Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Mars is already at the peak of his success but he's still not happy. In eight months, he has been able to open four branches of his flower shop in Cavite, Batangas, Zambales and Quezon. He was also able to extend to Cebu at the same time as the opening of his very first shoe factory which he has always really loved. He also invested in his cousin Pluto's Publishing Corporation. He had traveled all over the world but he was still not happy. He felt that something was still missing from him and he couldn't forget it in his mind. For eight months, he forced himself to forget Lavender. He focused his time and attention on working. He poured his attention to business growth. But the girl's name and kiss were never erased from his memory even though he and Alexa separated two months ago. He broke up with her properly because he could no longer take the woman's blackmail, he reasoned that it was better for him to focus on work first and he didn't want to be distracted there. She didn't agree at first but in the end she voluntarily gave him freedom.
The young man poured the wine. Early in the morning he drinks inside the office. If his secretary didn't come in, he wouldn't touch the bottle until it was completely used up. It landed two folders on his desk. He offered her a cup of coffee but she refused. After that, he just opened the folder in front. The first folder contains the proposal he signed with the plantation owner in Baguio. He continued to buy there especially since that place became memorable for him. Even though the woman said that it was a lie, he still planned to take the girl there one more time but he thought that would never happen.
How is it that his last news when he visited her house was her departure to Japan? He was very sad, in his heart it was his entire fault why the girl decided to leave.
He left the shop early. He instructed the secretary to cancel his last appointment today because he didn't feel well. He was driving his own Hummer when it stopped at the stoplight. When he turned around, his eyes hit the woman driving the black BMX next to him, he turned around and someone was talking next to the driver's seat but Lavender couldn't make a mistake in his eyes. He was about to remove the seatbelt to make sure it was the girl but the go signal reached him.
Shit!
The young man in the car was shocked. He felt like he was going crazy about who he just saw, it looked like Lavender.
When he arrived at his own condo unit, his cellphone was the first thing he touched. He immediately called the girl's house. Her Aunt Ammy answered the phone.
"Yes, Mars, why did you call?" The lady asked him in astonishment.
"Auntie, I just wanted to ask you something. If you know, please tell me the truth." He begged. "Is Lavender in the country yet?" The lady didn’t answer but just sighed.
“I’m sorry but even your Uncle Carlos and I have no news about her. We also don’t know when she will return, the last thing she told us was that her training is over this month but she still doesn’t want to go home because she was supposed to participate in a conference in Europe.”
“I-Is that so, Aunt?”
“Why? Do you have anything to tell her, Mars? I'll just say it."
“N-No, nothing, Aunt It's not that important. I'm just saying hello. Please, tell Uncle that I called.”
“Okay, sweetie.”
The young man growled again. He thought what he saw earlier in the car was Lavender. It seems like they really didn’t have a chance to meet. He's constantly checking on Lavender's facebook account but her last post was on Christmas while standing in the middle of the snow which is basically three months ago. The young man just closed his eyes on his bed. He prayed with the thought that he and Lavender would meet at least for a moment so that he would have the opportunity to say everything.
Her secretary was waiting at the door of his office, waiting for him to arrive. When he appeared in the elevator, she immediately approached him and handed him the brown envelope she was holding.
“Sir, Mr. Imperial is requesting for your presence.” It refers to the owner of the plantation in Baguio. He thought it was settled especially since all the papers were signed.
“All right, pack my things, I'll be leaving in a minute.” he replied without hesitation, then the secretary immediately turned her back on him. He didn’t open the requests of Mr. Imperial. Within a few months of negotiating with the owner, he became his best friend. He really needs that plantation especially since it will supply flowers to his newly built branches. He even thought of going home to the condo unit to get some clothes especially since he will definitely spend the night there but his arrival in Baguio will only be slower and long when he does that. He will just call his father that he won’t be able to go home tomorrow to the mansion. He ordered his secretary all his appointments for a few days because he might stay there and have a sudden malfunction.
It took him seven hours to drive; fortunately there wasn’t much traffic during those times. He arrived in Baguio at ten o'clock in the evening. He immediately went straight to the house of Manong Ben and Manang Tess where Lavender and he used to stay. When he parked the Hummer, Manong Ben greeted him to carry his belongings. He was even surprised to see a black car parked there.
“Do you have a guest Manong Ben?" He asked in astonishment carrying some bundles of folders and his own business suit.
"Yes, sir. A very beautiful lady. Why didn't you and Ma'am get along?”
"Who?" Mars' forehead frowned at what the old man had said.
"Ma’am Lavender, sir."
"L-Lavender?" That name echoed in his ear.
“Yes, sir. Ma'am Lavender is here.”
The young man became nervous. He didn’t expect that. He didn’t think the girl was here. The news is that she has not yet returned home because there will be another conference in Europe. His heart was beating fast. He couldn’t deny but he seemed to be happy, he felt his sincere prayer was heard immediately. It's time for him to tell Lavender everything.