Chapter 67: Chapter 67

"How did you convince Mr. Revelar?" my father asked over the phone.

I just took a deep breath and then fixed my peplum dress. "I told you, Dad. I only offered to be his assistant from time to time," I lied.

He did not immediately replied on the other line. I know he doesn't buy my excuse, but I just prayed that he won't try to find out the truth. Later, I heard him sigh.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Khrystal?" he asked me seriously.

I bit my lower lip and nodded, it was as if he was in front of me. "Don't worry, Daddy. I can handle this," I reassured him.

I looked at myself in the mirror for a moment while still holding my phone near to my ear.

"Okay," he surrendered. "Anyway, how's your apartment? I was not informed that your mom took an apartment instead of a condo for you.”

I smiled sparingly. Up until now, I'm still amazed that Daddy and I were able to talk for so long. I briefly wandered my eyes around the house and winced when I saw my luggage on my bed. It's been a week since I gave myself to that guy. And I just got home last night, so that's why I still haven't finished unpacking my things.

Of course, Daddy didn't know that. For the past few days, he had been asking why I am not in the company. I was just making excuses that I am still wooing Mr. Reveal. Fortunately, he didn't even think about visiting me at the apartment that Mommy had prepared.

“It is okay, Dad. Mommy chose it well. It's fresh here because there are trees around anyway. I like it," I explained.

I meant it. It is not that crowded. It is also like Vista Querencia. The feeling is provincial, but it looks like a subdivision style. The houses are meters away from each other. It has its own yard and so on. That's why privacy is still there.

"You don't want to change your place?" Dad asked.

"Nope. I like it here," I replied sincerely.

"Okay. Just tell me if you need anything," he stated.

"I will. I’ll go ahead, Daddy. I am now on my way to the site with Mr. Revelar to check the process of the hotel."

"Okay, okay. Take care of yourself. Just update me about the project."

"Hmm. You too, take care,” then I ended the call.

I hadn't even taken the phone away from my ear when it vibrated again because of an incoming message. I immediately looked at it and sighed deeply as I read the text sent by Mr. Revelar.

Don't be late.

It's only three words, but I can feel the authority between the words. I just shook my head and took my clutch bag.

Well, I felt like my hell days were coming.

And just as I expected, he made me suffer at work. He treated me like an assistant. Not a business partner, not even a secretary, but a servant. He made me hold the umbrella to block the sun rays for him as we toured the vast lot, made him coffee, bought him something, and anything else he could think of for me to do. He even ordered me to open his mineral water bottle. He looked stern all the time, but I knew he was smirking inside.

Even though I want to complain or curse, I'll just tell it to myself. In the first place, my plan brought me to this situation. I sacrificed my remaining self-worth for this deal.

"Can you walk a little bit faster?" he asked, sounding irritated.

I secretly rolled my eyes and tried my best to catch up to his speed. We are now going to the west part of the vast lot where the hotel will be built. There are pits and signs that the construction has started already. Yet, since I was having a hard time with the umbrella I was holding because he was taller than me and because my feet hurt like hell from walking for a several meters, I couldn’t accelerate my speed.

Damn, I shouldn't have worn high-heeled footwear.

"Oh!" I screamed unintentionally when I tripped and almost fell.

I thought I was going to fall completely, but Mr. Revelar firmly held me in my arm. I was almost amazed by his quick reflexes. I quickly straightened up, even though I felt a slight pain in my foot.

I think I sprained my ankle.

"T-Thank you," I stammered.

His expressionless eyes rolled over at me, then slowly went down to my feet. I saw his jaw tighten for a moment before returning his gaze to me.

"You're really a nuisance," he stated coldly as he let go of me.

I secretly bit my lower lip and looked away. Somehow I expected him to worry about me or ask if I was okay. That's a person's first instinct when they see someone hurt, right? But I guessed, he's really different. I forgot that for a second.

He hates you, Khrystal. Always remember that.

"Go home," he spoke.

I looked at him, processing what he wanted to happen.

"I don't like being an inconvenience at work, so leave," he clarified.

I smiled bitterly in my mind. Even though I didn't want to, I couldn't help but feel hurt when he kicked me out. I don't know why I became emotional, maybe because I suddenly thought of my family. Like them, he didn't want me to stay.

I nodded and lowered the umbrella I was holding. Even before I closed it, his staff member, Miguel, came to take it and take over what I was doing.

I heaved a deep breath and tried my best to look at him. "S-sorry," I said hoarsely before turning my back on him.

The moment I took my steps away, my eyes clouded with tears. I felt even more tired. I don't know if it was because of what I did or it was just the feeling that I was always being pushed away.

I leaned in front of my car when I reached it. I looked down to my sore foot while trying to stop my tears to fall. I want to laugh because at this moment, I don't know what was hurting, my foot or my feelings.

"Krystal?" a familiar voice called.

Automatically, I raised my head and saw my friend, Nexus. Seeing him comforted me somehow. My tears fell at the same time I smiled at him. He quickly came to me and then hugged me to his chest.

"Hey?Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

I just nodded my head and tried to suppress my tears. "Just tired," I weakly replied, and pulled myself away from him.

I wiped the tears that fell through my cheeks and smiled at him again. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you at Vista Querencia?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

I knew he wanted to interrogate me more, but he just let it go with a sigh. "I accompanied Jared at the mall."

Then he pointed to a building not far away where he had left one of our friends. "I just left first and decided to walk around to think of new designs while I was here in the city."

I nodded in response to his explanation.

"Want to come with us? We haven't seen each other for a week," he invited.

Even though I wanted to accept his offer, I remembered my foot. Even if it's not that bad, I don't want to be a nuisance.

"Maybe next time. I still have things to do at my place," I said calmly.

"We can just chill at your house? Whatever you do, I'll help you," Nexus said, determinedly.

I smiled at him and was about to reject his offer. "Nexu—"

"Khrystal."

I was cut off by a deep, frigid voice. My mouth dropped when I saw Mr. Revelar behind Nexus. He stared at me darkly, and the veins in his neck almost popped up.

I quickly stood up properly even though I wanted to wince when the pain in my leg intensified. I uttered and lowered my head for a second,"Do you need anything?" I asked after I leveled my head to his.

His fierce eyes stared at me. "Come to my car. I have some files to give you.” He didn't wait for my answer and simply turned his back on me, walking straight towards the direction of his car.

"Nexus," I said, as I looked at him in guilt.

He gave me a genuine smile. “It's okay, Khrystal. I understand. Go ahead, follow Mr. Revelar. Anyway, congratulations. Looks like you got the deal."

I returned his smile. "Yeah, thank you. I'll go ahead first. Don’t you worry, if I'm off at work and I'll visit Vista Querencia. Let’s hang out with Jared," I appeased.

"I will surely expect that!" He laughed and messed with my hair.

I nodded and left him standing. Even though I was a limping, I still hurried to go to the SUV of Mr. Revelar. Miguel opened the door for me as a sign that his boss was letting me in.

"Sir!" I called as I sat down.

That's how surprised I was when he suddenly pulled me and pressed me with a kiss. I didn't know what to do, so I didn't move. I closed my eyes tightly and moaned when he bit my lip. It was like a punishing kiss. I could even taste my blood in his kisses.

I was out of breath when he broke the kiss. His sharp eyes immediately met mine.

"Ho," he uttered directly, and let go of me.

It was like my chest was being squeezed for a few seconds. I smiled bitterly and averted my gaze.

Yeah, just like Vista Querencia's people. I am a slut in his eyes because of my male friends.

He is no different from everyone else.