Bonus 2

CHRISTIAN AND VANESSA’S

DINNER DATE

BONUS CHAPTER

Bodyguard

Christian looked into the mirror, once again debating the rationality of he was about to do.

“You’ve lived in the shadows your entire life. It’s time to let people know what an amazing person you are.”

Sia had told him that, a sister’s concern for a person she had so readily accepted as her older brother. Even so, the world wasn’t ready for him. Not yet. And he had his doubts if it’ll ever be ready.

“The world is ready, big brother. It’s you who has to be prepared to accept yourself. And I think it’s time. People will talk. They always do. But you don’t have to let them get under your skin.”

He’d always been the optimistic one, that Julian. He was scarred in an entirely different way than him. Julian’s scars had been internal, while his were visible on the surface. What perfect siblings they made, even though they weren’t related by blood.

And while Christian had focused on making sure that no one ever had to live a life like his through his charity work, Julian had spiraled downwards. Sleeping around was his way of coping with what he’d seen his mother go through during his childhood before he was rescued. But then had come Sia. A bright ray of light in the growing darkness that was his addiction for the flesh. She had shown his brother that life wasn’t just about living in the past. It was about moving on from it and not repeating its mistakes.

But maybe it was too late for him.

He will never forget the horrified reactions of his comrades—his so-called friends—when they had first seen his face. He knew he couldn’t turn to the light ever again from then on. Only his parents and his brother had accepted him wholeheartedly. He didn’t show his face to anyone except for a select few, and the people who wanted to thank him would do so through letters. And over the years, he’d gotten used to working from the shadows: helping the injured in war-torn areas with the help of his NGO, Star Light; inheriting the hospital made by his parents had been a blessing. The doctors freely contribute to the noble cause, and the people were happy.

He loved reading their letters. He saved each and every one of them in boxes and kept them safe in his room. With Julian now in charge of the security company, Christian could finally focus on what he wanted to do ever since he was young: saving lives. And that was what he was hosting this charity event tonight, to raise money for people in need. He wasn’t going to be the focus of attention. There were children who were suffering right now, waiting for someone’s help, and he was going to do everything in his power to be their aid.

Ding dong!

The sound of the doorbell snapped him out of his self-loathing session in front of the mirror. Adjusting his tie, he went downstairs to open the front door, revealing his beautiful secretary, Vanessa Christoff.

“You’re ready!” She breathed a sigh of relief. “I was afraid you’d bail out again.”

Dressed in a red sleeveless floor-length gown(one of Sia’s collections no doubt),her blonde hair styled in perfect ringlets around her heart-shaped face, a tear drop ruby pendant adorning her neck, she took his breath away. She always did that. More so now because she’d abandoned her glasses for lenses today, making her stunning blue eyes stand out.

“Still debating,” he told her the truth, because he’d never lied to her before. Never could. She’s the only person, apart from his little brother, who could read him like an open book.

“Then stop debating right now. Because if you say that you’re not going today, I’m handing in my resignation,” Vanessa threatened. Both of them knew it was a total bluff. She loved her job too much. But there was also another reason, and Vanessa was sure Christian knew about it, too.

“Then I guess you leave me with no other choice,” Christian said with a small smile, enough to transform his face into a thing of beauty. It doesn’t matter what Christian might think, but to Vanessa, he was so handsome that a few scars didn’t matter. In fact, it made him look all the more gorgeous. It was only he who thought of himself a monster.

Christian put on his white suit jacket over his black silk shirt, pushing all debate to the farthest corners of his mind. His brother and sister-in-law were right. The world had always been ready; it was only him who wasn’t, always in denial, never welcoming the idea of self-acceptance. It was time they put a face to his name. And as far as he knew, his family will always stand by him. And so would Vanessa.

And that was okay because that was all that mattered. They were all that mattered to him.

“Let’s go.”

* * *

Sia paced around backstage as her models got ready for the ramp. Julian had stayed with her until all the women had arrived, and although he would never admit it, Sia knew what had given birth to this fear. He’d come very close to losing her once and ever since then, Julian preferred to stick to her like glue until he had to do his job. Tonight, she had one of Julian’s most trusted security details, Selena, to accompany her backstage while Julian waited outside with his best friend Abhay and their son, Leo.

This time however, she wasn’t worried about the women checking him out, because she knew he only had eyes for her, and she trusted her husband completely. This time, she was worried about someone else.

“Sia?” She turned as Julian came to stand beside her. “Everything okay? You look worried.”

“It’s just that...Do you think we’re doing the right thing? About Christian, I mean,” she asked him, worried. “I really hope we didn’t push him too far out of his comfort zone.”

She was looking gorgeous in an off shoulder black and gold gown from her new summer party wear collection. Her hair was tied in a loose bun with little ringlets falling out of it. Two topaz earrings hung from her ears, complementing her dress. Like Christian, Sia was also doing a show to raise funds and later, she will accompany Christian at the end of the fashion fundraising event. Julian couldn’t help but be a little jealous of his big brother.

“We did push him far, but it was for the best. It’s time we introduced him to the world. And besides, it’s too late to be having second thoughts now. Vanessa called. They’re on their way,” Julian informed her.

“Really? That’s great! For a second there, I thought he’d back out.” Sia jumped excitedly, which earned her a glare from Julian who was quick to step up closer and hold her still.

“Sia. What do you think you’re doing?” It was more of a reprimand than a question. He wasn’t about to take any risks.

“Oh, shush! It’s only the second month,” she told him and pouted her rosy lips which only made Julian want to kiss her. That he did.

“Yes, it is. And the doctor said that the first three months are crucial,” he reminded, holding her close.

“And that’s why you, Leo and Martha hardly let me do a single thing on my own. I can’t keep on sitting or sleeping all throughout the day. I’m not even showing yet, and I’m going to turn into a whale before it’s time!” Sia complained, even though she knew that she was fighting a losing battle. The only reason Julian had let her come today was because he knew how much Christian’s well-being meant to her. Ever since she’s gotten pregnant again, both Julia and Leo have been guarding her like hound dogs. And they had only found out two weeks ago.

“Julian! Sia!” Vanessa’s voice came from the other end of the room.

“Vanessa! Christian! So glad you guys could make it.” Sia pulled Vanessa into a hug.

“How’s little Julian junior?” Vanessa asked as they parted, a big smile on her face.

“Been a good little kiddo so far, but no telling yet.” Sia smiled, her face radiant with the glow of an expecting mother.

Vanessa wished she could be that lucky. If only the older Turner brother could take a hint.

“Let’s go.” Julian urged. “The show’s starting.”

Everyone headed to their seats. Julian, Vanessa and Leo sat with Millan, Sia’s Secretary, in the front row with the audience, while Sia and Christian waited with the models for their turn.

* * *

The show was spectacular. Sia’s hard work bore fruit, and the audience were in awe of her designs. But then it was time for the real event to begin.

Sia walked on the ramp with her showstopper of a model, the famous Kelly Brook. It was when she was given the microphone that Christian started to worry.

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the twenty-fifth Star Light Charity Fundraiser. I hope you’re enjoying the evening?” Sia asked the audience to which cheers sounded all around the room along with a few raised wine glasses. “I’m glad to hear that. But the main event of today’s show still awaits. As everyone here is aware, today’s show is about raising money for poor children who do not have proper healthcare facilities or funds to survive life-threatening diseases. Today we have a special guest that I’m sure everyone had been on the lookout for for years now.” Whispers and low murmurs started to fill around the hall, and Christian grew even more worried. “Today, we have among ourselves the real driving force behind Star Light, its CEO. It is a great honor for me to say that Christian Turner himself is present at this event and will inaugurate the charity fund created to help the poor children in European countries, to help give them a better future.”

Hushed conversations followed the announcement. People were not only astounded that Christian Turner, who always shied away from public events, was present at the fundraiser, but also curious why he had decided to show his face to the world now, after years of isolation.

“It’s time, bro.” Julian put a supporting hand on Christian’s shoulder as he came backstage to support him. “It’s now or never.”

Yes, Christian thought. Now or never.

“So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a huge round of applause for the CEO of Star Light, my brother-in-law, Christian Turner!”

A few gasps sounded at the word “brother-in-law”. And the applause stopped as soon as Christian stepped onto the stage flanked by Julian and Vanessa.

Sia gave Christian an encouraging nod before handing over the microphone then stepped back to stand by her husband, Julian, who instinctively wrapped an arm around her the moment she got close to him.

Christian took the microphone and looked at the bemused audience. A smile came on his lips. It was happening again, but hell if he was going to let it get under his skin again. How he looks isn’t what described him. So, he decided to attack point blank.

“Good evening.” His voice was sharp and full of authority. “I know I’m not your typical-looking CEO, not the ideal image, or at least, not what all of you had in mind. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?” Finally, some had the decency to stop gaping. “But you have to remember that life isn’t always fair. I learned that the hard way. What happened to me wasn’t fair, either, but that didn’t stop me from helping others.

“I don’t do charity to make others sing my name in praises. I do it so no other child has to feel the pain of being torn to a thousand pieces for hours. Wars are a terrible thing, and we can give a thousand slogans to promote peace, but as long as greed exists, wars will also exist. Sadly, greed is an integral part of human emotions. The purpose of today’s fundraising is not only to help children survive the horrors of war and epidemic, but to help them have a better future and also to make sure that hunger and unemployment don’t turn them into criminals. Star Light is created to give these kids—these people—a chance to be someone. The future becomes bright when we invest on the welfare of today’s you. It will be deeply appreciated if you all contribute to that future.”

This time, the round of applause that followed was thundering. It lifted the weight off of Christian’s chest. But the satisfaction was short-lived.

“And why should we help them? We have our own families, our own children?” asked a plump, balding man in his fifties surrounded by women wearing the most expensive sets of jewelry.

Christian’s hand fisted. He knew this was a mistake. But then he felt her hands on his back, holding on to him. A silent support. And he knew he’d make it through.

“Have you ever starved, sir?” Christian asked politely.

“Of course not! My meals always arrive on time,” the man answered.

“Exactly. Then you know nothing of the fierce hunger that some people have to go through in war-torn lands. Unlike us, they don’t have the luxury to wait for food to be served to them. They are forced to do extreme actions like killing just to get food. That doesn’t make them a criminal, though. It only makes them desperate.” Christian had known it from experience. Though he hadn’t murdered anyone, he’d been a witness to people committing heinous crimes just to fill their bellies. “I’ve seen such hunger. If they’re not stealing, people search for guns so they could kill themselves and be free of this life’s misery.” His voice held pain. At the same time, he felt a hand slip into his, slender, feminine. He looked down to see Vanessa by his side.

“I’m not asking you to donate thousands. Just a couple of dollars can make an equal amount of difference. It’ll be a start, and it is an honor and pride to have contributed to this noble cause.”

The applause that followed was uninterrupted. Not only had his words been heard, but he’d finally been accepted. His mind was now at peace.

* * *

“A hundred and forty thousand dollars. Not bad. It was a great start,” Vanessa congratulated Christian as they headed back home.

“It’s more than I imagined, especially after seeing my face,” Christian told her truthfully.

“Hey! No self-pitying while I’m around—Oh! Stop the car!” Vanessa yelled.

“What?” Christian asked, but he stopped anyway, his car screeching to a sudden halt.

Without saying anything, Vanessa got off the car and walked toward the river illuminated by thousands of street lights. There was summer carnival going on and they had stumbled upon one of its heavily decorated streets.

“What is it?” He followed her out of the car after locking it.

“Do I need an excuse to admire the view?” Vanessa said and pouted, looking ridiculously adorable.

“You’re right.” He wasn’t looking at the view, though. Tonight’s events had changed something between them and inside him. At first, he’d thought he wasn’t worthy of her, that one day, she might wake up and realize the mistake she made in loving him. So far, she’s only seen his face and hands, not his body. But the way she’d held onto his hand tonight, and given him a silent support, he knew now that she wouldn’t scare so easily and that she’ll be ready for anything.

“Christian? What’re you looking at?” Vanessa’s voice snapped him out of his trance.

“You,” he answered truthfully. “Thank you for being there for me like always.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied. Vanessa wanted to leave it at that, but seeing how courageous Christian had been on stage tonight, she couldn’t help but be a little courageous herself. “Now, how are you going to repay me for it?” It was a nervous dare. He could either take the bait or leave her heart broken forever. But judging by the look on his face, maybe she had gone too far. “Sorry I—”

Her words were cut off as his lips met hers in a passionate, breathtaking kiss. This must be a mistake, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to stay in his embrace—in this kiss—forever.

Too soon, their lips parted. Christian pressed his forehead to hers, his breath coming in pants.

“What was that?” she asked, also panting.

“That was to say you belong to me now.” He moved back to get a better look at her face. “I was an idiot to think you wouldn’t accept me, but now I know better. And after waiting for so long, I don’t want to waste anymore time. But can you really accept all of me? Scars and all?”

She looked at him with wide eyes, not believing that this was indeed reality. It made him worry.

But then her face broke into a breathtaking smile, and he felt relief surge through his veins.

“You’re right. You are an idiot! I’ve been ready for this the day since the first time I saw you. How you look doesn’t matter to me, Christian. It’s what inside here that does,” she said, placing a hand over his heart.

Christian had never been so happy in his entire life. This time when their lips met for another sweet kiss, his physical flaws were meaningless. He finally felt complete.

And so did Vanessa.

------End------