Both Daniella and Jessica sauntered out of the boutique, each of them holding two shopping bags in their hands.Daniella was highly relieved that they were finally done after a long time of shopping. Throughout their shopping, Daniella's face was cold all the time, and would only utter a brief sentence when her mother asked her a question. Just as they were reaching where Jessica's car was parking, Daniella heard her name from a far distance. She looked up and saw a familiar figure approaching them with fast strides.Matthew.She couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyeballs as she proceeded to the car; however, Jessica's words ceased her action.“Isn't he coming here because of you?” Jessica reprimanded with a slight scowl and then switched her gaze onward right when Matthew reached where they were standing.“How are you doing, Daniella? It's good to run into you here. Should we go back in and shop more? I have nothing important to purchase, just some little stuff,” Matthew beamed,
‘’I’m sorry ladies, but I would be very busy later in the day” Liam explained politely to the two beaming ladies that were walking at his both sides. With the look on their faces, one could effortlessly discern that they were both resisting the urge to cling tightly to his arms.“Then when would you be chance to tutor us, Mr. Liam? We don’t mind even if it’s just for an hour,” the one at his right-hand side asked seductively while twiddling a strand of her blonde hair at her fingertips. “Literally, sir. I promise you are gonna love our company,” the other girl enunciated.Liam halted his pace and looked over at her face. A small hole on her upper lips screams Marilyn Monroe's sexiness and her skin looks far more tanned than the next girl, like a sun-kissed brunette.He crooked a grin; he was not quite dumb not to have realized their advances. No doubt that he had become used to this kind of attitude. It would have been good for him if he was a sex freak.Smiling, he began to put for
For a moment, he didn’t think he’d heard right. His eyes kindled and his chest expanded in an outraged breath.It took a full minute to respond, possibly because he had trouble unlocking his jaw.“What did you just say?” he asked in a deep-voiced, his eyes dazed.“Yes, Dad. Both you and mum have always wished for me to have a boyfriend, isn’t it? And I’m happy to tell you that your wish has come true now,” Daniella affirmed, beaming so big. Her eyes were bright and beautiful; they looked like a crescent moon when smiling.“This is Matthew, my boyfriend,” she repeated, wrapping her tiny fingers around Matthew’s wrist.Liam felt like collapsing with shock, his heart seemed to be grabbed by something, and was so heart-wrenchingly painful.“So, Dad. I’ll catch you later” she then looked over at Matthew’s frozen expression. “Come on, babe. Let’s go to my room now,”Liam stood deep-rooted in that spot as he stared into the void, it felt like heavy rocks weighed on his chest, making it diff
Liam Brandon stormed into the fitness center where a few clients were doing some workouts. Seeing this tall and attractive figure who just appeared with an annoyed look, a lady who had been running on the treadmill machine immediately quit her fast pace and removed her face cap, feeling her heart throbbing at this rakishly handsome god.She was lost staring at his back view which had faded away since some moment ago as she slowly got off the machine. “Are you alright, Miss?”Hearing these words, she snatched her gaze from the space she was lost in and then raised her head to look at the person who had just spoken to her.“Who was that man?” she asked her instructor, who was much more taller than her.The corner of the young male instructor's lips couldn’t help but raise, “That was Liam Brandon, Miss. The gym director,” The lady returned her attention to the direction Liam had gone through, “Why is he so cute?” she asked dreamily, removing some tendrils of her hair that clung to he
“Damn it!”Mandy swore loudly under her breath as she gazed at the smashed number plate from her windshield and realizing that the vehicles were no longer moving, it dawned on her that she had been stuck in traffic.“You little brat, look what you’ve made me do!” she yelled onto the screen, her face distorting with anger. “You better begin to pray now that whatever the trick I play on this unknown person, it works. Otherwise, we’re both getting punished for this. Now hang up,”She enunciated through clenched teeth, and right after she completed her words, she caught sight of the young man who came down from the black SUV in front of her.The annoyed and dark expression on this man’s face couldn’t go unnoticed by Mandy and the more he got closer to her car, the more she shrank inside like a wilted flower.“Lord, I’m so dead,” she mumbled in a crying tone, watching as the man knock hardly on her window.Suddenly, an idea niggled at her and she quickly got into action.She ruffled her h
“There’s no way you can change my mind about this, Mandy. I’m not coming with you, period!” Daniella said decisively and then left where she was standing to sit on her bed. Mandy sough and turned properly to look at her friend, who had already grabbed a book and flipped through the pages.“It’s all in the past now, Ella. Please just forget it and let’s attend the frat party together,” she said cogently; her eyes were full of longing as she moved closer to meet her on the bed.Daniella lifted her head from her book and stared at Mandy faintly, “Are you asking me to hang around with someone who had flirted with my daddy before?” the corner of her eyes crinkled as she asked this question.“Lilly will never do that again, Ella. Moreover, you already taught her a lesson. Now I’m sure she will never think of being alone with Uncle Liam ever again,” “I might just murder her if I ever see her anywhere close to my dad again. So you better warn her,” Daniella threatened with an eye roll, bri
“Mandy?” Both Nathan and Joshua called out in unison.Michael stared at Mandy’s face and then at his friend’s dazed expressions, “How do you know her?” he asked them. Nathan opened his mouth to talk but right then, Mandy skipped back to the house, her eyes filling with sudden tears.Michael watched her retreating figure until it was out of sight. He then forced his attention back to his friend’s faces.“What’s going on? How do you both know her?” he asked sharply, putting forward two steps.Joshua sough, shoving his five fingers into his golden locks. He probably didn’t know how to explain the whole situation to Michael and that was because he had caught something interesting in his eyes when Mandy was there.“That was Mandy. My ex-girlfriend,” Nathan responded, almost sounding nonchalant.Michael's expression darkened immediately, “The same Mandy you told us shit about? The one her friend came to beat you up?” his voice was calm yet unsteady.Mandy’s hand crept to her mouth while s
Daniella stared at her father’s deep penetrating eyes that spoke of heartbreak, betrayal, remorse, undying love, or maybe lust.“Tell me honestly, Ella. Do you think you can get rid of me by using your friend? ” Liam said with a ragged breath as he tightened his hand around her shoulder, bringing her closer.“I don’t understand what you are trying to say, Dad. I love Matthew as much as he loves me back,” Daniella's nose flared.Liam’s face broke into a million shreds and his chest rose. He hated the fact that her daughter was admitting that she loved someone else to his face. He then let his hands slide down Daniella’s hips, his tongue licking his lips and his heady gaze electrified her body.“So does it mean you don’t want Dad anymore?” his husky low voice took her breath while his fingers kneaded her skin.Her pulse was now racing fast as she inhaled a strained breath. She wanted to tell him to stop, but she was not sure she could say the words without being breathless.“What do y
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