Matapos ang mahabang pagmuni-muni ni Chloe sa banyo, she then went back to the bedroom and tried to make her bed ng may bigla siyang nakita na gamit that was totally out of place, napansin niya ito na nakalatag sa sahig. She readily picked it up and realized it was an Alligator Engine belt by Ralph Lauren, expensive stuff. A confused look went her way.
“Kaninong sinturon ito at bakit naririto ito sa kwarto niya?” As the nagging feeling struck her, she couldn't help but think. “Could this belong to Luke?” A feeling of utter disbelief slowly penetrated her consciousness, like an intruder pushing its way into her thoughts. Despite the evidence she was holding right now, Chloe fought against it, desperately trying to deny an ounce of truth, clinging to the fact that it was all her dream.
“No way.” Her eyes widened. She turned around and pondered on it for a moment, she shook her head and pursed her l
"Mrs. Ramirez, nasa-nasa conference pa po si Sir- Sir Luke. I'll inform him of your arrival if you can just wait for a moment please." Saad nitong hindi mapigilan na mautal.She nodded as she patiently sat in his office lounge.It's a massive office.Chloe thought. The lobby exuded an air of professionalism and efficiency. It was tastefully decorated with modern furnishings and sleek design elements. A large desk occupied the center of the room, where the secretary sat, poised and attentive. Behind her, a wall of glass windows offered a stunning view of the city skyline, while potted plants added a touch of greenery to the space. The atmosphere was calm and light. She wonders if it’s the same in the operation.Shortly after Chloe stood up, she felt like stretching her legs and exploring the area. As she walked around, she passed by Luke's secretary, who was busy dialing numbers, and didn't notice Chloe walking through the office. Chloe then walked towar
Weeks passed, and Chloe infiltrated Lucille's trust, seamlessly following through with her business proposal to become the ambassador of her clothing line. Although her commitment hadn't fully materialized yet, Lucille had already sent out the contract outlining what Chloe needed to fulfill. Part of it was to model the clothes available in her store and the exclusive events she needed to attend. As she slowly put into action her plans the more that she needed to keep up with her lies, Chloe realized the necessity of fully embodying the character she was portraying. Lucille was her stepmother, and she had lived with them for some time. Chloe knew she had to be careful not to intentionally reveal any gestures or behaviors that would give Lucille a clue about her real identity. She needs to believe that she is Ruby and be immersed in her world fully to survive. And so, Chloe found herself walking on eggshells, carefully planning each step to gain Lucille's trust and friendship.
Chloe's thoughts hung heavy in the air, a situation in front led them to be speechless and the silence echoed from miles away. "Let's just get a divorce, Luke," she uttered, her voice trembling with emotion. "If you're worried about Zoie's custody, I'll agree to whatever you decide. Even if it means I won't be a part of her life anymore. I just want us to start healing, no matter what it takes," she suggested, her words laced with a hint of sadness.Her eyes were serious habang nagbabadya ang mga luhang pilit niyang pinipigilan, why she felt sad by saying it out loud was something she does not want to explore yet. Pero ang isipin na hindi na niya makikita ang batang babae at si Luke made Chloe's heart ache a little, a pang of regret washed over her but at the same time a sense of acceptance that this was necessary. It was time to start moving on, she realized. The reality was Luke’s wife, Ruby was long gone now, and soon, she would be too. With a heavy heart, Chloe acce
Biglang naramdaman ni Chloe ang mainit na halik ni Luke pababa sa kanyang leeg, it was a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced before. He expertly kissed her once again which made her lose all sense of logic. She fluttered her eyes, as she heard herself gasping and moaning involuntarily from the physical contact. He then moved his kisses covering her lips, tasting every inch of her. She smelled his intoxication, which could be brandy or bourbon, and felt drunk from this intimacy too.Luke's mind was feverish, it had been too long since he felt this much excitement towards his wife, and the way she responded to him felt differently beautiful. There's inhibition to her actions, like shyness and innocence wrapped into one. It's not the usual way Ruby used to make love with him. The way she feels under his kisses too is significantly better, she's making him feel blinded by desire. Not caring about his previous hatred towards her, Luke once again ignored the disgust
"I can explain, Luke..." she panicked, her voice trembling with urgency and desperation, wanting for him to understand. Chloe’s words were uttered in a rush; each letter was emphasized to convey her sense of pleading as she struggled to elaborate her thoughts knowing that he could harm her or kick her out. Her revenge would be put to waste if she didn’t do this right and Chloe knew she must do it right no matter what. Sweat glistened on her forehead even though the night was cold sipping through her nakedness, her breaths coming in short gasps as she searched for the right words to say it to him, her emotions slowly betraying. Her hands were clasped tightly, as she attempted to face him. "We have all night for you to tell me why my wife's face is plastered on your body," he responded slowly, his earlier sweetness and warmth gone. The man standing before her now seemed ready to go for the kill if necessary. Chloe swallowed. How could she possibly convince him of my in
As his eyes landed on her face, Luke couldn't shake the oddness of seeing Ruby before him. How had this woman managed to deceive him so thoroughly? He hated himself for not picking up on the clues sooner. Was he truly that dense? This was supposed to be his wife, and it was concerning how easily he had been fooled. Luke reflected on his belief that he could see through people's facades and lies, realizing now how foolish he had been to think otherwise.Though her words evoked certain feelings within him, he could not allow himself to make the same mistake. “This woman is an impostor,” he thought firmly. “Is she working alone? Does she have any other contacts? A syndicate working behind the scenes?”. He has no answer to these questions yet and until he does he could not afford to trust.She suddenly bit her lips, trying to suppress a cry as she wiped her tears away. Her actions caused her to loosen her grip on the sheet, the only thing covering h
Chloe opened her eyes, grimacing as she felt the soreness in her body. The sun's rays beaming brightly through the window made her squint her eyes as she shielded them using her hand. Turning around, she saw the empty side of her bed, Luke was gone, he probably left on the brink of dawn but the traces of what happened to both of them last night were evident on the sheets. A spot of blood stained the mattress and Chloe wanted to cry out of frustration at her weakness and her miscalculation on how dangerous Luke was. His seduction and charm always made her feel uneasy but witnessing how he maneuvered, bewitching her last night was straight terrifying. She did not even fight harder. Dahan-dahang bumangon si Chloe at walang pag-aatubilng naglakad patungo sa banyo, she didn’t bother covering her nakedness anymore, she wasn't sure if she was able to get enough rest. She couldn't count how many times Luke had made love to her. As she watched herself in the mirror, her face
Hindi naglaon ay umalis na din ang ina ni Luke, Chloe roamed her eyes around wondering if she should be informing him of his mother’s visit. She does not want to lie anymore so she would need him to deal with the complications on his side of the family. She was pulled back to the present state when she heard Zoie calling her again."Mommy, Mommy! Can I wear my pink dress?" sabi nito habang hinahatak ang tupi ng kanyang damit."Of course, I will fix your hair too so that you'll look pretty," she answered, and Zoie smiled from ear to ear.Chloe was standing in front of the mirror and was contemplating what she'd wear. She does not know where Luke will take them so she wants to make sure that she wears what's appropriate based on the occasion. She went through the closet and thought that wearing something fancy was a bit much so she decided to wear a simple halter body-con neck dress that hugged her flattering figure. She applied light makeup and fixed her ha
Luke watched, almost in a daze, as she plucked a flower from the ground and tucked it behind her ear, mirroring the action with Zoie. The little girl giggled as the flower brushed against her earlobe. "It tickles," Zoie commented, her laughter filling the air. Luke's mind went blank as he mindlessly dropped the book he was holding. He felt himself standing up, his movements slow and deliberate, as he walked towards the figure in front of him, unable to tear his gaze away. Nakatuon ang kanyang mga mata sa imahe nito afraid that it might just be a figment of his imagination. Luke swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to breathe. As he approached them, his shocked expression was so evident that even Zoie noticed it. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead as he tried to process the surreal sight before him. "Daddy, meet my friend. She's so pretty..." Zoie exclaimed, her innocent excitement evident as she touched the woman's
One morning, after months of relentless searching and heartache, Luke found himself seated at the rocky beachfront, gazing out at the horizon with a heavy heart. Lost in his thoughts, he felt a gentle touch on his face, like the soft caress of tiny hands. Napalingon si Luke dito at mataimtim na nakangiti. "Daddy, is mommy gone?" Zoie's innocent voice pierced through the morning air, her question hanging conveyed a sense of longing and uncertainty. Luke felt a heavy weight settle in his chest at Zoie's question, and he had to swallow hard before responding to his daughter. "Mommy is out there somewhere," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "We may not be able to see her anymore, but she's in a better place now," he replied, his words tinged with both sorrow and acceptance. The truth of her mother's passing might be difficult for Zoie to fully comprehend at her young age. Ruby may not have been the perfect mother for Zoie, but she was still her mother, nonetheless. Despite their d
Luke extended his arms towards Lucille trying to ease her from making any harsh decisions. As Luke's gaze fell upon the older woman, a sense of dread washed over him, causing his features to contort with fear. His eyes widened in horror, reflecting the realization of the danger they were facing. His breath caught in his throat, and his body tensed, ready to spring into action to protect Chloe from the impending threat. Despite his efforts to remain composed, his trembling hands betrayed the overwhelming fear coursing through him. Every fiber of his being screamed with urgency, urging him to act swiftly to prevent the unthinkable from happening. "I recommend you take no step further Mr. Ramirez if ayaw mong aksidente kong maitulak si Chloe dito sa bangin. It's going to be a terrifying fall below this cliff, "she threatened. Luke raised his hand surrendering to her demands. "What do you want Lucille?" He asked. Toni is standing at his side habang nakikiramdam din ito sa sitwasyon kung
Chloe's breathing stops momentarily when the main door opens and gives way to the menacing presence of her stepmother. For the second time, Lucille beat her in this contest of wit and Chloe felt her knees weakened. She finds herself yet again in this situation where she becomes the pawn of her stepmom's twisted game. Her eyes went to the smirking faces of Lucille, Martin, and Rebecca. She was about to utter some words when two additional presences emerged from behind. Chloe can't help feeling a sense of panic, these were the two men who abducted her from her home and torched her alive in the cabin months ago. They were smiling at her, mocking her entire being, this was every nightmare that haunted him each night, and this now became her reality. She whimpers. "Well, well, well... Akalain mong you were under my nose all along patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike back. you were slowly penetrating my circle, lurking, watching me fail. I bet you prayed each night so I could fal
Luke was certain that they had narrowly escaped death, and he felt immense relief when reinforcements finally arrived that night, securing the perimeter. Toni was swiftly taken to the hospital and received proper medical attention. Luke's parents were furious when they learned of the ordeal, and they made him promise never to put himself in harm's way again. He accepted their admonition and put the memory behind him. However, his bond with Toni endured. Even after Luke inherited his father's business, he ensured that Toni and his family were well taken care of. He offered Toni a job, and their friendship flourished over the years. As Luke's business expanded and he started his own family, his priorities shifted. His interactions with Toni became less frequent, but their mutual respect and trust never wavered. Despite the passage of time, their connection remained strong, a testament to the enduring bond forged in the crucible of adversity. "Utang ko sa yo ang buhay ko, kung sa hinah
Chloe uttered softly as she tried not to prove her captors. She would try to play the innocent card until she could figure out how she could flee from this place. "When I woke up after the incident, I already had this face on me. I didn't know... they switched out bodies identifying me as Ruby," she uttered truthfully not breaking eye contact. "So, Luke knew all along that his wife was dead? Did he plan to have you assume Ruby’s role then?" Rebecca jumped into the conversation, and a hint of disgust registered on her face. Choe saw how Martin flinched. "He probably didn't know either. The rescuers, the medical team, they all just assumed I was Ruby Ramirez, and the one who died was Chloe," she explained, attempting to justify the confusion and divert Rebecca's attention away from involving Luke in the conversation. Napapikit ng mata si Chloe nang maramdaman niyang unti unting sumisikip ang mga kamay na nakahawak sa kanyang mukha ng biglang mabanggit ang pangalan ni Luke. "You shoul
Rebecca paused and met her eyes. "Well, I guess I just want to talk to you since we do share something in common. Our beloved Luke..." she smiled abruptly. "The connection between us is undeniable, sharing the same man we both love, is just a profound thing, don't you think?" Chloe felt a sudden rush of heat on her cheek. She's provoking her and so far, it's working. "Why are you doing this? When will you stop? How often must Luke turn you down until you realize your worth? You know he's married, right?" she tried to reason out. A sharp gaze went Chloe's way, but Rebecca was quick to hide it as a sultry laugh echoed in the bar loudly. It was a little showstopper that made Chloe check her surroundings, she breathed when no one paid attention. Madalang lang din ang tao sa mga oras na yun giving them their much-needed privacy. "You are such a hypocrite I can't believe it! And is it okay for you to take on the role of his wife? The damsel in distress, the poor girl in need? And you da
Isang matunog na tawa ang namamayagpag ng biglang hindi mapigilan ni Martin ang kanyang sarili. He was sitting right across from Lucille Reyes and listening to her story intently as it completed the puzzle that had burdened his mind for some time. The investigation that he had for that mysterious woman on the night of the accident came to light after the report was out and he stumbled upon Chloe Reyes and her relationship with her stepmother Lucille who very interestingly owns the clothing line that Ruby is modeling currently. Too much of a coincidence. Hindi mapagtanto ni Martin ang kanyang swerte ng hindi man lang naging mahirap sa kanya ang pakikipag-ugnayan kay Lucille and set this meeting up, he anticipated a little bit of resistance and caution from this woman but apparently, she was equally curious about Ruby Ramirez too, na parang bang hinihintay niya ang pagkakataong ito. "Kaano ano ka ulit ni Ruby?" Lucille asked while sipping her hot coffee. "You can say we are close fri
When Chloe entered the familiar confines of their house, she suddenly felt a sense of belongingness, ito ang bahay kung saan siya lumaki, lahat ng anggulo ng kanilang mansiyon ay kabisado niya, this was her playground when she was just a little girl. She closed her eyes, greeted by the same scent she was used to. Trailing the living room of their old home Chloe could see the same marble polished against time. It was nostalgic, all her memories came back to life. She just loved the natural light hitting brightly through the massive glass window, she smiled, and they still used the sheer curtains that her father liked. Not much had changed with the furniture and its arrangement, the soft sofa was still there with a cozy armchair that overlapped the window, except for the old coffee table, that was adorned with books and other trinkets, that one was gone, Chloe realized. It’s like time went still from the last time she was here. When she made her presence known at the Reyes mansion she