The following day which was Sunday— Liam as usual was preparing the table for breakfast when his daughter walked into the dining room.His attention wandered to her and he immediately forgot to breathe as he locked eyes with her. She was wearing a black turtleneck and a plaid skirt that stopped right above her knees but a pair of black pop socks continued under the skirt and also a pair of black short boots. Her new styled jet-curly black hair was slumping around her shoulders and on it was a pink hair clip feather hat which was precisely matching the small Jacquemus bag she was holding. Liam’s gaze trailed down to the soft, inviting curve of her lips and his mouth watered. Heat crept up Daniella’s cheeks and she dramatically fanned her face, “Am I that breathtaking, Dad?” Liam forced a breath into his lungs and sat down with a slump, his eyes filling with desire. He crooked his finger at her, “Come here,” Daniella obeyed his call and went to where he was sitting— their eyes lev
The following day—At school.Both Daniella and Mandy were sitting on their favorite backless bench in the faculty relaxation center with only a few students around. It was winter season now and everyone was dressed to keep themselves as warm as possible. Daniella was clad in a black sweater and Jean with a White long woolen coat as overall while Mandy was wearing a black down jacket with a gray scarf around her neck.The two of them had been laughing heartily since the moment their chat had started, not minding the looks the people around them kept stealing at them occasionally.Mandy had finally gotten the chance to gist her best friend about the occurrence at Michael’s mom's birthday party. And the part that was making them laugh so hard was the way Michael had rained punches upon Nathan’s face.“If you were there with me that night, Ella, I'm sure you wouldn't be laughing at the situation,” Mandy began again after their laughter had died down.Daniella’s expression shifted from p
Daniella’s heart suddenly sank. Her body uncontrollably swayed as if she would collapse in the next second but she quickly held on to the desk for support.A heavy silence enveloped the room for a fraction of a second, Daniella’s heart racing.“I_can't_ be_ pregnant,” she voiced out in a low gentle voice, sounding like a broken record.She positioned her unsteady hands on the desk and bent her body a bit, “I can't be pregnant, woman, I can't just be pregnant. And stop giving me that look!” she yelled out like a crazy woman this time, her eyes bulging outwards.A feathered smile crossed the physician’s lips as it seemed she had quite expected such a reaction from Daniella. She thought in her mind that Daniella was still a young college girl and it was too early for her to keep a pregnancy. And of course, her boyfriend might probably reject the pregnancy.Gradually, the physician left where she was standing and came to stand in front of the fuming Daniella across the desk. “It is nor
Should I just tell him?‘Tell him that you're pregnant? Are you completely out of your mind? Have you thought about how he's going to feel or do you think he will ever agree for you to get rid of it or something?’Daniella listened to her subconscious mind and suddenly, her throat seemed to be stuffed with a bunch of soft acerbic. Her nose was choked and she felt like crying.However, she shifted her gaze to her father’s face once more and let out a meaningful smile, and then began…“It's Mandy, Dad,” Liam’s full brows furrowed immediately but he didn't interrupt her as his gaze remained on her face.“I'm just so happy for Mandy that I couldn't control my tears, Dad. My best friend has finally found a true love from Michael,” Unbidden, Liam’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as realization dawned on him.“Michael loves Mandy so much… so much that I'm starting to become envious of them and to think that I was never in support of their togetherness from the beginning hurts me deeply,
Liam drove his car at a fast and soon arrived at the hospital. He carried an unconscious Daniella and rushed into the emergency room, “Please save her quickly,”The doctor seemed to be used to such a scene and he was calm as he signaled to the medical staff to push into the hospital bed, “Hurry, send it to the operating room,”Liam then put her gently and the doctor began to ask, “What really happened to her?” Liam ran a hand through his hair swiftly, his nose flaring, “She's this person with heavy cramps and that was all I thought until I saw severe blood,” He explained, raising his bloody hands for the doctor to see. The doctor knew what to prepare for and went into the theater after whispering to the assistant.Liam wanted to follow him as he was in too much of a hurry.The medical staff stopped him, “Family members are not allowed to enter the operating room. Please wait outside,” “I don't give a damn about how much it costs. Please save my daughter,” he stood near the door th
TWO DAYS LATER.Jessica looked for her seat number on the ticket she was holding just like every other person in the queue. Soon, a tiny smile touched her lips the moment she found it and saw that it was the window seat.She advanced toward her seat and settled down and then dropped her handbag on her thighs. Smiling, she watched the people around her with sheer happiness. She had decided to board an economic flight instead of her regular first class. She just wanted to be among the crowd; perhaps it would help draw away her persistent thinking. Her smile widened when she saw two kids—a boy and a girl fighting over the window seat in the second roll. Their mother came forward and put an end to their fight by occupying the seat and the two kids both stuck out their tongues at each other simultaneously. Jessica chuckled and was about to tilt her head to look out of the window when a tall figure suddenly enveloped her. She looked up at the figure looming in front of her and a flick
“Please, Jessica. I’m sick and tired of acting like a father to the woman I love,” Liam’s throat felt heavy and tears blurred his eyes. “I know this isn’t part of our deal, Jessica. I know very well that this isn’t what you assigned me for and this was not what I signed for but I can’t help myself any longer. I’ve fallen in love with your daughter while watching her grow up,” “I kept telling myself that I’m Daniella’s father and I shouldn’t be falling so hard for my daughter but my heart is strongly against the sentiment. My heart, body, soul, every single cell in my body longs for Daniella, Jessica,” Tears overflowed from his eyes as he ever-so-slowly went on his knees, pressing his palms together in a pleading manner and looking up at Jessica with his face full of tears.“I will always remember the huge favor you've done for me, Jessica. You found me on the street and gave me a new life. I swear to God, Jessica, I'll never take all the support you rendered me during my helplessne
By the time Liam arrived at the facade of the villa, Daniella’s car was already fast-speeding out of the yard. “God!” Liam exclaimed and then started running toward one of his cars among the numerous cars in the garage. He reached the car and dug his hands into his pocket to fetch the car keys only then did he realize that he wasn't with any car keys. “Fuck you, Liam!” he cussed at himself before dashing back into the house. He sprinted out almost immediately, running back toward the car as if his ass was on fire. ‘Merciful Lord, please take over the steering, don't let anything bad happen to Ella,’ he prayed inwardly while he jumped onto the driver’s seat, turned on the ignition, and drove out of the house with velocity. In a matter of moments, Liam had reached the highway and it didn't take long before he caught the glimpse of Daniella’s car speeding frightfully among the multiple cars on the roadway. He broke out in a cold sweat as he also accelerated to the same rate as Dan
FIVE YEARS LATERRight in front of a lengthy portrait of a wedded couple that had their best smiles on their faces, there stood an almost old man— gazing at the beautiful married couple with tears running down his face. The tears were a mix of boundless joy and grievance. And this especially happens whenever he watches the big picture like he was doing at the moment.“Oh, there you are,” a soft smiling feminine voice drifted to the man and followed by footsteps fast approaching. He already knew who the person was even without turning around. “Beautiful couple, huh?” the woman sidled up to him, her eyes overly bright when staring at the picture too. “I still can't forgive myself, Jessica,” he suddenly let out, breaking the brief silence that took place and turning his head to peek at the stunning woman beside him. “Whenever I look at Daniella’s wedding picture, Jessica, I feel like I don't deserve to be forgiven for my outrageous crime in the first place and I should have died alo
Daniella sprinted into the terminal in a way that people around thought that she was being chased by something they couldn't see but only she could see.She kept darting her eyes around as she ran, not paying heed to the security man running after her advice to slow down. “Ouch!” she suddenly yelped out, bending in two and holding her right leg. She'd just tripped on her foot. “The reason I urged you to stop running, Miss,” the security guard enunciated, catching up with her and holding her to steady herself. Daniella spared him a grateful look and started walking lamely, holding the man’s hand tightly for support.Soon, they got to the airline front desk where two beautiful women sat behind, greeting passengers and checking tickets. The security guard stepped forward and asked, “Has the Spain flight taken off?” “Yes. It just took off five minutes ago,” one of the women answered eloquently and returned to her business. It felt like a stab in Daniella’s heart and if the security
The following day after the morning lecture, Mandy’s arm was linked into Daniella’s as they both sauntered out of the hall. “I called Matthew yesterday. He said he's out of the country, Ella, and it’s most likely he won't be returning anytime soon,” Mandy uttered, looking as sadly as she felt.Daniealla only puffed out a breath and said nothing. Maybe it was for the best. “Have you heard that Mr. Brandon resigned yesterday?” These words wafted toward Daniella and Mandy and they both stopped walking directly and then spun to see who'd just spoken. There they stood two ladies, facing each other and seemed really engrossed in their discussion.“Which Mr. Brandon? You mean the same Liam Brandon? The most handsome per-time lecturer in our school?” the other girl asked her gossiping ally, her eyes bulging outwards with shock.“Of course, Priscilla. The same Mr. Brandon who has a daughter here in our college. Don't tell me you haven't heard of it when the news has been spreading around t
“That was how it all happened,” Jessica concluded and wiped the tears slipping down her face. “I’m really sorry, Daniella. Please forgive me,” Her emotions were raw as she sniffled and wiped away the tears that kept flowing down her face in a gush. “So, dad gave up on his love for me, Mom,” Daniella professed, remorse etched across her face. “He let go the primary reason he left the orphanage home to be with you because you claimed you didn't want to raise a child without a father. Yet, mom, you had the nerve to charge someone like that?” Her throat choked up, she had to stop talking and take a deep breath to get herself under control again. “I won't forgive you if he probably does anything stupid, mom. Trust me, I will hold you accountable if anything bad happens to him,” Daniella deadpanned, her tears breaking loose and streaking down her cheeks.“No, my dear. Nothing bad will happen to Liam,” Jessica reproached gently, inching closer and reaching out to hold Daniella’s hands
Jessica got to the hospital parking lot in no time—her eyes darting around as if she was searching for someone. She went farther into the garage, turning around and around and soon, she found who she was looking for and her temper aggravated immediately. She dashed toward the person’s car and called out his name from behind who was about to get in his car, “Antonio Flores,”Antonio looked back swiftly and a look of contentment flashed on his countenance as soon as he saw Jessica with the flowers.Infuriated, Jessica stormed three steps in his direction and hit him with the bouquet once and then let it go to the ground. “Are you mad? What do you think you're doing?” she squeezed the words out through angrily gritted teeth.Taken aback, Cole, Antonio’s assistant quickly veered to the other side of the car where his boss was and planned to interfere. But, a single movement of Antonio’s head ceased his action. He bowed in understanding and only crouched a bit and picked up the huge be
Michael sat at the extreme end of the bed with a sleeping Daniella while Mandy sat on a chair with her head resting on the space beside Daniella, holding her hand. She had long fallen asleep after Michael’s solacing words. Michael sat there, watching the two sleeping friends with pure affection plastered on his face. Shortly, he noticed that Daniella was starting to move slowly. Her long, thin eyelashes trembled for some time before she was able to slowly open them. “Ella,” Michael called out softly, rising to his feet, “You’re awake,” Daniella was gazing at the unfamiliar ceiling in a daze and her-sleep dazed eyes cleared when she heard Michael’s voice. “What are you doing here?” she asked in an extremely low voice and Michael wouldn't have heard her question if he'd not read her lips.Giggling, Micheal scratched the skin behind his neck, unsure of how to respond to her question. Daniella then tried to retract but she discovered that her hand was being held. She tilted her he
By the time Liam arrived at the facade of the villa, Daniella’s car was already fast-speeding out of the yard. “God!” Liam exclaimed and then started running toward one of his cars among the numerous cars in the garage. He reached the car and dug his hands into his pocket to fetch the car keys only then did he realize that he wasn't with any car keys. “Fuck you, Liam!” he cussed at himself before dashing back into the house. He sprinted out almost immediately, running back toward the car as if his ass was on fire. ‘Merciful Lord, please take over the steering, don't let anything bad happen to Ella,’ he prayed inwardly while he jumped onto the driver’s seat, turned on the ignition, and drove out of the house with velocity. In a matter of moments, Liam had reached the highway and it didn't take long before he caught the glimpse of Daniella’s car speeding frightfully among the multiple cars on the roadway. He broke out in a cold sweat as he also accelerated to the same rate as Dan
“Please, Jessica. I’m sick and tired of acting like a father to the woman I love,” Liam’s throat felt heavy and tears blurred his eyes. “I know this isn’t part of our deal, Jessica. I know very well that this isn’t what you assigned me for and this was not what I signed for but I can’t help myself any longer. I’ve fallen in love with your daughter while watching her grow up,” “I kept telling myself that I’m Daniella’s father and I shouldn’t be falling so hard for my daughter but my heart is strongly against the sentiment. My heart, body, soul, every single cell in my body longs for Daniella, Jessica,” Tears overflowed from his eyes as he ever-so-slowly went on his knees, pressing his palms together in a pleading manner and looking up at Jessica with his face full of tears.“I will always remember the huge favor you've done for me, Jessica. You found me on the street and gave me a new life. I swear to God, Jessica, I'll never take all the support you rendered me during my helplessne
TWO DAYS LATER.Jessica looked for her seat number on the ticket she was holding just like every other person in the queue. Soon, a tiny smile touched her lips the moment she found it and saw that it was the window seat.She advanced toward her seat and settled down and then dropped her handbag on her thighs. Smiling, she watched the people around her with sheer happiness. She had decided to board an economic flight instead of her regular first class. She just wanted to be among the crowd; perhaps it would help draw away her persistent thinking. Her smile widened when she saw two kids—a boy and a girl fighting over the window seat in the second roll. Their mother came forward and put an end to their fight by occupying the seat and the two kids both stuck out their tongues at each other simultaneously. Jessica chuckled and was about to tilt her head to look out of the window when a tall figure suddenly enveloped her. She looked up at the figure looming in front of her and a flick