he was known to be engaged yet I still pulled that stunned in public.

Nelly was furious but as I always remind her, bad publicity is still publicity. This is what I want, the spotlight… enough to blind the people who rubbed me my future and identity.

“I love it!”

I posed to the camera, something I had learned to love for years. The shutter and the wind blowing my air took me to another world that betrayal and pain didn’t exist, only me and my passion.

But memory of Rowan slipped through my mind how his hand touched my skin,  how it burned my back and how it made my body react involuntarily.

“Perfect! It’s a wrap!”

The world I was sucked in, vanish and I was back to the studio where everyone was busy with their own role, my assistant immediately mended towards my needs and before I knew it I was out to the building and headed towards my next appointment.

I stare at the building in front of me and to the building next to it. Fire ignited as I was reminded how my family’s business was stolen and was led by people who were underserving of the position… and no matter how hard I try right now to claim it I couldn’t… yet.

I have a plan to follow and in the right time I will reclaim it, and lead it just like my father would have wanted. He was a weak man but he loved me dearly.

“They’re waiting for you.”

I stepped into the conference room with confidence, burying the hatred aside.

The meeting was about a campaign about showing appreciation towards fishing, since people assume that I grew up knowing that line of work because of my adoptive parents I was casted as the main model of the campaign and I couldn’t turn it down. It wasn’t my roots but I had appreciated the beauty of it.

As the meeting ended I spotted Alison outside the conference. Her surprise face immediately turned into a smirk as she approach me, my stepped slowed and faced her with a smirk as I noticed people were watching as the scene unfold.

“Funny seeing you here. Though I supposed you’re everywhere? Even the places where you have no business attending to.”

I chuckled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She laughed with a gritted teeth. “That’s what you’re good at… denying. Just like how you deny of flirting to my fiancé. How dare you pulled that trick.”

I wanted to laugh so loud as I watched Alison boil with anger, that’s just a small portion of anger I am feeling for stealing from me, I was just slowly reclaiming what was mine to begin with. Though Rowan was never in the picture I have envision but seeing Alison made me rethink my plans.

“Everyone knows how the Hermoso family wanted to get rid of you and your desperate little family. You’re engaged for years now and still no wedding? Isn’t that enough answer for you to realize that they’re breaking the engagement, they’re just being kind… I’m sure.” I curl my hair as I speak slowly, taking my precious time as she turn red, knuckles white from gripping to her bag.

“That’s not true. Rowan wouldn’t deny me and my family. He loves me.”

“Oh, now that’s just plain pathetic. You seem to be lying to yourself… I pity you.”

Her mouth open but no words came out of her mouth. I smiled and was about to walked away when I spotted Rowan amongst the crowd and on his way towards our direction. Though I couldn’t help but notice how people are prying to the scene, Rowan’s presence made me forget of another headline later on.

“R-Rowan.” Alison whispered, surprised and pleading.

Now she’s asking for help, where’s the bold Alison who stole my identity and threaten me in the past? She had gone soft… maybe because of the man in front, interesting.

“I didn’t know you were here, you haven’t been answering my calls.” His words were directed to me.

His gaze focused on mine as his scent filled the room, the warmth from his body as his skin subtly touching mine, the people around became a blur and my eyes were only focus on him. I shook my head and saw Alison that made me came back to my senses… I cannot fall for him.

“I’ve been busy and I realized that you didn’t want to get tangled with me. Your reputation and image is on the line… especially that you’re engaged.” Highlighting the word engaged at the end while my eyes fixated on Alison.

 I bit my lips when my words didn’t move him on bit, the distance between us was suffocating enough.

“That’s right. Know your place.” Alison stepped and held Rowan’s arms. The sight made me want to slap her… the audacity.

 Rowan subtly shake her hand away and glared at her. “You should apply your advice to yourself.” His voice was low but enough for the three of us to hear.

I couldn’t help to bite my lips, suppressing a smile.

Her breath heavy and brows creased. “Our parents signed an agreement and no matter how hard you try to push me away, double the amount I will pull you back to me. I always get what I want.” She whispered.

“My parents can’t make me do anything.” He growl.

My phone rang that caught our attention.

I stepped back, using the opportunity to leave. “Nice seeing you both… though I hope the next time I hope misunderstanding had been cleared. It’s a shame to let this feelings go to waste.” The last few words were a whisper to Rowan.

His eyes fixed to mine as I walked away.

Alison is beginning to crack… just like I planned.