Touch Of A Burning Flame

Chapter 11

Boyfriend

Penelope's pov

Back then, my life was like an unending routine that I needed to accomplish every single day to achieve my father's satisfaction. I didn't have any good friends when I was in grade school because I was too busy studying, even though at that age I should just play and do some stuff that a kid like me should do.

He wanted to choose my friends, who are from the families of his business partners. At first, I thought I could make friends with them, but they were all just fake. They just want to get close to me to satisfy their parents. They will smile at me in front of their parents, but behind their smile, they hate me.

I was just able to have real friends in the last year of high school because my father couldn't focus on me. His business grows so fast that he has to keep an eye on it. And I was grateful for that. Hence, I wouldn't let anyone ruin my friendship.

I looked at Pierre once he stopped the car in front of our house. The guard opened the car for me, but before I got out of it.

"Don't ever tell anything to my father. Or else I will kill you." I warned him.

But just like always, he just looked at me with nothing. He didn't respond to anything. Which is one of the reasons why I hate him so much. I never saw him react differently before. He's always like that.

I scowled at him. "Stop acting like that. You're ugly." I said before I got out.

His car wasn't tinted, so I saw him watching me. I waved at him with a sarcastic smile before I went inside.

Just like I thought, my father wasn't still there, so I still have time to prepare myself. I cleaned and all. I drank alcohol, so he should not smell it from me, or else he will punish me.

"Ma'am Eris, your father has already arrived."

I swallowed hard before I rushed out of my room. Just like our maid said, I saw my father in our living room, but my pace slowed as I saw him accompanied by other old men in corporate.

Their eyes looked at me before my father's.

"Eris, come down here." he said.

Maybe it's a good thing because he might not ask about my upcoming exam.

I neared them.

"Dad.." I kissed his cheeks before I looked at the other men. My eyes flew to the old man, who was quite familiar. It was like I had already met him before, but I just couldn't lay my finger on when and where. Or maybe he looks a bit like someone I know.

He smiled at me.

"I would like you all to meet my only daughter, Eris Balthazar." my father said.

It was always like that. He would let his business partners and employees know my name as if he were already declaring that I would become the owner and handler of his businesses someday. Well, I already expected it. No one can fulfill his role once he retires except his only daughter. But I know deep inside that I don't want to do it. I want something else. I just have no courage to tell him. Because I knew he wouldn't let me.

"I guess we still haven't met properly, I'm Pierre's father." the familiar man said, as the others had done. He held his hand out for a handshake.

My lips parted. It lasted for a few seconds before I accepted his hand.

So it's the answer to why he looks familiar, huh?

I knew that his father was a businessman too, but that was the first time that I met him.

"I heard you're friends with my son?" He asked without erasing his smile.

Friends? Are you kidding me? Who misinformed him? Is it Pierre? Did he tell his dad that we're friends? That's funny and weird.

I faked a smile because I couldn't believe what I'd heard from him.

"That's...right." I just replied because I couldn't deny it. My father was there, and the others were listening.

"You should be friends with my son too, hija!"

"My son is just a year older than you, hija. You will be good friends."

After him, the others exclaimed their excitement with their requests and such. While my father would just nod and agree with them.

I was just standing there. Watching them with a fake smile, agreeing even though I don't really think that it's possible to be friends with their sons.

It wouldn't be surprising for me if my father chose someone to pair up with me. In my kind of life, I already knew about it; it wasn't strange anymore. I know that our family was open about convenient marriage until today.

They still believe that arranged marriage is good for expansion and merging companies. I know my father will do that for me too, because that's how he ended up with my mother. He doesn't believe in love.

Nontheless, Ican't accept it. Even though it would benefit our company, I wouldn't sacrifice myself or my happiness.

Maybe that's why, behind his back, I secretly kissed and had relationships with different men. I want to enjoy my time before I get tied to a man.

"Let's have a date later." Wesley whispered to me.

We were in the library. I was reviewing and doing some on-due assignments. I need to finish it all. Now that my father has come back, I need to impress him with my report card.

I avoided Wesley's lips and pushed him a bit. I could sense everyone's eyes watching us since we're located in the center. I don't need to hide with him in the corner, just like we used to do in the past, because I don't have the intention to make out with him. I was just there to study.

"Why don't you just study too, Wesley? Our exams will be on friday--" I said, a bit annoyed at him.

He winched at me. "What's the need of it? You can just help me."

My lips parted. He saw my reaction. He leaned on me with a playful smile.

"What? Don't tell me you won't help your boyfriend?"

It's only been one week since I accepted his request to date, but he's already being too much to handle.

Well, I know we have mutual feelings. We both just want to have fun and enjoy each other's company, but I think one week is already enough to give it a try.

"Let's break up." I said without hesitation before I flipped another page. I highlitghted some statements, but then he slammed his hands on the table, which shocked me. But it wasn't just me, we got everyone's attention. Even the librarian glared in our direction.

"Are you kidding me, Eris? You're breaking up with me just because of that senseless thing?!" He said in a loud voice while pointing at the book.

"What are you doing? Shut up." I said in a lowered voice, but he looked real mad to even listen to me.

"I won't accept it! I'm not a toy for you to just play with and throw like nothing, Eris!" He damn shouted again.

I massaged my nose as I saw the librarian coming in our direction. Not to mention, I could hear the gossip and whispers of everyone blaming me.

"You two! Get out!" The librarian said with a red face.

I shook my head and snatched my things to just get away from it, but Wesley wouldn't just let me go. He held my arm firmly with gritted teeth as soon as I got out.

"Where are you going? We're still talking!"

My eyes widened. It was the first time that I saw him like that. I knew he had a bad temper but he looked so scary!

"Let go! What's your problem?!"

"You! You are my problem! How dare you treat me like a sh*t? Is that so easy for you to break up with me, huh?! Tell me, did you enjoy toying with me just like your other man?!"

I licked my lips as I glanced at the other students. I held my breath when I saw someone recording us. Sh*t.

"What the f*ck are you saying, Wesley? Let me go. I'm hurting!"

I could feel his nails digging into my skin. Damn this assh*le! If only I knew that he was such a mess!

"Oh really? Stop acting, Eris Balthazar! You aren't a good actress! You're just a slut hiding with your father's name!"

They all laughed. It was humiliating and annoying. I could feel hot tears forming in the corner of my eyes as I watched him try to ruin my name in the crowd.

"What are you doing?"

My blurry eyes flew to Pierre.