[FIVE YEARS AGO..]Everything seems so normal after Carmina succeeded in making friends with Sandra and Bammie. They were always together that there were times that Sebastian felt so lonely because Carmina couldn't spare some time to hangout with him. But he didn't have hard feelings for he understood her. Because just like him, his best friend was a loner too. Sebastian looked at his watched. It's already past their meeting time but there's still no sign of Carmina. He messaged her to meet him because he wanted to ask for her help to deliver his 100th day gift to Sandra. He has been doing that for a hundred days as of the moment, but he haven't seen the receiver's reaction everytime she opened his gifts. For once, he wanted to know what kind of expression she has whenever she sees his 'cheap' gift. Suddenly, he looked at the paper resting on his side. He then wondered if a song that solely composed by himself also considered cheap. ‘Maybe,’ he thought. If he's a famous compose
Sebastian stirred at the warm hand that touches his left cheek. He tried to open his heavy lids to see whom amongst his stupid friends has the stomach to do such gross thing only couples do. But then, he was frozen on his bed where he lies to as his eyes met the very familiar hazel orbs. The string of curses that was ready to fly out from his mouth were instantly forgotten and swallowed. And all he could do was to blink several times until he could feel the erratic beating of his heart. “Finally, you're awake..” Sandra said softly, with her sweet smile that never fails to make his systems react wildly. She quickly gave him a peck on the lips. But as if she's not contented with it, she pressed her lips again, but this time, she aimed for a carnal kiss. Sebastian instantly shut his eyes. He groaned as he kissed her back. He didn't understand as to why she was there, but nevertheless he liked it and he grabbed that opportunity to kiss her senseless if that's what she insisted. Who
[FIVE YEARS AGO..]Sebastian hesitated and felt like running away and just locked himself in their house than face the father of the girl he loved. The powerful and mostly known as cruel businessman mogul in South Korea, Thomas Mendez. However, before he could even take a single step backwards, one of his body guard seemed very impatient and was already giving him a scary look, which made him forcefully and hesitantly walked towards the luxurious shiny black car and hopped inside it in fear of getting beaten if ever he refused to follow them. Right after the moment Sebastian settled in the backseat, Thomas Mendez, who was just sitting next to him lifted a finger and the uniformed guard on the passenger seat immediately handed him the pink box that was the replica of his gifts for Sandra. "Take that," the old man's baritone voice reverberated inside the car. Sebastian shivered at the coldness he had just received from the old man, who didn't even spared him a single glance as if h
The plane to U.S have already took off when the news about Sandra Mendez and the mystery guy kissing in Myeongdong Street resurfaced once again. All thanks to Bammie, who posted their group photo in her SNS and got the attentions of the netizens to connect the dots and started comparing their outfits in the picture with the controversial picture that the paparazzi released. Her caption was also a talk of the town that people think was a strong evident that Jay Kim was lying, which made a ruckus all over the internet world. Everyone then became confused of who was really the guy their Sandra Mendez was kissing, because they all know that Bammie have never recklessly posted a random picture and tagged her best friend just for something to talk about. Fan war started and they even made a poll to know what the majorit believed in between Jay Kim and that unknown guy whom they named Empire staff, since the media also found out his ambushed interview before when they were trying to searc
"BREAKING: The genius composer, Phoenix will finally going to reveal himself soon!"The corner of Sebastian's lips tugged upward as he's done with his necktie. He sort of struggling to fix it and he was relieved when its finally done despite the loud hammering of his chest. In a few hours later, he's going to say goodbye to his nameless self and hello to Phoenix. He ran his fingers through his new black hair. But then he immediately regretted it and carefully combed it again upon realizing that he just ruined his already fixed hair. He sighed. Never did he imagine that scene would happen before his eyes to happen in his freaking life. Neither did he even thought he will make a decision like that because for a long time, he was too determined to keep his identity hidden. But looking at his reflection in the mirror, he stood rigid there and seemingly respectable, because of the expensive suit and slicked back that he wore for the first time. Sebastian felt like he was looking to
Flashes of cameras almost blinded Sebastian, but he was able to compose himself quickly. He tried not to flinch or make any facial expression that can indicate him being intimidated by the press for he knew that those things were the sign that they love to see to intimidate him more just to make him bend and follow everything that they ask for. He may not experience the limelight but he's technically working in the industry minus the attention that celebrity usually gets because he was hiding in a pseudonym. But he was not naive in things like that for he was surrounded by the people who was in the spotlight. Weak people easily get swallowed alive. If he was not desperate, he won't be there to where he was at the moment. But his love for Sandra Mendez was too strong he cant just stay where he was while someone out there pretending and claiming his position in her life. The moment Sebastian heard the MC called him Phoenix, that's when he knew he cannot back out anymore. For he was a
Bammie's eyes were filled with amusement as she remembered the scene vividly despite the long years it had happened. How can she forget it though? Sebastian looked like he had seen two ghosts back then. But instead of becoming pale, his face rather instantly turned red like a tomato because the ghosts he saw were rather equally beautiful. She chuckled. “And I remember you walking out on us without answering my question. That's rude you know,” she added with a mischievous smile plastered on her lips. Simon gasped exaggeratedly whilst Carmina, who finally recovered from the shock bursted out laughing. "That was one of heck experience I could say!" she chortled.she remembering herself panicking and dragging her best friend away from Bammie and Sandra. She also remember how Sebastian got stunned for almost an hour because of that and she has to slap his face just to snap him back out from his shocked.Meanwhile, Sebastian's face turned scarlet red as the memory have quickly flashe
Sebastian frowned. The word 'date' felt like a trigger to his possessive and overly jealous self. “You set up a date for them?” he asked, venomously as his face turned grim. Bammie smirked, as if she knew exactly what's going on in his mind.“Don't be jealous. It's already in the past and in fact, that date was not just the two of them. They have like.. a chaperone,” she snickered. He wanted to ask who, but the way she looked at him made him remember the time when Levi made him a chaperone to avoid rumors between him and Sandra. His lips parted slightly as he stared at Bammie in disbelief. “I see I don't need to say any further with the good bid, right Sebastian?” Bammie inquired in a teasing tone. "But what about me?! I know nothing, Sis Bammie!" Simon protested. "Shut up, Simon!" Sebastian glared at his brother."No! I want to know everything, bro!" Simon whined then turned back to Bammie and held her hands. "Sis Bammie!" Sebastian shut his eyes and groaned while Bammie
SPECIAL CHAPTERSebastian narrowed his eyes at the smiling face of Sandra. He couldn't believe her! “He even told me he loves me!” she continued cheerfully, not minding the fact that her husband's already flaming in anger with her story. Who wouldn't anyway? This wife's admirers didn't decrease even after their marriage and have four kids. She's already in her forties, yet men out there of any age continued fantasizing over her! Some even had the audacity to confess just like what she's telling him right at the moment, and it's making him really furious! “Of course I told him I wouldn't replace you with anyone else. Phoenix is the only one in this world,” she giggled. And just like that, like his old self who never fails to melt everytime she says the right words, he smiled widely, showing his gummy and pearly white teeth. Ah, he's still and will always be head over heels for her even after years of being together. “I really want to think about kissing you hard on national televis
“Before we start, I would like to thank you first for trusting us for this exclusive interview again, Sandra,” the host stated.Sandra flashed a smile, “Of course, this is my favorite show”“Really?” She nodded, “And I kinda owe you, too..”The host seemed surprised and she couldn't help but gaped at her. Meanwhile, Sandra chuckled as she watched the host looking at her, suddenly confused.“I found my love because of you,” she continued.Everyone, from the audience to the staff squealed at her words. Even the host herself couldn't hide her giddiness despite the confusion still registered on her face. However, someone from the side didn't look pleased and rather seemed pissed off over something no one could figure out why. “How?” the host asked excitedly.Sandra glanced on the side where Sebastian was silently standing. She then giggled at the sight of her husband looking very pissed off.“You interviewed him after my confession”“Oh.. so, you were watching back then?” “I told you,
Shocked, confused, lost were all be seen in everyone's faces after that speech from Sandra Mendez. Their cameras even zoomed in on the piece of paper she was holding, then almost instantly, disbelief and bewilderment were then painted as their expression. “Sebastian Lee?” one queried, puzzled of who it was. Others gasped loudly upon hearing his name and those who were standing near the guy turned their heads on him and gave him an incredulous look. “He's Phoenix right?! His real name is Sebastian Lee!” another shouted. Sebastian felt nervous at the sudden attention he unexpectedly was receiving. His determination to go up on stage had instantly deteriorated when everyone was talking about him with full anticipation.“He's here!” another pointed the direction where Sebastian was.Fortunately, before anyone from the reporters and journalists could move, Sandra immediately caught their attention back on her once again. “I just like to clarify things," she said. She wasn't looking
Sebastian felt like he's got flashed by the bucket of ice cold water on the head right at the moment he heard that utterly familiar voice. His heartbeat skipped its beat as his knees went jelly, making him suddenly kneeled down on the floor weakly. He heard the loud beeping from the other line which meant that the call ended by the other party. However, his hand vibrated right after which caught his attention back and snapped him out from being astonished. Reluctantly, he checked the screen and saw Bammie's name flashed on it. He quickly answered it in case it was Sandra but only to be disappointed when it was her best friend instead. “Come here faster at the Crown building,” she said, sounding in haste. Sebastian was about to ask why, but the call quickly ended, leaving him puzzled and annoyed. He stared at his phone with brows connected together and thought whether to go there or not. But since he was in denial that it was Sandra who apologized to him over the phone, he quickly
News about the royal couple being married broke down and spread out so quickly, right after Jay Kim showed the marriage certificate on national television. Their fans celebrated like there was no tomorrow while some showed their dismay as they did like Phoenix more for their princess. Flashnews about them kept on coming here and there and nonstop articles were posted on the internet because the media were the first to celebrate the great news. Sandra sighed as she looked at Sebastian apologetically for she knew it was already exhausting for her husband to have never ending rumors about her. They were now in Sebastian's apartment, particularly in his room. Since Sandra was the hottest topic, they both decided to not go home to her mansion because they were certain that there's a lot of reporters waiting for her there for an exclusive interview. “Aren't you tired?” she queried as she wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. Sebastian shook his head and kissed his wife's forehead
“Are you married?” Thomas straightforwardly asked in a low baritone voice that gave everyone goosebumps except for Sandra. The old man didn't bother to say any greetings, not even wait for Sandra to ask him why he was suddenly there and just went straight to the point and asked her about the news. Meanwhile, Sandra folded her arms across her chest as she equalled her father's murderous stares. She looked calm and seemed unbothered and not scared with the presence of the intimidating old man, most probably because she was as intimidating as him as well. “Yes,” she answered without any hesitation. Then the corner of her lips slowly lifted upward as her eyes sparkled brightly, “But not with Jay Kim,” she immediately corrected before her father could ask if Jay's paper was not fake.Simon, Carmina and Levi gasped loudly upon hearing Sandra's answer. They all then turned to Sebastian suspiciously and saw the guy bowing his head looking guilty while fidgeting with his fingers. Sandra hea
Upon seeing Jamaica's unusual expression, everyone in the office felt nervous, especially when she mentioned ‘bad news’. There was just too much bad news that kept on coming for them. And hearing that there was more of it made them instantly panicked and thought of the worst because they all assumed that it came from Thomas Mendez. They all thought that it was indeed a suicide to go against the old man, since the day didn't even pass and they were already facing another problem. “That bad?” Sandra queried as she frowned at her assistant.She then glanced at Sebastian and mindlessly walked to his direction upon seeing the guy looking pale and not with himself. As she sat beside him, she grabbed his hand and entwined it with hers without saying anything as her focus went back to Jamaica.From the side, Jamaica nodded in response which made everyone get curious about the news she brought in. “What's the bad news?” asked Bammie, a little impatient. She was not in her best mood because
Bammie and Levi's pictures immediately spread out in all social media sites, since it happened in public and everyone who was casually walking in the hallway that time grabbed their phones and captured the moment when the two decided to display their affection there. Minutes later, rumors about their relationship followed, as the reporters who were just in the auditorium nearby immediately got the report about the scene outside and took the opportunity for a juicy scoop. Which immediately stole the spotlight from what happened in the press conference. Meanwhile, Sandra quickly led them to her office upstairs when people started filing around them. And she also quickly called the security to usher the visitors from the auditorium outside because the press conference was already done to avoid them lurking around the building and coming to her office. “So.. care to explain?” she folded her hands while raising her eyebrows on Bammie. Meanwhile, Bammie rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Why
Levi looked behind his shoulder as he noticed that Sandra was missing. His thick brows then furrowed upon seeing the woman was left behind there, immobile and stayed still on her spot while looking somewhere else. Following her line of vision, Levi's jaw instantly clenched when he caught a stranger hiding behind the huge plant decoration, in a nearby distance on the right corner of the hallway, holding a camera that was directed towards them and obviously taking pictures.His gaze then went back to Sandra and immediately, his thick eyebrows pulled together as he wondered why the camera was on them when the woman they were after was on the other side. Levi was about to just shrug it off when he thought that the stranger might've just mistook one of the two girls with him as Sandra. However, it would be impossible because the woman was slimmer than the other two. The creases on his forehead deepened as his eyes wandered to his companion, searching for the possible target of that stran