I didn't work overtime. I told Ma'am Emma that I won't be long and I just excused my daughter to send me home. I don't want to stay in a place where I know Steven is nearby. And it's true that my son needs me.I didn't stay far away from him to be honest. Badian Island is not far from Moalboal. I just couldn't run far and I didn't expect that there was Zellor in my stomach then. I still love Steven until now. I just don't want to mess up my already quiet life again. I am suffering for my sin. I don't want to sin again and my child is more important.So many ideas came to my mind that just made my head hurt. Steven's family is not an ordinary family. They're millionaires, businessmen, and politicians. They are the people whose lives are very private without much media exposure. They're too powerful.But if I will lose my son, I don't know. No matter how powerful they are, I will fight them. I won't let him have my son if he finds out. I will fight for my son because he is my only hope
It's been a week since that happened and I haven't heard from him. Joel said he left. My heart ached and I knew why. I pushed him away myself. I pushed him away so why am I hurt?No woman wants to be a hooker.I never dreamed of that. I love him so much and it will only stay that way. If I have to lie all the time, I will do it just to keep him away from me forever. So it's a good thing he's gone so I can go back to my normal nervousness. I am a sinful woman. I grew up disowned by my mother. Growing up with so many judgmental people around me. I can live alone. I can live without a man. I can take good care of myself. I accepted my own mistake and walked away.Saturday, my day-off.I thought of taking my son to the market. We only do this once in a while and now is my chance to bond with my son.I put an angry birds hat on my son and then picked him up. I wore a simple white floral dress and let my hair down to my shoulders."Be careful!" Aunt Merna waved as we were at the gate.I tur
"Jusko, I don't know what to do!" Aunt Merna cried while walking back and forth.I fixed my clothes because today I will make money with Steven. I tightened the tie in my hair and swallowed while looking in front of the mirror. I still can't believe that he had such a plan. Why? Does he have a hidden agenda? Why do people need to be evicted? Is he that greedy for his land?I looked at Tiya who is still anxious. "Aunt Merna, just calm down," I said while adjusting the collar of my dress. "Everything will be fine. I'm sure you won't leave this island."He nodded and sat in the chair.He cupped his forehead and turned to me nodding. "I hope so, Qotorie. Because if not, many people will be affected, especially the children. We know that the land was just loaned to us, I just can't believe that the owner's son has already sold it."I can't help feeling sorry for them. Me, when I get kicked out, I'll have someone else to live with, but those who have been here for a long time, where can the
"I will temporarily stay in the island. Maybe at the Casa Resort."I glanced at him while I was eating. I saw that he was done and was just looking at me. Every time I took a bite, it was as if he was watching over me, so I suddenly vomited.I sat down and immediately reached for a glass of water and drank it. But, I almost spit out my drink when he suddenly stood up and walked towards me. I almost held my breath when he gently patted my back while I continued coughing and rubbing my neck.When I looked up at him, our eyes met. I was about to avoid it when he suddenly grabbed my chin and made me face him. I gasped because of what he did and my heart was racing again."Tsk!"The side of his lips lifted and took a tissue from the table while wiping the side of my lips. His lips twitched because of what he did. He also took the glass in my hand and placed it on the table."Tsk, you're still a baby, huh?" He laughed and continued. "I also have some business to attend so we will see each o
I was nervous as I headed to the second floor. Is this the beginning? I had so many questions but I knew I couldn't ask him.I want to say so much but I stop myself from saying it. I have been through a lot in life. When will I be happy? That real fun, not just for a moment.I don't want to face Steven anymore.I don't want him to know that I still love him. I swallowed when I got to room 14. I took a deep breath before knocking on the door a third time."House Keeping!" I tried to raise my voice even though the nervousness was still there.My lips parted and I backed away slightly as the door opened. The towel-clad Steven appeared to me. Her hair was wet as the water flowed down her beautiful body. I swallowed again and looked up at him."Tsk, come here."He grinned and opened the door wide and then turned his back on me. I sighed and then followed him. When I was inside, I looked around the room and was almost disappointed when I saw that there was no clutter."Wait for a minute. I'
"I'm going to work, Aunt Merna," I kissed my daughter's cheek in farewell."Alright, hija! Be careful!" He waved.I smiled at them before leaving the house. Good thing a tricycle passed right away so I didn't have to wait any longer."Let's go," I said to Manong driver when I sat down.What happened yesterday came back to my mind. He hugged me and kept saying sorry. As if he had a deeper reason. I'm also thinking about what to do. I don't want him to call me all the time because we are gossiping and my work might be affected.When I arrived at the resort, I paid the fare and then got off the tricycle. I looked at the tourists I met and bowed slightly. I went through the back to make it easier to get to the locker room where my uniform was. When I arrived, I immediately opened my locker to get the uniform and started to get dressed. I just stopped fixing my hair when I saw Jamaica walk in and go to her locker."So..." He raised an eyebrow at me while glancing over me."How is life as a
"Gather, everyone!"We all stopped what we were doing when Ma'am Emma spoke. Her hair is in a high ponytail while she is wearing a formal dress. His aura was really different from the beginning. When you first look at him, he looks like he's ready to scream.Joel elbowed me and asked me to sit next to him. We are not doing much today because there is a meeting going on and Ma'am Emma is the lead. I don't know what to talk about but almost all the employees are here, including the chefs. When we were seated, Ma'am Emma stood up in front and took a sip. He looked at each of us before he spoke."I am here in front of you to inform you that..." He paused for a moment to take a deep breath."There is a new building to be built that is also part of the Casa resort."My lips twitched at what I heard. Leah looked at me and smiled. I just nodded to him and looked ahead again."And we have a new uniform designed by the owner himself."Joel looked at his own uniform. "Are we going to wear school
I will choose myself again. I do not care anymore. It was like the truth slapped me again. I was slapped that Steven and I really can't. Very painful. I do not know why. What is my fault that why I am still being punished? I don't care what Steven does on this island. It's his conscience and not mine. He is a very bad person.He thinks of nothing but himself. Why did I love him? And they had children? But he told me that they don't do that thing with his wife.Is he lying to me? I can not take it anymore. I am going to back out. Seeing his wife is a nightmare for me. I was really scared and felt even more guilty when I saw him again. I don't want anymore. I will stop this stupidity of mine. I think the truth needs to be presented to me before I realize it."Hija, why all of a sudden?" Aunt Merna asked me sadly. "Did something happen? Are you in trouble?"I shook my head and began to cry. "Aunt, thank you so much for taking care of my son. But I have to leave. I realized that this plac
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