Have a nice weekend, Amores. :)

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SABINA's POV

Everyone was in the party that no one saw Xzavier taking me somewhere against my will. I was hitting his back, hoping that he would put me down by doing that but I was wrong. Then, after I didn't know how long, he finally put me down on my feet.

"I just want us to talk without any disturbance, Ina. You don't have to act like I'm kidnapping you or something." Instead of responding, I slapped him in the face because of anger. Even I was surprised of what I did. It was my first time slapping someone but I didn't care anymore. I was mad.

"Damn you! Who do you think you are to show yourself here and act like this as if you didn't do anything?!" I was already full of rage that my voice was loud. My whole body was shaking and I felt like I was about to explode in anger.

"Ina, please. All I'm asking from you right now is a chance to listen to me."

I scoffed. "Listen to you? I don't think so. You don't have the right to demand anything from me. You lost the right three and a half years ago!" I then turned my back on him and was planning to leave him there but he spoke.

"Are you that mad that you can't even give me at least five minutes of your time to explain my side?" I gritted my teeth and pivoted to look at him.

"For what? For you to make a fool out of me again like what you did in the past?" I shook my head. "No. I don't think so. If you managed to play with me back then, that won't ever happen again. I'm no longer the naïve and innocent Sabina that you met in the mountains." I then marched my way back to the party.

I was almost at the entrance when he did the unexpected. He followed me and hugged me from behind tightly. I gasped as my body went immobile like a statue.

"I missed you so much." He whispered full of emotion and that surprised me. I didn't expect him to say that. My heart was beating like a drum and for some reason, I lost the capability to speak for a moment.

"I know that I don't have the right to demand anything from you after what happened but I have to say it. After all these years, I did my best to just forget about you so that you could live in peace but I couldn't take it anymore.

"When my parents told me to come here, I was afraid of sowing myself to you but when I finally saw you and with another man at that, I lost it. I felt like dying seeing another guy dancing and holding your hand. That's when I realized that I couldn't just give up on us. Not now, not ever. I just can't." I felt my eyes heated as it brimmed with tears but I did my best to blink them back. Now, after seeing him again and hearing him say those words, it brought back the pain in my heart again.

"Let go of me. I don't want anything to do with you anymore." I uttered firmly. He shook his head.

"No. You're only saying that because you're mad."

"I said, let go of me!" I forcefully unwrapped his arms from hugging me and then faced him bravely. "I don't want to see you ever again." Raw pain registered on his face but I was too angry to notice it. After saying that, I walked away from him.

"My Ina, please." I heard him beg and I smiled mirthlessly. It has been so long since the last time I heard him call me that endearment and if the situation was different, my heart would surely swell. But everything's different now. I was too hurt and I didn't know how to give the chance that he was asking for me to listen to his explanation. It's already took late for that.

I wanted to go back to the party after that but I knew that I wouldn't have the strength t pretend in front of everyone that I was okay so I decided to go to the garden while trying my best to calm myself down.

But I was surprised when I saw an unexpected sight. It was Rex together with Miss Ellie. My forehead scrunched. Maybe, they're just talking about work or something. I was about to turn around to leave when I witnessed how Rex hugged Miss Ellie from behind.

He looked like he was begging her over something and Miss Ellie's face softened as she faced him.

Since when did they become so close like this? I knew that Mr. Novell appointed Rex to become Miss Ellie's bodyguard for the time being but I thought, that was just it. Then, my eyes widened when the two of them kissed. I gasped but I quickly covered my mouth with my hand and quickly got out of there.

I suddenly remembered about Henry had said about Rex's crush. Looked like he noticed but little did he know, Rex and Miss Ellie were already in a relationship.

I shook the thought away. I shouldn't think about it because it wasn't my business. I accidentally discovered their secret but that's just it.

I decided to just go home because I knew that if I go back to the party, I would see Xzavier there.

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That night, I couldn't sleep at all. My mind was occupied about Xzavier. Everything that happened at the party, especially those words that he told me kept on replaying inside my head like a broke record. Whenever I close my eyes, I felt like I was still seeing the loneliness and longing in his eyes while staring at me.

I groaned I as looked at the clock. It was already 7 am. Looked like I didn't have a choice but to get up even though I felt groggy because of lack of sleep.

I huffed and was about to crawl out of bed when I heard someone knocking on my door.

"It's open!" I said with a loud voice so that they could hear it. The door opened and I was surprised when I saw my parents holding a cake together with Henry who was holding different kinds of balloons.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to you." They sang for me with smiles on their faces and that made me smile.

"Aw. Thank you, guys."

"C'mon, sweetie. Make a wish." I closed my eyes and was about to wish for something when the face of Xzavier popped up of my mind. I opened my eyes right away while breathing hard.

"What happened, my dear? Are you okay?" My mother asked worriedly. I swallowed hard and then forced a smile.

"I'm okay. I just didn't have enough sleep that's why I'm still sleepy."

"Why? Did something happen at the party? Henry here told me that you went home without waiting for them."

"Yes. What happened to you last night, Sabina? Billy and I looked all over for you. Thankfully, someone saw you walking home alone as if you weren't yourself." Henry said. I felt like a lump suddenly was in my throat.

"I was just sleepy that's why I couldn't finish the party. I'm sorry for not saying anything before going home." I answered apologetically. "Anyway, I'm fine and you don't have anything to be worried about." I then blew the candle and then got out of bed. "Thank you for the surprise. Love you." I then hugged my parents.

Thankfully, looked like they believed me. After that, they went downstairs while I was in the washroom for my morning rituals. When I went downstairs, everyone was busy preparing for my birthday celebration.

It would just be a simple lunch with our friends. My parents took an off from work and wanted for us to throw a small party but I declined.

"Sabina, could you go to the grocery store? I forgot to buy some ingredients." My mother said after I ate my breakfast. They already ate their breakfast because apparently, they woke up early to start preparing for my birthday.

"Sure, mom." I took the car key and then went out of our house. The grocery store was a in the center of the city so I had to take the car.

After I bought everything on the list, I went home right away. When I arrived at the ranch, I stopped by the work of Henry and Billy.

"Where is Rex? Did you tell him to come today at my house for my birthday?"

"We haven't had the chance to tell him yet but don't worry, we'll tell him later." Billy answered.

"Okay. See you three later then." I said and was about to go back inside my car when I heard sounds of horses nearby.

"Look. It's that guy from last night." Billy uttered and I followed his gaze. My heart pounded hardly upon seeing Xzavier together with Miss Ellie. They're riding their own horses while talking about something. Looked like they were so engrossed about what they were talking about that they didn't even notice us. My lower lip as I felt a pang of pain in my chest.

"Are you okay, Sabina? Why are you looking at them like that? If I didn't know that you don't know that guy, I would think that you were jealous at Miss Ellie because of the attention he's giving her right now." It was Henry.

"W-What are you talking about? That's nonsense. Anyway, I need to go. Mom and dad are waiting for the ingredients." Before they could answer, I quickly got into my car and drove off.

I couldn't understand what I feeling. Just like when I saw them together last night dancing on the dance floor, I felt like my heart was about to explode for some reason.

"What the heck, Sabina. Are you for real? That's Xzavier! You shouldn't get affected! Besides, you already know that Miss Ellie is Rex's girlfriend!" When I realized the last thing I said, I almost hit my head. I shook my head.

"Stop, Sabina! You hate him and that's just the only feeling that's left in your heart! Nothing else!" I chastised myself like crazy. Why is he still in the ranch anyway?

I groaned inwardly. I felt like I was going insane just thinking that he's just nearby but I tried my best to push those thoughts off my mind and concentrate on my birthday.

When I arrived home, I momentarily forgot about Xzavier because we were busy preparing everything. When we finished everything, I took my bath and wore the sun dress that my parents gifted for me on my birthday.

"I invited the Novells too, Sab. But Mr. Jean-Claude can't make it because he's busy today." My dad informed me.

"Well, you know him. Even though he's already retired, he still works manages the ranch and farm." My mom answered.

"It's a pity that he can't come. Well, I'll just pass by their house to give him some of the food. I'm sure, he'll be happy." I said and my parents smiled.

"You really adore Mr. Jean-Claude like your grandpa."

"Well, I've never experienced having grandparents." According to my parents, my maternal grandparents died when mom was still young that's why she was raised by her relatives while my dad hasn't seen his parents ever since they disowned him.

When lunch time came, my visitors started arriving one by one. Then, Henry, Billy together with Rex arrived too. Then, the celebration started and we ate lunch together.

"Sweetie, I'll just go out for a bit to call someone. Enjoy yourself, okay?"

"Okay, dad." The chatting continued as Rex decided to go to the patio. He wanted to relax before he would go back to his work.

I followed him.

"You know what? I've been wondering why a good-looking guy like you hasn't been scouted yet as a model or even an actor until now. You're too handsome to be a worker here." I said while were sitting on the wooden bench while having tea.

"Why? Are you tired of seeing my face here that's why you want me gone now?" He asked playfully and I laughed as I hit him lightly by the shoulder.

"Silly. Of course, that's not what I meant. It's just that you have the body and face to be like those men in magazines. I thought, it's such a waste for you to be here." I answered honestly. Well, before, I couldn't really understand why he prefers to work here in Claudette ranch but now, looked like I have an idea. It was Miss Ellie.

He was about to answer but he something caught his attention at the gate. I followed his gaze and I was surprised to see Xzavier, Miss Ellie and dad entering the gate. My heart started acting weird. What the heck is he doing here?!

My heartbeat became faster as they approached us. When they finally arrived in front of us, I thought Ellie would say something to Rex but she looked weird and didn't even throw him a glance while Xzavier remained quiet but I could feel his hot stares even though I couldn't meet his gaze.

"Hey, you two. What are you doing here in the patio? Why don't you go inside?" My dad asked with furrowed eyebrows. I wanted to answer but for some reason, I felt like I lost the capability to speak. I just met his gaze, silently telling him not to ask any more questions.

He heaved a sigh. "Fine. Anyway, this is Mr. Cryxus Montaño, a friend of the Novell family. Mr. Montaño, this is my daughter, Sabina, the birthday celebrant and her friend, who works here in the ranch, Rex." I almost gasped out loud upon hearing his name. Cryxus?!

Then, a bitter smile appeared on my lips. He even lied to me about his name. His real name is actually Cryxus Montaño. Now, I realized that everything about him was nothing a lie just like his broken promises.

My fist tightened. I wanted nothing but to slap him in the face for being such a con artist. I looed at Miss Ellie, thinking that she would speak but I caught her staring daggers at Rex and I noticed that dangerous stare that Xzavier was giving him as well. I could feel the heavy atmosphere and my father seemed to notice it too.

"O, I'm glad that you came, Rex." He voiced out with a merry voice, trying to lighten up the mood. Rex shook hands with him.

"It looks like we arrived at a wrong time and disturbed you two." My body went still when Xzavier suddenly spoke. He was now looking at me and Rex alternately full of seriousness. Then, focused his gaze on Rex who bravely stared back at him.

They were staring at each other as if measuring each other's strength. How dare he try to intimidate Rex?! Why is he anyway?!

"No. We're just having a conversation while drinking tea." Rex then answered without breaking their eye contact. The air was getting thicker as the tension began rising.

"Then, why don't we go inside? C'mon, let's go." Dad said.

"We'll follow you after we have a talk with Sabina and Rex." Xzavier said with an unreadable expression on his face. My father's eyebrows creased confusedly while looking at the four of us before nodding his head and shrugging his shoulders before entering the house.

Sabina. It was his first time uttering my complete name since the first time we met.

Nobody talked for a couple of seconds and I could feel the heavy atmosphere. I wanted to get out of there but I couldn't move.

"Hi, Sabina. Happy birthday." Then, Miss Ellie said, breaking the deafening silence.

"Thank you, Ellie." I answered uncomfortably. Whenever I talk to her, I call her by her first name because she didn't want me adding honorifics. I always feel shy whenever I talk to the Novell siblings before but because they were friendly, I gradually became comfortable around them.

But now, the stares of Xzavier were making me uncomfortable and I wanted to run away as far as I could.

"Can we talk?" I didn't expect him to say that. My heart raced even more as panic rose within me. I looked at Rex, silently begging for him to do something about it.

"N-No. I am still talking to Rex." Thankfully, I found my voice. I normally wouldn't get tensed like this around people because I learned how to deal with every individual I met but it's different with Xzavier. I could feel how dangerous he was just by seeing those dangerous stares that he was throwing at Rex. He didn't even try to hide it.

I saw his jaw clench upon hearing my response. I was about to stand up and go inside the house when Xzavier suddenly took me by the hand and pulled me out of there. He wasn't dragging me nor use any force but for some reason, my tongue stiffened and just let him take me wherever he wanted.

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Do you still remember Ellie & Rex's story?

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