"I'm really sorry, I really didn't do anything when it came to your mom when she asked me." Freza apologized because she gave my number to my mother. "She asked for the address but I just gave you your number to be safe and so you can tell her if you want or not to meet her."
It's been a week since I saw and met Freza because Clyden gave her so many things to do that it's also for me. All the things she was preparing for, when it's already the time, the time that I will appear in the media and also for preparation for the big event that will happen next week. I smiled at her and shook my head. She doesn't need to apologize because I know my mother well, she really won't stop forcing Freza unless she gives personal information about me. And what Freza did was a good thing too because at least we talk.
"I know my mom Freza, so you don't need to feel guilty and it's a good thing too that we talk somehow." I said.
"What did your mom say to you? If it's okay to ask." After she made me coffee, she gave it to me and I smiled thanking her.
"Nothing important, she just wants me not to continue this. She wants me to go back to the U.S for better." I answered before blowing and drinking the coffee she made.
We are at the house where I first trained. We were upstairs while Clyden was downstairs, talking to the staff I would be with everywhere, like makeup artists, some staff and more. He was saying the rules and what they can do and don'ts with me before they saw me.
Last week, we just trained at home since Clyden fixed things here and added equipment. Like new clothes, boots and heels, my accessories in my hair, jewelry and all kinds of makeup that I will use soon. Because this will be my base, where I do my every routine before I start working.
"Sorry to say this but sometimes your mom is getting on my nerves. Omygod, she was supposed to support you because when you get the spot you have liked before, she will surely benefit as well." She shrugged.
"Just don't think about her, you are just stressing yourself." I smiled at her. "It's not worth it at all."
When we heard the door open, our attention turned in that direction. Clyden is the one who went in first followed by the people he talked to downstairs. Some of them are familiar to me while others are new to my eyes. I noticed the shock and surprise on their faces when they saw me. They greet me but it's so obvious that they can't believe I am in front of them until one of them suddenly has the strength to ask.
"Maureen? Are you going back?" He looked so shocked, in his tone he was obviously a gay. "But you were the endorser of Glowsy company back then, you are now moving out and choosing here? Why?"
I saw that other colleagues were secretly touching him to stop asking. Clyden spoke to stop me to answer it.
"I remind you many times that no one can ask anything about her, mostly her personal life and decisions, right?" There was anger in his voice. "You're here to work, you're not here as a media. One more question and you're all fired."
I saw the fear in their eyes. "I'm sorry sir, this will not happen again. I just can't control myself, I'm really sorry."
Clyden was about to lecture them again when I stopped him from touching his hand. When I noticed the calmness of him I got down from my seat and greeted them.
"It's okay, nice to see you all. I hope we will have great teamwork." I gave them a genuine smile before giving them a shake hand, one by one.
They nodded and smiled at me in response. I only stopped greeting them when Freza approached me. Whispering that she will take care of them because Clyden and I have something important to talk about.
When I looked at Clyden he was already going out so I nodded to Freza and followed him. I'm sure he will ask about my meeting with Ruiz later.
"Don't be so nice to them, make them afraid of doing something bad to you. Too much kindness will put you in danger Maureen." He started our conversation in those sentences.
"They will be my team and I don't want any quarrel while having a job, it's uncomfortable for me." I responded politely. "So don't worry, that action wasn't all about kindness, it's fifty percent professionalism."
"It's up to you, I was just reminding you." he said helplessly before sitting down. "By the way, at this time Dan doesn't see anything suspicious in the place you will be met."
"I'm scared." I said the truth to him before sitting in the other seat.
"Emphasize it.. " He looked at me. "Are you scared that Gezel and the media know it? Or are you scared because of Ruiz's presence?"
"What you are ordering me to do is not easy, Ruiz will still be my ex-fiancee. Do you even know how I feel?" I breathe heavily.
"No, I don't have an ex-fiancee." His quick answer.
"How come that you will have an ex-fiancee if you don't even have just a girlfriend?" I chuckled. "I won't be surprised, having the personality you have. Only a woman who doesn't care about herself will like you."
I don't care if he gets angry at what I say, this is my way to get rid of the nervousness I feel. The time is getting closer and closer, if I just could stop the time, I will do it to this day.
"It's not about personality, even if you are the most ruthless person in the world, if someone will accept you all in, they will." His seriousness makes me turn on.
"Maybe you're right but it's so unfair to the one who accepts it for love." I muttered. "And I don't expect that you will have that kind of thoughts, good for you."
"Thanks," he looks like he didn't make my word a big deal. "Now, go upstairs and get dressed."
He looked at his wrist watch.
"It's almost 6pm, it's embarrassing to be late to your ex-fiance's date." He looked at me like something funny.
I lightly kicked his feet before going upstairs as he said. I don't have any plans to wear the most expensive or beautiful clothes I have, I prefer to wear my old clothes. After I fixed myself with the help of my team to look presentable, I also went down. I saw Dan and Clyden sitting on the couch, which was obviously waiting for me.
"You look simple, you don't want to show your ex-fiance what he let go? '' Clyden asked me openly while observing my appearance.
"Even if I wear comfortable clothes, the shine of his loss will hunt him." I said proudly.
"Ohh, I like the attitude." Dan nodded while Clyden gave a small grin that seemed satisfied with my answer.
"That's the personality I want you to show to everyone, especially to Gezel. Don't show even the slightest bit of fear or nervousness, burn them using your shine." Clyden with a deep tone before giving me ear accessories that I will use when meeting Ruiz.
Using this I can hear them on the other line and they can hear what we are going to talk. They will guide me using this. I put it to my ear and covered it with my hair so it wouldn't be noticeable.
"Don't you dare to take that off to you, we will update you if we see something wrong around." They remind me.
I nodded to them.
"Everything is fine so let's move. Are you ready?" Clyden asked me for the last time.
I took a deep breath before nodding at him. "More than ready."
After I said that, we went out and got into the car. I have never been to the restaurant where Ruiz and I will meet. So I don't have any idea of ​​that place, all I know is Ruiz rents an area where other customers are not allowed. In short, it is a VIP area where even our identity is confidential.
"Just show that guard the verification that Ruiz sent you." Dan pointed out the guard when we were already in front of the restaurant.
There are two ways to enter the restaurant. That one entrance is obviously for normal customers while the other one is a VIP one, and that's what Dan was referring to for me to enter.
"Okay," I nodded. "Can I take my mask off if I am already inside? Is it safe?"
I wore a mask for safety even if Ruiz already messaged that it was only two of us. I just can't trust him too much because her sister was so greedy to destroy me.
"Yes, you can. In my investigation, Ruiz occupied all the VIP area for 3 hours and so it was only you and him inside." Dan.
"Your ex-fiancee can spend a lot of money just to talk to you in private just to hide you in the original one." Clyden was touching his lips while having a smirking expression. "I think he was looking for a mistress, what do you think?"
"He was not like that. I know him, he just really wants to say something important to me in a place that is not disturbing." I looked at him, raising my brow. "And if ever he will offer me, I am not that dumb to accept it as you accepted the offer of Gezel on you back then."
I didn't wait for him to respond and got out of the car immediately. I just walked a few steps before I stood straight in front of the guard.I showed my phone because the verification was there. As soon as it was confirmed, he immediately let me in. That is part of the rules that there is no question of identity or a card, as much as possible you have the verification you will in. And the guard was reminded of how many will be in on that said verification.
The entrance is not scary because the surroundings are bright. I didn't expect that it would be such a beautiful place. From the outside, it looks like the non- VIP on the other side is even more elegant, but it turns out this to be the best. All of the things in the surrounding area looked so expensive, even the lights and flowers that you will be too shy to touch.
Dan was right, I didn't see anyone else until I got to the halfway point. And that's where I saw Ruiz sitting. He stood up having a small smile when he saw me. He looks surprised that I really go here based on his expression..
I finally approached him to greet him. "Hi."
I looked at the table, it's already organized. There is food, wine and more. I looked at him when he greeted me.
"Hi." He said in so glad. "I thought you wouldn't come."
He gestured to me to sit. He even pulled me a chair before sitting down as well.
"I told you that I will, where did you get that thought?" Question while putting down my bag.
"Yes you said but I thought you were just joking when you agreed, I really just don't expect that you really come." he looked shy when he admitted.
"Why? Are you regretting that I was serious and it's not just a joke? "I jokily chuckled.
"No, no..." he shook him immediately. "I am happy, I am so happy to see you like this… close."
I tried to ignore what he said and just nodded.
"Let's eat," he opened the covered dishes and placed some on my plate. "All of this was your favorite, I chose a food that I know you will like."
Why did he have to tell me that?
I gave him a short smile, thinking of a question to ask to get rid of the words he was letting out.
"B-By the way, why did you ask me to go here?" I bit my lip because of the shaking in my voice.
I avoided looking at him and just waited for him to answer while I started eating to calm myself.
"Focus." I heard Clyden's voice, he obviously noticed the vibration of my voice.
I want to tell him to shut up and just listen but I can't, we will be caught. My nervousness was getting higher mostly that I knew that Clyden and Dan were hearing everything happening here.
"I just want to say sorry for my sister, she already admitted to me that she was the one who tipped the media so they could track you." I looked up when he started to talk. "She said the management ordered her to do that because they were afraid that you would come back and fight them. Mostly that, they are preparing an event to participate in and they are aiming for success."
And I will not let that happen.
"It's good that she confessed to you, but I would appreciate it more if she apologized to me sincerely but knowing Gezel, she can't do it." I smiled weirdly.
I saw the embarrassment he felt about what I said and disappointment on his facial expression for his sister. "I'm really sorry, I don't know what's happening to her either. I'm asking for forgiveness for her---"
"Stop it," I stopped him from speaking. "It's already okay to me, you don't need to apologize again and again."
"I'm sorry," he nodded.
"By the way, did Gezel know about this?" I really want to know if she knew.
"No," he shook his head. "Actually, she thought you left the country again because of what happened to you."
So this was the reason why she seemed quiet for a long week because she thought I came back to the U.S to hide again. I couldn't help but smile at what Ruiz taught me.
"You mean, she doesn't know that I am here?" I repeated, for confirmation.
"Yeah, that was the reason too that I thought you wouldn't come because you went back to another country as she said."
The inner me is so happy to know about it.
"Ask him a favor to hide this meeting from his sister." Clyden on the other side.
I agree.
"By the way..." I dropped the fork I was holding and reached for his hand to do what Clyden said. "Can I ask you a favor?"
Ruiz looked at my hand and immediately nodded.
"Can you please not mention to Gezel that we met?" I softly rubbed his hand using my finger. "I want to live peacefully with my daughter and it just happens if Gezel doesn't know that I exist here, you know your sister's mind, it's not that healthy."
I heard the laughter of Dan on the other line.
"Please..." I looked at him pleased.
Ruiz nodded and put his other hand to own my hand, smiling. "You can trust me on that, Maureen."
"Thank you." A gave him a smile of success and I slowly pulled my hand back and started eating again.
I thought the question was over and he would eat like I do but no.
"By the way, where did you meet the father of Avriell? Is he a good person?" He asked.
"Did I look like a bad person?" Clyden's voice on the other side while Dan laughed continued rounding my ears.
"Y-Yeah, I think… " I nodded slowly. "I met him in the U.S when I was hiding from the media, why?"
"Nothing, I just thought if you are with him right now? And if he knows that you are meeting me here?" He carefully asked. "If you are not comfortable answering it, you can refuse."
He noticed that my facial expression seemed to change because of his question. I want to ask him back his question to me, if his fiancee knew that we were seeing each other? Luckily, I stopped myself from doing it.
"No..." I answered him instead. "When you met him, that was the last time we met too."
I heard the chuckle of Dan and teasing Clyden. "She denied you bro, are you just letting that happen? That's not including what we talk about, she has a chance to refuse the question but she chooses to deny. Omygod my heart, it hurts!"
"Shut up Dan," Clyden urged.
"Why do you suddenly ask that?"
My eyes got wide when he softly got my right hand again. He rubbed it while looking at me lovingly. I don't know but I'm nervous about what he will say.
"I can be the father of your child, Maureen." He said in his softest voice. "Just let me go back to you. I still have a hope that we can fix it."
"Ohh... " Dan can't believe what he heard. "I didn't expect this, shit...."
What was he doing? Is he really at this point? He proposed and then asked me to be my child's father? This is not how I know Ruiz.
"Now, pay the consequence by denying it lady." Clyden's voice makes my sense back.