Fiancé

SLOAN'S POINT OF VIEW

My session with Dra. Mirandina ended quickly. She told me to continue painting if that helps ease my mind. Though we're just beginning this journey, she seems confident that I'll bounce back from my depression in no time, as long as I take it easy and don't overwhelm myself.

Before heading home and ask Junior to pick me up, I dropped by a nearby mall first. I was planning to buy some art materials for my future paintings.

I brought acrylic paint, oil paint, different brushes, canvas, a palette, and solvents. I also brought a book about painting to expand my knowledge. I'm not a professional, after all.

The first time I painted was during my third year in college because we had a subject that required us to paint. I was pleasantly surprised when my professor—not only liked my painting but also gave me the highest score in the entire class.

I would've continued painting since my professor said I had potential, but my dad didn't agree with it. So now I only paint in secret, and all of my works are hidden in my room.

"Well, well, well, look who's here."

I quickly turned around when someone spoke behind me. I was busy scanning books in the cooking section.

"S-Shirley…" I called her. I remember her. She was my bully from high school all the way through college!

She smirked and looked at me from head to toe. "I'm glad that you still remember me, stuttering loser. You didn't change a bit, huh? Still old-fashioned and no improvement—in short, still a loser."

I bowed my head and couldn't say a word. Just like before, I still don't know how to fight back. I still can't defend myself.

I took a deep breath. "I-I'll go ahead." I was about to walk away, but she grabbed my arm and forced me to face her once more.

"We're not done talking, why are you leaving already?" she sarcastically said, flashing a fake smile on her lips.

I tried to pull my arm back but her grip was too tight. "S-Shirley, please... L-Let go of me…"

"We're still talking. It's like we don't have any history," she said, gripping my arm even tighter.

"I-It's starting to hu—"

"Let her go, Ms. Abajenza," someone said in a familiar deep baritone voice.

Shirley instantly let go of me like she had been burned. My eyes widened when I turned around and saw who was standing behind me.

Dominic's face was serious, with a stern expression and furrowed brows. The lines on his forehead revealed deep concentration, and his eyes were intense and focused.

He was walking like a king while holding a book about… Little Red Riding Hood?

"Mr. Velasco…" Shirley nervously muttered.

"What is happening here?" Dominic asked seriously as his gaze landed on me.

He was completely different now from earlier. His presence now was undeniably authoritative and exuded a serious aura. It felt like he owned everything in this place.

"Ah, I was just checking in on my old friend, Mr. Velasco. We haven't seen each other for a long time, right? Right?" she said and even clung to my arm.

When I looked back at Dominic, his eyebrow was raised, waiting to see if I would agree with Shirley's statement.

I was about to answer when he cleared his throat and looked at his Rolex watch.

"Ms. Abajenza, I have zero tolerance for a bad attitude from my employees. Before you lie, make sure I didn't overhear what you said to her earlier. It's quite disappointing, to be honest. I hope you understand that I have no desire to see you in my company ever again, starting tomorrow."

Shirley and I both widened our eyes. "But why, Sir?"

"Because you're fired," he simply answered.

Shirley walked away with slumped shoulders. Disappointment was all over her face. She even gave me a deadly look, as if I had done something terribly wrong to her.

Shirley may have treated me badly, but seeing her shoulder drop when she got fired right in front of me made me feel sorry for her.

"Are you okay? Did she hurt you?" Dominic asked, scanning my arms. Gone was the serious and intimidating aura he had earlier.

I watched him do that. We had just met, yet he acted like he had known me for a long time.

"C-Can you just not fire her?" I bravely asked him, which made him look at me.

His brow furrowed. "Why would I? I don't tolerate that kind of attitude in my company, Sloan. That kind of behavior toward other people, especially outside the company, can damage my company's image. I won't risk it."

I can't help but notice how he says my name. He does it so effortlessly, like he's been doing it forever.

I gulped. "W-What's the name of your company?"

I feel like, with the way he talks, he's not just referring to some ordinary small company. I think it's a big one because he keeps mentioning a protected image.

"VMC. Does it ring a bell?"

My eyes widened.

"Y-You mean…" I didn't finish my sentence because he nodded.

VMC, also known as Velasco Metal Corporation, is a major metal manufacturer in the Philippines. They dominate the metal supply market and provide materials for a wide range of products. They're a big deal in the metal industry here. I mean almost everything metal-related comes from them.

I thought it was just a coincidence that his surname was Velasco!

I can't say I know Velasco personally, but I have a feeling my dad might. He knows everyone after all. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd crossed paths at some point.

"I'll pay for these," he offered, which I quickly declined.

"I-I'll handle it. It's embarrassing. W-We just met. I have money," I said.

"No, I insist. And I'm not saying that you don't have money." He handed his black card to the cashier and paid for all of my purchases along with his Little Red Riding Hood storybook.

I wonder who that's for?

I thought he'd leave afterward, but I felt even more embarrassed when he offered to take me to our car while carrying some of the paper bags I had.

"T-This is too much. I'm bothering you too much," I uttered, biting my lower lip.

"Don't be. I'm not even busy, and you're not a bother. I insisted, remember?"

I just stayed quiet. I had texted Junior earlier, and as expected, he was already there. Our car was conveniently parked across from the mall, and there he was, standing on the side, patiently waiting for me.

I pointed out our car to Dominic, and we headed there right away.

"J-Junior, please take my shopping bags from him," I said nervously, referring to the paper bags Dominic was holding.

"Of course, Ma'am… I got it, Sir," said Junior.

While Junior was busy, I turned back to Dominic. "T-Thank you, really. I appreciate your help, Dominic."

"You're welcome, Sloan…" He smiled. "So, see you next time, I guess?"

When I arrived home, I immediately went straight to my room to rest, but instead of resting, I found myself painting. Painting him on my blank canvas using my brushes.

I don't know why I was painting him. Maybe because he's the only man who's been nice to me aside from Junior.

After a week, it felt like chains were once again clamped on my wrists when Nanny Basya told me that dad was back home. Even though I hadn't seen him yet, I already felt the suffocating aura that only he could bring into our big house.

My one month of freedom is over, and I have to face prison again, especially since dad told Nanny Basya that I needed to dress up nicely because today, I would be meeting my fiancé.

While Nanny was fixing me up, a lot of thoughts started running through my mind again. Memories of what happened to me in the past two years came flooding back, reminding me that I have no escape from the fate my father created for me.

I can't take it anymore if someone else dies because of me. I'd rather grow old alone than witness another death beside me.

But my heart nearly exploded when I saw who was standing in front of me.

"Sloan, this is Dominic Adam Velasco, your fiancé."