I bowed and closed my eyes.His voice was gentle and I knew where Steven's hair came from because of his curly hair."Hija, you're pale," he said worriedly. "Are you afraid of me?"I opened my eyes and was surprised by what his mother said.Steven looked at me worriedly."Tori..."I swallowed and looked up."P-Po?"I jumped in shock when he suddenly grabbed my hand. I saw the parting of his lips and looked at me sadly."Your hand is cold, hija. I won't bite you. I am happy because I finally met the woman who makes my son smile again."Suddenly the nervousness in my chest subsided. He just smiled at me and called his wife who was about to go up to the second floor.When it turned around I knew it well. He is Governor Oxford, Steven's father and one of the successful businessmen in the country."Hon, look!" Mrs. took Zellor is Oxford and approaches his wife. "They're here and our grandson!"I lost my attention on them when Steven grabbed my chin and lifted me towards him. I could see th
After that scene I lost my appetite. I was too guilty about the events. Maybe he did that because Steven ignored him.My brain has become a mess and I don't know what to do first. I rubbed my forehead when I felt dizzy. My breathing also quickened and my whole body felt cold."Hija, are you okay?" Steven's mom asked me. "Steven, maybe he's feeling bad. I'll take care of your son."I immediately shook my head. "I'm fine."I looked up when Steven suddenly stood up."I've been noticing you for a while, Tori. You're so pale. Don't be naughty. You're not okay."I couldn't do anything when he suddenly pulled me upright. He said goodbye to his parents and we walked towards the stairs.Steven grabbed my waist as we made our way up to the second floor."I'm fine. You don't need to take care of me."I was about to take the last step when I suddenly felt dizzy. I immediately clung to his arm so as not to fall completely. My heart beat faster and I looked up at Steven who now raised his eyebrows.
It's been a few days since I texted Megan. To be honest, I'm nervous because he might tweak me again. So I practiced whatever I was going to say. Steven always visits me but he is also always busy because he has something to do before he leaves his job. And today is Megan's meeting. Steven didn't know because I just said I was going to buy something."Don't call me! Leche!"I turned to Minda in shock when I heard her annoyed voice. He was at the door with his phone to his ear. He immediately hung up the phone when he saw me."Are you leaving?" he asked and sat down on the sofa. "Is Zellor still asleep?"I nodded and adjusted my clothes. I'm wearing leggings and a big T-shirt. My hair is tied so that somehow, it's still safe when it's going to be tweaked."Alright, don't squeeze in a lot of people, ah! You're still pregnant!""Yes, dear queen!" I teased and put on the shoes.I just rode a tricycle to the public restaurant here in the city of Badian. I'm not rich and I don't have money
I am now walking towards the waiting shed. After I dreamed of Mama, I had the strength to visit her even though I knew she would drive me away afterwards. I still want to try.I stopped walking when my cellphone rang. My lips parted when I saw Steven's number. I hesitated whether to answer or not. I took a deep breath and answered the call."Hello, Steven...""Have you met Megan, Tori?" he asked me an opening question.My eyes widened and I was suddenly nervous. How did he know that I met Megan?"Y-Yes..." I closed my eyes and sighed. "I met him.""Did he hurt you? Did he say something to you? Where are you?" he asked one after another. "I'm coming for you!"I immediately shook my head. "N-Not anymore, Steven. I'm going home too. I'm still going to see Mama.""Tori—"I put my phone away when someone honked."Ma'am, are you going to ride? We're going!" said the man while waving."Go ahead!" I put the phone back to my ear while walking towards the jeep. "Steven, I'll take it down first.
They say, nothing can compare to a mother's love. Even though I have never experienced that kind of love, I agree with what they said.Me myself, I love my son very much and I can sacrifice everything for him. I don't want my child to experience what I experienced with my Mom.There is still sadness in my heart but my love for him is still more dominant. Maybe because she is my Mama and no matter how bad she is, it still cannot be denied that I come from her.I watched Mama with a smile while eating a burger in the hospital canteen. Steven and I accompanied him and fed him the foods he liked.I sat next to him while putting down the food we bought one by one while Steven just remained standing, watching us."It's delicious!" he commented while eating.He raised his hand and gave a thumbs up. I'm new to him, maybe because he can't remember. I was smiling like a fool while watching my mom. He looks like a child who doesn't know anything about the world. I'm so happy that I was able to h
Steven Oxford's Point of View"Zellor," I called my son while playing with a ball on the floor.I sat across from him and took the ball from him. "After giving birthof your Mama, I will marry her, son."My son frowned, maybe he didn't understand what I said. I ruffled his hair and returned the ball to him."We will live in her favorite place which is the Island." I took a deep breath and looked at my husband who was happily watching the show. I looked back at my son. "I have already built a house, Zellor. We will live in a very peaceful environment, as he wants.""Dad!" He gave me the ball and took the robot by his side.I looked down at the ball and looked back at Qotorie who was eating popcorn while watching. I stood up and approachedhim. My lips parted when I saw that there was a mango on his side again and what other foods he was mixing."Tori, stop eating that kind of food. It's disgusting!" I stood next to him and looked at him. "What are you watching?"I turned to the TV and
A few years later, Steven and I got married and lived happily in each other's company but fate was really funny. To this day, it is still not clear to me why we ended up in a situation that will destroy the family we built before."Qotorie, hija, are you done?"I jolted from that loud scream, making the lipstick I was applying smudged down my chin. I rested on my forehead and took a deep breath while observing the scattered red line there."Qotorie? Are you done yet? Your wife is very bored downstairs waiting for you!"Shaking and laughing, I reached for the wet wipes when I heard what our rushing maid said. I looked at the vanity mirror and wiped my chin clean. With that, I looked at thethe door opened, revealing our old maid, Manang Setta."Come on down, Manang. Is it Zellor? Is he awake yet?" I asked, tilting my head sideways to show that I am listening."Wake up earlier, hija. Also eating together with his grandparents. I'm crying and I've been looking for you for a while. You kn
"Okay. You know what, baby? Your daddy is the most handsome boy I've ever seen in my whole life and the most kind-hearted, too. He is always with Daddylo and Mommyla whenever they visit the orphanage. Your daddy loves reaching for people and giving them help. Baby, your daddy is a nice guy," I told him, remembering the reasons why I have fallen in love with his father.I smiled at a memory."Tintin! Tintin! Your son of Governor Oxford and Mrs. Oxford is here again, Come on! Come on! Let's introduce ourselves!" Emery, or Em-Em, a young girl who was also my colleague at the orphanage, encouraged me while pulling my arm tightly."Just a moment!" I stopped him but he pulled me all the way towards the boy he was referring to.My chest heaved when I saw that boy. I wanted to pull my hand and run away but Emery is gripping my arm tightly."Em-Em,"I could almost keep myself from accidentally stroking and sinking into the man. I felt all the blood in my body went up to my face when I crashed
I breathed a sigh of relief when he said that. Is that why she seemed like crying?"But," she trailed off."Aunt?" I called, fear returning to my chest.I thought Gabriel is already awake?"Can you talk to him now, mmm? We can't stop him from disappearing and we're looking for you," he said."Alright, Auntie! Let me talk to him!" I answered quickly.I stopped walking. A few moments later I heard the disturbance of the line on the other side and Gabriel's strained voice."Qotorie?" he called my name."Are you okay? Gabriel, thank God you are awake!" I said."I want to see you, Qotorie. Where are you?" instead he said.I bit my lower lip."Someone just went. But I promised you, Gabriel. When I get home, I will go to you immediately," I assured him."Tori, I want you beside me. Qotorie," his voice softened."Gabriel?" I called because he suddenly disappeared from the line."Hello? Gabriel?" I call again."Hija, it's his mom again. He fell asleep again. He was injected with a sedative so
I almost died laughing at Serge. He is very entertaining. No wonder, he is seen on TV. Sage even added that he prepared a sexy dance performance for Calianna to the accompaniment of a popular song.Under the white lightIn the yellow moonHear my cryIn the yellow moonMy jaw really hurts from laughing. Sage is dancing like a macho dancer in a gay club."Mommy, I am going to pee," Zellor called out to me.I was about to get up to go with him but Steven made a presentation that he would be the one to accompany our son."It's me. I will have to answer a call, too," said Steven, slightly raising the cellphone and showing me that Mama Alora was calling him.I nodded to him and looked at Nina and Kalilah who were approaching me."I could never look at Sage the same way again," Kalilah said while sinking to the chair beside me."Oh, things we do for love," Nina said while also sitting next to me."Where is Davina?" I will ask."Mmm... She is with her babysitter. She's asleep," said Nina."V
I bowed my head as my tears fell. Uncle Segismundo! Is that for me?"Don't ever give up on each other. Do not be fooled into thinking that love is supposed to be easy. It is not. It will never be. Because marriage is not just an occasion if it is not a relationship that forever that you both swore before the Lord," Tito Segismundo added.Steven, are you listening to him?You will be hit!"I wish you all the best. Give me lots of grandchildren, huh?" Tito Segismundo continued to laugh. Then, he raised his wine glass and we all did the same. "Let's make a toast to the new husband and wife," he concluded.Then, we clinked our glasses with the spoon just like in the traditions, signaling a kiss from them. Sage happily kissed Calianna as if there was no tomorrow."Bro, can't wait?" Serge groined again.Then he stood up. He pulled Steven, Davin, and Dallas upright one by one then pulled them to the middle, raising the wine glass they were holding."To finally getting our asses back together
The reception followed at the resort. It was almost seven o'clock in the evening when the wedding ended. It was short but sweet and intimate. I looked around the event hall andfind it really impressive that in just a short notice, the resort staff were able to decorate the whole place grandly, it was very aesthetic to the eyes.The backdrop in front is made up of hundreds of white and pink colored flowers. The lightings around are just enough to light the mood needed by the occasion. And even though we were only a few of their guests, we were eating food.Sage really knew how to spoil Calianna.We settled on our assigned seats and waited for the mini program to start. In front was the newlywed, Sage could not get his hands off Calianna."Look at the horny man! Maybe that one is forgetting that we're still here?" I heard Serge say to Steven who was right next to me, referring to the groom whose face is now pressed against the bride's neck."Fuck yourself, Serge. Why are you so pressed
I sighed as I laid my back on my bed. It is not that I am closing my doors for love. I also said and promised myself that I will love someone else besides Steven. But then, right now, I have no interest about finding myself a man. Besides, it is going to be unfair to the man that will come my way knowing that I am still in love with my ex-husband.I grabbed my pillow and threw it over my face.Steven Oxford, how could you forget?I regretted staying up that night because I woke up at noon the next day. With quick movements, I took a bath and put on the shirt Steven told me to wear, then, a white pants, and red rubber shoes for my feet. I'm just thankful that my hair is short and it won't take any more time because I'm really in a hurry.I glanced at myself on the mirror and smiled at the red printed shirt I was wearing. I folded the sleeves once. I knotted the hem at the navel then turned around and looked in the mirror at what was written there.#TeamOxfordI was distracted when my p
One sleepover stretched into two. Wednesday and Thursday quickly passed by. We wasted no time to practice the performance we will do tomorrow. It was decided that Steven will play his guitar and on the other hand, Zellor and I will sing.It was the night before Friday when they told me to go home. Steven told me that he has to do something else. And I swear that it was the hardest. I suppressed my emotions and faked a smile while waving my hand at Zellor who was already there in the back seat of the car.I could not stop myself but go near him. The car windows on his side were rolled down and I took the opportunity to touch him. I smiled and gently caressed his cheeks."Mommy," he called me while peering through the window."Hmm?"I blinked away the tears in my eyes.Qotorie, when will you get tired?"I still don't want to go home yet. I like it here," he said as he looked up the floor above the café, my room, as he began throwing his tantrums again.We had to force a few times before
We used to do this before. When Zellor doesn't have class and Steven doesn't go to work, the three of us go here. They will help me bake breads and cakes, then together, we will eat some after with a good cup of coffee for Steven and me and milkshake for her.Good old times.My lip quivered.Don't cry.Don't you dare cry right now, Qotorie!I eventually managed to keep myself composed all the while the three of us were in the kitchen. Fortunately it wasn't what I expected. Back then, when I thought that the three of us would be together despite our situation, the feeling would be very difficult. But to my surprise, it was the total opposite. We even managed to laugh and tease.While the pastries are in the oven and while I am waiting for it to be ready for the counter, I began wiping the marble top clean. I laughed and looked at Zellor when he came out of the kitchen to play with Sally and some of my staff.I thought that Steven followed him but he was behind me and I was surprised wh
I hardly brushed the sleep off my eyes again, because maybe I was just dreaming or something.But they are really here!What are they doing here?"Daddy, we should buy Mommy the digital door locks with the censor. I do not trust this doorknob. Some thief might barge in," said Zellor while watching Steven as he was doing at my door."We will do that, baby. But for the mean time, this is a double lock first," answered Steven, giving my door another hit with a hammer in his hand.What are they doing at my door?And why are they both here so early?I feel so disoriented. I removed the blanket that covered my body and then left the bed. I hugged the blazer I was wearing as I walked near them."Mommy! Hey! You're awake!" Zellor exclaimed as he looked back at me and then greeted me with a warm hug.I squatted until our heights met.I returned the hug to him while looking up at Steven."What are you doing here?" I will ask.Zellor resigned and answered my question."Mommy, didn't you say that
I couldn't move for a few seconds because I was so shocked. And when I did, I regretted that I had not made the slightest move.I tripped shamelessly on my own feet, almost, if not because of the man's quick movement, I must have been swimming with the garbage behind me."Oops! Careful!" he said, holding me tightly by the waist.I quickly got out of his grip, as if I was electrocuted, quickly moved away and straightened up, still catching some breath.I feel like my heart is in my throat. What is he doing here? At this time?He chuckled and shook his head, the dimples on both his cheeks left me speechless.I squinted my eyes and surveyed the man. I couldn't be wrong! He is the one I saw earlier in the café! He was the one that the customers were lining up and excited about earlier!The thought of those female customers and the I'll things they have said about my café made my anger rise again.And now, in front of me is the barista and the owner, and probably the one that created the c