Chapter 1

    Angela

    Every women's dream is to have a perfect household. We won't settle for less for we women are destined for something bigger and brighter tomorrow for our family.

    That's how I look things up and continued to serve as a mother and a wife. But, I never thought that life will give me a fucked up challenge. 

    "What? I thought Mr. Takahashi and I talked about this. He knew that I'm on a one-week vacation, right now. Hence, what's up with that old man!" I can't help to yell. "This is absurd," I said with an annoying voice.

    Now my plan is ruined. I perfectly planned this, nothing should go wrong. And now this!

    "I'm so sorry, Angela. But Mr. Takahashi, won't sign the paper, without you." Said the voice over the phone. "He also added that he might withdraw some of his accounts, and I'm afraid we don't like that, aren't we? " she added, and it fueled everything.

    I keep out a heavy discontented sigh.

    "Okay, okay. Tell, Mr. Takahashi, I'll be there at 10 a.m today." I gently massage my temple. I felt like I'll be having a headache. Her secretary the one who called, bid goodbye and then again apologize. Why would she keep on apologizing it's not her entire fault.

    "Who's that?" I was startled when I heard a baritone voice behind me. 

    I turn around, and I saw the perfect man in my life. With twisted eyebrows.

    Damn! I silently cursed.

    "I'm sorry," I softly whispered. I know my expression right now says's I'm sorry for what would happen next.

    I've disappointed Sebastian again. This time hope he will understand.

    "Oh, no. Not again," the distress in his voice, echoed all over the room. It seems like there are barriers between them, blocking us from one another.

    I take in a deep breath, hoping that I could calm this situation. I put down the folder that I was holding, and walk slowly to where my gorgeous man was standing. With his beautiful turquoise eyes yell how disappointed he is, with me. His tall and masculine body screams sexiness, his six-foot-tall towering over my petite body. I put my right hand on his knot forehead, gently massaging it. Then, I ran my finger to his perfect face, I kissed the edge of his kissable lips. After all this year's he still affects me. He always makes my heartbeat go haywire. 

    After the kiss, I gently put my head to his broad shoulders and slightly hugging him. I instantly feel safe and secured by just hugging my husband.

    "It's urgent, I need to be there." I softly said.

    "We talked about this last night, right? Then, this? I'm not the only one who's disappointed here. Think about our son, Angela. We are supposed to enjoy this vacation. And besides, it's our tenth anniversary Hon, please not this time." He said with a pleading voice. "This is the only time you'll spend your precious time with us."

    I let go of the embrace and begin unpacking my things. We're supposed to leave now, have a wonderful vacation to one of our beach houses in Cebu. Everything is ready, my Louis Vuitton traveling suitcase is filled with the things we need for I presumed, a one-week vacation. And now I just ruined everything. My sense of responsibility outweighing my level of sentiments.

    "You knew that I can't take this for granted, right?" I added. While my hands are occupied with the summer dresses I assumed I'll badly need. Then I grabbed the files that I needed for Mr. Takahashi to sign a contract and invest in our growing business.

    "You always have so much work to do. There's always appointment after appointment, I'm afraid that someday. I need to come first to your secretary and ask if you have free time, for us." He said with a playful remark. But then again his dreadful voice is evident.

    There's a pang of miserable pain that punches me straight to my gut. I looked back at him with pleading eyes.

    "Look, Honey. I'm sorry for disappointing you. But, someone has to keep our business on top. It's for our son's future," I give him a small assuring smile, "This meeting would last one or two days. You'll be surprised. Day's past by and I'm with you together with our son, celebrating our tenth year together,"

    Yes, it's their tenth wedding anniversary. However, here she is doing some business matters.

    Sebastian shakes his head lightly I almost didn't notice it, but I need to acknowledge it. 

    "I can't cancel, this trip. Thomas will be devastated more. He's excited about this trip, so you'll go first and enjoy the beach. Wait for me there and will be having fun... You know, me and you, having fun," I giggled as I put my hand to his shoulders.

    "I knew, you can't resist me. I'll be your obedient servant, and I'll follow my master, whatever he would ask me to do," I seductively said and wink at him. I may be playful and seductive on the outside but my inner self-esteem wails and hoping that Sebastian will fall into this trap.

    And the game of tug-of-war ended. When he finally smiles, she won the argument. Will, she always wins.

    "You know where to get me," he said. And bents towards me. 

    I looked straight into his beautiful eyes. And then he slowly moved closer...and closer until our lips meet. We kiss like there's no tomorrow, our mouths spread, our tongues swirl, his hands run up and down my back. At a moment like this, I felt like we are in our world. Just the two of us, making our fairy tale. Our happy ending, just the two of us.

    But reality sets back in. When we heard a loud bang on the door. Our lips pull away before that person could barge in.

    "Mum, Dad! What are you two still doing in here? Are we supposed to hit the road now?" Their five years old son, Thomas. He looked handsome with his bunny hat and his mismatched summer outfit, indicating that he's ready for a beach.

    Sebastian and I exchange a meaningful looked. I let out a deep sigh.

     Oh lord help me! I'll break a young soul here, a promise shouldn't be broken. And here I am breaking it. I squat in front of my enthusiastic son.

    "Thomas, sweetheart. You understand that mummy loves you so much right? Mum loves you too the moon and back, right?" He nodded. And I continued, I did my very best to be gentle. "You see, sweetie. I need to attend some important meeting,"

    What I've confessed brings sadness to Thomas. "So, we're not going to the beach?" He said with so much dismay, and his about to cry.

    Oh, boy...

    "No. Sweetie, of course. We're going to the beach. We're gonna enjoy sun's heat and play," I tried to be sound exciting as much as possible, "the thing is, you'll gonna go first with daddy. I'll be late for one or two more days. Mum, has to do something very important." I said and gently smile at my little angel.

    "You sure, you'll be there? Please, I need you to be there, mum." he pleaded. "I want to play with you," he said with a glint of hope in his eyes.

    "Oh, sweetie. I'll be there before you know it. Will play together, and make the biggest sandcastle in history. You like that. Right?" I gentle hold him in my arms. "And will ride the banana boat dad and I will teach you how to swim, you love that right?" And I can't resist kissing his cute little chubby cheeks.

    He let go of my hold and looked straight into my eyes, he looked like a grown-up man. I try to look serious as I can be, but deep inside I wanted to laugh at my little man, who looked like not a little anymore.

    "Promise is not meant to be broken, mum." He said with a serious voice and a frowning face.

    "Of course, Sweetie. And after this will extend our stay, let's make it a month-long vacation." I looked at him with puppy dog eyes, hoping he'll be happy with the news.

    "Mum! Really," He can't help to hide the excitement on his voice, but later on he coughs as if he was trying to hide his enthusiasm, "ahm, I mean. Really, mum? Can you do a pinky promise?" he said and he put his right arm in front of me, and his pinky is in front of us. I hold his small arms and intertwined our pinky, it's a sign of a promise. "Promise!" He said firmly.

    "I... Promise," 

    "I'm happy that this time you'll not gonna break your promise," Sebastian announced. Breaking their sacred promise."I'm hoping that you'll not gonna break it this time,"

    "Hey, we're done talking about this right," I said and looked at him, my eyes are giving him a warning. Thomas is with us for pity's sake.

    "Hey, sweetie. Go grab your things, you and dad will hit the road in a jiff, okay? I know you're excited about this trip, now go." I said to Thomas with an exciting voice. And my heart skips a bit when I finally see how his eyes lifted with happiness. And he even showered me with kisses and bid goodbye.

    I stand up and stand straight, arms crossed and my eyes glared at my husband. 

    Sebastian rubs his chain contemplating what he'll say next. "Sometimes, I'm just really fed up with it, Angela. And now, you are doing it to Thomas." He lowers his head and shakes it.

    I close the space between us. And lightly pat his broad chest. "Oh, stop that. I meant it this time, okay."

    He grabs my hand and pulls me in for another kiss. "I'll stop when you stop, besides. I can't help it, I'm excited, you being my slave," he smirks. 

    I can't help but giggle. They say that if you married for ten years or more, affection dies and so is love. But in our case, Sebastian and I keep our fire burning. 

    "After all this, I want to be alone with you. I love you so damn much, Angela." 

    "No, I love you more,"

    And we sealed our love with a kiss.

    

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