February 3, 2024. 1 chapter only. I'm sorry, guys. My kids have been asking me to spend time with them, so I did today, and I have decided to take them out tomorrow. So, bear with one chapter today and tomorrow, I won't be updating too. The next update will be on Monday. After carefully considering some of your requests, I will give a few chapters for Ryan.
"Good morning! I'm Luningning Ligaya Santos, and I'll be your main host throughout your vacation." The Thompsons received a warm welcome from the hostess upon landing on the private island's runway in Palawan, Philippines. A fleet of golf carts awaited them, along with their exclusive private driver for the entirety of their stay. "Um. It's nice to meet you," Lily paused, struggling to pronounce the name, "Lu?" "Luningning Ligaya," the smiling lady repeated. "Luning?" Aiden clarified. "Luningning Ligaya," the host said before explaining. "Luningning means a star shining brightly in the Philippines, and Ligaya means happiness. So your hostess for your vacation is not only a shining star but infectiously happy as well!" "We love your enthusiasm," Lily remarked. "It's nice to meet you, but would Luni serve as your nickname? So it's easier for us to call you?" The hostess' eyes were panning left to right as if deciding. Then she smiled eagerly and declared, "You can call me Sparkle
"I can't believe you just announced to your siblings that we are about to have sex," Lily mumbled as she walked into their villa. "So, what? We are married!" Lucas said before chuckling. He closed the villa door and wrapped his arm around Lily. He said, "Come on. Where is my naughty wife?" Facing Lucas, Lily narrowed her eyes. She said, "Your naughty wife is still here, just a little taken aback by your boldness." "Can't the husband be naughty too?" Lucas teased before leaning down and kissing Lily's lips. "I watched your ass twerking, and I got a boner. I need some love. I haven't had sex for more than a week." Lily pursed her lips. Lily wanted to make sure they took it easy with her pregnancy. Although the doctor said it was safe, Lily and Lucas agreed to have sex three times a week. The wedding preparations, however, prevented them from making love for eight days straight. "Mmmm," Lucas moaned as he continued to kiss Lily. Their kisses became heated after some time, with Luc
"Fiance. Interesting," Ryan said. He raised a brow at Luke and scoffed, "Weren't you the guy Fiona was making out with in the six-floor copy room? If she is your fiance, what were you doing swapping spits with another woman?" Ryan felt guilty for making Anna's face pale, but he figured it was better that she knew now than later. "What?" Anna asked. "Mister Kelly, you must be mistaken," Luke acted to laugh and said. "I was working overtime." "Exactly, you were working overtime with Fiona in the copy room, lips to lips," Ryan said. "No, Mister Kelly. You must have me mistaken for someone else," Luke said, slightly trembling. He turned to Anna and held her hand tightly. "It wasn't me, Kel. I swear. Mister Kelly just had me confused with someone else -" "Are you saying that I am blind?" Ryan asked coldly. "Wait," Anna said with her hands up. Her lips were shaking when she glanced at Ryan. She asked, "Mister Kelly, are - are you sure? Luke is my fiance." "I would not have bro
Anna was crying profoundly with her hands covering her face. She said, "I can't believe it. I can't believe it was that easy for him to throw away everything." Seeing Anna's pale face stained with tears crushed Ryan's heart. He wanted to comfort her, but he did not know how. At best, he said, "Pain makes you stronger. Heartache makes you wiser." Anna looked up to Ryan. Then, she looked around. He couldn't understand what she was looking for until she glanced back at him and asked, "Can I please get a hug?" "Oh," Ryan said. He sat next to Anna and offered his embrace. Anna cried some more until, finally, her tears ran dry. He had asked the hotel staff to bring them some water and offered her a glass. After Anna drank water, she said to Ryan, "Thank you so much for finding out the truth for me. I think I know what to do." With a smile, Anna took a deep breath. She convinced herself, "I know I'll get over this. The pain is still fresh." "Do you want to have dinner? Maybe it will ma
Anna felt like her blood was boiling inside. 'What did he say? I wasn't good enough for him?' She mused. His words echoed in her head. 'Watch me. I'll give Fiona the married life you have always wanted from me.' She angrily removed the ring on her finger and threw it in Luke's direction. Anna said, "Who wants a husband like you, anyway? Marry Fiona! You deserve each other!" "Damn right! Fiona is hotter than you," Luke said. "And she comes from a wealthy family, not like you. My mother would be celebrating right now that we are done." Luke picked up the ring and walked away just like that. Anna was panting, seeing Luke's back. She badly wanted to cry, but her pride got in the way. It was true that Luke's mother never approved of her due to her background. So, when Luke stood by her side, she gave everything to him: her time, attention, and her first. To give credit to Luke, he proved to be a wonderful partner during their two-year relationship. He was caring, sweet, and consi
"Anna, I'm sorry, but closing this deal will take over a month. Maybe I can help you pay the rent at your boss's place?" Macy, Anna's friend, said on the phone, describing the conditions of her business trip. "Or, I can send you money for the hotel. What do you think?" Anna was at Ryan's condo, cooking dinner on a Monday evening. Anna was about to serve the table when Macy updated her on her work status. Macy was the same friend Anna hoped to share an apartment with, the same one who lived in Appleton Suites, but with her gone, Anna's only option was to stay in a hotel temporarily. The problem was she did not have enough money. So, when the offer to stay with Ryan came to Anna, she took it, regardless of how little she knew about the executive assistant to the Thompson Group of Companies CEO. "Um," Anna bit her lip, thinking. The discounted rate Ryan could give her for the hotel room was a hundred dollars per night, which was very generous, considering the Diamond Hotel was a lux
While Ryan regularly rendered overtime with Anna in his office, across the globe, the Thompson family were all sunbathing by the beach. In that stretch of white sand partly shaded with coconut trees and other vegetation, they were lined up from left to right on their individual sun lounges, starting with Lucas, followed by Lily, Lace, Amara, Marcus, Shantelle, and Evan. Aiden was spreading lotion on Lily's arms. He said, "There you go, Mommy. Now, I'll add some more to your tummy!" "Thank you, Aiden. I love you," Lily said with a smile. Her eyes were closed, and the sunglasses shaded her view of the sky. "I could just sleep here and feel relaxed." "Hey, Aiden! Let's go for a swim!" Gunner appeared behind them just in time for Aiden to finish rubbing lotion on Lily's tummy. Lily opened her eyes briefly to admire the turquoise-blue lagoon on the beach with Aiden and Gunner swimming in the water. Just then, Lucas was checking his laptop. He remarked, "I can't believe I barely h
Lily's eyes lit up when Shauna called and asked about pregnancy symptoms. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Oh, my god! Oh, my god, Shauna, congratulations! I can't believe it! You are -" "That's the thing! I don't think I am pregnant. The other day, I thought that my breast was swollen, and I have been feeling tired lately, but when I took a pregnancy test this afternoon, it was negative," Shauna responded on the phone, sounding woeful. Then, the next thing Lily heard was Shauna's sobbing. Shauna whispered her fears, "What if I'm barren? What if I'll never have a child with Axel's good looks? Then, Axel would leave me and -" "Haha!" Lily laughed her heart out. She was so amused at Shauna that her eyes watered. She said, "Shauna, Axel won't leave you. He loves you! Stop that. You are getting married! You are a little too dramatic, don't you think?" "Look, I did not get pregnant right away. It took Lucas and me a few tries before I got pregnant. Take your time. Enjoy your tim