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
21.5But then I don’t want to end up like a weak loser. I’m going to fight. I’m going to fight for myself.“We’ll find that man. I’ll help you no matter what. He shouldn’t have done that to you.” Landon tells me.I glance at Joan and she looks at me pitifully. I hate when people look at me that way because I know I’m poor. I’m penniless. Hell, I’m running out of money in the bank. My savings aren’t sufficiently funded and I’m about to lose my job again. I know I am having a hard life and I hate when people pity me even though I know I am in need of huge help. I somewhat don’t want people to sympathize me because they will only look down on me. They will see that as an advantage. They will only make me feel like I am the worst person ever.Right now I badly need help and I know I need to learn how to depend on someone. I have been on my own for too long and it’s making me feel to lonely and tired.Thinking about it, Devon has the money and he could close the case just by paying everyon
22M I R A N D A "Mommy!"Ben runs towards me and he was quick to throw himself towards my chest coming for a hug. He's crying and I can tell from the look in his eyes that he was worried and he was scared that I was gone for hours. Oh god my baby boy truly amazes me every single day."I was so worried of you!” He says while crying. “Where were you mom? I thought you left me. I thought you forgot about me." Ben cries over my shoulder as his hug was tight.I kiss Ben's cheeks repeatedly. "Oh Ben. Baby I wouldn't do that." I release him as I rub his back with my hands. "Mommy's here. I'm here. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry mommy made you feel so worried."I see Vivian coming towards me and I quickly hug her tight as I try to hold back my tears. "What the hell, Miranda Rose! Where were you?” She asks me worriedly and scolds like a mother.“I’m sorry.” I say.“I was insanely worried about you! What the hell are you wearing? Where exactly were you last night?" She releases me and looks at m
22.5"Aunt Vivian, uncle Landon and I are going to talk about something." I answer him."Benny, uncle Arthur’s video games are upstairs. You know how to turn it on right?” Vivian asks.Ben nods.“You can play it upstairs if you want.” She adds."I can?” Ben smiles brightly. “Okay! I can practice so that I can beat uncle Arthur’s high score.” He stands on his feet and carries the glass of lemonade from the table, “I'm bringing this with me mom." Ben runs upstairs.“Careful honey!” I hollered to him.“Okay mommy!” He answers.I take a deep breath in and glanced at Vivian who was looking at me intently, waiting for me to say something. She looks at me confusingly and leans in forward as she whispers to my ear. "Are we going to tell him about Ben?"Landon glares at us while sipping his drink.I give Vivian an eye, "What? No." I spit.I pull myself away from her as I mutter to myself, "How do I start this."As soon as I told Vivian about what happened, she got so angry and it was expected
23M I R A N D A The following morning, 7:36 AM, I was already looking forward for dinner with Landon. I had the feeling that it was going to be a wonderful time spent with him and I am already freaking excited.My phone beeps and it was a message from Ned. I think he must have known about what happened to me and Devon.NED: I've heard the news from Kevin and Landon. I really feel bad about what happened to you. I’m sorry. I feel guilty because I was the one who offered you to work there. I am truly sorry Miranda. I didn't know Devon could do such a thing. He’s lways been a nice guy when I talk to him.MIRANDA: It wasn't your fault Ned. You were just trying to help me when I was looking for a job and I'm not blaming you because of what happened. Please don't blame yourself. I've gotten better and I am trying to be better. Righ now I'm just glad Devon is where he needs to be.NED: I know, it’s just hard to process everything. Landon and I made sure that he will learn his lesson in pri
23.5"Ned." I smile at him "Please stop thinking that it's because of you.""Because it was." He answer me right away. "Hugo told me before to offer you a job around here but then we were full and we weren't hiring. Now, after what happened, I needed to do something to at least ease my burdened thoughts out of my head."Does Hugo even know about what happened to me? "Does Hugo know about what happened to me?" I ask him shyly.Ned nods. "I told him."I purse my lips together and wondered if it even worried him or…. I don’t know, maybe at least I thought he would ask how I was after finding out about it."That's why he's been persuading me about giving you a job here and it’s safer if you are around under my supervision." He adds.I smile ruefully."Don't decline my offer please. At least when you're here working for me, my conscience will be at ease. I'll be able to know you're safe and you are not harmed in any way." He continues.I take another glance at the uniform and even though
24M I R A N D A Hugo smiles.Oh Hugo it's been a week since I've seen you and every time I see you I just feel like this all the time. It's crazy because I feel like I'm running out of breath when you're near or when you're around me. It's maddening because every time I see your face I can't help but want to tell you the truth but how am I gonna suppose to do that?How?It's not that easy and there are so many things left at stake. But Ben, it's obvious that he's your son and I know I need to find the courage to tell him and to tell you the truth.You're the only guy I had sex with all my life.I sigh as I think of how I badly want to tell him about these thoughts.I take a deep breath in and exhale heavily. Hoping my nervousness would release at the same time I exhale. I smiled back and greeted, "Hi…." I was caught with his handsome face and dimpled smile which I have missed seeing."Sir." I added."I told you to call me Hugo.""It's on the staff manual.” I answer him politely. “I
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