I bit my lip. Despite the tension, I couldn't help but smile even more because Aunt Kara laughed awkwardly."Ah, is that so? Congratulations then, dearest niece.""Cousin!" Karina went straight to me.Ever since I'm really not close to relatives on any side of the family. Moreover, she grew up in Carolina, not in Seattle. If Karina and I meet, we can't talk because everyone is focused on Mocha."Hi! I'm sorry I didn't attend your engagement with Blake, I'm in Macau because you know it's vacation- Mom, what's wrong?"She artfully removed Auntie's hand that was on her arm.I chuckled. I feel better now."It's fine Karina, we called the engagement off," I also addressed Uncle Milo. "Good evening, Uncle.""Lily, good evening."He shook hands with me and Edmund while the mother and daughter continued to whisper.Auntie Kara excused them. Uncle and Karina did nothing but drag him.Edmund and I looked at each other and grinned at each other. He was still resting until we got to our designate
I fixed myself first before going out. I caught up with Edmund in the distance."What are you doing here?""You've been there in CR for a while now so..."I waited for him to continue but he didn't, instead he himself crossed the few steps between us, immediately put his hand on my waist and led me away."Shouldn't we say goodbye to your mom?"He shrugged."She's probably busy with her friends by this time."I nodded.I get it. His mom is a social butterfly. It's impossible for no one to notice it. Even if it stands in the very corner, it can't help but grab attention.With that regal beauty, powerful aura, and shiny diamonds only a fool wouldn't notice her.There were so many eyes on us that I still couldn't get rid of my nervousness. With critical looks I know many eyebrows are raised every time they look at us."Are we really going home?"Glancing at the sea of people, I caught Mocha's gaze on our behavior, particularly the one walking next to me.SH gave me a hard time when our ey
I blinked when I heard my name from the speaking engineer at the front."Uhm..."In the corner of my vision I saw some of the board members smirked as if expecting that I can't say anything relevant to their topic.Edmund and I looked at each other, he was about to cover for me when I decided to speak up.I glanced at the big screen in front and then shifted my seat to be more comfortable."The design is beautiful, modern and classic. I have nothing to say about the technicalities, I am not an engineer nor an architect but if I am a customer, I would go for the previous one. It is spacious, luxurious and very accommodating. It is child friendly, perfect for starting a family.""What about the young men and women customers? Many rich children choose to settle in our condo units. Shouldn't they be reconsidered too?"My lips formed a grim line.This old woman will never stop me."Well, ma'am it's not my job to consider them because I'm not a part of the team. You're asking my thoughts th
A staff had the courage to come and guide us to the VIP room on the second floor, where Edmund mother and Chelsea were said to be.There is a rectangular table in the middle of the room. I immediately spotted three uniformed waiters. On the far side is a kitchen where a chef and his two assistants are, expertly cooking whatever is served to us."I'm glad you arrived..." said Edmund’s mother.Chelsea's gentle face is formal even when she's smiling. A real sophisticated and fine lady.But my lips parted when I saw the tidy table.At the rectangular glass table, Madame Perla faces each other at the table so if Edmund and I sit, we will also face each other."Mom, what is it?" Edmund asked in alarm.The lady immediately stood up and despite the nervousness I saw on her face, I still saw her immortal smile."Son, calm down... Don't you want me to bond with your wife? Here..." he faced me. "Is mom okay next to you, Lily?"I nodded because there was a threat in his eyes."Um, yes I guess it’
"Where have you been?" Edmund greeted me when I entered the penthouse.I found him sitting comfortably on the soft sofa while I was almost bathed in my own sweat.How can I be irritated the whole time of the flight? I can't speak because I have a pest tape over my mouth. If we don't have to go down, I don't think they will remove it."Ask your guards!" I'm rude."Sir, I'm sorry Miss Lily is mad at us, she doesn't want to come..." said a guy who was in the driver's seat earlier.They know I'm angry?!"She’s a little naughty, aren’t you wife?" Edmund asked, the corner of his lips turned up and a hint of a smile.Just try to smile and I'll make him swallow the big vase on the center table!I stormed up to the second floor where the master's bedroom was after torturing him.I threw my bag on the bed and just took off my shoes to go straight to the bathroom.I think my body temperature is higher than normal.It only went away after a cold shower. Even after cleaning up, I chose to stay in
"Stop this Lily. Let's just eat," Edmund said sternly. I raised an eyebrow at him and moved my body closer to make sure my presence radiated more towards him. "What? Chickening out?" His jaw dropped, he had a lot to say but didn't speak. "Don't you want to know how wet I am right now?" It was supposed to be a joke but he pulled me and gave me a torrid kiss. I tried to push him away but both my arms were locked with his right hand while his left hand was holding my neck. Every movement of his lips was intense causing me to feel hot. He released not only my lips but also his grip on me so that I was almost irritated again. "You're so moody... You're happy and then later on you're like a dragon..." I looked at him hard and raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do?" He shook his head and turned me not to hug but to sit on the counter. "What the hell, Edmund- Hmm..." Whatever I was about to say was cut off when he nuzzled his head into my neck. I even tilted my head back
Claire and I were both clueless about what was going on but didn't do anything as we were pulled towards a nearby bar where the music was softer and less crowded."Thank you brother!" said Whiteney and blew a flying kiss to the bouncer with a poker face.We found a table near the dancefloor, so sightseeing among the handsome guys became the target of my companions. He looked for them while I simply checked my phone to see if there was a new message."You've been an idiot for a while..." I said to Nina who was sitting next to me."A-Ah... Just thought of something...""Who did we see on the dancefloor earlier in the other bar! You have liver disease, you're a girl!"Bettina squeezed Nina's arm."Who did you see?""Who else is that... Ah hehe... I haven't forgotten anything," Whiteney suddenly retorted."Who?" I repeat my question.Claire shrugged while Nariza smirked."When you answer why we moved bars, I'll get the next pitcher of mojito for free-"Nariza answered before I finished."
I had a headache when I woke up. The part I hate the most. Can't I just drink without a hangover?Oh shit!I rolled out of bed and breathed a sigh of relief because I was in the penthouse.I thought I would wake up in a random stranger's room again just like the first time. I don't know if I can handle it.I checked my clothes. My white top and skirt are gone, replaced by a pajama suit with green avocado prints.Who brought me home?I glanced at the bedside table and only then remembered the aching head.There was a bowl of steaming soup, medicine and two glasses of water sitting there.I took the note on the food tray.'Eat this and drink the meds for your hangover. I'll be back.'I rolled my eyes coz even the note sounds so bossy.I don't have to think about who wrote it because apart from the familiar clean hand writing, only one person will write it.I started the soup first, which is no wonder I finished. Hello, I feel like I threw up everything I ate last night. My stomach is ch
Edmund’s POV Love is an endless battle between choices and their consequences. Just one wrong move and you will lose everything. One misunderstanding and it's over. I stared at my phone's screen. I used to be too lazy to touch it, now I'm just grinning like an idiot because of its beautiful wallpaper. My wife and daughter. Right. This is what you call heaven. "So what do you think of our proposal Mr. Moriarty?” I was startled when the person in front of me suddenly spoke. I sat up straight because she was staring at me, noticing that I wasn’t listening. I sipped my wine. A bit unethical but I had no choice but to join her here at a French restaurant inside the hotel. I canceled our meeting last time because I was working from home and if I were to work, I would be too busy to insert the conversation with Mocha into the schedule. Her family's hotel is one of the biggest and we can't deny the fact that they make millions annually but they are not doing well these days. I only s
When I got up the next day, I was shocked. For a brief moment I wished that everything last night was just a dream, a nightmare perhaps. But I know it wasn’t. It was all real. The door opened suddenly and I was still blinking when I entered there as the people inside my mind followed one another. Kendria's hair is done, it looks like Edmund has taken a bath as well, wearing a white v-neck shirt. It was close to the chest and stomach so that every movement made his muscles scream. I immediately looked away when our eyes met. "Mimi! Breakfast in bed!" Kendi kindly stated. The little girl climbed onto the bed and was still jumping on it. "Don’t jump sweetie, the food will spill." I was still shocked when I heard Edmund’s voice. It was a sweet yet authoritative thing that made Kendria obey. She stopped jumping and sat on the bed facing me with a smile. "What is that?" I pointed to the bed tray that Edmund was carrying. And he wasn't alone, behind him was Edna with more food. "G
In my head I imagined this a couple of times, we are in a fancy restaurant wearing formal clothes then I'll introduce Edmund to our daughter. Not like this, it's the middle of the night, it's storming outside and Edmund's mood is worse than the weather. Deep inside me I know that even though I'm not ready, it had occurred to me before to introduce the father and daughter to each other that's why I was led by fear. I don't want another rejection. I am afraid not only of the possible pain I will feel but also of the effect it will have on Kendria. Maybe I was selfish. Maybe I was a coward. Maybe I overreacted. But God knows I only want the best for Kendi. Because what if Edmund doesn't want to? What if he doesn't accept it? What if he doubts? Up until now he lives like a bachelor, jumping from one woman to another, is he ready to be a father? "Dada... sleepy..." Ken said in a small voice and yawned. A small smile crept on Edmund’s face. Still carrying Kendria, he stood up not even
I looked at him then took another step towards the door but before I could open it, Edmund was already there. "I can open it, I'm not disabled," I promised flatly. I heard him chuckle but he didn't say a thing. I went inside and folded the umbrella before facing him. "Go home Edmund, I'm not joking even if it's stormy I'll drag you to security- what are you smiling about? You find this funny?" He smiled and shook his head. "Even if your nose is smoking from irritation, you're still beautiful." My heart skipped a beat then it went back, thrice than it's normal bear. "Thank you for the concern but don't be too concerned with me, I am strong but you are fragile." "Stop me with your brats! I said without being concerned- wait you're shivering! I told you to go home!" "But I'm cold and I might get cold because I've been soaked in the rain for a while," he said. Because the light inside the house was on, I could clearly see him screaming suddenly at the sudden blowing of a strong
I rolled my eyes for the nth time. I've been in and out of the office a few times because I can't get home. Edmund is watching me like a crazy stalker.I'm already irritated because I can't go home, he will surely follow. Kendria is always waiting in the doorway, surely one look will tell her.And I won't let that happen. Over my drop dead gorgeous, sexy, awesome, brilliant, and all the good praises bodyI was thrown back in my swivel chair when I heard three consecutive knocks from the closed door."It's open! Push the door," I answered loudly.Next, Dallia's strange face appeared there. I can see that he has changed his clothes because he is no longer wearing the baby pink staff uniform."Miss? We've closed the cafe, are you going to stay?" he asked.Oh shit! Did I sleep?"N-No Dallia, are you still cleaning the kitchen?" I asked confused."Rara is also finishing."I nodded while gathering my things.I put back on the blazer I was wearing when I came in, covering the sweetheart neck
Is it possible for a person to forget in just a short period of time? I think it depends on the situation because right now the only thing I want is to get away from him."Thank you," I said in a flat tone before snatching the napkin pack out of his hand.I walked away pushing the grocery cart like nothing happened."What? That's it?" he asked while still following me.I rolled my eyes and pretended like I heard nothing.My eyes widened when I saw my daughter Ken, happily hopping in the grocery's entrance. Behind him is Erna carrying a big teddy bear."Lily-""You know what? I changed my mind..." I nervously glanced at his back trying to find some escape. "Just help me, I forgot something at the end. Can you take it? My foot hurts.""Where?" he asked eagerly."Uhm... In the detergent powder section, you can choose any brand as long as it's maroon in color, the dark one right? It's at the end," I flashed a smile.His eyes widened like he's shocked.I simply looked for Kendria again, go
"Great!" Inna clapped in glee, "Come with me, Harry and Vince are here, they miss you!" I didn't do anything when she pulled me out of the bathroom. I treated them like my real friends after all. It's a bit sad that my brother disappeared from their group. Maybe because of me or because of many other things that he and Edmund couldn't agree on. Whatever it is, a few years of friendship is also disappointing. Kendrick doesn't talk about that anymore and we are very careful with Kendria. If she heard it from her uncle, for sure she'll go nuts and I don't want that. The jaws of the two men we met at the table dropped. Harry immediately asked if he was dreaming while Vince stared at me like a weirdo. I found out that Gem was also here earlier but went home with her twins and Vince because the children were sleepy. "Calm down, guys, it's just me," I said jokingly and removed a few strands of my hair that had escaped from the updo bun. "Well... it's Lily!" Vince finally exclaimed. I
I did endless shopping before leaving Kendria with Erna. My daughter is not used to sleeping alone so I asked Erna to sit next to him first or maybe watch over him until he falls asleep. I said goodbye to Kendi but I know her tantrums are different when she wakes up and can't catch me. I still don't know what time I will go home exactly because the party starts almost at midnight, at nine o'clock. Actually, I'm late because it's nine thirty, but Kendrick said the only important thing is that I show up there, I don't need to be late. "I'll take care of it Ma'am," said Erna. I glanced at Kendria who was sleeping peacefully in her bed and then patted Erna to say goodbye. "Just lock the door when I go out, okay? I have a duplicate key so I'll take care of it when I get home later. Ken's milk is on the bed side table and if there's a problem, call me-" "Ma'am calm down, you'll only be gone for a few hours. It probably won't take you a decade at the party," Erna cut me off. I sighed a
"Let's talk later sweetie, alright?" I kissed her cheek and stood up. "Erna, stay inside for now, I'll just go to the home owners. Don’t let Kendria go out or I’ll kill you.”As soon as the two entered the house, I left. Our house is only walking distance from the office that Erna was talking about, so I just walked. I also have no choice because I don't have a car.The fat woman near the door greeted me politely, the opposite of what I found inside.Heads turned to me almost at the same time so I went inside with my head held high.There are five people in the room. The woman sitting on the swivel chair, a sophisticated woman and a man next to her. The other two women were standing on the side of the one on the swivel chair."Good afternoon, sorry I'm late because I just came from work..." I said softly and sat to the chair across the couple."No wonder the child is neglected," the sophisticated woman scoffed immediately.I cleared my throat and pretended I heard nothing."Miss Clark