“Hide now, Michael,” a shaky breath left Mandy’s mouth as she gave the instruction to Michael who immediately scampered toward the closet.“No,no,no… not my closet. You can’t fit in,” Mandy ran and stopped in front of him, trembling all over as she couldn’t imagine what Daniella would do to Michael once she set her eyes on him.Michael didn’t waste time before rushing to the bathroom door. But unfortunately, he slid on the ceramic tiled floor and before he could get back on his feet, the sound of the door opening echoed in the place.“Babe, I’m here,” Daniella peered her head into the exquisite modern bedroom and lifted her brows in surprise after seeing her friend jumping straight up in the air.Chuckling, Daniella set her foot into the room completely and the instant she did that, Mandy stopped what she was doing and rushed up to her.“Love of my life,” excitement lit up her whole face as she jumped on Daniella and deliberately spun her around so that her back would be facing Michae
Michael was now wearing his fear and panic in his features as kept swallowing his saliva.“It’s not what y-you are t-thinking, Daniella. Just allow me to explain myself t-this once, please” he tumbled out and then snapped his mouth shut when Daniella’s grip around his collar tightened further.“What do you want to explain? Tell me, I’m listening” she asked in a deceptive calm tone, holding him closer to her face.“Ella,” Mandy called out in a shaky breath, resting a hand on her shoulder.Michael swallowed tightly again and then opened his mouth to say something, “I-I-I truly_”The rest of the words died in his throat when Daniella raised her other fist and punched him on the cheek. He staggered on his feet powerlessly until his back was pressing against the wall, meaning there was no place left behind him.Without wasting time, Daniella rushed up to where he was but Mandy had confined her movement. She stood between the two people – backing the groaning Michael and facing the fuming
As if having an appalling day already wasn’t enough, the least of all Daniella had expected was catching the sight of another woman with her father.And to think that it wasn’t just any woman, it was the same woman her father had told her about – his freaking first love.Thinking of this, her hands clenched tighter that her nails were almost embedded into her palm but she didn’t realize it. Her entire body was just quavering and her jaw had gone numb from the way she’d locked it intensely.“Uhhmm,” Ivy cleared her throat before turning to face Liam. “I’ll take my leave now. We’ll talk later on the phone,” She let out quickly and then hurried toward the doorway where Daniella was still standing inflexibly with a look that made her want to do anything more than to run out of that place as quickly as possible.“Hi, dear,” she managed to let out with a friendly smile while she squeezed herself to pass through the little space left behind Daniella.Daniella didn’t reply to her amiable g
With an annoying shrilling sound, Daniella pulled into the student parking lot and took a very deep breath to rein over her nerves and anger before unfastening her seatbelt. “We are not going to think about him again, dear heart. We have to hold onto the little bit of pride we have left. Do you understand?” She lowered her head and caressed her chest through her clothing and then spoke softly. Just then, her eyes closed and her mind conjured up images of Liam undressing an unknown woman and was soon sucking on one of her nipples while his teeth gritted over it.Her eyes instantly flew open to reality and she cussed out loudly, “Damn it!” Then, she grabbed her small brown bag on the passenger seat and hurried out of the car as if staying a single more moment inside her car would compel her to change her mind and she would rush back home to meet her father.She was done locking the car door and was preparing to evacuate the place when a familiar voice suddenly called out her name fro
A smile broke upon Michael’s lips while he watched these two best friends embracing themselves affectionately as though they’ve been away from each other for years. The view was really fascinating to him. “I’m so sorry, Ella. Please forgive me,” Mandy kept repeating these words like a mantra into Daniella’s ear with more tears rushing down her face. “Shush,” Daniella patted her warmly in her arms, “That’s enough,” Soon, Mandy unlocked from the tight hug and looked into Daniella’s eyes carefully while touching her face. “I thought I’ve lost our friendship, Ella. I thought you’ll never want to talk to me again,” Her voice broke down along with another fresh wave of tears as she quickly smuggled herself into Daniella’s chest again as if she was going to disappear before her eyes. “A day without you in it is useless, Ella. Please don’t ever stay mad at me again. Michael is no longer my friend. I’ll choose you a million times over him, I promise. So please don’t leave me again, I beg
Daniella arrived back into the house and headed straight for the stairs and then to her parents’ bedroom. Upon getting there, she saw that her mother’s body was now tucked under the bed covers and serenity on her face as she slept so peacefully.But, the placid and lovely movement her father was doing to her mother made her heart constricted in pain.Liam was caressing Jessica’s hand in his without shifting his gaze from her face. Seeing this gesture, Daniella clenched her dress in her grasp tightly as if she wanted to rip it off her body. She couldn’t fight the welling of jealousy in her heart at that moment. “You can go back to work now, Dad. I’ll take care of her,” she enunciated in a soft voice. After battling to bring her temper under control for a few minutes and which she successfully did.“No, Ella. I want to be with her,” Liam retorted sharply, without even sparing Daniella a free glance. Then he extended his hand to Jessica’s forehead and removed the wisp of her hair and
Jessica dismounted the last stairway and glided in a classy manner to where Liam was waiting for them in the sitting room.“How do I look?”Liam’s eyes took in her dressing from bottom to up. She looked classy and dignified in her purple evening dress but the valuable and dazzling jewelry on her was even more eye-catching.“You look good, Jessica,” Liam admitted with a light smile gracing his handsome face.“Mmm, mmm,” Jessica beamed while she moved closer to stand beside him before they took their eyes toward the stairs and saw Daniella coming.“Aww, she’s here.” Jessica was smiling so big as she watched her only child with pure adoration. Meanwhile, Liam’s breath has left his body at that moment.His heart started racing and blood ran hot in his veins as something roared into his chest.She wore a black dress with an inspiring design that revealed her back. The two sides of the dress are divided – all the way extending to the waist and hip lines.Her fair back was exposed, exuding
“Yes, Ella. It’s me,”A wide grin split across Matthew’s cheeks as he lowered himself onto the nearby stool and dragged himself closer to Daniella.“Are you okay?” he asked, looking at her worriedly. Instead of responding, Daniella averted her gaze to the dance floor where her father and mother were holding each other and twirling romantically like every other couple there on the floor with them.Tears instantly blurred her eyes, clouding her throat and making it hard to speak. She felt like a huge rock had grown in her chest – her chest was that heavy.“Do you want us to step outside for a moment?” Matthew suggested after noticing the dejected expression on her face.He’d followed her line of gaze just now and saw Jessica and Liam dancing happily around the dim lights but he couldn’t understand why she looked so sad.With a nod of her head, she slid off the tall stool and wandered toward the back door – leaving Matthew to follow her who soon fell in steps with her. Matthew led her
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