"Nothing special, we've been working in the same office for three years. You can guess for yourselves how we met," Altezza casually answered. He chose to put the food from Adaline's plate into his mouth."Ah, an office romance, it seems. Then, who first said they liked the other?" The questioning continued."According to you?" Altezza responded with another question."I know, you were the first one to confess your liking. Your hobby is showering poetic and cheesy lines to all the women," Claire replied flatly. Letizia and Gian nodded in agreement."Who says?" Altezza wouldn't give in."So, it's Adaline?" Gian looked at Adaline, who returned his gaze with surprise."M-me? What about me?" The girl asked in panic."Are you daydreaming, Madam?" Altezza whispered in her ear, making Adaline feel ticklish, even throughout her body. Her stomach seemed to be tickled by something she couldn't identify."That's impossible. Adaline is shy. Even if she becomes a grandma, she might not express her
A week passed just like that. The relationship between Altezza and Adaline returned to its usual state. No trivial chat messages, as couples in love might exchange. The incoming messages only revolved around inquiries, notifications, or greetings from the young man's parents and also his mother.Yes, whether it was him or Altezza, both were merely message intermediaries. Nothing more. Altezza was also occupied with a pile of work that he had to finish for Antony's wedding in two days, which would last for three weeks. After the grand celebration, the Quirino extended family planned to go on vacation together.Adaline had just returned from her supervisor's office when Tessa mentioned that her phone kept vibrating in her locked desk drawer. Yes, she always kept her phone on vibrate mode while working. Her mother knew that if Adaline couldn't be reached on her phone, she would contact her office number, just like Altezza.So, if her phone kept vibrating, and there were no calls to her o
They arrived at one of the malls in the city center. A mall with a special design and, of course, filled with outlets of international retail products. Naturally, the prices of items inside were fantastic. For someone like Adaline, the price tags on each item were not within her range. She didn't even dare to enter the outlets of branded goods that had entered the global market, as it was clear that the price of a single item could reach three to four times Adaline's salary.But, of course, it was different for her future mother-in-law. For that woman, amounts in the tens, hundreds, and billions were like small change to Adaline. Not of great value, but very much needed when buying bottled water or paying for public facilities. Adaline's hands were already filled with paper bags bearing the logos of renowned boutiques. Under the insistence of her future in-law, she reluctantly accepted new clothes and even sexy sleepwear that was intentionally chosen for her.Her future mother-in-law
Honestly, from what I've observed, despite all his talk, he doesn't seem romantic at all. Antony, on the other hand, seems more romantic, even though he can be as cold as an ice block." Her mother's words made Altezza shoot her a sharp look. "But Antony already has Claire. And I really like Claire too. So, Antony is out of the question for you." She continued with a sad expression, but changed to cheerful in the next moment. "But Gian, even though he seems carefree, when he's serious about work, he's the romantic type. And I know he's also the type who appreciates younger women.“And about age, Gian is right, he suits you better since you're still young." Mrs. Quirino continued in a flat tone, ignoring Altezza, who had tensed up in his position."Don't worry about my son; he can find another woman. He says finding a girl is easy, just hold a contest or randomly pick a woman off the street; it's easy for him. He says many women want to be with him.“So, how about it? Do you want Gian?
"So what do you want?" The man's attention was now fully on his mother. He reached for Adaline's hand, holding a spoonful of ice cream, and guided it towards her mouth. It seemed normal, but caused Adaline's cheeks to blush instantly."Did I say I wanted something from you?" Delila Quirino asked with a feigned puzzled expression. Altezza rolled his eyes."Earlier Mom said Adaline would be better off choosing Gian over me. What do you mean by saying that?" Her son asked, annoyed."Well, I didn't mean anything. I just want what's best for Adaline.""So you think I'm not good for Adaline?" Her son's question was only answered with a shrug. "Actually, whose child is she? Mine, or Gian's?""Well, if I could choose, I'd want Adaline as my child," the middle-aged woman reached for Adaline's free hand, clasping it with both of hers. Her aging face looked at Adaline with hope. "You don't mind, darling, being my child, do you?" Adaline could only smile.Altezza let go of his mother's hand, grip
Flashback on:"I sincerely apologize for my mother's impulsive actions. Actually, I planned to have an engagement ceremony next week after I returned from my business in Japan."You saw Yuriko earlier, right?" Adaline nodded. "She's my business partner. She asked me to design a new layout for renovating an old warehouse she wants to turn into a shelter."We've been working together for quite some time, and I feel embarrassed to refuse her request. Considering the Hideo family has been collaborating with Coskun Company and Quirino Corp. But my mom just caused chaos," he said, exasperatedly, at the end of his sentence."And my plan was also to get married a week after Antony's wedding, so our families would still be here altogether. So they wouldn't have to bother coming and going. But once again, Mom ruined the plan I carefully made," he complained again."What about Sir Antony? Will he be angry?"Altezza shook his head. The man chuckled instead, as if they were discussing something fu
The next day, as the man had previously stated, Altezza flew to Japan for a week, and he promised to return at most a day before the wedding. Of course, with his assistant, Duncan. At first, the man's mother was about to get angry because she thought that at such a time, Altezza should stay at home, taking care of his health before the wedding. However, the man blamed his mother for disrupting his plans. Finally, the mother relented, but with the condition that Altezza must return as soon as possible. The man agreed with a nod. Meanwhile, Adaline continued to work as usual and acted as if nothing had happened over the past weekend. Even when her mother asked her to take time off, Adaline refused. She thought she would be bored if she stayed at home all day. Besides, she wouldn't see Altezza at work either. So, she believed her mother's seclusion still continued. "It's nice to be the boss's assistant," Tessa said as they were having dinner together. They chose to go to a cafe far fr
On Friday after work, Adaline, her mother, and her aunt were picked up by a luxurious car that immediately took them to Quirino Ev. A beautiful receptionist even deliberately escorted them to the top floor of the hotel, where a Presidential Suite room was located. "Oh my God, Ada..." Emma exclaimed in amazement as they entered the room. "Is this a hotel or a palace? So luxurious. In all my life, this is the first time I've entered such a nice hotel," the middle-aged woman said as she walked into each room in the suite. Located on the top floor of the hotel with a beautiful view of the capital city, Adaline knew that this was not a cheap hotel. Even the hotel room had its own swimming pool that offered a beautiful view. Although Adaline had saved up money all her life, she would hesitate to spend it just to spend one night in this place. It would be better for her to use it to buy a house or even start a business. But now, considering her status as the prospective daughter-in-law o
Adaline's POV:"Dad?" I saw my dad sitting on a bench in the park not far from our old rental house.Dad smiled, patting the empty space next to him, and reluctantly, I walked over and sat down."Why are you here?" I asked, glancing at our old house. The house we left when I entered middle school. The house filled with beautiful memories where I grew up."Do you forget? Back when we were moving, you cried incessantly. Saying to us how much you liked our old house."I smiled and nodded. I did cry a lot back then, begging my parents not to move from there.I didn't want to make new friends because I had a hard time socializing. But Dad said everything would be okay. In fact, if we moved, I would be even happier.Dad said I needed to learn to be more sociable because life is more beautiful with many friends."Why are we here?" I asked, confused.My dad smiled. His face looked so fresh, cheerful, and of course, handsome."Just a reminder that we once had a past," my dad said casually. "Do
Is this some sorta karma?Altezza gazed at his sleeping wife, deeply asleep. The doctor managed to save her. Save their baby.After experiencing a heart attack and losing a lot of blood, his wife could finally return to them. Even though his wife is now declared in a coma, just like himself.Oh God. Is this my payback for all my past mistakes?Why are You like this to me?"Wake up, Darling. Please wake up quickly. Don't you have pity on our two children? I haven't even been able to give them names yet." Altezza whispered to his wife's hand.That hand was so small and weak. The hand that had been holding his all this time. The hand that had always touched him gently. Regardless of what Altezza had ever done to her.Altezza reluctantly rose from his seat. "I'll be right back, hurry and wake up." Altezza kissed his wife's forehead. He bid farewell to his mother and mother-in-law before leaving the hospital.He still limped, his leg condition worsening as he carried Adaline back then, but
Adaline accompanied Altezza back to the hospital for his therapy session. Three times a week, they spent two hours together, even though all Adaline did was watch. After the therapy, Gian would come and accompany them to take Adaline for her prenatal exercises. Altezza never liked it; he always felt jealous whenever Gian took his place as Adaline's companion. But what could he do? His body still wasn't healthy enough to assist. He just hoped that when Adaline gave birth, he would be the one by her side, not Gian.As for Adaline's pregnancy, she was now at 36 weeks, with three to four weeks left until delivery. Stefanie continued to persuade her wife to opt for a cesarean section during delivery, but Adaline remained firm in her decision to have a normal birth, despite knowing the condition of her body.But whatever happened in the future, he only hoped that Adaline would give birth safely. As well as their two babies.Was it just his imagination, or were they being followed since leav
Everyone was running towards the front room. Objects flew, hitting the walls and crashing into pieces. Ceramic and glass shards scattered on the floor. Along with it, the sounds of screams and curses echoed. It was deafening to everyone witnessing it.Yes, Jovanka was raging in her residence. She looked at her assistant with a sharp gaze while Evans stood silently with his blank expression."What's going on?" Cindy glanced between Evans and Jovanka. The middle-aged couple behind her were holding hands in worry and fear simultaneously. "Evans?" Cindy looked at Evans again, seeking an answer.Evans carefully navigated through the glass shards and picked up the papers Jovanka had crumpled in anger. It was a police summons addressed to Jovanka. Not only that, but Cindy also noticed several swollen credit card bills, penalty invoices from the agency's law firm, all addressed to Jovanka Lawrence.Cindy looked at Evans, and Evans returned the gaze. "I told you to stop. But you never cared."
"I'm still better than him, Ada. I won't hurt you. I also won't leave you waiting while I'm in a coma. Because I never wanted to be in a coma. Not like him who left you waiting for so long with the excuse of being in a coma," Gian replied again."Damn you! Come on, Brother, quickly take him home. If possible, send him straight back to Italy to his parents," pleaded Altezza, looking pitiful.Antony sighed. He slapped his thighs and stood up. "I need him, Al. I need a right-hand man since you took Duncan. Come on, Gian, get up." He ordered softly. Gian complied."Thank you," Altezza replied as Antony was willing to fulfill his request."We're going home, Ada," Antony replied, acknowledged by Adaline's nod. "But if you're indeed tempted by Gian's words, just contact me. I'll willingly help you file for divorce from your husband," he replied flatly.Altezza gaped at him while Gian cheered happily. "Yes!" He shouted."Damn you both! Get out of here! Never show up here again!" Altezza yelle
Altezza is indeed conscious, but that doesn't mean she can go home freely. Her broken bones have indeed improved during her coma period, but she still needs intensive care. Because her body didn't move for three months, some parts of her body became swollen and stiff. So, Altezza has to undergo regular therapy.The wound on her head has also dried up. Although the doctor stated that Altezza would definitely have side effects due to the surgery.Meanwhile, after Altezza regained consciousness, the legal process began. During the accident, it turns out that Altezza wasn't the only victim. Two other cars were also hit in the incident. So, the total accident involved four cars and nine victims, although it didn't result in any fatalities. However, among the nine people, Altezza suffered the most severe injuries, while the others only suffered minor injuries.Adaline has never wanted to know the cause of the accident. And her family has never discussed it in front of her to protect her and
Adaline felt kicks in her stomach. She groaned softly. Her eyes opened, and she could see the hospital ceiling in front of her.Wasn't she in the ICU earlier? Since when was she moved to the regular ward?Adaline glanced at the bed next to her. It was clear she had returned to the regular room she had been in. But her husband's bed, which was usually occupied, was empty.Adaline closed her eyes with her arm. She felt the IV needle in her left hand. It seemed she had passed out again, something that had happened frequently lately.Adaline heard her room door open, but she didn't want to turn or see anyone who came in.Footsteps and the sound of wheels approached her bed."Madam..."That voice? It sounded hoarse, but Adaline knew it so well. The voice she had longed to hear. Unwanted tears fell again. How could she daydream at a time like this..."Madam, do you really not want to see me again?"The tone of that voice? It sounded sad yet also joyful at the same time."Are you teasing me
Adaline sat motionless in her place. Her husband's body trembled violently, then convulsed momentarily. All the screens next to the man blared loudly.Adaline could only stare at her husband with an empty gaze. Someone wrapped their arms around her shoulders, pulling her back just as the paramedics arrived."We're leaving, Honey," said Delila's voice. Adaline turned her head and shook it, but Delila kept urging her to go."Mamma... Altezza... he..." she pointed to her husband. Mrs. Delila only nodded and continued to escort her out of the ICU room.Her mother-in-law settled Adaline into a long chair in the hallway. Adaline sat in silence. The commanding screams echoed only in her head. She twisted her hands, praying silently, hoping that God would return the man she loved.This wasn't the first time Altezza had an attack. But it was always frightening for her whenever it happened.Three months. Altezza had been in a coma for three months. Although the doctors said he showed progress,
Altezza opened his eyes, but he quickly covered them with one hand. The dazzling light hurt his eyes. Altezza squinted, trying to adjust his vision and figure out where he was now. As far as he remembered, he had just had an accident, but strangely what he saw now was not the ceiling of a hospital or the view of a treatment room, but large branches and dense foliage.Altezza sat up. He was quite surprised because he didn't feel the pain he should feel. He looked at his body and felt fine. But why was he there? Why was he in this vast green field? Why was he lying under a shady tree before?Altezza turned and was quite surprised to see someone he knew sitting next to him and even smiling at him. "Sir?" he asked, surprised.How long had they not met? If Altezza remembered correctly, the last time he saw that man was about eight years ago. "What are you doing here?" Altezza asked again.The man stared back at Altezza in surprise. "I should be asking you the same. Why are you here?" The m