???? LOVE ME
TENDER ????
( When Love Heals… )
THEME: Love And Rules
CHAPTER 29✰30
By, Ariel Mirabel
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Catalina stared at him and she gulped down. She slowly removed her hand from his grip.
“Max… I can’t love you back” Catalina said and Marcel felt his heart sink.
“What… What do you mean?” Marcel stuttered.
Catalina bit her lips and looked sideways. She can’t tell him because Jolie made her promise not to tell him anything about her feelings for him.
“Max, it’s just like that… I can’t love you back, you’re my friend and I-”
“Then stop seeing me as a friend!” Marcel cut her off.
Catalina went silent…
“I’m tired of you seeing me as just a friend Cat, I want you to see me as more than that… Cat I know that right now you might feel nothing for me but just give me one chance. Let me teach you how to love me Cat, please.” Marcel begged.
Catalina sighed.
“Max…”
“Please Cat.. Just one chance.”
Catalina looked at him with a confused and troubled look on her face..
✧✧✧✧✧✧
Thalia was busy watching TV when the door to the living room opened and Mrs Lambert walked in with Flynn. A maid rushed to her to collect her luggage.
“My beautiful daughter!” Mrs Lambert exclaimed and Thalia smiled then stood up and went to hug her
“You’ve become more beautiful since the last time we saw each other.. Flynn must be taking good care of you.” Mrs Lambert smiled
Thalia looked at Flynn and what Ellis said suddenly flashed through her mind. She looked away and just nodded in reply.
“I’ll go see if the maids have finished preparing your room mom” Flynn said and went upstairs.
“So tell me,, how are your parents. Are they still angry at you?” Mrs Lambert asked and Thalia’s eyes widened
“You knew…” She muttered and Mrs Lambert chuckled
“Of course I know… I read the news and Flynn actually told me after your last visit. I felt like spanking that kid, how can he force someone in marrying him!” Mrs Lambert frowned
“Fortunately, he promised me he’ll try and make this marriage work out so I ask on his behalf to please make this marriage work too. The public might still believe you kílled your friend but I know you didn’t and I also know that my son can be sometimes weird in the way he shows his affection but I can assure you that you are someone very special to him” Mrs Lambert smiled.
Thalia began thinking again. Does that mean he didn’t kíll Liv? That he isn’t fooling her?
But on the other hand, what if he succeeded in having his mother connive with his wicked scheme
“Thalia?” Mrs Lambert called and she shook her head back to reality.
“Uhh-”
“Your room is finally ready mom” Flynn said, coming downstairs
“Cool! I’m so tired! Tell the maids to inform me once dinner is ready” Mrs Lambert smiled and left for her room.
Flynn turned to Thalia and he suddenly swept her off her feet, carrying her in a bridal style as he headed upstairs
“Where are you taking me to?”
“To our room of course… Mom coming is definitely a blessing in disguise, you’ll finally get to sleep with me” Flynn smiled
Thalia just looked down.
They got inside his room and he placed her down before he pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt.
“So how was your day?” Flynn asked, removing his shirt
“Well it was like other days, just normal” Thalia shrugged.
“You’ve been acting weirdly since I came back.. Are you sick?” He touched her forehead.
Thalia shifted away from him..
“I’m not” She muttered and entered the bathroom.
Flynn raised a brow in confusion.
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“Jolie!” Catalina barged in Jolie’s place.
It was a Saturday so she didn’t go to work since she doesn’t work in the weekends.
Jolie who was busy cooking ran out of the kitchen with a spatula in her hand.
“What? What is happening!!” Jolie asked.
“I’m déad! My life is finished!! I’m finished!!” Catalina exclaimed, falling on the couch.
“What happened!”
“Max confessed to me yesterday.. He said that,, he loves me!!” Catalina screamed and Jolie rolled her eyes.
“Oh that?? I thought it was something serious” Jolie huffed.
“Wait… You knew!!” Catalina exclaimed and Jolie just nodded
“Yeah, he has two close friends. You don’t expect him not to tell me when he’s in love with his other friend” Jolie said.
“Wait… And you’re cool with that? Jolie, I thought-”
“Yeah, I know.. I do love him too but he chose you and there’s nothing I can do about it, you two are like my only friends and I want nothing but your happiness. If being together will make you two happy then I’m happy too, I’ll just bury my feelings for him” Jolie smiled.
Catalina stared at her…
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Catalina asked and Jolie nodded with a smile
Catalina just nodded too, feeling bad for her friend
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Flynn knotted his tie as he looked at Thalia who was still sleeping on the bed. He smiled and walked to her then crouched down to her level.
He brought his hand to her hair and then touched it before he began leaning in for a kiss. Thalia opened her eyes and when she saw him leaning in, she quickly shifted away.
Flynn opened his eyes and looked at her but she wasn’t looking at him. Flynn frowned.
“Wifey, tell me what’s wrong?” Flynn asked.
Thalia bit her lips. Flynn turned her face to him
“Wifey.. What is wrong?” Flynn asked with a serious look on his face.
“Why did you kíll Liv?” Thalia asked and Flynn’s eyes widened.
“What do you mean?”
“Yesterday, I and Ellis talked. He told me that..that you kílled Liv and that you’ll also do the same with me if I fall for you” Thalia said.
“And you really believe him?” Flynn said angrily
“You can’t blame me. Ever since I came here, he was the only one nice to me. You always acted like I don’t exist then overnight you began acting all touchy with me. When Liv, you own fiance díed you didn’t even think twice before replacing her with none other than her best friend so tell me how I wouldn’t believe him when you act like a monster!” Thalia said.
“But I explained it to you! I explained to you that the reason I did that was because of my father!!” Flynn raised his tone.
“Which you didn’t even asked for my consent in the first place. You just forced me like you used to do!” Thalia shouted back
“I know I wasn’t cool and I acted recklessly and I’m trying to make amends on that”
“So you think by spending lavishly on me, by seducing me I’ll forgive you?! No, it isn’t done that way Flynn.. I’m not those type of women who easily gets swayed by money and all that, that’s not the way you’ll earn my forgiveness,, nor my love” Thalia said
“I’m sorry… That’s what you wanted to hear right? I’m sorry, sorry for forcing you into my life, sorry for all what I did, I’m sorry for trying to gain your trust and sorry for trying to show you how much I love you… I’ll keep my distance like you always wanted it but know one thing… I’ll never kíll anyone,, unless it’s for you” Flynn said and Thalia could sense hurt in his voice
He stood up and picked his briefcase before leaving the room. Thalia sighed and ran her hands through her hair.
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Catalina walked in the store and looked around the store looking for a good yet affordable phone to buy.
Frederick increased her salary like he said and she decided to use it to buy a phone for Calvin since he has none.
“Ma’am, how may I help you?” An attender said and Catalina turned to her.
“I’m looking for a good phone I can buy for my brother” Catalina said
“You’ve come to the right place then. We have the popular iPhone brand” The attender said.
“Oh! I’m sorry, I can’t afford those” Catalina chuckled.
“I’ll take two of them… The latest brand” A voice said behind her.
She turned to see a tall man wearing a black hoodie with a black nose mask, only his eyes could be seen.
“On it sir” The attender said and went to issue a cheque for the phones.
Catalina made way and made to leave when the figure grabbed her hand. She paused and looked up at the person then made to shout when he pulled down his nose mask revealing Frederick.
“Oh it’s you” She smiled.
No wonder her phobia didn’t come up… Wait, does that means her phobia now recognizes him?
“Weird” She said inwardly.
Frederick pulled up his nose mask when the attender came with the phones in a shopping bag. He gave her his black card and she went to settle the debt
“Here” He handed the bag to her and her eyes widened.
“Mine? But why?” She asked.
“I don’t know, just felt like doing it” Frederick shrugged.
“I’m sorry, I can’t possibly accept it. I-”
“Accept or I deduct your salary” Frederick said and she quickly took the bag from him without thinking twice.
“Good” Frederick smirked
“I don’t know how I’ll be able to repay you boss” Catalina said
“A simple thank you would do”
“Thanks so my much boss” She said and bowed slightly.
“It’s nothing” Frederick said and the attender came back with his black card. He collected it and they both left…
“You said you have a brother right?” Frederick said.
“Yeah, Calvin. He’s really goofy… He attends Starship High, grade 12” Catalina said.
“Then he must be same class with my brother too. My brother he’s…” Frederick just sighed and Catalina chuckled, already understanding what kind of brother he has.
“So any plans for the day?” Frederick asked as they walked down the street.
“Not really. Was planning of going home to sleep after getting a phone for my brother” Catalina said.
“As for me I was doing what I do every weekend, stroll casually round the city. Since you’re free let’s start your step 2” Frederick said.
“Sure boss!”
“Come with me” Frederick said and led the way..
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The skate park is a place where many teenagers in the town gather to have fun, mostly the poor and that’s where Calvin and Nelson hang out during the weekend.
Many activities could be seen going on, skateboarding, dance, freestyle, some were casually discussing.
Calvin and Nelson arrived..
“I’ve missed this place. Can’t believe we didn’t visit this place for a week” Calvin said
“So what should we do?” Nelson asked.
“I’ll go watch the diss rap battle going on there” Calvin said.
“Cool, I’ll be over there” Nelson pointed at the skateboarders.
They bumped fists before going their separate ways. Calvin went and sat down next to the others who were watching the diss rap battle.
“Wassup Cal” He bumped fists with a guy.
“I’m cool..” He smiled and looked front.
It was a girl against a boy and the boy was still rapping while the crowd was cheering for him.
????… I planned all this from the start
So go and play with your doll girls
This place ain’t a playground for Barbie and Kent
This rap battle is already won b*tch
As a consolation price you can súck ma d*ck you stúpid àss b*tch…????
???? Whooo!!!
The crowd cheered at guy who just finished his verse. The girl just smirked, she was putting on a hoodie covering her eyes, dressed like a boy
She began her verse.
????… That was it?
Just like your d*ck size your rapping is weak
Take a hint
Your lyrics so boring I almost fell asleep
Listen
You’re destined to be a failure
How’d you fail and came just fail again
Oh wait- I forgot failure was your mid name
Claiming you planned everything from the start
So tell me,
You planned all this lost too?…????
???? Whoooo!!!!
“F*ck. She finished him” Calvin laughed.
“So I guess we know who the winner is and it’s none other than… Lady A!” The referee said and people began screaming as they swam round the girl.
She chuckled and the cap of her hoodie fell back, revealing her face. Calvin’s eyes widened..
“Aubrey?” He said and Aubrey looked his way.
“I’ll see you guys next time… Bye!” She said and went to Calvin.
“You rap?” Calvin said and Aubrey shook her head.
“Not really, it’s my first time” She reply.
“Really? Then I guess you’re naturally vicious. Just look at all what you told that dude” Calvin said and Aubrey chuckled.
“Never knew you know how to smile till today” Calvin said as they walk.
“Oh… Well I feel more at home here and it helps me forget about the sh*t happening in my life at this moment. Like I said, I was once poor and this was my neighborhood so I feel at home here. But dad doesn’t like the idea of me coming here so I sometimes elope from home” Aubrey said.
“So that’s why she was running the first time she bumped into me” Calvin said inwardly.
“Alright” Calvin simply said.
“You still mad at me?” She asked and he shrugged..
“I don’t know but I’ll completely forgive you if you bribe me with a 1000 bucks” Calvin said and Aubrey rolled her eyes.
They walked out of the skatepark and her eyes caught with a car. The car stopped in front of shopping mall and out of it came Drake and Clara. The car was the new car Drake placed the bet on
They both kissed before entering the mall.
Calvin saw her staring at them
“Umm-”
Aubrey began heading to the car. She brought out something from her pocket and looked around but no one was in sight
She wore her hoodie and stuck something to the car then pressed some buttons and it began a countdown from 5
She immediately
“Aubrey what are you-”
Aubrey grabbed Calvin’s hand and began running away. Calvin wondered on why she was running away but when he heard a huge explosion behind him, he suddenly stopped and turned
His confusion cleared when he saw Drake’s car. It exploded and fire was burning on it.
People began coming out to see what happened and when Drake came out, he almost fainted.
“My car!!! No!!!!”
Aubrey smirked.
“You did…” Calvin said unbelievably
“Of course I did… He played me because of a car so I blew up the car.. This is not the only car I’ll blow from him” Aubrey scoffed.
“You’re so-”
“Bad… I know, I’m a psycho too…now let’s go before they begin so suspect us” Aubrey took his arm and they began running again
Calvin looked at her and couldn’t help but smile.
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“Thalia, you called for me” Ellis smiled as he walked in the living room to see Thalia pacing to and fro.
“Why did you lie to me concerning Flynn” Thalia immediately asked.
Ellis’s eyes widened.
“What are you talking about?”
“Why did you lie to me about Flynn, I need answers not questions!” Thalia said sternly.
Ellis’s contenance changed.
“I did so because it’s true! He’s not the one for you!! He’s just using you!! I am the one for you Thalia” He said and grabbed her shoulder.
“Thalia, I love you! I love you so much Thalia!” He said and immediately slammed his lips on hers
Thalia’s eyes widened and she pushed him off. Without wasting time, she landed a slap on his cheek.
“So it’s because of this huh? Because of that that you had to líe to me! You betrayed my trust in you!” Thalia shouted.
“I said hurtful words to Flynn.. I called him a monster, I made him feel like his love for me was just worthless!!” Thalia shouted
“Thalia, I’m sorry.. Please forgive me” Ellis hugged her tightly.
“Let me go!!” Thalia struggled but he was hugging her too tight
“Thalia I’m sorry!” He repeated.
“Ellis let me go!!” Thalia shouted..
“Tha- Ahh!!” Ellis let out a painful cry when a whip landed on his back.
He immediately released Thalia and turned to see Mrs Lambert standing with a belt in her hand.
“Who gave you the permission to touch my daughter!!” Mrs Lambert shouted and began whipping him
“Ahhh!!”
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“What are we doing here?” Catalina asked as she looked round the area.
It was a beautiful enclosed garden with flowers everywhere. It was daytime, but with the way it was one will think it’s night time.
Fireflies beautified the atmosphere as they flew around, glimmering beautifully
“You once told me that you’ve always wanted to dance so this is your step two” Frederick said. He wasn’t longer wearing a nose mask since they were out of public
“Huh? what are you talking about?” She turned to him and saw his hand stretched out, she understood.
Catalina bit her lips nervously.. This was totally different from her holding his hand, he was going to touch her this time!!
“Just do like the way you did when you held my hand. Think of your comfort zone” Frederick said and pressed a button.
A soft and romantic tune began playing
Catalina looked at his hand and then at his face. He smiled assuredly. Catalina heaved in before she closed her eyes and she accepted his hand.
Frederick slowly pulled her closer to him. He placed her hands on his broad shoulders and she jolted a bit. She jolted more when his hand delicately held her waist.
She gulped down as she still kept her eyes closed, trembling.
“Relax..” He said softly and like magic, her tensed muscles relaxed.
Catalina slowly opened her eyes and she looked up at him. They both began starring at each other..
Frederick gulped down nothing as they maintained the eye contact. His heart was beating so fast that he feared she might hear it
He needs no soothsayer to tell him what is happening to him
“It’s happening,,, again” He thought with mixed feelings. Was it fear, happiness, sadness or nervousness… He doesn’t know
He shook away all those thoughts and slowly began guiding her. Catalina followed his steps and they began dancing to the rhythm of the song
Catalina looked at her feet and then at him. She smiled widely..
“I did it..I’m dancing with a man” She screamed inwardly.
While she was lost in her own world, Frederick was lost in his too as he stared at the beautiful creature in his arms.
So many questions kept running through his mind. Why her and not someone else? What does he do now? Should he kill it? Or let it grow? What if he lets it grow and it ends the same way like Tatiana’s own.
He twirled her around and a gasp escaped her lips when she landed on Frederick’s chest.
She gasped again when Frederick brushed his hands on her cheek. She gasped once more when Frederick cupped her cheek, gazing at her.
The way he looks at her now was different from how he normally does
“What did you do to me?” He whispered and her eyes widened.
✎…????.????.????