(Alexander’s POV)Before our arrival, George had already informed the general manager that we were coming, and as expected, I made all the managers panic about my surprise visit. My forehead knitted, seeing Mr. Brandon, the General Manager, and the other managers outside the building waiting for me. When my driver opened the car door for me, George hurried up, getting out of the vehicle and walking to my side.“Mr. Hearst,” Mr. Brandon greeted, smiling nervously at me.I nodded. “Why are you here outside? Don’t you have any work to do?” I asked, causing them to get more anxious about my presence.“We’re just excited to see you, Mr. Hearst,” He explained, clearly lying about it.I understood that my sudden appearance threw them into a tizzy, and perhaps they all hated me for coming unannounced, not giving them time to prepare for whatever documents or reports I would be asking.I caught him widening his eyes at George, quickly asking her silently what it was all about, and she shook he
(Leigh’s POV)My lips curved into a happy smile as I heard the familiar voices of my family. It is the weekend, so everyone is at home, and as always, the noise, cries, and laughter of my nieces and nephews will annoy their parents later, but to me, they are music to my ears.I crawled from Dyna’s bed to the window and slightly opened it. From her bedroom, I could see the backyard. I saw Mama, my sisters, and in-laws preparing the breakfast on the long table, the little children running around, and my brothers and in-laws talking and having coffee while looking after their kids.My eyes sought one more person, and I tilted my head, smiling as I saw Papa facing the sliding door as if waiting for another person to come out. His lonely eyes squeezed my heart, and I knew how much he missed Abuela.My lips quivered, wishing my Abuela would also come out of the door, showing her happy smile at everyone. I sniffled, and my eyes started to swell with tears.“What are you looking at?” Elle ask
(Leigh’s POV)“So, let’s have a recap here,” Dyna said as if we were just having a monthly meeting and not a casual conversation. “Something happened between you and Alex on the farm.”I nodded, lowering my head, not wanting them to see my face red from embarrassment. If I was really carrying Alex’s baby, it was something I did not expect to happen. We were just happy together, making love at night or in the morning… or whenever we felt like touching each other.We were sitting on the floor in a circle like having a picnic inside her bedroom while Callie was on the bed, lying and playing with her chew toy.“You said nothing happened,” sneered Alfie, letting me know he was disappointed. “You lied to us, Kayleigh.” He said angrily, but he breathed out. “Now, what should we do? I think before we plan this double wedding, let’s solve this double problem.”“What’s the problem?” Elle blinked at him and then glanced at me before taking another pancake. “Are you not eating this?” When I shook
(Alexander’s POV)“Wait!” I heard George, her voice in a panic, but it was too late because Zyra had already opened the door of my private office.I stop what I am doing and raise my head, watching Zyra coming toward me. Her high-heeled shoes made a clanking sound as she walked. She wore a black, open-back sexy dress that any man would not resist looking at her.“Should I make an appointment just to see you, Babe?” She asked, obvious that she was annoyed, and I was unsure if it was because of George or me.When she came near, she put her bag on my table, at the top of the paper I was reading, and sat on my lap, making sure that George saw us before claiming my mouth.I caught George rolling her eyes and sneering at her, but I could not reprimand her for acting annoyed because even the sight of Zyra also made my blood boil every time I saw her. She shook her head, closing the door behind her.Sometimes I wanted to ask her, where was the Zyra I used to love?“What do you need?” I asked
(Leigh’s POV)Juliet, Dyna’s staff, places the samples of cakes on the rectangular table for four. She smiled at me when she caught me licking my lower lip and looking at the mouthwatering slices of different flavors of cakes. I had to be careful in tasting them, though. Lately, I hated the taste of strawberries and pears, and just their scent would make me want to throw up.When Juliet put the last saucer of a slice of cake, I felt like Callie as I stared at it and eyed the cake with much interest. My cheeks blushed, catching Alex looking at me and furrowing his forehead as he gazed at the cake and then at me.As much as I hated sitting in front of him, I would rather have Alex sit across from me than Zyra. I raised my eyebrows at him but widened my eyes when he mouthed, ‘You’re mine!’I glanced nervously at Sebastian, but he was too busy answering a message on his cell phone, and Zyra was focused on studying the cakes on the table.Dyna came, pulled the chair from another table to s
(Alexander’s POV) When Zyra went to the restroom and Sebastian went out of the bakeshop to answer his secretary’s call, Leigh reached for my hands, holding me tight. We are still in the bakeshop, yet she is already sweating. “I don’t want to die yet, Alex. Do something,” she said, swallowing hard. “Hmm?” I raised my eyebrows at her, pretending not to care. Her lips quivered, releasing me and keeping her hands under the table. Even if I don’t look, I know she is fidgeting her hands, clasping her palms as she always does whenever she is afraid or worried. “The view there is beautiful at night, Leigh,” I said, although thinking fast of ways to bring her up the 47th floor without her fainting and how to bring her out after dinner. “I don’t care!” she whimpered, closing her eyes as she uttered in a hushed tone, “I must survive! I have to survive!” “Grow up, Leigh. Don’t be such a child!” I took my cell phone from my pocket, sending George a message. “What’s the highest floor can you
(Leigh’s POV)Alex was quiet.Zyra was hysterical, mad at Emma for not getting her reservation.Sebastian didn’t seem to mind. If he didn’t have a driver, I wondered how to arrive at the restaurant when he has his nose on his smartphone, reading emails or, if not, talking with someone on the phone.Me? I was not feeling me.I was thankful, though, that Sebastian was busy because he didn’t notice my eyes puffy from crying.“Call Emma!” Zyra yelled at the staff, and with tears in her eyes, she scrambled to her feet to go to her boss, but before she could call the owner of the restaurant, Emma came in.As always, she looked beautiful, and today she was dashing in her green knee-length A-line dress and matching high-heeled shoes, and as she walked toward us, she swayed like walking on a runway. She has a smile plastered on her lips, kissing Alex on his cheek.She rolled her eyes at Zyra when she crossed her arms on her chest. She heaved a sigh, ignoring her and walking to me.“I’m sorry a
(Alexander’s POV)12:01 a.m.The dinner, despite starting a bit chaotic, ended up just okay when Sebastian helped me in calming Zyra down. Just like me, Leigh was quiet at most times. She had been crying when Zyra and I came into Emma’s unit, and whatever the reason for her crying, I meant to find out today.I sat on the wooden bench in the dark corner outside the bakeshop, waiting for Leigh and Sebastian. After reading her message that they were on their way back to the bakeshop, I went out of the car and sat on the bench, planning my escape on the day of my wedding.If Mei could run away hours before the wedding ceremony, why not the groom this time?I straightened up when I saw the car stopping in front of the bakeshop and waited for them to get out of the vehicle. It took a few minutes before I saw Sebastian opening the door for Leigh, and when they were in front of the entrance of the bakeshop, he kissed her passionately.I looked heavenward, wishing to have more patience and con
(Alexander’s POV) “You may kiss your wife,” the officiant said, but my lips molded Leigh’s lips before he could finish his line. Leigh and I laughed as we watched Alfie’s video that he had sent us. I saw myself as tears rolled down my cheeks as I claimed her mouth, tasting the sweetness of my wife’s lips and feeling the overflowing happiness that we had finally renewed our vows. We were seated on the couch, facing the king-sized bed where the twins slept soundly. “Renewal of vows,” Leigh whispered as she leaned her head on my shoulder. “When I saw you and Chase talking this morning -” I cut him. “He was telling me the big problem I’d face if I continued my plan of marrying Zyra.” Her almond-shaped eyes gaped at me, looking at me with wonder. “Why didn’t you sign the divorce papers, Alex?” I planted a kiss on her hair. “Because I always hoped we will have our chance, Leigh.” “Me, too,” She smiled, but her eyes squinted and asked me, “When they said that the groom was missing, I
(Leigh’s POV)The groom is missing.How dare Alex ruins his multi-million-dollar wedding? I was puffing out air, thinking about what came to his crazy mind running away on this special day.When Ellen and Kayla came to my room, they were quiet. They seemed to have known the problem, but they chose not to talk. Kayla placed little Alexander in his stroller while Ellen approached me, taking baby Amanda from me.Elle opened the door and helped me fix the skirt of my wedding gown.“An update, Elle?” I asked her.“Alfie’s fixing the problem,” she said, glancing at my sisters, who padded out of the room. She laughs nervously when she notices I am worrying and don’t know what to pick first. “Focus, Leigh. This is your wedding. You’re not the one who loses the groom, so give that beautiful smile and have a blast,” she said, picking up my bouquet and giving it to me.“I just saw him a while ago -” My voice trailed off, realizing it was nonsense to talk about him now. “And why are you here? You
(Leigh’s POV)So much for my plan of beauty rest!I hardly had a wink last night because baby Amanda was crying almost all night that I wanted to rush her to the hospital, but whenever I danced her in my arms, she would stop crying and go to sleep. George brought Maxine yesterday to our house, and since she couldn’t come to our bedroom, she has been howling and crying until midnight. Only when Kayla got Callie out of my room that she stops whimpering.“What happened to you?” Elle blinked, looking at me as she entered my room.I climbed down from the bed lazily, went to my dresser, and saw my hair worse than a haystack. I groaned, looking at my eyes.She rolled her eyes, tugging me back to the bed.“What time are we leaving?” I asked, lying again on the bed. I need sleep—more of it.She chuckled. “We’re actually leaving. Just sleep in the car,” she suggested. “You need to have your hair done, makeup, and everything.”I groaned, going under the covers of my blanket. “Why is it that it d
(Leigh’s POV)“For you… For you, I will…” I breathed out, clutching my shirt, wondering why I couldn’t memorize my wedding vow.I inhaled… and then exhaled, looking at the perfect blue sky. It was a miracle that the weather today cooperated with us. Since Alex left that night, the sky has been crying with me, and though my family and friends saw me smiling, my heart was aching from the deep wound of the hard decision we had made.As long as we are together, every step or decision we make will be a mistake.“The flowers are soooo beautiful, Leigh,” Alfie uttered, admiringly looking at the different flowers, from roses of different colors to other flowers that we hardly recognize unless they would tell us what they were.I smirked at him. “When you get married, and the budget is sky is the limit, this is the result.”“But the couples would go to hell after,” he sighed.“Don’t say that,” I said, looking at the large and open meadow.It was last week when Mr. Hearst, the older Mr. Hearst,
(Alexander’s POV)After dinner, George went to Aunt Ida’s house, her temporary place to stay while we were here. Even if I don’t ask her, I know how she likes staying here because of the homey feeling we are experiencing.I heaved a deep sigh as I looked at the dark sky, trying to gather my senses together, thinking of what happened today and what I would do after this. For a honeymoon idea, I knew how much Leigh wanted to go back to the farm. We could spend our time there as one family, and when the twins are one or two, maybe we could all travel together.“Beer?” Royce asked, giving me a bottle of beer.I smiled, taking the bottle.“Reconsidering?” He sat on the wooden bench, gazing at the sky.“About Leigh or the twins?” I smirked, causing him to chuckle.He drank his beer, giving me a silent answer to tell him my plans for them.“As much as I hated Leigh for lying to me, I still love her, Royce,” It was easier to be honest to him than tell Leigh my feelings. She is one complicated
(Leigh’s POV)Was it the warm sprinkle from the shower? Perhaps Zyra’s fingernails have poison causing me to feel like this.Before he stepped into the shower area, my body was burning with desire, and there was a need inside me that wanted him to touch me… and kiss me.“Leigh,” His voice trailed off because as soon as he was in front of me, my hands grabbed his head, curling my fingers to his hair, never wanting to let him go. My heels have their own mind, raising my body to reach his soft lips, making my tongue do its work, exploring his mouth, taunting him into an adventure that I didn’t care if we would regret in the end.I must have turned on something in him, too. He pinned me to the wall, and his hands excitedly touched every part of me, feverishly arousing my heart, body, and soul. We were on fire, kissing intensely, touching passionately, caressing our bodies like we have hungry for a long time.He brought me into a new world when he thrust his manhood to my core, rocking and
(Leigh’s POV)Before I went to the kitchen to drink water, I brought the three babies to the porch and continued working there. Being a single mother, I had to work, but I mostly handled special editing projects, so I could still work from home. I asked Dyna to watch them for a while as I went inside, but as soon as I returned to the porch, she left in a hurry to go to her bakeshop. If only I could pull the days to our wedding day so that this would be over. Yet I also wished to stop the time, hoping that Alex would not get my children from me. I was in the middle of editing a picture when a familiar car stopped in front of our house.I rose to my feet, walking in the direction of the white vehicle because I was not sure at first who could our unexpected visitor be, but when the passenger door at the back of the car opened, I was surprised to see Zyra.She dashed to me, looking furious as she approached me. “You bitch!” She screamed angrily as she pulled my hair toward her.I could n
(Alexander’s POV)With a crib in Kayleigh’s bedroom, it was impossible to add another bed, and despite everyone’s disapproval of letting me stay in her bedroom, they didn’t have the choice when Carlito spoke up, explaining the reason why. I received sullen looks, especially from her brothers, but no one shared their disagreement.I have been staring at her ceiling for an hour now, listening to her even breathing. I felt guilty for taking our children on the day of her birthday, but I didn’t know, and I was already consumed by much anger that I didn’t think much.When I heard baby Amanda cry, I closed my eyes immediately when I felt Leigh move. She got up, still yawning, when she climbed down from the bed, taking our daughter from the crib. She sat on the chair next to the bed and pulled off her sleepwear to expose her breast to her. When I heard her even breathing as she breastfed our baby, I opened my eyes to check on them, watching her look like she was sleeping.As my little girl w
(Alexander’s POV)Kayla and Eloisa came into the room with little Alexander and baby Amanda. When the twins cried, it was like something snapped inside Leigh’s mind, making her blink. She scrambled to her feet, ignoring me in front of her and seeing only her two children.“Alex…” She cried.Eloisa, her eyes puffy from crying, nodded. “Yes. Alex came back and returned them.”“Are they hungry? Is Alex…” Leigh said, pressing her breasts and shaking her head. “Never mind.”“You have to eat and clean up first, Leigh,” Kayla told her.“Of course,” she said, pacing around the room, not knowing what to do first. “Is Alex -”She stopped again, perhaps she still didn’t know how to ask it, but couldn’t she see me? Kayla placed Amanda in the crib and approached her sister, putting her hands on her shoulder and holding her in place.“Alex is fine. He’s very much okay. You don’t have to worry about him. Listen to me, Kayleigh, gather yourself together because the twins are hungry. Eloisa will help