Hold Me Close (DeMarcus 1)

Chapter Three

EVELYN DeMARCUS

Mr. Romulo knew what he was saying when he told me about the time stamp. Kailangan ko na talagang makumbinsi si Third sa lalong madaling panahon. Dada was no longer a regular at the office, pero imbes na mamasyal sila ni mommy ay hindi siya makalayo dahil siya parin, technically, ang president ng kumpanya. There were still documents that he needs to sign. Not even my signature can act as a proxy.

So now I am visiting Third in their company. I know he is also struggling. Kailangan din niyang ikasal bago makuha ng buo ang kumpanya nila, pero kailangan gusto ng papa niya. From what I know, the elder Lounge does not like the Mangaoil family. Purely for business reasons, habang ang mama naman niya ay hindi gaanong boto kay Jane. The former supermodel wanted a daughter-in-law that was a social butterfly like her. Hindi man ako social butterfly, I still had a good style team behind me to ensure that I was on the best dressed list in all corporate events. That alone made Candice Lounge respect me.

I didn't bother checking in with his secretary. Dire-diretso nalang ako ng lakad at nang maabutan niya ako, I was already inside Third's office. He looked at me with disdain pero pinaalis din niya ang secretary niya. I made myself comfortable on the couch of his receiving area, not even bothering to say anything. Pinanood niya lang ako.

"Can I help you, miss DeMarcus?" mariin niyang tanong.

"Yes, you can, actually..." Nilabas ko ang isang binder mula sa dala kong bag at sinimulan itong buksan. I'm sure he will be annoyed again. "Do you think a royal blue color is okay? Or my mommy recommended gold din."

Kunot ang noo niyang tumingin sa'kin. Iniwan niya ang ginagawa niya upang tignan ang sinasabi ko. I eagerly pulled him down beside me and showed him shades of blue and gold. I pointed to my top options before looking at him. Mukhang nawawala parin siya.

I frowned and slapped his thigh lightly. "For the wedding, Third! I need a color scheme daw."

Gaya ng inaasahan, nandilim ang mga mata niya. He looked at me with so much ire. "Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa'yo, Evelyn? Hindi ako magpapakasal sa'yo."

I scoffed. "Ikakasal tayo, sa ayaw o sa gusto mo."

He just stood up and walked back to his desk. "You can leave now, miss DeMarcus. Wala akong panahon para sayangin sa'yo."

Ouch. Napasimangot ako dahil masakit ang sinabi niya. I have never begged for anything my entire life, but to even get his attention, I let go of my pride. Hindi ba niya naiisip na mahirap para sa isang katulad ko na magpakababa? I was the eldest DeMarcus, for goodness' sake! I never laced anything until... until I had to give up my pride for him!

He hurt me, pero hinding-hindi ko 'yon ipapaalam sakanya. I repacked the binder and stood up. I left as fast as I got there. Fine. I'll plan the wedding on my own.

By three that afternoon, kumapal na talaga ang mukha ko. I just said goodbye to Candice Lounge, Third's mother. Wala akong alam tungkol sa mga ganito and his mom was more than eager to help out with the preparations. Ni hindi niya tinanong kung ano ang estado namin. She even waved off any concern about Jane. Not only that, she offered to take the wedding off my hands and contacted my mommy instead. So ngayon, sila na ang magkikita para sa kasal. I would only have to think of basics; what color, what cake flavor, and what type of wedding would I like.

At the end of it, namuo ang guilt sa buong katawan ko. Like it always does when I think of Jane. Inosente siya sa lahat ng ito, it just so happens that she got caught in the web of our business. Babae sa babae, walang kapatawaran ang ginagawa ko sakanya. If I was in her position, baka kung ano na ang nagawa ko sa babae ng boyfriend ko. And to be honest, if she came up to me with a slap, I would accept it without any retaliation. My name and authority will never be enough justification for the hurt I am putting her through.