Chapter 48 Penthouse

KIA

Do you ever wake up and can't move? That day is today. 6:24 is my alarm. Ah, 24. It's my favorite. Number satisfaction didn't wake me up. I set my alarm for five minutes before nearly losing it. I turned off my alarm and fell asleep again. 7:24 a.m. is my second alarm. As far as I know, Ares still doesn't live for work. I heard him cooking. I stayed in the bedroom while he was home. I suddenly shuddered and looked out my window.

…What idiot keeps their window open in the Philippines. I guess that makes me an idiot…

I am lucky enough that no one dares to intrude while I am asleep. I dozed off while waiting for Ares to leave for work. At 8:24, my eyes opened once more. Even worse, I had no idea that I had dozed off again. I glance out the window, but his car is still there. Screw this, you know what I mean. I'll just skip my morning class and stay in bed for the time being. At 9:24 again, my alarm went off. I threw my phone across the room out of wrath, but it bounced off a chair and came back to my bed.

…How? What are the odds?...

“Kianna, are you awake?” I heard him knocking on the door. He probably heard it when I threw my phone. I didn’t answer and got back to my bed to pretend to sleep.

“You said you had class today. Why aren’t you waking up? You’ll be late for school.”

And once again, I didn’t answer. It’s just total silence. I heard him walk away, but after a minute I heard him coming back.

“I made you breakfast. Make sure to eat it. I will be home late today, so... Make sure to order something for dinner, and don’t forget to lock the door before sleeping. I’m going to work now — Do you want me to drive you to school?” He asked, but as usual, I didn’t answer.

“I guess that’s a no. Okay, then, I've got to go now. — I’m sorry for last night. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. He said before I could hear the sound of closing the door. I waited till his car drove away before I let out a deep sigh.

Again, I woke up too early. I check my phone: at 9:40 am. I'd like to go back to sleep, but it's too late. I get out of bed and stroll to the cupboard on the other side of our room with a heavy heart. I take a bath before breakfast as I didn't get to change last night.

After changing, I left our room. I go to the restroom and wash my hands. The water feels good today. I start brushing with toothpaste. I shower afterward. Since I was shivering from the cold water, I barely spent five minutes in the restroom.

I scratch my head, “Why do I feel like I don’t have enough energy for today?”

When I'm done, I go to the kitchen and see the breakfast he made for me, but I don't eat it. Thankfully, the fridge has bread and butter. I microwaved it for a minute and relaxed on the sofa. I check my phone's time. 10:00 a.m. There's plenty of time before school...

AT THE VUERAVISTA COMPANY

While everyone is busy with their work at the Vueravista Company. Ares’ secretary couldn’t stay in one place and kept on walking in a circle.

“It’s already 1 p.m., but the boss is still not here!” Kyle said to himself while staring at the door, waiting for Ares to arrive.

He tried sitting on the sofa, but he couldn’t stop worrying about Ares. They have a business meeting at 2 p.m., but his boss hasn’t shown up. Due to his concern, Kyle couldn’t stop himself and immediately called Ares’ parents.

“Hello, Madam Buenavista?” Kyle greeted.

“Yes, hello? What can I do for you, Kyle?” Ares’ mom said in the next line.

“I’m so sorry for calling at this hour, but I just wanted to ask if the boss is there?”

“What do you mean? Isn’t he at work? And he is living with his wife.”

“I tried calling their home, but no one is answering. The boss isn’t like this. If he needs to do something urgently, he will call me first to inform me but I didn’t get any text or call from him, Madam…”

“Alright. Don’t worry about it, and we will take care of it. Make sure to attend all the meetings that are scheduled for today. If Ares’ presence is needed, immediately cancel it.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As soon as the call ended, Madam Buenavista and Mr. Buenavista drove all the way to the city and went to a condominium, only a short distance from the Vueravista Company. They entered the condominium with their four bodyguards and took the elevator all the way to the penthouse. When they arrived, Madam Buenavista immediately pressed the doorbell two times before the door slowly opened.

“Who is it?”

She was frightened and stepped back when she saw a man looking so miserable.

“Sorry, we knocked on the wrong door! — darling, why didn't you tell me that the owner of this penthouse changed? Again, we are very sorry!" Madam Buenavista said, but the man behind the door opened the door widely.

"Mom! What are you talking about? It's me!"

Both of his parents were so shocked to see their child in this situation. They couldn't recognize him. They immediately entered the penthouse, and Madam Buenavista insisted on cooking something for his son. She prepared a meal for Ares since he looks like he hasn't eaten anything.

"Son, come on, grab a bite to eat." Madam Buenavista said.

"Mom, I am sorry for making you guys worry about me…"

His stepfather looked at him with concerned eyes. "Son, don't talk like that. Tell us what happened, and we will listen to you."

Ares didn't hesitate and told everything that happened yesterday. "It's my fault… It's my fault that I didn't ask her if she was okay. If only I ask her, maybe the outcome is different."

"It's normal for the young couple to have some fights, son. I have experienced that with your mom. But look at us, we are still happily married." Mr. Buenavista murmured.

Ares took a deep breath, looked around, and tilted his head down. "It's different. For Kianna, I am just a stranger who walked into her life unexpectedly and I said something mean to her. She will not forgive me for that…"

His mom approached him and tried to comfort his son, "Come on, son. I know how you feel. I can see that you really love that girl, and I believe that you have a strong desire for that girl, it's impossible for you to lose your mind and harm her. But it's no use to trap yourself here. It's no use regretting everything. You should try to calm down and talk about it with your wife."

Ares narrowed his eyes while remembering what he saw last night, "But when I think of Kianna talking and laughing with another man, I am so jealous! I feel like I don't want anyone to get near her. And with that, I am afraid I will say something terrible to hurt her."

"It's okay, son. That's part of loving someone—"

"No, it's not, mom. I don't want to say something bad to her. I don't want her to hate me… Mom, can I stay at home for a few days?" Ares suddenly asked.

His mom was stunned by what his son said. She worriedly looks at his son but Ares' eyes show nothing but sadness. "Alright. Of course, you can. I am very happy that you can stay at home with us. It's been so long since you lived there with us. But before that, I want you to eat your meal first."

Ares looked at the plates full of delicious dishes that his mom had made. Even though he doesn't have an appetite, he forces himself to eat. When Ares is finished eating, they decide to take him back with them.

"Let's go, son." Madam Buenavista said this while holding her son's hand. Ares took a deep breath and left the penthouse.