Off Her

CHAPTER 4

Alora’s POV

The chairman cleared his throat, and so everyone in the room was silenced. They looked at him as if waiting, to see what he’s about to say next.

“You all already knew and met our visitors this evening. However, I would like to officially welcome them. Welcome back, Marines, to our humble home.” Said the chairman. Everyone cheered and clinked, their glasses, exchanging welcomes and thank you’s. The chairman once again cleared his throat.

“I’ll head first. Enjoy the rest of the night. And Alex, you are in charge.” Demanded the chairman, while standing up, preparing to leave.

Alex smirked and said. “As if we were a bunch of children.”

“We were worse than that, Alex.” Tania Griffin added. Everyone in the room laughed.

The chairman had already left, and everyone in the room was back to business. Tania Griffin stood up and moved to sit in the chairman’s chair.

“So, Everyone. How about we throw a welcoming party tomorrow?” She said excitedly.

“That’s a great idea. Everyone should come.” Natalie agreed excitedly as well. Everyone agreed to the idea. And so it is decided that there will be a big party tomorrow.

“You will join right?” Natalie asked while looking at me. Who. Me? I could see that Tania and Alex stared at me, waiting to see my response. Felipe on the other hand, acts as if he never heard us. Why is she suddenly asking if I would attend the party.

“She never goes to party.” Tania said.

“Oh I see.” Natalie replied.

“And if she does, she goes there wearing office attire, doing business.” Alex said while laughing.

“Oh. I guess you will have to come.” Alex turned to me. “Well, it is not just a party. The boards of the Marine and Landmasters will be present as there will also be a very important announcement.” He added. Really? Not just a party. I am curious as to what could be the announcement all about.

“Save the details for tomorrow.” Felipe said while standing up. And left the room.

Felipe’s POV

I’m completely infuriated during the whole time I was in that room. I just left as I am afraid that I will not be able to control my temper anymore. Why does she always make me mad. The way she acts, speaks, and looks at me, rages me. I could not stand her. Not even, a single sight of her. I heard someone following me. It walks at a fast pace behind me, catching up. I walked faster.

“Wait.” It shouted. I halted and turned to see who it was. It was Natalie.

“Nat.” I uttered. She came close to me, panting. “I’m sorry. I did not know you were behind me.”

“It’s okay.” She said it with a sweet smile. “Is everything good? You looked kind of bothered the whole time we were at dinner. And you just left instantly.” She added. Oh right. I forgot she was next to me as I was bothered with the thoughts of not wanting to lose my temper. I was not able to say goodbye to her and left outright. She must have been surprised at how I acted.

“All is good. I apologize for leaving instantly. I was just bombarded with many things.” I said, ensuring her that there was nothing to worry about.

“Oh. I’m sorry you must be very busy.” She said with a half smile on her face. “Next time, then.” She said, about to leave when she stopped.

“Oh, and by the way. It is you that is married to Alora, isn’t it.” Her voice sounded dismayed. She did realize that. I was astound as to how I should react. I could not think of any reason. How should I say to her that it’s not what an actual marriage she thinks it is.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.” She said it with sadness in her eyes.

“Let’s catch up by hanging out next time. Goodbye.” She added, leaving a smile and head out.

I was completely out. She did look like she was stunned by knowing that I had got married already. She must have not expected that. We were so close when we were kids. She was the only girl that I was comfortable being with. I could not get along with my sister Tania, since we have the same temper. Natalie was very sweet, caring, and considerate. What I like most about her is that she shows me her real self. She laughs when happy and cries when sad. Like a certain person should always be. Or so I thought. Her laughter, lightens the world around me. Every time she cries, I always feel like I need to protect her. And now, she was sad. I should empty whatever misunderstanding she had. I turned to head into my room when I was put to a stop.

This person in front of me just changed my whole mood into worse. I instantly became furious. I decided to continue walking and just pass through her like I’ve always done.

“We have to talk.” She demanded. I just completely ignored her and walked passed.

“Wait.” She grabbed my arm.

I in every way stopped and turned to her, clenching my jaw. “What is it now?” I asked with a rough voice.

“I just wanted to make every misconception between us cleared.” She replied.

“Why? What is the reason again this time? I asked impatiently. “Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Why do you hate me so much?” She asked with a blank emotion. That is what I hate most about her. She is like a rock. When I talk to her, it feels like I’m talking to an artificial being. She was always following the chairman’s orders without hesitation, and without decisions of her own. She is widely the opposite of Natalie. I don’t see her as a person capable of happiness and pain. Whatever hurtful words I throw, will not get through to her. How can a human be so emotionless. The longer I had to deal with her, the more I hated her. She is like a blank.

“You are getting annoying, do you know that?” I am getting furious. “Why did you introduced yourself as a Griffin to Natalie? What made you think you were one of us!” My voice was raised as I’m now completely mad. There was a minute of silence between us. She just stares at me, not saying anything. That empty eyes again. I hate those eyes. I will not look again at such an awful pair of eyes. “Hate you? I despised you.” I firmly pulled my arm away, which she was grasping, and I walked away.

Alora’s POV

I once again saw him walk out on me with flaming anger. I was zoned out about what he said. He was right. What made me think that they could accept an outsider like me in their family. I was just merely an employee, doing what I’m told. It is the only thing I could do to become of value to them. Ever since I became close to the family, the chairman once asked if I could look out for Felipe. I don’t know as to the reason why it had to be me. The time he asked me to marry his son, he again requested it as he was worried about him. But how could I possibly when he is like a raging flame towards me. The chairman said that he has changed, ever since his mom died 20 years ago. He was at one point in time, a sweet and patient child before her mom passed away. But now, he is short-tempered, impatient, furious, and always mad. Well, he was that way, especially when with me. I stopped when I realized that when with Natalie, he could become sweet and patient Felipe like before. When she’s around, he can control his self and act more maturely. Lucky her. She was the only one to see that side of him what all of us wanted to witness ourselves. It is not me that should be looking out for him. There is someone that he could truly be wanted. And that is not me. There goes again, a sudden crushing pain in my chest. Why am I feeling this pain, very constant now.

I went home. I lived in a two storey house inside a village owned by the Griffins themselves. As I was looking for a place to stay, the chairman suggested to me this house. He said that he also needs someone that could take good care of it until the owner of the house would like to return. I objected for the reason that the house was too extravagant for someone like me. How could I live in such a luxurious place. But the chairman insisted, so I had no choice but to agree since it would also be very convenient for me. It would be just a 30 minute drive when going to work and a 20 minute drive when going to the Griffins mansion. The design of the house was very exceptional compared to the others. It is well built outside and the interior design was very extraordinary inside. I can see that this is very expensive. Now I wondered, who could have been the owner of this house. I have never thought of this before. Well, it was said that this house is one of theirs. So, it probably belongs to the chairman.