HIS ASSETS (Law of Attraction Series#2)

Chapter 15

"Kace," I whisper and I literally stiffed and didn't move a muscle. There he was standing in front of his secretary desk, wearing his navy blue suit and tie. He was a lot mature and his body is more built up right now. His face doesn't change a lot still has the same features and expression. Blank.

I couldn't believe that we parted for 10 years and he didn't even contact me, and right now he's standing right in front of me.

I didn't know but my heart is pounding so fast, that it was giving me a hard time breathing properly. He remains standing there, "Ah..Ka----"I wasn't able to continue what I'm going to say when the door in front of me opens and my brother showed up. Up.

"Chantel," he said and instantly pulls me for a hug. "Kuya!" I said and hugged him back, my eyes glance at Kace once again but I just saw him seat back at his table and face the computer like nothing is happening.

My smile fades away because of that and still hugging my brother. "Come inside," Kuay said and without any hesitation, he pulls me inside and close the door. "How was the flight?" Kuya ask in his big voice and sat on the couch here inside his wide office.

I look around the whole place and can't help to smile, "So this is your Cage now," I said with a teasing smile.

"Yeah, I guess," he said and looks around also. "So, what do you want me to help here, brother?" I ask and seat in front of him. "The sales and advisement are decreasing its impact to the consumers and about the modeling for the new set of perfumes are you in? I mean Valerie isn't available for it, so I ask mom if you're good. She quickly said yes but I still want to ask your decision about this." he asks while resting his arms on the couch like a king.

"Yes sure, if mom agrees, there's no reason for me to say no, right?" I said and smile brightly. "You sure?" he asked. "Yeah," I blondly said. "It's a sexy perfume so the photo shoot will be daring still in?" He asks and I can see worry all over his face, he knows that I'm not into that kind of modeling but it Mom said this I think I need to do this. As I said, I don't want to disappoint her.

"I think I can do this, don't worry Kuya," I said and smile with assurance so it will lessen the hesitation on my brother's side. He hissed and said, "Valerie was really the model for these new issues but suddenly she declines it, don't know why," I see confusion and questions written all over my brother's face. Valerie, I can't help but feel uneasy when everyone mentions her name. She was like my sweet anxiety.

"Chantel didn't I tell you to do your best this day's photoshoot! because my friend is watching but looks at what you've done!!!!" Mom keeps on shouting at my back keeps on following me to my room.

I didn't bother to face her this time because really feel super dizzy and weak, kanina pang umaga masama ang pakiramdam ko, I have light flu because it's winter but I didn't tell it, Mom. Until the photo shoot didn't go well this time because my face are not in the mood for the ideas they needed.

That's why Mom's mad at me now because her friends are watching and I just ruin their expectations, it's just my second month here in France and I have already caused trouble for Mom."I'm sorry Mom," I said and enter my room, sat on my bed, and try to clear my dizzy sight.

Mom stands in front of me and nag again, "You always do unnecessary things in time like this Chantel, laging ganito ang excuse mo tuwing gumagawa ka ng kapalpakan. Valerie is way better than you right this moment, she's doing great on modeling kaya siya ngayon ang Face ng Delavine's Scent imbis na ikaw. You're the daughter and yet here you are still learning the basics, please Chantel just once does better, you always fail, I'm sick of it!!!" After that, she leaves my room.

I couldn't feel any better right now, my head is aching, and I feel dizzy, weak. I'm super drained I just had an exam this day and a report so I don't really have the energy to do great on the photo shoot and I admit it. It's just that it's bad timing, maybe if I'm feeling better and I have no light flu maybe I empress her friend.

I don't know if I want to cry because I feel sick and weak or because I'm still getting compared to my cousin. I crawl to the center of my bed and wrap myself in the comforter, tears started running from my eyes."I will do better Mom, promise," I whisper."

I can do it Kuya, don't bother asking Valerie anymore if she doesn't want to" I calmly said and smiled. This time wants to prove myself even just for my Mom's eyes.

"Ok, if you say so, then you wanna go up to see dad?" He asks and stands up, fixing his tie. I automatically smile when I heard the word Dad, I miss him so much. "Yes, let's go," I said and wrap my hands in my bothers arms.

As we walk out of my Brother's office my eyes quickly landed on the table was Kace was seating a while ago, but this time his not there anymore. "Where is he?" I whisper and Kuya heard it. "Who?" he asks.

"Kace?" I said and he also looks at Kace's table. "Maybe he's in the board meeting right now, I ask him to attend as my substitute since you're here that I need to accompany you."

I just nodded slowly and keep walking with him, "Was he doing well here?" I ask. "Yes, so great that he can also do my work when I'm away" he casually said. "Away? Where are you going?" I ask. "Not your business," he playfully said and the elevator opens so we both step in.

"Really are you hiding something?" I joked and he just smirks. We keep talking about some sort of things about business and in our life while we're in the elevator until we reach Dad's main office. I didn't bother to knock, I just quickly open it and call him, "Daddy," I said, I run to him and give him a wide embrace.

"Oh my princess you're finally here, you're so beautiful I mean beyond beautiful. You're like a goddess" he said and hugged me even more. "Yes, Daddy," I said and chuckled. After the warm welcome, Dad, Kuya, and I just continue talking and discussing things to improve the company and advertisement that will be given as a task to me.

"Ok, it's already time, let's have dinner outside. Come, come," Dad said and sabay kaming lumabas ng opisina niya. We headed to the parking lot and go to my borther's Van. "I already put my things here na pala Kuya" nauna akong naglakad sakanial para mabuksan ang Van at tignan ang mga gamit ko.

"Here oh I alre-----," I stop as I open the door of the Van and saw Kace seating inside already and checking some papers while wearing specs on. He looks at me and I'm still in a state of shock so my eyes were just wide open while staring at him. "Good Morning Sir," He said and seat properly, he was greeting Dad and Kuya.

"Kace son, ano bang sinabi ko sayo hindi ba't pagtapos na ang trabaho wag mona akong tawaging Sir, Call me Tito Cad" Dad said and pat his shoulder as he enter the Van and seated on the back.

"Sorry Si---Tito," Kace said and bow his head. Kuya also went inside beside dad, so only the seats beside Kace were available. "Chantel, what are you still doing there?" Kuya ask.

"Nothing," I said and smile instantly and seat beside Kace, who was busy on his paper again. I can't help to glance at Kace while he's seating beside me, I don't know but I feel super nervous right now.

Should I open a conversation with him like in the old-time? Or should get mad at me for not contacting me while I'm in France, isn't he surprised at what I look like right now? I mean I take care of myself super-careful so I know my looks improve even more.

I look at the back, Kuya and Dad are busy discussing something so I look back at Kace. I'll talk to him like the old times! Right! "Hi Kace, so how have you been?" I ask and smile at him. I got the feeling that I want to hug him right now, but he didn't respond to what I asked, kaya inulit ko. "Kace, who are you? long time no se---," he cut me off and said. 

"I'm busy, please be quiet."