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Chapter 7: After Six Years

The visitors heard a loud splash and all of them looked at the swimming pool.

"Oh my Jesus! Someone is drowning!"

Rian continued splashing—her head going back and forth under the water causing her to drink a fair amount of liquid from the pool.

Of all times why do I get to drown just right before making a deal with that CEO? Am I going to die here? Countless thoughts have occupied Rian's mind. She even began cursing the businessmen who are just standing, looking at her drowning. These damn heartless cowards. She now regrets not heeding Ethan's advice to take swimming lessons with him. What a rotten life! In the middle of her swearing, she heard a splash from her back. She turned around and saw Ethan swimming to her direction.

Thank goodness! She sighed. So it isn't my time to die yet. People gathered around them as they both came out of the water, soaked and wet.

"Goodness, are you okay miss?" A woman asked her.

Rian nodded quite awkwardly. For goodness sake! That was so embarrassing on her part. As the crowd around them started to disperse, a female staff came to them offering to lead the way for them to get fresh clothes.

Rian refused to go as the adrenaline inside her body is still pouring out causing her legs to shake. Ethan went instead. Rian was left with the same woman who asked her if she was okay earlier. Her worry was genuine. She introduced herself as Mrs. Ifunaya Okunola.

The commotion from the other side of the garden reached Xander while he is chatting with Mr. Clements. He didn't mind going to take a look when he heard that the lady who drowned was already saved. But something kept bothering him so he ended up leaving Mr. Clements to Gabriel.

"Shit!" He cursed. "Why would that woman be so careless to fall into the pool when she doesn't know how to swim. Tsk, now I need to check on her otherwise I'll become a heartless capitalist who didn't even bother see his nearly drowned guest." Xander cussed as he dragged his feet toward the woman whom he found familiar.

He's not very far from her. He knew she was the one when he saw her soaked white chiffon dress. Her long black hair was dripping with water and her slender hourglass-shaped body is highlighted by her wet garments.

While nearing her he felt a sudden sensation creeping to his body—he was nervous. He stood still, he swallowed and bit his lips, his eyes twitched and his hands started trembling. He have a faint idea on who she might be. He clenched his fist and continued walking towards her without blinking. He seemed determined, a mixture of emotions is building up inside him. As he drew closer, the woman standing in front of his target pointed at him.

Rian's POV

"I'm fine now Mrs. Okunola, thanks for your concern."

"Wheww, that almost made me faint. You must be careful around pools from now on."

"Yes, Mrs. Okunola" I simply replied.

"Oh look, he must be here to check the situation." Mrs. Okunola said while pointing past my back. "It's Mr. Alexander Galvez."

"It must be the CEO. Finally, I can meet him." I thought.

I turned my back and saw a man making his path towards us. He was wearing a black long sleeve with two buttons opened showing his chest. He was tall walking proudly with his sturdy built. He took a few more steps before his face got visible to me.

My eyes rounded in great surprise. The excitement that I felt earlier evaporated. At that moment, I don't know what should I feel or how should I react.

The new CEO whom I am planning to join hands with is no other than the man I once swore never to see again.

Alexander huh? Alexander Galvez, so that's his name.

I stood frozen in surprise but I managed to recover my natural look. Our eyes locked as he came closer and closer until it was only one step between us. He was about to open his mouth when I heard Ethan calling me.

"Honey" He said while panting, I faced him. "Sorry it took me long. The staffs prepared us a hot bath. Let's go before you catch a cold." He grabbed my hand hurriedly then he noticed Xander.

I looked backed at him and saw a dark expression looming on his face. He stared directly at me with eyes filled with questions.

"This—

I didn't waited for Ethan to finish. "This is Mr. Alexander Galvez, the new CEO of G&G Inc."

"Oh I see" Ethan showed him his hand for a shake.

"I'm Ethan Dominguez and this is my fiancé Marian De Castro. It's a pleasure meeting you Mr. Galvez"

Xander shook hands with him without loosing his sight on me. My lips swelled up a forced smile as I looked at him.

Ethan started to notice the hostile atmosphere between us.

"Mr. Galvez, we need to leave. My fiancé must take a bath and change her clothes. She might get a cold at this rate" Ethan politely said and we started walking away with his arms on my shoulder. I didn't take a look at Xander again. But before turning my back on him I took a glimpse of his face. I can't explain what I felt nor can I explain what he meant by that expression.

After 6 years of not seeing each other, we met by chance and talked briefly and just like that, we parted again.

Ethan brought Rian to a bungalow situated at the far end of the garden. As they entered, the couple was welcomed by different houseplants that filled the interior. Soon, a staff came and Rian came with her. The staff showed her to a room that looked just like one of those luxury hotels that she's been to—king size bed, fancy chandeliers and top tier interior design.

Rian spacing out when the staff pointed the bathroom to her.

"Ma'am?" The staff called Rian

"Y—yes"

"You can now wash up in the bathroom. After that you can use the bathrobe lying on the bed." The staff said relieved. "After you finish, please call me to assist you further. I'll be standing outside the door." She continued.

"T—thanks" Rian smiled forcely. "Oh! How 'bout my fiance—the man I came here with. He's needs a bath too."

"Don't worry Ma'am, your fiance is at the next room. He might be taking his shower now." The staff assured her. "Now, if I may take my leave." She said politely.

"Yes, you can. Thank you" Rian responded and the staff smiled and got out of the room.

Lilian's POV

"Have you seen Xander?" I asked Gabriel as I bumped into him.

"He went to check the woman who nearly drowned on the other side." Gabriel told me.

As I hurried to the other side of the garden, I saw Xander standing alone. He's in a daze with arms sagging from his shoulders. The dimmed look on his face told me something not good have happened to him.

I approached him "Xander, are you okay?". I put my hands over his arms. He stood still deep in thought, as if he had seen a ghost.

"Xander!" I repeated but more loud this time. He seemed to came to his senses when he gasped.

"What are you doing here?" His cold voice thundered in my ears. His piercing eyes left my lips trembling. His eyes went down to my hands on his arms. Before I could remove it he had already flung my hands on the air. The pressure was great that I nearly got outbalanced.

"Xander, Lilian, what's happening here?" Gabriel came chasing his breath. "Guys, please don't fight here. There are many people watching." He added.

I swallowed and sighed stopping my urge to cry. Xander walked away angrily. I can't get contented, I want to know what's happening.

I followed him to the parking lot, as my steps grew closer to him he suddenly paused making me to halt my feet.

He faced me with visible annoyance in his expression. "Why do you keep following me?"

"Tell me what happened. Why do you looked so bewildered? Did something happened to the woman? I heard she didn't drown. So, why are you looking like that?"

"It has nothing to do you. You have nothing to do with my fucking business!" His voice echoed in my ears.

"Why not? Everything that happens to you are connected to me. I am your wife Xander!" I blurted out. "That look you're wearing right now, I remember that. Six years ago you also have that look when I came for you in the Philippines." I can now hardly see by the tears clouding my eyes. "Was she here huh? Did she come here Xander?" My voice trembled as I stared directly at his eyes.

Xander took a few steps closer to me—my face inches away from his chest. He looled down on me, on top of my head I feel his rough breath firing my rage.

"So what if she's here huh?" What are you going to do?" I can hear the gritting of his teeth. "Are you going to harm her again?" It was almost a whisper but it was loud enough ro awaken the fear sleeping in my heart.

My eyes rounded in shock as I gasped unconsciously. "So he knew it all along." Undetermined to get swept by his sudden remark, I took a few steps back and landed a slap on his face.

I swear I slapped him hard enough but he didn't budge—not even an inch. His fiery eyes glaring at me shooting lasers of despise throughout my whole entity. I became week on my knees, I can't hold him back from leaving me there alone. My tears rushed down my cheeks as I saw him start the car's engine and drove away.

It's been six years since their paths have crossed. They never knew they would meet each other while despite coming from two different walks of life. It seemed like fate played an awful game on them that won't only leave a scar on their hearts, but also will make them realize what they were yearning for in life. What exactly had happened six years ago when they thought their life would flow constantly like it has ever been?

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