Chapter 3 Syndee Madrigal

• What did he just say? A gold digging what?
• As I catch my breath, the sales lady dropped the basket she's holding and shouted. "Oh, God. This is a company property. Please refrain from making a scene!" She exclaimed. The asshole smirked at the girl's response. "What? I'm a customer here. See?" He said and grabbed a dress he simply found at the side.
• "This is something I will buy for a girl quite important to me. Her name's Emily." He uttered and looked at me. A hard string tugged my chest. I thought I got over him. He still has his effect on me. Besides, how do I expect to get over a guy in just one night?
• I glared at him as fury dripped down my veins, "You fucker." I said and slapped him back. Harder than how he did it to me. His head turned to the side. My breath was heavy, trying to force the tears in. The anger bloating down my chest. The memory cracking my head. The dizziness I feel on his slap. Everything. I'm sure i'm looking flushed as hell.
• He slowly looked at me with his psychotic eyes, and at that moment, even my deepest anger cannot dodge the fear i'm feeling right now. Although I don't feel any remorse from slapping him and punching him yesterday, i'm currently afraid of what he'll do now. We're at the very corner of this huge store and i'm afraid things won't turn out great if the security aren't coming in any second.
• "You—" he angrily lunged at me but a voice stopped him.
• "What is happening here?" Mason came in the scene. He slipped his hand below my back and i'm sure he felt how much I am trembling at this very moment.
• He held both of my shoulders with his hands and made me look at him. I stared at his eyes and the worry I saw in those brown orbs made the tears I forced earlier start to kick in. I bit my lip to suppress them from falling. I was relieved at his presence and my heart sighed at his warm touch.
• He examined my face and with my fair skin, I know the reddish cheek and the small bloody side of my lips is evident. His face contorted at the sight. Jonathan realizing the moment, spoke again, "So it was you." He chuckled maniacally, eyeing Mason from the top to bottom.
• Mason was still focused with examining my face, whispering cursing words about how it must've hurt but didn't acknowledge the man who did it.
• Jonathan who kept speaking nonchalantly, added, "No wonder she leeched off of you. You're a man who screams dollars. I'm sure she felt at ease while being spoiled with all these." As he ran his fingers on the rack of various expensive dresses. I immediately turned my head at what he said. "What..?" I mumbled, confused by his audacity.
• He cheated on me first! How dare he accuse me of things he isn't even aware are true? What a jerk! If I came for the money, then I should've accepted that sugar daddy who asked me if I had a boyfriend!
• "Oh come on Veronica. We all know you're a girl who's into fortune and....sex. Listen dude, as a man to another, you shouldn't involve yourself with her, she's nothing but a sexy whore—" he was cut off when a hard punched landed on his face.
• I shrieked at what happened and took a step back. I glanced at my side and didn't realize how fast Mason's large hands teleported from being gentle on my cheek and hard as hell on Jonathan's face.
• He was immediately slammed down on the while marble floor. His elbows supported him as he wiped the blood coming out from his nose. "Fuck..." he said but before he could utter one more word, Mason's fist collided with his face yet again. He stradled him and continued to beat him up.
• Jonathan's face moved from one side to the other as Mason beat him to a pulp. I'm afraid he'll eventually die if this goes on any longer. The security team came and they didn't do anything! They were probably afraid that Mason would beat the living shit out of them as well. Everyone was merely watching with pure horror.
• Damn, I have to stop this!
• I walked towards Mason's shaking body and interfered. "Mason, stop!" I shouted directly at him. He didn't listen and continued to pursue the burning ecstasy of anger. He seems to be in a trance. "I said stop!" I shouted grabbing his shoulders. His body calmed under my touch and he looked at me with the kind of gaze he was using on Jonathan, beastly.
• It gradually turned soft at the sight of me and I gripped his face. "Look at me, I said stop." I pleadingly added. Afraid of the consequences this might turn out. He might kill somebody if he wouldn't stop! He shook his head as if coming back to his senses and stood up. Jonathan on the floor was grunting, close to passing out. As Mason calmed his breath, I grabbed his phone and called 911. He doesn't mind but he frowned at my action.
• After the hospital carried away the beaten up Jonathan, I turned to Mason who was trying to tell me something. I walked towards the car, still frustrated at him, he then followed me from behind. "Why do you even care about him? You shouldn't!" He said angrily but didn't raise his voice.
• "He still WAS once my boyfriend. I spent four freaking years with him, Mason." I sternly replied and walked quicker. He didn't have a hard time catching up with those long legs though.
• "A boyfriend who cheated on you!" He added, rather stressed at my response. Although he assaulted me, I don't see the need for him to be dead! And that was what he was trying to do earlier!
• "You didn't really think he deserves to die, didn't you? He's still a human, Mason." I uttered. Violence cannot be fixed with another, and this case is no different. He heaved a sigh, looking up and messed his hair.
• "A human who doesn't deserve to be one." He mumbled under his breath.
• "Then do you think you deserve to be one?! No 'cause you're a monster!" I shouted, frustrated, tired, and stressed. He seemed to be taken aback by what I said and I immediately regretted it cming out of my mouth. I was swallowed by my annoyance for the day and him pushing the topic wasn't helping either.
• I was trying to defend myself on that impossible moment with John earlier and he's came to me, protecting, saving, and helping me, I should've been grateful. It wasn't right to say that.
• "I-i'm sorry, I didn't.." I tried walking towards him but he immediately stepped back. His face turned cold as his body went rigid. I think my harsh words probably affected him too much. I was questioning his character.
• His orbs hardened and it was like the chocolate was dulled with disappointment. He felt disappointed with me.
• "Let's go back." He said without looking at me, he turned back and clicked his keys to turn his car on as it beeped. I sighed and followed him. I guess we can talk about this at home. He opened the car door for me to enter and I obeyed.
• The whole time, my gaze was on the window. Looking out the scenery. But it was useless to admire the place now that i'm suffering with this heavy feeling on my chest. I wanna cry. My throat contricting my breathing. I trier remembering why I even agreed to here. With this man. It was because he's my assignment. I have to remember what he is to me. I'm here to simply do my job.
• We've only met for a day and I don't think this stranger should affect me this much. I cleared my throat and looked at him.
• "My car. I need to go back to the bar to get my car." I said and turned towards him. Without looking at me, he replied with a stern voice, "I already had it towed last night. It should be on the mansion when we get back."
• All my belongings are in there. Including my laptop and Mason's portfoliofilled with his information and his basic identity. I still haven't gathered some more facts about him that's worth gossiping and I don't think him—having a gorgeous mansion and tons of convertible cars would be surprising enough for an article.
• As long as that bitemark is intact, I still had a lot of chance of cracking this man open to know his secret.
• I turned my head back on the window and didn't speak again. He didn't open any topic on the way home so I figured he's still angry.
• -
• After arriving at the mansion, he left the car without waiting for me and entered the house as the maid bowed their heads. He seemed really mad, in order to get closer to him and discover his secrets, I must first get his attention and affection even just as a friend.
• A man came in the car after I came out and closed the door, I was curious so I asked him, "What's that your taking out?" He opened the trunk and took out some shopping bags with the logo of the branch we came in earlier. It was all the dresses, apparels, underwears and house clothes I shopped for. He still bought them!
• I smiled at the middle-aged man and said to put all those in my room,  before heading inside.
• I need to think of a way to make Mason open his heart to me, but for now, I have to ask for forgiveness first. I looked around for anything that he might like and marched towards the kitchen.
• The best way to a man's heart is through his tummy! I still believe on that quote my mom always says of dad's mad.
• I saw a maid cleaning and preparing so I advanced towards her. "Hi! I just want to ask you something." I enunciated. She bowed her head and asked me about what the question would be.
• "Does Mason—I mean, does the owner of this house been diagnosed with any food allergies?" I added. She thought for a few seconds, contemplating my inquiry and replied, "No Maam, I have been serving him for the past 5 years now and he seem to not have any allergies to food at all."
• I was relieved and then asked for the ingredients I want to make him. I'm going to bake a chocolate cake!
• He argued with me for that cake in the cakeshop, so I assumed he likes such patry. I'm not good with Red Velvets, so this will have to do for now.
• By the time I was finished, it was already near dawn. The maids are confusingly frantic, moving here to there from time-to-time. They were preparing for something I suppose. I left the cake on the refrigerator and asked the maid to not take it out.
• I then headed towards the parking lot and surely did, my car was parked in there just like what Mason said. I saw that it was unscathed so maybe he didn't tried it, which was relieving. Good thing my keys were placed on my pocket.
• The closed folder was still neatly placed on the front seat, visible by the window. My phone, my laptop and (fortunately) my battery chargers are still intact. All that was left was my bag, where I stored my money and all the credit cards I have. Maybe I can get it back if I sneaked in on the apartment.
• Jonathan was partly right about me slouching with the money. I still couldn't pay a month's rent for the apartment since my position in the company wasn't that remarkable and high-payong. But instead, I contributed on the electricity, food and other groceries, I see it as fifty/fifty, but maybe he doesn't. He pays the rent so he owns the place. I can't argue with that.
• I grabbed everything and headed towards the room. I looked at the clock and it says 6PM, i'm going to give the cake to Mason by dinner time so we could have our reconciliation talk and maybe he'll then forgive me for what I said.
• But for now, I opened my laptop and typed in my password, it was ‘babyJ4ever0917’ the numbers are our anniversary. I might have to change that though. Maybe ‘MasonIs2Handsome0206’ the numbers are our first meeting on the cake shop. I smiled at the thought.
• I opened an app and typed in everything I know about Mason, including the No Allergies part. That's it. I still have to know more. After I was done inputting the data, it was already 7PM. So I headed down and saw the maids really trying to do their best preparing.
• The kitchen is packed. The dining area is also being prepared and Mason is in the hallway on his phone. He's smiling so I think good news arrived on him.
• Maybe now's my chance, since he's in a great mood.
• I ran towards the kitchen and grabbed the cake out of the fridge. I fixed it a little bit and made my way to him. He's now done talking to his phone and he put it back on his pocket.
• I showed him the cake cheerfully and asked, "Are you eating? Let's eat this together! I made it. It's um—a reconciliation cake." I then smiled at him.
• However, his expression was the opposite. He glanced at what I'm holding and towards my eyes, coldness seeping through his brown orbs. I was taken aback. Seeking his forgiveness is harder that I thought it would be. It doesn't seem very easy. At all.
• "My bestfriend would be coming tonight. I'll be eating together with her. Keep that in the refrigerator or eat that yourself." He said and turned around, ordering maids to hasten the preparation.
• My shoulders dropped and the smile, gone from my face. I thought we'd be reconciled by tonight. I guess I had my hopes up too high. There's still tomorrow. I was about to turn around and take the cake back when he spoke again,
• "And also, I'd appreciate it if you stay in your room for the night. She'll be sleeping here and I don't want her to think anything suspicious." He added and walked away. I'm glad I didn't turn around. He'll definitely see how my face lost all its colors. My grip tightened on the plate I was holding. I released a breath reckoning my principles, held my head high, and walked on.
• I placed the cake back where I took it and as I was leaving the kitchen. Maids gathered frantically and I asked one of them what's happening and she replied, "The miss is arriving, Maam." And then went on with the others.
• The Miss? Then that means it's Mason's bestfriend. I followed the maids and hid behind the crowd of them. They bowed when a girl came out of a van.
• She's beautiful...
• I examined everything from head to toe and stood there amazed.
• Her face glowed as she entered the house wearing a Short white cocktail dress without any sleeves. Like an elegant tube dress. It enhanced her curves perfectly as it fitted through her body and it reached 'till her knees. The dress was then paired with a white blazer which she didn't insert her arms into but instead wore it on her shoulders. Her fashion sense is no doubt God-tier. Her hair was in a low bun, but still elegant as hell as she smiled at everyone.
• I felt conscious as I looked at myself. I've got nothing against her.
• Mason came close and hugged her. "Syndee." He said. Syndee? The girl from the cake shop? She's rich? That explains why she was so casual at him that day. "You idiot." She said teasingly as she poked Mason's forehead after hugging him. "You didn't have to prepare all this. It's not like I won the lottery or something." He smiled.
• "Come on, you've been un-grounded now. Your dad brought back your credit cards and unfroze all your bank accounts after holding onto it for a whole month. Don't you think that deserves a small celebration?" He teased.
• "Small?" She said as she looked around the well-prepared house.
• "Let's just say you and I both have some different definition of that word." She said as Mason led her to the dining table and slowly out of my sight.
• They look like a great couple.
• Something tugged in my chest again. Like a boulder being dropped on it purposely. A lump formed inside my throat and before anything could happen. I retreated back to my room like a total loser.
• -
• ‘Name: Syndee Madrigal
• Relationship with the subject: ...’
• I typed on my laptop. I don't know what to write. I doubt they're merely friends though. I searched Syndee's name and came up with the fact that she was a daughter of the CEO of the famous Madrigal Airlines. How ironic. She's like a princess. And a princess deserves a prince. That's definitely Mason.
• I flopped my head on the pillow and gathered up my thoughts. I might have to go back to the office tomorrow. Everyday here feels like a slipping time. I need to get something before I get out of here.
• I hid my laptop inside the nightstand's drawer and decided to turn on the TV on Netflix and eventually chose a movie, after a few moments, I was slowly indulged in it.
• -
• After watching three movies, I glanced at the time on my phone and saw that it was past midnight. I heard my stomach growled and consideded the fact that I need a snack. I walked out of the room and sneaked into the kitchen silently.
• I opened the refrigerator and although a lot of snacks are displayed in the kitchen, I decided that I'd just get a taste of the cake I personally made. I can just get Mason a slice or whatever. He doesn't even seem to appreciate it earlier.
• As I was slicing the cake, I then heard foot steps coming into the kitchen. I panicked but then remembered that this mansion has a lot of maids.
• I then turned to the person who came into the kitchen and saw someone I didn't expect. It was the girl. The gorgeous girl, Syndee. She's wearing a silk sleeping robe on top of a sexy night gown. While I, on the other hand, is wearing buttoned up pajama pair.
• She caught me slicing the cake on the counter as she made her way towards the refrigerator, taking out the water pitcher. She eyed the cake and the banner I stuck on it using a small toothpick. It says ‘reconciliation cake’ on it.
• She then turned to me and smiled. She came closer and after a few moments of silence, she spoke "I suppose that's for Mason?" As she sipped her water gracefully.
• "Yeah um, your friend and I...we fought and things turned out hectic so I made something to—you know, say sorry... but it'snot like we have something, just mere acquaintance." I awkwardly said glancing at her from time to time as I placed the slice on the small plate.
• She stared at the cake.
• "Well, um—I just want to let you know that he doesn't like chocolates. He's more of a—you know, vanilla guy. I always make one for him." She said, smiling genuinely apologetic.
• He doesn't like chocolates? I asked the maids about his allergies but didn't asked them if he likes chocolates. How dumb of me.
• "Ah." I replied nonchalantly, trying to supress my disappointment. Maybe I can make him some other things. The cake was a stupid idea. I then brought it back on the refrigerator as she talked again. "Me and Mason were already friends since we were on our diapers, he's two and I was an infant,"
• "We used to be so close to each other. So close that no one," She looked into my eyes. "‐was able to separate us. Ever" She added.
• I don't even know why she was telling me all this.
• "My dad and his are good friends. They even proposed to have the two of us marry each other." She smiled, as she leaned the small of her back on the counter while still holding the glass of water.
• She's looking into the air as if reminiscing a really good memory. I simply stood there and listened. I don't really want to hear this as it's causing too much on my chest but it seems impolite to stop her.
• "We just assumed that we're going to end up with each other, so..." She then turned her body towards me.
• "I'd appreciate it if you distance yourself from him. Mason is a well-reserved person, i'm just worried about him. I heard about the commotion he did in the mall earlier. I just hope you're not trying to drag him in your own personal problems. He has tons on his plates already." she said smiling and turned around, bringing the pitcher on the refrigerator while she placed the glass on the sink.
• She walked out of the kitchen but stopped half way through. "And also," She added, not even turning around to face me.
• "I hope you're out of the house soon. I'm afraid he's been keeping stray cats on his side for way too long than neccessary." Added she, and marched away.
• I was merely standing there. Speechless, with a rejected cake, some wavering principles, and a heavy heart.
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