Trust Me

Chapter 12 (part II)

Christian Manrique is now standing infront of me, looking at me at the most intense way. His dark eyes were twinkling bright. I can sense a fluid was about to come out from them.

I looked at him from head to toe. That's when I realize he's still in a police uniform. And that gave me the idea of what might his purpose of coming.

"Look Chris. If you are here to convince me to go to the police office, I'm sorry but I won't come--"

I wasn't able to finish my statement because I got shocked when he suddenly hugs me. It was a warm tight hug. Like he never wants to lose me again.

"I miss you, Charm. You don't know how much I suffered just to find you." his voice was unstable. Like he is about to cry any moment. I could here the sincerity over it though.

I wonder why I'm not feeling the same as before. Yes, I want to hug him. But a hug of comfort. Not a hug of missing him. I want to say I missed him too but I don't want to lie and give him false hope. I knew to myself that things aren't the same anymore.

Right now, I'm standing here. Guarded by Christian's hug. But I was frozen. I feel like I was a rock. Doing nothing, feeling nothing.

"Are you okay?" finally, he lift me away. "Did anything hurts? Do you have any wounds? Tell me."

"I'm fine, Chris. As you can see. I'm whole and unscratched. Nothing to worry." I assured him. After all, he's still a friend. And I can't just throw away everything we had. He's been a big part of my life and still, I can't afford to lose him. He's a good man. He deserves to be treated nice.

He looked at me from head to toe like he's really checking on me.

"Then, what's this?" he pointed the scar I got from the basement. The scar on my knees that was left unhealed.

"Uhh, that one. I got that scar from the basement."

"Did Vougner did that to you?" he asked with an authoritive voice. Like he was a concern boyfriend.

"No. You did this to me, Chris." I easily muttered.

"What?! Why the crap will I do that to you? When did I hurt you, Charm? Tell me. When?"

"THAT DAY." I said honestly

I knew he can read it from my eyes. I was stating a fact.

"Charm,"

"But don't worry. Everything's fine now and I'm not mad at you. You're forgiven. Just assure me that I would not be chased by the police force again, then where totally even."

He look at me with disbelief. Like he was wondering if this was really me. "Charm. . . What happened to you? You. . . You're different."

"Chris, I'm tired. Okay? I don't have the energy to discuss anything to you. So please, just do as I say. It will really be a big help for me." I said then walk upstairs. Leaving him behind, stunned. Dumbfounded.

I walk towards my room and abruptly lie in my bed. I deserve to rest after all. This has been a tiring day for me.

The Next Day was my first to the office. I wake up early and dressed up immediately to be able to come early at my office.

Ofcourse, I don't want to encounter a commotion. Not this day. I want this day to flow smoothly.

"Goodmorning. You were early." Montereal noticed.

"Yeah. Goodmorning. Expect me to come as early as today, Mr. Montereal." I courteously muttered.

"Okay then. Can you begin with your work?"

"Yes Sir!"

Lance gave me the documents containing the information about the new product line. He instructed me to think of the concept for the upcoming launching of the product, as well as its advertising.

I look at the product carefully and scan the details.

Pain reliever..

For deep wounds.

--

It took me about an hour before I finalize the concept. I wrote the whole idea and details regarding the launch, as well as the advertising procedure. Then I printed it and pass it to Lance.

"Here is the concept I finalized, Sir. You can read it and just modified it if you want, you can make revisions. Its up to you, Sir."

"I won't take that." he muttered as he glance at me. "I'm not here to read proposal concept, Ms. Lautner. So you better be back later at 10 and discuss that to me one by one."

"Okay Mr. Montereal." I sigh and looked at him. I saw him hid his smile.

So he's pissing me off intentionally.

It was ten when I went inside Lance's Office again. He was browsing some paper documents in his desk. He was too busy that he didn't even recognize my entrance.

"Mr. Montereal." I called him.

"Ah, Ms. Lautner. Are you going to present the concept now?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay then, you go to the board room. I'll follow you, after a minute. I'll just finished this." he muttered.

"Board Room? Wait, don't tell me. I'm gonna present this to the board of directors?!" I asked insistently.

"Yes, you will. Got a problem with that, Ms. Lautner?"

"You didn't tell me about this."

"I told you, you'll present it. Didn't I?"

"Yes, you did! But you told me, I'll only present it to you."

"Present it to me or present it in front of the board, what's the difference? You'll just present the same concept."

"You don't understand."

"What didn't I understand, my dear employee?" he asked, emphasizing the EMPLOYEE thing. Like he was reminding me that I'm just his subordinate. And I don't have the rights to opposed to him.

"Okay, SIR." I said, emphasizing the word Sir. With the most annoyed face.

I saw him smile in victory.

You won today, Lance.

Wait for my revenge.

--

As said, I presented the concept in front of the board of directors.

Asusual, not everyone agreed in the concept I made. There were some who opposed and even fights back.

But the hell I care. Atleast, I made my job. Its their problem if they have issues with me.

It was nine in the evening when I finish all the work. I went out of the Office and saw Lance with his luxurious car. He beeped me. But I didn't respond, nor bother to look.

So he went outside and walk towards me.

"Hey. I'll drive you home."

"No Sir, its okay!" I said in the most emphisizing way.

"So, you're still annoyed?" he asked.

"I'm not annoyed, I'm pissed!" I told him. As if on cue, comes a cab. So I got the chance to leave Lance there.

God is really a God of timing. I should thank him.

On my way home, I got a misscall from an unregistared number.

Who would it be?