Someone To Hold

Chapter 3

Suicidal maniac? Now, Andrea is sure that this man is the one who saved her that day in the cliff.

It was then that Andrea didn't notice that Angel had already arrived at her table. She looks up to see Angel's reaction but all she can is a teasing look.

"I'm afraid I'm interrupting something. Isn't that right, Andrea?"

Angel is already wearing a chef outfit that fits her appearance making her more gorgeous. The food tray she's holding consists of two main dishes.

She already knows what Andrea's favorite is, considering that they've been best friends for years. Andrea is always fond of Asian cuisine, especially in Japan and the Philippines.

The dish on the right side of the tray is Fried Rice mixed with many seasonings like egg, meat and vegetables. Since Angel Harly Forrester, the chef, cooked it on her own, it should be so delicious. The other dish is Tempura, inspired and from Japanese cuisine. Andrea always pairs these two when she goes to this restaurant.

Back to the current situation, Angel already placed the dishes in front of Andrea. Confused about what to do first since she got a visitor next to her but her stomach embarrassed her so bad...it growled.

"Ohh...Looks like someone is very hungry." Xeno said to Andrea.

She made up her mind and she decided to take a bite first before settling the situation.

"I think I saw you somewhere, Mr?..." Angel asked Xeno while she's still standing in front of them.

"I'm Xeno Louindelle. Nice to meet you, Miss Angel Harly Forrester. Your dad is a great business partner. He's very generous. You're great as well for you to build your own restaurant and make it the top 2 in the country. I'm impressed."

"Ah-ha! You're the owner of Louindelle Corporation right? It's been rumored that the owner of the company recently landed in this country. I didn't know I'd meet you here, Mr. Louindelle. May I know what food do you want so I can prepare it myself"

Angel smiled warmly while talking to Xeno, he replied to her with the same gesture. Andrea didn't know what to do since it's the talk of some rich people, she didn't even know that much about the Louindelle Family.

Wait...Louindelle?

Oh shoot! It's the top 1 company in the whole country. It is said that Louindelle Corporation remained the richest and most prosperous company in Australia. Moreover, some also say that the Louindelle Family is the richest family in Australia.

It's a company that specializes in electronics and technology. Recently, they've been making another slice of technology. Andrea doesn't know much about it so she can't tell what it is that they're currently making.

Andrea was so shocked because she just bumped into a powerhouse. Recklessly.. Afraid that she might offend the 'Richest man in the country', she just kept quiet and moved a little away from him. She started eating her dinner.

Xeno noticed that Andrea moved a little so he followed her and the distance that once had widened, has been closed and they're now very close to each other.

Getting a hint of what is happening, Angel could no longer want to be a third wheel.

"Mind if I ask again what do you want to order, Mr. Louindelle?" Angel asked him with a smile.

"Thanks for your courtesy, Ms. Forrester, but I won't be here for long. I just visited my...........girlfriend here. So I'll be going now."

After saying those words, Xeno leaned again closer to the eating Andrea, trying to whisper something.

"You will accompany me from now on. Where do you live so I can visit you often? We'll talk about this next time."

Andrea stopped eating after hearing what he said. He's really doing what he wants. He's despicable!

"And why would I do that? I don't even know you. Stay away from me." she whispered back with a pissed tone.

"Hmm. It looks like I'll be investigating it myself. See you soon...Darling." Xeno stood up and was about to turn around but he forgot something.

He handed Andrea a piece of glossy paper.

"It's my own contact number. Call me anytime. I'll definitely answer it even if I'm working." After giving it to her, he winked and turned his back.

Andrea doesn't understand what she's feeling right now. Mixed emotions enveloped her mind. Tsssk.

She looked at the handsome back figure of Xeno. She didn't have the chance to look at his features due to the sequence of events that happened.

When she assured that he got in his car and drove off, she took a deep breath and started to eat once again. However, there's someone left hanging minutes ago.

"Ahermm.. You owe me an explanation, Andrea. Damn, why did you know such a powerhouse. I know you're quite simple but you really caught a big fish this time. I'm proud of yah!"

Angel laughed it off and started to tease her even more.

"Oh forget it. I'll tell the girls. We'll be having a meet up at Jenevic's place tomorrow. Make sure you're there because you're the main topic. Hmmp! You always are. Okay, I'm out. Bon Appetit, Ms. Bennett."

Angel turned her back to Andrea and headed towards the kitchen. That was when Andrea was left dumbfounded.

After Andrea finished her dinner, she said her farewell to Angel. As expected she teases her all the way until she gets to her car.

"Haysst. It's been a long day. I need a long sleep. I still have work tomorrow." She said as she buckles her seat.

She drove Nel back to the condominium with a full stomach so she waited until it's okay to sleep.

She had a little bath for refreshment and wore sleepwear with a pink silky top and pajamas. She was about to sleep when she remembered the piece of paper that Xeno left for her.

Andrea reached out for the handbag she carried earlier and found the card inside.

It was a black card with some golden lining. His name is also written with gold as well as his number below. It might be simple but the design can tell that it's from an expensive person.

Andrea sniffed the paper and she smelled a man's perfume. It's quite addicting for her that she didn't realize she looked like a crazy lady sniffing a single card.

"Hmm. It looks like I'll be investigating it myself. See you soon...Darling."

'Darling, your face! I am really the unlucky woman on Earth. Oh grandma, what did I do in my past life that I ended up like this?'

She set aside the card and ready herself to sleep.

.....

A phone rings and the woman answers from the other line.

"Boss, we couldn't find them. They escaped from the house. Based on my men, they said that they are wounded so they should not go far. What should we do." A man's voice said.

"Chase after them. Don't let them escape and if they refuse to cooperate, you'll know what to do. Kill them. Chop their fingers off first and feed it to the dogs. They shouldn't have touched me that time. The rest is up to you."

From the cold woman's voice from the other line, the man with a scarred face near his eye and an earring with a death skull design, smiled at what he heard.

"You're really cold blooded, Boss. You're starting to scare me haha... Copy that Boss. Have a great day. We will be waiting for your next order once we're done."

Finally, the call ended in less than a minute. From the other line, the woman called a different number.

After 1 ring, it was answered and another man's voice was heard. The man's voice was not as deep as the other man earlier.

"Yes, Boss. Your order."

A grin flashed in the woman's face.

"Hack my call history and delete it. I don't want someone knowing anything about me. Understood?"

"Roger, Boss. Right away."

After 2 minutes. "Boss, it's done. The whole data is deleted. Rest assured."

"Good job." After the woman spoke these words, she hung up the phone and lit her cigarette while looking outside the window, watching the moon above and then the city lights below.

"You have nowhere to hide, Ryan." She said as she blew out the smoke from her mouth.

.....

It was 6 am when Andrea woke up. The sun rays are not peeking in her room yet. She prepares herself for a run.

She wore fitted pants paired with a push up bra. She reached out for her earbuds to listen to her favorite songs. She tied her hair in a ponytail style.

Finally, she was ready for a run. First she went to her favorite park and did some stretching there. She sat down on a stool to rest for a bit.

After 5 minutes of resting, she stood and got ready to run home. As she reached her condominium, she was sweating like crazy. She took the energy drink bottle and drank from it.

It was 7:50 when she was done taking a bath and now she's ready to start her day. She prepared an egg and a bacon, matched with a little bit of rice.

"I have to buy some groceries, my supply is less than before. Damn that Daniela, she's the only one who can do this." She sighed as she finished her breakfast before going to her workplace.

She brought a caramel coffee and placed it on the side of the table. She opened her laptop and started writing another chapter of her story, Linked Horizon. It is almost finished so she thought she must end her story before the month ends.

After 2 hours, she finished five chapters. She laid her back to the chair and stretched her hands and fingers. She's tired but she's used to it so it's not a big deal.

It's already 9:50 when she got done with her work. After she arranged her laptop, she heard her phone rings.

Jenevic calling......

Andrea picked it up and answered the call.

"Yow, what do you want?" She said in a cool manner. As she listened to the other, she could hear ladies' laughter. That was then, she remembered something.

"What do we want? Ahmm...we want Andrea to come here at my house right now or I'll send a limo to pick her up."

Jenevic said cheerfully.

Shit! That Angel, there's really no stopping her mouth when it comes to rumors.

"Tssk."

"Don't 'tssk' me babe. Now hurry up or I'll do what I said earlier." She hung up the call and immediately prepared herself to go to Samonte Manor.

Knowing Jenevic, she will really send a limo here. She once sent a limo here when Andrea wasn't able to attend her birthday party, they dragged her out of her room unprepared.

After 15 minutes, she is now looking beautiful. She wore light makeup that was made by Daniela Snow. With a match of clear spring sky in a blue-and-white vintage tie-dye shirt. Pair it with light-wash high-rise jeans and some low-heeled sandals for an effortlessly cool look. She also brings a stylish sun glass with her. Given by Andrea's figure, the simple outfit turns into a dashing look.

She picked her favorite handbag and her car keys. She made sure that there's no electric outlet on before locking the room. A guy who is younger than her passed by and looked at her with admiration.

"You still look gorgeous as ever, neighbor."

"Haha, thank you Kyle." They've been neighbors for so long and Andrea grew fond of him and she trusts him.

"Where to? Mind if I ask?" He wore loose pants and a black shirt with printed words 'I Love Australia'. He had broad shoulders, actually he's quite handsome if he's more serious. He's the cheerful type, he gets along with Daniela more than her.

"Nope. I'm heading to my friend's house." Andrea smiled at her.

"Okay. Be careful when driving Nel. You're a reckless driver." he laughed at her before waving his hand goodbye.

After that, Andrea reached for the parking lot and started to drive off.

.....

At Samonte Manor..

Andrea arrived after 30 minutes of driving, the manor is quite far from her condominium. After the guards saw her car, they let her in immediately. She parked her car and when she got out she noticed 4 cars, looking expensive, and 2 big bikes, both Ducati brands.

"Seems like I'm the only one late."

She walked towards the entrance and the maids opened the door for her. When she looked inside, she could see 6 fine young ladies sitting side by side in 3 couches. She also noticed some expensive wine in the middle table.

"Well well well. Look who's finally here." Jenevic Samonte said before taking a sip of a wine. Her aura is elegant and she gives off a cheerful aura. She wore a yellow dress with flowery designs paired with simple white sandals.

Her black straight hair falls perfectly behind her. She has brown round eyes that make her look cute. She has the same figure as Andrea.

"Haha the main topic of this discussion." said Kendys Collins, who sits beside Jenevic, laying her back to the couch.

Although she's quite shorter than Andrea, she still gives off a sassy look and aura. She wore a crisp white button down and a dark fitted denim matched with white lace heels. Her wavy blonde hair is waist level long. She has bluish eyes like Daniela but it's lighter. She has the same figure as Daniela as well.

"Come here Andrea, we left a single couch for you." Lucille Beverly said while eating a cookie.

She's curvy as well and she has the same height as Kendys. She gives off a cheerful aura as well. She wore a pale pink off shoulder top and a white denim paired with pale pink sandals. Out of all of us, she's very fond of wearing different necklaces everyday. Now she's wearing a golden necklace. She had midnight black wavy hair which was shoulder level long. She had hazel eyes and had the same figure as Angel.

Andrea sits on the single couch and crosses her legs. Ladyheart Arabella gave her a shot of wine and a plate of cookies. Andrea stared at her and noticed that Ladyheart had thin bangs that matched her round emerald eyes. Her straight brown hair is waist level and she braided it this time, making her look like a teenage girl vibe. She wore a gray cardigan with white crop top beneath paired with high waist black jeans.

All her friends are looking fabulous today, of course she's in for the fun too.

"Explain." Angel said at the corner wearing a plain maroon dress with a slit in the side revealing her beautiful long legs.

"Come on, she just got her. Chill out people." Daniela said cooly while eating two cookies at the same time. She wore a black shirt dress.

"Duh! We can't just chill out. She's been dating Mr. Xeno Louindelle. The powerhouse of Australia and you want us to chill? f**k off, Daniela." Angel said.

"How did you two meet, Andrea? My friend surpassed us without us knowing huh." Lucille said.

"Shh! Quiet, she's about to speak." Ladyheart said.

Andrea's head is about to explode with those statements. She didn't even know who to talk to first.

"Haysst. First and foremost, he's the one who saved me in the freaking street. Second, he's not really my boyfriend, he's just pretending so that he can get rid of someone else. I even fought to that someone yesterday. Lastly, don't misunderstood, we're just pretending." After Andrea said those long sentences, the room was silenced for a minute before someone spoke.

"Hmm... All I can say is he's an asshole." Daniela said coldly, out of all Andrea's friends, she might appear cheerful on the outside but she's really mysterious. They can't read her mood.

"Spoken from someone who experienced it before and is now madly in love with Matthew." Kendys said.

"Haha... Don't be silly, babe. Don't make me angry." Daniela replied while playing with a glass of wine in her hands, grinning.

"Whatever. So what now? You're just gonna let him use you?" Kendys said with a confused look.

"Of course not. The situation is quite complicated but maybe soon we'll get a chance to talk about it. Of course, I'll update you all once that happens." Andrea said before eating a cookie.

"Ooohh.. You guys, you're lucky you have boys." Angel pouted.

"b***h, why don't you find someone to flirt with? I'm sure you can find one." Lucille comforted her.

"By the way, girls I have something to say since you're all here with me. My boyfriend and I decided to open a new motor shop here in Denvor." Ladyheart said. She and her boyfriend own different motor shops here in Australia, they even have shops overseas. That's what makes them famous considering that their products are trusted.

"That's a good news! Tell us when you'll cut the ribbon so we'll be there with you." Jenevic smiled cheerfully.

We all heard a sound of heels that echoes. When they looked at the stairs, they saw Jenevic's mother, Jennifer Samonte. She doesn't look old at all, there's still an intimidating aura that her presence gives off. Expected from one of the bosses of their own military group.

"Oh.. Young ladies gathered here in the house, it made us look more expensive and classy. Haha." She said while walking towards their directions.

"Mom, where's Daddy?" -Jenevic.

"Your dad traveled overseas yesterday to take care of our business in the United States but he'll get back tomorrow." Her mom smiled sweetly to her.

"Since we're done here with our discussion, I'll be heading out first. Auntie, I'll be heading out, I have something to take care of." Daniela kissed Jennifer's cheeks before leaving.

"I guess I have to head out too." At the end they all bid their goodbyes to the Samonte family.

"Jenevic, send your friends off." Jenevic nodded to her mother before escorting them outside.

Daniela and Ladyheart used their big bikes while the others used their own cars.

In a snap, only the cars of the Samonte family remained.