Yearning for Love

Beautiful Skin

Andrew Pak was furious at the rejection. He had dated so many girls, slept with countless numbers of them, and this was the first to give him a hard time. No lady who stared at him once, rejected him. They saw no need to. He was hot, rich…. He was their dream man. His ego had been bruised and he couldn't bear it.

Taking a bottle of wine from his bar, he popped it open and grabbed a glass.

"She's different." He heard Millie tell him. His eyes went to the young lady, who stood beside him with concern.

"No lady has ever given me this hard time…." He poured his drink and took a gulp.

"Why don't you leave her alone? She isn't the kind of lady you want to mess with. This lady has high values and wouldn't bend low to any man. Why don't you give up on her? " Millie advised.

"I get all the ladies! " Andrew growled. "Everyone of them, chubby, beautiful, ugly, brave, stubborn…. I get them all. I never give up on them. They are the ones who come after me, Milie. It would be disappointing of me not to have this one. I know she's special, I know she's a challenge. That's why I want her."

"She is just an innocent lady who wants a serious relationship…."

"I also want a serious relationship too. Unfortunately , it’s not the kind she presumes. If her parents agreed then, I would have given her all the things she wanted. They're slow to my liking and I am getting tired of their daughter. She makes me sick to the stomach." He poured her another drink.

"So you will leave her then because you are tired of her….."

"No, I will not leave her until I get her. I do not have to get married to her. I just want to get in her pants, like I always do. That's a challenge I have placed on myself. Luckily, I have just thought of a plan." He smirked, taking a sip of his drink.

*CAROLINE POV*

Caroline nodded to the beautiful beat of pop music that played while she ticked off her todo list for the day. She was so engrossed in getting things done, she didn’t notice her mum and sister arguing loudly downstairs again. When she heard a glass shatter, her mind got grounded on what was going on and she rushed out.

“What’s happening now?” She asked, rushing out of the room.

“Your sister thinks it’s a good idea we save and send you to Austria.” Her mum reported. “Why does she want you far away from me so bad?”

Caroline was confused about how that related to the glass shattering. Turning towards the left corner of the room, she sighted a maid cleaning up a broken glass cup.

“What the heck happened here?” She asked, helping the maid clean.

“Leave Yami to her fate. The glass slipped from her grip and broke.” Laura explained nonchalantly..

“Yami, are you hurt?” Carolin asked, checking the teenagers' fingers. Her palm was filled with thick cartilages due to how hard she worked. This showed years of struggles and lifting of heavy items. Items Laura never agreed to lift.

“I am fine, Caroline.” Yami smiled picking up the packer of glass pieces.

Caroline nodded and watched her leave before turning back to the argument her family had again. Why were they talking about her anyway? Weren’t they done with her problem?

“Caroline, you need to join us here,” Laura insisted.

“Definitely not.” Caroline walked back towards the hallway.

“What do you mean no? Dad’s thinking of getting both you and Andrew married by the beginning of next month. It turns out he is the only one who thinks the marriage is a good idea. For some reason, mum isn’t on the same page as me here,” Laura explained.

Caroline stopped and turned back sharply.

“Hold on, Dad doesn’t have a problem with it?” She asked with surprise.

“Yes, only mum does. But since Dad’s health is deteriorating and we have no means of fund, mum thinks it’s a good idea to accept him soon.”

Caroline was astounded by this decision.

“Mum, we are talking about my entire life here. Do you really want me with Andrew for dad’s health?” She was disappointed by her mum.

“Exactly what I told mum!” Laura agreed.

“Caro, wasn’t this what you wanted? Didn’t you plead to be with him?” Mrs Halls asked in annoyance.

Caroline was quiet. Of course, she badly wanted him in the past. But she wasn’t sure of his intentions anymore. She wasn’t sure if she would be happy with him or not. She just couldn’t tell.

“Are you confused?” Her mum was surprised.

“Let her be mother! She had seen Andrew’s true colors and decided on what she wanted. No sane lady will want such a mysterious man!” Laura argued.. “Why don’t we send her abroad instead? I could make money for the family. I could provide some money for dad’s treatment.”

“Laura, that won’t be easy….”

“But I am willing to try. I am willing to take the burden...”

“No one’s doing anything,” Caroline cut in. “Leave it to me. I will figure out a way.”

“So what will you do? Marry him?” Laura hissed.

“Let me think, please.”

Back in her room, Caroline lay in deep thought about what to do. Andrew Pak didn’t seem like a man she could trust to her, but could she be overthinking? Could she just be selfish thinking about what she wanted and not what her father wanted? Could she be risking her father’s life? What if Andrew Pak wasn’t so bad and her dad’s life depended on him?

She was indecisive at that moment. As she laid her eyes on the ceiling, she received a phone call. Gazing at the caller ID, she saw the name ‘Mr Mysterious’ Flash before her eyes. She ignored his call at first. When he called back she picked with reluctance.

“Hello…” She said.

“Caroline, I am sorry. Could we meet?” He requested.

“I am afraid I can’t. I have to feed my dog some treats.” She said and almost hung up. That was the most ridiculous excuse she had ever given in her life.

“I see. You can do that. I was hoping we meet in the park and I tell you something about Jenna’s my former girlfriend.”

She was surprised. So was he willing to open up now?!

“You don’t need to force yourself to do this….”

“I am not forcing myself. I really hope to do this.”

There was something about his voice that sounded sincere. She gave in and agreed with the meet-up time. In an hour, she was in her jacket and gold trousers, ready to trek to the park he mentioned. It was 5pm in the evening and the sun was settling in. The park was half full with couples still walking in. Since the park was beautiful under the setting sun, she appreciated Andrew for choosing that time.

“Hey!” She greeted him when she saw him sitting on one of the benches. He turned to look at her and smiled. His smile as usual was enticing.

“Hi. I am glad you made it.” He stood up and hugged her closely. His embrace was warm and she could feel his beating heart against her chest.

“This is a beautiful park. I rarely come here. The last time I came here was 10 years ago, when my granny visited us.” Caroline explained. God bless her Granny soul.

“It must have been a beautiful experience,” Andrew smiled.

“Yes, it was. She was my Nana after all and everyone loved her. Most especially her cooking…” Caroline smiled, recalling the good old times. She pulled out a pendant which she never removed from her neck and showed him. “She owned this Pendant. She asked I was given this pendant before she died.”

“You both must have been really close….”

“We were inseparable.” Caroline laughed.

They heard the sound of a child laughing and the sound of a nut falling from a tree. The slight breeze must have blown it down.

“Unfortunately, I never got to know my grandma. My grandma died when my mum was born.” Andrew explained, staring at the wet grass.

“I am sorry to know that. I am sure she loves you nevertheless.” Caroline did feel bad for him. For some reason, she forgot all their differences and wanted to hold his hands so badly. She wanted to embrace him and whisper to him all would be fine.

“About Jenna, I really loved her. She was my 7th grade girlfriend whom my parents knew and loved. We use to be very close and attended classes together.” He went straight to the point.

“What happened?”

Andrew was silent at first. He gazed at the sky for a while before continuing.

“Her friend seduced me and she caught me while we made out. It wasn’t my fault. Her friend wouldn’t get her hands off me….”

Caroline stared away from him, trying not to judge.

“I know it’s my fault. Till this day, my parents ridiculed me for it. They felt I should have pushed her off or been disciplined enough….”

“Yes you should have. You broke that poor girl’s heart for no reason,” Caroline confessed.

“I know. That’s why I avoided serious relationships, because I knew commitment might be difficult for me. But I am willing to start afresh now. I am willing to learn to commit….” He drew himself closer to her. "I am willing to learn to commit with you.”

Caroline’s eyes fell on his lips, then she stared into his eyes. His eyes were lovely and they constantly drew her closer to them. She wanted to stare at them forever and get engulfed in his arms, but she knew she couldn’t. Again, she wasn’t sure if to trust him or not. She turned away instantly and drew herself away from him.

“Do you still not trust me?” He asked.

“It takes a lot to earn trust.” She said, unaware of his frustrated look. The sky suddenly got cloudy and the wind began blowing heavily. Visitors screamed as they rushed for a nearby shade. Caroline and Andrew did the same, standing under a mud hut which wasn’t large enough to contain all 5 in it.

“Let us go in my car. I will drive us to my home first.” He said, pointing towards his car which was some meters away.

“Why your home? You could just drop me at my place…..”

“My house is closer, but whatever you say.”

The rain began pouring heavily. They had both rushed in the rain towards where his car was parked and rushed in. By the time they were in, they were both dripping wet, shivering with cold. Caroline let out a sneeze since she was allergic to the cold.

“Have this. I haven’t used it yet.” Andrew offered her a towel. She thanked him and used it. As she wiped the water off her hair and hands, she stared out the window, unaware of Andrew staring at her wet skin.

“Can I drive now?” She heard his driver ask.

“What?” Andrew didn’t hear what the man said. This got her attention towards his direction. He seemed disoriented for some reason.

“I mean can I drive now?”

“Yea, please. Take us to my place.” He insisted.

Caroline was surprised.

“I thought we both agreed….” She sneezed again and again.

“You’ve caught a cold. Your home is far away from here. I think it’s best you get warmth at my home for a while, before you go under the weather again.”

Caroline said nothing.

They arrived at his home and he hosted her with a warm coffee and a cozy blanket. She thanked him and watched him stare at her like an over-protective hawk.

“You didn’t tell me you were allergic to the cold,” he said.

“You never asked. We haven’t spoken in days.”

“You can leave once the rain has stopped. You can’t go out like this.” He stood up and went to his maid. He requested his helper for something and in a few minutes, she arrived with a long night gown.

“This is for me, but you can wear it for the meantime.” The maid handed the outfit to her.

“Thank you.” She thanked him gratefully. As the maid was about to leave, she stopped her. “Sorry. What’s your name?”

“Millie,” the maid responded.

“It’s nice to meet you, Millie.”

“You too, Caroline.” Millie smiled before walking back to the kitchen. Caroline hugged the night gown onto her chest and took the last of her coffee drop before taking her time to admire the house more. The mansion was a two-storey building with so many doors. How many rooms does this house possibly have? She thought.

“I would love to use the bathroom” she informed Millie, who was draining some water from the sink.

“Sure! Go upstairs. Enter the first room on your right.” She described before turning back to what she was doing. Caroline smiled and followed her description. Little did she notice that Millie widened her eyes, realizing she had been describing the wrong room. Perhaps she should have been more observant. By the time she opened the handle and walked in, it was too late. Her life changed the moment she stepped through that door.