Chapter Six (UNEDITED)

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"They told me that to make her fall in love, I have to make her laugh. But everytime she laughs, I'm the one who falls in love." -Tommaso Ferraris

Tristan

"Tristan, she's pretty insistent. She's asking for your phone number." Mia said over the phone.

"I said no, Mia."

"Why don't you talk to her? What's going on? Is there something that I should know?"

"Nothing's going on, I just don't want to talk to her."

"Why? Stella is my close friend and it's rude if you won't talk to her." Mia's voice rose in octave. "She probably just want to ask a favor from you."

"A favor?"

"Yes... No... I don't know. I don't understand why you don't want to talk to her."

"I have my own reasons."

"Reasons? Give me one."

"You don't have to know. I'm busy Mia, bye."

"Wait! What am I going to tell her? I'm not good in lying."

"Just tell her the truth that I'm very busy... or tell her that I don't want to talk to her... or tell her that what I said was a mistake." I heaved a long sigh and walked towards the stable.

"A mistake? What did you say to her?"

"It's none of your business Mia. "

"Tristan, it is my business. You're the only family that I've got and Stella is my close friend. I want both of you to be friends - to connect."

"That's impossible. I really have to go. Bye Mia."

"Tristan..."

I put my cellphone back inside my pants pocket. I exhaled heavily.

Stella Valiente is a mistake. A distraction that I don't need in my life now. Damn, I was stupid.

I told myself several times to stay away from her... she was a pampered princess... pretty little spoiled brat. She probably would be like mom, who only thought about shopping, going to a beauty salon, travelling and spending money. Or she would be like Marilyn - a certified bitch.

But all the logic and reasonings stored in my brain flew away when I saw how beautiful she was on her 18th birthday. I was enthralled by her charms, her lovely face and her half girl-half woman sexy glorious body.

I tried to fight the attraction I felt for her. She was young, beautiful, very rich and a member of a blue-blooded aristocrat family. Obviously, she would marry someone who belonged to an extremely wealthy family also.

Before I inherited dad's wealth. I was very positive that there would never be a chance between Stella and me. I knew she would just laugh at me if I declare my true feelings for her. A boy who worked in a ranch feeding and training horses wouldn't quality even at the bottom of of her checklist. Even her family wouldn't allow their princess to marry someone they considered a pauper - based on their overly highly statues. If only my dad inherited some of his wealth and shared some of what he gave to Marilyn and Kobe to me.

BUT, four months ago when I graduated fly school- my life changed.

Dad's lawyer appeared again. He gave me my inheritance and a letter, from dad.

I didn't know what I felt at that moment. Whether to be happy or angry. For almost five years, my dad deprived me of my inheritance... the money that I should have enjoyed just like Marilyn and Kobe.

I couldn't help but imagined the struggles that I've been through. Working different jobs to save money for my basic needs and Mia's allowance, and saving a little for the future.

But I understood after reading dad's letter. The saying he quote again finally instilled in my mind. "The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow."

Dad wanted me to struggle to learn. The more a person experienced the struggles in life, the more he would mature and obtain wisdom. Things can't be achieved easily if you do not put hard work into it.

"Tristan, as my only son and child, I passed on to you everything that I inherited from our ancentors. You can do whatever you want with it... I trust you now son that you experienced what life is with only a penny in your pocket. I know you became more responsible and mature... I am so proud of you son. I love you so much."

Yes, I cried again that day. I've never felt so lonely in my entire life.

***

In an instant, I became a very rich young man.

I inherited gold bars stored in Switzerland, England, America, Canada, Dubai, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Aside from that, there was a huge amount of money - in billions, deposited in Swiss Bank and Bank of America, under my name.

Numerous stocks and investments were transferred in my name and managed by dad's trusted brilliant employees.

I was surprised how wealthy my dad was. For a multi-billionaire, he surely lived a low profile. No wonder he pampered my mom with shopping. It was just a few pennies compared to his massive wealth.

I also found out that the ranch I was working at Arizona was actually owned by my dad. Mr. Hernandez, whom I thought was the owner, was only the caretaker. He knew who I really was and coordinated with the lawyer to monitor my actions. The workers there were actually hired to protect me. They were either ex-marines, previous military and My friend who recommended me to work in the ranch also connived with them.

***

Everything was overwhelming and so sudden. I was still shocked from the turnout of events.

I decided to take everything so slow and lived a simple life. I still lived in the ranch, in the same room, near the stable - my only comfort zone. I still cleaned, fed and trained the horses during my free time.

Every day I worked as a trainee in an airline company. I trained to fly commercial flight planes and private planes.

Soon. I would have my own airfield and planes.

Stella

I arrived at Tristan's doorstep after three hours of driving my new convertible red car - Actually my dad's gift on my 18th birthday.

Another birthday gift I received was freedom - for two days and two nights. No chaperones, nannies and bodyguards following behind me. No GPRS monitoring or whatsoever.

I grabbed the opportunity of seeing Tristan at his ranch in Arizona. It was a long drive, but I took the risk.

I believed in True Love.

"True love isn't easy. But it must be fought for. Because once you find it, it can never be replaced."

BUT, Mia wouldn't give me his number. Darn... She was such a disappointment for a bestfriend. She preferred to be loyal to his brother.

But it's okay, I understand her. Maybe I would do the same if I was in her shoes.

I felt so sticky. The hot air combined with the dust were sticking on my waist-length hair and skin. My white dainty shirt became dirty white. Too good that I wore dark denim blue jeans, it wouldn't show the dirt on it.

I was surprised to hear a very loud music coming inside the big house. It was a big concrete house located near the entrance of the ranch.

I knocked but nobody answered. I knocked again louder this time, but there was no one opening the door. I looked for a doorbell, but couldn't find one.

I looked around and saw the same group of civilian men at the ranch entrance, probably watching the place. One man signalled me to open the door and I did.

Oh! It was open.

I was surprised to see a lot of people inside the house - partying. They were drinking beer, some couples were dancing and making out. Others were laughing and talking so loudly, like they were yelling already - the music was so loud.

"Hi baby, you're so cute." A guy blocked my way at the doorway.

I lifted my chin and eyed him up and down. His arms were covered with tattoos. "Where's Tristan?"

He smiled and winked at me. "He's busy. Maybe you like to hang out with me? I'm available." He ran a finger on my arm.

"No thanks." I snapped at him. "Where is he? I need to talk to him." I shouted so he could hear me clearly.

"You have to wait. He's busy right now." The guy shouted back.

"Busy? Doing what? Is this his party?"

"Yeah." The guy replied.

"Is he working?"

"Nope."

"Then he's not busy. Show me where Tristan is, now."

"You're so bossy, baby. He's in a meeting." He laughed. "Come on, let's have some cold beer then go to the pool to cool you off."

"This is very important. A matter between life and death. Where is Tristan!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

The guy looked so surprised and frowned at me. "Okay." He shrugged his shoulders then led me inside the house. "This way."

I followed the guy. The place was crowded with young men and women. Some were drunk already and it was still early in the afternoon. There was a big pool outside the balcony, crowded with bikini cladded women and men in trunks - they were having fun.

Then I saw him. The man of my dreams. My future. My everything. The man who would be my husband and father of my kids. The man I would fight for. The man I would marry... no matter who my parents chose for me as a husband. I would fight for Tristan, no matter what the consequence would be... till death.

Tristan was sitting on a couch. He was drinking beer. Two bikini cladded girls clung in his arms. The other girl was whispering something in his ear and he suddenly laughed - a joke?

I stood in front of him. I was raging with jealousy and very furious at the same time. I shouldn't have come here. Damn him! This is embarrassing.

"Tristan, someone's looking for you. A chick. She said it's important."

Tristan immediately looked at me. He was surprised to see me. The laughter in his face suddenly died.

I eyed the two girls who were clinging on him like leeches.

He noticed my eyes and immediately pulled his arms away from the girls. His eyes met mine disparagingly. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk, Tristan." I said then bit down hard on my lower lip.

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Tristan..."

"Go home Stella. I don't need you in my life. What I said was wrong."

"What is wrong about loving. It's a magical thing. Tristan, I feel the same way."

"HA! Stop dreaming Snow White. I'm not in love with you. I was drunk that night." He laughed and hugged one of the girls - kissing her lips.

I felt the squeezing pain, so sharp, like stabbing my heart to the deepest end. It was so hard to breathe. Oh God, how could he do this to me. I hate him. I hate him.

I wanted to cry, to shout... to crawl and hide. Anything to get away from him, from this place and the humiliation.

I looked around. Everyone was looking at me. They were eyeing me up and down - laughing. I've never been so embarrassed in my whole life. I felt like I was a piece of dirt... stomped and rejected.

I turned around to go, but he stopped me by saying.

"Oh... to make you feel better, I kinda find you so cute. But sorry princess... you're not the only one I've said 'I love you' that night. So don't make it a big deal."

I ran away to get out of the house in a hurry. Far away from the house and Tristan.

I was so hurt. I wanted to be alone, find a place where I could cry out the pain and licked my wounds. It was so overwhelming that it was suffocating me. I didn't know that loving could bring so much pain... it felt like dying inside.

Two guys stopped me from going out of the door. One guy grabbed my waist and the other one held my arms.

"If Tristan won't have you, then you're mine." One guy said.

"You're so cute. What's your named." The other guy who held my arms asked.

"No. Let me go." I struggled away from them, but they held me so tightly. "Please... don't."

Then there was a sudden blow of fist aimed at the guy's face who held my waist. Another blow to the guy who held my arms. They were thrown on the floor, groaning with pain.

It was Tristan who knocked the two guys. His eyes looked murderous at them.

"Nobody touches her... do you hear me!" He shouted at the two guys then looked at everyone. "Party's over. All of you, get out!"

Like a flash of lightning, everyone ran out of the house. The once crowded and noisy room abruptly became empty and solemn.

I turned around and followed everyone. But Tristan grabbed my arm, preventing me from leaving.

"NO!" I yelled at him.

Tristan locked his gaze on mine. His eyes looked like he was begging for understanding and a sad expression was visible on his face.

I couldn't prevent my tears from falling down on my cheeks anymore. I cried... and I didn't care anymore if he saw how hurt I was.

"Stella, please."

"DON'T. TOUCH. ME." I glared at him angrily then looked at his hand on my arm.

He took his hand away from me, like he was burned. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean what I've said... it's my fault Stella, please forgive me... what can I do to make it right?"

I refused to listen to him. The wound was so deep and the pain was escalating.

One thing I realized that day. Tristan was not worth fighting for. If I marry someone, it wouldn't be for love.

My parents was right, I should marry Eros Petrakis.

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Love and Kisses,

Neilani Alejandrino

a.k.a.

sweetdreamer33