Mathilda couldn’t sit still as she paced back and forth in her office. Lilliane had been absent for several days and had not answered any of her calls or messages, which worried her.
If she hadn’t asked earlier whether Lilliane had come to work today, she wouldn’t have known that she had been absent for several days. Tasks that were supposed to be Lilliane’s had been left undone. Mathilda clenched her fists, seething with anger at the thought that her niece was running away and hiding from them. With heavy feet, she marched out of her office. She needed to act now. “Carla!” “Ma’am,” Carla startled and stood up abruptly at her boss’s sudden shout. Carla couldn’t help but feel frightened and slightly step back at the sight of Mathilda’s anger. “I need to know where Lilliane is right now!” she shouted through gritted teeth, oblivious to the curious employees glancing their way. “Y-yes, Ma’am.” “I won’t let her get away with whatever she’s planning or thinking,” she said, almost whispering that last part to herself, but it was still loud enough for Carla to hear. If her intuition was correct that Lilliane was running away and hiding from them, Mathilda knew it was probably because of her upcoming marriage to Mr. Fuentes. She was well aware that Lilliane was vehemently opposed to it, and she wouldn’t allow her plans and aspirations to be thwarted. “But Ma’am, how can I find Miss Lilliane if—” “Tonta! (1)” she yelled, her eyes wide with fury, causing Carla to retreat again. “Go to her condo unit right now! See if you can find any sign of where she is—or if she has left!” “O-okay,” Carla stammered. Carla quickly left and hurried out of the building. Upon arriving at Lilliane’s condo unit, she immediately inserted the spare key Mathilda had given her before she dashed off. She was greeted by a dark and eerily silent unit. She fumbled for the light switch and was momentarily blinded when the room lit up. The unit was clean and orderly. She caught sight of a door that presumably led to Lilliane’s bedroom, noticing it was slightly ajar. She walked over and pushed the door open. Turning on the light, she was confronted with a messy bed, heels scattered on the floor, and the soft blush pink dress that Lilliane had taken off. Her lips parted in surprise as she scanned the entire room. The closet door was slightly open, with several clothes hanging askew and some having fallen off their hangers. She sensed that something was off, so she immediately called her boss Mathilda to inform her of her findings. In her thorough inspection of the unit, she knew that there was no sign that Lilliane had been there. “Ma’am, it seems you were right; Miss Lilliane isn’t here,” she reported, her voice tinged with worry and concern. “Her room is also a mess. Her dress and heels are still here, scattered on the floor.” Mathilda took a deep, calming breath, filled with rage and frustration. Lilliane could not get away from her! “Some of her things are still here, but it seems her personal belongings are missing,” Carla continued, rifling through one of the drawers. “She did this on purpose! She can’t ruin everything I’ve worked for!” Carla winced and pulled the cellphone away from her ear due to Mathilda’s outburst. She could feel the intensity of her boss’s anger in her voice. If it weren’t for her need for a job and how difficult it was to find another, she would have left NexTech long ago after the Olivares couple had died. She could no longer tolerate the behavior of the sister of the former owner of the company she served. Richard lifted his head from the papers he was reading when Mathilda barged into his office, slamming the door open. “Richard!” Mathilda called her husband’s name with a growl, not bothering to close the door behind her. He furrowed his brows as he took in the sight of his wife. “What’s wrong, Mathilda? Why are you shouting?” “That brilliant niece of yours has run away from us!” “What?” “That Lilliane! I thought everything was clear to her, and she agreed to marry Mr. Fuentes!” The veins in her neck were bulging as she shouted those words. “Could you please lower your voice? You’re causing a scene.” Richard spoke calmly but firmly. He walked to the office door and shut it. Mathilda stood there, arms crossed, still fuming. “Are you sure about what you’re saying?” “Yes!” The fire in her eyes intensified as she replied. “That wretch is going to embarrass us! I won’t allow her to succeed in whatever she’s planning! I won’t let this company fall; I won’t allow myself to be dragged through the mud!” Richard took a deep breath and scratched his head, concerned about his wife’s outburst. If Mathilda was correct in her assumptions, they needed to find Lilliane immediately. This runaway act could cause significant trouble and headache, especially since Mr. Fuentes had already given a substantial amount of money to help NexTech Solutions recover from bankruptcy. “We need to act now. We will do everything we can to find that annoying woman! At any cost!” The thought of Mr. Fuentes only aggravated Mathilda further. The old man was impatient, wanting to rush into the wedding without even bothering with an engagement party. He was eager to tie the knot with Lilliane as soon as possible. Mathilda understood why he was in such a hurry. Ever since Lilliane was a minor, the old man had been eyeing her—he wanted that young body! She also needed to come up with a way to prevent Fuentes from knowing that Lilliane was missing because if he found out, they would be in serious trouble, along with the company. “If we can’t locate her in the city, we need to broaden our search outside the city. To the nearby provinces—and Fuentes must not find out!” Richard declared, his head throbbing from the knowledge that Lilliane was evading them. “What’s our plan?” Mathilda asked. “I will have some of our men scour the entire city. And if Lilliane is not here, they will do whatever it takes to search outside the city.” Mathilda exhaled sharply. “We cannot let Lilliane succeed in her plans,” Mathilda insisted. “We need to find her and ensure that my—our plans are not ruined.” Her anger and hatred towards her niece intensified now. Breathless and in a hurry, Lilliane was running through a crowded yet chaotic area. Yesterday, she noticed some men behaving suspiciously; it seemed they were looking for someone. A wave of panic washed over her, and she feared that Mathilda knew she had run away and was now searching for her. Earlier that morning, she was about to buy pandesal (2) at a nearby bakery when she saw a man asking questions. When she caught a glimpse of the photo he was holding, her eyes widened, and she quickly ran back to her apartment. Without hesitation, she grabbed her travel bag and left her apartment. She also put on a black jacket and tucked her flowing hair under a baseball cap. She was filled with anxiety as she navigated the streets, unsure of where to go next. She didn’t know how Mathilda had found out she was in Las Piñas. Lilliane casually glanced behind her, slightly bowing her head. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw one of her aunt’s men drawing closer. She quickened her pace, trying to remain undetected by her aunt’s men who were searching for her. Lilliane turned into a crowded area, looking for a way to escape. Her nerves were frayed, and she felt dizzy. She wondered where she could hide so that her aunt would not be able to track her down. In her state of confusion, she flagged down an oncoming taxi. She got in, pondering where to find a safe place. “Ma’am, where to?” Lilliane snapped back to reality. “Is there a bank nearby, Manong (3)? Please take me there.” The taxi drove off, and Lilliane tried to calm herself. She decided to withdraw some money to give the impression that she hadn’t left the area. She now knew that this was why Mathilda had tracked her down. She also realized that Mathilda would use her banking transactions to trace her whereabouts. So, she needed to mislead them while she thought about where she should go and hide. *** FOOTNOTES (1) Tonta: A colloquial Filipino term that translates to “fool” or “idiot” in English, often used derogatorily to described someone perceived as lacking intelligence or making foolish decisions. The term can vary in tone from playful among friends to more serious depending on context. (2) Pandesal: A popular Filipino bread roll that is slightly sweet and made with flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. It is commonly enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack, often paired with coffee, cheese, or various spreads. The name translates to “salt bread” in English, though it is not salty in taste. (3) Manong: A term used in the Philippines to address older males as a sign of respect. It is often used for elder brothers, uncles, or any older male figure.After Lilliane withdrew some money, she got back into a taxi. “Where to, Ma’am?” “Take me to...” she paused, thinking. When her stomach grumbled and her throat seemed to crave hot coffee, she said, “Do you know any coffee shop outside of Las Piñas?” The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “It’s already in Laguna, Ma’am.” She licked her dry lips and softly nodded. “Okay, Manong, let’s go to Laguna.” She leaned back against the seat to try to rest her weary body. “Are you alright, Ma’am?” Lilliane caught a glimpse of the older driver watching her from the rearview mirror and awarded him a small smile as she nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She closed her eyes. She didn’t know how long she would run and hide. Just thinking about how this would be for the coming months and years made her feel exhausted. Truth be told, she didn’t know much about commuting or going places. Her whole life revolved around home, school, and work. She didn’t have many friends. She noticed t
A soft knock drew Miguel’s attention away from the papers he was reading. Moments later, Beatrice’s head peeked through the slightly open door as she pushed it further.“Miguel, Agus is here,” she informed him.“Let him in, Manang.”The door opened wider, allowing a tall, moreno, and muscular man to step in. Quietly, he shut the door behind him and faced the man seated behind the wide mahogany desk.“Balita (1), Miguel?” he greeted his friend.The corner of Miguel’s mouth lifted after Agus greeted him. He leaned back into his chair, his eyes locking onto Agus.They had known each other since their college days. When Miguel took an interest in Lilliane, he decided to hire Agus as a private investigator.Like Miguel, Agus was also part of a private and mysterious organization that had been around for centuries, serving select individuals—people like him. Agus’ presence always seemed to bring secrets from a dark corner of the world.“Do you have news about the person I asked you to find?
The growing tension inside the spacious living room of the Olivares mansion could be felt between Mathilda and Arnulfo due to the latter’s harsh words. A maid who was about to enter the room froze at the entrance and decided not to approach any further. She automatically retreated back to the dining area. Arnulfo’s aura was still dark, and both of them could feel the simmering anger and restraint, especially with the knowledge that they had kept something as important as Lilliane’s disappearance from him. Mathilda’s lips began to quiver as she thought of an excuse. “M-Mr. Fuentes,” she forced a nervous smile. “We didn’t expect that you would visit. Thank you very much for coming.” Her smile was strained. Arnulfo remained silent, raising his brow, his eyes still clouded with anger. “Do you not realize how serious the situation you’re in right now is?” His gaze alternated between the two. “Especially you, Mathilda,” he said, locking eyes with her, causing her to fidget uncomfortabl
“Señor,” said the tall man with a serious expression after entering Arnulfo’s office in his mansion. He slightly bowed in respect to his boss.Arnulfo’s face remained stern; his gaze fixed into the distance. Then, he turned his chair to face the man.The only light in the room came from a lampshade. Ruel could see the blank expression on the old man’s face.“How is the task I gave you, Ruel?”“I have informed all our men about the search for Miss Lilliane. I have also provided them with the details they need to quickly locate your fiancée. They are under strict orders to find her swiftly and discreetly, so she doesn’t get suspicious.”As soon as he left the Olivares mansion earlier, he had informed Ruel about this task. No time should be wasted.“Good,” Arnulfo said seriously.“We can expect one of them to return with information as soon as possible.”“Make sure there are no mistakes in your orders. We need to find Lilliane as soon as possible, even if we have to use force.”He was gr
Lilliane was dropped off by the jeepney at the Petron corner in GMA, Cavite. The driver said that was the last stop, and he could catch another ride to Laguna before the boundary.She glanced around. Despite it being nine in the evening, there were still a few people scattered around the area, and some establishments remained open.She approached the vendor selling Japanese cakes. There were a few pieces left, and she bought five with yema (1) flavor.“Do you know of any motels around here?” she asked.The vendor pointed to her left, and she followed the direction of his hand.“That building over there,” he said, indicating a three-story structure overlooking the highway. “That’s a motel, ma’am.”She took the cakes and thanked him. But as she realized she might not have enough time or money for a motel check-in, she turned back to the vendor.“Bed... space for females? Do you know any, kuya? (2)”The thin man looked up at her.“I might be short on cash,” she reasoned. “I’ll leave by m
Lilliane had never experienced riding a bus and traveling far before; this was her first time.She admitted to herself that she was both anxious and scared because it felt like she was heading into the unknown.When she arrived at the bus terminal in Pasay earlier, she had no idea what to do. She asked around if there was a bus headed north—only to find out that the bus bound for Dagupan, Pangasinan had just left. The next available trip north was to Tuguegarao at one in the afternoon.She didn’t know the place and had never been there before, but it seemed like a good destination for someone like her, who had something to escape from and hide.Lilliane couldn’t help but start feeling uneasy. So, when the conductor of the bus bound for Tuguegarao announced that passengers could now board, she hurriedly joined the others.She chose to sit at the back, by the window. She kept her aviator sunglasses and baseball cap on, not wanting to let her guard down.It was already ten in the evening
A two-storey house came into view as Lilliane got off the tricycle. It seemed to have been built after the Second World War, one of those houses referred to as “post-war”.Lilliane noticed the large windows, making her think that the house must be well-ventilated, allowing the breeze to flow freely inside. It was also evident that the house was well-maintained, as its beauty remained despite the passage of time and the modernization around it. There were no visible cracks or damages on the wooden walls, and the roof seemed to have been freshly painted.The house also had a spacious yard, surrounded by tall trees of various kinds. There were also flowering plants that added to the beauty of the large front yard. It seemed like a perfect place to sit and relax under the towering trees.Earlier, as they rode the tricycle from the terminal, Lilliane couldn’t help but notice the lush green surroundings.She was delighted as she gazed around, seeing nothing but mountains and rice fields. It
“I’m here, Arnulfo, my love!” Scarlet announced seductively, her voice high-pitched as she entered the mansion’s towering double doors. She sashayed provocatively through the expansive living room, dressed in a red dress with a plunging neckline that proudly showcased her ample chest. The fabric clung to her wide hips, and the dress fell just below her knees. Her nude strappy stilettos gave height to her otherwise short frame. Scarlet stopped in the middle of the living room and dramatically flipped her long hair, which had partially obscured the side of her face. Her originally straight hair was now curled to add flair. She surveyed the room. The mansion was eerily quiet, as though no one lived there. A moment later, one of Arnulfo’s maids appeared, and Scarlet couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, silently mocking her with her eyes. From what she knew, this was the youngest maid in the mansion, only eighteen years old, while the others were significantly older. What really caught
The entire room fell silent. The stares directed at Mathilda grew more intense. Richard exhaled harshly and rubbed his temples.The topic shifted back to Lilliane, and he didn’t know how to shield his wife from the accusations when even he was unaware of some of her decisions and plans for the company.The murmurs began after Mr. Lim’s sharp words.“Is that the strategy you’re talking about? Is that why you’ve been tirelessly searching for her to use her as payment for what Fuentes can provide to save the company?” Mr. Lim snarled through gritted teeth. “Shame on you, Mathilda. You’re willing to sacrifice your own niece to fix the problems you created.”Mathilda’s neck stiffened, but she managed a faint smile. However, it did little to quell the anxiety spreading in her chest, like a tiny flame touching dry hay, impossible to extinguish right away.The matter of her niece’s disappearance and the issue of forcing her to marry Fuentes had now become the focus of the shareholders’ ire.“
“You made a huge mistake, Mathilda!” Mr. Briones shouted, his voice trembling with fury, unable to hold back any longer. As a prominent shareholder, he had always been passionate about his investments.Those words exploded in the air, releasing the intense tension that had been simmering in the NexTech Solutions conference room. The boiling anger of the shareholders became palpable within the four walls of that room.The large table was surrounded by people in business attire, some holding folders filled with documents. Their eyes were ablaze, filled with frustration and resentment as they glared at Mathilda, who stood before them. An emergency meeting was underway.They couldn’t believe that the once-thriving and leading technology company in the Philippines had fallen into such a dire situation. It felt as though they were crawling through the mud, struggling to rise no matter what they tried.The shareholders’ fists clenched involuntarily, and their jaws tightened. They had investe
Lilliane let out a deep sigh. She had no other choice but to face the truth and the situation, no matter how difficult it was.She decided to get out of bed and placed the shirt on it. She walked toward an antique vanity mirror and sat on the chair in front of it.She couldn’t help but admire the elegant design of the vanity dresser, made of narra wood, and the mirror itself.Since the day she saw it, she’d been in awe of its intricately carved designs. Her vanity table in her room at the mansion and even in her condo unit didn’t compare to this one.According to Consuelo, it had been there since the house was built. When Consuelo saw her gazing at the vanity mirror, she explained that it was made in Ilocos Norte by one of the best craftsmen in the province, and that the design reflected the art and tradition of the region.The designs she saw around the mirror and on the dresser table were traditional Ilocano motifs.Despite its decades of age, it still looked brand new.After taking
Lilliane cupped the man’s jaw as they both felt the gentle caress of their lips against each other, eyes closed, savoring the softness and sweetness of each kiss.She felt his hand lovingly trail from her smooth shoulder, across her left chest, down to the curve of her waist, stopping at her thigh. His touch sent delightful shivers through her, while his lips left a trail from her cheek to her jawline.Unable to hold back, Lilliane moaned softly with every brush of his mouth and hands against her smooth skin. His hand, which had been exploring her body, now gripped her rounded thigh tightly, almost possessively.Her body arched, eyes shut, her lips letting out soft, blissful moans and whimpers. Her center and chest yearned for deeper attention. She felt like she was running out of breath with each press of his lips and tongue on her soft, smooth skin.Unable to control herself, her hips began to move and sway in the air from the intense, ticklish sensation building within her.She fel
A gentle knock interrupted Lilliane as she combed her short hair. She set the comb down and walked over to her bedroom door.Consuelo stood there, smiling, when she opened it.“Are you ready?”She gave a faint smile and nodded softly.Consuelo was going to accompany her to the clinic before heading to school.Their journey to the doctor was silent, and they hardly spoke while in the tricycle.Lilliane didn’t know what to feel. She was nervous, mixed with a bit of excitement she couldn’t quite understand.Her mind wandered to various thoughts—things that could potentially change her life if Consuelo’s suspicions proved true.She suddenly thought of her situation.She couldn’t hide and run forever. She didn’t want her child to live in a chaotic situation. Nor could they hide forever together.Thinking about Mathilda made her anxious and uneasy. What would happen if they found out she was pregnant—if she already had a child?She closed her eyes.She was starting to feel stressed from her
Could you be pregnant?Consuelo’s words echoed like a siren’s call.Lilliane was stunned, staring at her after hearing those words. Her heart pounded, and she felt her entire system quake in response.She shook her head slightly, still gazing at her, refusing to believe it. Maybe it was just a mistaken assumption, and it seemed impossible to happen.But when she recalled that one night with a stranger—whose face she couldn’t even remember—and the heated moments they had shared multiple times, it only strengthened Consuelo’s suspicion.But it was just one night! A part of her mind insisted.One night, but he claimed you multiple times! countered another voice.Lilliane’s eyes dropped to the sink.She had just finished vomiting. And like before, nothing came out but thick saliva.She began trembling.What if she really was pregnant? What would she do? How could she explain it to Consuelo when she had told her she was hiding from her family and the man they wanted her to marry, and now s
“Arnulfo,” she said in a flirtatious tone as she leaned on him, her fingers playing with the fine hairs on his chest.“Hmm,”“Why are you wasting your time on her?” she referred to Lilliane.When the news reached her that he was going to marry the daughter of the then-renowned tech mogul, her whole being was shaken. She was immediately filled with intense anger and jealousy.If he were to marry another woman, he might not have time for her anymore. She didn’t want to share Arnulfo with anyone, even though she secretly had affairs with older fellow celebrities. Most them were already well-known in showbiz.Arnulfo was different for her when it came to intimacy. Only with this older man did she feel and taste the true pleasure that the others couldn’t give her.No matter how handsome and dashing those actors were, whether she worked with them or not, none of them could compare to Arnulfo in bed. She could only flirt with the young actors of her generation, but she had no intention of pu
“I’m here, Arnulfo, my love!” Scarlet announced seductively, her voice high-pitched as she entered the mansion’s towering double doors. She sashayed provocatively through the expansive living room, dressed in a red dress with a plunging neckline that proudly showcased her ample chest. The fabric clung to her wide hips, and the dress fell just below her knees. Her nude strappy stilettos gave height to her otherwise short frame. Scarlet stopped in the middle of the living room and dramatically flipped her long hair, which had partially obscured the side of her face. Her originally straight hair was now curled to add flair. She surveyed the room. The mansion was eerily quiet, as though no one lived there. A moment later, one of Arnulfo’s maids appeared, and Scarlet couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, silently mocking her with her eyes. From what she knew, this was the youngest maid in the mansion, only eighteen years old, while the others were significantly older. What really caught
A two-storey house came into view as Lilliane got off the tricycle. It seemed to have been built after the Second World War, one of those houses referred to as “post-war”.Lilliane noticed the large windows, making her think that the house must be well-ventilated, allowing the breeze to flow freely inside. It was also evident that the house was well-maintained, as its beauty remained despite the passage of time and the modernization around it. There were no visible cracks or damages on the wooden walls, and the roof seemed to have been freshly painted.The house also had a spacious yard, surrounded by tall trees of various kinds. There were also flowering plants that added to the beauty of the large front yard. It seemed like a perfect place to sit and relax under the towering trees.Earlier, as they rode the tricycle from the terminal, Lilliane couldn’t help but notice the lush green surroundings.She was delighted as she gazed around, seeing nothing but mountains and rice fields. It