CHAPTER 25: Lost

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EACH of our families planned to continue what has been postponed, and that is the engagement. I’m just delaying it so as not to go on because I really don’t want to be engaged or wedded.

I sat on the sofa next to my mom while the two-person, Mister Bellevera and his son Ezekiel Bellevera, sat next to each other and facing us. They were in our house that morning and nothing seemed to stop Bellevera from our engagement.

It was past nine o’clock when his father and Bellevera came into our house to discuss our engagement.

I could clearly see Bellevera’s grin telling me he was the winner at this moment.

“Let’s start with the dress,” my mom started.

It was obvious to my mom’s face that she wanted the engagement to be grandiose, even it wasn’t a wedding at all.

Mom clapped once, and the maid came carrying five kinds of magazines. The maid laid it on the center table. Mom separated it and then showed it to Mister Steve Bellevera—Bellevera’s father.

“These are the magazine. Here are all the designer dresses we can choose from. This other magazine is about the venue, reception or party style and the catering.”

I can feel how excited my mom is.

“Why don’t we ask our kids,” Bellevera’s dad retorted.

I did not glance or even look at the open magazine. “It’s up to mommy,” I replied politely.

I’m not interested in the party and even if I’m asked to wear the most expensive designer dress, I still won’t be able to be happy.

“Good. Since I can decide what my daughter wants, then I will choose the dress.”

Bellevera interrupts, “Dad will take care of the reception and you will take care of the food.”

Bellevera rise from his seat. I just followed him, gazing as he stood up.

“I have to go, dad. I’ll go back to the office. I just need to finish something first,” Bellevera said goodbye, then continued walking towards the main door of our house.

I also got up from my seat to follow Bellevera.

Going outside, I saw him going straight to the gate, and I stopped him. “You like it, now you’re leaving right away?”

“I really don’t want to marry you,” he said. That made me confused.

I stumbled upon what he said. My eyes widened. How could he not like it if he was even pushing me into marriage? I don’t think I can believe that he doesn’t want to be tied to me or that he will say that our family wants that.

“What do you mean, you don’t like?”

“It’s both our family’s decision. I just followed. My dad knows you don’t want to so I pursue you.”

“If you don’t want to, let’s not continue this,” I said in finality.

He approached me and held me tightly by the arm. “You know you can’t. My reputation and that of my family are at stake here.”

I pulled my arm away from him and utter a word that stuttered. “I-I’m just saying that we can not continue the marriage.”

“Go inside.” Then he pulled from his trouser pocket. “Here is a black credit card. You can use it limitless.”

I would not have accepted the card when he put it in my hand and laid it in my palm. I just looked at him. Bored expression paint on his face.

“I still have to do something.” That’s all he said and left well where it stood.

I don’t know what went through my mind and I could pick up mommy’s car to follow him.

I deposited myself inside the car and drive it. It looks like my car hasn’t been retrieved yet because it was destroyed when Bellevera hit it.

I am deeply insane when I started to follow Bellevera’s car. I just had an idea that he wasn’t going to the company. I’m sure women are what he cares about.

I just secretly followed his car. Being careful and even stop it slowly so he doesn’t notice me. At each turn of the car at the intersection, I also waited a few seconds before following his car so that he would not catch me.

I’m not a jealous girlfriend or fiance. I just really want to show that Bellevera isn’t loyal to me and I know he doesn’t like someone like me.

Bellevera’s car stopped short for a while and parked in the parking lot of a restaurant. I parked my car. I turned off the engine, pulling myself down as I follow Bellevera inside the restaurant when he entered there.

I chased after his image but I couldn’t see him so I decided to get out of the car but he suddenly came out.

I immediately closed the door when I saw him come out. Two women were with him and still anchored in both his arms.

God! Is Bellevera such a womanizer? I was horrified to see how dirty he was. I thought I was just the sinner here. I can’t believe that Bellevera is way too much.

I WAITED for Bellevera’s car to leave completely before I started the engine again. When I started to turn on the engine, I cut it as well.

I don’t want to go home. After all, Bellevera is busy with his women. I will go to my unit first. I paid for it, it’s in advance, so maybe he won’t follow me and look for me again if I am there.

I didn’t think I had come so far to catch up with Bellevera. I already see a few houses when I look outside. I still seem to be lost after following him. I didn’t even check the road signs.

I took the phone out of my pants pocket, then opened the location so I could easily get back to where I came from. I was already busy driving myself when my car halted.

Unfortunately, it stopped and as it stops, smoke came out ahead.

I was hit on the steering wheel of the car. I think my mom’s car has a problem, and it looks like I was the one who was taken into action.

I turned off the engine. Push the car door to get out and check it. I opened the front of the car to look at the engine, to check what’s the problem.

It emitted white smoke until the smoke slowly turned slightly black. I just left the lid open to let the engine steams. I know nothing about car engines.

I went back in the car to get my bag and cellphone. Maybe I’ll just look for a mechanic or any vulcanizing shop here. I wish there is one nearby.

I looked around at the road where my car had stopped. Without a plenty house, the houses are obviously not modern. The pillar is made of wood, the literal houses you will find in the provinces. It was typical that I was in the province, but I didn’t know where I was.

I just grabbed my bag, went for a walk. Maybe I will ask someone where the vulcanizing shop is. I walked straight from where I left the car. Being careful. As I walked farther and farther away, I seemed to have no transparent person. The hard part of it is that I have not yet registered for the martial arts master class.

I also felt nervous that a man might suddenly approach me and mistreat me. No one could defend me. Only I can do that on my own.

I just kept walking while looking around until I noticed something that looked like a small house and there was a rusty post, and it said Allan’s Vulcanizing Shop.

I came closer, but it looks closed.

I knock a lot of times. “Is there anyone here?”

Moments from my screaming, an aged man appeared. The thick hair on his head was thin and gray.

“What’s that, miss?”

“Is your vulcanizing open? My car stopped at the road. I need someone to fix it,” I said, approaching him.

“We’re closed by now but because you’re beautiful, I’ll go ahead and help you.” He came out where he was and after a while, he lifted the door of the vulcanizing shop. “Where’s your car?”

I pointed in the direction. “It’s a red car.”

I accompanied the elderly man to where my car was.

I was grateful, and the man looked kind.

Arriving at the location of my car, he just peeked at the car. “All right, miss. I’ll be back, I’ll just call someone who can do it.”

He returned to where he came from, but I stopped him. “How much I will pay just making sure I can go home.”

“Just pay a down payment of five thousand. My son does the works and I don’t know how much he charges.”

“All right.” I pulled out my long wallet. That’s the wallet I left at mommy’s house. When I opened it, I saw that there were still a thousand paper bills. I took five thousand and handed it to the man.

I even caught him peeking into my wallet. I know his charge is too expensive, but I need to get back. I don’t want to stay here until dark was a place I don’t know.

“It’s up to you. I hope my car can be fixed. I’ll just look for a drink to buy. I am thirsty.” I can already feel the dryness in my throat.

“Take that road, there’s a little cafeteria there!” the man said to me.