STATUS: With Benefits Only

Chapter I: Return of Mckenzie

Celestine's POV

"S-Sir, I'm really sorry!" I apologize to the driver who got out of the car I hit. I bit my lip when I saw the broken backlight of the car and its dented bumper. I cursed when I saw the logo of an expensive car, which you rarely see. I’m doomed!

This is really bad!

"Ma'am, sorry is not enough. My boss will be furious," the driver said, scratching the back of his neck as we started walking our way to the side of the road with the enforcer.

As a result of what I did, the traffic got worse, and some onlookers and moving vehicles shouted at me.

"Is everything settled?" the enforcer asked us.

I need to call Sasha and let her know that I might not make it to the event. I don't think I will be able to leave at this point.

The driver suddenly turned his head towards the car he was driving when the window rolled down. He approached the car and seemed to be talking to someone. Is his boss there?

I started to wonder when the driver nodded as if agreeing to something. I don't have a full view of the inside of the car, so I can't see who he is talking to.

I straightened my back when the driver started to come back, looking relieved.

"It's all settled, ma'am. My boss said you don't need to pay for the damage to his car. We're in a hurry, so we have to leave." The driver said before he started walking back to the car, but I stopped him.

"W-Wait! Are you serious?" I said it, barely believing it. I looked at the rear part of the expensive car and winced a little. I made such a big dent in it!

"Yes, ma'am," he replied. I couldn't utter a word and just watched him get in the driver's seat and drive away.

I was startled when my phone suddenly rang in my pocket. Damn! I still have a party to attend!

I quickly got into my car and drove back to the highway towards the hotel.

"TINE! Hurry!" Sasha greeted me at the entrance of the Oasis Luxury Hotel and Resort, owned by Gutierrez.

"These damn heels," I muttered to myself as I took them off and ran towards Sasha, barefooted.

She grabbed my hand, and we headed to a hotel room. I wanted to curse because Mon and Dad chose the highest floor for their accommodations. It was the penthouse, the most expensive room. When you're inside, you can't help but feel at home since it was designed with a second floor that makes you think you're in your actual house.

Damn, I really don't like their taste; it's too fancy, and they're not practical at all. They could have just occupied a suite or even a two-bedroom unit since we'll only be staying here for a night.

"Hurry up, undress already! And wear this," Sasha said nervously. My parents will scold her if I'm late. There are times that I feel guilty about it since it was all my fault.

I quickly changed into a long, fitted, backless gown paired with a silver stiletto. I did my hair in a bun to look neat and to emphasize my bare back.

"Here are your earrings and necklace," Sasha said, handing me the expensive necklace and earrings that Mom bought for me on my last birthday, which I had never worn before.

"Do I really need to wear these?" I protested.

"Yes! Hurry up and don't argue." I rolled my eyes and took them from her.

Soon enough, we went down to the hotel's function room. The staff guided us on our way. We didn't go through the main entrance of the function room and used the back door instead, so no one noticed that I was late.

"Uncle has started his speech; after that, your mom will call you," Sasha whispered. I nodded at her, and we walked our way to our table, hand in hand, acting as if I were never late.

There were a few young male guests who looked in our direction. I couldn't help but grin internally, thinking about how men reacted whenever they saw beautiful women.

"You look gorgeous tonight, fairy godmother!" I told Sasha, teasing.

"Shut up! How can I look gorgeous if I am too stressed because of you?" I smirked at her reply. She's so sweet that even if I always make her day stressful, she remains loyal to me.

"At least I made it almost in time," she glared at me before giving me a light pinch on my side that made us giggle. My life would have been so boring if not for her. She was the only one who kept me from being rebellious toward my parents.

"Auntie is calling you," Sasha said urgently. I stood up as soon as I saw my mother get up from their table, which was not too far from ours. My parents seemed relieved to see me walking towards them. Mom grabbed my hand, holding me tightly as we went to the stage.

"Where have you been again this time, Celestine Lyn?" Mom asked. Damn it! She even called me by my second name.

"Mom, I'm here. That's all that matters, right?" I whispered back at her. She didn't say anything because we were already in front of the people. I wanted to roll my eyes again at the numerous flashes of cameras focused on me and my parents.

I'm sure we will be in the newspaper again tomorrow. Tsk.

The Gutierrez family will be launching a new Hotel and Resorts on a private island in partnership with my parents since they are well-known real estate developers.

My parents built majority of the well-known structures and businesses in the country. I felt pressured because of them, which made me feel forced to attend this event. Since I was an only child, no one will inherit their company other than me.

Sometimes I wonder why they can't just adopt Sasha. She's smart, hardworking, and very capable; surely she will do better than me at running their business.

Haist, I feel bad thinking about passing all my responsibilities to Sasha. Why did I become a Dela Peña? Why didn't my parents get another child who would help me shoulder this responsibility?

"Smile for the camera, Celestine," Dad whispered. I stood between them, and I felt Mom pull me from my waist, so I got myself closer to her as well. Dad did the same, so I'm sure we look like a happy family in the photos tomorrow.

After a while, the Gutierrez family joined us on stage. My heart raced when I saw their youngest son, Dominique. He looks so yummy in his expensive tuxedo. With a closer look, I was speechless, seeing how spotless his face was. Shave clean, well-groomed eyebrows. He's so perfect.

Dad and Mr. Darius Gutierrez shook hands while Mom and Mrs. Gwen Gutierrez exchanged pecks on their cheeks. Denver, Mr. and Mrs. Gutierrez's eldest son, smiled at me, as did their eldest daughter, Danica, to which I returned with a sweet smile before I looked at Dom.

Damn it! This guy didn't even look at me!

"You're really beautiful, Celestine." Danica, or Danny for short, said. She's really beautiful and kind. She's a talented model and a photographer.

"Wow, it's a miracle that you made it in time!" Denver said it animatedly. It was obvious that he was teasing me, which made me scratch the back of my head like a child.

"Dom, why don't you greet Tine?" Danny said, calling Dom's attention. He only glanced at me once, then nodded and smiled briefly. He's so annoying!

"Compress, guys, and smile for the camera," Uncle Darius said, so we took our positions in the middle, faced the photographers, and smiled. Then a waiter brought champagne glasses and handed them to everyone.

"Cheers to the new big-time project of Oasis Luxury Hotels and Resorts in partnership with Dela Peña Landmasters!"

"Cheers!" The people in the function room applauded, thus the never-ending flashes of cameras, again.

We went down the stage and went to our respective tables. I smiled when I saw Sasha's smiling face, which gave me a sign that I didn't need to worry about my parents' scolding later. I was about to go to her when a hand pulled me by my waist.

"You didn't even try to look for me, huh?" My eyes widened when I heard a familiar voice. I reached for his face to have a closer look.

"Tine, what's wrong? What are you doing to my face?" He said with his nose raised because I pressed his cheek like a child.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" I said it excitedly. "Makie?! Makie is that you?!" I asked, and he nodded several times with a smile.

I couldn't believe it! The closest Gutierrez to me is here! It's Mckenzie Gutierrez, Dominique's cousin, from his father's side. He has changed so much that I could hardly recognize him if I had not pressed his cheek. He looks so fit now; he looks like a model or a famous actor because of his posture. He was fat before, but now, damn! The changes are different when you leave the country, right?

He immediately pulled me by my waist before he kissed me on the cheek, which caught me by surprise.

"I miss you so bad, Tine," he whispered before burying his face in my neck and giving me a tight embrace.