Lucky Yet So Unlucky In Love

"Get out. Get out of my office, you're fired."

No hint of anger nor any possible remorse is shown by my face. Not even the sound of my voice can make anyone conclude that I am disappointed. This is how I am.

Calm and composed. No such chaos can deflate my professionalism.

"Yes, sir. I'm really sorry, Mr. Tryst. Thank you for everything."

She bows her head before walking out of my office. As soon as I heard the glass door shut, I sit on my swivel chair and wonder why this shit keeps on happening to me.

The woman that I fired just now was my secretary. My fourth secretary this year, and the ones before her were all just like her. All of them betrayed me; all of them were traitors. Garbages that I picked up from the dirt and turned into gold. Why do I keep on finding the wrong ones?

A little bit more, this business will make me lose my sanity. My sanity that I keep on holding together, but I knew that I lost it way back in college.

Suddenly, a knock on the door stops me from looking back on events that are long gone.

"Can I come in?"

"Even if I say no, you will still barge in and sit your ass on the chair in front of me."

The bastard just chuckles and opens the door for himself.

It's Isequel.

"What happened?"

I rest my back on the swivel chair and started to massage my forehead with my eyes close. "I fired her, she's not worth it. She's from the other side."

"Ooh, other side. You mean?"

I sigh, "Yes. I mean that wealthiest family that keeps on ruining me and my peace."

"What are you going to do now? You just can't keep on hiring and firing secretaries all year long. And if luck still decides not to side with you next year, you will be stuck on doing that longer than you're expecting."

My forehead wrinkles after hearing what Isequel said. He's right. I can't keep on hiring and firing people. I can't keep on going through this cycle. Why is it so hard for me to find a loyal secretary? Why is it so hard for me to find someone that can't be bribed with any amount of money?

"I don't know what to do anymore. Any ideas? Do you know someone that can work for me?" I open my eyes and saw Isequel standing in front of the chair before him. "Why aren't you on your seat?" He smiles, "Because I'm only here to convince you to accompany me."

Accompany? What does he mean by that?

"I am really not in the mood right now for jokes or pranks, Isequel." Isequel didn't take me serious and he just shakes his head like I said something wrong. "I'm going to find an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I need your suggestions and opinions as an expert on this type of business."

Whoah. What? Engagement ring? Did I hear that right? Is this real?

"Are you feeling well, Isequel?"

He smirks at me, "Even better than fine."

"The engagement ring sounds-"

"Just come with me. If only your jewelry business has an engagement ring collection, I will buy a dozen. But life's tough, and you're too bitter to put out an engagement ring collection, so now I will have to search for a perfect ring somewhere else."

So it's my fault now that he has to find it somewhere else?

"You won't be bored, and I swear to be obedient."

Obedient is a strong word for someone like Isequel. Isequel is the type of man that doesn't want anyone else to point out what he wants. Because Isequel is the type of man that knows exactly what he wants. He will do everything just to attain it. He is not a man of indecision, and to hear him say all of this right now, is something quite rare for me.

What a lucky woman Dahna is. He made Isequel be in need of someone else's opinions even for just once. Something that he is not; something that he's willing to be for her.

Getting married can be a once in a lifetime experience. But Isequel asking me for my opinions? Man, he never needed me like this before.

"Fine. I will accompany you and give you my suggestions and opinions even though my type of rings might be different than yours."

Even though I find it rare for him to be like this, he's still lucky I'm not busy at the moment. Because if I was only busy, I'll never even consider stepping out of my office.

"Great. My car's waiting for us." The bastard just gives me a small smile before heading out and leaving me alone. There's a small amount of laziness in my head trying to convince me that it's tiring to look for engagement rings in different jewelry stores. But the urge to stand up and follow Isequel is much more stronger and a much more better option.

I quickly grab my coat and then I storm out of my office. As I walk, employees start to rain me greetings and all I can do is nod and beam at them slightly.

To be honest, I am not the type of boss that likes to interact with my employees. If I do interact with them, it's all just for work and nothing else. It won't matter to me how they see me. They can keep their perspectives all to themselves.

"Yeah, I'll tell him. No worries, thanks."

Isequel quickly slides his phone inside his pocket after he sees me approaching his way. The way he ended the call was so abrupt that he almost seemed like he was afraid to get caught.

"Who was that?" I ask, curious.

"A friend from New York. He told me some big news."

I want to ask again what the big news was. But it must be some sort of news that I shouldn't have any concern about since Isequel ended the phone call swiftly. And so, I decided not to ask and just went inside his car at the passenger seat.

"Where to first? I suppose you have some suggestions on where to buy jewelries other than your own stores."

I fasten my seatbelt before looking up at Isequel with my eyebrows arched. "Wrong. I don't have any suggestions. I don't really care about other jewelry stores. I only care about mine." The bastard just gives me a meaningful smile as he slightly rolls his eyes.

"We both know that's a lie."

Hell, I hope it wasn't a lie.

The car starts to move out of the parking lot. And while he's driving, I decide to take my phone out of my pocket to check if there are any new messages from my father. He's in New York City for a business partnership that both of us are looking forward to. My father is planning to expand his business all over Asia, and this is the first time that he listened to my advice.

And oh, my business is different than his. This is no family business. He has his own thing; I have mine.

"Bingo." Isequel mutters with a hint of excitement. The car stops in front of a jewelry store that looks busy and crowded. It's also spacious and elegant in shades of apricot. "Pieces of Bling." I murmur to myself. I've never heard of this store before. Is it new?

"Wow, newly opened yet it's already blowing up." Isequel confirms my thoughts. If I'm not wrong, today is the grand opening of this store. The beautifully decorated doors tell me so. There are also flowers outside that makes the store look more fancy. And honestly, it also looks expensive. It seems to me the owner of this store is no beginner. This can possibly be a new branch here in Chicago.

"I have a strong feeling that we'll find what we're looking for in that store." Isequel gives me another smile. But this time, it's a smile that has a message behind it. "And why do I have a strong feeling that you're up to something, Isequel?" We both unfasten our seatbelts as we climbed out of the car. He shrugs his shoulders, "I suggest not to trust that feeling, my brother. That will eventually make you doubt and accuse me." Doubt and accuse? I don't think I will ever feel that negatively towards Isequel. I've never even held a grudge towards anyone.

"Liar." Fine. Maybe towards that certain woman. That one woman that I can't bring myself to forget and let the ideas I've had of her to permanently rest in peace.

Isequel leads the way inside the jewelry store. My eyes roam around as I try to avoid every person that comes my way. Coming here might not be a good idea after all.

We might find the most elegant engagement ring here, but man, this store is extremely full of customers. It's even impossible for me to take more than two steps forward without stopping.

"Bryce?"

My attention quickly focuses on the owner of the voice that called my name. My forehead wrinkles, "Schyler? What are you doing here?" His forehead also earned creases on its surface. "No, what are you doing here? You're the last person I know that I least expect to be here." What is he talking about? What does he mean by telling me that I'm the last person he expects to be here? "I'm with Isequel. We're looking for an engagement ring." Shock invades his system and it's obvious all over his face. I bet he doesn't expect Isequel to find an engagement ring for his girlfriend.

We all know Isequel. He once told us that he'll only propose to Dahna after 5 years together. But it had only been 2 years since she became his girlfriend.

Too early? I agree.

"He's going to buy Dahna an engagement ring?" Disbelief is audible in Schyler's voice. I'm sure Schyler is concerned too. Schyler is probably having tons of what ifs right now for our dear friend Isequel. It is crucial for our group of friends whenever Isequel gets his own heart broken. It might be once in a blue moon, but the damage stays for half an eternity.

"Yes, and I am going to help him. He asked me to."

Schyler just gives me a look that hides something behind it. What is it with him and Isequel today? Why are they giving me that look?

"You might want to find an engagement ring somewhere else, Bryce. Not here. You wouldn't like it here."

Oh, he thinks that I won't like the collections here? The designs are probably not my type, but why would it bother me? The ring is not for me. It's for Dahna, and we're going to pick the one I think will pass her taste. And of course, the one that will look good on her finger.

Finger... Hell, does Isequel even know what's the size of her ring finger?

"No worries, Schyler. The ring is not for me. We'll find one that Dahna will love."

Schyler just gives me a sigh that says if you say so. He then bids good bye and continues to walk himself out of the jewelry store. After he disappeared, I start to look for Isequel in every corner of this place. He probably didn't notice Schyler earlier because he's too focused to find his engagement ring. I can only hope that we'll be done with this in a jiffy.

"There you are." I interrupt the staring contest that Isequel is having with the rings neatly displayed in a box made of glass. I see he's interested with the one in the middle. "Diamond. Round brilliant diamond styled in solitaire." Isequel looks up at me, "It's gorgeous, right? Not too much to look at. Simple, but elegant." Sure, it's simple but elegant. I agree. But will Dahna love it? "It's called the snowdrift ring. It caught my attention because of the tiny bits of diamonds on each side." I am impressed. This ring is meticulously made. Hand made even.

I won't lie. I like it.

"Will Dahna love it?"

Isequel smiles. The kind of smile that in love people makes when their significant other is mentioned. "She love and appreciate everything that I give her. I don't need to worry about that. I just want to find one that will suit her and her personality. I don't want anything perfect." There he is. The Isequel that I know. "It seems to me, you don't need my help at all." I jokingly replied.

"I still do. I am going to borrow money from you."

I immediately react to what he say. "You bastard, you can't be seriously buying an engagement ring for your girl and don't have the money for it."

"I'm just kidding!"

"Not a good joke, Isequel." How come he thinks that he's hilarious?

We both share a good laugh before he decides to go look for assistance. I can't believe we already found the engagement ring that he wants to buy.

"Champagne? I never thought you'd be here. Nevertheless, you are welcome."

My body stiffened. My heart starts to race as my lips part.

I know that voice. I know that voice all too well.

The surroundings suddenly goes quiet and all I can hear are the echoes of that voice in my head.

"Welcome? You were never so welcoming." I inwardly congratulate myself for not sounding like I've been haunted by the ghost of her since she disappeared. But I can't push myself to move and look at her. I don't want to look back and see her face. Her face will only blind me.

She's a beauty. Like a rare flower that only blooms in a forest, but a flower filled with vitriol and venom.

"What brings you here anyway? The last time we saw each other, you said you don't want to see my face again." Confidence is audible in her voice. She's always been confident. But sometimes it's too much and she ends up sounding like a cutthroat. "Oh, I'm not here for you. Don't be too proud of yourself, woman. You were never worth my time." She scoffs in return. And with that, I know that she's at the verge of being pissed off. There's only so little that I could do to make her blood boil. And I always find it amusing that she has so much hate in her heart for me.

She might even holding a grudge for me.

"Then leave. I believe that I have the authority to ask you to leave since I own this place."

She owns this place? She's the owner of this jewelry store? Pieces of Bling is hers? How come I didn't hear about its grand opening? How come my peers didn't tell me about it?

"You don't have to ask me and you don't have to use your authority. The moment that I heard your voice, I already thought of ways to leave."

Yeah, right. I can't even make myself move a muscle earlier. What a lie.

"Make sure you will never comeback. I don't want to see you here again, Bryce. You're right, I was never welcoming. Especially if it's you."

This time around, I finally have enough courage to look at her. Her apricot eyes instantly look into my cognac ones. She's giving me an intense look. The type of look that she gives me every time our paths cross. The type of look that convinces me to believe that she loathes me with every fiber of her being. But in return, and as an easygoing man, I just give her a smile. The kind of smile that makes her lose in every argument that we committed ourselves into.

"Don't you worry. I will never comeback here. I never knew you're the owner. If only I know, I wouldn't be here in the first place." I take a threatening step forward, and it is enough for her to hold her breath. "Oh well, Pieces of Bling didn't make too much noise before its grand opening. Not surprising, your comeback in the business world wasn't long-awaited."

She gulps as her eyes fiercely try to intimidate me. I pity her; it never worked. And it will never work. I will never be intimidated by her.

"But still, I'm glad that you're finally back. I've never had much of a competition since you left. I'd fancy your presence. Welcome back, Aurella. This time, try your very best to drag me down and make sure it'll work." I arrogantly smirk before turning my back on her.

"Is that Mr. Bryce Tryst?!" Someone from the crowd shouted. And in a blink of an eye, everyone's attention drifts to focus on me. Cameras start to flash at me, questions rain down on me, and people constantly taking the space I'm supposed to walk to. It forced me to answer some of their questions before finally making it out alive of that jewelry store.

"That was hell." I am gasping for air as I stop beside Isequel's car. And when I settle myself inside, I wasn't surprised to see him ready to drive in his seat. "That was the big news. She's back in business." I rest my back on my leathered seat and raise my hand to flip him off. "Fuck off, Isequel. What a bastard you are." Isequel just laughs at my misery and he starts the car. He starts to drive as I try to process everything.

I can't believe it. So Conrad wasn't lying to me the other day? He wasn't kidding when he told me she's back. But why did I have a hard time believing it?

So, we're in this prison again. Inside this prison again with her.

Let the games begin then.

"Excuse me." I made sure my voice sounded soft and calm as I made my way inside our family's mansion. I am completely clueless on why there are so many people here. When in fact, only a family dinner is going to be held tonight.

"Sweet mother of Jesus, I am so late." I said to myself as I walk faster all the way to the dining hall. I'm not going to lie, my insides are a little bit panicky right now. The heavens know how strict my father is when it comes to family dinners. He doesn't like it when me or my brother comes late and comes crashing down in front of the table.

It's embarrassing for him. He said everyone's going to go home talking about it, and everyone's attention will be on me. Well, I sort of believe it though. This is not the first time that I am late, and the first time that I was late, I just wanted the universe to make me vanish into an unknown realm. I felt humiliated with numerous pairs of eyes watching me and my every move. Made me wish that I should've never came at all.

I suppose that's going to happen now again.

As soon as I step inside the dining hall, my head rapidly thinks of countless ways to say sorry. But luck is not on my side tonight since I still ended up saying the most common one.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I got a little too busy with the grand opening today." Just like what I expected, everyone's eyes settle on me like it's the very first time that I am late into a family dinner. The discussion they're all having suddenly stops as each of them pays attention to my not-so-very-amusing act. I've already gotten so much shame for the past 5 years of my life, and now I am about to put myself in that dark place again?

I nervously look around the room, and when my eyes find my father, he gives me a reassuring look that calms my nerves from being panicky. One gentle nod from him made me rush to an empty seat beside my brother, Trudy Aglauros.

Oh, did I forget to mention that the whole Aglauros family is here tonight?

"Glad you made it, sis." He softly bumps his arm to mine. It's one of the many things I love that my little brother does. I sweetly beam at him, "Thank you, Trud."

"I thought you were not going to attend this year's whole family dinner again. I know how cruel the discussions here can be." Trudy plays his food with a fork and a spoon. He separates the pork meat from the vegetables and then he eats a spoonful of veggies. "It's a better option to stay in your penthouse." He muffles because of the food inside his mouth. I give him a glare just like the one our mother gives him when he's being a bad little boy.

"Don't speak when you're mouth is full, Trudy. How many times do I have to tell you that?" My brother just shrugs his shoulders and continues to eat foods he believes are healthy.

Healthy foods are good for him. And also for me though. Because Trudy and I are both one of the world's highest paid supermodels. Our mother successfully raised her kids following her footsteps and legacy. Our father could only disagree once when we were kids. Mom wears the pants in their marriage. And I grew up believing that I will someday have the type of marriage they have.

"Finally, after 5 years of hiding from us, you decided to join us for tonight, Aurella."

Oh, no. Not again. Not him.

"It's been so long, Uncle Naveen. And I don't really have a reason to use as an excuse not to be present tonight. I certainly missed the mansion." I use all of the strength in my body to be able to form a smile for my dear uncle. I am now starting to feel remorse why I decided to be here and offer my whole existence to be their hot topic for tonight.

Uncle Naveen Aglauros is definitely not my favorite uncle. Among my father's brothers, he is the one that I just can't bring myself to trust. I can't find the right words to describe him, but there is something about him that my gut is telling me not to believe. Or maybe it's because he's always the one bringing up family issues on the table, and making it everyone's laughingstock for the whole night. It's his thing; that's what he does. He brings up a topic, or maybe he calls out a family member and then he asks until the question goes too far to reach the hidden issue.

I don't know why he's doing this to us, but clearly, it's making his victim uncomfortable and embarrassed. This must be a crime. A human being must not be given a chance to feel entitled to humiliate a person. It's not cool. It's traumatizing.

"I was about to believe that you will never be back again when your brother here showed us that he can be so much better." He laughs, and so are the other members of the family.

Nice try, but I will never be offended. Comparing me to my younger brother is an old tactic that he has used since I was a teen. It shows off his misogynistic traits and his toxic belief that men will always be above women. But I am not as dumb as he thinks, and I am not weak just like how he captures most women.

He's the one here believing hoaxes. Too arrogant to believe that women are more than what they seem.

"Truly, my brother is amazing. And I am too. But what about you, uncle? Any new projects? Movies to star in? Telenovelas? Or just another set of commercials you don't want to talk about?" The smile on my lips plastered for my uncle becomes a slight grin that I know he hates. While my brother beside me tries so hard not to let his laugh be heard by everybody. I catch a glimpse of my father, and he's also suppressing his smile. I don't really care if the rest of the family won't side with me. As long as my father, mother, and brother are with me, I am for evermore grateful and contented.

"Careful with your words, Aurella. He's still your uncle after all. It seems like you've forgotten the word respect." I almost roll my eyes. It's disgusting whenever a member of the family decides to defend him. And this time, it's Uncle Neptune's wife, aunt Hera. "Respect is given to people who give back respect to you too, ma. In Aurella's case, I don't think she has gotten any respect from this family especially from uncle Naveen." I smile at my cousin Harvey for defending me from his own mother. I suppose there are no other members of this family who have the authority to talk back to aunt Hera but her husband and her son.

Harvey Aglauros is two years older than me. He is the family's most favorite because he's the richest one here that have been keeping the family's status at the top.

Wealthiest family, they say. But for me, this family doesn't only hold mountains of wealth. This family is also filled with jealousy and greed.

"Can't we just have a nice dinner? Why do we always have this kind of conversation on the table? Stop acting like children. All of you are capable of hurting each other's feelings."

Wow, look who finally had the courage to speak.

It was Lucan. The youngest among all of my cousins. He's the youngest, but he is the third wealthiest member of the family.

Harvey, Trudy, and Lucan are the holy trinity of this family. And I couldn't be more proud of them. Especially to my brother. I don't mind him surpassing me. This is not a competition, and ever since I entered the business world, everything that I do is for myself. Not for anyone; and not to use it as something to brag about.

"Oh. Wasn't expecting to hear something from you, Lucan." Uncle Naveen is still at it. He's the one here who can't stop himself. He loves pitting us to each other as if this family is made with inescapable competition. "I'm not in the mood for this. This wasn't the dinner I was looking forward to earlier. Excuse me." Lucan stands up and leaves his seat with a frown on his face. "At least he finished his food." I heard Trudy murmur to himself. Silence then reigns the whole dining hall, and only the sound of utensils screeching on glass plates is audible enough to cut through.

"Let's talk about something else? Shall we?" Lucan's father, uncle Noam Aglauros warmly offers. The sound of his voice is trying to clear the thick clouds surrounding this family.