Chasing The Broken CEO

My grandma's forehead could not stop from creasing as she listened to Evan. After a few seconds of observing the emotion in his eyes, grandma let out a heavy sigh and started massaging the side of her head while I remained silent on my seat, afraid to even look at Evan in his eyes because of what he just said.

Why are you doing this to me, Evan? I mean, you already told me everything... the whole truth. Why do you have to do this? To make some effort? I can't understand why my heart felt so heavy right now. It was like on a race and can't calm down a bit. This conversation was really suffocating me. In the end, I just bit my lower lip and looked away as I didn't want to meet his intense gaze.

"Do you even have idea as to what's happening right now? Our company is failing because of your incompetency, young man. Not to add that you brought nothing but emotional trauma to my granddaughter and to her parents. Do you really think you can still turn things around? Do you think that time would go back and help you fix everything you destroyed? Honey, you must be dreaming..." my grandmother mocked him in the most insensitive way.

"I understand that you're angry and disappointed in me, Madame, and I will accept it wholeheartedly. If you will extend your patience and allow me to make a proper action, I will do my best to fix everything. I am the one responsible for all this mess after all."

"Hmm, how would you do that?"

I finally gave Evan a look. He just smiled at my grandmother as if he already had a plan to everything. I can't help but to feel confused and curious at the same time. My forehead creased as I watched him smiling on his seat even though my grandmother already released her anger. He was really crazy and... stupid!

"I will do it my way, Madame." Said Evan with a finality and confidence in his tone.

Grandma looked at me. I swallowed hard as I find her stare uncomfortable. I licked my lower lip and tried to calm my heart a bit.

"Should we give this man a chance, sweetheart?" she asked me sweetly.

"H-Huh?"

"Your ex-fiancé here is too persistent in making things right. I would like to see him try but I need you to decide. Would you allow him to make a move? To turn things around like he said?"

Oh my goodness! Why is grandma asking me about this? Is she trying to make a deal with Evan? Why should I be the one to decide for this? They were the ones having a conversation!

"Uh... Grandma, I..." I glanced back at Evan. He was only watching me carefully. Holy cow! I didn't know what else to say to my grandmother! I didn't understand a thing because I was spacing out! "Grandma, I d-don't get it... I'm sorry... You were the ones having a conversation and I didn't understand a thing..."

To my surprise, my grandmother Helga Saavedra laughed heartily. Oh, fuck the world. Can I just die now?

"You have to loosen up, Nathalie." She glared back at Evan. "I'm still mad at you because you made my granddaughter cry and suffer but fine, let's see how far you would go in order to get things right and..." then her eyes darted on the other man sitting on the couch. "As for you Sei, just because you are Chandria's present boyfriend doesn't mean you have the right to decide where she should stay whenever she gets drunk. What if you impregnates her accidentally? Are you man enough to take the responsibility? Tell me."

Sei grinned playfully. "Madame, Chandria must be the one to take responsibility because she might be the one to impregnate me." He joked.

"Shut up, Sei!" Chandria warned him but it was too late because my grandmother could not stop from laughing out loud.

Damn it! I eyed my grandmother in disbelief. I can't believe that her mood will just changed that way... as if she didn't get extremely mad at us a while a ago. I can't even react right now. In the end, all I could do was to let out a heavy sigh and gazed back at Evan.

Our eyes locked with each other. He nodded his head once and gave me a reassuring smile that made my heart jump. I only creased my forehead, unwilling to look away, but deep inside my heart I can't deny that I felt the familiar warmth.

***

I admit that it took a while but little by little, it felt like all the burdens I had inside my chest were slowly getting removed. Just like how the beautiful blue sky shows up after spending the days under a powerful storm, and just like how the dark gray sky becomes clearer and turning into a blue sky, my mind set became better... it became normal.

I can't believe what just happened to me. I suddenly didn't feel bothered by negative emotions that used to eat me up before. It was like I got freed from that cold vessel and my normal form became alive all over again. It felt like I was able to overcome the darkness... the hindrances that kept me from the light for a long time.

I never thought that it was possible for me to be saved. After all the negative events in my life, and after living in the dark, there comes Nathalie who suddenly remembered how to put a smile on her face and to think positively regardless of the situation. It felt like the ice inside me has melted successfully and the only thing I could feel is warmth.

Everything just happened in one day. Me-waking up on a familiar bed, seeing his handsome face and his stupid friends, knowing the truth that he's been hiding from me for a long time, and how my grandma Helga made a scene from his house and scolded everyone of us that made my heart literally jump in fear.

Just when I thought my life would not get brighter than how it used to be, my almighty God seem to have His own way of proving me wrong, and saving me from all this madness.

The next day, Chandria, Sei and I went to Tagbilaran airport. Sad to say, my best friend has to go home and Sei would accompany her all the way back in Manila. I hugged my best friend tight and can't help but to feel sad because I would be alone all over again. I'll always long for her presence despite her stupid actions. I have to admit that she brought happiness to me during her stay here. She brought sunshine and peace to me when I was battling against my own demon. "I hope you can visit me in Manila, babe." She said while hugging me back. "I will surely miss you..."

"You know that I'm not really sure about flying back to Manila but I will miss you too..." I replied before pulling away from her.

Her eyes went teary while looking at me. Her lower lip started trembling but she managed to gave me a sincere smile. I can't help but to smile back when she caressed my cheek.

"You're a brave girl, Nathalie. Whatever issues your family has right now, I am positive that you can overcome it. You're a smart girl and I think highly of you. I hope you will no longer dwell on the negative sides and continue to smile like this, babe." She stated that made my tears fall down my cheeks.

She's my best friend, indeed. She knows every bit of a pain I'm battling with. She knows every thought that runs through my head. She can feel my emotion and acknowledges every bit of it. She knows what is inside my heart. She's like a breath of fresh air when everything seems suffocating and I value her for being the best person I could always run to...

"You're so stupid..." I managed to joke and pinched her cheeks in a mild way. She groaned a bit. "Take care, you guys."

I glanced at Sei who remained silent the whole time and just watched me and Chandria as we get dramatic because of our separation. He's only smiling and giving us the time we need because I let them go.

"Please take care of my precious best friend," I said to him warily.

He only smiled widely and the he snaked his arm around Chandria's waist.

"I will, Nathalie." He replied boyishly.

Chandria is very lucky to have him. He's definitely a good guy.

After a few minutes of talking, I let them go and they headed inside the airport. I watched them as they made their way to the departure area. Chandria waved her hands at me before they proceed in the boarding area.

I let out a heavy sigh. I can't help but to wonder when will I see my best friend again. I hugged myself and just decided to leave the airport and go home to my grandmother.

I left the waiting area and went to the cab terminal to wait for the next taxi that would send me home. I looked up at the sky and saw an airplane. I pursed my lips. I was spacing out when a luxurious car suddenly stopped in front of me. I blinked twice and gazed at the black car, confused why it stopped here in a cab terminal. I looked around to see if there is someone waiting for this car but no one walked towards it. Not to add that I'm the only person waiting her for a taxi.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

I walked on the right side so that a taxi will see me once it arrives but I gasped when the car moved and stopped in front of me again. My forehead creased because of that. The driver of this car is kind of rude! Isn't it obvious that I'm waiting for the next taxi?

The side window of the car opened. I was about to complain to whoever the driver is but I froze up when I saw who's in the driver seat.

Now, I got more confused. What is he doing here?

"Hop in, Risha." Evan told me. He removed his aviator gracefully and then gave me a look that literally made my heart jump. "Evan?"

He smiled cockily. Damn it! I gasped.

What's going on, really?

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still confused as to why I am seeing him here.

"Hop in please and you'll know..."

I pouted my lips. I sighed in defeat and just hopped inside the shotgun seat. I put the seat belt on and then looked at him with my forehead still creased. "Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"I'll kidnap you just for a moment, Saavedra." He stated and then gave me a smirk.