|Destined With You|

Chapter 14.

Catalina

"Goodbye sweetie, have a great day!" I passed Adelaide a kiss on the cheeks as she jumped out of the car to her school.

"Bye Mommy! Bye Daddy!"

"You can sit ahead now."

He muttered while we watched her enter the doors. Shrugging, I left the backseat and walked to the one next to him, quickly buckling the seatbelt. Without any conversation, he started the engine. As he started driving, he opened his mouth to speak some thing, but I was quick to cut him off.

"Just don't, Alex. Stop trying to make small talk. You know this will lead to trouble."

The breakfast today had been the highest amount of awkward. As usual, we were forced to sit together by Adelaide. But today, Adelaide passed her good morning kiss to everyone, she asked Alex to kiss me as well. And instead of dodging her demand or lying, he actually kissed me on the cheek receiving stares from his family, especially Hannah-with her bloodshot eyes.

"Fine, I won't speak. But that doesn't change the fact that-"

"I know, Alex. I know. But just...don't-" We slipped into a comfortable silence after that.

***

"Hey Hannah..." I smiled at Hannah as she sat on the couch in the living room, scrolling through her phone.

"Where's Alex?" She ignored the greeted.

"He directly left for work from outside."

"Okay...so now that both of them aren't around, I guess we should talk." She stood up, slipping her phone into her pants' pocket.

"My room?"

"We don't need to. Nobody is home."

"Jessica and-"

"Social work."

"Oh-kay." I shrugged, now walking to stand in front of her. "What do you need to talk about?"

"You need to stop it."

"Stop what, Hannah? Please be clear."

"You know what I'm talking about, Catalina." She heaved out an exaggerated sigh. "You and Alex. Will you people try not to stay so...close?"

"Hannah...I've-I'm not doing it purposely, okay? It's all because of Adelaide."

"Adelaide?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Stop using her as an excuse."

"Why would I want to? I've clearly stated that I'm here just because of Adelaide and-"

"There it goes again." She cut me off. "All you are doing is using Adelaide as an excuse to get close to him, to get close to the man I wish to marry."

"Hannah..." I tried my best to convince her, although it seemed useless through her icy expression-something I've gotten used to."everything happening here is completely situational. Never in my wildest dreams would I think of taking away somebody else's love."

"Then stop doing it!"

"I've n-"

"Catalina, stop looking at him like he means the world to you. He's supposed to fall in love with me...not you."

"Trust me Hannah, I try my best. I try to stay away from him and even he tries the same. But the situation just goes out of hand, I-I genuinely don't know. It's like...we are trying with all our powers but something just seems to get us together."

It's like, we're destined to be together.

"Well, keep trying then." With that, she left.

Hannah

Why me?

I hold back the urge to cry for the third time today, I don't know what I should do with this. All these months, I've tried my best to attract himself to me, to get him to love me. I pretended the shy girl act too, but nothing seems to work.

And this, is all because of Catalina. Out of nowhere, she's bumped into our life and doesn't seem to leave. Because of her and Adelaide, the little affection I could receive from him has vanished too.

I anxiously twirled my engagement ring around my finger. I know people would judge me for all this, call me a selfish bitch. But aren't we, at some point in our lives, all selfish. And yes, if fighting for the one person you've needed forever means selfish, then I'm sure I'm the most selfish person one might come across.

And now, it's time.

I need to show Catalina where at belongs. I need to show Alex that she's nothing but a gold digger running before his dollars. An outsider like her doesn't belong here, she needs to be evicted.

Checking my composure in the mirror, I head to Alexander's parents' room. Just as I reached the door, I bumped into Mr. Wilson.

"Sorry, sir." I pulled back from him immediately, I'm supposed to be the prefect daughter-in-law, and this clumsy personality will not help.

"It's alright, darling." He left with an assuring smile. Turns out, I'm used to calling Alex's mother Jessica but I can't call his father Chris, it's something with that domineering attitude.

"Excuse me, Jessica." I called out to her as she sat on the bed with her mobile phone.

"Oh, come in sweetheart." She passed me her usual polite smile. "And get used to calling me Mom now, the wedding can be anytime soon."

With Catalina around, I don't think so.

"Okay...Mom. Actually," I sat close to her on the bed. "you know, my parent's will come here tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"So why don't we-I'm sorry about thinking of a decision myself-why don't we organise the party tomorrow."

"The official engagement announcement?"

"Yes...if you want to, that is. I came to you instead of Mr. Wilson because I thought you'd take it in a better way." I knew that would work, saying she's better than her husband makes her go over the edge.

"Darling...I would never mind. But, how would we organise everything so quickly? We just have a few hours."

"You don't need to worry about that. I'll organise eveything." I take her hands in mine. "I want to show you that I wish to become a responsible Wilson."

And just then, Catalina will ruin it all, my party.

"You'll be able to manage in a day?" Her eyes are wide and I know she's trying to hide the fact that she's impressed.

"I know if would be hectic...but I'll give my best."

"Okay, then. Let's do it."

Mumbling a thank you with a quick kiss on her cheek, I went back to my room. It wouldn't be the least bit of hectic, it can't be. I've planned eveything properly since the day Catalina arrived. I call the event manager to tell her to set up the hall I've booked. Then, I call my mother.

"Hello, babygirl!"

"Hey Mom," I put up my best sad and helpless voice. "I need your help."

"What's wrong? We'll be coming tomorrow."

"Yes...that's what it is about. Please don't come back to Seattle."

"Wh-why?"

"I need to get something done, here, in their house."

"Han, is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, Mom. I can't tell you anything right now, it is comppicated. I just need to do this, and I need to stay here."

"Well, if that's what you say. I'll talk your Dad. I don't know what you are up to, but just take care of yourself, okay? Ring me up when you need my help."

"Thank you, Mom. I love you." I hang up.

Except me, nobody knows what I'm up to. I'll do this, for the sake of Alex.

~