CELINE POV - I extended my time to clean Lance’s penthouse, a task that should have taken forty minutes stretched to almost three hours because of his laundry. Doing the laundry wasn’t difficult because the washing machine was automatic. The only thing that took me longer was Lance adding more laundry. “Are they messing up again? You know what to do with them.” I heard Lance say to the person he was talking to over the phone. As he ended the call without saying goodbye to the person he was talking to on the phone, he stood up and looked at me. “The food I delivered is on its way. Let’s eat lunch together.” I had just opened my mouth when Lance spoke again. “Don’t refuse. Certainly, you still haven’t eaten lunch.” He smiled. Why do I feel like he planned this? “No, thank you. I’ll just eat at the cafeteria.” I refuse. I didn’t even bother to think of an excuse because it looked like I had no more excuses. Soon someone rang the doorbell from outside the door. “Wai
FREYA POV - The entire weekend passed. Lance came here only once to get his clothes, then he left. He didn’t even last five minutes and to my surprise he confronted me, but only because he gave me the annulment papers a thousand times. I tore the annulment papers into small pieces, then threw them in the trash. Even if he gives me a thousand annulment papers, I will never sign it. I’d rather cut my hands so I can’t sign the annulment papers and Lance won’t leave me. I will do everything so that no annulment happens to Lance and me. Lance should be mine alone. I should be the only one to benefit from him and all his assets. I removed the headset and approached all my targets. I am now at the shooting range. I often use guns as a hobby. I’m not that skilled yet, but I know how to handle it for now. “Dammit.” I said firmly when I saw I didn’t shoot my target lock, but at least in the days have passed, the results of using my gun are getting better. I left the shooting range. I stil
CELINE POV-After dropping Skye and Sunny off at kindergarten, I went straight to the Heavenly hotel. I’m still here in the parking lot and still haven’t gotten out of my car.I’m holding the only picture of Starr. This is the only picture of me and Starr that Tristan took when I woke up after giving birth.It occurred swiftly, leaving my heart shattered by the unexpected loss of Starr. I had no thoughts, and only stared at Starr’s face until she was buried.Seeing her picture now, I can’t help but shed tears. It still hurts and feels like it breaks my heart every time I see this picture.It feels as if it happened only recently when I gave birth to Starr, carrying her while calming her along with Skye and Sunny.“I hope wherever you are, you are happy, Starr.”I stared at the picture of me and Starr for a while, then hid it in my bag.I ensured my cheeks were dry and my eyes were not red from tears before I left the car.As I entered the hotel, Sabrina immediately greeted me in the
CELINE POV - I’ve cleaned two rooms, and it’s just a few minutes before my lunch break, but Lance hasn’t called me yet. It seems best if Lance doesn’t summon me first so I can consider giving him the picture. It’s not even in my heart to give it to Lance, especially since it’s Starr’s only picture I have of her, and I haven’t told Tristan about this. In my situation–whenever I don’t know what to do, Tristan’s permission or what he says and suggestions clears my mind. I kept the picture in my pants pocket, in case Lance calls me and if I change my mind—maybe. I looked at the time on my phone and it was lunchtime. Perhaps I will show it another day, or perhaps I will consult with Tristan about it first. I was just about to open my locker, but that was the surprise I felt when the door opened and I heard Sabrina’s voice. I galloped out to see her because it was embarrassing for my colleagues who were here. Someone even woke up from a nap, so I apologized to him. “Hey, don’t shou
CELINE POV-When we entered the cafeteria, Sabrina instantly pointed to the table where she had left her meal.“We don’t always sit there,” Bianca commented. “We always sit there...?” she pointed to the place where we always sit, but someone is already sitting there.“See? You’re probably not a bitch who’s going to kick out people eating there, are you?” Sabrina smiles, but it’s obvious she just wants to tease Bianca. “Bye.”Before Sabrina left, I noticed her eye roll I wish Bianca didn’t see.“Did you see that? She rolled her eyes at me,” Bianca said, annoyed.“Let’s go?” I invited Bianca. “We might run out of food.”I pulled Bianca to the queue before she appealed even more along with she gave Sabrina a grim look.“You know I’m not a bitchy type of person, Celine. But my bitchy person comes out with your sister.” Bianca said, as we lined up for the food.“Be patient with Sabrina. That’s really her attitude, but it looks like she’s changed.”“Looks like she’s changed? You’re not sur
CELINE POV-“Tristan…”When I approached him, he quickly closed his laptop.“Did I disturb you?” I asked, sitting across from him.“Not at all. Are the children asleep?”I nodded.“What do you want to talk about, by the way?”I handed Tristan the picture of me and Starr and the moment he saw this picture, a smile flashed on his lips.I couldn’t give Lance this picture earlier because he didn’t appear to be back at the hotel, and I believed that might indicate I should discuss this issue with Tristan initially.I told Tristan a while ago that after I put Skye and Sunny to bed, if he can stay here first, because I have something to tell him. I don’t want my children to hear about Starr first.“She’s really pretty. Starr is really pretty. You both look pretty in this picture. I remember when I took this photo, I was full of joy and happiness. I hope wherever she is, she is happy.”Tristan stared at the picture for a few seconds before he looked at me. He smiled and seseemed to waitor wha
CELINE POV-“Good morning, sis!”As soon as I entered the hotel, I was immediately greeted by Sabrina. She is wearing corporate attire, and every detail from her makeup to her hair is perfect.“I have a client meeting today, so I can’t join you for lunch, but at least I won’t see that witch’s face.”“Hey, don’t call Bianca anything.”“Whatever her name is, I’m not interested in knowing about her.”I held my breath. “I hope you two get along well. Bianca is a nice person.”“Excuse me, my dear sister Celine?” she raised one eyebrow at me. Her eyebrow was so high that it arched like a mountain shape. “Are you saying I’m not a nice person?”“You are just being a nice person, but Bianca has been a nice person for a long time.” I said playfully.She opened her mouth, then gasped. “Oh, my gosh! You just insulted me?”“No, it’s not that you’re not a nice person–”“No,” she cut me off. “Never compare me to that witch. It’s insulting to my entire humanity.”“Hey, I told you don’t call Bianca a
CELINE POV-At the same time as I lost my breath, tears fell from my eyes.“I don’t understand why you’re bringing all this back? Don’t you remember? You already said goodbye to me. You threw me away and worse, I begged you not to return me to my parents, but what did you do? Even in that matter, you did not listen to me and you still returned me to my parents. You treated me as if I were worthless garbage.”His gaze descended and his face relaxed at the same time.“Starr...” he mumbled.I followed what he was looking at. I noticed the picture I carried that must have fallen from my pants pocket.As I sensed Lance’s hold on me weakening, I took advantage of the moment to escape his grip, promptly picked up the picture, and concealed it in my pocket.“I didn’t mean to...”I didn’t even glance at him. I went straight to the housekeeping cart. “Let me explain.”I looked at him closely as he held the cart. “No need,” I answered sarcastically. “I don’t need an explanation. It’s very clea
LANCE HART POV-I put down the folder containing the documents I had to approve, but after a few minutes of reading it I couldn’t focus. Over three hours had passed since Celine left. Five minutes had passed when she called me to tell me to remove the body guards I had sent. After that, she said she would call me again in an hour. I can’t rest until my own eyes see Celine is doing well, also I miss her so much.I stood up to get a black coffee. Just as I faced the table again, I recoiled after I saw Skye sitting on the sofa. Upon approaching him, my eyes bulged when I saw he was holding Starr’s picture. As I often did, I looked at their pictures; among the many on the table, Skye focused on Starr’s lone picture.Celine will scold me if she finds out Skye saw Starr’s picture. We were planning to tell our children about Starr before we got married, but we planned to tell them together.I sat down next to Skye and put my coffee cup on the table. “Skye, why did you wake up?” I attempted
CELINE SALVATORE POV-I wore a sleeveless sexy backless white dress high waist slim a-line short dress, paired with three inch black ankle strap heels. For the make up I did I kept it simple, for my short hair is loose.After checking myself I came out of the walking closet. I straiht to the mini living room where Lance was watching a children’s cartoon with our children.“What do you all think?” I asked them.Lance turned off the tv first then he looked at me, followed by our children.“Mummy, you’re beautiful!” Sunny, lauded.“You look amazing, mummy.” Skye, acclaimed. “You look gorgeous as always.” Lance, extolled.“Are you all sure? Look again.” I turned around once to show them the entirety of what I was wearing.“What the f*ck, why is the back of your dress like that?!” Lance exclaimed as he stood up.I glared at him for swearing in front of our children.“Mummy, what is, what the fa... fa…” Sunny asked curiously but had difficulty saying the word she wanted to know.“That’s a
SABRINA RODRIGUEZ POV-I smiled after Celine sent a picture to our group chat. Joy welled up inside me at the thought of their happiness. I keep telling myself that she deserves her happy family. Despite all the problems and hardship they have gone through she and Sir Lance still love each other very much.I put down my phone and I drank the twentieth shot of whiskey.“Please have one more shot of whiskey.”I think the spirit of alcohol had kicked into my body. My head was aching from the loud music and the surrounding people, plus the various smells mixed with the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. Why did I even think of going to this bar?Since I’m finishing the project I’m doing for a client who will build a mansion for their growing family, I take a whole day off. I shopped almost everything I wanted I remained unsatisfied, so I went to the nearest bar I saw. “Thank you.” I told the bartender as he handed me a shot of whiskey.I drank the whiskey straight again and paid. I should
CELINE SALVATORE POV-Lance fulfilled what he said, after the grace period of three days he would finish all the work and, could take care of the wedding preparation. Today is our fifth day of preparation.We hired a wedding planner that Christine suggested to us. Her recommendation felt like a sure thing, given my experience with her previous wedding planning success. The wedding planner also suggested our photographer.This evening, we got back from Italy because we had a dress measurement.In Italy we found a designer who will sew wedding gowns, suits and bridesmaids’ dresses. I took the bridesmaids’ measurements one by one three days ago,. For the final touch, one week before the wedding, the tailor and designer themself will come to New York for last fitting for all of us.We have accomplished a lot in the five days of wedding planning. We might move the wedding to an earlier date.“I’m leaving.” I let him know after I took the bag from our room and returned to the living room.“
CELINE SALVATORE POV-I put back my gaze at the secretary. “Thank you.”I stood up and left in front of the secretary.I took a breath and it seemed heavy to know about that thing. It was clearly a work discussion, but the thought lingered–I quickly dismissed it from my mind.I shouldn’t waste time thinking about other things. Lance loves me, he loves our children, we love him–it is the important thing and above all I trust him.I was about to get in the car but I saw the man get out of the car and come towards me.“Can we talk?” Lucian asked as he approached me.I sight at the time on the watch I was wearing. “Sure.”——————————Lucian take me in a private restaurant, where he rented the entire restaurant for the entire time.I invited him to a coffee shop, but he refused. He said what he had to say was a private matter.When we arrived at the restaurant and sat down, the waitress served us food, after that, Lucian told them to leave us.“I’m sorry, Lucian. I didn’t plan on staying lo
CELINE SALVATORE POV-“What do you want for dinner?” I asked Lance after I cleared away the container. “I’ll cook dinner.”“About that.” He held my hand, his other hand caressing my knuckles. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be home. I still have a lot of work to finish, so I can finish everything by tomorrow.”He sounded sorry, as if the sin he had committed was too big.“It’s okay, don’t worry.” I said with a smile to ease his burden. “Just, please, take care of your health.” I said, almost begging. “On our wedding day, I don’t want our friends to drag you down the altar so our wedding can go ahead.” I joked.“I won't.” He said, laughing, then hugged me tightly, just enough so that my body wouldn’t be trapped in his arms. “Thank you for giving me strength. I don’t even need to drink energy drinks anymore.”I hugged him back.For a moment, the surroundings became silent as we still hugged each other.“Celine.”“Hmm?”“Can we have one round?”I pulled away from the hug. When I looked at h
FREYA POV-After I finished fixing myself, I put the final touch on my makeup, my red lipstick as red as blood. I checked my phone first. I tightened my grip on it seeing that until now, after two days, Lance announced his engagement to the whole world. They all kept talking about all this. Our wedding back then, it maybe, was grand because I pressured him into every detail but to announce to the whole world he didn’t do it. He hasn’t said who he’s going to marry yet but I’m sure it’s his pathetic ex-wife he’s going to marry.I called that stupid thing, but he still didn’t answer my call. In my annoyance, I threw my phone somewhere in my hotel room. That stupid. I cooperated with him back then because he promised he could find a way to keep Celine and Lance away. I even sacrificed my smooth face and skin. The beating me back then in the old building was our plan. No one kidnapped me. It was all a plan to make Lance believe someone else hurt me. After beating me and got hurt, I shoul
CELINE SALVATORE POV-“As soon as possible?” I asked, with a hint of doubt.“Why don’t you seem sure?” There was concern in his voice. “Didn’t you change your mind?” There was fear in his voice.“Of course not. I just don’t know if your schedule can handle it if we get married so soon.” I spelled out.The worry on his face quickly disappeared after I explained it to him.“When would you like us to get married?”“Before our kids go back to school, so they won’t be confused about which surname to use and can use your surname.”“When is the new school year for our kids?”“Two months from now.”“Two months?!” I was the one who was worried by his question. “W-Why?”“I thought I would have to wait just less than a month to marry you.” I lost my concern. I thought he was the one who changed his mind now. I wish to give back my surname to you. If possible, we will get married next week.”“That’s a short amount of time for preparation.” I explain with a beaming face. “On a serious note, when
CELINE SALVATORE POV-It’s not like it used to be that my children wake me up every morning, now I wake them up.Skye and Sunny were still rubbing their eyes when I woke them up.“Good morning, sweethearts.” I greeted them and gave them a sweet kiss on the top of their heads.“Good morning, mummy.” They greeted me sleepily.My smile widened seeing their father was still sleeping soundly. I saw that his forehead was unfurrowed, he didn’t smile widely, but his face was peaceful. He looked like a puppy sleeping. He was so cute when he slept like that.For all the years, I think this was the only time I’d seen him sleep. In all these years, I finally saw Lance sleeping without anger on his face.“Daddy!” Skye and Sunny happily approached Lance at the same time.Sunny climbed onto Lance’s tummy while Skye was on the side of Lance’s face.“Daddy, wake up!” Sunny woke up. I came closer to them, theb supported Sunny’s body when it moved.“Daddy!” Skye and Sunny woke up at the same time to th