CHAPTER 23: HER DREAM

CHELSEA

The loud sound of the phone woke me up from my deep sleep. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 9 p.m. I forgot to eat dinner when I got home earlier. After Mark bothered me, my best friend Angel suddenly called. She invited me to meet her because she had just returned from the States. We talked for a long time; that's why I got home late to the mansion.

I immediately got up from my bed and reached for the phone. Who would call at this time?

"Hello?" I answered.

I only heard a deafening silence on the other line. Is this a prank? If it's a prank, I'm not in the mood for it.

"Hello?" I repeated myself, but still, no one answered.

"Whoever you are... I'll take it down if you don't say anything," I said before hanging up, but I heard a sob from the other line that made me stop to hang up.

I listened to it carefully. It still sobs, and because of the shrillness of its sobs, it appears to be a woman.

[.....Sister....] she said on the other line.

Maxine? Did I hear correctly? Is it really Maxine who spoke?

I didn't answer and continued listening to her.

[Sister... Help me...] She cried and said to me.

Help? What is this girl's trip again? Another way to make me believe her, tss.

"What is this, Max? Can you stop it? Is this another part of your stupid plans? Keep our lives quiet. I'm sick and tired of fighting with your mom and even more so with you. So can you... Whatever happened to you and Mark, I have nothing to do with it. You got him, right? That's what you want, right? Now that you've got it, please, Max, stop..." I said before hanging up the phone.

From now on, I will forget that you are my sister. Whatever we shared before will not remain the same now. I don't want to be part of your life's dramas. I have my own life now, and I'm happy with what I have.

I peeked out my window to see if Redemon's car was parked outside, but I didn't see anything. He seems to be busy at work now, because at what time is he still not here at the mansion? I took my phone from my bed to check if he had sent a message. He just replied, "Thanks." in my chat this afternoon, after he ate the lunch I left. Thank you for being so rude...

I walked out of the room and looked to see if there was anyone in the hallway. I’m scared that I might stumble with Redemon's mother. Fortunately, there was no one, so I went straight down to the kitchen and got some fresh milk.

Carrying the glass with only fresh milk, I returned to my room. After sitting on the sofa, the phone rang again.

I was sure it was only Maxine calling, so I immediately picked up the phone and let the call hang up.

…

Four days passed, and it was a miracle that Maxine was not making trouble with Chelsea. Even Mark doesn't show up anymore. This surprised her, but her satisfaction was still more dominant because she was experiencing a quiet life.

*Phone ringing*

Chelsea immediately looked for her phone and answered it.

[Hey, Beshy!] A woman on the other line greeted enthusiastically.

"Angel? Omg! Is this really you?" Chelsea asked.

[Well, sis, remember what we talked about last week? Have you thought about it?]

"Oh yes... I'm sorry... I've been really busy these past few days. I haven't told Red yet—”

"What haven't you told me yet?" Chelsea was immediately surprised by Red's sudden speech from behind her. Because of the panic, she accidentally ended the call.

"What are you doing? Why are you talking like that behind my back?!" Chelsea said, annoyed.

"I'm not. So what is it that you haven't told me yet?" It's a strange question.

"Hmm, my friend from the States just got home, and she's inviting me to go with him to study in Australia and take a Bachelor's in Fashion Design. It's been a long time, and I'm still thinking about whether I'll go along. She said that if I decide to come, we have to pass the entrance exam, so if I continue, I have to think of designs," Chelsea said softly.

"Is that what you want?" Red asked.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was a child, but it just stopped because dad prioritized Maxine's education and neglected me," Chelsea exhaled before turning to face Red.

"If that's what you want, then pursue it. I'll support you," Red said. Chelsea couldn't believe what she was hearing and felt as if she had won the lottery as a result of Red's words.

"Really? You'll let me study in Australia?" Chelsea asked happily.

"Just like what you said... It's still a long time, so before that, do your duty as my wife. When our contract is done, I'll let you do what you want."

Chelsea jumps for joy and pulls Red over for a hug. She then realized what she had done, so she immediately let go. "Thank you." She said it shyly.

"I don't have anything to order from you today. I'll give you the whole day to come up with a design for that entrance exam you're talking about," Red said before getting up and leaving.

CHELSEA

Why is Redemon being so nice to me lately? Maybe the company is doing well right now, so that's why he’s in a good mood right now. But who am I to complain? I must enjoy this completely because, for sure, the day will come again when he will be a mutt like his mom.

I immediately stood up and went to the room to get my sketch pad and pencil. When I got it, I went straight to the garden so that I could be more motivated to think of a good design for the dress I was going to make.

When I entered the garden, I noticed that Blaze was not there. Maybe Red took him out for a walk.

I started to sit on the grass and draw. Fortunately, the weather is good today and the air outside is nice, so my mind is calm.

I've been drawing for over an hour, but I still can't get the right design that's perfect for me. I tore up the paper and threw it away in exasperation.

"Hey, I've been here for a while, but I still can't think of a good design. Why are the ones I think of so ugly?" I shouted angrily at myself.

"Who said you can mess in my garden?" Red said as he approached me. Blaze was with him. He took Blaze to the dog house and tied him up there before returning to me.

When he got close, he immediately picked up my crumpled paper and stared at it.

I was surprised when he suddenly crumpled it and threw it at me. Because of the speed with which he threw the paper, I was unable to move, and it immediately hit my face.

"How dare you!"

"If you want to be a good fashion designer, then what's the most important thing you must know before starting it?" This is a serious question for me.

I immediately thought about his question. Hmm... What exactly... I already knew, "Originality, uniqueness, personal style, and aesthetic?" I answered his question.

He just laughed before sitting in front of me. We are both sitting in the garden right now.

"What are you laughing at? I know I’m right!" I said, annoyed at him.

How can he mock me like this?

"Nonsense, Of course, you're wrong," he answered me.

"Listen, it doesn't matter what you make; the most important thing is always the foundation. If the foundation is unstable, even tall buildings will collapse. Similarly, if you want to be a good designer, regardless of folklore, culture, music, philosophy, fashion, or other aspects, you need to understand, and you will be able to organize what you know, in case you need it," he added.

As much as he said, it was surprising that I actually learned something. Are those CEOs really this talented? He is right; I need to strengthen the foundation of what I am doing. Maybe I'll start with what I'm good at. I have to prepare myself for this first. It's so hard to imagine what I'm dreaming of!

"Thank you," I smiled and said to him.

"Do you know why you're having a hard time? It's because you're stupid. You should change your ideals earlier, so you don't waste time. Time is precious, Chelsea."

Am I stupid? I'm just not in the mood today, so I can't think of a good design.

"Have you ever had a brain drain and been at a loss for what to do?"

"Never. Because I'm not stupid like you," he said, standing up immediately.

I sneered at him and cursed in my mind. It's just being lazy without a reward. Just make fun of me now. When the time comes for me to become a well-known designer in the Philippines, I intend to do so not only in our country but also in other countries! Just wait, Redemon! I will prove it to you.

He turned to me and said, "Stop daydreaming. Let's go; I'm hungry."

Can he read my mind? This guy is really weird.

I immediately stood up and picked up the papers I was throwing away earlier and threw them in the trash before following Red. When I got inside, I chased him and hit him lightly.

"Wait for me," I said to him.

"Can you please stop doing that? When I turned stupid like you, you're dead." he is deadly serious.

"You know, if you become stupid, it's not my fault; it's really in your race," I said before laughing out loud.

"So you're saying that we're dumb?" This is a serious question for me.

"Oh! Oh! I didn't say anything... You were the one who said that..." I said while laughing, and he looked annoyed.

"You were saying I’m stupid?!" he said before tickling me. I struggled to get out of his grip and hurriedly ran.

We were in the living room, surrounded by nastiness and chasing, when Mrs. Buenavista appeared.

"Red, what are you laughing about? Is there something funny?" Saying this, Red and I immediately stopped. We exchanged glances and spat on who started it. We exchanged glances and spat on who started it.

"Could you please stop that?" enraged Mrs. Buenavista.

I immediately fell silent and just sat on the sofa. Redemon walked towards the stairs.

"Red, hijo, if you don't have anything else to do today, then go change into a suit, come out with me." Mrs. Buenavista ordered.

Where are they going?

"I won't go without my wife," Red answered directly to his mother, so I immediately stood up and looked at him. He looked at me evilly. What's with him? I'm sure his mom will be angry with me again.

"Fine. Bring her." She said this and walked back to her room.

Uhmm, okay, that’s new…