"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?" IIt 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.
"You're creepy, Benj. How do you know what I'm thinking?"He rolled his eyes and gave me a serious look. "It's so easy when it comes to you. You're very obvious. Does Arik know where you're going?"I didn't flinch. Arik left early this morning to go to the mansion before heading to his office. I've been contemplating visiting Genesis to confront him about what happened. If I tell Arik, he definitely won't allow me."Just a quick errand. Please, don't tell him, Benj. He's dealing with something right now."He just sighed and hugged me, then kissed my head. "Call me."After leaving Benj's place, my heart raced during the drive. I know this isn't right, but I just want to know something. I dialed Genesis' number after talking to Kim."Hello?"I heard his deep sigh on the other end, as if distancing himself from the noise wherever he was."Celeste.""Can we meet?" I asked him directly."Does Arik know about this? I don't want to end up dead, Celeste." He chuckled."What? Why would you die
"Why don't you try to listen to me for once? Why are you so hard-headed? Do you even know what you're doing, Celeste?" Arik's voice sounded like thunder when I entered his office."Kim already explained to you what might happen to you if you rush the procedure, didn't she? Do you still not understand that? You can forget your present memory, Celeste! Goddammit!"I bit my lower lip as I could clearly see how he was holding back from exploding. He's holding back himself and I can't do anything to calm him down."I… I-I'm sorry… I just want to help, Arik." I stuttered. "It didn't work out—""Because Kim called me that's why it didn't go through! And what happens when you get what you want, huh?" His tone was more emphatic.I just bowed to the side there.After picking me up from Kim's clinic, he brought me to his office. I thought we were going home but we weren't. He even ignored me the whole time while we were on our way here.And that Kim, I don't know if she considers Arik more of a
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