Chasing The Broken CEO

The next day, I could see the excitement from my parents' eyes because they have already learned that the engagement party will be pushed through by next Friday. I decided to join them in our dining for the breakfast before coming to work. They seem to be so happy, smiling widely as they talked about the details of the engagement, seeing the brightest future they could enjoy as soon as the merge happens.

"I will be seeing Czarina Zendejas by tomorrow so that we can finalize the lists of guests. She mentioned that they would be the one who will organize the event so we have nothing to worry about! They only hope that there will be no trouble and Nathalie would be there to join her fiancée to announce their engagement! I'm just so excited!" my mother clasped her hands in front of me, gushing in glee that their long lost dream is finally found and on their hands already.

My father laughed heartily. "See what is just going on? The Zendejas' really loves the idea of getting our businesses merged. They are totally obsessed with this agreement more than I do. As a matter of fact, Evan seems very hands on with the whole preparation. He really loves this engagement to happen and I could not blame him because he would be marrying my daughter, Nathalie. Who would not fall for my daughter, right?"

I pursed my lips. Have I heard it correctly? Evan is very hands on when it comes to preparing for our engagement party? He should've planned well to chase me first. He would probably be engaged with a ghost fiancé if he fails to win me. I want to laugh out loud and shake my head in disbelief but my parents' would definitely scold me if I do so, and so I kept my feelings with myself.

I have thought about this the whole time. I made a plan last night just in the event that Evan refuses to do what I want all because of his well built pride. If he decides not to chase me, then I plan not to attend the engagement party and would hide at the rest house we owned in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. I could make an alibi that I forget the date of my engagement and encounter a delayed flight schedule reason why I am unable to come on time. I could just apologize to my parents for being a stupid daughter. It would be fine with me if they scold me so long as I could make Evan feels that I am serious with this whole thing- the chase.

"Nathalie," daddy called me softly.

I stopped thinking about my devilish plan if all else fails and went back to reality. I looked at my parents who are now gazing seriously at me.

"I want to ask you a favor, sweetheart. I want you to resign from your work once you become Evan's wife." My father cleared his throat after saying it. What?

Am I hearing it correctly? They want me to what?

Resign?

Seriously, what the fuck?

My mom smiled carefully. "Hey, Nathalie, our sweetheart. Your daddy is right. You need to be a great wife for Evan. It would be best if you resign from your work so that you would be able to take care of him and be hands on and responsible Mrs. Zendejas for him. He needs a wife who will support him while he runs their company. We thought you would be able to do that only if you stop working in the court," she added which I think doesn't make any sense.

It felt like my body has frozen up upon hearing all these things they have said. I put down the spoon and fork on the table, my hands were almost shaking in disbelief. How cruel of them to even think about that? It's my career they are trying to destroy all because they only think about Evan's sake!

What about my sake?

I shook my head abruptly. I stood up and stared at him angrily.

"Nathalie!" daddy called my name in a hard tone.

"I won't do it, daddy! How could you even say that to me? Don't you think it is too unfair to me? Is it not enough that I already gave up my freedom and let you chose the man that I would live my entire life with for the sake of our company? Do you really have to be this hard on me and ask me to also sacrifice my work so that everything would go under your plan? You guys are being so unfair, don't you think so?!"

"Nathalie, sweetheart! Don't talk to your father with that tone! Don't be so rude! We can talk about this calmly!" my mother yelled at me.

"Do I really have to sacrifice everything to fulfill your dreams? Don't you think you're getting too selfish and greedy? The only thing left for me is my profession! That's the only thing I could be proud of! That's what I worked hard for! How cruel of you to ask me to also give it up only because you want me to be Evan's greatest wife?! How much do I have to endure to secure your dreams?!" "Nathalie, you're getting rude! We did not teach you to behave this way!" daddy scolded me, his voice was like a thunder.

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I could not take this anymore! I stood up and grabbed my bag on the chair beside me. With evident anger and disappointment painted on my face, I walked away and left my parents on that table. I heard them calling my name, asking me to come back so we could talk but I did not listen-just like how they did not listen to me!

They are getting so unfair and I hate it so much! My eyes were teary and I was on the verge of crying when I ran out of our home. I could just not believe that they want me to stop doing the only thing I love to do. My job is the only thing that makes me feel a human! That is the only thing I would proudly say mine and then what? They wanted me to resign and also give it up? No way!

I saw Riley standing in front of my car, waiting for me. I walked towards him and snatched the car key abruptly.

"Miss Nathalie, what-" he didn't finish his sentence when I threw a dagger looks on him.

"Do not try to follow me!" I warned him through my gritted teeth.

I immediately hopped inside the driver's seat and started the engine. Without further ado, I drove the car faster that my normal speed limit. That was it! My tears started falling down my cheeks. The searing pain inside my chest is truly unbearable. I almost taste the blood on my lower lip as I kept biting it hard.

What have I done wrong? How can they treat me like this? How can they be so unfair to me? They have been manipulating me in my entire life! My dreams are like trash for them! It meant nothing for them at all!

I am fuming mad that my mind became haywire. I heard my phone ringing inside my bad. I took it out and saw my mom's caller ID on the phone screen. I pursed my lips and decided to turn it off completely so that they won't be able to call

me.

I just found myself driving the highway that will lead me to the airport. I could not even think straight anymore. The only thing I want to do is to escape from all the mess my parents have created.

Since they are fond of destroying things that I treasured the most, I decided to do the same. I will neglect the agreement and abandon the dreams they have been trying to achieve for so long.

Fuck that agreement! All because of that damn agreement, this is what I got. I was like a puppet and a ladder for my parents' success!

I was still crying when I went inside the airport and purchased a ticket so I could get into the plane going to Basco, Batanes.

I just want to escape and my decision is final!

This whole outrageous thing is done. I won't hold back and will choose my freedom now.

I was walking towards the entrance of the plan when Evan's face suddenly showed up on my mind. I pity him because I will need to choose myself this time.

I am sorry, Evan. I know you haven't even started the chase yet you need to give it up now.

I have decided already. I won't agree to any of them anymore.

Not with my parents or with Evan.

This time, I will choose myself. I will choose my freedom.

This is what I want to do right now. Choosing myself and my freedom without the fear of disappointing all of them, deciding to leave the mess and to start a new life where no one else can ever manipulate me.