CHAPTER 440: THAT IMMATURE, SPOILED BRAT

Roderick stood in his office, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window as the city skyline stretched before him, shimmering under the afternoon light. With one hand in his pocket, he brought his phone to his ear with the other.

"Yes, Rick?" Ivy’s voice came through. In her office, she gently waved off her assistant. "I just got back from a meeting," she added, kicking off her heels under the desk.

There was a long pause on the other end.

"Rick?" she asked with concern. "Why are you quiet? Is everything okay?"

"I’m fine," Roderick replied eventually, pressing two fingers to the spot between his brows, as if trying to rub away the tension building there. "I’m going to meet Orabela. Thought I should let you know."

"Why?" Ivy asked softly.

Roderick turned around and leaned the back of his head briefly against the glass, exhaling. "I never properly apologized to her," he admitted. "You know how I used to be... I hurt her, and I walked away without ever saying sorry," he murmured, feeling ashamed. "I owe her that much."

There was a pause before Ivy responded.

"You’re doing the right thing, Rick," she said gently. "It takes strength to acknowledge the past, and more to face it with sincerity."

"Yeah. Uncle advised me for it and I thought about it," Roderick said.

"Follow your uncle’s advise then," Ivy opined.

"You won’t be upset, right? Honestly, I don’t wish to see Orabela, but–" he couldn’t finish off as Ivy cut him in the middle.

"You made mistakes in the past. You both did. As far as I know Orabela did want to marry you. Though her methods were wrong, she feel guilty about it now. Your uncle wants you to close all your Chapters from the past before marrying me and it’s not wrong."

Hearing such words full of wisdom made Roderick realized that he always missed a woman like Ivy in his life.

"Why did you turn quiet? Did my words hurt you?" Ivy inquired.

"No. I was admiring you and thanking God for bringing you to my life," Roderick said.

Ivy smiled from the other side. "I’ll see you in the evening."

"Sure." Roderick lowered the phone after the call ended. He moved to his desk, picked up his car keys and left to see Orabela.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, he found Orabela had been there earlier than him. He walked over the red lounge sofa.

Orabela lifted her head to look at him, however, the usual spark in her eyes filled with pride was absent.

Roderick sat down and a waiter came to them.

"What would you like to drink?" Roderick asked.

"Iced latte," Orabela answered.

"Bring the same for me," Roderick said, and the waiter left.

"How have you been?" Orabela asked him.

"I’m doing well. We did see each other a few days ago when you and your parents visited Grandpa," Roderick said.

"Yeah," Orabela pursed her lips together when the waiter returned with their orders. Placing the two latte glasses on the table, he left.

Orabela leaned forward and took a slow sip of the iced latte.

"I’m going to get married next month," Roderick began. "I want you to forget me. And I want to properly apologize to you," he said, lowering his gaze. "I admired Layla back in days. I was a player, who did not hesitate to sleep with her sister. A lot happened. I had my share of anguish and pain in which I dragged you as well. I shouldn’t have and I’m deeply sorry for that."

His words were sincere and from the bottom of his heart.

Lifting his head, he looked at Orabela, who had straightened herself.

"I knew you never loved me," Orabela finally admitted. "I simply wanted to inflict pain to Layla. But I didn’t know when the feelings for your became strong. That’s why I created troubles later too. You don’t need to apologize to me. It was my fault too to trust you. And at the same time, I equally tried to scheme against you to become your wife," she stated, accepting the mistakes she made.

There was a silence between them for a brief moment.

"When you called me in the morning to see you, I was glad that you gave me a chance to at least speak to you. I–I am sorry, Roderick, for whatever I did in the past. And I wish you a very happy married life ahead," Orabela said, smiling.

There was a weight on her chest that had been uplifted finally. The long-waited apology, which she always wanted to give to Roderick but her ego would always stop her.

"Layla was right. You’ve changed into a better person," Roderick said. "Sorry for saying many harsh words to you in the past," he added.

"You’ve changed," Orabela said, offering him a warm, nostalgic smile. "You’re no longer that immature, spoiled brat," she teased lightly before taking another sip of her latte.

Roderick smirked. "Shouldn’t that apply to you? You were always the one spoiled because of the whole heiress title," he replied with a playful tone. But almost immediately, a flash of guilt crossed his face. "I—I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"It’s fine," Orabela said, waving it off with a soft laugh. "You’re not wrong. I used to take pride in that fake heiress image. It made me feel... important, even if it was just an illusion."

She took another sip and nudged her cup toward his. "You should try the latte too. It’s really good."

Roderick hummed in response and took a slow sip through the straw, his gaze lingering on her, a quiet sense of closure setting in. As he reached for his wallet to pay, Orabela quickly placed her card down and settled the bill before he could object.

Then, turning to him with grace, she extended her hand. "If we ever run into each other again, and we might, let’s remember this moment as friends. I truly wish you a wonderful life, Roderick. You deserve it."

He reached out and shook her hand, their fingers clasping briefly in mutual respect.

"You too, Orabela," he said sincerely. "I wish the same for you."