CHAPTER 20
Sweet torture, that's the word that keeps on haunting him about Agnes' new assault. He can't sleep nor eat. His mind is filled with desire with the rate that his wife is going; it looks like she is calling the shot. He dreaded going for his meals since Agnes kept joining him, yet he wanted to see her badly. His body is so taut that he doesn't know if he can take it anymore. After Agnes returned from her vacation, something changed in her. She was feistier and intentionally provoked him.
Agnes watched him intently as he was having his afternoon coffee. She especially made a beautiful cake for him. He stared at the cake decorated with a smiley face and the word "thank you" on it.
"What is this for?"
"A thank you cake."
Chris frowned, "Why do I deserve it? Are you trying to mock me?"
CHAPTER 21 David Bern observes the girl walking towards her with the unconscious grace that comes from good family breeding. Her head held high like a queen floated towards him. The first time he sees Agnes Walden, he knows she would be different. He could see the intelligence in her green eyes as she gazed at him, studying him like a curious child. She was beautiful too, but not in the usual mold. He was fascinated with the woman, and he could not understand why Chris would treat her like this. He observes that she is looking downcast. David looked at her worriedly. He tried to smile, but it fell short. "Hi, Agnes..." "David..." she acknowledged with a nod. Her eyes penetrated to his soul. His guilt is beyond compare now. "Welcome to my humble abode." It is truly a humble abode. It's not a
CHAPTER 22 Chris Duvier heard the news. His brows furrowed with annoyance. He cannot believe his trusted friend just disobeyed his orders. He was angry, and most of all, felt betrayed. He slammed the document on his desk and punched the intercom. His secretary entered the door, notebook and pen in hand."Sir?""Make sure you informed me when David arrived from the island," he said coldly. Joan Rogers, his secretary, looked at his boss. Shivers ran from her body. If he is in this mood, it's a clear sign of danger. She must inform the staff to thread gently today."Anything else, sir?""Cancel all my meetings today.""Huh..." she stared at him. David is in trouble!"Well, of course, sir." The secretary hurriedly left and sent emergency news to the staff.David Bern entered the office and noticed the silence right away. He had just arrived from the island, the frantic message and missed calls already piling up on his cell phone. David sighed and
CHAPTER 23 Lea stared at the broken mirror. Her face cleared with make-up now, and her golden hair cascaded on her face. She looked beautiful, but if you looked closely, one could see the hard glitter of her eyes. She had already lost all innocence that once endeared her fans when she first made her appearance in a cameo role. She was the toast of the town then--- a movie and modeling offer knocked on her door without her even making an effort. Life was good then. Her decision to run away to the city, to this day, was still her best decision. She acquired fame and money that she thought would not diminish. And if that was not enough, she also married a wealthy surgeon who has the proper connection in the movie business. Then, the divorce came---. She bitterly remembered how her goo
CHAPTER 24 Agnes watched the approaching man with anticipation. The last time he visited her was weeks ago. This time, he looked more relaxed. David's smile was friendly and happier. He has also dressed appropriately this time. He wore white shorts with a matching V-neck stripe shirt and a pair of topsider shoes. He looked like one of the models she saw in the magazine -casual and chic. Atty. David Bern is a successful lawyer, rich, handsome, and single. She wondered if he had girlfriends too. Women will find him a good catch. Jose followed him closely, pushing boxes of goodies that David brought to the island. She is pleased to see him. Agnes was living on the island with only Jose and Maria as a companion can be dull. Of course, she has the mini cooperative that was immensely growing with islanders' help. At tim
CHAPTER 25 - TALL TALES Chris Duvier tried to duck away from one of the most famous gossip mongers in New York, but the old socialite is much alert than he is. She had seen him enter the Hilton Hotel lobby before he could see her, who was conveniently positioning herself at the hotel entrance. With a much confident gait, she approached him, together with her group of cronies, looking like a sweeping hawk sensing new tidbits. He's been trying to avoid the tabloid for the past week, toning down the secret meeting with Lea into just a necessity. The news has been mercilessly pounding him. Some of his business partners and friends have already voiced their concerns about his married life. The seventy-year-old socialite Barbara Barry is someone he doesn't want to see in a public place. She was a n
CHAPTER 26 The meeting was long and critical for their plan to acquire an old factory. The old owner wants a bigger pie on the buy-out. Chris Duvier's acquisition officer was reporting to him about the demands of the owner of the property. "The man wanted to increase the price 10 million more. He said he was not selling if you wouldn't give the additional amount. Chris, are we going to give in to his demand?"
CHAPTER 27 Bern's Masquerade Ball is a spectacular event with only special people invited to participate in the event. It ranked as the top five of the most anticipated party of the year. The invitation is as coveted as praying for manna. Socialites, tycoons, artists, politicians, and the shaker and movers of the country descend on this small town every 9th of May to celebrate Bern's weeklong event. Agnes gasped at the grand ballroom turning into a fairytale land complete with a vast fountain splashing at the center. At a raised stage, an orchestra is playing the classic song of waltz and ballads, while at the ceiling are acrobatic fairies dancing and flying from one chandelier to another while sprinkling gold dust. The guest has masked on different creative shapes. Everyone is having a good time. To her, they seem more human than what she was used to seeing on television or reading in maga
CHAPTER 28- PULLING ALL THE STOPS She strategically seated herself from across the room to see the incoming guest of the restaurant. According to her very reliable source, which she paid a hefty sum just to get the information, Barbara Barry will be dining in the restaurant with friends. Lea Walden tried her sources just to get an invitation, but it seems everybody wants one. Everybody had a bidding war to get that Masquerade Ball invitation. A little bird told her that Barbara Barry could get her inside. She waited patiently, but it was already very late. Lea rechecks her watch, but it seems her informant has conned her. She was getting tired of waiting when a flurry of guests came,
CHAPTER 49 Agnes looked at David with eyes brimming with tears. Her beautiful green eyes looked like the misty forest of Winshord Castle moors. She was seating across from him inside a small cafe that operated twenty-four hours a day near the bus station. The cafe was deserted, except for the sleepy worker of the establishment and an aged man snoozing at a corner.Her hand was twisting the yellowed table cloth, as she nervously face David. “It’s okay if you will not forgive me,” Agnes said without preamble as the silence stretched between them.“You cause so much pain to your family and friends. I’m not sure whether I should wring your neck out of madness or just hugged you out of relief that you are still alive.”“David, I will not explain why I disappeared, only that I have a very valid reason that I cannot reveal.”David's jaw tightened in anger. “How could you say that Agnes? You of all people should know that what you
CHAPTER 48 “Duvier! What are you doing here?” Barbara tumbled into his arms as he bumped unto her. Chris gasped as he stared at the grinning elderly woman batting her eyes at him coyly. He pulled her up while looking around for Agnes. “Where is she---” “Who?” Barbara stared at him confusedly. He stopped himself from blurting Agnes' name. Instead, he collected himself and tried to smile, covering his blunder. “Lady Elizabeth, I need to see her.” “Ah…” Barbara stared at him for a long time. She got the feeling it was not Lady Elizabeth he was looking for. She wondered if the nosy
CHAPTER 47Agnes pulled down the hooded jacket to cover her face. She was embarking n a surprised if not most unpleasant decision of her life --- to visit her sister in the hospital. She had been hiding from her past until now when she saw her sister rushed to the hospital. Even her aunt and Barbara did not know that she was going to make this trip back to her old world. Yet, the idea of Lea being sick drove her with worry. Her sister was always healthy and she was not known to get sick easily. She wondered what drove Lea to get sick. She just wants to take a look at her secretly and disappear afterward.The hospital was surrounded by reporters and onlookers. All waiting for the news of the famous star. She can see flowers on the entrance filing up and letters of well-wishers. Agnes stopped. She wondered how to get inside without being noticed. The chance of her being seen was high yet only when she can see her sister would make her feel at peace.
CHAPTER 46 Lina or Agnes in her real-life dropped the baking pan she was holding as she saw the news on the television. The anchor grimly announced the news about Lea Walden being rushed to the hospital by her fiancee, Chris Duvier. “The couple who been dating for a long time was last seen together in Duviers penthouse. It was rumored that Chris Duvier, the billionaire proposed to the beautiful actress tonight. Yet. Something had happened when the actress Lea Walden collapsed and was rushed to the hospital with her loving fiancee in tow. Stay tuned for more news.” “Are you alright, Lina?” Lina stumbled and tried to sit down on one of the stools near the counter. Worriedly, her assistant baker touched her forehead. “You seemed not well. Why don’t you go home and I will finish the baking here.” She sig
CHAPTER 45 The man put down the dossier of Lina Summers in front of the billionaire, Chris Duvier. The private agent which was hired months ago was surprised with the request and thought, he hit the jackpot. And he did. He cannot believe what he found out about Lina Summers---he has no doubt who she was. “Everything about her was in that document. The real Lina Summers died when she was very young. Ms. Agnes Duvier just took her name.” “Changing one’s identity was expensive and few correct connections. Agnes cannot do that. Even if she was a Walden, her connection cannot reach that point. How did she do it?” “Barbara Barry pulled all the strings.” The detective said gravely. “Her connection was enough to cover up your wife’s supposed death. The boat was her personal property and the reporter who broke the first news was her people.”
CHAPTER 44 Lady Elizabeth, listened to the panic-stricken voice of her friend as she told her about Chris Duvier's presence in Riverside. She was numb. The possibility, of being discovered did cross her mind. She was ready to face the consequence but when it happens for real, her knees buckled with apprehension. Chris Duvier is an exacting man. A dangerous enemy. What he hates most were liars like them. They managed to dupe one of the most powerful men in the country. It looks like the wheels had turned. Time to pay up for their misdeeds. She remembered too clearly when Agnes returns home from her visit to Chris Duvier. She was trembling when she entered the library where Lady Elizabeth was conducting her business. Agnes sat down at the big wing chair silently watching her. “What happened, child?” She looked in alarm at Agnes whose eyes were very red from c
CHAPTER 43 Autumn had arrived in Riverside. The trees have turned into a fiery glow of orange, yellows, and reds. It’s Lina’s favorite season and her son, Adam. They would go out in the afternoon and play underneath the maple trees in their backyard. She would pretend to shovel Adam inside a pile of leaves. Her son would growl and try to catch her while she pretended to be afraid. Their peals of laughter would ring the backyard. Later, Rita would call them back for a snack of muffins and warm milk. She felt at ease now. The money from their investor had been pouring on their bakeshop and she paid her bank loan diligently. Joan Rogers visited her every week to check on the progress of the business. She also brought a lot of consultants and big players in the food industry business to help her set up the bakeshop. Lina has started building a commissary near her first bakeshop and she was hiring more
CHAPTER 42 Barbara Barry and Lady Elizabeth retired to the study, to enjoy the tea and the goodwill cake which was served at dinner. Both of them had a sweet tooth and both loved teas. They both drink it all day long like water. Comfortably seated together with a burning fireplace near them, they assumed their usual gossip, especially what happens at dinner. “Poor Lea…” Lady Elizabeth murmured sadly. Barbara sighed, “It looks like Duvier is still stuck in the past.” “Yes...”, She sighed worriedly, “What have we done Barb? So much misery. Every time I look at Duvier, I wondered if we did the right thing.” “Shhh…quite somebody might hear us.” She look
CHAPTER 41 Everybody is tiptoeing around the boss. Since, the death of his wife, Chris Duvier had changed drastically. He was constantly working like he was driving himself to destruction. The stress level had affected the company. They are growing exponentially but they have more employees resigning because of the stress and demands of Chris Duvier himself. He never smiled too. He never goes out to date and lost interest in women. He dropped a lot of weight and his eyes have dark circles around them. He was practically like the ghost of a man. David Bern was so worried about his friend that he moves back and work with Chris Duvier again. It was a gloomy time for the company. Joan Rogers, his secretary, had faithfully worked for the man but she too, was on the brink of giving up. She doesn’t know when he will return to normal. When he strode into th