Chapter 4

GINA After she wrapped the valentines gift for her sister and mother, the magazine article she's writing is now the focus of her attention because the deadline is sooner. She is interning with a magazine publishing company as a pre-requisite for her to graduate from the course she is taking. She is currently in her third year of college, and the reason why she did not graduated yet because she has been supporting her family since her father died. She also supports her sister Janice, who is now in her second year of college. She opened her laptop again and searched for the file she was writing about career-oriented women. She was in the middle of her typing when there was a sudden knock on her door. She immediately went near the door and asked. "Who is it?" "Delivery for Miss Suarez." When she opened the door, she saw a man carrying a large bouquet of red roses. "Oh, how beautiful." She said excitedly as the man handed it to her. She didn't think that Ace would be true to what he said that he was interested in her. As soon as she closed the door, she jumped for joy because she received flowers from Ace. She laid it down on her center table and began to read what was written on the small card attached to it. Her heart was pounding when she read it. I wanna lay you down in the bed of roses. - B.N. B.N? not A.D., or not A.R.D? OMG! then it is not Ace but Brando who sends her flowers because of its written initials. How? How did Brando know where she lived? she asked herself confused. She was sure that he didn't find out about it at the restaurant because it was forbidden for them to let any guests know where they were staying. Unless he followed her home. Suddenly her whole muscle trembled at the thought. She slowly approached the window to see if there was a limousine parked there or someone in front of her boarding house. But there is none. As in nothing really. She was surprised when her cellphone suddenly rang and it was an unregistered caller. But she still answered it. "Hello?" "Good morning, Gina." Brando."Who is this?" Instead of answering her, the person on the other line just laughed at her. "I was disappointed that you didn't call me. Have you received the flowers?" She pretended not to recognize his voice immediately. "Sir Brando, is that you?" "It's good and you still remember me, Gina. Did you like the flowers?" "It's very nice sir, but I hope you don't send or give me anything next time because I won't accept it anymore." "You deserve lovely things, Gina." "I'm not asking for anything Sir Brando, because I'm satisfied with what I have now. And one more thing, I can buy what I need." "Playing hard to get huh? Gina." "I'll be honest with you Mr. Nicolas, I don't want you to call me anymore, and also stop giving me tips and don't ever send me anything again." "You know miss beautiful, you're more challenging if you're like that." "Don't waste your time on me Mr. Nicolas, because...because I'm already engaged with someone else." Brando just laughed at her. "You know I've noticed that you always call me 'sir'. Am I that much older than you? I'm only 37, and by the way Gina, I just wanted to inform you that I'll be out of town by tomorrow. And even if you don't want to, I'll still call you." "Didn't you reserve a VIP room tonight?" "Cancel it for me, will you? And Oh, Gina, I just forgot to tell you that I did a background check on you, and I happen to know that there's no special someone in your life right now. I want you Gina, and whoever tries to approach or woo you can taste my cruelty, remember that, love." And he ends the call. She was speechless at what Brando said, she just gaped and was momentarily stunned. She wondered what else Brando knew about her. When she suddenly regained consciousness, she immediately double-checked the lock of her door. One week later... One week before Brando went to the restaurant and Ace cold treatment returned to normal. It's been a week since Ace tried to avoid her, and if he notices her, he'll just tease her. She also noticed that Ace seemed relaxed if Brando didn't show up at the restaurant. His forehead is not always frowning and he often laughs as well. What she really didn't want was to fight with her female colleagues knowing their intentions with Ace, she was not only irritated, but also got hurt. She realizes that when Brando is there, Ace focus is only on her. Is he jealous of Brando? She asked herself confused. She thought that Ace had already started treating her well on her birthday. But now the wind is blowing differently. She always wears the necklace that Ace gave her but Ace also doesn't care every time he sees her still wearing it. What if she lets Ace know that Brando sends her gifts everyday? What would be his reaction? The packaged that arrived daily didn't tempt her, but she was just curious about what was written on the small card so she opened it just to read what Brando wrote there. She received the package again that day and she read the card that was written. Money can't buy love, but it improves your bargaining position. - B.N. The only content of the package is an expensive gown designed by a famous designer in the country. He even wrote a letter saying that she should wear the gown on their first date. The next day she received another package from Brando and here is what was written on the card again. A face that could launch a thousand ships, Sweet Gina, makes me immortal with a kiss.- B.N. He invited her to be his date on Valentines Day, aboard a cruise ship. The following day she read the card again. Love me little, but love me long.- B.N. There's a complimentary ticket to a theater play inserted in the small card. She knows very well the lines that Brando writes on the card because it is inspired by her favorite poems. ** VALENTINES DAY ** On the day of the heart, Gina once again received a package from Brando. She was surprised because the package she received now seemed unusual, but she also didn't care about what Brando sent her and she also planned to return them when she met Brando. She immediately opened the card even though she was afraid to read it. Come live with me and be my love. - B.N. But when she read what was written at the end of it, her eyes almost popped out when she read it. GINA SUAREZ, WILL YOU MARRY ME? She would have been thrilled if she loved Brando, but she didn't. What is she going to do? She didn't want to open the gift she received today but out of curiosity she still opened it. Her hands were shaking as she opened the package sent by Brando. She was nervous but she was very anxious to find out what was inside. But before she could open it, she had in mind that the contents of the package were jewelry because it was the same as the box that Ace gave her during her birthday. She also thinks that it is a key to a house based on the meaningful line of the poem that Brando writes on the card, and she knows that her thoughts are not impossible because of Brando's wealth. But she suddenly stopped thinking when her cellphone rang and she smiled when she saw the caller. "Hello, Gina." "Why is it that Ace Roderick Durant III suddenly called?" Ace didn't answer her right away. "Why, did my call bother you?" "No, no." "Have you sampled the wines we're going to use this Valentines Day?" "Not yet, I have been so busy these past few days." "What keeps you busy right now?" "Actually I'm in deep thought right now." "Like what?" "Like meaningful poems." "What is that all about, Gina?" She wanted to tell Ace about Brando but she didn't want to bother other people anymore. "By the way, I called because I need something from you, Gina." "Of course you called for a reason. You never do anything without a reason." She also wanted to know why he treated her differently, she thought they got along on her birthday. Ace went silent for a moment. What does he need from her? It will take them forever in his silence, Gina said to herself. "I would like to ask you for a date after our duty," Ace said. Out of character. Definitely out of character. What happened to Ace and all of a sudden he asked her for a date? "Well, thank you for inviting me honey pie, but I have another commitment after our duty." "Are you busy?" "Honestly yes, I've already committed to someone. I let you know because I really need to get dressed because he's coming." She answered and looked at the watch to see what time it was. She was referring to her cousin Mark. He will be visiting his friend who was just near their house in Naga, so he just drove her to their house where her sister and mother were waiting for her. She can't postpone going to their house, especially since she hasn't been home to them for a long time. She remembered Ace sudden invitation to date her out, but she also thought it was good for him because he only just ignored her all week. "I would like to date you, but you said that you already have a date." "Why did you suddenly invite me? Is your date back out?" "You're the only one I want to date. By the way, who is the man you're dating, do I know him?" "He's tall, dark and handsome, who texted me early to see if we could go out tonight. So next time, don't hesitate to invite me so that no one else can get ahead of you...okay, bye. " "Georgina." "What?" "I also know a line of Shakespeare's poetry, if it make sense to you." "All right, let me know." "'A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!' " Gina burst out laughing when she heard that from Ace, even if she wanted to talk to Ace but she really had to say goodbye to the man because her cousin had already texted that he was coming. So she cut off Ace's call and hurried to go to the dressing room. After ten minutes, she heard a knock on the door. "Coming." She shouted at the knocker outside while she was still wearing her high-heels. She was about to go out, but she forgot to wear earrings and a necklace that would match what she was wearing. So she heard a series of knocks because it took her a while to get dressed again. Finally, she already chose a dress, she settled for a clingy black dress with its hem just above the knee. When she opened the door, she was about to greet her cousin Mark, but someone blocked her door. There were two men who looked like bouncers in the club because of their huge body builds. One of them was holding a bouquet of flowers while the other suddenly grabbed her tightly by the arm. "Who are you? What do you need from me?" "Read this card first, miss," said the one holding the flowers. She stared intently at the two men and thought of the mastermind. A man was still holding her tightly so she struggled. One of them handed her a small card to read. She immediately opened it and read. An unforgettable evening awaits you, so do I. - B.N. After she read it she was still struggling to get out of their grasp. "Tell Mr. Nicolas I have an important matter to attend to." But the two big men only exchanged glances. One of them said, "We can't leave unless you go with us." She was trembling with fear because she saw the two men in front of her with guns, but she still had to show them that she was brave. "I told you, didn't I? I can't go with you because I have an important matter--" But the two men did not listen to her and instead forcibly pulled her away. Everything happened so fast, giving her no opportunity to grab her cellphone or even lose them because of the tightness of their hold on her. "Let go of me..help! ..Help!" The two men stopped pulling her and the other one faced her. "If you don't stop screaming, we will cover your mouth." Said the man who had been holding her arm. "What if I don't want to come with you? Will you kidnap me?" "It's better that you just come with us, miss, so you won't be hurt. We're just following the boss's order." said the man holding her. "I'll only be going with you if you let go of me first, because I'm already hurt by the tightness of your grip." The man released her immediately. "Did Mr. Nicolas really ordered you?" The two men just nodded at her. There's really nothing she can do, she can't really get rid of them and especially Brando. "All right, I'll come with you, maybe your boss will get angrier when we keep him waiting." *****