THAT QUEEN

CHAPTER 2

I sighed and threw my ballpen. Frustrated, I shouted and stood up. I opened my window so that I could breathe fresh air.

Tonight is the party, And I only have 5 hours to prepare but still, I haven't even got a bath! I am so frustrated that I am again, gonna see him after these years.

Suddenly the door opened. It was Ashley carrying a big paper bag from my favorite restaurant near the hospital. 

"The party, tonight. He’s going to be there Amanda. It's also a welcome party for him." She said.

I was no longer surprised. I already saw on television and in magazines that he is here again.

And it is making my heart so nervous again. And I hate it.

'' You are still affected, Amanda. '' I looked at Ashley who's smirking at me. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

Ashley and I have known each other for a few years so I have kept no secret from her. She knew me. The whole me

'' You keep on denying that Amanda. But we always knew that one day, you have to face him again. That you have to talk to him again. '' She said beside me, also looking outside.

We can see some kids running at the park here inside the hospital. We can hear their laughs and happy shouts while chasing their nurses.  They are the patients from the children’s ward. 

'' I can't face him '' I whispered. I heard Ashley sighed and she touched my shoulders.

'' It's been 5 years since you last saw him. And it did not end well. You need to have closure if you don't have any feelings for him anymore. '' She told me.

I gulped down the water and I looked at the gown which was delivered this morning. Mrs.Sanchez chose the gown for me, I walked towards it then I touched its fabric, it was soft and it felt comfortable and familiar too.

'' You still love him '' Ashley said. I looked and nodded at her.

There is nothing I can do if I just lie. "All these years. I still love him." I told her.

It's been 5 years since the last time I saw him. The last time was… awful, I saw him crying when I turned him down. I saw how the great and serious man became weak and fell down on his knees.

I can still remember those words that I told him. I have to. It is for his sake and mine also. But it is more of him than me.

I always check his f*******: and i********: for updates. He is always in business meetings or escapades. Some of his pictures are at parties with his mom and his younger sister who is now a famous designer.

I shook my head because I sounded like a creepy stalker. 

She sighed and smiled at me. '' I know, Now, let me help you with the party. Let’s go home.''

'' But I still have one checkup left and it's important ´ 'I told her. She smirked and gave me a small piece of paper. It is from the director with its sign, it means that I can leave now and have a day-off tomorrow.

'' How did you do this? We can't get a day off because we have recent cases of fevers, etc. In the area. '' She just smirked and pulled me.

'' Don't think about it. Now we have to get ready for the party. '' She smirked and I know what that means.

….

'' We are here '' Ashley said and she looked at me. I sighed as I looked outside and I can see guards patrolling around and also guests entering the venue.

I nodded and I looked at her, I nodded many times and she chuckled. We both went outside the car, Fiona gave her keys to the chauffeur while I looked around the Mansion.

'' It's been years since the last time I went here. '' I whispered.

The place, the gardens, the grand gate that I will never forget, and the ambiance and the cold breeze of the Manor every night.

I can still remember those nights where he sneaks me in so we can go to their big library and read some classic books.

The Laurel Manor is their own Vacation Manor here in Amatourum Empire.

'' Does it still look the same? '' Ashley asks beside me. I nodded at her.

'' It is. It is the same. '' I remembered the first time that he brought me here in their mansion, where I met his grandparents and his father. At that time, his grandmother was in Britannia because of cancer, that's why she didn't know me.

'' Let's go inside. '' Ashley said and so we did. We gave our invitations and we were escorted to the grand hall.

I licked my lip as I could see some businessmen and some famous doctors around the globe. Some may be Mrs.Sanchez's stockholders in their hospitals.

We also see women and men with stash and medals on their uniforms. Some of them looked like Kings and Queens from another country.

"Damn. That’s the future heir of the neighboring Zeilyn Country." She pointed to a couple talking to another.

My mouth awed because it was true! It was the Crowned Prince of Zeilyn Country with his fiancee. I suddenly remembered that they have a strong alliance with the Monarchy of Spade.

'' Champagne ladies? '' A waiter said and we smiled.

'' Thank you. '' I whispered and I drank it. I felt relieved, damn wine can really help me calm my nerves.

'' God MiO! I am glad that you came Amanda! '' I saw Mrs. Sanchez and I hugged her and she did the same to Ashley

'' The two of you look fantastic. '' She said and we laughed. 

'' You too madame, But, weren't you supposed to be at the backstage since it's starting? '' Mrs.Sanchez nodded at Ashley

'' I can't survive back there. They are a mess and they talk a lot. Well shout really, and It makes me so stressed so I decided to go back here and meet my Amigas. And then I saw the two of you, no wonder some of the bachelors here tonight are talking about the two ladies who just came. '' She smiled and she motioned us to follow her and we did.

'' Madame we are starting at five. '' The organizer told her and she just nodded and motioned her to leave.

We kept on walking till we reached the second floor of the grand hall, I can see some of the visitors were dancing in pairs and the french music is making me keep calm even if I am really half nervous.

'' Mamá! '' We heard someone shout and I saw a very beautiful woman wearing a red cocktail dress with also very red lipstick.

Her hair is untied and curled up. She has this fair skin just like Mrs.Sanchez

'' My daughter, Where are the others? '' She pointed at a table not too far from here and I froze when I saw a familiar face.

'' This floor is for relatives and some close business partners. But who are they, mama? ´´ She looked at me. I saw how she observed me and I bit my lip.

She didn't remember me. I sighed as I looked at her blue eyes.

'' She's my doctor, She's the one who operated on me last month Mi Hija. She's Amanda Buenavista One of the surgical doctors in St.Croix Hospital and she's here with the hospital's President Ashley Montes '' Her mother motioned us to come closer.

'' It's nice to meet you, Ms.Amanda. I am Illiana '' She said and we shook hands. '' It is my pleasure to meet you Illiana, I saw your designs and your opinions, you are a hell activist out there. '' She laughed at my remark.

'' Business world is full of beasts and sharks, you have to fight for you to go up. '' She smirked and we went to their table. 

I saw something in her eyes. It was dangerous and blank. Those kinds of eyes. They are the type who has done something bad to them.

She suddenly looked at me and it made me flustered.  Just smiled at her and she did.

I was sweating bullets when we finally reached their table. His back is facing me and I am sweating so much. Fiona held my hand and she looked at me with her eyes saying that it's okay.

'' It must be her! '' A woman shouted and stood up. She gave me a kiss and she looked at me.

'' I am so thankful for saving my sister's life, I am Maria Christina, Marianne´s older sister. '' She handed me her hand which I gladly accepted.

She's one of the CEOs of Monteverde enterprises. She's the wife of one of the hottest bachelors back then.

They told us to sit down so we did. I was smiling at everyone when my gaze stopped at the man in front of me.

He's sipping his bourbon as he's looking at me intently. It's making me uncomfortable.

''Itzan! I told you to stop drinking bourbon! '' Mrs. Sanchez took the glass away from him.

'' Mom please, he's damn old enough. '' A guy beside him spoke with a cocky smile smiling at me.

'' My head hurts because of your brother Izhan! He's already 30 years old and he still hasn't got any child! '' Some people laughed at Mrs.Sanchez's remark.

I looked at him and he's staring at me intently. I drank my water until it's empty and I know that I am really sweating bullets like crazy.

'' Madame. We are starting. '' The Party coordinator said.

'' Let's go, everyone? '' Mr. Montenegro said and we stood up. 

I saw Izhan offered his hand to Ashley which she gladly accepted. I saw her blushes that made me cringe my nose.

Damn Ashley, I thought having a boyfriend is not yet in your vocabulary. 

I shook my head and went towards the stairs when someone grabbed my hands and wrapped it around its arm.

I looked at the person and It is him. I gulped as I looked at him.

He looked at me with his cold stare that made me more uncomfortable. But I am still amazed by his blue eyes.

His blue eyes that I have always loved. It made me so calm just like I am looking at the blue skies.

I sadly smiled and remembered what I did to him. Why did I even hurt a man like him?

He just avoided my eyes and we went down the stairs while the other guests were staring at us. I closed my eyes for a second and I opened it.

I again looked at him, He changed. Of course.

Pain makes people change because they are scared to go through the same s**t again.