Chapter 3
Chapter 3
To many, especially people who don't work closely with him, the whimsical playboy and womanizer, Alexander Stone might seem like a prince charming from a romance novel but he definitely didn't treat people like one. That Sophia girl must have gone through a lot and I do not blame her for walking away, also, if there was no prenup as she claimed, get all the bags, sis!
I read somewhere that since his divorce, Mr. Stick up his butt had and still has a track record of keeping numerous girlfriends, none lasting more than a week. What exactly made his life so complicated?
It's definitely not natural for someone to have all that attitude and moral problems. The only thing he has good is the company which by the way is the number one beauty company in the industry. If only consumers knew how he treats his workers. Phew! He definitely won't have good eyes at the ball tomorrow.
My phone started to ring and it was then that it hit me.
Gabriel! Jesus, I have been too carried away all day with work to reply to his message.
"He's definitely going to be mad at you" My subconscious crept in.
I can't be the only one in the entire world that communicates with her subconscious.
"Shut up" I fire back as I picked the call.
"I figured I should call since you didn't text me back. I wanted to know if you will be ready in the next thirty so I can pick you up on my way"
It took me a few minutes to realize why he meant that. Shit. Shit. Shit
I'd been too caught up since morning and the days before to remember that we were supposed to meet his parents today at seven and knowing him, it's best not to give them a bad first impression.
Shit! It's six. I rubbed my forehead after checking the time on my wristwatch.
"Tell me you're on your way home to get dressed"
I wish I could say that.
"No, I'm not" A sick feeling settled in my stomach.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
My silence gave the answer away.
"I can't do this anymore, Ana. I'm done with this" He bluntly said
My eyes bulged open "Are you breaking up with me? Just like that?"
"I don't know what else to do, but I know that I can't be in this relationship any longer. When you decide to prioritize me, I'll be here but I'm not sure how long I can wait for you to realize that"
Ouch! Who could blame him?
I had nothing to give him but he gave too much and I feel bad. The amount you care about or love the other person can't be the same for both parties. One does it more, the other less. The other that cares more starts to get resentful and the one who cares less feels bad. The one who cares more gets tired of it and the one who cares less feels guilty.
Then eventually, you end up breaking up.
The past six months have taken a major hit on our relationship much to my work. There is certainly not enough romance or even sex, to fuel what we have, compared to the beginning and I had promised it would change as soon as I got the opportunity to prove how I can add value to the company. The only painstaking truth is I have no idea when that will be and without knowing that, it seems like my life will pretty much be slaving for the CEO unless I work a plan B. Another sad truth is that plan B won't be in motion until after the competition next year.
With that prize money, I can start producing the first batch of the facial masks, and get it through licensing and all other paperwork. With that start-up, the road is as good as tarred for a start in my career. I was hoping Gabriel would be a little more patient with me and understand me better.
"I need you to be patient with me, Gabriel" My voice was failing me. I was on the brink of an emotional breakdown and this breakup would be the trigger to my ticking bomb, should it happen.
"For how long, Ana? You told me to be patient and I have been... I have tried to understand and now it seems like you're taking advantage of the situation. It is not just tonight, Ana, it takes you days to text back, you always take a rain check on date nights, you have space for a lot of things in your life and I have concluded that there's none for me."
His words hurt. They pierced through my heart like a pin. I had no idea he'd bottled all of this up, but what was I supposed to do? Be the prim and proper version of the girlfriend society wants me to be.
I have a life, goals, and stuff to do.
I grew up with nothing and no one and had to work my ass out for everything I own today. Even though he'd offered to help a bit by clearing a few loans, I am not one to owe people even if it is from a significant other. I hate feeling indebted to anyone.
I wanted to work my life, my way. I had a plan and I wanted to stick to that plan first thing first.
"Don't do that, Gabriel" Tears prickled out of the corners of my eyes.
"Call me when you're ready to choose" And then he hung up.
That was such a selfish thing to ask me to do.
"Maybe it's a good thing. Now you have the free will to become a certified workaholic without feeling guilty" my subconscious crept in again.
Now is not a good time. Who am I kidding? I love Gabriel, but, I don't have the luxury of allowing a relationship to dictate my life. If losing him will give me the time and concentration to accomplish my goals, it's a worthy sacrifice without any compromise.
A worthy sacrifice yet, I can't stop myself from the tears that somehow managed to creep down the corners of my eyes.
I just lost the first and probably last love of my life.