Chapter 27:

KIEL'S POINT OF VIEW

It's been three days since I asked Odette about marrying me. Today was his father's birthday party, and she was busy preparing everything for the event later.

I was lying on my bed, looking at the ceiling. My photo shoot was moved to Monday. It's just Friday, so I get up, grab my guitar in the corner, and start strumming.

Her smile suddenly popped into my mind while I was strumming my guitar.

Verse 1:

I just blinked.

I'm scared in the dark with you.

And just one kiss from you.

And my world is the color of flowers, mm-mm.

Pre-Chorus:

Oh, eternal puzzle.

And you are the one with the plan.

I look into my phone and see Odette's picture suddenly pop up on it. Is this Odette talking to Daniel? I thought she was kind of busy with his preparations for his father's birthday. Oh, I see he was just busy with him. I put down my guitar and lay back in bed again.

I have closed my eyes and am about to take a rest. But it seems that photo gets on my nerves. I can't forget how Daniel held Odette's hand. He's my sister's boyfriend, but he's flirting with my fiance.

"Argh! I can't take this anymore." I took a quick shower and changed into a white long-sleeve shirt and black vest, together with white pants. And do my 'thin curtain hairstyle."

I look into my phone and see Odette's picture suddenly pop up on it. Is this Odette talking to Daniel? I thought she was kind of busy with his preparations for his father's birthday. Oh, I see he was just busy with him. I put down my guitar and lay back in bed again.

I have closed my eyes and am about to take a rest. But it seems that photo gets on my nerves. I can't forget how Daniel held Odette's hand. He's my sister's boyfriend, but he's flirting with my fiance.

"Argh! I can't take this anymore." I took a quick shower and changed into a white long-sleeve shirt and black vest, together with white pants. And do my 'thin curtain hairstyle." And spray some Jo Malone perfume. I grabbed my keys and phone before I left my condo.

As I reached the parking lot, I didn't go in my usual car; instead, I picked something special for this event. I drove fast to the party venue.

I stepped on the brake and went out to my Ferrari 296 GT. As the wind blows my hair, I sway my head and comb it. As I walked through the red carpet, a flash of the camera was waving at me. Everyone turned their heads to see me coming through the entrance. I saw Odette laughing hard with Daniel in the corner, drinking juice. I went through her and put my hands on her shoulder. Her eyes were about to pop out when she saw me. I close her mouth and wink at her.

"Did you miss me, my queen?"

"Kiel?"

"Hey, brother-in-law, is that you?" Odette's brother came in and high-fived me.

"Of course, who do you think just came? Your one and only future brother-in-law, Oliver."

"I thought you weren't coming; how was your preparation regarding your new album?" I heard some of them were originally composed by you."

"My schedule is pretty tough, but I always make time for this girl. Yeah, and some of them were dedicated to her. Even she just ignored my proposal."

"I heard what happens when you try to propose to her. What kind of proposal is that?'

"A practice."

"Woah, it seems you planned everything for your incoming proposal. So tell me if you need anything; I'm willing to help."

"Well, just to guard her forever, nothing was unplanned." I look at her, and she is still looking at me. I sat beside her, held her hands, and whispered.

"My queens, it's only me; calm yourself."

"I just don't know what to say. You dress better than the days I see you." My facial expression from a quite easy look has become a poker face. I was well dressed even before. I'm just so hot that she can't resist.

I held her shoulder while my other hand was holding her hand, and look at Daniel's expression; he smirked at me. I grin at him and wink. Who do you think you're challenging, huh? I wouldn't lose this if my queen was the prize. So better back off, asshole. The glare in our eyes can kill a mosquito that will fly in between us.

"Are you guys okay?" Odette said, look at the both of us.

"We are right, bro," Daniel said we interrupted when the host came to the stage and started talking.

"A pleasant evening to everyone here; this night we are celebrating a special day. For the man of the hour, the man who makes people's lives change with his hand. And the man who built a thousand hotels and buildings. Let's all welcome the celebrant, the one and only Mr. Richard Lim."

Mr. Lim entered the event venue together with his wife. His smile was wide from ear to ear. Shaking hands with his friends and some investors in their company.

"What a handsome celebrant we had. Shining like gold from mining." He came to the stage, and the host gave him a microphone.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending my birthday celebration. First of all, I have no idea about this celebration. I was about to get mad at my family; they seem intent on not greeting me since this morning. But it seems it was worth seeking attention from my wife and children. Thank you to everyone who was here. Especially to my best friend, Carter Lopez. Since we are in high school, we celebrate each other's birthdays; since then, no one can separate us. And to bond more, not just in business but also as a family, I would like to call my future son-in-law to be here on stage.

Odette looked at me like she was asking why his dad was asking me on stage. You'll see my queen. Why? I winked at her and got up to go to the stage. I bow before I step onto the stage. Mr. Lim held my shoulder and the next thing.

"This is my son-in-law who asked for my daughter's hand a few days ago. Everyone knows that the marriage of the two was for the merger of the two companies and to expand the bond of the family. But to my surprise, this kid has some guts." The crowd laughed at the same time as Mr. Lim laughed.

"She proves to me his worth for my blessing." I turn my head and look at Mr. Lim in shock; he nods at me.

"Woah, thank you, sir." I jump on stage and run towards Odette. I don't care if everyone is laughing at me for what I do. I carry Odette around. She held my cheeks while laughing.

"You can put me down now."

"So is this still my birthday celebration?" I put down Odette, and the guests laughed, even my family. Sorry, I just can't stop myself. I behave myself and sit beside her.

"I had your father's blessing; the only answer I just left was yours, but soon I will get that," I whisper in her ears with a painted smile on my face. I can't let go of smiling. She held my hand and smiled at me. With that smile, it assures me not to lose hope.

I can see it in Daniel's face. I can't paint. Sorry, bro, but your guts were not enough to make me feel lost for you. Because of this girl, I can be my true self, and I can show all over the world who the real 'Kiel Calvin Lopez' was without a script or a mask. This girl unmasks me. That made me not lose. I kiss Odette's hands while holding them. I won't let go of this hand, never."

"You can take your seat now, sir. To start the party, we have a small presentation for all the people who love you."

The screen plays a video presentation.

'Richard Lim: Everyone knows he is a CEO, chairman, and engineer. But no one knew who was behind those who called for him.'

Pictures of Mr. Lim together with some kids in the charity, the children's house, and the home for the agent.

'He was a normal person in the broad sun with those kids he helped to graduate and look for a job,'

An employee of the company appears on the screen.

'I'm Carl, one of Mr. Lim's scholars; at the same time, he gave me work at the company, and now I've been working for him for almost five years.' Carl whips his tears, seeing Odette's dad whip his tears to the guests, making them cry.

'Now I was building my own family. Mr. Lim wasn't hesitant to give me a present every employee would be glad to have. Thank you for supporting each employee's dream, Chairman. We are glad to be part of your company. Happy Birthday, Chairman Lim."

Children from the children's house video play

'Hi, Daddy Richard, Happy Birthday, we love you.' The kids waved and gave a flying kiss in the video.

A lot of his friends messaged him. The video was about to end when

"Hi Daddy, Happy birthday! This special day was for you. I know sometimes we have different answers for a problem we are facing, and being your stubborn daughter, I took a risk to prove to you that my chosen answer was the right one. Even sometimes, I prove to you that I was right. I still make mistakes, yet you don't give up and give me the best shot at everything. Since I was a kid, I have been trained to be your replacement. But I know no one can replace the great Richard Lim; everyone knows how great you are. Everyone was admiring you. From the lowest point of your life, you make it to the top, where you are now. I'm grateful to be your daughter. I love you, Daddy, and I always will be your baby girl." I turn my head and see my seatmate crying. I wipe her tears and smile at her.

Her dad would kiss her and smile at her. That makes her stop crying.

"Hi Dad, look who's here! Of course, your only son can't say I'm your son. I'm your total lookalike. Happy birthday! I don't know what to say, Dad, but since it was your day, 'I love you." Can I have an additional allowance? I just want to change the ambiance since I heard my sister's speech, and I know how she can make you melt. So, Dad, I won't make my speech long. If you want to take a break for a while, don't worry about the company anymore; me and my sister can take care of it. So you guys can have our little sister or brother soon. Hahahahaha, bye Dad.'

Oliver finds peace in his dad and smiles. Mr. Lim just shook his head at Oliver's speech.

Last, for the finale, Mrs. Lim's video pops up.

"To the first and last man I love, the father of my children, and my ex-boyfriend. Happy birthday, Chard, I know we have taken a bumpy road to get to where we are right now. But after all that hard work, we gain everything we just dreamed of. We both don't know what it will take until the end, but the only thing we have is the love we have held for almost forty years of our lives. Since the day you met me, you haven't let go of my hand until now. Even if it was just a second, I was gone from your sight. You became a lost baby searching for his mother. You know how much I love you and our kids, too. I hope all the prayers you ask for will come true. I will always be by your side, no matter what happens. Happy birthday, my love. I love you." We saw Mr. Lim kiss his wife's lips. I turn my head to Odette and pout my lips at her. But she just pushed my head away while laughing. I look at the stage and see his dad acting to grab her.

I grab her waist and kiss her lips.

"That's my boy!" I heard Mr. Lim say it on the mic. I chuckled and winked at Odette.

"Sorry, your dad insists." I laugh and turn my head back to the stage.

Time flies when guests eat at their table. I stood up when I saw my phone ringing.

"Hello Sloan, "Is there any problem?"

"Kiel, Ivan was not here yet; someone just entered the villa gate; I don't see clearly who it is because there is a mask covering their face. The guards were still not there. Kiel, please help me."

"Okay, calm yourself and look for a perfect place to hide. I'm on my way." I went back to Odette and kissed her forehead.

"Something happened, my queen. I have to go."

I quickly drove my Ferrari through Ivan's house. At the speed of lightning, I came at the right time, and I parked my car not too near Ivan's house. And went out slowly to enter the house. I can't see anyone in the darkness.

I heard a loud bang from upstairs. I quickly moved and went to it. I saw Sloan on the floor with blood on her legs and arm. I get her up and carry her out of the house.

"Sloan, wake up!" I keep calling her name, but I get no response. I put her down in my car and drove fast to the hospital.

When we got to the hospital, the stretcher came and put her down on it.

"What happens to the patient?"

"She just got shot in her arms and bled; she was pregnant. I don't know for how many weeks now."

"We will do anything we can do."

They ran her into the operating room immediately. As I was sitting in the chair waiting in the operating room. I grabbed my phone and dialed Ivan's number.

After a few attempts to contact him, he finally answered the call.

"Where are you? I run Sloan to the hospital. She got shot by a bullet in her arm."

"What?  What hospital did you guys go to? I'm on my way. Tell me everything the doctor said."

"Sure, once you get here, be quick. Sloan needs us." I drop the call and look into the operating room to open

I messaged Odette about what happened and apologized to her for leaving the party early. I hope they understand.