FRIENDLY DATE

I COULD NOT speak immediately. I would have liked to ask what the flowers were for, but I was even

more confused when he invited me to have lunch with him.

“Don’t worry. It’s a friendly date. I’ll pick you up at twelve. Alright, Margaux?”

I was about to speak, but he immediately dropped the call. I could do nothing but sink into deep

thought.

Could it all have something to do with what he told me at the hotel? I shook my head and just put aside

the doubt.

When lunch break came, I got myself ready. I also arranged some of my belongings while waiting for

Franco.

“Mr. Franco Fuentanilla is here!” Karen broadly smiled as she peeked at the door.

“Uh, tell him I’m coming out.” I just hovered for a moment as I looked in the mirror and finally left my

office.

I saw him sitting in the waiting area. He immediately stood up when he saw me.

I couldn’t help but smile at him when I noticed he’s wearing a coat and tie. Not like a typical cowboy

outlook.

“Let’s go?” His broad smile greeted me. Later, we got in his car. I restrained myself from asking where

his wrangler jeep was.

I also can’t help but glance at him while he’s driving. He looked so different today. Far from the cowboy

Franco I left in San Felipe.

Until we reach the high-class restaurant, he also pulled my chair when we got inside.

“Thanks,” I utter lowly.

The waitress immediately approached us to pick up our order. We both just kept quiet until our order

arrived.

“You didn’t like your food? Do you want to change it?” Maybe he noticed my stabbing at the steak I

ordered.

“I don’t eat much,” I answered sparingly.

“Did you talk to Dad?” He stared at my reaction to what he said.

“How did you find out?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“Dad called me last night, and he gave me an assignment.” I saw his lip rise after that.

I lowered the knife I was holding and gently wiped the tissue towel in my mouth. “What is this all about,

Franco?”

Like me, he lowered his fork and knife before leaning back in his chair.

“I didn’t like the idea of being a third party. Maybe I won’t fall if I don’t do Dad’s order, right?”

I sighed. So his Daddy was the reason he invited me today.

“I have a lot of respect for Lawrence, and I can’t hurt him because I am so indebted to him.”

My eyes stayed on his, and I waited for him to say more.

“Dad gave me one assignment. And that is to destroy your relationship with Lawrence. In return, he will

give me some shares of his company. He will also share the resort Lawrence is handling with me.” He

looked up at me as if reading my reaction.

I fell my lashes down and shook my head. “I can’t blame your father if he doesn’t like me for Lawrence.

I won’t wonder why he talked to you instead of Lawrence,” I said while biting my lips. I feel like my heart

was crushed by what I found out.

I startled from my seat when his hand cover mine. I looked up at him while controlling my emotions.

“I saw how much he loves you. He thinks very differently of you than the others he has been in a

relationship with. I thought Elliesse was the one for him because of the bond of Lawrence’s company

and the build they have for the past years. But Elliesse wanted to have a name in modeling, and she

did not fail. Look at her now; she has achieved her dream,” Franco said clearly.

He first observed my reaction before he said what he would say next.

“Suddenly, you came into his life and filled his longing heart. Elliesse came back, but my older brother

was madly in love with you. And no matter how hard Elliesse tries to get everything back, she will never

get Lawrence’s heart again.”

The tears that I had been holding back have been shed. I do not know why he is saying all of this.

“So, Margaux, I beg you never to let go of Lawrence no matter what happens!” His voice was solemn

as he spoke again.

I nodded slowly, carrying myself with emotion. I was even surprised when he came to wipe my tears on

his cheeks.

“Shh. Lawrence might be going to kill me when he sees me making you cry like this,” he said while Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

grinning.

There I smiled and slapped his hand.

“Let’s eat again!” I laughed before continuing the meal.

***

I WAS RELIEVED to return to my office and happy and contented with the conversation with Franco. I

know in the end, he is still thinking about his brother’s satisfaction.

“Margaux, Lawrence came here earlier, and he said he would have invited you to lunch, but you were

not answering your phone. I said you had a meeting, so he just left.”

“All right, Karen. I’ll just call him. Thank you!”

I went straight into the office. I immediately searched for my cellphone, and I was so shaken when I

saw it was dead battery.

Since Lawrence did not pick me up, I got home early.

“Where are mom and dad?” I asked the housemaid.

“They’re already in their room and resting,” she answered.

“Shall I serve you dinner?”

“All right,” I said.

After that, I decided to go to Clarence’s room. Time flies so fast. I love seeing him grow healthy and a

brighter one.

“I missed you, baby!” I even hugged him tightly. I always do the work every day and lose time for him.

I leave early in the morning and sometimes got home late at night. As a result, I can no longer keep

track of his daily activities. My only free day is Sunday, so I prefer to devote it to him when that day

arrives.

“Ate, the food has been served!” A call from outside the door.

“All right, I’ll be downstairs!” I answered.

We went to dinner together. When it was over, I decided to go upstairs to put Clarence to sleep. I

broadly smiled as I lay him down in the crib sleeping soundly. I kissed him on the forehead before I left

him to Doris.

I lay down my tired body on the soft bed. I closed my eyes tightly and tasted its softness. But I suddenly

got up and looked for the cellphone in my bag. I quickly opened it, and there were some missed calls

from Lawrence. There were also some messages.

Lunch today?! that was the first message I opened.

You didn’t answer my calls, busy?

I came to your office. Karen said you had a meeting, maybe next time, I’ll pick you up after office hours.

I’ve missed you!

I bit my lip hard in his last text. But why didn’t he pick me up earlier? I dialed his number, but it cannot

be reached. I repeated it a few more times before sending a text message.

Since I do not feel sleepy, I decided to open my Facebook. I got a notification right away, and I was

tagged in some photos.

It almost broke my heart while looking at Lawrence’s photos with Elliesse himself. I could feel my heart

had been hit a million times. The pain in my heart was intense when I saw the two in the picture

together.