The CEO's Painted Skin 47 Breaking Your Hear

Jerome parked his motorbike in one of the stores in front of the Marigold Hotel. He was very excited to see Catherine again. Two weeks vacation in his hometown did him wonders, he got to bond with his entire family. They have bonded numerous times swimming in the beach, malling around in the nearest city and buying his entire family assorted clothes, shoes, and stuffs they like and cared about. He was also able to finance some repairs on their crumbling house. He gave some money to his father to purchase livestock such as goats, pigs, cows, and chickens so that they can have added income.

All in all, it's a wonderful and relaxing long vacation for him after a long time.

Now that he was back in the city, he will have to refocus again on winning his ladylove's heart and hoping they will end up together in the altar one day.

The moment he saw Catherine exited the entrance of the Marigold Hotel, his smile widens.

Wow, just looking at her makes his heart beat faster.

When she was within his line of vision his world turned rosy and colorful.

Catherine saw him, she strolled towards him with a lovely smile on her pretty face.

"Jerome! Nice to see you again! How's your vacation back home? How did it go? Did you enjoy it?" she threw him a barrage of questions while continue smiling at him.

"Yes. I enjoyed it very much. The only one missing in the picture is you. Next time I will bring you to my hometown to meet my family," he said looking at her meaningfully.

She rolled her eyes.

"Let's go now," she slipped into the motorbike behind him, she clasped at his jacket.

"Ready?" he asked while donning the helmet around his head.

"Yep." She nodded at him.

The motorbike starts gliding into the highway, Catherine loves the wind that caresses her skin. The sun was beginning to fade away signaling that the night is approaching soon. Riding a motorbike in this kind of windy weather is very nice, the sun will no longer roast your skin. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wind blowing her hair.

After twenty minutes of driving freely in the highway, they finally stopped at a small dining restaurant by the bay.

Catherine brows furrowed. "I thought we are going into the Plaza?"

"No. I changed my mind. It's much cozier and romantic here than the Plaza. Let's go inside, I already reserved a nice table for us facing the sea. You will like it for sure!" he said in a gentle voice.

They went inside the restaurant, true to his word, the table Jerome reserved for them was indeed facing the sea, it's an open-air dining experience and the sun was just about to set creating a warm reddish glow in the horizon against the backdrop of the sparkling water of the endless ocean. The view is so magical it took her breath away.

"Wow, so lovely! I'm enthralled!" Catherine was in awe, she gushes at the stunning view in front of them.

"I'm so glad you like it, Catherine. We can keep coming here whenever you want." He moved the chair for her to sit down.

They finally seated comfortably around the table, she roamed her eyes around the venue. It was such an intimate, small but wonderful restaurant facing by the bay. How come she never discovered this gem of a place before?

"Did you come here often?" she asked him.

"Nah. It's my second time. My first time coming here was when my employer celebrates his 50th birthday. He celebrated his birthday here and rented the whole place for his entire family and relatives to enjoy," explained Jerome.

Ten minutes later into their conversation...

The waiter started placing cola drinks and foods in their table. A piece of sweet romantic music filled the air.

The weather and ambiance around the venue is perfect!

They started eating. Catherine eats her foods enthusiastically. The dishes consist of a platter of spicy chili crabs, chicken asado, pork menudo, and maja blanca for desserts.

Jerome kept staring at Catherine's face while they were eating. He was already imagining marrying her in the future and they will be eating like this in their own house, then they will have at least three children, two boys, and one girl. He was already planning to purchase a house in one of the subdivisions nearby. As a matter of fact, he brought with him the brochure of the subdivision for Catherine to chose from. He will purchase the house and lot by cash or through a loan financing from the bank if his savings is not enough. He wants her to have a say on their future home.

Catherine took her time eating the spicy crabs since it's one of her favorite dishes.

While she was enjoying her eating, her iPhone vibrates inside her shoulder bag that she placed in her lap. She chose to mute it knowing John will be calling her nonstop. She manages to finish eating the crabs on her plate all the while ignoring John's call.

Done with eating, she stood up.

"Jerome, I will go to the restroom...," she said.

"Okay go ahead," he replied.

She walked towards the restroom casually, once inside the cubicle, she checked her mobile device. What the heck? She received a total of 50 missed call from John, and 15 text messages asking where she was because Ramon can't find her in the Plaza.

Dang!

She sighed. There will be a hell of angry John to deal with tonight.

She quickly typed... 'Let Ramon wait in the Plaza, I will meet him there thirty minutes from now... See you later!'... and pressed send.

She turns off her mobile device, she can't stand the vibration mode it keeps distracting her from talking with Jerome. She will deal with John's anger later, for now, she will give her full attention to Jerome 'coz it will be the last time they will see each other.

She went back to their table, Jerome was already done eating and the table was already cleaned by the waiter.

Jerome was looking at the brochure of the newest subdivision built nearby. She had seen the subdivision's ongoing construction many times over in the past while on her way to work.

"Catherine, choose which house type you want? Bungalow, duplex or single detached house?"

Catherine studied the brochure and after a few minutes of comparing she had chosen the single detached two story house. "This one looks nice!" she said smiling.

"Okay. We have the same taste. I will purchase one for us so that we can have a home right away after we got married." He looks tenderly at her, eyes full of love.

Catherine's smile faded away. She bit her lower lip. She doesn't want to hurt him but she has no other choice.

Now is the time to tell Jerome the truth.

"Jerome, I have something to tell you..."

"What is it?" his eyes were now looking appreciatively at the house design she had chosen in the brochure.

"Jerome, I already had a boyfriend and I'm getting married within this month, a civil wedding. I am so sorry..."

...

Jerome heard everything she said, at first it didn't register in his head right away when he surveyed her eyes, she was serious. He felt a sudden pain in his heart. His fingers gripped on the edges of the brochure hard. Then he took a deep breath.

"W-who is the lucky guy, Catherine?" he said in an audible voice, the pain was now showing full force in his eyes.

"It's best that you don't know him," she answered.

"I see, does he played a big part on your past? The guy who took your virginity?" he stared at her face keenly.

Catherine sighed and nodded her head.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes..."

Jerome closed his eyes for a few minutes. Today is a very sad day. His heart was being sliced into tiny pieces right now, it's so painful, he had difficulty breathing. He stood up abruptly and walked towards the direction of the comfort room.

He cried in one of the empty toilet cubicles, he wants to rip his heart out, it's so fucking painful!

Ten minutes later...

Jerome got out of the cubicle, face already composed. He strolled back towards their table.

"Le's go now, Catherine. I will take you home," his face unreadable.

"Can you drop me by in the Plaza?"

"Why---? Is your boyfriend waiting there for you?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Okay, I will give you a ride," he said.

They went to the parking area and Jerome started the engine of his motorbike. Catherine slides into his back, clutching at his jacket.

Jerome slowed down his driving, as much as possible he wants to feel the warmth of her body next to his, coz this may be the last time they will enjoy each other's company.

His world starts crumbling down with the sudden news of her wedding. The devastating news took him by surprise.

A few minutes later they arrived in the Plaza.

Catherine bid goodbye to Jerome. "I'm so sorry Jerome," she said again.

"It's okay, but am actually hoping and praying that the wedding won't push through. I'm sorry Catherine for saying that...and goodbye." He went back to his motorbike and drove back into the highway.

Catherine released the breath she was holding. Deep inside she was actually feeling sad for Jerome.

She roamed her eyes around the Plaza looking for Ramon and the car. She spotted the car parked nearby the church. She walked towards it, feeling the uneasiness starting creeping up in her belly.

Chapter end