I was still thinking about what Giovanni's message. But I didn't respond. I'm at a loss for words to explain the message he gave. And there was no subsequent message from him again. I dropped my head down and hissed as I glanced at the dishes I washed. I've been sponging the glass in front of me.I thought doing this would help me not be bothered if I couldn't talk to Giovanni. What was he thinking when he sent that? I needed to know why! My teeth clenched. "You've been there for a while. Haven't you finished what you're doing?" Zach's question from behind me caught me off guard. "Do you have a problem? I've noticed the depth of your thoughts for a while now." I put the glass down and took another one. I haven't gotten through half of the dishes I have to clean. How many seconds have I been here? I cannot remember. "I don't have a problem," I replied to Zach, who took a mug from the drawer and placed it on the counter. He gripped the crutch tightly for balance. He turned his head
The cab stopped in front of the restaurant where I am going to meet Giovanni. I pushed the car's door and stared at the name of the restaurant. My eyes widened because it was owned by Del Fiore, Zach's father, as I searched about Giovanni before. It was one of the restaurants he manages.Why in this place? It's not a mere expensive restaurant but high class. Most of the diners here were elites and businesspeople. After I got off, I walked straight to the double glass door where a guard was standing. He was dressed in a black uniform with a gold chain in front. Is it a guard, it seems he was waiting for me."Name?" it asked me immediately after approaching."Cairen Verdan," I answered, and glanced inside through the glass. There were quite a fewer customers inside.He nodded at me and opened the door for me to enter. The cool air conditioning welcomed me with the smell of luxury I inhaled. It was not an ordinary restaurant, and I noticed some glances in my direction.A woman in a black
It was evening when I came home, and my body was aching. I want to sleep as soon as I get home. But I promised my mother last night that I would help her cook. My father was in the living room, and I was searching for Zach. I don't understand why he should feel like I did something terrible to him, like talking with his brother. The upset I was feeling for him came back to me as I remembered last night and his cold treatment. Did I do something? I embraced my father and kissed his cheek. "Where is Mama?" I asked. "In the kitchen, cooking for dinner," my father said, looking at the paper bags I was holding. "Did you go shopping?" I had no plans to come home, and I wanted to stay in the hotel for a while. However, I changed my plan by wandering at the mall, looking at anything just to take my mind away from thinking of Cairen and coming back to the past. Still, I can't move on. How do we move forward? That's the question I want to know. Because no matter what I do, I can't go back
"How's your first day, Ren?" Grace asked me when I sat across the seat. We are in the library, and the new uniform is comfortable to wear. I placed the two books on the table and smiled. "It's fine as usual," I answered. It was not bad. My classmates were friendly, and I only needed two subjects this semester. The last remaining subject for me. "As usual. It's not bad? From what you had used?" Grace laid her arms on the table and leaned. "Nothing new, who are you waiting for here? Do you still have class?" I changed the subject. I looked around and noticed that there weren't many students inside. "Vacant time, I stay here often, and since Lucia and Evan have classes, I don't have anyone to hang out with," answered Grace. "It's boring. I really want to go to the nearby mall. But I don't have anyone with me. My class will be one more later." I want to go with him, but I have a class later. But I'm free until the afternoon. I had met Lucia. She was friendly, bubbly, and chatty. She
"The reason you are here is that I want to discuss your meeting with Giovanni," Alexander began, his face serious. He was sitting across from me with his right hand holding his cane. My grip on the bag on my lap tightened. Zach told his grandfather. "We had a talk before, Miss Verdan, about your relationship with Giovanni. You promise to end it as soon as you agree to choose my other grandson. But now you are forgetting about it. Do you want to take everything Giovanni had? Are you willing to end this settlement?” There was a warning in his tone. My eyes grew wide. And I don't understand what he was talking about. “I could ruin him right now, and you will be free from this arrange marraige. Tell me your decision, Miss Verdan. Is it him or your family?” All this time, the reason Ciaren chose Zach was because of Giovanni. Why didn't you tell me about this Cairen? I smiled widely and met his emotionless eyes. What we are doing is business. "You know what I will choose, Sir Alexande
I was quiet while watching the establishment we passed and Zach's attention outside the window. He only told me yesterday that we were going to his mother's death anniversary.I have many questions, but he has no intention of answering them. He gave me silence. Aldridge was the one driving, and he was silently glancing at Zach and me. I don't understand why he was looking at us. And Zach was aware of his stares and glares at him. Then Aldridge focused on the road. Zach was wearing a black coat and tie, as was Aldridge. Death anniversary—how come his mother died? Whose mother? Does Zach have two mothers? The car entered the gate of a columbarium building, and many people were there. After stopping in the parking lot, the three of us got out. We entered the building while Zach was still using his crutch. Everything was white, and Sir Alexander was coming out of one of the rooms and approaching us. "You are here, Cairen," said Sir Alexander, and he hugged me. I was still confused, and
I touched his hand, showing him I was listening and that I was there for him. I moved closer to him. He sighed. "I left the house and went to my grandfather. I was begging him to tell me everything. That's the first time I met my other sister, Arrabella. Grandpa told me everything that broke my heart. I never saw her. After giving birth to my little sister, my mother could not cope with her son being taken from her. She was depressed, afraid Arrabella would be taken. My mother begged my father to bring me to her. Father did not care.” Zach's jaws tensed. “He had no heart for doing it to my mother. Arrabella was five when our mother died of a drug overdose.” His eyes were filled with tears. "She wanted to see me, but it didn't happen. I hated my father and the family he cared for. He never cared for his first wife. He killed her!” I can't help but be affected by his cry, and tears well up in my eyes. I embraced him, his forehead resting on my shoulder, as his shoulder shook. "If my
Zach was visibly anxious, clenching his fists and hunching his back as he stared down at the floor. I approached him and informed him that his grandfather was in the ICU. "What really happened?" he asked, looking up at me with tears in his eyes. "Aldridge even went to pick up Arrabella, who was at a beach resort in the city," I added. Tears streamed down Zach's face as I asked, "What happened? Aldridge only told me that Grandfather collapsed." I hugged him, and his head rested on my stomach. "It's not just a simple collapse, Cairen. Someone shot him in the back while he was boarding his private plane. The authorities are still trying to track down the perpetrator." My mouth dropped when I heard it. "Who can do this? Why?" "That's why I don't know who could do such a shameless thing. Grandfather was critically ill as a result of blood loss. I don't want to lose him, he was the only family I had that cared for me and my little sister," Zach said in a wavering, raspy voice. "I don't
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.