[heavy single gasp]What the…[gasping continues]“Where am I?”“What happened? “I don’t understand what’s happening and I can’t process everything right now. I have to catch my breath.[slowly calms]I look around to see the place and I am sure I am not in my house.This place… looks like a condominium… yes, I am right. The blinds are open and the sunlight is flashing through the transparent big glass wall and I am probably on a high floor.[deep sigh]I wonder how I got here. Did I hook up with a girl last night? Was I drunk??Grr, I’ll figure out everything later. I have to go back now. My fiancée is probably waiting for me.I push myself up from the bed but…“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”“What the---”I rapidly close my eyes again and hoped that it was a mirage. I can hear my heart beating so loud and fast.I took a deep breath before opening my eyes again hoping that something just glitched…[slowly open eyes]“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”What is happening to me?!! What the f*ck is
Chelsea’s POV[rain pouring out heavily]The weather probably knows what I am feeling right now. It conceals the tears that come out of my eyes.“I missed you, Dale” I whispered.I'm sure he heard me, or he's only an inch away from me. I'm still thinking about him.I visited him every day for days after he was buried, simply to cry in front of his grave, trying to soothe the agony. I'm at a loss for how to divert my attention. How can I ever get past this?I turned to face the ground and felt the rain pour down on me, competing with my tears.[sobbing]Huh? The rain stopped?No. It didn't, but I couldn't feel it any longer. I lift my head and see an umbrella on me, and as I glance back, I see this lovely lady holding it for me. Her beauty had taken my breath away. She was dressed entirely in black, which made her glow, but it was her eyes that drew my attention.Why do those eyes appear so sorrowful and agonized?I'm not sure, but there's something incredibly familiar about her that I
Chelsea’s POV“It was nice meeting you Zae” I escorted her outside and Ken is just there waiting.“I hope this wouldn’t be the last time, I’ll see you again and… I’m sorry about earlier” she apologized.I laugh awkwardly and assure her that everything is great and that I understand. She began going towards her car, where Ken was waiting, and I decided to go inside first to change my clothing.To be honest, I'm still stunned by what happened. I'm perplexed.When I told her I felt at peace after meeting her, she almost kissed me. What exactly was it?It's simply incredibly odd. She was only being herself, but she had a significant impression on me, and I couldn't get upset or throw her out because of her odd gestures.“I missed you”Those phrases keep playing over and over in my head!! She said this before attempting the kiss. I was too surprised to respond right away. Gosh! What exactly is all of this? I'm completely distracted.“Chels” I turned back and it was Ken, “that girl is reall
Chelsea’s POV “Five… twenty… one, three, fourteen... you know where to find me” I gently tell her and force a smile before I leave” Those words keep flashing in my mind. When she said that number, the first person that came into my mind was Dale. I don’t believe her claims and it was all crazy notions but I couldn’t help it. Half of me says that I shouldn’t believe any of those but half of me also says that I should at least see it for myself. Grr, what am I doing? I can’t believe I am actually heading to that place. “Good morning Ms. Chelsea. It’s been a while” the receptionist greeted me with a pleasant smile. I responded with a smile before releasing a sigh. I walk in and head to my usual spot but surprisingly, she’s there, sitting on our spot, particularly on Dale’s usual seat. It made me stop and stare at her for a while until she noticed me snooze out. I regain my composure and approach her. “You came…” she gently said. I took the initiative to sit in my usual seat. “I
Dale's POV “Steff?” “What are you doing here?” I asked but she’s not answering me. She continuously stared at me like I was a criminal. “Who are you?” Oh shook!! Why did I say her name?? Grr I forgot am a girl and she probably hasn’t seen me before. She must be wondering what a stranger is doing here. “What are you doing here?! Are you a thief?! Help!! Help!!” she ran to the corner of my room, scared. She grabs the trophy that’s on the table holds on to it as tightly as possible and positions herself in a position ready to hit me. “Hey! Hey! I’m not going to hurt you and I am not a stranger! I know Dale and I know you!” “What’s your relationship with my brother?!” she guarded herself and didn’t seem to believe me. “I am… uh…” shi*t! how do I say this? “I am Dale’s ex-girlfriend, I’m Aliyah” “What?!” I know that reaction. She’s really mad at me for not telling her about my ex-girlfriend. “I do not believe you! Brother never mentioned to me any ex-girlfriends that she had” “
Chelsea’s POVRight now, most of me believe that inside that woman is my fiancée, Dale. Each day I found reasons to justify that she’s really him, inside her. A woman like her who came from a well-off family will not waste her time trying to play games with me and besides it’s impossible that someone like her knew some very personal things about us.I asked him for dinner but he declined and told me he had some business to do. It makes me quite anxious because he’s quite serious the whole time.“Hey!”“What the---”It’s Ken. My heart almost dropped when he suddenly showed up.“You’re snoozing out. What are you thinking?” he asked after taking a seat in front of me.“Something you should not care about and what are you doing here?”“Whoa! You speak like her though”“Who?”“That suspicious woman… what’s her name again?”“Zae”“Zae? Hmm… sounds familiar though…”“So, tell me what brought you here?”“Nothing. Just visiting you in case you feel sad and need some company I am just right her
Dale's POV “I did” I can feel Chelsea’s grip tightens and my heart starts to beat really fast. “Then we have a business to talk. It’s either you cooperate or we’ll have to summon you” She unwillingly let us enter their house and offered us something to drink. It was against her will but we’re still considered guests and she doesn’t want to appear rude and disrespectful. “I knew it. You’re the one I saw that night when he died” “Tsk! I was in the States when I heard he passed away” “Then are you denying the fact that I saw you that night?!” “Seriously, you’re pissing me off!!” She took her phone and scanned something. After a while, she showed us something, a ticket for her flight the day before I died. She’s telling the truth. “I did visit him earlier that day before my flight because I thought that I would never be coming back here and to think that he’s ill, makes me feel bad---” “Why would you?” “My family and he might have some fights but at least we have each other as
Dale’s POVAfter the dinner, we decided to stroll around the city. There are still number of vehicles since it’s still early. We sat in the park and watched people passing, talking, just doing their own business. “Thank you for making my night special” she broke the silence.“All for you” I simply replied with a smile, “I’m just curious…”“Hmm?”“Why didn’t you push me or are you not even mad that I kissed you?”“I wouldn’t be sitting next to you if I’m mad” she chuckled.She took a deep sigh, “when you kissed me, it just felt right”“I guess my timing was right. I have to take it slow for you but don’t confuse me with Zae…”[CHUCKLES]“You might actually fall for her and forget I exist in her” I added.It was a joke but she just blankly stared at me until she just broke a soft laugh.“Are you okay?”“Yeah! I’m definitely okay. Something just hit my mind. Should we head back now? It’s getting cold”“Sure” I walked on her side and as we approached the street, I was surprised that I h
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” mom asked.“Yeah. I’m good. I want to visit him before I leave the country” I answered.“I am sure that he’ll be very happy to see you”“So am I. I’ll go ahead, Mom. I need to buy flowers before going there”“Sure. Take care”I took my car key and left the house. It’s been a month has passed when we finally sent Stacey to jail. We have enough evidence that could prove all her wrong doings and Ryan also helped up with his testament but he didn’t escape the punishment. He was also sentenced to a short-term imprisonment but he accepted it since he acknowledged that it was a pure mistake that he willingly did because of Stacey.I stopped at a flower shop and bought flowers.“For your lover?”“Eh?”“I’m sorry. I am just curious. White flowers look pretty and neutral. It would fit for anyone”“Oh… is that so… give me a bouquet please”“Sure”She started arranging the flowers and the moment she finished, I paid her.“You don’t want to put some letter
Dale’s POV“Why are you making stories? Stacey is my girlfriend---”“I am not making stories, Chelsea!”“Then what is this?!”“This is the truth! I know that I wasn’t good to you but I can never attempt to kill you---”“Tell me… I am curious about this… you denied that you met the guy who fabricated the pill… where were you then? Why can’t you tell the truth?”“First, I don’t know who that man is! I never seen him and I never brought a pill to him! I can’t to the court where I am because…”“What?”“Because I am having an affair with a politician!”An affair?“You mean a relationship with a married man?”“Let me make that clear, they’re divorced”“That’s pretty valid but that’s not enough to prove me your innocence”“I understand. You have every right to be mad at me. But you know what you made me realize? That was drifting apart. Every day, it gets harder to reach each other and that is because I pushed you away. Because I am obsessed with my career and want only the best for you, I d
Chelsea’s POV“Come in”Stacey invited me in. We’re meeting at her house since she told me that she has something to tell me. Whatever it is… I have no idea.“Please take a sit”I sat in the couch in front of her and acted as naturally as I could.“You should drink first”She offered me food and drinks too.“Thank you for the offer but I can’t drink juice anymore”“Is that so…”“By the way…what is it that you want to tell me?” I asked.“Did Zae’s mother come to you?”“No”She’ll surely suspect me if I say yes.“Okay… the thing is… she has a voice recording and she’s been using that to blackmail me”“What voice recording?”How did she know about it?“It was supposed to be an audition piece. I wanted to enter showbiz so I could be around Zae and it happened that she’s the veteran actress who partnered with me to do the audition and last minute she decided to change the script and when I delivered that, she secretly recorded it and she’s been using that to blackmail me”“Why didn’t you r
Chelsea’s POVWe are on the way to see Zae’s mother and ask about the time that she visited Zae on the night that she died since the guy next door told us his wife had seen her. She might feel that this is a little inappropriate but this is the only way I know to find the culprit.After hitting the doorbell, someone came out.“Who are they?”“We’re looking for Ms. Marissa, is she there?”“Can I ask for your name so I can tell her?”“Sure. I’m Chelsea, Zae's friend and we want to talk to her for a while”“Wait here”After a while of waiting, the helper came back and let us in.As we entered, we saw Zae’s mother in the living room, smoking with her sleeping robe on. She told us to sit in front of her before she squeezed out the cigarette.“You’re Zae’s friend?” she asked.“Yes”“What do you want?” she uninterestingly asked.“We want to ask if you visited Zae on that night that she died”“I did” she answered with no hesitance.“Why?”“Don’t tell me you’re suspecting me as the one who kil
Ken’s POVIt’s been a week that I have been working on this problem that I have with Dianne. I want to nullify this marriage before Chelsea learns about it. I couldn’t see her while having this problem. I want to make sure to finish this before visiting her and tell her about it so I can explain.“You don’t have to make up stories just to divorce me” Dianne entered the office saying that.“What do you want?” I coldly asked without paying attention to her.Just a few more steps and everything is done. I can finally set free from her and I have nothing to hide from Chelsea.“You’re acting like we've never been in love with each other”“Are we? I can’t remember”“Don’t make me look stupid. You signed it and so do I---”“And then what? You run away?”She looks stunned when I say that. Of course, she can’t deny that because that is the truth.“That means you were looking for me?”“What do you think?”“I think… you loved me”“You guessed it wrong. I was looking for you to confront you about
Ken’s POV“I called them”“And your family?!”“Yeah”Before leaving the airport in Paris, I called them telling them we were going home. I didn’t ask my parents to come over to Chelsea’s house, I just learned the moment we arrived that they were already in their house and they were the ones who told her parents who didn’t know that we were coming back.Her come came close while crying and they embraced each other. Everyone started to walk close including my family. They’re all there except for Adrian. He told me that he was already back in the States to win her girlfriend back.“My son…” Mom was happily smiling at me like a proud mom.“Hi, mom”“I missed you so much,” she said.I hugged her tight and she did the same.“She’s very worried about you. She’s not used to you being far from her” Kyle stated.We loosen up and I see Dad standing in front of us.“Dad…”“Welcome back…”He reached to me and hugged me while tapping my back twice.“You prove to me I was wrong… You did great” he sa
Chelsea’s POV[ONE MONTH LATER]“Are you sure that you can manage to travel?”“Yeah. Can’t you see? I am walking and I feel better” I replied trying to convince him.“It’s not recommended for you---”“Please?”“You’re making pretty eye again. You know I’m so weak with that”“Pretty please?”“Grr, you’re stubborn. Fine.”I did a victorious smile after winning a request. Although traveling is not too risky for me he was worried that I might feel something on the plane however the doctor says that it’s possible as long as I take enough precautions on it. As much as he wanted to stay a little longer until I recovered, I kept on insisting every day to go home. We’ve been staying here for months and I felt like a total burden to him.I was sitting on the bed while he was cleaning the room and it took me back to all the realizations that I had these past few weeks while I was in the hospital. He’s been doing all the stuff and work that he has never done before. He would run to the laundry ho
Ken’s POV“Chels! Are you okay?”“Yeah. I just feel dizzy”“You have never been on a cruise before?”“I have---”“Chels! Sh*t! Chels wake up!!”She passed out. I was able to catch her before she fell.“Help! Somebody helps us!!”I don’t know what I need to do. I am starting to panic especially since we are not in our country.“What happened to her?” a stranger approached us.“She passed out. Can you help me get a cab?”The stranger was kind enough to do what I asked him. When the cab arrived, I carried her in and told the driver to bring us to the hospital. As we arrived, some staff assisted me and asked what happened. I told them about her heath condition and her illness.“We’ll examine her and run some tests. You can wait for her outside”“Okay”I patiently waited for the doctor to come out but it’s taking longer than I expected. Weirdly, I feel very nervous like something not good is about to happen. After a while, someone came out.“What is your relationship with the patient?”“I’
Chelsea’s POV“I’ll wait for you downstairs at the cafeteria,” Ken told me.“Sure”He’s all dressed up and ready while I’m just about to do my makeup. This won’t take long anyway. I’m also excited for today because we will be hopping onto museums. Yes! He let me decide where we would be going and he just agreed on it.After I was done, I headed downstairs and I found him waiting at the table with the food already served. We began to eat so we could leave as early as possible and utilize our entire day visiting good places here in Paris.I did the routing going to the first location that I extracted. The most visited museum in Paris, the Louvre Palace. As we reached the place, the first thing we saw is the glass pyramid situated in the center of the palace. It serves as the entrance for visitors.I was taking a picture of its exterior when I heard Ken speak.“You want me to take the pictures for you so you can enjoy looking around?”“Are you sure?”“Of course,”I think that was a good