PARTY
"Mr. and Mrs. Echeverii has arrived," Mom announced their presence.
I glanced at the new arrivals and smiled as I spotted Ellwood in his black suit.
"What are you waiting for, Emory?" Mom turned her scowl face at me.
I stood up to greet them.
Good evening, my dear friend! Happy birthday!" Uncle Geoffrey said, offering a handshake to Dad which the latter gladly accepted, also doing the same to Auntie Stella.
"Thank you," Dad returned a smile.
Ellwood also greeted him and kissed both Dad and Mom on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Tito.."
He then turned to me and pecked a kiss on my check. "Hi..." he whispered.
I rolled my eyes at his grinning face. "Uh, Good evening, Uncle. Auntie!" I greeted them and did the same gesture.
"I'm glad to see you again, hija! You've been on vacation for a long time" Auntie Stella opened a conversation right away.
"Ah, yes! I returned for Dad's brithday."
"Then, you still have plans to go back?" Uncle Geoffrey asked.
Before I could even utter a single word, Mom's laugh boomed.
"Well, we should continue our talj inside. Shall we?" Mom escorted our guest inside, but before she did, she turned to me and gave me a sharp glare.
"You know what? Just enjoy the rest of the night," Ellwood whispered to my ears.
He also entered, the flashes of the media welcoming him. While me? I'm still contemplating if it was a good decision to even come here.
The party went elegantly fine. Mom and Dad were busy having a conversation with their guest and some of our relatives. Our backyard was also filled with guests from different countries.
Our name was quite well-known in the world of the entertainment industry. I know that after a while, we'll be more known because of Mom and Dad's hard work, especially Ellwood's.
I want to be ashamed of myself. I should've been the one managing the company. They trusted me too much to the point that I never thought of their welfare. Instead, I chose to turn back from my responsibility as the supposed to be heiress.
Actually, they are more loose on me because I was free to do whatever I want—even if they opposed to it. They are very supportive parents and I have never doubted it. From the day I asked them to let Hezekiah marry me and to build a life with him.
All those times, they were behind me, supporting me in what I wanted though they wished me to be the CEO of our company.
I was selfish. I never thought that I've been compromising our company because of my unfair decision. Bit if I can bring back time, I'm sure I'd still choose to be with Hezekiah. I'll always stick to that, no matter what.
"Can I dance with the most beautiful woman in this evening?" Hearing his sweet voice, I instantly faced him with a smile.
"Of course!" I lent my hand. Ellwood held it and led me to the center of the dance floor.
He eagerly wrapped his arm around my waist and pull me closer to him, Eyes slipping close and teasing.
"You are so adorable," he murmured with a light sigh.
I pursed my lips, "Thank you..."
He smirked playfully. I found it cute, oh right! He has such a strong appeal and aura, especially when he looks at you seriously then smiles which only he can do.
"Have you heard of the news?" he said under his breath. He leaned onto the intersection of my neck and shoulder, his chin slowly relaxing there.
I took a deep breath. Damn it! He is too close. What the fuck, Ellwood?!
"What news?" I said in a low tone.
He buried his face into the crook of my neck and sniffed it dejectedly.
"They're planning for our wedding."
I stood stunned when I heard him say that. Blood immediately boiled to my head.
"They will be announcing the merging of Rising Stone and the Echeverii Trading tonight," he said in low voice.
"How could you agree to that, huh?" My voice became inflamed. My heart is in fury. I wanted to shout at him and hurt him but I just stiid there, frozen in place.
"You know I can't say no to Dad, their decision is final that I should legally manage Rising Stone..." he muttered under his breath.
I clenched my teeth and shot him a disgusted glance. "And you know that I can't marry you, Ellwood!" I said bluntly.
I stepped back but he immediately caught my arm.
"Listen, they all know that Hezekiah's dead. They all probably think that you're already a widow..." he said seriously.
I chuckled, "Which is not true, Ellie! I told you, he's alive!"
He tilted his head a bit and looked at me for a second, "I know, it's a bif mistake if I marry you just because they wanted to. But... I'm only doing this for the sake of our company, of our future..." His voice is more calmer and softer.
My lips parted. I can't believe what I just heard from him—my childhood friend!
"Merging our companies will make our assets increase. I think we can widen the reach of our businesses that Tito Anton started if we also have Dad's shipping company."
"Can you hear yourself, Ellwood? For all of the people, why does it have to be you?!" My voice cracked, tears gathered at the corner of my eyes.
He immediately wiped my tears and cupped my cheeks. We're still in the middle of the dance floor. I don't know how long I could take, standing in front of him and listening to these plain stupid words.
"Please don't cry, Emory..." he said in a hushed voice.
"What do you want? You are the CEO of the company, Dad also trusted you in everything. Isn't that enough to reject the marriage offer?"
My tears cascaded down my cheeks. I removed his grasp and stepped back but he hugged me.
"Let go of me..." I said, whispering but full of conviction. I don't want to gain attention because of this argument.
"Look, I just wanted to help."
My blood began to boil so I pushed him aggressively and glared at him.
"Help? Then why are you doing all of these? If you really want to help, you will stop this bullshit."
He massaged his temple before looking at me. We are slowly getting attention. I noticed Mommy standing up from her seat but Dad eventually stopped her.
I mentally shook my head, "I'll go back to San Marcelino tonight."
"No, you can't..." he shook his head and laughed a bit in disbelief.
I looked at him with disdain. "Yes, I will! I will go to my husband and you can't stop me!"
I glared at him sharply before leaving him at the dance floor.
"Meredith, hija!" I heard Mom called my name but I walked straight to my room, unfazed.
I quickly got my luggage and walked to my walk in closet to change my clothes. I already finished packing my things when I heard continuous knocks.