17M I R A N D A"Mommy you're taking so long." I hear Ben over the other line."I'm already riding a cab honey. I'm coming there." I tell him.Ben whines for more."Could you hand uncle Hugo his phone back please sweetheart?" I ask.I waited for Hugo to speak from the other end of the line as I feel the cab finally moving on this traffic jam. The rain is pouring hard again outside the window pane of the cab's backseat while I glare at my phone. I notice that it is already five forty-five in the afternoon and I'm already starving, a little tired too."Hey Miranda." Hugo finally speaks."Hey Hugo” I greeted trying to sound alive. “I'm on my way to fetch Ben. I'm so sorry I picked him up late. It's just because..." I trailed off. The boss from the hardware store was a maniac and I had to be nice because it's my first day. I thought to myself."Because it's raining hard and there's really heavy traffic." I added, trying to find another reason."You could've called me. I could've picked
17.5I pull my phone out and tried to message Hugo to clarify things about it.HUGO: Penthouse South. I pulled my head up and faced at the smiling attendant and showed him Hugo’s message. Her widened eyes as soon as she stares at the conversation and gasped.I arched my brow at her, “It would be pretty much of an inconvenience if I talk to your manager and try to tell him about how you treated me as a guest here?” I ask her.She looks back at me for about a minute or two, “I-I’m so sorry." She recovers and forces a friendlier but nervous smile. "My mistake."“Yeah an intentional one.” I answeredI walked to the elevator and greeted the man who was operating the buttons who smiled at me. At least he's welcoming than that jealous front desk staff."What floor?" He asks."Penthouse South."He looks at suspiciously.I forced a smile and thought for a second that this one is a suspicious one too, “Hugo is expecting me."He smiles. "Ah Mr. Saintclare. They said he was expecting a visitor."
18M I R A N D A "Too bad I can't see the view from up here." Ben says while looking out at the spacious outdoor terrace while the massive rain were washing down on everything from the outside.I sort of love and hate it whenever it rains because there is always something about the rain. I love it because it's a good time to be snuggled up on the couch or in bed while watching a good tearjerker. I love it because I get to drink hot chocolate milk with Benny which is our own way of spending time together being inside. I hate it because if ever you’re outside then it would totally get you all soakedand your clothes get all soggy."You can always come here if I'm around town." Hugo speaks to Ben and how it causes a sting in my heart. "I'll allow you to watch from here the view of New York if it's not raining. And we can watch the sunset together." He promises."You promise?" Ben asked."Yes. I promise." Hugo smiles.."Ben takes promises seriously." I warned."Me too." Hugo smiles at me
18.5Hugo and I glance at each other in silence. Suddenly, he stands from his chair, walks to the counter and stopped right in front of the bar. He picked up the silver colored phone that hanging against the wall, held it to his ear and clicked one button while tapping his finger over the counter top. Ben and I were curiously looking at him."Mommy what's uncle Hugo doing?" Ben whispers as he moves his head close to my ear."I don't know baby." I answered."Yes, hello. This is Hugo from Penthouse South." He takes a quick pause. "Could you send me three flashlights and three mugs of hot chocolate milk drink with marshmallows and sprinkles on top."Ben was surprised and looked at me with joy in his eyes. “Mommy did you hear that?”I nod with a smile."No. I want marshmallows and sprinkles. Nothing else." Hugo instructs over the phone. He gazes at me but then stares back at his feet while listening to the person talking over the other line.“Will this make uncle Hugo happy?” Ben asks me
19H U G O“You’ve been making me happy too.”Her words puts a smile on my face and it’s just fucking nuts how she easily affects me.I sigh and thought to myself that this was wrong.Completely and absolutely wrong.I stare at Miranda sleeping soundly beside Ben who seems too comfortable. She's slightly snoring and I've never heard a woman snore aside from my mom. Audrey doesn't sleep the way she sleeps and for some weird reason, Miranda snoring is kind of sexy to me. I might be going out of my head but I am doing things and saying things which an engaged man must not say to other women. I should not be thinking about things that an engaged man must not be thinking about.If I only had a family of my own, I would want a wife who is as diligent, hardworking and caring as Miranda and a son that’s witty, smart and kind-hearted as Ben.Hugo what in hell are you talking about?As I take a good look at her, Miranda slightly reminds me of Rose for some reason. I don't know why, but they eer
19.5I walked near her to stop her from waking up Ben. I stand behind her back and I placed my hands over each of her shoulders. I began pushing her gently to the front door of my penthouse so she could go to work already. "You're late right?”“But--”“You'll be much much late if you'll wake Ben. So go. I'll handle him." I persuaded her."Are you really sure?"I nod vigorously and kept pushing her to the door gently. I opened it for her as she tells me, "But I know you're busy with your job.""Okay, stop worrying." I stated."This is the second time I let you babysit Ben. And you might think I'm taking advantage of it. I'll pick him up right after my shift. I promise."I smile at her, "Stop thinking that way. I always have fun with Ben. Now go. I hate to see you leave with no breakfast but maybe I'll treat you this lunch."She shakes her head, "No. Dinner's on me this time."My smile widens on my face. "I'll look forward to it."She smiles shyly, "Me too.""I'll pick you up after your
20M I R A N D AHUGO: I'm terribly sorry I can't come for dinner with you. I know I promised but I needed to go back to London ASAP. Something important came up. I'll still be looking forward for the free dinner next time. Take care! Send my regards to Ben for me. Tell him I'm so sorry. See you both soon. xI read his message that he sent to me five hours ago. He left and I know why he came back. It's already one in the morning and I'm still thinking about the night I spent with Hugo. I wish it didn't stop. I wish it would happen all over again. I wish we'd build tents made out of sheets once more. I wish next time I could finally tell him the truth. I wish next time that I could have some confidence and bravery in me.I sigh inwardly as I reread his message for a hundredth time. I know he went back to London for his fiancée. He obviously went back there to fix the problem that they have had been going through. I just wish it isn't related about me.I mean, we've been spotted hanging
21M I R A N D A He’s really there no matter how many times I have blinked now.He’s there.He’s wearing a black Adidas jogging pants, a plain white shirt, a pair of red running shoes and that drowning light blue eyes of his which are glued on mine.Holy fucking ass!It’s really Landon.The Landon Thompson from Satellite Patrol who I have always adored for so many years now.Joan stands, “I’m glad she’s gained conscious Mr. Thompson.”“I’m glad too. Thank you Joan.” Landon smiles at me, “Hi love.”Holy ass, I should be old for fangirling but I can’t stop myself from doing so since Landon just freaking called me love.He begins to walk closer to my bed and sits down right next to me with curious eyes. I wonder how I’m going to react right now after what just happened to me with Devon. Right now, I want to scream, shout and let it all out. I want to hug him so tight. I want to throw myself at him. I want to do what fans usually do when their idols are around. But I reminded myself that
87 T H E A Sebastian committed suicide. He ended his own life with a gun in his head. No one even knew how he had a gun in the first place and no one had any idea he was going to do that. He was supposed to meet Ben and the others tomorrow for a reunion. He was supposed to live a new life after being sentenced in prison for seven years. He was supposed to live in a tropical place and start a new life for himself. He was supposed to live a life filled with dreams now that he is out in prison. Sebastian was supposed to live. I was supposed to forgive him. The autopsy report stated that it happened around twelve midnight which means just a few hours after he left our home. I have never felt so depressed in my entire life that I wasn't even able to tell him a lot of things that I wanted to say. I didnt know what I was exactly feeling, completely lost in my thoughts and emotions after Sebastian's passing. I knew that there was something wrong in his eyes when he talked to me becaus
86T H E A"How have you been?" He asks.Sebastian wore blue, white and light pink plaided top, a pair of faded jeans and a dirty white sneakers. He looked older than the last time I saw him and his hair has gotten longer too. He looked different, but those eyes still frightens me.Those merciless eyes.I couldn't stare at him longer and I had to look away from his gaze. I clear my throat, "I have been well." I answered."I'm really glad that you are." Sebastian tells me."Um, do you want to drink something Sebastian? Tea?" Ben offers.I quickly held his wrist, stopping him from leaving me alone in here and stared into his eyes as I said to him. "Please don't leave me here."Ben stares intently at me before he turns to Sebastian who speaks, "You dont really have to offer me anything."I bite my inner cheek and breathe in some confidence before I faced Sebastian. "What are you doing here?"Sebastian stares at me eagerly."What do you want?" I asked firmly."I came here to see if you ha
85T H E AI couldn't sleep the entire night as I was bothered about Sebastian's release happening in just a few hours.Thoughts were filling and piling inside my head one over the other and I don't know if this was going to let me sleep at all.So I slipped out of the bed where Ben was sleeping soundly and headed out of bedroom to get myself a glass of wine from downstairs. I hate myself when I turn to alcohol every time my thoughts are fogged up and fucked up. I hate when there are questions left unanswered and my solution is alcohol.I hated it.I hated it so much I hate myself too.I finished two glasses of wine and spent almost thirty minutes just sitting on a chair where I tried to drown and sort my troubled thoughts. I finally pulled myself up and headed back to my bedroom only until I saw Xavier heading out of his room, crying. I rushed to his side and wished that he wouldn't smell the stingy scent of alcohol from my breath."Xavier." I cooed. "What happened?""Mommy I had a n
84T H E A“Why didn’t you tell him?”Benedict's question still lingers in my mind.Why didn't I tell Sebastian back in the day?I have been asking myself that same question over and over again for the past couple of years. I used to tell myself that I wasn't ready and I know I wasn't ready. I lied to myself when I said I was ready to confess to him about our child but I was absentmindedly denying the fact that my mind was filled with so many thoughts as soon as I faced Sebastian.When I saw him, I was reminded of how he raped me mercilessly. When I saw him, I was reminded of how dirty of a woman I was. When I saw him, I was reminded of how I didn't want this baby to be born if only it hadn't been for Ben.Ben has always been my rock and my strength after everything that happened to me. All these years, he accepted me no matter what and I have been beyond blessed to have a man like that in my life.That kind of love and care he showed me is going to be something I didn't want to waste
83T H E AI stare at my own reflection in front of the mirror, I gained weight but I look different compared to the old me a few weeks ago. My eyes travelled down to my baby bump and as I turn to my side, I feel more anxiety building in the back of my head. I am not confident enough that I will be a good mother to this baby once it’s out when I know this baby came from a man who I trusted so much but just raped me. My bump is starting to show now and I know I have a lifelong responsibility waiting ahead of me. I just hope I will be responsible enough.I rub my hand over my small tummy then smiled at myself.“You will be fine.” I told my baby.Ben is here for me and for us. He always has. He made everything feel better. He made me better and happier without asking too much in return. He is a very selfless man and I owe him my life. My everything and all that I have left.I breathe out heavily and tucked my hair behind my ears as I stare at myself wearing this white dress and white ba
82B E N E D I C TShe stands by the balcony sliding door, staring at an empty space wearing my shirt and some pajamas. Standing here afar from Thea, looking at her, I can see and I can feel that her mind is full. It’s full of endless thoughts and worries. I wish I could take some from her restless bothered thoughts and I wish I could help her with what she is going through.Thea is strong but I don’t want her to have another breakdown. I hope I can share the pain and confusions she is going through right now. I wish, at least I could make her happy despite of what has happened lately.But I don’t know what to do as well.I am bothered too, restless, anxious, troubled and angry. I still have this growing hate in me and unwillingness to befriend Sebastian.I hate him.I walk towards Thea and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t budge but still sets her eyes out the window. “There are no stars tonight.” I say.She sighs heavily.“Aren’t you hungry sweetheart?” I ask.She didn’t answer
81B E N E D I C T“The CEO of Saintclare Enterprises , finally off the market!!”I read mentally the newspaper’s headlines as soon as I got into my office. I scan through the magazines which were also over my desk, and the headlines were also all about me.I sigh. “I knew this was gonna come out first thing in the morning.”The phone on top of my desk rings, I quickly picked it up, “Yes.”“Mr. Saintclare everyone is calling in for an interview with you. They’re all asking if you have any available time.” I can hear telephones ringing from my secretary’s background.“Cancel all interviews. Tell them I have a busy schedule up until next week.” I hung up.Suddenly the phone in my pocket rings. I stare at the screen and it was Mrs. Brown, my PR.I sigh as I answer, “I know what you’re going to say.”“It’s everywhere. My phone has been ringing since six o’clock this morning. I don’t know what to answer them.”“Did you say anything about Thea?”“No. Not unless you tell me to. I’m only wait
80BENEDICTI stare at Thea, and she has been looking out of the window for minutes now. I know she still has a lot of things in mind with what has happened lately and I’m sure she’s tired of thinking about it too. She has talked to Khaleel and I have had talked to him too. Despite her past, we wanted to keep it to ourselves than letting the others know about it. They wouldn’t understand what she went through to survive and it isn’t our story to tell.I have asked myself a couple of times why she had to choose such job but then I didn’t have the courage to ask her. I don’t want her to feel bad about herself and the more I ask about her past, the more she would think it bothers me.Honestly, it has been in the past and we all have had done crazy shit a thing or two. All of us deserves a second chance and women like Thea who strives hard to change herself to become a better woman deserves more than that. I am proud of her and she knows it.A smile creeps on her face as soon as I rubbed
79THEASometimes, in our lives there are instances when you just want to disappear because of awkward situations or embarrassing moments. And right now, that’s what I want to happen. I want to teleport to another place far from here.It feels like everything inside my system malfunctioned and brain feels dead. I have never felt more disgusted of myself and my past than how Sebastian is embarrassing me right now in front of Ben. No one has ever made me feel so little of myself, only Sebastian.This bastard. This one of a hell man. I wish he dies.My tears were just flowing from my closed eyes and I feel this growing pain against my chest. I try to breathe in but the pain grows as I exhale so I remained quiet. I don’t want to face anyone or see how they look at me with disgust and filth. I just want to disappear like one pop of a bubble or run out of this house and never look back.But I cant, I know I have to face them now. I have to face Khaleel. I have to face Benedict even if it’s