Chapter 4 Meeting his friends

Chapter 4

"I want to take care of you. You don't have anyone in your house, eh."

"We have many housemates here. You should have just told them. I kept bothering you," I said.

"You don't bother me, Gotchelle. You are here first. I'll get your soup first," he said goodbye to me and when he came back with porridge, he fed me. He followed me even though I could take care of myself.

"Why are you doing this, Joavani?" I asked him because he impulsively took care of me. Even though we don't really know each other. Our legends are just names.

"Why is it bad for me to take care of my future wife, Miss?" he asked me with raised eyebrows which made me sigh.

"You know you'll only get hurt by me," I said.

"Because of your ex-boyfriend? Because you loved him first and you still don't have feelings for me?" he asked again to which I nodded. "It's OK. At least I'm still ahead of you even though that's not really important to me," he said and took the empty glass from me.

"Why do you still want to marry me even though I love another man?" I'm against him.

"You can forget how you feel about him, Gotchelle," he asked me seriously.

"And why would I do that?" I asked him coldly. He can't tell me just like that. Because he doesn't know that it's hard to forget your feelings for someone.

It's not that easy to just give up your love for him.

"If he really loves you. He can fight for you from your parents. If his love for you is really true, he won't let you go with another man. But he didn't do anything. He just let you go so he's not worth it for you to love. Just turn that over to me. I can take care of you, Gotchelle."

"But I don't love you," I firmly promised.

"You can teach the heart, sweetheart," he insisted to me as I nodded.

"Incapable. You thought it was easy!" I shouted at him.

"No, that's easy, isn't it? Try loving me, Gotchelle. Because that's what I'm doing for you. I want to work this relationship. You're gonna be my wife soon, my Mrs. Lourdes. You can't deny that anymore. Because I am responsible for you. Remember that I already claimed your body. You're mine too, Gotchelle Ramirez," he said coldly and I swallowed violently.

It doesn't seem good to be angry with him because I can see his dark aura. This is how he really is when he gets angry. Too cold and serious.

"How did it happen that you are now with me and Marjon is no longer?" I asked him curiously.

"Someone pushed you and I just caught you because you might lose your balance and then you suddenly pulled me out so I let go. We both went home and I took you to my suite. The most important thing you did, you yourself pushed me to the bed and you are still undressing me. That's why I became fragile when you kissed me." I felt my senses again.

"Why is your explanation so long? My head hurts because of you," I said.

"Because the explanation is really long," he answered me philosophically as he just laid down next to me.

"Are you not looking for you, Joavani?" I will ask.

"I still don't have a husband to look for me. So marry me now so that someone will find me, sweetheart," he said softly and kissed my cheek.

I stared at his handsome face again. I really can't help but think about what he said about Marjon and whether his love for me is true. Because I realized that he was right on that point.

If Marjon really loves me, he will fight for me with my parents and he won't let me do what happened earlier. He didn't even stop me and let me go with Joavani. He must have done something.

"But I really love him..." I whispered softly.

"I can wait for you, Gotchelle. I know that I can still win your heart. Not now but soon," he said and gently kissed my cheek.

"Up to you..."

"I'll introduce you to my friends first," he said. When I looked at my digital clock it was 7:10 at night. I slept for a really long time.

"Have you eaten?" I asked softly and I could see his slow smile. "Don't assume too much, Joavani," I added. I can't be the only one he's worried about.

"I will eat later. I'll let you sleep first. You're sick, huh? You were crying earlier. Then include your over fatigue due to your seminar. Then we did something else. So your body can't take it anymore. This is really the advantage of having a boyfriend who is a doctor. Someone is taking care of you."

"I'm not your boyfriend" I rudely promised him and I didn't pay much attention to him because sleepiness visited me again.

The next morning he was gone. I thought he had left without even letting me know, but he left a sticky note that was actually stuck on my forehead so when I went to my bathroom and was about to wash myself when I saw it.

"I'm leaving now, sweetheart. Your fever has gone down. Take a rest first. See you later."

Joavani Enriquez Lordez

I snorted when I saw his penmanship. It's so beautiful, I think her handwriting is even better than mine. Maybe because he is a doctor but often the handwriting is not really this beautiful when he is a doctor. There are people like that, eh.

I felt my chest close. Because of the force of its beating. I tasted it and I also took a shower after that because my body was already sweating so I knew I was fine.

I chose my dark blue office attire and quickly got ready. When I got down, Mama immediately greeted me.

"How are you feeling, son? I think you were tired yesterday so you got sick," he said and touched my forehead and neck.

"I'm fine, Mom. Where did you go last night and why was Joavani left at home to watch over me?" I have a curious question.

"Your father and I just went somewhere," he answered.

"Not even Eige is there," I said.

"Let it go, Gotchelle. The important thing is that you are with your fiancé. He is also a doctor, so we are satisfied that he is with you."

"But we still bothered him, ``Ma," I said.

"Come on, I'm ready. Let's eat breakfast, son." I just dragged my mom to the dining room.

Papa and my younger brother were also there. "Oh, Sister. Did you feel sick last night? Is that because of your seminar?" Eige asked me.

I just ruffled her hair and sat next to her. I even spooned him some fried rice on his plate.

"Just eat there, Eige," I said and he brought the cup of coffee to me.

"Your fiancé is also with you," he added.

"Just eat, Eige. Good morning, Papa," I turned to Papa who was watching us silently.

"Morning, son. Are you okay please?"

"Yes. It's pretty good," I answered with a nod.

"How is Joavani? You seem to be getting better, Gotchelle," he said.

"Yes, Pa," I just answered. Because that's what will happen. We need to have a good relationship.

I think...it's not that bad if I just focus on Joavani, right? He's not a bad person, because he's a doctor and I've seen him take care of me.

"I will talk to his parents for our family dinner, son."

"I think so, Dad. I don't need to be there anymore. Even if it's just you two and talk about the engagement party," I said to which he just nodded.

"Have you made up your mind, Sister? Are you going to marry Joavani?" asked my brother.

"Yes. Even though I don't know Joavani very well, I know that he is a good person," I said.

"That's good, son," said Mama.

"Let's just eat, Mama, Papa," I said.

After eating breakfast, Eige and I said goodbye to our parents. When we were outside we saw a familiar car stop.

"That's Kuya Joavani, Sister Gotchelle."

"And what is he doing here?" I asked in surprise.

The door to the driver's seat opened and we were immediately greeted by his sweet smile. He still has a bouquet of flowers.

"Good morning," he greeted us and slowly walked in our direction. "Hey, Eige. Are you going to enter your university?" he asked.

"Yes, Brother. Are you picking up my sister?"

"Yeah. He won't go to work today because he might be stressed. But I will take him outside first," he said.

"Ah, all right. I'll go first, Sister. Take care of him, Brother."

"Sure." He gave my brother a soft pat.

"Be careful, Eige." He just waved at me in response and my eyes shifted to Joavani.

He even kissed my cheek then he gave me the bouquet. I took it and accepted it. "You will not enter your company right now."

My eyebrows just crossed. "I do not want. I'm fine and I have to go to the company now. I have a lot of work left in our office," I said but he just shook his head at me.

"No, no. No way, Gotchelle. I will come first. Let's go." They took my hand together.

"Joavani..." He opened the door of his car.

"Go ahead. My friends are waiting for us. They want to meet you before the wedding, eh," he said.

I stare at the friends that Joavani introduced me to. With so many of them, I don't know if I can remember their names. Just based on their faces and their looks, I knew they were from rich families. It's obvious because there's no doubt about it. They are both beautiful men and the same strength as they used to be.

"Buds, this is my future wife. Gotchelle Ramirez. Sweetheart, they are my friends. Jaydel, Poirier, Azemeir, Bunker, Recinos, Snider, Cleneghan, Zuresh, Hesperos, Oriphyn, Gaspar, Hajewei, Wooben, and Ladonio." My lips twitched at the names he mentioned. As many of them. Hey.

I brought my face closer to him to whisper in his ear, but he voluntarily came to me and leaned in. "Seriously, Joavani? I don't seem to remember them right away," I said and he just stroked my back.

"It's easy to recognize them," he just told me and I shook my head. It's not me, it's him.

"Hi, Gotchelle. Nice to meet you." They all told me that except for one.

Jaydel, the serious expression on his face. "Ms. Gotchelle, you better take care of my friend because of all my friends here, Joavani is the one we worry about the most," he said and I knew that was really a reminder. The others nodded and agreed with him.

"Jay, don't scare my fiancé, hey," Joavani said to her friend and pulled me as if she was going to hurt me and she immediately protected me. I grabbed his waist because his hand was already on my shoulder. He's on my side.

I understand why he said that. Maybe because Joavani is nicer than all his friends here? And its personality is unique. He is really easy to talk to and you don't feel that he will do anything bad to you and besides he is a doctor after all. Maybe he was just afraid that I could hurt his friend.

"Yes, I will," I said and looked seriously at Joavani who immediately met our eyes. "I will take care of Jov," I added and saw the satisfaction in his eyes.

He even kissed the bridge of my nose which gave me butterflies in my stomach again before I shifted my gaze to Jaydel.

"Good. A kind person will not want you to see how he gets angry. That's all you'll always remember, Ms. Gotchelle," he said with emphasis on his words. I swallowed violently.

I was afraid of his presence and his warning that's why I thought of being serious about what I said but...I still want closure for me and Marjon. So, I can finally let him go for real and I can love Joavani.

I don't see anything that Joavani can hurt me and I might even be the one to do it to him.

But when I said that I would take care of their friend, I saw their true behavior, they are really good people. Some are married and engaged.

We were at a café and I found out it was owned by one of my fiancé's friends. Joavani guided me to the other table and they let us leave.

"You want a coffee, sweetheart?" I got a taste. I'm not used to him calling me that. His voice was even more gentle.

"I prefer cold drinks. I don't want coffee first," I said and he nodded. He stood up to order my drinks.

I looked at my cellphone that was on the table. It lights up. In silent mode, the ringtone will not be heard, but only its vibration.

My eyes widened when I saw the name that appeared on my cellphone screen along with Marjon's picture. I answered the call immediately. I thought that Marjon might not call me anymore. I'm still shocked.

"Hello?" I answered my phone.

"Gotchelle... Please... come see me now." I bit my lower lip when they immediately requested me to go to him.

But the tone of his voice sounded like he had drunk alcohol. He's drunk.

"Where are you?" I asked him and I even glanced at the men when I felt cold stares at me. I quickly looked away and didn't let them know that someone else was calling me.

To Be Continued...