My Puppy Love (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 9 - Let's get married?

As much as possible Alex opposed the idea of a victory party, but he really can't stop his supporters and friends in politics. They still prepared something for him. Of course, he has to show up to express his appreciation for their efforts throughout the campaign period and until now.

I'll just meet him at the venue since I'll be coming with my father since my mom is not feeling well. I'm glad how my relationship with my dad has progressed. He is now talking to me though not as much as he used to do. But I understand that. I'm willing to give him as much time as he needs.

I started preparing for the event. I chose to wear a casual white v-neck dress which is knee length. It has elbow bishop sleeves which emphasized my fair skin and slim arms. I loosely bun my hair, while letting some strands to frame my face. I wore a white stiletto to pair my dress. then I applied very light makeup.

I found my dad waiting for me at the landing of our staircase. He is very dashing in his barong. It is undeniable that he is my father indeed. I smiled widely with my own thoughts.

"Hi, dad." I greeted him then kissed him on his cheek.

"I'll be easy on you tonight since you're looking exactly like your mom." I smiled even wider. My dad has been the sweetest father to me, and husband to my mother. 

"Thanks, dad. I love you!" I said with a hint of tears in the corner of my eyes. 

"Don't you dare cry now Leila." he said while gently wiping the small tears that built up in my eyes. I just nod then hug him tightly. I know he has forgiven me by now. I'm such a lucky girl.

*****

When we arrived at the venue it was fully packed with people mostly politicians or working for a politician. My father proudly introduced me to different people as his daughter.

"Wow, I've never heard you have such a beautiful daughter." I smile at the vice governor who praised me. He is about my dad's age.

"Well, what can I say, she takes after me. That's my genes. " My dad proudly responded.

"Oh c'mon it must be from Latisha!" he teased my dad even more.

"Can't you honestly see the resemblance? You should visit your ophthalmologist ASAP." My dad teased back. I'm just smiling the whole time.

"Okay then. Maybe I have to introduce my son to her. I might have some of those genes you're bragging about to my grandchildren." He said teasingly again.

"I'm afraid you will need to wait for Mr. Lopez to have another daughter for you to have beautiful grandchildren coming from his genes, she's taken." I heard someone said at our back. I know that voice. I looked his way, he has a very serious face. He stepped closer, then, put his arms around my waist possessively. "Hey, love." He kissed me on my cheeks. He greeted the people around us disregarding their confused then, shocked faces. Yes, we're engaged for so long, but we maintained our 'relationship' low key that most of the people believed that it's not existing anymore. People rarely see us together because I avoided going home. And he also gave me the space that I asked for before.

"No harm intended young man. Your girlfriend is just too beautiful to ignore. You're one lucky man."

"Fiance actually." He even corrected. The seriousness on the air is creating discomfort.

"Well my daughter worked in Manila for the past years, at the same time, she's not really into politics that's why she's not really visible in public eyes all this time." My dad butted in maybe to break the ice.

"Oh, well congratulation then. I'm really sorry if I ever offended you." The vice governor laughed and tapped Alex on his shoulder.

"No worries, nothing has taken." he said. Finally, serious aura was gone. The vice governor and my dad excused themselves to mingle with other visitors. I secretly pinched Alex on his side that made him flinched. 

"Hey what was that?" I asked him teasingly. 

"Nothing." He said blushing avoiding my eyes. I smiled widely. He actually blushed!

"Don't tell me you're jealous." He looked like a naughty schoolboy who got caught doing some naughty things. I can't help but feel glad thinking that he might be actually jealous. He looked so cute!

"Why should I, you're my fiance already." I laughed lightly. He continued walking still avoiding my eyes. I held his arm and pull him to face me. I looked straight into his eyes.

"Exactly Mr. Mayor, so remove that grumpy look on your face already. I'm yours, and yours alone, okay? Now smile and talk to your supporters." A smile slowly formed on his lips and it warms my heart knowing that I can make him smile like this is such a pleasure to me.

"Okay. Thank you."

"You're always welcome my handsome mayor." 

"Am I really?"

"Still fishing for compliments my love?" We both laugh after.

"Go ahead, mingle with other people. I'll be mingling with others as well."

"You'll be fine?"

"I'm not a kid anymore c'mon. I'll be fine." He still looked at me not so convinced. I lightly pushed him. 

"Go! See you around." He finally heads towards a bunch of people who congratulated him. I inhaled deeply. This is his world. And if I really love him, I should learn home to cope up with this.

"Is that you, Leila?!" Someone disturbed me from my thoughts. A gave her a timid smile. She's familiar but I cannot fully remember her.

"I'm Elaine were elementary classmates."

"Oh right, Elaine! How are you? I'm sorry if I didn't recognize you right away." I said apologetically. I heard a lot about her from our workers at home. She's annulled to his previous husband who chose her cousin over her. I don't feel so good about this conversation. She is known to be a bitchy type of woman.

"I'm good. No worries. Its years have passed already so it's really understandable. We're basically kids way back then. Anyway, congratulations to your father and fiance. So, are you staying for good?" I tried to compose myself and act nice. This is my fiance's victory party, I cannot afford to make a scene.

"Thank you! I'm glad how people supported them. Yes. I'm planning to focus now on our family businesses especially that dad will be dedicating most of his time to this province while mom needs to rest."  

I've thought about it for the past few days. I realized that I love the people here more than my freedom nor my job in Manila. I realized how selfish I was before.

"Oh great! So, I'm so happy for you! When will you get married to Alex anyway? If I were you, you should tie a lash around your fiance's neck ASAP. In case you're not aware, He's a women's fantasy. You'll never know, the closest woman might be actually the snake that will snatch your man, right in front of your eyes one day." I followed her eyes, then, there Alex is talking with people, on his side is Carmela! I wasn't able to respond. Is she referring to Camela? I stared at her questioning.

"Oh, don't look at me like that girl! She's not the only one that is fantasizing about your soon-to-be-husband, but believe me when I say that she will be your greatest competitor." she gave me a sly smile before drinking the wine on her hand.

"That's nonsense, she's his assistant, nothing more and nothing less. And besides, I trust Alex." I argued though I know deep inside me that she's absolutely right. I picked a glass of wine when the waiter passes by our area. Then drank it all with one go. I'm irritated that what she's saying is actually correct.

"You know at this modern time, lust might overshadow love. C'mon, yeah, you're beautiful, rich, intelligent and all, but you can't deny the fact that Carmela has her own charm too which she's using well, don't you think? After all, Alex is still a man, and I'm guessing you're not having any of you know." She surveyed my body head to toe then gave me a very malicious look. It made me very uncomfortable. Of course, we're not doing any of that stuff yet. Alex respects me, and he never makes any advances as well. He laughed after seeing my reaction which might confirm her assumptions.

"We'll girl just to remind you, he is a man. Very mature, delicious, and active man. Every man has their biological needs that only women can satisfy. And Alex is not an exception to them. If you're not giving it to him, I'm sure he might be tempted to get it from someone else who is more than willing to give it to him freely."

"Alex is not like that!" I snapped at her. I know Alex, he can't do such a thing to me! I keep on telling myself.

"Not yet, maybe that's the right term girl. That's why I'm telling you if you liked him that much, why not mark him officially and legally yours or you might lose him."

"Why are you telling me this?" I gripped the wine glass tightly.

"Let's just say that I hate snakes like her who don't know their place." She said while giving Carmela a sharp stare. "And I pity you for being so clueless about these people. I'm not the enemy here." I wanted to grab Carmela's hair right now. She's actually casually touching Alex's arms not minding that I'm here. No, I can't let her have him! I stormed out of the venue to breathe some air. It's so suffocating inside.

Throughout the night. I'm thinking about what Elaine has told me. Truth be told, I'm scared that I might actually lose him.

"You're very silent love, something's wrong?" Alex asked me worriedly. Dad went home earlier to check on mom so Alex will be sending me home. He asked his driver to rest and not wait for us so he drives me home himself.

"Yeah." I answered shortly. I'm not in the mood after what I saw and heard at the party, I feel so drained.

"I'm sorry, are you mad at me for leaving you behind awhile ago?" He's not buying my answer I guess, he really knows my every action and reaction.

"No." I answered trying to avoid his glances since he's driving. But he suddenly stopped on the side of the road. I looked at him confused.

"I can't take you home like this love." He removed his seatbelt to face me. "Please tell me what's the matter. It's driving me crazy. Please just tell me." He held my chin to look at him. He's staring into my eyes deeply trying to find honesty within them.

"I-its really nothing. I'm just tired." It's partly the truth. I'm really tired.

"Are you sure?" Still trying to check the truthfulness in my voice and face.

"Yes." He looked at me then inhaled deeply. Sign of resignation. Maybe he realized that he can't really get anything from me at this state.

"Okay. Maybe it's best that I bring you home now to rest. We'll talk tomorrow." I just nod. He sat properly and fixed his seatbelt then started the car.

"We're here." he stopped the car in front of our gate. I need to go out of his car now but I couldn't find my strength to do so. I just sat there staring blankly. He was about to go out of the car, maybe to open the door for me then Elaine's words echoed in my head, "Not yet maybe the term girl. That's why I'm telling you if you liked him that much, why not mark him officially and legally yours or you might lose him." I cannot lose him now. Not now when I'm more than ready to fight for him. Not now when I realized that I love him so much. I grabbed his arm to stop him from going. He looked at me puzzled. 

"What's wrong love?"

"Let's get married now Alex!"

I said it before I change my mind. He just stared at me. He's very shocked, I can see that. He's not expecting my proposal at all. He sat again on the driver's seat then held my hand. "You're really tired love, you should rest first, we'll talk tomorrow, I promised." He kissed me on my forehead the got out of the car to help me. 

I was shocked. He just drove away like that. Without even saying anything about it!

I don't even know how I managed to enter my bedroom. It's 1:00 AM but I'm still staring at the ceiling wide awake.

What was that?! I'm just tired?! He didn't just turn down my proposal, did he? What the hell?! It's killing me!

Maybe I scare him or he's not ready yet  

Maybe he's not in love with me anymore, or did Carmela actually succeeded to snatch Alex from me?

No! no! no!