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Chapter 34 part 1 Pursue "I don't allow you to," I said with all my strength. If what he says is true and even though I like these events, I don't think I am capable of being in a relationship. What the hell? Relationship right away? You're really surprised, Thalia! But I know that when I give it to him, that's where it goes. And I am not yet ready. I don't think I'd ever be ready. He took a deep breath. It tickled my neck where his head was buried. "I honestly don't need your permission …" His voice muffled. I sighed. "I will pursue you till you're tired, till you have no choice but to say yes to me," I laughed a bit. I think I'm crazy about what he's saying. Damn! "How is that?" I asked. He looked up at me but he remained leaning on my shoulder. "I'll make you fall in love with me," he said seriously. I bit my lip. If that was his plan, there was no need! I love him too, eh! "What if I won't love you … at all?" I inquired. He clenched his jaw. "That's impossible." I sucked. Damn his confidence. He knew very well that all women fell into his traps. He raised his head to face me properly. He licked his lower lip as he caressed the small of my back slowly, like he's trying to seduce me. I shivered. "I'll use all my damn skills, baby. Just for you to say yes," Chapter 34 part 2 I looked up at him. There is no trace of humor on his expression. All that's im there was darkness … ruthlessness. "What if I stay away from you because of that?" I challenged. I am afraid, alright. And it's not because it's Jared pursuing me. It's because I might get hurt again, because of my own doing, too. He clenched his jaw again. "That's unfair. You're being unfair. Other men can flirt but I can't? When will you give me my chance, then?" My heart hurt. Yes, I allow other men to flirt but the one I want is not. I think I'm going crazy. But that was it! Back when I was in college. I can't even praise other men for how they look after Jared left! He cupped my cheek and caressed it softly using his thumb. I close my eyes to the comfort that my system used to bring. "Give it up, Thal. I am pursuing you at all costs. We started it the wrong way. I will do it right now. There is no arrangement. There is no more fraud as you think. I will work hard for your love, baby … " I feel like I joined a 100-meter dash race. My heartbeat is too strong. And it's damn rhythm is his name. It is what it screams. I don't know if I'll be happy or what. His eyes went down to my lips. My lips unconsciously parted because of his move. He turned his eyes back to me. His eyes burned with so much passion, desire, and lust. He gave me a soft peck. There seemed to be electricity going through my nape because of that. He licked his lip after making it even redder. He crouched again for another feathery kiss. Napapikit ako. Then he showered me with hot butterfly kisses till he prolonged it. I moaned softly when his tounge made its way inside my mouth. I grabbed his nape to urge him to continue what he was doing. His tounge delved into the corners of my mouth, spreading his minty flavor. He mated with mine, pulled back and prodded me. My knees are weak. If he hadn't just squeezed my waist tightly I might have drowned in shoulder-length seawater earlier. With so much passion building up inside me, I caught his tounge with my teeth and sucked it with my lips. That seemed to trigger him. His kisses became more aggresive as his large hand naughtily wanders on the side of my stomach. The other is on my neck, pressing me to kiss well. I tried to dredge for air but he didn't allow me. He wants all my attention on him. He then pulled away. It seems like one of your punishments to me. Why did he stop? I don't want him to stop! Damn it! He gently pressed our foreheads together. We both catch our breath. The way his rock-hard chest jogged everytime he gasps for air is taking me into so many escapades with him. Shit. He kissed my cheek and the back of my ear softly. "I don't understand why you keep on rejecting me when all I can feel in your kisses is your burning desire for me, baby …" He blurted out. I bit my lower lip. He muttered a soft curse and smirked evilly after. "Now, you can't say no to me. I'll court you. If you don't want to and if you want to." Chapter 34 part 3 Maybe I should give him the chance that he deserves? I don't know how I ended up agreeing to him when it's clear to me that I am not yet ready for a romantic relationship. Maybe it's because of my hidden longing for him. Or maybe it's because he screams of so much power, you can't refuse. But I know what it really is, even if I keep on hiding it, denying it. It's because deep inside my heart, I know I really want it. So, I had no choice but to trust him. To trust his words. To believe that he is still into me and he isn't committed to somebody else. That he is not doing this for revenge. That when he had trusted me enough, he would leave me and admit that it was all just revenge on me. I need to trust him. Trust. Something I hadn't given him before. Something I didn't have for him then that ruined us. Now, I don't want it to falter just because I don't trust him. I need to see to it till the end. I am lucky if this turns out to be good. If not, then I'm sorry. I'm giving my fate on this. I'm gambling my heart. I'm all on this, Jared. "I will just send a hotel driver to pick you up here after your work," Jared said. I looked at him with a frown. "Don't. I can just tap someone from our boys to drive me there …" He glared at me. I seem to be shrinking myself. He has a meeting till one pm. It was only at La Sirene but because it was until this afternoon he couldn't wait for me here until I went out as usual. And just like usual, I will hang out at the hotel after my work here in the warehouse. "Don't be naughty. I'll bring you here later. I will also send some of my men here to guard you-" "My God, Jared!" I said hysterically but a bit laughing. I didn't know that there was a race that was nervous. It seems like all our staff are rapists! His thick brows met. "What?" I shook. "Guard me? Seriously? I don't need that. Our workers aren't like what you think!" I laughed. He stared at me so I covered my lips. "Fine. Just send me later. But, don't send guards, please?" I smiled cutely. He averted his gaze and then tightened his jaw. "Please?" I tried my best to make my voice sound cute. He closed his eyes sharply and looked up. I chuckled. He looks more handsome when he's pissed. Damn it! When he looked up he turned to me. My eyes rolled as he touched me with a shallow kiss. Chapter 34 part 4 "Jared!" I disobeyed. I looked around to make sure no one saw what he did. Even though his car was tinted I couldn't be bothered! I looked at him with my sharp eyes. And the evil is just smirking evilly there, like he got even with me for pissing him a while. He even licked her lower lip. "You are not allowed to kiss me!" I spat. He arched his brow and give me a smug look. "Why not?" He said cooly. "H-We're not! You can't just kiss me lightly!" Damn. My cheeks heat up at what I'm saying. So, when we are, it's okay, right? The corner of his lips rose. "I've kissed you many times last week. You allowed me, too. How would you explain that?" If my cheek used to be hot. I think, now you can fry here! He chuckled. "Stop acting cute in front of me if you don't want to be kissed, then," My eyes rolled. "Manyak!" He laughed even harder. "Manyak? Really? Pwede rin …" He said as his eyes turned obscene. I swallowed and averted my eyes. "It's up to you!" I said and opened his car's door. He laughed until I could finally get out of his car. Damn you, Jared! He went down the window then. It exposed the now calm Jared with a ghost of smile on his lips. I looked at him sharply. "I'll send the driver here at 11. Is that okay with you? You're always out at 11:30, aren't you?" He asked. "Yes!" I said rudely. His brows shot up and his lips twitched. "Come here …" He said. I snobbed him. I remained standing a bit far from his car. When he realized that he really couldn't make me obey him, he got out of his car. Every step he took towards me my heart pounded. I flinched when he reached me. He caught up with that. He groped my elbow and pulled me closer to him. He towered over me with his six feet or so height. "Sorry …" He crooned. I blinked. I think it's just in his chest. But his damn crisp white longsleeves with his manly scent is too seductive for me! "You've gone to work. You still have a meeting." I said coldly. "Do you hate it when I kiss you?" He asked. I looked up at him. The fear in his eyes is so obvious. I was swallowed. Chapter 34 part 5 It's not that! I'm just upset because he's bullying me again! Maybe he won't kiss me anymore because of this? What the hell, Thal? He sighed when I kept mum. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again-" "No!" I'm ready. Shit. His forehead furrowed. "You don't want me to stop kissing you?" It was as if I could catch my breath at the line of his questions. I close my eyes emphatically. He even asked it innocently. The fuck. "Get out of here!" He smirked. He crouched to plant a soft kiss on my lips again. I stilled. "I guess I am still allowed … see you later," He said and then turned his back on me to get into his Jaguar. He revved his car. He blew his horn and then slowly left afterwards. He pulled the car over as he got out of the compound. Chapter 34 part 6 I feel like collapsing. My legs turned jelly, I can't walk. Damn, Jared and his effect on me. Everything about him is too overwhelming. It's too much for me to take in. If this is how he always affects me, how can I live a normal life? It was a while before I recovered. I entered the warehouse and did my routines. Since I haven't been here for a week it took me a while to check. It's already quarter to 12 when I got done. As Jared said, when I came out of the warehouse, a hotel van was waiting for me. I was just shaken. If only they had used it now to deliver and pick up hotel guests. I wish I could add that. I'm just an expense. Their boss really thinks differently. It was past twelve noon when I arrived at La Sirene. I was greeted in the lobby by a female hotel employee. "Good afternoon, Ma'am. Mr. Arevalo assigned me to assist you while he's in a closed meeting," She smiled shyly at me. My forehead furrowed. "There's no need for that, Miss. I can manage," I said politely. I always walk around here alone in the hotel when Jared is working, e. Georgia was with me often. So, why do I even need a 'lady guard'? Damn, Jared. Her lips parted and I could see fear and concern on her expression. My forehead furrowed even more. "Ma'am, I can't. Sir instructed me to take care of you while he's gone …" I went home. "Don't worry. I'll take care of him. You can just go back to your work now. Thanks …" I dismissed her but she reached for my wrist. He also released it when I got his attention again. "Ma'am, please, don't refuse anymore. It's the President's instruction, e. I will be fired if I don't take care of you …" He bowed. I lost my jaw. Did Jared threatened her just so he'll be assured that I'll be fine while he's out of reach? He really got ready for me later! The bastard knows well how to use his power. Damn it! I took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm going to eat my lunch now. You can just … order for me or … just come with me to eat," I said when I realized that it was as if I had made him a maid then. He looked up at me, seemingly revived with hope. She smiled shyly again. "Thanks, Ma'am. I will order for you but we are not allowed to eat with the guests so …" I would have protested but maybe it was in their protocol. I just nodded and went straight to the Thai resto. Chapter 34 part 7 In the middle of the meal Jared texted. Jared: I heard you're eating your lunch. Where are you then? My forehead furrowed. Did I think he had a meeting? Why text? Don't tell me he's texting while the meeting's on going? The President's abusing his power so much. I was just shaken. Can not resist? And … how did he know I'm eating? I turned to my 'assistant' today. She's standing a bit far from me like a trained lady guard guarding her boss. Did she told him about me? Are they texting? I was suddenly struck by irritation. Why did he choose the woman to watch over me? Must be male! Is this one of her chic? And wow, they are texting, huh? Who else could have told him before. Only him! In my irritation I reluctantly motioned for my assistant to approach me. She obliged. "Yes ma'am?" She asked. "Where's your phone?" "P-Po?" I rolled my eyes. "Are you allowed to use your phone during working hours?" "M-Ma'am, I don't have a phone with me. It's in the locker. I'm not allowed to use the phone while working …" My brow arched and my lips protruded. My irritation with him disappeared like a bubble. I took a deep breath and shrugged. "Okay. You can go back now," I said and looked at my phone again. She bowed and exited. If he wasn't the one telling Jared what I was doing, who was? I looked around. There was no one else in the resto but me and a few tourists at the tables not far away. There we're CCTV cameras, though. Don't tell me, he's watching my footage right now? Maybe not. Whatever. I typed my reply to him. Me: I don't know. Maybe I'll just read magazines on the lobby's sofa. His reply was immediate. It was as if he was looking forward to it. Could it be that he was just waiting for my reply during the meeting? Jared: Go to my office, then. I have lots of magazines there, too. Me: I do not want. Jared: No. You should. I snarled. It's also weird, eh, no. I never replied to him. If I sneeze more, he might be fired from the Board of Directors if he is caught texting during an important meeting. He never texted again. He will take care of his life. Just me, just hang out in the lobby. Chapter 34 part 8 When I finished eating I got up. My assistant immediately approached me. I don't know if I'm going to laugh or what in my situation Jared did. "Where are you, Ma'am?" "I'm just on the couch in the lobby," He scratched his head. "Hey, Ma'am, Sir Jared told me that when you have nothing to do, stay in his office," He was just talking and I was struggling. And he actually even made your law, huh? It's a different kind of lover, isn't it? I should be the one being followed because I'm the one being courted! "Please tell your boss I don't want to. I want to hang out in the lobby. If he doesn't want to let me, eh … he doesn't have a 'yes' to me," Damn it. Confused and worried he looked at me. "Ma'am … Maybe what, eh …" I sighed. "You might get fired if I don't follow her wishes," I lazily drawled, continuing what she wants to say. "Fine, then. Take me to his office." He guided me to his office. It was also on the first floor, on the left wing. We passed a few more rooms before he opened a door of what I think was his office. Unlike their classical-themed hotel, his office is modern looking. His walls are accented black and white. In front is his wide desk with only his PC. Behind it is a large and wide bookshelf. At the other end is a set of gray sofas. The floor is carpetted with gray mat, too. I am amazed by the interiors of his office. The owner is minimalist and obviously a bachelor. His room is spacious. His office seems to be twice the size of my office. What about his office in Manila? "Ma'am, I'll leave you here, then. I'll just be outside if you need anything," I nodded and smiled. "Thanks," Chapter 34 part 9 When I was alone I sat down on the soft couch. And even his scent is in his office. Damn. I spent my time reading some of the business magazines on the center table. I just stopped when Georgia came into the office as well. She smiled maliciously at me. I felt ashamed. "Guess what? I was thrown out of the meeting to be with you," She said playfully. My eyes rolled. "Seriously?" Who did that? Jared? Damn! She laughed. "Well, not totally thrown out anyway. His secretary talked to me politely." "I-I-I-I'm sorry … I'm going to talk to him now!" I said, panicking. She laughed harder. "You can't, 'no. He's in a closed meeting. Don't feel bad. Anyway, I like it," he winked at me. "Huh?" "I was damn sitting there for like five hours already, Thalia! I was just listening to the speakers. Me being thrown out of there is such a blessing, you know!" She giggled. My lips parted for amusement. I just laughed and shook my head afterwards. Even if Georgia wanted it done to her, still, it's not right. She's part of the meeting. And for him to leave that meeting for me was not good. I will talk to Jared about this. That man, really. I think my hair turns white quickly when he always bothers other people to ensure my entertainment. She sat on the seat adjacent to mine. She crossed her legs, intertwined her fingers, and arched her brow. She looks like she's going to interrogate me or something. I averted my eyes. "Are you dating?" She said. I sighed. She chuckled. "I knew it!" I looked up at him. I never told her our history. All he knew was that Jared and I used to be schoolmates. I know she thinks this is all new. "I've noticed for a long time that he likes you, e. I just didn't voice it out because I thought he's with Mr. Torres' daughter …" There was a hint of doubt in his voice in his late said. I was swallowed. My stomach turned cold. "They aren't together," That's what Jared said. I need to believe him for this to work out. "Yeah. Sorry. I just really thought so. But," She smirked. "I know now. They really aren't," She wiggled her brows. My cheeks grew hot, temporarily forgetting what he had said earlier. But as soon as we strolled at the hotel premises, the thoughts and possibilities I've been denying and ignoring since last week clouded my mind. What if they really are together? And is this their plan? Break my heart to get even at me. But if that's the case, it's pathetic, right? Like, who in the world with a normal thinking will allow her boyfriend to execute this plan that may lead to temptations? Like what happened in the sea weeks ago. But, we don't know. I don't really know how deep is Jared's grudge for me. I wonder if because of his desire for revenge, even himself he is willing to bet. And Miara spoils him too much that she agreed to this. Damn. I hope I'm just overreacting. Because, if they wanted revenge to hurt me, they'd be successful without even trying so hard. Even if it's just giving a motive, even without sweet words, I can be destroyed. Even now that I think they're hurting me, what if it's true? And what would I do if that's really the case? Would I seek for revenge, too? No. It will be a never-ending game if I get even at them. I don't want to be involved with them. If there's really a hidden agenda behind this, then I'd ride with them. I'll make their plans come true. I am ready to use. To finish that. If they get even at me, I'm sure they won't bother me anymore. And I won't need to ask for his forgiveness anymore because we're even. We are both to blame for each other. I'll go with the flow because I admit, I love being under his spell, too. I'm not brave enough to resist him this time. If you get hurt later, it's not okay. It's OK. Right. Maybe that's what I should be. I sound like a great martyr. Damn.