Vincent's Conditions
1016 Words
Once I got done with breakfast, I made sure I left everything clean in the dining area. My hands seemed to be trembling along with the nervous beating of my heart.
Okay, Samantha. Now let us go to the study. It is just Vincent. There is no need to be scared of him. I am sure whatever he is going to tell us, it won't be that bad.
I let out a deep sigh, and then I proceeded to his study. I was already in front of the study. I was about to knock when I heard a voice other than Vincent's.
It's her. Jessica is here. But why?
I let out another sigh, and then I knocked.
"Come in, querida."
When I opened the door, I immediately saw Jessica. She was a picture of class and elegance as she was sitting on the sofa with her long legs crossed. A genuine smile flashed across her face as she stood up to greet me.
"Darling, it is nice to see you again. How are you?"
Oh God, this is awkward! It is way beyond how I expected things to turn out. What is she doing here?
I tried to fake a smile as my cheeks touched hers.
"Hello, Jessica. Uhm. I am-- ah-- fine. And you?"
"Never been better, dear."
Vincent gathered Jessica's purse that was sitting on his desk and approached her. He slid his arms across her waist while she tiptoed and planted a kiss on his cheeks. And then she turned to me.
"I will go ahead, dear. I believe you have some serious matters to talk about." Then he turned to Vincent,
"Te veo pronto, mi amor."
Vincent guided her to the door before he shut it close. I was not aware that I had been staring at the closed door until Vincent cleared his throat.
"Now, mi querida. Sit down."
"What is going on?"
He leaned on his desk and put his hands together. "Listen, Miel." Then he pursed his lips, "I know that for the longest time, you have been infatuated with me. You put me up on a pedestal to the point where I do not seem human at all."
I do not like the tone of his voice. Like what my friends have always told me, I also knew that Vincent had always treated me like family. But somehow, deep within my heart, I have always hoped that one day, he would look at me as a woman, a partner, a potential wife -- like how my father has realized his love for my mom.
"Maybe it was my fault too because, for the longest time, I have always chosen you over the other women that have come to my life. Although partly, that was also because none of them has truly meant the world for me. But this time, it's different. I have told you about it, right mi querida? RIght from that gala night?"
I felt hot tears were threatening to fall from my eyes. Vincent bowed her head. But before he did, I saw the guilt that registered in his face.
"For the past months, I tried to avoid you. I hoped that it was enough to let you know that things have to change between us. But last night-- that trick you did last night. Maybe I needed to teach you some lessons."
I stood up from my seat. The tension between us is so overwhelming that I do not know what to do with how it makes me feel.
"Ugh! Please, Vincent. Be direct to the point!" I walked back and forth before I stopped in front of him and crossed my arms in front of me. "This morning, I learned that you and I were engaged. And now this?"
"Okay, Miel. I know it might not be the smart move. But out of frustrations, I agreed to your dad to let you live here, be engaged with me. I think that maybe that way, you will realize that I am not the man that you thought I was"
"What??? Wow! Excuse me? Did you say "out of frustration"?" I made a quotation gesture using my hands before I sank myself on the sofa. "Thank you for that! I am truly grateful" I knew my sarcasm was very obvious.
Vincent got up and walked towards me. "Hey, young lady. Do not forget that we are in this messy situation because of you."
I winced when the memories from last night flashed across my mind.
"So here is the plan. We will pretend to have sorted it out and tried to be together for as long as we can. And then, we will pretend that we realized that both of us do not want the relationship. So we will end it."
"If that is the plan, why do we have to be engaged? We can pretend that we are in a relationship together."
"Your dad insisted on it."
"And Jessica?"
"She knows about it too. And she is okay with it."
"What do you mean...she's okay with it?"
"She will be away for two years anyway. She'd be gone to Paris to further her education. She is aware that it will be just pretending."
Wow! I cannot believe how this whole situation backfired on me. So here I am, engaged to Vincent..yey!
But then it will be just under the pretension while he and Jessica are still together.
I still do not understand Vincent. I know there is more to this arrangement than he is letting me know. I know him too well. He is not the type of guy who will agree with my dad just because he got frustrated. This whole thing with Jessica also seems weird. I mean, what kind of girl will allow his boyfriend to live with another and pretend that they are engaged?
What are you planning, Vincent?
I wonder what is going on inside your head. I know there is more to it, and I swear that I am going to find it.
- Writer
