Back on top of the staircase, Charles's marble eyes were widely staring at Stella. He heard her but he couldn't guess if he really heard her right.
"Did you--" he stopped to catch his breath, "I can't damn breath!"
Immediately, Stella panicked, looking everywhere.
"What do you mean? Should I call for help?"
And just suddenly Charles embraced her tightly, leaving her wide eyes.
"This would be the perfect time to say something," she says quietly.
"I love you. I've been telling you I love you," he told her, giving her a peck on the cheek. "I know it might sound too fast and they say a guy falls in love in an average of 88 days but... I've been in love with you since that night. And I don't mean I just love your hotness. It's you. I love all of you."
Hearing those words made her cry softly, sniffing as she wraps her hands around him too. How could he be so extra in saying all those? Charles means those words
Monday. It should be the day people hates the most but Charles had a big grin on his face. As he makes his way toward the elevator, his employees couldn't help but feel new towards him. He was greeting them a good morning and that never happened."You look like you're in another universe right now, young master." Dimitri had commented. The older man could notice the flowers around Charles. He bet he wasn't the only one who feels that too."What are you saying, Dimitri? It's a beautiful day and I thought I should celebrate it.""But you don't usually celebrate such, sir. It's unlike you to even notice that it's a beautiful day." Dimitri glances at Charles and saw that the young man's face is glowing. Ah, it must be spring for him. "Mind telling me what happened, sir?""Well," the elevator dinged open to their floor and they head out together, "I'm in love with Stella and I just heard her say it back the other day. We've been good together.""I
Jenkins wanted to make himself a cocoa drink when he noticed Jason and Stella at the counter. If he was Charles, it wouldn't be a good sight to see. But the good thing is, he wasn't.It wasn't his thing to listen to other people's conversations that doesn't concern him. And so he decided to leave but before he could, he heard something interesting that made him stay. It was Jason just being uncool talking to Stella.Seeing this brought some ideas into Jenkins' mind. If he starts seeing a woman from Stella's class, would he be able to express himself like Jason is right now? But dear him! Where could he find some woman of his age? He'd find himself a girl, not even a proper lady!"What are you doing there, Jenkins?"Hearing that, he instantly turned and saw his twin sister Trixie. She was nothing like him. Trixie was always trying hard to be like Verna."Nothing. I just wanted some cocoa but the adults are having a conversation." H
After Stella helped with Trixie, she went back to sitting with Jason. She enjoys hearing his side of the story. And she's in her third cup of ice cream. Doctor Akira said she shouldn't be eating too much of it but she loves it."Trixie and Jenkins are so sweet," she told Jason as she opens her ice cream. "It should be nice having a twin brother.""No, I don't think Trixie thinks that. Plus, Jenkins was always the best between them. If she tries to compete, she knows what'll happen.""Are people here always competing with each other?" she asked and Jason nodded. "Why? Why do you always compete? Is to be the heir?""I don't want to be the heir, amber eyes." He chuckles, displaying a lopsided grin. "You might think I'm lying but I don't want to be. There's more to want, more things than just to be an heir."But that doesn't answer all of her questions. There was one Jason chose to ignore, chose to be silent about."What made you tak
It was already dawn when Charles came home. He had lots of things to take care of at work so he can get days off and spend time with Stella. It has been a long day that when he got inside their room he just tossed his case and his necktie at the chair. As he walked toward the bed, he took off his clothes leaving only his boxers and slides in the blanket.As soon as he lay, he noticed how Stella was on the edge of her side. She’s never that far from him, not even when he is home late. With no other choice, he moved to her side and carefully put his arms around Stella. One was above her waist and the under was under, then he slowly pulled her close.Stella turned around, groaning softly as she lifts one leg and rest it on top of Charles. It made him smile, gazing at her sleeping face. Then he moved in and stole a peck on her lips before closing his eyes.The next morning, Stella woke up gazing at Charles
In the bed, Stella kept staring at Charles’ face with a smile on her own. They had fun showering together and her mind is pretty calm now. Her worries were all worth it.“Do you want to go somewhere today, baby?” Charles asked her with closed eyes.“No, not really,” she answers, feeling the hairs on his chest. “I just want to be with you and talk.”“Are you still worried about Andrea?”She looks up at him, her lips pouted a little. “A little. Andrea is pretty and very classy. Plus, she’s your first love. They say guys don’t forget their first love.”“We don’t but we get over the feelings.” Charles turned sideways to hug Stella. “It doesn’t matter to me who is my first as long as you are my last, I am pretty much good.”Stella giggled
Like they planned, Stella and Charles stayed inside their room the whole day. They played some games in his old play station, watch some movies and just talking about their past while making love in between.For dinner, Stella and Charles wanted to have it at a fine restaurant but it was announced that Felius had something to say and wanted them present in the table. With no other choice, they decided to stay.Now at dinner, every one was present. Food were being served differently and Stella was wondering like the others what was up and why their dinner was apart from the other. But no one dared to question first. They had to wait.In the middle of dinner, Felius catches their attention by clanking his fork on a glass, making a bell sound. They shifted their focus on to him and he looked at them back with a smile.“I requested everyone here because during my morning, Mr. Andrews received an invitation.” He let them know. “The Virmich had invited the Castigado for their party and I wo
Stella wasn’t as surprised as Andrea. The bitch really did come to visit Charles. How brave of her, Stella thought.“Why are you here? Do you have any business with Charles?” Stella asked right away. “He wasn’t expecting you to come.”“I’ve been coming here often,” she uttered. “Where is Charles?”“In a meeting,” Stella replied. In her head she really wants to cat fight with Andrea and drag her out. Where does she even find the courage to come in his office after getting rejected? “What’s your business here?”Just out of nowhere, Andrea let out a forced laughter which was very obvious. Stella had to raise an eyebrow.“My presence scares you, huh? You know I’m too much and you’re here because you’re scared that Charles might leave you to be with me again.”Thick face, Stella thought. She is rather feeling sorry for Charles now than her getting scared of Andrea taking him away. This girl is being too much and thinking too highly of herself.“Nah, I’m worried you’re wasting your time try
After the meeting Jason had together with his parents, he decided to unwind in the streets of Akane. While he was walking with his ear pods on, someone just suddenly took his hand. He was so surprised that he shoved the kid away.Good thing his reflexes were fast and he caught the little girl before her butt falls down. Then he stood her up and he knelt down because the little girl just started crying.“Why are you suddenly grabbing someone’s hand?” he asked softly. “Who are you even?” Well, he doesn’t know how to deal with kids.“I thought you were my dad!” she continues to cry, now sobbing and sniffing. “I lost my dad!”In such times like this, he gets to have a sideline. That’s cool but where the hell should she send this little kid.“Do you know where’s your address or where you are headed?”“No.” She shakes her head side to side. “My daddy told me to wait by the park but I thought I saw my mother and ran. Now I am lost.”“And you thought I was your daddy?” He sighed heavily. Jaso
Andrea has been shouting inside her room, breaking and throwing everything out of order. She is furious right now that she’s ruining everything and hurting herself is even an option for her.Because she hired someone to stalk Stella, now it made way for their family to come back to together. Andrea didn’t just fail in taking her life but also taking her son. Now everyone in the Castigado is happy because of that kid!“I want you all dead!” Andrea shouted, throwing another vase at the wall. It shattered and she laughed like a maniac. She was well aware that she wasn’t like this before but she could not control herself anymore.In Andrea’s mind flashes different images in which Stella, her son, and that daughter are killed. Blood was dripping from them and she laughed like the devil that Jason once called her.She took her phone dialing that special number that she once hired. Four years ago, she decided to delete this number but she didn’t know why she kept it. And now, it is clear to
When Stella and Charles arrived home, Stella was so surprised to see Casper getting along with everyone super fast. Everyone was surrounding him while Amunie was talking with Trixie. It seems liked everything worked out just fine for everyone.“Mom!” Amunie noticed their arrival. Casper and Amunie run to gave her a hug like they always do and she hugged them back. It was like the first time she was there, they were all looking at her weirdly.The funny part was they all went and said they were sorry they didn’t do anything. Stella was just afraid of nothing. Even Charles’ parents thought they were back together now.They also said the little boy had told them everything and now she didn’t have to explain to them what happened five years ago. Stella really didn’t have the intention to explain herself that time anyway.But, she was glad that everyone welcomed Casper and Amunie in the family. It was something that she wanted primarily, that they are treated right.“Stella!” And that voic
Jason, Stella and Vanessa are all waiting for Charles to come. Unfortunately for Jason, Charles insisted on coming to get Stella and driving her home so explaining to the family why she’s back there is smooth.As soon as Charles arrived, the criminals and the victim met with each other for the first time since that issue happened. It was a littel awkward, especially for Vanessa but thank fully they didn’t have to stay for a lot of time. They needed to hurry home.While Charles and Stella were in another car, Jason is with Vanessa. Their car was at the back of them and Jason can’t help but be silent with the fact that he’s still hurting to see Stella with Charles.Vanessa noticed that part. She didn’t know if it was a time for her to joke around, to lighten the mood or just simply let Jason feel his pain. She was well aware that Jason has feelings for Stella.“Quit staring at me like I’m a pathetic loser, Vanessa.”She immediately faced front, fixing her composure. Then she cleared her
“Where are we going, uncle Jenkins?” Casper asked. Nobody said anything to him. He just noticed how Amunie was acting weird earlier, looking all worried and all and now his uncle Jenkins is driving him somewhere.“Do you ever wanted to see your great grandmother, Casper?”It made his little mind wonder. To see his great grandmother? Are they going to see her?“Am I going to get introduced to her, uncle Jenkins?”“To everyone, Casper,” Jenkins answered. “You are staying in the mansion for the time being until we fixed the problem.”It shocked Casper to have heard that. At the mansion? Her mother don’t want to come back in that place ever again so why?“Does mother know about this, uncle Jenkins?”“Yes, she does. You don’t have to worry about hurting your mother’s feelings. She agreed on this. And this will keep you safe as well.”“What is this problem that you need to fix?”“It’s not a kid’s problem anymore, Casper. Trust us on this, okay?”Casper nodded. In his head, he still has so m
In the front desk, Stella and Vanessa asked to go see Jason. At first the lady didn’t allow them to go meet Jason since they didn’t have prior appointments but then Vanessa texted Jason. He called the lady in the front desk and let them enter.They were like careless teenagers forgetting to ask which floor, it was a good thing Stella’s been there. She visited Jason once with Jenkins.The moment they arrived outside the door, Jason’s secretary welcomed them both in. The kind mam even opened the door for them and they head inside. They immediately saw Jason on his desk, sitting like the boss that he is, looking at them with a poker face.“So, what are you two doing in here? You’re not trying to invite me in a reunion party, right?”“Tch!” Vanessa scoffed, walking to the side and sat down on a chair. “We were at the shop talking for hours when this guy started looking at us in a maniac way.”“Is this true?” Jason asked Stella.“How dare you!” Vanessa yells when Jason didn’t believe her.
Vanessa is really nervous, pinching her own fingers over and over again. She is to meet up with Stella, finally and she came an hour earlier because she’s excited and at the same time really nervous. She’s the reason for all of this.“Five minutes more,” she uttered, glancing at her wristwatch once again. Her hands were shaking really bad.“Vanessa.” When she looked up, she saw Stella. She was so different from the old Stella that she knew. This in front of her was glamorous.“St-Stella! Hi!” She exclaimed and abruptly stand up, still snapping out of her shock. Vanessa’s heart just keeps pounding that although she opens her mouth to speak, there was no voice coming out.Then just nowhere, Stella wrapped her arms around Vanessa. All Vanessa’s worry annihilated. The storm in her mind became clear and calm. All she could do was cry softly.“Thank you for coming to my rescue five years ago,” Stella cries as well. “I have not thanked you enough for that day because I had to go hide. I was
When Casper finally calmed, he could not stop but be talkative with Charles. They kept talking and talking. Stella could just watch her son being alive.“Casper is in cloud nine right now,” Amunie whispered to Stella. “I bet he is really happy.”“Yes, he is.” Stella smiled. Amunie and her was washing dishes but they can hear Casper’s giggles. “Are you okay now with the Castigado, mom? Or are you still not convinced to bring Casper there?”Right that takes Stella back to Crolletta and the rest. Earlier she realized, it’s not important anymore what Crolletta and the others will do.“I can’t keep him a secret anymore. I’ll just have to protect him with my life, Amunie. Whatever God decides our faith, then be it. I won’t have regrets.”Charles stayed with Casper the whole afternoon until the little guy just fell asleep for his nap. It surprised Stell how he fell asleep so fast and then Amunie told them that he was awake late at night. Guess Casper really wanted to meet Charles that bad.S
Back in Akane, Casper in his room stays wide awake even though it’s past midnight. He was just staring at his ceiling filled with different sizes of glow in the dark stars. He designed them himself but it didn’t make him happy.He wonders if he believed in shooting stars, does that make him a normal boy? If he wished to them, will his wishes come true?Actually, there’s only one wish that he wanted so bad to come true. It’s to meet his father. He tries to keep it a secret from Stella because he loves her mother and he knows the pain she goes to everyday.Tomorrow, if his uncle Jenkins’ plan went out fine, he will be able to meet his father in the airport. But if it failed, then tomorrow, it is Stella that he will come get at the airport.He doesn’t mind to be kept as a secret to everyone just not to his father.***The very next day, Casper was let down when he was told by Amunie not to get out of the car and just wait for Stella in the car. Casper didn’t have a choice and watch in the
On the other side of the elder’s place was Charles. The old man was giving these small wine glasses and he knows having just around two of those will get him drunk. He tries to refuse but he ended up having a drink. It was too strong.“I know what you are here for, young man!” the old man exclaimed. He has this loud voice when they are just in front of each other. Charles thinks it’s the old people's thing. “You are here for the silk! The old woman from earlier will not allow you!”“So I have been told a couple of times, gramps!” he needed to louder his voice too because the old man is kinda deaf. “But I am not entirely here for the silk. I’m here for my woman.”Then the old man’s laughter echoed across the room again. He lifted the bottle and filled his cup. And immediately drank it.“Your woman? That beautiful lady earlier with you?” the old man continuously asked. “She doesn’t seem to be fond of you!”“We were once in love!”“Once!” the old man repeated. “She is not anymore, is she