Theressa has never been this ashamed of herself in her entire living.
Marcelo has someone already, someone he wants to spend the rest of his life with, someone he's ready to spend the rest of his life with.
"So I'm really nothing than a secretary to him" Theressa's mind swirled around Marcelo and Pillar, how she had fooled herself, how she had thought she had a place in Marcelo's heart.
Her heart ached, shoulders heavy with disappointment, the urge to jump into an ocean, to drown, drown her thoughts, drown her feelings, her pain, aches, sorrows. To drown her feelings. Theressa wanted to get into the walls and never return, never see Marcelo again.
"You're leaving?" A familiar voice asked as she made her way passed the dinning.
Theressa let out a feigned smile, the sides of her lips shaking, as she felt a lump in her throat.
She nods as she feared the minute she opens her mouth to speak, tears will come flooding down, betraying the composure she was trying to hold.
"I'm not letting you leave just like that, come on" George gestured for her to walk with him back to the dining room.
"I don't think that's a good idea" Theressa managed to say.
"Don't worry, you have Marcelo and I, it won't be awkward" George stated, shooting her an assuring smile. His reasons still did not make her feel any better about going back there, it would be so awkward for sure but, she followed George, not wanting to disappoint the man that had shown care and concern back in the hospital.
"And who's this?" A rough and thick voice that belonged to the man sat at the head of the dinning questioned. His features were similar to George, but harder, his brows thicker, the lines on his face hard making his features tough.
"Have a seat" George offered, shifting back the chair beside him for Theressa to seat. Her lips pressed together reflecting her inner conflict, she clearly wasn't welcomed here. However she had George, she was seated with such a prestigious family because George demanded.
Theressa could feel Marcelo's gaze, he was beside his fiancée, sitting directly opposite Theressa. It was easy, so easy to have a glance at Marcelo but she refused, she held down the urge to.
"Marcelo secretary. Theressa'' Pillar was the one to announce, her tone flat, nonchalant, she seemed not bothered with Theressa's presence and Theressa couldn't feel any better about that.
"It's great meeting you… Theressa. Seems like Marcelo has a lot of work at the office"
Theressa couldn't understand the old man's statement, she couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or he was simply asking a question.
She watched as he sliced into his steak, his lips curved into a smile that made Theressa uncomfortable. It took her time to finally understand what his statement meant.
"I had missed some days of work-" Theressa didn't get to finish her explanation before the old man cut in.
"My son," He emphasized.
"Must have informed you about their engagement party coming up soon, I do hope to see you there" Marcelo's father said before chewing on his steak.
Theressa couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, she had adjusted herself on the chair so many times. Though Marcelo's father was smiling at her, his smile never reached his eyes, he seemed against her presence.
She could see the difference when he smiled at Pillar, while he conversed with her. Theressa couldn't eat the meal placed in front of her, she had difficulty in slicing into her steak, her hands uncontrollably shivering.
Theressa wished George would notice and take her out but instead he kept nudging at her to eat from time to time, his attention fully on what his father and the rest were discussing. Marcelo was silent throughout, she was curious to see the expression on his face but…
"I have to leave now" Theressa blurted, getting to her feet. She had finally mustered the courage to say the words she had been meaning to say in the past fifteen minutes that seemed like years to her. Theressa was uncomfortable, intimidated, guilty, anxious, she felt choked with her own emotions.
"But you haven't even touched your food yet" George stated his tone soft yet laced with displease. Theressa was about to whisper an apology to him when Marcelo interrupted.
"You should leave, this is clearly a family's time together" Marcelo stated harshly wiping his mouth, the napkin that was initially beautifully folded, now looking rumpled. The exact thing he had done to her heart, her soul, her mind…
She was hurt more knowing Marcelo was also against her being here, just like his father. Theressa guessed they both cared a lot about their daughters-in-law's feelings. Of course she was nothing other than, nothing other than a secretary to Marcelo.
"Okay then, I'll take you home" George offered, getting to his feet, but Marcelo had beaten him to it.
"Let's go" Marcelo ordered
Grabbing his coat from the chair as he walked passed them, his own family, not even looking back to have a last glance at their faces, no goodbyes nor "excuse me"
Theressa's gaze had gone to the floor, as she couldn't bare to meet theirs, she couldn't say a goodbye the only thing she could do was mutter a "thanks" as she clutched her bag tightly following Marcelo out.
Marcelo's back and broad shoulders was the only thing she could see as Marcelo didn't bother to turn to her.
It's like he was confident, so sure that Theressa would oblige.
Why? Because she finally knows her place. Nothing but his secretary, his contract toy that can be tossed away, when it loses value, anytime, any day and Marcelo would feel nothing, nothing for her.
They both got into the car, as Marcelo drove off. Theressa said no word.
"I don't want you at the engagement party" Marcelo stated his gaze fixed on the road as he drove.
Theressa's brows knitted, her gaze shifting to Marcelo who's side profile exuded an ethereal almost divine quality as if sculpted by the hand of a celestial artist, his jawline cuts a striking silhouette, defined and angular, yet softened by a hint of gentle curvature, nose straight elegantly proportioned flawlessly aligned with the rest of his face. Softly that's not on, Theressa's eyes had taken in more features of his perfect angle.
She turned back to staring at the window as she took in the woods, forest, trees and no other car aside from theirs. This path was similar to the pathways to Marcelo's mansion. it seemed like a nowhere land. You could barely see any other car, there were forest trees on either side of the empty road.
The mansion was hidden and if not Kayden's good description she would have gotten lost she could barely even get a taxi, her luck was the courier bike man who had asked her destination at first, Theressa thought, it was just another man hitting on her. But she was trekking, her legs were hurt, probably bruised by the heels, her skin burning from heat that slipped through her thick coat to her skin. Sweat dripped from her forehead.
Theressa couldn't tell if the bikeman man could be one that would slice through her organs by the end of the day, but she was ready to take the risk, she had come too far to return.
At the end Theressa was ever grateful to the bikeman, he was like an angel sent from heaven.
"Why?" Theressa questioned. She was just a toy, her presence wouldn't affect Marcelo in any way. Theressa wasn't the type to try to cause a scene to get things her way. If Marcelo really wants nothing to do with her anymore, and wants to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved, Theressa could swear she would do no such thing as ruining their engagement.
She won't set herself as an obstacle to her boss's love life.
"As much as I have fallen for you, I wouldn't interrupt your happy home" Theressa said as she held in the urge to take a glance at Marcelo, looking at him will only make it hurt more, will only rip her heart further.
"Is that what you think?" Marcelo's question came out in an almost hush tone but it didn't escape Theressa's ears.
Marcelo's question bothered her even as she laid to sleep, it lingered alongside with the events of the day.
Marcelo's question definitely meant something, his tone was strange and…
Or… maybe it's just her heart playing games, her mind forcing her to think there could be a way out, her heart giving her hope.