Sebastian's Obsession

Chapter 2

I decided to make a visit to my parents' grave. It's been six years since they left me, but the wound in my heart is still fresh. As though their deaths only happened yesterday. It was so sudden and I was not prepared for it.

I placed some fresh flowers on each of their graveyards before uttering a simple prayer. I sat beside mum's tomb letting my fingertips trail down on the name engraved atop the gravestone.

I miss you, mum. I miss you, dad. I whispered into thin air as if they could hear me.

I couldn't deny that when they died and left me, my world was turned upside down. I have no idea how to manage a business or do any chores. I had been living a princessy lifestyle for fifteen years, and when they left, I was completely lost.

Aunt came and helped me to continue living, so I treated her like my second mother. I trusted her so much that I relied on her every decision and choice because, in her, I feel the comfort of a mother. But I couldn't believe that the person whom I had put my whole trust in was also the first one to ever betray me. If she had planned this all along, why did she have to wait for six years before selling the company? She could have done it when I was fifteen, but why now that I am already 21?

I stayed in my parents' graveyard for a couple of minutes before I decided to go home. The day is about to end, yet my plate is filled with problems. I tried to massage my temples as my head began to throb while exiting the cemetery.

The Pretty Savage ringtone echoes as my phone rang continuously. My eyes bore on the screen after I slid on the driver's seat and saw Cana's name on it.

"What now?" I inquired after connecting the call to my wireless earpods. I immediately turned on the engine and maneuvered the car away from the parking space.

"I've found one, Miss Liondale. He's going to come into your office tomorrow," Cana replied on the other end.

"Okay, thanks Cana," I uttered before cutting the call. I have tasked her to look for an agent who can trace Aunt's whereabouts. I need to find that old woman as she's the only alas I had left for the company. She is the one who created the problem, therefore she should be the one to fix it. It's either by hook or by crook.

I parked the car in the garage after I arrived home. The maid immediately greeted me the moment I stepped inside the mansion. As usual, the house is solemn, as though it was only built for shelter rather than a home.

I heaved a deep sigh before heading upstairs. I am nothing more than a soul lost in the vastness of the universe. As if I were an empty vessel with no feeling of purpose, searching for a cause to live. As though I was a sheep lost under her master's command. I'm tired. I'd like to take my slumber and join my parents in heaven, where we may rest in peace for all eternity. No more anguish, sadness, or suffering. Isn't that desirable?

Oftentimes, I wonder why God allowed us to live only to let us suffer? It's a logic that I've struggled to decipher up until now. His mind operates in a unique way, and his plans are vastly different from what we have dreamed our life to be. It's like the creator versus his creation and I know the latter would never win. After all, he is the master of the universe and we are just part of the whole, playing each of our roles.

After reflecting on things, I went straight to the bathroom and let myself soak in the tub. Peace enables me to contemplate what life is. Letting me delve into erstwhile memories. Still, there's an empty piece of the puzzle that I have yet to find. A piece, perhaps someone who could clear up all of my doubts.

I don't have somebody whom I could rely on if worst comes to worst and if I ever lose my fight with Montenegro. My relatives are far from here and I don't even have many friends aside from Isabelle, who is in France right now.

I said I wanted to relax but my thoughts started to overwhelm me again. For the very least, I want peace, but it seems like my brain ain't giving me a break from all of this.

I blew a few bubbles in the tab before applying two cucumbers to my eyes and letting myself rest. The warmth of the water calms my inner turmoil, helping me to control my warring emotions and relieve the scorching pressure on my shoulder.

———

"En, aren't you going to answer your cellphone?" Monica asked, the oldest helper in the house while changing my curtains. She was presumably irritated by the constant buzz of my ringtone, which filled the entire room. My phone had been buzzing nonstop since I returned from the bathroom, and I hadn't paid much attention to it. The caller probably doesn't know what personal space is.

I glanced at my phone to see who the caller was but the number plastered on the screen was unknown. I arched my brows subconsciously, wondering who this damn buttinsky was, but I had no idea. I'm quite sure this isn't Aunt; she won't contact me right now, and I'm pretty sure she's not stupid to do that. I don't even remember giving my number to somebody else except Cana, Isabelle, and some of my relatives, including Aunt Natasha. I snob the calls. I don't accept calls from strangers. My eyes went back in the mirror while I was busy blow-drying my hair.

I was busy fixing my hairstyle when my phone kept on ringing. As though the caller wanted to annoy me or perhaps it was something important. Annoyed. I slammed my dryer at the vanity mirror before accepting the call.

"WHO THE FCK ARE YOU?" I shouted. I don't care if I sound disrespectful or what, but I'm effin pissed right now. I'm trying to have a 'me' time but somebody else is trying to make me go crazy mad.

"Chill, baby girl. It's Sebastian. I just want to remind you that I have had your office cleaned earlier today since you didn't fix your things there." A familiar voice responded in the other line. I know it's that fcking Montenegro. My blood suddenly boiled for an instant. Who is he to touch my things?

"Where did you get my number? And who gave you the permission to touch my belongings? You cunt!" I exclaimed with gritted teeth. I formed my palm into a painful fist as I walked back and forth in my room. Did he throw my things away? Damn it!

The i***t suddenly chuckled at the other line. "One question at a time, baby girl." As if there was something amusing in our conversation. Freaking weirdo.

I heard Sebastian clear his throat. "In case you forget, sweetie. I am a Montenegro and I have my ways," he added, mocking me. I suddenly feel so hot as though I could kill someone right now. If he had been in front of me I could have blown his head already. I am so pissed. Totally pissed right now.

"Where did you put my things?" I uttered, putting emphasis on the word my thing.

"Trashcan."

"Fck you, Montenegro. Go to hell! You fcking demon!" I yelled before throwing my phone at the wall. That demon would certainly be the death of me. Sebastian would definitely give me wrinkles. I need to calm down. I did a couple of inhales and exhaled, yet my inside was still burning with rage. Monica picked up my broken phone as she slowly shook her head. I ran my finger through my hair, not knowing what to do. Did Sebastian really throw my things in the trash bin? I have some important documents there. I should call Cana to fetch those things...but I realize that my phone is already broken. Damn, temper.

"What happened, En? Why are you angry?" Monica asked as she closed our distance, putting my broken phone on top of my vanity mirror. I picked it up and checked it out to see if it still worked. It does, however, only half of the screen is working.

"Aunt sold the company to that fcking Montenegro," I uttered tiredly. My knees wobble in the same way as my hands tremble in rage. I've never felt so furious and helpless in my life as I do right now.

"Huh? How? When?" Monica asked, confused. She gave me a glass of water while trying to calm me down.

"I don't know when Aunt sold the company. I've just found out today because Sebastian Montenegro came with documents at hand and told me everything."

"Aunt betrayed me, Monica," I added as tears streamed on my face. It hurts. It's considerably worse than heartache to be betrayed like this. My heart feels like it's been pounded till it bleeds. Why can somebody so effortlessly break someone else's trust, as if it were the easiest thing to do in the world?

Monica hugged me as I began to have my outburst. She understands that words alone will not be enough to ease my pain. Monica never said anything but hugged me as though to remind me that she was there with me while I cried like a child. And that's all I needed at that moment. A hug and an ear who listens.