The CEO's Painted Skin

They finally arrived into the Infinity Jade Tower after more than an hour of traveling. Catherine, her siblings, and her mother entered the elevator. The children were amazed because it"s their first time riding an elevator. While Thelma displays no emotion on her face.

They exited the elevator and walked into John"s flat.

When the door opened, Thelma saw a guy wearing a white face mask, he must be John!

"Welcome everyone!" John"s enthusiastic voice rung behind the mask.

He moves towards Catherine"s mother, he makes a bow and presses his head on Thelma"s hand as a sign of respect.

John ushered his visitors into the living room. Lily and Jacob sat down on the sofa, their innocent eyes roamed around the living room with curiosity and glee.

"Feel at home guys!" John smiled at his visitors trying to be the ultimate good host for them.

John held the remote control in his hand and asked the kids what they want to see on the TV.

"Cartoons!" The kids replied in unison.

John was scanning for more channel trying to find the best cartoon show for the kids. When he finally found the right one, he earned "thank you" from the kids.

Then Catherine and John disappeared into the kitchen...

Leaving Thelma alone with the kids, she was noting everything inside the living room, for someone who is used to hards.h.i.+p and poverty throughout her childhood and adult life, she was beginning to feel impressed. How much more if she can have a tour inside the flat which size was ten times huge than the tiny room they rented in Cavite City. What more is there to discover inside John"s home?

While in the kitchen, John hugged Catherine and kissed her cheek.

"What do you think of my--Mother?" asked Catherine.

"Wheww! She is a bit sn.o.bby. She had not shown a single smile to me at all. I am feeling afraid now that he will reject me as her son in law," said John.

She smiled at him. "Lol, don"t say that. She still trying to observe you. She will warm up to you anytime soon. So just relax and chill."

"Do we really have to lie to your mother regarding our first meeting?"

Catherine nodded. "Yes, we have to. I know my Mother best. It"s better that we won"t tell her the truth yet. Anyways, after the wedding, we can come out clean."

John hugged Catherine again. "Okay as you wish."

They went back to the living room and watch entertainment shows on the television.

After getting tired of watching the TV, John brought them to the swimming pool area. He pressed the remote control and the curtain parted in the wall revealing the scenic view outside the building.

Thelma and the kids gasped, their eyes widened, thoroughly amazed by the spectacular view outside.

A few moments later...

"Can we go swimming now Uncle John?" asked Jacob.

John beamed at the children. "Yes, of course! Change into your swimwear kids and enjoy the pool!"

"Yipieeee!" Lily screamed in happiness.

Catherine brought the kids into the bathroom to change their clothes.

John brought Thelma back into the living room so that they can talk in peace.

"Mother am very glad and lucky to meet your daughter," John decided to talk first breaking the ice between him and her mother in law.

Thelma smiled a bit. "Where did you first seen my daughter?"

"In the town of Mandreza, she was selling fish and vegetables in the sidewalk. I happened to pa.s.s by in front of her. My bodyguards and I need to by fish to grill in the place where we are staying. I had live in Hacienda La Margarita when am still young but my family migrated into the city. So, I meet your daughter while am having a vacation in our ancestral home."

Thelma knows about the Hacienda La Margarita, everyone in the village know about the hacienda. So, he was one of the two sons of the rich couple who owned the hacienda?

"John, how many days you courted my daughter?"

He was dumbfounded with her question. How to answer her? He can"t possibly tell her that he took her daughter"s virginity the same night or same hours he meets her. This is getting awkward. But she was waiting for his answer it will be rude on his part to make her wait longer.

"Within one week, Catherine and I entered into a relations.h.i.+p."

"Huh? Is that how easy you got my daughter to say "yes" to you?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Do you know how many suitors my daughter had in our village? More than my fingers combined. She never yes to any of them and yet you just came out of nowhere and was able to win my daughters heart in just one week? Unbelievable!"

John smiled at the older woman. "We fall in love with each other at first sight. It"s love at first sight, Mother." He sounded sincere. He wanted to sound convincing to her.

Thelma finds it odd, knowing her daughters att.i.tude towards boys. How come this guy makes her daughter fall in love so easily? It"s a big mystery because she doesn"t believe in falling in love at first sight.

She knew that John is a businessman a wealthy and successful one, based on his property and his home that is full of luxurious furniture and appliances, she had no doubt when it comes to his capability to take care of her daughter. So, what else is there to ask him?

"I want to see your face, John."

Thelma was curious how ugly John"s face is.

John didn"t hesitate to show his face to her future mother in law, he immediately took off his face mask and looked straight into her eyes.

Thelma gasped. He was indeed ugly, but if the scars don"t exist on his face, he surely is a fine good looking man.

"I"m sorry about your face, John. Catherine told me about the incident you encountered seven years ago."

"It"s alright, Mother. I"m already used to it." John smiled at his future mother in law and put back his mask to his face.

"I want to ask for your blessing on our upcoming wedding, Mother," he said.

Thelma didn"t say a word for a few minutes. After deliberating about the pros and cons, she realized that John isn"t that bad, the only downside was his face, but since her daughter loves this man thoroughly then why would she deny their happiness?

"I will give you my blessing, John. I already accepted you as my son in law. Hope you will take care of my daughter and continue to love and cherish her forever."

"Thank you so much, Mother!" exclaimed John. His smile was wide and bright, wheww! finally!

Done with their conversation, they went back into the swimming pool and join Catherine and the kids.

Catherine saw her mother smiling at John, they seemed to be in good terms. John gave her a thumb up sign, she felt relieved. Now everything is good, she finally feels genuine happiness and excitement for her upcoming wedding.

Later that afternoon, Catherine and Thelma baked a chocolate cake together in the kitchen while John and the kids watched marvel movies in his home theater.

Three hours later, the trip to MysticBay Twin Tower was even more enjoyable and pleasurable for the kids and Thelma, more so when they finally reached the tower and ride the elevator all the way towards the 20th floor. Since it"s their first time experiencing watching the spectacular view of the bay above the tower, they were thunderstruck! Nevertheless, they enjoyed everything that John has offered and prepared for them including the a.s.sorted presents, his generosity and above all his hospitality.

Before the night is over, John won the affection and approval of Catherine"s entire family.