Chapter Nine: Secretly Dying Inside

"Oh, you don't have to worry about it. I'm pretty sure that I didn't mention my girlfriend's name in that phonecall." Oliver said, while shrugging in return.

"Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me. I'm a loner after all." Lara enunciated.

Oliver took a deep breath before he spoke again.

"To tell you the truth, I'm getting really tired of keeping my secret. But exhausting as it may seem, keeping this secret is the only way to protect the woman that I love." he said, with a serious look on his face.

"I'm not really great at giving advices, but I can assure you that I'm a good listener and I'm damn good a keeping secrets." Lara said in return.

"Well, I believe in you. We've been talking for a few minutes now but we haven't introduced each other properly. I'm Oliver Doe..." he finally introduces himself, as he offered his hand for a handshake.

"Yes, I know you. You're the Head of the Security here at Etoile Cosmetics Company." stated Lara.

"Let's just forget about our job titles, shall we? We're talking here as friends, and not just co-workers." Oliver suggested.

"Oh, okay then. Nice to meet you, Oliver. I'm Lara Smith." Lara introduces herself as well, while accepting Oliver's handshake.

"There. That is much better." Oliver nodded approvingly.

Lara was about to say something when she finally remembers one important thing. Her eyes widened in shock when she realized that her 15-minute afternoon break is finally over and she now needs to go back to work!

"I'm so sorry, but I need to go now. I guess I'll just see you around."

Oliver was about to say something as well, but she wasn't able to do so because Lara started running away without even looking back. But in the end, he just smiled, while thinking have peculiar his new friend is...

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AMANDA MONTSERRAT

Amanda and Emmett are currently at Mrs. Albreicht favorite couturier's shop, as she is trying some wedding gowns for their upcoming Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

Mrs. Albreicht is currently at the dressing room trying on some of the wonderful creations by the couturier, while Mr. Albreicht is also at another dressing room, trying on some black suits.

"I can't believe that your mother and father have been married for sixty years already!" Amanda gushes towards her future husband.

"I can't believe it as well, but here they are. They're still going strong and I think it's a great feat." Emmett smilingly stated.

"They're really amazing." Amanda spoke again.

The fitting rooms' curtain suddenly opens and they both saw Mr. and Mrs. Albreicht.

Mrs. Katherine Albreicht looks like a fresh and blushing bride, while Mr. Albreicht looks like a dashing gentleman in his black suit.

Emmett and Amanda stood up and smiled at them.

"So, what do you think?" Mrs. Albreicht asked Emmett and Amanda.

"You look so wonderful, Mrs. Albreicht!" Amanda smilingly exclaimed.

"Oh, thank you, sweetheart." the old woman thanks her future daughter-in-law.

"And how about me, son?" Mr. Albreicht asked his son as well.

"You looked like a Hollywood actor from the Golden era, Dad. You look great!" Emmett gave his father a thumb's-up sign.

"Oh, I've just got a wonderful idea! Why don't you try on some wedding gowns and suits? Anyway, we will be busy with your wedding preparations in the near future." Mrs. Albreicht suddenly suggested.

"That's a good idea, darling." Mr. Albreicht nodded in agreement.

Mrs. Albreicht started talking to the staff and asked them to assist Emmett and Amanda. The staff smilingly escorted the engaged couple in a separate fitting room to try on some beautiful gowns and gorgeous suits.

Everything went by so fast and now, Emmett and now, Emmett and Amanda are wearing a gown and a suit. They both waited, until one of the shop's staff pulled the curtains.

And when the curtains finally opens, Emmett and Amanda smilingly stared at each other.

"You look like a dream, Amanda."

"You look like a dashing prince in a horse, Emmett."

Emmett and Amanda spoke at the same time, and as a result, they started laughing together.

"Okay, enough of that, guys. Let's all take a photo with our gowns and suits on." Mrs. Albreicht suggested, while looking excited.

Emmett, Amanda, Mr and Mrs. Albreicht squeezed themselves together and asked of of the staff to take a photo of them.

Everyone seems to be happy, but deep inside, Amanda feels like she a damn good actress eventhough she feels like dying inside.

There are some times that she wants to leave everything and just run away from all of these, but she will hurt a lot of people in the end.

If she's going to go with the flow and sacrifice her own happiness to make everyone happy, she will also hurt another special person that has been a part of her life for almost two years now.

She is in a serious dilemma right now. She is thinking about many other people that can be affected by any decision she makes,

If she is going to choose her own happiness, she will hurt Mr. and Mrs. Albreicht, Emmett, and most especially her beloved parents. But if she chose to be an obedient and dutiful daughter, she will leave a very special person in her life heartbroken.

She can't tell others about her problems because in a rich woman's world, no one should be trusted. And now she needs to decide all by herself, and it's up to her if she will listen to what her mind says, or she should listen to what her heart says.

She doesn't want to create any scandal that could ruin her own family's reputation. Any bad news can cost her father's life. Her father has been suffering from a heart disease as long as she can remember, and she doesn't want to give him a heart attack once he knows the truth about her. She loves her parents so much, and she doesn't want to hurt them as much as possible.