Chapter 14

Lara's POV I stared at the car window to relax myself. I just finished my photoshoot and a taping for my new tele-drama and I"m freaking tired. Fortunately, the make-up carries my eye bags and the tiredness on my face. Who wouldn't be stressed? I'm too busy with my career, I have a family problem, and my boyfriend and I broke up. Sometimes, I wish that I could just be a simple person. Living happily without thinking any problem. But no, I can't be just like that. I'm the family's bread winner and I can't do anything but to work hard for my family. And Ivan, I can't believe he could be like that. I just draw strength from him but he made me feel nonsense. It started when that bitch Rigella left their house after she found out about our plan. He changed. The changes that I notice in him is, he's always spaced out when I'm with him. Previously, when we were together, he always makes me feel that he"s around and that he could make me feel loved. But days passed and he became weirder and weirder. He also once called me "Rigella" when I cooked breakfast for him. I am hurt that time but I didn't show it to him. And the weirdest thing is, he rejects me when I want to make love with him. Like, what the hell. He used to insist that we do that. I broke up with him, yes. And it's so funny that he didn't chase me. Whenever I break up with him before, he always chases me and says that he loves me and after that, we're back together again. That's all I'm waiting for him to do now but ... nothing. I massage my temple as I clearly remembered what happened. Flashback After Rigella left, his best friend left the house too. I smiled because of what I heard. She finally filed an annulment. What a great announcement. Ivan will be rightfully mine soon. My forehead furrowed as Ivan sat down dejectedly on the sofa. He looked surprised and ... hurt. But why? Isn't he happy? He will be free and he can marry me. Don't tell me ... he doesn't like the annulment? I shook my head and let that thoughts vanished. Of course, I know he will agree to the annulment because he loves me so much and he wants to marry me. I clung my arm around his arm and kissed his cheek. He looked at me seriously and I don't know why I suddenly felt nervous. I just smiled at him and looked at him lovingly. "She already filed an annulment, babe. You just need to sign it and your free. We can get married after you get annulled. What a good news right?" He didn't answer and changed his gaze. I bit my lower lip and my forehead creased. He's weird. What is happening to him? "Hey, babe. You know, we should celebrate. Let's go out and eat at a fancy restau-" He cut my words and looked at me. "There's nothing to be celebrated of, Larisse ..." he said with a serious face and changed his gaze again. My eyes widened. I didn't expect this! There's something wrong on him! I stood up and waved in front of him. "What's your problem, Ivan? I thought you will be happy because you're going to be free! But ... why are you acting like that? You're acting like you don't want the annulment!" I said annoyingly. He just stared at me with a blank face like he doesn't care about what I've said. "Did I say that I want the annulment, Larisse?" He asked. I sighed and stomped in annoyance. This is not my Ivan! He does everything I want but now ... but now ... argh! "You're weird, Ivan! This passed few days, you're getting weird! What's wrong with you ?!" I disgusted the question. Seriously, I'm losing my temper here. He stood up and massaged his temple. "I don't know too, okay! I can't understand my self anymore! Damn it!" He shouted. He hit the wall and threw a vase at me. For nine years that we're together, I've never seen him this angry and frustrated. Something's really wrong on him! "What ?! Don't tell me ... you're falling for that bitch already ?! So you're having second thoughts!" I shouted even though I was a little scared. He faced me and I saw anger visible in his face. Oh holy God, he looks scary! "Don't call my wife in names, Larisse!" He shouted angrily. I'm scared but ... I'm hurt too. He addressed that desperate bitch as his wife? What the hell! I must be what he calls his wife! "Why are you so angry ?! Aren't you the one calling her things before ?! You call her stupid, flirty, desperate-" And to my surprise ... He slapped me. My cheeks went numb as my tears flowed. Shit, did he really slap me? This is the first time! I looked at him and he looks ... mad. Very mad. Previously, everytime I cried, he always comforted me. He says, that everything will be okay and I will be brave. But now ... he's the one who made me cry. "Why, Ivan? Do you love Rigella anymore, huh? Don't you love me anymore?" I sobbed question while holding my cheek that he slapped. I saw his face softened but only for a moment and went back to being serious. He did not answer my question and just turned his back on me. He walks towards the terrace. I wiped my tears and glared at him even if I only see his back. This is not so you, Larisse Raquella. Be strong, you shouldn"t cry unless you have a taping that you need to cry. "Ivan ..." he stopped walking but he didn't look at me. Great. "I'm not asking you to put me first. A ... I just don't want to feel like I'm just not with you ..." I sobbed and stopped for a while. I saw how his body stiffened. I smirked bitterly. I'll try, Ivan. "I can stand the word 'just you', as long as you don't treat me like 'nothing' ... But Ivan, you made me feel nonsense. It's as if I don't exist next to you. Maybe .. "We'd better stop this first. Let's break up ..." I sobbed. Maybe, when I do this, he will realize my worth. He did not turn to me and continued walking. That made my heart broke into pieces. It's too painful. Damn it! I threw the vase next to me out of sheer anger. I also broke the vases near me. I looked at Ivan's direction. He seemed not to mind me because he was just smoking and still turned his back on me. Damn him! I grabbed my bag from the center table and wiped away my tears. I bring back my poise and leave the house. Damn this! End of Flashback I rolled my eyes. It hurts, but I can't stand him. I love him so much and it would be a pity for the nine years we have been together if I just divorce him because of my map. He should end up with me and not with anyone else. It's just me, because he's just mine. "April?" I called my manager. He turned to me as he leaned back in the front seat. He looks even more tired than me and I'm the one who's having a hard time right now. Tss. "What?" He raised an eyebrow at me. "Do I have to do anything else today? I'm going because my boyfriend." bored I said. His forehead furrowed. "Lara, I told you that you can't have a boyfriend because Dave Alcantara is still your love team. You're going to be famous so you have to be careful with what you do." He said angrily. I stared at him. "My boyfriend lives in an exclusive subdivision, Avril! It's safe there. Besides, my boyfriend can be proud because he's Ivan De Leon." I'm proud. He frowned again and burst out laughing. What the hell? "What's funny?" I can answer the question. "Are you joking, Lara? Ivan De Leon is married to Rigella Crisostomo for seven years already! How can you be her boyfriend e they already have a child? Besides, they look happily in love with each other. Are you daydreaming or too much Are you just stressed at work? Hey, jusko ... "he still laughed. I gritted my teeth in anger. "They're not in love with each other, Avril! Since high school, I've been Ivan's love. He just got that woman pregnant so they got married. Besides, they've also planned an annulment to be able to Ivan and I will get married. And after that, I swear, I will leave this freaking showbiz and I will never come back. " Avril stopped laughing and her face was serious. "Are you damn serious, Lara? You know what, you should consult a psychiatrist already. You're going crazy ata e. That couple is quiet and then you mess up. And hey, as if you can leave showbiz. Remember, showbiz is making a living for your family and making you rich ... "he said shaking his head and leaned back in his chair then closed his eyes. I groaned in anger and put my headset on. I need to cool down my head before I strangle Avril to death. Tsss. ~ • ~ Rigella's POV "Mam, someone is looking for Boss Ivan outside. They say they need to talk. We don't let them in because Boss says we are not allowed to let anyone in." Said a body guard while bowing. But me, I still have to look at him because he is so tall. Seriously, the body guards hired by Ivan will be really tall. Actually, the bodyguards just arrived and of course, I was surprised. Alas, when I went downstairs, I saw a lot of men in black. Ivan said, we need to have bodyguards here at home for safety. I kept wondering. Why? Will something bad happen to us? For me, please don't. "Who is he?" I said and adjusted my dress a bit loosely. It's pretty obvious because the baby is so loose that I'm wearing it so it's not obvious. "I didn't say your name, Mam. He's also trying to get in." I was swayed by my senses. Hey, I still don't feel like going out now because of the heat. Why did Ivan leave? He said he has something important to take care of and he will return immediately. But in the afternoon he was still gone and this morning he left. "Oh, all right. I'm going out. That seems important." I said. "But, Mam. The boss said, we shouldn't let you out." I was a little bored there. Why did he tell me that I'm not allowed to go out? By god by saint naman! Woe to you who are waiting outside! "I'm not going to run away. I'll just talk to the man outside ..." I said calmly. "But, Mam. You're really not allowed to go out. I'll talk to the boss when I let you out." I took a deep breath. "I'll take care of Ivan. All right, let me out ..." The bodyguard scratched his neck. "Oh ... Oh he's fine, Mam. But wait a minute because maybe Boss will come suddenly ..." I smiled and nodded. The bodyguard came out with me. At first, the two bodyguards guarding the door blocked us but the bodyguard who was with me just whispered to them and let us out. I was almost stunned by the amount of bodyguards guarding the outside of the house. Seriously! Our house even surpassed the Philippine military base in the number of guards! The guards never stopped us. Of course, we managed to get through the two bodyguards at the door so we understood that we could go out. When we got out I saw a figure of a woman turning away from our direction. "Miss?" I approach him. He turned to us and I was so shocked when I met him. Shit! Is he back ?! To be continued...