"Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and fans the bonfire." ― François de La Rochefoucauld

(Unedited)
Lauren's POV

It's been a month and I always had a fabulous busy day. I did snorkeling most of the time. It's fun to swim with the fish.. The place was fabulous. For my first week, I visit the main village of Vaitape and shop at the local boutiques and dine at every fine Bora Bora's restaurants. For my second week, I explored the Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu on a Jeep Safari tour.

For the last two weeks, I was always in the water. Since water is a way of life on the island, things you could mostly do includes snorkeling, diving, cruising, fishing, paddle boarding, kitesurfing, Jet Skiing, and of course, shark and ray feeding. You can also take your experience to new heights by parasailing, skydiving, or touring the island by helicopter.

So far, I have done cruising, paddle boarding, jet skiing and almost everyday snorkeling. Three days ago, I went parasailing. The take-off and landing are done from the boat. During the flight I saw rays, sharks, turtles and lot of birds. At a certain height, I could see the neighboring islands.

Today, I'm going to the mainland, but I had to take a cab and catch the boat to the lagoon. I had to wake up early morning to walk to where the cab is and into the mainland where I secured a spot in a boat to the lagoon, where I'm going to swim with the sting rays and sharks, and feed them too with the turtles.

The place is out of the world, but the only cons I realized, is that the place is so romantic and known for honeymooners, so obviously, I felt left out always, but it doesn't mean, it killed my fun. I may feel a bit outcast almost every time, but I always forget I was alone.

Not long, I was walking to the plank where the boat is waiting. There's already like 6 pairs in the boat. Two Tahitian guys are operating the boat. One steered the boat and the other guy plays a ukelele and sing to entertain us while waiting till we arrive to the said lagoon. The fresh breeze was whipping on my bare skin. I was wearing a black two piece and top it with a crochet tank top cover-ups beach dress, with my back pack, where I have my water proof video camera and my snorkel's equipment.

It feels relaxing and calming. You could see that everyone was really enjoying their stay. Smiles plastered in their faces. And so am I. I was so ecstatic every morning I wake up. There's nothing you couldn't do. There's always a thing you could do and it's always fun.

Not long the boat engine stop, indicating we reached the coral garden, where we can snorkel in the clear and shallow water. The turquoise vibrant water was so endearing. I could see the fishes already. Everyone took off their tops with just their bathing suits and wore their snorkeling gadgets.. I took my top off and stuffed it in my backpack and took my snorkeling stuff out and put it on. I left my back pack to where I seated and walked carefully to our tour guide, and he help me to stand on the side of the boat, ready to join the others, swimming with the fish and exploring, while waiting for our guide to take us to feed the sharks and stingrays, and hopefully I could ride a shark.

"This is awesome.!!" a girl smiled at me widely, while threading on the water to stay afloat, taking off her goggles.

"I know right?" I replied giving her back a friendly smile. "This place is just too breathtaking!" I exclaimed cheerfully as I looked around the vibrant water.

The girl swam closer to me, smiling sweetly. She looks like almost my age. She has blonde hair and fair skin like mine. Her blue eyes is strikingly beautiful and she had few specks of freckles around her nose.

"I'm Angela by the way. That guy approaching us is my husband Ainsley. We just got married two weeks ago. We are here for our honeymoon. A gift from his parents. This is where they went on their honeymoon too." she beamed happily.

"Oh.. Congratulations!" I replied with a genuine smile. "I'm Lauren Leventis." I added with my smile stuck in my face, like a fool.

"Ohhh... You are the new CEO of the His'n'Hers Clothing Co." she looked surprised.

"Yeah." I replied sheepishly. I hate being known as the new CEO of our family's company.

"You're so young!" she remarked, with a cheeky smile.

"I know. I'm not ready yet, but fate had another plan.." I chuckled. Then she chuckled. Her husband soon reach us and she introduced me to him. We just shake hand briefly.

"So where is your husband Lauren?" Angela asked suddenly, while we are swimming following our guide to go feed the turtles.

"I'm not married. And I came here alone." I replied awkward.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I just thought you came here for honeymoon too. I apologized.." she said apologetically.

"It's alright Angela." I smiled to reassured her it's totally fine. Although, it made me wish that Zandros is with me. I had forgotten everyone, even Zandros for the time I was here.

Mario was right. A good scenic view was a good diversion.

I felt my heart constricted again with the thought of Zandros. By the time I'm back to New York, he's probably married.

"Let's go Lauren.. It's our turn!" Angela's voice dragged me back to reality. I swam closer to them where the guide was standing beside them, teaching how to feed the turtles.

When I got a turn to feed the turtles, the thought of Zandros evaporates to thin air.

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Zandros' POV

Dad was still pacing back and forth in the ensuite hotel room where we are standing and waiting for the limousine to arrived to take us to the church, where the wedding ceremony will takes place. He was holding his phone tightly, and he looks agitated.

"Will you stop walking back and forth honey!" Mom snapped at Dad. She was sitting on one of the armchairs.

I walk to the big glass window wall, and stood a few inches away, watching the busy road of Tokyo Japan.

"Are you sure you wanna do this Zandros?" Dad asked again for the umpteenth time, with his cold stoic voice.

"Dad you know the answer. Ayumi and I already talked. It's not fair to her." I reminded Dad, again. He was too persistent to let me change my mind.

Three weeks ago, Ayumi and I talked about the contracts being secured before the wedding. She promised me and so she did. For few weeks of persuading the old Hayashi, Ayumi finally got his approval and the last 3 days, I was busy meeting with the CEO's of Jian Hi Supermarket, the Matumoku Marketplace that has hundred thousands of chains around the world, the Harina Market, another chain of grocery stores, one of the largest grocery stores in Japan.

I was also recommended with one of their friend in Taiwan, who owned the second largest chains of grocery stores in Taiwan, called 'Li Wei Supermarket' and has about 150 chains.

And four secured partnership for this wedding is not bad at all. Although, my heart is finally saying goodbye to happiness and hello to hell.

"I hope you'll finally learn to love her." Dad commented dryly, clenching the phone in her hand.

I just nod and I hope I will.

Then a knock on our hotel room door. Mom stood up and opened it, revealing my four best mans, Nicolas, Demetrio, Isaac and.. Where is Anderson?

"Where is Anderson?" I asked not too happy with my cousin's unpunctuality.

"I haven't seen him, since yesterday. We thought he was here already." Isaac replied looking at Nicolas and Demetrio, who was looking at me impassively. The two knew about this sham wedding. Stavros was too busy in his life trying to ruin himself because of the break up with Alessandra so I didn't bother to bug the bastard.

"Relax bro, he comes when he decided to come!" Demetrio shrugged as he greeted Mom and Dad. The two soon follows, and they sat on the couch. Isaac was my sister's boyfriend. The guy was Lauren's photographer and he was the prodigal son of the well known Arturo Olivares, one of the oldest rich family in Mexico. He showed up in my parent's doorstep with flowers two days Lauren left to New York. My parents was very happy and Dad was ecstatic to meet the only heir of the well known Olivares.

I knew, he knows a lot about him because he was very charming to him. Of course he had us track down even our conversations. Just when I got my Iphone, he lost track of my private life. I had to make sure that he never knew my number.

Chrissy was so happy and not long, the two became so close and one night, Isaac came to have dinner with us and they both announced their new relationship. The guy wasn't bad at all, I could see the admiration in his eyes, every time he look at my sister.

"Then call him!" Mom butted in, raising her elegant eyebrows. I nodded in agreement. I took my phone that was sitting on the vanity, and I dialled on Anderson's number.

"The number you have dialed is ou-"

"Shit!" I hissed. I dialed it again and the same voice from a girl. His phone is out of reach. "Where the hell is that bastard?" I grumbled.

"Maybe his phone battery is dead." Nicolas shrugged as he watched me pathetically. I hate my friend's eyes looking at me. I know I'm making the biggest mistake. But it's all I could do.

Each seconds my heart beat is speeding. It's going to be the end of my happiness. I heaved a hurtful sighed and threw the phone on the vanity, making a loud noise.

Suddenly, Dad's phone rang, then he excused himself and entered the washroom closing the door behind him.

Mom and I looked at each other suspiciously.

After a decade Dad came out of the washroom exuberantly. I raise my eyebrow dubiously.

"Let's go! The limousine is waiting for us." Dad exclaimed, with his face that gave nothing away.

"Dad, Anderson is not here! And I can't contact him.." I stated alarmed.

"He might be at the church now?" Dad stated flatly.

"Right!" I replied feeling stupefied.

Demetrio, Nicolas, Isaac and Mom stood up with Dad walking closer to Mom and hold her on the waist. He looks a bit odd to me, compared the last weeks.

"Are you coming?" Dad asked as I was zoned out and rooted to the ground. I don't want to go. My heart was slowly beating. I felt like I'm dying.

With a heavy heart, I followed them. Closing the door behind me, I followed them to the elevator, waiting for me.

"Your the only groom I know that looks like he's going on a death row." Nicolas remarked contemptuously.

"Shut up!" I snapped nudging him with my elbow on his gut.

"God, can't I joke you?" Nicolas whined as he hold his belly.

I rolled my eyes. I can't believe, he was throwing a joke, or rather mocking me. And he was joking on a very wrong time. Demetrio stifled his laughters. Isaac was just watching with fondness in his eyes.

Not long, we are inside the limousine. On our way to the church, my friends started to drink and celebrate my last hour of bachelorhood.

"Toast to our dear friend for signing his life away!" Demetrio chuckled as he raise his vodka and every one soon made a toast including my Dad, with my Mom glaring at all of them trying to stop them from drinking before the wedding ceremony. Nicolas and Isaac was sharing old jokes and laughing their heart out. I did take some few shots, Dad had encouraged me to have some, so I would be relax when the ceremony began.

If I could stop the time, I would do it. I could feel my whole body becoming rigid. I'm feeling that strange scary feelings. I knew I'm going to regret this later on, but I can't ruin my name and I can't bring a big scandal to Ayumi's name. She was very nice and have been true to her words. She had helped me a lot in acquiring all those goals I've been working on the past years since I run our company.

"Here we are." Mom reminded everyone. I was the last one who got off the limo and we all headed inside the church. A lot of paparazzis and reporters were blocking our way to the church. Four guards was trying to push the reporters and paparazzis who wants to take a photo and an updates of the upcoming wedding ceremony. And finally, we got into the big church. There's a commotion inside the church. People are whispering and some are looking clueless while other were looking in horror.

I looked at my parents, they look confused. Then a guy and a lady on their office attire approached us. I regarded one as Mr. Hayashi's right hand and his butler, Mr. Jiro Daisuke.

He bowed lightly as soon as he come close to us. Mom and Dad was standing beside me.

"I was sent by Mr. Hayashi, Mr. And Mrs. Mailov.." he started.. then he turned to the girl beside him and the girl handed him a square envelop. "I was sent to give this to you. He said, He is very sorry. He said, he can't face you, so he sent me to give this letter from Ms. Ayumi.." Mr. Daisuke said apologetically and he bowed again with the girl beside him and he walked to where he came from with the lady trailing behind him.

I felt flabbergasted.

What just had happened? Am I dreaming? I was still holding the letter. I still couldn't grasp what the butler just said.

"Open the envelop son!" Dad said impatiently.

With a shaky hand, I opened the envelop and pulled out a folded white paper. I saw Ayumi's hand written.

By the time you read this Dad, I'm long gone. I'm sorry but I can't follow your orders. I hate it when you always demand me what to do. And for arranging a marriage for me is absolutely the most unacceptable decision you had made, that I decided to leave!

I'm sorry, but I can't let you win this time. So I decided to run away. Don't trace me because I will never come back. You can have your money Dad. Mom had thought me to be happy not because of money but the simplest things in life, money couldn't buy.

And I found mine, which your money can't buy! And that, finding my true love!

I love you Dad! But I can't bear your controlling attitude. I will come back when you're ready to accept that you can't control me..

Please apologized for me to Zandros and to his family. I didn't mean to embarrass them. I just want my true happiness.

Thank you Dad for everything, and I always love you!!

Your loving daugther,
Ayumi.

Dad grab the letter and he read it again. His face was slowly brightening. Then, he grinned triumphantly after reading it.

He patted my shoulder. "You're free son!" he murmured happily and he pulled me for a hug.

I felt like a big rock had just pulled out of my chest, feeling relieved.

"I'm going to find Lauren!" I mumbled audibly. I felt like I was floating at this moment. I'm not going to waste any more time. I will make sure that I will make it up to her. I just hope she was still single.

For the past months that I was feeling trapped, feeling like a robot everyday, trying to get by each day, I felt so happy. Genuinely happy, or more than happy. I don't know, It's just so overwhelming. I felt like it was just a dream.

Dad and Mom was hugging at each other. My friends are grinning broadly.

"Congratulations buddy! You are back to bachelor, certified!" Nicolas grinned amusingly. This time I laughed genuinely.

Soon Chrissy was running inside the church looking stunning in her green long dress as the Maid-of-honor. Isaac walked briskly to meet her halfway and the two hugs so closely and intimately. Then Isaac kissed her chastely. Dad made a fake cough to get the attention of the two. Dad was looking impassive to both of them.

I grinned widely.

Isaac looked embarrassed. Chrissy just glared at Dad. Then, her face suddenly looked happy.

"Ayumi is missing!" she blurted out, as she tried to catch her breath.

"We know. She run away!" I said nonchalantly as I smiled genuinely.

"God, I can't believe this is happening! Oh, I love that girl now!!" Chrissy remarked with teary eyes and launch herself onto me. I swept her off her feet and spun her around. She was giggling.

We were so happy that we didn't notice the whole crowd slowly dissipating. Some are shooting us with a curious looks and others were without care.

"Let's go and celebrate your bachelorhood again!" Demetrio chuckled and pat my shoulder. I grinned.

"I need your help. I've been tracking down Lauren, but all the guys I've paid are all inefficient. It's been a month." I complained and now worries enfolds my whole system.

"I'll send my friend Timothy, he's a computer spy. He works for me and Nicolas. He's a genius." Demetrio became serious.

"I'll need him ASAP!" I replied.

"As soon as we landed in Athens, he's on his way to your place!" Demetrio promised and hope soon grows within me.

"Thanks Demetrio. I owe you one!" I patted his shoulder too and soon all of us was sneaking out of the church to the limo where the reporters was still swarming outside the church. I know, in about an hour, the news will spread like a plague. And I hope it will reach Lauren, where ever she is!

I will find you Agapi Mou, and we will never be apart! I promised to myself, as I smiled widely with the thought of holding her again, and hopefully forever she's in my arms. Waking up everyday with her face first that I could see before I'll start my day.

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A/N: I'm almost there.... yay!!