28. Gosh! I’ve embarrassed my friend!

She was preparing her things to bring when her cell phone rang. Seeing that it was Chelsey calling, she quickly answered. 'Hello, is there any problem?" she asked. 'Yes, there is!" Chelsey responded. 'Goodness, Brie! Where on earth do you live that I don't know? It's been a week, and I still don't know where the hell you live!" Chelsey exclaimed. She raised an eyebrow. 'Why?" 'What do you mean why? We're leaving tomorrow, and I need to meet you to discuss the things Miss Ortega gave us. You need to study the concept and visualize the theme so you won't struggle tomorrow!" Chelsey replied exaggeratedly. ‘Early in the morning? So, Chelsey and I need to be together for our departure tomorrow? I think I have no choice but to tell her.' 'Hey, why are you speechless now? Don't you plan to tell me where you are?" Chelsey said. She took a deep breath. 'It's not like that," she replied. 'I'm just being cautious and don't want anyone to know where I currently live." 'Why? Do you have something to hide? Is there something I don't know about what's happening in your life? I thought you considered me your best friend? Why are you keeping secrets from me?" Chelsey bombarded her with questions. She sighed heavily, feeling a headache coming on from the questions. Then, Braun entered, unaware that she was on the phone. 'Are you done unpacking your things, wife?" Her eyes widened, and she signaled that she was on the phone. But it seemed too late as Chelsey, her gossipy manager and best friend, had overheard. 'What the heck? Wife? You're freaking married?! To whom?! Why didn't I know?!" Chelsey asked loudly. She grimaced, moving the phone away from her ear, glaring at Braun, who just smiled at her and approached, about to speak, before she quickly covered his mouth with her hand. 'Briella Montañez, answer me!" Chelsey said. 'Go on, tell her," Braun said, seeming to enjoy her dilemma. ‘How the hell should I tell Chelsey the truth? Will she believe me if I say that I married President Braun? This is so frustrating! I am not prepared to do this!' 'I'm married," she finally said. 'What? When? To whom did you get married? Why are you in such a hurry to get married? Is this because of that son of a bitch, Xander?! Briella, I know you're hurt and planning revenge, but marriage isn't a good enough reason! What were you thinking about getting involved with a 4Ms?" Chelsey exclaimed. '4Ms?" She asked, confused. '4Ms—an old, rich, and soon-to-die ugly man!" Chelsey answered. She bit her lip to keep from laughing, especially seeing her husband's darkening expression and unamused face. They were close enough to hear each other's conversation with Chelsey. 'You're speechless, aren't you? It's true, isn't it? Jesus! What have you done with your life—" Chelsey couldn't finish her sentence because Braun snatched her phone and ended the call. She then burst into laughter, almost wanting to roll on the floor, seeing Braun's expression. 'I'll call Luigi, and I want to see that woman," Braun said grumpily, leaving to get his phone from another room. Left alone, she continued to laugh, thinking about Braun's reaction to Chelsey's words. What would Chelsey's reaction be when she finds out who she really married? Would she be able to speak or choose to stay quiet and avoid the fierce gaze of the King of the Industry? ---- Meanwhile, at Chelsey's apartment, she couldn't believe that Briella had hung up on her. She had many more questions, but after several calls, Briella didn't answer anymore. 'This is all Xander's fault! If he hadn't cheated, Briella wouldn't have thought to marry an old, rich, soon-to-die ugly geezer! No wonder she suddenly became brave and confident because she has a wealthy backup!" Chelsey said, pacing back and forth in her room. She couldn't finish packing, panicked and unsure of what to do. What if the media finds out about Briella's big secret? What if Miss Ortega discovers Briella's scandalous secret? Oh no! Everyone can't know about it! Her best friend's reputation would be ruined, and those villains would win! She didn't know how long she had been pacing, but she nearly jumped when she heard the doorbell ring. She clutched her chest, turning pale. Her mind raced with thoughts of a sinister person outside. Taking a deep breath, she left her room and approached the door. Peering through the peephole, she covered her mouth in shock, seeing a man in formal attire outside. ‘Oh my God, is this a lawyer from Sun Glow Fashion here to cancel the contract? What should I do? Should I call Briella? Gosh!' She jumped again at the sound of the doorbell, panicked and unsure what to do. She was sweating and shaking, wanting to ignore it but knowing she had to face and explain or possibly persuade him politely. Right! Her face lit up, and she gathered all her courage, opening the door. She smiled sweetly and let him in, though the man seemed puzzled and weirded out by her behavior. She closed and locked the door. If necessary, she would even surrender herself to save Briella and ensure her contract with Sun Glow Fashion continued. Her best friend had taken a risk, so she must do everything she can to help her succeed in her revenge. 'Uhm, what do you want to drink? Would you like wine? Whiskey or me?" She winked at him, even biting her lower lip seductively. The man was speechless, probably shocked by her behavior and certainly not expecting it. He must be thinking she's tempting, even if she's chubby and not a goddess like Briella, but still passable. To men, the femininity of innocent, inexperienced women like her was what mattered! 'Come on, tell me…" she said, approaching him, but stopped abruptly when he stepped back, frowning at her. 'I'm here because of Madam Briella—" 'I know, but don't you want to play with me for a while? I'm sure you'll love playing with me," she said, licking and biting her lip. ‘Damn this life, do I really have to do this? Do I look like a frog with a pig's body doing this? Briella, you better double my salary when I surrender my white flag to this handsome man!' She couldn't say she would regret giving her virtue to this man. He was six feet tall, masculine, and, most importantly, handsome. She could even compare him to the Oppas she fantasized about in the K-Dramas she watched. 'Listen, Miss." He raised a hand in the air and looked at her with a sigh. 'I'm not here for you, and you're overthinking. Madam Briella wants you to come with me. She wants you to meet my Boss," he said. Her jaw almost hit the floor at his words, feeling like she'd been doused in icy water. Madam Briella? Boss? Is Briella's old, rich, soon-to-die husband a gangster? Why didn't I ask this man his true purpose right away, and why didn't he state his actual intent from the start? Damn! How embarrassing! To think I made myself look like a frog with a pig's body in front of this handsome creature?! Andwe! Maldo Andwe! Earth, please just swallow me up! 'Miss, are you okay?" Luigi asked the woman, who seemed frozen in place. Honestly, he was freaked out by the weirdness of Madam Briella's Manager. If he hadn't been ordered and instructed to bring this woman to President Braun's house, he would have run away by now. 'You jerk! Perv jackass!" she yelled and punched him in the stomach. Caught off guard and surprised, he couldn't brace himself for the blow. He doubled over in pain. 'You Perv jack*ss! Why didn't you tell me why you're here? Did I really need to seduce you and force myself to look attractive to you!" she scolded him, raising her fist for another punch, but he quickly backed away. Once was enough for him; he felt like his liver and intestines had been crushed by her punch. 'What the heck are you talking about? I tried to tell you, but you cut me off with your weird antics," he said irritably, rubbing his stomach. Her eyes widened, and her face heated in embarrassment, remembering she was at fault. Nevertheless, she didn't show it and instead toughened her expression to scare him more. 'Well, damn you! I opened the door for you and everything, but you still didn't tell me why you were here," she retorted. 'That's because you were smiling like some crazy idiot in front of me!" He snapped back at her. She glared and pointed a finger at him. 'What are you doing here, and why did Briella send you for me?" she asked irritably. 'I don't know. Mr. President said Madam wants you to pack your things for tomorrow's trip," he replied. 'P-President? Briella's 4Ms husband?" She asked with raised eyebrows. He frowned, confused by her strange behavior. 4Ms? Is she referring to President Braun? What does 4Ms mean? He heard her sigh heavily, shaking her head and mumbling something, but he only caught bits of it. 'Wait here, I'll get my stuff," she said and turned away, slamming the door behind her. He was about to sit down when the door opened again, and she glared at him. 'Just make sure you don't come into my room! I only did that earlier because I thought—just don't come in," she warned and turned away, slamming the door again. He shook his head and walked to the sofa, still rubbing his stomach. He was glad he hadn't eaten yet; otherwise, he might have thrown up from the force of her punch. He was about to sit when she reappeared. 'You're not thinking of entering and fantasizing about me, right?" she asked. 'Just pack your damn things, Miss!" He snapped irritably. It took Chelsey two hours to pack, still embarrassed by the earlier incident. She hoped by the time she finished, he would forget what had happened. ‘How embarrassing, how will I face him now? What if he complains to his Boss and Briella gets in trouble? Gosh! I've embarrassed my friend!' ***** Chelsey's car stopped at a luxurious mansion in a famous subdivision, home to the country's wealthiest people. This made her more nervous about what might happen to Briella if the man complained about her folly. During the long drive, he didn't speak or even glance at her, which was fine with her. But what if he was planning revenge? Judging by his appearance, he seemed influential with Briella's 4Ms husband. A single word from him could jeopardize both her and Briella. She hugged herself, remembering how ready she was to offer herself to him earlier. She helped him carry her luggage inside. Upon entering, she saw Briella calmly sitting on the sofa, reading something on a laptop. 'Brie!" she exclaimed, rushing over to hug her. 'Are you okay? Has something happened to you? Are you being abused here? Aren't you suffering from the old rich—" She couldn't finish her sentence, hearing Briella burst into laughter. Damn! Has Briella lost her mind? Was her husband so cruel that she'd lost her sanity? When Briella finished laughing, she sighed and turned to the still-scowling man. 'I see, you didn't tell her," she said. 'No, Madam. I was afraid she'd punch me again," the man replied. She frowned, realizing there was something she didn't know. She glared at the man and crossed her arms. 'This jerk is a pervert!" she accused. 'Look who's talking," he retorted. She was about to snap back when Briella stepped between them. 'Enough," Briella said, holding her forehead. 'Luigi, can you please bring her luggage to the guest room?" Luigi? His name is -Luigi. I'll remember your name! 'Sure, Madam Briella," he replied and left them alone. She sat opposite Briella, examining her for any signs of injury or bruises. If she found even a slight red mark, she would call the police and have Briella's husband arrested. She heard Briella chuckle softly. 'Stop it, Chelsey, you're being creepy," Briella said. She raised an eyebrow. 'Is something funny about what I said?" Before Briella could answer, a man came out of the kitchen and approached her. Chelsey's eyes bulged, and her jaw, which had previously dropped to the floor, seemed to bury itself in the ground at the sight. She couldn't believe it, or rather, it was unbelievable! ‘Is this really what I'm seeing?' Her hand trembled as she pointed at the tall figure next to Briella. 'You're not really married to an old, rich man who's soon to die?!" It was too late to stop her words. She wanted to slap her mouth shut, especially seeing the dark aura enveloping the King of the Industry. Briella's laughter echoed throughout the house. --- Author's Note: *4Ms- is a Filipino saying of a woman who marries an old rich man who's about to die very soon. You can call them gold-diggers.*