Isaac Gray Holster Elizalde’s POV
“Why are they looking at me?” I asked my secretary upon entering my office.
“You’re handsome,” She simply replied.
“I know that.” I hissed. “What I mean is that why are they staring at me like…” I turned to her and she bowed down. “Like, there’s something wrong. Like they are talking behind my back.”
“Uhm...I don't know.” She told me.
I rolled my eyes.
“Ave, you aren’t my secretary for nothing. I know you know a lot of things going on in here.” I stated. It’s impossible that she had no idea for what’s happening since she was always here.
“Have you checked your social media accounts, Sir?”
“Oh. Not yet. I was busy. Why, what happened?”
She smiled a bit and I could sense from her eyes that I would find something I wouldn’t like if I checked my social media accounts. “Tell me, what is it?” I ordered her.
“I guess, you just have to check your social media, Sir.”
I glared at her. “I don’t have time to check it and so it just spilled. That’s an order.”
Ave sighed. “It’s actually nothing.”
“Nothing?” I scoffed. “But, people are staring at me for nothing.”
“It’s not totally about you.”
“Then, what is it about?”
She stared at me for a while and hesitation was evident in her eyes as she tried to form the words. I already have a hint, but I am scared to admit it. I don’t want to see it. I think it would be better if Ave would tell it to me, instead of me seeing it.
“It’s about Ms. Samaniego.”
“What about my girlfriend?”
My palms were sweating and my heartbeat was beating so fast. The mere name of Deanara could make my heart flutter in a second, but this is different from that. This conversation...whatever comes next...is killing me because I already have an idea.
“People are talking because they were shocked that she’s an heir to a billionaire company.” She started explaining. “I mean, it’s the talk.”
“However…” I was the one who added that. “What is it that they are really talking about?”
“Mattel dela Merced announced to the whole world that your girlfriend is her greatest love.”
“WHAT?” My lips parted and I was speechless for a second. “HE DID WHAT?”
“In an interview, he admitted that the dating issue between him and the actress Shainaia was a fake one. He told his stories and that includes Ms. Deanara.”
I closed my fist. How dare he do that! They aren’t even together now. What is his purpose for saying that?
“Did he mention that they’re together?”
She shook her head and I was relieved. I don’t know what I will do to Mattel if he dared announce something like that to the world. The nerve he got! He left Deanara and now he’s coming back like nothing happened. Who is he to do that?
Fuck! I cannot be beaten by him. I have to do something bigger than what he did. He announced how much he loves Deanara to the world, then I will do it. I have to think of a plan. It was easy for him because he’s famous. As for me, I have to make an extra effort.
“Then, why are people making a fuss about it?”
“He posted a picture of Deanara.”
“What picture?”
“You should check it out.” She bowed and hurriedly went out.
I cursed in my mind. I stood there for a minute before checking my phone. I contemplated between calling Deanara or checking Mattel’s instagram account. It took me another minute before I found the courage to check it.
And, I wished I had never checked it.
The picture was a candid one. Deanara wasn’t even looking at the picture. She had her back turned as she looked at the glass wall where the city lights were seen. It was a silhouette, yet I know it was Deanara. I have memorized every inch of her body that even with my eyes closed, I would easily know it was her. It’s just a candid picture and I wouldn’t mind for he might have gotten it from somewhere to what...but..it wasn’t that. It was the fact that it was captured in a hotel room. I don’t want to overthink. Maybe, they just talk or what. I don’t know.
I tried to convince myself it was an old picture he just recycled, but no, I could see it’s the latest one. It even had a date on it. I trust Deanara, but the picture made me doubt her because that was taken the day she went missing...and she told me she was with her mother.
Ugh! I cupped my face. I hate this kind of feeling.
I grabbed my keys and immediately went out of my office, and drove to Deanara’s place.
Lyuna was the one who opened the door.
“Hey!” She greeted me.
“Where’s Deanara?” I asked.
“Oh. She just left.”
“She just left? Where did she go?”
“Uh…” She was composing herself. I sensed she was trying to pick the right words and thinking if she would tell me the truth. “I don’t know.”
“She went to see Mattel, right?”
Lyuna bit her lower lip.
“She went to talk to Mattel.”
“Where?”
“Just wait for her here. She’ll be back.”
“WHERE?” I raised my voice. I was so pissed and frustrated right now that I could no longer hide the anger in my voice.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I guess. I know.”
I didn’t wait for her to say anything and drove as fast as I could going to the hotel. But, I didn’t get in. I waited in the parking lot. I stayed in the parking lot for half a minute...just crying. Yeah. It was gay and not something a man would do, but I did cry. And, I don’t know why I am crying.
It wasn’t the first time that I cried. I cried when Vivian cheated on me. It was painful, but it was nothing compared to how I am feeling now which made me realize how much I love Deanara...more than I have loved Vivian. And, I don’t want to lose her.
Ugh! I wiped my tears and calmed myself. I shouldn’t be crying. I should be talking to her instead of crying. I am overthinking.
“Damn!” I pushed the steering wheel and heaved. “Okay. Gray. You are talking to her and listening to her.” I told myself even though what I want to do is to punch Mattel in the face.
I got out of my car and checked my phone. I decided to just call her and let her know I am here. Let’s check if she’s going to lie. She didn’t tell me about talking to Mattel.
I wasn’t paying attention to the way, so I bumped into...her.
“S-sorry…”
It was Deanara. She bowed down and I heard her sobbed. She was about to walk away when I pulled her.
I felt weak when I saw her crying. And, I hate how Mattel could make her cry like that. Sometimes, I also wished I could make her cry for me like that, but I never wanted to make her cry. I want to make her happy.
“You are crying again.” My voice broke.
She realized it was me.
“Why is that when you go to see Mattel, you are always crying?” I held her hand. “Why?”
“Gray…” She spoke.
I smiled at her as I wiped her tears.
“Go on. Just cry. It’s okay to cry for him. What’s not okay is when you let him wipe your tears,” I hugged him. “Can you do me a favor?” I whispered as I caressed her back. “You can cry all the way you want. Just cry. But, no matter the reason as to why you are crying, you have to promise me that I am the only one who’ll wipe your tears.”
That made her cry even harder and there was a pain in my chest. And, it made me sad because I somehow knew the reason why. I could feel it. She was having a hard time choosing between me and Mattel.
Yes. She loves me, like what she said. But, she’s torn. She still has unsettled issues with Mattel. Ugh! Why is this so complicated? Why is this happening? Why can’t I be happy? Why do I have to share the girl I loved with someone else? This isn’t the first time. And, I just hate how I wasn’t always the chosen one.
I want to be that guy, too.
“I love you.” I told her as I held her tight. “And, I am not willing to let you go that easy.”