Chapter 3 Uhm, sweetheart…?

ROSELYN JENSEN

Alona is always been a teasing woman. She always find a way to threw a joke or make your situation humorous. And I didn t find it offensive, she knows her limitations that s why I am not worried at all.

"Why not? What if that is a sign that a prince charming is on his way to you."

"Tss. Your watching too much Disney fairy tales. Alona, in real life princesses are not finding a prince charming with a white horse. Even princess Diana didn t found a true happy ending even he meet a prince in white horse."-I said.

"And why princess Diana came in the picture? My goodness, Roselyn. Your being too negative."

"That s not true. I m just being realistic. Here, add something to make it a three paragraph essay."

"Thank you! But seriously, if you don t want a prince charming then that man in your dreams might a knight in shimmering shining armor."-she said. She even spread her hands and look on the ceiling. I smiled and shook my head. I put the hotdog on her mouth and she gave me a death glare.

"C mon Roselyn, don t be so narcissists. Be positive and love again like there s no tomorrow."

"Love can come and go, Alona. I don t need to find them nor need them. I have another important things to handle and love isn t a part of it. For now, okay?"

"Whatever. How about use a dating app? Maybe you can spare time for a long distanced relationship. At least your boyfriend won t disturb you."

"Well, if he calls? Wouldn t that be a disturbance?"

"At least you can choose not to pick and say that your phone is on silent."-she said.

"Let s cut the conversation. Let s do your homework and I ll call an Uber that will send you home safely."

"Okay ma am. You should ve pick an education course. Your like a teacher or even a mom when you nag like this."-she said. I laugh.

"Believe me missy, mom s nagging speech is a good one. You ll miss them when she s not doing it at all."

"Okay. I get you, mommy. Thanks for the dinner anyway."-she said. I smiled.

"Thanks for the groceries and being here always, Alona. I really appreciate it."-I said. She smiled.

"Bye-bye, I ll see you again. Anyway, DM me about the title of the K-drama and C-drama that your talking about."-she said. I nodded. She get inside the car and they leave. I went back in my apartment and clean the messes we make and go to bed.

CRIMSON LUCA

"It s nice to do business with you, Mr. Barren."

"Likewise Mr. Luca, may our partnership will last longer."-he said. I smiled.

"No problem with us. Let s continue to eat."-I said.

"Of course."-he said. After this, I ll flew back in the country in the afternoon. I don t have time to stay here and have fun for the meantime.

"I m home grandpa."-I said. He closed the folder that he is reading. He look at me.

"How s the deal that you closed with Mr. Barren?"

"Everything is settled and he signed the contract."

"Good, I knew you can always do what I said. But this time I have something that I want you to do?"

"What did you mean by that, grandpa?"-I ask.

"Get married or you won t inherit anything."-he said.

"What? Are you kidding me, grandpa?"-I said. But his face tells me how serious it is.

"I just thought that you only needed time to accept about Isabelle s break-up with you. But it s been five years. You are not getting younger. Your already 30 years old, Crimson."-he said. I sigh. He is surprised when Isabelle left me and he didn t take a good reason from me. He didn t even know my situation.

"Grandpa, is this an ultimatum?"

"You heard what I said. You won t get anything if you won t get married in two months. I don t care if it s a short relationship in dating status. Or a shotgun marriage or a contract marriage. But make sure that even if it s a contract marriage, she ll bring an heir in this family. Did you understand?"

"Okay. I understand. I ll take your words in action. I ll go to my room. Don t get late in going to bed again. You not younger anymore."

"I ll just finish this and then I ll go to bed also."

"Okay."-I said and went upstairs. I took a deep sigh while staring in the ceiling. How can I bring an heir if my situation is like this? I can find a woman for a contract marriage but an heir? I don t think so. I ll think a way after that. For now I need to find a woman to marry. I don t want to be in trouble.

"Good morning, Sir Crimson."

"Good morning. Today is the board meeting isn t it?"

"Yes Sir, Mr. Robert is already in the conference room. They might be waiting for you, Sir Crimson."

"Let s go."-I said. Every month, we have a board meeting to talk about the sales of Luca empire. Even some future plans for the business.

"Good morning, grandpa and everyone as well. I m sorry for being late."-I said. We started the meeting.

"Your grandpa say that? Oh my, your in a big trouble mister. When grandpa Robert gives you an order, it is like a law in this country."-Tristan. I sigh.

"Did you have any cousin that I can ask to be my contracted wife?"-I ask. He thinks for a moment.

"I don t think I have. My youngest cousin is 16 years old. The older one s are living with their boyfriends or fiancée. I m sorry, I can t help you with that."

"How about Franco?"

"Maybe he has. Should I call him?"-he said. I nodded. He came and he listen to my concern.

"I don t have also. I only have three cousins who are girls but they re all married. But that idea might help you. Try to find a right girl not strippers, that might help you to heal."-he said.

"Good idea. Why don t you try to go in companies of Luca empire. You might found a girl that suits your taste."-Tristan. Not a bad idea.

"Okay. I ll consider that."-I said. I was about to get inside the elevator when a familiar voice speaks from a distance. I look back.

"Crimson?"-she said. She look at me.

"Isabelle."-I mumbled. She smiled. She let me see the diamond engagement ring in her finger.

"It s nice to see you again after 5 years."

"The same. Wait, don t tell me you re here because your still…you know what I mean."-she said.

"Still interested in me? That s quiet surprising."

"Nope. Not at all. Oh wait, don t tell me your still in love with me? C mon Crimson, don t expect because I am not into a dog. Ops, sorry. Poor you, Crimson. Well no one will like you because your—"

"You have never changed Isabelle. Your still arrogant and self-centered."-I said. She laugh.

"C mon Crimson. It was you who is arrogant. Your still a dog under your grandpa s order. And I can tell that you still love me that s why your still single. Oh sorry, but I have found a rich guy and someone that is not… not sick."-she said and look down my pants.

"Miss Isabelle, you should watch your words."

"Oh shut up, doggie."-she said to Greg.

"You should the one to shut up, Isabelle. What happen 5 years ago is blessing in disguise. I can t stand someone as selfish as you."-I said.

"As if I am happy when I dated you. My gosh!"

All of a sudden, a slender arms and a sweet orange scent perfume enters my nose.

"Uhm, sweetheart…what is going on here? Who is this woman?"-she said in a soft and soothing voice. I look at her. This is the woman on the elevator.

ROSELYN JENSEN

Today is my birthday, I wore the simple signature dress that mom bought to me on my last birthday. I have taken a cake and a take out spaghetti from a fast-food chain.

"Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday, happy birthday…happy birthday to me! Pufff…"-I blew the candle in my cake. I look on mom that is still sleeping.

"Mom, on my next birthday I hope you are already awake. I missed you so much."-I said and kiss the back of her palm.

"Mom, I knew you always hear me. Promise me that you will wake up for next birthday okay? I miss the spaghetti that your cooking. It is sweeter than this fast-food spaghetti. I can cook and have the same taste like yours but it is still different if you cook it for me. But if you re jot ready yet to wake up, I understand. But promise me that you won t leave me okay? Please?"-I mumbled.

My dad died five years ago. He has a prostate cancer and he left an insurance money but we have use that in buying a bungalow house and we already used up the money when I entered college. I finish eating when my phone rings. I took a day off today. I knew it, it s Alona. She said we will go to an arcade later.

"Hello, Alona."-I said.

(Don t forget our date later. Let s meet on the mall later this afternoon, okay? Anyway, happy birthday! Welcome to the 20 s.)

"Yes. I m 20 now."-I said. Alona is three months older than me. I smiled and look at the window.

(Okay then, see you later. Love you.)

"Love you too."-I said. She ended the call. When I went out to meet Alona. A scene catches my attention. It was the two man from the elevator and an elegant girl who seems to be…an ex?

"C mon Crimson. It was you who is arrogant. Your still a dog under your grandpa s order. And I can tell that you still love me that s why your still single. Oh sorry, but I have found a rich guy and someone that is not… not sick."-she said and look down at him.

"Uhm, sweetheart…what is going on here? Who is this woman?"-I said. I held his arms. He looks at me. He is surprised because I get in between. That woman s reaction is also priceless. Her accusations are purely lies. Her own expectations slaps her on her own face. I smiled on her.

"An ex-fiancée who left me in the air."-he said.

"Oh, a bitter ex."-I said. She is mad I can tell. A brat.