Chapter 20“Lucas, can you please just listen to me first?!” I began to chase my breathing as I blocked Lucas. We are already outside the building of my company. He was taking his huge steps earlier that I had to chase him down. “Stop trying to cover him up, Faith. I'm so done with this,” his baritone voice was firm and sharp that goes along with his eyes right now. My heart was pounding so swiftly while I was doing everything I could to stop him. “You have to calm down, Lucas. It's still Elijah. He was still a friend to us,” “A friend?” Lucas laughed so loud, as if what Lily said was the funniest joke he has ever heard. “Do you hear yourself, Lily?!” He paused to take a heavy breath. I know that Lucas was holding himself back in front of us. The blazing anger from his eyes couldn't be hidden anymore. However, I also see agony along with that madness he currently feels. He's mad because a friend that we had who became my husband is laying his hands on me and Lucas couldn't do a
Chapter 21“Lucas,” Lily tried to call him. We both watched him leave with his car while the three of us remained under the rain until Elijah left and went back inside the house. “Let's give up here, Faith.” Lily said, which captured my attention. Beyond the rain, I realized that it cannot hide the tears of people even under the rain. Right there, while I was glancing at Lily, her tears were visible enough for me to see. Her eyes still speak of her agony and the undefeatable melancholy. “W-What?” A tiny smile flashed beside her lips. I heard her sob, until she held my hand together. “It’s over, Faith. There's no hope that we can all go back together as if nothing happened. Besides, you're already with Elijah and Freya is dead. Everything changed and we have to accept that, Faith.” Her voice shattered. We were both crying under the rain. Isn't it funny? She told me to accept it, but in front of me, she couldn't accept it herself, too. “We're all wrecked because of each other. May
Chapter 22“When are you coming back?” Marie asked after they brought my things and my luggage in the living room. My flight is in the afternoon, 12 pm. It's still a bit early, but I have to go to the airport now because it's a bit far from here. “It's for a week. The event is on Friday. We're gonna use Monday to Thursday to explore there and prepare, of course.” I explained while I was already updating my employees that I am on my way there. They were all updating as well on our group chats. “Ms. Faith, should we bring your things in the car now?” The driver asked. “Yeah, sure. Thanks,” my phone rang as soon as they started getting all my things. It was Brian, who's calling. “Hello, Brian? Are you on your way to the airport?” I asked immediately. He's one of the important models we do have. He would definitely pull a lot of sales to my summer collection. “Sir Elijah, the food is ready. Ms. Faith wouldn't be able to join you because she's already leaving for her flight,” my eyes
Chapter 23“Are you sure you're leaving today? You might cancel your flight again,” Marie said while helping me to bring all my things downstairs. Our driver helped us from the stairs as well. “I can't cancel my flight anymore, Marie. I have to watch the practice on the runway before the actual event,” I mentioned as I sighed heavily. “Don't worry. If Sir Elijah is still sick, we'll be the one to take care of him.” Marie assured without having any idea about what's going on.“No need for that,” both of us looked behind and saw Elijah with some of our guards carrying his things out. I found myself wearing a smile once again after seeing him wearing the same smile I used to love even before. “Are you leaving, too? Do you have a business trip?” Marie asked with confusion. I looked down for a moment to hold myself back from laughing at Marie's reaction. “I'm coming with her,” Elijah replied, which made her jaw drop to the floor. “Are you really going there with him?” She whispered
Chapter 24“The Luciero firm? He owns it, right?” “Ssshhh. Yeah, he's damn famous and a billionaire.”“So? Ms. Faith is also a billionaire,”“But I heard he was Ms. Freya’s ex lover, Ms. Faith’s dead sister.“Really? How did they get married, then? Are you telling me that she stole her sister's lover?” “I didn't,” I uttered. Their eyes widened immediately when I joined them at the buffet to get my own food. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw how they all froze as if they already foresee losing their job just because I caught them sticking their noses in my life. “M-Ms. Faith,” she gulped. I don't know her name, but she's probably in the finance team. “Let's just say that it was an arranged marriage,” I mentioned. I heard one of them gasps, as if he wasn't expecting that but at least, they have got their answer. “Aren't you comfortable with him? He asked me to tag along,” I acted normal so they would not feel anxious with what happened. “N-No, of course not.” I kept my tiny
Chapter 25The next morning was filled with extreme bliss already. I woke up witnessing the sun from our room, hitting us already on the bed, and with Elijah Luciero beside me. He slept with no shirt and he was only wearing his boxer. In front of our bed is the glass window, where we can see everything in the sky and downstairs if we go closer. The huge curtains are widely opened. It seems like I forgot to close it last night. For the first time in our marriage, I woke up in the morning without swollen eyes and with a lovely smile as I watched Elijah sleep. His arm was on my stomach while he was facing me sideways. I took that moment to examine his face closer. Nothing changed at all. He's still as handsome as before. I remember before how many girls were dying to talk with him. He was a heartthrob on our campus. A lot of students envied me, Freya and Lily to be friends with Elijah, and of course, Lucas. They were both heartthrobs during those days. The change and twist of our fates
Chapter 26“Is he okay now?” I asked my secretary when they all brought Brian back to his room. I was only outside the hotel room, waiting. Brian indeed created a scene there. His manager struggled to talk with the other people who took a video of him. He's a popular model who is still famous in the Philippines. If his video had spread earlier, we'd both be dead. My name will be dragged as well. Even Elijah's name will be included as I already carry his name with me. Faith Flamera-Luciero. It just sinks into me now. “He’s sleeping. We found out that he drank tons of alcohol in the club here,” she blew out a light sigh, in distress of the mess Brian created. “I deeply apologize for this mess, Ms. Faith. He has never been like this, I was surprised, too.” His manager said, ashamed of Brian's sudden action. “It's fine. Let's just skip his photoshoot for now and focus on the other models,” I suggested. That's the only thing we can do. He was not in his right mind yet to do the photos
Chapter 27“Shot! Shot! Shot!” I quickly grabbed the glass with bravery while they were all shouting. I shut my eyes firmly when I felt the extreme bitterness of alcohol that traveled down in my throat. “Woahhh! Let's get wasted!” I shook my head when my secretary said that aloud. We are all having fun already. Eating good food here in Siargao and drinking endless alcohol after the wine that we drank earlier. “Hey, you will be drunk later if you don't stop.” Elijah said when I was about to drink another bottle of the beer. Well, I can just smell the reek of alcohol from all of us. I'm becoming a bit dizzy, but I am still into myself. “My alcohol tolerance is strong,” I said and winked at him before I stole back the beer from him. “I doubt that,” he commented and shook his head, underestimating me. “It's true,” I said. “We'll see about that, Mrs. Luciero.” He indeed shut me up with those simple words. It was the first time I heard him calling me ‘Mrs. Luciero’. Damn. I got lo
Epilogue2 years later…“Levi?” My brows were crossed when my secretary, Elise, said that. “Yes, Ms. Faith. The boy said that he needs you right now,” now, my brows just arched. This is a deja vu to me. Levi always calls me when he is in trouble. I shook my head before I stood up from my swivel chair, grabbed my coat and keys, before I leave. “Alright. I'll continue the work tomorrow. You go home early if you want, Elise.” I smiled at her before I marched out of my office. It's been two years since the chaos in our lives finally ended. After that night, justice was served to my mother, Freya, and to Marie who was raped and harrassed. Though she underwent therapy for a year with all the traumas, but right now, she's living her life. Just like what I promised, I am paying for her education. “Where are you, baby?” Elijah asked over the phone with his husky voice.“Stop seducing me,” I mumbled and chuckled. I parked my car at the University where Levi is studying before I came insid
Chapter 107 “You know what, I sometimes think that you're friends with God,” Joaquin chuckled unbelievably. “No matter how we tried to kill you, you always survive. You even tried killing yourself and yet you're still alive,” he added. He stood up as he hid his hands inside his pockets. “But not today, Faith… you're gonna die now, and I'll make sure of that.” Am I gonna die here? Is this the reason why I couldn't die when I asked multiple times to die? Only to be killed by these two psychos? “I'm not scared of death, Joaquin.” The side of my lips curled up. He can threaten me with all things, but not with death. “Why do you think I attempted suice countless times? Death, that's what I want. And if you will kill me today, then I shall be grateful because you will fulfill a wish of mine,” I might die here, but who cares? I kept asking for this, and maybe the God above is finally granting my wish. Perhaps, this is where my life ends—where all the pain ends. If my death would end
Chapter 106 Elijah's POV “Can you fucking sit, Elijah?! You're not helping!” Lily exclaimed. I kept walking repeatedly right in front of them. Faith left earlier and until now, she's not yet coming back. It's already dark, for god's sake! “Bro, maybe she's just taking a long time dealing with that ass. Calm yourself down,” Lucas commented. “She's not answering my calls,” I already called her so many times and she didn't answer. It was only ringing but she wasn't answering it. “Well, perhaps she's still with the client,” Brian said and shrugged. “Her secretary cannot be reached,” Lily mentioned. She already looks frustrated as well. “I don't feel good about this,” her father said. I could tell that he's already overthinking right now. “They are here,” Horan said from the veranda. I was the one who quickly went out of the living room to see Faith with my own eyes. I was kinda able to breathe in relief. “See? I told you, she's fine.” Lucas said and let out a chuckle.However, w
Chapter 105 “AHHHHH!” I screamed all my rage as I threw the furniture on the screen as the detective bid a goodbye to us. I was shaking in anger. I didn't stop from throwing the furniture around, trying to lessen my pain and hatred. “HE'S A FUCKING BASTARD! HE KILLED FREYA AND MY MOTHER!” I yelled as I ignored the tears that were dripping down on my face. I feel like all the pain and rage that I felt since the death of Freya was gathered inside me. “Faith, stop!” Elijah was so strong that he was able to capture me in his arms, refraining me from throwing another piece of furniture on the ground. As I met his eyes, I felt like I came back to my senses. And there I was, feeling feeble once again. My tears invaded my eyes until my knees folded on the ground. I let go of the furniture from my grasp and began to cry a river. None of them dared to approach me. Only Elijah was able to come near me. I feel so miserable. That bastard ruined my life the moment he tried killing me and F
Chapter 104 Elijah and I were left standing there as we both watched the detective leave. A minute later, I saw Lucas who came back inside our car earlier. “He's calling,” Elijah said as his phone rang and I saw Horan calling. “He left,” Elijah uttered over the phone. “Stay there. Adrian is activating the tracking device,” Horan said on the line. The call was loudspeaker. “I'm sorry for what happened. I'm gonna clean this,” a real waiter came to us and immediately cleaned the mess that we purposely created in order to plant the tracking device for the detective. When the waiter finished cleaning the mess, the device was finally activated. “It's working. You can now leave, the detective is back at the station.” I was able to finally breathe when he said that. All my worries fade away in one snap. “Thank God,” I muttered. The strength I pulled in earlier vanished my body. Now, I felt weak after acting tough in front of the detective. “We should go now,” Elijah said as he quick
Chapter 103“Are you sure you can do this?” Elijah asked the next day. Today, we're going to do the plan that we talked about yesterday. I would not deny that I feel nervous. How can't I? The detective was sharp. If he is really the culprit, then he would anticipate everything that we could do. I can't mess this up, we can't. If we succeed with this mission, we will have a chance to finally find Marie. “Of course,” I said. I gave all my best to hide my fear in front of him. I knew that if he saw how terrified I was, he would not let me do the mission. “Don't worry about me, Elijah. We have to do this in order to save Marie,” I said as I fixed his collar. I chose to look at it rather than cross his gaze that was stuck at me. I didn't want him to catch my real emotions. “This is not just to save Marie, this is also to end this war,” he added, followed by his heavy sigh as he sat on the bed, looking frustrated and bothered. He's worried, I could tell that in one glance. He doesn't
Chapter 102 “It's not his real voice,” Adrian said while he kept repeating the voice of the culprit. I was able to record it during the call and from the video he sent. I heard Lucas chuckled. “This bastard is really smart. He's not gonna let us find out so easily who he is,” “What do we do?” I asked. “I have a plan,” we all stopped when Detective Horan arrived with some of his men following him inside. They all looked exhausted but they are still doing their job to find Marie. Lily whistled. “Interesting. Let's talk about it,” “You should take a rest for a while. There's food in the dining room. You guys should eat first,” I might be so eager and in a hurry to find Marie as soon as possible, but I also care for their health. In order for them to look for Marie, they must have enough strength to do so. We let everyone rest for the meantime. Elijah and I went to our room just to spend some of our time together. We were back on the bed, cuddling, while staring at the empty ceilin
Chapter 101 With the days passed and we still had nothing to find Marie, I tried distracting myself for my own sake. But it is just really hard to do that, especially that I see all of them working so hard to look for her. “It's good to sit here early in the morning while drinking coffee,” Lily muttered. It's 6 am and we are both on the veranda, watching the peaceful view of the garden in front of us. There was still fog that covered the place a bit and I could still feel the cold that naturally comes every morning. There were no people working to find Marie yet. Well, this day is just about to begin. “Well, you're drinking milk.” I reminded her and we both chuckled with that. She was caressing her belly, which is already huge now. The aroma of my coffee is filling the entire veranda. I do love mornings like this, but I will love it more if Marie isn't in the hands of the culprit. I don't know what will happen today, but I hope we can find something that will lead us to Marie.
Chapter 100After the video was sent to us, I hired more people to look for Marie. Detective Horan didn't let his guards down, too. His entire team is working their fingers to the bone to find Marie. The video that we watched kept playing in my head. That bastard punched Marie and it crumpled my chest all the time. She did nothing wrong in life to deserve things like this. “I should have just come with her,” I said with so many regrets. I should have just disregarded my meetings so I could be with her. If I didn't let her enroll by herself, she would not be in that culprit’s hand. She would not experience that kind of thing in her life.“It happened for a reason,” Elijah said while holding my hand. We are outside the clinic of my Psychiatrist. I am here for another check up and I would not be surprised if she says that I am not getting any better. I have been stressed with everything and I could not even make a good sleep. “What reason?” I glanced at him bitterly.I don't see any