CHAPTER 25: RAINY DAY

Two days have passed since the incident that happened between Red and Chelsea. It's been two days since they haven’t talked to each other and didn't pay attention even though they were under the same roof. Even at the dinner table, the distance between the two can be noticed. This is also what others in the mansion are wondering about, but they just ignore it because they have no right to interfere.

It was a rainy afternoon when Chelsea started to leave the house. She intends to pack lunch for Red even if they are not talking to each other because there is nothing she can do because it is included in her contract as Red Chandler Buenavista's wife. She went outside to look for Kuya Roy to make a delivery to the company but she couldn't find him. She has no other choice but to commute. She went back inside and took the umbrella and lunch to go.

When she got outside the gate of the village, she decided to ride a tricycle to the jeepney’s terminal because it would take her longer if she walked. It takes about 10 minutes to walk.

"Will you ride, miss?" the man asked.

Chelsea nodded and immediately entered the tricycle. "Terminal, please," she said.

The wind that hits her skin is very cold. It looks like there is a storm today because the sky is very dark and the wind and rain are really strong. In less than five minutes, they arrived at the terminal.

"How much is it?" Chelsea asked when she got off the tricycle.

"Twenty," he answered.

Chelsea took out her wallet and looked for twenty or at least coins, but she only had 15 pesos in her wallet. She just grabbed the 50 pesos and handed it to the man. "Sir, keep the change,” she said as she handed the money to the man. She then dashed to get on the jeep.

There are only a few passengers because of the bad weather. She handed over her payment and took out her cell phone to entertain herself. After a few minutes, she noticed that the huge buildings were a sign that she was near the city. When she saw the Buenavista Company building, she immediately got off.

“I should not have worn a white dress. It's a shame I came in looking like this,” she said to herself when she noticed that there was mud clinging to her dress. She wore a white dress because she thought that Kuya Roy would be able to drive her all the way to the company but she think she left for something important to do today.

She mustered up the courage to enter the building and ignored the people watching. Many people already know her as the wife of the CEO of their company because she often brings Red's lunch.

"She’s here again? It looks like she's going to deliver Mr. Buenavista's lunch again."

"Hey, did you know? I heard that Mr. Buenavista didn't pick her up when she came here the past few days. I think they were fighting…"

"Yes, I heard that in the secretarial department. Are they going to separate?"

"Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. The two of you are really crazy, why are they going to break up right away just because of a misunderstanding?"

Those were the only few whispers of people that Chelsea heard while in the elevator. She didn't pay attention to it anymore and just let them say what they wanted to say. When the elevator opened, she immediately got off and went to Red's office but Ms. Dein stopped her from entering Red’s office.

"Madame, Mr. Buenavista is in the middle of an official business meeting, it isn't convenient for him to meet anyone right now."

Chelsea stopped and stared and frowned. She traveled so far in bad weather and it turns out she won’t be able to meet Red.

"I'm really sorry, Madame. It was just an order from the boss." She answered weakly and bowed in shame.

"It's fine. Please give this to him." Chelsea handed to Ms. Dein the lunch that she packed for Red.

"Yes, madame."

Chelsea started to walk back when she suddenly remembered something she forgot to say. She immediately turned around, and thankfully, Ms. Dein had not yet left. "Oh, right, by the way. Please tell him that he doesn't need to eat that. It will be fine even if he throws it away." Chelsea said before leaving. Ms. Dein was caught off guard, wondering what she just said.

Chelsea boarded the elevator while seeming to be deep in thought. She regrets that she even spoke that day in the taxi. If only she hadn't intervened, she hope Red's behavior would not be different now. Since that day, he has become like a ghost. He is often not at home and is always busy. He also does not answer Chelsea's calls.

She shook her head and beat pinched herself, "What am I thinking? Am I causing him problems? Our marriage is only a contract, so why am I being affected by his changes? Wake up, self, you're acting delirious again!"

…

Meanwhile, while Red was in the middle of reading the document, his secretary immediately entered. "Sir, Madame wanted to give this to you…" She said, which is why Red immediately turned to her. "Leave it here, you can go back to work," Red said and looked back at the document he was reading.

"Sir, it's downpouring outside; it's not easy to call a cab," Ms. Dein said. Red stopped what he was doing and immediately stood up and peered out the window. He saw his wife pull up in a jeep, but with the number of passengers, it looked like it would be difficult for her to get home.

He just watched her and seemed to be thinking about what to do. He can't leave because he has a lot to do. "Ms. Dein, call a taxi to send her back." He ordered his secretary.

"Yes, sir." She immediately left Red's office and followed his order.

…

“Sir just looks mad but when the conversation is about his wife, he still doesn't lose his concern for Madame. Singles like me can't really relate to their love life.” Ms. Dein mumbled.

…

While waiting for a jeep, Chelsea took her phone from her bag. She checked what other vehicles she could ride home, but she really had no choice but to take a jeep, but due to the heavy downpour, the jeeps became full. It will be really hard to ride one.

While she was busy waiting for the Jeep, Chelsea was surprised when a black car suddenly stopped in front of her. When the driver lowered the window, his eyes widened because of the unexpected sight. "Chelsea, come hop in!”

"Kent? What are you doing here?" Chelsea asked in shock. "You can ask questions later. Come inside first. It's raining so hard, you might get sick." He said and Chelsea immediately followed.

When she got in his car, Kent immediately gave her a towel and said, "Here, use that."

"So what are you doing here? It's raining so hard and you're still able to wander around," Chelsea said while drying herself.

Mr. Lee answered, "Something came up. I was getting ready to go home but then I saw you standing by the road. It's raining so hard, why don't you drive?" He asked while his eyes were straight on the road.

"As if I know. I'm lucky that you saw me. I was waiting for a jeep, but it was very difficult to get one. If you didn't see me, I probably would have walked home." Chelsea said while still laughing at her thoughts of walking all the way home.

"Recently, the weather hasn't really been good. But, luckily, it's raining now, and I had the chance to give you a ride. Where is your house? I'll take you home." he said with a smile.

Chelsea was happy with what she heard. Finally, she didn't have to wait for a jeep. She is also ashamed of her appearance because she looks like a wet chick and a beggar who was deprived by the world because of so much filth. "I live in the Venelfa Villa District now. Can you take me there? Will that be okay? It might be far away from where you're going." She said it shyly but she still couldn't get out of her mind praying that he would take her home.

"Of course. I won't let you alone on the road in this weather."

"Thanks," Chelsea mumbled while still trying to dry her wet dress.

While on the road, Chelsea was immediately surprised to see that the road they were heading was different. She looked at Mr. Lee with surprise on her face.

"Ahh—Kent... It looks like we're going the wrong way. Do you know where the road to what I told you earlier is?" Chelsea asked, but Mr. Lee smiled at her.

"Of course, I know. Take it easy. I won't do anything bad to you, don't be nervous. We're just going to a boutique. It looks like you need to change what you're wearing." Saying this, Chelsea turned to him.

She looked at the dress she was wearing, and he was right in what he said because it was not really pleasant to look at because of the mud stuck to it.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a boutique. Mr. Lee got off the car and opened the door for Chelsea.

"What are you doing? We can go straight home," Chelsea said, but Mr. Lee ignored her and pretended to hear nothing.

Upon entering the boutique, a saleswoman greeted him with a smile and asked, "Mr. Lee, Miss, welcome. Is there anything you would like my help on?" She said.

"Ahh… Kent... " Chelsea was about to say something when Mr. Lee spoke up.

"Help me choose a set of casual clothes for her." Said Mr. Lee to the sales lady and she followed immediately.

Chelsea immediately stopped Mr. Lee, "What are you doing? You don't need to do this, I have some clothes at home. I just need to go home…" Chelsea said shyly.

Mr. Lee looked at her with a smile, "Don't tell me you were thinking of wearing soaking wet clothes all the way home? That will make you sick. You might even catch a cold or have a fever. You better change. Since I saved you halfway, just let me save you until the end." Chelsea stopped and just kept quiet.

CHELSEA

What the hell am I getting into? The clothes seem to be expensive here. Aphrodite is the name of this boutique. This is one of the boutiques in the country that sells luxury women's brand designer clothes. Even though the name of their boutique is not that loud, the price is the same as the famous name brands. It looks like I'm going to waste a month's salary on a set of outfits that I will buy now.

I faced Kent and patted him, "I-I'll choose. I can do it, don't bother her. Miss, I'll take care of it," I said to her. For sure, if the saleswoman chooses, she will suggest expensive clothes.

"Are you sure?" Kent asked me.

I nodded in response, "Yes...Remember? I want to study abroad to become a fashion designer... " I laughed.

"Is that so? Okay then, you choose, I'll wait here." He smiled at me. "You can go back to work," he said to the sales lady.

She smiled and nodded, "Alright, if you need me, feel free to call me at any time,"

I started looking for clothes to buy. The clothes I saw were beautiful, but the price would really make you pass out in the extra size. You will really be blindsided if you dare to buy them. I have to choose now because I've been looking for more than half an hour.

I saw a dress that was color brown and when I looked at its price it really made me drool. 10,599 pesos. If I buy something like this in Divisoria, it will definitely cost only 100 pesos. It is very expensive!

"It looks good, go change." I was surprised by Kent's voice when he suddenly appeared behind me.

"Ahh— ahh—"

"Don't worry about it! Go ahead." He then pushed me to the fitting room.

I sighed and accepted that I will spend ten thousand today just for one dress.