“Will you stop shaking?” Lilith reprimanded Cecilia, who stood beside her as they waited for the billionaire by the condominium lobby. “B-but Alvis-” “Shut up about it already,” Lilith cut her off with gritted teeth. “Everything solved itself, so all you have to do is shut up!” Her assistant cowered. As time passed, the dignified woman she swore to serve wholeheartedly was evolving into Aphrodite. It meant that even if she had the most stunning looks, she was vain, selfish, and cunning. But Cecilia snapped at herself. She was an accomplice to the tragedies that happened to Andrea. So she shouldn’t be judging Lilith when she was guilty of the same things. The heiress added, “That man turned out to be unhinged so even if he mentions me, no one will believe him.” Her eyes became darker with her next words, “And if Andrea decided to talk, I’ll make every single person on this earth believe that she is crazy.” They soon saw Sebastian’s luxury sedan drive through the building’s front. “
Andrea had never run so fast in her life compared to now as she passed through doors after doors in the hospital hallway. Just Doctor Abel telling her that Madeline was transferred to the ICU pushed her into overdrive.She had been told that this would soon happen and that it was only a matter of time. Madeline surviving this long was a miracle in itself and that Andrea shouldn’t be expecting anything else. That implied that a doctor calling about her meant that her organs were shutting down or that she had a heart attack.“Please, please, she’s okay. God, please,” she pleaded. The whole place felt like a labyrinth as she tried to find where the ICU was. A mask and a hat were enough as a disguise for her since no one was really expecting a celebrity to show up any minute there. She stopped every nurse and doctor on her way and asked them for directions.Until she got in front of the said area. Rightfully so, Doctor Abel and Madeline’s usual nurses waited for her at the entrance. Do th
“Slowly, slowly,” Andrea told Madeline as she assisted the older woman to get up from the bed. It had been a refreshing week for the actress, seeing her guardian get fitter each day. Now, she’s able to hold small conversations and move on her own, still requiring assistance from time to time.Madeline told her, “I’m fine, Andy. Don’t… worry about me.” Her croaky voice was also beginning to disappear, getting replaced by the captivating but strong one that she garnered over years of working as a lawyer.Andrea let her move on her own and smiled as Madeline, slowly but steadily, stood up and walked over to her wheelchair.“Ready for your therapy?” A nurse knocked at the door.“I am.” Madeline grinned back at Andrea who was holding the wheelchair’s handles. “Let’s go.” But as she pushed towards the exit, the nurse informed them, “Oh, I’ll be taking you for now, Ms. Madeline. Ms. Andrea, Doctor Abel wants to see you in his office.”Andrea got a look of concern from Madeline, but she shook
“Hey, Mads.” Andrea tapped Madeline’s shoulder to get her attention. “I have to go somewhere, so I’ll be seeing you later in your room, okay?” The older woman was now covered in sweat after just a few minutes of exercise and had to stay seated even if she wanted to get up to Andrea’s level.Madeline noticed a man waiting by the door, observing them. When he saw her stare, he gave a small smile and bow. Her brow twitched up at her. “What will you do?”Her inquisitive eye made Andrea chuckle nervously, “Oh, just loose ends at work I have to take care of. It’s mostly nothing.” She kissed the top of Madeline’s head.“Make sure you’ll be back at my room later, alright?” Madeline’s words were comforting. Throughout Andrea’s life, there was one person who had been constantly waiting for her without judgment. Even now that she has woken up and had the chance to reclaim her life, Madeline chose Andrea over a different life.“You and I have some serious talking to do.” Andrea suddenly felt swea
“Two weeks? What does she need two weeks for?” Lilith screeched after Robert reluctantly reported Andrea’s response to Sebastian while she was there. Robert stood still as if his ears just didn’t get shattered and waited for Sebastian to speak. The assistant was irritated at how Lilith had been going to the office to get some progress about the CEO’s divorce like a vulture.Couldn’t she wait until he announces the split? Why did she have to always show up just to hear what Andrea had to say? It’s not like Andrea was going to say something about her.“Lily.” Robert saw that even Sebastian had a negative reaction to her grating response as the billionaire sighed and closed his eyes. “She didn’t ask for anything else but time. I’ll give it to her. And I could imagine her having a lot to do after Madeline woke up.”Lilith huffed on the couch and crossed her arms like a child and stayed silent throughout, giving everyone the cold shoulder. Why didn’t she just leave if she’s not going to co
A few days before Madeline’s revelation to Ren and Robert, Andrea had come to her with the idea.“Did remember hearing me say anything about traveling?” Andrea fidgeted with her hands. Madeline narrowed her eyes, trying to remember anything.“Oh, I think I did. You said that we can go live in the US or Canada because you’ve saved up enough money, right?” The older woman felt proud of her still sharp memory. She looked at Andrea with a big smile which quickly faded. “Do you really mean it?”Andrea gave a subtle nod. “Only if you want to, I’m not going to force you. Now that you can have your life back, you can do whatever you want with it.”She felt Madeline’s cold but gentle touch, like a breeze kissing her skin. It greatly soothed the burning sensation that her anxiety brought. Then Madeline told her, “Ever since I met you, I promised that I’ll always be by your side. Because we’re family.”Madeline King was an orphan. And despite her bad experiences while in the system, transferring
The two friends had decided to spend a whole day to themselves where they could do whatever Ren wanted. The two now sat on the rooftop of a restaurant where both women ordered full meals each, catching the waiter by surprise.While Ren had the T-bone steak with a few side dishes added to it, Andrea had the seafood platter with onion rings and fries. For dessert, they ordered large brownie cuts topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle.“It’s nice that you can finally eat these kinds of things with me. Ugh, you always being on a strict diet was so terrible! I never really enjoyed my food whenever I see you have grass as food,” Ren complained.“I know! I don’t think I could go back to those diets anyway,” Andrea giggled.“Thank you dearie for making her eat this much!” Ren loudly whispered to her friend’s stomach, earning more laughs.“By the way,” Ren’s expression turned more serious. “Speaking of dearie here, can we go buy some baby clothes, please?” She did her be
Andrea’s two weeks were up. Sebastian paced back and forth in his house. Today was the day they were going to tell the public about their divorce. Not that it was any of their business, but that’s a celebrity’s life for you. Everything had to be out in the open.What was Andrea planning? Was she going to release her own exposé about him? She wasn’t that stupid, right?If only she hadn’t asked for that much time, then Sebastian wouldn’t spend most of the past weeks thinking about her. Or is that what she planned all along?Sebastian had to laugh. “How could I be such a fool? Of course, until now she’s still trying to manipulate me. That’s the kind of person she is.” He shook his head in disappointment at himself.“Sir Adams? What are you still doing here? I thought you were going to California?” Rose entered the living room after hearing laughing sounds.“I am. Just waiting for the car to pick me up,” Sebastian answered.“Ever since Andy left, he has lost his mind,” the housekeeper tho
“This, so far, is what I’ve decided to put in my book. If you’re reading this right now, then that means that I finally chose to let the world know my story. You may or may not have heard of me. I’ve been introduced to many names. Cobbett, Scout, Adams, and Fray. But I don’t want to let any of those affiliations define who I am. What I choose to do after everything that happened to me is what I believe determines me.” “Andy! Darren just texted. He and his wife are almost here. We can't miss your second Oscar nomination together!” Sebastian called out from outside the study. It was funny how in the end, Darren became much closer to Sebastian that it made Andrea jealous rather than the other way around. “Coming!” Andrea answered as she contentedly sealed the paper and placed it on top of a hardbound, azure book. She looked at it for a few seconds, getting lost in every letter. “Momma! Auntie Wen said to come quick!” A small boy with curly hair and brown eyes with golden flecks grapple
They couldn’t fully put everything behind them as Lilith was still nowhere to be found, but Sebastian and Andrea knew that it was time to move on. Maybe it was true what other people said about her. Maybe Lilith had found a reason that made her leave her life.After more than a year of coming to terms with their tragic past, Sebastian once again popped the question. He had flown everyone to the private island in the Maldives that he had rented before.“You bought it?” Andrea almost screamed when she learned that Sebastian didn’t rent the island for their honeymoon. Instead, he made it seem like he just leased it.“Yeah, I didn’t want to say anything because you were so judgemental of rich people. I didn’t want your first impression of me as your husband to be that of someone who buys things excessively,” Sebastian fibbed.He had already talked to everyone about his proposal except of course with Andrea. Eugene immediately agreed while Madeline gave him a stern warning and advice.So t
Weeks turned to months and no sign of the wanted criminal had emerged. Despite all their efforts, she was too slick in evading and hiding from authorities.But finally, the Adams, Frays, and their loved ones had slowly started to build a semblance of a normal life.After her warrant was sent out, Sebastian had also released his statement regarding the matter. He explained to the public how and why this all went down. They decided to keep it vague, not wanting to share every small detail. But enough for the people to understand what happened.And in this duration, the same people who hurled hateful comments at the actress now give her support. As they began to understand that the information they’d been fed was lies, they turned against the source of these. Lilith Quinn.And now, Andrea Fray had the opportunity to tell her story in her own words.Sat on a powder blue couch and facing a whole group of lights and cameras from all angles, the actress recounted the stories that she chose t
“He’s a good man, Harris,” Sebastian told Andrea who was cuddling against his chest. The two sat in her yard, enjoying the light sea breeze that passed by.“I know, that’s why he became my friend, “ she replied. “Look at you, getting all warmed up with Darren.” He didn’t know but Andrea was ecstatic that her partner and her closest male friend would be on good terms.“I’m not,” Sebastian tried to deny. “It’s only because he told me about you going to Clayton by yourself and the other stuff he did for you.”“That’s why I wish he could find his own happiness.” Andrea looked up at the sky and coincidentally, found a shooting star. For a brief moment, she closed her eyes and made the exact wish.“Why didn’t you wish for yourself or for me?” Sebastian questioned her with a sulky expression.“Are you kidding? I’ve already found my happiness.” Andrea gestured at where they were and who they were with.In front of them was Anastasia. The toddler was so engrossed with the film that was playing
“You are not your fear, Andrea. You are not your trauma,” Andrea said her usual chant as she got out of her car and faced the menacing high, concrete walls of Fort Havenshaw.“I can do this, I chose to do this,” she whispered with eyes shut. The dread had finally caught up to her. Andrea’s bravado had waned the nearer she was to that person.When she told the hesitant Darren that she could do it, Andrea thought that she could. But now, she’s convinced that it was just false toughness.Andrea couldn’t feel the tip of her fingertips as her whole body had turned rigid. As opposed to the bright, sunny day that graced them, an unknown source of penetrating cold had entered her body. It didn’t plan to leave anytime soon.A part of her said, “It’s not too late to turn back. You still haven’t gotten inside the prison.”Andrea’s eyes went back and forth, from the fort entrance to her car handle. A drop of sweat had begun to roll down the side of her face. “Shit!” She exclaimed as Andrea reache
“You heard what Monique said. We can only secure Lilith’s conviction if we get a confession. I know it’s a shot in the dark. But if there’s a possibility of Alvis having a recording of Lilith, then it’s worth it,” Andrea firmly said.It made Darren sigh heavily. He scratched his nape, daunted by Andrea’s strategy. He asked, “And you’re not having any second thoughts about this?”She nodded her head sharply. “I’m a hundred percent sure. Sebastian could only hold off Lilith’s scheme on the wedding for so long.”“What does he think about this?”He noticed her flinch when he asked the question. “He doesn’t know,” Darren answered for himself.Andrea grimaced at the fact and said, “I’ll tell him once it’s done. That way, we could save ourselves the trouble.” She only confided with Darren about her plan because he was the most understanding of all her friends.“I’ll go with you,” Darren insisted. These past days of hanging out with just the two of them brought him back to the past. Back when
“The evidence you gave us is very good. But a confession from Quinn would solidify this case so that the jury doesn’t find reasonable doubt to convict her,” the counselors and detective working on Lilith’s case told Andrea’s group.“We can arrest her now on these grounds, but we’re very sure that she would clam up and call the best lawyers their money could buy. And we all know how that will turn out.”They became familiar with the process. Lilith’s lawyers would talk directly with the court that she was not being lawfully held despite the mounting evidence against her. She wouldn’t even spend a night in jail because of who she was. A millionaire heiress so of course, the judge would favor her. Then she’d get out and wreak havoc into their lives as if nothing happened.Their hearts sank after hearing that all their efforts could do was a small dent in Lilith's case.“There’s a possibility that we can win this case,” the lead prosecutor, Monique Perrin, informed them. “But her admittin
When Sebastian heard Andrea yell out, he was ready to attack the person and run amok in her house. But when she turned to see who it was, Andrea was already squeezing the guy with a bear hug. “Oh, it’s you! Gosh, I don’t know what I would have done if it wasn’t!” She blurted out, her chest still heaving at high speed. “I’m sorry, Andy. I was rushing because I thought I was late. They told me to be here hours ago, that’s why I just barged in like that. Sorry,” Darren replied, giving her a light, comforting pat on the back. Sebastian’s posture stiffened as the Simon couple eyed the three of them cautiously. Robert was about to get up from the couch to be beside his boss, in case worse came to worst. But Ren quickly pulled her down. “You disrupt this drama, I will go on a rampage,” she warned him. Still oblivious to the brittle atmosphere that was created by Darren’s sudden arrival, Andrea continued to face her friend while holding both his hands. She began to bombard him with apolog
“So I’m guessing you two are on good terms now, huh?” Ren mused after seeing Andrea and Sebastian share another glance that could only be described as coy. The billionaire was visiting the Fray house and at the moment was spending his after-work time with his daughter.“Put it on top. There. Not the owange one! It has to be bwue!“ Anastasia pointed and ordered Sebastian and Robert where to place the blocks as they assembled a building that replicated her father’s company.Andrea giggled at her daughter’s bossiness. Who else but her father would she get that kind of attitude from?She scoffed at her best friend, “Of course, we should be for Ana’s sake.” It had been days since they got back together again. Though the two chose to keep their relationship hidden for a while, at least until they’ve sorted out the Lilith issue.Ren rolled her eyes and sighed, “Oh please, Andy. Even a blind person would easily know that you two are on more than good terms. If you know what I’m saying.” She w