What else can I expect from Nicole? Of course, she doesn’t want to be disturbed. June smiled wryly at me while Ariel’s face was grimacing. I know that Ariel and Nicole’s relationship is not that good so I understand if his expression is a little off when I mentioned that name. That’s probably one of the reasons why Ariel had agreed and persuaded me to stay with them in Club Fort — to annoy Levi’s girlfriend, Nicole.It takes minutes for Tiden to run down the stairs with a big grin hanging on his lips. He walks towards me and put his arms around my shoulder, sitting beside me. My lips twitch with a smile and poke him. “So? Did Mama agree with you?” I asked. I hold no hope that my mother agrees since she is strict and never lets a stranger barge into the second floor freely, but I am dumbfounded when I see Tiden nod with a smug smile on his lips.“You don’t believe me? Ask your mother then,” Tiden said chuckling when he look at my bewildered face.I scorn at him and fold my arms in fron
I ignored that strange feeling. I got out of the car and looked around the resort.Club Fort Med is a resort located at Arbor, the same barangay as El Grande Lat. Not too simple and not too flashy just enough for a quiet weekend. The edge of my lips curled up.I looked up at the large wooden placard on which the name of the resort was engraved. It was my first time being with the Vine. It’s scary but also exciting.I saw that Tiden was already inside the resort so I followed. He went straight to a modernized restaurant that was slightly elevated than the rest of the resort. He went inside and sat in a chair next to a large glass wall where I could see the entire resort.‘Not bad,’ I thought.I sat in the chair opposite him and looked outside the glass wall. I saw the three pools of Club Fort Med which the resort’s known for.There was a small round table between us and a small blooming cactus in the center planted in a small pot. A bonsai plant. I took the menu that was on the table a
I pursed my lips and took a step back to Larica’s shipyard just a few meters away from the private dock. Lyndon was just following behind and I had no plans to talk to him. I was thankful that he was silent even though it was awkward.When the wind blew, I hugged myself. The coolness of the breeze at dusk is not for nothing, but he placed a warm jacket around my shoulder and my teeth stopped chattering instantly. I simply turned to the side and saw the side view of his face.The sun was setting in the west and the soft rays touched the tip of his nose. From the angle I could see, it was as if the dim rays of the sun painted Lyndon’s face, tracing his side profile which made him look ethereal.I looked away and sighed. He has the looks but the attitude… err never mind.A few minutes later, I took a step into the shipyard. Here is the place where ships used for sailing are repaired.It was one of Larica Shipment’s properties and it is not far from the shipping port where the center of b
"Ugh." I hesitated whether to take a selfie with him because I might end up like the girl earlier. I just smiled and shook my head. "Nothing."After eating at the restaurant, Levi took me for a walk around the resort. I don't want to miss it so I immediately agreed, not thinking of Nicole nor Tiden's reaction. We went back to the cottage for a while and he lent me a white dress. I know that dress is not for me but I want to think otherwise. I didn't see Tiden nor June inside so I just assumed the two were taking a walk. Ariel's missing and Nicole, well, I didn't care about her.Levi is tall. About 6 feet or more with broad shoulders and lean muscles. He is quiet which makes me swallow my saliva often, preventing myself from speaking.I want to talk about something but I'm worried that he might not say anything and I'll just embarrass myself. Looking up at him, I realize my height is only up to his chest compared to his massive body. My cheeks flushed and I looked away before he would
Note: The lyrics were originally written for this story.~He sang the chorus of a song without strumming his guitar. If I didn't know the song, I would probably believe he mean what he was saying. The corner of my lips twitched. Whatever. It was sunset when I walked by the beach. Nicole and I will hold the agreed upon contest tonight. Ariel has informed the management of the resort about our contest so all the guests know about the gig that will take place tonight at the resort's bar.I also told Mama that I will be staying overnight at CFM. At first she wasn't willing, but I told her that I would book a private cottage so that I wouldn't have to share with Vine. Mama couldn't do anything but agree, even more so when Tiden begged. I think my mother's not shameless enough to decline my pleading friend.I booked a private cottage but I still prefer the Vine's cottage so I always visit them unless Nicole's there. I spent the rest of the day swimming in the pools and touring around the
"Nicole, Vine vocalist and only girl member," one guest whispered."She's beautiful. Beauty and talent, what could a man ask for?""She's gorgeous!"The venue was filled with whispers when Nicole entered. The corner of her lips rose and she glanced at me. I could see her haughty look and complacent attitude. I clenched my fist. The smile on her lips was annoying and I couldn't help but to look away and let her show off to the guests.I knew that she's beautiful. That's a given fact and I didn't have a problem with it, but why I could only hear the repeated compliments on her beauty? She's not the only beautiful one in this world.Yes, I guess I'm being jealous of her. But it's not just me, I think all Levi's fans are jealous of Nicole.I avoided looking at her and roamed my eyes around the bar. The disco lights were on and some bottles of beer were placed on tables and on the counter at the side. I was sitting at the round table right in front of the platform where I sang earlier.Aft
I threw up almost everything I ate earlier. It lasted for a few minutes before my legs wobbled and I almost fell to my knees. Turning the faucet on, I rinsed my mouth with tap water and looked up. My dizziness decreased slightly and my vision's clearer now that I was clear-headed. I slowly walked back to bed. I sat on the side and sighed. My drowsiness suddenly disappeared and I knew that no matter how I turn the bed, I wouldn't be able to sleep. That's why I decided to leave the cottage and made my way to the beach. The wind was cold blowing gently onto my bare face as I walked under the moonlight. There was a rail that kept the guests from falling on the cold waters so I didn't have to worry about falling while staying in the area. Also, there were light poles surrounding the beach, hiding the tables prepared for the guest from the prying eyes.I sat on the chair there and silently observed the dark and vast ocean. There were some flashing lights in the distance and I knew those w
That morning, I woke up groggily. The first thing that I saw was the ceiling of the cottage made of plywood and planks. The gentle and salty sea breeze coming from the open window swept past the entire bed space. I blinked and sat up. I looked around but I didn't see anyone.The design of the items was familiar and I knew that I was inside Vine's cottage. The last thing I remember was last night we watched a movie. When I was in between awake and asleep, I smelled a perfume and everything went black. I shook my head and got up.I entered the bathroom. I turned on the shower but no water came out. Sighing, I reached for a robe and put it on. I peeked into the bed space and looked up at the wall clock. It's still six in the morning. That's right, the water in the sea is still cold at this time.I haven't used the bikini I wore last night so I plan to take a bath in the sea. I left the bathroom and went straight to the living space. Vine is not in the living room. Surprisingly, they woke
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