ALEXANDER

Chapter 35

After the party, my life had gone back to normal. School to Dorm.. I mean, technically our dorm is within school premises. So my life was mostly monotonous, from classes to dorm, dorm to classes.

However, during the party, Lance had never left my side. Yet, it didn’t escape my eyes how he and the other Lance shared a silent eye signal to one another. I even noticed them glaring at each other.

Then the call of nature wanted me to go to the loo. Lance was not there at that moment. Gabbie was with her boyfriend, too. I also didn’t see Rachelle and Tiaunna nearby, so I had no choice but to ask Lance the celebrant. But when I got out of the loo, Lance was already there, glaring at the celebrant. I thought they were fighting. But Lance pulled off a solid alibi, which made me believe right away. I understood him for worrying about me since I was alone with some strangers. Although most of them were students, Lance still told me he can’t let anything bad happen to me because I am his friend.

After the party, Lance drove me back to the dormitory. We spent a couple of hours talking about personal. There were a lot of good factors about Lance. Somehow, I understood why women were into him.

The party was already over two months ago. And I already started my OJT. In fact, today is my third day of OJT. Unfortunately, Gabbie didn’t pass the interview we had here in Love Struck. But the good thing there was she got to spend her entire OJT with her boyfriend in the same company. And yesterday was their start day.

We need to complete two hundred hours of OJT for our course and I haven’t learned a lot yet. Maybe because it’s just my third day which they just let me type and print documents. But I am hoping in the next few days they will give more tasks related to my course.

I haven’t seen Lance recently. It’s not because he doesn’t want to see me. But it’s me avoiding my path to cross with him. The last time we had a talk was when he asked me if I could give him a chance. He wanted to pursue me. I admit I like Lance a lot. But it’s something I could call as platonic. I like to have him as a friend only. He’s so fun to be with, he has also a good sense of humor. He laughs at my lamest jokes and helps me with the other subjects.

I already told him I’m not ready for another relationship. He acknowledged it. However, he’s been sending flowers, chocolates and cards to my room until now. I got home seeing gifts from him.

Even in our classes, I’ve been avoiding him. He attempted to talk to me, but I always shut him off. Most students know about him courting me. And I don’t want to be the talk of the town again. Not again! Regardless if it’s just in the campus. I can’t. I wanted to live a normal life like what I used to.

Two knocks on my desk have me back to the present time. It’s Irene. She’s also taking an OJT.

“Aren’t you going home?”

Her question had me to check on my wristwatch. It’s five already! OMG!

“I lost track of time. I’m leaving in a few.”

“Let’s go out together.” Said Irene as she smiled.

“Alright. Give me a quick second.” I said. Then made my pace quick. And just a minute I’m done sorting the files and put in the drawer, then double checked if I already locked the computer.

“Let’s go.”

We did a rundown of our whole hours as we went to the exit.

Until we got to the ground floor.

“Are you taking a cab?” I asked. I don’t see her car outside.

“No. Actually, my boyfriend will pick me up. He will be here in a moment.”

“I see. Anyway, I’ll get going now.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

“Yep. I’ll see you tom. Bye-“

A sports car stopped in front of us before I could take my leave.

“Cassidy!”

No way! Surprised to see him.

Of all places, why here?!

He parked his car and immediately walked towards us.

“Hey, my boyfriend is here now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Irene tapped my shoulder. I didn’t realize her boyfriend’s car was here as well. I was so focus to my ex approaching.

“Are you okay? Do you know him?

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Do you want me to stay?”

“It’s fine Irene. Your boyfriend is waiting for you too. I’ll just see you tomorrow.”

“Cassidy-“ Goosebumps are all over my body when he called my name again. Irene is still hesitant to leave me.

“Bye. I’ll see you tomorrow, Irene.” I smiled to assure her I’ll be okay.

I didn’t mind him when Irene left. I also took my leave and walked away to look for a cab.

“Cassidy, I know it’s you. I’m sure you’re Cassidy Lopez.”

“Leave me alone.”

“I just wanted to talk. I saw you yesterday here and same time too, but I thought I was just mistaken, so I came here again to make sure.”

“I don’t need to know. Just leave!”

“Can we talk?”

“No.” I said while making my pace faster. He’s still following me.

The memories of the past that I put behind have been coming back because of him. Those terrible memories that neither my family nor Anj knew about. Those memories with him I was not proud of. Those were all nightmares.

My eyes were in tears as I felt the warm liquid running down my face. I could feel my hands were trembling while running away from him.

“Ah!” I squealed when he grabbed me by my shoulder.

“Cassie-- It’s me, Lance. Hey! It’s me! You’re safe now.”

“Lance?” I wiped my tears and looked around. I saw guards were holding my ex from a far.

“Yes. Are you okay? What did he do? Did he harass you?”

“Oh, God! Thank you!” I hugged him tight, which he reciprocated.

“You’re welcome. Did he hurt you?”

“No.”

Lance led me to his car.

“Here. Drink this.”

“Thanks.”

A few moments later. My heart gets calmed.

I know he’s waiting for more details about what happened.

“He’s my ex-boyfriend. He tried to r**e me when I was in his home.” I honestly don’t know why I easily told him that when I can’t even tell a single word about it to my family.

“What the f**k??!” Lance was livid. And my tears were coming out again. I’ve been hiding this for four years.

“Did you report this to the police? And how did it happen? Oh! I’m sorry you didn’t have to tell me. But we need to report this to the police.”

“No. I don’t tell a single soul about this but you. And that was the reason I broke up with him. I was so f*****g dumb for not believing the hearsays about him. He was nice to me. He was a wonderful boyfriend for over five months. But when we went to his house to help him with his subjects. I thought that was really his plan. Turned out he planned something far from that. His family was not there. And after an hour, I asked him to drive me home, but he didn’t. He started kissing me, which was okay because he was my boyfriend. But he started doing things I didn’t approve. He tied my hands. And- And--“ My heart clenched. I remember how I was tied on the bed and how he touched my body. I was traumatized for the whole year because of what he did. If it was not because of their housemaid, he could have r***d me.

“Shhhh... You don’t need to say it. I’ll contact someone to sue him.”

“No. Don’t.

Lance’s brows furrowed. “Don’t? Why?”

“Because he is the school owner's son, and his family used their connections to get him away from any legal punishments.”

“f**k it! Well, not all the times their connections will help them. Give me his name.” Lance said it seriously with his jaw tensed.

“I can’t. I don’t want a scandal. I’m tired of people talking about me publicly. All I wanted was to live peacefully.”

“What if he comes after you again?!”

“I don’t think he can do that to me again. Maybe I overreacted when he approached earlier. It’s just that the memories of what he did were coming back and overpowered my whole being. I got panic!”

Lance held my hands. “I will make sure no one will hurt you and Arin while I’m alive. I promise you that.”

As I stare into his eyes, my heart has awakened something.

Alexander... He reminds me of Alexander at some point.

ALEXANDER:

"Mr. Hong and Mrs. Franklin are in the conference hall waiting for you, sir." says Almira as soon as I come out of my office. I just spoke to the best private investigator on my phone about Cassidy's location. However, he has no any leads until now.

My mind is going crazy every day. I need to see her. Why is she hiding from me? Where did they go? I tried to trace the location of the funds transfer she made. But bank has rules I can't break. And the manager I spoke with says it's difficult to trace the exact location where the funds transfer came from since there's no assurances that the person who transfer the funds is also the owner of the account. Besides it will be a long process as it will need to go through the automated clearing house where the wire transfers process. And requires legal papers for the bank to disclose confidential information.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Montavo."

Mr. Hong and Mrs. Franklin are my trusted people. They are best in their own field.

I discuss with them the highlight of the project I am planning. It's more of employing workers from overseas.

Almira is taking the minutes while I'm discussing.

"This will be in the long term run." I told them after discussing.

"Mr. Montavo, how sure are we that their rights will be protected." Mrs. Franklin asks.

"That's where Mr. Hong comes in. He will handle the legal processes. What we need to assure are their accomodations and safety while working outside their own country.

"I will do the inspection in the plantation site together with the sanitary team and engineering team in the next two days. By Monday, we'll have another meeting to summarize what you may come up."

"Yes, sir."

"Great! Meeting dismiss."

Almira interrupts me from analyzing the graph reports.

"What is it, Almira?"

"Sir, your brother wants to talk to you."

"Tell him to call me in my phone after thirty minutes. I am not finish here yet."

"Yes, sir."

I head back to my office after thirty minutes. My phone rings as I sit on my chair.

"Hello?"

"Bro. I need a lawyer."

"A lawyer? Are you in trouble again?!"

"No. I'm not. I need to help a friend. Do you have our family lawyer's contact number? I can't contact mom, even dad."

"Why do you need a lawyer? What did your friend do?"

"She was almost r***d. And I need an advice from a lawyer on what to do."