28M I R A N D ALANDON: Dinner is still on tonight, yeah? :)I smile as I stare at my phone with his name on it.MIRANDA: Yes. Of course. Change venue. I'll meet you at 15 East? Can't wait to get some Japanese foods already for tonight!LANDON: Alright! But how about I'll pick you up at your place? That'll be better.I smile because he is making sure that I wont miss dinner.MIRANDA: You're making sure I won't forget you this time. Don't worry, I won't. :) But alright, pick me up. Thanks!LANDON: Yeah, that. Lol. So how's seven? Will that be okay with you?MIRANDA: Seven is perfect. See you.LANDON: Right. See you and Ben! :)Ben?He wants me to bring Ben tonight? Well that isn't a bad thing to do but I was expecting it was only me and him. I thought it was a friendly dinner for two but I think I can take Ben with me then.I slip my phone inside my pocket and went out of the staff's lounge to start working. I begin to gather some orders from table to table and I didn't know working a
28.5She continues, “And besides we have a lot of guests.”I nod, “I see. You’re right. But we can always ask the baker to make the same cake but bigger one and--”“Hugo honey.” She turns her attention to me and looks at me in the eye, “This one will look very good on our wedding. Don't you think hon?" She asks,I stare at the photo of the cake again and it was a three layer cake but the price does not really matter because I only want what’s best for her. Yet I think she is overdoing this wedding with huge cakes.I wanted to have an intimate wedding where we only invite our families and a few close friends but she wanted an extravagant wedding. She keeps telling me that she wants our wedding to be the wedding of the year and there is really nothing wrong with that but I wished she wouldn’t have just overdone it.I don't know what's inside Audrey's head right now and why she's ordering too much foods for just one day and inviting so many guests who are not even close to us as a couple
29M I R A N D A15 EastI really thought that I might've seen Hugo when we got inside here earlier but I think I'm just hallucinating. I am actually a little bit worried if he sees me going out with Landon but then...Wait.Why would that make me worry?Hugo has nothing to do with me and Landon. Furthermore, it doesn’t concern him if I go out with his bandmate. I can go out with anyone I want because Hugo does not hold me.“I apologize that Ben couldn’t come.” I tell Landon. “I remembered he had a lot of assignments to finish. He wanted to come though.”“Awe! It’s alright. I understand. We can always do this again next time. You, me and Ben.” Landon smiles at me handsomely.I smile sheepishly thinking that there is still next time for this.The night continued as we begin to eat our dinner while I laugh with Landon as I listen to his story before I take a drink from my wine. "I bet that was the worst experience you could've ever been to.” I tell him.Landon laughs under his throat, "
29.5“I was so mad at Hugo because he knew about me and Audrey, yet he still pursued her. I was so angry at him that I almost punched him in the face a couple of times if the other lads didn't stop me."My hands cover my mouth."He knew I loved Audrey and he knew I was hurt when she left me. But….” He sighs while staring at his glass of wine. “I didn't know he was also secretly liking her when I was still dating Audrey."“That’s fucked up.” I say breathlessly."It was. Really, fucked up. He actually forgot the bro code. Bros before hoes." Landon laughs humorlessly.“I’m so sorry.” Those were the only words that left my mouth."Audrey was then offered by Victoria's Secret to become an angel and to model for them. It has been her dream and she used to tell me that before. Since she started dating Hugo, she's been getting even more famous and wealthy. She had runway offers from left and right and she loved it. She loved the fame that she got when she went public with Hugo."I shake my he
30H U G OI stand along the sliding door of my balcony while Audrey is sleeping soundly inside my bedroom. I watch as the rain continues to fall onto the ground reminding me when Miranda and Ben. It reminded me how we build up the tent made of sheets. I remember how we enjoyed quite a few times here and it makes me miss them.I smile at the thought of it.That night was filled with fun. So much fun. A night where I totally forgot that I was a busy man with so many work left undone back in England. I even forgot that I had a fight with Audrey that time. That night was a night where I was being myself.I smile at the thought of it.I was happy.The rain then reminded how Landon and Miranda entered 15 East a while ago, looking all smiles. I was reminded how she runs around the entire field and played football with Landon. I was reminded how she smiled, how she laughed and how that twinkle in her eyes glimmered that she never even showed to me. I remembered how happy they were being toge
30.5I just can't leave like this while she's still mad at me. And I can't do anything to make things okay because she doesn't want to talk to me. She doesn't want me to reach her.Even so, I grab my phone and searched for Miranda's name as if it would do anything if I stare at her. I stare at it and thinking about trying to give her a call but then I know she wont pick it up seeing my name.I sit back down on my bed and contemplating about the fact if I should text her or call her. Either of the two, she won’t respond to both. I stand up the next second and walked out of my place, getting on the elevator and riding my car after.If she is not going to talk to me through the phone then I will drive to Alfonso’s to talk to her personally.I wanna see her before I leave New York.When I arrive at Alfonso's, I quickly scan through the waitresses and waiters who were staring at me but I couldn't find Miranda."Where is she?" I murmur to myself."Mr. Saintclare."I spin myself around and s
31M I R A N D AIt's been two months since I have seen or talked to Hugo.I think I just confessed to him that I fell for him and it was such a bad way of confession. Recalling all those times I spent with him, I did fall for Hugo Saintclare and I blame him for unknowingly doing it.I hate myself for falling for him, for expecting something from him just because of his stupid words and stupid actions. I hate myself for thinking that he was actually into me but he wasn't. I knew that he has a fiancee and I should have stopped myself from falling. No matter how he explains that he did not intentionally do, his motive was still the same. He used me. He used Ben. Those words still run through my head until now."You okay?" Vivian catches my attention."Yeah.""You look like you need to talk it out. Is it about Hugo again?"I sigh heavily as I answer, "Aside from the fact that I told him to stay away from me, now I keep on thinking about that day when he was still here in New York and I
31.5All those times, I've expected too much from Hugo but it just absolutely meant nothing to him because he was taken. Two months of not seeing Hugo Saintclare or his shadow or anything about him, I got back on my track with the help of Landon. I got better. I'm still living my life.That's right Miranda, you don't need a half-assed lying Hugo.Dating Landon for months now, I've eventually learned to like Landon too. I mean who am I kidding? I have longed for him since I was a teenager but getting to know the real him, made me feel so glad that he allowed me to see the other side of him that he does not show other people. He loves Ben and that's the most important thing for me from a suitor.“Look at this cookie.” Landon shows Ben the halved cookie while I watch them in secret as they lounge inn the living room. “There’s one half of it and here’s the other.”Ben nods.“If this is the last cookie in the entire world, who would you give this half and the other one?” Landon asks.Ben
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