The saleslady smiled and said, "5,990 pesos, Ma'am." I gazed on the dress she was holding. "Too expensive. Is that the fix price?""Ah, Ma'am, the prices on the Mall are fix," she said then looked at me from head to toe.The corner of my lips twitched. I was offended by what she did but I have no reason to confront her. It was true that the prices in this place are fix and the woman in front of me might be thinking that I was one of those who couldn't afford it.Well, the truth was that I can afford the dress, but I worried that I won't have the money to pay for it later. Afterall, it was Tiden's money that I would use. Mama took back my credit card because I spent too much for these past few months. Both of my cheeks burned red in embarrassment when other customers in queue looked at me differently. Some of them even snickered as they whispered to each other. So I had no choice but to give my the card to the saleslady. "Here," I said.
My heart is pounding. I can't help it. I don't even know what can be done to get rid of my feelings for him. Nope. I don't know --- or it's more correct to say I have no intention of letting go of my feelings for Levi.He's the first. Out of the many men who came into my life, he was the only one who stood out. I can't explain why. If only I could pull him to my side... If only I could.I stepped back and pushed him lightly. He turned his face away from me. "Rish?" His eyes were asking.I looked away and panted slightly. "W-What are you doing, L-Levi?""Kissing you."I quickly stared into his eyes again. I'm not stupid. I know he's kissing me. "I mean... Nicole. How about her?"He frowned. "What about her?""She's... Uhm..." What is the relationship between the two? I touched my cheek. "Your fling?" I sighed. Of course. I knew that I was more of a fling than Nicole who's been with him the all this time. But he said
Morning, they say, is a new hope and a new beginning. But not for me.I was awake for the entire night, staring at the wall opposite the bed while my back was leaning against the headboard. When Levi brought me back last night, I didn't sleep anymore. My eyes were tired but all I could do was yawn and keep them open, staring at the wall dumbfounded.I'm tired. My eyelids are very heavy but I'm afraid if I sleep, I'll forget Levi and what happened last night, thinking it's just a dream. I slowly raised my finger to my lips. I can still feel the heat of his kiss as we stood at the entrance of the door. ~Earlier~"Levi," I said. I slid my hand from his shoulder down to his chest and my palm stayed there.He rubbed my back several times, and sometimes he put his hand in the side -- looking for an entrance into my dress. He let go of me and caught his breath. "Rishel..."I drew a breath again and again. I grabbed the
I dreamed of Levi kissing me under the stars. I don't know what his kiss tastes like because I woke up and couldn't remember anything. The wind caressed my face. I looked outside the window. I'm in the car, and the sun is shining. What did I dream again? I looked at the driver's seat and was stunned for a few minutes. I frowned. "Lyndon?""You're awake."I looked outside the window. "Where are you taking me?""Sit back. We're driving home.""Home?" My forehead creased even more. "What home?"The car stopped when the traffic light turned red in the distance. The Lyndon turned to me. "Stop playing tricks, Larica. What happened to you? Earlier, you seemed stressed and haven't slept.""Huh?" I turned to him and stared at his face. The car started running again. I shook my head and closed my eyes tightly. "Hey, what am I doing in your car?"He clicked his tongue and laughed a little. "I'll take you f
Tiden still hasn't called me since the concert. I was wondering but I didn't dare call him too because he might be busy. I frowned at the phone but it remained silent.Someone knocked on the door so I opened it. I saw Husea standing there. She smiled when she saw me. "Someone is giving this to you, Miss."She handed over a paper bag which I immediately accepted. I closed the door again and peeked inside the paper bag. I raised my eyebrows when I saw a CD. What is it?I walked over to the bed and opened the paper bag, then I went to the DVD player and turned it on and connected the player to the Bluetooth speaker.I was shocked to hear Vine's latest music. I smiled widely but frowned as I remembered something. I quickly reached for the paper bag that contained the CD but there was no note where it came from. The only thing I'm sure of is that it's Vine's latest album!I laughed and shook my head. It might be from Tiden! He always send
There is something in performing in front of the crowd that's addicting. Maybe this is how Vine feels. I also think that maybe their palms are sweating from nervousness when they performed the first time on stage. Maybe their chest also beats faster as they climb the stage."I will introduce you as a guest performer," Levi whispered. He was standing by my side while adjusting the mic. He signaled the operator to open the mic connection to the speaker."I'm nervous," I whispered. But maybe because the Vinepress yelled too loudly and his mind was busy so he didn't hear me.I felt someone approach and stood behind me. "After this, leave. Go back to EGL," Tiden's voice.My body stiffened for a bit. I felt him step away and return to his place. My gaze followed Tiden's retreating back. He has been nagging me to leave. I do not know why. He wouldn't stop so I promised to leave immediately after.I want to ask him what the problem is but he
"Rishel..."I blinked and immediately turned around to face that person. My lips parted in shock. "Levi?" My feet unconsciously backed away. "What are you doing here?" I asked.He smiled and went around the bench then he stood in front of me. "I'll take you home."I am at a loss for words. Is he really Levi? And he offered to take me home? "Don't kid around," I said and laughed a bit. The wind blew between us and silence replied to me. That made me swallow hard. After a few minutes, he spoke, "I'm not joking, Rish."I looked at him again. Even though the light shining on his face was dim, I could see that he was serious. "Why are you so... k-kind?"My eyes widened when he reached my waist and pulled me closer to him. "I tried to control it for a few days but I couldn't.""What do you mean you can't?" I asked him breathlessly. Suddenly, he ran his finger over my lower lip, causing my eyes to widen slightly. "Levi...
Papa saw me in different light after that day. There was a mixture of pride and satisfaction on his face. I cast my gaze down in shame. Little did I know that the song I sang with Vine yesterday would go viral."My business partner called me, he said you sing well," he praised.I snorted. "It's been a while, Pa. I'm ashamed of what you're saying."He laughed. "Why? I saw the video and it looks like you inherited your mother's talent.""Really, Pa?" I grinned. "Mama sings well?""Stop it, you two! We're in front of the food," Mama scolded us, huffing in annoyance.Papa and I laughed together. The assistants hid their smiles. Mama's eyes narrowed but she didn't say a word. I just shook my head. I remembered when I heard Mama sang once, and it's really quite... passable. "But you didn't ask permission yesterday, Rishel," Papa said sternly.I lost my smile. "I forgot, Pa. Sorry.""Who drove you home y
I didn't give him a chance to swear on me. I quickly ended the call. But as I expected, my world would not be quiet because I received calls one after another from my parents, Lyndon, Tiden, and unknown numbers whose owner I did not know.I sighed and turned off the phone. I don't want to entertain their questions right now. I was not being irresponsible but I was tired of explaining over and over again. I know that they won't stop until they hear what they want to hear from me. I just want to give my full attention to Klo who is happily looking around the ocean park.I decided to take him to the famous tourist spot in the city with his nanny who is following behind us. I didn't worry that someone might recognize me because I wore a mask and a bullcap. Also, the park is underwater so the dim neon light is what lits up the place. People won't see clearly my facial features."Mom, a dolphin!" Klo happily pointed at the big dolphin that was swimming abov
My eyes narrowed and quickly called Lyndon. "Have you seen the news?" I asked."Yes. I have already ordered my staff to take care of it. Don't worry."Huh. He can take it down but people will still gossip in social media. What's the difference? I sighed and was about to hang up when he asked. "Where's my son?"That's when I remembered what we talked about at the restaurant. My vision darkened and I quickly ended the call. Rishel, why did you forget?I thought the issue would subside after a few days but a week has passed but my face is still in the headlines. Even the issues that caused me to flee the country have once again surfaced in the media. They also didn't miss the gigs I did with Vine and my idol days back then.I suspected at first that there was a hand moving the media but my suspicion deepened when information about me and Rei suddenly appeared. No one knows publicly about the relationship I had with that man so I know s
There was silence, and Lyndon cleared his throat. "When did you find out?"I clenched my fists and smiled wryly at him. "My son got his looks from you. Am I that stupid to not suspect? Also, you're too good to be true. Still wanting to marry a ruined woman?" I chuckled. "But even if I noticed it too late, I still want to ask why did you deceive me? Why did you make me believe you didn't know who you were? You made me look stupid, Lyndon!"He stared at me for a few seconds before looking away. "Do you have evidence that he is my child?"My eyes darkened at his question and I quickly took out the DNA result inside my handbag. I threw it right in his face. "I came home to the country just to see the results of the DNA test in person. Still wanna deny the truth?"After he read what was written, he took down the result and looked at me again. My mood only got worse when he didn't even say a word. "What? Are you not going to say anything?"
"Rishel, is there a problem? Lyndon told me you're ignoring him." Mama's eyebrows met. "Tell me what's wrong."I looked at Mama for a moment before looking back at the laptop on the center table and typing away. "I'm just busy, Ma. I'll call him next time," I said.Mama sighed. "That's what you always say. If you and Lyndon have a problem, talk about it. The wedding is next week and the engagement party will be held tomorrow. How will you treat your future husband if you don't get along?"I stopped typing and looked up at Mama. "We don't have a problem, Ma. Don't worry, I'll call him tomorrow.""You should, Rishel. You have been engaged for several years and you should make your relationship public, otherwise the board members will question your engagement to Lyndon."But I'm not ready to be tied to that man. I already knew he was Klo's father and he was certainly the one who bedded me that night, but why did he hide that truth from
After five years.It was sunny and clear that morning when I stepped off the plane from another country. But my eyebrows met when I saw a familiar face."Kervy? What are you doing here?" I wondered.It's been five years since I flew to another country. Now that the media was quiet, I decided to go home quietly. I just never thought that the last person I expected to see would stand in front of me.He didn't answer but looked at the boy standing in by my side. My grip on Klo's hand tightened and Kervy's eyes narrowed."Mommy? Who is he?" Klo asked.I looked down at Klo and smiled softly. "An old friend." I turned my attention back to Kervy. "If you don't need anything else, we'll go first."I was about to pass him but he caught my wrist. Looking up at him, I couldn't utter a word. It's been a few years since I last saw him, but nothing has changed in his appearance except that he has become more mature looking.
He looked dark but I knew his anger was not directed at me so I was relieved. "Thank goodness you're here!" I cheerfully said and sat down.He attended to me quickly. "Let's go," he said and picked me up in his arms.I screamed in shock and looked at his face very close. My heart beat fast and both cheeks got hot. I looked away when he looked at me."Where are you going to take me?" I asked.I noticed that he was careful when he walked to the fire exit with me in his arms. After a while, we got out of the building and the fresh night air gently hit my face. The tension in both my shoulders disappeared and I leaned my head on Lyndon's shoulder."Thank you," I whispered softly."What did he do to you?" he asked."I just passed out for two days.""Two days?" Lyndon's aura grew darker. "Rishel, you've been missing for two weeks! I can't find you." His jaw clenched. "And I will know that you're in the hospital?"
"Let's go!" I struggled in his grip but he was too strong. I glared at the face I once admired but now hate. "I regret idolizing you, Levi! I hate you! I hate you to death!"He stopped for a moment and narrowed his eyes as he stared intently at my face. My face paled when he looked at me like that and I tried to look away. But he didn't let me and held my chin to raise my face. I saw the strange smile on his lips again. "Even if you hate me, it doesn't change the fact that you are mine, Rishel," he whispered to me.My insides trembled when I heard that. Maybe it's because of the way he looked at me like a hungry monster looking at his food. Just now he gave me that kind of look that made my cold sweat trickled my back.I took a deep breath and bravely met his gaze. "You shot Papa. Didn't your conscience hurt that you also did to Papa what you did to Ariel in that night? Or do you really have no conscience, Levi?" His eyebrows met at w
My heart skipped a beat at what he said. I looked at him dumbfounded as he said what he knew about the incident involving Papa."The authorities found out that someone shot your father while he was buying something at a grocery store. The suspect's face was not clear on the CCTV footage but there were witnesses who witnessed the day your father was shot. They are pointing to Levitus suspects."My lips formed a line and stared at him. Is what he says true? He's not deceiving me, right?When he noticed that I didn't believe him, his eyebrows met. "If you ask those witnesses, you'll know the truth."My fist is clenched. "Did you bribe them?""Are you doubting my intentions?" he asked and raised an eyebrow."Yes," I answered him.The corner of his lips twitched and he laughed. I stared at him until the smile disappeared from his lips. Lyndon's eyes narrowed and he pulled out a photograph. When I looked at it, I frowned.
We stayed in the hospital for a week. After Papa was hospitalized, I just heard that Rei was charged with murder. Because the police saw him lying blind near Gerard's body. The murder weapon was also retrieved from the crime scene where his fingerprints were confirmed.I know that Lyndon used his influence because Topzan Entertainment, the company that was supposed to save Rei, was slowly losing money. Now Rei is now an outlaw and is permanently banished to prison."Mayor of the city?" I whispered as my eyes narrowed.Lyndon investigated Rei's background and found out that the Mayor of the city nineteen years ago was the one who adopted Rei and raised him abroad. It turned out that Rei was the Mayor's illegitimate child so the case subsided because the Mayor covered up the crime Rei had committed."You are also a witness to that crime, Rishel." The edge of his lips curved. "I can't help but think criminals enjoy it when you watch their crimes