Rain’s 1 week leave did not give him more time to spend with Ami as he had been busy contacting his mother for the documents they needed at the embassy. He and Ami just connected via video chat in the evenings before they both go to sleep. He wanted to go to Al Reef and see her personally but he knew Ami has a lot to do before she finally leaves the Sheikha’s employ and lives with him. That is the consolation he kept looking forward to.
“My darling Ami, how was your day? I missed you terribly today.” He touched the screen like he could touch her.
“I miss you too, my love. Hey, can we use that to address each other? “Ami gave him her most adorable puppy eyes.
“Sure, my love. I like that, no I love you, my love. This separation is drivi
Their church wedding was attended by the Sheikh and his wife and also some other friends including Devlin and Mabel. They all flew to the Philippines six months after Rain and Ami married at the Philippine embassy in the UAE. Even Ali and Zaynah were there to witness Rain and Ami’s second marriage vows to each other. They had to endure two nights without intimacy though as per church dictates. Ami did not mind because she is finally living her dreams, getting married in the church with friends and family. She wished her parents and uncle were still alive but she knew they were out there somewhere watching over her. She also knows Rain’s father is watching over his son. Rain has been a wonderful, loving and considerate husband. He has been spoiling Ami over the last six months. Ami started working as the Directress of the new Thamiyn Nursery while Eliza took over as the Sheikha’s new PA. Ami thought Mansour was taken with Fiona when he visited the Philippines but when he met Eliza, ther
PROLOGUERain is trying to hold his tears as he runs out to the garden. His back is to the rough wall of the gardener's hut made smooth by his constant leaning on it whenever he talks with Ami. Today, he felt numb and so heartbroken. His beloved dad just passed away leaving him in-charge of their company. He couldn't believe it, after happily celebrating his 11th birthday two weeks before.Suddenly, he felt a comforting arm draped over his shoulders. He knew who it was before he turned his head. Ami just gave him her sweetest, most comforting smile. Ami in her usual tattered jeans and worn, mud-splattered shirt. She is their neighborhood's famous hoyden and his best friend."Sir Rainier is now in a safer, pain-free world," she said while squeezing his shoulders. Rain is so thankful that she never mentioned the tears silently running down
The morning after the party was one of gloomy and unhappy events. Ami went to the manor wearing a second dress that week thinking she was Rain’s bride-to-be. Rain’s kiss is still fresh on her mind and lips. It felt like he branded her with his lips. Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard a car turning up the massive U-shaped driveway. As she turned around, she saw Rain helping down a beautiful merchant’s daughter known in the neighborhood as the local flirt. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She was even more dismayed when Mrs. Gonzales hailed them from the terrace overhead. Obviously none of them saw her. Ami was so crestfallen that she ran towards the back of the manor in the direction of the gardener’s house given to them by the Gonzales’. In her distress, she did not stop to think and rationalize what happened. She passed by her uncle happily nursing his favorite cup of Benguet coffee. As soon as she got inside, she locked herself in her r
“Who would have known that one of my heart’s wishes will come true today,”Mabel happily hugged Ami while they were waiting to board their flight. “Boohoo,” Ami laughingly responded but Mabel noticed her cousin’s lifeless eyes. She just kept it to herself and tried to cheer her up. Don’t worry, Ali, one of my employers’ sons will be there to help you forget...uhm… just forget.”,Mabel teased her. Ami’s eyes clouded over but she bravely pushed the emotion back and said gaily,“Hah, who needs forgetting? I will not waste my energy crying over someone… or something.”“Aptly said Ma’am”, a handsome American said over his shoulder. Mabel and Ami looked at each other and laughed.“ What is so funny
Across the miles, Mrs. Gonzales and son are busy preparing for the worst as they once again welcomed the Santiagos into their home. Fiona as always is as beautiful as ever in her pink suit while her father looked boring as usual. He rarely smiles unless they are talking about money, people don’t only describe him as boring but money-greedy as well. Well, today he is all smiles as he clapped Rain on the back saying “Well, my boy, let us proceed with this engagement then, shall we?” Rain winced as if he had been punched in the gut. He looked to his mom for help. “Come Barry, let us leave the children for a while. Let us give them time to talk,” she said motioning for Barry to go with her. “My son and I are looking into a business venture and I value your opinion.” Rain rolled his eyes upon hearing this, nonetheless, he smiled. Mrs. Gonzales and Barry were about to go to the adjoining verandah when Ronnie walked
The next day, Rain woke with a hang-over. It didn’t help that his cousins were standing by the open door sneering at him.”At last, loverboy awakes, “ teased Robert in a loud voice but not loud enough to be heard by their mom who was busy preparing a fresh coffee for him. “What do you want?” asked Rain, squinting at the two brothers. “Not even a thank you!.” said Jerry obviously enjoying Rain’s predicament. “Don’t you remember anything yesterday, “ he laughingly asked. “Drat you!” muttered Rain. You know perfectly well that unlike you or your sister, I can’t remember anything once I’m under the influence of alcohol. Suddenly his aunt appeared and shoved the brothers aside. “Happy birthday Ambot!” she cheerfully greeted him. Rain sat up suddenly and felt dizzy. “Ay sinalbag!,”
Contrary to Rain’s belief, Ami did remember him on their birthday. She also saw an i*******m post but she ignored it telling herself maybe it is a one-off fling of Rain’s like in the past. She was busy typing an email required by her employer when Mabel barged into her room with a loud “Happy Birthday!” She was followed by Madam Mariam, Sir Abdullah, Ali and Mansour and their sister. “Since your planned trip to Ferrari World did not push through because of my emergency meeting, I am giving you this day as a gift. “ Madam Mariam uttered. “Ali or Mansour is just too happy to escort you ladies.” Ami looked to Ali who winked at her and she just rolled her eyes to hide her blush. In all the six months that she has been with them, Mansour felt like a brother to her except Ali who seems to know her more and feels something far different from that of a brother.Despite the awkwardness she feels in his presence, A
The day after her birthday proved to be a very tiring day for Ami. First, she had to travel to Dubai with Madam for a business meeting with one of the largest clothes retail shop in the middle east. After the meeting, they went to Al Ain for a business lunch with the Sheikha’s mother. By the time they got back to Abu Dhabi, she was drained but she still has to send emails to the family’s business partners,failing once again to notice the cc’d individuals. Belatedly though, she had a suspicious feeling in her gut that made her look into her sent emails. There, why is it that she didn’t notice it before? C.Gonzales@rlg.com. “I don’t believe it!, she spluttered. All the while I have been communicating with them.” “Nooo,” she said over and over even when she was called to dinner that evening. She was so distracted that she ne
Their church wedding was attended by the Sheikh and his wife and also some other friends including Devlin and Mabel. They all flew to the Philippines six months after Rain and Ami married at the Philippine embassy in the UAE. Even Ali and Zaynah were there to witness Rain and Ami’s second marriage vows to each other. They had to endure two nights without intimacy though as per church dictates. Ami did not mind because she is finally living her dreams, getting married in the church with friends and family. She wished her parents and uncle were still alive but she knew they were out there somewhere watching over her. She also knows Rain’s father is watching over his son. Rain has been a wonderful, loving and considerate husband. He has been spoiling Ami over the last six months. Ami started working as the Directress of the new Thamiyn Nursery while Eliza took over as the Sheikha’s new PA. Ami thought Mansour was taken with Fiona when he visited the Philippines but when he met Eliza, ther
Rain’s 1 week leave did not give him more time to spend with Ami as he had been busy contacting his mother for the documents they needed at the embassy. He and Ami just connected via video chat in the evenings before they both go to sleep. He wanted to go to Al Reef and see her personally but he knew Ami has a lot to do before she finally leaves the Sheikha’s employ and lives with him. That is the consolation he kept looking forward to. “My darling Ami, how was your day? I missed you terribly today.” He touched the screen like he could touch her. “I miss you too, my love. Hey, can we use that to address each other? “Ami gave him her most adorable puppy eyes. “Sure, my love. I like that, no I love you, my love. This separation is drivi
Before they left the apartelle, Rain and Ami went to see his Assistant Manager. Ami waited patiently on one of the couches in the waiting lounge of the apartelle but not missing the furtive glances thrown her way by Dana, the receptionist who slept in the Flat before. Ami ignored her, she was just so happy and content that finally, a man saw her true self, and her best friend nonetheless. After 45 minutes and two coffees later, Rain emerged and ignoring Dana went straight to a beaming Ami and kissed her much to the receptionist’s surprise. Ami couldn’t stop blushing. Rain grinned at the receptionist and announced, “You should be congratulating us Dana, this lovely lady, my best friend for a long, long time, finally ended my agony and accepted my love and proposal!” Dana was stupefied. Many of the single female staff will be disappointed but she liked Ami so s
Six months after Rain arrived in the UAE, he and Ami had developed a routine. True to his word, Ami was not allowed to visit him in his flat unless accompanied by Mabel or Mansour. During the UAE National Day holidays in December, Rain had no chance to have a day off. They had a lot of guests and even his accommodation was given up for an elderly couple who came to see the fireworks in Abu Dhabi Corniche. Since their apartelle is near the Corniche, it was fully packed. Rain slept in his office for a week and then came the Christmas holidays and New Year. He discovered how true it is that when you are an OFW, you do not have the luxury to enjoy the festivities. Since he and Ami were busy the whole month of December, they just sent their gifts to each other via courier although Rain has been sending Ami bouquets of Roses and chocolates. After that day she gave him permission to court her.
Wanting to get back to normalcy as much as possible and not dwell on the painful past, Ami threw herself enthusiastically into her work. The Sheikha even commented that Ami was working with a vengeance. Her vivacity doubled or tripled thus attracting more males than Rain would have liked. One of the Sheikha’s clients even attempted to flirt with her, but Ami ignored him. She introduced the guy to another colleague who wants to flirt shamelessly and Ami let them. She just reminded the girl sternly to be very careful and mindful of her actions because she still works for the Al Fahezis. Though the colleague disliked Ami because of her close association with their employers, she heeded her. Ami couldn’t care less if the girl liked her or not. She is one of those people who think they are above others and she has zero tolerance for them but she tries to be very civil. R
Although Ami urged Mansour to go ahead to the UAE, he refused and told her she needed all the friends she had. Mabel wanted to go home to be with her but she couldn’t because she was covering as the Sheikha’s PA in Ami’s stead. The funeral had been a hectic week, after her uncle’s burial, her uncle’s lawyer came and gave Ami her uncle’s last will and testament. She was shocked because she did not know, her uncle actually has a property in the city proper and she was always frequenting it whenever she went downtown. It is now hers and technically she does not need to go back to the UAE to work some more. She has her dream property but she still wanted something that is really hers. Although overwhelmed with this gift, she thanked the lawyer. As soon as the lawyer left, she sought out Mrs. Gonzales and Rain. They were in the manor’s huge balcony where Mrs. Gonza
As soon as the door was opened, Robert and Jerry simultaneously hugged Ami, lifting her off the floor as they did so. Mansour waited until the brothers put her down, he opened his arms inviting Ami into his embrace. Ami hugged him briefly and before another tear fell down, she let go. “Thank you so much guys for being here but I have to go to town to find out more and to arrange for my uncle’s body for a burial.” “Come here, Ambet.” Robert said, patting the sofa. When Ami was seated, he said, “I have already gone to the facility and here is the medical report.” Ami stared at the piece of paper and then before she could change her mind, took it. It said that her uncle died from cardiac arrest from cancer complications..
“Ohh Ami, what happened to you? You were never like this, what happened to you? Ohh my precious, precious girl, your mother will turn in her grave if she sees you now. “ Mrs. Gonzales gathered Ami in her arms. Ami was motionless and emotionless. "Rain! Come quick. " Just like that, Ami snapped out of her stupor. "Auntie Claudia, I am fine. Please do not worry, I just spaced out a bit. I do that every once in a while to calm myself. It is like a meditation of some sort, meditation a la Ami.” “Are you sure? For a while there, you almost ga
“Relax Mansour, Ami decided to stay at her cottage tonight so she could look after her uncle. She requested that someone bring her food so I am just about to go.” “May I come? You know I am a spy for someone, remember?” Mansour grinned at Rain’s sour look. Rain couldn’t do anything but nod. “Sorry guys, I need to feed that cat over there. You know how she is if she gets hungry, becomes a tigress.” They all laughed at this even Mansour as he too knew about Ami’s appetite. Both Rain and Mansour walked to Ami’s cottage. “This is a cute cottage.” commented Mansour. “It is more beautiful in the daytime, tomorrow, we can show you around if you like unless you want to continue exploring the city.”