Chapter Four
1748 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
Secretary
Zaheera
Rising after stumbling from the challenges is tough, especially when you have lost the motivation to start again and continue living. I didn’t expect that there would come a day when someone would be willing to help me.
“I have already talked to your friend, Louella. Your cellphone was ringing nonstop, and I figured you were with someone at the bar last night,” said Vyrxon.
I’m currently staying in Vyrxon’s house. I don’t know the exact location, but I could say that we’re still in the city. I can still hear the busy street. Maybe we’re just in a subdivision, or maybe we’re just close to the highway.
Vyrxon always comes to my room before every meal. He is the one bringing my meal. Sometimes, it shocks me to see him standing by the window of my room and studying me. There is this unexplainable feeling that he is planning something against me. But what can I do? He’s the only person I can trust right now.
I thought for a second about what cellphone he was talking about, but then I remembered that Louella bought me a new phone and SIM card. That way, she would be able to contact me right away.
“Okay, thank you. Can I have my phone back? I need to talk to her,” I said and held out my hand.
Vyrxon firmly shook his head as he put the food on the food tray.
“Eat first,” he commanded.
“But I have to talk to her.”
Vyrxon gazed at me grimly.
“I said no. You have to eat first,” he articulated.
I was about to argue more when he exhaled sharply and looked at me cruelly. It was hostile.
“Miss Valinado, just because I willingly helped you doesn’t mean you can disobey what I’m saying. You are not the boss here. You don’t have a say in everything. When I tell you no, accept it. Do you understand?”
I was stunned and silent. He was so different from the Vyrxon I’ve been with for the past 48 hours. It was like he was showing his true self.
"Now, eat," he commanded, and I quickly obliged.
He was just watching me while I finished my afternoon meal. After that, he took the tray and stood up.
“Your friend’s here—”
He was not able to finish his line when I quickly stood up and went to him. I nearly forgot that I was unwell. Fortunately, he was quick to grab my wrist and help me steady myself.
“She’s here? Where is she? I want to talk to her.”
“Can you f*****g calm down? You’re testing my patience by being hardheaded.” I stayed silent with widened eyes when I heard him cuss.
He guided me to sit and looked down at me.
“She’s under investigation.”
I frowned. “What for? She’s innocent, I swear!”
“Your friend may be innocent in your eyes, but she’s a stranger to me. Anyone who enters this house has undergone an investigation process. Not because I’m helping you—you already have all the privilege. Stay in your place and let us do our job to protect our people.”
“Then you should investigate me, too.”
He curled his lip.
“I wouldn’t have brought you up here if you weren’t. Now, stay here and wait for your friend to be brought here if she is proven innocent.”
He didn’t let me speak and immediately bolted.
Minutes later, someone knocked on the door. I didn’t immediately open it until I heard a voice outside—something that Vyrxon taught me yesterday.
“Miss, this is Reka. Your friend is here with me.”
With so much excitement, I opened the door forcefully and went straight to my friend. We were screeching with so much happiness, and when we finally calmed down, I suddenly felt embarrassed.
I looked at the lady who was still standing in front of us.
“Thank you, Reka. I can take it from here.” I smiled; she just nodded.
“Feel free to push the button when you need anything,” she said, referring to the intercom mounted on the wall inside my room beside the door.
We nodded, and she left. We went inside the room and sat on the bed. She held my hand and looked at me sincerely.
“I’m so sorry. If only I hadn’t forced you to go clubbing, this wouldn’t have happened.” Guilt was visible in her voice.
I smiled at her reassuringly. “It’s not your fault.”
She sighed and looked around my room.
“How are you holding up? I was so damn worried when I couldn’t reach you. My phone calls always went straight to voicemail. Vyrxon briefed me on what happened to you the other day.”
I sighed deeply in relief but with a hint of frustration.
“I’m doing fine. They’re taking good care of me, actually. But. . . you know, I don’t feel happy about this. I still wish things would go back to normal.”
“But this is your new normal now, Z. ”
“I know,” I said, almost like a whisper.
She leaned over my shoulder. We just looked outside the large window where you can see all the huge trees swinging and dancing with the wind.
“So, what’s your plan?”
“I will go back to studying.”
She bolted and looked at me with wide eyes.
“Really? That is so great! But how? I thought you were going to let Gavin graduate first, and then you’d decide whether to continue studying?”
I looked down, fidgeting with my finger as anxiety started to kick in. “Mr. De La Cerna will give me a scholarship. He also offered to take down the video across the internet.”
She held my arm and forced me to look at her. Her face turned serious.
“Are you f*****g serious? What’s the deal?”
“I’ll… work for him,” I answered.
She looked at me intensely, waiting for more.
“That’s the deal.”
Lou stood up in disbelief. “Oh, come on! That’s it? There’s got to be something else. You can tell me, you know? You don’t need to hide it from me. I know there’s more to it,” she said, almost begging for me to tell her everything.
I stood up and held her hand, guiding her to sit down.
“I promise, that’s the only deal he wants. I know there’s more to it, but he’s the only person who can make those things happen. I really need to start a new life, and he’s the only one who can help me.”
“Does Gavin know about this?”
I shook my head. “I don’t plan on telling him about this for now. I just want him to focus on graduating.”
After hours of spending time with Lou, she bid her goodbye to me and promised to be back whenever she has free time. She’s the one managing their business, so she’s very busy right now. I’m just so thankful for her because she always makes time for me.
It’s dinner time, and I was told to go downstairs to join Mr. De La Cerna. When I arrived at the dining hall, Vyrxon was not alone. He is sitting at the center; next to him is his younger brother, Rjin.
“Sit down,” he ordered.
I immediately sat at the available chair next to Vyrxon.
“Hi,” the youngest master greeted, plastering a small smile on his face.
I shyly waved at him, whispering a greeting. We were just peacefully eating when Vyrxon broke the silence.
“You’ll be attending university next week. I’ve already arranged your schedule and the university you’ll go to.”
I was stopped midway through eating the last bite of my dinner when I heard him speak. I took a glance at him, confirming if I heard him right, but he was focused on eating his meal.
I nodded silently and continued eating. After drinking the glass of water, I took a hem to get his attention.
“Um, may I know what university I’m enrolled with?” I asked while arranging my plate.
“DLC University. It’s a private university owned by the family.”
I was beyond shocked. That university costs thousands just for one semester. I'd better get a high grade to avoid disappointment.
“Ms. Valinado,” my attention was caught by the baritone voice of the man in front of me.
I looked at Rjin, the youngest of the De La Cerna. He’s beyond handsome, like his brother.
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m…doing well. I’m thankful to your family for what you did to help me get through this shame.”
I saw him smirk as he drank his wine. They said that the youngest is playful and may look innocent but is more dangerous than the oldest. I guess the rumors are true.
“You do know helping you comes with a price, right?” I nodded.
“I know; your brother discussed it with me when I signed the contract yesterday,” I answered.
Vyrxon called on his office yesterday to talk about the deal that we had.
“You want me to sign an agreement? For what?”
“This is to make sure you won’t tell anyone everything that you might witness here and the deal that we had. When all of this is over, I will terminate the agreement myself.”
I’m in awe. I don’t know what to say. I’m just staring at the folder in front of me. Slowly, I reached for it and carefully read all the details.
Basically, I’m not allowed to tell anyone anything that I’m about to witness as long as I still have ties with their family. If even just the smallest details come out, I’ll be held responsible, and I will be paying them a huge amount of money.
I carefully read the contract before signing it. This is such a huge risk, but I’m willing to take it for as long as I can feed my family and my brother can finish his studies.
- Writer
