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Martini, Kisses, and Chocolates
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Less than five minutes later, Arik returned and immediately embraced me before carrying me back into the villa. He knows I can't move. I was still surprised by the argument we had because it was the first time I did that.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let her get close to you. I should have sent her away earlier," Arik whispered to me as he laid me down on the bed.I bit my lower lip and shook my head."I'm sorry, Celeste. Tell me what I should do. Where does it hurt? Did she hurt you? What did she say to you?" He bombarded me with pleading questions as he knelt in front of me.I smiled and stared at him. His forehead furrowed even more, seemingly confused by what's happening."Come on, I'm worried. Stop smiling at me like that. I'm losing focus." He said, shaking his head, which made me laugh even more."Is this really how much you care for me?" I asked, surprising him."Where did that question come from?""I'm just curious. Were you really interested in me?Related chapters
After This Night Moments Taken
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 ch
After This Night Las Casas
When I returned to the country, I realized one thing about a person's life. It's that you can forgive some people without having to welcome them back into your life.I wonder if this will hold true for me. Can I forgive even if I haven't heard a single apology?I woke up to the sun shining on my face. The curtains danced as the strong wind came in from the open terrace. It was already noon."Arik?" I called for him when I couldn't find him in the room.I momentarily froze and remembered what happened last night. It all happened so fast, just like how everything between us happened years ago. But this is real. I'm not just dreaming. After six years, I got to hold him again. I could still taste his kisses...I quickly took a shower while waiting for Arik, but he still wasn't there when I finished, so I decided to go out.I stepped back when I saw him talking to a woman and a man who looked like they were in their mid-40s."Oh, there you are, dear. You must be tire
After This Night With Him
"Anyway... I didn't disown them," I firmly said, choosing not to elaborate further.The brunch ended in silence. Arik quickly changed the topic when he noticed I was uncomfortable with the discussion.It was already late afternoon when I decided to take a dip in the beach area of the resort. I saw Oliver and Arik walking side by side ahead of us, seemingly engrossed in their conversation.Arik's smile faded and his expression turned serious when Liam suddenly approached me, surprising me as well."Liam! You're here!" I exclaimed with excitement and quickly hugged him. When I pulled away from the hug, I noticed Arik's sharp gaze on the man in front of me."Celeste! I've been looking for you since last night, but I didn't see you around. I thought you came home early," he said and returned my kiss on his cheek. Arik didn't miss this and immediately stepped closer to me."Is that a thing here? You have to kiss each other on the cheek just to greet?" Arik commented for
After This Night Faded Memories
"When do you plan on getting married?" I heard Oliver mutter, so I looked at him. He and Arik were still in conversation.Why did the topic shift to marriage?Arik grinned beside me and discreetly kissed the area below my ear, so I glanced at him."It depends on when Celeste wants to," he replied."Wow. Wow. You're getting braver, Arik," Aurora commented, sipping her wine. "Are you sure Celeste wants to marry you?""I'll do everything to make her want to marry me, Au," Arik answered determinedly, causing me to blush even more.Aurora clapped her hands, and Oliver chuckled while teasing her. "There! Those are the answers I like," she cheered, then turned to me. "Celeste! Marry him. He's a green flag!""What about me, babe? Aren't I a green flag?" Oliver interjected, silencing her.I laughed when she blushed suddenly. "Do you want to get married too?""She's been wanting to get married for a long time, Ols. Invite her to silence that mouth of hers," I retort
After This Night The Remains
When Arik and I returned from the woods, we found the three of them, Aurora and Kim included, waiting in the suite.I couldn't even look at them directly because I didn't want to see something that would surprise me."Just around here..." I almost whispered. "Why? Isn't this place secure? That's what Dad said," I said, shifting my gaze back to them.At that moment, Arik, who just entered with two cups of coffee, met my eyes. He approached me immediately and handed me a cup."Aomori has its dangerous parts, Celeste. I hope you don't do that again. We're here. If you have questions, we can answer them, especially the ones about what you heard earlier." He spoke gently to me, as if still apologizing to me even after I forgave him earlier when we swam at the lake.I looked away from him. "I know. That's why I ran away because I didn't want to find out just yet. Is that so wrong now?"I turned away from them again and sat on the terrace. My heart was pounding for some u
After This Night Clueless
The next day, we headed back to the city early in the morning. As much as I wanted Arik to stay by my side because I was scared, I couldn't do that because I needed Ariah more now. The fear in my heart wasn't for myself but for Ariah.In an instant, I realized that we were not safe in that place. I wish we never returned.But what about Arik if we didn't come back?"Are you okay, Mommy?" Ariah suddenly asked as we walked down the hallway towards my office.She was supposed to have class today, but I asked if she could skip for the day because I missed her so much. I didn't want her out of my sight even for a few seconds. If Arik happened to come here now and they saw each other again, so be it."How was your work out of town?" She asked again, her attention on her unicorn teddy bear. I held her hand while she also held one of the unicorn's legs."Are you tired? You should rest first, like me, I won't be going to class for a while.""I'm fine, dear. Mommy just ha
After This Night Daughter
It was in Spain where Ariah came into my life. I raised her with the help of the Fuentebella family. At first, I had to hide her from them out of fear that they might not accept me and would kick me out again. They were the only family I had. I worked as a helper in one of their wine shops. Little did I know that Oliver was their son, and I confided in him about what happened to me, about what my own father did to me.One day, Oliver surprised me by bringing me to their mansion and there they welcomed me, not knowing about my pregnancy. They took me in without knowing about the child I was carrying.I received so many hateful comments, and I thought of them in a negative way. I was afraid they would react the same way my own parents did when they found out about my pregnancy.But I was wrong about them. I was wrong to have judged them that way. Eventually, they found out about my pregnancy, and they were angry not because I was pregnant, but because I kept it a secret from
After This Night Regrets & Longing
"Dear, you're here." Daddy Henry kissed my cheek. "Take a seat. Since you're already here, let us tell you everything. Oliver already told us what happened in Aomori."I could feel their gazes on me, especially Isaiah Rioflorida. Despite the signs of aging, he still had a handsome and striking appearance, much like Mom and Dad. He strongly resembled his son Arik, like an older version of him. He seemed to be the cornerstone of the Rioflorida family, but he continued to look at me tenderly, as if he wanted to say something.I cleared my throat. "I overheard you earlier talking about... my Mom. Do you know her?" I asked him.He nodded and smiled faintly. "She was my wife's best friend, hija. Your Mommy Harper, my wife, and Celestia. They were college best friends."My jaw dropped as I looked at Mom. "Is that true?""Celeste, I'm sorry for not telling you right away. I hope you understand. We needed to protect you discreetly, so that Armando wouldn't involve you in his a
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After This Night The End
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
After This Night Chapter 150 - Last Kiss
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
After This Night Chapter 149 - Whites
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
After This Night Chapter 148 - Invitation
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
After This Night Chapter 147 - Close to You
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
After This Night Chapter 146 - Take a Chance on Me
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
After This Night Chapter 145 - In Any Ways
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
After This Night Chapter 144 - Without Me
"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
After This Night Chapter 143 - Her Plea
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
