[katalina]"M-Man?"I sounded redundant. I need to find a quick excuse for this. Because sooner or later, Hunter will know that I am lying. "He's just asking for directions," I said. I then turn around and went to my desk. His footsteps followed me. "Directions to where?" I opened a folder, pretending that I am busy. Bit my mind is shaking already. "Nearest tourist attraction," I managed to look Hunter in the eyes. I jolted for a second. But I managed to resist the surging fear. Hunter's gaze were piercing through my soul. "Aren't you busy?" I broke the silence, hoping it would burst the doubts inside his head too. Luckily, Hunter clicked for it. "Right! I want you to book us a seat in — wait, I forgot the hotel's name. Hold on." Hunter proceeds to his desk and opened his phone. Relief suffused my expression.
[katalina]The day goes on and Hunter forgot about what happened earlier. Although, he didn't make it such a bigvdeal. But knowing I am lying, it felt so terrifying for me. I watched his back while answering the phone. If I was the same person back during my first week here, I would eavesdrop. But now? Not anymore. But I need to speed things up. A month could be like in a vblibk of an eye. And I might lose everything I hoped for. And I don't want it. "Okay, thank you," Hunter ended the call. He turned around and face me. "Would you mind cooking our dinner tonight?" he askee all of a sudden. I nodded my ehad without hesitation. "Sure! Do you have guests for tonight?" Hunter nodded his head. "Yeah. Not just an ordinary guests but our batchmates!" My forehead creased. We've never been in the same school. What is he talking about?"Classmates but—""David and Lago? They knew you, Amanda."If Hunter didn't call my name, I'll answer him like how I used to know as Katalina. But I
[katalina]I'm sitting next to Hunter in his car. I could see his wide smile from my peripheral vision. He was on his phone the whole time of the ride. I may not see who he's texting with but I am certain that it was "our" batch mate. Fuck. I did not know that part of my undercover was knowing Amanda Byne's full background. Like heck I know about their batch mate? I don't have the energy to dwell with someone's past. But right now, I think I have to. But the scariest part is that, what if they memorized the real Amanda's face? What am I going to tell them? That I underwent a plastic surgery because I tired of being beautiful? Fuck!
[katalina]By the time we arrived at Hinter's place, I went to the kitchen quickly. I was tense. My forehead was sweating, I felt anxious and scared at the same time. Like heck if I know if the dishes are salted well or not. No matter how hard I try to focus my mind on the dish, I'd still have this thought that everything will end tonight if they found out the truth. I'm hoping they wouldn't. Hunter's batch mate are someone that I don't know on a personal level. If the stars align for me tonight, I'll be able to execute whatever disguise I am using and things will turn out the way I expected it to be. My heart pounded so fast when I heard a doorbell. "It must be them, Amanda!" Hunter's voice originated from the stairway as he descended. Oh shit!
[katalina]It was as if time froze. Or is that just how I feel whenever I'm anxious and terrified?I remained standing in the kitchen. I couldn't move my feet like they were cemented on the floor. I couldn't hear anything except Hunter's footsteps emerging near the front door. And my heart began to pound so fast. To the extent that I worried that it might explode. I guess, I dug my grave too deep. With this disguise and the exposé project, not only will my life and career be doomed. So does my heart. "Oh!" By the time Hunter opened the door, I shut my eyes closed and clenched my fists into balls. It's now or never.
[katalina]It was a relief on my part as I saw who entered the mansion. Phew! That feeling when you know your world is going to end? Yeah, that's what I felt before Ian entered the mansion. "What the hell, Ian?" Hunter said. Ian was on his phone. He lifted his head to him. "What? The door is closed so, I knocked." Hunter sighed in annoyance. "I thought you were someone that I expected to meet tonight!" Ian's forehead creased. "Who? Oh. Your batch mates?" "Well, yeah. Wait. How did you know?" "I was hanging with the security guard a while ago, then a car stopped by and informed me that it was cancelled." Hunter scoffed. "Without informing me?!" Ian bobbed his head. "Obviously."
[katalina]The three of us ate dinner. Hunter, me, and Ian. Unlike Ian who was bobbing his head up and down, enjoying the music of his earphones, Hunter was sort of disappointed. And I couldn't eat properly. Much as my stomach wanted to devour food, my mind could only think of Hunter. It makes me feel guilty and sad at the same time. Usually, he enjoys my dishes. But now, it is different. I'm certain it tastes good. I mean, Ian won't eat non-stop if it wasn't appetizing enough. Although, Hunter was eating. Finely. As if someone was criticizing his food etiquette. So, I cleared my throat. He forced a smile as he looked at me. "Are you alright?" Hunter couldn't seem to find the words. But he managed to nod his head. He focused on eating his food.
[katalina]Night came. Hunter was on the bed already. While I chose not to go home. And spend the night with him. The TV was turned on. Hunter was watching a documentary film about the wilderness and the animals in it. I slowly climbed on the bed and lay next to him. He looked at me when I used his arm as my pillow. Hunter kissed my forehead. "How are you?" he asked out of the blue. I smiled. "Doing well. And you?" "I'm fine—""You're not," I cut him off. Hunter sighed. "Why would they cancel without letting me know? They had my hopes up," Hunter pouted. I kissed his cheeks. "Like you, they also have a life. Perhaps they are busy." "I hate them already." Hunter sounded like a child. I cackled which made him laugh too.
[3rd Person’s POV] “Please, Katalina. I love you! Don’t listen to Amanda. The video was just edited to tear us apart! Don’t let her win.” The wedding was a mess. Katalina thought that it would be the best day of her life. But it turned out that it was one of the nightmares that she's trying to avoid. It seems like unfortunate events were tied to her name. Preston tried to revive their marriage. He begged her. And said and did multiple ways of apologizing. But it was too late. She made up her mind already. They left Preston. Katalina was determined to raise the baby alone. She doesn’t want anymore drama and conflict to her life. Jerry resigned at his job. He couldn’t keep lying on Katalina anymore. The night of her wedding, he texted Katalina the truth. And it checks out all of the things that Amanda said during the wedding. It was painful for her. She wanted to die that day. But then, she remembered her son. And that’s the only reason why he keeps on fighting. Everything was goi
[3rd Person’s POV]A week passed by in a blink of an eye. Preston was very happy that Katalina and Hunter Jr. was with him all the time during work hours.Indeed. true to his words progressed and find his shop to be more efficient when the two most valuable people in his life were present.Preston excused himself to proceed to the restroom. his office has a built in restroom. he locked the door and stared at his reflection in the mirror.“I have to do things right. I know I must. and this is the perfect opportunity for me to express how serious I am into leveling up our relationship,” Preston said to himself.Washing his hands at the lavatory, she glanced once more at his reflection. Preston love to see the genuine smile appearing on his face. It was as if it has been a long time since he felt so good about certain things that inspires his heart to do good and to be more efficient.As he left the comfort room, he saw Katalina. Talking and rocking the baby in her arms. it was the most
[3rd Person’s POV]“We’re here, Mistress.” The driver announced.She grinned, wearing her expensive Michael Kors sunglasses as she descend from her newly bought Tesla car.Amanda was headed to the mall. Specifically to the grocery area where she’d make her plans come to life. People stare at her in amusement. Fascinated by how elegant and eloquent appearance.“Good morning, mam,” the guard of the mall greeted her.“Morning too,” she blow a kiss and softly giggled, causing the man to blush hard. Amanda chuckled and headed to where she’s supposed to be.It wasn’t hard to find Katalina. The poor lady was buying groceries and diapers for her son. Amanda walked towards her. Katalina did not notice her presence. So, she made her presence noticeable.Amanda cleared her throat. “Ahem!”Katalina lifted her gaze. Her jaw opened. She know who she is. And she was terrified that Amanda would make a scene to ridicule her.She slowly walked backwards, pulling the cart with her. Amanda smirked and t
[3rd Person’s POV]“Who’s excited to visit the park? Yes, you! My handsome son,” Preston cooed at the baby. Kissing both his cheek while carrying him.It’s Sunday. And they decided to spend the day in the park. To unwind, revitalized, and to inhale the fresh oxygen from the trees. Katalina smiled from ear to ear, watching the sight of her boyfriend and her son.As always, Ivan drove the car carefully until they arrived at the park. Hunter Jr. couldn’t resist to giggle every now and then. Seeing the people around him smiling and cheering him, enables the baby to laugh.The smile on Katalina’s face faded. “There are… families. A lot of them,” she whispered in the air.Preston heard her. He locked their fingers. “Hey. No one is going to hurt you, okay? I’ll be there to protect you. and if I have to use my arm and fists just to shut them up, I would do it without hesitation. Besides, two is better than one. We have Ivan to back us up with this one. Right, Ivan?”Ivan looked at them throug
[3rd Person’s POV]END OF FLASHBACK “Well,” Jerry sighed. “It’s not easy on your part to narrate it all but thank you for reminding me everything. And telling to me what happened behind the curtains,” he smiled.Katalina chuckled. “You made it sound terrible when you said what happened behind the curtains,” she wiped her dried tears. “It’s not that bad. I mean, it’s chaotic and slows down my process of moving on but it is what it is. And I think it is my karma that I find it difficult to forget my past,” she said.Jerry heaved a sigh and finished his food. “I don’t agree with the karma part. But I think, and what you should be thinking also is that it is a lesson that we can’t forget. Karma sounds like you’re a terrible person,” he scoffed.She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, Jerry. Am I a terrible person? I mean, why would I even ask that question when it is so obvious that I destroyed Hunter’s reputation and my exposé caused the downfall of his legacy.”He snorted. “You keep
FLASHBACK [3rd Person’s POV]“Kat, look,” Jerry heaved a sigh. He held her hand. “I know this whole situation upsets you. I get it. But you have to think thoroughly. Yes. The intention was there. I mean that you wanted to save what’s left of Hunter’s reputation. But have you asked yourself?” Jerry said.Katalina shook her head. “Ask myself what?”“That aren’t you too late for this? Okay, let’s say that you did a press conference. Okay. But what’s the essence? Your exposé came out first than your press con? And the people would not just hate you as well. But also, it will undermine all your credibility not just as a writer or a researcher. But as a human being,” he smiled sadly.Jerry shrugged his shoulders. “It’s too late, okay. But the idea was good. I know it is. Yet, it’s useless if in case you would do it. And trust me, it would hurt Hunter more than it would hurt you. The press conference that you’re thinking would just add more fuel to the fire. It’s not worth it. And that is n
FLASHBACK[3rd Person’s POV]She was awake the whole night. Staring outside her window. Crying alone in the dark. Regretting she accepted the job offer. No matter how much remorse she felt, it’s useless. Time can’t be rewound.Katalina was lying on the kitchen floor. Dried tears around her eyes. Spacing out for hours. If it her stomach didn’t churn up, she wouldn’t be back in her rightful senses.A loud gasp escaped from her mouth. Echoing in the kitchen. Gently as she rose, somehow, in spite of lacking energy, she prepared a breakfast.Eating silently, it’s just know that she didn’t appreciate the silence. It was terrifying. Soul-tearing. Makes her desperate. Drowning her even more. She lifted her head. Hearing a sudden knock on the door. It was seven in the morning. She did not expect any visitors to arrive. Pushing the chair and walked to the front door.A line etched on her forehead. Her hand were latched on the knob. But she stopped opening it as she heard clattering outside h
[3rd Person’s POV]Katalina fell asleep on the cold floor. A snot drips down from her nose. Eyes swollen from excessive crying. And she couldn’t feel any energy anymore.It was dark outside. eleven hours passed after the exposé got released from mainstream media. Her phone vibrated on the carpet. The vibrations awakened her.Fluttering her eyes open, Katalina’s forehead creased. She soon then felt severe headache. She groaned. “Argh,” she sat on the floor and gently massaged her temples.For a moment, her head was clear. Amidst the raging headache, Katalina forgets about the whole drama. The drama that ties her name even though she didn’t release the exposé.The phone call caught her attention. With trembling hands, Katalina answered it. “H-Hello?” her voice was hoarse. She didn’t locate the caller’s name.“Katalina? Are you crying?”She recognized the voice. It was her boss. Jerry. She sighed. “I-I messed up,” she muttered. Remorse is audible on her voice. Her brows crossed when Jerr
[3rd Person’s POV]Katalina heaved a sigh. Ready to hear Jerry’s question. She have a feeling that the question would be related to her past. Something that she felt to say. To anyone. That would ask her. And the circumstances concludes Jerry to be the person.“How?” he asked softly. It was hard for Jerry to ask. He sees Katalina as her friend. Best friend. A sister from another womb. He respects her. And he felt the need to check up on her. All the things she said was a response in general. Addressing no topic. And pertaining a safe answer.Her upper lip trembled. “W-What do you mean how?” a stiffened laugh escaped from her lips. She swallowed her own saliva. There are tons of questions going into her head.“How did you end up with Preston?” Jerry finally asked.She fell silent. Katalina couldn’t move. The question hit her so hard. To the extent that it made her question herself. Katalina glanced at the ceiling. Heaving a sigh. A melancholic smile appeared on his face. “A-A lot has h