Chapter 8

• I left Atlas in the kitchen after I said those words. I felt like if I stayed longer, my tears would stream down endlessly. I'm not mistaken, because after a few steps, my tears fell.
• It hurts. 
• It hurts because I know that I'm just forcing myself to not be hurt by everything that's happening. I know that I'm cheating on myself,  making me believe I'm strong and I will fight. But the truth is. . . I'm already wrecked, and I don't know if it's still possible to fix.
• I walked straight to my room. I locked my door before I sat on my bed. I held my chest and tapped it gently. My tears kept on falling and I could hardly breathe. 
• I asked myself if I should just be like this everytime? Crying and hiding? Being hurt countless times that I end up being numb to it.
• Do I deserve this?
• But even after asking myself a lot of times, I know that it's also my fault. It's my fault why I'm hurting. It's my fault why Atlas was angry at me. 
• There were things that didn't mean to happen and just did. There were things that I would never forget. Things that still made me feel guilty. Things that were engraved in my mind, and so was Atlas'.
• I let myself be drowned with pain. I cried my heart out, in hopes that my worries would vanish. But just like a lost bullet, I was hit without me knowing. A bullet that caused me a wound. A wound that turned into a scar in my heart that would never be erased.
• I stayed in that position before deciding to stop. I wiped my tears and tried to compose myself. Even if I want to weep and cry it out, it wouldn't remove the pain. Like usual, I ignored the pain. I'll just bury it inside and forget about it.
• I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I stood up in front of the mirror. My eyes were swollen from crying so much. It even had dark circles under, a sign of stress that burdened me for such a long time. 
• I smiled forcefully and scanned myself. I held my face and gently felt it. I also fixed my messed up hair.
• I sighed.
• I have everything that life could offer, and yet, I am not happy. I am a lost soul, trying to fit in. 
• **
• It was exactly seven in the evening when I decided to go to the village's pool party. I don't know what to expect because the president didn't mention anything except that it's a pool party. Nonetheless, I fixed myself.
• I wore my usual black skinny jeans and white sleeveless top. I also put on light makeup and red lipstick. I let my bob cut hair down. I smiled in front of the mirror. I stood up and walked towards my small dressing room to get my white stilettos.
• When I was content with my look, I went outside of my room. Just as I expected, the house was at peace. The lights from the living room were off and the small light from the lampshade at the wall was the only thing that lit up everything.
• I puffed out a breath and strode slowly. I carefully opened the door and got out. I was holding my clutch bag as I hurriedly opened the car. I sighed when I entered the car and shook my head. I know that Atlas would be mad at me but I didn't mind it. It was always like that. He's always been angry at me.
• While driving to the clubhouse, I can't help but to glance at the elegant houses I passed by. It was all beautiful. It screamed luxury and wealth. There were extravagant Christmas decorations in the gates that looked like stars from afar. There were also giant Christmas trees displayed beside the streets all over the village. It was so beautiful that it could make everyone that sees it have a little spark of hope.
• I was nearing the clubhouse, so I decided to empty my mind from everything that's bothering me. I want to enjoy and socialize with other people. I'll let the others know me. In return, I want to know them too. 
• I smiled when I entered the clubhouse. The wide space immediately greeted me after entering. There was a fountain in the middle of the garden and small trees that were planted at the sides of the pathway which added attraction.
• I parked my car far from the villa. I picked my clutch bag and got out. I walked towards the place's entrance, not even bothered by the heels I was wearing. I walked straight to the villa with my head high. 
• Even from afar, I could already hear the loud stereo that came from inside. I walked inside. The lights were dimmed along the way to the pool area. I ignored everyone I passed by. The important thing is to arrive at my destination.
• Fuck!
• I cursed under my breath when I finally reached the place. I don't know if I should continue or just go home. I silently cursed the president. I was already thinking of slapping her inside my mind.
• "Olive Ramirez is here!" I heard someone say. I shifted my gaze and roamed around the area. I suddenly felt more determined to leave the place, but unfortunately, my feet were glued in place. I felt ashamed, because what I thought was a pool party was actually a masquerade party.
• "Welcome, Mrs. Ramirez! Good thing you came."
• I stopped myself from thinking too much when I heard the president's voice. She was smiling at me while walking towards my direction. She was in a dark blue gown while holding a feathery mask on one of her hands.
• I wanted to roll my eyes at her. I was just stopping myself from doing so because I don't want to cause a scandal. If it was their intention to humiliate me, then fine. But I won't let them have another chance to make it worse.
• I smiled, a fake one. "Good evening, Mrs. President. Thank you for inviting me." 
• We kissed each other's cheeks before facing one another.
• "Oh! Didn't I tell you that the party's theme was masquerade? Sorry, hija," she said and shook her head.
• If she wasn't standing in front of me, I would've already rolled my eyes. It's very impossible that she forgot to inform me. I don't know what they're trying to do. The last time I checked, I didn't have any enemies in the whole village.
• "It's fine," I answered.
• "Suit yourself, hija. I'll just entertain the others. Mr. and Mrs. Austria is here," she informed.
• I nodded. I watched her walk away and sighed after. I don't know where to sit. It's obvious that I don't belong to her.
• All of them wore elegant gowns. There are some that wore a mask while the others were just holding it. The whole pool area has tables on the side and they're all occupied. While the front part of the pool had a table full of food and drinks. There's also a chocolate fountain.
• I sighed and walked directly to the table. If I can't enjoy it, then I'll just drown myself in alcohol. It was a bit dim so I guess no one would recognize me.
• I got a bottle of champagne and poured it into a wine glass, drinking it straight. I tasted its bitterness flow down my throat, but it had a sweet aftertaste. I poured another glass.
• "It's obvious that you didn't prepare for the party."
• I looked at my back and saw Alexandra Martinez. She's known as a famous cosmetic owner. She's one of the toughest enemies of my grandmother when it comes to business. She was wearing a very beautiful gown while holding an expensive-looking mask.
• I frowned at her. "And it's not obvious that you prepared for the party."
• She laughed but I can tell that there's sadness in between. I saw her hold the champagne bottle and drink it straight to her mouth. My eyes widened. I am surprised and shocked at the same time. 
• "W-What are you doing?" I uttered when I found my voice. I never thought that the daughter of a businessman with class would act like that. She didn't even bother to pour it on a glass.
• "You seemed surprised? You know, Miss Olive, sometimes we have to be wild. Forget about etiquette. Just fuck!" 
• My brows raised. I was just staring at her as she chugged the champagne. I admit that I never once got out of my comfort zone. I am always prim and proper. I never indulged myself to be wild and carefree. I calculated everything, my actions and behavior. 
• "Look at that girl." I followed where her finger was pointing. "The one carrying a dog. She's a daughter of a wealthy man, too. But she acts like a twelve-year old. Always happy and carefree."
• "So, what's your point?" I asked with a forehead creased.
• "Nothing. I just want someone to talk to. This party is very boring. Oh! That's Pepper!"
• She called a woman. The woman went to us and I observed her face. She's the same girl that has lonely eyes. Alex immediately greetee her when she arrived.
• "This is my friend, Pepper. Doctor Olive Ramirez. You know her, right?" 
• My brows, again, raised upwards at Alex's introduction.  The truth is, we were never really friends. We shared the same status in the society. We often see each other in some social gatherings but we're not close. 
• Nevertheless, I still accepted Pepper's offer to shake hands. We greeted each other and tried to have a conversation. Now, the three of us were drinking in front of the table, drowning ourselves in the liquor. We had different reasons. I know that just like me, they're also hurting. I can see it. I can feel it. 
• I stopped myself from drinking when I saw Engineer Primo. He just got in and he's with someone. I informed Alex and Pepper before walking towards them. I smiled as I walked towards them.
• "Hi! Engineer," I greeted them when I got in front of them. They instantly looked at me. Primo instantly smiled while I couldn't see his companion's reaction because she was wearing a mask.
• "Mrs. Ramirez! How are you?" 
• "I'm fine. By the way, I just want to congratulate you. Uncle told me. I know that it's a secret, so you don't have to worry."  I acted like I was zipping my lips.
• The two of them laughed. Engineer Primo scratched his head. I know him because he is one of Atlas' engineers. They worked together at a mall in Quezon City. 
• "Yeah. Anyway, this is Avi," he shyly said.
• "Avi the actress?" 
• He nodded.
• "Hello, ma'am!" Engineer Primo's wife greeted.
• I smiled and offered my hand. "Olive Ramirez." 
• I didn't stay long and bid my goodbye to the couple. My head was throbbing because of the brandy that Alex gave me. I even stumbled upon Mr. Gonzalo with his rumored mistress. I raised my brows at the girl who just smirked at me.
• "Shit!" I cursed when I accidentally clashed with someone. I held my head and lifted it. An unfamiliar man greeted my eyes.
• "Are you okay?" he asked.
• "Yeah, I'm fine," I replied and walked again. 
• "Wait!" He held my arm. "I was observing you for a long time and I saw that you're not with someone. So, can you hangout with me?"
• I raised my brows. "Excuse me, mister. I'm a married woman. I don't have any time for—"
• "I know. I'm Ramn." He offered his hand.
• I shook my head and was about to walk out when unfortunately, I tripped. I expected to fall but it never happened. Ramn's arms wrapped around my waist. He was looking.at me intently while my eyes were wide.
• "The party is on!" shouted the people.
• I don't know what happened next. I just snapped out when I fell down the pool. Ramn fell with me, too. He was still gripping my waist while we're facing each other. Both were soaked in water.
• "I'm—"
• "Olive!"
• I was cut off when I heard my name. I looked up and saw Atlas at the side of the pool. He looked deadly. His face became even fiercer and beastly. I was shocked with what happened next. Ramn's lips touched mine. A stranger kissed me, in front of my husband.
• What the fuck!