Novels by Red Lines

Candy was awakened when she felt the gust of wind on her face. She opened her eyes, surprisingly she was able to sleep tightly despite the restlessness she was feeling.She turned to the left of the bed where Kenneth lay down but he was no longer there. Candy sighed, she again focused her eyes on the outside of the window. A forced smile traced in her lips as she looked at the leaves on the tree like dancing with every blow of the wind on them. She suddenly felt envy of the leaves, they are free to do what they want. They are free to follow the direction they want to go, while she is like a puppet who only obeys the wishes of her husband, Kenneth.But why is that? What does she owe him to be submissive to think that he is the one who did her wrong? She will not let this man run her life in his palm, after all this tragic thing that happened to her right inside his household.Candy got up when she heard the door open. From there Kenneth emerged. He smiled affecti

Candy was anxious all day. Trying to figure out who that bastard is. She looked all around and in every corner of the house to see if there were hidden CCTV cameras that she could use to see who that man was but she was disappointed. Surprisingly, this huge house does not even have CCTV. Nowadays it is normal to have it even in ordinary houses.If there is no CCTV, what else can she do or how else she will know? Fingerprint… correct, she can know who entered their room by fingerprint, but how? She had to hire a forensic doctor to take fingerprints. She can pay for the service of this but there is another ‘how?’ How would she explain to the people living here that she needed to know who that man was?Candy dropped on the couch. Tears welled up in her eyes again. But she had to be brave, she couldn't just sit in a corner to cry and mourn all day for what happened to her.Candy heard someone turn the doorknob. She stood alert in front of the door

The surrounding was still dark when Candy woke up. She looked around, her eyes searching for the ruthless man who had sex with her while she was unconscious. Candy was trembling with fear. Who is that man? No one would dare enter their room but Kenneth. But why did he have to do that to her? Why does he even have to rape her? She can freely give herself to him. They have shared the ecstasy of love making many times. Oh… but it has never been love making… just sex…Candy got out of bed. Although she lost consciousness last night, now she can still feel the traces of every caress of the man's hand all over her body. She looked in the mirror and she was surprised to see hickeys on her chest.Candy's tears flowed. She felt that the man trampled her. She needs justice for what happened to her. But how would she explain to everyone what had happened? Will they believe her?Kenneth… she needs to talk to Kenneth. She was sure it was Kenneth.

When they arrived at home, Kian was busy drinking in the broad light. He was holding a glass of wine then walked towards them.Kenneth frowned when he saw Kian drinking in the middle of the day.“Is there something bothering you?” Kenneth curiously asked.“Not really. Hi, my beautiful sister-in-law.” Kian set his attention to her.She was about to say ‘hi’ when Kenneth cut her word.“Stop teasing her, Kian.” He stared at him intently.“I am not, brother. I am just stating a fact.”“I guess you're already drunk. Why don't you go to your room now?”“I want to talk to you.”“Okay, let's go to the library.”After saying this Kenneth walked straight to the library without even bidding goodbye to Candy. Instead, Kian does that thing.“Please excuse me as Candy.”“Sure.” She nodded.

Candy was furious but not with Kenneth but with herself. She was ashamed of herself because she gave in so quickly to his teasing. She needs to be firm and hard to him. She must not show him she was stumbling for it. She wouldn't let herself continued to be play and laugh at. Next time, she will spin it in her palms.Surprisingly she did, and awoke the next day to clear skies and sunshine.Kenneth was already up and dressed when she went downstairs. He sat on the living room, talking with his mother. A small empty coffee cup and a phone sat on a table at his side.Catching sight of her, he pressed a finger to his lips, and gestured for her to join them."Good morning, darling." Mrs. Ruiz greeted her and her lips formed a sweet smile.She approached her and made a small kiss on the cheek in greeting."I'm hungry. Now that you're here, we'll eat together." He picked up the phone, pressed a button and spoke briefly with whoever an

After a week of spending in Japan for their honeymoon, their airplane landed at M City International Airport. No one came to welcome them because they did not learn that they were coming back today.So, she was even surprised when they came out of the airport and Kenneth's personal assistant, Jim Greer, was there. Next, she noticed Kenneth's BMW car. Jim Greer quickly approached them to pick up and place their luggage in the car compartment. Actually,they even bought these clothes in Japan because they didn't bring anything aside from what they are wearing. All because of Kenneth's sudden decision to change the destination of their honeymoon.While they were in the car, the couple not dare to speak with each other. Candy crossed her arms in her chest and couldn't help but let out a deep sigh that in return caught Kenneth's attention. He turned to Candy and seemed to be wondering whether to continue what he wanted to ask his wife. Eventually his mouth opened.

Nilapag niya ang hawak na tinapay at tinitigan niya ito. “I beg your pardon?”“By what standards do you judge a prospective husband?”Inabot niya ang kanyang baso at uminom habang pinag-iisipan niya kung ano ang isasagot sa tanong nito. “Dapat siya ay isang desente at kagalang-galang na tao,” sa wakas ay pahayag niya.“Tall, dark and handsome, too?”“Not necessarily.” Muli siyang nagkibit balikat, dahilan upang bahagyang umawang ang kanyang damit at malantad ang magandang hubog ng kanyang dibdib.He wished na hindi niya nakita ang nakakahalinang iyon. “Mayaman and successful, ganun ba?”“Syempre dapat kumikita siya ng Malaki. Kapag magkaroon na kami ng mga anak, gusto ko ay nasa bahay lang ako para alagaan sila.”“Kung kailangan mong pumili ng isa lang na quality ng ideal man mo, what would it be?”“Yung marunong magmahal,&rdqu

Siya ay nagsisinungaling. Ang katibayan ay naroroon sa kanyang naguguluhang tingin, sa kanyang racing pulse, napakadali and unobtrusively detected when he took her wrist. At nilayon niyang alamin kung bakit, sapagkat sa kabila ng kanyang mga naisip ay mananatili siyang hindi apektado sa kung ano man ang natuklasan niya nang magtungo siya sa airport, the sight of the old man, so brittle and somehow diminished, ay tila siya pinukpok ng martilyo sa kanyang puso. Kakaunting oras lamang ang pinagsamahan nila, matagal nang walang ibang ginawa kung hindi ang magtalo at walang bagay na pinagkakasunduan. Ngunit si Rocco pa rin ang kanyang ama, at si Chris would be damned before he’d let someone take him to the cleaners.Oh, punung-puno siya ng makatwirang galit dahil sa sinabi nito na hindi siya isang selfless angel of mercy tulad ng ipinapakita niya bilang siya. Sabagay, hindi naman niya ito inaasahan. Subalit nakita rin niya kung paano nito nagawang ilapit ang kanyang sarili k

“Then that’s a pity!” sagot nito, wala man lamang bahid na kahit kaunting pagsisisi. “Pero subukan mong tingnan kung saan ako nanggagaling. Dumating ang ama ko na mayroong kasamang napakagandang babae na hindi niya pa lubusang kilala but then nagawa na niyang ipagkatiwala ang buong buhay niya. Hindi lang iyon, nanggaling siya sa napakalayong lugar, sa ibang bansa at nakipagkasundo ang aking ama na bantayan at alagaan siya hanggang sa siya ay tuluyang gumaling. Kung tutuusin ay mayroon din namang sapat na nurses at qualified na mag-alaga sa kanya sa bansang ito. So, sabihin mo sa akin, kung babaliktarin natin ang ating sitwasyon, hindi ka man lamang ba magdududa?”“No.” mainit na sagot niya. “Bago ako tumalon sa hindi karapat-dapat na conclusions or bago ko husgahan ang kanyang pagiging professional. Hihilingin ko sa istrangehong ito na ipakita sa akin ang kanyang profile at kung hindi ako masatisfy sa information na ipinakita ni

Kinuha ni Chris ang pagkakataon upang makaalis sa lugar na iyon, nang mapansin niya iyon ay gusto niyang sampalin ang saliri sa nadamang pagkadismasya, sa kabila ng kanyang pagsisikap ay bigo siya na pigilan iyon. Gayunman, ang tapat na si Ruben ay nanatili sa lugar, nag-aalala at gustong tumulong sa anumang paraan. Nang matapos kumain si Rocco at kumportable nang nakatulog, lumabas na siya upang magtungo sa silid na nakalaan sa kanya.Si Aida, ang housekeeper, ang nagpakita kay Lara ng silid na inilaan para sa kanya sa taas. Decorated in subtle shades of ivory and slate-blue, naalala niya ang kanyang sariling kwarto sa bahay, kahit na nga ang furnishings dito ay higit na malayo sa kahit na anong kaya niyang mabili. Marble floors, a carpet and fine antiques polished to a soft gleam exemplified wealth, good taste and comfort.Mayroon din lady’s writing desk sa pagitan ng double French door patungo sa balcony. There was a fainting couch, its brocade upholstery worn

Tulad ng kanyang inaasahan, he drove with flair and expertise. Sa loob lamang ng isang oras mula ng umalis sila sa airport, ngayon ay binabaybay na nila ang mahabang kalsada na napapaligiran ng nagtataasang punong-kahoy ang gilid ng daan. Soon after, at the end of a quiet road running parallel to the beach. Ipinasok ni Christian ang sasakyan sa ornate wrought-iron gates, na bumukas sapamamagitan ng isang pindot lamang sa remote control.Napagtanto ni Lara na si Rocco ay isang lalaki na ubod ng yaman, pero hindi siya handa na harapin ang nakakalulang karangyahan na tila nagbibigay ng takot sa kanya. Tinahak ng Mercedes ang paakyat na mahabang kurba ng daan, at nahagip ng kanyang mga mata ang isang napakalaking bahay.Nakatindig sa isang malawak na lupain, exquisitely landscaped grounds and screened from local traffic by a stand of pines, ang lugar ay higit na angat kumpara sa pangkaraniwang lugar. Stucco walls, blindingly white, rose in elegant proportions to a tiled ro

Mabilis siyang nakilala ni Lara, hindi dahil sa sobrang paglalarawan sa kanya ng kanyang ama na imposibleng hindi niya makilala ito, but because even he stands behind the crowd ay nangingibabaw siya sa kabila ng maraming tao na nag-aabang sa mga bagong dating na pasahero sa Manila City International Airport. May taas na higit sa anim na talampakan, matipunong katawan at pinagpala ng isang maamong mukha na animo isang angel na nahulog mula sa kalangitan. Sa isang tingin lamang ay kaagad mong masasabi na siya ay tipo ng lalaki na kinaiinggitan ng mga kalalakihan, at handang ipaglaban ng patayan ng mga kababaihan.As if on cue, tumingin ito sa kanya. Tinitigan siya ng ilang sandali, sapat na panahon upang gumulong ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib. Ang bawat bahagi ng kanyang utak at katinuan ay nagbabanta sa kanya na ang lalaking ito ay mapanganib at magdudulot lamang sa kanya ng panganib. Tumango siya, na parang alam niya ang naging epekto nito sa kanya at hinawi ang mga tao sa kanya

He wrapped his arms around Lara as she stood at the kitchen sink and pressed his lips against her bare shoulder.“Good morning.” She smiled as she turned around in his arms.“Good morning. I don’t like waking up and you’re not in bed.” He brushed his lips against hers.“I wanted to get the muffins in the oven before you woke up.”“Banana nut?”“Of course.” She grinned.“Then you’re forgiven. Listen, do you hear that?”“Hear what? I don’t hear anything.”“Exactly. Blissful silence. We need to enjoy it before the kids come up. What time will they be here?”“Soon, I think.”“Is Helen bringing Lance?”“I think so. I’m not sure though.”“I feel like I need to have a talk with that boy.”“Leave him alone, Chris. He’s

Raising highly intelligent children was rewarding as well as exhausting. Harry demanded a lot of their attention and needed to be mentally stimulated at all times. At a year old, he was already saying more words than the average child. Chris was sitting behind his desk when his office door opened, and Lara walked in holding Harry. “What a nice surprise.” He grinned as he got up. “Hi, princess.” He hugged and kissed her before he kissed Lara and took his son from her arms. “Hi, handsome.” He tickled him. “Daddy,” He smiled. “What are you doing here, sweetheart?” “I need you to watch him. The babysitter called and has the flu. Harold is with Aida. I have my doctor’s appointment. I will bring Helen with me.” “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes.” “And? Do you want me to cancel my doctor’s appointment?” “You know what, I’ll just bring him to my meeting.” “Good idea.” She smiled. “I love you. Just bring him h

As she lay there, she thought about how there was no way she could be pregnant again. No possible way. There was only one way to find out. She ran to the store and picked up a test. It was so silly that she was even doing this. She had a virus. Or maybe something else was going on. Pregnant? No. Impossible.She went into the bathroom, peed on the stick and waited. She laughed at herself for even thinking it. Once the test showed she wasn’t pregnant, she’d call her general doctor and get in for a checkup and some tests. The timer on her phone went off so she picked up the stick and stared at the two pink lines staring back at her. Her heart started racing, and she felt like she was going to pass out. Splashing some cold water on her face, she leaned over the counter and stared at herself in the mirror. How the hell she was going to tell her husband who had a vasectomy that she was pregnant again?“We need to talk,” she said as she grabbed his han

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” she asked Chris as she put her shoes on. “We’re going to be just fine. Go enjoy your day and don’t worry about us. Aida is here, I can ask help from her. Today is all about you relaxing.” He kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what time I’ll be home.” “You take as long as you want. We’re going to have so much fun today, aren’t we, baby?” Chris spoke to Harry as he held him in his arms. After giving him a kiss on the lips, she gave Helen and Harry a kiss and stepped into the elevator. The moment she stepped outside the building, she threw her hands up in the air. Freedom was hers for a day, and she was going to enjoy every minute of it. But as she was on her way to the spa, she felt this tremendous feeling of guilt wash over her. She shouldn’t be doing this. She need to be home with her kids. She was gone ten minutes and she already missed them terribly. This wasn’t a good idea and she needed to go back home.

Life with a newborn had been tough for the past couple of weeks. They sleep deprived and Harry was feeding every hour and refusing to sleep. Lara started pumping into bottles so Chris could relieve her every now and again. Especially in the middle of the night so she could get some rest.Chris worked from home the past couple of weeks so he could be there for Lara and the baby. But now it was time for him to get back into the office. He tried to hire a baby nurse to help Lara out while he was gone, but Lara wouldn’t hear of it. He kept the number close by just in case she changed her mind.“I have to go now, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He kissed her lips as she stood in the kitchen holding Harry.“Don’t be sorry. We’ll be fine.”“I’m going to miss you and our children so much.”“Darling, I know you’re secretly excited about getting out. You can’t fool me.”

They had not made love, even when her first trimester had officially ended two weeks ago. His patience despite his obvious arousal every night when they went to sleep had forever cemented Lara’s trust and appreciation for this amazing man—her husband.She opened the door and stepped into the bedroom.Chris stood beside the bed wearing a pair of white silk pajama bottoms.“White?” she asked with a smile, even though her own lace peignoir was the color of fresh snow.He put his arms out. “Come here, my wife.”She went to him, straight into his arms. He held her there for the longest time, saying nothing. Doing nothing.Except looking into her eyes, his that dark brown that meant his emotions were close to the surface. Finally, he said, “Thank you.”“For what?”“For being mine. For putting up with me. For falling in love with me and not walking away with my baby. Fo