VISITOR

“WHAT DO YOU mean?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“You are a good actress, asking and begging for the sympathy of everyone knowing that the evil side is

within you,” she fearlessly added.

She now stood beside my bed with crossed arms.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I remained calm and composed.

“You pretended to be Lawrence’s girlfriend and acting like a real one. How was that?” Her gaze

deepened on me. “Now he wins me back, so here you are now, chasing after him as if you were an

official!”

I swallowed the thunder forming in my heart. She already knows the truth. What should I say?

“Oh? Why can’t you speak now?”

I looked at her with disgust. “If you’re here to fight, you can get out because I don’t have time for that.”

“No. I don’t stomp down to your level. I just want you to know who I am in Lawrence’s life and where

you should be!” Her voice was full of sarcasm.

I chuckled lightly, causing her face to wrinkle. I immediately got serious and looked up at her. “Why?

Are you afraid I might snatch Lawrence from you?”

She seemed surprised at what I said but quickly recovered.

“Me? I’ve never been threatened by anyone before, especially if it’s just someone like you!” she replied

quickly.

“In that case, what are you doing here?” The smile on her lips played even harder.

“Actually, that’s not the only reason I came here. I also want to thank you because if you did not This belongs to .

pretend to be Lawrence’s girlfriend, maybe I will not be able to realize that he is still the one I love.” Her

lips rose as if mocking. She was about to turn around, but she faced me again.

“Oh, before I forgot, we’re going to get married soon, and you are invited,” she sarcastically said before

she stomped her heels out of the door.

I did not immediately recover from what I heard. My heart died faster as my tears rush down my face

endlessly. Why do I have to feel this pain again?

I quickly wiped away the tears when I heard another knock, and Julia peeked.

“Uh, I saw Elliesse coming out of here,” she started, slowly walking towards her bed.

I did not answer. Instead, I adjusted myself for the upcoming yacht landing.

“Here, wear this. I don’t know what happened, but I think this will help you,” she said after laying his

sunglasses on the soft bed.

I smiled bitterly. “Thanks for this,” I said when I accepted what she gave me.

She pulled my hand and held it tightly. “You don’t have to pretend that you’re okay, especially with us.

We’re friends, right? If you want someone to talk to, I’m just here,” she sincerely said.

“Thanks, but I’m fine, really. You don’t have to worry about me,” I assured her.

She nodded at me, still not removing the concern from her eyes. After a beat of silence, she decided to

stand up and pull the shoulder bag she was carrying.

“Let’s go?”

***

I WAS WONDERING around as I looked out of my office glass window, observing the traffic congestion

in the city.

It has been a month since I returned to Manila. I kept myself busy for the hotel’s upcoming anniversary

because I don’t want to disappoint Daddy, so I focused on every detail.

I cut my gaze out the window when Karen knocked and went straight into my office.

“Your dad is on the line.” She smiled at me first before turning her back on me.

I immediately picked up the cordless phone to answer the call.

“Hello, Dad!”

“How are you, hija? I’ve never seen you in a while. Your mom missed you so much,” he said.

I leaned over and leaned back in my office chair.

“I’m just busy at work, Dad. Just say hello to mom. Please tell her I miss her too,” I sweetly said.

I play the fountain pen in my hand and wait for his reply.

“By the way, hija, I need you to come to my office after lunch today. Let’s talk about the upcoming

anniversary of the hotel.”

“Yes, Dad, I’ll be there after lunch,” I replied quickly.

After saying goodbye, I stayed in that position before I firmly closed my eyes. The fountain pen I was

holding was squeezing in a painful sense. My headache is getting worst these past few days. I also feel

tired even at the beginning of the day.

I pulled the medicine kit out of the drawer and got a pain reliever before resuming to work.

After lunch, I went to Collin’s hotel to meet my father.

“Margaux, hija!” I was greeted warmly by his tight hug.

“Dad!” I hugged him much tighter.

I smiled widely after a long moment. I feel like the pain that has been weighing me down in recent

weeks has disappeared.

“I missed you, Dad,” I softly whispered to him. Before tears welled up in my eyes, I decided to let go of

his hug.

“Hija, you look very thin and pale, and where those bugs came from, huh?” He even put the palm on

my forehead.

“Dad, I’m okay. I’m just tired from work. I got a mild headache, but I’m fine.”

He sighed. “Looks like you’re neglecting yourself?” The concern is already in his tone.

“Dad, I’m fine, really.” Then I smile at him. I sat straight in the metal chair in front of his table.

“Where’s your proposal for the upcoming event of our anniversary?”

“Everything is planned, but I have not yet finalized the conversation with Mr. S-Saavedra.” I stuttered a

bit because of nervousness.

His brows arch with disbelief.

“Uh, but I will set a meeting with him. Maybe one of these days,” I utter, lashes fall to my lap.

I looked up at him as his back rose from his office chair, two hands settled down on the table.

“Anyway, how was your vacation at Saavedra Resort?” He sounded very serious and yet with a bit of

amusement. “And I heard a rumor about you and Mr. Saavedra. Isn’t it true that you were exclusively

dating?” he asked maliciously.

The thin smile on my lips did not escape me.

“No. Of course not, Dad!” I quickly refused.

“Alright, go to the mansion later. I told your mommy to make dinner there tonight.”

“Okay, Dad.” I smiled at him sweetly.

It’s good that he didn’t ask about Lawrence and me anymore.

Before leaving, I went to the mall because I plan to give mommy a gift. I rarely see her because I prefer

to stay in the condominium all the time.

I went into a famous brand of bag because I knew she would like it. In fact, she has her room with her

collection of different types and brands of bags at home. Sometimes I can’t help but feel jealous, but

when I see her happy, I am happy too.

When I finally chose one, I paid for it and walked straight out of the mall.