CHAPTER 13Serene "What did he just come to my place?" I asked myself, while cautiously opening the door."Good evening, madam. I am looking for Ms. Serene Brights," the man waiting at the door stated to me. I knew he was a puzzle driver merely by glancing at his clothing and reading what was printed on his batch."Is everything OK, Ma'am?" He questioned, perhaps assuming something was amiss with his outfit after I gazed at it for about two minutes."Oh sure, everything is fine. My name is Serene Brights," I said, my mind racing with inquiries.The delivery lad walked to his vehicle and returned with a present bag. He handed it to me, and I immediately signed the paperwork before he departed. Doubts about the present bag being mine began to wash over me. I had not opened it yet, but I could see how expensive everything inside was. I unzipped the bag and withdrew the first box, which contained a stunning dazzling diamond necklace. I held it out and ran my fingertips along its borders.
CHAPTER 14Serene It is Saturday, and I need to finish off all the cleaning. My flat is not huge, but I am delighted it will be plenty for my child and myself. There are also two spare rooms available for Neina and Charlotte to stay in during their vacation. I stood on the sofa and turned on the television. A wonderful video of a renowned family on vacation was aired, and I could see how happy they were, only to find myself wishing it was us. I promptly changed the channel and switched to watching some cartoons for a time. I checked the clock and it was almost 4 p.m. Max Cruz and I are going to meet. He may assume it is a date, but I just want to make it obvious that I do not want his presents or any of the drama that comes with his trying on me. 'Maybe I should tell Neina about it,' I thought to myself before dialing her number."Hello," she said from the other end."Hello, how are you?" I remarked to her:"I am OK; I just miss you, and Charlotte has already left for the market, Ser
CHAPTER 15Serene "Ms. Brights, come down," he said, beckoning the waiter to come.I did not come to have long chats; I just wanted to return his presents and make it plain that I am very uncomfortable with how he is acting. I cleared my throat and could not dispute that the meal delivered by the server smelled excellent, but I could not bring myself to touch it."Is everything okay?" he questioned, twisting his pasta and looking at me."Yes, everything is good, Mr. Cruz. I just wanted to tell you something.""Oh, I see; I would rather that you call me Max," he insisted."Okay, Max, I would like to explain things," I said sincerely."You sound serious, Ms. Brights; what is bothering you?"“Mr. Cruz I would like to tell you that I am quite uncomfortable with the way you have been acting around me lately," I said, taking a deep breath."What?""I am not interested in getting things from you," I said, staring into his eyes."Come down, Ms. Brights; I think you are taking things incorrec
CHAPTER 16Diego 'I am not sure if I am overreacting or Nelly is not simply keeping up with making the room look presentable. Everything is simply laying about, and it is so untidy that I sometimes have to look for spoiled food in the room. Things like these make me wish she had some of Serene's attributes, like how she always made sure the room was beautifully organized and everything was in its place. I told myself this while I sat in my library."Diego!" Nelly called while I was in the library.I found her comfortably situated on the couch, I raced to find out what she needed. "Look, I wish it was just the two of us," she said, pointing to the television, which showed a family joyfully smiling in the Himalayas. "What do you mean, we should start a family?""No, not at all—I mean, not right now; I simply wanted us to travel there for our honeymoon," she answered."Uhm OK, I thought you wanted us to start a family," I responded."Diego, please do not start; you know what my reacti
CHAPTER 17Diego It is 2 a.m., and Nelly has not yet come home. I realize that she enjoys freedom, but she didn't have to leave until this late. Every day, New York becomes more dangerous, and it is no longer safe to go outside. Being with Nelly appears to be a source of stress, but what can I do? I do not want to lose her for the second time; I am confident she will change with time. I walked downstairs and watched my favorite series, hoping to hear a knock on the door, but there was none. I attempted to make some breakfast despite my dislike for cooking, but for Nelly, I began to compromise somewhat.I strolled into the bedroom and put some items back in the closet as I remembered how Serene did it. I straightened the vase of flowers at the window and packed Nelly's shoes where Serene normally placed hers. Time was passing, and Nelly had not yet returned home; perhaps I should go check where she is, I reasoned, and grabbed my vehicle keys. Just as I approached the main door, I coul
CHAPTER 18Serene I am far too late for work. I only hope my agents did all I requested them to do. I instantly got up and requested that the driver pick me up within the next 40 minutes. I dashed into the shower and opened the faucet, allowing the warm water to flow down my skin. I could sense my baby's movements. 'Calm down, little one, mother is going to get ready for work,' I whispered in my head. I finished quickly and grabbed a towel to dry myself. I promptly went to my room and sorted through my clothing. My hair was still wet, so I hurriedly blew it dry and attempted to curl it. My makeup was almost done, so I dressed up and applied it fast. I stepped in front of the dressing mirror and could not believe how beautiful I looked.I could not help but smile when I realized I looked like a model. 'Seems like it is starting to show,' I said, referring to my pregnancy. I picked up my heels and put them on. Since all of the paperwork I needed was downstairs, I went to the kitchen an
CHAPTER 19Serene "Thank you both for coming. There is a problem that has to be addressed," the boss stated, clearing his throat and focusing on me.I gave myself a quick peek. unsure about where that is going. I tried my hardest to tell Mr. Cruz I was not interested in whatever he was attempting to do with me, but he kept sending gifts."Oh? Is it about business or something else?" Mr. Cruz inquired of the boss, very likely anticipating the direction of the conversation.The boss' eyes narrowed slightly, and his attitude remained calm."Mr. Cruz, I believe you are aware of the situation at hand. Your... conduct toward Miss Brights has created worries."The sound of it made me feel slightly uncomfortable since I knew this wouldn't have happen if Mr. Cruz had stopped when I first refused, and none of this would have happened at all."Sir, I sincerely apologize if this is creating any problems. I have tried to be courteous about it,” I explained "Courteous? Ms. Brights, come on. A sm
CHAPTER 20Serene I now see why Sir was so protective of me at the meeting with Mr. Cruz; the manner he held me conveyed an entirely different message. Two men are now in love with me. I do not even understand what this is about anymore; maybe I should simply resign my work since I can not be a trophy. The idea of quitting my job doesn't appeal to me because I had been wanting to work for this firm for nearly three years. I will simply get myself together and concentrate on what I need to do.I opened my computer and reviewed the document that my agent had provided me. I rectified certain errors and returned them to them. My door opened, and the agent who likes Mr. Cruz entered. I could tell she had gossip or really nasty recommendations, so I asked her to go because I was busy, but she assured me she was not coming to make trouble."Should I bring the quarterly reports you requested?" She inquired as I continued to focus on my task. "Just leave them on the boss's table. I will get
CHAPTER 93Serene The doctor finally discharged Miguel and we took him home in a wheelchair. Just as we got home, the entire living room was dark, and I wondered if there was a power outage or something. “Mommy, what happened to the lights?” Miguel asked, looking confused.“I don't know, sweetie, let me quickly find out,” I replied, attempting to switch on my phone's torch when the lights went on, and I realized all Miguel's friends had come to welcome him. “Surprise!” everyone exclaimed and I couldn't help but clap along.“Hi, Ms. Brights,” the little children greeted me.“Hello, how are you, little angels?” I asked.“We're fine thanks,” they responded.Miguel stood up from his chair and began walking towards his friends, who all hugged him and led him to the couch while I poured them drinks. "Look at my little prince; he is so cute," Charlotte said to Miguel, softly pulling his cheeks.“Why is she so mean?” Diego asked as he assisted me in rinsing the glasses."I am not sure; maybe
CHAPTER 92Serene My heart is not in the right place, and I am scared. I know Diego is furious that I did not inform him about his son's condition. It is not that I did not want to, but my desire for vengeance overcame me and nearly cost me the only person who completed my world. 'Get well soon, sweetheart,' I said in my head while standing beside Miguel's bed."Why are you sad, Mommy?" Miguel inquired, noting how pale I appeared.“Sad, no sweetie I am just bored, so now that you are awake, how about you tell me a little story?" I replied quickly, changing my expression."Okay, but is Daddy coming to listen as well?" he asked."Umm, no, Daddy is out and maybe a little late," I lied."OK, lay here," he said, and I placed my head next to him.I was looking in a different direction as he told me one of the cute stories I had read him. My tears were just flowing because I could not hold them back. My son's voice softened, and I looked up in fear, only to discover that he had fallen aslee
CHAPTER 91Diego I felt hurt; I understand Serene despises me, but hiding my son's condition from me is far too cruel. Maybe it was our past that caused everything, but I have changed so much that I am glad I saved his life. “Daddy, why are you sad?” Miguel inquired as he opened his eyes."No, I am not champ; my eyes are in a little bit of pain," I said. “How are you feeling sweetheart?” Serene asked Miguel, but he ignored her and turned to my side of the bed."Daddy, will I go watch wrestling live when I am better?" he asked me."We will hear from your mom first, you can see she was worried, huh," I replied, looking at Serene, who was staring at the floor."No, we do not have to go with Mommy because she lied and broke a promise," Miguel explained.“Sweetie I'm sorry I wish —”"Mommy, please go away," Miguel said to Serene, who began shaking her head.“Champ, calm down. Mommy didn't do anything,” I said, trying to calm him down."Mommy, you promised to return on time but didn't,"
CHAPTER 90SERENE "Ms. Brights, there is something concerning about the blood test results," the doctor said, and my heart skipped a beat."What is wrong, doctor? Is my blood not good?" I asked with tears on the verge of falling out."Not only that, but your blood does not match that of your son," the doctor replied, and I felt as if I had not just heard what he said.“What kind of joke is that doctor, I'm Miguel's Mom,” I replied."Here you can take a look at yourself. I thought it would be easier if there was a high chance, but it shows that you are not related to him in any way," the doctor said, pausing to look at me before continuing, "except for the fact that you are probably a chimera.”“Chimera?” I questioned in disbelief.“Yes, but there's no time right now. We need to act fast. Maybe we should try his father. I am confident that he will not respond negatively," the doctor suggested.‘What should I do now? I don't even want Diego to find out,’ I told myself."Ms. Brights, ar
CHAPTER 89Serene “I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that I just —”"I was thinking maybe you are tired of carrying my father's kidney and we should give it to someone more deserving because the way you are stalking me makes me feel like I owe you something," I cut him off."Serene, I know I owe you my life, my business, and everything I will give you. Please come back to me, and I will treat you better than—”"Aside from the flowers I carried on our wedding day, do you remember a time when you bought me flowers?" I cut him off."I know I have not done that, but please give me this one chance to make things right; I love you Serene, and every breath without you is hell," Diego said."Thank you for telling me how you should have felt because I do not have any emotions right now. If you do not mind, I am in a hurry; have a good day," I said, walking away without a second thought.I stepped into the lift, and the guards followed me just as it opened. We all got into the car, and I was surpr
CHAPTER 88Serene I was so exhausted from posing for pictures that whoever informed the media about my arrival did me a disservice, as I wish people could ask instead of deciding to do things for themselves. "Ms. Brights," a familiar voice called out, and I quickly turned to face the person."Hello, Sir, it is good to see you again. How is your daughter doing?" I asked the old man, whose face I recognized.“She's doing fine madam. I was not expecting to see you, but fate made it possible," he said."Oh, you do not have to be so formal; call me Serene. How long should I continue saying that?" I asked with a smile."OK, I will try calling you that, but I still want to thank you; if it were not for you, my daughter would have—”"No, it was God, not me; believe me when I say God saved her, not me; I was simply doing my job," I responded.“Madam, everything is set,” Rina said."OK, I will be with you soon," I told her, before inviting the old man to join me for lunch in the VIP lounge. Whe
CHAPTER 87Diego "Do yourself a favor and get the hell out of here," Sofia told Sonia as she pulled me upstairs.I could tell Sonia was furious and probably shocked that I had someone else now. I walked away without resisting, leaving her hanging. As we entered my bedroom, I took my hand off Sofia's waist while she poured herself a glass of wine. "Nice acting skills, Mr. Myers," she said, giving me a subtle smile."Well, what are you doing here?" I asked Sofia because I had not called for her."Nothing came to make use of my abilities. I was a little bored," she said, walking towards me and attempting to fix my collar, but I walked away."I do not think you want to do this," I explained.“I do I wouldn't resist a thing just —”"Sofia, please keep it professional; I need to get some sleep now," I said, opening the door for her to walk out."OK, I see, goodnight," she said, placing the glass on my desk before walking away.I closed the door and stepped into the shower. I leaned against
CHAPTER 86Diego When I got home, Grace was furious that I had left the mall without saying goodbye to my son. I tried explaining what had happened, but it only made matters worse; she wanted to have dinner with her grandson, and there was nothing I could say to persuade her, so I had to plead with Serene to let me go with Miguel despite her warning to stay away. I was having trouble getting in, so I asked the guards to let her know I was outside. I was about to get back in the cab when I noticed my uncle's car. 'Damn that bastard is here,' I cursed and walked away before he noticed me."Take me home," I instructed the driver."Are you certain, Sir, that we should go?" The driver inquired, his gaze fixed on me."Start the damn car, or should I cut your pay?" I gave a response."No, sir, I will start," he replied, driving away immediately.When I walked into the house, Grace was getting ready to go out. "Where is he?" she inquired, glancing around."I did not get to take him with him,
CHAPTER 85Serene Charlotte and Neina are here, I feel so complete with them around. I was tired and felt bad about how much I wanted my son to be away from his father. I was still sitting on my bed when someone knocked on the door. "Are you there, Serene?" Neina inquired, and I quickly rose from the bed to open the door."Come on, I am here," I said with a smile as she followed me behind.“Uhmm where's Charlotte?” I asked as I realized she hadn't come up without her.“Playing with her nephew, you know how much she missed him,” Neina replied."Oh, that is so true; I doubt he will even want to sleep in his room today," I replied, as Miguel usually slept in Charlotte's room when she came over; he would even forget about me—not completely.“We should expect that anyway how are things going now that Diego has permission to enter your walls?” Neina asked, her face full of curiosity."Bad, I mean, it has been so weird. I do not know; sometimes it feels like we are about to get close, but I