Chapter 7
1740 Words
Liliana's POV
Upon hearing Francis' words all I did was stare at his face.
I have no idea how I should respond to his words so I decided to avoid his gaze and focused my attention on my food.
Francis didn't speak again until we finished eating dinner. I stood up and then placed the plate on the sink. Francis did the same thing.
I am bored so I decided to wash our dishes.
"We have people for that," he spoke when he saw me washing the plates.
"I am bored I have nothing to do," I responded then continued washing the dishes. After a while, a maid showed up and she panicked when she saw me at the sink.
"Ma'am Liliana I should be the one doing that," she uttered then stole the plate from my hand.
I turned my head on her.
"Let me do this please," I pleaded. I saw her turning her head on Francis. I look at Francis and I saw him taking a deep breath as if he will be making a complicated decision.
"Let her," he responded coldly so the maid defeatedly let go of the plate and let me finish everything.
When I am done I wipe the plates and utensils and placed them in their proper places.
During the whole time, Francis is just watching me intently so I became conscious of my movements afraid that if I made one mistake he will judge me.
When I am finished I decided to leave the kitchen and I felt Francis following me. I am not yet sleepy so I decided to walk toward the swimming pool that is located on the left side of the mansion.
I saw Francis's shadow so I can tell that he is still following me.
I stopped taking another step and then turned around to face him.
"Why are you following me?" I asked then folded my arms around my chest while raising my right eyebrow.
"Am I?" he asked innocently as if he has no idea what I am talking about.
I rolled my eyes at him and then let out a deep breath losing my patience with him.
I continued walking and when I reach the pool I sat at the edge and let my feet be soaked in the cold water.
I saw Francis sitting beside me but not close enough, he maintained a proper distance and I am glad he did that.
I rested both hands on my side and then looked at the vast night sky.
"Do you like stars?" he asked when I turned my head on Francis he is doing the same thing, his eyes are also fixated on the vast night sky above us.
After a while, he turned his head on me and our eyes met. I couldn't sleep handle the intensity of his stare so I brought my eyes back to the vast night sky before slowly nodding my head to answer his questions.
"Stars remind me that chaos can be beautiful to me," I uttered then a smile appeared on my lips.
"I mean look at them they weren't arranged perfectly but they look beautiful," I added still fascinated with the beauty of the stars that are scattered in the sky.
"Do stars give you hope to continue?" he asked. I nod my head.
"They do," I responded sincerely.
A fake cough interrupted the peaceful moment. I turned my head and I saw Leonardo López standing one meter from us while looking at me intently.
I immediately fixed my posture and then stood up to greet him. I removed the dirt from my hand and then bowed my head to him which made him laugh.
"You are too formal Liliana," he uttered then walked towards me. When he was a few inches away he leaned his face closer then planted a kiss on my cheeks and right at that moment I wanted to throw up.
"Good evening and Dad," Francis butted. When I turned my head on him he is already standing up.
Leonardo nod his head at Francis and then tapped Francis's shoulder.
"I am glad that you are bonding with your mother Francis," Leonardo uttered with a wide smile plastered on his face and he looks too happy.
"Liliana is a great person Dad she is easy to bond with," Francis politely replied then smiled at me.
"Liliana has everything," Leonardo supported his son's compliment. Leonardo caressed my cheeks and God knows how much I tried to stop my tears from falling.
"Did you have dinner?" Leonardo asked after a while. I slowly nod my head to answer his question.
"Yes Dad," Francis answered in words.
"Okay then," he uttered then left the swimming pool area. When Leonardo was completely gone I let out a huge breath that I had been holding since he arrived.
"Are you okay?" Francis asked me and worry is laced in his voice.
I gave him a faint smile and then nod my head.
"Good night Francis," I uttered then decided to leave the pool area. My knees were weak as I climbed the stairs towards my room.
When I reached my room I immediately held the doorknob and then walk inside.
I leaned my back against the door and then took a deep breath.
"This is for your mother Liliana," I uttered then forced a smile to keep myself stronger despite the heaviness that I am dealing with.
I need to do this for my mother.
Francis POV
When Liliana left me in the pool area all I did was stare at the place where she disappeared.
I didn't know how long I have been staying at the pool area but I guess I should have left earlier because if I did I won't be facing my father again.
"How is your relationship with Liliana Francis?" he asked. I meet his eyes and fought the intensity of his stare.
"Fine Dad," I responded shortly not wanting to get into details.
He nod his head and then walked towards the wooden bench. He sat on it and then tapped the space beside him inviting me to sit down so I did.
"I am done talking to the shareholders and they all agreed that you will be the new head of Lopez Group of Companies." he discussed so I nod my head.
"Thank you Dad," I responded.
"I have to pass you the responsibility since Liliana and I will start planning our wedding," he uttered which made my hands cold.
"Are you sure about marrying Liliana's Dad?" I asked which made him laugh as if my question is too funny for him. He even wiped the corner of his eyes when tears started to form because of laughing too much.
"Of course Francis," he responded.
"Do you love her?" I asked again and for the second time, he laughed at my question.
"Love is nothing but a stupid feeling my son. I am marrying Liliana because her father's company is a great asset," he explained and I slowly nod his head understanding his reason.
"Dad, don't you think she is too young for you?" I asked but he just shook his head.
"Age is nothing when it comes to business Francis. You have too many principles so if want to be successful in the business industry you should learn to break some," I just smiled at him as if I am agreeing with his point but he is nothing but a greedy man who will do everything just to get what he wanted.
" You are at the right age to get married, do you want me to introduce you to someone? " he asked but I just shook my head. Being married is not yet part of my priority and besides, that woman I like is bound to marry someone else and worst is the woman I like is bound to marry my father.
"Dad about Liliana I think she is too young to stop studying," I uttered to change the topic and upon saying Liliana's name his attention fixated on me.
"Liliana should stay at the mansion and serve me like what a normal wife does to her husband," he uttered still stuck in the patriarchal system.
"Don't you think she deserves to have her own life too?" I asked carefully afraid that my question might piss him off.
"This is her new life Francis and she should deal with it," he uttered completely dismissing my suggestion. I took a huge breath when I realized that I can't do anything to change his mind.
"Why are you so concerned about Liliana?" he asked then looked at me intently trying to find the answer by just looking at my reaction.
I swallowed hard when my body is filled with fear that my actions might create suspicion.
"She just brought up studying over dinner so I asked out of pure curiosity what is your decision about that matter," I explained and he nodded his head finally understanding everything.
"Studying isn't for everyone Francis and it's not for Liliana," he responded. I closed my fist tightly trying my best to control my anger and to stop myself from lashing out at him.
"Now if we are done here I am leaving," he uttered. I nod my head and then let him leave the pool area. I stayed for a little while and then dialed someone's number.
"Can I buy a star?" I asked on the other line while my eyes are fixated on the stars above me.
I heard a laugh from the other line.
"Who is it this time?" Jaxon, a friend of mine who works at the International Astronomical Union (IAU), an organization that publishes stars' names.
"f**k you Jaxon," I uttered and he laughed again.
"I would love to man," he responded and I wanted to puke hearing how disgusting his response was.
"Anyway I wanted the brightest one," I uttered bringing back our star conversation.
"What's the name?" he asked.
"Liliana," I responded.
"Looks like Francis Gideon Lopez is hardly smitten," he commented. My lips rose for a smile then shook my head.
"Badly man," I commented then turned my head to where Liliana's room is located.
I saw her standing on the balcony while holding the railings tightly and her eyes fixated on the vast night sky.
She's watching the stars while I am watching her.
- Writer
