“Open your eyes, Kristel! Stopped being so naïve as to think he’ll change his mind and fall for you! You should never let that man control your heart!” She scolded herself.Kristel vows to stop dwelling on her pain and thoughts of Galvin. Instead, she returned to the company the following day and spent time in her studio revising the rough drafts she had drawn while detained.During the time she was in detention, she immersed herself in designing to keep herself occupied. In this way, she can distract herself from her worries.Now she is freed, she will waste no time.By the afternoon, Kristel was called by Amanda. She was told to submit her recent design; thus, she immediately went to her office with the drafts in her hands.“Hello, Amanda. Here are the drafts I finished designing recently. I need your opinions about which part of these dresses should improve.”“Hmm…” Amanda took the stacks of boards and told Kristel, “Please take a set, Kristel.”Kristel occupies one of the guest ch
The frown on her face deepened. Galvin had promised her not to see each other again, but here he was; he appeared in front of her. Also, she crosses paths with Fiona. How unlucky she was!Kristel glared at Galvin and didn’t hide her displeasure. The pain and anger she had endured when she was detained and then Galvin merely apologized to her so that she would not press any charges against Vivian and the mastermind to frame her, Fiona, has resurfaced.However, Galvin overlooked Kristel’s indifference because his eye lingered on her hand, intertwined with Noah’s. Subconsciously, his gaze grew colder. Fiona caught his abnormal behavior; inwardly, she resented and loathed Kristel.But this isn’t the perfect timing to go physical. She calmed down and concealed her irritation.“Why don’t we have dinner together?” Out of the blue, Fiona suggested. “Since we are all here, dining with more people is better. As they say, the more, the merrier. What do you think, Kristel?”“Why not?” Noah agreed
"I'm not flirting with you, Kristel!" he denied after he processed Kristel’s meaningful words.Kristel frowned. "Then let go of me now!"She struggled but to no avail.Galvin acted as if he was deaf by ignoring her pleas. Instead, he reminded her, "I've mentioned it already, Kristel. I only wanted to protect you, so stop misunderstanding my actions!"A brief silence ensued before Kristel's crisp laugh echoed in the bathroom lobby. Galvin knitted his brows, displeased seeing how she laughed like a lunatic.‘Is she making fun of me?’ He thought.Upon staring at the woman before him, he swallowed hard to suppress the desire to punish her as his eyes traveled down to her sultry lips and smooth neck.For unknown reasons, a strange emotion swelled in his chest—a sense of desire that he wanted to lock Kristel somewhere no one could have a glimpse of her."Kristel, what do you feel for Noah? Are you really in love with him?" Galvin tossed a ridiculous question out of the blue, and Kristel fel
“Galvin, I… it’s just my guess,” Fiona answered in a hurry. Her face contorted with pain, pleading, “Can you let go of me now?”Galvin lowered his gaze and realized he was gripping Fiona by the arm with force.“I’m sorry.” He apologized and regained his composure, forcing himself to calm down. “I asked Cory to send you back.”Hearing this, Fiona throws her body to the man, hoping she can entice him like before. “Galvin, it is late. Why don’t you accompany me to my apartment? It’s been a long time since you visited me.”Fiona stretched her arm to reach for Galvin’s collar, but before her fingers touched the fabric of his shirt, he grabbed her hand and looked at her indifferently.“You must understand I am working hard so that I can give you a good life.”Fiona felt a shiver down her spine to meet Galvin’s chill gaze. She bit her lip and clenched her hand out of anger toward Kristel, ignoring her long nails digging into her palm.She was livid that Galvin was treating her coldly because
Kristel was embarrassed by what she’d done. She looked at Noah apologetically and said,“I shouldn’t use you to show my ex-husband I already moved on from him. It isn’t right that I will accept your confession even if—”“It’s okay, Kristel.” Noah cut her halfway. He went on, “I don’t mind if you want to use me to forget your ex-husband. Kristel, that's what I wanted to happen. I want you to give me a chance so that I can show you that you deserve all the love in the world. He didn't cherish you, but I will, Kristel.”“No, I can't do that, Noah. It’s unfair to you! Lov3 shouldn't take it for granted.”Noah shook his head and smiled. He explained,“It wouldn’t, Kristel. In fact, If you allow me, I would gladly help you get through your first marriage. I will mend your broken heart and love no one else but you.”Kristel was speechless. She wishes that one's heart can teach who to love. But in her case, it was the hardest part of the process to heal her broken heart.Kristel could taste b
Kristel found a thick layer of snow on her doorstep.It looks like she slept well last night and didn’t notice that there was snow.She swept her gaze to the hallway, where she could hardly see the railings.She observed her surroundings after she noticed several shoe prints around her door, but the deep prints at her doorstep caught her attention the most, as if someone had been loitering there for a long time.Last night, someone rang her doorbell. That time the snow hadn’t fallen yet.When she came to the door, she opened it. No one was there.So who would stay at her doorstep all night when the temperature dropped significantly?If it were Noah and she didn’t notice he came to her apartment, surely he would ring her phone if it was crucial.Therefore, it was a mysterious occurrence, but she had no spare time to trouble herself to investigate it. She will be late to work if her ass does not move yet.Kristel put aside the concern in her heart and hurried out of the apartment to hai
Kristel was sure Fiona wouldn’t be happy — that woman has always been flaunting that she is the rightful Mrs. Hudson.“Kristel, are you listening to me?”Galvin’s frustrated voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked at him impatiently, then pursed her lips as she made a response.“I didn’t... So what are you going to do with that, Mr. Hudson?”“Kristel!” Galvin was irked.Since they divorced, Kristel seemed to transform into a different person. She becomes glib and talks back a lot.They always argued whenever they met, and he admitted he missed the obedient Kristel, who always listened to him and did what he wanted, no matter where they were.Their wild escapade chooses no time and place.Galvin glanced at the rearview mirror before his eyes focused on the road. The already warm temperature in his car felt like rising with every minute that passed.Instead of putting more clothes on his body, he loosened his tie to have proper breathing.Kristel was sitting in the backseat and
Standing beside Kristel, Lana was infuriated as she read every hateful comment on their live stream; several commenters attacked Kristel, and some questioned her background.“How ridiculous! Obviously, they were the trolls our competitor's company had paid!” she spat. “And these fools of netizens who easily believe others’ false accusations without weighing whether what’s the truth!”Lana’s angry voice pulled Kristel to the present. She looked at her cute assistant, who was now red from anger. Seeing her being like this somewhat warmed her heart, motivating her to take this matter properly and calmly.“Calm down, Lana.” She gave the little woman a pat on her shoulder and a soft smile, adding, “We shouldn’t give in to this accusation. They clearly ruined our live streaming because of me, and I know who instigated this.”Lana blinked, staring at Kristel in dazed. She could see the determination in Kristel’s eyes, and she admired how calm she was—the person who was wronged. She asked, “W
“Honey…” Galvin knocked on the door at Kristel’s studio.Four years ago, he built an extension building where Kristel could design and make wedding gown samples to distribute here and abroad.After what had happened in France, Kristel’s pregnancy has become difficult. They advised her to take it easy and not risk the baby.Thus, he prohibited her from working. But Kristel was strong-willed. She accepts Henri’s offer of collaboration to work in the historical drama he invested in.Therefore, he purchased a villa near the filming site so that Kristel would not need to leave the house but she could work at home.The drama was successful. It received many awards and was nominated for many TV awards.After five years, they finally reach the final volume of the story. But in these past years, Kristel has also received several offers to design wedding gowns for celebrities and famous public figures.Thus,
Three days later…“Kristel—”“Leila? Is that you?”“Yes, Kristel. How do you feel?”“Why are you here?” She’s trying to figure out where she is.“Silly. I am not just a doctor. I was your best friend and your child’s godmother!”“So we are, too!”At the door, her two friends named Lorraine entered the ward and rushed toward her, circling her bed.“Then my baby was alive.” Kristel caresses her belly. She was relieved that her child was safe. She stifled, then said, “You guys... Am I back in Brooke City now?”“I haven’t permitted you to travel home yet. You need a few more days of rest. Otherwise, you might have a sign of miscarriage.”“Oh, then I’m still in Paris… How about the competition? How many days have I been in a coma?” Kristel looked around. She
“What do you mean by that?” asked Fiona. “Wait, you are…”Fiona hadn’t recognized Henri because he always wore glasses and a black wig when he appeared to the public. But around Kristel, he hides nothing; instead, he casually shows his appearance.“I have long known that you were my cousin’s puppet,” said Henri. “It appears you had no idea of my family’s conflict.”“I don’t care! That doesn’t matter anymore.”Fiona is stubborn. Henri could see that.“You should be careful what you wish for, Fiona.” He grinned, then his smile disappeared as he added, “My patience with you is wearing thin.”Fiona is such a wicked woman. She had done so many tricks to frame Kristel. Fiona would have succeeded if he hadn’t assigned someone to watch over her. And he hates Galvin for how dumb he is. He never approves of him as Kristel&rsqu
“Don’t move! Stay where you are!” the man warned when Henri took a few steps closer. “I said do not move!”The man spoke in a foreign language. But Henri didn’t listen to him. He could understand him and spoke the same language.“Dare to shoot me?” Henri challenges him. Thus, the man was forced to pull the trigger and make a warning shot. He aimed the gun at the ground.Kristel sank her body and hid behind Galvin when the loud bang from a handgun echoed. She subconsciously placed her arms around her belly—her way of protecting the child in her womb.The man couldn’t dare to aim the handgun at Henri.“Mr. Laurent, please move aside.”“My cousin sent you here, right?”“Sir, you don’t want to be involved in this incident.”Henri sneers. “You almost killed me!”“Sir, we didn’t know you were here as we
Kristel cannot jump from the second floor down to the first floor. She would not think twice about doing that if she weren’t pregnant. However, she doesn’t want to harm the fetus in her belly.“Henri, I won’t jump!”“Don’t worry, Kristel. We don’t need to do that.”“But who are we supposed to get down—” Kristel coughed after inhaling the smoke from the door. The fire is slowly coming into the bedroom. Seeing this, Kristel was in fright. “Henri!”“Calm down, Kristel, and just cover your nose, okay? I’ll go down first, then jump when I’m on the ground.”“What?”“I’ll catch you.”“No!” She doubted Henri’s strength. Although he is pretty fit for a designer, she worries she is too heavy now. It will be difficult for Henri to keep her from the ground.“Trust me, Kristel!&rdq
Somewhere in the province of France…The following day, Kristel worked on her entry. She finished drafting her designs; now, she is sewing the white gown.It didn’t take long for her to finish working on the upper dress. She followed to work on the skirt using floral embroidery lace fabric when a car pulled over at the entrance.Kristel took only a little care of who it was. She need not be concerned if it was the chauffeur Galvin sent for her. The chauffeur can wait until she finishes and returns to Paris.She was immersed in drafting the veil, inspired by the flowers and leaves she picked out in the meadow. Hence, she didn’t hear the door creak when someone pushed it open.“Hello, Miss Pearson.”Kristel looked up and distinguished the person who came into her bedroom.“You are…” Her eyes widened upon recognizing the man. “Mr. Laurent!”“I’m here not to
Fiona’s mouth agape. For a moment, she stared at her phone screen blankly. She already posted the photos she snapped of her and Galvin. Thus, she was debating whether to delete it before everyone saw it.But with the wicked thought brewing in her head, she just let it become public, hoping it would reach Kristel; thus, she would think Galvin chose her.Therefore, she must stop the illusion of getting back together with him.“Galvin...”“I said I am driving Fiona.”There’s firmness in his voice this time. Fiona’s persistence somehow disgusts him.On the contrary, it didn’t make Fiona happy when he kept rejecting her attempts to seduce him. Even so, the woman fails to notice his disgust.“You can continue driving while I can give you a head... How’s that?”Fiona smiled sweetly, ignoring the warning in Galvin’s tone.Galvin, on the other hand, felt disg
“Galvin, what is the meaning of this?”The person, none other than Fiona, asked with tears in her eyes and an accusing tone. Galvin was taken aback for a moment but then heaved a long sigh.Kristel, who heard this, looked at the man with anticipation of his reply to Fiona. She tried to read the emotion flashing in his eyes but could not fathom it.She honestly hoped that Galvin would choose her. She still has this stupid desire in her heart, thinking she can love Galvin more than Fiona, who does nothing but betray him.Fiona has never been faithful to Galvin. All Fiona did is to become the center of attention. And because she is the most popular girl in the Academy, it is a man’s pride to have such a girl by his side, and Galvin is the most outstanding male student in that same school.Everyone would tell them how perfect a couple they were and the two were a match made in heaven.Every male and female had that jealousy in
Kristel placed her hand on Galvin’s broad chest, pushing him to no avail.Instead, Galvin gathered her wrists and pinned them above her head. He used his body to prevent her from struggling. Despite the difference in their strength, Kristel put up a fight. However, he didn’t let her free from his grasp.“Galvin!” Kristel screamed. Feeling conflicted, she couldn’t control the beat in her heart when Galvin’s lips brushed her ear and the side of her face while his hands explored her body. “What are you doing? Let me go! Hmmm…”All the words that formed in her tongue could not be expressed but disappeared without a trace under his passionate kiss.His lips are like wine, intoxicating and addicting, while he thinks of hers like honey: sweet and delicious. He wants more. He wants to devour her right there, at that very moment.She felt like he was sucking her strength. He didn’t allow her to pr