CHAPTER 26: TEMPTRESS“I got him, Ma.” Grace was already dressed, when she leave the club, and turned her back from Conrad, who is still drunk, unconscious on the bed they shared. Naked, dreaming of the fire they crave.She would admit it, he was a beast on bed.“I knew that I could rely on you, Grace.” What she said put Mrs. Roswell on a great mood. “Make sure that after this night, he wouldn’t forget about you.”Who would?She is Grace Roswell, every man couldn’t resist her charms, only except Eliot, but that was least of her worries for now. He’s no use for them. He have no money or so she thought.“So, what now?” Grace climbed up on the bed.She could still hear the fading music that was bouncing back from downstairs. She sit in front of a mirror that was placed inside that vanity room. Her reflection stared back at her.Swollen lips, and smudge makeup smeared her face, one of her eyelashes is missing, her hair is in a mess, but that doesn’t make her less.She was still beautiful.
CHAPTER 27: IN CAPTIVITY“By any chance, have you seen Raquel?” Hopeful, Eliot asked Mary, who came on his room to for her daily rounds.In spite of what happened, her and Raquel’s encounter, he was still hoping that she might help him find year. It’s been hours since she left, until then she did not showed up. For most times, if he is not in love with her and if the shoes does not fit to Eliot, he’ll c it petty, but now is different. He loves her, he was sure of it, and she feels the same. When he saw her jealous gaze to Mary earlier, that took away his doubts and truly felt that Raquel is genuine.She was risking her life taking him here.He knew she was married. It’s wrong, but this affair or whatever it is—it feels right for Eliot.“Sad to say that I did not.” Mary looked at him. “Why are you looking for her? I thought you two are together..?”The way she said the last word, Eliot is no fool, it was the macabre of hope, of something she felt, but was afraid of. In a short period o
CHAPTER 28: ALAS, ORDER TO KILL“Grace Roswell, huh?” Conrad chuckled.He was inside his office, amused by the reports that Moore brought to him. It contain photographs, and everything that he wanted to know about Grace. That particular woman who fill his yearnings the other night.She has never been married even at the age of 25, but that doesn’t mean she haven’t had any dirty little secret to keep for herself.Conrad was surprise when he read something on her file, “She had been seeing her sisters husband?” He mused, flicking the photographs one by one.There she is—on a fancy date with David, an intimate moment inside his own house, where Raquel was. She’s not afraid, but what made him interested more is the fact on how she have the leverage, although she isn’t the wife.“Seems like I’ll be enjoying my stay here, while I am not yet being thrown—”There is aca sudden knock from his door.Conrad rolled his eyes.“I told you not to disturb me, didn’t I? “ He was annoyed.But it only d
CHAPTER 29: STOLENIt was Jasper. Raquel knew that she couldn’t be mistaken. How can she not remember his face? He was once invited into their house, introduce as Grace boyfriend.It was way back in college.“My, I didn’t know that you were bringing somebody home, dear.” Mrs. Roswell skeptically eyed the boy that Grace brought. She and her husband, making sure that he has something to offer for the family. He was built slim, and neat. Handsome, for Raquel’s opinion, but she couldn’t voice it out. She remain on her seat, her head was hanging low, while they chatter. But she caught a glimpse of him earlier. His name is Jasper, and he was on the same level as Grace is. “I didn’t tell you yet, because I wanted it to be a surprise, Ma.” Grace tucked in a loose strand of hair behind her ears. “Well, this is Jasper, and he is my boyfriend.”A boyfriend? Raquel thought. But there’s nothing new about it. Grace would being different boys, seducing each whom she think would majorly give her wh
CHAPTER 30: INDEBTED It was Mrs. Roswell’s loud shriek that woke up Grace from her room. With worry laced face, she rushes out only to find her mother trying to stop a few men from taking everything inside their house. “Y-you can’t do this to me! How dare you treated us like we’re some pieces of sheet?!” Mrs. Roswell hollered. She was far from the sophisticated Roswell, who would eye those who are beneath her. Her hair is tangle, barefooted as she stood there with rage. Mrs. Roswell was clearly a mess after the arrest of her husband, and now this. Grace worriedly take her steps towards her mother, “What’s happening, Ma?” Even she was tired with all of it. “These bastards are telling us that we have some debt, when clearly we don’t!” She snapped. That’s when they both heard a voice coming to their direction. “Why don’t you ask your husband, Mrs. Roswell then?” The two lifted their eyes. They were meet by an old man, whose neck and arms are both covered with gold, necklaces an
CHAPTER 31: HER JEALOUSY When she woke up the next day, Italia was alone. The sun was already shining brightly, and the empty space beside her was cold. The traje de boda was nowhere to be seen, and everything seems to be already neatly arrange as if yesterday were nothing, but all dreams of lust, and repine longing that Gustavio could still be soften by her.She sighs.The double doors of her room opened.“Miss.” It was Tristan, her personal butler. “Mr. Salvador ask me to send you at the dining table.”“Tell him that I wasn’t in the mood—”“It was an order, Miss.”Her fist curled up, and clenched.“An order, huh?”Italia doesn’t like the sound of it, but what can she do? Whose fault was it to be here kissing Gustavio Enriquez Salvador’s ass? Probably hers.“I’m coming.” Italia pulled her robes to hide her bare shoulder in sight. “Wait for me outside—”“I’m sorry, Miss.” Tristan sounded apologetic this time. “But Mr. Salvador emphasize that I must not leave your side and quickly fet
CHAPTER 32: SCANDAL“You did not hurt yourself, didn’t you?” Zamiel asked.Italia laughs softly.“Geez, stop worrying, it wasn’t as if you didn’t saw that not even a shard graze my palms, Zam.” She rolled her eyes playfully, regardless of the heaviness she was carrying on her chest.“Did I say I was referring to a wound?” With that said, the latter lifted his head.He was frowning.Italia’s smile faltered.“W—what...”“I know what you feel.” Zamiel sighs. He reached out, and softly touched her head in a comforting manner. “I know my cousin could be a bastard sometimes.” He added, and chuckled as if to lighten up the mood.“Zam...” Italia trailed off, before she turned her head sideways. “How long had you known?”“Way back in college,” Zamiel stood up. “I know that the two of you had a thing—”“That’s why you were never surprise to see me here one day living with him, right?” Italia confronted him.“Yes.” Before his forehead ceased. “But what I couldn’t understand was why there is Sama
CHAPTER 33: GRUDGES TO BE KEPTDid she fainted?A grunt escape from her lips, when she woke up. Lost, because the last time she could recall isn’t this place, but she boarded a car of a woman named Mitch...? Minchi...? But the throbbing on her temples only made her unable to remember her name.The light seeping from the cracks blinded her for a second. The room is painted white, and the smell of disinfectant suggested where she is.Italia was brought in a hospital, but what for?The door of her room was pushed open.“You’re awake.” It is the woman.“You are...?” Italia smile is uncertain. “Sorry, I am a little groggy.”“That’s alright, and it’s Minchin.” The latter placed some bags to the table next to her bed. “I brought you some food.”“Thanks, but what happened?” Italia is still seemingly confuse.“You fainted.” Minchin stated the obvious. “Out of worry, I brought you here and the doctors say that you just needed a little rest, because you seems to be under so much stress lately.”
The next morning was a bliss. For Raquel, it was, but for Eliot, it isn’t.When she noticed the grim look plastered on his face, Raquel did not hesitate to ask, “Is everything’s alright?”Unlike her, Eliot was already fully clothed compared to the bareness they share last night, and the thirst they both patched up with flames. But his face seems to be I grave, grievance worries that she was oblivious about.Is it about last night? She don’t think so. When they did it, he doesn’t seems regretful, no remorse and lament that she could perceive as they make love to each other.If it is love making, and not just some sex he had been pursuit, because of his anger.“It’s my father.” Eliot brushed his hair, already messing the tangle knots that lay sprouted on top of his head. “Maids called, he had been diagnosed last night, and they said he is in the ER.”“Oh my god.” Worries flashed before her eyes. “Do you wanted to go to him? I can packed some things up, and let’s just grab some breakfast
“How long had I been out?” Eliot asked.So far, his conditions are getting better. He is already recovering from the worst scenario that Raquel feared he’ll fall once he lay there on that hospital bed.“Just a couple of days, but everything’s good.” She was busy peeling an apple as she glanced on her shoulder to look at him. “Jerome said that you can be discharge tomorrow, since you’re okay now, but they are still going to run some test, Eliot.”“Who’s Jerome?” A tiny bit of jealousy made his chest twitched.Raquel noticed it.“It’s the doctor, Eliot.” Raquel rolled her eyes.“I’m just making sure that no one’s trying to pursue you yet, Raq.” He joke, chuckling“Oh, don’t be absurd.” Raquel placed down the apple and the knife in the table and dried her hands. She grab the plate and walked near to his bed. “Are you still not going to believe me after I confessed?”“Of course, I do.” Eliot hold her hand. “Because I love you.”Their eyes meet.Raquel softly smiled at him, “And I love you
“I—” Raquel gulps. The awkward air made the atmosphere between them thickens. Even with David, she had never been this nervous, only with Eliot. Only with this man, whom she always wonder—“Why?”“Why?” Eliot looked at her.“Why do you wanted to help me?” She was straightforward. “…so bad?”Raquel didn’t know, but Eliot was like a breathe of fresh air, away from the abuse. He was the same stranger. Always carefree. Always the risk-taker. He was full of freedom, while she’s not. And she will not drag someone to the same hell just because she was chained there.Elliot is just…too precious to be contaminated by her toxic family.“And I wasn’t blind, I don’t want to assume, but your action speaks of a pursuant man.” She bit her lips. “And you know…I am married, I am no longer free, Eliot.”“Raquel…” Eliot took a deep breathe, before looking at her. “Would your doubt be compensated, if I told you that I like you?”“Don’t give me that crap, Eliot.” With him around, Raquel felt free expressin
Raquel knew for a fact that Eliot is somebody, a sin from that island she must forget, but her heart couldn’t. The memories of the night they shared would came back, on how much she moaned with pleasure, forgetting the marriage she was forced to, while they were together.Eliot Duke made her forget every pain, and the torment meant to made her suffer. When she rejected him, Raquel knew it ended, that the fate that was playing between them was already cut in loose. Not until seeing the great Eliot Duke in the flesh to the charity ball she had accompanied her mother.“Tired of forcing yourself to smile, Mrs. Smith?” Eliot’s voice filled her ears, and unconsciously, Raquel stepped away from him. “Am I really that scary, huh?”She hardened her resolve.Don’t do anything silly. Raquel was begging herself. Don’t do something that would only hurt you badly at the end. She reminded herself about what happened to David that night before the whole world knew that they had spend the night togeth
“David! Open the door! David!” Grace was in a hurry.Beads of sweat was trickling on her forehead. A look of worry past across her face. Her hair was loose behind her back, and she isn’t properly dress like she was used to be.“What is it?” A groggy voice came.It didn’t take her another minute. When the door was pushed open, she quickly get inside as if being chase.David looked at her as if she had grown two heads.“What have gotten into you?” He was frowning. “And you look scared. Is there a problem, honey—”“Don’t you dare call me that stupid endearment!” When she faced the man she used to get wooed, there are no blinded affection. Her face was boiling with anger. “Father told me what you did. How can you do this, David?! After all?! You betrayed us!”“Betray you?” David raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t betray you. Didn’t the authority find the drugs on his trunk?” He chuckled.“You know what will happen—!” Grace was frustrated. “But do you know that I have been stop by thugs, while
Raquel knew for a fact that Eliot is somebody, a sin from that island she must forget, but her heart couldn’t. The memories of the night they shared would came back, on how much she moaned with pleasure, forgetting the marriage she was forced to, while they were together.Eliot Duke made her forget every pain, and the torment meant to made her suffer. When she rejected him, Raquel knew it ended, that the fate that was playing between them was already cut in loose. Not until seeing the great Eliot Duke in the flesh to the charity ball she had accompanied her mother.“Tired of forcing yourself to smile, Mrs. Smith?” Eliot’s voice filled her ears, and unconsciously, Raquel stepped away from him. “Am I really that scary, huh?”She hardened her resolve.Don’t do anything silly. Raquel was begging herself. Don’t do something that would only hurt you badly at the end. She reminded herself about what happened to David that night before the whole world knew that they had spend the night togeth
Anita is kind just like how Doctor Gonzales described her. It was later that day Raquel meet Anita when she paid a visit for the pair. “I was worried when I saw the two of you in the riverbanks. Oh god! I felt like I am going to have a heart attack by the sight of you, Raquel, and Oh! Your wounds!” Anita exclaimed. Her voice is loud, it echoed to the wall, but it was her expression that put ease Raquel’s worry, and fear. She may be old, white hair may lay sprouting on top of her head, but Anita moves as if she were much younger than her age. And Raquel…actually likes here. “I owe you, our life.”It was true. If it isn’t for Anita, Raquel and Eliot may have died, and she couldn’t let that happen, not when she hasn’t found out the truth yet, and the identity of those men. Raquel knew who have may sent those men after them, but she was still unsure, not when it is still not yet confirmed. It could be David, who may have any idea what has been going on
Had fate been playing their lives?Last night, Eliot promised that if Raquel wouldn’t ask for his help, then he wouldn’t forced her to, but seeing her inside the company he owns gave him another reason to approach her. This was their 3rd coincidental meeting.Raquel.But his trance didn’t last long. Eliot could feel his blood boiling with anger upon seeing whom she is with.“Oh, I wanted this one! Doesn’t this look great, Raq?” It was the woman, who hurt Raquel before. “Buy this for me!”She looks happy, while Raquel seems like she was forcing herself to smile again. Her face dim, her smile faltering.“Do you have a set of this diamond ring?” The woman asked again.Seeing the panic embracing her eyes, Eliot found himself intervening.“Justin.” Eliot looked at his manager. “I’ll take it from here.”“Yes, Sir.” His manager excuse himself.Eliot faced the two.The woman who was with Raquel faced him curiously.“I’m Eliot Duke, the owner of this store, how may I help you?” He flashed a s
David did not ask what happened. After the confrontation, nobody speak. Nobody dare to bring it even. He just left, and everything was back to normal, except that he isn’t as harsh as before.He cooked, before he left, and Raquel couldn’t be feeling grateful for once. But that doesn’t mean she was already at ease.Staring at the paper on her hand, she let out a loud sigh, “Am I doing it, right?” She asked herself.The document she have gotten her hands onto contain the truth. It is her birthplace. Doctor Vergara gave it to her, before he left. He told Raquel that if she wanted the truth, then this place may be the key to every question she seeks.“But this is what I wanted.” She whispered to herself.Or more likely she was trying to convince herself to do so.Her phone rings.When she saw the name registered on the screen, her face hardened.It is her mother. The mother she grew up with, who had been feeding lies to Raquel.The call died down, but when she dialed her number again, Raq