When I released her hand, I looked at her seriously. I will never let her hurt me.
"Don't try to put a hand on me, Klari. I am a Dela Vezca; no one hurts me and gets away with it."
She laughed, "And you think I'm afraid of you? I am a Barios. If the Dela Vezca family is rich, our family is even richer—"
I immediately took out a check from my bag, making her stop talking.
"I will buy your house in Tagaytay, the one in Rozzean's village. Name your price."
"I will buy it."
I wanted to laugh when I saw her reaction.
She glared at me in frustration.
"Don't try me, Klari. I am distancing myself. You heard and saw how I distanced from Rozzean at the hotel earlier, but who's the one approaching me? Who's the one chasing after me?"
I took a step forward again. She stepped back, but her feet collided, causing her to fall to the floor.
"Oh my gosh!"
Served her fckng right.
"I know where I stand in his life now, and you..." I said, lowering my gaze to her and smiling.
"You don't have a place in his life. You're pretending to be his girlfriend when you're not."
"Damn you! He won't come back to you because you made him look like a fool! He doesn't love you anymore because you deceived him!"
I applauded.
"I am aware of what I did. But why is it, Klari? Why does Rozzean seek me out? Why did he tell me earlier that he loves me? Who should I believe between the two of you?"
I saw tears welling up in her eyes.
"Look who's pathetic now. Instead of being annoyed or scared, why do you look so restless and incredibly afraid?"
"You're making a fool out of me."
After saying that, I threw the check in front of her and turned my back on her. Before leaving the pool area, I heard Klari shouting.
That woman. What does she think of me? Can't fight back?
I approached my parents and bid them farewell; they were leaving as well. Despite wanting to talk to Dad, I decided against it due to the fatigue I felt in my body. I also said goodbye to the Valleje couple.
I proceeded to Thes' room. We talked, and I told her about the confrontation with Klari by the pool area. She was delighted when she heard what I said. She even mentioned that if she were there, that wouldn't be the only thing the woman would experience.
But, honestly, I pity Klari. She looks so pathetic. I thought she was kind, but it turns out she's hiding some not-so-good behavior.
The next morning, I woke up early. I went to the venue and saw my employees. They had finished packing up. I told them I might be away for 3-5 days because my family was going on vacation. I entrusted the main branch of Tinatangi to Alma.
Thes also left Pampanga early. When I returned to my room, I heard knocks. I opened it and saw Luther. He had already showered and changed.
"Looking sharp," I commented.
He grabbed my things, and we left together.
"How many days again? I brought just a few clothes. Why was it so sudden?" I asked him.
"It's better when it's sudden; it pushes through," he replied.
But I overheard our parents discussing our family vacation plans. I didn't mention it to them last night.
"You can sleep while we are on the way, Thaliana," Luther said when he saw me yawning.
Because of Thes' chatter, I slept late, and I woke up early because she had also gone home.
We got into Luther's car. As we left the venue, I looked out the window.
"Luther..."
"Hmm?"
"My dad... told me something about Rozzean last night."
I stared out the window as I spoke. I didn't talk to Rozzean last night either, even though I caught him looking at me several times. He didn't attempt to approach me, perhaps because my father was around.
I was so curious about what my dad said and what their conversation with Rozzean was about.
"Because of what he told me, I'm even more confused..."
I didn't realize I had fallen asleep. I woke up when I felt Luther's hand gently tapping my shoulder.
"Are we here?"
"Yes."
He got out, and so did I. I let the wind tousle my hair, smiling at the cool breeze on my face.
"Where are they? Why does it seem like we're the only ones here? Where are Uncle and Aunt, and my parents?" I asked Luther as we walked toward the dock.
He assisted me in boarding the yacht. It was huge. Unlike the typical tourist yachts, it seemed different. Perhaps it was because our family was wealthy, or maybe it belonged to Uncle Royce.
"We're early, but they'll join us later," he said, handing me my bag.
"Wait for me here; I'll just grab my things. Explore the inside of the yacht while you wait."
I nodded in agreement and walked around the large yacht. I went to the front.
"Wow..."
I put down my bag on the side. It's been a while since I last boarded a yacht, and this one was quite large.
"I think this is--w-wait."
I stopped when I felt the yacht moving. I approached the side and looked at the water.
"Sht," I said, looking back at the dock.
"Luther!"
The yacht was moving away from the dock!
What the hell! Luther isn't here! I'm alone, but who's steering this thing?!
My phone rang, and when I saw who was calling, I quickly answered.
"The yacht is moving! What the hell, Luther! Where are you?!"
"Relax, Thaliana... all of your questions will be answered now."
"W-What?" I asked. Confused.
"Enjoy!"
I was about to speak, but the call ended. I tried to call Luther, but his phone was unreachable. When I looked at the dock, the yacht wasn't too far yet.
I took a deep breath.
"I can swim! I can go back if I jump and—"
"Don't you dare do that, Thaliana."
But when I heard that voice I got chills and quickly turned around.
"R-Rozzean..."
He was here! looking at me with a serious expression!
"W-What are you doing here?"
He took a step closer to me, and I felt like I was rooted to the spot, unable to move away. I just stared at him until he was right in front of me.
Rozzean's hand went to my waist, pulling me closer.
"W-What..."
He smirked.
"You can't run away from me now, Thaliana."