The CEO's Painted Skin

Before Jerome go home from work he dropped by at Catherine's house. He wanted to talk to Auntie Thelma to ask for her help, she is the only one who could help him make his illusion and obsession of Catherine come true.

Thelma opened the door for him.

"Good evening, Auntie!" he greeted her.

"Get inside Jerome!"

"Catherine still not here?"

"Yes, she's still not here but she will be arriving tomorrow from Cebu, she called me earlier."

Jerome was hesitating but he needs to use the truth to his advantage to anger Catherine's mother so that Thelma will cooperate with him fully.

"Auntie, I have something to tell you...but promised me first you won't collapse after you hear the truth."

"What is it Jerome?" curiosity shined brighter in the older woman's eyes.

"Auntie, promised me first that you won't get affected by it and you won't take it to heart badly," he said.

Thelma nodded her head. "I promised you, I won't collapsed. Just tell me what is it?"

Jerome sighed. "Catherine is not really attending a seminar in Cebu City right now. The truth is she was in Zamboanga Del Sur visiting John for three days. She filed 3 days leave just to visit her lover in Zamboanga."

Thelma blinked twice. "How did you know, Jerome?"

"I texted Sherry her co-worker in the Hotel. She told me that Catherine was having a vacation with John in Zamboanga Del Sur."

Jerome showed her Sherry's text message.

"So, your daughter didn't tell you about the truth? Instead, she lied to you?" Jerome pressed on, wanting Thelma to really get angry.

The older woman went silent...

"The thing that I'm worried about Auntie is that Catherine might get pregnant by that rapist child! Your daughter told me that they regularly engaged in sex every time they see each other. If Catherine will get pregnant you will no longer be able to stop them from getting married. That guy John is using all his resources to successfully trapped Catherine. Would you allow it, Auntie?"

Thelma released a deep sigh.

"So, what else I can do? My daughter is very stubborn! I want you for her Jerome but she still attached herself to that rapist guy! I really don't know what to do with my daughter anymore!" she was on the verge of crying.

"Calm down Auntie! Take a deep breath, the doctor says you can't let any negative emotion affect you or else you will collapse again," he tried to calm her.

Thelma stopped her tears before they appeared on her eyes.

"Do you still want me to be your son-in-law, Auntie?"

Thelma nodded. "Yes!"

Jerome scratched his head in frustration. "Sad to say your daughter won't go out with me anymore. But if you help me, Auntie, I might succeed in getting Catherine out of her boyfriend's clutch."

The older woman looked at Jerome with great interest in her eyes.

"Tell me what to do? How can I help you?" she said.

"Let's proceed with what you suggested to me before."

Thelma nodded. "Okay. I just want to make sure you will marry my daughter no matter what happens?"

"Yes, of course, I will marry your daughter, Auntie. I love Catherine very much!"

They looked at each other united with a common interest to separate the lover. They discussed further how the set up will happen, how to make sure Catherine will drink the colorless and odorless drugs that can be mixed with juice, water or soda.

They have decided that Thelma is the best person who will mix the drugs to Catherine's drink so that she won't be suspicious.

They finally agreed to the setup. The first attempt will be when Catherine came back from her vacation tomorrow.

Jerome go home that night feeling happy and excited, finally there is a big chance he will succeed this time 'coz Catherine's mother will be backing him and supporting him every step of the way. Only few days more and he can finally have her. The sooner he can have her the better so that he can start planning of his future with Catherine. He will do everything to make her fall in love with him. He will erased John's memory in her mind!

...

That night, Thelma was having a hard time sleeping. Although she agreed on supporting Jerome's plan still she is a mother, she can't help feeling a bit guilty about the whole thing. It pained her that she was about to betray her daughter's trust. If only her daughter would stay away from John, she doesn't have to resort this kind of thing. She forced herself to sleep.