"I parked my car in front of the Del'torre Corp building. I looked up at the building, towering at least fifty floors high.I swallowed nervously as I got out of the car. Even if I wanted to back out, I couldn't because I had already agreed to Mommy. Besides, this was crucial for our company. So, with closed eyes, I reluctantly agreed to her request.I didn't think I would be in the meeting for long. He would just sign a few papers and that would be it. So, there was no reason to be nervous.With my head held high, I entered the building and faced the woman at the front desk."Good morning, I have a meeting with Mr. Dawzon del'Torre.." I said with a lump in my throat to the receptionist.She looked at me from head to toe, then smiled and nodded."Your name, ma'am?" She asked, facing her laptop."Larabelle Montellano, I'm the daughter of Mike Montellano, but he couldn't make it today, so I'll be the one to talk to him."She glanced at the screen for a moment. "It seems too early," I hea
I entered the next day as if everything was natural to me. Even though it felt heavy, I still tried to keep myself happy.Dawzon's letter, crumpled and damp with tears, was a constant reminder of my own hasty judgment. His words, raw and vulnerable, had pierced through my defenses, revealing a side of him I'd never seen before.I found myself trying to maintain a facade of strength, smiling at my friends. "I'm sorry to hear about Tito Mike. We'll accompany you when you go home, we'll visit Tito." Terry's hand on my shoulder as we hung out at Junspark."Yeah, thank you." I avoided looking at them. I chose not to open up about what happened. I chose to be strong and not show that I was struggling in the situation."Lara, don't keep it all in, we're your friends." Terry continued to say.But I chose to be strong. I smiled vigorously, then drank a can of coke."That's the Lara we know. Strong and sturdy." Japs spoke, which made me chuckle as I drank."Thank you, I'm okay." I said lightly.
The world seemed to shrink to the confines of my bedroom, the soft mattress a haven from the storm raging within me. I collapsed onto it, clothes still clinging to me from the day before, a testament to the emotional exhaustion that had overtaken me.Tears flowed freely, hot and salty against my skin, as I buried my face in the pillow. Why did I have to feel like this? Why did Dawzon have to make me feel so vulnerable, so exposed? Did I deserve this? It felt so unfair, so cruel, and the only answer I could find was a choked sob, a silent plea for relief.couldn't even bring myself to eat because I was more focused on the pain in my heart rather than the ache in my stomach."Lara, my dear, have you eaten?" Sita knocked on the door.I sniffed before responding. "Yes, thank you." I didn't hear her speak further, so I turned my face back into the pillow.I just wanted to sleep to somehow ease the pain in my heart.Each ring sent a jolt through my body, a wave of anxiety that left me breat
The white corset bodice of my wedding dress felt like a cage, constricting not just my body but my spirit as well.I was staring blankly in front of the mirror. Even the application of makeup on my face felt like I couldn't feel it."Smile, Lara, so the blush on will look good." The makeup artist said to me.I smiled, but the dullness in my eyes couldn't be shaken off."Perfect!" He said loudly as he closed the compact and focused on my braided hair."That's enough, don't make it too beautiful." I said lifelessly.I winked my eye and I forced a smile, but the reflection staring back at me was a stranger – a beautiful, hollow shell. It was a picture of an heiress, but without the wealth, without the joy, without the love. My mind raced back to the dreams of my youth, the fantasy of walking down the aisle, a bouquet of roses in my hand, the envy in the eyes of the guests. It was a dream built on love, a promise whispered in front of the altar. But that dream had been shattered, replaced
The world seemed to spin, the harsh fluorescent lights of the restroom blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope. My legs felt like jelly, and I could only manage to stand with Rexon's steady hand on my back. The air crackled with tension, the sharp words of Dawzon echoing in my ears."I said what happened here?!" His voice was a thunderclap, his eyes blazing with fury."Why don't you ask your girls about it?" Rexon countered, errhis tone laced with a bitter sarcasm that made my stomach churn."Lara, let's go." He called out to me, prompting me to stand up straight. I didn't know what to do or say because of everything that was happening."How could you ruin her life?!" Rexon's voice was choked with anger, his grip on my hand tightening.I saw the dark fire in Dawzon's eyes as they landed on our intertwined hands. A wave of nausea washed over me."You have no idea what you're saying!" He took a step towards me, but Rexon shielded me with his body."Let her go, brother.” His voice was a l
A wave of annoyance washed over me as I left the house, Dawzon's words echoing in my mind. "Fine, just order the items for the house," he had said, his tone dismissive, his gaze distant.It was as if he couldn't be bothered to even pretend to be interested in the details of our new life together.I decided to do the shopping for the household needs alone. It was a small act of rebellion, a way to assert some control in a situation that felt increasingly out of my hands.I browsed through the aisles of the supermarket, my cart filling up with a strange mix of necessities and personal indulgences. I started with the meat section, grabbing a few different cuts, unsure of what Dawzon preferred. Then, I moved on to the canned goods, dairy products, and toiletries, filling my cart with the basics. Finally, I reached the beverages section, picking up a few beers and a bottle of wine, a small act of rebellion against the strict, controlled life I felt I was being forced into.It was sur
“Lara!”As I turned to the familiar voice calling my name, I was met with Japs' accusing gaze."Hey what's up?! You don't even tell us what's going on in your life!" His playful poke caught me off guard as we walked side by side."I'm okay, Japs," I replied, trying to brush off his concern, but he wasn't convinced. "Huh? Is that true? You're not telling us something, I know," he prodded further, raising an eyebrow at me."I don't want to talk about it right now, Japs," I deflected, my dark eyes avoiding his probing gaze. "What do you think?" I questioned, feeling the weight of unspoken words between us.He turned away briefly before whispering softly, "Do you have a problem?" His words hung in the air, and I struggled to find the right response. Ever since the argument with Dawzon, our interactions at home had been strained, especially during dinner."Oh my gosh! Really?" Japs' shocked reaction to my story made me pause. Perhaps confiding in him wouldn't be so bad; after all, he was o
"I woke up to the weight of his legs draped over me. Even his arm around my waist remained motionless."Oh my!" I attempted to sit up abruptly, but I was forced back down by his tight embrace."Hmm." That's all I heard from him as he nuzzled into my neck. I found myself inhaling deeply in response to the effect it had on me.I glanced at the alarm clock on the side table, it was past six o'clock."Dawzon, we're going to be late for school," I whispered to him, but I didn't hear any response from him."Dawzon!" I even tapped his arm, but he just snored again.So I gently removed his legs draped over mine and my stomach, slowly making my way to the bathroom to shower.The feeling of the cold water flowing over my body was refreshing. I couldn't help but smile when I remembered what happened last night. I wasn't too drunk, so everything was still clear to me, even the last words he said."I was startled when I remembered those words. I had no right to clarify that with him. Besides, I kn