"Hey, sweetheart, who did you see that you look as if you've seen a snake?" Julian asked Fiona when he noticed she suddenly froze and kept glancing back at the man she thought was Hendrick.
"Huh? Oh, n-no one, Julian. I just thought I saw someone I knew. Turns out I was wrong."
But even as they walked back to the car, Hendrick's image never left her mind. Strange indeed, because he had been creeping into her thoughts quite often.
"It's late. Dad must be worried," she said anxiously once they were inside the car.
"And who said I'll still drive you back to Alfonso?" Julian teased, not starting the engine yet.
"You promised my dad."
A mischievous smile curved on his lips.
Fiona grew nervous. She wasn't numb—she knew exactly what was running through the man's mind.
"Sweetheart, we're engaged to be married. Even if I don't take you home, it wouldn't matter. You'll be my wife."
Then Fiona felt Julian's hand rest on her thigh, sliding insistently between them. She could hear his labored breathing, though he hadn't done anything strenuous—like a warrior ready to charge into battle.
Fiona shivered. Not only was the experience new to her, but she also wasn't ready for it. She instinctively tried to resist.
Without warning, Julian leaned forward, hugging and kissing her, nearly pushing her down against the seat.
At first, she was shocked. She almost shoved him away, but her mind quickly reasoned—she was going to marry this man. Why hold back?
Before she knew it, she was responding to his kisses.
And she was beginning to like it.
But her eyes flew open when his hand started roaming again, cupping her right breast. Maybe she just wasn't used to it yet, but she couldn't stop herself from pushing his hand away.
She was breathless when Julian finally released her lips.
"I can't wait to make you mine, sweetheart…" he whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Moments later, Julian started the car, this time in haste. But Fiona was stunned when he suddenly turned into a driveway. She wasn't naïve—she knew it was a luxurious motel.
"Julian, no!" she protested.
"But why? We're getting married."
"That's the point. Why can't you wait?"
The muscles on Julian's jaw clenched with suppressed anger. "I didn't know you were this conservative. I can't believe it."
"See? This is what I mean—we're still getting to know each other. This is me. Take it or leave it."
Though disappointment was written all over his face, Julian sighed heavily. Frustrated as he was, he respected her decision. His only consolation was the certainty that he was still the first man in her life.
---
Because of the upcoming wedding—and Julian's decision—Fiona resigned from Isabelle Hotel. After all, once she became Mrs. Julian Zaavedra, she wouldn't need to work anymore.
She went to Isabelle personally to hand in her resignation, bid farewell to her colleagues, and collect her things.
"You and Vikki are really alike," Avon remarked, who happened to be there. She personally managed the hotel and often visited three times a week. She also accepted Fiona's resignation. "Both of you found your dream men. Well, best wishes in advance."
"Thank you, Mrs. Zobel. Honestly, I didn't want to leave Isabelle, but—"
"But being a millionaire's wife, why bother working? Once you're married, your only tasks are to be his companion during business trips, fix his coat and tie, and be a loving wife whenever he comes home after a busy day."
Fiona nodded and kissed Avon on the cheek before leaving the office.
Her colleagues at Isabelle greeted her with teasing remarks.
"Don't forget to invite us to the wedding!"
"Of course. But you'll have to let me fetch you with a Mercedes-Benz to Greenhills," Fiona joked.
"That's all? Arrange it then. Maybe the invitations will arrive next week."
"You're so lucky, Fiona. Doesn't Julian Zaavedra have a twin brother?" Emily teased.
"He still has a grandfather. Eighty-eight years old. Want me to introduce you?"
The room erupted in laughter.
After a cheerful farewell, Fiona was about to leave when she was surprised to see Hendrick waiting outside. He stood leaning against a parked taxi, clearly waiting for her.
She froze a few meters away. Hendrick was dressed differently today—not in his usual white polo, jeans, and rubber shoes when driving. Instead, he wore a tucked-in long-sleeved polo over a body-hugging white shirt, paired with black jeans and casual shoes. He looked more ready for a party than for driving a cab.
Fiona wasn't sure what was going through his mind, but the intensity of his stare was enough to make her uneasy.
If there was one thing that made Hendrick intriguing, it was the power of his eyes. His gaze pierced right into her soul, speaking volumes without words. And the emotion in his eyes now was alarming, unsettling. As though he carried a secret too heavy to reveal.
Had Hendrick not accepted his defeat in winning her heart?
Fiona forced herself to ignore the nervousness as he walked toward her. She grabbed her bags filled with personal belongings from Isabelle Hotel.
"Hi," she greeted with a smile. "I didn't expect you to pick me up. But I'm glad you did—I haven't paid you yet for two weeks of driving me to and from work. How much do I owe you?"
"I'm not charging you," Hendrick said firmly.
"But I insist."
"No. Forget about it, Fiona."
"Hendrick, don't you need money to support yourself, especially your studies?" She pulled out a one-thousand peso bill from her bag and handed it to him.
"No, I don't need it," he said, busy putting her things into the taxi's compartment.
"Don't tell me you don't need this?"
"I didn't come to fetch you for money, Fiona. We need to talk."
"A-about what?"
"In a restaurant," he invited, opening the front seat door for her.
"Why don't you just tell me now? You're making me anxious."
"At the restaurant," Hendrick insisted, eyes fixed on the road as they drove along the highway.
Fiona sighed, giving up.
---
"Is it true you're marrying Julian Zaavedra?" Hendrick began once they were seated at the restaurant, waiting for their order.
"Yeah. In fact, there's a party this Saturday at his mansion to announce our wedding."
"You're crazy. How could you marry a man you barely know?"
"I like him."
"But you don't love him."
"Love will come eventually—"
"That's ridiculous. You'll marry a man you'll only learn to love? What if you never do? Will you still be able to get out of that marriage?" Hendrick's voice hardened in protest.
"Excuse me, but what do you care about my life?" Fiona snapped, annoyed at his interference.
"I care because I'm concerned about you." Hendrick lowered his voice, locking eyes with her. "I love you, Fiona. And I can't allow you to marry someone like Julian Zaavedra. Call off the wedding while there's still time."
"What?" Fiona was caught off guard. She was annoyed by his words, yet her heart raced at his confession. "And who do you think you are to tell me that? You're just bitter because I chose Julian over you."
"No, Fiona. I said that because I know I'm better than Julian." Hendrick seemed startled at his own words. "I just don't want you to end up like the other women Julian has played with."
"Are you implying you know something about Julian?" Fiona asked irritably.
"I know what kind of man he is with women. He loves you today. Tomorrow, maybe not. Then he'll discard you like a used battery."
"Please, Hendrick, be man enough to accept that Julian won. And what did you say? You're better than him? Do you even hear yourself?"
Hendrick shook his head as though restraining something.
"I'm not one to slander, Fiona. Why don't you ask Julian about the child he abandoned? About the case of abandonment filed against him by a woman he fathered a child with but neglected."
"I don't believe you, Hendrick. And if you're only saying this to change my mind about marrying Julian, you won't succeed. I understand you're bitter about being rejected before you even had a chance—but don't make me lose my admiration for you."
"I'll do anything to stop the marriage!" Hendrick said with finality.
Fiona's anger flared. She never expected to hear such words from him.
"You're spreading lies just to ruin Julian. I didn't expect you to stoop this low. I thought—even as a simple man—you deserved my respect." Her words were sharp as she placed the one-thousand peso bill on the table and stormed off.
"Fiona, wait!" Hendrick called, trying to stop her.
But she was too furious to let him. She hurried out, her footsteps firm, and quickly hailed the first taxi that passed.
Hendrick didn't chase her. He clenched his jaw, sighing heavily as the waiter arrived with their food.
"That's yours. No one's eating it anymore. Here's the payment. Keep the change," he told the confused waiter, handing him the bill Fiona had left. Then he stormed out with heavy steps.
---
Hours later, Hendrick found himself sitting on the carpeted floor of his room, a bottle of Dom Perignon, a wineglass, and an ice bucket before him.
I love you, Fiona. I won't let you marry Julian. I'll find a way to make him back out of the wedding himself.