Chapter 7: Denied

"She's going to the wedding, not a fashion show, Kiana!"

"What's the difference? So, it's okay that she look like a lady who looks old and outdated?

I rubbed my forehead. Ellise and Kiana were arguing over what I should wear to Miguel, and Raymond's cousin's wedding. I have already packed some things to take, and all I need is the dress I should I wear on the wedding this afternoon.

They are here in my condo, and these two came almost at the same time. Kiana was carrying a dress while Ellise searched in my closet for the dress she bought in Japan for me.

"It's up to you to decide, Shin, after all you're the one who will wear it," Kiana said irritably.

I blew into the air and looked at them both. It's a Beach wedding that's why the venue is in Palawan, and then they both give me an evening dress.

I looked at them. Didn't they think that the evening dress was inappropriate at the beach wedding?

"Adelaine is on her way. Raymond bought a dress that she supposed to wear. She will bring it today, so that's what I'm going to wear," I said lazily.

The two of them nodded.

I looked at the clock. Adelaine is late, and I can't contact her. I should have bought the dress myself. Raymond said he will pick me up eight o'clock today, and there were only a few minutes left before eight o'clock.

I immediately stood up when I heard a knock on the door. It was Adelaine, she was a little sweaty and carrying a large paper bag.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. Raymond has tantrums again," She declared.

I nodded and let her get inside.

"Did you packed your things? Raymond is already downstairs. I'm sorry I took so long to be here. I need to buy you a new one because Raymond didn't want me to let you use the dress, she bought" She said while waking towards my room.

I raised an eyebrow and nodded at her.

"I didn't know he's possessive of you," I asked with a malicious smile painted on my lips.

Adi blushed and averted his eyes from me.

"Who's possessive?" Kiana asked.

I think they overheard Adelaine and me talking. Ellise is already holding my travel bag while Kiana is taking turns looking at Adelaine and me.

"Raymond..." I smirked at Adelaine. "... he's downstairs so I'll go now."

Adelaine's face flushed when she nodded at me. I took my travel bag from Ellise and the paper bag held by Adi. I waved at them as I walked out of my unit.

A black SUV was waiting for me outside . The driver helped me with my bag and opened the door for me. I rose my eyebrows when I saw the grumpy face of Raymond.

"Are you upset that I'm with you, or because you have a misunderstanding with her?" I teased him.

He sneered. "It's none of your business."

I laughed. "You don't have to deny it, it's obvious that you like Adi," I pointed out.

He looked at me with smug face.

"Why? Will you deny it? Try harder, Mr. Raymond Castroverde." I smiled at him.

He frowned and shook a few times before looking at me sharply. He did not speak to me until we arrived at a warehouse where the private plane we were taking to Palawan was.

We boarded one of the Castroverdes' private planes to Palawan. Raymond was quiet, and busy with the documents in front of him. I fell asleep the whole trip, so when we arrived at the private island where the wedding will be held, I had the energy to tease Raymond again who could hardly paint his face.

"There's only one cottage reserved in my name, we will stay there," Raymond said after we got off the private plane.

"We? Don't tell me you're going to hit on me too, Mr. Raymond. Don't waste your time because you're not the Castroverde that I want." I rolled my eyes at him.

The wedding will be in the afternoon and I can see that even if it is just an intimate wedding, there are still many guests here. After all, they are a big family. How many generations is Miguel? Third or fourth?

Raymond laughed beside me. "I'm not interested in you either, Ms. Martinez. Adelaine suggest it, but don't worry I won't sleep in that cottage."

"Adi? Why?" I wonder.

Is this all about our plan? We don't even have to be in the same cottage. We can meet and pretend when Miguel is around.

"She didn't say anything but I think you already know the reason. Is it all about your fantasies to my cousin?"

I looked at him with dagger eyes. So much with the fantasy.

"It's advantage to me though. I'm sure Adelaine thinks that we're doing 'something' in the same room. " He chuckled.

I am now amused. What does he think of Adelaine? Fragile one? Jealous type? I'm not the one who is fantasizing, it's him! He also have an ulterior motives to this event.

"Do you really know Adi?" I asked.

Raymond frowned at me. "What do you mean?"

"She's not the woman you think she is, Raymond. Adi is the type of woman you can't dictate to and it's hard go read her thoughts and actions."

I smiled at the man who greeted us, and helped with the bags.

"I don't force or dictate her to be in this relationship with me. It's a mutual understanding!" Raymond said in an irritable tone.

"You really call that a relationship? It's just a situation, Raymond, not a relationship." I said matter of fact.

"You sound so bitter even though you claimed that you like my cousin!"

I laughed. Like my ass. I like to kill him if that's what he's referring to.

We followed the bellboy entering the lobby. Almost all of the decorations are made of bamboo and rattan. The furnitures is made of hardwood. Its fresh in the eyes because they didn't mix it with a modern vibe.

"You can't force Adi. If she doesn't want to, she really doesn't want to," I said seriously to Raymond while feeding my eyes with the beauty of the place.

"You really know her well, huh. Please tell me how I can tame her."

I looked at him annoyed. "I already told you, don't force her!"

A woman in a summer dress approached us and presented the flower necklace. I shook my head at her.

"Thank you but I hate flowers,"

The woman seemed surprised by what I said. She thinks that maybe I have an allergy to flowers. She took the flowers away and looked at Raymond. Raymond also shook his head, so the woman excused herself.

"You hate flowers? Allergies?

I did not say a word. I don’t know if I should answer his question or pay more attention to the man standing near the elevator.

“She doesn’t listen to me, so I have to tame her." Raymond continued.

"What is it do you really want, Raymond?" I asked, but he no longer had my full attention.

"I want a serious relationship."

My brain went blank for a moment because of what he said. Serious relationship? Really? I smiled at him and stepped closer. I touched his chest and brought my face close to his.

"A Castroverde being serious in a relationship? Really?" I mocked.

W-What are you doing?" He looked at my hand on his chest.

"He's here," I whispered.

His forehead furrowed as if he didn't get what I wanted to convey right away.

“Ray!"

We didn’t look at the man who called him. I rolled my eyes at him and whispered again.

"Miguel is here."

He pulled me even closer to him. I smiled at what he did. He really believed that he would annoy his cousin with what we would do. I wanted to know why he didn't seem to agree with Miguel.

"I thought you won't attend today."

I turned around. The man who called Raymond frowned at me.

Rafael Nadal Castroverde, Ellise's boss. He was taller than Raymond. I don’t know much about Rafael because Ellise assigned him to investigate, just like Adelaine with Raymond. I just don’t like Adelaine’s way. I'll definitely be mad with Ellise if she investigates just like Adi.

"New girl again, Ray ?!" He said emphatically.

I smiled at Rafael and slapped Raymond's chest. "You really are a casanova!" I laughed softly and held out my hand to Rafael. "By the way, I'm Shintarra."

He accepted my handshake. I turned behind him and stopped smiling when I saw a familiar silhouette of a man.

"Miguel." Raymond's grip on my waist tightened.

I could see how Miguel's sharp eyes dropped to Raymond's hand at my waist.

"You just arrived?" He said huskily without leaving his eyes off me.

"Yeah." Raymond's nodded.

"He just arrived too," said Rafael.

I looked at Miguel. He just arrived? He didn't show up to me for a few days and I thought he was here all along in Palawan. What did he do for the past few days that he didn't show up? Did he really lose his interest in me?

"It's nice to see you again," I said to Miguel with a smile.

Miguel looked at me with dagger eyes.

"You knew each other?" said Rafael.

I was about to answer Rafael but Miguel got ahead of me.

"No." He firmly said.

I raised an eyebrow at him. This brute really denied me? Ha! You didn’t get what you wanted right away, so you didn’t know me now? Don't worry, Miguel Castroverde, because I will make sure next time that I'll be given a chance, I'll make sure you never forget my name.

"Oh! My bad! Looks like you don't remember me. Hmmm... How many times did you go to my condo? Twice? Thrice? Is it because I didn't give up easily so you don't know me now?" I taunted.

I smiled sweetly at him before turning to Raymond who was stunned next to me.

"I'm tired, Ray. Let's rest in our cottage first."