Chapter 7

''salute!'' Gabriela and Bianca toast to their success, it's been hard trying to pull the strings together for the show, but they manage to do it well.

''at least now we know that casa olivina's recent inclusion of couture dresses isn't such a threat as we'd thought it'd be.'' Bianca stated smugly. ''I'm the best, casa Gabriela has always been the best. This is their fifth couture show and they've lost it all to me.''

''if they can't handle it, they should just quit.''

''they may have a smashing R.T.W collection but my haute couture is the best.

Manuel knocked off his jacket and proceeded to the bathroom.

Olivia dropped her purse on the bed then walked over to her dressing table to stare at herself in the mirror. Her curled hair fell on her even length down her shoulders and back, the side-parted front fell on one eye and her lightly painted lips slowly formed a pout.

She looks different now, she thought. She wears nice cloths and put on make-up, her hair looks nice too, and she's the CEO of one of the largest fashion houses in Mexico but even so, she couldn't forget the past she's trying so hard to conceal.

How can she tell Manuel that she had a daughter with her rival's husband and that she hasn't called to hear how her daughter's doing for eighteen years? Was she that mean?

But the baby would've prevented her from the life she wanted, but is she really happy with the situation now? Taking manuel's word for it, Olivia took the day cancelling all of her appointments for the day—a day with manuel is worth cancelling one's business schedule for.

The restaurant was just thirteen minuites ride from the fashion house.

Manuel led her into the elegant and cosyrestaurante de Santana there wasn't much guests she noticed and the restaurant was relatively romantic. Each couple was given privacy in a nicely shielded cubicle; their's was just at the far end of the room and they were ushered by a waiter in a neat black and white shirt and pants.

Olivia excused herself to go the rest room leaving manuel to make the order for her.

Few minutes later, she dabbed at her face with talcum powder and wiped off the excessive mascara she glossed her lips and stared at her reflection in the large rectangular wall mirror.

Who would've thought that a day like this would come—for someone like her, it would've been hard to believe.

Now here she was married to the most gorgeous, kindhearted man on earth who loves her more than anything else in the world, who treats her like a queen and made her smile whenever she was sad. she didn't want to ruin this blissful union by bringing her daughter into the picture for she didn't know how manuel would react; would he see her as his own? But as his wife, shouldn't she know her husband by now to expect him to understand and accept the girl?

She glanced at herself one more time before going out. She skimmed through her bag for her ringing cellphone while hurrying back to the table where manuel was waiting.

Her bag dropped as she bumped into a man in an elegant suit, spilling it's content on the tiled floor. Quickly, the man scrounged to gather her things and so did she all the while murmuring how sorry she is.

''that was clumsy of me…'' if she was going to say anything more, she couldn't because she suddenly felt her throat dry and her voice seemed to betray her.

She stared into that farmiliar face like she'd seen a ghost. She suddenly went pale and her stomach knotted as she stood rooted to the ground like some mannequin.

Finally, he handed the purse to her with a dark smile and he greeted her with familiarity.

''hi Olivia.'' She clutched her purse tightly and raced off seeking to be as faraway from him as possible.

Her heart was racing fast and she found herself short of breath. She leaned against the wall few steps from manuel to catch her breath and calm her nerves.

Bernardo elizondo. Damn bastard! She thought, her chest heaving from the impact. How dare he?

But he's been out of your life for over eighteen years a voice in her head prompted. But why does it seem like she's affected by him right now? Or maybe it's because she felt guilty of not being able to tell manuel about it or it's just

that he might see her differently because of her past life.

Perhaps she should just tell him and be rid of bernardo elizondo once and for all.

Manuel didn't deserve to be lied to this way.

Olivia took a deep breath and then walked manuel in slow, steady steps. A gentleman that he is, manuel out a chair for her.

''are you okay?'' he asked notting the lines on her fore head.

''I'm fine.'' She replied grimly knowing that it was a lie.

''I orderd your favorite, patatasbravas.'' He smiled and poured her a glass of orujo.

Olivia forced a smile. Manuel scooped Olivia off her feet, she giggled like a ten year old. And with a slight kick at the door, he carried her into the big house; up the spiral staircase and into the bedroom where he dumped her on the bed.

She sat back, resting against the bedpost. Olivia watched him skimmed off his jacket then his tie and he knocked off his shoes then got into bed with her.

He took her legs, and one after the other pilled off her heels which landed silently on the rug.

He kissed her toes in turn and she just sat back watching, thinking to herself that she ought to tell him before things get too heated and she chickens out. It wouldn't be hurt to just tell him right? He might just take it calmly.

''there's something you should know manuel.'' She dropped suddenly, resisting the urge to think more about it.

Manuel set her leg down slowly then leaned in to kiss her lips.

''what is it?'' he stared into her brown eyes.

Now she's chickening out.

''well, uh…'' it was the only words that came out when she opened her mouth. She swallowed a lump in her throat, nothing had ever been so difficult.

And when she was ready to speak, the shrill sound of his phone ringing tok out whatever ounce of courage she had. Manuel continued to stare at her, completely ignoring the cellphone.

''aren't you going to get that?''

''no. what is it you wanted to tell me my love?''

Awkward.

''maybe you should take the call. It might be important.''

''it's work. I don't want to work. Right now, right here, I want to be with my wife,'' he grinned. ''what is it Olivia?'' he asked again.

''I uh, forgot.'' She lied. ''it wasn't that important.'' She assured.

''he looked at her quizzically. ''are you sure?''

''absolutely.