"Celeste, I apologize for Dad's absence this time. There's an emergency at Caza, and he's needed there."
I looked at Engr. Serrano, who pretended to sit on the couch in my office and smiled at him."It's alright. I still can't believe that you're the engineer they've been talking about all along."After our meeting, he followed me to my office and sent away his assistant. It's the first time I've seen him in almost four years since I became Mr. Ledesma's partner. He's the man behind the successful building projects of the Ledesma Group and SCC. He's a well-known and highly sought-after engineer, so he's not easy to find.He's also Mr. and Mrs. Ledesma's eldest child and heir."You're surprisingly free right now, huh? Aren't you usually busy with these kinds of meetings for your Dad?" I sat in front of him, and then Paula arrived with our coffee."Thanks, Pau.""I took a one-month leave, so when Dad asked, I agreed. There's something in it for me, actually." He c"I'm sorry. Don't be mad, please. I'm irritated, Celeste. You didn't answer my calls and texts, and this is what I see," he explained his feelings.I kept looking at him. He's holding back, but I could see that he's trying to be more open. I guess he's not naturally like this, but he's making an effort for me.Guilt stabbed my heart when I saw the five missed calls and texts from him."I'm sorry. We suddenly discussed the Ariah opening, Arik, that's why I didn't notice. There's no need for you to worry because—""Tell me you're only mine, Celeste, and you'll be forgiven," he interrupted what I was saying.My lips parted, and I was momentarily speechless. "Do I still need to say that? You know that already, right?" I replied.He clenched his jaw."Celeste, Rusty is a player. Next thing you know, you might become his victim. You wouldn't know because you're too friendly, baby.""But he's just an acquaintance.""And he was my blockmate back then. I know him.
"What is this place? Why are you here?" I asked Kim when we both sat down in what seemed to be the lobby."Arik hired me to work on a case here. He said he trusted me the most. Besides, your sugar daddy pays well, so I'm in," she replied with a mischievous smile."You're ridiculous. You act as if your salary from the clinic isn't enough, even though you're the owner," I teased her, glancing around the place again."You know my situation. Anyways, as I was saying, I'm working on a case here, and it's your case, Celeste. I bet Arik hasn't told you everything yet," Kim said, raising her eyebrow.I furrowed my brow and leaned closer to her. "Not yet," I admitted.Her grin turned into a serious expression. After a moment, she checked her phone briefly and then looked back at me."Come to my office."Kim led me to her office as promised. It was a glass-walled office, so we could see people outside, but she assured me that they couldn't see us."What's this, Kim?" I
It felt like a sudden shock of cold water was poured on me when I realized what was happening. We couldn't leave Ariah's learning school because we didn't know where to start looking!"I'll call someone. Stay here, Celeste," Arik said firmly as he dialed a number on his phone. "Damn it! Fuck!""Ms. Celeste, I'm so sorry. I had no idea... The guy had a companion. They introduced themselves as Ariah's relatives, so I let them go. They even showed us a picture of them with you, so I believed them. I'm really, really sorry," Amelia explained, clearly distressed.I was stunned. I quickly glanced at Amelia when she mentioned something that caught my attention."Relatives?" I asked Amelia, completely puzzled. "But Ariah only has Oliver, Benj, and Sarah as her uncles and aunt. You know them, right?"She shook her head "No, Ms. Celeste. They weren't them.""Do you know their names? Did they say anything?""They said their names were Liam and Isabella."My whole be
"You know what? You're so full of drama! It's just Ariah. I'll bring her back afterward. I just couldn't say no to Dad, unlike how you rejected him when he asked to see your child!" Isabella spat at me again.Arik quickly stood in front of me, facing Isabella. Terror overtook her face."A-Arik, please don't interfere in this.""Ariah is my daughter, Isabella, so you don't get to say that to me. You took our daughter. We can fucking sue you for what you did and let you rot in jail. How far does your greed go?" Arik retorted firmly. "You are all fucking sick for involving a six-year-old child for your selfish reasons!""No one is sicker here than you, Rioflorida!" Armando yelled angrily. "How dare you say that to my daughter!""Why, Mr. Yuchengco? Are you hurt for her? Do you feel any pity or pain for Celeste? You abandoned her back then. You threw her away. You took everything from her, yet she mCelesteged to survive on her own and came back here whole. Who's causi
In a moment, I felt Arik pull me close and embrace me tightly."Hush now, Celeste. It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself for things you couldn't even control," he reassured me as he gently kissed my head.I allowed myself to rest on his chest. I could feel his body heat, the trembling of his hands, and the rise and fall of his chest due to his deep breaths."I can't say I understand everything, but I know how you suffered alone, and that's enough for me. I'm here now. I won't let you and our child be far away from me."We remained silent for a few minutes until I remembered the conversation I had with Mom earlier. I looked up at him. His eyes were closed, and his forehead was wrinkled."Arik...""Hmm?" He groaned without opening his eyes, making me smile."Where will we live?"Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked at me with those expressive eyes."What?""I said, where will we live?"His forehead furrowed even more, and I couldn't help but chuckle. When it seemed like he under
In the corner of the room, Arik and Oliver were having a serious conversation. Just then, Aurora and Kim arrived and immediately came to my side."Shit! I thought you were going to die!" Aurora hissed, and Kim quickly slapped her."I thought so too," I replied."What happened? Why did you have an accident? Do you remember what happened?" Kim bombarded me with questions. I noticed Oliver and Arik coming closer. Oliver kissed Aurora before turning to me."Someone was chasing my three black cars. I don't know, but Genesis was supposed to be following me that day, but he suddenly disappeared. When I looked back, the three black cars were behind me."Arik sat beside me. "Why was that asshole supposed to be following you?" He asked sternly."He wanted to talk to you, so I suggested he come with me to find you," I answered. I noticed Oliver typing something on his phone while listening to my story."Talk about what, Celeste?" Arik questioned me again.I felt a rush of emotions as I remembere
I don't know how or why, but he suddenly showed up here on behalf of his father again. Maybe he wanted to talk about what happened.But why now? It's been days since I had an accident, and he suddenly disappeared. Why is he showing up only now?"Excuse me, Ma'am," Paula interrupted, and I lifted my gaze to her."Sir Liam is outside. I told him to wait because you can't leave the meeting yet," she said, surprising me.Liam? Why are they all showing up at the same time? I hope Isabella or even that Hannah won't come here right now. I think I need to ban them from Percepta."Thanks, Pau. It's almost over anyway. Who's with him?""Ma'am Isabella, too."My lips parted. I just mentioned her."Ms. Fuentebella, will you be attending the gala night next week?" Olive Laurenti, a well-known businesswoman in the industry, suddenly asked me. We're around the same age, and it's amazing how she built her own name without her family's influence."Uh, yeah, I heard about that. I'm not sure, but I'll t
"I'll be back soon. Wait for me, hmm?" Arik bid me farewell after I shared with him what I had heard from Hannah."Is there no one at your place? Where is she? Where's your Dad?" I asked with confusion.Was she alone at home? She seemed so terrified, and I couldn't tell if it was true or one of her hallucinations.Is this what he was telling me? Does Hannah experience hallucinations sometimes?"Arik," I called out to him again when he didn't respond. He seemed agitated, lost in deep thought. I approached him and tried to calm him down."Calm down, please. I won't let you leave acting like this. Something might happen to you on the way."He slumped onto our bed, cursing repeatedly."Damn it. I knew it. Right from the start, I knew he had something to do with Mom's disappearance. Both of them." He said vehemently, as if full of threats.Looking at him, his eyes were filled with danger. He's furious! And I know that when he leaves, his anger will escalate and something bad might happen.