Chapter 4

For years I had lived as a geek student in Oxford. You know, the one with the thick-framed glasses, permed chestnut brown hair, huge backpack, and average grades.

I would put on fake freckles and my go-to clothes are my shirt and denim jeans. I never went to those parties and shit. I have never had friends to socialize with.

I shouldn't stand out. I couldn't afford to be the apple of everyone's eye.

But not today.

Today I was wearing a brown, fitted dress— the kind of stuff you wear when you are on a date. I put on rose lipstick and let my originally straight hair down.

I struck a match and lit five, pink, heart-shaped candles I brought to celebrate my five years with Dylan Kurtz.

I painted a sweet smile as I greeted him. "Hi!" I said, sitting on a blanket I rolled out in the grass.

"Have I mentioned that I used to sell these candles back in middle school?" I asked him.

I chuckled in amusement as silly memories replayed in my head.

"I would scam my female classmates into buying these, telling them that their crushes would notice them, or that their relationships would last long."

I pursed my lips, holding back my laughter. "Sold out every single time." I proudly shrugged, bursting out in laughter.

"Not long after, they told me my candles were fake after their guys cheated on them. Like, why would they even believe me?" I chuckled once more.

But tears had brimmed my eyes when the silence slapped me with the hard truth.

I'd never get to hear his voice again.

It had been four years since Dylan left this world, but his death was fresh in my memory as if it was just yesterday.

'How could I forget about his tragic death when his murderer continued to live on and prosper?' I thought to myself.

I'm currently in Greenwood Memorial Park, gazing at Dylan’s grave.

"I should have lit this up while we were together. Maybe— just maybe, you wouldn't have left me. We could be on a trip around this time, celebrating our love."

I buried my face in my arms which were propped on my knees and let all my sorrows go.

"I miss you…." I whispered in a gruff voice before breaking down.

Dylan was the only man in my heart. I had never set my eyes on another man during my college years, ever.

I had things that needed to be done. I couldn't afford distractions. And now, I am graduating.

I only allowed myself to set my eyes on one man. The man who killed Dylan.

Eautiquiano Fauste III

"I'm sorry, Dylan. I have to do this. Not until he pays for his crimes. I promise I will destroy him and his everything."

And as if on cue, a strong breeze dashed past me, putting the flames of the candles out.

It was like Dylan was trying to stop me from my revenge. I smiled bitterly at the realization that he was still with me, after all.

"I'm sorry, not asking for your permission," I joked. "But, hey, I'm graduating this March. For that, thank you so much."

Even after his death, he saved my ass from rotting in jail. He also helped me go to college, and I didn't fail him. I got into Oxford and took a course in business management.

I opened a bottle of wine and poured it into two glasses and held them in the air.

"Here's to my graduation, and our five years— and to my revenge."

The clinking of glasses marked the beginning of my revenge.

"Happy five years, love!"

…

A month after my graduation, I went to Oakland where Destro Group's high-rise building was situated.

I had an appointment with Louis Destro, the sixty-eight-year-old Chairman and CEO of Destro Groups— the main rival of the Fauste Empire.

I was just merely grabbing an opportunity, since his company was currently in extreme turmoil as death rumors of Destro's daughter, Jenesse, quickly spread like wildfire.

As soon as I got to his own floor, his female secretary led me to his small meeting room where he accepts guests. Turned out Louis Destro was already there, tapping his tablet as he waited for me.

"Sir, this is Ms. Noelleth Perez," his secretary informed him.

Louis glanced at us before nodding. His old, stubbled face was sunken. The rumors must have taken a toll on him.

"Thank you, Lucy.” He then turned to me. “Come! Have a seat." He gestured to me.”

“You have fifteen minutes,” the woman softly reminded me.

"Sure, thank you," I muttered to the secretary before she went away and closed the door behind her.

I approached Louis and sat on the couch on his left.

"What can I do for you, Ms. Perez? Lucy said you had a personal concern. Is this about my son?" he asked a brow curling in curiosity.

"Mr. Destro, I know you don't have much time, so I'll be straight to the point. I have heard the news of your daughter's death."

His face went pale, but he tried to maintain his cool. "You mean rumors?"

'Oh! Are we playing this game of feigning ignorance?' I thought to myself.

"Mr. Destro, I know your daughter is dead."

"Excuse me?" he hissed at me, already agitated.

"Did her brother kill her? Is that why you can't announce his death until now?"

"That's it! I'm calling security!" he warned me, nose flaring in annoyance.

"I'd like to assume your daughter's identity, sir," I frankly declared. He was stunned, jaw-dropping in shock at my words.

"You are crazy. Get out of my office!"

It clearly wasn't working, so I had to shove my hidden card in his ass.

He was about to press something on his intercom but I stopped him.

"Does Gabriella Gomez ring a bell?"

He then looked at me, squinting his eyes, obviously recognizing the name.

"I'm glad you remember her. She's my mom."

My lips unconsciously curled into a condescending smile as he uttered nothing. It felt satisfying to see that utterly dumbfounded look on his face. It felt like he knew what was about to come next.

I pointed a finger at him. "And you— you are my dad," I revealed shortly after.

His jaw clenched. "I'm sorry, what?"

I handed him a brown envelope containing our DNA test and photos of me and my mom.

"Here is the evidence. We can do it again if you want— the test."

He weakly took out the papers from the envelope, but he reviewed my pictures with mom first, including my photo with her in the hospital as she fought her battle against cancer. I was already twelve at that time.

He went silent, clearly affected by my mom's photo. I bet he was starting to believe me. I deduced he also knew my mom was already dead.

He probably didn't know that I was his daughter because my mom married my stepfather while she was pregnant with me.

After a minute, he proceeded to scan the papers.

He glanced back at me. "You are not my daughter," he said flatly after reading everything. But at least, he didn't look mad anymore.

"We can go take a test," I repeated.

"But I won't do that. The company that I have built for decades is already on the brink of destruction."

My left brow raised at his words. 'So you want me to shut up to protect your company? Hell, no! I have a plan waiting to be exact!' I screamed in my mind.

"Because of your dead daughter. That's why I'm offering you my—"

He didn't let me finish. "I'm sorry, Ms. Noelleth. But you have to go now."

I anticipated this so I had to threaten him as my next move.

"Sure. If you want your board members to find out that you have a daughter out of wedlock, go on," I warned him. "You see, I'm older than your son. That would be a great catastrophe. I'm sure you know what I mean?"

"You are not my daughter, Noelleth."

"But that document says otherwise. You really want this to get out of hand, especially now that you have concerns with my sister and the company's taxes?"

I didn't have to investigate it, it was on the news even before the rumors of Jenesse's death surfaced.

He scoffed. "Sister? Okay. Let's say you are my daughter. But why are you doing this? What do you want?"

I heaved a sigh of relief. "Now we're talking, dad."

His nose wrinkled as I said the word. He was obviously disgusted.

"You can just call me Eleth, dad," I added to annoy him even more.

"Just tell me, what do you want?"

"I want to marry Euthird."

He suddenly burst out in laughter. "What! Are you crazy? You could have asked for your inheritance or stocks, but you want to marry that dumb fuck, instead?"

'Why would I? I'm not in the least interested in your money, asshole! I'd rather go around swindling men than ask for your money.'

Honestly, I wouldn't have thought of asking for his help if I didn't hear about the rumor about Jenesse.

"I was thinking of applying to Fauste Empire at first, but I thought I'd never get to Euthird if I only got myself employed in his empire.

"So here I am, asking my dad for help. I want to make him my husband, dad. So let me assume my dead sister's identity. I swear this would be the first and last request you would hear from me."

"You are really something. What makes you think he'll marry you?"

"Oh, he'll marry me, you know, I'm an expert in seducing men. And I'll make him mine at all costs."

'Even if it means asking the man who had abandoned me for help.'