My mind is clouded with too many thoughts. First, it’s because of what Kian told me earlier. My family’s company. I’m worried that they might get hurt because my uncle Jurius is aggressive when it comes to family matters. I forgot that it’s grievous to take risks in taking back our company. Even with the help of the Velasquez, I’m still worried about the outcome of this feud.
The 35% of the ownership of our company belongs to my father. While uncle Jurius only owns 20% of it, the remaining are from the board members. It was taken away from my father when uncle Jurius got the other 15% of the shares making it tied with my father. The 30% was still unbothered.
I heard from Kian, whose father is part of the board member, that my father refused to buy the remaining shares of the board members. He let his younger brother manage his ‘own’ company and never step his feet back to it.
My father said that it was his way to lessen the pain that uncle Jurius felt when his children got into an accident. Even Carmienne is willing to do anything to give justice to our cousins. She always blames herself for that accident even though it was not her fault.
It was Carmienne’s birthday and enrollment at the same. After they enrolled themselves, they go for a night out and were drunk when Carmienne drove her car with my cousins. It was raining heavily that night that they had a brake failure which caused an accident. Their car went down to the cliff and our cousins were still missing. Carmienne was found in the middle of the road, unconscious and full of blood covering her entire body.
The next few days were traumatic for us. I was just 15 at that time but I can still remember how furious uncle Jurius and auntie Athena were with our family. They blamed Carmienne for that accident. And starting that day, the only family my dad has, left him. His younger brother never dare talk to him like they used to.
I can’t blame my dad for his decision either, he’s just being selfless. But I just want him to be back as he was before. The company he worked hard for is still his. And we want him to be what he was before. And I want him to get along with uncle Jurius again.
I sighed as I remember how unusually different Denver’s reaction was when I ask him about that. He didn’t tell me that they are making a move on it. I was shocked and confused at the same time. And got hurt also for the tone he used. I should at least have an idea, right? After all, it’s our company they are dealing with. I want to help in any possible way I can. I just want to help to ease my family’s worry. I’m confused why would Denver say that. He maybe has his reason. I’m hurting because he can’t trust me with that simple information.
I took a nap, but I just found myself sleeping for hours. When I woke up, it was already evening. The night sky is visible from my glass window and it made my heart calm by how serene the night breeze was. I stood up to close my glass window and covered it with the white curtain. I’m sleeping inside Denver’s room for three days straight while he stays in the living room. We don’t share a room, so he probably sleeps in the other room.
I went to the kitchen and tied my short hair in a half ponytail. I can’t tie it fully as some strands are very messy when it’s in a bun. I saw Daniel still at the dining table with a laptop in front of him. He was reading when I got his attention.
“Hey.”
I smiled and sat across from him. “Where’s Denver?”
“Probably at the gym,” he muttered. I nodded before I felt someone behind me. I gulped as I already know who it is. I was still looking at Daniel, but his eyes are now on Denver. “He’s here.”
I sighed and stood up before getting myself and them a drink. I only saw the pineapple juice, so it is what I served. I saw Denver already sitting where I sat. I pour a drink for the both of them. I heaved a sigh and took a sit beside Denver. I didn’t glance at him.
“You have class tomorrow, right?” I heard Denver ask. I nodded once. “I’ll drive you.”
“I can manage,” I mumbled. “It’s just minutes away from here.”
“Still.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. I can manage.”
“Sharmienne.”
I glanced at him, completely unbothered. “I know you told my family to keep an eye on me…”
“I insist,” he uttered, already annoyed. I furrowed as I just shook my head. “Sharmienne.”
“Okay…” I surrendered. I stood up but he pulled me back to look at him. His jaw clenched with the sudden action that I didn’t move in my place. “What is it, Mr. Velasquez?”
“I have a name.”
“You said I need to call you that, Mr. Velasquez,” I emphasized his surname. I’m still confused, and my mind can’t deal with him properly right now. I just want this name to finish without seeing his face.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked with a hard tone.
“Nothing.”
“Is this what—“
He didn’t finish what he said when we heard a crook sound from someone’s chair. I glance at Daniel, and he was standing while carrying a laptop with him. He bore us a look.
“Having a lover’s quarrel in front of me, huh?”
“We’re not lovers!”
“Shut up, Daniel!”
Denver and I said in unison. I grabbed my wrist that he was holding and walked away. I trailed my way towards Denver’s room before I closed it. I sighed as I leaned my back on the door.
What an immature act was that, Sharmienne? I tried to calm down by heaving a sigh. What did you do, Sharmienne? You annoyed him too much… I just want to know his reason, that’s it.
I heard a knock and it was followed by Denver’s voice. “Hey… Sharmienne.” I didn’t open the door. He sighed. “Look… I’m sorry, okay?”
“I didn’t tell you about your family’s errands because it will just stress you out. I’m worried that you might overthink about it.”
“I’m sorry…” I kept my mouth shut. “I already cook for our dinner… eat before you go to bed.”
Seconds after, I heard his footsteps walking away. I facepalmed as I felt my cheeks blush and noticed how I hitched my own breath. I gasped. I felt my heart hammered rapidly.
Denver apologizes. That’s a first. It’s not entirely his fault. I have mine. I acted too immature in front of him and his friend. I should apologize for acting like that. I stood up and went back to my bed. I ready my things first for tomorrow’s class. Denver already prepared my uniforms too. After I settled everything, I found myself sketching for hours but distracted to even make a good sketch.
I messed my hair after a long sigh. I don’t have the courage to face him. I was too ashamed to even look at him. But I don’t think I can sleep if I don’t apologize now. I look at my wristwatch. It’s already passed midnight but I can't sleep. I need to eat dinner too.
I found myself going to the kitchen. I saw fried chicken and rice already prepared on a plate. I ate it with the thought that Denver made an effort to cook. He must be asleep now. I should apologize tomorrow, then.
I heard a beeping sound from the kitchen when I’m done eating. Someone’s punching the code of the pin lock. I immediately go to the living room but before I could even go near it, it was already opened, revealing someone unfamiliar to me. A guy wearing a black leather jacket, white shirt, and black pants, stood in front of me. He removes his black cap, revealing his disheveled hair. I immediately saw his blue orbs staring back at my brown ones. And I noticed the brown envelope he was holding. What's that?
“Who are you?” I almost stammered while asking that. His eyes didn’t stay longer to me when his gaze went to my back. I followed his gaze, only to see Denver stand up in front of me.
“William.”
“Here’s your papers.” Denver walked past me and take the brown envelope from the blue-eyed guy. He read the paper before his eyes darted on me with a serious expression. I walked near him, and he gave me the paper. I gasped and my eyes widened when I read my name in it. A marriage certificate.
We’re officially married. I’m now a Velasquez.