Billionaire's Last Kiss

Chapter Nine

Khione’s POV:

[Graduation-Present]

“Congratulations, Iris! I always know that you’re gonna be the summa c*m laude!” Tanner said.

“You’re so smart, baby!” Riva said, kissing my both cheeks.

“Thank you guys for coming regardless of how busy you are!” I said from my heart. They laughed at my reaction.

“Daughter, let’s come inside.” Mom interrupted. 

I waved my hands to my friends before coming with my parents. 

I spent my four years in college struggling. I never made friends with my classmates. I mean, my trust for them has been tainted since the day they helped Bianca with her shitty plan. I’m just thankful for having Vanessa who stayed by my side for so long and never betrayed me. Well, she's one hell honest and vocal with everything! She’s the only one in our class that I gave my full trust with because I’ve seen her personality and she’s a dear friend of mine. 

The journey was full of bumps after a long-smooth drive and repeated again. It wasn’t easy, especially when my friends graduated from university. My world in school became smaller than usual but thankfully, they never forgot to visit me and check me if I’m doing better. They’ve been my big sisters and brothers who care for their little sister.

I never obliged them because I know the difficulty they are facing outside… The reality will destroy you. I know that… Because I've foreseen it.

I know that the achievement I got today is because of my hardship. I never let my parents interfere with my studies. I didn’t let them use their power to my passion so I know that everything I am grateful about - I work for it. 

“Finally, Architect Chan!” Tim showed up after the ceremony. He’s holding a bouquet of Iris. “For you. I harvested it in my grandma’s garden and arranged it in a beautiful bouquet for the smart and pretty summa c*m laude!”

I smiled genuinely to Tim and hugged him. “Thank you, Tim! Love this!”

Maybe, Tim just shoots his shot in a very simple and creative way so no awkwardness will be felt between us. I think he's being serious with his feelings for me but I just can’t accept it. he’ s a good friend of mine, he’s a good man and hardworking, but we’re friends. I don’t want to hurt him so I will not entertain whatever he has for me. But, I appreciate his effort!

Soon after, Kendy showed up holding a big bouquet of sunflowers! Damn man! He’s spurting his wealth here! My schoolmates and batchmates are watching him!

“Whatta scandalous billionaire!” I grunted! I’m shy but at the same time, I love the attention! I think I deserve this, right?

He laughed.

“I’m the best friend in the world, am I?” He cooly said. “I’m the only one who can give you a garden of sunflowers.” He laughed again because my face cannot I’m confused! How will I bring this flower that is bigger than me?! Oh my God!

“You are flexing your wealth, d*mn!”

But, the reality of my life begins now…

***

“Oh my gosh, mom!” I furiously stormed into my mom’s office.

“Yes, daughter?” She looked at me behind her eyeglasses.

“This is frustrating! I told you a million times that I don’t want to design for the Chiampco!” 

She doesn’t have an idea how much struggle Bianca inflicted on me. She almost ruined my mental health in my freshman year! Chiampco is Bianca's family name! Seems like her family did great to get up from the mess I and my friends did back then.

And I’m thinking for the worst… What if Bianca’s family wants to get even with me? It will be my downfall and my company! I can feel that they will ruin my castle! And I will not let it happen.

“Mom, you can disown me for not accepting this project but I will never accept this offer. This is my first time that I’ll disobey you.” I said, my pride is talking. If I will fall, I would want to fall alone, I will not let my company fall with me.

“W-What, daughter?” Mom confusedly asked but I already left her office.

It has been a couple of years since I graduated. I even studied business management and took master’s. I believe that I did great and excellent in my job plus the recognition that I have achieved all over Europe and Asia, soon enough my parents will let me handle the whole company. Am I ready for it? I know that I am well-trained already, but, why am I feeling less about my capability?

I got further and I expected this… But, what made me doubt my talents and skills is because up until now, I don’t know what burning passion means… Is it really to be an Architect and having the power to manage a company? I believe these are my dreams but why am I feeling hollow? Is it because I’m doing it for the company and not for myself?

I cried inside my room as I got home. It hurts me to not know what I want for myself. I don’t want to live in this life forever! I don’t want to be stuck in this forever. Is this really possible? Of course! Because I’m experiencing it… I don’t want to depend on my life with others always.  I want to live my life but… I'm lost… I don’t know where to start.

Mom is my best friend but I cannot tell her everything… She doesn’t know what I’ve been through… and I don’t even know who I am. No one knows about my struggles and sacrifices and I think it's only Kendy, but he also doesn’t know everything. I have my own fights and I pray that he’ll not interfere with that… He has own problems to deal with, too.

For some, my problem is just a small thing compared to them… Lost in the middle of discovering herself and knowing her dreams. But, don’t you know how frustrating it is to live a life where you got everything but you don’t know your purpose? That you feel like living in a city but you’re a robot? F*ck it! That’s what I’m feeling for years now!

My anxiety is filling me up again and I hate it whenever I experience this. I feel alone in this battle but I don’t want to interrupt any of my friends because they have their own problems to deal with too.

I cried my heart out for hours now… not when I heard my doorbell rang.

It’s Kendy!

I bursted in tears as he I felt his warm hugs. I hugged him and cried on his chest while he caressed my hair.

“I cannot stand to see you cry inside your room alone…” He whispered. “Even how many times you’ll restrict me, I’ll still come to you.”

“Please, I want to be the first person that you’ll think when you have problems… I’ll never leave, Khione, trust me.” He kissed my head.

I’m scared to be dependent on him. I don’t want to depend on Ken my whole life. I don’t want to get used to his presence every time I have problems to deal with… Because, what if I lost him? What if time separates us apart? What will happen to me? How can I survive my life if he’s far? 

I’ll die. And I want to die having my own problems than to share it with him. This is mine that’s far from his concern… All I want for now is his hugs.

He bought me my favorite ice cream and we ate it together while watching the city lights. He’s just living next door so it doesn’t matter if he went home late. 

“How’s work?” I asked. 

“I’m doing better. The sales are increasing too. We’re also launching another cruise.” he shook his shoulders as if it’s his less concern.

“The emperor is doing his duty with all his heart, ha?” I laughed but it's the truth. “The empire is getting stronger each day because of you. I’m so proud.”

He laughed.

“I’m more proud of you, Khione. You’re doing great and I admire you for being passionate and determined.”

“Thank you…” I smiled. That’s the only thing that I can say.

We filled the unit with our silence… The comfortable one not when I broke it.

“Do you think it’s time for me to find a boyfriend?” I asked curiously.

Is it a good idea? I am not mentally stable but I can pretend and heal faster. I think I need someone who can accompany me when I’m feeling down? But… is that really the role of a boyfriend? Geez! I’m sure, it’s not!

“Let the love find you.” The only words he said.

We spent the night talking in each other’s work. Well, before, we tried everything to avoid that topic but we cannot avoid it now because most of our time is spent at work. We just talk about our deals, projects, investors, and competitors. D*mn, I’m so proud of my billionaire CEO best friend. I think I'm the luckiest woman in the world.

***

The day had passed and I started to feel better. The tension, stress, and pressure I felt lessened and I learned to control my emotion.

But, it’s just that my parents are not yet content with our wealth. They planned me to be the architect in the new mall of the Virgils! F*ck it! I know what they are up to! I didn’t say anything to my mom but left our family meeting in dad’s office. 

At least, I learned how to say no. I don’t want my parents to control me. I want to choose myself. I’m not being selfish. They wanted me to have a good relationship with the eldest son of the Virgils.

Yes, I’m looking for a man but not a Virgil. I’ll die surely!

The only one I thought to lessen my anger was Kendy so I stormed in his office without his notice. His secretary even stopped me but I didn’t let her stop me. I saw his glass name plaque on his big table that made me smirked.

“Kennedy Cloud Tengco-Arizona, CEO.” I uttered that made him shocked.

I waited for him to guess what I was doing here but I didn’t get disappointed because he knows me well. I clung on his arm as we stormed out of his office that made his employees froze. We went to a steak and wine restaurant because those are my comfort foods. We are regular customers here and they escorted us to a VIP section.

We waited for a bit for our orders to come. I scrolled on my social media while waiting for our orders to arrive and I let him in with his deep thoughts…I’m busy with an update about new designer bags when he interrupted me and asked me about why I remained single for all these years! D*mn!

If you just know Ken how much effort I put to divert my attention to other things so I cannot think about my feelings for you! And, have you forgotten what we talked about finding a boyfriend? 

It’s difficult to have feelings for your crush!

But, God is good all the time.

My world stopped spinning when a man in his clean shirt and khaki pants stormed in the restaurant. D*mn! He’s very far from Kendy but I felt the butterfly in my stomach! His presence is calm and lively. I’m fairer than him and I hate how his two moles on his neck act so possessive of him! It made him even hotter!

“The man of my dreams has finally arrived!” I uttered in glee because I already predicted that he’s single. 

Kendy pulled some strings to know the guy’s name. I insisted on planning a date for the two of us and I know he cannot resist my charm. If only I can date him, why wouldn’t I? I like him but I cannot just be stuck liking him until I die… because it feels like he looks at me like a sibling… a younger sister. I cannot hope for him forever. I have to live my life… I hope this works.

And the man that caught my attention other than Ken is named Yvan… It does ring a bell but I just can’t remember where and when. Maybe because the name sounds common here. I believe that we’ll see each other again. I can sense that he’s a socialite and we’ll bump into each other soon. I’m not sure, maybe this is the women’s instinct?

He's good-looking, the charisma is all over and he looks smart and rich. I will definitely not question his fashion because I love it so much! His simple fashion fits him so much that I will think that he’s a fashion model. D*mn! He looks like a cool and spontaneous version of Ken! 

“Do you really like him?” Ken asked while we were on our way home and I happily nodded.

“Is he worthy of me?” I asked.

“I-I’m not sure.” Ken answered and shot the road with his dead-glare. “You’re smart and I know you’re a good critique… you know what’s good for you.” 

I stared at him and made myself comfortable in my seat. His thick lashes and deep set eyes will mesmerize you to death. His aristocratic nose and thin kissable red lips will make you fall for him harder. How much more if you get to be a little closer to him and see how good a man he is?

 This guy deserves the world and I don't know how to give it to him.

“Yvan seems to be a good man. I think he's a good match for you." He smiled at me before putting it back to the road.

And so are you.

But I didn’t say that instead…

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to getting to know him more.”