Fate in Captivity

Chapter 18- His Determination

(Julius)

The next day came and I was preparing to go to work, I decided to be an intern at Aubrey's company so I can watch that kid, I cannot attain him going near to Aubrey even if he has an excuse of becoming her intern reporting directly to her office. It is not like I don't trust Aubrey, as I already know her personality, but I just cannot trust that kid, even if he would say that he would not do anything to her- for me he is just like other criminals that are pathological liar, great and smooth talker to escape situations he perceived as difficult to reasoned out. I walked out from my apartment and get in the elevator, after that scene at the restaurant last night, mom and I just ate her cooked and I drive her home. The elevator doors opened and at the same time, coincidentally and like it was planned from the beginning, I saw Ken standing in front of me and was about to get in the elevator. I did not know that he also got an apartment here in this building, I just thought he only got that business place, but it turns out, he was now acting like the legitimate son here. 

He silently get in and none of us were greeting nor looking at each other's sides. The whole ride was just full of silence until we get off and I saw him walking towards the parking lot, meanwhile me, I just decided to take taxi cab. Who would have believe an intern got a luxury car almost the same as the president of the company? That would create buzz and I don't want to be involve with those. We arrived at the same time as we entered the building in a just a minute difference. I arrived at the president's office and I saw the people there looked like they were busy and moving quickly. I was about to approach Aly but she just past by me and continue talking to the people at the visitor's room. I peeked and I saw Janna in there, then I realized that this collection of mine would be promoted through Aubrey's store, so that is why. 

I entered the room and she was surprised seeing me there. I did not say anything and just starting to looked at the cue sheets as well as the plans for the runway. Looks like the things put in there were all according to the ideas I presented yesterday. I just smirked for the thought that maybe that dinner date would be mine. 

"Why are you smiling? You looked like a freak." Janna said to me and I just chuckles. 

"Seeing these made me smile." I answered to her. 

"Such a weirdo, we have many things to do, come with me." she said and I just put back the papers on the table and follow her. 

We entered at some room and I think this is for the little dry run for the event. I saw the clothes rack and the clothes to be use for the event. I looked at it and I was surprised that Aubrey actually got clothes that are similar or even identical to the design given by our brand. I mean, it is difficult, I knew about it because one time we had a collaboration with our company and they kept on revising the design because of its availability. Now I know why may parents or specifically dad want to have that connection with them- they are the best and even world-class. 

"Do you really have to work here?" I looked at Janna and she was looking at me with her arms crossed. 

"What do you mean?" I innocently answered to her and she just scoffed. 

"If you think you can deceive me, think again." she firmly answered and I cannot answer that quick. I sat on the arm of the couch near me and just stare at her. 

"Then you must know the reason, why bother to ask me?" I said to her and she smirked. 

"Believing that I could be wrong?" she answered and slowly walked towards me. I just watched her walking towards me without moving or saying something. She suddenly went near to my face, she lowered herself and grinned at me. 

"I was tired of being perfect, you know?" she arrogantly said and distanced herself again. 

"Then why are you here? Want to watch a show?" I asked to her but it was a double meaning comment to her, she started laughing by hearing my words. 

"You are really funny, I don't watch show that are cliché. I already knew the ending." she answered and whispered the last line she got. 

"Tell me, what ending are you referring to?" I asked and she walked towards me, sat suddenly on my lap but I am still indifferent with it. 

"That you would go back to me after some experimentations." she whispered to my ear that if people would have seen us, they would start scandal issues about me kissing this girl on my lap. 

"We have these clothes--" We looked at the people who entered the room and my eyes widen when I saw Aubrey with Aly. I quickly pushed her away and walked towards her. 

"Aubrey it's not--"

"Aly, we got CCTV here, right? That would be every embarrassing." she plainly said to Aly and left. 

"Aubrey!" I yelled and followed her out. She just continue walking until we reached the staircase. 

"Aubrey, please hear me out." I said to her and grabbed her wrist. 

"Why do I have to do that?" she asked to me and I saw her being the emotionless I have ever seen. 

"I have to explain--" 

"About what?" she cut my phrase and she scoffed. I just find myself lost in thoughts. 

"Looks like we are done." I snapped when I heard her words. 

"Wait, don't say you are threatened with her presence?" I mumbled and I made her looked back on me as she already turned her back. 

"What did you say?" she asked like she don't want to believe her ears. I looked straight to her eyes and say words,

"Don't feel anything about that, not until I tell you to." I firmly said to her and she looked confused before I left her.

I went back to that room and I saw Janna checking the clothes. I quickly grabbed her wrist and pinned her on the wall. She looked hurt and surprised but I don't care, she started and I would be the one who should end it. 

"You got excited by that?" I whispered to her and she just stare at me. 

"Don't test me, Janna. You cannot win against me." I firmly said and aggressively let go of her wrist. 

"Why can't it be me?" she asked and I stopped walking out. I looked at her and grinned. 

"Because you are not her." I plainly answered and left the room. 

Upon opening the door, I saw Ken, he must have heard everything but I don't care, I just walked past on him and he entered the room without us saying anything to each other. I walked towards Aubrey's office and entered without any warning. I saw her sitting on her swivel chair while looking at the documents she has on the table. 

"Aubrey..."

"Don't address me personally." she looked at me a bit and continue doing her tasks. 

"Ma'am, the clothes are now prepared." I said to her. 

"Of course it should be, I already made Ken do it." she nonchalantly answered. 

"Right, even so, you can check it out." I said to her. 

"Oh, no need. I asked Ken to check it for me and report back to me." she quickly said and the door suddenly opens, showing Ken with a huge grinned on me. Is his hobby always eavesdropping to all my conversations?

"Ma'am, there are nothing to worry about the clothes. They are properly in order and the size for the models are also perfectly fit." he reported to Aubrey and she just nodded. 

"For next step, we should distribute now the promotional materials, all for today." she said and Ken nodded, he left and seems busy than I am. I am now feeling competitive and must not stay behind from him. 

"Julius." I was about to leave when she called me, I looked back and I saw her getting her things up. 

"You must come with me." she said and walked ahead out of her office. I just followed her out and I saw her talked to Aly, maybe she told her that she will go out and Aly must take care of the things in here, I know I must be assuming. I quickly walked beside her and glance at her once in a while. 

"Do you have something to tell me?" she asked to me and I was surprised by it.

"Where are we going?" I asked. 

"We are going to look for the venue, you designed the runway, right? Then pick the best." she quickly answered.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked. I just felt happy that I did not notice that I am foolishly smiling in front of her. 

"Nothing, just felt somewhat happy about it." I answered. 

"What a jerk." she mumbled and the elevator doors opened. We went out and get in her car, I was surprised to see her drive then I remembered how drunk she was last night. 

"I will drive." I firmly said to her and grabbed get out walking towards the other side. 

"What? I can do it." she complained to me and I shook my head. 

"Just follow my words." I said and remove the seatbelt on her. She had no choice but to get off and I opened the door at the other side for her. She was pouting while getting in the passenger seat and somewhat looking at me checking if my mind would change, I just nodded at her and she put her seatbelt on. I walked towards the driver's seat and started the car upon fixing everything. 

"Where is the first place?" I asked and she was not answering. 

"Hey, why are you not answering me?" I asked again to her and she glare at me. 

"That is the very reason why I have to be the one who should drive." she said to me and I just scoffed. 

"Come on, you could just put the place at the navigation for me to follow it." I answered to her and she slowly typed the address on it. 

After minutes of driving, we arrived at some event gallery here along the highway. We entered and the employees there were smiling ang greeting Aubrey with warmth, does they already knew her? They guided us towards the show rooms. They have I think two to four types of rooms and every room has a uniqueness depending on the event to be celebrated in it. We started at the biggest room, I think birthdays and parties are the usual events that are held here. 

"Too big." I said to her. 

"I agree, let's go to the next one." Aubrey said to the employee and we went to the next room across this. This place is for wedding celebrations the position of the door towards the center part is what made me think that it was for it. 

"I don't think we don't need spaces like this." I commented and she nodded. 

We entered to the next room and this looked enough for me. But thinking about the cameras and other spectators, this place must be a bit small. 

"Let's save this." I said and we went at the last place. This is different to all halls we went as this is the one that looked like photoshoot venue. I was torn, if this place is a perfect place for photoshoot, the another place is good for runway but not with photos. 

"What do you think?" she asked to me and I kept looking around. 

"I think we should go to the third one, this place looked simple." I said to her. 

"Simple? they all looked empty with me." she said to me. 

"Thinking how the spectators and the cameras, as well as the models would walk, I think the third one would be a great option." I explained to her. 

"Alright, we should take account for it." she said and walked out of the room. 

After those whole day tour we had with different venues, we decided to have dinner. This time, the place would be far from the usual place we had and it was like a outdoor park for me. Couples are seen everywhere, looks like this was a popular spot for date- perfect timing. We already sat down and even ordered the food in this alley and we are just being quiet, feeling awkward about our surroundings. 

"Aubrey, why did--"

"Why did your family not choose Janna as your bride?" she directly asked and I was choked by it even if I am not eating or drinking anything. 

"What make you ask that question?" I said to her upon drinking a cup of water. 

"Nothing, I just thought your family was much closer than Janna's family." she plainly answered. 

"I rejected her." I confessed and she looked at me. 

"She was initially the one being arranged with me, but I rebelled. I say I won't give my shares to my stepmother if they do not honor my opinion." I nonchalantly answered. 

"Wait, don't tell me you already gave your shares as you are now arranged with me?" she asked and I just smiled. 

"It is my determination, I won't accept this agreement if it was not you in the first place." I answered. 

"What a fool, then how could you inherit the company?" she asked.

"Don't worry, I am a fool who got whatever he wanted." I answered.

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