REINA***I took a stroll out of my house because I needed to breathe in fresh air. I had not had the courage to go to the public ever since that article was released about me.Here, whee I was. It was difficult to find so many people who would talk about it. I kept on walking on the empty road and to mg greatest surprise, a guy who I had not seen before wandered around and came to me.“Hi, young lady. I haven't seen you around,” he said and I was scared that he was going to talk about the news. “You don't have to know everyone, do you?” I replied rudely.That was a defense mechanism because I had no idea what was coming my way. Any one can come here and start making a joke of me because of what they heard.My heart beat refused to be stable all the time that he was standing in front of me. “That was harsh. I just wanted to get to know a pretty lady like you. You don't have to be rude,” he said and I quickly apologized.Although, I was not sincere about the apology. I just needed
ETHANThe news!It was all over the net. The news about the child that Reina had hid from the public. I was already getting tensed about everything and I knew that this must be the handwork of Ravenna. I hated the way she exposed Reina. Now everyone was talking about her. Everywhere I went, people talked about Reina. The love I had for Reina made me begin to regret everything. I would have tried to stop Ravenna when she said she was going to do such a wicked thing.But, I was desperate. I was too desperate to know if the child belonged to me like she claimed.“I'm such a fool,” I said and buried my head in my hand. I placed my head on my office desk. I had tried to call Ravenna ever since but she was not answering my call. Her line rang but I guess that she was deliberately ignoring me.I sent her multiple texts to tell her of the harm that her single article has done. But, there was not a single response from her.“Fuck it! Fuck her! Fuck everyone!” I yelled and hit the table with
ETHANI was shocked beyond measure about what was going on. The whole going around circles and talking about Reina was crazy.Have they forgotten that this lady was the one who helped our company last month? We would have been swimming in debt. “I am sure that Mr. Ethan doesn't want a hoe as a partner. That's all I am aware of. She should go and fix herself up and keep sleeping with men.”“But, why is the CEO not talking about all of these? He has been mute all these while. Maybe he knows something that we all don't know.”“Maybe you should ask him,” the aggressive lady teased and they both laughed. Oh, God. I knew that these ladies may start talking about me soon. I have to get out of here.I walked briskly but quietly to my office as I could hear the whooshing sound of my heart pounding in my ears.When I reach my desk, my hands shake as I fumble with the drawer to the filing cabinet, where I snatched my laptop. I needed to leave here and see a doctor for my persistent hea
REINA The persistence never ceased to end even for a second. I was beginning to wonder if Bruce was actually pushing me to this because he had something to gain from all of these. I don't know what was hard about agreeing with me about not getting married to him. “I have my own life to live. I really appreciate the efforts you make but, after thinking about all this. I don't think this will benefit me.” Bruce took a deep breath and held my shoulder with his hands. His hands were so warm and I needed that to stay sane. My heart ached. Everything around me made me feel worse. Seeing my son call me “mother” only made things worse for me. I knew that I had failed him. I have failed everyone. How was he going to find a place in his heart to forgive his mother for doing such a wicked thing to him? I wondered what his mates told him when he went to school. I wonder if he was bullied by his classmates who have access to the internet. They would have seen his picture flying around o
REINANow I felt bad. It hurt me to think that I complain too much. My shoulders fell and I felt a rush of bad feeling grip me. “Sometimes, I just feel that you think that way. You may see me as a jobless guy who left his mansion to come and stay here. Isn't that right?” he asked.Bruce was beginning to overthink things. Was that normal? Was I giving off the energy that I was not comfortable with him by my side?“I know that I never told you to come here and that you came here on your own accord. I know that I am in my home and that this is my bed. But, I never complained for one day,” I said with an eerily calm voice.“I'm sorry then. I guess I was just thinking too much. You should go dress up. Maybe we need to go out,” he suggested. Was that all I do nowadays? Stay at home and go out to a place with less people?I am tired of this kind of life.“I don't know if that is a good idea. I think I will remain indoors.”“You need to go out and have fun at least. You don't have to go to
ETHANThe world did not crumble down nor did the world come to an end. It was a miracle. Sorry, I would call it a miracle that I was able to reach Ravenna after everything that happened.“You have been avoiding me. Haven't you?” I asked her over the phone.“Do you expect me not to? What do you want me to do for you?” She asked me and I was taken aback by her question.“What do you mean by that, Ravenna? You know why I am calling. Don't you?” She was trying to play games with me. She was trying to pretend that she had no idea of what I was talking about.I hate it when she makes me look like I was a fool.“I am at your office. I will see you since you have been disturbing me all these while. I would want to know what you want to tell me,” she said and the burden on my heart lightened.“You know what. It's about Ravenna.”“That's why I am here. Open your door.”After she told me to open the door, I heard a knock on the door that led to my office.“Come in.”Ravenna entered my office wi
ETHAN“Do I have to fulfill everything on your list before you give me the proof that the child is mine?”“Of course! Do you think that I'm a fool?” she smirked. “So, all you want is to be a board member so that you can show up at our meetings right? Fine. I accept. As long as you are not making decisions.”“I will also be allowed to receive the stipends those in the board get. You can't place me there without giving me anything. You know that right?” she asked.“I know. You will receive your stipends. Do you actually want to be in the board because of the money or you have your reasons?” I asked.There must be a solid reason behind all these. Ravenna was one person who knew how to tactfully plan something.“That is none of your business. Remember, I still own some shares in this company. Don't act like I have nothing here. And for the money. Hmmm…. it's part of it,” she replied and I was becoming worked up.“You don't brag in your name with what others did for you. I was the o
REINAThe short trip I had with Bruce was worth it.Bruce had literally come into my life to stay even though I have not given him a permanent answer. I loved him. My daily routine still remains the same.Waking up in my house, getting dragged out of the house by Bruce and all that.I woke up late and smile to myself as I roll over, thinking back to the way Bruce kept me awake up all night.He was the sweetest man ever. This sweet being wouldn’t stop telling me he loved me, and his touch was so reverent that I thought I would lose it if he does not stop.I looked over the pillow and I saw him sleeping like a child. My fingertips brushed over his pillow, and the smile that I wore on my face faded as I remembered the guilt that tormented me. The guilt of rejecting him and telling him that it was not time to get married.I didn't know if he was serious about us. But, he looked like he was. Staring at him, I thought of so many things. Have I in any way hurt him? I would not know be
Reina POV“Do you think he’ll wake up today?” Ethan’s voice broke the stillness of the room.The room was quiet as usual and even if a pin dropped to the floor it would be heard. I glanced at Andrew, who was still lying on the hospital bed. He was looking fragile as always and the machines were still giving him the support that he needed. “I have no idea, sweetheart. I wish he could wake up today. It would be a relief. Don't you think so?”I asked and I reached out to brush a strand of hair off his forehead. “I want that to happen too. It would be a miracle.”“He has to wake up,” I said firmly, though my heart trembled with some doubts. I was uncertain about what was happening. “I can feel it. He is going to open those eyes and look at us.”Ethan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I wish I had your faith.”I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. I was the most pessimistic person but, somehow I had a little faith in me. “You do. You are just scared to admit it.”He stared at me for a
Ethan Reina looked up at me, her eyes filled with both hope and fear. “We are going to get through this, right?” I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “Of course, yes. We are together. Don't forget. ” And in that moment, I knew we had no choice but to keep fighting for Andrew, for each other, for our family. Finally, we were both with him after waiting for hours. Waiting. That was all we could do before being let in. Wait and hope. The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual, its ticking loud and relentless, as if mocking us. I sat in the sterile waiting room, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Reina was beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles were already white but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes stayed fixed on Andrew and I'm glad we were both seeing him. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything would be okay, but how could I when I didn’t even believe it myself? For hours, Andrew has been in there, fighting for hi
Ethan Reina looked up at me, her eyes filled with both hope and fear. “We are going to get through this, right?” I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “Of course, yes. We are together. Don't forget. ” And in that moment, I knew we had no choice but to keep fighting for Andrew, for each other, for our family. Finally, we were both with him after waiting for hours. Waiting. That was all we could do before being let in. Wait and hope. The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual, its ticking loud and relentless, as if mocking us. I sat in the sterile waiting room, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Reina was beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles were already white but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes stayed fixed on Andrew and I'm glad we were both seeing him. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything would be okay, but how could I when I didn’t even believe it myself? For hours, Andrew has been in there, fighting for hi
Ethan “Mr. and Mrs. Ethan,” the doctor said as he approached us in the waiting room. His voice was calm, but the tightness in his expression betrayed the gravity of the situation. “We have done everything we can to stabilize Andrew, but his condition has deteriorated. He needs surgery immediately.” The words hit me like a truck. My knees almost buckled, but I gripped the edge of the chair to prevent myself from falling. “Surgery immediately?” Reina’s voice cracked as she stood up beside me. “What kind of surgery?” “We need to address the complications caused by the infection. If we don’t operate now…” The doctor hesitated, and his eyes moved between us. “Just say it,” I barked in a sharp voice. I sounded so desperate of course, I just wanted my child to get out of this damn hospital. “If we don’t, his chances of survival are very slim.” The room spun, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Reina let out a soft, choked sob and covered her mouth with her hands. “How soon?” I fo
Ethan Reina looked up at me, her eyes filled with both hope and fear. “We are going to get through this, right?”I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “Of course, yes. We are together. Don't forget. ”And in that moment, I knew we had no choice but to keep fighting for Andrew, for each other, for our family.Finally, we were both with him after waiting for hours. Waiting. That was all we could do before being let in. Wait and hope.The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual, its ticking loud and relentless, as if mocking us. I sat in the sterile waiting room, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Reina was beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles were already white but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes stayed fixed on Andrew and I'm glad we were both seeing him. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything would be okay, but how could I when I didn’t even believe it myself?For hours, Andrew has been in there, fighting for his life, and
Reina“Why isn’t he waking up, Ethan?” I whispered, clutching the edge of the hospital bed.My voice trembled as I stared at Andrew’s pale face, his tiny body was almost swallowed by the sheets. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room.I was going crazy. My only child was in a critical condition. “Reina, calm down,” Ethan said softly, though from his voice , I knew he was also scared. He was standing by the window, his hand pressed against the glass. “The doctors said they are running more tests.”I snapped my head towards him. “Tests? Ethan, he has not opened his eyes in hours! This is more than a fever. I know it!”Ethan turned to me and his face tightened. “Do you think I’m not worried? I’m losing my mind here, Reina! But panicking won’t help him.”The tears I had been holding back spilled over as I buried my face in my hands. “He’s just a child. Our child. He doesn’t deserve this.”The night before, Andrew was not sick. He just suddenly became
Reina The email came at 7:45 a.m. sharp. It was as if the person who sent this mail did it deliberately to give me chills. I was sitting at the kitchen table, still in my oversized sweatshirt and sipping my first coffee of the day when I saw the subject line. “Congratulations on Your Appointment". My hand shook as I clicked the email, my heart pounding. And then I saw it: the confirmation that I had landed the job I had been dreaming about for years. It was the job of a Creative Director at one of the most prestigious firms in the city. I let out a gasp so loud that Ethan came running into the kitchen. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you fine?” he asked, his face filled with concern. “Nothing’s wrong!” I said, laughing through my tears. “I got it, Ethan! I got the job!” His eyes widened in disbelief, and then, like a switch, his face softened into a smile. “Are you serious? Are you serious right now, sweetheart?” he asked, stepping closer. I nodded, holding up my phone
Reina The following morning, the house felt colder than ever. It was not the weather or the light drizzle outside my house, it was the emptiness Ethan left behind. After our little argument last night. Ethan left the house and refused to answer my calls. I was going crazy because of a husband I had married and now, he had refused to come back. My heart became so heavy as I began to think about the implications of our argument. Had I pushed him too far this time? Was this all my fault? I would have shut the fuck up and not talk much to him about anything. It would have saved us a lot of stress. I stared at the clock, my coffee untouched on the table. Every second that passed without a word from him felt like a ticking bomb. My pride told me to wait, to let him be the one to come back and apologize, but my heart was screaming at me to call him, to beg him to come home. I needed him home. I needed to see him even if we were quarreling. I picked up my phone, my fingers hov
Reina “Damn it!” I almost yelled at the blank wall b The sound of the rain splattering against the window just reminded me of how my mind was. The atmosphere in the house had changed since the accident. I was getting better of course, I knew I was. I was taking my drugs and going for my frequent checkups to make sure I was fine. I was doing all I wanted to do to stay alive. Because, Damn. I still had a little boy that I needed to take care of. Ethan was trying his best to be present, trying to make things better between the both of us and I always appreciated his efforts but something still felt fractured. No matter how hard we tried, the pieces of our relationship didn’t fit the way they used to. That was just the plain truth. I could not continue lying to myself. I loved him, yes. But we were not as we used to be. Tonight, the tension felt unbearable. I sat at the dining table, staring blankly at the steaming cup of tea in front of me. Andrew was already in bed, and t