Chasing The Broken CEO

I didn't talk to Chandria the next day. She tried to talk to me but I only gave her a blunt look. I am still mad at her for keeping secrets from me. My grandmother Helga was the one who took care of me. I was still sick but my temperature got a little bit better than yesterday.

"You have to take your medicine after you finish your breakfast, sweetheart. Do you feel a little bit better now?" grandma asked me as she put the breakfast and medicine on the table. She went closer and touched my forehead to check my body temperature.

I nodded slowly. I tried to put a smile on my face to assure her that I am feeling better. I decided to go out of my room and sat on the terrace where I could see my grandmother's garden. Somehow, the beautiful flowers and plants made me comfortable and relaxed.

I grabbed the spoon and tried the soup my grandmother cooked for me. She sat down on the chair in front of me and I can feel her concerned glare on me as well.

"I hope you can forgive Chandria, sweetheart." she said in her calm voice reason why I gave her a glare. "I know that you argued with her last night. I heard all of it. I hope you don't stay mad at her for so long, Nathalie because she didn't know what to do. She's not the one at fault here and you know that, sweetheart."

"She kept a secret from me, grandma."

"I understand that and I know how you felt about it but I hope you can still forgive her. She might have her reasons that's why she did that to you. You know your best friend, she won't do anything that could harm you because she loves you dearly. I know it wasn't part of her intention to keep a secret from you," grandmother added that made my chest so heavy.

I let out a heavy sigh. I must admit that my grandmother has a point but I can't help but to feel sad because of the fact that Chandria chose to keep secrets from me. That was like she already chose whose side she would be on. She let Evan to go near me without my knowledge despite the fact that I loathed that man. She knew everything behind my back but not just that. I'm also sure that she knows something that I didn't know. I'm pretty sure of that but she chose not to tell me. Maybe I just can't accept the fact that Chandria has became one of the reasons why things got complicated this time. She should've thought about it twice and stayed out of this mess instead. She should've ignored that man and I'm pretty sure that things like this won't ever happen. Her presence as a best friend was way more than enough for me but what did she do? She helped that man and I hate it so much...

"You and Chandria had been best friends for the longest time, sweetheart. Ever since your childhood days, Chandria had been there to support and help you. I am certain that she's not the kind of best friend who will choose to betray you, Nathalie. And I know that you already knew that by heart. Perhaps she only got carried away because we both know how kind your best friend is. She always help people regardless who it is."

I let out a huge sigh. I nodded because my grandmother was right. I understood what she said.

"I understand, grandma. No worries, I assure you that once I get better, I'll talk to Chandria to sort things out." I managed to say.

I ate my breakfast and took the medicine just like what my grandmother have told me. I decided to went back in my room and laid down on my bed just when I felt the heat on the terrace. I took a rest and I'm thankful that the medicine somehow made me feel better.

I noticed my mobile phone on the side table so I took it. I checked it and saw that there is one text message from an unknown number.

From: +639553671111

I hope you are feeling better by now. I am worried about you. I may not be able to discuss some things to you but please know that I only did it to keep you safe. If only I had one other option, I'm sure we're happily married by now. My lips parted upon reading the text message. My heart started to pound aggressively as I looked at the message and read it repeatedly.

I can't help but to smile bitterly. What did he say?

He was sure that if it didn't happen then we're supposed to be living happily as a married couple, huh?

What did he mean by that? He can't even move on from his first love! I can't believe that he sent me this kind of text message for what reason? To lessen his guilt towards the situation? He's truly unbelievable!

And speaking of his first love, maybe it was because of Irish Lopez reason why he didn't show up on our engagement party. He was drowning deeply in his own feelings for her that's why he chose to abandon me. He loves that woman so much that he chose to break his promises and left me hanging... alone.

That must be it. He was too obsessed with that woman that he chose to throw it all away. He threw me away... even if the consequences would be difficult for him! But then I thought that he got nothing to lose. He have everything even if the arrangement did not exist. Their family have everything so he had the gut to decide for his own.

But that won't be the case for us, Saavedras, whom they gave high hopes. My parents have depended on their growing empire thinking that they would also get the power they wanted to have. We were full of hopes until Evan decided to threw us away.

I wanted to laugh sarcastically but I felt so weak to do it right now. Where did he get the gut to send me a text message like this when we both know that he wasn't really sure about his true feelings?

He only gave me a false hope! He's like a scammer who only fooled me!

I felt so mad that in the end, I deleted the text message he sent to me. I didn't have the strength to argue with him because I am still sick but God knows how I wanted to reply from his text message and curse him so hard!

But I realized that even if he pisses the shit in me, I would still choose what is the easiest-- to remain silent and let the cruel world rotate on its own. I tossed my phone and just took a rest so that I'll get better soon.

I closed my eyes and wished that I can take control of everything but maybe I don't deserve to have that kind of ability. Who am I to ask for that? I am just a nobody... I have no power like him...

***

I woke up around afternoon. Unlike earlier, I feel more better now. I caressed my forehead and neck and noticed that my fever has gone away. That gave me a huge sigh of relief.

I got up from bed and walked towards my glass window where I can see beautiful blue sky. It appears that the rainy season here in Tagbilaran has ended already. The daylight glows perfectly and the bright sky brought nothing but a little comfort to me.

I heard the door open that made me look at it. I saw Chandria who slightly opened the door and checked on me. I noticed the doubt in her eyes, maybe asking herself if she would go in or not.

Her eyes widened when she saw me looking at her. I can't help but to roll my eyes at her.

"Come in, Chandria..." I said in my calm tone.

She nodded slowly. She was like a child who made a mistake and afraid to be punished. She went inside my room and closed the door slowly. She didn't move but chose to stand up in front of my closed door with her face looking so apologetic. She just waited for me to talk and I wanted to laugh inwardly because she looked so stupid.

"Come here, you look like a stupid statue standing in there," I said because she was acting as if I am her parent and she doesn't want to be scolded.

I saw the glimpse of a smile on her lips. In just a few seconds, her eyes screamed of different emotions. Happiness and hope... She walked towards me and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Babe, are you still... mad at me?" she asked me carefully.

"No, I'm not." I replied.

My response made her smile widely. Now, the happiness became evident in her eyes. She cleared her throat and bit her lower lip.

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"Are you sure, Nathalie? Are we really good now?"

I rolled my eyes again. She's really acting like a child. I nodded to assure her that we're already cool. I am not mad at her anymore.

As her best friend, I know that I need to understand her situation. My grandmother was totally right. She probably have a good reason as to why she let things happened behind my back and without my knowledge. I became mad but that doesn't mean that she was at fault here and that being said, I would still trust her because she's my best friend.

I was shocked when she suddenly hugged me so tight. Like the usual dramatic Chandria, she acted like she was crying while saying that she's thankful that I forgave her.

"Thank you so much, babe! I promise that I won't listen to Evan ever again! And besides, I didn't really mean to keep a secret from you! Yes, I know that he'd been staying here in Bohol but he promised that he would only check you once and from afar. I didn't know that he would approach you like that!" she added and I only listened. "You know that Sei is my boyfriend and because of that I tend to hang out with his best friends more often but that doesn't mean that I already choose Evan's side. I am your best friend and for that, I will always be loyal to you. I am really sorry..."

I smiled at her. I understand where she's coming from and I knew that she doesn't have a control to everything. Since she became Se's girlfriend, it's normal for her to hang out with his friends... with Evan.

"Wow! You're already smiling!" she teased me playfully.

"I'm just happy that we're already cool, Chan." I said and let out a sigh of relief.

"Nathalie?"

"Hmm?"

She held my hand with a smile. She looked at me in a serious manner as if she has something important to tell.

"You're the most important person to Evan..." she said that made me totally confused.