Kapitel 7: Who's fault is it?

"ugh… my head feels like it's going to explode, and the day's just begun," Belen groans, rubbing her forehead exhausted.

"Ever since the gatherings I've been getting love calls asking for a partnership, others inviting me out, and my investors are getting a little antsy about the upcoming board meeting, there is too much to do. I also need to assign two new directors to the ones who got arrested. I'm too tired of this. Work is piling up by the day. For once, I want to go home!"

Noah knocks, entering the office to check, "Madam President is everything alright?

Are you perhaps not feeling well today?"

Belen continuously sighs, looking troubled, "Noah, can you bring me a hot cup of green tea? I'm getting a slight migraine."

He obediently leaves the office. Thinking, "I recommend medicine for, but she refuses… seriously why does she choose now to act stubborn."

As he left, Belen lays back on her chair, staring at the endless ceiling, getting a flashback.

An hour earlier.

"Dad, it's me, Belen. I called to let you know that I can spare thirty minutes today at 3:30 pm. If that person does not show up this time, consider this arrangement done!"

"Yes, thank you so much, Belen! I'll let him know right now!"

End of flashback.

She walks around her office in a daze, "its been a week since I came back from those social gatherings, and to think I even got sick. Fortunately, I've recovered for now, but my headaches are only getting worse, ugh! I can't shake off this strange feeling maybe I should have Noah come with me."

Knock knock knock!

"Ah, Noah… I'll need you to accompany me today to meet a client."

"Hmm? A client? What client?"

"the client that stood me up from last time!"

"Oh, I see, but it's not on your agenda for today?"

"It's someone I must meet, so make sure to have the car ready."

"Yes, Madam President, then if you'll excuse me."

She gestures him to leave, sipping her cup of tea.

As he left her office, he wonders, "hmm? I wonder if her father mentioned anything about me? When I told her about that day she didn't seem to care, maybe it's not worth worrying over it."

***

Knock knock knock. Silence. Thump thump thump!!

"What the hell is it! What?!!! Now!!" yells Everest, furiously getting up from his bed to open the door to his bedroom. As he opened the door, his eyes widen, "Dad?! What the!? Why are you waking me up so early in the morning!"

Reuben Fox smile, "son! Get ready! Today is the day you'll meet your fiancé! Come on! What are you doing still sleeping?!"

Taken aback by his friendly tone makes Everest cringe, "wait, what are you talking about? I'm not fully awake yet."

Reuben happily explains, "today at Nasu Café, 3:30 pm! You'll be meeting her!"

"Wait! Calm down, dad! who am I meeting?"

"YOUR FIANCE!!"

"today? Nasu Café. Wait! HER?!"

"Yes, you idiot, are you finally awake!"

"Yeah, but today…anyways Dad, what's her name?"

A grin forms on his face making Everest suspicious, "It's a surprise! She stands out! Then you can thank me later, eh!"

Everest looks away troubled, "don't say stuff like that. Dad, it sounds perverted coming from you, just let me sleep for a bit before I go."

"No! Leena is at work right now, and I'm going out shopping with your mother! Get ready now before I leave and remember IF I hear you did not attend, I won't go easy on you."

He asks with a severe dark eerie tone, "mom is back?"

Reuben feels the tension in his tone, "Yes, she is, I've agreed to take her shopping today, you know I can't trust her with it comes to money."

"Will she be staying here?"

"Yes, now then hurry up it's 1 in the afternoon, be on time!"

The door shuts. Everest stares at his phone, lost in thought, "fiancé, fiancé, fiancé… I wonder how Leena feels with that woman back in the house, should I call? Nah, I might as well get ready," he yawns, walking to the bathroom.

***

"Madam, the car is ready."

She's busily looking through some files on her desk, "huh? Ready for what?" looks up, confused.

"Um, did you cancel your meeting with that client you mentioned earlier?"

"Client…? Oh! Yes! THAT client! Ah damn, I lost track of time, hmm I'll be out in five minutes" she hurriedly gets up from the chair but loses her balance feeling a sharp ache on her left ankle.

Noah quickly runs to help her worriedly, asking, "are you alright? Does your ankle still hurt? You shouldn't be wearing any high heels, Belen!"

She pushes him away, "I'm fine! Just get out!"

Noah looks away flushed with anger exiting her office, "she hurt her ankle during the gatherings, it was on all social media, but she insists on wearing heels, thinking that wearing boots will help hide the bandage around her ankle. It can't hide her pain, maybe that's why she continues to have headaches."

She comes out, surprising Noah as they walk into the elevator.

***

Meanwhile, on their way, Noah curiously pokes Belen with more information concerning this client.

"So Belen, who is this client? I found it odd you'd want me to come along, is it an important client?"

Belen sighs with a gloomy expression looking out the window, "it's not a client, I'm meeting with a potential partner my dad set me up for an arranged marriage."

Noah suddenly feels his heart sink to his stomach, feeling speechless, "What?! oh…but…then you will get married?"

She casually replies, "no, I'm simply going to meet this person to break off the engagement."

"How are you going to break it off? A threat, bribe, deal?"

She chuckles, "that depends, what kind of person he is if he's in dire need of money then so be it, but I won't be getting married that I know."

"Belen, you do know who you are, right?"

"What do you mean? My family?"

"Oh no! you are Belen Astares! I don't know what kind of man wouldn't be interested in marrying you."

"Please don't flatter me, Noah, there are countless beautiful women out there, I'm not the only one."

"But when you think about it, you don't have any missing qualities to be considered as a marriage partner."

"Whatever, all I know is I'm not planning on marrying at all."

"Since you don't have anything after this, will you please go to the hospital to get your ankle checked?"

"you're so annoying, Noah! Always bothering me about my health!"

"Because if you're sick, then what'll happen to A Star… you're so childish sometimes you know that?! We've arrived."

"Order me a cup of tea, will you, and if that person arrives, sit in the table next to us."

"You don't mind me there? Listening?"

She smiles, "Of course not, you're my best friend and secretary I trust you to be by my side, plus if things don't go well you can jump in with an excuse for us to leave."

Noah feels touched yet hopelessly disappointed, carefully trying to hide his displeased expression.

Belen enters the café glancing around curiously only to see a few customers inside while walking to a table seated near an open glass window. As she went on to sit at the table, Noah mentions, "It's 3:30 pm, do you want me to order your tea now or later when he arrives?"

"Now is fine, we won't be staying for long."

Noah obediently leaves to order her tea and a cup of coffee for himself, while paying he stares at her from a distance observing, "marriage partner, I wonder who he is."

At that moment, a tall man dressed in casual yet fashionable clothes enters the café looking around for a specific someone, "Is that her?" he whispers under his breath.

Noah's impressed to see the man walk over to Belen's table.

"is that him?" he mumbles to himself.

Everest stares at his phone, reading a text message from his sister as he's walking to Belen's table, "I heard from dad earlier that your fiancé is Belen Astares! I'd let you know so you can make a great impression! Good luck, my little brother!"

"your father is friends with my dad." As she heard this, Belen surprisingly turns around to see Everest, tall, fair, clear skin, brown hair, dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a plain black t-shirt.

Belen examines his whole being pretty much judging him from the start, "I assume you're the partner my father chose?"

He annoyingly sighs, sitting across the same table, automatically relaying his irritating attitude, "Great to meet you, I'm Everest Fox."

Just as Belen was about to introduce herself, she gets interrupted.

"You don't have to introduce yourself, I know you're Belen Astares, I knew it the moment I walked in, so let's get straight to the point."

She gets thrown off by his impulsive attitude, scoffing, "I guess manners do not matter to you, but it does to me, I'm treating this as a business meeting. Though you're right, let's get straight to the point, I want to break off this engagement."

Everest is shocked by her arrogant tone, retaliating, "I also don't want this engagement! Let's face it! Our dads want us to marry. So I'll tell him you do not wish to marry me."

She angrily yet calmly responds, "and exactly why should I take the blame? If we're both disagreeing with this farce!"

He childishly shrugs, "look, Belen, I mean Miss Astares, your beautiful yeah sure, but you're not someone I wish to marry. I'm sure there is more than meets the eye, but I'm just not interested in you that way."

Noah brings her tea to her table, surprising Everest as they both make eye contact. But Noah makes a blank expression because he was observing them from afar and was able to hear their conversation from Everest's rude behavior.

Belen sighs, rubbing her head again while thanking Noah for the tea. As he was about to leave, Everest stops him, "Hey you, yeah, umm Noah? Can you order me an iced americano!"

As he said this, he takes out his credit card on the table for Noah, but Belen's anger finally cracks when she slams her hand on the table, coldly glaring at Everest.

"Noah is not a waiter. He's my secretary. Therefore, he has no obligation to get you anything!"

Seeing her worked up makes Everest feel hostile when Noah interrupts, "It's fine, Madam President, this is a small favor."

But she frustratedly glares at Noah, making him feel nervous when she stands up in front of Noah looking down at Everest, "my secretary does not serve anyone below me."

"Madam President…"

Offended by her comment, Everest stands up, trying to threaten her with his height, but she does not budge, her sharp, determined eyes make him feel so small.

"below you? So you're saying I'm not at your status to be asking him for an errand? He's nothing more than an employee, to think you care so much about an insignificant secretary, I'm tired of being made fun of because of my status. What was I expecting to talk to someone like you? Who cares about nothing more than their image, you money hungry pigs!"

Belen closes her eyes, trying to calm her composure, but her fist says the opposite as they form a fist. Noah wants to step in and say something, but he knows its not his place to say anything. Because if he does, then it might affect her.

"If that is what you truly think, then I'll make sure to break this engagement. After all, it is you who needs me not I. you'll come crawling on your knees begging for my help, just know I'm exactly as you said, I don't care about anything but my money" she stares at him with a glint of darkness in her eyes.

It looks like a tiger and a lion about ready to attack at the sight of an opening. But Noah realizing their gathering people's attention within the café calms her down, "Madam President, I believe we have a crucial meeting with the heads of the departments we mustn't be late to."

They both snap out of their senses. She grins with a haughty expression at Everest, making him feel as if she's secretly making fun of him.

"You're right. I shouldn't waste time dealing with insignificant penniless people, let us go. And Mr. Fox, this will be the last time we see each other."

She confidently walks away, but Everest can't shake off her offensive words and decides to follow from behind, trying to stop her, "Wait!! Wait! Hear me out! Hey, you bitch!!" he shouts, causing a scene as he threw a woman's drink in front of Belen, keeping her from leaving. Splashing her lower half of the body, she sighs, dealing with a mindless child.

"Ignore him, well then Mr. Fox, what do you wish to say? Clearly, calling me names is the way to go for people like you."

"At least I got your attention, I want to get one thing clear, you probably grew up sheltered and spoiled to your rotten heart, but there are things you shouldn't say, my father, no my family works hard for our company! Take back what you just said! You think just because you have money, it gives you the right to be rude to others?"

She scoffs, trying to hide her grin, "Mr. Fox, do you hear the irony in your words? I don't wish to hear anymore coming out of that disgusting, repulsive mouth!"

Unable to control his rage, Everest sees an opening by pulling her wrist with his uncontrolled strength, but as he did, Belen struggles to shake him off, making her slip by the drink he splashed before. Noah was opening the door for Belen when he turned back to see Everest hold her wrist he was about to intercept until she slipped. At that moment, everyone within the café takes out their phones, recording the scene. Everest notices the phone's recording that he begins to panic and lets go of her wrist. He looks down, amazed to see her in a weak state. With tears in her eyes touching her ankle, "ouch!"

Everest trembles reaching to help her when Noah angrily pushes him aside, carrying Belen like a princess amazing everyone witnessing. But before he left, Noah side-eyes Everest with a deadly glare, "Expect a possible lawsuit!"

As they left, Everest rushes out of the café in a panic state, trembling and short of breath from what just happened. He runs to his car, starts it, and leaves, turning off his phone.

***

At Belen's home, Noah contacted her doctor to come and check her ankle. As that is going on, he steps out of the room, checking his social media surprised to see #BelenAstares trending number one. "it's spreading a lot quicker than I expected."

But as he turned around, the doctor was ready to leave, he escorts him out, "Doctor Brown, what do you think about her ankle? Is it broken?"

"It's not broken, but it's getting worse if possible, Secretary Noah I'd like it if you can convince the Madam President to take a break from working."

His expression widens, concerned, "is it that bad?! But!"

The doctor pats his shoulder, "The reason is if she continues to walk like that, it might worsen. Just two weeks should be enough for her to rest, she can still work, but from home, she may not walk at all, if anything I'd prefer she uses the room on the first floor as a caution to prevent her from any unnecessary movement. Well then, I'll be on my way, if anything arises,, please call me."

Just as he was about to step out the door, he turns back, "Noah, how long has it been since your last check-up?"

"Uh, maybe four years?"

"Please come by the hospital when you have time this year for a proper full check-up."

"Yes, doctor! Thank you for your concern."

Once the doctor left, he sighs, running up the stairs to see Belen. His worries disappear once he sees her calmly sitting up on her bed, staring out the window with a blank expression.

"Belen, what do you want to do about that man who did this to you?"

She smirks coldly, "I'm not worried about dealing with him after my dad sees what he did to me. Then without a doubt, he'll cancel the engagement."

"How are you so sure?"

"Because I'm still valuable to him."

He nervously clears his throat, "I'm afraid you're going to have to stay home for two weeks to recover from your injury."

She calmly nods, "ok, but I'll be working from here, and I'll need you to be at the mall this time you'll be more than just my ears and eyes."

"Yes, as you wish, Madam President."

She grins, thinking, "I'll let the media tarnish you, Fox."

***

Reuben is on his way home with his wife already in the car when he gets a countless missed call from Leena. "Leena, what's the matter?"

"Dad! Come straight to the office RIGHT NOW!" she urgently shouts.

"Wait! Sweetie! Calm down what's the matter?"

"I'll send you the link, but come straight to the office we're losing stocks as we speak!!"

After hanging up, Reuben clicks on the link she sent him, viewing a video. His expression widens, his rage levels up to steam coming out of his ears like a cartoon character throwing his phone behind his car, "shit!!"

"Dear? Is something wrong?" asks his wife sitting in the passenger seat.

"That freaking son of a! Everest!!!!!!" he starts the car racing to his office.

***

Leena is shaken at the sound of heavy footsteps, like a monster Reuben enters the office like a mad bull, "Leena! What the! What is going on? Why is that video circling?!"

Leena stutters from a wave of panic in her voice, "I-I do-don't know dad, I just s-saw this, and next thing you know, our partners suddenly requesting to withdrawal and our stockings go down, it won't be long before we get."

"Wait! How do people know that is Everest?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Face it, Leena, no one knows who we are, someone must have seen this video and leaked his information."

"th-that's impossible dad, how could someone, but then that is affecting us! What are we going to do?!"

"Ugh damn it! Have you tried calling him?"

"YES! But my calls go straight to voicemail! What about you, dad?"

"I did, he doesn't answer…"

"Dad, this is just like that time, he might disappear for a year!" she starts to tear up.

He calms her down, "don't worry sweetheart, I won't allow him to leave us with his embarrassment like that day! He'll come back."

He grabs the office phone speed dialing his secretary, "Hey Joseph! It's Reuben. I need you to do something for me, freeze all of Everest's bank accounts, including his secret accounts, he thinks I don't know! Right this instant before he decides to outsmart me! Hahaha! Yes, thank you! Bye-bye!"

Leena worriedly asks, "dad, what do you mean freeze all of his accounts? What if he's in trouble?"

"don't worry Leena stop treating that boy like a child, he's smarter than you think, he has his car, this is the only way he'll come back to his senses."

***

Meanwhile, on all social media platforms, the video has been shared and trending since the incident. Fortunately, Belen has no accounts, but Noah manages A Star Mall account, and many fans are either worried, teasing, or trolling. Overall, Everest is getting so much hate that Fox Cinematic Theater is suffering in return. Articles are all over the internet about "What happened between Belen Astares and Everest Fox?"

"Who is Everest Fox?"

"What is there relationship?"

"Could they have gone throw a break-up?"

"Breaking news! Belen Astares secret relationship to Everest Fox!"

And countless more.

***

It's gotten late, past midnight when Everest decides to sneak into his room through the back but is silently and carefully trying to walk past the yard undetected. The lights turn on detecting movement. Surprised to death, he runs away as if he were a thief bumping into someone, "d-dad…" he timidly responds, striking an odd smile.

He sighs, melting away his angry demeanor, "let's talk on the porch."

Everest hangs his head, looking down, feeling ashamed like a high school teenager following behind his dad. While at the same time impressed by his sudden calm tone and soft expression.

As they sat down, they sit at a distance, feeling awkward with one another, but Reuben breaks the silence, "Everest why-why, no… tell me, son, what happened?"

Just as he was thinking about responding to him with a fighting spirit, he shakes his head, "what's the point? It's not as if you'll believe me, believe anything you see on the internet."

Reuben groans, rubbing his many temples on his forehead, "alright, Everest, answer me honestly, and be completely honest! Think about it for a second do you truly not want to marry her or just the idea of marriage in general scares you?"

Everest contemplates for a few minutes, "I don't know…dad, to be honest, I just think this is all too soon for me, can't you give me a bit more time to think this through?"

"Listen, Everest, you had the past two years to think this through, I can understand your need to be out and distract yourself, but we need you. I want you to marry this woman because not only concerning our company but for your sake."

"But dad how do you-"

"I know, I know what you're thinking, how am I so sure about her? Because she is the daughter of my best friend, I trust him."

"How is that enough for you? What if she turns out to be a horrible person!?"

"Please, do this for us, Everest. We need to survive, think of Belen Astares are our meal ticket. Oh! Like our daily bread once you marry her!"

"dad I'm just not confident. I don't want to go through this dating phase all over again."

He pats his back with an encouraging smile in his eyes, "come on, son! You're Everest Fox! You're not a timid little boy anymore, be aggressive."

Everest can't hide his laugh, "Dad, please stop saying cringy stuff! I get it! But there is one thing I'm worried about. How am I supposed to get her attention?"

"I'll leave that up to you, try to exaggerate if possible. Well, I think I'm going to head back inside, make sure to apologize immediately."

"Dad!"

He grins, "I'm not going to unfreeze your bank accounts until she accepts your apology, don't even dare to bother Leena."

"Fine, goodnight dad."

"Hm goodnight!"

Reuben makes an eerie expression with a hidden smirk within the darkness of his house.

But his phone suddenly rings. He annoyingly sighs, taking a deep breath and answering with a bright tone, "Hey best buddy, why are you calling me at such an hour?"

Edilberto reluctantly decides, "Reuben, I think we should forget this engagement."