Daisy's POV
"Baby", Nina called as I quickly let my hair down, brushing it."Yes, mom. I'm coming", I replied and wore my heels, took a hold of my handbag, and went out of the room."We are going to be late", she said when I got downstairs."Sorry, mom", I apologized, pulling my skirt down to give room for my belly."Are you comfortable in that dress?" She asked, peering at me."It's ok, mom. Let's go", I said with a smile and flung my bag into my hand.The dress I was wearing was part of those Nina shopped for me, three months after I was discharged from the hospital. It was one of my favorites. I barely went out and that was the first time I wore the dress because it was an important occasion.Nina asked me to follow her to the office to meet her editor and one publishing company coming to sign a contract for one of her books. I was anxious because I didn't know what was expected of me over there. I still hadn't told Nina that I was halfway"But that can only be possible if he truly loved you as he claimed. He will never let go of everything just because of a baby when he doesn't love you", I emphasized, wanting to keep the conversation going and she looked at me before nodding with a smile.I still did not want to agree that her story was worse than mine. "But why will he say he would have let go if you had told him? Must a baby be the only reason to let go of every other thing? Why didn't he let go of that woman if he truly loved you?"She didn't answer. There was a smug smile on her face. I would see the sadness laced there. I felt bad for digging up the past because it was obvious she was still hurting."Who would have known what would have happened if you had told him on time? That would have proved his love for you." Nina uttered."I didn't want to tie any man down with my pregnancy." I opposed it."That is what you don't get, Daisy. Gone are those days. We all have our lives to live and
Nina's POVWe would like to sign a contract with you just like I stated in my mail to you. Our company is really intrigued by your new book titled "The Doctrines" and we are here with the contract for you to go through and sign. In the contract, all the benefits you will enjoy when we publish the book for you are stated there and the designs of your book cover as well as editing are inclusive." Mr. Gonzalez finished, stretching the contract to Stella, my secretary.She came in late and I was really mad at her. I sent her a message the night before for us to meet in the office. It was unlike her but I couldn't help the anger I was feeling. I felt going to a meeting with a client without my secretary would look so unprofessional.We got talking Immediately after introducing Daisy to them as my daughter. I could see the looks on their faces. They were from the Philippines and I signed my first book with them. We knew each other from day one of my career as a writer
Nina's POVMy first birthday with Daisy was a bit different from those of the previous years. First, neither Damien nor Amar was the first person to wish me a happy birthday.Then, Daisy insisted that we celebrate it in a big way, despite my protest. After much argument, I gave in but with a condition. Our guests were to be limited to my office colleagues, that was my condition.I knew celebrating my birthday in a big way will lead to something I would no longer be able to control. I guessed that was my fear and reason for keeping a low profile. Papparazis would be in attendance and virtually all information about my private life would be gathered and disseminated to the world before the next day.I loved my privacy but I couldn't imagine what would happen if news got to the world that Nina Gomez was a single mother who got pregnant out of wedlock for an Indian. Such news can ruin my reputation, the reputation I have been building for years, to prove my father wron
Daisy's POVA day before Nina's birthday, Nadia and I went out to get her a present. I didn't know what to get her because I felt she had all she wanted. It took me a great deal of time to decide on what to buy for her.I got her a limited edition of Glossier's The Gold set. It was a 14 karat plated gold and it adds shimmer to any outfit. I fell in love with the necklace and I was tempted to buy one for myself but it cost a fortune and my savings were already gone. Nina deserved it.My book was completed already and Larry had gone through my book, pointing out a few things to be corrected. We met five times during the first week of the month. He was a great editor.He also changed the title for me to a catchy and attention-grabbing one. He edited my synopsis and the whole outline before I sent it to Mr. Gonzalez's email.After he was done with the editing, he gave me the manuscript and I sent Mr. Gonzalez a message, telling him that I was r
"I guess we've missed a lot", Larry said as we ventured into the living room. We saw the cake being shared amongst the guests by Nadia."Yeah", I replied absent-mindedly. I was feeling tired all of a sudden."You look tired. You should rest." He suggested."Yes. I guess we would call it a night then", I told him and was about to leave them in the living room when he called me back."Daisy, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.""It's not you. The party preparation has worn me out. I've been awake since the break of dawn."Alright. Continue being strong", he squeezed my hand in assurance and I nodded. He pecked my cheeks.I was about to leave his presence when Nina showed up."Daisy, Larry, where have you two been to?" She eyed Larry, who was with a mischievous smile on his face."I took your daughter on a date", he told her."Is that true, Daisy?" Nina demanded from me.I didn't know if she fell for Larry's jokes or not as her
Daisy's POVThe birth of Ellah came unexpectedly...she was born prematurely. And it came as an eye-opener to me that the reality of motherhood was now at my doorstep.It was something I couldn't escape, something I couldn't let go of and the experience of labor was unforgettable.During labor, I remembered the pleasure her father and I both derived from producing her. And I was on the verge of cursing him when Nina burst into the labor room despite the protest from the nurses. She bluntly told them she was my mother and she was Nina Gomez. I felt like crying at that instant.My life took a great unexpected turn. There I was, trying to push out the only precious gift I got from my overnight stand, with a stranger beside me claiming to be my mother.I really felt like her daughter the moment she held my left hand, caressing it and whispering encouraging words to my ears.The anger I felt towards Daniel...or whatever his name is dissolved, when my ba
When I got back from the office with Nina, after having explained every file I had worked on during Stella's absence and even those I wasn't done with; it really took much of my time, more than I had expected.I had to rush the explanations of the last two files when I saw Nina already waiting for me. I was more than exhausted by the time we got home. I kissed Ellah goodnight when I entered her nursery as Nadia was dressing her up for bed. I thanked Nadia and went into my room.I grudgingly took a shower and before I knew it, I slept off without taking dinner.****I woke up late the next day, feeling lazy to get out of bed when Nina walked in to inform me about Ellah's ill health. That information brought back my strength from wherever it flew to in the first place and I rushed to my baby's room, leaving Nina still standing in my room.My baby was sick and peevish all through the night and I slept soundly like a log of wood. What sort of a mothe
Daisy's POVLarry wouldn't stop making me laugh with his silly jokes. I wonder why I was laughing that much and I realized it was long ago since I really felt that way...since I felt genuinely happy.I was just 17 but I already feel like I was a grown-up woman of 30 or 40. Is this what motherhood comes with? I asked myself.I was a bit fat during Ellah's pregnancy and even after her birth but I've been so keen on maintaining my shape before Ellah came into the picture.I remembered I had always wanted to add a bit of flesh to my skinny shape right from childhood, because of the mocks ny mates throws at me. But then I was scared. Scared of becoming an old woman. Scared of growing up. Scared of growing too fast. Ellah's birth was making me think, behave and talk like a grown-up. I was wiser than I was the previous year and I was more experienced with the realities of life. I loved that but I couldn't stop the feeling of fear that was buried deep inside of me. I couldn't fathom what brou
Nina's POVI was in the bathroom when I heard Damien come into the room. I heard him asking of me and Amar told him I was in the bathroom. I was having difficulty bending down to wash my leg and private part because I was heavily pregnant.I thought Damien was out until I began to hear him whispering. Amar did the same too and I couldn't comprehend what they were talking about. I rinsed the soap off my body, washed my hair, and allowed the to water wash through me once more before putting off the shower and tying my towel around me. The towel was different from the one I was using before my pregnancy because the one I was using was too small for me. I had to get a bigger one.I opened the door slightly to see Amar and Damien still whispering some words to each other. The only thing I was able to grab before they looked up to see me staring at them was "Daisy."My curiosity got the better of me. "What are you two talking about?"Damien gave me a boyish
Damien's POV"Happy birthday, darling", I scooped Ellah up in my arms and kissed her on the forehead."Thank you, daddy" she grinned. "and thanks for the gift", she held onto the doll I got for her tightly and I smiled. I was glad she loved it. "I love you.""I love you too, sweetheart.""Ellah, you love your dad? What about me?" Daisy questioned with a pout, folding her arms."I love you too, mommy", she chuckled and I laughed softly."What about me?" My mom also appeared from nowhere with her protruding belly."I love you, granny.""I love you more", mom said as Ellah struggled to get out of my hold. I dropped her and moved close to Daisy. She was busy cutting Ellah's birthday cake and distributing it amongst Ellah's classmates who came for the birthday party.My hand found it's way to her waist and she looked up at me."Let's get away from here", I whispered close to her ears. She began to shake her head in disagreement.
Damien's POVShe was like a magnet. I couldn't get enough of her. She was still as tight as I could remember and that pulled me over the edge. I lost control and made love to her over and over again till we both fell asleep.When I woke up, I saw her staring at me with loving eyes. I knew I had earned her forgiveness and I was hoping I won't mess up again. It hurt to see her hurt. There was no doubt about my feelings for her. The feelings I tried to deny when I saw her on the staircase that evening. The fact remained that I was still in love with her."I missed you, Damien", she whispered.Her voice alone turned me on. I wanted to respond but I couldn't. The only thing on my mind was making love to her again. I wish we would stay there all day long and forever in each other's arms. I took her lips, bit her softly and caressed her cheeks. She moaned and it turned me on. I tried to straddle her so I could take her again but she pulled away. I couldn't read her expr
Damien's POVI hadn't seen Daisy since the night she slapped me and I was filled with nothing but remorse and guilt ever since the night. I felt it was necessary to ask for her forgiveness. When I got into the house, I went straight upstairs to her room."Your boyfriend...." I heard mom saying to her as she giggled."Boyfriend?" I demanded, entering the room fully. I was with a frown on my face. I wondered who the boyfriend was."Yes, her boyfriend", mother said vehemently. "She's going out with him tonight. Any problem with that?" Her arms were on her waist with her belly poking out."Nothing. I just came to ask for Daisy's forgiveness. I'm sorry for whatever I must have done to offend you, Daisy. Find a place in your heart to forgive me."She nodded in response without uttering a word. I guess that was her way of saying my attention was not needed so I turned back to move out, without any further word or looking back.I got to my room and s
Daisy's POV"You shouldn't have slapped him", aunt Vanessa queried me when we got home. Ellah was asleep in Nina's arms and Damien was nowhere to be found."He deserved it", Nina remarked. It almost made me smile.She was a great woman indeed. If it were other people, they would have turned to support their son but Nina was different. She stood by me.....for the truth, even though he was her son. I was sure she would have done the same thing if it were someone else. She was amazing and I loved her more."She shouldn't have done that in the presence of Ellah", aunt Vanessa insisted. There was no reply from Nina. I guessed she agreed with aunt Vanessa on that. "The poor girl wouldn't stop crying until her father said something into his ears that got her grinning from ear to ear. I'm sure it was the name of chocolate that made her happy again."None of us replied. I sat on the chair beside Nina and closed my eyes, rubbing my finger over my forehead, hoping the
Daisy's POVWe watched as Aunt Vanessa jumped into Danny's arm with tears streaming down her eyes. Danny didn't recover from the shock until aunt Vanessa kissed his lips and called his name again. Nina looked at me with a puzzled look, and I nodded at her with a smile, hoping she got the message.I was happy for aunt Vanessa but when I remembered what I was doing before then, sadness engulfed me as I watched Nina dragging my box back upstairs."No, mom. Please." I pleaded with her and tried to stop her from dragging the box."Please what?"I shook my head. "I can't stay here anymore. I can't." I sniffed."Daisy, you've been here for four years......""Please, this is what I want. I can't do this. It's torture.""Daisy", Amar called.I kept shaking my head. I didn't want them to convince me. I didn't want to stay. I was tired of holding onto lost hope...it was just like being hopeless. I wanted to be far from Damien. Being close to h
Daisy's POVA week after arriving from the Philippines, I went back to school. The house was unusually quiet. I was no longer comfortable and I was finding it hard to continue calling Nina my mom. I barely go out of my room, except when I was going to school or when I want to go and pick Ellah up from school whenever Nadia wasn't around.I saw Damien once when he was going out in his father's car and Richard was driving inside the house with me. Our eyes met for a brief second before he looked away.It is obvious I mean nothing....absolutely nothing to him, I said to myself. He seemed fine to me like nothing happened, like everything was fine and normal but I wasn't feeling that way.Knowing we live under the same roof was pure torture, seeing him was hell, and knowing what we had was nothing to him made me feel miserable. For the first two days, I cried myself to sleep.I hated myself for thinking and holding onto what we shared that night and I hated
Nina's POV"You mean you were the one that had sex with Daisy all along?" I queried Damien."What do you mean all along? It was just a one-night stand." He replied and I gasped at his bluntness."One nightstand? You had sex with her twice.""She told you that? How did you even know her?""Are you seriously listening to yourself? She gave birth to your child."He scoffed. "How am I even sure the baby is mine ?""Damien", I called and moved closer to him. Then I slapped him. Tears were streaming down my eyes already.Who would have thought I took in my grandchild? I asked inwardly. What would have happened to Daisy and Ellah if I hadn't taken them in? Daisy suffered alone because of my irresponsible son.I was disappointed and his statement increased my disappointment and anger. The memories of my past came rushing. How I had to fend for him, care for him alone without his father."Mom, you slapped me?" He questioned.
Daisy's POV"Who the hell is Lizzy?" Grandmother lamented.I shook my head. She was too choosy when it comes to her association with other humans. I was sure she doesn't like Lizzy just from the name. Grandmother was insisting that we get the company back. That was when I told them about Lizzy.I stayed back in the Philippines because my grandmother insisted I stay. Aunt Vanessa supported her. We discussed a lot, including Aunt Susana.I also got to meet Fred, aunt Vanessa's son. He was an intelligent and smart kid. When aunt Vanessa told him I was his aunt, he hugged me fiercely asking me different questions about where I stayed and about Ellah."Dad had an affair with her and she got pregnant. She informed me about the bankruptcy and that Susana wants to sell the company. Nina wanted to help me but I refused. I didn't want her to waste her money for nothing. Lizzy later called to inform me that she bought the company already."