Found Love When Your Gone

Chapter 9

Jonathan Pov..

I’m furious that Gertrude didn’t show up. I have no idea what to tell the wedding coordinator because we never discussed this. Dad only informed me that the wedding would be held at their family’s private resort. I had no clue they were that wealthy. They could practically buy me if they wanted.

Now I understand why Dad wants Gertrude as his daughter-in-law. She has everything our business needs, especially since I just found out Dad and Uncle Homer are friends.

I feel like a pathetic groom, abandoned by his bride.

How am I supposed to know what motif she wanted? I prefer blue with all-white flowers. I never imagined getting married would be this stressful. The preparations are overwhelming. If it were Jessica, things might have been easier, but this is their only daughter’s wedding.

Even though I’m not enthusiastic about this, I don’t want my family to fall apart because of me. But now, it’s clear that Gertrude isn’t interested in marrying me either and she's slapping it in my face.

I called Uncle Homer to get Gertrude's number, pretending I had changed my phone number and lost all my contacts. I've been calling her all day and night, but she’s not answering.

Damn it! I cursed. Once again, am I the only one putting in all the effort?

I was beyond frustrated unable to sleep. She skipped our second scheduled meet-up, and now the coordinator is upset because we can't finalize anything without the bride. It's not just that I look pathetic showing up alone every time. I feel like a complete fool, and it's infuriating!

I couldn’t take it anymore and asked Uncle Homer where to find her, so I could confront her. I didn’t care if she was in a meeting, a conference, or whatever.

We needed to talk.

As expected, she had just finished a conference and was on her way to her office. I introduced myself to the guard as her fiancé, and he let me in without question since her engagement had been announced.

Stepping into her office, I was struck by how clean and minimalist it was, especially for an artist. The colors were soft and soothing, mostly pastel tones that seamlessly blended with the furniture. There was something oddly comforting about the space, as if it resonated with me on a deeper level. I felt an overwhelming wave of familiarity and connection.

"What are you doing here? This isn’t a place you can just barge into whenever you feel like it!" Her sharp tone startled me.

"I’m your fiancé. That’s why I’m here!" I shot back, only for her to laugh at me.

"Jonathan, are you drunk?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"As far as I’m concerned, this so-called wedding is off!" She said, still laughing.

"I’m not drunk, and I am your fiancé! So I have every right to know why you’re not taking my calls!" I demanded, glaring at her.

She met my anger with a cold glare of her own. "Listen Jonathan. I’m not playing games here. Talk to your Jessica, because she’s your real fiancé, not me. And stop disturbing me!" She snapped.

"Close the door gently on your way out!" She added before sitting down to resume her work.

I got furious and stormed towards her and grabbed her chair, spun it around. She gasped in shock, clutching my arm to steady herself.

"Do I look like I’m playing with you?" I growled, staring her down.

"I don’t care whether you’re playing or not. I’m not marrying you! Isn’t this what you wanted? I’m giving you the freedom you asked for, so stop pestering me and leave me alone!" She screamed, echoing inside her office, enunciating every word with venom.

"You even sent Jessica to my workplace to rant and curse at my father in broad daylight!" She added, glaring at me furiously.

"What?" I blurted, stunned. What on earth was she talking about?

"Come on, Jonathan! Cut the crap! I thought you were a decent guy, but clearly dad was wrong in choosing you! I can’t find a single thing about you that makes me want to smile, let alone applaud. Honestly, I don’t even feel proud to let people know I’m marrying you!" She snapped, her voice laced with frustration, anger and disgust.

Her words left me stunned.

What did I do to deserve this sudden outburst? I hadn’t even asked her anything yet, and here she was, blaming me. For what?

"Listen here, mighty Gertrude Cushe!" I fired back, my voice cold and sharp. "If anyone has a right to be angry, it’s me! You’re the one who ruined my life four years ago, and now your father is just compensating for the damage you caused!" I met her gaze, emphasizing every word with a glare of my own.

She remained unnervingly calm and composed as she responded. "And what exactly did I do four years ago that my family supposedly has to pay you for?" Her words were deliberate, her tone steady.

I frowned, matching her intense glare. "You uploaded my s*x scandal right after graduation and then abandoned me. Thanks to you, most of our investors pulled out and redirected their money into your new business venture, including funding those two towers you just opened!" I growled, my fury boiling over as I slammed my fist on her desk.

Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at me. "W-What?"

"What video?"

"Are you sure it was me? Since when did you become so dimwitted, Jonathan? I can’t believe I’m marrying a clueless i***t!" She mocked, her disbelief evident.

"You know damn well what video I’m talking about, Gertrude!" I roared, unable to keep my anger in check.

"Go to hell, Jonathan! Don’t barge into my office shouting like you own me!" She shot back, her voice rising to match mine.

"I have no idea what video you’re talking about! Do you think I spend my time sabotaging people?" Her brows furrowed.

"For your information, I’m glad you didn’t know who I was back then. But Jessica? She’s known me since high school!"

She rose slowly from her chair, her movements deliberate and controlled, but her eyes were burning. This wasn’t the Gertrude I knew. Not the quiet, bookish girl hiding behind soft fabrics and silence.

This woman in front of me was sharp, dangerous, and unyielding.

“I think you’ve said enough!” She snapped, her voice low but cutting.

I almost laughed because for the first time she looked like someone worth fighting.

I stepped closer. “Not even close.”

Her jaw tightened, ready to fire back when the door suddenly swung open, startling us both, knocking everything on her table.