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1584 Words
"Miss Arielle, Mr. Delmondo is here to see you." She heard her secretary from the intercom.
"Hang on, Gracy," she said going to the bathroom in her office.
Arielle looked at her self in the mirror. She's wearing a silk red dress almost reaching her heel. It was a spaghetti strapped and the soft silk was designed with golden and orange flowers.
It fitted on her perfectly, showing her curvy figure. It was quite an elegant dress, modest and alluring at the same time.
Her brown hair was tied in a neat bun. Her dangling earrings accentuated the shape of her face.
Applying a lip gloss over her bloody red lipstick she did a final glance at her figure before walking out the bathroom.
Sitting down on her executive chair she sighed pressing a button on the intercom device. "Send him in, Gracy. Thank you."
"Right away, miss."
Less than a minute, a handsome man entered smiling at her hotly. He's wearing a a grey shirt and a black slack. His shoes were black and shiny.
"Hello, Rick."
He kiss both of her cheeks, "hello beautiful. Ready for lunch?" holding her arm helping her to stand.
Nodding, they both get out of her office. She turn to her secretary, "I'll be back tomorrow. I'm going straight home after lunch."
"Yes, miss Arielle."
"So, any good news?" Rick asked once they're inside his car.
Arielle looked at his handsome face. Hope can be seen clearly in his eyes everytime he asked.
"No news yet, Rick. We tried everything to contact him. He's uh- nowhere."
She smiled at him, noticing his expression changes. Rick's affection was the closest she got to being loved by a man. And dreamed of it- a man who can love and take care of her.
Her dream did come true- until he left. Taking with him the part of her that would never be whole again. And here she was, finally ready to let go.
Hoping that her dream of a beautiful life with a new family is coming true. All she needed was Caleb's cooperation.
"HOW'S the island, papa?" Arielle kiss Alejandro Ramirez on the cheek. She just came home after her date with Rick. It was already past four in the afternoon.
The pilot of the Cessna plane is still here, they just arrived from Palawan.
"Arielle," he kiss her on the cheek. "You're looking very beautiful, hija."
Sitting beside him, "I'll do it. Thank you." Ben bowed carefully putting the tea pot down the coffee table.
"The island is officially ours."
"That's a good news, papa. What's the plan?" She curiously asked Alejandro Ramirez. Still handsome at the age of 60.
His eyes remained a striking blue and the fine lines on his face mirrored wisdom instead of age.
She adored this old man; her only company these past five. He is Caleb's grandfather but she called him Papa.
When her husband left, he did not allow her to leave the mansion. It's Caleb's and now also hers.
"Resort, of course. But it will be postponed for now while we are still looking for other places to build the same project. I want to launch at least five at the same time. In the meantime, the island is at our disposal, for family gatherings and similar events."
Arielle just smiled.
"So, how are you? Any news about him?"
Sighing, "still nothing, papa."
Reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze, he looked at her understandingly. "I'm so sorry, my dear. I never should have forced the marriage upon you. I thought everything was good exceptionally great."
"Don't worry about it, papa. It was a risk I was willing to make at the time..."
"Do you still love him?"
'Do I?' Shaking her head, " I already moved on, papa."
The old man smiled sadly, " I hope Rick is patient enough to wait for you." He said seriously.
"I didn't tell him to wait. We're not in a relationship, but I'm hoping he'll still be around by the time I'm free."
"Best of luck, hija."
"Thank you. For not judging me about Rick."
"You're a good woman, Arielle. I know you have suffered since you married my grandson. But you stayed faithful and devoted to this household even without him. You deserve your happiness and freedom back."
She hug him tightly expressing how thankful she is.
"Now. Now, why don't you rest for a bit. We are having dinner soon, why don't you invite Rick?"
Already reaching for her phone and sending Rick a message, "I'm sure he'd love that."
She stand kissing his cheeks before walking up the stairs to the masters bedroom. It is the biggest room in the villa.
She observe the whole room painted in white and black. A particular framed photo caught her attention. It was her and Caleb during her eighteenth birthday.
And everything came back.
'HAPPY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY, Arielle..'
Arielle gasped as the stranger tugged her body closer to his. There was a little space between them.
He was her seventeenth dance partner. She looked up and her eyes met his grey eyes. He's tall and very very handsome with short hair like those of a soldier.
Prominent jaw, sharp nose and almost red like lips. They look full and tender. "T-thank you. I'm sorry, but I don't know your name.."
"Caleb, Caleb Ramirez."
"Papa Alejandro's grandson!"
"I am. May I say that you look very stunning?"
Her face felt hot. And she's pretty sure her blush beat her blush on. "T-thank you," she stummered again.
His arm around her back slide down stoping just above her bottom drawing her to his hard body, and she nearly swooned.
"So tell me, Arielle... Your last dance partner, is he your boyfriend?" He asked while they swayed with the music.
Looking at Andrew who's getting ready for the next dance, "yes, he is."
He spin her around and she twirled gracefully and landed inside his warm and hard arm. The next thing she felt is his lips to hers.
He was sweetly nipping on her tender lower lip. She smelled the faint scent of wine and aftershave on him.
Arielle froze not knowing what to do.
And then, she felt Caleb smile against her lower lip. He nibbled it once again and kissed it tenderly before releasing her to look at her face.
"W-why did you do that?" She felt like she's floating in the air and her heart is beating faster than normal.
Caleb lowered his head, his lips close to her ear, "because I can."
Before she can react the photographer is in front of them. She felt him kissed her ear before whispering, "smile."
So she smiled.
The next thing she knew, she's dancing with Andrew.
_
That was the happiest day of her life. It was the first time they met.
Arielle smiled bitterly. It was supposed to be her present for him after their wedding. Her phone ring, it was a text from Rick saying that he'll come.
Looking at the time she immediately got inside the bathroom for a shower. After ten minutes she is infront of her vanity mirror applying light powder on her face.
Dinner had always been a formal event at Ramirez villa. Even if it is only the two of them the tradition did not change.
She chose to wear a casual off shoulder chiffon dress in dainty beige with a gold chain belt. She paired it with a three inches long heel.
Her hair wasn't straight nor wavy but it goes with everything she wore. Tonight she put on a small hairpin with diamond studs. She's not wearing any jewelry except- her wedding ring.
Satisfied with her look she left for the kitchen. Dan their cook and two maids are setting the foods in the table.
Always wanting to help, she set the plates in the table. They allowed her to help since they can't stopped her from doing so.
They told her when she helped them the first time that she's just like Lani, Alejandro's wife. Always helping in the kitchen.
It was almost two years since she passed away. Arielle learned so many things from her.
Approaching the phonograph near the dining room door and putting a plaque. The melodious voice of the singer plunge the silence.
Humming, she continued setting the table. The long table looked classy and homey at the same time.
After setting everything she turned around to call for Alejandro. Her step halted when she saw a man leaning on the door jamb, forearms ang legs crossed. He's staring at her intently.
The world stood still, the man she did not think she would see again is here looking back at her.
His once short hair is now long reaching his shoulders. He was darker, no, tanned. His hard chin was dark because of stubbles and the right corner of his mouth was slightly raised in a mocking smile.
His nose was arrogant as ever and his eyes were as piercing as before. He gained more muscles, more weight and more magnetic appeal.
And she missed him so much that right then and there, she just wanted to forget about every single pain he brought her and just throw herself at him. To tell him that she missed and she still love him so much.
"Having a special dinner?" Caleb drawled.
She struggled to keep her wits, his voice. Oh, his seductive voice. "H-hi, C-caleb."
- Writer
