Chapter 5: Their Story

LANCE CAN be described as cold, calculating, manipulative and intelligent… but never impulsive. He never decided without thinking of the repercussions and effect that it may result to.

That was until Cassie. Cassie, who was now sleeping beside him. He unbuckled his seat belt and hers as well. He carried her to the plane's cabin so she can sleep more comfortably. He laid her gently on the bed before returning to his seat.

He was not sure what happened to him at his Penthouse, but the moment he saw the worry and fear in her eyes, he wanted to protect her. He wanted to shield her from anything and anyone that may hurt her.

He had never felt so protective of anyone. Not even Lindsay who have been with him for years. But just one look at Cassie's expressive eyes and his mind and emotions goes haywire.

They were on his private jet to his secluded Island in Zambales. He secretly bought this two years ago to be his sanctuary. They had just finished construction of the rest house and private resort. Nobody knew he have this property and this is what he needs.

To escape the gossips and rumors about his failed engagement. To forget the hurt from the betrayal of the only person whom he thought could never make him feel worthless and unhappy. Lindsay.

They were happy. Or he believed they were. Their story is very simple. They have been friends during high school. They knew everything about each other. Or he thought he knew everything about her.

Their friendship is what made them start dating. They were tired of telling each other their break up stories from their relationships. So, they agreed to give it a try with each other. They clicked because they are both sensible. Never jealous. Always cool with each other's individual journey in life.

They have been together for six years excluding the time that they were still friends. They were each other's first in everything, well except the sex thing.

Lindsay and Lance were the perfect couple. They do not argue, they discuss their issues rationally without raising each other's voice. They never had a disagreement in their six years of dating. Perhaps because they rarely see each other. They were both busy with work. Lindsay being a Runway model and constantly travelling while he is also caught up with his company.

The quality time they have is during phone conversations and weekly video calls. Everything they do were planned. They must fit their relationship into their hectic schedule.

Six months ago, he was put in a compromising situation where his grandparents, the grandparents that took care of him when his parents died, asked him when he will settle down. He was not paying attention that he responded with “Soon.”

And so, the planning began without the proper proposal.

His grandparents were excited that finally He will be settling down. He had been so busy with work that only their monthly dinner at their ancestral home was their avenue to catch up. He had no choice but to push through with the “proposal”.

He called Lindsay and asked her to have dinner with him. He flew to Paris just to see her.

No surprises, just a simple proposal during dinner and she accepted. He thought he was happy. He felt comfortable, yes, but happy? Now he wonders. Their agreed marriage now sounded like a business agreement, not a lifelong commitment.

Lindsay agreed to be his wife but she will not bear him a child until after 3 years. That is one of the conditions that they agreed to since she still have her modelling contract. He also stipulated that they will have a prenuptial agreement so both their interests would be protected. They agreed to have only one child since they are both busy with their careers and raising a child might be a problem.

Now, while he was remembering that night where they seemed to plan their future, he cannot help but feel disappointed with himself. That was not planning their future, that was merely an agreement to their terms to get married.

He is now starting to doubt whether he wanted to get married before or he just wanted to prove a point to his grandparents. That he can settle down and raise a family.

He is starting to see that his relationship with Lindsay is nothing more but a convenient and programmed commitment. They were very comfortable with each other but there was no chemistry.

He is not a romantic. He is a very sensible guy who values his time. And time with Lindsay was always calculated. Always planned. No spontaneity. Maybe that is what drove her to do what she did. Sad as it may seem but he is now starting to feel that he is not worthy to be loved by anyone.

He is now hurting because of his bruised ego and not his failed relationship.

His heart is not capable of loving anyone anymore. He need to find out how to love. Maybe when he does, the heaviness he is feeling may be lifted and be replaced with the real happiness he once had.

He was in deep thought and did not notice Cassie who was concernedly looking at him from the hallway of the plane.