They were already on their way home because after that encounter, they didn’t stay much longer, especially since the weather was getting hotter. They only had lunch at a restaurant, and now the twins were asleep in the back of the car. While on the road, Camille suddenly crossed Claire’s mind. “Zekiel, where is Camille, by the way?” Zekiel glanced at her briefly, his brow furrowing because she had brought it up so suddenly. “That girl? According to Hero, she’s in jail.” “Jail? Why? Is she locked up permanently?” Zekiel’s frown deepened at her question. “What do you mean ‘why’? Of course, she deserves to be there! She almost got you all in danger because of her, and I won’t let that slide.” Zekiel’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, while Claire fell silent, lost in thought. ’In danger…’ she whispered in her mind before her eyes suddenly widened. “Do you think Camille was the one who did that to Zoey?!” Zekiel looked at her briefly. “Impossible, my life. She had jus
CLAIRE I was half-asleep when I felt the urge to pee, so I stretched on the bed before getting up. But suddenly, I felt something brush against me—and it moved. Then, I felt a warm hand wrap around my waist. My mind snapped awake, and I turned to look beside me, but I winced as a sharp pain shot through my head. What happened? I tried to recall the events until everything came rushing back. "Oh my God!" I whispered under my breath and immediately glanced beside me. There he was—the guy I saw yesterday, shirtless, just like me. I fell back onto the bed, my heart pounding wildly. What do I do?! I just had a one-night stand with a stranger! My God, Claire, what have you done?! I took a deep breath to calm myself before gathering the courage to slowly remove his arm from my waist. I was careful, and thankfully, I succeeded. He stirred slightly, but I quickly slipped away, replacing my spot with a pillow. Then, I felt a dull ache between my thighs. My God! I was a virgin unti
As soon as I entered, I immediately saw Bea, but Dylan was no longer there. I quickly approached her. "Bea," She immediately looked at me, stood up, and hugged me. I felt her shoulders shaking again. She seemed troubled earlier while waiting for me. "C-Claire, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" "Shhh... It's okay, Bea. Don’t worry about it," I said while patting her back, letting her cry in my arms. After a few minutes, she finally calmed down. "Are you okay now?" I asked with a smile, and she nodded. Her eyes were swollen, and her nose was red. Bea was beautiful—she had long black hair with brown highlights, thick eyebrows, long lashes, and thin lips. In short, she was perfect. "Let’s sit down, Bea," I said, and we sat. "Wait, where’s Dylan? He was here earlier, right?" She looked at me curiously. "He left. He said he was going to wake up his friend, the best man, Kiel. You know, you and Kiel would make a great pair! Though he’s a bit grumpy, but with your beauty, I’m sure you co
Key Notes: “Nanay Lucing” – it’s a term of endearment (like ‘Mommy Lucing’). “Kuya” – tagalog word of ‘Brother’; it’s also a sign of respect to a stranger in Filipino culture.***I’M now in Bea’s hotel car. After our conversation, I didn’t hesitate to leave. I left some clothes and belongings behind since I wouldn’t need them at home anyway—I have plenty of clothes there. Besides, if I ever go back, I’ll have something to wear. We’re almost home, and I’m sure Mom and Nanay Lucing will be surprised by my early return. I originally told them I’d be staying there for a week for a vacation, even after Bea and the others left. But unexpected things happened. "Ms. Claire, we’re here." The driver’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked outside and saw that we had indeed arrived. I must have been so preoccupied that I didn’t even notice our surroundings. "Thank you so much, Kuya. Here’s something for your trip home," I said with a smile, handing him a thousand peso
"Mom, Nanay, please take care, okay? A month will pass quickly, and I’ll be back soon, I promise," I said to them as I hugged them tightly. It was already six in the evening, and my flight was at seven. I needed to leave now, or I might be late. "Take care too, Claire. We’ll miss you," Mom said, her voice trembling with tears. "Don’t cry, Nanay, or I’ll cry too. I’ll come back, okay?" I replied, my own voice breaking. I couldn’t stop my tears—they just kept falling. "Lucing, stop it. Claire’s crying now too. If she doesn’t leave soon, her flight money will go to waste," Mom said, shaking her head. "Just take care, okay? I’ll call you as soon as I land in Paris. It’ll be morning there, but night here." Since it was nighttime here, it would be morning there. That’s why Bea booked me a night flight—she knew that. "That’s good. And if anything happens, call us immediately," Mom said, making me nod. Between the two of them, Mom was the most worrisome. She acted like I was never
"You’re going to kill me with worry, Claire! You almost fell on the floor earlier! Aren’t you being careful? You know you’re pregnant!" I sighed at Bea’s scolding. I had already returned to my unit because she immediately picked me up from the lobby. Turns out, she had told the staff not to let me out, so I couldn’t escape—plus, Zekiel was just in the other room. I was okay now because I’d already seen him. Even though our reunion wasn’t perfect, at least it was something. Hehe. "Are you even listening to me, Claire?" Her words snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at her and flashed the sweetest smile I could muster. "You’re so stubborn, Claire. Goodness, what am I going to do with you?" she said, pacing back and forth in front of me like she was deeply troubled. "Don’t stress yourself, Bea. You’re pregnant too," I told her, making her glare at me. "Then don’t do anything stupid!" she shot back, shutting me up. She was right—all I ever did was act reckless. I just cou
I felt them rubbing my back. “Hush now, my child. Didn’t I tell you before you left that no matter what problem you have, you should just tell us because we’re ready to help you? But what did you do? You hid it and ran away from the truth,” I shook my head at what Mom said to me. “M-Mom, I didn’t want to… I didn’t want you to know. I have so many dreams for the three of us, and I haven’t even repaid you both, yet here I am, pregnant. Mom, Nay, I promise I didn’t mean for this to happen.” “Shhh, calm down, Claire. Crying isn’t good for the baby. I’ll get you some water,” Nanay said to me before standing up. I looked at Mom, who was staring at me in disbelief. “Mom, I’m sorry. I know I disappointed you. I’m really sorry,” I hugged her, and she rubbed my back. “I accept your apology, Claire, but God has a plan. I know there’s a reason why there’s a baby in your belly. I just can’t believe you’re going to have a family now, my child. I just can’t believe it. By the way, where’
-FOUR MONTHS LATER-Several months have passed, and my baby has been in my womb for six months now. They’re getting heavy. Sometimes, I even struggle to stand. How could you not, when there are two babies inside? I don’t know how you wouldn’t find it difficult. "There’s nothing you can do, Bea. I’m going there now, and that’s final." Bea and the others returned home a week after I found out I was carrying twins. At first, Dylan didn’t know I was pregnant, but when my belly started growing, he realized—and was shocked to find out it was twins. He never asked who the father was. He probably respected that I didn’t want to say, especially since I never mentioned anything to him. Now, Bea and I are arguing because I want to see Zekiel. It’s been so long since I last saw him in person. I need to see him face-to-face—it feels like I’ll die if I don’t. "Claire, you’re losing your mind again! What if something happens to you?! What if he recognizes you?! Claire, come on!" Bea’
They were already on their way home because after that encounter, they didn’t stay much longer, especially since the weather was getting hotter. They only had lunch at a restaurant, and now the twins were asleep in the back of the car. While on the road, Camille suddenly crossed Claire’s mind. “Zekiel, where is Camille, by the way?” Zekiel glanced at her briefly, his brow furrowing because she had brought it up so suddenly. “That girl? According to Hero, she’s in jail.” “Jail? Why? Is she locked up permanently?” Zekiel’s frown deepened at her question. “What do you mean ‘why’? Of course, she deserves to be there! She almost got you all in danger because of her, and I won’t let that slide.” Zekiel’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, while Claire fell silent, lost in thought. ’In danger…’ she whispered in her mind before her eyes suddenly widened. “Do you think Camille was the one who did that to Zoey?!” Zekiel looked at her briefly. “Impossible, my life. She had jus
“Z-Zekiel, fine. I’ll introduce you to Mama, and we’ll visit her grave. But I have one question,” Claire said nervously. She didn’t want to reject him—it would hurt him, even though she did want what he was offering. It just wasn’t the right time. “Go on,” Zekiel replied quickly, making Claire sigh. “The kids, Zekiel. We can’t just forget what happened to Zoey. What are we going to do about it?” Zekiel fell silent, then immediately felt anger rise within him. In the brief moment of happiness with his family, he had forgotten about the person who had tried to kill his child. “I’ll find him,” Zekiel said firmly. “I’ll go with you, Zekiel.” He turned to her, his expression softening. “No. I won’t let you put yourself in danger, Claire—especially not while you’re pregnant.” “Who said anything about fighting? I’ll just help you plan and search.” Zekiel was taken aback—how did she know they were going to fight? “How did you know we’d be fighting?” “Huh? O-Oh—“ Claire flinc
“Daddy, I’m so happy that we are complete now,” Zoey said with a smile as Zekiel adjusted the blanket for her, while Claire did the same on the other end. “Me too. We’ll never be separated again, okay?” “Your daddy is right. We won’t let anything tear us apart,” Claire said sweetly, making Zekiel glance at her and smile, which she returned. “Goodnight, Mommy and Daddy!” Zayne suddenly said, already lying down and yawning, making them laugh before they settled in as well. “Goodnight, twins,” Claire turned off the lampshade beside her and hugged Zayne, who snuggled into her. Her eyes met Zekiel’s from the other side of the bed, their children nestled between them. ‘I love you,’ Zekiel whispered into the air, and the woman understood, replying softly. ‘I love you too.’ --- THE NEXT MORNING, Claire woke up early and saw that her family was still fast asleep. She quietly walked to the veranda and opened it to breathe in the fresh air. She closed her eyes, savoring the p
Everyone had dinner together after arriving at Zekiel’s house. The noise around them never stopped, especially because of the kids—Bea and Dylan’s child was there. “What’s your baby’s name again, Bea?” Quinn asked with a smile, holding the baby’s tiny hands. “His name is Fritz.” “What a beautiful name, baby boy! And you’re so cute!” Quinn cooed happily. “Do you want one like him?” Bea teased, grinning as Quinn nodded while playing with the baby. “Then tell your boyfriend that,” Bea added, making Quinn widen her eyes in shock as she stared at her friend. “How did you two even happen?! I was only gone for a few months, and now you and Kuya are together?!” Claire pretended to scold her friend, making Bea burst into laughter at her reaction. “W-wait! I had nothing to do with that—“ ”Oh, Claire! Quinn here loves me so much—she’s absolutely obsessed with me,” Quinn’s eyes nearly popped out when Timothy suddenly appeared. “You’re so shameless! You twisted the whole story!”
“Y-You’re right, okay okay! Thank you, Louise! I wouldn’t know what to do if everything you said actually happens.” “Don’t forget, I’m always here, Claire. I’m your friend, and I’m ready to stand by you. Alright, bye now, Claire—my meeting starts in five minutes.” “Okay, Louise, thank you. Take care there!” After that call, she went straight to Zoey’s room and saw that the twins were already asleep, while Zekiel was waiting for her. “Why did you take so long?” the young man greeted her. “Louise called to check up on me.” Zekiel frowned at her words. “Louise? I blocked that guy—how was he still able to call you?” Claire’s ears perked up at what Zekiel said, remembering Louise mentioning he couldn’t reach her. “You! You’re the reason Louise couldn’t contact me right away!” Claire whispered sharply, almost shouting, making Zekiel freeze. “M-Me? What did I do?” he stammered, seeing the pain in her eyes. “Louise told me he couldn’t reach me, so he couldn’t tell me sooner
“WHY did you tell him?!” Claire said with wide eyes, whispering to her friends. “S-Sorry, Claire. We had no choice at that time,” Quinn replied. “Besides, it was your brother who came up with that plan, not me!” Claire could only sigh at Bea’s words, unable to look at Zekiel. “Wait, your brother? But isn’t that Timothy? He didn’t say anything back then.” Bea glanced at her friend, realizing that even she didn’t know the full truth about Claire’s past. “Why don’t you ask Timothy? I’m sure he knows something since he’s acquainted with Claire’s brother, Clark.” Quinn shot her boyfriend a sharp look. “A-Ahh, well… it’s a long story,” Timothy awkwardly laughed at his girlfriend. “Hey, my life,” Zekiel called out, causing Claire and her friends to freeze. “I think we should head out now. Let’s go, guys,” Bea said, pulling them away. “Wait, you all still have a lot of explaining to do!” Hero called after them, leaving the two standing by the door. Zekiel approached Claire
“Wait, Bea, I have a question,” Zekiel said, making everyone turn to him—even Claire waited for what he was about to say. “What is it?” “Did you have anything to do with why Mom and Dad showed up at my meeting with the board members back when Camille and I almost got married?” Suddenly, Claire remembered that incident—the very reason she had to go to Gray’s Company in the first place, because of the arranged marriage between Zekiel and Camille. “Ah, about that… Quinn was the one who made that decision, Claire, not me!” Claire frowned at the sudden shift in Bea’s expression, especially since she was looking at her when it was Zekiel who had asked the question, not her. “Why am I being dragged into this?” she asked, glancing between the two friends. “What do you mean you? It was Bea!” Claire only got more confused by what was happening—until the men approached them and Timothy spoke up. “They both said you were the owner of Cs Boutique.” (Flashback) “This is a huge mes
CLAIRE I couldn’t move from where I stood because of what I heard. Suddenly, the words of Kuya Clark and Timothy flashed through my mind. “How did that person get in here?! Don’t you have security?!” Zekiel’s voice rose, and I didn’t stop him because even I was furious about their negligence. “I’m really sorry, Mr. Gray, but this is a hospital. Anyone can enter, and we didn’t expect something like this to happen.” The doctor was right—we shouldn’t blame anyone because, first of all, no one wanted this. Who would’ve thought our daughter would be in danger? “Z-Zekiel, that’s enough. The doctor’s right. All we need to do now is find out who did this,” I said, tightening my grip on his hand, which made him sigh. He stared at me for a long moment before forcing a smile. This was one of the changes in him that I liked—he’d become humbler for me, unlike before when he was so prideful and quick to yell. “Okay, fine. Give me the footage, Doc. We’ll handle it.” The doctor nodd
“Wow! Zekiel said you’d all go out once Zoey recovers,” Bea suddenly said, saving them all and allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief. “Is that so? I hope our daughter wakes up soon,” Claire said sadly, looking at Zekiel. “M-Mommy…” They were startled by the weak voice, but it was loud enough for them to hear. When they turned toward the source, they saw Zoey was awake. “Zoey!” Claire immediately approached the child and asked how she was feeling. “Z-Zoey! You’re awake! How do you feel? How are you, sweetheart?” Claire asked rapidly. “I-I’m okay, Mommy… I’m thirsty…” “She wants water! Call the doctor, hurry!” Claire said frantically. Zekiel moved quickly and handed Claire the water. “Hey, calm down, okay? You’re panicking too much,” the man said to the woman, holding her hand that was clutching the glass of water. Claire finally snapped back to reality and seemed to relax. “Our daughter is fine, take it easy,” Zekiel added with a smile, making her unable to re