Chapter 18Rhian POVA week had passed, and Mom reminded me that I needed to go to the company to attend a board meeting. A company had been hit hard by the storm, and many employees were affected, so I quickly came up with a good way to address their needs.Even though I was nervous, I still had to be strong for the people who were relying on help from the company. While on the road, I could think freely without worrying because Dad and Mom hired a driver so I wouldn't get tired from driving. Suddenly, I felt for my phone in my pocket because it rang. When I looked, it was Mom calling, so I answered immediately. She told me not to be nervous because I could handle it. I could even hear Dad's voice saying that he and Angie would be joining us next month and that my secretary was waiting for me inside the lobby, so I shouldn't worry.As Dad said, I saw the secretary he mentioned in the car that stopped in front of the company. The company's employees were standing there waiting for me,
Chapter 19I quickly finished interviewing the job applicants I needed to see because we had a lunch meeting to attend with my secretary. Just as I completed signing the necessary documents, Ms. Kim knocked on the door to inform me that it was time to leave.I adjusted my posture and applied a bit of powder to my face. I didn’t need to put on more lipstick since the one I had applied earlier was still intact. Feeling confident, I stood up to leave my office, but I stopped when I heard voices arguing outside.When I stepped out, I was surprised to see my estranged sister.“Rhian, bunso!” she started, reaching out to me, but I immediately signaled her to stop.“Huh? What did you just call me? Bunso?” I replied, my voice rising. “As far as I know, I have no sister. I am the only child of the Suarezes. WHO DARES CALL ME BUNSO?” I added, narrowing my eyes at her.“You're so arrogant now! Just because you married a wealthy older man, you think you can act like this,” she accused me, bittern
Chapter 20When we arrived at the table where my meeting was waiting, I cleared my throat, causing the man sitting there to look up at me."I'm sorry for being late, Mr. Jackson!" I said, noticing that he seemed a bit dazed. After a moment, he seemed to snap back to reality, especially when my secretary cleared her throat."Yes, I mean—no!" he stammered, still looking somewhat disoriented."So, what do you have to offer to become a part of our company, Mr. Jackson?" I asked directly."Ehem, before I discuss my proposal, can I ask you something, Rhian?" he said, gesturing for me to sit down. "But please, let’s eat first," he added.I took a seat across from him and signaled for my secretary to sit as well. Andrew flagged down a waitress to request the menu.After he placed his order, I was about to say what I wanted when he spoke again, still looking at me. He ordered all my favorites except for shrimp, which I was allergic to. Strangely enough, he ordered the same for my secretary. On
Chapter 21As soon as my driver opened the car door, I felt the weight of the reporters pressing in on me again, eager for another story. Thankfully, some men in black suits moved in front of me to shield me from their questions. I was surprised by their sudden appearance, but I appreciated the protection they provided."Thank you, Manong," I said gratefully."You're welcome, Ms. Suarez," he replied promptly. After expressing my desire to return to the company, he nodded and started the car.The traffic flowed smoothly, which was a relief, but the heaviness in my chest felt like an anchor. I made sure not to show my feelings to Manong or my secretary, even though I couldn’t shake the thoughts of my sister’s betrayal.Why did she keep trying to ruin me? I knew she was the one feeding information to the reporters."Why, Ate? Why do you keep trying to harm me?" I silently questioned myself.When we arrived at the company, I stepped out of the car and walked inside without glancing back,
Chapter 22Upon arriving at my office, I immediately began organizing the papers left on my desk, signing some of them. While I was in the middle of my work, my secretary knocked on the door. I looked up and gestured for her to enter."Sorry to disturb you, Ms. Rhian. There’s someone who wants to talk with you, even if just for a moment," she said."Let them in," I replied. She closed the door behind her, and a moment later, I heard another knock. I called for the person to come in.I heard footsteps approaching, but I kept my head down, focusing on the papers I was reading."Sit down!" I instructed the newcomer.After reading the document, I signed it and finally looked up at my visitor. My brow furrowed when I realized who was standing in front of me—Carmela De Guzman, the woman who had embarrassed my child."What do you need?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent."I'm here to apologize for what I did," she said, but I couldn’t help but smirk at her words."You won't receive any fo
Chapter 23After dropping off Ms. Kim, I instructed my driver, Manong, to stop by a fast food restaurant since my daughter had requested burgers and Chickenjoy.Once we picked up the food, we headed home. The trip was quick, thanks to light traffic along our route.As we entered through the gate, I spotted Angie waiting by the door, eager for me to get out of the car. I quickly exited, and she ran towards me."Mommy!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up. I smiled widely and embraced her tightly.I couldn’t fathom what I would do if anything ever happened to her. I would go to great lengths to protect her from harm."I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek."Me too, Mom!" she replied. "You know, Mommy, a lot of toys arrived, but I don’t know where they came from," she added, her eyes shining with excitement.After sharing that, she tugged my hand, leading me inside. What greeted me was a mountain of toys. These weren’t just any toys; each had a name
Chapter 24After Aunts shared her thoughts, Angie and I went upstairs to get her ready for bed. I didn’t want her to stay up late; it wasn’t good for a child her age.She freshened up and changed into clean pajamas before climbing into her bed."Mommy!" she called sweetly."Hmmmm," I responded softly while stroking her hair."Can you tell me a story, please? Any story!" she pleaded."Alright!" I said. "But you have to promise to sleep afterward, okay?""Yes!" she replied eagerly."Okay, listen carefully. This is a story about a little girl whose father was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit," I began."What’s the title of the story, Mommy?" she asked."Miracle No. 7!" I answered promptly.And so, I began to tell my daughter the story."When Katrina was still a child, her father was imprisoned," I started."While in front of the court to defend her father, Katrina had visited him not knowing she had entered a dangerous situation.""Didn’t her father tell her they were in danger,
Chapter 25The next morning, I woke up early because today was the day my second parents would arrive. I quickly got myself ready and went to check on Angie, as I planned to take her with me to pick them up. When I reached her room, I opened the door right away."Baby, wake up!" I said, gently shaking her to rouse her. "We’re going to pick up Daddy Lo and Mommy La," I added.She blinked her eyes open, still a bit sleepy, and smiled at me."Hurry and get ready, okay? We're leaving at around 6:00 so we can get there early," I said softly."Okay, Mommy," she replied, sitting up.She quickly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to start her morning routine. I tidied up her bed and picked out some clothes for her to wear."Baby Angie, your clothes are on the bed!" I called out."Thank you, Mommy!" she answered from the bathroom.I left her room and went downstairs to inform the household staff to prepare a delicious dinner and clean the rooms of Mommy and Daddy.As I reached the botto