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Lizzie . For better, for worse. . . I do hope it's all for the better. Because here I am, facing my worst nightmare! For richer, for poorer. . . For richer, I guess. I agreed to this deal because my father's business needs Elizalde's wealth. And here I am, being a bitch gold digger like those nasty comments I read on the internet earlier, saying that if not for Elizalde's money, I wouldn't tie the knot with him this easy. Damn, that was harsh and absolutely the truth. In sickness and in health. . . Oh well, at least I can assure him I will care for him if he gets sick. I don't care about his health! Till death do us part. . . Yes, until hell do us part! "Elizalde El Del Real, you may now kiss your bride," Judge Suzanne speaks. Her lips pressed together, holding a simple smile while looking at the two of us. I looked at Elizalde, and my knees were shaking. Is he going to do the kiss like he did earlier? Damn him! His holding my hands and giving me a fake smile makes me want
Elizalde . "How dare you make a move without my permission, Zalde!?" Her beautiful light brown eyes lit up, and it didn't resemble the angry tone of her voice. The expression on her face seems furious, but looking into her eyes tells me the opposite of hers. I expect this to happen, but not sooner, like it will happen tonight. "Who else knows aside from Emma?" I smirked and walked past her. I'm half drunk. That's how I celebrate today's event. My body landed on the soft couch. I loosen up my tie and undo a few buttons on my top. "And where have you been?" in her calmer voice. "I want Mimi here. It's boring and scary on my own." Boring and scary? Is she kidding me? Our eyes locked, and now my vision clouded. I smile. I want to smile because I finally got the woman I want to have with me. I got the woman who inflicted so much hatred on me. I got her, okay? But why the hell still I miss her? She's here standing in front of me like beauty and hell. I want her. I want to kiss and
Lizzie . How slowly I chew my food is the same as everything around me. Elizalde is beside me, talking to my father. They get along very well. Not new to me. Snow? Of course, she's sitting across the table and dressed seductively. I know what she's trying to do. She's going to seduce my husband. She hasn't changed at all. Go on and seduce him if you can. Who cares! "Elizalde, my son, try this while it's still warm." Stepmom's sweet voice. She gives Elizalde his share of apple crumble with ice cream on top. "Thank you." He politely answered, looking into my bowl and me. I twisted my lips slightly when our eyes met, and he smirked. "I can't wait for the wedding. When is the wedding?" Snow raised an eyebrow as she asked. Her eyes were fixed on Elizalde. I bet she purposely asked this. I don't have a wedding ring. We don't have one. When we exchange our vows in front of Judge Suzanne, the only token that proves our marriage aside from the marriage certificate is the round pendant
Elizalde . I'm glad that Mimi is back. I miss the cat. She was with Lizzie before she moved out at her father's place. The caretaker cared for her when Lizzie moved out after her break-up with Kristoff. She left Mimi in their caretaker's care, Elinda. Elinda always takes Mimi to the vet, and that's the only time I could spend with her. Neon, the vet, always let me know whenever he had Mimi under their care. Mimi is our baby, mine and Lizzie's. We had her ten years ago. She was abandoned as a kitten when we found her. We took her home and took care of her. When things get rough with us, Mimi always brings us closer together. The cat is our mediator, healer, and our companion. Lizzie probably thought that I abandoned Mimi, but it was the opposite. I looked after her in secret whenever she was not around. And leaving Mimi's home is better because today is our whole day. Lourdes is there to take care of her needs. "Oh? Are we going to the plantation?" I know she will ask me this.
Lizzie . "One, two, three, pose!" Tammy, the director, speaks. "One more, please, Elizalde. I want you to kiss your beautiful bride-to-be. On the lips. Ready, action with a pose!" I looked at Elizalde's eyes, feeling tense at this moment. Yet, every time his arms looped around me, touching my skin, it sent an electrifying sensation down to the depth of my core. I need to focus. We are in this together, acting like a perfect couple. His lips landed on mine, and I shut my eyes. It stays there for more than three seconds. My body stiffened, and I didn't know if I should release some air out or should I hold it back. Then, I felt his hand squeeze the side of me. I partly open my mouth, just enough to perfectly settle his lips on mine. I could taste him, almost tasted him. "Very good! So sweet!" The director cut, and I distanced myself a little bit. Elizalde's hands were still around my waist. And, like me, he was also smiling, and my smile was enough to release all my tension. My
Lizzie . Instead of going home, I asked him to take me to Emma's place. She's at home. Her shift had just ended. My body landed on the soft mattress of her bed as soon as I arrived. "Hmm, I miss your bed," I silently said. I can hear the sound of her heels as she walks back and forth. "Are you going out tonight?" I asked. "Yes, I'm going out with Trevor." My eyes opened, and I rolled over enough to see her face. "Oh? Are you dating him?" She pressed her lips together and then smiled with a grin. "He's my boyfriend now, Lizzie," she proudly said. "Oh, really? Wow, congratulations! He got you alright. I'm happy for you, Emma." I stretched out and got up. Then, I sat down on the edge of the bed. I'm not staying here. I only need some fresh air. After that heated conversation with Elizalde, I felt ashamed of myself. He had the whole day set up for us perfectly. I could have gone along with the flow, but the call from my stepmother made it impossible to control my temper. "What
Elizalde . Almost, that was almost. I could hardly take my eyes off her. She's the most beautiful woman in my life, aside from my mother. Her innocent smile speaks of her innocent face. Despite being a tigress at times, that doesn't turn me off. I still like her, even with her worst attitude. Damn, there must be something wrong with me. I'm so drawn to her. And now that she's legally mine, I still can't believe I have her. I have to get used to seeing her every morning. This is the beginning of our life together, and I can't wait for more adventures. "The look on your face, bro. You hit the jackpot, alright." Faustino shook his head and looked in the same direction where my eyes were. The wedding ended beautifully. It was intimate—only a few friends and, of course, our families. Elizabeth doesn't want it to be too public. There are only two professional photographers and videographer that covers the event. There was no media, reporters, and not even a single paparazzi around. It
Lizzie . It's Sunday today. My stepmom invites us for lunch. But because she didn't notify us ahead of time. I was the only one coming for lunch because Elizalde had plans already with his mother. Later tonight, we will have dinner together with Elizalde's parents before flying to the Maldives tomorrow afternoon. I put my stuff inside the box one by one. I'm clearing all the remaining things I have here at my father's place and will take these to Elizalde's place. Everything was ready, and I am looking forward to a break. I can't wait for the holiday ahead. Elizalde told me it would be a long vacation since we would also travel to Italy after the Maldives. I'm easy with everything. I let Elizalde manage everything because he's good at that. "You seem happy. Opposite to what you were a month ago," Snow's voice from behind. I didn't look in her direction. She just sat down on the edge of the bed, watching me. "Well, people change. I guess that's what happened," I answered. I'm try
Lizzie . As time passes, everything falls into place for us. Spending time with Elizalde and our loved ones has been an absolute joy. It's a fact that things are constantly evolving and changing, but these changes work out in our favour. It's partially true that your life will turn into what you want in a good way. You must let go of the people who bring negativity to your life. You don't want them to ruin you. My father has settled his way back to where he wanted. He doesn't wants me to get worried about him. He wants to go around the globe and enjoy his retirement. I heard from Don that he is now in a property somewhere closer to home. I'm okay with it as long as he is happy. Elizalde and I settled really well here in Shepperton. Although the weather is cold in Winter, we tend to escape the frosty season and stay somewhere on the Gold Coast. We bought a small property not so close to the beach but within walking distance. Elizalde's mother was doing well after her chemotherapy.
Lizzie . I couldn't believe it. We are in Italy! "Come on, Lizzie. Don't give me that look, love." Elizalde chuckled and grabbed my hand. It's not that I don't like this. But I am thankful for the little changes. It was right at the immigration board that I realised that we were not boarding to Australia. We are going to Italy, spend a few weeks there and then move to Australia. I didn't sleep well all the way here as I couldn't believe it. The food was good inside the aircraft, but I crave the foods I miss. "Can we stop at the La El Merita?" I can't hide my excitement. It's a local restaurant closer to where Elizalde's place. I love every dish on their menus. "Sure, love. Let's get home first, and Rhys will grab and order it for us." "Okay." I nodded and waited patiently. Travelling from the city primary down to Sorrento shorts was pretty decent. But when we started walking up to Elizalde's house on an inclined surface, I felt the weight was on me. "This is not good for pr
Lizzie's POV . My brows furrowed, and my lips twisted in dismay after hearing Snow's interview. She was obviously jealous, but at least she didn't criticise us in front of the reporters. It was a forced smile like she was holding a grudge against me. The backlash of comments online about why we didn't invite Snow and her mother was harsh. But others understand the situation as it was a surprise. A lot of people noticed, too, that my father wasn't around with my Stepmother. It made me realise that their divorce wasn't publicly announced, and now the public is digging again like scavengers in our life. "Oh, God! When are they going to leave you in peace!" Emma flicked her hair behind her shoulder and shook a head. She made some cheesecake for me, which I love to eat at the moment. Now that Emma is here, the house smells good because of her baking expertise. Tomorrow night is our flight, and Elizalde is at his mother's place, fixing some stuff as his mother asked him to do somethi
Lizzie's POV . "Please look after my little furry baby for me, Emma." I squeezed my cat's face and kissed him. My life has turned into a full degree without my cat's knowledge. And bet unknown to my aging and aloof feline companion. I can almost hear him muttering whenever he casts a disdainful gaze. 'What the heck, Lizzie! Get over and get them, gurl!' The threatening look that could kill a bird but can't catch them. "You don't have to remind me that. Your cat will only come to me for a treat." She pouted, looking at the furry being beside her. Emma will be staying at our residence for the time being. This is what Elizalde and I had decided. No one will be looking after our place as we are going overseas. Don temporarily occupies Elizalde's penthouse, and Emma will stay in our house. It's good, anyway. This will save Emma money from renting. "Just keep everything tidy, and water all the plants around the garden." I pressed my lips together. "Okay. No problem. The gardener can
Elizalde's POV . "Please watch over your mother and little sibling inside Mommy's tummy, baby. I love you to the moon and back, sweetheart." A guttering pain pierced inside my chest is buried deep inside me. And no matter how hard I try to calm my senses, there's no way I can get it out of me. I gritted my teeth, trying to control the tears not to fall. Lizzie smiled slightly like an angel, and her eyes were shut while offering a small prayer. It hurts like hell. A type of feeling that covered the whole of me. I felt guilty, broken and useless at times like this. There's no point in talking to the Gods because I can never return what I have lost. "I wonder if we are having a boy or a girl?" Lizzie's eyes beamed with excitement. She's now facing me, and her lips pouted. "It doesn't matter what it is, love. A girl or a boy. I want it to resemble you." I tucked her hair back to her ear, and she giggled slightly. "Oh? But I want it to look like you. If it's a girl, then she will
Lizzie's POV . "This is not you, Lizzie, my dearie. I'm sorry if Snow and I have caused you a lot of trouble in the past. I know it's hard for you to believe me, but I love you as my daughter. What happened to your father and me was hard to explain. I-I love him, and I want to be with him. But -" "But Dad had enough of you," I cut her off. "I'm sorry, but I can no longer help you. You have to talk to Elizalde and not to me. I don't have the right for this. And if I do, I will not help you either. Just be thankful that Elizalde didn't put you behind bars. That would be more embarrassing to your friends." I avoided eye contact and walked away. She called my name repeatedly, but I had nothing to say to her anymore. Emma was smiling while waiting for me outside the car. Next to her is Elizalde's driver, Mr Kim, our chaperon for today. "Thank goodness you came back okay. I was about to get inside, you know." She sat down beside me as soon as I got inside the car. The car started. "D
Elizalde's POV . Meet me outside the garden, in front of the fountain. I have something to tell you. Wear your best smile, okay? Please don't ruin my mood, or you will get something else. Lizzie. . I slightly shook my head and chuckled a little bit. I folded the little paper she gave me earlier. I knew that it was a letter. But then, what really made me smile was the drawing that came with the message. It's a drawing of two hearts engraved on the sandy beach. There's a saying in the background that says: Love will keep us alive through eternity. The penmanship surrounding it was way back when she was only secondary, and I was at college. I was crazy with her at that time, in love and stupid. She was my world, and I couldn't live a single day without her. And even now, Lizzie is still my everything. I hurriedly walked towards the garden. That's where she wants to see me. She's probably waiting there for me. I was right. She's standing on her back while adoring the fountain's li
Elizalde's POV . I was taken aback when Emma messaged me, and for a brief moment, I felt as though my soul had left my body. Despite this, I immediately stepped down from the board of directors meeting. The safety and well-being of Lizzie are of the utmost importance to me, and I cannot forgive myself if anything were to happen to her. I was extremely concerned and anxious. "I'll discuss it with you tomorrow, Zalde." Don sighed in the line, and I gritted my teeth. "Thanks for that, man. See you soon. Bye." After concluding the call, I resumed driving. Lizzie remained silent by my side throughout the journey. I stole a glance at her and noticed her stillness. Her gaze was fixated on the road, mirroring my own. I will discuss this matter once we reach home. I held the car door open for her and silently led her to the kitchen. Once there, she started up the coffee machine with the intention of making a cup for me. I rested my body against the counter and held my arms together unde
Lizzie’s POV . “Thank you for coming, Lizzie. I didn’t expect you would show up.” Kristoff formally stood up and offered the chair to me. I sat down and smiled a little bit at him. “I’ve ordered your favourite drink.” As I gazed upon it, I realised it was no longer my preferred choice of drink. I motioned towards one of the staff members stationed nearby, and she promptly acknowledged my signal. “Can I have a fresh orange juice, please? Thank you.” The staff nodded and trailed off. Kristoff cleared his throat while looking at the drink he had ordered for me. “Sorry, Kristoff, I can no longer consume strong coffee blends. I am only permitted to have decaf, and I already had one cup this morning. I cannot handle another one.” He sighed and nodded a little. “That’s alright. I’m sorry. I forgot that you are pregnant. My bad,” he smiled, trying to act cool about it. But the truth? I know Kristoff is confused and guilty about what happened to us. He made several attempts to contact