Chapter 5:

KIEL'S POINT OF VIEW

"Follow her!" Dad yelled at me. I immediately stood up in my chair and got my keys out of my pocket. I saw her car driving away from the mansion. She would be different if she were another girl. When they heard about me getting married, maybe they agreed right away, but she didn't. I smirked and went into my car as I drove fast to follow her.

I saw her parking her car outside of our condo building. She stepped out and blended with the media surrounding a person in front of the entrance. She was not afraid to be seen. I parked my car beside hers, put my glasses on, and went out to follow her.

"Lucas, your ex-girlfriend was the girl in the photo with Kiel. Did she cheat on you with Kiel?" Oh, so that guy was her ex; well, he has nothing against me. He was also tall and got the look, but, bro, he was nothing compared to me. I looked at her and saw her mood change. I could see her expression from where I was standing.

"Odette was a nice girl at the start of our relationship; I didn't know that in the last few months of our relationship. She changed; she became cold and out of focus on our dates, even in our conversations at night. I understand that because I love her so much. But my patient went off and broke up with her when I discovered she was cheating on me. and I was shocked when I saw her photo with him. And you know who I was talking about?" So this is his plan for making up a story to make him a nice guy.

"You're confirming that she was cheated on when you guys were still in a relationship." He smiled and nodded. Like wtf! Seriously, this is enough. I saw Odette take a step.

"I never cheated on you. You're such a jerk liar!" Oh, that's my girl, who can stand on her own two feet.

"Odette, babe, I want you back. I can't live without you." The heck, why does he act so cringe? He needs to go to an acting workshop. or it can be worse for him. I'll watch him kneel in front of Odette and convince everyone how truly he loves her.

"No, you cheated on me twice, yet I forgive you. But you tell such a horrible story that I cheated on you. While the truth is that it was you, I won't be back at you ever again." He seems like he knew his acting was not convincing; well, it wasn't convincing; all his fake tears were the worst part of it.

"I will never do that again, babe. I want to win you back. Please forgive me." He held her hand. I should make a move to stop this unpleasing acting he was doing. He should watch and learn from the real actor. I went beside Odette and gently held her waist.

"Winning my girl back, hmm, I will make it hard for you." I winked at Odette and saw a glaze in her eyes. Now that's how you win a girl's heart.

"Kiel, are you telling me that Odette was your girl?" I broke into a stare at her when the reporter spoke.

"Odette was my soon-to-be wife. will announce at the engagement party. For now, that's all I can say. "Let's go, baby; you still need to take a rest." I winked at her while holding her hands.

We flew away from the crowd as we entered the building. The security was tight at the entrance, blocking all the media. We were catching our breath as we stopped in front of the elevator.

"What did you think you were doing? Telling them about the engagement is unconfirmed. ty, really? Don't you think this issue will stop if you say those are unconfirmed speculations? You'll just give them an idea to continue everything they were thinking about. Gosh! They'll think I was cheating on Lucas." I saved her, but still, she was thinking about her ex.

"You don't need to worry about anything; we can handle this. "I'll make a press release about this issue." I looked into her eyes while holding her, and they said her eyes were telling the truth. I only saw in her eyes that she was confused but wanted assurance.

"You better fix it." She held my hand and stomped off the elevator. She was kind of weird; a lot of girls were dreaming and drooling, but not her. I lean on the elevator wall.

"A lot of girls dream of marrying me, but you rejected that idea. Why? Is there something wrong with me? Or he hurt you that much, so you won't trust any guy?" Instead of answering me, she was silent. Maybe asking her out will change everything. But how? The way she acted earlier in the lunch meeting we had.

"There is nothing I am afraid of; maybe I just don't like the idea of getting married just because my dad arranges it with some business venture he wants." She has a point. Marrying someone forcefully doesn't make the marriage work.

"Then why should we just make our deal?"

"What kind of deal?" She looked confused by what I said.

"Date me in six months, and if you still don't agree to arrange marriage, I'll back out, and I'll make sure no one harms you."

"Deal,"

She offered to shake hands, and I took it. The elevator opened, and she saw her friends standing behind the door.

"Can you guys explain what is going on?" We stomped off the elevator.

"I'll explain everything inside." She said she would pull her friends to her condo. I went to my condo and took my phone out of my pocket. I search for some hidden places to date. Before Sloan, it was easy to date anywhere. But to think I can date Odette in public, they knew she was my fiance. I dialed Manager Ivan's number.

"Yes, what can I do for you, Kiel?"

"I want to set up a date for me and my fiance and make a press release regarding this engagement."

"You knew what you were asking, right?"

"Yup."

"Then I'll reserve a seat for two in a restaurant."

"Nope, I didn't want that. That was too common."

"Fine, I'll think of ways you guys can enjoy and relax at the same time on your first date."

"Message me if you come up with an idea."

"Yeah fine." He hung up the call, and I undressed and went to my room. Where can I bring her?

I was looking at the ceiling when suddenly an idea popped up. I pulled myself up and sat in bed. I've never had a date like this with any of my ex-girlfriends. I wish she was not scared of heights. or maybe on our next date.

I dialed the manager's number again.

"Manager, I have an idea; my fans still can't get over my world tour, right?"

"Yup, why?"

"I'm going to make a mini-concert in a province tomorrow."

"I thought you were having a date?"

"I have just gone with the flow of my plan." Thank you. Just send me the details of where I can do my mini-concert. And don't post anything on social media. I want to surprise my fans and her, okay?"

"Fine." I hung up the call, stood up, and went to her condo. I press the doorbell and wait outside. When the door opened, I saw her with her friends.

"I'm sorry, did I disturb you? Can I pick you up tomorrow night?" Her friends behind her were giggling quietly.

"Yes, she is; pick her up at 7," Aria answered while her other friends looked at each other, drooling in amazement.

"Uhm, okay, so I'll just see you tomorrow night." I left and went back to my condo. When I came back, I grabbed a piece of paper, a pencil, and my guitar. I start humming and strumming on my guitar. The management is the one who writes my song, and this was my first time dedicating a song to someone.

I saw Dad's message pop up on my phone.

"Is everything fine? How's the plan? Did you prepare a date for her? Message me about the progress." I sighed when I read his message.

I put my guitar on the floor. I went to bed and lay down. Am I doing this just for dad's plan? Why can't I do this because I want it? Why am I putting effort into this if, in the end, I'll break her heart? I close my eyes and sleep.

The next day...

I get up early to go to the gym.

"Hey, bro, you're here today!" Jacob tapped my shoulder to ask why I was lifting barbells.

"I went to bed early last night. Wassup! "I heard you went to France to follow her."

"Fine brother, tsk." I was late, and when I followed her, I saw her with another man. "How was your tour?"

"Nice, I had a fantastic tour, not to mention tasting every country's delicacies was worth adding weight."

"Jacob!" A girl waved at him.

"I've got to go, bro!" I fist-bumped into him, and he left. I shake my head to see him having a new girl.

On my way back to my condo, I saw her friends holding paper bags and drinks.

"Look, they had a fun night last night." They are still wearing the same clothes as when I saw them yesterday.

I enter my passcode and get into my condo. I was browsing to look for the nearest flower boutique and sit on my couch.

"Hmm, roses are what most girls receive as flowers." Ranunculus and Salvia? These flowers have a great meaning in combination. But if I buy it early before we go to my mini-concert, it may not look fresh by that time. If I pick her up at 7 p.m., I think I should have the flower by 4 or 5 p.m., so in that case, it will look fresh.

It's 8:45 a.m. I still have time to finish my song. But I need to take a bath; my sweat will be sticky at any moment. I took my bathrobe and towel and stepped into my bathroom.

I let the water flow on my body while looking at the floor.

Oh, what a beautiful sight it is.

To look into your eyes.

The way they sparkle,

I cannot fathom.

I was singing my first verse when I heard a voice outside my bathroom.

"Kiel!" is my manager.

"Yes?"

"I planned everything and sent you the details. But the management wants to talk to you personally right now, and you're not answering your phone.

"Let me finish first."

"Okay."

I scrub my body and wash, and I grab my bathrobe before I go out to my bath. I comb my hair and dry it with a towel for a messy look. As I went out, I saw manager Ivan sitting on the couch.

"Why does the management crave to see me?"

"They hear what you are planning to do, so they want to see you and talk about it."

"Tell them I know what I'm doing and I won't be there."

"But---"

I went back to my room and got a plain oversize shirt and sweatpants. After wearing them, I went out of my room, and my manager, Ivan, was reading my composition.

"Are you dedicating this to her?" Is this why you want to make the mini-concert? to serenade her?" He said this while looking confused and asking me questions.

"Yup"

"Tell me, is this still part of your dad's plan or not?"

"Part or not, I want to write her a song."

"Can you tell me honestly about your relationship?" Is she the reason you were not wasted on Sloan? The last time I knew you, you said you couldn't live without Sloan. But here you are composing a song for someone you just met a few days ago."

"I don't know, okay, maybe I was thinking about the deal I made with dad after this plan was done."

"Just make sure you get what you wish for." Be careful; you might not see it soon enough. "Your feelings were not the same as what you were wishing for."

"I know myself; don't worry." I need to go. "I still have some things to prepare for the date I plan." I tap manager Ivan's shoulder and leave my condo. I went to the parking lot, and a familiar face was leaning on the wall.

"Look, you're having fun doing what I should have, don't you?"

"Until now, you've been blaming me for what happened to you; in fact, I was the one who was ruined by the scandal you made before."

"Yeah, right, the scandal that proves money and fame matter more than the family. Don't make yourself comfortable; soon your life will be ruined. and you will be at my place right now." He left me standing in front of my car. I stepped into my car and started the engine. I drove fast to the nearby confectionery store. I park in front of the store, and before I go out, I wear a facemask and sunglasses. My way to the store was smooth until I saw some students whispering to each other.

"Hi, are you Kiel Calvin Lopez?" One of the students was confronting me. I just shook my head and went to the strawberry chocolate section of the store.

"Maybe he just looked like him." She said this to her friend.

"No, I knew it was him." Her friend went on her way, and I was walking in a different direction to the counter.

"I knew it was you; you're ignoring us." I cleared my throat and changed my voice.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not the guy you were talking about."

"Sorry mister." They left, and I put the chocolates on the counter.

"Cash or debit, sir."

"Debit." I gave him my debit card.

He smiled at me and gave me the paper bag with the chocolates. My phone was continuously vibrating. I opened Twitter and saw my fans flood tweets about why I bought chocolates. And the two students in the store looked at each other before they ran toward me. I sighed and removed my sunglasses.

"Oh my gosh, I knew it was you." She hugged me, and her friend took a photo of us.

"Just keep quiet that I bought it in this store, okay?" They nodded at me and took some shots before some fans came here. After we finished taking photos, I drove quickly back to my condo. The only thing I need now is to finish my song. I went back to my condo and got the chocolate out of the paper bag and put it on the fridge. I sit on the couch and start composing my song.