Chapter 57
“Where do you want to sleep? Your room before is still clean. I'm always telling Marie to clea—” “I'll sleep in the guest rooms,” I quickly said and cut him out. It's because I already saw a million of hopes and excitement from his eyes. There was happiness there and I hate to see that. How can I endure sleeping in a room where I cried a lot? To the same bed where I heard him fucking another woman to the next room in the middle of the night? I regret not listening to Brian when he told me not to leave earlier. If I only did what he told me to, I won't end up here now, having no choice at all. “Alright,” disappointment satiated his face, even his voice that saddened. A temporary silence filled the three of us. Marie was only eyeing the two of us. “There are clothes there that you can use,” he added. I just shattered his high hopes of me going back here. “I'll come with you,” Marie quickly said. If I know, she wants to come with me to ask questions and end her confusion. We both headed upstairs, leaving Elijah. In every step that I made as we went there, I remember nothing but every chaotic and darkest scene that happened between me and Elijah in every corner of this mansion. “Just ask,” I broke the ice between me and Marie. Even if she doesn't say it, I can feel that she has a lot of questions for me. “Where have you been for four years?” I was expecting that question already. That is the big question that the people have. “I mean, I'm updated on your company. It's still active, but the CEO suddenly vanished.” “I was in New York,” I replied. “I forbid my employees, and every person who knows where I am to reveal my location,” I had to threaten my employees just for them not to spread where I am. “What did you do all those years?” She looks really curious about what happened to me. But then, her question silenced me for a moment. “I fixed myself,” I lied. Was I fixed? No, I wasn't. I'm still shattered from inside and out. The wounds from that dark past are still here. I looked away and headed inside the guest room when I told her that. “How did you end up being with him tonight, then?” And I knew that she would ask that question again, too. “I was stubborn. Brian told me not to leave the hotel because of the typhoon and yet I didn't listen. I still worked and Elijah called me to the house that is under construction to show me the blueprint that Engr. Calvera h—” “Hold on,” she paused and tilted her head, processing everything that I said. “You have a house that is under construction and Sir Elijah is the Architect, am I right?” She was puzzled. “Uh huh,” “Why would you get him as your architect? I mean, he's your ex-husband,” of course, she wouldn't understand why I am doing this if she doesn't know my real motive. “I'm not here to have fun, Marie. I'm here to make them pay,” it took her a moment before absorbing everything and finding the missing blocks of the puzzle. “What do you mean?” “You know what I mean,” she knows it more than anyone else. “Now, if you don't mind, I'll get change and rest.” She nodded at me with her head still floating, processing everything. I found a white shirt inside the closet and a short that is unisex. I took a bath as well before changing my wet clothes. As soon as I finished changing, I grabbed my phone to call Lily. Her numerous missed calls showered my phone and I didn't answer it as my phone was silent. “Shit,” I bit my lower lip before I started ringing her. Two rings and she immediately answered it. I can picture how she looks right now. “Where the hell are you, Faith?! The typhoon is fucking here!” I shut my eyes firmly when she didn't let me speak anymore. “I…uh…” “What? Where are you? Are you safe? You should have listened to us!” “I’m in another hotel,” I bit my lower lip again, trying to sound normal over the phone. Lily is a keen woman. One wrong move and she notices everything. “What? Where is it? I will pick you up,” “No, no, don't do that, Lily. It's too dangerous. The typhoon is strong,” I went in front of the balcony to check everything and it was still the same. I think it worsened. “And you didn't think of that earlier? If you just listen to us this won't happen!” “Yeah, it's my fault.” My face crumpled a bit while she was giving me an earful lecture just like Bria. “Don't worry, I'll go back tomorrow when the typhoon is go—” “Faith,” My eyes widened immediately when Elijah barged inside the room. “Who the hell is that?” Lily asked after hearing his voice. “T-That? I-It’s just…uhm, from the hotel, you know.” I forced a chuckle. “Make sure to call me if something's wrong there, okay?” “Yeah, of course.” I ended the call immediately and faced Elijah who was only standing there in silence. “You didn't knock,” I said. “I actually did. Maybe you didn't hear that?” Did he knock? How can I not hear that? “Why are you here?” “The food is ready. Let's go downstairs to eat,” I heaved a sigh when I also saw Brian's missed calls and messages. They have been flooding my phone since earlier. “Sure,” I followed him out while I was typing a message to Brian, explaining to him that everything's fine and I am safe. Lily probably called him earlier as well, looking for me. “Is that Brian?” He asked when he noticed that I was busy on my phone. “Yeah,” I replied. “When is the typhoon leaving?” I don't watch the news, and that is the problem. If Lily and Brian didn't mention that there's a typhoon, I wouldn't know. “Tomorrow morning?” He shrugged. That means that I still have to stay here until tomorrow morning. It's a short time, but it feels like a long time for me. “Come on, let's eat.” “Are you with Brian?” I glanced at Marie when she asked that while pouring juice in my glass. I literally glued my eyes at her as I knew that she asked that intentionally. “Kind of,” I replied. I felt Elijah's eyes shift towards me when I said that. I pretended that I didn't feel that his presence didn't matter if I talked about Brian. “Was he with you when you left?” I was already sending threats to Marie but she's too damn good feigning ignorance to that. “Yeah,” I was still on the act as I pretended to eat normally as much as I could. Elijah couldn't stop from looking at me while he was all ears to our conversation. “Really? Then he knows everything about you already,” Marie chuckled while I couldn't act anymore. “How was he as a man?” That question from Elijah was what I didn't expect. I paused for a moment as I eyed him and pulled myself back together. He looked so damn serious. His tone was firm and he was acting normally while eating with me. “He's a very good man,” I replied. That is the truth. Brian is a good man who has been with me for four years. “He’s caring, respectful, and he's faithful to me.” I intentionally said that last word before I glanced at him. He froze from eating and that didn't escape my keen eyes. “He didn't look at anybody else?” Marie asked, riding my trip. “Not even once,” I smirked proudly while watching Elijah's reaction in secrecy. I was only telling the truth. “Well, then you should marry him in the fu—” My lips parted when the lights suddenly went out. The deafening sound of the lightning invaded our ears along with the strong sound of wind and rain outside. “Marie, get a flashlight.” I heard Elijah say as I remained in my seat. I couldn't see anything but darkness. I felt blind for a moment. “I’ll hel—shit!” I screamed aloud when I lost my balance and almost fell on the ground without me knowing. Before I could even do it, I felt a hand catch me immediately, supporting my back. My heart was racing until my brows met when I felt an icy breath hitting my face. “Elijah?” I mumbled. “Did he take care of you, Faith?” I heard his baritone voice. I couldn't see him, but I know that it was Elijah that is so near me right now. I can even feel his body on me. “Did he treat you better?” He asked again. I quickly pushed him and stood up beyond the darkness. “Are you okay?” Finally, a light appeared when Marie arrived with a flashlight, giving us both a spotlight. “He took care and treated me better,” I replied to Elijah's questions earlier. “Better than you,” I said firmly. itsclarixassChapter 58“Are you sure you're okay there? The lights are out already,” Brian said when he called me again a few minutes after the lights went out. I was in the living room as there are not enough flashlights that can be brought in our rooms. “Yeah. I'll go back tomorrow, I promise.” I was not in my proper mind yet. What happened earlier was still stuck in my head. “No. If you still can't, just stay there. What about food? How do you eat? Have you eaten?” I smirked when he showered me with all those questions, worried about me. “I am ordering in the hotel, don't worry.” “Alright. I'll see what I can do, too. Take care and update me, okay?” “Yeah, bye. Be safe,” I ended the call right after that. The typhoon is still going around. The light is out as well and there's no hope that it would come back easily. I don't even know what's happening outside already. “Is that Brian?” My eyes shifted at Marie who suddenly appeared while holding a flashlight. “Yeah, he's worried. I'm kinda
Chapter 59The typhoon destroyed nature and a lot of buildings around. The construction of my house continued and they still have to clean everything first before starting the building of the house. “What do you mean you want more?” Brian asked while we were having breakfast together in the hotel. “He's not yet struggling, Brian. I want to trample him on the ground until he cannot stand anymore and wear a freaking smile on his face,” what did he say? He will get me back? Then I will show him what I am capable of. “So, what do you want?” That's the big question now. Aside from making him struggle as he chases me, I want more than that. I want her to be torn inside and out and completely ruin his entire life.“I can find the women he fucked and brought to your house before,” Lily mentioned, which captured my attention in one snap. “Then what?” Brian asked. “Pay her and make her speak about the past. She has to tell the entire world how Elijah cheated on me,” I found a little sly sm
Chapter 60“My name is Melinda Ching, I don't even know if Elijah Luciero remembers my name,” she chuckled and smirked thinly. “Yeah, I was one of Elijah Luciero's women before. We used to fuck each other anywhere, until he one day brought me to his home and I found out that he's actually married to Faith Flamera, the famous fashion designer,” I crumpled both of my hands while the woman was now revealing everything to the people. I do not remember her anymore. How can I? Elijah brought ton of women in our house and they were fucking each other each night. “I asked my friends, and it turned out that some of them were one of her chicks as well. They told me that Elijah brought them home, too, and they met his wife. He was a cheater—yeah, you heard it right. I think it's the reason why his wife divorced her. Before, I was asking myself, ‘why the hell is she not dumping him when he's cheating right in front of her?’ She was the most martyr woman that I ever met in my life,” I was shiv
Chapter 61“We can move next week to my condo,” Lily mentioned while we are on our way to our businesses. I was the one driving with my head flying elsewhere. I just have to drop her off at the mall before I go to my company. “Okay,” I shortly replied, having no energy in my voice. The weather was gloomy, it makes me feel lazy to move and work today. “Are you sure you don't want to come with me and go shopping? You need this. Take time to unwind,” she has been asking me to come since last night. This is our usual way of decreasing stress, by spending our wealth in luxury things that we love. “How can I go there? I can't even visit my shop in the mall because of the issue,” I can't blame anyone. I was the one behind that exposure of the truth from our past. In my state right now, shopping wouldn't fix everything. “Well, you have a point,” she nodded and shook her head at the same time. I stopped the car in front of the mall for her. She could have used her car but she's being lazy
Chapter 62I was in awe. The image of my mother wearing that earring before was flashing back in my head. How can I forget her favorite earring to wear in every grand event that she attended in the past? My entire world was crumbling again and I couldn't pull myself back together. My palm was already filled with bruises because of my nails that bury everytime I clench my hands, just like right now. I was shivering right there and it felt like I'm going mad. “What do you want me to do?” The detective asked in front of me. I couldn't even touch the food that I bought. He was only eating in front of me comfortably, waiting for whatever I wanted to do. “The case is not closed right?” “Yeah. I can open it again and continue what I started if you want me to do that,” he shrugged; he's now giving me the authority to decide whether to continue the digging or not. “Do it, investigate the case. This time, I want it done.” A smirk played beside his lips. “I've been wanting to dig this up, y
Chapter 63“Where have you been last night? Sorry, I slept early. I didn't see you coming home,” Lily said while I was the one cooking our breakfast. I only stared at her for a moment. Just like what the detective said, I should not trust anyone until the culprit is caught. As of now, my mother is the biggest suspect that we have. But knowing that the culprit is around me, I felt like I cannot trust any of them. Who knows? The person behind this might be just playing under my nose for a long time. “Work? I work overtime,” I avoided her eyes and acted normal right in front of her. If it is not my mother, would it be Lily? Would she plan something cruel like that? I don't know. She has been my one and only best friend in my entire life. If it is her, I don't know what I can do, but I am sure that it would break me into a million pieces. Inside me, I was hoping that she is not the culprit. I hope she's innocent. “What else do you want? I really don't understand why you want triple sa
Chapter 64“I still fucking love you, Faith.” I felt betrayed. The worst is, I was fighting with myself. The moment Elijah said that, my heart began to race, which I didn't feel a long time ago. As far as I remember, the last time I felt the same was also because of him. I hate myself for feeling this strange feeling again. I could not move in my position as if my feet were glued on the floor. Our eyes were both stuck towards each other. His eyes were filled with sincerity. They were soft as before, which reminds me of how I was captivated by those eyes before—when everything was still fine, when our souls were not ripped yet. He was begging with those eyes. They were speaking to me, trying to make me believe how pure she is. “Trust me, I regret everything. Every day that you were away in four years, I couldn't stop thinking of you that I felt like going mad,” it was the first time that I listened. I have heard all those reasons from him ever since I arrived here. But right that m
Chapter 65I closed my eyes, trying to feel the same feeling I've felt towards Elijah. My lips were on his lips, and my hand even traveled on his neck. I moved my lips, still eager to make myself feel those strange feelings I used to have. But then, no matter how I tried, I felt nothing. It was not the same when I remember myself kissing Elijah. It was totally different. It was always strange, but I loved it. The soft kiss that would make my eyes close without me noticing. The silence, as if no one was around us. Our breaths hit each other's face. Our eyes together were filled with delight and unbeatable romance. His hands on my waist felt warm. It has always been like that. A very short kiss that feels like the longest one. I didn't feel any of that when I kissed Brian. We eyed each other and his eyes were satiated with delight, love and sincerity. I wore the same eyes before. But right now, my blank eyes remain—or perhaps, disappointed. I crumpled my hands as I faced Elijah who
Chapter 68“You have to leave today and come back tomorrow?” Lily asked while I was packing all my things. My secretary called me and just told me that I have an important meeting with an important client. The place would be just next to the city where we are, but it would still be a long trip. “Yup. I gotta go, that's a huge client.” I replied. I think this is better than staying with her. “It's our last day here in the hotel. Would you just like to head straight to my condo tomorrow?” I paused from packing my things when she mentioned that. I almost forgot about that already. I agreed to live with her before finding out about Freya's death. Lily has been with me all my life and I would always want to be with her eternally. “I don't think I can live there,” I was able to capture her eyes when I said that. She looks surprised and a bit confused. Well, we already agreed to live together in her condo. However, the situation is different now. I am in an extreme peril and she is one
Chapter 67 “Then I wouldn't mind killing people,” his eyes were glued to me the moment he said that. We exchanged tough stares together, and he was reading me like a damn book. I didn't back down as I was trying to examine every reaction from him. He wouldn't mind killing people? I suddenly remember how I found out that he has feelings for me. It was the day Elijah and Lucas fought that they almost killed each other. He had feelings for me and Lucas knew all my life that my parents didn't treat me right as they always had their eyes on Freya. “Really?” I asked, trying to catch him. The side of his lips moved and nodded. “Yeah, of course. I mean, that's how I love. I don't want my woman getting hurt,” Tension—that was what filled the entire room. It felt like there were only the two of us and Lily and Brian were not there at all. He remained looking at me and I didn't back down. But inside me, I was terrified. Not with the fact that he might hurt me, but the fact that if he's rea
Chapter 66“It's really them,” Elijah uttered while reviewing the documents that the detective brought. I was in awe, or perhaps in despair. My eyes were stuck in nowhere. I couldn't say a single word after he told us the new suspects. Lily and Lucas. They were both close in my heart. I have been with them my entire life and they have witnessed everything that I have been through. It's not just that, Freya is also their friend. We are all damn friends and yet one of them might be the culprit. “Now we have three suspects: your mother, Lily and Lucas.” The detective said while my entire world is already colliding. I wanted to prepare myself, but I couldn't. No matter who it is, it would surely shatter me to the point that I might not know how to stand up again. All my life, I thought we were not just friends but a family that I never had. “Only one of them is the suspect,” Elijah uttered, trying to crack the puzzle. “As of now, all I can do is to watch them closely. You should do t
Chapter 65I closed my eyes, trying to feel the same feeling I've felt towards Elijah. My lips were on his lips, and my hand even traveled on his neck. I moved my lips, still eager to make myself feel those strange feelings I used to have. But then, no matter how I tried, I felt nothing. It was not the same when I remember myself kissing Elijah. It was totally different. It was always strange, but I loved it. The soft kiss that would make my eyes close without me noticing. The silence, as if no one was around us. Our breaths hit each other's face. Our eyes together were filled with delight and unbeatable romance. His hands on my waist felt warm. It has always been like that. A very short kiss that feels like the longest one. I didn't feel any of that when I kissed Brian. We eyed each other and his eyes were satiated with delight, love and sincerity. I wore the same eyes before. But right now, my blank eyes remain—or perhaps, disappointed. I crumpled my hands as I faced Elijah who
Chapter 64“I still fucking love you, Faith.” I felt betrayed. The worst is, I was fighting with myself. The moment Elijah said that, my heart began to race, which I didn't feel a long time ago. As far as I remember, the last time I felt the same was also because of him. I hate myself for feeling this strange feeling again. I could not move in my position as if my feet were glued on the floor. Our eyes were both stuck towards each other. His eyes were filled with sincerity. They were soft as before, which reminds me of how I was captivated by those eyes before—when everything was still fine, when our souls were not ripped yet. He was begging with those eyes. They were speaking to me, trying to make me believe how pure she is. “Trust me, I regret everything. Every day that you were away in four years, I couldn't stop thinking of you that I felt like going mad,” it was the first time that I listened. I have heard all those reasons from him ever since I arrived here. But right that m
Chapter 63“Where have you been last night? Sorry, I slept early. I didn't see you coming home,” Lily said while I was the one cooking our breakfast. I only stared at her for a moment. Just like what the detective said, I should not trust anyone until the culprit is caught. As of now, my mother is the biggest suspect that we have. But knowing that the culprit is around me, I felt like I cannot trust any of them. Who knows? The person behind this might be just playing under my nose for a long time. “Work? I work overtime,” I avoided her eyes and acted normal right in front of her. If it is not my mother, would it be Lily? Would she plan something cruel like that? I don't know. She has been my one and only best friend in my entire life. If it is her, I don't know what I can do, but I am sure that it would break me into a million pieces. Inside me, I was hoping that she is not the culprit. I hope she's innocent. “What else do you want? I really don't understand why you want triple sa
Chapter 62I was in awe. The image of my mother wearing that earring before was flashing back in my head. How can I forget her favorite earring to wear in every grand event that she attended in the past? My entire world was crumbling again and I couldn't pull myself back together. My palm was already filled with bruises because of my nails that bury everytime I clench my hands, just like right now. I was shivering right there and it felt like I'm going mad. “What do you want me to do?” The detective asked in front of me. I couldn't even touch the food that I bought. He was only eating in front of me comfortably, waiting for whatever I wanted to do. “The case is not closed right?” “Yeah. I can open it again and continue what I started if you want me to do that,” he shrugged; he's now giving me the authority to decide whether to continue the digging or not. “Do it, investigate the case. This time, I want it done.” A smirk played beside his lips. “I've been wanting to dig this up, y
Chapter 61“We can move next week to my condo,” Lily mentioned while we are on our way to our businesses. I was the one driving with my head flying elsewhere. I just have to drop her off at the mall before I go to my company. “Okay,” I shortly replied, having no energy in my voice. The weather was gloomy, it makes me feel lazy to move and work today. “Are you sure you don't want to come with me and go shopping? You need this. Take time to unwind,” she has been asking me to come since last night. This is our usual way of decreasing stress, by spending our wealth in luxury things that we love. “How can I go there? I can't even visit my shop in the mall because of the issue,” I can't blame anyone. I was the one behind that exposure of the truth from our past. In my state right now, shopping wouldn't fix everything. “Well, you have a point,” she nodded and shook her head at the same time. I stopped the car in front of the mall for her. She could have used her car but she's being lazy
Chapter 60“My name is Melinda Ching, I don't even know if Elijah Luciero remembers my name,” she chuckled and smirked thinly. “Yeah, I was one of Elijah Luciero's women before. We used to fuck each other anywhere, until he one day brought me to his home and I found out that he's actually married to Faith Flamera, the famous fashion designer,” I crumpled both of my hands while the woman was now revealing everything to the people. I do not remember her anymore. How can I? Elijah brought ton of women in our house and they were fucking each other each night. “I asked my friends, and it turned out that some of them were one of her chicks as well. They told me that Elijah brought them home, too, and they met his wife. He was a cheater—yeah, you heard it right. I think it's the reason why his wife divorced her. Before, I was asking myself, ‘why the hell is she not dumping him when he's cheating right in front of her?’ She was the most martyr woman that I ever met in my life,” I was shiv