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
“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
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
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
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
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