The Substitute Bride

Beginning

Kourtney's POV

I'm so nervous that I feel like my heart is going to come out of my rib cage, while it's beating so damn fast.

"Why are they taking so long ?!" Irritated, I asked one of my guards.

"They are on their way back here, Miss." He answered me without any emotion visible in his voice.

"Are you sure ?! Because it feels like they're on their way here, since forever!" Due to great frustration, I couldn't stop myself from drinking another shot of whiskey, this time I didn't bother to transfer the alcohol to my glass. I drank it straight from the bottle.

I immediately felt the heat of the whiskey in my throat as well as the bitter taste but I was very nervous that my plan would fail, I immediately forgot the unpleasant taste of this damn whiskey.

Until I heard someone talking from one of the walky talkys of my guards, someone informed him that they had just arrived with Travis.

My eyes widened and the more I felt nervous, my body started shaking as well.

I can’t believe we succeeded in my plan.

Oh my God! Is this for real ?! Because if it's a dream I don't want to wake up anymore!

I really can't believe that they easily captured Travis Forger! If only I wouldn't look like a weirdo, I wanted to hug them one by one. These guards I hired to kidnap Travis are so damn great!

I can't believe they didn't have any difficulty kidnapping him. Now, I feel a little guilty that I was rude to them earlier and I judged them on their fighting skills.

Just a few moments later, the door of our hideout opened and six men in black suits and ties entered and of course with Travis Forger!

My forehead frowned for a moment and I couldn't help but ask myself because there seemed to be something wrong. Are they really the guards I hired earlier?

But that doubt in my mind disappeared right away when Travis suddenly knelt in front of me. His eyes are blindfolded, his two hands are tied behind his back.

However, he got no cover in his mouth. That means he can speak freely. Well, that's okay I want to hear his voice to make sure he's Travis!

"OMG!" I can’t believe they successfully kidnapped Travis.

According to my research, since he comes from a rich family, based on my research he studied selfdefence and he is good at all types of combat. So my plan to kidnap him seems next to impossible and now I almost wanted to cry because my plan is fucking successful!

I approached him, squatted in front of him and then touched his left cheek.

He immediately moved his face to avoid my touch. Which I understand. If I was in his situation, I would also have the same reaction.

"You're here.." I said in my hoarse voice.

"What the hell is happening here? Where the fuck am I ?!" His rude voice made me confirm that he was Travis Forger.

I smiled sweetly while feeling so happy and then turned to the guards I had hired.

"Don't worry, once he agrees to my proposal and I get the money I should inherit, I will pay for your service immediately." I happily announced but then they all looked like they don't give a fuck about the payment I am talking about. These guys are bunches of weirdos, well anyway it doesn't matter because they did a great job today!

And for me to talk to Travis properly, I moved a little closer to remove the blindfold from his eyes. He blinked one after another until I think his vision cleared.

Our eyes met immediately, here is the weird reaction of my heart again. It's beating so damn fast inside my rib cage! And this only happens whenever Travis is near me or I have some interaction with him.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing Kourtney Mary Saavedra?!" He asked me angrily. I immediately felt annoyed.

"Urgh! You know how much I hate it when you call me Mary!" I frowned and rolled my eyes as I told him. We've been together since my diaper days! He's aware of the things I like and don't like!

After all these years, you still think like a kid. I hope you are aware that when I take this seriously, I can file a case against you and you will be imprisoned for what you are doing right now." He said in a threatening voice. Huh! Did he think he could scare me?! I am desperate now but in the back of my mind, to be honest, I am feeling scared. Who in their right mind will not be afraid to be imprisoned?

I avoided looking at his eyes so that he wouldn't notice the fear in my eyes and then I changed the subject we are talking about.

"We won't be here for long, I'll release you as soon as possible. I promise. I just want to talk to you seriously and you agree to my proposal."

"So you're really this desperate huh, to get what you want? To the point you hired them to kidnap me?! What the hell Kourtney?!"

"I have no other choice. I tried to speak with you nicely, multiple times! I even lost count of how many times I did it, but you're very good at playing this hide and seek game! And I have no time for that! I visit your company's front desk, every day but they want me to set up an appointment just to talk to you! With your schedule so busy, when will you give me a chance to talk to you? When I already lost everything my parents worked so hard to establish ?! That's not fair!"

In the extreme frustration, I am feeling right now, I can feel on the edge of my eyes my tears are going to fall at any moment by now. A little more drama I'm sure I'll cry in front of him but no, I can't! I can't show him any weakness, I'm going to lose if I cry in front of him! And he'll consider this thing I am doing right now as part of my childish act! So, before that happened, I got up from squatting in front of him and went near my working table and...

"Now you have time to listen to my proposal," I told him seriously. And then I took the paper I put on the working table a while ago.

I raised it in front of him and even though he was right, kidnapping him is a very desperate move. I got a more desperate proposal for him in the line.

"You just have to sign this marriage contract so we can be married. Then I can get my inheritance and my problem will be sold, then we'll release you."

"What's in it for me? I can't get anything in return so why should I allow what you want to happen?" He teasingly told me. Urgh! He's getting on my nerves! Damn you Travis Forger!

"You are my hostage! Your freedom depends on me and you have no choice but to consent to what I want!" I said in my most demanding tone. However, I immediately regretted being demanding, I acted again like a kid throwing my tantrums at him and when I looked at him again, I saw in his eyes how he was disappointed in my actions.

"I already have a Fiance, Kourtney and we're getting married. I can't marry you." He told me emphatically. I'm aware of that! I am updated on everything he does! But the reason why I am updated is that I need him!

I  swallowed hard, even though I did not eat anything.  I feel weak in what I am doing right now but as I said before, I had no choice!

"I love her and if I ever get married, it's the woman I love and it's Kim." I bit my lower lip.

What the hell is going on? I mean, it's been a few minutes since I drank whiskey. The bitter taste of the alcohol was long gone earlier, so now I don't understand why it seems to suddenly return to my throat. What's up with me?

Until I gasped for breath, I was running out of words to say to him.

"All you have to do is sign here so we can be married, I won't take you away from your girlfriend! If you want we can do some arrangements for this contract wedding like I'll pay for our annulment. I'll take all the responsibilities in case Kim will find out about this fake wedding. I'll do all the talk."

"It's still a no," Travis said without any emotion. To be honest I am running out of hope.

"You are ruthless! Why don't you even give it some consideration? For at least, the time we were together..." I almost begged him.

"As you said earlier, I also don't have a whole day for this nonsense Kourtney."

"Then why don't you just agree to my proposal? I promise it's only us who will know about this marriage " Before I could continue I was about to say I was shocked when he suddenly got up from his knees and...

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked him, nervously. Then I looked at my guards.

"Hey, stop him!" I yell to the guards I hired but to my surprise, none of them moved even an inch!

"Hey! What the hell ?!" I shouted at them again. However, they act like they don't know me like they can't hear me or maybe see me!

They all remained standing behind Travis. Then I was shocked when one of them approached Travis and then he used the key to removed Travis' handcuffs.

"What the heck are you doing ?! Stop that!" I am packing as saying my orders to my guards, but he didn't seem to hear anything. Until Travis' handcuffs finally get loose on his hands and it falls at his feet.

"Do you think it's going to be this easy? I am good with hand to hand combat and the skills you thought these guards have is not enough to defeat me, Kourtney.

I thought at first when I found out that you were planning to kidnap me, they were all joking but when you pushed through with it, I got no choice but made you believe  you succeed." And then he smirked.

He didn't do or say anything but two of the guards I hired, suddenly approached me and they held both my hands. I tried to fight but they were too strong for me the next thing I knew my hands are tied with the handcuffs they used to capture Travis.

"Hey what the hell ?! I am the Boss here!" I reminded them.

"The truth is, they are my bodyguards." My eyes widened at what Travis said. Can't believe it. I shake my head twice and said

"You're lying!" But then he smirked. My eyes almost came out of my eye socket in shock.

Since I'm already having mixed feelings, in the end, no matter how hard I try not to break down, I couldn't stop myself and ended up crying. Everything is messed up. I fucked up big time. So, what now? Does this mean I'm going to end this day touching the cold steel bars of the prison?

How did this all happen? How did he find out about my plan? Fuck!  And he really is that smart, huh?! He was able to make a backup plan right as soon as possible? Impressing!

What else can I expect? Anyway, he is Travis fucking Forger, nothing is impossible for him, if he wants it, by hook or by crook he'll have it! Everyone is following his fucking orders and won't care if someone gets hurt, physically or emotionally! Damn!  Damn you Travis Forger!

"Aren't you even surprised that they came to you on their own to apply as your bodyguard? You're still that gullible Kourt..." He sarcastically told me. I glared at him thou glaring at him got no effect at all. So, my effort is basically wasted. In the end, what I can only do is sigh.

"What if I put a blindfold on your eyes too?" The shape of my lips became a thin line from what he said and was afraid of what might happen next.

"Do what you want to do! I don't care anymore!" I told him as I look directly into his eyes, I had enough so  I am giving up. If I can't get him by hook or by crook then fine! I give up! My ultimate plan is to kidnap him and make him sign the marriage contract but I didn't expect him to know my plan as soon as possible and make a backup plan against me.

Then Travis suddenly holds my jaw forcibly so I got no choice but to look at him in his face again.

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"It's none of your fucking business!" And then I struggled to get out of his grasp. Good thing, he is not holding my jaw that tightly.

"And you're swearing now too." He said in a disappointed voice and then he shakes his head one after another.

I frowned at his comment and said,

"I'm not the Kourtney you met ten years ago! The Kourtney in front of you now is no longer the twelveyearold Kourtney who has nothing else to do but follow you back then!" He just raised an eyebrow at me but I got no answer from him.

He also got up from squatting in front of me but I suddenly thought about what he will do to me now.

"What are you up to with me now? You caught me, I have nothing against you and your awardwinning bodyguards. In short, I am useless now."

However, I didn’t get a sensible answer from him. The next thing I heard from him is another order for his bodyguards.

"Take him to the master's bedroom so she can rest now. It's been a  long day."

He's right it's been a long day. My body itself feels tired and I can't think of anything else but to sleep. I wanted to sleep to forget all my problems. All the problems I have to face once I'm awake again. So, I didn't even fight back or struggle when one of them grabbed me on my arm to stand up and guide me out of the office.

"We'll just bring you food later, Miss Kourtney." One of the guards said as we start walking out of the office. I didn't answer but in the back of my mind, I don't care if they bring me food or not. I also don't feel like eating anyway. I failed in my mission to ask Travis for marriage so that I can save our company which is drowning in debt.

If only I had succeeded in the plan today, for sure I would have had an appetite to eat my dinner.

Chapter 1

I heard two consecutive knocks from outside my room then I heard one of our helpers say

"Miss Kourt, Madam wants you to her office now." Mom? I curiously asked myself. My forehead frowned and at the same time, I had an idea why. In the end, I just sighed and stood up in my seat.

"All right, tell her I'll be there in a few minutes..."

Before finally leaving my room, I looked at the fullsize mirror to check what I look like in my new dress.  I immediately smiled when I saw my reflection. Perfect! I said happily to myself.

I am wearing a white backless dress with cherry blossoms print and was above the kneehigh.

The truth is, I just bought this dress earlier from Dior with my friends. We were outside the Dior store when I immediately saw this dress worn by one of their mannequins that was displayed in the middle of the store, it was so beautiful and I couldn't take my eyes off the dress.

And my interest in the dress became even more intense when the clerk said that they only had one stock.

I couldn't think of anything else aside from this dress that would really look good on me and it is meant for me because of the idea there is only one stock left, even though I feel like the dress is overpriced for five hundred thousand pesos because of its very simple design. Okay, whatever! The only important thing is, this dress looks so good on me and my friends say the same thing that I looked like Barbie, so I took it.

However, it looks like my Mom didn't seem happy with what I did. Alright, I admit it, I overspent today, I spent almost three million pesos at the Dior store. My feelings got me again. I feel so happy with everyone complimenting me in the store earlier and as a thank you for all their compliments, I offer to pay for everything.

Eventually, I just sighed in the end and then hurried my way out of my room, I had already spent a few more minutes overthinking about what might happen with my conversation with Mom. Anyway, whatever she says is either me or she can't do anything. Three million is gone and we have a lot of money so that three million is nothing.

It's just that I can't help but think, why Mom is overreacting lately to my spending millions in a day, if you look at it, this is normal for us. It was like this then, so what’s up? Unless... okay stop! Before I could continue what, I was going to say to myself, I just shook my head, twice. I am overthinking again. Our company can't be bankrupt. It will never happen!

When I entered the library, I immediately saw Mommy standing on the glass wall and talking on the phone. I also immediately noticed that she keeps on walking backwards, from her left to her right. They also seem to be talking so seriously whoever is on the other line. She didn't even notice my arrival. So I went straight to the sofa and decided to just wait there and relax. And since I'm not a fan of  reading books, to keep myself entertained I fished my phone out of my cute dress pocket.

I logged in to messenger since that's what I mostly do on my Facebook account. I even frowned as my phone vibrated with the number of messages that entered my messenger. There are group chats and personal messages. I keep getting notifications because my name is on their chats.

What's up? I asked myself and was immediately confused as to what I would prioritize to read in the number of messages. Personal messages or group messages?

I even bit my lower lip when I noticed that even those guys that I am not close with got a personal message for me. I'm starting to get nervous, what the hell is happening? Suddenly I am feeling like I am lost.

When all I did was just go home and as if there was a sudden disease that was spread outside and I am the only one who is not informed. Not infected.

I took a deep breath and decided to check my friend's group chat, because that is also one of the group chats who got more notification than the rest. In the group chat are me, Addison and Penelope. The friends I am talking about earlier.

But before I clicked on our group chat, I read another notification that Addison and Penelope left in our group chat!

What the hell?! Why did they leave the group? So, it means, I am the only one left in chat?! Is this a prank? Because it's working and it's making me overthink and really not fun at all! What the fuck is happening? What's going on?!

And with my trembling fingers, I clicked on our group chat to read what the conversation was all about; however, before I could read what was going on, Mommy immediately caught my attention.

"Kourtney!" She shouted my full name. Okay, I'm pretty sure now that whatever's going on right now, it's really serious. She usually doesn't call me by my full name unless I have a serious violation.

“Mom –“ However before I could continue what I’m about to say she cut me off. She really looks mad, by the way.

With her red face and eyes, eyes that seemed to be about to cry any moment from now.

"What have you done?!" She asked me in her angry voice. I bit my lower lip.

"Three million pesos?!" Then her voice sounded exhausted, as she asked me about the digits I spent on shopping.

"Mom" I wanted to ask her why she's making this a big deal, but she's not giving me a chance to speak. We are rich so I can't understand why she's like this right now. Daddy doesn't care and for sure he will tell me that as long as I'm happy, there's no problem.

She used her two hands to fish her hair in a very hard way, the reason why it ended in a messy arrangement. Mommy is the kind of person who often wants her hair to be neat and always look presentable.

So, this means she's too stressed out about me wasting money.

"You're grounded! You don't know how to listen to me! When to follow what I politely asked you! It was just a simple request but you " And then she shook her head twice and continued what she was about to say.

"You're not going anywhere and I'll tell your Teachers to just send your module here at home. You also can't use your cellphone and laptop!" My eyes almost came out of my eye socket from what I heard.

"Are you serious Mommy?! It's boring here at home! And no cellphone and laptop? Are you joking with me?! Because it's not funny at all!" I answered her in a loud voice but she didn't seem to hear anything.

"How can I research my assignments and projects if I don't have gadgets?!"

"Do you see these books?!" Mommy pointed out almost all the shelves full of books, she was not even satisfied and because she was close to one of the shelves she took a few books out and then she threw them in front of me.

"This and this! Use them to research your assignments!" I was so upset with what Mommy wanted to happen so I ended up crying and then got up from my seat and said

"I'll tell everything you did to me to Daddy!" And then I hurried out of the library. It's annoying that I'm in such a hurry and I'm also annoyed with Mommy that I forgot my phone. Yeah, I left it at the centre table.

And since I still have my laptop in my room. When I came out of the library, I noticed that there was a commotion down the stairs and I got curious so I looked at our helpers from up here. Our helpers were in the same spot and looked like gossiping about an interesting topic.

It's my first time seeing them like that. They are often busy with their work.

However, their voices are weak, I can't hear anything but wait...

Is that still my problem?! I just shook my head and decided to forget about them, then went straight to my room.

I speed up going inside my room, lock the door before Mommy gets in or ask one of our helpers to capture my laptop on her behalf. I have read what's going on with my messenger.

I have a strong feeling that whatever is happening, it is connected to me.

Even though my hands and fingers are again trembling with nervousness. Damn! I really should have stopped having coffee, I easily panic and get nervous about things I am not sure of yet!

When I logged in to Facebook, I went straight to my messenger and my jaw almost dropped when I saw that in all the group chats I was a part of, I was removed, because there was a notification that said "You've been removed to the group" when I click on the group chat there are still those old chats so it's okay I can still back read, however, I can't reply to them.

As I checked their conversation, I was feeling the wetness of both sides of my eyes, I even swallowed one after another just to not choke. And then I started back reading.

"Her Dad is a scammer!"

"Oh my God! Maybe the money she used to pay for our Dior bags also came from a scam!"

"I don't want this bag anymore, I decided to send it back to Kourtney's house!" Those are the messages from Addison and Penelope in the group chat in our classroom.

"I'll order our driver to take it back to their house. I don't want this dirty bag in our place!"

"I no longer want to be associated with Kourt! I don't want to talk or be friends with her!" Then there are other side comments from my classmates, mostly from girls!

"I heard from my Mom that her Mom is a social climber, I am sure Kourt inherited her Mom's socialclimbing attitude!"

"My Mom said, her Dad just met her Mom in some cheap nightclubs, so there's a chance that her Mom is a stripper!"

"And now tasted expensive things and a good life so she's trying hard to look rich and fit in the new lifestyle that her Dad offers!"

I was so upset with what I was reading from my friends and classmates. I am always nice to everyone, whether I know them or don't. I didn't understand anything about what was happening. I want to talk to Addison and Penelope so I can explain to them even though I have no idea what's going on.

However, when I look at their accounts the message option is graded out, okay it looks like they have blocked me. So, the last option is to speak with them via phone call but is it worth it? I don't think so if they have blocked me on Facebook, what more with my number, right?

Maybe it's okay that they removed me from the group chat because if they are my true friends, in the first place they won't give mean comments like that, they should have defended me first or waited to hear my side but they blocked me instead and judge me based on the situation I even have no idea.

Do they think of me as a friend or did they just use me to get free expensive things?! I am sure the second option is the best answer to my question!

Anyway, what do they have to do with Mom and Dad? If they are mad at me, it should only be me, they don't have to include Mom and Dad in the conversation. That's rude and I am not letting this go! I swear to God, tomorrow once we're back at school I will speak to all of them and let them explain their side! Even if they didn’t listen to my side, I would still give them a chance!

Hmm, Mom is mad about me spending a million within a few hours and my classmates talk shit about me and my family. I feel like there is a connection to Mommy overreacting to the money I spent and my classmates treating me this way. With so many questions in my mind, I feel like my head is going to explode. I cried earlier, now I have to deal with my classmates so in the end, I decided to go to bed and sleep and then just think about what happens when I wake up.

I woke up when I felt someone gently caress my face. I can feel the frown on my forehead, because I still want to sleep but whoever this a sshole caresses my cheek won't just stop!

So, I ended up slowly opening my eyes and the first person I saw was Travis. His blue eyes were looking at me tenderly while his hand was on my cheek. After all these years, my heart is still fragile when it comes to Travis.

I immediately felt annoyed by what was happening.  I hate this feeling!  I looked at him coldly and then I removed his fingers on my cheek and got up from bed.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked him using my rude voice.

"I’m here to check on you. You haven't eaten dinner yet." Travis answered me in a faint voice. I became even more frustrated.

"It's none of your business!"

"You're still skinny, you should be eating a lot to gain more weight." He said softly to me. I swallowed one after another because there was a sudden flashback of memories in my mind.

He said the same words before, the only difference was that we were somewhere else then. In a romantic place...

I closed my eyes tightly but it seemed like a wrong decision because I got more  flashbacked to my mind, how he held one of my hands that night, while we were at an exclusive restaurant that he purposely reserved just for our first date.

I remember how he looked at me  that night like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, the only woman his eyes can see. How he kissed my hand that he was holding. How his eyes gently look at mine.

How he asked me if I could be his girlfriend that night, before our date ended. How I gave him my first kiss and while thinking about the past I didn't notice I am already crying.

Chapter 2 – I Remember It All Too Well

Kourtney’s POV

I remember that day as if everything happened only yesterday, I was nine years old back then...

"Mommy, where are we going?" I asked Mom as I watched her in the mirror fixing my hair. She smiled at me before she answered me.

"Forger's mansion, Baby..." Mommy gave me a soft answer and then she finished fixing my hair.

I frowned at Mom's answer, trying to remember who the Forgers she was talking about.

Maybe Mom and Dad's new business partners. I said to myself.

"We're going on vacation there, I'm very sure you'll enjoy their place and also the mansion is close to the sea." My eyes widened at what she said feeling very excited. I don't know what's in the sea but I love it when we go to the beaches. It makes me so happy just by seeing the waves touch the sand. Wearing the sound of the waves.

It didn't take long and Mom and I left my room followed by our helpers who were carrying the luggage we were going to take for vacation.

We spent a day and a night on the trip to the Forgers mansion. From the highlands, where we live we will travel for a few hours until we reach the port and there we will board a ship with our car.

A few hours later after travelling on that big ship next, we will travel again through our car and then we would arrive at a private place where only one mansion stood.

A white mansion mostly made of glass is in front of us. The front is beautiful, there's a large garden on the left side while in the middle there is a spacious car park.

Before we finally got out of the car, Mommy reminded me first.

"Don't act like a brat Kourtney that's going to be embarrassing, especially to the Forgers!" I pouted at what Mommy said.

"Hon, it's okay... Kourtney is young, just let her do things what she usually does and I'm sure the Forgers will understand that." Daddy answered immediately, to Mommy trying to depend on my actions.

Eventually, Mommy just sighed while Dad caressed the top of my head, so I smiled at Daddy because he is my protector.

We got out of the car and as soon as I set my feet on the floor, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the Forgers' mansion.

I also noticed the line of helpers at the entrance of the mansion as they waited for us. And there I noticed that the lives of the Forgers are very different compared to the life we ​​have.

Their lives are more luxurious than ours but I'm still comfortable with what we have so it's not a big deal.

"I'm glad you accepted our invitation, Franky!" The woman immediately said I think it was Mrs Forger. She looks a little older than Mommy though.

Dad nodded at what she had said, while Mommy also greeted the couple who were waiting for us with their helpers.

And then we walked to where they were standing. Mom kissed the cheek of Mrs Forger and shook hands with Mr Forger. While Daddy tapped Mr Forger's shoulder and a nod to Mrs Forger.

The couple asked how our trip was before their attention turned to me. My body was hidden behind Mom's leg while my hands were wrapped around her leg as well. And I just peeked in my head to see what was happening.

While we were travelling earlier, Mommy was talking about the Forgers and one of the things she said about the couple is that they have three sons but they didn't seem to be here in the mansion with them.

Maybe busy at work? I also remember Mommy saying that their youngest child was ten years older than me. Maybe he's eighteen or nineteen. Anyway,  it doesn't matter if the children of the Forger couple are there or not, they are older than me and for sure they are not interested in getting to know me very much.

"Your daughter is beautiful, Kris." Mrs Forger said happily. Both my cheeks get hot from what she said and I immediately hid my face behind Mom. Mom thanked Mrs Forger and modestly laughed.

"She's a shy girl," Mommy added.

"Kourtney, Baby... What are you going to say to Tita?" Mom asked me as she gently pulled me away from behind her so I could face the Forgers.

I was like a robot standing straight in front of the Forgers and Mom and Dad after what Mommy did.

"Tthank you!" I said while stuttering at the same time feeling embarrassed. I still feel the heat on my face now so I'm sure your whole face is red.

Mrs Forger moved close to where I was standing and then she looked at my face, and stared into my eyes.

That made me more nervous because the kind of look she was giving me was like she reads what's on my mind, she sees who I am in the future. The looks she's giving me is really strange until slowly there's a smile form in her lips and she said,

"You're very young, how I wish you're a little older than you are. I'd love to promise you to Travis." She said however I don't understand what she meant.

Me to be promised to Travis? I am still confused however what Mrs Forger said was immediately lost when Daddy laughed and then said that I am too young for such matters, which Mr Forger agreed with and then they invite us to go inside the mansion. Because the weather is hot as per Mrs Forger, but for me the breeze was just right, neither hot nor cold.

As we entered the mansion, I was busy looking at every corner we passed. We are just at the beginning but you will immediately notice how rich the Forgers are.

The things they have here in the mansion are way better than the things we have at home, while I'm busy looking at their things I can still hear them talked about the couple’s children.

It turns out that their children are all boys and Mom is wrong. The three sons are here however they are busy I guest doing adult things? I heard Mrs Forger say their children were on the beach with female friends having fun.

Now I started thinking how it feels like having siblings? Since I am an only child.

Until we got to the Patio, my parents and the Forger couple sat while I remained standing and looked around. Almost every part of the Forgers' mansion is beautiful.

Until two helpers approached us with snacks and while they were unloading our snack to our table she would like her sons to meet us. Mom said that it was okay to let Mrs Forger's son enjoy their time first in the sea.

Then one of their helpers excused herself and said that the young Forgers had returned with their friends and were just preparing for a while before they went here to the Patio.

"Emilia, can you please tell Rush to move fast? I don't like it when they make our VIP guests just to meet them." Mr Forger strictly said that caught my attention, not because the sound of his voice was scary but only now did I notice that even though he is old there is something in him that would make you look at him.

And then Mom answered Mr Forger that it was okay for us to wait since were staying here for a few days and that we are not in a rush to meet the boys. Which I agree. Well, I'm a few years younger than them so I'm sure they would just say hi and they'll go back to hanging out with their friends.

Anyway, about the snack they got for us, there's a strawberry shake prepared for me, anything with strawberries is perfect since it's my favorite. While the old one's have tea and coffee.

There are also cookies and cakes with two flavors that they bought, a chocolate and then vanilla. That's why I enjoyed our snack so much that I didn't notice that the ones we were waiting for had arrived. The Forgers brothers.

"Boys! It's good that you got here right on time, we just started our tea! You can join us! Do you want me to ask our helpers to get you guys something you prepare?" Mrs Forger said cheerfully and tenderly to her sons, so I looked at them. Three tall men came, but Dad and Mr Forger were even taller than them.

Even though they are wearing tshirts, their fit bodies are still visible. I watched as they kissed Mrs Forger's cheek one by one as they nodded to Mr Forger.

And then they turned to look at us. Mrs Forger smiled at us and introduced the three of us to her sons.

The eldest is Rush. The second son was Noah, who both gave us a welcoming smile.

Rush looks like a mix of Mr and Mrs Forger while Noah is the male version of Mrs Forger. When they approached us, Rush even messed up my hair and asked how old I was while Noah said I am beautiful.

The first time I looked at the two of them, I immediately felt like they are the coolest older brothers in town that I am looking for.  That's why I gave them my sweetest smile.

And then it was the third man's turn to be introduced by Mrs Forger.

"By the way, this is Travis, my youngest child." I plan to look at them both, I mean Mrs Forger and her son, however when I turned my gaze to them, Travis and I, eyes immediately met.

I don't understand why my young heart immediately beats so fast inside my rib cage that I feel like any time now it will come out of my chest! Is it possible for that to happen?

My mouth fell open, I was trying to say something but words wouldn't just come out of my mouth.

Travis and I just stared at each other for a few minutes, he didn't say anything. He was just looking straight into my eyes.

The way he looks at me, makes me feel intimidated. I also noticed that there is no trace of emotion on his face or eyes. I couldn't help but be confused and think at the same time what he thought of me. Or for sure he doesn't care too much about me since I am too young.

And there before I could say hello, they went back to the business discussion they had earlier and this time, Noah and Rush are now included in the conversation.

In the end, I was the first to let go of our eye to eye contact and then continued eating the cake. After a few minutes, I was distracted when I saw on the side of my eyes that someone was seated next to where I was sitting. When I looked to my side, I immediately saw who was sitting next to me.

'Travis.' I called him but just in my mind.  I don't have the courage to call him by his name right in front of him. And I don't understand why I can't do it!

We stared at each other again and here is my heart again beating so damn fast inside my ribcage. If this keeps happening, I feel like my bones in my ribcage will break anytime soon and my heart will have the chance to run out inside my body. Now, I'm feeling scared and think that Travis is not good for me.

Suddenly I became conscious of how I looked now.

I've been feeling hot since earlier and sweaty and the strawberry shake didn't help much with the heat I am feeling. I can also feel that I'm sweating on my forehead.

"Did you like the cake?" It's a random question and can be answered by a yes or no, however I am having a hard time answering him. I'm sure if I open my mouth to answer him no words would come out of my mouth, just like what happened earlier. I am again like a robot who just nodded in response to his question.

"You really liked it! Since you still have icing on the side of your lips." He said to me in a hoarse voice and before I could react, he approached me and I was statued in my seat.

When he raised one of his hands, he was already holding a handkerchief and the one he used to wipe the icing that he said was on the side of my mouth.

I can feel the rapid heating of my whole face and because  I got a white skin I'm sure it's obvious all over my face.

And of all the people who would see my red face, how lucky I am it's Travis! Just great!

Rush also greeted me good morning and then asked if I already had breakfast.

Suddenly I felt embarrassed, I didn't even greet them with good morning first. This is a red flag! They might take this against me and will use it as a reason why they won't take me to the beach in case they plan to go there.

But I am sure they would! Where else will they use those towels hanging on their shoulders then? Now, I am feeling guilty as I answer their questions.

"I had milk earlier," I told them in a low voice.

I'm so excited about going to the seashore that after taking a shower and changing my clothes, I went down to the kitchen hoping to catch up with Mom and Dad there but it looks like they were still asleep until now.

"Come on, let's eat together." Noah invited me.

"Uhhm, I'm not hungry yet ..." I said shyly but at the same time I was betrayed by the sound of my stomach. My eyes widened and then I looked at Rush and Noah back and forth, that's how I even caught Noah biting his lower lip, obviously holding back his laughter! What the hell?!

Rush, on the other hand, didn't seem to be able to stand it anymore and laughed out loud.

I frowned, Noah and I held the top of my head and then said.

"Just go with us and have breakfast so you can eat and get to know our friends, who are with us." Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that part. It's not only me and my parents who's here. Their friends are still here as well.

I nodded one after the other because other than that I was curious where Travis was.

Is he still asleep? Or already awake and with the friends Noah talks about?

Chapter 3 I Bet You Think About Me

Kourtney’s POV

Rush took my hand so we could walk together to where we were supposed to eat breakfast. As we got closer and closer I could hear the noise of women from somewhere. Someone was talking loudly and another one was laughing. They sound so happy. I wonder what is happening in that part of the house?

Until we entered my dining area of ​​the Forgers, there I saw that they had three women with them and Travis was already there with the women.

I immediately felt disappointed seeing Travis here with this girl who obviously likes him! I just don't understand why I have to feel disappointed seeing this.

He was sitting there on the left side of the table and had a blonde haired woman next to him. One of his hands was spread on the back of the chair of the woman next to him.

I also watched how the woman tried to pour toasted bread on his lips but he didn't want to open his mouth. Good thing! I yell inside my head.  I don't know but I suddenly lost the hunger I felt before and lost my appetite for breakfast.

If I wouldn't just look and sound rude I'd like to say I lost my appetite and I want to go back in my room to Rush and will just wait for Mom and Dad to eat breakfast.

"You can sit here, next to me, Kourt." Noah told me, so I diverted my attention from watching Travis and the woman with him, which I'm sure is his girlfriend. The girl was sweet to him so I'm sure they're in a relationship.

"Oh. Hello, little girl. What's your name?" The short haired woman who was also sitting on the same row where I am asked me.

Noah just mentioned my name. did she not hear it? Or is she not paying attention to the reason why she's asking the same question? Urgh! I seriously want to roll my eyes on her now! So, she would know she's annoying! But I can't! Travis will see it and I'm sure he won't like it and might think that because I am the only child I am spoiled by my parents!

So I immediately decided to play nice for now. I smiled sweetly at the woman and then I answered her question politely.

"Is she one of your cousins?" The woman next to Travis asked next. I don't understand but even though I don't know her, just by hearing her voice I'm annoyed with her. I don't understand how is that possible!

This is really what I don't understand. I don't want Travis to be disappointed in me. Even if we barely know each other, I prefer that he likes me. I would be upset with myself if I did something he didn't like.

As I sit there with them having our breakfast, I can't stop thinking about Travis and Chiffon, that's his girlfriend's name. I also met the other two girls, which I am not sure if they are in a relationship with Noah and Rush.

They all gave me a friendly smile when I was introduced with the girls, however I'm no longer in the mood, so I just nodded to them all and decided to focus on eating my breakfast.

In my peripheral version, I saw how Travis and Chiffon flirted, which made my mood even lower.

Chiffon brings her face closer to Travis and then she tries to kiss him on the lips but Travis will look the other way so she can only kiss his cheeks. Chiffon was almost on Travis' lap sitting and neither of any of these adults I am with, didn't even care what these two were doing. How annoying!

Until I didn't even notice that they had all finished eating and I was the only one who didn't.

"Don't you like the food, Kourtney?" Gradually, I lifted my head when I heard Travis' voice. Like yesterday, there was no trace of any emotion in his voice and when I looked him in the eyes, the expression in his eyes was also blank.

I'm not sure if he's asking me that because he cares or he's just curious why I took so long to eat.

But it was only then that I awoke to deep thinking about him and Chiffon.

When I also looked at my plate, I noticed that I had only reduced almost one fourth of my food.

"Would you like me to request the Chef to cook other food for you? What would you like to eat?" Travis asked me another question. If I tell me what food I want he might think I'm a picky eater so I'm not going to do that! As a response to his few questions I shook my head.

"I'm okay here! I'm just really a slow eater!" I nervously answered him, because I feel like he's not satisfied with me just shaking my head as an answer.

"Let's go to the beach!" Chiffon said excitedly and then he clung to Travis' arm.

I was immediately irritated by what Chiffon said. Why would they leave me here alone?! That's rude! Can't they wait for me atleast?! I wanted to roll my eyes but Travis is watching me, carefully. So, I need to be careful with my actions.

"Kourtney can just follow, she can go with one of the helpers." Linlin added, she is Noah's partner.

"Just let her go with the helpers later to follow us, let's go!" Charlotte said again that irritated me more but I didn't say a word.

Instead, I tightened my grip on the spoon I was holding and then scooped up a large mouthful of rice and put it in my mouth then chewed the rice into my mouth with so much resentment.

Until the dining area gradually became quiet, I really thought they were all left, that's why I released the resentment I was holding back earlier. I was carried away. I can't stop myself from voicing out what I am feeling and supposed to say earlier.

"You old hags thought I wanted to come with you, well for your information I don't want to hang out with old people! Especially you Witches!" Then I imagined the faces of the three witches! And roll my eyes!

Aside from the Forgers party we went to here, Daddy's other goal was to get a business deal with the Forgers.

However, I haven’t even recovered from the irritation I feel out of nowhere. I heard a crackling sound. What the hell was that?! The first question pops up at the end!

I immediately felt scared and thought that there might be a ghost at the Forgers' house!

Urgh! Now I keep regretting why I was left alone here, not even a single helper came back to check on me! Maybe they thought the Forgers brothers would take care of me! But hell no, they're busy taking care of those old hags!

Seriously, if there is a ghost here, I will report this to Mom and Dad and tell them that the Forgers brother's let me stay here alone to attend to their girlfriends!

I'm going to ask Mom and Dad to go home and won't care about the party. I'm about to throw these plates, glasses and spoons at the ghost at my back as I'm feeling so scared at the same time however I still manage to gather the courage to look behind me, I would have been ready to shout just in case my plan messed up, like hello this is going to be the first time I am about to see a real ghost! And I am not effin' excited at all! I am so damn scared! FML!

However, my plan was hung in the air when I saw that Travis was the only one behind me who made the tiny crackle!

He was leaning against the wall and his two arms were crossed on his chest and he was looking at me without emotion, as usual. But still manage to look cool and very attractive at the same time.

I was astonished by his presence and confused on why he is here right now.

I thought he left with his siblings with their girlfriends to go to the beach? So, why is he here right now? And now I could not stop myself from standing on the seat where I am sitting and then I walked closer to him.

Since he is just a few steps away from me, when I was able to make it in front of him, I also crossed my arms as a sign I am not happy to see him here! I also raised one of my eyebrows.

"Why are you here? I thought you went down with those Witches" I was then shaken by the realization that I had slipped into calling the women with them witches. I cast a curse on my mind and then continued what I was saying.

At the same time, I watched how his lips rose to form a smirk.

"Uhmm, I mean your friends and your girlfriend. Why are you not with them on the beach?!" He wasn't even affected by my behaviour and remained in his former position leaning against the wall. It even feels like he is not affected by my bratty attitude.

"I'm waiting for you to finish your breakfast." He simply answered me. My mouth fell open in shock. I wanted to talk back but seriously even one word won't come out of my mouth.

"II can manage. I'm a big girl now!" I answered him, at the same time feeling a little nervous. I didn't get an answer from him but it was obvious from his facial reaction that he didn't believe what I said.

"So, you can go now and hang out with your girlfriend!" I added without thinking twice about how rude I sounded.

"You don't want to be left alone..." He said meaningfully and that's when my tears triggered, I could feel them in the corner of my eyes and any moment from now I am sure they would fall in my eyes. If I cry in front of him he would think even more that I can't manage and it's true that I can't handle being left alone! He will be turned off at me, for sure and I don't want that to happen!

Crying in front of him, will make him think I am still a child who needs so much care from adults around me.

Instead, my heart started to beat faster than its usual beat for reasons I don't know.

I am sure he noticed that I was about to cry so he adjusted his position, from him leaning against the wall, he stood straight then put his two hands in both side pockets of his shorts, and then took a few steps to make it in front of me.

I bent down and then put two hands on my face to hide my face full of tears because of crying.

And because my fingers have a bit of a gap covering my face, I can still see exactly what he's going to do.

He knelt with one of his knees so that we would be the same height.

As our eyes met, I am slowly falling to his deep look he is giving to me right now. I feel clueless, nervous and excited at the same time. This mixed emotions inside me makes my heart beat faster than earlier and makes my chest hurt at the same time. This feeling I have for Travis is confusing. It also made me forget that he can clearly see my face wet with tears from my crying. It makes me not care anymore about whatever is happening and going to happen.

But seriously on the other hand, I badly wanted to know how I can stop my heart from beating so fast every time I have an interaction with Travis. This is not good for me. I feel like behind my fast heartbeat I have a strong feeling that it is just for Travis. I just hope I don’t get hurt or be in trouble for whatever I am feeling for him.

Since this only happens when I'm with Travis. Maybe next time I need to be careful and instead of crossing paths with him, maybe I have to start avoiding him.

"You can tell me anything and I will make a way for me to do what you want. Whether it's hard or easy." He softly told me that he wiped my tears using his thumb. I can also feel like the world stopped spinning because of what he said. I also felt like I became deaf because I could hear nothing but Travis' voice. Is that even possible? I'm not sure. I don't know.

Then I feel like I became a statue after him wiping my tears.

I stood straight in front of him while looking directly at his face or into his eyes, while he was still kneeling on one of his knees in front of me so that we were the same height.

Now I feel like I'm one of the Disney Princesses and I'm facing Prince Charming and it feels like I'm in my own fairy tale. Then he would tell me that whatever I wanted he would do whether it's hard or easy. I feel like I want to just go back to my room, hide my face in one of my pillows and then I'll shout out loud because of so much happiness. Because of Travis.

And at that very moment, I realized that he was not like Rush and Noah.

I mean he's never going to be like a big brother to me, like Rush and Noah. He will never be my older brother. Never in this lifetime. There is something else in him that tells my young heart that he can never be my big brother.

After my weird experience with Travis, Mom and Dad came with the Forger couple, and then there, they saw me crying. So I was approached immediately by my parents, while Travis explained to them what happened.

"I'm sorry Travis. It's embarrassing that you are the one left to attend to Kourtney's tantrums." Dad picked me up while Travis got up from his knees.

"It's okay Tita. I should be the one to apologize, Kourtney wouldn't have cried if I hadn't surprised her. I'm waiting for her to finish eating and she didn't know I was still here so she thought I was a ghost." Mrs Forger laughed at what her son said and then told me,

"Don't worry Kourtney, baby there's no ghost in here."

While the helpers were arranging the dining table for the Forger couple and Mom and Dad to eat breakfast there, Travis still stayed with us which I just couldn't understand.

Earlier, the girls with him were excited to go to the seashore so I'm sure he was too. So why is he still here? I wanted to ask him, I just didn't dare to voice out my curiosity.

It's good though that Mom is here because it was Mom who asked Travis.

"Travis, where are your siblings and friends?"

"On the beach Tita." Mom and Mrs Forger were shocked at the same time Mrs Forger spoke before Mom could.

Chapter 4

Kourtney's POV

"Oh why are you still here? Are you not going to the beach as well?" Travis didn't answer but he looked at where I was sitting, and our parents followed where he was looking.

Our gaze met immediately and this time I had the strength to avert my gaze. It looks like Mom immediately understands what Travis means so she's the one who spoke on my behalf.

"Oh, did Kourtney tell you she wanted to join you going to the seashore?" And then Mom started combing my hair. I bit my lower lip, and I didn't tell Travis that I wanted to go to the sea, but if he's going to base it on the behavior I showed him earlier, I'm sure he knew that I really wanted to go to the beach.

The more I couldn't look at Travis out of embarrassment. That's why I was so shocked when he said,

"If it's okay with you Tito and Tita I'll take Kourtney with me so she can go for a walk on the beach with me while the weather isn't hot yet."

I thought it was the first and last summer that I would be with the Forger family but I was wrong.

A week before the end of the school year while I was having dinner with Mom and Dad, Dad suddenly opened a topic that surprised me. Forgers are always mentioned in my parents 'conversations but this time the suffix names of the Forgers in my parents' conversations are not about business.

"We're invited again to the Forgers' party next week." I immediately felt excitement at what Dad said. It's been almost a year since I saw the Forger guys.

And by the way, the reason why they have a party every summer at the Forgers' mansion is because it's a thanks giving party for all their business partners. Since the Forgers got a big empire and they are one of the richest families here in the Philippines.

Oh my God! I will see him again, I shake my head one after another because of the weird thought that crossed my mind, as I saw Travis' image in my mind. What I really mean is I'll see the Forger brothers again! So, I'm feeling excited.

I'll let Rush and Noah know that I grew taller from the few months we didn't meet. Last summer, they always teased me that my height is very small for my age.

What they didn't know was that I am one of the tallest girls in our class. I just look small in their eyes because they are old and they are naturally tall.

And based on my observation, they inherited their height from Mr Forger but Mrs Forger is also a tall woman.

We tried to invite the Forgers to my tenth birthday in December last year but they couldn't come, Rush is in Canada and is busy taking care of their new branch there.

Noah, on the other hand, is in the Philippines but can't come because he is also busy with his Master's and at the same time working as one of the board members of the main branch of their company.

The Forger couple were also on a business trip in the US and will be back after the new year in the Philippines, however, they sent me a gift.

I got a beautiful dress from the Forger couple, it's a Chanel dress. It came from the US and was shipped by their personal shopper just to make sure I'll receive it on or before my birthday.

Oh my God! I will see him again, I shake my head one after another because of the weird thought that crossed my mind, as I saw Travis' image in my mind. What I really mean is I'll see the Forger brothers again! So, I'm feeling excited.

I'll let Rush and Noah know that I grew taller from the few months we didn't meet. Last summer, they always teased me that my height is very small for my age.

What they didn't know was that I am one of the tallest girls in our class. I just look small in their eyes because they are old and they are naturally tall.

And based on my observation, they inherited their height from Mr Forger but Mrs Forger is also a tall woman.

We tried to invite the Forgers to my tenth birthday in December last year but they couldn't come, Rush is in Canada and is busy taking care of their new branch there.

Noah, on the other hand, is in the Philippines but can't come because he is also busy with his Master's and at the same time working as one of the board members of the main branch of their company.

The Forger couple were also on a business trip in the US and will be back after the new year in the Philippines, however, they sent me a gift.

I got a beautiful dress from the Forger couple, it's a Chanel dress. It came from the US and was shipped by their personal shopper just to make sure I'll receive it on or before my birthday.

And to be honest I love the dress they sent, not because it came from an expensive brand. I like the design because I look like a young lady and that's also what I mostly get when our guests approach me, to greet me with a happy birthday. Most of my classmates were also there and they said the same thing.

My parents' other business partners even thought I was thirteen years old so they were shocked to find out that I am only ten years old. Wearing that Chanel dress on my birthday is the best decision I made.

And oh, about Travis is also busy at school, he is a college student, however, he will soon finish school and aside from that, I heard from Dad, when he and Mom were talking about the Forgers that even Travis was still in school when there is no class or during weekends he is reviewing the other business proposals that were passed to their company.

"When are we going to their mansion Dad?" I asked excitedly so I got Mom and Dad's attention.

"I'm still thinking about it, you know I'm also busy with our growing business right now." It all started when the business partners of the Forger saw Dad at their party, some of their business partners already contacted Dad to become part of their board members while others are contacting Dad to build their house, or since he is an Engineer they ask Dad to supervise building projects for their started or growing business.

However, what I don't understand is that even though my family seems to be close to the Forger family, they still haven't hired Dad as one of their Engineers, in one of the Forgers' big projects or invited him to be part of their board members.

"But Dad, the Forgers might think that we're no longer interested in being their business partner if we skip their party this Summer." And then I made puppy eyes as I looked at Mom and Dad.

Dad looked at me intently until after a few minutes, he sighed and finally nodded.

My eyes widened in excitement as I smiled.

"I love you so, so much Dad! I love Mom and you a lot!"

And then there, before the end of that night, I was so happy because Mom and Dad and I had planned that I'll go first to the Forgers' mansion this weekend. I'm super excited that when we get home, I go straight to my room to fix the things I'm going to bring this weekend.

The days passed quickly when I woke up the next day, it was the day I was leaving to go to the Forgers and even though it had been a long trip for me, I didn’t even feel tired during the whole trip. It was already dark when I arrived at the Forgers' mansion, because I was in traffic in Manila and that traffic took a lot of time. That part is annoying but that's Manila.

When we parked our car, I immediately heard loud laughter out of nowhere, like last year, helpers lined up at the entrance of the mansion for my arrival, however there were only a few of the helpers. It wasn’t like before that all the helpers were there to greet me, and Mom and Dad.

Anyway, it's not a big deal. But where are the Forger brothers? That question is for myself, which was answered immediately when I heard a series of cheers for Travis' name. What's happening? It sounds like there's a mini party going on somewhere. Their cheers to Travis name sound excited and happy at the same time.

I just can't recognize those voices cheering Travis' name. The voices are all new to me. It looks like apart from me, they already have visitors... like the three girls from last year.

I wonder who are their guests for tonight? Are there more women or men? It can't be all women only because I can clearly hear guys' voices in the background. And then suddenly there was a flashback in my mind of what happened last year.

Where the Forger siblings have three female guests.

Flashback

"Oh, she's with you already?" Chiffon asked Travis and her voice sounded unhappily. It's clear she's disappointed to see me here. Travis didn't answer her while I shifted my gaze between the two of them. Chiffon even looked around as if she was looking for something or maybe someone. What is she looking for anyway? And then she said,

"How can we enjoy our time here, if she's with us and one is watching over her?" She said as she slowly approached Travis and then she took Travis' free hand and I watched how she slowly squeezed Travis' palm. As I watch what she did, it feels like a sore in my eyes. I noticed Travis taking back his palm and then he turned his gaze to me again. Our eyes immediately met.

Anyway, little by little I am getting used to our eye to eye contact and I can now handle the fast heartbeat of my heart.

"Would you like to go there on the bridge?" He asked me using his gentle voice. My eyes widened with excitement, because that bridge is also another reason why I wanted to go to the seashore. It's a bit long and you can be taken to a relatively deep part of the ocean without getting your feet or clothes wet, you can even do site seeing there because it has a resting place at the end.

I nodded twice while smiling at Travis. As excitement still visible in my facial reaction.

"Then let's go there." I wanted to hug me because of so much happiness I am feeling right now, however it would be awkward for me because I got this 'weird' feeling for him that I can't feel for Rush and Noah. As I said last time, I don't see him as one of my big brothers.

And then I feel like I am losing my mind, when he took my hand, intertwined it with his and then we started walking towards the bridge.

I feel like I am dreaming right now, to hold Travis' hand never crossed my mind but now it is happening! I am screaming inside my head because of so much delight. I can feel the softness of his palms even though his fingers are big.

"Travis what about me? Will you leave me here alone?" Chiffon asked him annoyed but he ignored it.

"Travis!" Chiffon called his name in a yelling tone, since we are not yet that far from her, we can still hear what she was saying.

"You can call helpers to accompany that little girl to the bridge! Come here and let us join the girls and your brothers!" She demanded. My feet immediately stopped walking in so much annoyance! She called me again 'little girl! How annoying! I couldn't help but frown.

"Just ignore her, I'll tell them later to go home," Travis said seriously that I was shocked and I can't help but say,

"But she's your girlfriend, you would you send her home?"

"She's not my girlfriend, Kourtney," Travis answered him as his facial expression went blank.

End of Flashback –

"Where are Rush and his brothers? It looks like they got a lot of visitors this time." I asked the old maiden of the Forgers house slash boss helper, Miss Hazel.

"The young Forger's girlfriends and friends." I nodded and wondered if Rush and Noah's girlfriend was still the same woman.

"They're having a drink in the garden so let's go straight to your room so you can rest before you have your dinner." She told me strictly but O wanted to see who the Forger guests were.

Chiffon and her friends were upset and they were forced to send home after eating lunch that day. They were surprised by the Forger brother's decision and confused about why they had to live as soon as possible when they were still having a good time earlier on the seashore. The girls insisted on staying but the Forger brother's decision can't be changed.

And with the kind of look that Chiffon and her friends gave me before they left I know, they blamed me for why they were sent home they just couldn’t tell it on my face.

I nodded at what Miss Hazel wanted to happen, I am thinking she would call Mom and Dad and say that I was reprimanding her. Or the worst part is she will call the Forger couple and complain about my behavior, they might even think I'm abusing their kindness because I am very welcome here to their mansion. And I never want that to happen.

But in the back of my mind there was a plan that I immediately thought of, when she left me to my room since they were going to cook dinner for me I plan to sneak out of my room and go where the Forgers are. But to make it easier I plan to check where they are first in my room's balcony.

Because in the location of my room, you can see not only the beach but also other parts of the mansion, including the garden. I just want to make sure that like Miss Hazel said the Forgers and his friends are really in the garden.

"Uhm, big sisters I'll take care of fixing my clothes." Because I saw one of the two helpers assigned to take my luggage inside my room, open one of it and it looks like they are going to move all the clothes I bought to the closet here in my room.

Chapter 5

Kourtney's POV:

"It's okay Miss Kourt" said one of them but before she could continue what she was going to say I preceded her to speak.

"I am trying to practice doing it on my own because that's a basic thing to do, I want to get to used fixing my things and that is also what my Mom taught me." Then I smiled at them.

But in the back of my mind, "I'm sorry Lord if I lied, I just heard that story from Anya one of my friends at school."

They both smiled and look amazed at what I had said and they were happy to know things like this about me. Finally, they asked permission to come down to help prepare my dinner and will be back to call me once my dinner is ready.

I thanked them and as soon as they left my room, I went near my luggage and continued to open it and choose a nice dress to wear before I showed up to the Forgers and their friends.

I brought out my five favourite dresses that our personal shopper bought for me. From luxury brands, there is one dress from Dior, three from Chanel and then one from Hermes.

I requested that there should be more dresses from Chanel, unfortunately, they have a limited design for little girls, so our personal shopper only got three dresses. But it's okay than nothing.

Back then I didn't care about the brand of my dresses, as long as it looked good for me I'll wear or get the dress however I found out something... something about Mrs Forger.

Mom said she loves the Chanel brand, I want her to like me so much, for I don't know the reason why yet. So, I decided to wear or do what she likes or loves for me to capture more of her attention.

In the end, the one I chose to wear is the one I often wore when I was at home, a sporty baby pink crop top and high waist jean shorts. I put on the sneakers I was also wearing to go here to the Forgers and then I went to the bathroom to wash my face, to look fresher and then I tied my long hair with a high pony tail.

Before I left my room, as I had planned, I went to the balcony to look for the Forgers. As soon as I went out again I heard loud laughter and it looked like someone was still speaking out loud too, from somewhere.

"Where are you guys?" I said to myself and then I looked to my left where the garden is since I remember Miss Hazel said earlier they were in the garden.

And she was right, the Forgers and their friends were there.

The Forgers got a lot of friends I must say, it's a mix of men and women gathering together and having fun. Some laugh at the same time and some laugh in chorus. It looks like someone is telling a joke, as they sit on the large round wooden table, lots of food and a few bottles I also saw on the table. It looks like there are alcohol and soft drinks and other kinds of drinks. There is also a bonfire on the side, to keep them warm for sure.

My eyes immediately found Rush and Noah but I am having a hard time looking for the guy I wanted to see the most. 'Where is he?' I ask myself as I try to find him in the crowd then I heard someone say,

"Hey, Trav! That's enough make outs for tonight, it might end up to something steamy!" One man said everyone laughed after what he had said. I didn't get what the hell he was talking about so I didn't pay attention to it much. I am still busy looking for Travis. Where is he? Maybe he's back inside the house? To get food? Or maybe he's now resting in his room because based on the mess they have in the garden it looks like they have been there for some time now.

"Looks like Travis will score again tonight!" One of the Forgers brothers' friends added. Is he in some games? The reason why he is nowhere to be found?

That's when my hearing became alert. What does he mean? I asked myself confused and then I paid attention to my vision throughout the garden since I couldn't find Travis sitting there with their friends at the table.

Fortunately, I didn't bother to switch on the light here on the balcony since I didn't plan to stay longer here and so no one will know that I'm here and watching the Forgers with their friends have fun.

Until I find myself looking in the relatively dark part of their garden, at the very end of that part.

I was even nervous to see something suddenly move in the tall bushes; I remembered my experience last summer when I thought there was a ghost in the dining room but it was just Travis!

The tall bushes move like there is someone in it finding his or her way out. At first, I thought it might be a pet dog, but did the Forgets got a pet dog? I haven't seen one though. Now I'm getting confused.

And then I was surprised when I saw a woman who was just wearing a bra go out of the bushes! What the hell?! However what surprised me, even more, was the sudden fast heartbeat of my heart, that I even thought I had joined some running marathon and ran three times on the long track field. Now what the f is wrong with me?!

The woman I am seeing in the bushes is also breathless. What is she doing there? Did her friends and the Forgers know she was there? I immediately felt worried that something bad might have happened to her reason why she was there. Or maybe she's so drunk that she doesn't know what she is doing now. I have to alert the Forgers! The anxiety I am feeling was immediately replaced by the bitterness that started in my chest.

The woman was not the only one in the bushes, she was with someone. Someone I know. Not just some acquaintance that was introduced to me, but this man who is with her, is someone I know personally. Someone I admire secretly. And the man who was with him, I also know very well.

That's also where I realized why Travis' friends were cheering on him because he was doing something... or should I say what they call 'a miracle' with his woman. My heart hurts so bad right now.

Yes, I am just ten years old however I have friends at school who have big sisters at a higher grade level like Anya's big sister.

Anya's big sister is in grade six and just two years older than us and Anya told me that her sister already had two ex boyfriends and has also experienced her first kiss and second kiss.

At home, I have access to the internet and I also have my cell phone, I can search for anything using my phone and computer using the internet. I see a lot of things on the internet so I'm not that clueless about what older people do. I know the word s ex it's how people multiply. That's what my young mind knows.

Rush is fifteen years older than me, Noah is twelve years older than me and Travis is ten years older than me. While they are busy with their adult activities, here I am also busy playing some kind of girl's game. That only kids can relate.

The woman's companion in the bushes was Travis. Looks like they're not just kissing, it's more than that based on the woman's appearance. Messy hair and I'm sure if I look at her closely maybe her make up is also ruined! And her clothes...

They're doing 'it' there right now I am sure of that! And before I could hear their disgusting growls I entered my room and decided to just take a rest like what Miss Hazel wanted to happen. I also lost my appetite for dinner anyway.

I was so upset that I didn't even notice that I had fallen asleep and when I woke up and I checked my phone, it was past midnight. My stomach made a sound, as a sign that I am hungry, I caressed my stomach, hoping that my hunger would go away, but it made more sounds telling me I have to eat.

And there you go Kourtney, now you have no choice but to get up even though my eyes were still heavy and sore, for crying earlier. I plan to go down to the kitchen and then check for food that I can eat in the meantime.

I just hope there's fresh milk in the fridge that I can get to drink because I am sure, everyone is asleep since I can no longer hear any noise. And also I don't want to wake up any helper just so I can eat. I'm a big girl now and for sure there is something in the fridge that is ready to eat that I can get.

I slowly opened the door of my room and then I walked tip toe so I wouldn't make any noise, I was about to close the door of my room when I heard a deep baritone voice from behind me.

"Where are you going?" At the same time as I bit my lower lip, my heartbeat quickened. I slowly looked back at where the voice came from and when I faced my back, my face was covered with something hard and dark. What the hell is this?! However, as I recognized Travis' expensive perfume I already have an idea.

I immediately felt the hug of Travis' arm on my waist, to support me and not to fall from where I stood as both of my cheeks started to warm up because of shame and I am sure my fast is now red!

I stepped back a bit from where I was standing and that's when I noticed that my face hit Travis' chest.

"Travis!" Nervously and shocked I called his name. What is he doing here?!

He has a poker face facial expression again and has this aura that seems like he doesn't care about the people around him, or the things happening. I also noticed that he looked at my face down to my body as if he was checking me, I mean what I am wearing and then he turned his gaze back to my face.

"Where are you going?" He asked me again and before I could answer his question, he added another question.

"It's late and it's cold outside... why are you wearing clothes like that?" He asked me a little annoyed, based on the tone of his voice. I leaned against the back of my door before I answered him.

And there I remember the reason why I forgot to change my clothes earlier, I went straight to bed because I am disappointed. Disappointed with Travis. But I will never admit that I am disappointed with Travis's actions!

And there it flashed back in my mind as to why I ended up in my bed, why I choose to stay in my room rather than to see them in the garden. My heart started to beat fast again in a painful way.

Especially since I can't forget what I saw earlier about how he kissed his girlfriend and I'm pretty sure that, the girl he was with earlier is not Chiffon!

His forehead frowned and it was obvious that he was surprised at what I had done when I took a step backwards, away from him.

"Is there a problem?" He asked me using his deep baritone voice. His deep baritone voice always sounds sexy.

"Nno." I stuttered when I answered him and then I planned to reenter my room again however my tummy keeps on vibrating and there’s a sound again, a sign that I can’t ignore my hunger! He sighed and I'm sure he knew why I’m trying to leave my room.

"Miss Hazel did tell me you don't eat dinner. You were asleep when they went up to call you for dinner."

‘Why do you care?!' I asked him in my mind.

"So you went out to eat dinner?" I can't stand my hunger anymore I can no longer focus on what Travis says.

Instead of answering his question, I walked and then I passed him to go down to the second floor and go to my kitchen. I rather look for food instead of dealing like a fool here with Travis.

"Kourtney!" He called my name again. Why is he tailing with me now? Where was the woman he kissed earlier?! Did she leave him? The reason why he's here with me, annoying the hell out of me?!

Does he know that when I'm hungry my patience is shorter.

Chapter 6

Instead of being rude to Travis, I just ignored him and decided that I would just keep walking until I passed on where he was standing. That was my plan and I was able to do it, well that's what I thought. Because I only took three steps away from him when I was forced to stop walking.

I even tried to get away from his grip on my left arm but he was stronger than me. I shouldn't have bothered in the place, what am I against twenty year old Travis? In the end, I sighed as I gave up trying to get my left arm back.

I frowned at him and said,

"What do you need from me?" Well, no matter how hard I try to calm my voice since I'm annoyed with him because he's a d amn playboy! I just can't! He's very annoying right now. Like how can he do it?! Like every summer he got a different girlfriend that he brings here to their mansion. Does he even care about what his parents or the people around will say about him being a playboy?

And before he could answer my first question, I asked him another question.

"And it's already dawn, why are you still awake? Aren't you drunk? And should be asleep by now." I asked him while looking straight into his eyes. I watched how his lips rose up until his lips formed into a smirk.

"Are you worried about me if I'm drunk?" He asked me using his faded voice. I feel my heart stop beating because of his facial expression and the way he looks at me, there is something in it that I can't name. But it's making me conscious. I can also feel the heat gradually wrapping around my face and to both my ears.

"No." It's indebted to tell him but it's still obvious from his facial expression that he is not convinced of what I said.

"I'm just curious why you're still awake!" And then I tried to pull my arm back from his grip, even though his grip on my hand is effortless I still couldn't get it back. This is super annoying! Now it makes me think that his hands are made of iron!

He didn't pay attention to what I said, sometimes I think that it was a waste of my effort to talk to Travis, because I often feel that he doesn't care about my opinion.

And then he changed the subject again.

"I'll join you for dinner." I pouted my lips when I heard what he said.

"I can eat alone. I don't need someone to babysit me! I'm grown up now, I'm ten years old and did you not recognize? I grew taller." I told him, frustrated at the same time, proud on the part that I grew taller at the same time hoping he would get my point.

"What if you feel like there was a ghost again?" He asked me. I scolded him, it was obvious he was teasing me again.

"Just like your Mom said there are no ghosts here in your house. And then can you just let go of my hand or I'll scratch you, using my long nails?!" I threatened him. His facial expression changed and it was obvious that he was mocking me, now he looks like he is scared.

"Just let go of me, Travis. I'm hungry. I want to go to the kitchen and look for food!" I said using my desperate voice.

I heard Travis say 'Psh' and then he pulled me as he started walking. Since he is stronger than me, I couldn't do anything but follow him.

When we were in the kitchen, my only plan was to look for fresh milk in the fridge just to satisfy my hunger and then if there are cookies on the counter tap that would be great, I'll have a few of it while having my milk. But I got confused when Travis went ahead of me to open the fridge. What is he up to? I asked myself.

"Are you hungry too?" I asked him with amusement and thought that because he is a son of a billionaire he did not know how to cook. So he'll just get fresh milk like me and then cookies, maybe?

And like what I have said, it's really a waste of your effort and saliva to talk to this a sshole, I often don't get an answer from him! And because he's so busy looking for what's in the fridge and I'm sure he can't hear me, I whispered.

"You're really annoying, good thing you're handsome!" I said as I tried to sit in the high chair facing the counter tap. I decided to eat cookies first.

Then I'll get fresh milk later when he's done whatever he is digging in the fridge.

Why is it that their high chair is too high and not kids friendly! This is another annoying thing! I just want to eat because I'm hungry but why do I have to face so many trials before I could eat?!

It's hard to climb! And when I felt that there was no hope that I would be able to climb on the high chair, I suddenly felt someone holding both my waists, my mouth feel open in shock and for anything feeling I can't name as my back touches Travis' hard chest and then his scent started to spread in my nose! What the hell is wrong with me?! Why do I notice a lot of big or small things about Travis?!

However I can't stop myself from smelling him, his scent is a mixture of freshly bath, with a touch of body soap and then the aftershave smell. Is that even possible?! I guess yes, since I can smell it from him!

As I swallowed my saliva one after another he also helped me to sit on the high chair. This is very awkward! But I guess the awkwardness I can think of right now is only applicable to me! By the looks of it, I am one hundred percent sure this is just all random things for him, he only does this to help me!

When I looked at his face, he was trying to smirk just so I couldn't notice the smile on his lips but it's obvious he wanted to smile!

"Why do you seem happy?" I asked him, clueless. Well, I'm confident that he didn't hear what I said earlier, so I am sure that is not the reason why he is trying to hide his smile!

It was only then that I noticed the number of ingredients he took out of the fridge. There are carrots. Hotdog. Then a small green circle thing. I am seeing that at home too, however I can't remember its name. There are also bacon and onion leaves. What will he do on those ingredients?

"Why did you bring out so many cooking ingredients, your helpers are asleep! No one will cook that. It's very cruel of you if you wake one of them just to cook for us. And I am sure you don't know how to cook." I said the last sentence confidently because I am sure it's true!

And then it's my turn to smirk as the smirk on his lips immediately fade. And was replaced with his pouty lips. I was immediately distracted by the thought of him pouting, because he looks cute to be honest!

He didn't like what I said, well I'm just telling the truth here!

"Who told you I don't know how to cook?" He asked me as he also at the same time raised an eyebrow at me. He then became even more handsome in my eyes. What the hell?!

"You're rich, you can hire a chef and pay them a good amount, so why bother learning to cook." He shook his head and that made me think, he wanted to ask me if 'I am for real?' He then turned his back at me and he started washing the ingredients.

My eyes widened as I couldn't believe what Travis is doing right now.

"Seriously? Are you going to cook for real?!" I asked him using my shocked voice. I even slap my left cheek just to make sure this is reality. I can't believe Travis knows how to cook.

I thought he was only good at one thing, good at flirting and oh actually there's another one, he is also very good at business. Basing it from my parents' story about the Forgers. Well, just like what they say 'don't judge the book by its cover!'

My stomach won't just stop rumbling, I already ate a cookie but that wasn't enough and now I am worried that Travis might hear my stomach growling. That would be very embarrassing! Now, I am starting to hate skipping meals if I will just end up stuck in the kitchen with Travis. I also lost my appetite with this cookie. My tummy is more interested in eating Travis' fried rice.

"Are you not done yet?" I'm running out of patience as I ask him.

"Why are you rushing me?" He teasingly asked me. Why did I hope he did not hear my tummy growling? It's one AM, everyone is asleep and the only noise I hear is myself when I speak and sometimes Travis tools that he uses for cooking. FML!

"You are cooking for me and I am a hungry human being smelling what you are cooking right now and my eyes feed my brain false information like, by the looks of what you cook, my brain says it's yummy and I want to eat as soon as possible. And instead of questioning me why I hurry you, why don't you I hurry for real?!"

After my long dialogue he sighed and then he then mixed the fried rice using the big spoon he used for cooking.

I can smell the butter that he used in the fried rice, as well as the bacon, so my stomach is getting more impatient as seconds pass by. I had nothing else to do but just rub my tummy and I had no choice but to wait for Travis to finish cooking.

I raised two with my elbows on my table and then I put my head there, I was also drowsy at the same time.

What time is it? And then I looked around the kitchen and there I saw on my right side the wall clock I am looking for, to check what time it is. It's one AM! Time flies really fast. Geez!

Then I think of myself in our kitchen at this time. As I am caught by Mom and she's going to wake Dad up just so she could scold me in front of Dad because it's late and I am still awake.

"Hmm, here you go." Travis told me as he placed a fragile while plate in front of me with friend rice on it.

"You can eat now." My eyes widened and I felt my saliva dripping on the left side of my mouth with astonishment when I saw Travis' fried rice. It looks like the plate and fried rice have a delicious effect in my eyes. Too much hunger can really make you overthink things around you. Anyway, whatever!

He even put a table napkin and then a spoon and fork on my top of the table napkin and then said

'Are you going to eat too?' I am thinking of asking him, however he also put his plate in front of me. So, I just nodded at what he wanted to happen, for me to eat.

For my first bite, I couldn't help but praise him for the deliciousness of his cooking. I can't believe it! Travis has a hidden talent in cooking!

If I am going to compare him to our personal Chef at home, his cooking is way better. He never really failed to amaze me with his hidden talents.

"The taste is really good! I love this fried rice!" And then I snorted again while he was just quietly eating in front of me. To my great delight, I didn't even notice that I was becoming talkative again.

"I just realized now, that you're not only good at womanizing, apart from the fact that you're good at business, I can't believe you have a third hidden talent!" He looked up after he heard what I said and it was too late when I realized what I just told him.

I bit my lower lip. 'Why do you have to be this talkative?! Why don't you just eat Kourtney?! For God's sake! Do you really have to say out loud your side comments?! Why didn't you just keep your comment in your mind!' I preached to myself angrily.

"It's just a joke." I said and then made a peace sign, I tried to laugh to convince him it's just a joke but he was already looking at me intently.

"Where did you get the idea... that I'm a womanizer?!" He asked me seriously. I immediately shift into a panic mode that I no longer don't know what the hell I am doing, I was about to scoop another spoon of my fried rice on my plate but when I look at my plate it's already empty! What happened? Why is my plate empty?!

I didn't notice had finished what he put on my plate, so what I did next was drink all of the water in my glass.

"Kourtney!" He strictly calls my name and by the sound of it, he demands an answer! It looks like he won't let me go until he gets an answer from me. An answer that he would be satisfied with! I pouted and at the same time looked at him with my puppy eyes however it's not effective.

"Tell me." He said with conviction and that grim expression on his face.

Until I no longer have an option but to answer it, but from the looks on his face, I can see that the answer I have to give him is something that will satisfy him. Okay fine. I'm going to give the answer he wanted but I am going to say this because the fried rice he made for me is really good!

"I just noticed!" I told him hesitantly and then I crossed my arms over my chest. Then I continued what I was saying,

"Where's Chiffon? Why did you kiss another woman earlier in the garden?" I said with no breaks, I didn't care if he found out that I saw him doing some miracle in the garden.

He looked at me intently.

"Why are you looking for Chiffon? And how did you know about me kissing another girl? You were out there earlier? Watching me..." Consecutively and unbelievably asked me, I bit my lower lip and I have no intention of answering him this time. I said enough.

Chapter 7

"Now I understand the reason why you're mean to me earlier." My mouth fell open for what he said and from my reaction I knew he had already gotten an answer to what he said. He nodded even though I hadn't said anything.

I bent down and since he already caught me, I resumed what I was about to say.

"I get sad when I see you doing it with... with different girls." I said at the same time as my heart was beating fast which was causing my chest in pain, Here we go again, I can't control the fast beating of my heart because something is happening that involves Travis.

"Travis please I still want to stay and be with you." The woman in front of him said begging and was about to cry. I got curious about what was happening so I tipped my toe so I could see the woman's face and body.

Thick makeup. I nodded.

Got like a cup D size of breast. I nodded again.

The body shape is like a glass hour. I nodded again.

Long sexy legs. I nodded again.

A model like figure. Check again.

Beautiful? I asked myself as I stared at the woman's face. Uhh, I'm better because I'm young. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing.

I woke up late because I also slept late last night and when I went down to the hall of the mansion I saw Travis's friends gathering there as well as Noah and Rush so I was curious what was going on.

I heard the woman say that she still wanted to stay and be with Travis. Okay, I'm pretty sure now that she's the woman Travis kissed in the bushes last night but what's going on? If they were kissing last night, why do they look like, in an LQ for today?

Based on what I am seeing now, the woman started crying. I nodded to answer my question, then I thought that apart from being a playboy, Travis seems like good at making women cry. Another red flag, then shake my head in disappointment.

This is the second summer that he wanted his woman out of their premises before the day of their thanksgiving party. Now, I wonder if this happens every summer even before I started going here.

"Rush, Noah please let me stay." Travis' girlfriend's voice cracked as she cried and pleaded with them.

"Travis has the decision," Noah said coldly. This is the first time I am seeing Noah this cold to someone. His aura is often sweet and friendly. I never thought he could be like this.

What if it got to the point that Travis would do the same thing to me? I shake my head one after another to remove that thought from my mind.

"The van outside is ready to take you to the port." That was Noah's answer to Travis' girlfriend's request.

"But" Travis interrupted what he was going to say.

"Just go Bea... the travel time might take some time and I don't want you to spend more time on the road." And then Travis turned his back on him.

I was so focused on listening to their conversation that I didn't even notice that Travis was no longer in their group.

The woman also called the names of their other friends one by one, asking for help but most of them just looked at her and sight because I'm sure this is not their call to decide. The others just apologized to her so her crying got louder.

"Our helpers will help you with your luggage." That's the last thing I heard before my vision was blocked. My forehead frowned in confusion. What's happening? I even asked myself.

As far as I remember there was no curtain here! Then out of the blue, I started sniffing one after another as I smelled a familiar scent.

I creased my forehead and that's when I realized that the scent, I am selling right now is Travis' perfume! My heart started to race then as I looked up, my gaze immediately found Travis' eyes.

"What are you doing here?" He asked me using that baritone cold voice. He was still not satisfied and he even glared at me. So, I ended up pouting my lips. How the hell is he here right now? When I just saw him there, with his friend and his girlfriend talking.

"I just came here..." I answered him innocently and pretended I didn't know what happened. His thick eyebrows were sticking out and it was obvious that he didn't believe what I said.

I tried to peek again to see what was going on with his girlfriend and his brothers and friends but he blocked my view using his body even more. Now I'm feeling indignant but tried my best not to let him know or see it on my face.

"Come join me for breakfast." He said to me and before I could refuse, he grabbed one of my arms and I pulled away from the hall.

"Time flies fast like you've just been in grade school but today your teenage life will begin." Mom said passionately as she gently combed my hair.

Today is my thirteenth birthday and just like in the past when it comes to my birthdays, there is another party thrown for me, in one of my city's luxury hotels.

And this time the Forgers will be attending my birthday party, so I'm even more excited. My classmates, teachers and other schoolmates are also invited.

'I'll see the Forger brothers again, especially Travis.' I said to myself in my mind. And you know what this next school year I will be in my first year of high school while Travis has also been busy working, it's been more than two years since he graduated from college.

All the news about the Forgers I get from Mom and Dad; they still talk about them when we have our food together or I'm with them in the office. And aside from that, I still spend time with the Forger siblings every summer and as often happens, they are busy with their friends and girlfriends, which I am used to. I've lost count of how many times I've ever seen the Forgers siblings flirt, especially Travis.

We heard a series of knocks and then Mom replied that whoever that person outside my room could enter and when the door opened it was my birthday organizer.

"In ten minutes, the party will start." She reminds us. Mom nodded and said we are ready; the organizer came out first before Mom and I.

"Thank you for this party, Mom. I love you and Dad so much." And then I kissed Mom on the cheek.

"I love you too honey." Speaking of Dad, I haven't seen him yet. So, I asked Mom.

"He's downstairs honey, with the Forgers. You know..." Of course, I know the reason why so I nod. Even though a few years had passed, my family is still close to the Forgers' family, however Dad is still not yet part of their board members or one of their regular engineers.

And also everything I got a chance, I always ask Dad why he is still not part of Forgers business, and I always, always got the same answer from Dad that,

'We'll be there soon, just wait hon.' I'm not very convinced by Dad's frequent answer but I also think I'm too young for the jobs of those who are older than me, so what often happens is I just nod and then change what Dad and I are talking about or he's the one who will lead the conversation into a different one.

When Mom and I made it to the backstage, Dad immediately appeared from nowhere so I just smiled and then hugged Dad.

"Dad!" I greet him warmly.

"Happy birthday, honey." And then Dad kissed me on the forehead.

"I love you, hon." He added. Once again, I hugged Dad, this time with a tighter embrace.

"I love you more Dad. Thank you for everything." And just like what the organizer said, after ten minutes, we heard the emcee talk about my birthday and then we were called on stage.

"Let's welcome Miss Kourtney Martinez, our birthday celebrant, along with her parents."

I heard the loud applause of our guests as we slowly walked to the stage.

I sat on a large single sofa chair with a design the same for the theme of my birthday party. While Mom and Dad were on either side of me.

While I was sitting in my birthday chair, I simply checked the crowd and I'm sure you already knew who I was looking for, while I was looking for him, my heartbeat became faster and faster, here is this feeling again as if your rib cage was about to break because of my fast heartbeat.

I didn't look for the Forger couple anymore because they were at the VIP table next to the table where Mom and Dad and I would sit later.

When I looked to my right there, I saw Noah, he was sitting and wearing a dark blue suit and tie. Like the usual, no matter what the Forger siblings are wearing, they are really handsome to look at so I'm not surprised that even at my birthday party it looks like there are really attentions that even if the Forgers don't ask, they still get it.

At the table where Noah was sitting, there were five women who looked close to his age or just a little younger talking to him. Noah was looking at the emcee and seemed to be trying to focus on the events of my party. However, it looks like he just can't focus one hundred percent because of those girls.

I'm sure whatever they're saying to Noah now, it's just all about flirting! I have memorized the movements of the Forger brothers' women since for the last few years I spent my entire summer vacation with them.

Are they not advised by their parents that they should have focused on what the emcee was saying? It looks like they are just here to flirt with the Forger siblings. How annoying! And before I got more annoyed at the girls at Noah's table trying to flirt with him, I diverted my gaze to another part of the event hall, to look for Travis in the crowd.

Maybe like Noah, Travis is in the same situation now. I couldn't help but feel the bitterness in my chest as I imagined Travis, at the same table with five women trying to flirt with him! Now my stomach feels sick just by the thought of it!

Just happy thoughts Kourtney! I chant in my mind, it's your birthday today! Until I saw Rush at a table, he was focused on what the emcee was saying and that's when I was pulled by a thorn in the side when I saw that the person with him at the table where he was sitting looked like Dad's business partners.

I'm not surprised though, in fact, Rush and I have an age gap of fifteen years so for sure he's getting tired of flirting and being a playboy so he has more time to talk about business since I heard he will inherit their business. For sure the wealth of the Forgers would be divided among the three of them, but since he is the eldest and his Dad is about to retire as CEO, he will be the one to take the bigger projects and job compared to his siblings.

The emcee will finish speaking and the second part of the program will start. I still haven't seen Travis. Where did he go? I asked myself again.

Like an eighteenth birthday party, even if I am thirteen today I will have thirteen candles, thirteen gifts and thirteen roses. Since you know that I am the only child, Mommy really planned all this. This is because it was my first year as a teenager so he wanted  he will be super special, which I really appreciate.

I really thought my thirteenth birthday party would be super fun, I just thought that… before the three main parts of my party started, there was already a break. It's embarrassing that our guests are hungry. I escorted Dad for tonight so that's why when we got off the stage I clung to one of Dad's arms. While Mom was on the other side of me.

The other VIP guest near our table immediately greeted us, happy birthday and also praised me for being so beautiful. There are those who say that I look like Dad, or that Mom and the others mix Mom and Dad with my looks.

While the ushers and usherettes were serving food I've been so busy looking for Travis in the crowd that I'm disgusted and all in all I still can't find him. Some people come to our table to give gifts and Mom and Dad talk a little about how successful our business is.

It's just a little bit and I'm going to ask Mom and Dad where Travis is. I don't care if they wonder why I'm looking for Travis.

Until I couldn't stand it anymore and I whispered to Mom that it was necessary to go to the powder room.

"Would you like to join one of our helpers?" And then she looked at the gown I was wearing. For as much as the eighteenth birthday gown I'm wearing, it's red with the tube design. Actually, we mimicked the design of the gown. Since one of my favorite singers is Taylor Swift, I asked the designer that Mom rented my gown for my thirteenth birthday. The half of my gown in the lower part has designs of roses, exactly like the design of Taylor Swift's gown in her music video.

Then the other half is just plain.

Chapter 8

I shook my head one after the other, which was Mom's offer.

"It's okay Mom, I can handle it." And then I got up from my seat, Dad also listened to me.

"Powder room." Mom said immediately, Dad nodded and since there were a few other guests they were talking to at our table, I inexcuse myself as well. I don't really pee, I shook my head one after the other, which was Mom's offer.

"It's okay Mom, I can handle it." And then I got up from my seat, Dad also listened to me.

"Powder room." Mom said immediately, Dad nodded and since there were a few other guests they were talking to at our table, I excuse myself as well. I don't really urinate, I leave our table to look for Travis but as I walk I can't help but think that maybe that's why I can't find him because he didn't attend my party.

I immediately felt disappointment at the thought, he did not promise that he would come but his siblings are here as well as their parents. They were able to make time for my birthday so I can't understand in case he's not here because he's busy with work.

As I was walking down the hallway, a few guests greeted me. There are more of you I don't know but I'm still grateful I was still with them and then smiled and said goodbye.

I simply looked around hoping to see Travis but I had a stronger feeling that he wasn't really here at my party.

"I saw Travis!" A woman beside me whispered. I immediately slowed down when I heard what the woman said but I didn't turn to their side and she might notice that I was listening to their conversation with her.

"Where?" Excited said his companion. I was stunned by what I heard. The trick really is!

"Of the Forger brothers, Travis is my best bet!" Said the third woman. Fortunately, my gown has a secret pocket so I pocketed my phone in my gown.

Supposedly I was busy there on my phone so I stopped walking so they wouldn't notice that I was listening to their conversation.

"Me too! The handsome one is still strong! ”

"And then they are younger and don't look ready to settle down unlike their older brothers."

“But aren't the Forgers known for marriage for convenience. Maybe Travis has already promised the girl! ” Somewhat annoyed one of them said.

They got my attention even more from what I heard. I was still acting like he was going to call me and I answered immediately, I leaned against the wall not far from where they were talking. I was just the right distance from them so I could hear what they were talking about.

"I don't know if the news is true but Kim is the one who is promised to Travis." Who is Kim? I asked myself.

“I'm sure it's just gossip! If it's true that the Forgers have promised their sons then why Rush isn't married yet? What I know is that he's twentynine or twentyeight! He should be married at that age!"

"What I heard is that he had an issue with his fiancée. The girl said she already has a boyfriend so she rejected Rush." Girl number 1

"Wow! Is she that pretty to say now to Rush for marriage? What the hell! She's f stupid for what she did!" One of them said again. Girl number 2

"Because she didn't know before that Rush was the one who was promised to her!"

These girls are full of gossip! They were talking about Travis and now it was easily shifted to Rush.

But only now did I find out that apart from the luxury life, the Forgers are also in favour of marriage for convenience.

Even though I'm only thirteen years old, I know what that marriage for convenience is. What I don't understand is why the Forgers are in favour of it, like they are rich. Rich af!

All I know is the main reason why some families agree to have an arranged marriage is that they are struggling and before they end up bank crap they will marry one of their children to the family who will help them run their business.

Forgers, on the other hand, do not seem to be losing money in their business based on the luxury parties that take place in their mansion and here in the city or at luxury hotels, where they are business partners of the hotel owner.

"And I heard Rush's ex fiancée wanted to continue the marriage, she said she wanted to marry him but Rush refused and I heard he is already in a private relationship with this unknown girl." I am amazed by the amount of news they have about the Forgers. Are the Forgers also business partners of their parents? Now, I wonder where they all got this news.

“Let’s go back to Travis. Rush is older than us so we have no chance anyway.” I saw in my peripheral vision how thick their make up was. I couldn't help but make a face as my reaction to what I am seeing right now, while at the same time watching them nod at what one of them said.

"Did you say earlier that the name of Travis' rumored fiancé is Kim?" One of them nodded again as an answer.

"Her full name is Kim Madrigal."

"The socialite who is always in Paris because all the luxury brands always invite her to watch the show and value her opinion about fashion?"

"Yeah!"

“Oh my God! I am feeling frustrated! I mean I love her, the way she dresses, how sophisticated she is, her angelic face, the way she speaks, she sounds so nice and her accent. I love her British accent! And now I will find out that she's into Travis Forger too! Now, I am starting to hate her!"

"Isn't her family the owners of one of the big fast food chains here in the Philippines?" One of them nodded again.

“No wonder the Forgers promised one of their children to the Madrigals! The latest news is that the net worth of the Madrigals is already at eight hundred million." My eyes widened from what I heard!

"But the Forger's network is already at $1.8 billion, and is still unbeaten." Travis' wealth is horrifying. I can't imagine how many zeros that 1.8 billion dollars this big sister Marites is saying!

But at the same time, my hands are itching to google who Kim Madrigal is. Socialite and daughter of the owner of one of the largest fast food chains in the Philippines and her family have 800 hundred million net worth.

Speaking of net worth, I have no idea how much we have in my family. We own a shipping line here in the Philippines but we only cater to the Visayas and Mindanao because large ships are not allowed in the highlands.

"I wonder as well, when will Noah get married?" Another question from one of them, I was losing my mind with their conversation so I walked away and went straight to the powder room like my original plan.

I went inside the cubicle to use google without any interruption. Fortunately, even though there were people in the powder room, I was not required to speak with them since I don't know them even though I am pretty sure they are my guests. I went straight to one of the cubicles and then I used my phone for real this time.

I opened google and then I searched for Kim Madrigal's name. I immediately got a result on google.

Below her name is written 'Philippines Socialite'. She and Travis are the same age, she is twentythree years old and my eyes almost popped out of my eye socket when I saw that they also got the same birth date! Wow! Just wow! Is this a sign they are meant for each other? Or just a coincidence?

And speaking of Travis' birthdays I haven't tried attending even just one of their parties. What I remember is Travis and his other two older brothers don't throw parties for their birthdays. They treat that special day like a normal day. I have known them for years and I never got an invitation from them about their birthday. They are rich but they seem to be stingy when it comes to their birthday.

We were only invited to their thanksgiving party every summer and then to the engraving birthday party of the Forger couple.

I also asked Mom and Dad about that and they told me that the siblings don't celebrate their birthday because they are busy with work. They are the owners of the company, I'm sure they have the privilege to take a break from work anytime they want. That's weird!

The truth is I don't believe that reason, for sure they are celebrating but maybe the only ones invited are those close to their age, maybe they are having a party like the shows I watch on Netflix.

Suddenly I thought when I'm of legal age, can I be invited to their party? But I feel like before it will happen it will be too late for them because my age is far from the Forger sibling age. I'm sure they are already married when I am allowed to go to parties in the club. Sigh.

Okay, let’s get back to Kim Madrigal.

Here I am again overthinking things, but I just can't help thinking if Kim and Travis were together when they had their birthday? Did they have a party at the club and like what happens on Netflix shows? I shake my head one after another to remove unnecessary thoughts in my mind. Okay, this is annoying. My imagination is going wild.

Again, I went back to reading Kim Madrigal's information on google and there I found out that apart from being a socialite, sometimes she also models for luxury brands but more on clothes and lingerie. Talking about clothes, she's into Chanel! I wonder if Mrs Forger and her are close? Do they go out and talk about fashion? Or Chanel clothes? Does Mrs Forger send Chanel gifts too in her place? My stomach feels sick just by thinking about it!

I also looked at her pictures, her profile picture here on Wikipedia. She is wearing a white suit and there's a one while flower design on my left side of her suit, the flower is level on her left boob. I nodded, because she looks very professional here in her picture. When I read the description of her picture, it says it was taken in 2020, at the Élysée Palace.

I looked at the Élysée Palace location and found out it is still in Paris and the Élysée Palace is like our Malacañang here in the Philippines. Home of the Excellency of Paris. So, why did she visit the Excellency of Paris? To meet Paris' Excellency of course!

The amount of achievement he has in life while I am just happy with what I have now.

While they are busy proving each other to him his way here I am when I want a luxury brand, I will just soften Dad and Mom later you already have what you want whether it is a bag, clothes or shoes.

After I read Kim's info on Wikipedia, I went back to google to check in what else info about her, there I saw that there was news about Travis and Kim. My heartbeat immediately quickened in a painful way but that wasn't enough for me to stop reading what I was doing, I was aware that there was a chance that this news was not true but my curiosity really prevailed.

Kim Madrigal shares intimate pictures from the pool day with Travis Forger. Next I swallowed what I read. That was the first article I read and the date that the news was posted was just yesterday.

Maybe that's the reason why Travis isn't here for my birthday today! I feel like I'm getting softer from what I'm reading, it's really good and I'm sitting now because maybe if I was standing, I would have fallen down on my seat earlier.

Kim Madrigal asked Travis Forger to shower with her as he finally made his debut in the trailer for Season premier of her reality show. My eyes widened, so he had a reality show but it wasn't mentioned on Wikepedia.

See Travis Forger's 'bar code' tattoo dedicated to his first girlfriend with Kim Madrigal.

I didn't even notice that I would have cried, if my tears hadn't dripped on the screen of my phone.

Chapter 9

I'm sure I've been gone for a long time, I've missed a call from Mom and Dad a few times because I feel so bad.

I was a child when I first felt for Travis and now that I'm a teenager I know why I'm acting like this, it's not just that I've been teased by Travis or that I'm intimidated by his aura. deep reason so I can't accept Travis as big brother. I've never seen him be big brother like Rush and Noah.

"Why did you cry?" Mom asked me anxiously when she picked me up in the hallway, because Dad couldn't leave even though he wanted to go to me too, he was left at the venue because he was stuck talking to his business partners, I understood.

"My classmate Mom and I just cried ..." And then I told him that one of my male classmates talked to me and confessed to me that he liked something, I really just made up the story because I can't say that I'm too hurt to be linked or maybe I really promised that Travis for Kim and maybe a month or a year will be counted and the two will get married. I was even more hopeless. Once again I gasped for breath.

Mom immediately panicked and asked me who that classmate was, I couldn't say her name because that didn't really happen.

"She's home Mom so it's okay." He also called a make up artist to retouch the damaged makeup, it's good and good that the Gay that Mom found so I didn't notice the eye bags I got from crying.

"Are you sure you're okay, hon?" Mom asked sick again before we finally entered the venue. I nodded one after another.

"Yes Mom." And then I smile at him but deep inside, it feels heavy still.

The truth is that I don't want anything else to happen if this party isn't over, I want to go back to my suite and continue crying there and I'll look for more information about Kim Madrigal.

This is the second part of the event where I will have thirteen candles, for my thirteen candles, my close friends at the school of your choice. I sat there on my red coach again in the front, Dad was my escort so he took me there. He was also very worried when he found out from Mom what happened to me and my 'classmate' it was okay and I assured them that it was okay and I also clarified that that's why I cried because I rejected your classmate I do and I'm not used to what I do.

I feel guilty for what I do if I lie but I can't tell them the truth but I want to ask them in the next few days about that 'Marriage for convenience' that the Forgers enjoy!

One of my thirteen friends gave me a message, while they were holding candles on stage. Whether the message was happy or sad, I really cried, but I knew in myself the real reason why the speed when I cried.

That's why for the third time, before starting my thirteen gifts, I retouched my make up so that I'm still beautiful in my pictures. This day should be a happy and special day because it's my day, my birthday but I feel so sad and hallow inside me.

Next on the list of events for tonight is the thirteen gifts, Mom sent an invitation for my birthday and it was written on the invitation that my thirteen gifts will depend on who is the first thirteen person to volunteer, I have no idea who are those people because almost all of our guests have a gift for me.

I received a gift from my Grandpa and Grandma on the mother side. I was so happy because they handed me a big Chanel paper bag. So I really love them too, because they also know what I want. Uhhm, I can't even guess if they will give me shoes or clothes or a bag but whatever it is since Chanel is the brand I love is so, so much.

Dad's parents are gone but I have an Tito and Tita on his side just in case they are second level relatives of Dad, like he's my cousin Tito and Tita but I'm so grateful that they're here to greet me happily birthday, again I got them a small paper bag of Chanel, I thought maybe those earrings.

I received a lot of gifts from our business partners, but seriously, maybe because of my crying, I feel like my body is tired.

I also got a regular from the Forger siblings, Rush and then Noah who even promised me that we could celebrate at their mansion this weekend if Mom and Dad would agree. I felt excitement because you know my favorite is the sea but at the same time the sadness in my chest still doesn't go away because Travis's shadow doesn't really exist.