A MONTH AFTER
Celine's POVDrying my hair with the towel, I walk out of the bathroom in another short towel. My hair is still wet and I want to make sure it is dry before taking the towel off. There is no provision for a hairdryer here and this is the only thing I lack here. There is shampoo in the bathroom. If only Bryan and I are on good terms, I would have requested a hairdryer. But I can't.I am no longer his wife and I can't enjoy the privilege of getting what I want. Now, I have been degraded to just a nanny and nothing else.After making sure that my hair is dry, I take the towel off, thinking of what to do with my hair. I had to wash my hair because of the increased dandruff. I have no money to buy something that will kill it off completely and the salary I got last month from Bryan has gone into my savings. I want to get Jason enrolled in a school and also prepare for his 4th birthday which is in a month.After much contemplation, I decidCeline's POVGlad that Bryan isn't around, I bend down to look properly for the clothes Camilla told me he said I should look for. I would never be comfortable in this dress if Bryan was around. I am wearing it because I know he isn't around the house and he wouldn't see me in it by the time he is back from work in the evening.Scared of Bryan judging my dress as cheap and making me lose a few percent of confidence left in me, I know better than to let him see me in it. I would never fit into his category of women.I know I can never be like Emily or any of the girls he has been rumored to be with, including the woman who almost became his wife. I am curious to know what she looks like, even though I am damn sure she must be the most beautiful woman on earth.Wealthy young men like Bryan want sophisticated and classy ladies like Emily so I am not surprised at his choice of women and his refusal to make the public know about our marriage apart from his
Celine's POVGuilt sips through me as he drives Camilla, me, and Jason home. He is indeed a gentleman. He did not only help us to pay for our shopping but he is also driving us home, saving us any further embarrassment.Camilla and I left the mansion around 2 pm and we spent 2 hours shopping and another hour trying to pay.It is getting late already and I can see the worry etch on Camilla's face. She is worried that Bryan will come home without getting his dinner ready. Camilla makes sure to start cooking dinner by 5 pm and even if Bryan comes home late, she will still microwave it for him to eat."I'm so sorry to bother you this much, Eric", sadness is evident in my voice. This declination has dampened my good spirit and I can't wait to get home, see Bryan, and know the cause of it.Eric smiles again. "It is nothing. I just hope it will be resolved soon so something of this sort won't repeat itself.""Nah! I will never come shopping if it isn't c
Paxton's POVSilence creeps in as the atmosphere in the main house of the Gonzalos changes from happy to tense. "Do you even know what you are saying, Paxton?" His voice is deadly as he growls again shooting me a harsh look.I know what I am saying isn't acceptable but he wouldn't understand. This is about my feelings. This is about what I feel for Celine and Jason.I don't care whether they are involved with Bryan or not. I never knew this is the reason why Caleb has kept me waiting for over a month, without giving me a reasonable response. He knew all along about the connection between Celine and Jason but he didn't want to give me a negative response, he kept postponing making me extend my visit. I promised Celine that I would be back in just two weeks and this is the fourth week already."Caleb, I know what I am saying...""No, you don't", he cut me short angrily. "If you know what you are saying, you wouldn't be standing here talking trash."He turns his back to me and strolls
Celine's POVGuilt sips through me as I toss in bed. I have been deprived of sleeping on the bed since I came here and I am determined to sleep on the bed today with Jason. I locked the door and I am sure Bryan won't catch me.It's past 1 am already and I can't sleep. I keep thinking of what happened between Bryan and me last night. I feel guilty for picking up the wrong card. I feel guilty for thinking he wanted to do something when he pinned me to the wall. I feel bad for thinking otherwise when it is obvious Bryan is cold-hearted. He can never be warm-hearted again till the end of time. He will always mistreat me and make me feel like a riff-raff.I know I made a mistake by picking up the wrong credit card and not being observant enough to notice the difference between a travel card and a normal credit card which he asked us to use for the shopping. I kept thinking of which particular suit he asked me to get out. I can't believe I have forgotten about the color of the suit I picke
Bryan's POVSteve places two files in front of me as I scrutinize him with piercing eyes. I lean forward as he watches me with anticipation. I am hoping he did a great job.Grabbing it, I almost tear it off in a hurry and in anticipation to know what he has found out. I tear the edge of the envelope and let the two pictures fall out of it.There are two pictures of two people who look alike but with different names. The first man looks young and handsome with curly hair while the other has a mustache, looks older, and has wavy black hair. Confusion spread across my face, making it difficult to know who is the criminal between these two persons. As if reading my mind, Steve clears his throat as a boyish grin creeps on his lips in satisfaction of a job well done."They are the same", he remarks."What?" I exclaim loudly. I turn back to the picture and examine them carefully. The look-alike is not the same. It looks like an older man and a younger guy."Why did you say...""Read out th
Paxton's POVEmily breaks down into tears the moment I enter her apartment. I am amazed to see her crying again after four years. Wondering what could be the problem, I open my arms for her to come in. I embrace her, muttering soft consoling words to her till her breath is even and she is calm.I pull her away from me and watch her intensely, trying to figure out what is wrong. She avoids my gaze and I know instantly that it has to do with heart matters. Blowing out a heavy sigh in remembrance of what happened four years ago, I tuck away a strand of hair falling on her face behind her ears before guiding her back to the sofa.We sit in silence beside each other. Celine is supposed to be the first person I meet immediately after the plane landed in New York but I couldn't go see her because of Emily's call last night. I knew it had to be urgent. I could also detect the note of worry and concern in Celine's voice and I want her to see me so she can rest assured that I am fine.I am st
Celine's POVI give him a questioning look as a boyish grin creeps on his cute lips. I don't want to be distracted by it and the twinkling amusement in his eyes."Why are you surprised that I am here?" He finally speaks.I roll my eyes. "I never thought we would see each other again", I say and lean on the car seat."Why?" He asks again. I watch him. He wasn't richly dressed this way yesterday at the mall. He looked like an average American but now I know he is super-rich, probably a billionaire like Bryan. I wonder why he is back to look for me after the weird behavior yesterday when he got to know that Bryan had a child. I saw the look on his face but I couldn't give it much thought because Bryan arrived at the house even before I took off my clothes.I shrug nonchalantly. "I just thought you would never come back here. But I guess I am wrong. I am supposed to find you, to give you back your money, and thank you once again for your kindness.""Don't be silly", I see a flash of disa
Bryan's POVI take long strides towards the VIP section where Eric is sitting with two half-naked girls, dancing and giggling. I had told my bodyguards to stay outside and wait for me since I have no plans to stay long. I wouldn't be here if my father wasn't involved. He said Eric is remorseful but I doubt him and I am here to prove him wrong. I am going to deal with Eric silently and make him know the kind of stuff I am made of. As for my father, when he is eventually back in New York, I am going to reveal everything to him.The moment he sees me, his face lights up in surprise. He must be thinking I won't come here like I promised to. Eric and I once came to this particular club a few years ago to have fun. When he told me he wants us to meet here, I knew instantly that it is the same club we went to the other night."See who we have here", he beams, grinning widely and throwing his arms up. The girl's attention shifts to me and they gasp in recognition.Ignoring them, I enter the
EIGHT MONTHS LATERCeline's POVA hand touches my protruding belly as I sit in front of the dresser, trying to get my makeup done before we leave for the party. Today is the company's anniversary and also Bryan's birthday. I have planned a surprise birthday party for him and I hope it goes well.Just like he accused me the other day, I have never seen him celebrate his birthday either. Mine was better. I only stopped celebrating my birthday after that night and the absence of my best friend was also a factor.Before the year when I got married to him, I used to celebrate my birthday, no matter how little it was. When I was in preschool, my father would buy me a lot of things to take to school and share with my classmates for my birthday, and at night, we usually ate out whenever anyone was celebrating his or her birthday.While growing up, things changed and when I became an adult and an orphan, I celebrated my birthday on my own, as a reminder of how life used to be and as a remembr
Bryan's POVCeline has been indoors for three days now and I have no idea what this is all about. I don't know if this is from the shock of hearing about her pregnancy or because she is still mad at me.She didn't even let me help her into my room as we planned. She has been in her room since she arrived from the hospital and her actions aren't straightforward.Today, I am going to go ahead with my plans. The news of her unconsciousness that night made me let go of the plan to take her on a trip but now is the right time.We need to talk. She is expecting my child. We are going to have a second child soon and these behaviors aren't the best for us as couples.I move into the kitchen and Camilla almost bumps into me."Sorry, sir", she says quickly and bows her head slightly. The other maids in the kitchen also do the same.I can't remember the last time I came towards this side of the house. And this is because I want to see Camilla about Celine."Can I see you?" I ask her. She looks s
Celine's POVMy eyes flutter open sharply and I shut them back as fast as I opened them because of how it hurts.I must have slept for so long, I say to myself before opening my eyes again, adjusting to the bright light of the room.I am staring at the white ceiling for a while before I turn to realize this isn't my room. It isn't Bryan's room either and fear grips me.Where am I? Has Paxton gotten a hold of me again?I look down to see that I am dressed in white cloth. Wait, am I in a hospital? What happened?Just before I can find answers to the questions in my head, the door opens and Bryan comes in with his mother.When he notices I am awake, he rushes to me."Celine?" The look of concern on his face is something I will love to always see. I don't want to be the only one concerned about him. I don't want this to be one-sided. I want every feeling I feel for him to be mutual. That way, my anger will dissipate easily and I can finally give this a chance. This is when I remember how
Bryan's POVFather and I walk out into the courtyard as we speak. I already spoke to my mother about my feelings for Celine and there is really no need to hide it from my father.I have always been more closer to him than my mother but Helena's death and my refusal to keep up with the family business almost drifted us apart Since my father has been gone for a long time, I never knew the bond would still be there. It is as strong as ever even though there are a lot of things we aren't talking about.I have noticed a lot of changes too and I am suspecting that he will soon quit the business too."Your mother loves shopping and that is the only weapon to get her to forgive me whenever I do something wrong. I doubt if there is any girl on earth who doesn't like shopping", he says and I shake my head.Celine is different. She isn't materialistic like the rest of the girls. I know how materialistic my mother can be but Celine isn't that way and I doubt if shopping will do the trick.Apart
Celine's POVI pack my hair hurriedly into a loose low bun so I can go out and meet with Bryan's mother who said she wanted us to meet.I have something to tell her too but I am damn curious to know what she has to say to me. I also wonder why she didn't tell me she wanted to see me when I refused to let her into the room.It's been hours since she arrived and I am surprised to know that she is still around. Camilla told me because I had gone into the kitchen to take lunch and to see Jason who was playing around.After making sure that I look presentable, I move out of the room, closing the door behind me before heading out.On my way out, my eyes dart upwards towards the staircase leading to Bryan's room and I begin to wonder if he is still around or if he has gone to work.It is late evening already and if he has gone to work, he should be back any moment from now. More reason why I need to see his mother as quickly as possible and rush back into the room so we won't meet.I haven't
Bryan's POVDejectedly, I take the staircase to my room. I am debating within me on what to do to win her over and stop her from leaving.I have done the worst things to Celine and she forgave me, why isn't she forgiving me for something as trivial as the outcome of my nightmare?I didn't do it on purpose. It isn't my fault. Why is she finding it hard to forgive me now?All this while, I never asked for forgiveness yet she forgave me and now that I am genuinely asking for it, she isn't willing to give it to me.I am trying my best to be a better person. I can't believe I also skipped work because of the fear of coming back to see her gone.Celine is good at running away and I don't know how long it will take me to find her now if she runs off like she once did.I halt in my tracks when someone approaches and I look up to see my mother.She smirks proudly and I raise a brow, wondering why she is looking amused."Are you coming from Celine's room?" She asks me. This is when it dawns on
Celine's POVI wake up to see myself in Bryan's arms and I move away slowly, making an effort not to wake him up from his deep slumber.Today is Thursday and Bryan is here sleeping in my room instead of going to work. I don't know how I feel about what has happened between Bryan and me when I am supposed to be making plans on how to leave.I have given myself to him again after everything and I begin to wonder why this has to continue happening.All I have ever shown Bryan was love but he gave me pain instead. Is it so easy to let go of everything?I thought I have forgiven him for everything he has done to me but what broke the camel's back was what he did the last time. How he sent me out like a prostitute and how he made me cry.As much as I want to pretend as if all is well, I can't let go of everything. I am confused about what to do. Remembering that Bryan talked about how we signed the original certificate instead of the fake one, I sigh loudly as I sit on the edge of the bed
Celine's POV "What the hell do you mean by that?" A deep frown descends on my face and I shoot to my feet immediately. I can't hide my displeasure. "How is that even possible? How can I be your wife? Is this your trick to let me stay back or what sort of rubbish is this, Bryan?!" He isn't responding. He is just watching me and I am beginning to think this is a joke. It has to be a joke. How is this even possible? We had a wedding in the church but the certificate was a fake one. What is he talking about then? Antonio's face holds pain and sorrow and I wonder why he isn't looking happy like I expect him to. Aside from the fact that he doesn't want Jason to be out of his reach, he should be happy he will be free from my troubles. He has taken care of Paxton and his family members, what then is going to stop him from letting us go? He told me he would let us go when this has been sorted out. I won't let him convince me with a silly talk like this. I was there. I was right there in t
Celine's POV I walk slowly into my room with Camilla trudging quietly behind me and Jason in her arms. My heart is heavy for no reason even though I know I really want to be free from all of these. Going back to Los Angeles seems like the best solution right now to heal; physically and emotionally. I am going back to my old aunt and I will start a new life over there. I am done with all of this. I am done playing the fool and the victim. I am done with Bryan. I sit on the bed, my face in a frown. I insisted on getting discharged today, even though the doctor wanted me to be in the hospital till next tomorrow. I don't want to keep seeing Bryan's face. He won't stop coming. I want to be far away from him just like the last time. Even though my mind and heart were here when I ran away from here, I was at peace with myself for the no-trouble that comes with having Bryan in my life. "You should rest today, at least", Camilla pleads with me once more, in an attempt to convince me and