To @nidshan for being sooo into this... for strongly and furiously cracking my mind that it's indeed high time for my dear Thea to give up... haha... This is for you, girl.
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~~~ CHAPTER 32 - THE VIP ~~~

"This is the baker you said you'd like to meet, Mr. Sarmiento. She's our darling in the orphanage, our most active volunteer here, Miss Althea Ruiz," Mother Clarita said.

What would you do when you see again the most hated man of your life? What would you do when you thought there was no way that he could ever exist again but there he was standing before you like an apparition who had just come to life from where he was buried years ago?

I blinked my eyes.

No, this couldn't be true! This was just a nightmare! This couldn't be happening to me!

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Ruiz," the man with those remarkable pair of dark eyes spoke calmly as if he wasn't surprised seeing me at all... like he actually expected to see me now... He offered his hand for a handshake and, for seconds, my mind was actually debating if I was to accept it or not.

You are not affected, my inner voice stressed. You can go through this. Try your best to appear as calm as possible.

I clasped his warm palm with mine, but I hadn't spoken a word.

The contact was relatively brief for I immediately pulled my hand away and turned to Mother Clarita. "Mother, I think the program will start any moment by now. Will you excuse me?"

"But I haven't introduced Mr. Sarmiento to you yet, dear," Mother Clarita dissented.

There's no need for any introductions, Mother! I know him! I absolutely know this heartless jerk! And we're done handshaking... Good Lord!

I remained rooted to the ground, however. Mother Clarita would be disappointed with me if I would act rudely in front of her important guest.

"Alright, Thea dear, this is Mr. Nigelito Joaquin Sarmiento. He's been a benefactor for half a year now. He will be joining you later in the tour with Mr. and Mrs. Muñoz."

I was conscious that he was seeking my eyes all throughout the introductions but I didn't give him the chance to catch mine. There was no way that I would ever allow myself again to be trapped in those stares.

Yeah. Been there, done that. Like over and over again in the past.

So I averted my eyes away. I couldn't even describe what he was wearing. I just couldn't look at him.

Thankfully, before anything else had been said by anybody in our circle, there was an announcement for the start of the event.

That was my cue to leave the hall. Without looking at him anymore, I left immediately.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

My heart was beating furiously as I walked fast back to the kitchen. I had to pull myself together before I'd lose my mind.

Nigel... he was the benefactor who fell in love with my cupcakes? Was fate playing with me?

For two years, I tried my best to forget him... and when I was on the verge of successfully doing it, here he was! I guessed he needed some lessons on proper timing!

What was he doing now? And, what, a benefactor to my beloved orphanage? Was he kidding me?

Pull yourself together, Althea! Pull yourself together! Go prove to him that he's just a part of your dark past... and there's no way ever that you're to accept him again. Prove to him.

Why? Did he ever ask you to accept him again? He didn't, right? He's even calling you Miss Ruiz. He's probably married by now so there's nothing to fret about. Yes, he has probably married that woman. He must have been happily married by now... Yeah, he must be.

Okay. So pull yourself together now. Just prove to him that you're no longer the Althea that he knew before. Prove to him that you've changed a great deal and that he isn't affecting you anymore. Do that and you can finally have a peace of mind.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

I went back to the function hall in the midst of the program and found a seat at the back together with some of the volunteers.

It was the time when the guests, who were all seated at the front line near the stage, were introduced to the audience. The most hateful man on earth was introduced last. Showing his proud smile, he stood up to be acknowledged and turned around to face the audience.

I heard a loud applause from the nuns, the orphanage children, and the volunteers when he stood up. As of the moment, it was still hard for my brain to process that he was a donor to the orphanage for six months now. Come on, what kind of drama was he trying to stage?

"Gosh, I can't really believe that the famous Nigel Sarmiento shows up today!" One of the girl volunteers mused excitedly to her seat mate.

"Yeah, so surprising," the other one giggled. "Seeing him personally is the best thing today ever. So glad I'm here."

Oh, great! Did these teenaged girls forget why they were even here? To help the children, to make Marianne Orphanage's Foundation Day a success! And NOT to ogle on some guest --- some haughty guest who even pretended to be in love with my cupcakes!

"He's so handsome. He must be a great lover," one girl whispered at my side.

What was wrong with these girls?

"Don't rely too much on looks," I butted in sourly, "They can be pretty deceiving."

Well, they seemed not to heed on me anyway. Girls really... Should girls really need to be hurt for them to learn a lesson? Come on!

"Isn't he an engaged man?" the girl next to me whispered. "You know, if I remember, there was an announcement two years ago?"

I closed my eyes. Please, girls, enough!

But, I couldn't help my ears from eavesdropping.

"I've learned he isn't married yet so, probably, he's still engaged with that girl. But... since then he seems to distant himself from the media," the girl at her other side answered.

So, he wasn't married yet with that Maria Stella... So what happened to the two of them? Was he really still single? Seriously? Should I believe it?

The closing number was the children to render a song to the guests. Some played instruments while the rest sang. After their rendition, everyone in the hall clapped his or her hands. All were amazed what orphaned kids could do and how talented they could be in spite of all the things that they had been through. I felt proud of them.

When luncheon was to be served, the guests were brought to the dining hall. I headed to the kitchen. Gosh, I didn't feel like eating. Thus, I just supervised the servers in placing my cupcakes on trays. Later, when these would be served, I had to endure someone in there and better yet show him the new me.

The. New. Me.

Great... so this had to be my perfect foundation day in Marianne Orphanage, huh?

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

When the cupcakes were served, I had to come out to the dining hall and supervised the servers. I walked through the tables and saw to it that everyone was served. And, you would guess, through my peripheral vision, I was aware of two dark eyes never leaving wherever I was in the hall... Or was I just assuming?

What on earth was he doing here? I wanted to shout at him and tell him to scram. But, of course, I couldn't do that! He was the most distinguished VIP today. If I'd do something unacceptable to him, the nuns would probably chase me to the edge of the world. Hence, I tried to disregard him and his presence.

I continued walking here and there, made sure that everyone enjoyed their dessert, stopped on some of the guests, answered queries, received praises on my cakes, smiled at them like nothing was the matter with my inner self and, most of all, acted like he didn't exist.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"Mr. Sarmiento here, dear, would like to say something to you," Mother Clarita told me when I stood by their table. He was sitting with the orphanage mistress, what could I do? So, when Mother Clarita called me, I had to make myself ready for him.

I raised one of my brows and looked at him. Flashes of lightning and thunderbolts instantly appeared before my very eyes!

No... I was just kidding.

Nigelito Joaquin Saavedra Sarmiento --- the hateful bastard! If I could only crumple his valuable presence within my palm... or stomp him like a rotten mouse... If only I could.

I met his gaze. It was deep and intense... just like how I always remembered it.

A smile appeared in his lips... How could he act as if we had the best parting in the world?

"Please, do take a seat, Miss Ruiz. Join us," he offered. His face flashed tints of red.

Mrs. Riviera, Mr. and Mrs. Muñoz, Mother Clarita and he were in that table. Since it was a six-seater round table, there was still a vacant seat, in between Mrs. Riviera's seat and his.

"No, thanks," I rejected him.

"I haven't seen you eat, dear," Mother Clarita spoke, sounding concerned.

"Yes, that's what I was supposed to say, too," Mrs. Riviera joined the conversation.

"I'm done eating. Please don't worry about me," I lied, watching them finishing their cakes. "What do you want to tell me, Mr. Sarmiento?" I bravely asked him and, again, met his gaze. Oh, that face... and those eyes...

"How about taking a seat for a while, Miss Ruiz?" he asked for the second time. Crap. So irritating!

"I don't have time to having a seat right now, Mr. Sarmiento. Now, if you have nothing else to say except offer me a seat, please excuse me. I have a lot of things to attend to," I said acidly.

You could actually see the surprised look in both Mother Clarita's and Mrs. Riviera's faces! Mother Clarita shot me a glare as if asking me, 'Why are you treating the most important guest that way?' Note the deletion of the endearment.

Oh, Mother, I'm sorry. I can't even look at you now.

He, on the other hand, didn't seem to be surprised at how I acted at all. Good. That would mean I wouldn't be having a hard time expressing my disgust of his presence.

"I'd just like to say that your cake is the best that I've ever tasted," he spoke when I was about to take a step away from them.

I stopped and decided to linger for a while. A praise! He, the great Nigel Sarmiento, was praising me.

Mother Clarita, who seemed to have gotten over with her shock, smiled and said, "You once said you've fallen in love with it, Mr. Sarmiento."

He beamed at Mother Clarita. "It's true. I instantly fell in love with it the first time I tasted it. Now, I'm already addicted to it." That was straight and frank! I didn't see that one coming.

It made my blood boil. What was he trying to imply here? Did he think I would smile in return of his compliment? I felt the heat in my cheeks and ears.

No way! I had to make a comeback.

Showing him my annoyance, I gave him a wry smile.

"Too bad you don't have me in your very own kitchen, Mr. Sarmiento. That means you can't have my cupcakes anytime you want them. How sad is that? Now, will you excuse me?" I gracefully bowed down my head a little bit and left them. I strode fast and went back to the kitchen.

I could just picture out the stunned look in Mother Clarita's face.

Oh, please, forgive me, Mother. You can start chasing me right now.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"What happened back there, Thea?" Mrs. Riviera followed me in the kitchen. "Why did you act that way?"

If you only knew, Ma'am.

"He just annoys the hell out of me, Ma'am," I said, closing my eyes. I couldn't face her.

I'm really sorry, Ma'am.

She deep breathed. "Mr. Sarmiento? Why, he's been pretty nice the whole time! He was even praising you?"

I sat on a chair beside the table, "I don't know. I'm just tired, I guess." God, how many times had I lied today?

Mrs. Riviera tapped my shoulder, "Well, you need to take a rest. You've been busy the whole week. I'll just tell Mother Clarita that you can't accompany anymore the guests around the compound."

I didn't respond. My mind was in chaotic debate. I had to decide whether I had to go out there again or just sulk in the kitchen.

"What really is bugging you, Thea?" Mrs. Riviera asked.

Most people here in my new environment didn't know about my past because I chose to be silent about it.

After Nigel's party two years ago, pictures of me appeared on the daily news for a couple of months. There were articles questioning about our upcoming wedding or questioning about my background. I became an instant celebrity that I never went out of Kara's room for three whole days. Finally, both Kara and I decided for a makeover for a disguise and I had to have my hair cut short. Kara, with the help of her mother, Mrs. Mondego, sent me to the South where I started working with Mrs. Riviera.

The moment that I had my hair grew back to its normal length, people already forgot about Nigel's introduced fiancèe... about me.

The issue just died to its natural death... and I was thankful that Nigel... or mom... never looked for me.

Thus, people around me couldn't tell my former connection with the renowned Sarmientos of the Sarmiento Corporation.

Therefore, looking at Mrs. Riviera now, I still couldn't open my mouth. How could I? Should I tell her that the man they considered their VIP guest was an egotistical jerk who didn't give a shit to low-profiled people, to servants, to children, to orphans? How could these people even trust him? Someday he would just leave this orphanage hanging when he would like to! I didn't want them to trust him too much or they would end up really disappointed!

"Okay, if you feel like not telling me right now, tell me when you're ready," the kind woman retreated. "I'll go ahead, Thea."

I immediately grabbed her elbow as I stood up. "Ma'am, I'll go with you."

"You're tired, aren't you?" She appeared concerned through her tone. "Take a rest."

No, I had to face him. Face him like he was NEVER part of my past.

I squeezed her arm as I walked with her to the door. I gave her a smile. "I can handle this."

She cast me a puzzled look.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Mrs. Riviera and I escorted a group of five guests to roam around the orphanage. Mr. and Mrs. Muñoz were part of that group, too, even Nigel Sarmiento. The main purpose of the tour was to let them see the improvements of the place because of their donations. Other guests in groups of five were also escorted by other usherettes.

Our group treaded the pathway going to the playground, as suggested by Mr. Muñoz. I was leading them and I was totally aware that the egotistic man was silently trailing behind me. Every time I turned around to say something to the group, he would always try to catch my eyes. I would then give him an unaffected glance. He was silent all along.

When our group reached the playground, some of the children who were playing there, ran to me and gave me flowers. "Thank you, Big Sis," they all said as they offered me a group hug. I was so surprised at their act of gratitude. You could see the happiness plastered in their faces. With the flowers in my hand, I leaned to hug each of them.

Afterwards, the children ran to go back to their previous activities. Somehow, that made my heart became a little bit lighter. At least...

Well, it was pretty windy outdoor and I could feel the tickling of the air on my skin. My untied hair was blown every now and then. The next thing I knew was that my groupmates already left me to talk to the kids...

Well, not all of them actually left, for two meters away from me was Nigel, in his white button-down shirt with his long-sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black jeans and white rubber shoes. He was standing there so firm and muscular on the well-trimmed grassy ground and observing me like I was some sort of a spectacle. His hands were in his pockets and his eyes never left my face.

Oh, God! He was also wearing white just like me! Fate really knew how to play. It looked like we were matching clothes. What a great coincidence!

I raised my chin and averted my eyes to the kids in the playground. I had to have a distraction.

Finally, finding myself a distraction, I turned my attention to the flowers and arranged them in my hands.

Damn it! Why couldn't he take his eyes off of me?

I had been so overpowered by my irritation that I wasn't able to take notice that he was actually already in my right side, too close to actually touch me.

"You've changed a lot, Althea." There he said the first ever line with my first name in it. He no longer called me Miss Ruiz.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Of course," I snapped back.

His elbow came in contact with my arm as he moved his left arm to put his hand in his pocket. I jerked away from him a bit.

He breathed heavily. I could hear his deep breathing loud and clear. "I-It's really great to see you again. This close." That voice --- clear and smooth but so heavy-coated with feelings I couldn't comprehend.

I knew how to control my heart and mind now, right? I should, therefore, know how to act appropriately right now, shouldn't I?

Well, hello, I was NOT at all affected.

"Wow, do I have to say the same thing?" I said with scorn, not looking at him.

He cleared his throat.

I gripped the stems of flowers in my hands.

"You can tell me honestly how you truly feel seeing me right now..." he spoke after a while.

"Well, this is the truth," I finally glanced up and met his face. "I don't care about seeing you right now. You can be here or not be here at all, I don't give a damn."

At this very moment, I didn't intend to walk out on him. He might think I was avoiding him... like the stupid thing I did at the luncheon. Well, if I had to prove to him that I had already moved on, I had to face him squarely all the time.

"So will it be okay with you if I visit here often?" he asked, still standing very close to my side but he never attempted to touch me.

Good. At least he knew his limitations.

I glanced up at my right side where his face was. Something hit me. The brows... the eyes... the nose... the chiseled jaw... the face... God, he was indeed Nigel Joaquin.

And there was an almost unbearable wave of pain undulating inside my chest.

"I don't find any reason why it won't be okay with me. If your true intention is for the benefit of the kids, why make it a problem?" I retorted.

"Because..." he hesitated.

"Because what?"

"Because I'm here not only for the kids," Nigel said in a confident tone. He gazed at my eyes and, crap, did I see longing in it?

"What else then?" A strong wind blew, making my hair cover my face. I wiped the strands to the side of my face and tucked it behind my right ear. When I glanced up at him once more, I saw him gazing more intently at my eyes this time, penetrating through my soul. "What else then?" I shot him again the same question.

"I'm here to claim someone back," he said calmly yet firmly.

Oh, that statement was very short but that was enough to make my already-peaceful life go in swirling motion!

I looked around and it felt like the world really was spinning too fast. The trees, the children, the playground --- all of them seemed to move and spin fast around me that I could actually faint right where I was standing.

What really was this drama he was staging right now? Would anyone tell me?

"I'm here for you," he then added in a kind of tone that sent chills in my whole being. That sad tone...

Oh, should I faint now?

No. No. No.

Where the hell was my damn self-control?

Trying to gather my wits, I hardened my grip of the flower stems I was holding. Finally, I threatened him, "Say again a word and I'm going to walk out on you now."

There was silence... so I thought he was going to shut his mouth up already.

But he spoke again after a short while, "I already made a mistake of letting you walk out on me two years ago. Now, I'm never going to let it happen again."

WHAT? Was he serious?

Trying to prove to him that I was true to my words, I moved my feet to leave him there. Yet, his hand found my right elbow in just a heartbeat.

"I mean what I've just said," he said. "You can't anymore walk out on me."

What? How could he forget that it was he who commanded me to get out of his damn car two years ago?

"Well, let's see about that, Mr. Sarmiento," I said sarcastically as I gripped the flowers in my left palm and pulled my right arm from his touch. Luckily, I successfully pulled it away from him.

I threw him a sarcastic smile. It was meant to be a threat only but since he was too stubborn to still speak, I decided to really leave him. I moved fast towards the other guests.

However, he was fast as well, even faster than I was. He caught up with my pacing and, when I thought he'd no longer do something stupid, he surprisingly clasped my right hand with his left. This was the second time time that our hands came in contact today after the handshake and I really thought that this was so presumptuous of him to hold my hand without my permission! This was our first time to see each other again in two years and here he was holding my hand!

I really wanted to stomp on his shoe right now. I glanced at his pair of white Nike. Oh, it must have cost him a fortune and I was planning to stomp on it. What could be his reaction if I'd do that?

Really flabbergasted, I again exerted an effort to take my hand away. To no avail, I failed and it heated me up. He was very strong and was too determined not to let me go. He pulled me gently towards the group.

I thought I was red all over my face when we both arrived where our companions were.

To my relief, he released my hand before the others could detect it.

The group started to move now and it was Mrs. Riviera who was now leading it.

"No more running away from me now," he said through a whisper, bending his face to my right ear, to the oblivion of our companions.

"You. Are. Really. A. Jerk," I expressed angrily, almost shouting but trying to be not loud or else the others would hear. "How dare you hold my hand just like that? After two years, you're still a jerk and I will never again allow myself to be with a jerk anymore! Please! Go away and never come back!"

He looked very surprised hearing my words. He raked his fingers through his hair and when he looked at me again, there was that sad look in his eyes. I even thought he was to shed a tear...

No, of course, he wouldn't do that. It was just so stupid of me to think of that.

"Althea---"

I never permitted him to talk. I cut him off.

"Don't show your face to me again. Your mere presence suffocates me to death! Just leave me alone, for God's sake!"

Finally, I started to walk to catch the others and to get rid of this man who obviously intended to lag the both of us from the group.

Until now, I still couldn't comprehend the kind of acting that he was staging now. What I wished right this moment was for him to be out of my sight... because his presence was a suffocation to me. If I would see him again in the future, it'd would absolutely be the death of me.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The exhaustive day ended. I sat on a stool in the kitchen. From were I was, I could hear from outside the starting sounds of car engines and honking of horns. It looked like the guests were leaving now.

I caught sight of some unserved cupcakes on the table. I wanted to throw all of them in the trash bin!

Why do you still have to appear in my life, Nigel Joaquin? Why? Why? Why?

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

A/N

And that was the meeting, ladies and gentlemen.

Right, okay, Thea isn't happy seeing him. So, let's just leave her alone for a while as she sulks in the kitchen.

Anyway, their meeting after two years is my Valentine's gift to you. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY in advance!!! (To Nigel haters, sorry guys but this story is all about the Heartless Heartbreaker... what can I do? Haha..)

Delayed update, I know. SORRY. There's just things that we can't avoid. It frustrates me, it's still not okay... but I hope it's going to be good soon.

Don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT, and SHARE!
FOLLOW me too... or whatever.

Always,
(sapphiregirl22) ~_^

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Happy Hearts Day to my hubby, papa loves Rey! Thank you for the love and super dooper support! I have a proof on this --- You bravely climb the highest pole for this addiction of mine, right? LOL. You truly are my knight-in-shining-armor... Love stories are great, but how we've come to be together is the greatest love story I've ever known. Love you, pa!