Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.
“You’re impossible! If that’s what you want, we don’t have anything to talk about here then. For your information, I don’t sell any of my paintings and most especially, I don’t need your fucking money, sports car, yacht, or condo! You can have them all by yourself including your damn massive ego! Excuse us. Nickos, let’s go… and please, don’t you ever try to follow us again, mister!” She sneered.
She even pointed her finger right in front of my face. She had these long and beautiful nails painted with a crack-styled cuticle that could scratch me anytime. “If you were used to getting things that you want, well this time, it won’t just work out.” She continued as if she had read what my mind was saying before she held her brother’s wrist again and started to walk away from me.
I used to reject people and this was the very first time in history I felt that I somehow… got rejected. I couldn’t accept this and I guessed, I had to make another way. I shouldn’t get my money involved. I should have not insulted her.
Tsk, Aris… wrong move!
I was wrong when I thought a while ago that she was only after me for attention… when in reality, I was the one here who definitely needed Drey Laxamana’s attention. I had to accept the fact that I didn’t have any other choice for now but to lower my ego.
Being obsessed with Juno, I wouldn’t let anything interfere with my search. I could feel that I was one step closer to know everything about her. Drey might get abhorrent with my existence, but I still followed them. I didn’t want to lose over our heated argument.
I didn’t want to win either. I just wanted us to have a normal conversation so I could know what was her exact relationship with Juno.
Not thinking about what might be the consequences of my action, I headed towards their way out and caught them in the parking lot. Nickos was already inside their black limousine but Drey was still getting into it when I decided to call her.
“D-Drey!” I shouted as I felt something inside me got intimidated. She turned around and looked in my direction with her eyes wide open.
“And it’s you again! Didn’t I tell you to stop following us? Or do you really want me to report you to the guards?” She glared at me while crossing her arms in front of her chest, raising her head at the same time.
She caught her chauffeur’s attention with her loud voice that was why the man began to intrude on our conversation. “Was there a problem, Drey? Did you know him?” he asked her before he suspiciously looked at me like I was nothing but handsome trouble. Yes, the word handsome was already with me ever since birth.
“Oh! Nothing, Uncle. I can still manage, this is just a piece of cake without any icing on it…” she answered him with a smile before she looked at me again with fierce in her eyes. “Now, what? Will you stop pestering us?”
So the old man was her uncle that she asked from Nickos a while ago. Okay, I got it! I thought, he was just a valet driver knowing that we were in the executive parking area of the airport.
“Please, Drey. I—I’ll do anything for me to have a copy of that painting. I will give anything that you want, I promise…” I pleaded earnestly. I just hoped that she could feel my sincerity. I was not faking it like what I had always been doing to strip a woman naked and make them cum in my bed.
I was so desperate thinking that Drey could be my last chance to see Juno. Never in my entire life that I begged for someone like this, only to her. And yes, never did I see myself that I would be doing this crazy thing—begging.
Most especially, begging for someone I didn’t even know!
“Why are you so interested in that painting? Hmm, let’s see… so you’ll do anything, really huh?” A wicked smile suddenly formed on her mauve red lips that made me slightly shiver. “Why don’t you just rob it inside the airport? That way, you’ll get it so damn easily without even bothering me! What a brilliant idea, right? Well… have a nice day, mister! I hope that this would be our first and last encounter. Goodbye!” She then climbed at the back seat of the limo as fast as she could, as her chauffeur that she called Uncle, immediately conformed to drive them.
That happened so fast that all I could say was, “Wait!” as I ran afterward to chase their car but hell, my steps would never be enough to tail them.
Shit! I have to follow her. But I have to take care of my personal belongings too. Damn it! Where’s my fucking chauffeur?
That was when my cellphone rang and the caller was no other than him. I gritted my teeth as I told him that I was in the executive parking area. He said that he was just on the opposite side and would be on his way to fetch me up. I already ended the call but my mind was still entirely focused on Drey Laxamana while looking in the direction I last saw their car.
Who are you? Why is it that the mermaid in your painting really looks like Juno?
It was such a good thing that I memorized her limousine’s plate number. I made a promise to myself that I would be able to find her, sooner than expected.
[Copyright© Nihc Ronoel]
“The car was owned by Ondrea Laxamana, bro!” said Jerome, my college buddy who was now the Finance Director at Montecillo Group.
I called him over the phone and gave him Drey Laxamana’s plate number. Montecillo Group of Companies or MGC mostly handled the land transportation in Manila as well as all documents related to private car registrations. Though, their main business was all about construction.
So Drey came from Ondrea. Oh! What a lovely name, huh?
“Thanks, bro… but could you give me her registered home address?” I asked.
I was desperate. To find Juno, I would do anything. And if that Drey would be the only person to help me, I would do whatever it takes just to please her.
“I’m sorry to say this but other than her name, I couldn’t give any further details. I hope you understand, man. I cannot disclose the details of her address as it was too confidential. But anyway, you can search her Famebook account or her photos on the internet. She’s quite a public figure, bro. Well, that makes me think about why you didn’t know her. Ah, I know right! You’re always busy dating your bunch of girlfriends,” and he really laughed at me on the other line, “but by the way, why did you suddenly ask about Ondrea Laxamana? What about her? Is she your new flavor of the month?” he asked.
“None of your fucking business, bro. Thanks for the help!” I smilingly said as I quickly ended the call. That way, I was able to get even with his mockery.
The new flavor of the month, huh? I doubt it!
After ending the call, my wallpaper suddenly appeared. Yes, I came back inside the airport yesterday and took a clear and high-definition photo of Juno’s painting.
But I was the type of person who would never be contented with just an imitation, I wanted the original. I could pay a top artist overseas to draw Juno the way I wanted. Actually, I already did that before… but they were all unsuccessful to depict Juno’s real-life emotions like what Drey vibrantly did in her masterpiece.
So, I opened my Qooqle app and began searching for Ondrea Laxamana. It took me a couple of minutes before I finally had some details regarding her and these are the things that I was able to know about her so far:
Ondrea Cresta Laxamana, also known as Drey Laxamana was a licensed engineer, but currently works as an endorsement model and a MeTube vlogger. She was the daughter and first-born child of Nestor Laxamana and Olivia Cresta—two of the owners and major stockholders of the famous Cresta-Laxamana International Airport or CLIA.
Well, I couldn’t believe that she was a licensed engineer. I was amazed… she might have both beauty and brains. But other than those, I wasn’t able to dig up for more information.
Uh oh! But I thought, she’s a public figure? Or perhaps, an artist?
I frowned. I didn’t see any details related to arts or painting exhibits that should be connected to her name. But well, that could be the reason why her painting was hanged at the CLIA when in fact, she doesn’t even sell any of her paintings. Her proud parents probably placed it there and creating murals might only be one of her hobbies. The same reason why her brother, Nickos, wouldn’t get lost there too. Maybe all his life, he was always at the airport.
After almost two hours of searching for Ondrea Laxamana from different websites, I still had the same results—no added information. I watched her latest video on MeTube, but it was only about her photoshoot in Japan. A few minutes went by and I already found myself searching with my Famebook app.
I wasn’t a Famebook user but I opened my account just to search for Ondrea Cresta Laxamana or Ondrea Laxamana but nothing appeared to be her profile. I then searched ‘Drey Laxamana’ on the search key and after pressing enter, many accounts appeared. About fifteen.
Tsk, how can I know who’s the real Ondrea here?
And so, I opened the one on top with her face as the display picture and noticed that she had lots of online fans. It surpassed the two million count. I began scanning her ‘About Me’ section and I literally gasped when I saw that…
She originally came from El Nido, Palawan.
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.“Aris, help me!”I heard how Juno cried out loud. She was not opening her mouth underwater, but I was one hundred percent sure that she was urgently asking for my help based on the tone of her voice screaming for my name.Unexplained dread and horror could be read through her entire beautiful face and I was such a fucking asshole that I couldn’t do something about it. I could feel how she was easily frightened by what was happening, but all I could do was just stare at her helplessly.She was imprisoned in a black cage covered by dead kelps, eerie seaweeds, and water snakes. Her beautiful wrists that were handcuffed and chained at each end of the cage were being wounded every time she struggled to be free from those rusty shackles.As some of her blood was getting mixed up into the sea, her golden tail that was also tied up front seemed to lose its vibrant tint. It was slowly and erratically varying into white, which could be the reason for her gradual weakness.
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.Like the old times of stalking her — I was wearing my shades again as I was also carrying a newspaper that served as props in case I needed to fully cover my face. I was wearing black pants and a white-striped polo, where the first three buttons were open exposing a part of my hard chest and the sleeves were folded up to my elbows emphasizing my muscled biceps.Too handsome for a stalker!I saw her heading to the second floor of the coffee shop, where I could only see two to three people in the entire area. I still followed her until I saw how she eagerly took her seat in front of a man wearing a red polo with long sleeves up to his wrists, who I thought, might be her boyfriend.Wow! And they are both wearing red, huh? Was it Valentine’s in July?But I never saw him in her videos or any news associated with her. Did I even research her well?I decided to take a seat closer to them and used the newspaper to partially cover my face. I settled behind Drey so that sh
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.Despite my beautiful face, it was quite ironic to say that my whole life was just a mess. A complete-package mess!When I was a kid, I used to believe in fairy tales. I used to believe that ‘happily ever after’ endings do really exist. I wanted to get tangled with that kind of eccentric destiny with my one and only prince charming. I believed in magical spells, fantasies, and worst, I believed in mermaids.Who would have ever believed that those creatures were real?And not just believe… I was obsessed with them. Yes, I got totally obsessed with mermaids!That was the reason why I got bullied way back my childhood years — because of my crazy obsession with mermaids. All of my things from head to toe must include mermaids. My bags and shoes were even customized with mermaids. I told my classmates that they were real, but they only cackled at me.We used to have a vast infinity pool in the house before and I would always wear my gold costume to swim like a mermaid.
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.Wasn’t he that conceited guy who took advantage of me during my flight from Tokyo coming back here? That infuriating guy who kept on asking about my painting?But what is he doing here? Oh no, was he stalking me ever since that plane incident? Damn it! I think I’m in big trouble again.He was nothing but trouble. I loathed him ever since and he looked like a freaking stalker!He was towering over me but I didn’t let him notice that I was quite surprised by seeing him. I knew it was savage but I hurriedly threw the handkerchief on him just to show what I supposed to feel that he was in front of me again, but he was fast enough to catch it even before it reached his face.“Hey, that’s rude! Is that how you treat people who wanted to help you?” he yelled at me.I rolled my eyes as I scoffed. “I don’t need any of your help, mister. I don’t even know who you are and why are you here. Mind you, no one is asking for your help. So back off!”“Uh oh, so you’re now differe
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.I must admit, our first encounter was really bad. In fact, it was even worst. But it was true that there would be always room to make things right. I believed that we would always have the right time to make things better.And here he was. The great Aris Sandoval had instinctively protected me from those paparazzi as he played the role of a knight in shining armor. Far from the vain guy with his enormous ego.I guessed it was already time for me to forget the terrible thing that happened to us before. Being annoyed with him for no apparent reason would just do me no good. My first impression of people wouldn’t always seem to last after all.What happened to us already happened. He couldn’t remember it and he already rendered his apology. I could no longer take the time back so I obviously had to move forward.I could still feel the warmth of his embrace when he said, “Here you go. They already left,” as he removed his shielding arms around my head.But why do I h
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.“Yeah, I certainly knew about that thing, miss. Drey and I don’t keep secrets to each other, it will just ruin our relationship. The truth is I have always been blessed for having her in my life.”I looked at Aris and silently pinched his hand to stop him. But still, he continued praising me like I wasn’t sure if he was only doing that on purpose.“Look at Drey? A licensed engineer, a professional model, and an adept artist! What more could I ask for? She’s so talented that I couldn’t even blink when I looked at her. I should thank your boyfriend, right?” he said as he even held my hand tighter as he narrowed his eyes to Ivan. “But for now, I was thinking how could he avoid all the bad lucks that was already attached to him… for choosing an ounce of charcoal over a pound of gold!” Aris even scornfully winked at my so-called best friend.I was not seeing my reflection in the mirror but I was one hundred percent sure that what he said made me blush. I didn’t know w
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.“Why did you do that?” Ondrea asked as soon as we were already inside my car. Those paparazzi didn’t ask further questions anymore after hearing what they wanted to hear from us.I wasn’t a celebrity and I didn’t have plans to be one, though I looked like one, but I knew how to respond from those prying people. Give them what they wanted to hear and case closed. They would no longer bother you so you were free to go.“What?” I ‘innocently’ asked, though I already knew what she was talking about. I was wearing my calm and deadpan expression but the truth was I really wanted to laugh.“Don’t ask as if you’re innocent, Aris. Why did you told them that I’m your girlfriend? They will surely have malicious thoughts, for Christ’s sake!” she bellowed before she held her forehead like I caused her so much trouble. Now, I loved to see the ‘first’ Ondrea that I met three weeks ago.I secretly smiled. “Ah, that? For them to easily let go of us, Ondrea! If I didn’t tell them
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.“I’m currently in a meeting.” Obviously, I lied. It was a lame excuse knowing what I just did a while ago.“Fuck you, Aris! Don’t lie to me, bastard. I heard from the news and I even saw it with my own eyes that you’re with that top billboard model — Drey Laxamana! And you had the guts to say in public that she’s your girlfriend, huh? Were the two of you really dating? Since when? And what about me? What about us?” she yelled over the phone. I could see that she was gritting her teeth wherever she was. If she was in front of me, I could have put some packaging tape on her mouth.This woman literally gave me headaches and I wanted enough of her dramas. But of all the things she had told me, why didn’t I know that Ondrea was a top billboard model? If she really was, I wanted to see her billboard right now!“You already knew who am I with, then why do you still have to ask? I’m sorry, Carlene, but we’re already done here. Haven’t you notice my cold treatment for you