"Are you sure about this, girl? Your dad might freak out. I don't know how your family does it, but they have ways of finding out some things. Especially about you." Aurora said as we marched towards the VIP section.
Fuck rules and regulations. This is just a one-night of celebration of my failure. Who cares? They wouldn't know anyway. Unless someone might see me here and tell Dad.
"What happened exactly? Why didn't Mr. Lim accept your proposal?" Kim asked as we settled in the VIP room we rented at that bar.
I shrugged. "He wanted something else from me."
"What do you mean by 'something else'? Maybe he wants you to propose something different to him. You know how he is, that old pervert," Aurora muttered some curses.
"That's exactly the problem. He wanted me to have a private meeting with him, just the two of us. When I refused, he backed out. He said he would personally inform Dad," I said, pouring myself a drink.
I could hear the two of them cursing under their breath.
The weight of disappointment from losing a significant investor, one of my father had introduced to me, had pushed me to seek solace in the liberating embrace of the night.
I can't believe that old pervert! He didn't even give me a chance to present my entire proposal to him. When I refused his request, he immediately dismissed the meeting and left. How rude!
"Then tell your Dad what happened." Kim suggested.
I smiled sadly. The bitterness from the alcohol went straight to my heart. "He doesn't believe me anyway, especially when he's already influenced by bad news. The company has been courting Mr. Lim for a long time."
"Well, what are you going to do?" Aurora asked as she poured another drink into my glass.
I couldn't answer that. I didn't have the energy to discuss it anymore. I'm completely drained today. I haven't even been able to think about what I would tell Dad about it. I could tell him about that perverted old man's intentions, but I'm afraid he won't believe me and would just get even angrier with me.
As the alcohol coursed through my veins, I felt a newfound surge of courage. The music pulsed, its rhythm beckoning me to the dance floor. There are lots of people during those times. It seems like everyone has their own struggles tonight. I wonder what they are going through. I glanced at the two who were busy lecturing me.
"Do you want to dance?" I asked them. They immediately shook their heads.
"We'll dance later! We just arrived!" Aurora hissed.
I nodded and took a sip of my drink. I poured myself another one and looked around again.
From our position, I could see people playing beer pong. Some of them seemed lost in their own worlds. When my gaze shifted to the other side of the VIP section, towards the entrance, I noticed a woman and a man who appeared to be having an argument based on their expressions.
The woman looked furious, while the man seemed impatient about something. It seemed like he was about to explode in anger any minute now.
"What happened with your sister's presentation? Did she get accepted?" Kim asked.
That was another burden weighing on my heart.
"Yes. As usual. Everyone supports her," I replied.
"Damn it! It's like she's the legitimate daughter in that situation. If I were in your shoes, I would have left a family like that a long time ago," Aurora commented, scanning her eyes around me. I smiled bitterly at her.
"It's fine. As long as I can still handle my part well."
"If there's a martyr in a love life, you're a martyr to your family!" Kim exclaimed, raising her glass as if inviting a cheer.
I laughed and joined them in a toast. We all downed our drinks, momentarily forgetting about what happened.
The night is getting deeper. I can feel dizziness creeping in, and I'm sure I've had enough. Once again, my gaze landed on the dance floor.
Without hesitation, I joined the writhing sea of bodies, letting the music guide my movements. Each sway and spin unleashed a wildness I had never allowed myself to embrace before.
Amidst the pounding bass and throbbing energy, my attention was diverted by an escalating argument nearby. A man and a woman were locked in a heated dispute, their words dripping with frustration and distrust. They were the ones who were in a VIP section earlier.
My curiosity was piqued, and an audacious idea took hold of me.
"You're such a womanizer! A cheater! Who are you with here? Is it that woman again? I've caught you so many times! I thought I was the one you wanted?" The woman yelled at him.
"I didn't promise anything to you. Leave me the fuck alone. We're not in a fucking relationship!" The man shouted back, clearly filled with anger.
"Really, huh? You can't fool me anymore! I swear, I'm going to tell this to your Dad! I will not let this slide anymore!"
"Go fuck yourself! I don't care!"
Seizing the moment, I made my way toward them with an idea on my mind, my heart pounding with exhilaration and nerves. With calculated spontaneity, I planted myself between the arguing duo, my presence demanding attention.
Before I could second-guess myself, I turned my gaze to the man and, in a bold move, leaned in and pressed my lips against his.
I pity him. He's in a tight situation and looks like he needs my help to get away with this woman. Maybe I can help him.
"What the fuck! Who are you–hey! That's my boyfriend you're kissing, whore!" I heard the woman yell some curses, but my attention wasn't on hers but on this man.
The suddenness of my kiss startled the man, causing his eyes to widen with surprise. But instead of pulling away, he responded with an intensity that electrified me.
At that moment, I felt a connection, a shared understanding of the struggles we both faced.
"Oh, my God! This is fucking unbelievable!"
The woman caught off guard and stunned into silence, watched as the man's hands instinctively reached out to hold me. Sensing an opportunity, I took the man's hand and led him away from the chaos of the bar, the world outside disappearing into a blur of city lights.
As we found ourselves outside, away from prying eyes and judgment, my heartbeat echoed in my ears. I could hardly believe what I had just done, yet the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins fueled my daring spirit.
"Who are you?" The man asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability. "What… What did you just do?"
"I'm…" I beamed and pulled him away from my kiss. "I… I'm just a bystander who wants to help you," I replied, my voice carrying newfound confidence.
"And tonight, I choose to be free from the expectations that have bound me. Just for tonight."
"What?"
The man studied me, his gaze filled with a mix of intrigue and gratitude. At that moment, we were two souls seeking solace and escape, bound together by the freedom found in a stolen kiss.
With an unspoken understanding, we leaned into each other, our lips meeting again, sealing our shared rebellion against the chains of our respective lives.
In that stolen moment, I felt a flicker of courage I had never known. I had broken the family rule, found an unexpected connection, and in the arms of a stranger, discovered the power of letting go.
The night held countless possibilities, and as our embrace deepened, I allowed myself to surrender to the thrill of the unknown, embracing the intoxicating liberation that awaited us both.
Until we found ourselves inside this man's condo unit. Both panting under each other's movements.
"It is what it is… Or so I thought."
My peaks hardened even more when I felt the heat of his stare roving against my exposed body.
"Are you sure of this? Doing this with me? A complete stranger?"
I nodded immediately as dizziness succumbs me.
"Damn, lady. You don't know what you're getting yourself into." His voice is hoarse and cold and tempting.
I arched my back when he hips down and takes one of my mounds into his mouth, his tongue sending me into the highest level of ecstasy. God…
"Oh, Gods…"
I tugged my head back into the pillow. I'm being driven off to the edge, and his hips are still thrusting into mine through the layers of clothing separating us, making me more impatient and irritated.
"I… can't take it anymore. Please… Off with it. Please. Now." I pleaded with my dizzy voice.
"Now you're being impatient, huh?"
The man chuckled and immediately took off his pants. I held my breath when his shaft springs free from his boxers and sees how much he wants me, too. My core clenches at the sight of him, all of him, now mine to own.
"No regrets? I'm asking because you might regret it the next day, baby."
Oh, this man. He's driving me crazy.
"No regrets."
I pulled a fistful of his hair and bit into his shoulder to muffle my moans when he put his two fingers in and stretched me wide. He's moving in an agonizing, tortuous slowness that I take another bite of his skin to force him to take up speed.
"You're being aggressive, baby…" He keeps on teasing me.
"And you're driving me crazy… Stop teasing me and get on with it, please."
"Why are you in such a rush? We have all night."
"If you want to play, just say so. I can play with you, too."
I tried to push him off me to flip over so I could go on top, but this man captured my wrists with his much bigger hand and locked them together.
"Damn you!" I exclaimed.
The man pinned my hands above my head, stopping my movement. "This is what you asked for."
"I didn't know you could be such a tease."
He smirked playfully. "Now you do."
He silenced me with his lips and quickened the movement of his fingers in and out of me. He slipped in another digit and my back arched as another moan tears out of my mouth.
Before I knew it, I was coming undone, and white-hot pleasures bolt through my entire body like electricity.
Yeah, right. He was right. We have all night.
"Celeste, hurry up! The guests are arriving soon." Isabella yelled outside.Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and opened the door. Isabella's eyes widened at the sight of my breathtaking beauty. As she should. Hm."Wow, Celeste, you look stunning. The perfect Yuchengco princess."Isabella's voice is filled with both awe and a hint of envy. I forced a smile, grateful that my true emotions were concealed behind my polished facade."Thank you, Isabella. You look lovely as well."A lie."Right. Let's go. Dad and Mom are downstairs."As we descended the grand staircase together, my gaze caught a glimpse of my stepmother, Victoria, watching me with a discerning eye.I had spent years trying to earn her approval, to be seen as more than just a replacement for my deceased mother.But no matter how hard I tried, it seemed her love remained elusive."You look stunning, my love, Isabella." She greeted her daughter with a soft expression."Thank you, Mom." "And as usual, you're late, Celest
"Celeste, last night, you suddenly disappeared. Is everything alright? You said you weren't feeling well."His full attention is on me now after Isabella.I'm really the second choice here. I hate it."We were looking for you to introduce you to the Riofloridas, but you weren't around anymore. Are you feeling okay now?"I couldn't help but silently roll my eyes at his remark. They had already introduced Isabella to that prominent family before, so why did I also have to be introduced to them? Was it to further emphasize that I was the least favorite?"Yes, Dad. I'm feeling better now. I just needed to rest suddenly. I'm sorry." I lied and continued eating silently. I could feel his intense gaze on me."Oh, really? You didn't have any potential investors, then?" Dad turns to Isabella.I could clearly see how his expression softened as his gaze shifted to his other daughter."Isabella had conversations and secured deals with several major investors last night. Including the son of Rioflo
I could hardly bring myself to go to the office the next day because of the heaviness I felt in my body. I haven't been able to have myself checked to confirm if I am indeed pregnant because I'm still scared. I don't even know what to do next.Dad must not find out about this. He'll kill me. I've heard more than enough from him when he found out about Mr. Lim rejected the company's proposal. I wonder if he has more hurtful words in store. In the end, I arrived at the office feeling like a lifeless vegetable and immediately started my work. I didn't have a choice. I just hope I won't encounter Isabella today because I don't have the strength to engage in a heated exchange with her, knowing there is hidden anger within me."Pau, can you make me a cup of coffee, please?" I requested my secretary as she placed the files I assigned to her on my desk."Sure, Ma'am Celeste. Are you alright? You look pale," she remarked with concern.I shook my head and ignored what she said. "Just tired and
Isabella greeted me as if she had been waiting for me. There was a strange smirk on her lips. It felt like she was judging me by the way she looked at me."So, you came," she smirked and looked at me from head to toe. "Such a cunning whore."Before I could even react to what she said, Dad suddenly appeared behind her, accompanied by Mama Victoria.I immediately noticed the sharp gaze from Dad, as if he could harm me at any moment, while Mama Victoria just looked at me coldly. It was her usual expression toward me."Dad—"I couldn't continue what I was about to say as Dad threw something at me. It hit my eye and fell to the floor."How long do you plan to hide that shame from us, Celeste Koa?!" His voice thundered, full of threats and anger.Still recovering from whatever hit my eye, which, if it was a sharp object, surely left me blinded, he threw something else at my words."What—""You're pregnant?! How, when you haven't introduced any boyfriend to us yet? What is this? Did you just
I entered the prestigious halls of YCC for the last time, my heart is heavy with a mixture of sorrow and longing.I glanced through the glass walls of the conference room and watched Isabella confidently lead a meeting with my important clients.It was supposed to be me, representing the family's legacy. The weight of disappointment and shattered dreams crushed my spirit.Feeling a surge of emotions, I made my way to my father's office. I knocked softly, my voice trembling as I called out, "Dad, may I come in?"Dad's stern voice responded, "Come in."As I stepped into the room, the tension between us was palpable. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, the remnants of anger simmering beneath the surface.This confrontation was long overdue. I have contemplated gathering my courage for this to happen but I feel like I'm going back out. I feel like I can't do this."Is your transition over? Don't you have anything else to do here? Why are you still here?" He asked me sternly.I coul
As I walked out of his office, I carried the weight of my broken dreams and the agony of my fractured relationship with him.It was a painful sacrifice, but I was determined to prove my worth and build a future for myself and my child, even if it meant forging a new path outside the confines of the Yuchengco name.Fuck this family reputation."Is this final? Are you really leaving? How? Where will you go?"Aurora bombarded me with questions as she hurriedly sat beside me. Kim just looked at me, holding my ultrasound results.Yes, I'm pregnant. I've been disowned by my own father. Oh, how great it is to start fresh. Fucking fresh."Don't you think you should tell him about this? You can just show him this and everything will surely be fine. Show your Dad that the father of your child is not just some random guy." Kim suggested.I lowered my gaze to my hand that was resting on my stomach. I had thought about that too.Maybe if I tell him that the child is from the Rioflorida family, he'
"Are you still going to your meeting with the Sy Corp. for lunch, dear? I'm asking because I want to come with you if it's okay with you."I looked at her and smiled. "Don't you want to stay at home and rest? You might get tired again, and Papa will worry about you."She walked around my table and sat in front of me. The pearls around her neck and wrists shimmered as she moved."Your Papa can't do anything about it. Besides, Amanda and I have plans to meet today. You can join us, and afterward, we can go shopping together."I couldn't help but grin as I stared at her. She's in her mid-50s, but she acts like a teenager. Her age doesn't show on her because she remains healthy and beautiful. It seems like she's never been stressed in her life."Fine, Mom, but we'll go home right after. I also need to pick her up," I replied.The door swung open and my secretary, Pau, walked in carrying the files I had requested. She placed them on the table and
Six years ago, he left the country to accompany his dad for his open-heart surgery. The operation went well, but his dad still needed him to take over the management of all their businesses.Liam and I talked about our personal lives for almost half an hour before he finally turned to the real purpose of our meeting."I sent a proposal to your email. Dad has been asking me to do this, especially when he found out that you're now managing the Percepta Group. I'll give you enough time to think about the proposal before we proceed with anything else, don't worry," he said, taking a sip of his coffee while still keeping his gaze on me."I'll check it when I get back to the office. Papa mentioned it to me as well. I think it's fine," I replied, referring to the bidding that will take place at Aomori Resort and their long-standing proposal for a partnership."I don't understand why there's so much interest in that resort. It's not particularly special. I've bee
My beloved Celeste Koa,Hi, baby. I know that at this moment, you're crying and hurting deeply. I promised that I wouldn't make you cry anymore, but I repeatedly failed, so please forgive me.Forgive me because I was a coward to face you. Forgive me because, in the end, my courage wasn't enough to fight for you and our child. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to tell you that I'm tired.I'm so tired, but I don't want to give up. I don't want to die. I don't want to leave you, but I can't do anything.When they told me that my memories would return soon, that was the sign that I would soon be gone. I wanted to tell you, my love. I wished to tell you because I wanted you to stay by my side until the end, but I felt like I was being too selfish. I couldn't bear to see you hurt and crying anymore.So forgive me if I did everything to make you hate me. I did everything to make it easier for you to accept that I'm no longer here. So that you wouldn't be hurt too much.But I was wr
And what does he call what I'm feeling now? Easy? Is this easier for him? He died without me by his side. He died without me knowing his final wishes. He died without me knowing his last words.He died without us, without his daughter by his side.How do I tell this to Ariah? How do I explain everything to her? Why did he have to do this? I can't understand.I caught my breath as I tried to pull myself back from the darkness. In the midst of my sobbing and wailing, Rusty came to pick me up and hug me. When I looked at him, he was also crying. A sign that he knew nothing about what happened."Celeste, I'm so sorry. Please forgive us..." Tito Isaiah muttered. "My son... It was his wish not to let you know everything. If it were up to me, I would have told you about his last day, but he didn't want that, and I couldn't do anything."My hands trembled. I sobbed again. I covered my mouth and screamed in anguish. Rusty held me tightly to prevent me from collapsing."If only I could have tol
He had a serious expression as he stood up and approached me. He helped me put on my necklace."I'm with her, Au. If you want, you can come too. Once she's satisfied enough, then we'll bring her home immediately," Rusty convinced her.Aurora just rolled her eyes, almost losing the color in them."You're spoiling her too much, Rusty. I don't know about you two," she said, grabbing her bag. "But I'm coming along, even if you don't say so."After that, Aurora stormed out. I could feel her anger, and I understood it because she just wanted to protect me. I was also frustrated with myself for not being able to give in to the people around me.It's just that I feel like I need this. I need to witness firsthand that there's really no hope left for us to reconcile. I need to see that so I have nothing left to hold on to."Hey..." Rusty called me.He turned from behind me and faced me. His eyes showed deep concern as they glistened."Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked carefully.I bit
When I exited, I used the service elevator as Paula said he was waiting in the parking lot. As I arrived, I immediately spotted him. He was standing, facing his car, talking on his phone. I could hear his voice clearly."I don't want to force her. I'm not expecting anything, but if she agrees to this, then okay. I'll be happy. It's for her too," he said to the person on the other end.Who was he talking to, and what were they discussing?I remained standing behind him. He was too focused on his conversation, probably not sensing my presence."I hope she agrees. I've been wanting to ask her about this since last week. I'm just looking for the right time—idiot, Ru! Fool! That's why you still don't have a girlfriend because you're a shy son of a bitch!" he exclaimed to his friend, Ruru.I couldn't help but burst into laughter at that. After a while, he ended the call and slowly turned to face me. I could clearly see how his soul briefly left him in shock when he saw me."Celeste! You sta
I hugged Ariah, and I almost teared up. "Very good, baby! I'm so proud of you. Whatever the result of your exam, mommy will always be proud of you, always remember that, okay?""I love you, mommy. I'm happy that you're back," she whispered to me, causing me to pause."Because of that, we're going to have a little outing! Right, mommy?" Rusty cheered again, so I looked at him."Am I already your child, and is that how you address me?" I teased him.He just smirked and approached Ariah. "Don't mind your grumpy mommy. Where do you want to go?"I returned to my desk to organize my things while still hearing their conversation."Alright. Mall it is. What my little unicorn wants, my little unicorn gets," Rusty said playfully to my daughter, and I glanced at him.He stood up from kneeling and looked at me. I smiled at him and mouthed thank you. He just approached me and hugged me tightly, including Ariah."I love you both. A lot," he whispered.It was already late when we arrived at the mall
When he finished, he headed straight to me and sat down beside me."Your voice is amazing! You could be a dancer now!" Kim shouted at him, and everyone cheered.I just stared at him, amused by his participation in the banter."That's my hidden talent," he said."I wish you had hidden it instead," Oliver joked, and they all laughed again.When their banter subsided, he finally turned his gaze to me. I gave him a restrained smile, unable to explain my emotions.All I knew was, he is too good for me, and I am too bad for him."You were amazing," I whispered in a low voice, taking a sip of the beer in my hand before grabbing another. "I need to go to the bathroom," I excused myself when I felt a wave of nausea due to excessive nervousness.I heard Rusty calling out to me, but I ignored him. I went straight to the bathroom and threw up repeatedly, followed by another round of silent sobbing.I didn't know the reason. I didn't know why. I just wanted to cry because it felt like my heart was
I couldn't control my emotions when I briefly saw her behind the large doors of the church. I gasped as I witnessed how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown. Happiness radiated from her eyes as she slowly marched towards the front. Toward Noah."Gods. It makes me want to get married too," I heard Aurora whisper, so I nudged her."Then accept Oliver's proposal already," I said, redirecting my attention to Kim."Okay, later," she replied, and we both laughed.When Kim reached our seats, she began to cry, and we couldn't help but cry along with her. She couldn't even continue walking, so Noah quickly came to escort her down the aisle, and everyone applauded.Throughout the ceremony, I just gazed at Him. I couldn't help but silently pray. I hoped that everything would be okay after this. That I could fully accept what happened between Arik and me.It was so hard. Starting over was so difficult, but every time I remembered how Ariah begged me while crying, my heart shattered. I always
"Are you okay, Celeste?" he asked me gently, about to approach me, so I spoke up immediately."Don't you dare," I sternly replied, looking him in the eyes.Pain flashed in his eyes, intensifying my emotions. Is this real? Is he playing with me?"I just want to check on you...""Leave."My anger was barely contained, and I averted my gaze from him."I don't want to see you again. Leave, and don't show yourself to me again."It seemed like my heart wanted to take back those words, so I quickly closed my mouth and glanced at Rusty. He was just looking at me, concern evident in his eyes."Celeste-""What the hell are you doing here, moron?"I swiftly turned at the speaker, and that's when I saw Dad and Mom entering. Benjamin was behind them, marching towards me.I saw Arik glance at Dad. I suddenly felt afraid for him, but I couldn't do anything anymore. Why did he even come?"Mr. Fuentebella, I'm just here to check on Celeste—""And why? Can't you see that she's not okay? And what's next
Life is so mercilessly relentless, and that's what makes grieving hard. The world keeps on spinning, and after every sleepless night, the sun still rises.Even when you want to die, there are people who will persistently try to save you from the death you've long desired.I stared blankly at the ceiling in the room where I found myself, slowly recalling the memories of what I did before losing consciousness. What am I doing here again? Why am I still here?I slowly roamed my eyes throughout the entire room, and there, I saw the bandage wrapped around my pulse. There were traces of blood. What happened?Who fucking saved me?"Celeste..."I turned slowly to the one calling my name, and Aurora quickly appeared before me. I suddenly remembered that she was the last person I saw, and her loud scream was the last thing I heard.She saved me. She wanted me to live, so she rescued me. Why?"How are you? Is there still pain?" She asked me, trying to calm herself, but I could clearly see the th