RANSOM GIFT: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Commanding Proposal, Hidden Proposal, Ransom Proposal) (11 page)

Chapter 6

Days have passed so quickly, I had to leave for Spain the next day. I felt like dying, as if I was a candle about to run out of wax. It’s so hard to leave him tomorrow. And the night was going to be the longest I’ve ever had with him.

He’s about to start school, and I had to start my internship at our hotel. I’ll be back here in few days—three days to be exact, but ever since we got together, that’s going to be the longest that I won’t be able to see him. Sure, we could do video calls, and I guess that has considered that idea, which was why he bought him his Mac, but it’s still not enough for me. I had to touch him. I just had to.

              “Babe, can’t you just stay?” He asked.

Gary, you have no idea how much I want to stay.
But I had to be strong for him, his dreams and out future.

              “I can’t, baby. We have to do this for us. You do know that there’s nothing I want more but to stay here, right? But I have to go for you.” I said to him.

              “I know.” He said.

              “Do you trust me?”

He nodded. “I do, with my life.” He answered.

              “I trust you.” I reassured him. “No matter what… and you can guarantee that Clemente can’t do anything to me.”

He cupped my face with his hands. “I know that, babe.”

He kissed me on my lips, and I kissed him back. I’ve missed this kind of kiss. I’ve longed to have this moment for such quite a while now. I knew right then that we’re both ready to jump into again. Maybe we can try for another one. Not that we’ve forgotten our first child, no, we just don’t want them to feel bad for their parents.              

I touched his neck, and I knew that he knew we’re on. So he placed both hands on my waist, and he started kissing my chin, jaw, the back of my ear, and back to my chin. He traced down my neck with his lips, and I felt the fire tingling in my every being.

I pressed my hands against his back, and I caressed it with a bit pressure because I knew that he wanted my hands pressed hard against his skin. His hands are on the trail of dress, and he slowly raised it up, exposing my legs, giving that soft tracing of his nails on my skin. It’s so arousing. My whole body heated up like I was in a sauna or whatever. He continued raising up my dress until it revealed my hips… then my waist… then my bras… until he has successfully taken it over me. He stared deep into my eyes while unhooking my bras, which only took him split second for he already knew his way to my underwear.

I was melting in his stares, and my knees were trembling. He softly touched my shoulders, down to my arms, to my hands, and once his hands are holding mine, he slowly raised it over his neck, and he left them hanging there. He leaned over to kiss me wildly and passionately. My lips were burning with so much intensity from his lips’ every maneuver. His hands were on my hips caressing them like there’s no tomorrow. His movements suddenly turned wild and incontrollable. He has caught him off guard once he carried me with his hands through my hips, and threw me into him. I curled my feet in his ways to gain balance, and I was hanging on me like a monkey hanging on a twig.

He gently pushed me towards the bed, and I squealed. I did not expect him to do that. But I liked it. I made my sexiest laugh, and made sure that it was indeed sexy. He noticed it, and he moved closer until he’s on top of me. We had so much love to share, and so we started sharing it right away.

*****

We fell asleep out of deep exhaustion. Lucky for me, I had the alarm set so I won’t miss my flight, although deep down, I wished I didn’t have to leave.

He’s still sleeping after the alarm, so I managed to make my away out of bed without waking him up. I tiptoed into the bathroom, and got ready for my flight.

I wanted to spend few more time with him, but he seemed so exhausted. Knowing I would have to leave him alone gave me this feeling of pain. But I wanted to make the most of those three hours left, so after getting ready, I went down on the kitchen, and make him a breakfast. I knew that I’d only have to be gone for three days, but still, it’s the first time, which made it even painful.

I’ve decided to go with sunny eggs, bacon and pancakes. Well, those were few of the few breakfast meals I knew how to cook. I know, not even Spanish of them. But still, they’re meals. I moved as quickly as I could, and in no time, I had the food ready for my baby. So, I went up to wake him up.

              “Gary…” I whispered close to him as I wake him up.

He slowly opened his eye, and I’ve never seen anything beautiful like it before. His eyes were like little butterfly wings gracefully moving like they have to. He’s so dreamy.

              “Hey.” He said after gathering up all his senses.

I smiled at him. “Time for breakfast, I need to leave in two hours.” I couldn’t hide the sadness in my voice.

              “Oh.” He said then moved quickly to get up. “Let me cook breakfast for you.”

I smiled proudly of myself. “I already did.” I said.

He was obviously shocked that I cooked breakfast for the two of us. His smile seemed more like a reaction of amusement. He’s glad of what I did, and he was obviously very proud of me.

              “Let’s eat it then.” He said.

I reached out my hand to him, and he took it. But instead of getting up out of bed, he pulled me in, and I fell on top of me.

              “There you go. This is where you belong.” He said.

I blushed and gushed at what he said. “Damn right this is.” I said to him with my ever stupid grin. “But you have to eat for school today, and I have a flight to catch.”

He faked a serious face, and frowned at me. “But…” He sounded like a little child.

I laughed at him. “Let’s go, baby…”

              “Right… I want to eat that special breakfast.” He teased me.

              “Let’s go.”

We headed down to the dining, and he was surprised at the breakfast that I prepared. I had no idea if it was because the food looked good, or because I only cooked these pretty easy meals. Whatever it was, I just took it as a compliment.

              “I’m sorry. Those were all I can cook.” I apologized.

He turned to face me with a sweet smile, “come here”. He called out to me. “I am such a lucky guy.” He said when I was already in his arms.

              “You are?”

              “Oh, I am. You have no idea how lucky I am for having you for the rest of my life.” He said, I giggled.

              “Let’s eat then.”

We spent the whole two hours in the dining—talking, sharing jokes, laughing, and taking our time to stare and memorize each other’s face. Those three days could be very tough, so we made sure to just enjoy each other’s company.

And when it was time for me to go, neither of us cried. We just hugged as tightly as we both could before I gave this middle-aged Italian flight attendant my plane ticket, and head inside this pretty gigantic tube towards the inside of the plane.

              “I love you. I’ll see you in three days.” He said to me, only he has no smile in his face, but instead, longings and sadness filled his facial expression.

              “I love you. Be at your best behavior.” I told him.

              “Clemente should be at his best behavior.” He teased. “Have a safe flight, baby. Call me when you land.”

              “Let’s just Skype tonight, I don’t want to disturb you at your class.” I said.

He smirked. “More like my class is disturbing us.” He said.

We both laughed, and I kissed him for the last time before heading inside that sad tube.

“I miss you already.”             

              “I love you. Take care.” He said, and I went in.

I turned to look back at him, and he was staring intently at me.
Oh boy, we’ll be like this every Monday.
Well, I didn’t really care. As long as we can be together and won’t have to part completely, I’ll take anything.

It’s been the longest flight of my life. It felt sad, lonely and very boring. Two hours later, I was already sitting in my dad’s car with him on shotgun.

              “How was your flight, sweetie?” He asked.

              “Sad.” I answered him.

And he laughed. “You’re kidding. It’ll only be for three days here, and four days there.”

              “But dad, I thought you understand us.” I accused him.

              “I do, but baby, there’s more to life than just being together. Letting him grow and be the person he ought to be is also a form love.”

Well, good for you to know that, dad. But for me, no wise words could stop the hurting.
              “I just can’t wait to work these three days off then fly to him.” I was stating the most honest thing I’ve ever said to my dad ever.

He laughed. I knew that he can understand my feeling because I’ve never felt anything like this before, and he knew that… he knew that very well.

              “Take this day off, sweetie. You can start tomorrow.” He said.

Great! What was I supposed to do without Gary if not to work?

              “I’ve got nothing else to do, dad.”

              “Go Skype with him or something. Just don’t make out via computer, it creeps me out.” He said.

What the fuck?
“Dad, stop it!!!” I yelled at him.
It’s ultimately gross to hear it from him.

              “Alright, I’m sorry.” He said laughing, along with his driver, whom we both treat as a family.

              “Ha-ha. It’s so funny, you two.”

Gross…

Chapter 7

Working at a hotel was such an exhausting thing to do. I wasn’t even sure if I was glad that we had huge one as I had to move from places to places, walk from one point to another, rushing towards an elevator opening… all these while wearing a goddamn pair of heels. Oh, plus my weight. I had to lose weight, and make myself light for this kind of work.

I was rushing so I didn’t even have time to take care of my poise or my fines. And so, I stepped on a particular guest’s foot while inside the elevator.

              “Hey, watch it!” The girl shouted at me.

              “Oh, I’m sorry.” I apologized, and then I tried to move on.

              “You should be careful if you don’t want to lose your job.” The girl hissed at me.

What? What the fuck did you just say, slick Barbie doll?
I glanced at our elevator stuff, and she knew who I was. But looking at her made me realize that even though I literally own this whole shit, I had to be kind to our guests no matter how rude they were.

              “I’m so sorry.” I repeated myself, only this time I wasn’t sounding very sorry.

It was just the four of us in this spacious elevator. This thing can hold up to fifteen people so her voice was pretty clear, but her boyfriend won’t stop staring at me, which made it all pretty awkward.

That’s right… you might be skinny, but I’m way prettier…

The elevator door opened, and it revealed my dad along with his assistant and three other assistant.
Wow, why so many assistants, dad? 

              “Hola, Mr. CEO.” The elevator girl said.

My dad smiled at him, and then he looked funny at me.
What, dad?

              “How’s everything so far?” Dad has caught my attention before I enter this elevator door.

              “Hey, dad…”

As soon as I greeted my dad, I saw in my peripheral vision that the girl whose hideous foot I stepped on looked at me with jaws dropped on the floor. I had no idea with her boyfriend’s reaction.

              “You seem enjoying your first day. I’m glad you’re getting ready to take on my place someday.” He said out loud, not caring if the guests could hear.

Eat that, bitch!
Well, I had no time to mess with her back since I’ve got tons of things to do, and Ms. Coy, the head for Marketing, needs this pile of paper works in my hands.

I smiled at my dad. The elevator door opened up on my floor, so I readied myself to go out. “I’ll see you at home, dad.” I said to my dad.

              “Go get them, tiger.” He teased at me.

              “Whatever.” I teased him back.

We didn’t care if anyone could hear us, we’re father and daughter, and he’s not the CEO to me, regardless of where we were or who’s with us. He’s never been like that to me…
y’all can just eat that up!

As I was making my way to Ms. Coy’s office, I’ve noticed someone standing on the corner to my left, I turned my head to check who it was and it was Clemente.
Wow! Stalker alert!
I raised my brow on him as acknowledgement that I actually saw him standing there. He raised a hand on me, and he was moving towards my direction to talk to me.
OMG… it’s about to get super awkward in here.

              “Hi.” He said.

I gave him a restricted and very weak smile. It’s very noncommittal.

              “I was going to see Ms. Coy, too. We need to discuss something.”

              “Oh, okay…” I said to him.

              “How’s Gary?”

              “He’s fantastic.” I answered. It was actually an understatement of my Gary.

              “Does he still walk on water?” He teased.               

              “He always has and he always will.” My answer was short but sweet.

              “Oh.” His face suddenly saddened.

I felt bad for him, but he has to know that the two of us can never be… that I plan to be with Gary for the rest of my entire life, no matter how long it would be... because that’s just the fact.

Ms. Coy suddenly went out from the door to fetch either one of them. And when he saw us, she was obviously torn who to pick first. Clemente was there first, but I’m the basically the owner of this whole thing. So, needless to say, she picked me.

“Hello, Ms. Kristina, come inside, please.” She said to me.

Although everyone knew that I was starting as a beginner, my dad has strictly instructed everyone to treat me still as his daughter, practically, their future boss. So everyone’s nice and friendly to me. Besides, dad knew that I wouldn’t be using my status in anything.

I came inside her office, and it took us fifteen minutes to discuss things, which meant that Clemente was waiting outside for that long. There’s a couch and a television outside for crying out loud.

I went out after, and I found him still standing at the same spot?
What’s this guy up to? Did he just eat plenty of stuff, and now trying so hard to make them all go down? There’s the couch for crying out loud.
I felt irritated for a split second.
Hmm…it’s not my deal anymore.

I didn’t give him the chance to talk, I just rushed back to the elevator, and I pressed the call button quite too many times.

“I’m about to get lunch in a bit, do you want to grab something?” He asked.

I let go of a desperate sigh. “Clemente, look…” I started my one-year-long impromptu speech about me and Gary.

“You’re sweet, nice and you were one of the biggest parts of my past. But you see, that’s the past now. Gary’s my future, and I will make sure, with all my might and everything that I have, that he will be that for the rest of my life. I admit, I loved you once, twice, maybe starting the day you helped me ditch my first piano lesson when I was six, but it’s all in the past. When you left me to marry a Japanese girl, I thought maybe you just had no other choice, but it seemed that you did, but you didn’t take it for me. But I guess it was a blessing in disguised because I came to realize that I wasn’t really in love with you, I was in love with the idea of you as my escape goat in all of these. You were the one who got it all together for me, and when you left, I just knew that I had to stand on my own, and it freaked me out. But when I did, I was lucky enough to be available when Gary found me. It was different with him. He caught the whole me the moment he saw me, and it has been the best moments of my life so far. He saved me from the pain without knowing that I had to be saved.  He was with me during my best times, and those were when I’m in pain for losing you. You were gone, he found me, and he hasn’t left ever since. And I hope to God that he won’t ever because I’m just going to die.” I explained myself with so much emotions going on in my face, and my gestures since I was using my hands while explaining, waving it back in forth in the air like crazy. “I’m really sorry…”

He flashed me a weak smile. “I get it. Deep down, I know all that, I guess I just have to hear myself before I would stop.” He said.

“Friends…?”

“Friends…” I confirmed to him that we’ll stay friends.

He leaned on to give me a hug, but I took a step back. “I’m sorry…” I mouthed.

He grinned. “Okay, I get it. You really love him.”

“With my whole soul…”

He smiled at me, but his pain was just so obvious. He walked pass at me, and I heard him greet someone else.
OMG! Someone was behind us? Maybe that somebody heard us.

God I don’t want to cause any issue, I never want to cause Gary reasons to worry.
The more Gary could focus at his schooling, the soonest we can be together.

I turned around to see who it was, and my eyes grew bigger when I figured it was Gary standing behind us.
How long was he standing there?

“Hey, baby…” He greeted me with a sweet smile.

“What on Earth are you doing here? What happened to your classes?” I asked with a stupid, betraying grin on my face. I didn’t sound serious.

He smiled at me.
“Relax, I don’t have classes today. It’s a freshmen thing.” He said to me.

Oh… Wow!
“Awesome!” I exclaimed. “Wait, how long have you been standing there?”

              “It was just for a couple of minutes.”

OMG! He’s heard everything, for sure…

              “Did you hear anything…?”

              “I heard it all. It was pretty long, baby. I thought a simple no would suffice. I kind of felt bad for him…” He teased.

I hit his arm with my hand, and he started laughing. “I love you so much.” He said. “And for what it’s worth, you are worth saving for.”

Awww…
I smiled at him, and I leaned over to kiss him. It was short, but definitely full of love and emotions.

              “Wait, how did you know that I was here?” I asked him.

              “I went to dad first, and then I asked him where you could possibly be.”

Awww… that’s so sweet of him to visit my dad first.

              “That’s so sweet.” I told him.

He smiled at me sweetly. “Also, I needed to ask him for permission.”

What permission?
“For what…?”

              “I need his permission to take you to the gazebo.” He said.

I laughed. “Baby, that place isn’t restricted.” I said.

              “Oh, really… I didn’t know. Let’s go then.”

We got up to our feet, and we started to head towards the gazebo.