“Of course, Mom. I’ll be there.” She could not refuse her mom since she seldom asked for anything from her. Her mother was usually the giver, so this time, she would make sure that she would be there for her, not her father.
Moving away from his father, she believed was the best thing she did with her life. It gave her the chance to explore her options, free from his influence. She loved her father despite their difference, but she was just not up to a debate again about her choices in life.
“How’re your folks?” Jacky asked casually when she strode back and dropped down beside her on the couch.
“The same. Demanding.” She said as they started eating again and focused on the news headline. She focused on the screen hoping to divert her mind to another topic. ‘Be careful what you wished for’ crossed her mind when she saw the next line on the screen.
TYRA RICHARDS AND ALEXANDER PRINCETON BACK TOGETHER AGAIN???
The headline said in bold letters. “Tyra Richards is back in town and spotted on a date with her ex-boyfriend, Alexander Princeton, the new CEO of Welsh Group of Companies.” The reporter stated on the screen.
She was left gaping on the television as she waited for the rest of the story. She was not sure why she was interested, but she could not take her eyes away from the show.
“Does this mean that the famous supermodel will be staying here for good and wedding bells are not far away?” The reporter continued with her spiel as she speculated on the two personalities’ lives.
“I never knew that Alexander used to be in a relationship with Tyra Richards. Look they were eating at the same restaurant as you, last night. Did you manage to see her?” Jacky asked excitedly.
“I was just leaving when she arrived.” She could deny to her friend that she had seen one of her idols and remembering that she mentioned seeing Alexander at the restaurant.
A picture of them having dinner together on the same table flashed on the screen, then another one as they were leaving with Alexander escorting her to his car.
“They looked great together. You are so lucky you got to see her,” Jacky said dreamily. She had followed Tyra’s career as a model. Her style of dressing was highly influenced by Tyra’s fashion.
“Yeah. They do.” She commented. Her mind went to where it should not go. Did they spend the night together? Are they back together just like the news stated?
“What’s wrong?” Jacky asked, studying her face, noticing the sudden change in her mood.
“Nothing. I was just thinking of my parents.” Hoping that Jacky would not see her through her lie. What was she thinking?
Could this day get any better? She sarcastically mused to herself. Why did she suddenly felt like a truck just run over her? She was acting like a jealous girlfriend and she had no right to be. Besides, she was not interested to be.
The meeting this morning took longer than he would have liked. He was swamped with several more meetings today besides the papers that were piling up for his approval.
“Alex, Mr. Duncan canceled his appointment for today. I just learned that his son was rushed to the hospital just this morning.” His secretary informed him as she placed several more papers on his table.
That was not good, he thought. This meeting was very crucial in one of his projects. He had to find a way to make up for this delay. “Make sure to send flowers to his son’s room.” He instructed as he checked his schedule on his laptop.
“I already did.” Rosy smiled as she made her way out of his office. He was glad that he decided to keep the very reliable Rosy as his executive secretary when he took over this position.
Marcus walked to the door bumping slightly to Rosy on her way out. “You look lovely, Rosy.”
“Thanks, Marcus. I’m glad you noticed.” Rosy smiled with the compliment.
“Stop flirting with Rosy.” He chastised his friend as he went back to the papers in front of him.
“You’re no fun.” Marcus sat from across from him, shaking his head at his friend’s prude behavior. Although they both knew that Rosy was just joking with them. She was a happily married middle-aged woman who had two sons.
“What are you doing here? Don’t you have work to do?” He asked, knowing that he was not included in his schedule and he had no time for unnecessary chit-chats. Not today.
“I heard what happened with Mr. Duncan. What do you plan to do now?” Marcus leaned forward, waiting for his response.
“I am still thinking about it. Maybe we could drop by at the hospital or something, but we need to reschedule the meeting as soon as possible.” He informed his friend.
“Let me see what I can do.” Marcus took out his phone and started texting. “Now, we just wait.” He announced after putting his phone away, but he did not seem ready to leave just yet. He remained sitting on the chair, just whistling as if he still had an unfinished business.
“What now?” He had no time for his friend’s games. He appreciated that he was there to help him out, but today was no time for messing around. He had a lot on his plate.
“I just had a heartfelt conversation with your father. It would seem that you are not answering any of his calls.” Marcus stated before taking an envelope out of his breast pocket and handing it to him. “So, he felt that as your best friend, it was my obligation to remind you of your birthday.”
“I have not forgotten about it.” He answered frustratedly. It was one of the things that kept him distracted all this time. “What’s this?” He held the envelope in his hand.
“That is the invitation to your wedding.” Marcus laughed at his lame joke.
“Funny.” He opened the paper and almost pulled his hair in annoyance upon seeing the content of the letter.
It was just not his day, scanning the list of the women that his father chose to be a suitable bride for him. He did not find any of this amusing, looking at his friend who was still smirking on his seat.
“So, you have less than two weeks before your birthday. Do you have any plan yet?” Marcus turned serious this time, knowing that his friend was turning red with the current situation.
“I still have not found a way out of it.” He told his friend defeatedly.
He even consulted with the expert in their doctrines if there was an exception in their tradition. But, so far, no one had broken their law. He was now seriously considering to be the first to break it. However, he was also thinking of its possible consequence to his family. It did not seem to be a good idea in the end.
“Then, what do you plan to do now? Your clock is ticking.” Marcus reminded him as if he did not know that already.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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