Chapter 25: Ugly Star Mark
1081words
I took a deep breath as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
"They deserve everything, Scarlett. You are just demanding your pound of flesh," I told my reflection.
"Ma'am?" Gabriel burst into the room. "What is this? Isn't this too much?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"What are you talking about, Gabriel?" I moved to pick up my phone from the bed.
"You are using digital billboards to advertise a scandal about Nathan. You just burned down his warehouse. He is going through a lot," Gabriel said, his voice filled with concern.
I chuckled. "What's bothering you, Gabriel?" I asked. "Why are you taking sides with my enemies when you are supposed to be working for me?" I demanded. He stood silent.
"Wait a minute. Are you working with Nathan too?" I asked, my eyes narrowing.
"You have got it all wrong," he said. "I'm not working with Nathan or anyone in his family. I just don't agree with your actions against him. Do you understand the consequences of what you are doing? Revenge doesn't solve anything. It will hurt you as much as it hurts him. Can you stop this, please?"
"The fact that you think you can stop me with a few lines of preaching is amusing. Look, Gabriel, I'm not in the mood for your ranting. Let's go out somewhere special. All work and no play make my skin pale. Let's go," I declared and headed out.
"Don't say I didn't try to stop you," he muttered as he opened the door for me.
"I want to go to the beach, Gabriel. It's been a while since I have seen the ocean," I said.
He let out a low grunt, clearly frustrated by my refusal to back down, and I smiled sweetly.
"Um, Miss Guzman?" My stepmother's voice interrupted us.
"You are not planning to ruin my mood with your ominous presence, are you, Maria?" I spat, my lips curling in distaste. I crossed my arms, glaring at her.
"That is too harsh," Gabriel whispered.
I shot him a scathing look before turning my attention back to Maria, my scowl deepening.
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice firm and commanding.
"Um, can I talk to you when you return?" she asked quietly, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"Do you really think you are worthy of my time, Maria? Get out of my way before I do something you will regret," I said and pushed her aside.
I stormed out, with Gabriel apologizing to Maria behind me.
"Gabriel!" I barked, and he rushed forward to open the car door for me.
***
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a warm golden light danced across the ocean, casting a serene glow on the waves. The gentle lapping of water against the shore created a calming melody, while the salty breeze carried the sweet scent of possibility.
Gabriel and I sat side by side on the beach, our legs stretched out before us. My hands sifted through the sand absentmindedly.
A warm smile lit up Gabriel's face as he enjoyed the peaceful moment.
"You play like a child but act with the spirit of rebellion," Gabriel said, catching my attention.
"You were too harsh on your stepmother. She tries to get close to you every day. What did she do to deserve such harsh treatment? Why don't you listen to anyone?" he asked gently.
"My stepmother did nothing specific. She was like two sides of a coin. She loved me, but at the same time, she made me feel like she hated me with a passion," I began, pausing to check my wristwatch. It was past 7 PM.
"We still have time here," Gabriel said, trying to reassure me.
I smiled. "I wasn't always like this. I had a large star-shaped birthmark on my right temple, which didn't fit the beauty standards of Pasay City. I didn't care what anyone thought, but my stepmother, stepsister, and Everleigh all wanted me to undergo plastic surgery to remove it. I couldn't bring myself to erase what I was born with, so I ignored them. Others murmured about my looks, calling me ugly and despicable," I explained, my voice quivering slightly as I recalled those memories.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"But you eventually had the surgery, right?" Gabriel asked gently.
"Yes. I wanted to become someone new—the kind of person they wished had never been born. That included removing the birthmark that brought me so much pain every day."
"You must have felt terrible. I'm so sorry for everything you went through," he said, squeezing my hand.
"It's okay. The past is in the past now," I replied softly.
"Then why can't you forgive them? From what you have told me, your stepmother didn't do anything unforgivable," he said.
I smiled, tilting my head slightly. "Do you know what's worse than cruelty?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. What could it be?"
"Words. Verbal remarks can shape a person's personality more than actions ever could," I declared. "My stepmother's constant criticisms left a mark on me. She made me feel worthless in front of my peers. She wanted me to live like a prisoner. How can a mother tell her child never to associate with people of higher social standing because she believes the child isn't worthy?"
"I understand your point, ma'am. Can I tell you something about forgiveness?" he asked cautiously.
I narrowed my eyes and shifted my focus to my phone.
"Why don't you want to hear it?" he asked.
"I need a drink, Gabriel. Can you take me to the bar?" I asked, brushing off his question.
"No. You have been drinking too much lately. I will take you to a restaurant instead," he said firmly.
"Are you my boss, Gabriel?" I tilted my head, challenging him.
"I'm your friend, even though you refuse to accept it," he replied, standing up.
"You have guts because you are a CEO in your company," I teased, but I took his hand to help me up.
"It's no secret, but you are still my boss," he said with a smile.
As we headed to the car, I said, "Then act like you work for me and stop bossing me around. The fact that I agreed to go to a restaurant with you feels like I'm under a spell."
"I'm just that persuasive with words, ma'am," he said, grinning.
"Don't flatter yourself, Gabriel."
We both laughed.
