He parked his car in his slot and took his private lift. Houston International was a new thirty-five storey high rise building. It could be seen that this tower was only five years old. Enrique's wide office was on the 33rd. The last two floors were his private abode. The top floor was his penthouse and the 34th floor was his recreational areas consisted of small swimming pool with jacuzzi, counter bar where he stored his Uncle Benjamin's rarest quality of wines and brandies, and a gym where he practiced boxing.
His penthouse had two bedrooms. One for him and one for his guests who usually were his new friends from the commerce world or his girlfriend. It had a wide living room with five-seater black leather couch and a circular glass center table. The dining room was good for six people and the kitchen was covered with sliding glass door.The whole tower had a floor to ceiling glass bluish window which shone brightly competing with the same 35- storey building that was loMichaels' Mansion..."He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not!"Her little surroundings had been covered with little pink petals but she had no plan of stopping from mercilessly pulling each one of them from their connections.If only these poor flowers could speak, they would scream onto her face, "Don't vent your st*pidity on us!""You DO know that those pink rain lilies are Madam Lauren's favorite?" when suddenly her guardian angel from earth snapped her messy thoughts and brought her back to reality... again."Huh?" she glanced at her surrounding and saw the green lawn that was just trimmed by Jaden the other day was now wrapped with tiny peach petals.She looked like she's in the bed of pink lilies though. Attractive and so springtime just that when she took a glimpse of the originally rows of their madam's favorite lilies in front of her, she was mortified."There were probably a hundreds of rain lilies here a while ago. Ho
Meanwhile, inside of the car...Albert picked Madeline up in her dad's company a while ago coz his stepmom was asking for her for a long time. When he drove his car in the entrance, he saw Samantha right away. She was standing near the gate under the tree waiting. He also saw her sprinted all of a sudden."Who's she waiting for? Why did she suddenly run?" he was asking himself in his thoughts."Baby, I am so excited to meet Aunt Lauren. This is my first time to see her in person. She must be very pretty!" Madeline uttered as she glanced at him."She is. She is very kind, too!" Albert smilingly replied.When he parked his car in front, Andy saw him right away."Young Master, Ms. Swan!" he bowed on both of them as he took the car keys and parked Albert's car at the garage.When Andy went back, Albert asked about Lauren right away."Young Master, Madam is in the pavilion near the koi fish pond!" Andy politely replied.The mansion had four pa
She chased after her in big strides while squabbling about lying to their madam. She was gasping in anger and for the first time, she struck Laila a dagger stare."Who gives you the permission to tell a hearsay about me and Jaden? Are you even my friend now?"Laila who was walking fast halted and turned around. She took a deep sigh and scowled at her."You should thank me. If I didn't do that, you think you would discover that he also has feelings for you? Come on, Sam. I'm doing you a favor here!""Favor? Laila! I can do this on my own. I don't need you if your kind of help is this way. You're maybe giving me a favor but what about Jaden? Have you thought of his feelings when you lied?"That made Laila tongue-tied. She was rendered speechless. She never thought about Jaden's feelings. She was focused on making Albert jealous that she forgot what would happen next."I guess you didn't think of him. You didn't consider his feelings at all!" Samantha utte
Inside of his car, Albert called his friends."Meet me in Cymbals!" his lordly tone stunned both Edward and Chester.There was a storm coming or maybe the storm had already arrived they thought."We'll be there!" Edward wrapped it up.They immediately prepared their own services and drove off in one of the best bars in the heart of the city, Cymbals!Derived from the rock band's name that was making a huge noise in all of their competition. It was also where Maria, Samantha's aunt usually sang.He parked his Aston Martin in the VIP slot. He didn't wait for his friends anymore. He strode inside as he ignored the scream and warning of the people standing in a queue to get in."Boy, do we have special treatment here?" one lady in her top to bottom tight leather outfit yelled."Why did you let him in? Is it because of his good looks?" a guy in his twenties seconded as he lifted his head to see who just, they thought, cut in."Young Master, th
At the same time..."Brother, you know that dad will always favor me no matter what you do, hmp!" a sweet caring whimper made Enrique chuckle as he clung his phone on his ear.He was still at his office tiring himself with loads of works. It was half past one but he couldn't sleep. He didn't want to go home yet, either. He leaned on his swivel chair while staring at the documents in front of him. He flipped through it and scanned each one of them."I'm telling you, focus on your studies. You're going to be the president of our giant company soon. So, you better prepare in advance!" Enrique sternly advised his younger sister who at that time would want to visit him in the US."I'm studying hard. And I wonder why didn't dad choose you as his heir. Running a business isn't my fortè. I'd better study how to drive plane controls and fly in the sky!" Isabella whined as she stamped her feet in their dining room.She was eating alone again. Her mom Sophia and
Honk!It was early in the morning but Samantha's bad luck happened to visit her earlier than her usual time of going to school. She glanced at the dashing car beside her and frowned right away.Sigh!Six years ago, she went to Georgetown International High School either by bus or by his now hated 'prince charming's' black Mercedes-Benz. Andy would be the one driving and she would sit in the passenger seat while Albert would elegantly take the backseat.Now, it was different. She knew all along that the one driving the new model of black Maybach piercing her ears with its constant beeping was the one originally sitting in the backseat of Mercedes-Benz six years ago.She took a glimpse at the tinted window and shifted her glance back on the path ahead of her ignoring the fact that the driver was a hot-tempered person and spurning him disdainfully wasn't exactly his favorite cup of tea to start his day."Just one more!" he thought as he pushed the raucous
While going to the medical lab, she accidentally bumped into Andrea who was also rushing. Hair disheveled while she brushed the strands with her fingers. She wasn't wearing makeup. Just plain lipstick whom Samantha thought Andrea applied it in a hurry. Medical uniform buttons were in the wrong holes."Are you okay?" she couldn't help but to ask."Can't you see? I am not!" Andrea replied."Did you cry?" she asked again. This time, she moved closer as she examined her eyes from the frame of her black sunglasses."How do you know?" she asked as she bit her lower lip."It's obvious!" she pointed at her covered eyes.They were about to enter the lab when they saw that there's no one inside except for the dead person covered with white blanket. The formalin they used was so strong that Andrea felt sick."Excuse me!" she ran hastily to the nearest women's toilet and threw up.Samantha followed her in one of the cubicles as she rubbed her back."
It's 8pm!Samantha was standing in front of the university waiting for Albert. Andrea went home early along with her bodyguards. He told her he was on his way but she'd been standing there for about 30 minutes now.Till a familiar Maybach caught her attention. She waved her hand right away. The Maybach stopped right in front of her.A gorgeous young man elegantly opened the driver seat and went towards the passenger seat to open the door."Sorry, I am late. Get in!" he said.Samantha got in right away. She buckled up while he closed the door. She followed his steps with her gaze till he sat on driver seat and revved the engine."Am I this good looking?" he asked as he faced her with a little sneer."Ahm! Where are we going Young Master?" Samantha asked instead."It's eight and I haven't had lunch. Let's have dinner. I'm starving!" he replied while he started looking ahead and focused on driving."Young Master, I have something to tell you
In a high-end restaurant in the heart of the city, two beautiful single moms were going to talk to clear a slate. They were both calm, grace, and dignified."You will always be my sister-in-law no matter what!" Liz sincerely told Samantha while the latter still felt embarrassed that she was one of those narrow-minded people who believed something was going on between them with her ex-husband."I'm sorry. I don't know what to say!" all she could say was this.But her actions spoke a lot of meaningful words she couldn't express in sentences."It's all right. It happens to people. And we are not exempted!" Liz just shook her head as she gave Samantha a genuine smile.Samantha left a light chuckle with her phrase and just like her, she also shook her head."Yeah! We are not exempted!" she repeated."So, when will you two get back together? Tristan is at his age to have a sibling. He's already almost ten!" she channeled their talks to another topic when they were done clearing things out."
"Albert is in Ireland now? Is that true?" Candice who had overseas photoshoots for months was surprised when Grace told her about what happened three months ago.She who never liked to watch nor read the news was really ignorant when it came to those current events but when it was all about fashion, she was number one!"Yes, Miss Candice. The hospital here transferred him to Houston Medical Hospital two weeks ago!" Grace sternly uttered."But why? The hospitals here are also good!" Candice still insisted on digging for more information about him."It was Dr. Houston's command!" Grace still casually replied though deep inside she would like to yell at her saying 'Stop wasting my time! Just fly to Ireland if you want!'"Okay, thanks for the info. Bye!" Candice told her in haste before she strode towards the lift.Inside the lift, she called her manager right away."Get me a ticket going to Ireland tonight. I need to see Albert!""Okay, right away!" her manager obeyed at once..After abo
"Sam, Isabella told me to come here to help you today and tomorrow. How's Young Master?" Laila was speaking to her as she opened the door while she strode to Albert's VIP Ward.However, she also halted in the middle and her exciting orbs went open as she saw who were Albert's visitors at that time.The four including Albert's doctor glanced in her direction and smiled. Laila would like to turn around and run away for a while but her flat shoes were nailed to the floor."Laila, right?" one of the doctors asked as he sauntered toward her.She just gawked at him. She couldn't believe she had just eaten her tongue. She flickered her eyes and tried to speak, but she staggered in her voice."Yes, dictor...I mean doc...tor...!" she shut her eyes for a moment while shaking her head. Then she composed herself and spoke again."Yes, Doctor Arnolds!" Laila finally uttered...without looking at him. Her eyes glanced around instead."Beautiful name...Like the owner!" Sean commented before he went ou
Earlier...When Albert saw the group of policemen about one kilometer away waiting for them, he did his best to draw Madeline's attention to something else while removing the cloth that was wrapped around his wrists."Why are you doing all of these? What happened to you?""What happened to me? It was you who made me this way. If you didn't cancel our wedding before, we're supposed to be husband and wife now, and maybe, we're supposed to have children now!" she yelled as her glare was burning his eyes."But you feel disgusted by me. Since that monster kidnapped me, you never talked to me again. You avoided me like I was a plague!" she kept on releasing everything that's been keeping her bottled up for too long."Then you suddenly fell in love with a servant? How dare you, Albert?" her fantasy was making her blind but Albert never really listened to her prattles."What's your plan on me now?" he asked as he sneered.Finally, he loosed the cloth. He sideglanced at Rona whose eyes were shu
"Grace, could you get me the reviewed documents from Houston Group? The one I approved yesterday!" Albert called Grace on his intercom but to his surprise, she didn't answer."Grace, the contract from Houston!" he repeated but still it was dead air."Maybe she went to the restroom!" he whispered as he walked out of his office to get the documents himself.But to his shock, he saw Grace lying unconsciously on the cold marbled floor. He was about to call 911 when somebody just hit him on his head. He irked in pain but he didn't lose his consciousness. As he turned around while holding his head that was hit, he squinted his eyes when he saw a sneering Katie appearance but he knew that was Madeline."You?" he exclaimed but even before he could push the alarm button, he received another hit that was stronger than the first. This time, he had lost his consciousness.Simon carried him back inside his office while Madeline followed. However, an employee who happened to pass by saw a glimpse of
She released an evil laugh while staring at the headline that bannered their glorious names:'Madeline Swan, Wanted! Lance Swan Captures!'She laughed at the authorities who always failed to arrest her.She laughed at Houston's men who were waiting for her arrival.Above all, she laughed at Albert and the Michaels for not sensing her closeness in their visibility."St*pid powerful people!" she aggravatingly snorted.She was holding a red wine while sitting on their usual white Italian leather couch.Where?In an originally breathtaking place that became a haunted house.Indeed, Lance helped her escape and fooled the authorities that she was going to Ireland. Her father prepared her hideout once again. But this time, no one would even think she went back to the city of opportunities, to that penthouse where two wanted criminals were killed more than two years ago. The one was killed by her."Miss Swan, they all thought you're in Ireland now!" Simon grinned.He was pouring Madeline a gla
"Even if you will kill me, I would never tell you where my daughter is. She deserves to do those things after everything that happened to her!" Lance Swan shouted at length in a wild, impassioned way."Congratulations, President Lance! You've just admitted you know where your daughter is!" Jake spoke in a contemptuous manner rather.The police station where Vanessa and Jake were assigned immediately arrested Lance Swan when Vanessa called that day.When the doctor in Maui nodded that it was Lance who ordered them to make Cheska's condition worst, she instructed her team to arrest him right away."I'm gonna be behind bars anyway. But I'm not going to tell you where my daughter is!" Lance firmly told him.Jake slowly leaned on the chair glaring at him while his fingers were rhythmically tapping the table. Just one more he thought. He might give this middle-aged man a knuckle sandwich.They were both startled when Vanessa opened the door and announced."Good news! The eel is in Ireland!"
At dinner, Albert brought Candice to a western diner. Her favorite. When the waiter arrived, he ordered almost all of her favorite food such as beefy casserole, cheesy turkey broccoli pasta, and biscuit topped chicken pot pie. He also ordered some dessert and a glass of red wine."Thanks for accepting my invitation, Albert. Even if our relationship is just a sham, at least you're still gentleman enough not to decline!" Candice shyly told him while she tucked some strands of her hair behind her earlobe.But Albert was way too busy glancing around while his hands were clasped on the table. As much as possible he didn't want to see Candice anymore since the latter started showing some interest in him."Ahm! I always love beefy casserole. Here, try some!"She stuffed a cube of meat in his mouth and because it was sudden he wasn't able to shun it. He reluctantly chewed the food while frowning at her."It's delicious, right? Oh, there's a sauce left at the corner of your lips!" She even took
In Maui Medical Hospital...Chester was staring at her weak pale face while his hand was gently brushing her hair. She was still unconscious but the doctor said, her condition was getting better.He gritted his teeth everytime he remembered what the doctor told them. He had been violated not just once. Based from the findings of a single pubic hair they saw on her thigh when the swat team saw her in the big empty house, the owner was Simon Flord."I'm gonna kill you, bastard!" he muttered while staring at her.He had been looking for Cheska since she suddenly left more than two years ago. He tried to call her but her phone was disconnected. He thought she intentionally cut ties with him so after months of trying, he finally gave up.When he heard a soft moan, he sat straight as he moved closer."Cheska!" he gently called her name.His blurry eyes were glued on her pallid face. He touched his cheek while his other hand clasped her hand with an IV dr