As I was about to leave Raphael's office, he suddenly looked up at me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Delilah, I've got another task for you."I felt a sense of trepidation, wondering what new absurdity he had in store for me. "Yes, sir?"Raphael leaned forward, a sly smile spreading across his face. "I want you to count the number of grains of sand in the vase on my desk."I stared at him, my eyes widening in incredulity. "The number of grains of sand, sir?"Raphael nodded, his expression completely serious. "Yes, that's right. I need to know the exact number of grains of sand in that vase."I felt my mind reeling, trying to comprehend the sheer impossibility of the task. "But, sir, that's...that's impossible. There must be thousands, tens of thousands, of grains of sand in that vase."Raphael shrugged, his smile unwavering. "I'm sure it's a manageable task, Delilah. You're a very capable person, after all."I felt a surge of frustration, mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism
Raphael's voice broke the silence, his words sending a shiver down my spine. "You know, Delilah, your eyes are truly beautiful. They sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight."I felt a sudden jolt, a flash of memory that took me back to a time when Raphael had said the same thing to me. I remembered the way he had looked at me, the way he had made me feel like I was the only person in the world.But that was before. Before he had lost his memories of me. Before everything had changed.I tried to hold it in, but the emotions were too much. I felt a lump form in my throat, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.Raphael's expression changed from one of admiration to one of shock. He took a step back, his eyes wide with concern. "Delilah, what's wrong? What did I do?"But I couldn't speak. I was crying too hard, the sobs wracking my body. I felt like a little child, helpless and vulnerable.Raphael looked like he didn't know what to do. He took another step back, his eyes d
I decided to head to the kitchen to help out with lunch preparations. As I walked in, I was greeted by the warm smile of Betty."Ah, Delilah, perfect timing! We could use an extra pair of hands."I nodded and began to help with the chopping and prep work. As we worked, the kitchen staff couldn't help but talk about Raphael's outburst earlier."I've never seen him like that before," said one of the kitchen maids. "He's always so calm and collected.""I know, it's like he's been bottling everything up inside," added Betty. "I just hope he's okay."The other kitchen staff nodded in agreement, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. What was going on with Raphael? And why was he keeping it a secret?As we continued to work, the conversation turned to speculation about Raphael's past. "I've heard he was in some kind of accident," said one of the kitchen staff. "That's why he's been acting so strangely.""I don't know about that," said Betty, "but I do know that he's been seeing a l
As we walked back to the hacienda, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. Raphael and I walked in comfortable silence, our footsteps matching each other's stride for stride.As we approached the hacienda, I could see that everyone was waiting for us, their faces etched with worry and concern. They had been searching for Raphael everywhere, and they were relieved to see him safe and sound.But as we stepped into the courtyard, a sudden commotion broke out. A woman appeared out of nowhere, her eyes fixed intently on Raphael. She was tall and slender, with long, curly brown hair and piercing green eyes. She was dressed in a elegant white dress, and she carried herself with confidence and poise.Everyone was taken aback by her sudden appearance, and they stared at her in confusion. Who was this woman, and what did she want with Raphael?Raphael himself looked like he had been punched in the gut. He stared at the woman, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.
I stood in front of Raphael's desk, silently staring at him as he sat in his chair, his eyes fixed on me. I was waiting for him to give me a task, but instead, he dropped a bombshell that left me reeling."I don't trust her," he said, his voice low and serious. "Riezel, I mean. She seems...off. I don't feel anything when I'm around her, and I don't believe what she's telling me."I was taken aback by his words. I had expected him to be happy to see Riezel, to be grateful to have her back in his life. But instead, he seemed suspicious of her, and it made me wonder what was really going on.Raphael laughed, a low, husky sound that made me feel...at ease. It was strange, because I didn't understand why his laughter would make me feel comfortable. But it did, and I found myself relaxing in his presence."I don't like her," he said, his eyes never leaving mine. "You're my type of girl, Delilah. You're the one I feel comfortable around, not her."I felt a surge of surprise at his words. He
I stood at the back of the dining room, watching the family gather around the table. Raphael, Claus, Riezel, and their parents were all seated, enjoying their dinner. I was standing with the other housemaids, trying to blend into the background.But my eyes were fixed on Raphael, who was sitting at the head of the table. He seemed to be in a particularly mischievous mood, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.Suddenly, Riezel stood up and walked over to the buffet table. She picked up a glass of apple juice and walked back to the table, placing the glass beside Raphael.But before she could even sit back down, Raphael picked up the glass and handed it to Claus. "Here, brother, I think you'll enjoy this more than I will," he said with a smile.Claus looked shocked, and Riezel's face fell. "But...but I got this for you," she stammered.Raphael just chuckled. "Oh, I'm sorry, Riezel. I don't really like apple juice anymore. I prefer orange juice now. And besides, Claus here is
I was standing in the hallway, waiting for further instructions, when Mrs. Montenegro approached me. "Delilah, dear, could you please get a glass of water and deliver it to Riezel's room?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.I nodded and hurried off to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. I returned to Riezel's room, knocked softly on the door, and entered when she bid me to.Riezel was sitting on the bed, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. I placed the glass of water beside her and said, "Mrs. Montenegro was concerned about you, miss. She wanted me to bring you some water."Riezel nodded, her eyes welling up with tears again. But then, to my surprise, she reached out and grasped my arm. "Can I ask you something? What's your name?" she said, her voice low and urgent.I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But Riezel's eyes were pleading, and I couldn't bring myself to refuse her. "My name is Delilah, miss." I said, trying to sound neutral.Riezel's grip on my arm tightened. "I've not
Riezel pulled me along, her hand grasping mine tightly as we approached Raphael. "So, Raphael, what do you think?" she asked, her voice bright and cheerful. "Doesn't Delilah look lovely?"Raphael's expression was less than impressed. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes scanning me from head to toe before responding. "She looks...fine, I suppose," he said, his voice neutral.But I saw something in his eyes that belied his words. A flicker of surprise, of admiration, that he quickly suppressed. I felt a flutter in my chest as I realized that he was affected by my appearance, even if he didn't want to admit it.Riezel, however, seemed to sense that something was off. She looked at Raphael, her eyes searching for something, and then her face fell. She saw the lie in his eyes, the disconnect between his words and his true feelings.But instead of confronting him, she did something that caught me completely off guard. She stepped forward, her eyes locked on Raphael's, and quickly snatched a kiss
As we stepped off the plane in New Zealand, I could feel the weight of our past tragedies slowly lifting off our shoulders. The crisp, clean air and the stunning natural beauty of the country seemed to envelop us in a sense of peace and tranquility.Raphael and I had decided to take a vacation to New Zealand to refresh our minds and hearts. We wanted to leave behind the memories of the past and start anew, and what better way to do that than in one of the most beautiful countries in the world?We spent our first few days in Auckland, exploring the city and its surroundings. We visited the iconic Sky Tower, where we took in breathtaking views of the city and harbor. We also walked along the waterfront, enjoying the street performers and food vendors.But it was when we left Auckland and started exploring the rest of the country that our vacation really began to take off. We rented a car and drove to Rotorua, where we spent a day exploring the geothermal wonders of Wai-O-Tapu. We marvel
Riezel's voice was tearful as she asked Raphael, "Do you still love Delilah? Even though she's changed her name, even though her face is not the same? Does your heart still beat for her?" Raphael's eyes never left mine as he looked down and nodded without hesitation. It was as if he was confirming his love for me, no matter what name I went by or what I looked like. Riezel's face contorted in agony as she broke down into tears. Her body shook with sobs, and her voice was barely audible as she asked Raphael again, "Did you ever love me? Did you ever care for me? Did your heart ever beat for me?" Raphael remained silent, his eyes still fixed on me. He didn't even glance at Riezel, and his silence was deafening. Riezel's tears continued to flow as she begged Raphael to answer her. But he just shook his head and said, "It's all my fault, Riezel. If there's anyone you need to punish, it's me, not Ava." Raphael took a step forward, his eyes locked on Riezel's. "I'll take the blame for
As I slowly opened my eyes, I was met with the familiar sight of the Montenegro hacienda's bedroom. I was lying on the bed, my head pounding with a dull ache. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to lie back down.As I looked around the room, I realized that I was alone. There was no sign of Claus, no sign of anyone. I tried to call out for help, but my voice was hoarse and barely audible.I struggled to get out of bed, my legs shaking beneath me. I stumbled to the door and began to pound on it, calling out for someone to help me. But there was no response.I pounded on the door for what felt like hours, but no one came. I was starting to get desperate, starting to feel like I was trapped.And then I remembered the staff. They must have been instructed not to help me. Claus must have told them to leave me alone.I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I was trapped, alone and helpless. I slid to the floor, tears streaming down my face.Raphael. Oh, Raph
As Raphael drove the car, I sat beside him, feeling worried and scared. The events of the party were still fresh in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.Raphael glanced at me, concern etched on his face. He saw the paleness of my skin, the shock still evident in my eyes. He reached out and held my hands tightly, trying to reassure me that he was there for me, that I wasn't alone."Where are we going?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Raphael smiled softly. "Somewhere no one will find us," he said. "Just rest, Ava. You need it right now."I tried to lean back and rest my eyes, but my mind was racing. I couldn't forget what I had witnessed at the party. The image of Markus's lifeless body, the sound of Riezel's screams, it all kept replaying in my mind.As I drifted off to sleep, I had a nightmare. The party was repeating itself in my mind, and I was reliving the horror all over again.When I woke up, gasping for breath, I found myself in an unfamiliar room.
I sat in the dimly lit room, my heart racing as I recounted every detail of my conversation with Markus to Claus. He listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information.When I finished, Claus leaned back in his chair, a calculating look on his face. "We need to make Markus silence," he said, his voice low and menacing.I felt a shiver run down my spine as I heard his words. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.Claus didn't answer me directly. Instead, he leaned forward, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "Let's just say that I have ways of dealing with people who become a problem," he said, his voice dripping with malice.I felt a wave of fear wash over me as I realized what Claus was suggesting. "You're not going to try to kill him, are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Claus didn't answer me. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, a cold smile spreading across his face. "Let's just focus on our goal, Ava," he said. "If I find
As I walked into the bathroom, I didn't expect to see Riezel waiting for me. But there she was, her eyes blazing with anger and hatred. She pushed me against the wall, her hands closing around my neck like a vice.I struggled to breathe, but Riezel just leaned in closer, her face twisted in a snarl. She was enjoying this, enjoying the power she had over me. She was going to kill me, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it.But then, something inside me snapped. I started to giggle, and then I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. Riezel's eyes widened in surprise, and she backed away from me, looking at me like I was crazy.And maybe I was. Maybe I had finally lost my mind after everything I had been through. But I didn't care. I was beyond caring.Riezel's voice was shaking as she asked me, "What's your relationship with my husband?"But I just smiled, a cold, calculating smile. I tied my long hair back, and then I started to walk towards Riezel, step by step.I didn't answer her q
As I walked into my condominium, I couldn't shake off the feeling of anger and resentment that had been building up inside me. I hurriedly made my way to my secret room, my heart racing with anticipation. And as I opened the door, I was met with a surprise that made my blood boil.Claus was sitting in my chair, a look of calmness on his face. But as soon as he saw me, he turned around, a hint of surprise in his eyes. I didn't give him time to react, though. I immediately grabbed him by the collar, my fingers digging deep into his skin."What did you tell Raphael?" I demanded, my voice low and menacing. "What lies did you and Riezel tell him to make him break into pieces like that?"Claus looked at me, confusion etched on his face. "Ava, I don't know what you're talking about," he said, trying to calm me down.But I wasn't having it. I pushed him away, my hands shaking with anger. "Don't lie to me, Claus," I spat. "I know all about it. Raphael told me everything."Claus looked at me, s
As the sunset approached, Raphael and I settled into the sand, his arms wrapped around me, holding me close. The sky was painted with hues of pink, orange, and purple, a breathtaking sight that seemed to match the emotions swirling inside me.As we sat there, watching the sun dip below the horizon, I felt a sense of sentimental wash over me. I couldn't help but think about the journey I had taken to get to this moment, to be back in Raphael's arms. All the pain, the heartache, the struggles – it had all been worth it, because in the end, I had found my way back to him.But as I gazed into his eyes, I couldn't help but wonder – if he knew everything, would he still love me? Would he still accept me, flaws and all? Or would he turn away, horrified by the secrets I had kept hidden for so long?I stared at him, lost in thought, and Raphael noticed. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?"I hesitated, unsure of how to an
As we finished our meal at the restaurant, Raphael suggested that we head to a nearby hotel to continue our conversation in private. I agreed, and we hailed a taxi to take us to the hotel.As we rode in the taxi, Raphael's hand brushed against mine, sending a spark of electricity through my body. I turned to him, our eyes locking in a gaze that seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words.When we arrived at the hotel, Raphael paid the taxi driver and we stepped out onto the sidewalk. The cool evening air was filled with the sounds of the city, but all I could focus on was the man standing beside me.We walked into the hotel lobby, and Raphael approached the front desk to check us in. I stood beside him, my arm brushing against his as we waited for the receptionist to hand over our room key.As we made our way to the elevator, Raphael's hand found its way to the small of my back, his touch sending shivers down my spine. I leaned into him, my head tilting up to meet his gaze.The elevator