It was supposed to be a side and quick hug but Andy couldn't let go. Five years without her feels like a five thousand years to him, seeing her before him doesn't feel surreal at all —it was like a dream and he wished he won't wake up from it."It's really you, right, Lisa?" Andy asked, immediately they disengaged from the hug. His eyes were running all over her as though he was checking her out, well to be sure he wasn't dreaming. "This is the same Lisa I've known to be my Coz, right?"Lisa laughed softly at his naivety. "Have you been seeing my doppelganger behind my back?" She asked, a glint of sarcasm in her voice."Whoa, mom..." Xenia, Lisa's daughter and the female among the twin, squealed in excitement as her eyes shone brightly. "You do have a doppelganger and you didn't tell Klaus and I? That's awesome!"Lisa furrowed her brows, completely taken aback. "Wait, what?" She blurted out, short of words.Xenia jumped happily, still squealing in delight. "I can't wait to meet her, m
Not up to two hours when Alex left for office, he stormed in angrily. He seems very upset and furious with his eyeball radiating with series of questions that needs answers with immediate effect. "Hmm... It seems like the drama has finally began..." Rosy said to herself walking up to her husband. She had a wry smile at the corner of her lips which Alex failed to notice that. "Why did you return so early today, Alex?" Rosy inquired, perhaps, feigning ignorance as though she know nothing about Alex's fury. "It's barely two hours since you left or maybe you forgot something?" "What nonsense are you saying, stop acting like you are innocent, Rosy!" Alex yelled, panting heavily. "You can't fool me with those eyes of yours!" "I don't understand what you are talking about, make me understand and don't pointing accusing fingers unnecessarily. " Rosy said, still feigning ignorance even when she's certain on the reason behind his anger. "Here. Take a look at this..." Alex ordered, stretch
"Why else would I sell so many shares?" she solicited, shrugging her shoulders. Alex could only raise his eyebrows in response. How was he supposed to know the reason? "I sold the shares because I needed the money, plain and simple!"Alex could swear he almost choked on his breath, finding it hard to believe his ears. "What?..." His voice trailed off, his mind still trying to process her explanation. "You sold almost half of The Williams' shares all because you needed money? For what?""Why do you care, Alex?" She uttered impulsively in a blunt tone, her gaze was as hard as steel itself —almost sending chills down Alex's spine. "Why do you care about whatever use I need the money for? You shouldn't be asking when you are the cause of everything!""You decided to do as you wished all of a sudden, and worst still, you don't even care about Vanessa." He countered in a stern voice. "Stop making me look like the bad guy here, Rosy, when all fingers are clearly pointing at you.""Oh, right!
"Stop pretending, Alex. You and I both know what you really want. So, let's not waste time pretending otherwise." She said, her voice firm and insistent. "Don't act like you've never tried this before."Alex had wanted to pretend as though he had no idea of what she's talking about but his face gives him away. How Rosy was able to find out about of all these was still a mystery to him. First, she knew he's been on the lookout for Lisa and now, she managed to find out he was to issue a divorce to her sometime ago?At that moment, Alex was sure there's little or nothing left that she is yet to know about. He should have known better but he let his emotion took the better of him —Rosy wasn't the type to play smart with or hide things from, she has always been a step ahead in everything.If not Rosy, Alex doubt if he'll ever be able to outsmart his mother and stand up against her then; what was the use of it when he was starting to regret all of his past actions afterward? He desperately
Alex had left home so late that morning; likewise his daughter who he dropped off at school. Even without being in the mood to go to work, he was left with no choice to it.Coupled with the state of his company —if the sky world is coming to an end, he still have to go. His part of shares in the company had reduced, and he has to overwork himself to keep his position steady in the company.Alex noticed the tension in the air was very much unpleasing the moment he walked in and he did not like it a bit but he paid less attention to it —his present mood was likely enough to cause another tension in additional to the already existing one.He did say no word as he walked passed the receptionist, finding it hard to respond to her greeting; the receptionist's voice on the other hand wasn't as cheerily as it used to sound. Alex was certain that something was off.Alex retreated his steps, closer to the receptionist. "Where is Jamel?" Alex, who still couldn't pinpoint the reason behind his qu
Alex breathed in as he slowly squeezed his daughter's hand that was in his softly. He tapped on his mother's huge oak door, as usual, ignoring the doorbell and patiently waited on his mother's reply."It's not locked, Alex..." He heard her voice from with in, his face was with that of surprise. She always know he was the one at the door and how she was always able to sound that loud was usually enough reason to baffle him.Alex pushed the oak door instead and walked in slowly like he was trying to watch his steps to prevent him from stumbling. Vanessa wondered why her father had been acting strange but kept mute, on times like this, she felt she needed to give him his privacy. "Ah, Son —you came." She called out to him like she's been expecting his arrival as her almost aging lips broke into a small smile; even though it was a small smile, it was radiant enough to reach her eyes —it reflect how glad she was to see him again.His mother wasn't sitting on her usual favorite seat, this
"What's wrong, son, why aren't you saying anything?" Mrs Williams asked, reading the meaning attached to Alex's silence.The latter let out a heavy sigh that holds nothing but the pain and heartache he's feeling before speaking. "Mother, she left..." He couldn't even bring himself to say more than that."What do you mean by she left?" He heard his mother's sharp voice demanded, she hated it when words are spoken in parables as much as she hated suspense too. "Speak to me in a language I will understand, son!""Rosy left yesterday's evening, I'm not sure if she would ever come back." Alex blurted out in a rush, sighing afterward. "No, I'm sure she's never coming back. She left Vanessa and I for good!""She left, eh?" His mother's voice sounded like she was trying to memorized the words, her tone drawling. "Rosy left the house without hesitation or putting Vanessa into consideration?""Yes..." Alex cited simply in a lazy tone, having no much strength left in him to reply —though there i
The early morning sun peeped from the horizon, after several couple of minutes since dawn, casting its warm yellow hues over the quiet four storey building in downtown States.Lisa's face was clouded with impatience, knowing she has lots on her table in the office as it was a early Monday morning but Xenia, who suddenly find pleasure in picking her meals, seems to be the one holding her back.On most Mondays like this, and coupled with the fact that she had recently built another company under the Dela Cruz groups, Lisa was always reviewing proposal or attending to business meetings, it was always a hectic day to start the week with and she doesn't want to go late. To her, it'll ruin her whole week."Come on, Zen..." She drawled, almost whyning as she realized she'll be late to work which she dreaded the most. "Eat up, little girl else we both will run awfully late —it's Monday morning, running late should be off the plan. Plus, you'll be starting a new school today."Xenia did not re
disgrace.Then who could it?He had wanted to suspect Seth but shut the thoughts out, he wouldn't have this and still watch his supposed wife's public humiliation without standing up for her.His fuzzy thought was interrupted by his phone — it was ringing. David wanted to avoid the call but seeing it's Laura, he reluctantly picked it up."Have seen the news already..." He muttered immediately not giving the latter the chance to say something. "You didn't do this, did you?""Are you crazy?" Laura countered from the other end. "Why would I jeopardize my reputation just to drag you down? We are in thus mess together, remember?"David wasn't convinced. "You must have nothing to lose to have this uploaded online." He said gruffly. "This might have been your place from the start.""Who cares whose plan it is?" Laura spouted, her voice in despair still. "What's more important is how to deal with what's on hand. And there's also a rumor that Sarah will sue you for defamation.""What...?" Davi
Sarah took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Seth. "I’m sorry for keeping the kids from you." She said, her voice low and steady. "I was scared, and I didn’t want you to know. So, I couldn't bring myself to letting you know."Seth’s expression was unreadable, as he processed her words. "Why?" He finally asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Why would you do that?""I..." Sarah trailed off, not knowing what else to say. "I'm sorry, Seth." She could only offer an apology."I’m sorry too." Seth said, his voice matching her somber tone. "I should have been more understanding, more patient with you." He reached for her hand, his fingers gently entwining with hers. "We both made mistakes. But I don’t want to keep making them."Sarah looked down at their joined hands, a small smile playing on her lips. "What do we do now?" She asked, her voice soft. "Where do we go from here? Home?"The word “home” hung between them, a suggestion and a question wrapped into one. Seth’s eyes met hers, his face e
The word “home” hung heavily in the air, punctuated by the sharp intake of breath from Sarah. She looked at Seth, her expression a mix of anger and confusion. Her voice came out low and measured, laced with a hint of defiance."I don’t have a home with you anymore." She wrapped her arms protectively around the baby in her embrace. "And you are not leaving with my children."Seth’s eyes narrowed, a slight twitch in his jaw betraying the depth of his anger. "And who said your decision and opinion matters here?" He said with a scoff, despite his anger. "I make the decision, Sarah, and you abide to it.""No...! I'm going nowhere with you!" Sarah’s words rang out with a ferocity. It was a line drawn in the sand, a declaration of her independence.Seth’s laughter was quick, almost cutting her off, but it was a brittle sound that concealed a seething rage. "You’re coming with me, whether you like it or not." He stepped forward, towering over her.Lucian watched as Sarah took a step backward,
The piercing sound of that familiar voice reverberated through the room, casting a chill over Sarah and sending a jolt of electricity through her veins. Slowly, she turned to face the source of that voice, her heart pounding against her ribs like a wild drumbeat.There he stood, Seth, his presence filling the room with an intensity. A mix of emotions played across his features — anger, sorrow, regret — but there was no mistaking the steel in his eyes as he locked his gaze onto Sarah.He stepped forward, the air practically crackling with tension between them. "Where have you been hiding?" He countered, stopping a few feet away from her. "Why didn't you let me find you?"Sarah had no words left in her to tell him, what was she to say? She could only stare at him, her eyes on him as if she was trying to communicate with her eyes instead. "I..."Seth was impatient, but he was able to hold him from grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the room. "Say something, Sarah..." Despite the mi
A YEAR LATER*The plane descended gracefully through the clouds, its wings slicing through the air with an accuracy. As it neared the airport, the control tower flashed its lights in a welcoming signal.The plane glided over the runway, its wheels slowly touching down on the tarmac. The landing was smooth and effortless, as if the plane were being cradled by the runway itself. The passengers let out a collective sigh of relief as the plane came to a gentle stop. Through the windows, they could see the airport terminal, bustling with activity and life.A woman stepped down from the plane, a twin carrier strapped around her torso carrying two five months old babies. Despite her weariness, her eyes shone with happiness and anticipation as she scanned the lively airport. The babies were wide eyed and mesmerized by their new surroundings, taking in the unfamiliar sights and sounds.The babies chuckled softly, as if they were delighted by the scene. The woman smiled tenderly at them, her he
Laura’s jaw dropped open, shock coursing through her veins. "You’re willing to sell your soul to the President for some money or prestige?" She exclaimed, her voice laced with disgust. "I don’t care what I ruined for you, David. You can’t keep doing this to people. You can’t keep hurting people just to get what you want."David’s eyes flashed with rage. “I do what I have to, Laura. And you better don't try to lecture me when we've been in these since its beginning." He muttered, scowling at."But I never meant things to go this far, you're taking in more than you can contain, David." She uttered repulsively. "Just stop here...!"David wasn't ready to listen. "Look here, Laura, I'm tired of you being around me, your presence sucks." He uttered, scowling at her. "Whatever shit that's between us, let's end it here.""You're sick, David, if you think you can just call our fling off whenever you want?" Laura snickered. "I'm sorry, but you can't. I started this — and I should end it too.""
A deafening silence had stifled the air in the presidential office as Seth's eyes were fixed on the documents in front of him, his brow furrowed in concentration.He had been poring over these files for hours, trying to make sense of the mixed up web of information before him. The clock on the wall ticked softly, signaling another minute had passed by, but Seth barely registered the sound.On the other side of the office was Lila, going through the iPad with her in silence — and just like Seth, her attention was fixated on the screen.Suddenly, Lila's outburst cut through the silence of the office like a knife through butter. "What...?" She sprung to her feet, her chair sliding backward with the momentum.Seth's head snapped up, startled by the sudden noise. "What is it now, Lila?" He solicited, his brows creased roughly. "You can see I'm putting in all my concentration here."Lila bowed her head slightly in apology. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, Mr. President..." She uttered as she mo
Seth sat behind his desk, his hands clenched into tight fists. He had summoned David to his study and now, the two men faced each other, the air thick with tension."So, Mr. Citizen..." Seth began, his voice tight with emotion. "It seems that there is a problem. A problem that you may know something about."David's face remained impassive, but a slight tremor betrayed his nervousness. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. President. How can I help you?"Seth's eyes narrowed as he threw few pictures before David, his sharp gaze on him. "Can you explain this?" He asked, leaving no room for friendliness.Davis's brows creased as he stared at pictures, unable to comprehend what Seth was driving at. It was a picture of footprints Lila had taken when she went to Sarah's old house.David slowly diverted his gaze from the pictures to Seth. "Why are you showing me these?" He muttered in questioning, his brows still creased. "What am I supposed to do with these footprints?"Seth's expres
Lila's concern deepened, and she searched Tristan's face for signs of distress. "Tristan, sweetheart," she said, taking his small hands in hers, "is something wrong? Did you fall? Are you hurt?"Tristan looked up at her, his blue eyes piercingly earnest. "No, I'm not hurt, or maybe I am." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just...I don't understand. Why did Aunt Sarah leave us?"Lila swallowed hard as she felt her caught in her throat, her heart aching for the boy's loss. "Oh, Tristan...""Did she hates us now?" He muttered, the look in his eyes gloomy. "I'm sure she left because she thought we don't want her."Lila's eyes softened as she pulled Tristan closer, enveloping him in a warm hug. She could feel his small body trembling against hers, and she stroked his hair gently, trying to offer some comfort."I know you miss Aunt Sarah, Trist. It's hard when people we love have to go away. But I promise you, it's not because she doesn't love you." Lila countered, her voice caj