Just To Have You

Chapter 1

"Sorry ma'am, but we don't hire woman over 30 years old..."

The restaurant manager said to Luisa Ortega and impatiently shooed her away. When Luisa slowly walked away, she overheard the manager mumble under his breath.  "Who would want to patronize my business if I have an old and ugly waitress.."

Luisa wanted to reprimand the manager and tell him that she's only 25. But when she turn and saw her reflection on the windows, she stopped on her tracks.

Tears started to gather on her eyes, when she saw her face had lost its youthfulness and the twinkle that once seen in her eyes had long since dimmed.

Emaciated frame, dry hair and lips, wrinkled face and outdated apparel. She couldn't believe that she looked so old now. And realized how the past two and a half years become so hard for her.

What had gone so wrong?

Dragging her tired body away from the restaurant, she noticed a very expensive car pull behind her.

And the arrival of the limited edition of Maybach, wasn't lost to the manager. With hurried steps he went out and smiled broadly to the very tall and handsome man who went out of the car.

"Mr. Salvatore, welcome, welcome.." The manager loudly said, and then Luisa abruptly stopped in her tracks.

"Anton, can you go with me shopping later. There's a dress I want to buy and I want you to see if it's look good on me..." Carmen Reyes said in a very soft and gentle voice when the man took her hands and gently guide her out of the car. And then her soft and small hands moved and wrapped around Anton's muscled biceps.

Anton looked down at her with a very gentle eyes and slowly nod his head. "Hmm."

That voice froze Luisa to the ground. And before she could stop herself, her head was already moving.. And her dull eyes fell on Anton Salvatore’s handsome face..
It's him..

His ex husband.

Luisa couldn't have predicted this was how they were going to meet after their divorce, two and a half years ago.. She was so haggard, so down on her luck but he was still his collected self. Still very handsome and rich..

Carmen was with him, elegant, beautiful and dignified as she was three years ago. The two of them were clearly still in love and happy.

Then again, with her out of the picture was it really any surprise?

"Luisa Ortega?" Anton said when he saw her. Disbelief was plainly written in his face.

Carmen's expression slightly changed, and she gasped.  "Oh my God, Luisa, is that really you? What happened to you?"

Luisa finally snapped out of her daze. She quickly turned her head away, muttering.  "You got the wrong person!" Hastily, she turned to escape.

There was no way she was going to face the two of them today. No woman would be willing to face her rich ex husband and ex love rival in such embarrassing state she was in. Especially not after the two of them had gotten together.

Anton Salvatore caught up to the escaping Luisa, and yelled. "Luisa Ortega, stop right there!"

The moment his hand grabbed her arm she screamed as if pricked by needles and pins. "Let me go! I'm not Luisa Ortega. You got the wrong person, so please let go!!"

She was completely focused on her struggles to get away from Anton that she didn't see the car speeding down the road.

"Stop, Luisa!!" Anton yelled but it was already too late. The car slammed directly to Luisa. She landed headfirst and was instantly knocked out. And descended to a very painful dream.

She dreamt about everything that happened in the past. The memories she thought she had lost returned to her. And realized that if the Luisa Ortega of the past was no push over, she wouldn't have ended up in such a very miserable state.

She was once the pride of her family but now... Reflecting on the adversity that she had been forced to endure, tears of sadness rolled down her face.

"The patient is still unconscious but her condition has pretty much stabilized. She suffered from a minor concussion to the head, but one or two weeks of rest should be enough to put her back on her feet. However, she will need some supplements due to an extended period of malnourishment.. "

Inside the hospital room, the doctor explained in detail Luisa's physical condition to Anton. He frowned slightly when he heard the doctor's words.

Why was Luisa suffering from prolonged malnourishment?

Anton turned his head to look at Luisa, just in time to notice the tear that was gliding his ex wife weathered face.

His eyes shook slightly from the myriad of emotions surging in his heart. Luisa Ortega, what kind of life have you been living after our divorce?

Meanwhile, Carmen who was standing beside Anton was also looking at Luisa while nurturing her own thoughts. She looked at the woman who once married to Anton Salvatore, but was ultimately chased away because Anton choose her. And looking at the wretched state of Luisa Ortega her heart was soaring from happiness.

Luisa Ortega, I pity you. And now that you're old and ugly I can barely summon the energy to deal with you. I'm sure you're waste away like the trash that you've become..

Witnessing her rival in love like this, Carmen felt so gracious, she said. "Anton, don't worry. I'm sure Luisa will be fine. How about we hire a personal nurse for her or better yet, leave her some money. I believe that's what she needs the most right now.." Anton looked at his fiancé and nodded slightly.  "Anton, it's already quite late. We still have a family dinner to attend later tonight to discuss our upcoming nuptials. Shouldn't we be going?"  Carmen asked, Anton then only realized such an event was indeed in his itinerary.

Carmen was his childhood sweet heart. The entire Salvatore Family like her. Her good looks and intellect were definite pluses as well. Therefore, after Anton's divorce was finalized, the two families had been trying to match the two of them together.

Anton was been in love with Carmen but his grandfather insisted for him to marry Luisa to strengthen their position in terms of Financial Influence. And even though he hated marrying the woman he couldn't disobey his grandfather.

Their marriage didn't work. And finally they had their divorce. All these years, he never thought that he will see her again. But all of a sudden as if fate had let them met, he had stumble with his ex wife that he had not met for three years. The truth is, Anton had once wondered under what circumstances would they meet again, but he couldn't believe that they will meet like this today.

Wasn't she came from the wealthy Ortega Family, how could she have landed in such a deplorable state?

But who cares right? He's about to marry the woman he really loves and wished to marry. Why does he still have to think of someone he already throw as yesterday's trash???

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