Read with BonusRead with Bonus

CHAPTER 10: Almost A Decade

KATE’s P.O.V.

Eight years had passed. I can say that so many things had changed and I’m not the weak, silly teenager anymore. I’m now stronger, wiser, and tougher than before. And I love myself that much to be able to say it.

Those past few years, I used the time to change everything about me... I dyed my hair blonde, so that I wouldn’t be compared as similar to Claire or to anyone else in our country. I worked on everything I can just to change my physical features except for doing a surgery, of course. I’m still me, but not the way I am before.

I used to think that maybe, maybe if Claire and I met again someday and I’ve been completely different from her, she wouldn’t underestimate my capabilities anymore. It was almost a decade but the pain she and Gabriel had caused to me still remained cristal clear on my memory.

And also... Elijah. I don’t know his reasons why denied me that day in front of Claire but... I could partially blame him for causing me to change like this. Yes, this is my choice. I chose to be like this. I chose to live the past eight years of my life in hatred because of my past. But no one ever asked me why. Maybe if they found out the reason, they will give their sympathy to me and they will understand my situation.

“Are you alright, Kate?” Mom asked me.

“Yeah... I’m just thinking about something.”

“Get some sleep, sweetie. We still got a few hours left before we land.”

I nodded, looking back outside of the window. We are currently inside of one of Dad’s private plane, flying back to the Philippines, our home country. It’s been eight years, and living in Canada doesn’t change the fact that I loved this country... And if only those things didn’t happened before, I should have never leave.

“Kate?” Dad called my name, making me look at his direction.

“Yes, Dad?”

“I have a surprise for you. I’m sure you’re going to like this,” he stated.

“And what exactly is that, Armando?” Mom asked.

“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to my daughter, okay?”

“I’m just asking,” Mom defended herself.

“Whatever. Anyways, Darrel wants to meet you, Kate. He’s one of my most trusted business partners and he’s also my bestfriend.”

“And why does he want to meet our daughter?”

“You don’t need to know about that,” Dad firmly stated, making Mom shut her mouth.

I should be used to them but I wasn’t. Dad is treating Mom like a garbage ever since we started to live in Canada, and I could see the broken lines of their relationship... It is slowly drifting them apart from each other.

“It’s very important so you should come, Kate. And also, Darrel organized a welcome party for our family. We better come as whole to show to those people how lovely our family is... And what I mean by that is everyone should be looking good and nice tomorrow night.”

“Fine, Dad. I’m going to do whatever you want.”

“But you’re tired, Kate. You should take a rest later so that you will have some energy for tomorrow night,” Mom stated again, and Dad nearly lost his patience.

“She said she can do it, Katheryn. Please don’t meddle with our business plan.”

“Your child is not an asset to your business.”

Dad was about to say something when I finally opened my mouth for them to stop arguing.

“Mom, Dad, please don’t fight. I can do this, okay? Please stop arguing now...”

They both shut their mouths as they heard me pleaded. I sighed, reaching out to pat my Moms shoulder and to give her a small smile as well.

“It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine. Don’t worry...” I whispered and she just nodded.

After that argument, both of them decided to sleep while I listen to some music. I keep my eyes wide awake for I don’t want to take a sleep and dream about some good things. Good things that surely wouldn’t happen in real life. I’m now twenty-four years old, so believe me, I already knew some stuffs about life.

The pilot announced that we are now landing so I decided to wake my Mom by gently tapping her by her cheeks.

“Mom... We are here. We’re home...”

She opened her sleepy eyes, before nodding at me. When our plane finally came down, I removed my seatbelt to went towards Dad.

“Dad... We are here.”

He instantly stood up, fixing himself. Mom did the same and when the door finally opened, I breathed the fresh air coming from the familiar surrounding where I’ve been in before. It felt nice, seeing that nothing changed that much.

“Katheryn please call our personal driver and go home as soon as he picked you up here. My daughter and I needs to meet someone very important.”

“Important? Who? Your bestfriend?” Mom wrinkled her nose in disapproval.

“Why do you even care? We don’t need you out there and if you don’t want to call our driver, then fine. Stay here alone.”

Dad almost run towards our limousine. I looked at Mom sympathetically before she nodded at me as a sign that she would be fine out here alone and that I need to go now. I did what Dad wanted me to do. I hopped inside of our limousine and the driver started the engine. I looked outside through the window, seeing my Mom as she slowly vanished into our sight. I sighed, feeling sorry for her.

“What’s with the sigh, Kate?” Dad asked.

“Nothing, Dad. But you know what, sometimes you should stop being so harsh towards Mom. She have feelings too, you know. I doubt that she isn’t hurt even just a little bit from your words. Don’t you love her?” I asked curiously.

He looked away, avoiding my gaze before answering my question.

“I do love her... But sometimes, I wonder what would be my life if I didn’t follow my Dad and married your Mom...” he almost whispered into the empty air.

“What?” I asked, even though I clearly heard it. I jut wanted to make sure that I heard the right thing.

“Nothing, Kate. Just prepare yourself. We are nearly there.”

“Alright,” was my short reply.

When we finally arrived at our destination, our driver hopped down from our limousine to open the door for me and my Dad. We got outside, and I was amused by the tallest building I’ve ever seen in this country ever since we leave. I read it silently... Herrera Corp.

“Darrel indeed got wealthier than I expected,” Dad whispered.

We are about to go inside of their building entrance when a man came out from the other door towards the lobby. He’s wearing a black formal tuxedo like he is one of the owners of this company. As I looked into his deep, cristal blue eyes, I instantly got mesmerized by his beauty. My heart skipped a beat and if Dad didn’t nudge me or what, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from drooling over him.

“Let’s go inside, Kate. Darrel is waiting for us.”

I nodded. When I turned around to find that man, he was already gone. I just sighed as we went inside of the building. We used their elevator before we reached one of their largest office in here, marked by the name “CEO.”

My Dad went inside, only being bombarded my a man near on his fifty’s and they hug each other. The man look at me in amusement, before saying another word to my Dad.

“It’s so good to see you, Armando.”

“Me too. I’m so glad to meet you again. Anyways, this is my daughter, Kate Frias...” he introduced me.

“Wow... So she’s the one? She’s so beautiful. I bet my son couldn’t resist her beauty at all.”

“Of course. Kate, meet Darrel Herrera, my bestfriend and your soon to be father-in-law.”

I blinked several times, trying to process what he’d just said. My what?! I gasped as it slowly sink into my mind.

“Dad...” I was about to complain when he cut my sentence off.

“Just look at his son first before you complain, Kate. I’m sure that you two will have a very beautiful children. When Darrel’s son and you finally got married, I knew that you two are going to create a legacy together with the help of the Herrera Corp. and our company as well...” Dad lengthy explained.

“Well, my son is a very stubborn man. He wants to get the company but he doesn’t want to get married. So maybe, I’m hoping that if he will see you, he’ll be mesmerized by your beauty and change his mind.”

I sighed, still bothered by the fact that my father had just arranged my marriage. Just like that, I’m going to be a wife, like my Mom.

“So, aren’t you curious about Darrel’s son?” Dad asked me.

“Come and take a look at his picture, Kate,” Mr. Herrera stated before showing me a picture of his son.

My heart instantly melts as I realized who he is. He’s the man that I saw earlier. I knew it. I can’t be wrong. I remember his blue mesmerizing eyes that would make anyone drowned in love with him. Talk about lucky.

“So... Are you willing to be his wife? I’m going to introduce you to him tomorrow night at your welcome party,” Mr. Herrera said, flashing a wide smile at me.

Dad looked at me intensely, trying to make me realize that I should say yes to his bestfriend. But he doesn’t know that even if he’s not pushing me into this marriage, I’m still gonna do it. Who wouldn’t want to have this guy as their husband, right?

“I’ll do it, Mr. Herrera. I agreed.”

“Great!” Dad stated.

“Thank you, Kate. You’ll be an official Herrera sooner or later,” Mr. Herrera proudly stated before putting his arms around my Dad’s shoulder. “Ain’t that right, Armando?” he asked.

“Of course. I know my daughter would never disappoint me.”

They chuckled, and I just thrifty smiled at them. If before, I couldn’t face a man on my own, this time, I’m going to make sure that this guy is going to fall in love with me alone. I’ll do everything for him to like me, whatever it takes.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter