Chapter 6: Forgive and forget
3 weeks have passed...
"No not that flower" I said
We are arranging the reception for Mr. and Mrs. Demition because they will get married tomorrow, and we need to finish this day so that catering will be taken care by tomorrow. After the fever session, we're both became busy. I'm busy with my business, he's busy with his showbiz career, so I can also miss that gay.
"Please fix the curtain as well as table clothing" I said
While I was arranging the chairs, Sec. Chloe came to me.
"Mr. Romeo is looking for you" she said
I looked at the door, and he was waiting, so I assisted to Chloe first and I went to Mr. Romeo to talk at the coffee shop near the reception
"Ms. De Castro, I don't know if it's okay with you. But Mr. Alvarez has a recent boyfriend, and he is Charles Velasco, a basketball athlete, owner of a restaurant, and..." He looked at his clock.
"This morning he already answered it, well Mr. Velasco is the one who court to Mr. Alvarez and the worst to say, Mr. Velasco and Velasco's Food Corp. will propose a project to your Mom on Monday"
I was stunned by what I found out...
So maybe he can hardly let go of his cellphone because of that man. What a thickness, why it's so fast?
"Is he with me to propose on Monday?" I asked.
"Yes Ms. De Castro, actually he is a great endorser and a great business partner of all, but let me remind you Ms. De Castro, Mr. Velasco is a good complimenting by using his eyes and mouth to the ladies he liked, he is a not a bisexual in short, I don't have any idea why is he courted Mr. Alvarez, and he has clear police records
"So the basis of his behavior is towards people?"
"Yes, so he immediately courted Mr. Alvarez, and he is Mr. Alvarez's college friend"
I nodded and felt annoyed that I could not understand. I felt weird like kinda mixed emotions what I feel right now, so I thank to Mr. Romeo, and he left me alone.
He had a boyfriend without my permission. Why he didn't tell me right away?
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Today is Sunday and I'm at the mall to go shopping for myself and alone. This is my habit, if I have a vacant day I'll go to the mall and shopping it's kinda stress reliever right? Especially when you are alone hehe
While I was shopping in the bookstore and looking for a book, I suddenly dropped books because of what I saw
"My investigator was right" I said to myself
The two of them together while holding hands that you thought were the only two in this mall, so I hid because once we met? I'm sure I'll be the 3rd wheel with them and I won't let that happen.
And that guy?! It's Obvious gold digger. Wait a minute, who is a man who will immediately court a gay man who is not so well known. It was obvious to the man that the chase was different from Dominique.
In my hiding place, I collided with something
"Ouch!"
I got up right away because I knew that voice
"Kevin?!"
I turned around and it's Kevin! Wait, he should be in Australia right?
"Hmm, I already know that, let me explain" he said
I keep silent first because I was hiding someone and it looks like Kevin get it, so he looked for whom, and he was surprised by what he saw
"Since when?!" He asked.
"Friday" I said
They were also on a bookshelf, so we were supposed to be reading any books' but I didn't realize that Kevin was gone, so Dominique and I hit each other's eyes, and I was stopped because of him, so I couldn't get out of my seat until they approached me
"Ashley!" he said and he vindicated me
"Oh hi!" I said as if I knew nothing
"By the way, baby this is Ashley my friend and Ashley, this is Charles... My partner"
He smiled lightly and shook his hand, so I raised an eyebrow to intimidate him, and he seemed to react because the dumb man backed away a bit
"Nice to meet you, Charles" I said
I feel that he is awkward with me, maybe he felt the tension around here. Dominique was surprised when Kevin suddenly walked up to me while carrying books.
"Baby! I found the book you really like" he said and acted like he's a straight man now, silly haha
"Hey! Dominique right? Nice to meet you again brother" Kevin said.
I want to believe that Kevin. I almost believe in your acting sister.
"Wait bro? Is he your brother? Or your cousin?" Kevin asked teasingly.
Dominique seems to have lost his temper because of Kevin's attitude towards him
"No, it's my boyfriend" Dominique answered
"Whoa! Well then, congrats to both of you I hope your relationship was long lasts unlike the others, it doesn't last long" Kevin said and smirked.
I want to laugh out loud because it is obvious from Kevin's words that he was teased them because you know he was just mad in his system, so he speaks like that now and I can't do anything there, because Kevin is the baddest sister I've ever had
"I thought..." Dominique said.
"I missed my baby girl, so I went home right away" Kevin said
Kevin kissed me on the head then kissed me on the cheek. Yes, even we're doing this for years, well it's we really want someone to be jealous, so that's why Kevin is acting like this in front of them. In fact, we really do it in real life, and there's so many people are mistaken that we have a hidden relationship, like err we're just sister. Now, Dominique looks like he's going to eat people, so I even rode Kevin
"What baby, let's pay for that, so we can eat" I said
"Baby... you only have always food in your mind, and we are gaining weight"
" Pretty please baby? I'm so hungry" I said to Kevin and I did my secret charm... Act like a baby while you doing the so-called beautiful eyes.
The two of them couldn't speak because we were too sweet in front of them, so I thought of saying goodbye to end the awkwardness in our atmosphere, and we managed to escape but of course we paid the book first. Until we got to a coffee shop
"Oh my gosh girl, you didn't immediately tell me that that gay guy has a boyfriend already!" Kevin said.
"Girl, if you only knew I would only see them for the 1st time and why are you here in the Philippines? What is the problem and you got home immediately"
"Because my youngest sister had an accident, and it said that she was run over by a car, so I really went home to find out what happened"
"How is she?" I said worried.
"She was comatose, it seems like 1 week"
He bowed, so I comforted him suddenly, because I know the feeling of having a comatose one of the member of our family. I feel sad for them, and I hope they get along well especially his youngest sister
"She will wake up, believe me" I said
He leaned over me and then Kevin hugged me while crying, so I caressed his back to stay then he suddenly back the topic
"By the way, when are they together?" He asked.
"Friday, I said earlier you already forgot it girl" I said
"I'm sorry I didn't hear your response a while ago" he said
I was just dumbfounded by my drink and Kevin noticed that right away, so he turned me over to him
"Tell me, do you like him?" He asked.
I raised an eyebrow
"Who told you that?"
"Then why are you quiet?" He said.
"Is it forbidden to be quiet?" I asked.
"Hey Asherine! I already know that so don't let get wrong" he said.
"Ezekiel Kevin Rosales Jr., it is very impossible to fall in love for that person" I said and I raised an eyebrow
Kevin also raised an eyebrow
"Hello?! It's been a few months passed before you and Dominique met! So it's impossible that you don't have feelings for him, because first he is always by your side when I am busy and I only have a short vacation at your resort, and he is the reason why you already lost your pain or your depression, so what else is so vague that you will not like him? I remember the day that I met him even though he was gay he was very kind, or should I say he has a good personality" he said.
Yes, Kevin is right, but do I really have feelings that make me feel sad right now? Seriously? I also don't know, because all I know is that I'm happy to see or be with Dominique.
"It's nothing, numb" Kevin said
I slapped him on the arm
"Wow coming from you? Who here that there is a woman who likes him a lot and who also likes that woman too but it was too late when it was found out that the woman had someone else?"
"Do I know that I will like people like you? And why did the conversation come to me? You Ashley, fix your love life because we are getting older, we are also moving for the future, and yes, you are already gifted for work and family, but you're bad luck in love!"
I pinched him on the side of his right arm, and he's laughing. Thank him and he is my friend because otherwise? He can really taste my fist right now.
"Wow... your arrogance in that part, you thought you were also lucky in love, I was so embarrassed" I said sarcastic
"You should admit the truth that you have feelings for him because the truth will set you free you know that girl" he said
"I said no Kevin" I said
"Who believe is stupid Ashley" he said
I just scratched my back
"Okay then, how do you feel every time you think of him?" He asked.
I thought
"Happy of course, I remember the days when we're both happy" I said
"Have you ever lost him in your mind? Just once?" He asked.
"Sometimes, because of my work" I said
"How do you feel when he's there?" He said.
"Of course I'm happy, my heartbeat is always beating fast and you know the feeling of being nervous? From your chest and down to your stomach" I said.
He nodded
"When you are together, do you hang on to time or something?" He said.
"Super yes! Like I prefer him every day next to me"
He snapped
"Confirm girl! You like him" he said.
"What did you say?!" I asked.
"You know girl, observe yourself better as long as I told you that you have already feelings for Dominique" he said
I was about to answer when suddenly someone called Kevin, so he apologized to me to answer the call. I just let him go while I looked around until someone texted me.
- - - - -
From: Dominique
Where are u?
- - - - -
To: Dominique
Coffee shop, why?
- - - - -
From: Dominique
I just want to talk to you
- - - - -
To: Dominique
About what?
- - - - -
From: Dominique
About what happened earlier
- - - - -
To: Dominique
Is it okay?
- - - - -
From: Dominique
I have a feeling that I am uncomfortable
- - - - -
To: Dominique
You're just feeling gay, go ahead
- - - - -
From: Dominique
I'm sorry.
- - - - -
To: Dominique
Why? What for?
- - - - -
From: Dominique
Because I surprised you
- - - - -
"My sister suddenly called, she said the youngest woke up already, but she was still recovering because she couldn't speak" Kevin said
I hid my phone in the bag and then I just talked to Kevin
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I'm in my office and just rechecked the appointments for this month and it looks like I have a lot of free day this whole week, so I just relax on my swivel chair when my Secretary came to my office
"Ma'am 10:00 am Velasco's food corp. Proposal"
I raised an eyebrow and held my head because this is what Mr. Romeo told me before and I almost forget
"Okay, who are they?"
"Ms. Andy Ramirez and Mr. Charles Velasco"
I smirked and shrug
"I smell rejecting the client huh?" Sec. Chloe
"You know what to do Secretary Chloe" I said
My secretary left to talk to the Velasco food corp. Because I don't want to have a business partner who is a fraud. Charles has his own family, and he is just fooling Dominique. What for?
// Flashback //
After we went Kevin to coffee shop, he said goodbye to going to the bathroom when someone approached me, so I was surprised that Mr. Romeo in disguise old man appeared to me and then whispered
"Mr. Marvin Velasco it has his own family, he has 3-year-old daughter and the mother of his child, it was his Secretary Andy Ramirez, no one knows even his family about it, so until now he is pretending that he is gay in front of his family" he said
We saw Kevin back, so I immediately excuse it and left. Kevin did not quote the old man, so he took me home
// End of flashback //
I smiled especially when I saw Dominique on TV
"Happy birthday loves Charles" he said
I was suddenly shocked because I did not know if I would say anything about what I knew or not. But I will never say anything about what I know because they will know that I am hiring a private investigator.
I heard a commotion outside and Sec. Chloe was confused and the noise people also entered
"Where is your boss?!" Charles said
Charles looked at me with the shock on his face
"Oh, Charles, what's the matter?"
"You? You own it?" He asked nervously.
"Of course I am, the one and only Asherine Clinthley De Castro the owner of Star Amazed Inc."
The noise turned pale and Andy the wife of this pretending to be gay laughed at me
"What's the matter Mr. Velasco?" I asked.
"Uhm, I just want to—" Charles said
"Why did you reject us?" Andy asked
I was a bit of shocked because of the attitude that she showed, so I saw Marvin stop her
"Why would I not Ms. Andy the SECRETARY?" I will ask
"This arrogant one is really trying to get me" Andy said the suddenly Marvin stopped her
"I just want to apologize Ms. De Castro" Charles said while he bowed his head
"It should be, MISTER" I pressed Mister, so I saw him back away
"Ms. Andy is just my little advice, you should know everything especially the reason why I rejected your appointment, you should know everything darling especially what is happening around you even with your boss" I said
"See you later Charles my loves! Happiest birthday!" Dominique shouted out on the television, so I looked teasingly at Marvin as he bowed again while Andy was very curious.
"So, before I call the guard, get out of here... Now" I said, so Marvin immediately left while dragging Andy.
I looked at my secretary, and she automatically followed them to check if they were really leaving and I sat down again
"You have a day with me too Mr. Velasco" I whispered
I watched Dominique again on TV very happy
"Poor Dominique, the another man fooled him again" I said while shaking my head
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I was with Kevin at the mall, and we finished watch a movie. We were in front of the cinema when he said that he will go to the bathroom, so I just let him go to the bathroom and I didn't expect that I would suddenly be blocked on the way by...
"Ashley, let's talk" Dominique said
"What? Why?" I asked.
"Why did you reject Charles's appointment?" he asked angrily
It looks like he still didn't know the truth, and the story is reportedly different, so I raised an eyebrow. I still know him very well even though he is in disguise
"Because I don't want?" I said.
"Why? Because he's my boyfriend?!" He asked angrily.
"What?! Hell no!" I said.
He pulled me into the parking lot until he pushed me into his car and blocked me
"Now tell me, why did you reject his appointment with you?!" He asked angrily.
"Because I don't want to! That's all!" I said.
"It's impossible that you rejected him for no reason Ashley! Tell me the truth!" He said angrily.
"Wait, why are you asking me huh?! Is that my fault?!" I asked with my tone is high.
"Yes! Marvin is always at the bar lately because he ever dreamed of having a partnership with your company and then I found out you rejected and embarrassed him! What kind human are you?" He said frustrated.
I laughed hard
"Dominique, you know me better, I will not embarrass anyone until there is no beginning" I said
"No Ashley! You really have a problem here! You are to reason for why my love is sad lately! Can you please act like you are graduated?! Be a professional!" He said angrily.
I pushed him because I might even hit this reversal. So he held my hand tightly and I could feel his anger.
"Ouch Dominique! It's hurt!" I said begging.
"Why are you with Kevin too?! Shouldn't he be in Australia right?! Why is he here?!" He asked angrily.
"Dominique... It really hurts" I said begging.
"Why did you reject his appointment?! Because he's my boyfriend?? Do you want me to break up with him just so you can accept his proposal?!" He said loudly.
"Dominique when I don't want to, there is nothing you can do there! Let me go, it really hurts!" I said.
I feel like my right hand is losing blood, so I can't help but to cry because it looks like other Dominique is in front of me now. I did not see him so angry before, I didn't hardly recognize him right now.
"I thought you wouldn't hurt me either..." I said while crying.
He stopped
"I thought you would make me cry with laughter" I added
"I thought you were different, but I was wrong" I added
"You just had a boyfriend all of a sudden you look at me differently, I look like a very bad person in your eyes, why don't you seem to know me?" I said and I can't stop crying because I feel the pain physically and emotionally.
He let go of my hand, and he saw my hand was pale and I could feel the pain. He stared at me and I'm still crying
"If that's the case, I hope you just let me go first, so I can explain clearly to you" I said
"First, Kevin is here for his youngest sister in the hospital right now and for me to be with someone while he has a free time, because he was no longer with me when his sister has finally recovered" I added
"And lastly, I have my valid reason why I rejected him, your relationship with him is out of the work, if Charles told you and that's what you believe, well I can do nothing, and please don't approach me if you going to hurt me" I said
"Who are you anyway? I don't even know you either" I added and started to leave.
He would have approached to apologize but I shouted
"DO NOT COME CLOSE TO ME!"
"Ashley I'm sorry, I didn—"
"Enough Dominique! It's fine, really fine! No need to be sorry, I have to go" I said.
This time I felt more pain in my chest and I wanted to shout very loudly until I got tired
"I'm so sorry Ashley plea—"
"I SAID DON'T COME CLOSE TO ME! GET LOST!"
I ran to my car and I felt that he was chasing me, so I hurried into the car and drove fast until I didn't know where is my car would land me. Until I got to city bay nearby the mall, so I put it aside and went for a walk when I saw some missed calls and texts from Kevin. I did response that I am no longer in the mall and I will be fine after that I turned off the phone and back to my car to get lost then drive fastest that I could.
"HE SHOULD JUST LET ME GO FIRST!" I shouted.
"TOTALLY! THERE IS NO PREVENTION FROM ME I WILL JUST KILL MYSELF NOW" I added.
While I was driving fast someone was chasing me and I immediately recognized whose car. So, I accelerated even more until Kevin blocked me and I forcefully stopped and bowed while crying. He knocked on the window begging to open the window, so I opened the door, and he hurried to open it, and he checked me immediately.
"Are you alright?! Ashley, don't kill yourself okay!? Are you in pain or something? Ashley, I'm still here okay? I'm going to heart attack because of you, please stop" he hugged me tightly and then looked at me again.
"Why are you crying? Wait? What happened to your hand?"
"Ashley?!" Dominique approached us
We both looked away
"Oh so you did something wrong to my girl huh?! You j·rk!" Kevin said, and he automatically punched Dominique in the face, so Dominique fell down immediately.
"You know what I like you as a person because I know you that you won't hurt my friend but what did you do?!" Kevin said angrily, and he punched Dominique again
"You just had a boyfriend you thought you were sober?! You idiot!" Kevin said, and he punched Dominique again, and I stopped Kevin.
"That's enough Kevin, I just want to go home" I said
Kevin looked at me
"Thank you and she stopped me because otherwise? You really beat me up you idiot" Kevin said.
He got in his car then Dominique would have approached me but I quickly closed the door and ran back to my unit
I got home first and then Kevin followed, so when I opened the door I hugged to Kevin immediately and cried
"Shh hold on, sorry if I didn't catch up with you or saw Dominique hurting you right away" he said
He closed the door of my unit and hugged me onto the sofa
"Kevin, the pain in the bruises and wounds on my hand, I didn't expect that he would do that" I said
"Why am I hurting?" I added.
"Because you love him and also because of your disappointments" he said
I just cried
"But girl, don't you ever commit suicide huh? Your family is still there and I'm still here, your bff will never leave you" he said.
He really calmed me down but I kept crying until I got tired and fell asleep. I also thought he would not hurt me, but he would have been with me and pain still lingers
---------------------------------------------
1 week has passed...
I was checking the emails then I suddenly heard an intro to the show that Dominique was working on. I would have turned off the TV when I saw his eyes were swollen, but he was still laughing.
"I don't care" I turned off the TV and finished my work
I thought about going out and I was already gossiping
"Shawn Alvarez seems to be single because of his boyfriend has already a family"
"So that's why our boss rejected the Velasco company"
"Of course, you know our boss is smart when it comes to partnership"
"Did you notice that they both have swollen eyes lately especially Ms. De Castro?"
"Oh yes and Shawn also"
"Aren't they friend?"
"They are, but it looks like friendship over"
I just let them keep gossip and gossip as long as I have my coffee this morning. When I arrived at the coffee shop, I ordered and sat down in my favorite place
- - - - -
• Shawn Alvarez •
Now I know...
- - - - -
He tweeted, so I couldn't help but to stalk him then I saw something with one of his fans that it was obvious that he was coming from crying, so I felt sad. I thought of stopping him stalking because I was hurting more and maybe I can't help to cry again. So I thought I would just play something.
I got home at 6:00 pm and as usual the whole unit was quiet and relax, properly cooked and just watched. Jumping on the bed, tires there, tires here, why am I affected?! Leave him alone! He hurt you right?
7:00 pm I was eating again and I thought I would go out to go to the pool area to cool off, and I was hanging out doing on social media
8:10 pm I thought back to my unit to watch a movie
10:30 pm I checked my emails
11:00 pm I can't sleep I don't know the reason
Dominique's calling...
I raised an eyebrow because of the caller, so I was hesitant whether to answer or not. I saw my hand didn't heal yet, the sadness swallowed me up and I thought not to answer
But wait?
Why is he calling at this late? That was a new to me.
I lost the call and after that there's another call to me, so I thought of answering then I turned on the speaker and I heard a loud background
"Hello? Is this Ashley?"
"Yes, speaking"
"Uh, I'm Reggie, the waiter at the bar, Sir Dominique is very drunk, I don't see anyone who can contact and your number was saved in the emergency contact" he said
"Is that so?" I said.
"Yes ma'am"
"Text me where I will pick him up"
Call ended...
I immediately arrived at the said bar and looked for them. I saw Dominique bent over and Reggie watching over him, so I approached immediately
"Hi! I'm Ashley, has he been here before?"
"Yes ma'am, it looks like he was broken-hearted he mentioned something earlier he said he should just stick with you, I hope he just didn't hurt you, then he seems to be very angry with Charles and yeah" he said
I just shook my head and looked at Dominique
"By the way, is he your boyfriend?"
"Huh? Why?"
"It is written here in the emergency contact"
He showed me my name in Dominique's contacts and it was Babe Ashley ❤️
"Oh alright, thank you very much" I said and picked up Dominique
"Can you do it alone?" He asked.
"Yes, go ahead thank you" he also gave Dominique's phone and car key
-------------------------------------------
We got to my unit and I laid him down in my room and then I arranged for him
"Hmm... Ash... Ashley..." He whispered.
Dominique was talking asleep/drunk
"I'm sorry... Very... very sorry..." He said.
I stopped fixing his shoes and then his phone rang, so I looked at who
Fool's calling...
I already knew who is calling, so I answered
"Yes?" I said.
"Dear... Wait who is this?" Charles said.
"Who do you care?" I said.
"Your voice sounds familiar" Charles said
"And then?" I said.
"Is this Ms. Ashley?" Charles asked.
"Get lost" I said and ended the call
I blocked his number and erased his number and all the messages then power off at the same time, so that there would be no disturbance, so I fixed Dominique again and I slept on the sofa because I did feel drowsy
-----------------------------------------
I just finished cooking breakfast and my mother told me that I would visit the mansion to say hello to them. Besides, I can also avoid to Dominique because honestly, I'm not ready to talk to him yet
I just left a letter then starting to leave because I'm sure he would wake up later. But I was about to leave when someone hugged me.
"Oh my gosh!!!"
"Ashley please let's talk" he said
"Let me go!" I said.
He carried me to the sofa, and then he sat in front of me
"Is your hand already fine?" He asked.
I can clearly see in his eyes that he is still sad even if we say that he hurt me physically and emotionally, I saw that he feels more pain because first he hurt me, second I avoid him, lastly Charles did fool him. So I feel sorry for his condition than to myself.
"How are you?" I asked.
"Ashley, please forgive me, I never thought that, I could do that to you" he said
"I was carried away by my emotions and I immediately believed to Charles" he added
"I promise, it will never happen again, I will be more careful, sorry Ashley, I'm so sorry" he said as he knelt in front of me
"Thank you for helping me... Sorry" he added and he's about to cry.
It looks like Dominique is going to explode because I feel like he is not well yet
"Talk to me please..." He begged.
He looked at me and I could feel what he was feeling better
"I will do everything if you have not forgiven me yet, I will really prove that I didn't change, do you want me to leave now? Then I will do it right away, do you want me to hurt too? Go punch me" he said and he prepared his face.
He seems to want to cry because there is too much pain for him, and he took my hand
"I'm so sorry Ashley, please don't leave me either" he begged
He bent down and looked at me again, and he was really close to crying, so I slowly touched his cheek
"Go ahead and cry" I said
"I'm already fine, and I know you're not, don't mind me" I added
He cried and trying to wiped away his tears. I hold his face again and I brush his hair with my hands.
"I'm really sorry Ashley" he said while crying
He sobbed
"Don't worry, Charles also has a day for me" I said
He hugged me tightly as he cried until he fell asleep on my thigh. I felt pity to Dominique because I prefer to see her happy not the one he is crying. My heart really softened because it looks like he needs sympathy now, so I just chose to forget the hurt he did to me before and I chose to sympathize and forgive him. I gave him another chance because I believe he will not let that happen again.