Chapter 47

“Thanks, hottie!” Thea shouted and waved at him.

Now, we’re both left alone in his car.

“Where’s your address?” He asked while staring at his phone.

“Do you have work?” I asked.

He didn’t answer, instead, he typed on his phone and looked at his watch as if he’s chasing the time.

I sighed.

“Justine’s— I mean, wait. I’ll text him.” I lied and grabbed my phone.

And just like what expected, he turned to me.

“You're staying in his apartment?” He asked with brows furrowed.

This time, I pretended to type on my phone and looked at my wrist watch just like what he did earlier.

He sighed.

I let him see that the dial speed #1 on my phone was Justine.

“Hello, Justine?” I asked when the ring immediately answered.

“Yes?” He answered on the line.

Grayson’s staring at me with his scrutinizing eyes but I looked at the window of his car.

“Are you already home?” I asked him.

I heard Grayson’s curse and without knowing my location, he maneuvered the car.

Ay the back of my mind, I smirked. But I kept my stoic face.

“Huh?” Justine seems confused.

“Are you hungry? Should I cook— Oh right. We had dinner. What about. . . dessert?” I asked him on the line and smirked while looking at the outside.

My smirked widened when Grayson beeped loud.

“I don’t get you. What are you talking about?” He was confused on the line. I'm sorry for using you, my friend.

“Kindly turn to the right, Grayson. That route is where Justine lives.” I said to him.

But he turned to the left instead so I rolled my eyes.

“Grayson? You’re with Grayson?” Justine asked.

“Uh-huh. What are you doing there?” I asked him.

“I’m on my bed.”

“Oh. You’re on your bed. You don’t seem busy tonight, right?” I nodded.

My lips parted when Grayson parked in front of a motel building.

What?

Without any words, he get off the car.

“I’ll go, Justine.” I ended the call when he opened the door for me.

I gave him my confused look but he gave me his emotionless, waiting for me to get out of his car.

I was confused but he called someone on his phone.

“Hello, Jane. Kindly go the motel near the my hospital. I’ll send you the picture of the woman. Reserve a room for her and accompany her. She’ll wait outside the building.” He ended the call.

And without any words, he went back to his car and maneuvered his car, leaving me alone.

My fist clenched as I stare at his moving car.

You are being too much, Grayson.

Instead of waiting for that Jane he’s talking to, I decided to walk home with a loading pain in heart and a bucket of failure on my shoulder.

I should stop. You're being pathetic, Alessia. You don't deserve this.

Months had past since I last saw him. I busied myself by talking to my team, preparing for all the photoshoots, events, engagements and volunteer works not only relating to my advocacy of spreading mental health awareness but also other relating global health issues as a part of my duty as the Miss Universe.

I tiredly lay on bed and sighed. Staring at the ceiling, I bit my lower lip and grabbed my phone.

Tomorrow is his birthday.

“February 20. . . Two days after that will be our supposed to be anniversary.” I laughed at what I said.

How ridiculous to think of that date when we broke up.

Breathe in. Breathe out. This is the first time I’ll call his number after meeting him, I wish he’ll answer it.

I asked Lia for his number so I don’t know if he’ll answer an unknown call but still, I dialed it.

One ring, he answered it.

“Hello?” His baritone voice on the line is what welcomed me.

I closed my eyes and let myself be drowned in his voice. It’s been months since I last heard his voice.

I know I should stop chasing. But what can I do? I'm foolish when it comes to him.

He didn’t know it was me so it’s okay to listen without talki—

“Alessia?” He asked on the line.

My eyes awakened.

“Why did you call?” He asked again.

“How did you know this is my number? I didn’t give you my number.” I said, confused.

He didn’t respond.

I became silent.

Minutes had passed but no one talked although I could hear his breathing from the line.

“Ha—”

He ended the call before I could even greet him.

I sighed and closed my eyes as I felt the pang in my heart. I should be mad at him. I should hate him. But my heart still wants him. Shit.

“Bes! Let’s attend the hottie’s birthday celebration! I received an invitation from him and it’s tonight! I’m sure there are a lots of hotties there!” Thea clung to me the moment we were supposed to have our shopping together.

I sighed because I received an invitation from Lia too. It was his mom— stepmom whom wanted to celebrate, she said. I don’t know what’s special about it since Lia said he didn’t really like the idea of celebrating it and for the past years, a simple dinner is what they do.

Oh wait. It’s Aiden’s birthday too!

“Let’s shop for their gifts.” I said.

“Their?”

“He has a twin.”

Her jaw dropped.

“Omg! There’s still a chance! If not my baby drake then his twin brother, I’ll get!” She screeched.

I rolled my eyes.

So we shopped together. I brought a watch and clothes for Aiden since I’m sure he’ll need it as an actor.

“Alessia! Faster! We still need to prepare!” Thea complained.

“I’m having a hard time, Thea. I don’t know what he wants.” I sighed.

This is his fault! I asked him what he wants back then but he just answered he wants me! Does that makes sense?!

Wait. . . me?

A smile formed into my lips after concluding a gift.

“You’re creepy, bes! Let’s go na!”

I shook my head and let her drag me to prepare for his birthday.

I’m wearing a black backless satin spaghetti strap maxi dress while Thea’s wearing a red bodycon dress.

“You look hot, Ms. Universe!” Thea commented with a smile.

I rolled my eyes and let out a deep breath after seeing the venue of his celebration. Lia said it was like a ballroom concept since many known business men and influencer will attend the celebration. I’m kind of nervous.

The moment we entered the venue there were already a lot of people in their suits and dresses. Many round tables and a huge space and mini stage in front.

There were melodious music in the background while everyone was busy talking and laughing.

“Oh, the Miss Universe is invited.” Someone said.

I smiled at him, he looks around Grayson’s age.

“Alessia! Thea!” Lia waved her hands, she was seated on the round table near the front.

Thea left me alone and winked at me, sign that she’s about to flirt while I sighed and walked my way towards them.

But of course, I wouldn’t win the crown if I don't have the confidence so even if their eyes were kind of alarming and uncomfortable, I walked with ease towards the table.

“Sexy.” Jason commented.

Haley glared at him.

I sat beside Lia and smiled at them.

“I received the text you got. We got it.” Jason gave me an okay sign.

I bit my lower lip and nodded. I’m kind of nervous with what I thought as my gift but since they’re going to support me, then I’ll trust myself.

I noticed that a woman kept on glancing at me. She’s standing while talking to a billionaire. Maybe she’s around mom’s age but my eyes shifted to the familiar woman in front of our table and it was Rhiana, wearing a red maxi dress.

But my attention shifted to the front when the song stopped along with the sound of the mic. I saw a man host on the front with his suit.

Thea sat beside me after flirting with men.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the young billionaire is about to enter. Let us all welcome, Mr. Grayson Drake Alonzo!”

They all stood as I stood too and clapped with them.

Shit. Hot.

He’s wearing a suit and he looks hot— like that C.E.O hot boss of yours, well he is a C.E.O.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for—” our eyes met.

Thea pulled me and that’s when I realize that I was the only one left standing so I immediately sat when everyone’s looking at me.

Grayson cleared his throat when their eyes were on me and I was thankful that it shifted back to his.

“You look stunned.” Thea whispered with a tease.

I blushed and gave her a glare.

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Grayson. You may now seat beside your soon-to-be-wife.” The host said with a tease.

The woman on the front table laughed along with her friends that spontaneously followed by others while I watch him sit beside Rhiana who’s giving her an enticing smile.

“But before anything else. There’s a special person who’s going to show us her talent for tonight.” The host said and looked at me.

I gulped when Jason gave me an okay sign along with Haley that gave me a thumbs up.

“Let us all welcome, the Miss Universe of today. The beauty with talent who perceives the existence of beauty. Miss Alessia Mae Robins!”

They all clapped and stood to welcome me. Thea seems shock at first but she went wild the moment I stepped forward.

“That’s my bes! Go! Show them your talent!” She shouted, shameless.

I smiled at the host the moment I went to the mini stage. I sat on the stool that was prepared while the staff gave me a guitar.

They really did prepare.

I cleared my throat.

“Good evening, everyone.” I greeted.

Many whistled and shouted my name while the other clapped.

I let out a deep breath before strumming the guitar.

“Omg!” Thea shouted.

Some are taking a video of me but I just took the time to strum and reminiscence the past with this song.

“There I was, an empty of piece of a shell. . .” I closed my eyes.

Everything became serene while I took my time to show them— maybe only him that my love for him didn’t change a gap.

“Just minding my own world,
Without even knowing what love and life were all about. . .”

“Okay, Ms. Oh shit— it is. Hi, Ms. Oh shit! I am Mr. Gentleman.” I smiled as I remember the first time he introduced himself when we became teenagers.

“Then you came,
You brought me out of the shell. . .”

“If you want... I can help you heal.” I remember the first time he lend me his hand.

“I-I will never heal.” I still remember my sob back then, hopeless about my state.

“You will. I trust in you.” And that was the cue, slowly, he helped me move forward.

I can’t help but to feel a pang in my heart thinking of the fact that I could only reminiscence the good and ugly past of mine with him.

Don’t I have another chance to build thousands of yesterday with you, Grayson? Is it too late for that?

I finished the song but I couldn’t look at his eyes even when everyone was praising my voice, I couldn’t understand the sadness and hopelessness I feel for our relationship.

I’m not the only one who performed. Lia and Jason sang on the mini stage too and his other friends as his birthday gift.

“What a great performance everyone, so as we all know, it was the C.E.O’s mom who decided to celebrate this celebration with all of you so let us all welcome, Mrs. Belladona Garcia!”

Thea and I looked at each other, shock.

It was Justine’s stepmom! She has their last name.

I looked at where Mrs. Garcia is coming from and that’s when I realize that mom and Justine were on the same table as Grayson’s.

“Is that—”

“It’s mom. What is she doing in their table?” I cut Thea off.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, tonight, I would like to thank you for attending my son’s very special day.” She gave us her angelic smile.

I grabbed my phone on my black purse to text Justine.

“Because tonight, I would like to announce to all of you a very special announcement and that is my son’s getting married!”

They all shouted in congratulate but I felt like a lightning has struck me in my seat after hearing what the woman. I looked at the front and she was smiling wide while looking at Rhiana’s direction.

“Grayson, my son. Come to the front and introduce your future wife. This is not just going to be your birthday celebration but also your proposal.”

“What the fuck?” Haley whispered.

“Mom. . .” Grayson looks reluctant.

Rhiana stood and went in front with a smile.

“Good evening everyone. Thank you, mom.” She said to the mic and gave the woman a smile.

I gulped.

“Ohh. . .” She laughed.

They all laughed along with her but only our table that was left quiet. Even Thea’s giving me her scrutinizing gaze and I know she realized that I was the woman on the Grayson’s stereo after hearing me sing the same song.

“Grayson already gave me a ring.” She showed us her engagement ring.

My friends turned to me.

“As we all know, four years ago, we got engage but it got postponed due to personal problem. So now that he’s back at New York with his new build company, he proposed to me.” She said with a smile.

Justine from the front table turned to me, his eyes seems worried.

“How about we call the soon-to-be-groom for his message to his fiancée? The birthday man?” The host asked with a smile.

“I think. . . I should go to the bathroom.” I said and stood.

Without minding the eyes of others, I walked out of our table, unable to bear the sight of them together, shouting to the world they'll get married!

Someone grabbed my hands and it was Justine, with him, he led the way out.

He was quiet when we reached the outside.

“You should stop, Alessia.” He faced me.

I nodded and played with my fingers.

“If you keep on chasing him knowing that he’s about to get married, it’ll only ruin your image as the Miss Universe. You know that you’re the inspiration of women right? Do the right thing then, at least respect yourself as a woman who deserve someone better.” He wiped my tears off.

“He changed, Justine.” I whispered.

He hugged me and caress my hair.

“Do you want me to sabotage my stepsister and brother-in-law?” He suggested.

I laughed.

“I’ll move on.” I said.

He loosened his hug and faced me.

“Really?”

“Uh-huh.” I smiled.

He smiled too.

“So shall we go home?”

I shook my head.

“Nope. I’ll talk to him.”

His smile faded.

“Alessia. . .”

“Don’t worry! Friendly talk you know. Maybe. . . Maybe it’s just shame and guilt I’m feeling. Maybe I just need to say sorry for breaking his heart and after that, I’ll let go of him along with my feelings.” I smiled at him.

He heaved a sigh and nodded.

So with a clear thought in mind, we head in. At first, my friends wanted to ask if I’m okay but I gave them my assuring smile so they didn’t ask further until everything went on smoothly. I never take a glance at the other table while Justine transferred beside me to assist me.

“Alessia. . .” It was Grayson’s voice behind me after the celebration ended.

“We’ll go.” Lia said and pulled the two who wanted to listen more.

“Thea, let’s go.” Justine pulled her too.

“I can fight, bes. Call me!” She signaled me a call sign.

I nodded and looked at Grayson in front of me.

“Can we talk?” He asked.

“Yeah. . . Actually, I want to talk too.”

“About what?”

“About us being friends.” I smiled at him.

Tonight, I’m going to let go of the man whom I love the most.

“What? Friends?” He was confused.

I nodded.

“I want to have a good terms with you, Grayson, at least as friends. After all, we’ve been in a toxic break-up.”

He didn’t respond. He just stared at me.

I hate the fact that my heart still beats with the way he stared at me as if it recognize the eyes of its own owner.

“Closure. Let’s have a closure, Grayson.”

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