Found Again

A week has passed since my dinner date with Andrew.

My mind is not a bit at peace with Anne. Even though I haven’t received the result of the investigation about her past with Liam, I am convinced that Anne is not as bad as I thought she was.

But I still need the result of my investigation because I want to be sure that Liam is sincere in his intention of helping Anne. I can’t ignore the possibility that he wanted to get his revenge on her. I won’t let that happen.

I left the office a bit early because I will be meeting the investigator at my house. One of the house helpers informed me that my visitor is already waiting in our living room. I nodded at her and told her to bring the visitor to my study area.

We all have our own study room in the mansion. But I don’t usually use my study room because I prefer to work in my room that’s why I asked for a working area inside my room. I usually used my study room whenever I have a meeting with my team in my house or I need to talk to someone about a serious matter just like today.

I put my things in my room, I only took my phone and iPad for the meeting. I went out of my room to go straight to my study room. I don’t want the investigator to wait for too long.

The investigator stand up when he saw me entering the room. He greeted me and I greeted back at him.

“You may take a seat now, sorry for keeping you waiting,” I said then I sat down on my chair.

“No don’t worry. I was only five minutes earlier than you so I did not wait for too long.” He said then he took a sip of the coffee prepared by our house-helped.

I smiled at him and ask him to give me the reports.

“Ms. Ellis graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Merchandising in one of the prestigious universities here in the country. She was also a scholar of the said university.” Jake started his report.

Wow! I didn’t expect that Anne was this smart. I wonder why she did not pursue her dream. I mean, I get it that she had her heart broken but that is not enough reason not to pursue her dream. I know something is missing. And that is what I needed to know.

“Ms. Ellis was easily accepted in Platinum Inc as a junior fashion designer. She was a potential fashion designer in the company. All of her designs were picked in the clothing company’s collection.” Jake added.

“She had a relationship with Mr. Kyle William Valencia, the marketing manager, and son of the CEO of the company but their relationship only lasted for a year. They broke up and Ms. Ellis passed her resignation letter.”

“I already know about her relationship with Liam. I want to know why they broke up and why Anne did not pursue her fashion designer career.” I said full of curiosity.

“Based on my investigation, Ms. Valencia’s family was against their relationship. Ms. Valencia’s family did something to make Ms. Ellis’ parents suffer. This must be the obvious reason why Ms. Ellis broke up with Mr. Valencia and passed her resignation.”

“And about Ms. Ellis’ not pursuing her fashion designer career that’s because Mr. Valencia’s family put her on the blacklist in all fashion design companies.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

My eyes widen after hearing Anne’s story. I did not expect that she went through so much at that time. I feel ashamed of myself for not getting her side of the story. I judge her so easily. I can’t blame her for hating rich people. They ruined her dream and her life.

I’m glad that Andrew chose to be a friend to Anne and trust her. I know how much that means to Anne after hearing about her past. You can’t really judge a person with a small piece of information. We should always know the whole story with an open mind.

I wanted to make up for all the things I said and done to Anne. Because looking back, Anne was a good friend to me. I should have trusted the friendship I have with her. I suddenly miss her and I know I had no right to miss he because I was the one who push her away and call her names.

I am really ashamed of myself for being so judgemental. I want to help Anne. I want her to reach her dream, her original dream. But how? I don’t think she will trust me anymore, so I doubt that she will accept my help.

I was alone in my study room still thinking how can I be of help to Anne. What do I need to do to make her accept my offer about her fashion design dream? I can help her now knowing the connection I have in the fashion industry not only here in the Philippines but also in America, I can even extend the connection I have to Europe.

I was in deep thinking when I saw Anne and Liam’s picture. Then I thought of Liam’s offer.

I was supposed to have a dinner date with Andrew but I told him to reschedule our date because I have an important meeting to attend which he understand. I’m always grateful to my boyfriend because he is so understanding and supportive of me. I couldn’t ask for more.

I called Liam that night and schedule a meeting with him. He wanted us to meet tonight that’s why I needed to reschedule my date with my boyfriend. Andrew knew that I will be meeting Liam tonight. I intentionally told Andrew about my meeting with Liam tonight. In case I decided to accept Liam’s offer.

“It’s nice to see you again Ms. Alonzo or can I call you Alli so that we can’t be more comfortable with each other?” Liam greeted me as soon as I reached our reserved table.

I can hear the excitement in his voice. I really hope that this talk will end well.

“Whatever you want, Mr. Valencia,” I said nonchalantly

He pulled a chair for me. “You can just call me Liam too.” He whispered.

I nodded and thank him as I sat on the chair he pulled for me.

We both agree to get our order first before we start our main agenda for tonight. We are both having our dinner when I decided to break the silence.

“I think you already have an idea why I asked for a meeting tonight,” I said.

Liam smiled at me and took his wine glass and sip before answering me. “Yes. You took a week to call and schedule a meeting. I guess you already got all the information you need about my past with Anne.”

I already expected him to say that. Based on our first encounter, he gave me the impression that he monitored our every move.

“It’s true that I already got the information I need for Anne but not with you. I want to know why you did not do anything to win back Anne or to help her with the blacklisted thing?” I asked him straight.

I have no plan to beat around the bush. This matter is urgent for me. I want Anne to be where she should be. I want her to reach the dream that was stolen from her.

“I had no idea what’s happening at first. I thought that Anne broke up with me because she failed to hear my whole conversation with my family. I thought that she misunderstood me. I did try to win her back but she keeps on pushing me away.” Liam started his speech.

“I never stop pursuing her no matter how hard she tried to push me away. But she made a big decision that might ruin her life. And that made me feel guiltier knowing that she did that to make me give up. I decided to respect her decision and to let her go.” He continued.

I can see the love and pain in his eyes. I can see that he still loves Anne.

“As I was trying to move on, I found out about what my family did to Anne and even Anne’s effort to break up with me. She did that not because she wants to but because she wanted to protect her family from mine. And I totally understand her decision. I know how much she loves her family.” He said with his eyes a bit teary.

“I’m glad to know that Anne did not misunderstand me, that she heard my whole conversation with my family. Because I can’t imagine the pain that she will suffer if she did not hear the whole conversation. After I found out what really happened, I realize that I needed a strong position that will give me the power to protect the one I love. I am slowly getting there, in months, I will get the CEO position of my family’s company. I can finally get my revenge on them for ruining Anne’s life.”

I shiver from Liam’s coldness. The hatred I saw in his eyes is scary. But I understand where he is coming from. What his family did to both of them is not easy to accept. But I still hope that they all reconcile and start over.