“Excuse me?!”What the hell is she talking about? Why would I ever name my future son Maru? That’s the last thing I’d do—never in a million years!In fact, I might just banish the name Maru from my list of future baby names. I can’t stand it!“Marry me.” He said in a whisper.“But I want Maru Ottave,” I whispered back.“I am Maru Ottave.” He said then he claimed my lips.Fudge! Why did that memory have to pop up now? This is all Mara’s fault!I glared at her. “Don’t say that again!”Mara and her husband just laughed. They think this is funny?! Ugh! I should have ignored the whole thing with their son’s name. Now it’s all backfiring on me.Mara and Andrew were busy tending their new born, while Tanya and I left in the living room. "Tada! Do you like it?" I asked Tanya while showing her the dress I bought in the US. I bought bunch of things for her. Of course I bought some for family, Mara, Andrew and their new baby. But most of my the things in my luggage are all the things I bought
Tonight I will drink like there’s no tomorrow! I'm glad that Mara, my best friend found herself a man who will love her for the rest of her life.I can now leave this country with a peaceful mind because Jana is out of Mara and Andrew's life. I don't need to worry about Mara and her family anymore. Leaving the country is always in my plan. My initial plan was to leave the country after Mara's wedding, but I can't find myself leaving her knowing Jana's existence in their lives. My instinct is telling me that Mara's marriage life will not be peaceful because of that girl.Jana was Andrew's longtime girlfriend. They only broke up because Andrew need to fulfill his duty as Ottave's heir, and that is to marry my best friend, Mara. The break up was so smooth which doesn't make sense. How can you let go of the guy you love just like that? Why will you not fight for that love if you know that you are the girl that he truly loves? And they are in a relationship for years for God's sake!I kn
Think Yelle... Think! How the hell did you end up with James?! Yelle calms down. Inhale... Exhale...I was at the bar last night as my despedida for myself since I'll be leaving for the States. Then James came and approach me. We argued a bit then I confess to him that I am in love with his brother. And then...My eyes widen when I finally remember what happened next.Oh my gosh, Yelle! What did you do?! Why did you agree to marry him?! Is our marriage even legal? I tried my best to remember everything that happened. The mayor Oh, shoot! We f*cking signed the document! Our marriage is legal!"Ma'am we're already here." The cab driver announced.I nodded and gave him money then I went out of his car.I will just think of a solution later. For now, I need to shower and get ready for my flight. I looked at my watch and I know that I will not make it on time. I rebooked my flight. Hell no that I will be staying in this country for another day, especially with the crazy thing I did last
"James, I didn't know you'll visit!"I smiled at Denise. I had no plan on visiting them but this is the place I thought of after I woke up and found out that Yelle already left my house.Yellle often visits them to bond with her goddaughter, Tanya. But I guess she's not here. I was not drunk last night. I spotted Yelle upon entering the bar. She was drinking alone. Men are checking her out so I decided to join her. "Hey, gorgeous!" I teased her. She rolled her eyes at me which she always does. "Still a snob? I thought we were already close?" I teased her more. "Can't you see I want to be alone?!" She said sounding annoyed. "I can see that. But how many drinks did you have? You look like a mess! Were you dumped by a guy or something?" I said with concern. I admit that I didn't like her at first. I questioned her friendship with Denise. I know that she likes my brother so I can't help but be wary of her. But she prove to me that she was genuine with Denise, and unlike Jana, she w
"I'm David Lewis, the creative director and VP of JD Legacy International."OMG! He's one of the founders of JDLI! I can't believe that I will meet him this early, not to mention he will be interviewing me. The interview finally begin. He asked me the usual questions in an interview which I answered with confidence."As I have been browsing your CVs, I have learned that your experience is more on marketing and sales. Though, I also saw your portfolio with your interior design projects. You have a stable position in your previous company, I'm curious as to why you decided to go here and apply for this position." He said in a formal but calming tone.I heaved a heavy sigh before I start to answer me. I can't mess this up. This is what I've been waiting for my whole life. "As stated in my educational background, I have a degree in interior design. But my parents wanted me to work in our company." I said as I started my speech."Oh! Now that explains why you have the same name and the co
"Uncle James, come here and congratulate ninang. She got the job!" This is one of the reasons why I love my niece. She always has the right timing. I intend to visit them for this purpose. I knew that Yelle will call them at this hour to share the news. Last night, I got a call from Bradley, my assistant in the main office. He informed me that Yelle passed the interview and it was David who did the interview. Up until now, I still can't believe that Yelle has this kind of adoration in my company to the point that she was willing to move to New York just to work there. I already notice that she was using my company's furniture when she did a project with Andrew. But I never imagine the reason behind her patronage of my furniture. JD Legacy International is my company. I was only planning on doing a furniture business but David's situation with his family gave me the idea to offer Interior Design services which automatically a sales in my furniture business. I wanted to see the ex
Today is my first day of work. I look in the mirror to have a final look at my outfit. I'm wearing white trousers, a cream long-sleeve, with my stilettos. I nodded at the mirror, satisfied with my looks, then I grab my Hermes bag and I'm good to go. I'm excited but nervous at the same time. It was my first time working in a company that is not owned by my parents. I know that the treatment will be different compared to when I was working in my company. In Zobel Group of companies. the employees were friendly and lenient towards me. Somehow you can feel that they want to get your favor though, not all employees are like that. But some are genuine in giving their service. Jenny, one of the HR started to tour and introduce me to all departments. Before we went to the creative department, Jenny took me to David's office. The first thing that got my attention was his office, it looks sleek and neat. Then I look at the very handsome man sitting on his office chair. Gosh! My boss is so h
"Are you okay?"I fake a smile. My heart started to beat fast. I look at my phone and read his message again.'Does that guy know you're married?'I look at it again and focus on the last word. Married. I was hoping that it was his typical annoying jokes. I am confident that he was able to cancel or stop the mayor from filing our marriage contract. Yes, I knew that the document we signed is real.I also knew how much we hate each other. I am sure that for James, I am the last person he will marry or I wouldn't be able to make it on his list. When I left for the US, I keep consoling myself that James will never allow our marriage to be legal. My hand was trembling while typing my reply.'What marriage are you talking about? I'm single!!!' I typed.My hands are still trembling while waiting for his reply."Hey, Yelle! Are you okay? You look pale." Edward asked me again.I look at them and saw their worried faces. I fake a smile again. "I'm good," I said.I received another notification
“Excuse me?!”What the hell is she talking about? Why would I ever name my future son Maru? That’s the last thing I’d do—never in a million years!In fact, I might just banish the name Maru from my list of future baby names. I can’t stand it!“Marry me.” He said in a whisper.“But I want Maru Ottave,” I whispered back.“I am Maru Ottave.” He said then he claimed my lips.Fudge! Why did that memory have to pop up now? This is all Mara’s fault!I glared at her. “Don’t say that again!”Mara and her husband just laughed. They think this is funny?! Ugh! I should have ignored the whole thing with their son’s name. Now it’s all backfiring on me.Mara and Andrew were busy tending their new born, while Tanya and I left in the living room. "Tada! Do you like it?" I asked Tanya while showing her the dress I bought in the US. I bought bunch of things for her. Of course I bought some for family, Mara, Andrew and their new baby. But most of my the things in my luggage are all the things I bought
“Mom, Dad, look who’s with me!”Luther and I had kept my transfer back to the Philippines a secret from our parents. We wanted to surprise them—and it was the reason my brother had extended his stay in the U.S., to bring me back with him.My mom gasped, her eyes welling up as she took me in. “Abrielle? Is it really you?”I smiled, warmth flooding me as I nodded. “Yes, Mom. I’m home.”She crossed the room in an instant, pulling me into a tight embrace. My dad followed, wrapping his arms around us as my mom held on like she’d never let go.My brothers stood off to the side, grinning at our little family reunion. Daniel, who had helped plan this surprise, looked especially pleased as he watched our parents’ joy.To celebrate, Daniel had reserved a table at a fine-dining restaurant. As we settled into our seats and began eating, conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and updates on life.Midway through dinner, my dad looked at me, curiosity in his eyes. “So, how’s James? Did he
Finally, the day had come for us to return to our home country.My brother insisted on extending his stay so we could all go back together with Kyle.We arrived at the airport, the bustling terminal greeting us. My co-workers had already taken their flight back to the Philippines. My brother had upgraded my ticket to first class, but we had to change flights since the first class seats on the original one were fully booked.As we checked in, I spotted James entering the airport. My brow furrowed in confusion. What is he doing here? He was supposed to be on the same flight as the JDLI team.“You’re here,” my brother greeted James with a nod.James merely nodded back, his eyes darting to his watch repeatedly, as if waiting for someone.“Are you expecting someone?” I couldn’t help but ask.He shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Why would you think that?”I shrugged casually. “You keep looking at your watch.”“Oh, that… I’m just checking the time. Our flight’s coming up so
"Yelle?"I startled but quickly composed myself before turning to face Kyle.He smiled nervously. "Yelle, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked again.I could see the sweat on his face.I already knew what he was planning when my brother handed me the blindfold, and I already knew my answer.I nodded and smiled. "Yes," I replied.His eyes widened, and he shouted, "Yes!" before pulling me into a hug.I chuckled and hugged him back, hearing my brother congratulate us in the background.I saw James mouth the word "Congratulations!" and even raise his glass as if offering a toast.Then he turned his attention back to the girl he was with. They seemed to be enjoying their conversation, and I even noticed him whisper something to her.Kyle released me from our hug, and we stepped down from the stage to join my brother."Congratulations, Yelle! You finally have a boyfriend!" he said, teasing me with a grin.I just smiled at him. My brother had been the one to help me decide to accept Kyle’s pr
"Are you serious?" I asked, bewildered.James smiled. "Why? Isn't this what you want?""Y-yes," I replied, frustrated with myself for stammering.I was confused. I couldn’t understand what James was thinking. He had always made it clear he didn’t like Kyle, he often sabotaging our dates. Now, he was acting supportive of my relationship with Kyle."Are you sure? Because I can see hesitation in your eyes," James said, reverting to his usual self.I rolled my eyes. "Of course not! I've always wanted to annul our marriage. We both know we don’t love each other, this whole thing was just a result of alcohol," I defended myself.He just smiled at me."Why are you suddenly being cooperative about this?" I couldn't help but ask, needing to understand his true intentions."Simple. Now that you're getting serious with that guy, I’m confident you won’t chase after my brother when we return to the Philippines," he replied with a casual shrug.I glared at him, my anger rising at his reasoning. His
"Luther! Stop pressuring Kyle!" I understand my brother’s point. Since I’m returning to the Philippines, there’s a good chance that the relationship Kyle and I are trying to build might not work out. Besides the challenges of a long-distance relationship, Kyle has a business to take care of here in the U.S. It would be selfish of me to ask him to leave his life here to join me in the Philippines.Kyle and I aren't even official yet. My brother should stop pressuring him; he has no obligation to me or anything.My brother shrugged. "You're not a fan of long-distance relationships, Yelle," he said matter-of-factly.I rolled my eyes. "But we're not official yet! He has no responsibility to me. Besides, I still have work here in the U.S., so we can still see each other. There's no need for him to follow me to the Philippines," I argued.Kyle smiled at me, his eyes softened as he spoke. "We could make our relationship official," he said, catching me off guard.I felt both stunned and pres
“Are you suggesting I’m playing favorites?” James’s voice cut through the tension, surprising both Athena and me.Athena and I exchanged startled glances, unaware that James had been listening.James strode over to us, fixing his gaze on Athena. "I'm sure you have an idea how we secured the mall project," he said, his voice steady and unyielding.Athena looked away, unable to respond, guilt etched across her face. She was one of the few in the company who knew about my ties to the Zobel Group of Companies—a secret James had revealed to her.James turned to the assembled employees, his voice firm yet composed. "Each one of you must understand that I never play favorites. You were all hired solely because of your capabilities and nothing else."He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "I will address this issue once and for all, not just for Yelle's sake but also for the company's reputation. I stand by my principles: this company will never be swayed by personal connecti
"How was day?" My brother greeted me with a warm smile as I returned home. Since he started staying with me, it became his habit to ask about my day. In the Philippines, we rarely find the time for such conversations; our busy work schedules leave little room for personal chats. Besides, our mom insists we avoid talking about business or work when we're together. She believes our precious free time should be spent bonding with family."It was hectic," I exclaimed.Amidst the chaos at work, I couldn't help but beam with excitement. "But I have good news for you!"I found myself unable to disclose the news of my appointment as the interior designer for Zobel Mall project here in the US to him. Instead, James and Luther dominated the conversation, their voices prevailing throughout most of our interaction."What is it?" he inquired, his tone laced with gentleness."I got the Zobel project! I'll be the interior designer for our mall here!" I exclaimed, brimming with excitement.But my b
Luther's POV"Yelle is seeing someone?" I was utterly stunned. Before she came to the U.S., we were all convinced she was here solely to pursue her career. We were certain she wouldn't find the time or even have the interest to date anyone. She had been so determined to make a name for herself."We didn't know about that," I added. "Yelle never mentioned him to us."James nodded, a frown crossing his face. "To be honest, I'm quite disappointed in your sister. I thought she came here to focus on her career and make a name for herself. Yet, in just a few months, she's already found someone to date."A sly grin crept across my lips. The jealousy in James's voice was unmistakable, far outweighing any hint of disappointment. I was almost certain he had a thing for my sister."On second thought," I began, aiming to lift his spirits, "since Yelle never mentioned that guy to us, I don't think she's serious about him."James breathed a sigh of relief. “I certainly hope so,” he murmured, a sha