F-orbidden Dalliance: Enemies to Lovers Romance ENGLISH

Chapter 5

― there is no hiding place

“Please, excuse me for visiting without prior notice, but the board meeting is five minutes away, so.” Mr. Racini shrugs his shoulders, not at least apologetic. His tailored suit fitted him perfectly. I don’t see even a single crease. His stylish hair is laid back with something that he used to make it look shiny like that. I blink and shakes my head, startled at how and why I am keeping my eyes at him. It’s as if studying his whole appearance will satisfy me, and it disturbs me. 

It’s a good thing Leonid is used to this kind of surprise in this industry. He easily managed to compose himself with a single clear of the throat. “Yes, of course. Please, come in.” He gestures to the inside of his office. Their faces are in business mode now. 

At that very moment, I forget why I am here. I want to fade in thin air or run for the door Judy just with her. Mr. Racini’s piercing eyes sent me moving. I force myself to stand, not minding my weakening knees. His pupils dilated in recognition, then hid it by narrowing them. Obviously, he’s not expecting me to be here. 

I look at Leonid who takes steps towards me. His arms snake around my waist. “This is my fiancée, Sunshine Villarama… Kisu, he’s Mr. Racini, one of the major shareholders of the company. I believe you know him.”

I blink rapidly, my own saliva nearly choking me. I nod as I wait for Mr. Racini to hold out his hand for a formal handshake. I don’t think I can manage to do it in front of Leonid now, but I have to try. I hope he pretends not to know me. I hope he forgets what just happened in the parking lot of the hospital and everything before it. 

I mentally try feeling my stomach. It’s still blood but already causing an effect every time the culprit is in front of me. I’m familiar with Leonid’s perfume and Mr. Racini was not wearing that kind of perfume when we met in the hospital. If I remember correctly, it was his scent when we went to the Varghain. I don’t know why it’s making me feel worse now.

“Speaking of which…,” He casually scanned the place as if he’s inside his own office. “I’m here in hopes to speak to you about your father’s plan to take my seat as a major shareholder. I hope you don’t have the same plan as him.”

Leonid turns to me. I understand that look. He feels sorry that he has to send me away and continue our discussion of my sudden visit some other time. And I truly understand. I wish to be away now that Mr. Racini’s presence is making me feel sick.

“Excuse me,” Leonid said to Mr. Racini after contemplating what’s best to do: attend to his problematic fiancée or his major shareholders who obviously never been friendly to anyone in the business.

I’m grateful he chose me, but it disturbs me to see Mr. Racini watching us. I swallow and smile at Leonid. 

“I’m sorry. Let’s just meet up after this. I’ll reserve us lunch in…”

I shake my head. “I’m fine. Take your time. We can talk some other time.”

“Businessmen should know which women can either break or make them,” Mr. Racini shared his thoughts aloud. His arms are crossed over his chest while his chin is comfortably leaning on his right fist. My heart pounds hard seeing the way his eyes narrow with a condescending sneer. His words meant to be a joke with most men in his clothes, but there’s no trace of joke on his face. 

We both know what he meant. He clearly doesn’t want what happened between us to be a secret. He wants to make it known this way. 

Leonid doesn’t recognize the mock on his visitor’s tone. He gives me an apologetic look. I nodded with understanding. He got my bag from the sofa and handed it over to me. He kisses my forehead and bids his goodbye. 

“Please, excuse my fiancée.”

“You’re sending her out?”

My brows and Leonid’s furrowed. His choice of words is something else. He makes it seem like Leonid is throwing me out of his office. And it’s not like that. If only he knows how willing I am to quickly leave this instant.

“I will lead her out and make sure she’s okay,” Leonid uses his hard voice to answer him. His hands are on my shoulder and arm reassuringly squeezed. “Let’s go.”

“And you’ll leave me here?... Okay then. I’ll make myself comfortable.” He plumps down on the sofa I occupied. His legs are spread apart, eating all the space. His hands are steepled together in front of him.  

I don’t know what he’s up to, but I’m getting a glimpse of the reason why everyone wants to stay away from him as much as possible. Finally, I get to see him inside the business. Dad is right. It’s a wrong decision for Leonid’s family to accept this insensitive man in their company. 

“I’ll be fine,” I placed a hand on his hand on my arm. I smiled and nodded to reassure him. Because of it, he let me send myself out. I am thankful I didn’t fall down on my knees as a pair of glaring eyes pierced my back. 

Outside, my heart continues to beat rapidly. Judy walks to me, asking if I need help. I lie and tell her I’m okay. I was inside the elevator when I saw why Leonid’s secretary looked so worried for me. I look pale and lifeless. I bite my lower lip to try to produce as little color as possible. 

I planned to wait in the lobby in desperation to talk to Leonid, but I’m feeling upset just thinking of the better words to say. And there are no better words to tell your fiancé you got pregnant by another man, and that man is sitting on his couch right now. I came here because I’m overwhelmed by the emotion and frustrations. Now I lost the courage and the face to tell everything to him. It’s scary now.

“I’m sorry, I’m late.”

I stand and accept his kiss on my cheek. I didn’t wait that long. I’m also used to it. Either the two of us are always late. We understand each other’s business, so. 

“Is there a problem?” I finally asked after the waiter took our orders. He pulls on his necktie, letting his frustration become visible. He drinks on his glass of water. I don’t want to think it’s because of Mr. Racini but I have a strong feeling he has something to do with Leonid’s reaction. I wonder what he told him.

“It’s always the company.” He sighed heavily. I saw the weariness in his eyes as he welcomed my curious gaze. “He’s trying to increase his shares in the company as if being a major stockholder is not enough. The board seems to be in his favor. It’s probably because he is really good, or because he is a Racini. And the one Hugh Racini.”

It seems like they only talked about business. I’m glad that man didn’t say anything that might ruin our family’s reputation. But then, this problem inside Leonid’s family might also be a problem for us. “But he’s not trying to take everything in your company, right?” 

“He didn’t also plan to be a major stockholder. He’s satisfied to be a short-term investor.”

The silence grows between us. We are now certain it’s something else. That man works this way. My dad will be berserk once this news reaches him. 

Leonid takes glass after glass of his whiskey. We spent hours inside the restaurant without actually talking about anything else. I waited for him patiently. It’s the first time I've seen him this problematic. It’s the first that he actually shows me this vulnerable side of him. Even after his break-up with his four-year relationship, he had maintained his composure. He has control over things around him. He never let his emotion come in between anything. This problem in their company is affecting him too much. 

“I’ll drive you home.”

He shakes his head and tries to avoid my helping hands.  “I’ll call our driver to come to pick me up. You should have come home earlier.”

“I’ll drive you to your place. You drank so much. I’ll just park your car down in the basement if that would make you comfortable.” 

He tries to steady himself. I don’t know how I look but I don’t give a smile or anything. Then he nodded. Silence is again with us on our drive to his place. I like it better this way. It is like this during the first time he drove me home. We never feel awkward with each other. First, we are doing this for our parents. Second, there’s really nothing we can do about the situation. We are professional in this job of pleasing our parents. But I betrayed him that night. 

“I apologize for the rudeness of Mr. Racini earlier,” he said in a raspy tone. I’m not expecting him to apologize on behalf of someone like Mr. Racini. I nodded without knowing what to say. He moves on his seat and turns his body to completely face me. “You have something important to tell me earlier. It looks urgent. I’m sorry it slipped off my mind. What is it?”

I swallow hard and step on the gas as the traffic lights turn green. I see the tower of his condo unit after turning for an intersection. We are already in the basement but I can’t still give him an answer. When he doesn’t move, I realize he is waiting. 

“Let’s talk about it some other time,” I whispered.

“I’m not that drunk. I feel sorry I forgot to ask you when I came to the restaurant.”

“I understand. Your company’s problem should be a priority.”

“You’re my fiancée, Kisu. You should come first.”

For the first time, we stare at each other with something else. Not with a vacant face or a professional stance. We gaze not because we are obligated too, but because we truly understand each other. My heart melts with the realization. He is like a brother I never had, tied down by the controlling hands of our parents. I’m so grateful to have someone like him who feels and understands the same feeling I have.

I look away as unexpected tears roll down. He gets alarmed by my outburst. I quickly wipe the tears off so as not to worry him. 

“It’s that important,” he concluded. I nodded. I am determined to tell him the truth but I can’t find the proper words. His hooded eyes turned a little wide in worry. 

“Can I move in with you now?” The words were out before I got to contemplate it. 

I internally curse myself. It’s not the words we expected. I have no idea why that ridiculous question slipped but I couldn’t take it back now. His eyes were filled with questions. I clench my fists, wanting so bad to slap my face. 

“I mean… if things like this keep on happening, my parents won’t stop questioning my time of arrival at home. It would be a consistent question to them why I have to travel late and away from home when I can live with you instead.”

“Is that the reason you waited for me?”

I blink, nod, then shake my head. “There are times I wanted to go to a bar and stay up late but I have a curfew. And our parents would be expecting us to have dinners at night so my time is really limited.” I bit the inside of my cheek. My deception is piling up. I also can’t believe what I am saying now. This is absurd and I understand if he laughs out of a sudden. That would make it stop. 

“Let’s have coffee upstairs.” He takes his seatbelt off him. I didn’t move. I’ve never been to his place. “We can start doing it now. I can’t send you home tonight and your parents will question you if you go home without me or ask you where I am and what happens.”

That’s not exactly what I want to happen. I’m never comfortable leaving with anyone except my parents. I am speechless by the sudden turn of events. And I have no one to blame but myself because frankly, it's all because of my reckless, stupid decision. I should have known better. 

His place is as expected for a bachelor’s pad. I’ve never been to anyone’s bachelor place so I don’t have anything to compare it with, except the magazines, and this place is close to it. Complete with furniture, mostly made of leather and mahogany color. He makes sure to keep everything minimal and simple, with gray and white shade. 

He lends me his extra shirt to use for the night. I use his guest room that is also perfectly fine even though it’s been unoccupied since he first moved in. Leonid is only here during the night because of work but the room service makes sure everything is clean. But the odd feeling is making me miss home. Seeing everything here doesn't inspire me to try to live on my own. 

I close my eyes after the moment of my staring contest with the ceiling. I made yet another mistake. My plan to fix everything gone to the wind. I become reckless again. My parents would be disappointed with all my decisions. I’m losing my mind! 

If I’m truly sorry, I should just tell him and apologize. I don’t have to cover lies with other lies!

***

We don’t add fuel to what’s already been burning. I shouldn’t have made another lie. I really meant to tell the truth to Leonid and apologize, but instead, I lied to his face. I could send him free if I told him the truth. Now it’s not only our parents who are imprisoning him in this situation. I’m no different from them.

I heavily sigh and rest my forehead on the steering wheel. I have been parked in front of our house for a couple of minutes now. I know my parents would be in the company today. I want to rest but how can I do that with all these thoughts going around my head. I really have to think of a way to tell Leonid the truth. We all can’t live with lies. 

If the fire turns huge, I would be needing a greater amount of water to stop it. I should not stay idle and wait for it to happen.

“Good morning, Miss Kisu. A package came under your name earlier. It’s in your room now.”

The maid informed me right after I decided to get out of the car and enter the threshold of our house. I knit my brows in confusion. 

“Did you ask from whom?”

“It’s from one of your family doctors, Mrs. Summers.”

My tired eyes opened wide at the mention of Mrs. Summers’s name. I turn to the other maid standing behind the first one. She nods to confirm the lady’s words. 

“O―Okay,” I said, lost to myself, feeling dreadful. I walked past them.

“Miss Kisu…,” she makes a quick pace to walk alongside me, “Your mom also wants you to join her for lunch today.”

I become alert at the mention of my mom being here. I spun around to face them. “Mom’s here? She’s not… She’s not in her work?”

“She’s not feeling well. Actually she’s been waiting for you to come home for breakfast.”

I swallowed and nodded. “Does she know about the package?”

Their eyes met in confusion. Probably because of my uneasiness. Mom must not know about the package sent by Mrs. Summers because it’s odd for our family doctor to send me anything. I don’t want mommy to know what Mrs. Summers knows yet. Yes, I plan to tell them. But I still need little time. Not like this. I don’t even have any idea what’s with that bundle. She should have informed me about it first before delivering it straight here.

“Don’t tell mom about it,” I immediately said after they shake their heads in unison. They nodded despite the curiosity plastered on their faces. “It’s not that important. Tell her I’ll be joining her for lunch.”

I tried to remain calm as I took the steps to the stairs. When I’m out of the line of vision of the maids, I run the distance to my room. I instantly noticed the unfamiliar white box on the sofa at the foot of my bed. I closed the door and ran to it. Taking the cover off, I saw several medicinal bottles. I picked each to check and see that these are vitamins and supplements…

Please, take these medicines for the health and safety of your baby. I don’t know when you are planning to go back but please do.

That was the note inside the box. She has no idea how risky this is for me. If mommy happens to be the one who accepts it, it’ll be my end. I have to talk to her about this. The thing is, mom has her number. Perhaps, her contact is on the lists of our emergency contact downstairs. 

I looked around the room to see where I could place the box. No one must see it here until I admit to mommy and Leonid the truth. And when is that, I have no idea. I bit my lower lip and hid it under my bed. 

“Kisu, honey!” The sudden call was followed by the opening of the door.