DANNIE'S POV
I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door. Glancing at my clock, I saw that it was only 6 am and my meeting wasn't until later, so I wanted to go back to sleep.
But the knocking persisted.
I groaned and covered my head with my pillow, hoping they would go away.
The knocking continued.
"URGH!" I muttered as I got up and opened the door, annoyed at being woken up so early.
"I SAID, WAKE UP DANNIE!" the person shouted in my ear.
I jumped at the sudden loud noise and saw that it was my grandmother, grinning at me.
"What are you doing here so early in the morning, Grandma?" I asked, still groggy from sleep as I made my way to the kitchen for some coffee."I want a grandchild, Dannie," she said, a serious look on her face.
I nearly choked on my coffee at her statement. "Grandma, I don't have time for that," I told her, exasperated.
"But what about that girl at Hilton's party last month?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
I regretted telling her about that night. "Enough, Grandma. Just drop it," I said softly, not wanting to upset her.
She fell silent and didn't say anything else as I finished my breakfast and got ready for my meeting.
As I arrived at the meeting, I greeted everyone there but kept to myself, still annoyed at my grandmother's earlier visit. I couldn't believe she had come to my house and pressured me to find a wife just so she could have a grandchild. It was infuriating.As I walked into the meeting room, I noticed a woman carrying folders and papers on the ground when she walked. She looked familiar, but I couldn't recall where is see her.
I continued walking until she stumbled and fell. Without thinking, I rushed to her side and helped her up. As I looked at her face up close, I recognized her immediately.
"It's you," She said, surprised.
Before I could say anything else, she passed out in my arms. I didn't even know her name, but I knew I had to help her.
"Take her to the nearest hospital," I told my assistant as I carefully handed the woman over to him.
"Update me," I commanded before he left to make sure she was okay.
The meeting went on without any further incidents, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the woman I had just helped. I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew her from somewhere.
Suddenly, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts.
"Excuse me, if you don't mind?" I said to everyone in the meeting, who nodded in agreement.
I answered the call from my assistant, who informed me that the woman was pregnant.
I was in shock. There was no way she could be pregnant with my child. I had never even thought about being a father.
In my anger, I hung up on my assistant mid-sentence, not caring what anyone thought. I knew I had to go to the hospital and find out what was going on.
As I boarded the way to the hospital, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. Was I happy that I was going to have a child? Or was I annoyed that it was with someone I barely knew and didn't want to have a child with her?
When I arrived at the hospital, I practically ran to the woman's room, my heart pounding in my chest. I was nervous about what I would find.
As I paced back and forth in front of her room door, I saw a nurse come out, followed by my grandmother.
I was surprised to see her there, but then again
Unlike this morning, he smiled widely at me. Why was he here? How did he know? No wonder she's the de facto head of our family businesses.“Dannie, I'm glad you're here,” he said as he approached me and embraced me.
I had been worried about her when I saw her looking out the window, lost in thought.
Grandma had separated from me.
“Anastasia, sweetheart. Dannie has arrived, and he is the father of your child,” she told her.
Your name is still Anastasia.Grandma caught her attention, so she looked at us. Her eyes had no discernible emotion. I couldn't read what she had in mind.
“Grandma, I don't believe this is the appropriate moment for this,” I told her.
I could see in his eyes that he had never had to talk about this before.
“Don't tell me what I should or should not say Dannie,” he snapped.
I just sighed. I looked at Anastasia again, but she continued to look out the window.
I shrugged and sat on the side of her bed my feet were getting tired from standing at the meeting I had just come from.
"I understand that we're both surprised by what's happened, but it doesn't bother me. I've made up my mind. Dannie, let's keep the child and marry Anastasia," she smiled, but she said it in the wrong way.
I gradually opened my eyes when I heard a voice. Where am I? I looked around and all I could see was white."You're awake, how are you feeling?" she asked with concern as she put her cell phone in her bag.I was surprised by her sudden appearance and words. I didn't know her, and her face was unfamiliar to me. I looked at her closely, noting her expensive clothes and the scent of wealth about her. Who could this woman be in front of me?"Hey, stop staring at me," she said.I snapped out of my reverie and averted my gaze from her. I estimated her age to be around 40 years old."I'm sorry," I apologized and bowed my head.I instinctively touched my head as it suddenly hurt. The woman accompanying me here panicked and called for a nurse.The nurse arrived and checked on me. After she finished checking, she smiled at me. It was puzzling."Mrs. how are you feeling?" she asked.Mrs.? Who? Me?"I'm feeling a bit dizzy," I replied to her.I was confused, but I just answered her question. Was
I said, 'Manong, please stop here,' to the jeepney driver I was riding with. He stopped and I got off. I looked at the building where I work; the drop-off point was a bit far from it. I couldn't get off in front of our building because it could cause traffic. They seem to know everything, as there's traffic everywhere you go. I started walking quickly because I might be late again. Fortunately, I felt better while getting dressed earlier. While walking, something caught my eye, so I stopped and slowly looked into a restaurant. I suddenly had a headache when I saw the happiness on their faces, while I have been suffering for months. I forcefully pushed the door open and entered. Some people looked at me, but I ignored them and walked straight to where the two of them were sitting, sipping their coffee. I stood in front of them, but they still hadn't noticed me. Were they that happy because I'm no longer a part of their lives? "How's my best friend who snatched my boyfriend?" I shout
I cried when I got home until I felt better.It's me now, sitting in front of the dining table but I have no appetite. I just stared out my window.I have realized everything that is happening to me now. I realized that I could expect nothing but myself.As it happened to me, it was hard for me to trust again.I sighed when I saw that I had not been eating and that my food was ringing.My baby was hungry so I ate even though I didn't have much appetite I still ate.After I eat I cling to what I'm eating. While washing I was nauseous but nothing came out of my mouth.I leaned against the wall when I suddenly became dizzy. Gradually I kicked things I could rely on until I got to my room and lay down.I closed my eyes and felt drowsy right away.Every day, every morning before I go to work that's what happens to me.The hard work arose because I was so heavy, after I ate I was just overwhelmed. When I smell baby I get dizzy I sometimes get nauseous.But that's not why I stopped working b
"Mama, mama wake up," my adorable child shook me gently.I smiled and slowly opened my eyes, but he wasn't there. Where is my child?"Mama, mama please don't let me go," he cried.I cried too. I wanted to find him, hug him, and calm him down, but I couldn't move my body and remained lying down."Anastasia," someone called my name.I suddenly woke up because it felt like I was falling into an endless abyss. I was breathing heavily and held my chest as my heart raced."Anastasia," he said my name and held my hand.I looked at the hand holding mine and followed it upward until I saw who it belonged to."What are you feeling? Are you in pain?" he asked, concerned.I just shook my head while gazing at his worried face.I felt him wiping my cheek, realizing that I was crying."You're so sensitive. It's okay; our baby will be with us," he said.Baby? Our baby. "My baby," I said, touching my stomach.He placed his hand on my stomach and gently caressed it.I looked at him, smiling, as he look
"We're here," Dannie's voice shattered the silence.I had been quiet for a while now, contemplating whether I made the right decision.I glanced out the window of the vehicle I was in and was amazed by what I saw.The house in front of me was enormous. I wondered who lived in this mansion-like house.I took in the sight of the huge house in front of me; it looked so simple and unassuming.I was about to continue observing when someone suddenly appeared behind me and said, "I'm tired, let's go inside," Dannie said without enthusiasm as she entered.I scowled, taking one last look at the entire house before following her inside.Little did I know that I would be even more amazed once inside the house. It was spotlessly clean and shining, everything around me sparkling. I could almost see my reflection in their shine.Scratching my head, I saw Dannie standing on the stairs, looking bored and staring at me."What?" I pretended to ask innocently.She just shook her head and gestured for me
"Good morning," Dannie greeted me as he entered my room.He has been so sweet to me for several days now, and I think I'm getting used to it. We have been together in this house for a week already.Dannie didn't allow me to go to work ever since I had a close call with a miscarriage, and he hasn't been going to work either. He takes care of me and the baby, making me feel like we're a real family. I smiled at the thought."You're going crazy again, smiling all by yourself," Dannie said.I ignored him and got up to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I finished, Dannie was no longer in my room, so I decided to go out.I took the elevator downstairs because Dannie prohibited me from using the stairs, fearing that I might slip or get tired from going up to our room.As I reached the ground floor, the housemaids greeted me with a good morning, and I greeted them back. I looked for Dannie and found him in the garden, focused on his laptop.When he saw me, he stopped what he was doing, ap
"Where is Dannie?" I asked the person who delivered the food upstairs.We went up here earlier, and someone called him, so he didn't come to our room."I haven't seen him since you went up to your room, ma'am. Is he not here?" Manang replied while setting the food in front of me.I glanced at the food on the table, they looked delicious and tempting, but I didn't have the appetite to eat."We were going up earlier when he received a call, so he didn't come here. Let's just leave him be," I said and took a bite of the grapes Manang brought.Maybe it was just one of his clients who called, and he forgot to inform me before leaving me inside the elevator. Don't overthink it, Anastasia."Do you need anything else, ma'am?" Manang asked me.I shook my head and was about to speak, but suddenly the elevator beeped and opened. I smiled, hoping it was Dannie. It was indeed Dannie, but he quickly entered and headed straight to his room.I slumped my shoulders at Dannie's behavior. I looked at Ma
DANNIE'S POV I am outside my house, inside my car, but I am unsure if I should go in or not. It was already one morning when I got home from Honey's condo, my childhood friend. Honey called me when we were in the elevator with Anastasia, telling me she was already in the Philippines. I have waited for her for a long time because I told myself before she left that when she comes back, I will confess my feelings and court her. But how can I do that when Anastasia, my wife, and our unborn child are already with me? When I saw Honey earlier, I felt mixed emotions. I was happy because she was here again, the woman I have loved since we were kids, but at the same time, I felt guilty because I can't tell her how I feel because I am married to Anastasia and we were about to have a child. I tried to assess myself. "What's wrong with you, Dannie? The baby is just the reason why you got married and live with Anastasia. After the baby's born, you're getting a divorce," I talked to myself. I wi
Ate let my straight hair down. She was busy fixing my eyelids and lightly applying blush on my cheeks."I'll put those earrings on, alright? It'll enhance your beauty," she said.I nodded slowly and didn't complain. I wasn't used to wearing jewelry on my body. I feel uncomfortable with those things. I don't know why.She smiled and then applied pink lipstick to my lips. I parted my mouth and closed my eyes."Finished. Stand up, lady. Let me see the result," she happily said.I grinned and gave her a confident aura. She winked and clapped."You look really beautiful," she exclaimed.I looked at the mirror to see myself. I wore a red sleeveless dress that suited my fair complexion. With a smile, I gently touched my face and couldn't believe what I saw. Only a few things were done by Ate, but why? It seemed like I became more beautiful."Yes, I am beautiful!" I exclaimed and winked.She handed me her black clutch bag."It matches your outfit," she said with a hint of joy.I accepted it.
I slowly got uncomfortable with his presence. "What brought you here?" I sheepishly asked. After he called me, I immediately said goodbye to Benjie and Lavly. Though they seemed puzzled, they allowed me to leave. Actually, Benjie even drove me back to Manila. I'm really thankful to them for trusting me, at least to some extent.He just shrugged off my question. I carefully placed my bag down and approached him. "Where's Pa?" I wryly asked. A tray with snacks was already set on the small, fragile table between us."I'm glad you're here! I just need your company tonight," he muttered. I rested my elbow on the armrest of the sofa and messily ran my fingers through my hair."You need me tonight? And then what am I supposed to do there?" I skeptically asked him. He was wearing tokong-shorts and a fitted white polo shirt, resembling a model from famous magazines."Be my date," he casually replied."Why me? I have a lot to do right now. You're insane," I said through gritted teeth.With his
"You're late." I almost swallowed all my saliva when he started speaking.He pretended to sit on the mahogany chair and it was obvious that he had just arrived. He was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with a necktie and black slacks. His physique was even more pronounced. He looked at me seriously from head to toe.I raised an eyebrow."Have a seat! Why are you late?" he coughed.I avoided looking at him and quietly sat on an empty chair.I glanced at him again and rolled my eyes. He silently read the menu placed on the table."What do you want?" He glanced at me. I stared intensely back at him. A smirk played on his lips."You disappeared for days! Just when I was about to take a break, you show up." I added irritably.He slightly loosened his necktie."I just wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten about you." His response was cold.I sighed."Can we stop? It's not really my fault, right? You're the one who claimed that I did something wrong to you, right?" I answered sharply.
The next morning when I opened my eyes, I immediately felt a headache. I sat on the edge of the bed and massaged my temples.I didn't know what time I fell asleep last night. When I woke up, I already felt the headache.I redirected my attention to something else to ease the pain a bit.Earlier, after we ate, Manang gave me a paracetamol. I took it and immediately drank it.Afterwards, I took a walk by the beach to at least sweat a little and alleviate the burden I was feeling.I found out from Shara that Xahel left early for Manila. She said he had a lot of paperwork to take care of and projects scheduled for this month until the fourth month.I couldn't understand why he left so suddenly. He only stayed for a day. Maybe he lost interest after seeing his ex!I also contemplated teaching him painting every weekend! I'm not really sure about it?But how can I back out now when I promised him that thing? He might get even angrier at me and make things more difficult for me."Zhanea, how
"What's your drama there? Why do you need filters and effects?" I said. The corner of my lips slightly lifted.His mind seemed like a video, so chaotic! The other day, he said he liked a girl who didn't like him back!We're walking along the shore now. He looks frustrated. His hair is messy, and his face is slightly scowling."She's pestering me!" he muttered.It's already eight in the evening, and the moonlight is our only source of illumination on the path we're taking."Huh? She's actually beautiful. As a sign of courtesy, couldn't you just talk to her?" I almost got nervous with what I said. I even emphasized it. It's like damn.He raised an eyebrow and gave me a stern look."What?" he asked, pretending to be innocent."Do you want me to repeat it?" I said.He sarcastically glanced at me."Shut up your mouth," he muttered.I raised an eyebrow and shrugged. When I got into his car, I glanced briefly at the girl. I saw her wiping her cheek.At that moment, I felt like slapping Xahel
I took a deep breath and raised my hand. It's getting a bit numb from the four hours of painting.I'm lying down on the hammock now, feeling the breeze brushing against my skin. Eventually, I lowered my hand from its raised position.I just wanted to enjoy my vacation and paint, but why did that guy have to come here? Hasn't he forgotten what I did to him? Huh? That was last week, for crying out loud. He has quite the memory.I closed my eyes, trying to let go of my worries caused by the cold wind. Well, also the view.I'm just really thinking about what Xahel said! Yeah, what's wrong with us having a meal together? But when we meet, all of that turns into a fight.It's also my problem, being clumsy like this. I don't want to add more problems with him, especially if it's about the woman he's with.It's hard to be jealous! I'm not used to having enemies. I may be talkative, but I don't know how to catfight. That would be embarrassing for me.Especially since I'll be a teacher. What wi
"In the next morning? I had a long sleep. No sound of cars and no neighbors shouting!The only things you can hear and feel are the cool breeze and the sound of waves on the shore.I held my head. It doesn't hurt anymore, unlike last night. Maybe it was just a migraine.I got up from my bed and walked towards the window. I pushed the curtain aside and partially opened the two windows.The blue ocean greeted me. The sun was beautifully positioned above, and a few fishermen were sailing in the distance.I smiled peacefully and took a gentle breath. It's such a really good start to the day. I rested my elbows on the windowsill and let the wind play with my loose hair.A wide smile appeared on my face as I glanced below. But before I could close my mouth, I couldn't help but be surprised.Under the shade of a coconut tree was a handsome young man. He was looking seriously at the accompanying woman. Every movement of his jaw and lips was like a hair-raising melody.I closed my mouth and sl
If that is how fast the world rotates? The journey of the day was also easy.I've been back and forth in the Echavez family mansion! I'm just grateful and Xahel didn't mess with me.I learned from Shara that one week she was on vacation with friends!Is that how he really is? No goodbye to me and if I go home? Don't know the right day and month! The world just revolves around itself.I also found out that he used to be Xahel's friend! But when they had each other's lambs he stayed away.I would have asked her about it? But don't. I don't want to care. Atleast I'm not kidding Xahel! So my brain is peaceful and there is no variety of thought events today. I wish he had been there for a long time and he would never remember my fault with her! That's okay!I turned around and followed the couple. We are here today at the rest house they bought in the lagoon. The wind is fresh because it is the beautiful sea! There is no vehicle in. No to poll! Yes to Fresh. Kidding.Thanks and they though
"I'm Xahel Royce Echavez. And you are?" He said while lifting the edge of the lip."Zhanea!" My answer is heartbreaking.He was even more sorry."You're suffering from a rare disorder!" I scolded and shook her."Really? Then prove it, Baby!" She was waking up.I want to rock her with this paint brush I hold! Then we could encounter each other. He pulled me over and never finished eating. My jaw dropped before I could speak he immediately suspected me. Its still tight in my arm."Go ahead!" I will invite him.We are here today in front of their infinity pool! After he hugged me earlier he brought me here.He sat in the non-cement chair and then whistled."Paint of me, baby. Paint!" He was a scout.She convinced me to paint for her! According to me I pay for everything I did wrong to her! Whack what!"Don't try to run away from me again!" He said after I took my left foot.I nodded at him. His strength to be able to concentrate ha? Proud that he is, what?She was weak in front of me.I