Loving her wasn't part of the plan

Five- I hate you already

Joyce followed the trails of red petals that started from the porch, it led her to the garden, she was shocked by what she saw, she could remember this was how her wedding looked like, she could not stop the tears trailing down to her cheeks, tears of joy.

But, where are Gabriela and Vincent? she thought. And it looks like they prepared for guests too.

"Surprise!" she heard, and jumped a bit and saw everyone smiling and coming out from their hiding places, she smiled and tears kept on rolling down her face, she attempted to wipe her tears with her soaked napkin. Vincent came forward and held her lovingly in his arm.

"Honey, you've done so much, I didn't expect... this", she stuttered he placed his index finger on her lips.

"You are my life, this is not close to how special you are to me and my family, you're my breath, I can't live without you." He whispered to her ear and pulled her for a heartfelt kiss, it was breathtaking. Cheers filled the area, Gabriela came forward and hugged her mom.

"Happy anniversary mom," she congratulated her

" You knew about it and didn't tell" her mom drew away from her and gave her a disapproving look, she looked at her mom

"It was meant to be a surprise"

The look on her face brightened up a bit, her rosy cheeks were a bit redder as her blue eyes gleamed, her dress a cream tailored gown accentuated her curves, she smiled as she looked around.

"You guys did a great job though, I love it so much!"

Gabriela smiled at her, happy that she was happy with the arrangement made. Sometimes she wished she had mom's bright blue orbs because when her mom smiled she could give her the whole world.

Today was her parent's anniversary and she spent most of her preparing these arrangements with her Dad to ensure all her Mom had a good surprise, luckily it went as planned and her mother was even more surprised than they expected.

"Anything for you mom" she hugged her before her Dad came to take her away.

........

She walked around tables looking for George, she invited him since Melisa won't let her be.

He was more like a replacement since she went out of town to see her fiance.

She would admit her 'friendship' with George is something that grew stronger with days, though he can't still get over that annoying part of teasing her about relationships.

She sighted him at the far end of the garden speaking with a very beautiful blonde, her green flared gown danced as the evening breeze softly cooled the hot evening.

George seemed disturbed a bit as he tried to get away from her but the blonde seemed to ignore his body language.

She turned sideways and saw a mysterious man speaking to Mr. Damien so intensely, she could not hear what they are saying because she was far from them, they stood at the east of the garden and talked so intensely.

Mr. Damien was her father's business partner, he had known her from a small age and often buy her treats.

She heard he had a son, but she has never met him, and she was extremely socially awkward when growing up, so she had little to no friends.

Mr. Damien faced her though she could see him she doubts he can, his expression was a bit stressed he spoke with anger.

His voice got a pitch higher, clearly, he was angry at the man he was talking to, the strange man stood proudly his hand tucked in his pocket.

His muscles flexed a bit through his tight-fitted tuxedo. He walked away from Mr. Damien with a slightly annoyed face.

Such a man, she thought.

He was strange and very rude with the way he talked to Mr. Damien.

Erasing that from her thoughts, she walked over to George who the blond with bright green orbs still irritated she placed her hands on his thigh it was so obvious the blond lady likes him.

Gabriela picked a snack from the tray the waiter passed around, she munched on the chocolate treat with a smirk plastered on her face and walked over to him.

"Hi George," she said gleefully, smoothing her dress with her hands and sat down on the edge of the table, the blonde glared at her.

She drew him even tighter, "Who is she?" she asked, hooking her elbow with George's eyeing Gabriela with her lashes which was very much fake.

"Oh, I am Gabriela, Gabby for short. George's friend." She offered her hand the blond out rightly ignored it.

"Is she your girlfriend?" that was the last straw for George, his index finger massaged his temples, and his jaw clenched in irritation.

She tried to correct her assumption but George irritated self beat her to it.

"Yes!!!-she is my girlfriend," he stood up abruptly, a bit confused, he held Gabriela's hand drawing her close to him.

His senses jolted awake as he had a scent of her was it her perfume or her natural scent he felt the urge to hug her or maybe kiss her senselessly.

But he controlled himself, why was she so tempting.

He walked away from the cray-cray blonde who still looked shocked and her unwarranted jealousy, he isn't even dating her.

He took a glance at Gabriela surprised to see her giggling as they went further from the gathering area to an isolated place.

"How close to being crazy?" she asked, he saw the gleam in her eye

"Close?!" he scoffed in disbelief

"I was crazy."

The echoes of her chuckle sounded like a melody. George knew he liked Gabriela, maybe falling is in love with her, he has never met someone who acted so naturally around him.

Within a short period with her, he has become obsessed with her.

He mastered the way she bit her lips when nervous or uncomfortable or how she rubs her fingers together when nervous and ended up chewing some without knowing.

He found himself falling in love with her rapidly. Trying to do anything about his newfound feelings would be futile.

He noticed she kept on staring back at the party area furrows evident on her face.

She looks extremely worried about something and continued staring back every one second.

Finally, she excused herself and went towards a particular guest.

Gabriela went to meet Mr. Damien and asked him about his argument with the mysterious man, he was visibly angered and shaken with his discussion.

To her surprise he told her, the mysterious rude man was his son.

Nicholas. She can't believe that the famous Nicholas Damien, the popular businessman is his son, is titled the cold-hearted heartbreaker.

She was no.t that vast about what goes on in the business world, but she does see glimpses of tabloids and gossip about her father and other businessmen.

Her parent often tries to keep her away from the public eye, and she was glad.

Just the thought of being famous and popular, with no privacy left made her skin crawl.

It was surprising his son would behave in such a manner with him.

What even angered Gabriela even more, what gives him the right to be outright rude to his father.

She knew nothing of him, but she knew her first encounter with him wouldn't end well.

She watched him walked over to Nicholas with a very beautiful brunette her hair waved down her back, her knee gown showed her hourglass figures, her skin shone even under the moon ray and soft artificial light that illuminated the garden, her full sensual lips pouted slightly when she talked, she clocked her arm with Nicholas elbow who spoke to his father.

He stared disapprovingly at her and she left collecting a champagne glass from a waiter and sipped so ladylike it's like she made a mockery at Gabriela's average etiquette.

"You can't tell me what to do father," Nicholas said his eyes reflected coldness and his tone wasn't any different.

"You can't live your life so carelessly, laying all the women you see, you need to grow up son, learn how to live responsibly, or I will make you. You have made yourself known to all tabloids as the womanizing to be CEO of Damien group of companies. It tarnishes our image, grow up." Fury emanated from Mr. Damien. An evil smirk spread across Nicholas's lips.

"I am the image of my father remember I am just doing the exact thing you did to mother, you are the reason she died" he spat coldly and walked over to his brunette not glancing a second look at his father.

"If you don't do as I say, I promise you by tomorrow, you would find yourself in the most compromising situation. Trust me."

His jaw clenched tightly at that retort, he had learned better than to underestimate his father.

Mr. Damien knew what he should do, he should have done that a long time ago but he wasted a little time.

What is that say? it is better late than never.

He walked towards the mini stage set up in the center of the garden, with a little fork he clanged it against the glass, causing people attention to him. He cleared his voice and spoke in a thick and loud voice.

"Good Evening beautiful ladies and gentlemen," he greeted.

"I would like to make an announcement based on the business matters, I welcome you all here for visiting my friend wedding anniversary, I would love to use this portal to all board members that a press statement would be released tomorrow and it would be on my decision to enjoin my company with Mr. Vincent's own."

"Also an important information would be made considering my son's future company."

Nicholas widened his eyes at that statement.

What is father planning? He thought.

He smiled at everyone, Mr. Vincent looked at him a bit nervous about his friend's latest antics, when his guest turned to him, their gaze wanting clarification or a reason for doubt.

He gave them a confident smile, an attribute he was lacking.

These past few weeks they discussed various topics, discussions he wouldn't want his daughter to ever find out.

He tried all he can to dissuade, Mr. Damien about that thought, but a past only the two of them knows continues to haunt him down

The guest ignored the fact that an important, business press statement would be made tomorrow and focused their talk mainly on Nicholas.

Everyone knows him as the next CEO of his father's companies.

They wondered what press statement his father would make concerning him, would it be detrimental to his future or enable his progress

Step down from the podium Mr. Damien blared his full teeth at Nicholas, his wide smile could reach the ends of the Earth, while a frown appeared on Nicholas's face.

His mind was riddled with different thoughts of his father's intentions.

Maybe finally his father would give him something that belongs to him.

He might have changed his ways and realized treating his son in such a manner was insulting.