Ten years later…RUBY was observing Adam since earlier. He couldn't sit still. He had almost walked around every corner of their room."Hey, sit down. You won't be able to resolve our problem if you keep acting like that. You need to calm down and rest, Adam.""Tss, Ruby, how can I calm down? ALV is facing a financial crisis right now, and I can't even be sure if Whitlock Corporation is also involved." Her husband's voice was filled with bitterness."Adam, let's just leave it to the police. They are already investigating the case.""No way, Ruby! I've invested a lot of effort and hard work into ALV! I won't let it go bankrupt just like that.""I understand. That's why the police are looking into whose bank account is involved in stealing from our company. Go ahead, have a meal and take a rest to clear your mind.""Do you think I can eat while thinking about that problem?""Adam, your health is more important than the company. The company can be replacerable if it faces bankruptcy, as
RUBY felt sad seeing her daughter suffering. Their daughter had nothing to do with the challenges they were facing in their lives at the moment. However, she couldn't do anything when it was Adam who made the decisions. She knew he wouldn't do anything to harm their daughter's life.Ava is doing well in Whitlock Corporation. After graduating from college, Adam immediately trained her in the company, so she is somewhat skilled in dealing with businessmen. Sometimes, it seemed to her that Ava was even better than her.While they were both relaxing in the room, she promptly addressed her husband. "Adam, are you certain about the solution you have devised for the company's issue?"He sat on the edge of the bed, gazing directly at her. "Yes. I don't want to lose my companies. And I don't want Ava to endure hardship. She's not accustomed to a difficult life. She will struggle and-""But it will be even more difficult for her if she marries a man she doesn't love.""Ruby, I understand your c
AVA found it hard to eat with the man she loathed sitting across from her. The mere presence of him in the same room filled her with disgust, making her feel nauseous. Unable to bear his company any longer, she excused herself from the table, leaving her unfinished meal behind. She had reached her limit; she couldn't stand being with him another minute. She needed to escape, so she went outside to seek solace in the garden.Ava found peace in the garden, watching the flowers dance in the gentle breeze. The fresh air invigorated her, and she wrapped her arms around herself as if to hold onto the feeling. With a deep sigh, she questioned herself, Can you still do it, Ava? It’s so tiring, isn’t it? All my life, I’ve done nothing but to conformed my parents expectations. I’m twenty-five years old, but all my decisions in life still depend on them. Why can’t I decide for myself? She let all her emotions out of frustration. She buried her face on her knees and ended up sobbing.“Why is the
WHILE they were eating breakfast, Ruby received a call from Maureen. She excused herself and answer the call.“Hello, Maureen.”“Oh, sorry to call you this so early, Ruby. I just wanted to apologize for not showing up last night. I’m so busy and my husband told me to meet you all on our next dinner.”“Yeah, it’s okay. We can set another dinner tonight if you’re free.” She suggested."Sure. I also want to see Ava. I'm sure she looks really beautiful now. Anyway, how was their first dinner with Trevor? Did they get along?""Uhm, Maureen, sorry but it didn't go well. To be honest, they didn't really get to know each other.""Whoah, really? But they were already grown-ups the last time they saw each other.""Yeah. Well, after that, they didn't meet again because Trevor stayed in Australia.""Hmm, I see. So, let's have dinner later?""Sure, Maureen."After she talked to Maureen, Adam immediately asked her upon returning to the table, "What did Maureen say?""She said they're free tonight a
AVA still couldn't let go the feeling of disgust from Trevor's kiss that morning. Even back home, the memory lingered, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. "Ugh! What should I put on my lips to get rid of his germs?" she thought, grimacing.Just as she was about to enter the mansion, she overheard her parents arguing in the living room. Intrigued, she stopped at the doorway and tried to listen in on their conversation."Then, what should we do?" she heard her mom asked."I don't need to repeat that over and over, Ruby!" her father responded."But Adam, It's not Ava’s responsibility." Her mom's voice began to crack."I have no choice! And you know that!"Ava just covered her mouth and tried not to cry. I know they are arguing about the company again.“Is there any update from the police? What’s the latest information regarding the bank account where the stolen funds from ALV and Whitlock Corporation are being deposited?”"Not yet, but they're sure that the owner of the bank account is
“MR. SCOTT, I'm here, not to argue with you. I'm here because of the-" she suddenly stopped. Ava’s tongue seemed to retract when she spoke about the freaking marriage."Hmm, because of what?" there was a teasing tone in his voice."Gosh! Don't tease me anymore. Yes, I look miserable now. And I'll admit, this is the first time that I'm going to have a serious conversation with you.""Tss, so does it mean that you're really agreed now on marrying me?" he asked."Yeah.""Okay. I will ask my personal secretary to organize everything so we can get married right away." He said and was about to stand up but she quickly stopped him."We're not done talking yet." she complained."Huh? Why? Do you have anything else to say?""Tss, what kind of question is that? Of course we need to talk. We need to plan everything before we-""Plan? This is just a fake marriage! So, what other plan that you want?" he asked irritably.She didn't answer right away. He is right, this is just a fake marriage. So, s
WHEN the Scott family finally left, Adam immediately invited Ruby to their room."Let's sleep. We still have a lot of things to do tomorrow."His wife simply nodded and followed him silently. When they reached the room, Adam's phone suddenly rang."Hello, Mr. Whitlock," said the voice on the other line. It was the detective who handled the company's case."Yes, Detective Conor?""Sir, we have found out who owns the bank account in Singapore.""Who is it?" “Amethyst Cordova. Do you know her, sir?”Adam ddn't immediately respond. He felt like his tongue suddenly retracted."Hey, Adam... are you okay?" Ruby reprimanded him. If she hadn't asked, he might not have snapped back to reality. He just nodded to his wife and continued talking on the phone."Yeah. I know her. I thought she was completely out of my life.""Sir, she is also the CEO of Golden Lotus Corporation.""What? How does it happen?" the heavy revelation from earlier weighed even more with that statement from the Detective. "H
IT’S been a while since Ava was in a daze while sitting in her swivel chair. Until now, she still can't fully imagine that since then, Trevor's family has entered their lives. And that Amethyst was ruining their lives again.She just got back to her senses when Trisha suddenly spoke in front of her."Ma'am, Mr. Scott called a while ago.""Huh? What did he say?""He said that you need to call him before this day ends.""Tss, so arrogant! Okay, I will call him, Trish. Thanks for letting me know.""Okay, ma'am. Excuse me." Trisha said immediately returning to her swivel chair.She called Trevor and he answered right away."Brat!" he said on the other line."My secretary said that you were calling a while ago. Do you need anything?""Tss, do you think I'll call if I don't need anything, from you?" he said that full of irritation in his voice.“You’re so annoying! I'm asking you a serious question!""Really? Serious question huh! You know me, I don't want to waste my time.""Whatever!" she
AVA has been messed up since earlier. She's not happy after knowing that Amethyst and Allison got into a car accident. She can't accept the fact that they died so easily. She want them to suffer in jail but that would never happen again.She didn't even acknowledge the other employees who greeted her in the hallway. Until now, she hasn't gotten over what happened yesterday. She had an argument with Trevor because she insisted on returning to the company that made her more irritated."Ma'am Ava, have some coffee first. You've been out of it since earlier. You had coffee at home, but it seems like it still has no effect." Trisha said after placing the black coffee she brewed in front of her. It's still steaming, and the aroma is really enticing. So without hesitation, she immediately took it and savored the delicious smell."Drink it, don't just smell it!" Trisha insisted while watching her with the coffee."It's still hot, how can I sip that?" she complained."Tsk... that's why it's ca
WHEN Trisha left, Trevor suddenly arrived."Why are you here again?" she asked."Tell me...are you pregnant?"She stared at him blankly."What kind of question is that? How can I get pregnant if I don't have a husband? What? I did it all by myself?""Tss, don't answer me with such nonsense words. I'm seriously asking Ava!""Gosh! I'm not.""Then why are you acting so weird lately?"She burst out laughing. "I used to be weird. Is that still surprising?""Ava! I'm serious here!" he insisted, obviously cringing at her."I know. Leave now! I want to work here alone." she pushed him away."I won't leave until you do not confess!""Hey, I don't have anything to confess!""Gosh! You're getting on my nerves! I'm really going to kiss you if you still don't answer sensibly.""Oh, I'm scared!" she still teased him.He gave her a threatening look. But she had the courage to resist his gaze.Eventually, he also gave up and left his office without saying a word.So, she couldn't help but to smile a
ITS been one month since they got back in Fairbanks, Trevor continued to coax her and visit her at the house. At first, her dad was mad at him after knowing that Trevor disrespect and cheated her wife but this time she had no idea what he did to make her dad suddenly be kind to him again.She was just surprised one morning when she woke up. They were happily talking on the terrace while they both had a cup of coffee.Ava didn't bother them anymore so she just went back to her room. But while walking back to her room, she was surprised to see her mom smiling from ear-to-ear."What's with that smile mom?"She burst out laughing before answering her with another question."Why? Aren't you happy that Trevor and your dad are okay again?""Mommy!""Hmm, of course, when they're okay, there's a possibility that you and Trevor will be okay as well," her mother insisted."Gosh! You ruined my day again!" she complained and left her."Have breakfast so you can take your vitamins." she yelled
WHEN she woke up the next day, Trevor was no longer by her side. She suddenly felt fear. Ava thought that maybe he left her after what happened to them last night."Trevor!" she called his name, but she did not receive any response from him.She went out of the nipa hut and called him again. She looked around, but she still couldn't find Trevor.Disappointed, she sat on the edge of the bench outside the nipa hut. Until she didn't notice that there were tears running down her cheeks."What if he goes back in Fairbanks? What if all the good things that he did to me in this resort were all just a lie? What if he did that just to satisfy his needs?" all those questions came together in her mind, causing her to start crying.She buried her face on her knees. Insolently, she cried out loud. Because Trevor is the only thing on her mind right now.A few minutes passed and still no Trevor showed up.He left me.After a while, it seemed that the weight of her chest was reduced. That's why she e
THEY both gasped in breath as their lips parted."You responded to my kiss! Now tell me that you didn't love me, Ava! Tell me!" he said bitterly."Tss, that's not important, Trevor!" she snorted in disgust and immediately stepped back to get away from him."Ava!" he shouted, but she just kept stepping back away. "Stop! Let's talk properly while—”Trevor didn't even finish what he was going to say because suddenly Ava groaned in pain."Ouch!" she shouted and she was surprised when she lifted her foot. Even though it was dark, Ava could feel a liquid dripping from her foot. And she was certain it's blood."Hey, what happened?" he shouted worriedly and ran as he was approached."I stepped on something sharp. I don't know what that is."He immediately touched her foot and it's actually bleeding. "Calm down, okay? I'll treat this wound." He said and she was surprised when he again carried her back to the suite. But this time she didn't complain anymore. The only thing on her mind was to st
VA stayed in her suite all day. Because Trevor didn't leave either. He was like a dog tailing her at every move she made."Gosh, will you please get out of here? You have your own suite, right?" she snorted at Trevor, who had been lying on the bed while busy on his cellphone."Yes, I have. But I prefer to stay here.""Tss, Trevor, you're just wasting your time. You had better go back to Fairbanks!""No! I will stay here as long as you are here!""What? But how about, Allison? Does she know this nonsense thing that you're doing?""Allison's left me!"She burst out laughing after hearing what he said."Really? So, that's why you're here, so I can fill in the—”"Shut up! I mean you are here, okay? Don't bother Allison because she's in Singapore now!"Ava laughed again. "Why? Is it because she has lost hope of getting all your wealth? Did she think that I would never come back and that I would not be able to sign our divorce papers?""Ava, I'm sorry for everything, okay? I didn't know tha
SHE experienced extreme delight that day while spending time with Ernest. All day, they spent in the water. They went scuba diving first thing in the morning, and when they got bored, they went fishing. This time, they are giggling sharply and making seawater splashes like children."Gosh! I don't want it anymore! I'm about to go deaf! My ears are full of water." she complained, but she continued to splash the water on his face.When they were tired, they both sat on the beach."Thanks, Ava! You really made my day!" Ernest said."Tss, I should be the one who said that. You really made me happy all day.""Hmm, wait a minute! I thought of something and I should have done it earlier," Ernest said, as he left in a hurry."Huh? Where are you going?" he shouted, but he was running so fast.Ava just let him leave and waited for him to come back.He was smiling from ear to ear when he returned. And to her surprise, when she turned around, he suddenly pressed the capture button of his camera.
MORE than a week has passed since she spent alone her vacation in this resort. After the event in their company, she decided to went on a vacation to at least calm her mind and heart.She found scuba diving to be such a fun activity that it really helped her to forget about the issues she left in Fairbanks.While she was busy meditating on the beach, a tall and handsome man approached her."Hi, can I sit here?" That voice made her stare at him. Sounds familiar."Uhm...Ah..." Ava stuttered in answering. So, the man noticed that she was becoming anxious."Oh, sorry if I scared you. By the way, my name is Ernest," He said as he extended his right hand.She was too embarrassed not to accept it, especially since he even bothered to kneel in front of her just to make their height equal."A-Ava.""Ava!" he repeated her name. "Hmm, sounds familiar, but I can't remember where and when I heard it.""Sir, there are a lot of names like Ava in the world, so, it is not surprising that my name is fa
AVA and Trevor were quiet in the car until they reached the company. As Ava was about to enter the office, Trevor grabbed her hand, surprising her."What about the interview? Did you do that for Allison to see?" he asked.Ava burst out laughing. "Of course, she'll probably watch that. The whole world has already seen it," she said, still laughing.Trisha looked at them with a frown."Ava, I know you did it on purpose.""Wait a minute! Instead of saying thank you, coz I covered up what you were doing with your mistress, but look at you, you're still mad at me! Gosh! You don’t know how to appreciate my efforts for you.""Liar! I have a feeling that you had some other reason for why you did that.""It's up to you what you want to think of. I don't want to explain to someone who doesn't want to listen to my explanation. Please, go to your office and calm down. And if you did not stop accusing me, I might change my mind, and you won't see me at the event later. ""Don't you dare to include