When I found you... Chapter 27(Jaevon Fanfic)

Devon was maneuvering the apple green mini cooper through the busy throng of cars on her way to a lunch meeting with a client. She received a phone call last night from her boss, telling her that their new big client will meet her at the La Mia Bella restaurant today. She looked at her wristwatch and it was quarter to twelve. She was already fifteen minutes late. She honked the other cars before her in agitation.

She didn’t expect the heavy traffic this morning that she gave James a lift to the airport because he left his car at Shangri-La Hotel last night. Besides, Devon wants to share and enjoy the little time she had with James especially after what happened last night. Last night’s episode made her think that she didn’t fully gain the trust from James, yet. She vowed in her that she would make him overcome the past and to trust her completely.

Devon arrived at the restaurant’s parking area at 5 minutes before twelve. She hurriedly went out of the car, bringing with her the portfolio of designs she made.

Sitting in a dimly lit area of the restaurant, Enrique kept on looking at his wristwatch, patiently waiting for the woman he’s been longing to see. Everytime the bell on the door chimed, signaling the arrival of a new customer, he immediately looks up, thinking it could be her.

He was drinking his glass of water when the bell sounded. He looked up and what he saw caught his breath away.

He saw a woman in a plain, yellow mini dress, hair in a loose chignon who was ushered by the maitre d’ towards him. He saw something different in her. A glow from within that brightens her features… a beautiful spark that he never saw before. He saw Devon’s surprised look upon seeing him. As she got closer, he stood up smiling, looking at her full-length appreciatively.

“Hello, my chérie amie. You look stunning.”

“What are you doing here?” Devon asked instead, looking at him with furrowed brows, ignoring the compliment.

“Is that how you greet your clients?”

“What? You’re my new client?”

“Yes.” Enrique answered, amused.

Devon can’t still believe that Enrique was her client that she just stared at him open-mouthed. Enrique just smiled and pulled Devon’s chair. She composed herself and sat down. She decided that the best way to handle this situation is to be professional about it and set aside personal matters.

“Let’s order first. What would you like?” He asked, sitting himself and signaled the waiter for the menu.

They ate first and when they had their coffee, Devon started showing him the designs she made.

Enrique started asking questions, listening to her suggestions of what’s better for the house he bought a couple of months ago. He decided to have a Victorian-style house. With all the plans and designs agreed upon, Devon ended the meeting.

“Okay, that’s it. I’ll just contact you when I have the full list of supplies needed. My team will be there on Monday to start working. And, I’ll be there tomorrow to check up the place. Maybe, by this weekend I can have the finished design.”

“Alright, here’s the key to the house.” Enrique said, handing the key to her.

Thank you. Nice doing business with you. I ensure you, I’ll do my best.” Devon said, extending her hand. He looked at her hand and took it in a fine grip. Devon released his hand, said her goodbyes and walked out of the restaurant.

Enrique gazed at the retreating back of the girl that evoked the feelings he once felt for her.

She’s really different now…

She’s definitely more interesting than before. A challenge I cannot ignore, he thought with a gleam in his eyes.

A cloudless night enveloped the city with a silent whisper from the cold wind. Drinking her hot chocolate, Devon was flipping through the Vogue magazine, to while away the time. She was reading an article on fashion mishaps when her iPhone rang. She immediately grabbed it from the side table and saw it was James.

“Hey, love. How was your day?” James greeted.

“It was fine. Yours?”

“It’s fine now that I see you.” James said with longing in his eyes.

Devon smiled, echoing the same feeling.

“How did the meeting go? Who’s the new client?” James asked.

“It went well.” Devon said, pausing as if hesitant to tell James something. “Enrique’s my new client.”

“Oh… really?” James said with furrowed brows.

“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t jump into conclusions. My work with him is purely business, nothing more and nothing less.”

“I know. I’m not jealous.” James said and smiled sweetly at her.

Holding the keys, Devon walked the path to the patio of Enrique’s house. As she was inserting the keys, she jumped when she heard a voice behind her back. She turned around and saw Enrique smiling at her.

“What are you doing here?” Devon asked.

“Uuhmm… the last time I checked, this is my house.” Enrique said as he walked towards her. “I’m here to help you. I want to make sure everything goes well. And besides, I have some changes to the plans we have agreed upon.”

“Oh… I see.”

Enrique led the way into the house, touring her inside. He told her the changes he wants as they went along the different parts of the house. Devon silently listened and took down notes on the important details.

It took them the whole morning. Devon would have preferred to go home, but Enrique insisted on having lunch with her. She conceded and Enrique took her to a fancy restaurant.

The past few days, Devon was busy assigning the works to her team. She wanted to finish this project as soon as possible. She was sorting out some papers when Enrique came in the room.

Devon was so engrossed with her work that she didn’t noticed Enrique watching her.

“When sunlight hits your skin, it glows, heightening your angelic features. You look very lovely.” Enrique complimented and smiled charmingly. “Are you hungry? I’ve brought you something.” Enrique said, bringing two plastic bags of food. “Let’s go out to the terrace. Come on while these foods are still hot.” He continued, smiling at her and went over to the sliding door on the right side of the room. Devon didn’t protest for she was hungry as well and just followed him outside. But the gesture surprised her.

Since when did he learn to bring food to someone? Devon thought.

Enrique opened the plastic bags and started arranging the foods in the table.

“Sit down.” He said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. “What would you like? I’ve bought all your favorites. I have some burgers, cheese dogs… Oh, here are some fries, spaghetti… and your most favorite, crispy, hot buffalo wings.” Enrique enumerated.

“Wow. This sure is a lot. Thanks.” Devon said, reaching for the chicken wings and fries, devouring anything she gets her hands into. She was in the act of licking her fingers when she looked up and saw Enrique watching her, trying very hard not to laugh.

“What? Why are you not eating?” Devon asked, wiping the side of her mouth, but Enrique leaned over, reached out to her face, “You left a spot here.” He said, wiping the smudge left on her cheek.

“You still eat like there’s no tomorrow. You stuff every food you can grab. I forgot how cute you look.”

Devon’s smile faded and she immediately averted her gaze.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something move by the trees. She stood up and leaned over the railings, looking out.

“What’s wrong?” Enrique asked.

“Nothing. I thought I just saw someone.” Devon answered and went over to her seat. They continued eating, talking, laughing about anything.

For the past few days they’ve been working together, Enrique had been treating Devon to lunch, dinner or just brought her to someplace where they could relax.

Devon, at first, thought that his gestures are just purely friendship and those engagements are just innocent invitations. But, as days went to weeks, she noticed that Enrique’s actions were different. He would compliment her then would start reminiscing the past, as if hinting they could relive the happy moments and maybe start anew.

James is sitting alone in his office, deep in thought, a smile playing on his face.

Looking at the picture of him and Devon in his laptop, he reminisced the moments that they shared. The past months were the happiest moments of his life. Devon made it all possible.

Everytime she comes into a room, she brightens up the place with just her smile.

She’s an angel, James thought.

She brought happiness and love in his life.

She changed it into something wonderful.

She made sense to his senseless existence…

Brought a ray of light with her smile to his hopeless world…

Bliss to his empty, meaningless life…

And filled his heart and soul with love that not even bitterness and hate could invade.

She’s the one. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to have daughters with her smile and spirit. I want to have sons with her eyes and courage. I love her more than life itself. I want her to be by my side as my wife, James thought with love bursting in his heart.

“I need your help.” James said to his parents across the table in their dining room. “I want to marry Devon. I know she’s the only woman for me.”

“It’s about time, my dear. I’m so happy for the both of you. She’ll make a perfect wife for you.” Mrs. Force happily exclaimed with unshed tears, glistening in her eyes.

“What do you need, son?” Mr. Force asked.

“I need to find a perfect ring.”

“I’ve got the right one that would fit her perfectly.” His mother said and suddenly stood up, out of the dining room.

When his mother came back, she was bringing a small chest with intricate gems encrusted on it.

“I want you to give this to her.” Mrs. Force said, handing the small chest to James. “Your grandmother gave this to me before your father and I were wed. She said that it was from your great, great grandmother.”

James opened the chest and in it he saw an exquisitely-made diamond ring. A gorgeous emerald cut diamond surrounded by many sparkling diamonds, set in white gold with two bezel set brilliant round diamonds just below the center was nestled on velvety bedding.

“It is said to be designed for beauty and strength.” His mother said highly.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you, mom.” James said gratefully and went over to his mom, hugging her tightly.

“You’re welcome, my dear. Oh by the way, I’ve already arranged everything. All you have to do is just have the fitting and you’ll be walking down the aisle.” Mrs. Force said, grinning mischievously.

“Mom!” James said, protesting.

“James, you very well know your mother.” His father said. “And besides, we’re excited to have grandchildren.” Mr. Force said, grinning broadly. James was speechless that he just laughed.

He stood up and turned to his parents.

“Wish me luck.” James said.