It was fortunate that his phone rang, and he looked at who was calling. I noticed his face hardening and how he walked away from me, grabbing his phone before answering it. His grandfather called, and it seems important. For the time being, I sighed in relief, but he would ask the same question later. Iffin! It's Katana's fault if her voice isn't loud, Zach won't hear about it. What excuse do I have? I looked up at Katana and Alice talking to a group of men and women at the seashore not far from where I was. They were laughing, and Katana waved at me to come. The group turned in my direction, and what a coincidence! They were our high school classmates. My gaze was drawn to Zach, who was standing far away and still on the phone. The better I left here, the less likely it was that my classmates would insist on my joining them. I acted like I didn't see Katana's waving and walked towards our house. When I arrived at my room, I texted Katana, telling her not to say anything about our
After the class ended for that day, I received a message from Sir Alexander including the address where Zach was staying. I stopped, my eyes widening. It's far from here, and I need to take a three-hour trip. Then I continued walking, pulling the letter from my shoulder bag that Sir Alexander had handed me yesterday before leaving the mansion. Letter that I should give to the dean of the college of business. "Ren!" I heard Grace's voice behind me. And it's been a week since Evan has not joined Grace and Lucia. I understand why, when he knew about Grace and Aldridge's relationship, things changed, he stayed away, and I feel sorry for him. Sometimes we ran into each other, and he only smiled. I tried to talk to him, but he always makes excuses that he is busy. Grace was naive enough not to see what Evan was doing and only believed his lie that he was busy when, in fact, he was not. Except for me and Lucia, who knew why. I faced her with a smile on my face. Every day, I see her cheer
I watched him sleep on the couch after tending his wounded hand. My shirt had some smudges of blood after he hugged me. He was intoxicated and did not know what he was doing; he did not even feel the pain in his wound. A cut from the broken glass. Did he plan to kill himself by losing his blood? I sighed in frustration, and my gaze narrowed on him. He was sleeping on the side, sounding like a child, and still holding my hand. We would have talked unless he was sober, which he wasn't. How many alcoholic drinks did he consume? I brushed away the hair from his forehead, and he sniffed the alcohol, smoke, and vomit from him. I wrinkled my nose, and placed his hand on the side. Where did he put his things? Someone might think I murdered someone for wearing this shirt. I first cleaned the mess in the living room before looking at the kitchen, which was almost full of alcohol. Is he serious about consuming it all? Until when? I didn't see any food or anything to eat. I sighed, palming m
I sat at the table while waiting for my order. Up until now, I have not answered his call. He was persistent, and I didn't want to talk to him or hear what he had to say. My phone buzzed, and I stared at it. He was calling again. I put the phone screen down on the table and tapped my fingers to the rhythm. He's not bothering me. There aren't many people inside since it's past twelve. Until the food came, and I devoured it. I noticed someone staring at me from behind and turned to face them. But I didn't notice anything except for the passersby outside. I continued eating until I finished. I went to the fabric and craft store to buy fabrics for the design I will submit next week. When I bought what I wanted, I went out, but I noticed the woman who looked at me coming inside. I glanced at her as she was walking towards the counter and talking to the cashier, who also glanced at me. My phone pinged a message, and I looked at it. From Zach, telling me I should come back. I stopped a
How can I not respond when my body responds on its own? The taste of his lips was something I should not have tasted, and I won't be here in this position. My mind doesn't work properly, and I wanted more. He's a good kisser because he makes me want something I've never felt for Blake, even though my heart was in turmoil. He was like a sin, letting me fall into its wrongdoing. I wasn't Cairen, and she doesn't like him. Yet, all my rational thinking goes against me. I let my feelings go on their own, freeing myself for this moment. My arms were wrapped around his neck as I tasted him more and more. I felt his warmth and his heart beating against me. His hand supported my head and my back. When it all ends, can I fade away? "Will you stay?" he asked, his arms encircling my waist, his head at my neck, and his warm breath tickling my skin. I stared at the ceiling of the room as we lay on the soft bed. How long have we been lying here? The kiss did not end in the kitchen but in this b
The warmth was comfortable, and as I moved closer, my back touched a hard chest. I sensed the calm movement of his breathing as I inhaled his faint scent, and realized his arm encircled my waist with his other leg between mine while the other rested on my right leg. We were sharing a blanket.I opened my eyes, not moving my body except for my head to look at him. His eyes were closed while his other arm was on my pillow.How did we end up like this? I can't move, I'm sure he'll wake up if I do that. I turned my head, and my gaze moved to his slightly longer hair, hiding some of his handsome face. I lifted my hand and parted it.If I wake up and see this face every day, I will never get bored. I can watch him sleep, but thinking about it was weird.I never thought like this with Blake, although he was always the one doing it to me, which is strange sometimes. He always wakes me up with a shake and teases me about how I was sleeping just to make me laugh.Although we didn't share a bed u
I watched him as he continued painting. He was skilled as his hand moved on the canvas and the palette, and his handsome face was serious, concentrating on what he was doing. Then I stared back at the mini canvas in my hand, remembering how he had urged me a while ago to try painting because it was relaxing. But all I did was glance at it, not knowing what to draw. I was sitting on the gray beanbag chair a few steps away from him. "Did you create something?" Zach asked out of the blue, glancing at his side. I pouted, grabbing the paint brush. "No, I am still thinking. It's not relaxing, Zach, it's pressuring me.” He laughed softly. "Why don't you draw a butterfly? Try that way." "You know I am terrible at this, but I try," I said. A butterfly, hmmm... I formed the butterfly I wanted and imagined myself as if I were just creating a design for my clothes. When I was satisfied with my sketch using the black paint, I let it dry. Later, I asked Zach if Aldridge ever found where my p
I don't know what to say to his question. I remained silent as we hugged each other. If only I could like him as I am. But I can't; I was doing this for Grandma and Cairen's sake. I will not let myself completely fall for him. I have a plan for life after this marriage, and I will forget him along with my feelings. But I will enjoy and cherish every moment I have with him. I looked at the finished portrait painting. And he had finished it in two days. My hand touched the dried paint of my image. I had no intention of painting him, but he insisted after he finished the portrait of his grandfather. "It's so beautiful," I said breathlessly. Then turned my head to look at Zach at my side. I thought he was staring at the portrait, but to me it was his beautiful smile. "You are beautiful," he muttered, snatching my breath away. The only thing I could do was wish for something impossible. "Thank you for this. But I can't take it." I returned it to the painting stand. Because seeing myse
Zach and I stood there in the crowded room, surrounded by the people we loved, when Grandfather Alexander made the announcement, we had all been waiting for. "I'm cancer-free," he said with a small smile, his eyes flickering with relief and gratitude.Tears prickled in my eyes as I watched him, unable to believe that after more than a year of confinement in the hospital, he had finally overcome the disease that had plagued him for so long. Although he still struggled to stand properly, his physical tests were gradually improving, thanks to the tireless work of his therapists.But then, the room erupted with another shout, and I turned to see Haze leaping onto the table, a wild grin spread across his face. "It's a boy!" he screamed; his arms flung wide in jubilation. "I'm having a son!"Zach's hand tightened around mine, pulling me closer to him as we shared in the joy of the moment. He beamed at Haze; his pride evident in his every movement. He kissed my forehead, his joy overflowing.
I couldn't help but wonder what was preventing him from advancing. Was he getting increasingly irked with the current ambiance in the hallway, now that I was present? He approached me, causing me to feel a flutter of nerves. I wasn't sure if I should flee or stand my ground and watch him come closer. "Casslie, it's been a long time," he said, speaking slowly as I cautiously met his gaze. "I had no idea you were here in the Philippines too." "I've been here for over a week now," I responded succinctly, and he studied me intently. Of course, Casslie! Iffin you! He's probably just visiting his grandfather! What else would he be doing here? "I was on my way there now," he answered, and I gazed at him thoughtfully. I informed him that I would be heading back to Grandpa Alexander's room to say farewell. We made our way to his room in silence, with my mind focused on the jumbled thoughts swirling in my head, and Zach simply observing the flowers he had placed on Grandpa Alexander's tabl
I couldn't help but inhale deeply as I listened to her words. My heart felt heavy as I struggled to process everything she was saying. "H-how is he doing, Bella?" I finally asked, my voice filled with concern. "He's okay... I think," she said with a shrug as she leaned back into her chair. "He never opens up to me about his problems. He keeps everything to himself and refuses to share what's going on in his head. Every time I ask him, he just says that he's got it under control. I know deep down he's still struggling with what happened to our grandfather, especially now that his condition has worsened." "I heard about it from our grandmother," I said softly. She smiled at me and I felt a wave of comfort wash over me. "No matter what mistakes our grandfather may have made, Casslie, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him. You have no idea how long he's been waiting for you to come back and visit him. He's been beating himself up for causing you and your brother pain. He
Due to my question, she gasped. It wasn't just her who was surprised because even Grandma was startled by my question. "Che-Cheska?" "Just answer, Cairen," I said without hesitation, swallowing her fear. Based on her face, it seemed she didn't know how to answer my question. "Is that result yours or were you blackmailed by Cheska before?" "It's mine," she replied confidently, taking a deep breath. "The baby died when I gave birth to her. I wasn't even able to hold or see her before they took her away to Grandma." I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at Grandma who was now silent. She looked at me when she noticed my gaze on her. "I wasn't able to show her to Cairen because the doctors on duty then forbade me to," Grandma answered, looking down. I know Cairen didn't want to remember the death of her first child, so she didn't question it anymore. Sadness and tears were also evident on her face, so instead of asking questions, she just remained quiet. We continued to wander around th
As I sat at the dinner table with my parents, Papa posed the question that caught me off guard, "Do you want to visit him, daughter?" The mere mention of Zach sent my mind spiraling and a warm flush rose to my cheeks. "I don't want to see him anymore, Pa," I answered, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice. Mama and Papa exchanged a concerned look, aware of the tension between Zach and I. "God knows how much I hate him..." "His grandfather, daughter," Papa corrected me gently, a hint of amusement in his voice as Mama let out a small laugh. "We were asking if you wanted to visit him in the hospital, daughter." My words had made me feel ashamed, and I struggled to meet my parents' gaze. "There's no reason for me to visit him anymore," I replied softly, before returning to my meal in silence. The thought of Zach lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder about his whereabouts. But I didn't dare bring him up in conversation, as it seemed to be the only topic my parents wan
After much contemplation for two weeks, I finally made the decision to return to the Philippines. The thought of it weighed heavily on my mind, but once the decision was made, I felt confident in it. Blake had promised to visit me whenever he had a vacation or gigs in the country, and Alice and Katana had also pledged to accompany me. With their support, I felt motivated to search for a suitable place for us to stay, just like we had in the past. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was greeted with a loud, joyful cry of "Casslie, my child!" from Mama, who then enveloped me in a warm, tight embrace. We held each other tightly as we reunited at the terminal. Grace, Lucia, and Evan were also there to greet me, but Aldridge was nowhere in sight. Despite this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. "I told you, it's you that I saw at Forçe last time," Grace said before she smiled at me and hugged me, which I returned. Even though our relationship wasn't good the las
The desire for silence was overwhelming. All I wanted was to escape to a tranquil place with Blake, where we could just be together without any distractions. But ever since Zach reappeared in my life, something had shifted. My decision to retreat from the world was no longer so simple. Despite everything that had happened, I still loved Zach. The guilt I felt towards Blake was overwhelming, as if I had been using him to forget the past. Had I really been so callous as to use him as a distraction? Lost in thought, I looked up to see a familiar face not far from me. Grace. She was beaming with happiness, chatting animatedly with the man beside her - Aldridge. It was hard not to feel a twinge of envy as I watched them from afar. As I watched the couple, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing mixed with regret. It was evident from their smiles and the way they looked at each other that they were genuinely happy together. But the happiness that I felt radiating from them only served
To be truthful, I was uncertain. For the past few months, Zach had become an integral part of my life. I had learned countless valuable lessons from him, and whether I acknowledged it or not, my feelings for him still lingered. I tried to conceal my emotions, but it seemed like my actions always betrayed me and revealed my true feelings towards him. I had spent two consecutive days with my parents in my condo unit. We passed the time by binge-watching N*****x shows and honing our cooking skills. Despite my slow progress, my mother never gave up on teaching me. "It's not bad anymore," my mother praised as she took a bite of my dish. questions about Blake from my parents had finally ceased. I was at ease, not having to worry about what to say if they were to inquire about him again. However, this also left me with a sense of unease as I wasn't sure how to answer them should they ever bring him up again. Days passed, and my life resumed its normal routine. But with each passing day, the
After the nurse in the nearest hospital treated my wound, we left. I was walking side by side with Zach towards the parking lot. I didn't say anything when he told me that he missed me. He hates me, why should he say that? "Thank you. But you don't have to take me," I said and looked at my phone with the cab to see when it would arrive. "We need to talk," he said, and looked at my bloodied shirt. "And you need to change your shirt." I looked at him seriously. "What are we going to talk about? Oh, you are planning to ruin my reputation after what I have done." He sighed wearily. "Not about that. Let's talk in a quieter place, not here. In the restaurant.” Even if I am stubborn with him although he was more stubborn than me and he was good at persistent. "Okay," I agreed. I didn't know which restaurant we were going to but it was far away from the mall. Until he stopped at a restaurant I had never been to. He didn't come out and stayed where he was sitting which made me wonder.