The following weeks passed quickly. We stayed at Nanay Victoria's home for two days before returning to Manila. Zachary and I wasted no time; he underwent counseling after our assessment, while I, on the other hand, had a therapy session. It was a little difficult for me because I had to go over everything again so that the doctor who was looking at me could understand my condition. Nevertheless, I was comforted to know that I had someone by my side the entire time.I was diagnosed with PTSD. I'm not surprised because that's what my old doctor in America confirmed to me. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not curable, but people with this condition can improve their symptoms significantly.I couldn't help but be impressed with how professional Thelmo was at work. Although he and Zachary knew each other, he was not opinionated. He is a friend outside the hospital, while he is a doctor inside. He doesn't force me to talk if I don't feel comfortable. He supports everything I say or do.I
We won, and all the people who have sinned against us are already behind bars. I don't know how Zachary was able to sue Tita Ayna, but I am grateful to him anyway. I can now face our children in peace.Even if it's bad to be happy amid the sadness of others, I can't help it. In two years, I finally got justice for us. It's like I was saved from drowning—I breathed and found new hope to continue the life I once gave up."W-We did it," I stuttered and cried as I hugged Zachary.His arms quickly wrapped around my waist, and he planted a kiss on my hair. "You are now free, baby," I heard him murmur.I just cried. I can't stop the happiness that escapes from my chest, and I know that he is the same. It's over; our fight is over."Thank you. This wouldn't be possible without you," I said between sobs.I felt him shake his head, and then I was carefully pulled away from him. He held my face and kissed my forehead. He smiled at me despite the tears forming in his eyes."I can't do this withou
Study, graduate school, and work. Actually, that's the only plan I have for my life. My studies come before anything else, no matter how much time my buddies and I spend hanging out or drinking. But I had a different goal when I met Atasha Rodriguez. She is simple but beautiful. Her appeal was so strong that even if she were just sitting and busy with what she was sketching, she seemed like an angel in my eyes."You. I've been noticing for a long time the stickiness of your gaze on the fine art student who often hangs out on the bench," Thelmo commented when we once had a drink in his dorm.My jaw quickly tightened, and I looked at him intently. "How did you know her?""Whoa! Chill, no one is going to steal your babe," he said while still raising both hands in the air. "It's obvious what course she's taking; besides that, I can already smell your moves by simple passing through their room even though it's faster on the other pathway."The rest of our companions laughed and showered me
Everyone was happy. They were drinking and congratulating the soon to be husband—Zachary Villarreal.He was sitting on a six-seater sofa while his friends were next to him. I couldn't decipher his emotions because, since I watched him, his face was only serious. It's his stag party today. It was three weeks before the wedding, but his friends had already prepared this at his condo.I smirked when I saw how his eyes flushed because of the alcohol. The way his long lashes moved slowly against the light, I knew he was already drunk."We have a surprise for you," his friend from his left uttered, and he let out a loud laugh.Based on my knowledge, he's Thelmo—one of the groom's closest friends. He's the one who prepared the party for tonight.The other boys quickly cheered, as if they immediately understood what the speaker was referring to. Zachary slowly shook his head with a smile on his face; it was as if he wasn't willing for his friend's surprise."Three weeks from now, you'll be ti
"Do you think you can destroy our marriage? Is this why you're doing this?"My focus turned to her again. We stared at each other for a second. She gave a mocking laugh and shook her head incredulously."You haven't changed at all, Atasha," she snorted.I stood up with the blanket wrapped around my body. Without asking, I went to Zachary's closet and picked one of his oversized t-shirts. I also chose shorts there and then got dressed in front of them without caring. After dressing myself, I then turned to look at my sister. Zachary was still sitting on the bed with his boxers on."Eunice, you are too much of an overthinker," I said and laughed a little. "Destroy it? Can't I just miss my ex?" I smiled mockingly."How dare you?!" She quickly came to me and gave me a slap.I didn't move from my place and smiled. "What? Isn't this normal? I thought it was okay for us to share. You know, like before."Her face immediately lost color. She looked at Zachary for a moment, who was still starin
"YOU'RE pregnant?" Eunice uttered when she saw my baby's ultrasound.I smiled and nodded then gently touched my stomach, which had not yet bulged. I'm nervous but excited at the same time. Even it's too early to say, I promise to give everything to my future child."Does Zachary know? How about Daddy?" she asked again."Not yet. I intend to tell Zachary when he gets home from their convention in Zambales. I'll tell Daddy later tonight. I'll just take a rest," I replied.Here we are in my room. I just got home from a checkup, and Eunice was the first person I told the news. We're half-siblings. We are not very close, but we are not enemies either."Atasha, Daddy won't be happy about this. You know his campaign for governor is in full swing right now. Besides that, you know he doesn't like Zachary because he doesn't belong to a rich family. What are people going to say to Daddy? That he let his daughter get pregnant even though you are not married yet? This is a mess, Atasha, considerin
It's been two years. I'm not sure if time actually passes swiftly or if I just don't forget things easily. I just shook my head and wore my glasses before looking back at the big house in front of me."Welcome back, Atasha," I said to myself, then started walking into the yard.Nothing's changed. The mansion's interior and exterior still share the same aesthetic. My heels made noise every time I stepped on the marble floor. I couldn't help but become serious when my memories progressively brought me back to what happened two years ago.I smiled bitterly. Family. They said, abandon everything except your family because they are the only ones you can count on until the end. But that's not the case for me.How can I appreciate my family if they are the ones who destroyed me?"What are you doing here?"I smirked when I heard Eunice's voice. I stopped in the middle of the large living room of the house and then raised my eyes to her. She was walking down the stairs, and next to her was my
One . . . two . . . three . . .Three clicks of my pen and Zachary's eyes darted at me again. After disturbing his class, he continued teaching his so-called students. He didn't even bother to give me the momentum to introduce myself up front.Even though I was somewhat interested in what he was teaching, I didn't pay much attention to him. My gaze simply followed him everywhere. I must say, he's a good teacher. He would not be a professor otherwise, I suppose.I licked my lower lip and lazily leaned my back against my seat, exposing my leg under the slit of my fitted dress."Ms. Rodriguez, what the hell are you doing?"A smirk crept into my lips when I heard his baritone voice. His eyes were glaring at me; it was as if he was killing me with them. The veins popping out on his neck didn't even escape my sight.How many times will I watch him go to this state after I come back? I chuckled in the back of my mind.I innocently raised my left eyebrow. "What do you mean, sir?" I asked whil