"Oh, hi. Good morning" Arah was startled by the figure sitting at the breakfast nook. She thought she was alone. Since she got home from her dinner with Tim earlier, she hasn't even blinked and she wasn't aware Luther arrived home. It was past midnight and she got thirsty from trying to sleep so she went out to grab a drink. Clutching her silk robe in front, she faces him. Aside from her flimsy champagne-colored night dress beneath the thin robe, she wears nothing. With his presence, she feels naked. She hasn't mind being decent since she was not expecting to find him at home. Usually, he would spend the night at some hotel together with his 'takeout'. Luther is resting on the nook but looked up upon hearing her. "Good morning" though his voice is hoarse and slurry, he musters to greet her. "Rough night?" she playfully asks. Looking at him, he looks like a mess. She doubts if he is even sober. She got no response but a drunken chuckle."You rest now, Ther. It's almost morning"
After all the awkward incidence of their so-called marriage, they become more estranged. Avoiding each other. If there are instances they meet it would be fleeting. Like passing by each other while on the way to the office. Both are avoiding repeating the awkward incident in the kitchen a few weeks ago. Though they had set it aside and acted like it never happened, it already affected their affinity.Nonetheless, there are situations they need to be together like today. If not for the dinner banquet she needs to attend to heed Helen Steel's invitation, she won't be stepping inside the Steel Corporation building. But Helen is a dangerous adversary. Her coming days will not be in peace once she dares defy the old woman. Clad in a white long-sleeve soft chiffon blouse tucked inside her perfectly fit tailored cream trousers paired with three inches stiletto, she steps out of the elevator to the admiring gazes around. "Good day, Dr. Rechner" Greetings together with the rising tension f
"You got to be kidding me" though soft, she heard Tim mutter under his breathThey are having lunch after he had bombarded her for she doesn't know how long and eventually succeeded in taking her out of her clinic.But the relaxed meal they are looking forward to is disturbed by the arrival of the two figures, Luther and Claire.Their eyes met but no one initiated a greeting aside from the slight nod they shared. The two went straight to the table reserved for them. Claire looks like wanting to approach them upon seeing them, but Luther guided her away. "Such absurdity. A husband dating someone else in front of his wife" he chuckles while gently shaking his head. "What's between us is just a silly agreement, Tim. He doesn't owe me anything" casually, she counters. She is so tired of battling with herself that she almost felt numb. Luther cannot hurt her more than she is hurting now. She can no longer feel another pain topped to the excruciating pain she has been enduring since the
"To whom do I owe this visit, CEO Steel?" smiling, she playfully asks Luther after he got settled across from her. "Let's get a divorce" unceremoniously, he announces. Arah leans on her chair while intently looking at him. While their gazes lock, silence rules. She had actually expected it but it still hurts. The previous night during the dinner banquet at the company, Luther had made his point. Not only her but the entire family together with those who were present have seen that point. It was clear. And it become clearer to her yesterday when they met again during lunch. She was with Tim while Luther was with Claire. So she has been expecting him to ask for a divorce anytime but not this soon. She miscalculated. "Okay. Where's the document? I will sign it" she smiles and opens her hand to him.It's been a while since she agreed but Luther remains unmoving, staring at her. "No questions?" Luther snickers after a while of silence. "None. It was not part of my terms to ask the re
"So, you and Arah are now divorced?" Helen casually asks while they are having dinner at the mansion. "Yes," he responded with a casual nod. "What came into your mind marrying her just to escape me? Marriage is not a game, Luther!" exasperated, she angrily raves at him. "I can't believe Arah agreed to this dumb charade" she added. "She lost nothing from the agreement, mom. I didn't disturb her peace. Married or not, she goes on with her life as if I didn't exist. She is too busy to mind a husband, so the setup made no difference. We got married and divorced, that's it" he calmly counters."Then, I won't be bombarding you with the nonsense of settling down. I can't believe you had come up with the most absurd ideas to escape" after glaring at him, she rolls her eyes in annoyance. "Glad to hear that" he mumbles while he continues eating."I would love to see you get settled and I would be more delighted if it's Arah. But some things are not meant to be. Arah is a delicate gem and s
It's been weeks after the divorce and Luther had only sent Arah a copy of their divorce through his secretary, which she didn't mind. His occasional indifference is nothing new to her. They had been like it since they met eight years ago.With the freedom he reclaimed for himself, he was frequently seen with Claire. And as the famous and most eligible bachelor in the country, the news created uproar in all media portals. The two become the favorite topic as the perfect couple."Good day, Chairman Steel, President Steel" Claire greeted the couple one Sunday Luther brought her for family lunch."Good day, Miss Peterson" Helen greeted while remaining formal towards her.Timidly, she smiles at the matriarch and patriarch of the Steel family. Fidgeting on her feet, she turns to Luther who gave her assurance with his smile.Awkward silence ruled before it was disturbed by a loud chatter coming from the entrance. "You're still great at driving" Tim's voice echoed. "It's been long I haven't
Ara chooses to distance herself from any Steel. Even from Helen and Eric. Unfortunately, they are moving in the same circle, and meeting each other is inevitable. “Amara…” Helen’s voice tears her away from talking to some colleagues. Turning to its direction, a polite smile adorned her face.“Chairman Steel” though she had already expected the family’s attendance at the event she is still quite startled by their presence. And choosing to be polite and civil towards the couple earned her an arched snickering brow from the matriarch.The colleagues she has been talking to earlier graciously excused themselves upon the arrival of the intimidating Chairman and President of Steel Corporation. She understood them so well. Helen and Eric Steel’s presence is quite terrifying for common people.Ignoring Helen’s intimidation, she steps closer to greet her with a hug and a sincere smile. And like every mother, Helen receives her with a tender smile. They took their time, seeming to make up for
The entire time Jazz has been vocal about his admiration toward Arah, Tim has been shifting on his feet while the rest are quite amazed. Jazz is a great man. Aside from his family's wealth, he acquired his own. He is an established doctor and is starting to have a name as a surgeon. Going after Arah's affection is not an impossible quest for him now. He has been very vocal about his admiration since their university days. But Arah was too indifferent at that time. So he chooses to admire her from a distance. And tonight, Arah's interest in his playful antics is quite obvious. She is indulging him. And it will not be impossible that something could develop between the two doctors. Profound than what they had back then. "Believe me, Jazz. I'm the wrong person to ask for such a favor" shaking her head, she chuckles. "Believe it or not, you are the perfect person, Dr. Amara Rechner" he playfully persisted. While they seem to be in their own world, Helen and Eric have been exchanging
"You're such a menace! Wait until the CEO and Dr. Steel know about this. They will surely return you to the orphanage. Where you should belong!" "Enough and leave, Madame. You're scaring her" Zack, the head of security of Amari, grimly mutters while hugging the already crying girl. "How could you tolerate such behavior? Are you informing the CEO of her menace here in school? You should tell him so they would know how to deal with her. You are just conforming to the brat's whim" ignoring Zack, the woman continues. "She is a disgrace" with pure disdain, she declares. "Stop it, madame or I will throw you out" Zack angrily warns while trying to avoid Amari from hearing what the woman has been saying. They have an order not to intervene in any school dealings but Amari got into a fight with her classmate in primary two. Unfortunately, the mother was outside and the moment she knew of what happened to her daughter, she angrily confronted Amari. Zack and his men have to intervene af
"I heard he is a famous playboy abroad""No doubt about that. Look how gorgeous he is" "Can you see his package? Huge. That's heaven inside his black swimming shorts""I could imagine how he will fill me inside" dreamily, someone added."Not to mention the rumors about him being a billionaire""Yes, I've noticed several security around him when he arrives. He must be very rich""I need to be acquainted with him""I need to have him tonight. I can't let this moment pass without having that stunning man""But I've noticed a ring around his ring finger. Could he be married?" "I don't care if he is married. The hell I care about his wife. Anyways, she won't know I tasted her husband" snickering, the woman haughtily raves. "Men as gorgeous as him should not be kept for one woman alone. He should be shared""But the real battle is how you could approach him without being thrown away. A lot had already tried and they were not even halfway to him when security appears to stop them" with a
Flashback: Night of the graduation ball.Then...She never had thought that she will be having the man that every woman covets at the party. Before she and Tim left, he was with Stacey. And whatever the reason why he was in her room, she no longer wants to ponder deeply. He was drunk and he might have mistaken her for Stacey after he entered the wrong room. "You have mistaken me for Stacey" she whispers. It somehow hurt her but she tries to cast it aside. She doesn't want to ruin this night. So with a determined will, she let Luther Steel worship her body. The pleasure he is bestowing her is mind-blowing and all she could do is moan and grunt. Despite it being dark, she could imagine their act like it was being flashed in her very eyes. Luther, in between her slender legs, doing wonders that are making her writh in pure pleasure. While his hands are exploring her nakedness. Playing with her twin peaks. "Ahhn..." she lewdly moans, arching at the bliss of his relentless lips and t
Arah looks around the place that is very familiar to her. It has undergone some renovations but it's still the same place as she remembers. But she cannot understand why Tim ask at this time to talk to her. It was her wedding night and what was more surprising was when Luther let her come with his brother. Though he had a valid reason to make sure the children were settled at home before spending their wedding night away from home, something is not adding up. "What is this all about, Timmy?" chuckling, she asks the quiet man beside her. They are at the bar waiting for their drinks. "Don't overthink. I just want to spend time with my best friend. It's been a long time since we had this time alone" playful, he responded. "Yeah, we both got busy" quite guilty, she mumbles. These past months have been a mixture of setbacks and feats. "It's understandable. Your family is growing and you should prioritize them" he fondly smiles while she responded with the same fondness. "Thank you f
"Mama... "One word that made Arah gasp before bursting into tears. It was a softly spoken word but reached her ears. However, not only her heard the small voice. Luther's eyes widen in disbelief while his mother has the same predicament as Arah. Their eyes brimmed with tears as they all stare at the calm orbs staring at the bride. "My little dove...yes Amari, mama is here" cupping her face, she tenderly speaks to her daughter. "Mama..." And there it is again, making her laugh with pure happiness while tears freely stream down her face. Unconcerned about the light makeup she wears. "Yes, my little love" she quivers. "You're giving me the greatest gift on my wedding day, Amari" she happily exclaims while scooping her from Helen. Amari just look at her for a moment, seeming to be memorizing her face. And Arah let her while watching her gray orbs trailing her face with her calm gaze. They waited for her next word. Though Arah was already contented hearing her speak a single word.
Three months after she gave birth, Arah is now ready to walk the aisle with scattered rose petals.Her wedding day. The day she will officially be Mrs. Luther Steel.Wearing an all-white gemstone embellished wedding gown, she stands in front of the closed door that would lead her to the altar. A tearful smile carves her face upon hearing the wedding music from outside. And on the other side of the door, she knows her mother is waiting for her together with Riley. Riley will accompany their mother to walk her to the altar where Luther is already waiting. It was supposed to be her father but until this morning she got no confirmation from him.The thought of not having her dad on her wedding day made her heart heavy. But she can't allow her mood to be dampened. Taking several deep breaths, she calm herself and plastered a smile on her face. Trying to tear herself away from depressing thoughts, she slowly shakes her head and thinks of people who love her.Outside, Luther and their ent
"We cannot find anything about the child. The two adults with her are also unknown. They are not in any records. They may not be from here, sir. No relatives even friends" one of Luther's men reported. Arah looks at Luther, worry reflecting in her eyes. They are trying to help locate the relatives of the child she helped from the accident. It's been a month but no one visits her. Even the dead bodies of her parents remain unclaimed. The city has no choice but to just bury them in one of the public cemeteries. "We suspect they are illegal immigrants. We don't have a name for the three victims. We also find nothing in their belongings to help us with their identity" the man continues. "Then expand the investigation to other countries. I want to know where she came from. She can't be a Jane Doe. Somewhere, someone knows who they are" Luther dismissed. He doesn't like to be at a dead end. "Yes, sir. We will immediately report once we got any information. The team is moving now. Sir Ba
If the outside was magnificent, the inside is perfection.With uniformed maids lined on both sides of the entrance, they are welcomed by the head steward. Indeed, she feels like a queen even without a crown. Everything is pure grandeur. "Welcome home, Dr. Rechner. Young master, Zebastian"Fond smiles adorned everyone's faces while looking at the asleep baby in Luther Steel's arm."This is Roel, he manages the household staff" Luther introduce the man to Arah."Nice meeting you, Roel" smiling, she offers her hand, which he readily accepted."It's my great honor to serve your family, CEO Steel, Dr. Rechner" Roel sincerely responded.After their polite interaction, Roel introduces the fifteen household staff to the couple. People who will their family.Awed by the beauty of their new home, she continue to gawk with teary eyes."How long did it take to construct this?" she softly asks. He is curious about the timeframe. "The structural plan has been with me for years. The landscape ha
"Boss"George and Levy barge inside. Immediately, they found Luther on the bed looking disoriented and disheveled from sleep."Son, what's wrong?" Eric worriedly asks while closely following behind. His eyes furrowed upon seeing him in a state of disorientation.Even the medical team dashes inside to check out the commotion. "Arah? Where is Arah?" still disoriented, he raves in panic. He has been scorching the spot next to him, seeming to find something in space.But before anyone could respond the bathroom door opens."Ther? What's wrong?" Arah, who is supporting herself on the doorknob worriedly asks.All eyes turn in her direction and immediately, the medical team ran to help her. While Luther gapes at her in surprise, dumbfounded.George and Levy heave a sigh of relief upon seeing her. They are on guard for the possible danger that may come upon the couple though the place is highly secured. "What's wrong, Ther," she asks again after getting no response. Slowly, she was led bac