Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 39: IF THIS IS LOVE...

THIRD PERSON'S POV

The day came when Ivan went to Catherine on his own. The day when he decided to go along with fate which seemed to be desperate of bringing the two of them together.

One thing was for certain though, he's making the right decision of meeting her.

August 2, 20**. Weirdly, for some reason, he remembered the date when he went to the gym where her taekwondo class was located to meet her.

And just like that night of his mother's birthday, he was surprised of how he could easily lose his composure and become shy in front of her.

That's when he realized there was something odd and mysterious about her in a very attractive way.

Saturday night of their fancy dinner date came. That's when he found out about the reason why she and her brother, Santos Lionel, was at the apartment that time, because they were being chased by holdapers.

His chest tightened after hearing that.

What should he do about those troublemakers? He still needs them for his own plans. They were one of the reasons why he had his eyes set on that specific property.

He needed those troublemakers to be his 'bad cop', to do some of his dirty works that in exchange, he would offer them compensation.

After all, the redevelopment project XLC was planning on that property was a high-end casino and a few troublemakers would be useful in running that business.

But they hurt her...

Lihim siyang napangisi sa kaniyang isipan.

He can always look for other people to do the job.

Habang pinagmamasdan niya ang nag-iisang babaeng walang katulad pagdating sa buong katauhan at katangian na nakaupo sa kaniyang harapan ay nakaramdam siya ng inis nang maisip ang hirap na dinanas nito dahil sa mga tarantadong 'yon.

He'll have to take care of them.

But the world looked like it was mocking him because of the sudden explosion that happened during their first date.

He did want to make it a flawless night because he was planning to propose to her.

Though it still ended up being memorable and perhaps, even perfect because of how things turned out.

That they did end up being officially in a relationship.

They were finally bound to each other.

Wala nang kawala... sisiguraduhin niya na wala.

Napatigil siya sa kaniyang naisip pero sa huli'y natawa na lang sa sarili.

'I really can't let someone like her go.'

And so, he declared to himself that he would give his all to her, to make her feel happy and loved all the time which became real. Real to the point that without him realizing, he was getting attached too quickly the more he got to spend time with her.

The way he thought, spoke, walked, breathe and lived ended up being about her. Everything became about her.

He couldn't stop thinking about her anymore. As if she was permanently instilled in his mind and soul that she became a part of him. He didn't care about the others anymore.

He missed her. Very much so.

Which made him feel genuine fear when they had to be apart as he had to go back to Massachusetts and she, to California.

He wanted to stay with her. He was afraid that if they were to be apart, she'd forget about him. He was afraid that she'd look and fall for someone else. He was worried that she might be hurt or be in trouble again. He was worried that something bad might happen and he's too far to be there for her.

He was tempted to take control of everything about the two of them, her and her life. He wanted to use his own power and influence to do so, and because he can.

But during the short time he got to know Catherine, he knew she wouldn't like it.

She has a mind of her own. She's strong and independent. And he's certain that she loves him because she wants to, not because she needs him. She's choosing him out of her own will. He didn't want to ruin that and the way she sees him.

Though it was certainly one of the things he loved about her, he wished he could control her and her life so that they could stick together forever. So she could stick with him for his assurance and self satisfaction.

But he knew he couldn't do that. He had to control himself.

And it was very difficult.

He knew how lovable Catherine is.

The people around her back at California knew that.

Take that girl named Josie, for example.

He should've been more thorough with his investigation before he adviced Catherine to befriend the girl.

But Catherine seemed lonely... and he couldn't handle that.

Napatitig si Ivan sa papel na hawak na naglalaman ng panibagong background report patungkol kay Josie Martinez.

Umigting ang kaniyang panga bago pabalang na ipinatong ang papel sa lamesa.

It was an investigation report of how Josie Martinez was the reason behind the downfall of the family of Lucia Williams' small business.

Si Lucia Williams ang isa sa mga naging 'alila' ni Catherine noon. Dalawa sila ni Josie. Pero bago ang mga ito tumungtong ng 9th grade ay patagong ni-release ni Josie ang iilang mga pruweba patungkol sa mga fraud practices ng family business ng babae tulad ng tax evasion at bribery.

According to his investigation, the two had a so-so relationship. Kung kaya't nakapagtataka kung bakit gagawin 'yon ni Josie kay Lucia nang walang sapat na dahilan.

He researched further and in the end, all of his investigations led to one conclusion.

Josie did that so Lucia would leave Golden Oak High School and she could have Catherine all to herself because she loved her very much.

Ilang sandali siyang natahimik habang pinagmamasdan ang papalubog na araw sa glass doors ng balcony ng kaniyang kuwarto.

Dahil sa susunod na buwan pa ang pasok niya't nagpahinga muna siya panandalian sa training niya sa kumpanya ay wala siyang ganoong ginagawa ngayon kundi magliwaliw lang sa kanilang mansyon.

But he can't seem to relax because of Catherine, no matter how peaceful his surrounding is right now.

His eyes narrowed into slits when the sunlight hit his face through the glass doors. He clicked his tongue in annoyance when it felt like it hurt.

'I'll have to visit her in California before my school starts,' he thought, 'And I have to take care of that girl without Catherine finding out.'

Ayaw niya nang magalit si Catherine ulit sa kaniya. It hurts him a lot when she does and he can't bear that. He wants to remain in her good side forever. She might get angry again if he told her about what Josie did. He'll have to take care of that sly girl himself.

He looked down on his phone on the table, next to the papers, when it rang.

Catherine Graciela

Incoming video call...

Tila napawi lahat ng pagod at mga inaalala niya nang mabasa ang napakagandang pangalan nito na tinatawagan siya.

He'll have to admit, Tito Francisco and Tita Olivia does have good taste when it comes to names.

Nangingiti niyang dinampot ang cellphone. Malalim pa siyang napabuntunghininga bago sinagot 'yon.

And suddenly, the sunlight touching his face felt so warm and soft like it never hurt him at all.