It was only 4:00 in the afternoon, but they already had to close the shop. Elizabeth cannot help but to stretch her lips into a smile as she looked at her display counter. They sold all her cakes and cupcakes. They even had to apologize to some customers because they ran out of cakes.
Ellie looked at the paper that Maya handed her. It’s a list of advanced orders from the customers they could not accommodate. This is the first time they had to do something like this!
She cannot help but swallow as she mentally calculated the time she needed to meet these orders, their scheduled orders, and tomorrow’s stock. Looks like I won’t be sleeping tonight, Ellie thought. It’s a happy problem, she consoled herself.
After she finished cleaning up her oven and mopping her kitchen floor, she went out to the store. Like her, Maya and Ryo were busy. He concentrated on counting the money in the till and comparing it with the t
She looked at him as he walked away from her. Like a child, he stomped his feet rather than walked, showing his anger. He hailed a taxi after walking a short distance. His taxi had long gone, but Ellie still continued to look in the direction it took. She didn’t know how long she stood rooted at her place. But a tear rolling down her cheek brought her back to the present. She wiped the solitary tear with the back of her hand, then went back inside her shop. After making sure that she locked up, her feeble feet walked up to her flat. After taking a quick bath, she flopped herself onto the bed. She felt exhausted, physically and mentally. What happened between her and Ryo played back in her mind. She recalled the roller coaster of emotion she rode earlier. Ryo felt so good. Their bodies naturally fit one another. She remembered how wonderful he tasted and how marvelous he made her feel.
Ryo’s warm kisses trailed her body. Each centimeter that his tongue grazed made her hair stand up on its end. She felt tiny currents of electrical tickle the skin his lips worshiped. His fingers elicited the same reaction. They awaken her every nerve. She felt him cup her breasts and his thumb brush on her nipples. They saluted the fingers that pleasured them. She squirmed in satisfaction. Tiny electric waves radiate on her body and congregated in her center. Ryo’s hand traveled down to her belly and stopped in the triangle between her legs. She had waited for him so long to touch her spring. Her legs part to welcome his exploring hand. His finger teased the folds of her lips, then rubbed her hardened knob. She arched her back as she felt herself tingle from his touch. The onslaught of sensation she felt was so strong she let out a loud moan. She writhed her body, arched her back and lifted her bottom. She al
Ryo woke up feeling his head splitting in half, adding to that his parched throat and languid body. “This is probably what death felt like,” he groaned. He sat up, his hands grabbing a handful of hair on each side of his head to suppress the searing pain he felt. “F*ck!” he cursed as the pain the intensity of the throbbing increased. His eyes swept around the room. The assortment of empty bottles scattered around the floor reminded him of how he drowned himself last night to numb the pain he felt. It’s been a long time since he drank this much alcohol. Heck, he did not even bother touching it when he caught Sofia cheating on him. But Ellie wrecked him so badly with just a single word. He could not help but sneer when he thought of Ellie. He searched for her soon as he got back from Paris. Upon learning her whereabouts, he immediately flew to see her.
Ryo woke up feeling his head splitting in half, adding to that his parched throat and languid body. “This is probably what death felt like,” he groaned.He sat up, his hands grabbing a handful of hair on each side of his head to suppress the searing pain he felt.“F*ck!” he cursed as the pain the intensity of the throbbing increased. His eyes swept around the room. The assortment of empty bottles scattered around the floor reminded him of how he drowned himself last night to numb the pain he felt.It’s been a long time since he drank this much alcohol. Heck, he did not even bother touching it when he caught Sofia cheating on him. But Ellie wrecked him so badly with just a single word.He could not help but sneer when he thought of Ellie.He searched for her soon as he got back from Paris. Upon learning her whereabouts, he imme
“Beth?” Ellie’s voice knitted when she heard Beth’s voice. To confirm, she removed the phone from her ear and checked the caller ID. It’s Beth, indeed. “Did I forget anything?” she asked herself.“Ms. Ellie, Maya saw Angelo outside the store. He seems to wait for you.” Beth said, her voice trembling Ellie felt her nervousness.“I see. Thank you, Beth.”“Ms. Ellie, don’t go back yet. I’ll call you again once he’s gone.”“Alright, thank you, Beth”.What does he want? It had been sometime since she last saw him. Since the baby shower where she discovered he had cheated on her yet again, she cut him off already. He did not contact her either until now.She shrugged her shoulders and put the phone back in her bag. Ther
After sending off Beth and Maya, Ryo sat on a chair and played with his phone while he waited for Ellie. He perked up his ears while playing. He has already cleared 10 levels. But there was still no trace of Ellie. His brows furrowed. Looking at his watch, an hour has already passed. “Where the fuck are you. Ellie?” he muttered under his breath. He stood up to go out of the door again. His eyes squinted in the road’s direction leading to her shop, trying to spot her car from a distance. Looking at the horizon before him, he could see the red-orange sky and the bright orb setting at a distance. His jaws popped. For each minute that passed, he felt more and more distressed. Since this morning, an ominous feeling has bothered him. He could not put a finger on what it was. From observing Maya and Beth’s behavior the entire day, he felt Ellie could be in danger.
Ryo scooped Ellie from the ground and carried her up to her living space. He placed her on the floor only to allow her to fish the key from her pocket, then lifted her up again.After settling her on the couch, he went to the bathroom and filled the tub. After he filled the tub, he found Ellie hugging her knees to her chest while she sat on the couch. Her chin rested on them and rocked herself back and forth, while staring blankly into space.His chest tightened at the sight of her. Hair disheveled, her eyes round and unsteady. The corner of her lips swollen and showed signs of bruising. His hands formed into fists on his sides as he recalled how pitiful she looked trying to fend off her attacker.“Ellie…” he softly called her. She did not seem to hear him. He approached her and touched her shoulder. Ryo’s heart broke when she flinched from his touch, and her eyes rounded in fear. Her pa
Ryo woke up to the smell of fried bacon. He shifted on the bed and felt the space beside him. Unlike earlier, he did not get up in panic. He walked up to the corner of her room, finding a familiar paper bag which he knew contained clothes she bought for her brothers. He rummaged through the bag but only found an underwear that fit him. The other clothes were for Vince.A hoodie hanging by her closet handle caught the corner of his eye. The hoodie’s size fit him, but the print and the color screamed they belonged to Ellie. It’s a peach colored hoodie with a cartoon cake slice in front. He smelled it, and Ellie’s faint scent tickled his nose.Ellie had already worn this, he surmised. He shrugged his shoulders and brought the underwear and the hoodie into the bathroom.His quick shower not only cleansed him, but woke him up. He loved the smell of Ellie’s shampoo and body wash on him. After h
“One step back, and you’re back in your comfort zone, assured of what each day would bring you. One step forward, and take a gamble taking a path full of uncertainties. Not knowing if it would give you pain or happiness.” Ellie could not help but shake her head. She gave Ryo the same choices two months ago. Who would have thought it boomeranged to her? She looked at her father with her bright eyes. The tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth deepened as her lips stretched into a smile. She took her father’s arm and made one step forward. His father smiled at her and assisted her as they walked further down the stone path. It felt like her feet were stepping on clouds. She could not feel her feet at all. Her mother waited at the end of the path, behind a closed door. She handed her a bouquet of roses and gave each of her cheeks a peck. Her eyes looked at each of her facial features with such adoration. “You l
It’s been a couple of months since the Academy Awards and Ellie has not heard from Ryo. For each day she has received no message or phone call from him, the heavier her heart felt. But then, didn’t she give him a choice? His nonresponse must be him telling her his choice. She’s fine either way but she hoped to at least spend one more day with him. One more day to look at him, talk to him, and engrave his presence in her memory. Because that day is all she’d have.It’s hard to believe that Ryo was her “the one that got away” because for the life of her, she wanted him to be the one. That one person whom she’d share her morning coffees with. But then, her pride and fear pushed him out of her life. She’s been through many breakups but none felt as painful as Ryo’s. She loved him dearly, and she loves him still. It’s hard losing somebody when you do not see it comin
“I am me and you are you. We could not change it. I wouldn’t change it. Our paths were not meant to cross, but they did. That must mean something, right?Now, I am putting us at another crossroads. We could spend one unforgettable night today and have a lifetime of certainty apart. Or we could have a lifetime together, making each uncertain night unforgettable. Ryo Matsuda, what does your heart tell you?”The camera panned to Ryo, displaying his face. Everyone in the venue and those watching at home could see his shock. But none of them felt the nuclear bombs detonating inside him. What does his heart tell him? Does he need to answer that? He looked at the vacant seat beside him and read the name written on it. Diwa Malaya. He does not know the name. But the words Director Nakamura read connected with him. It spoke to him. His head throbbed from trying
For the umpteenth time, Ryo surveyed his reflection on the full-length mirror before him. His stylists stood around looking at him, waiting for him to say something. The tailored tuxedo fit him like a second skin. The top half of his dark hair tied in a neat man bun at the back of his head while the rest brushed his shoulder. He looked fresh and gorgeous, like the true heartthrob that he is.Only when Ryo gave his smile and nod of approval did his stylists release their breaths. They’re already pressed on time and could not afford a wardrobe, makeup, or hairstyle change.As if on cue, Miyagi entered the room and signaled it’s time to leave. He turned around and walked out of his hotel room down to the parking where his team’s limousine waited. His eyes trained on the scenery outside the window. They’re on their way to the venue for the Academy Awards.The
Several months had passed, and Ellie’s life slowly returned to normal. Like every news in the country, a bigger news popped up and overtook Angelo’s death. The reporters who hounded her soon chased the bigger story and let her be. Social media bashers did the same. She and Diana had a talk months after the media frenzy. She’s still grieving, which mother wouldn’t but she chose to have her peace. After their long and heartfelt talk, Diana has forgiven Ellie. She also asked forgiveness for her son’s shortcomings. At first, it confused Ellie when Diana said the perpetrator’s family came forward and confessed. She said it was one of Angelo’s flings. The girl loved him so much and when he broke things with her; she committed suicide. The girl’s father could not accept her daughter’s fate and plotted revenge. Ellie kept her silence. It still amazed her how much influence Ryo’s family had. This time, they ma
“What do you plan to do, Ellie?” he asked as he stroked her back. They were lying on her bed, holding each other.“I don’t know, Ryo. Everything’s happening too fast. I’m overwhelmed.” She took a deep breath, then snuggled closer to him. “Part of me wanted to get away from all this. But another part of me forces me to stay, to face this. My conscience is clean, Ryo. It never crossed my mind to harm Angelo. I did not hire people to kill him. I couldn’t… I wouldn’t do that. And if I flee, it’s like I am saying I’m guilty of their accusations. I’m not.”Ryo felt her shuddering against him. Her tears wet his bare chest. The sobs she tried to suppress stabbed his heart. His jaws clenched, listening to her pain. How did things end up this way? Of everyone who has to suffer, why does it have to be her? She who had done nothing.
“Why are you here?” Ellie asked after crying her eyes out. Her icy hands cupped his face. Last time she checked his calendar, he’s booked solid.“I heard what happened. I have to be here.” His tender eyes scanned her face. His finger wiped her tears away. The way she looked broke her. Ellie’s not always made up. Her hair always seemed messy. Lip tint and a faint blush were the most makeup she wore. But she always wore her sunny disposition. It never failed to light up the room. But now, the sun did not seem to shine on her. Fear replaced the brilliance in her eyes.Ryo tugged her closer and brought his lips to her. He wanted to comfort her and he did not know how to do it with words. His lips touched on hers with such tenderness and longing. “I’m sorry, mahal ko.”Ellie, who felt so caught in a
“Let’s go to the old mansion,” Ryo said as he stood up from the couch. Still in costume, he strode out of the trailer and into the waiting Bentley. Since earning his own money, Ryo rarely visited the old mansion. It lacked the warmth of a home he experienced with Ellie’s and her family’s. Soji, his grandfather’s butler, opened the main door for him. They were expecting him. It only means they’re already aware of what’s happening with Ellie.“Young Master, Master is waiting for you at the Clan hall.” Soji stated as he bowed his head.With long and steady strides, Ryo walked towards the fourth basement of the mansion. Yellow fluorescent lights illuminated the cold corridors. A metal door was at the end of the hall. A man used to guard this door, but with technology, various biometric
Ellie had been busy with the preparation for moving to Japan. First thing she did was to inform her family about her decision. Like she predicted, although they did not stop her, they were sad she had to move far from home. She assured her family she’d keep her communication lines open and will call them regularly.She also informed Beth and Maya about her decision. Both were there to see hers and Ryo’s love story and supported the couple. But then they were both breadwinners of their families. The money they earned helped in their family expenses. So, facing the possibility of losing a job disheartened them. They did not need to say it, Ellie knew this.The universe seemed to work in Ellie’s favor. Her friend who helped her source her coffee beans has put up a coffee shop. As a regular customer of her shop, he is familiar with Beth and Maya. So Ellie did not need to say much. The ladies’ work ethics have spoken for them. They will star