Around six in the evening, the ladies in the mansion finally finished their preparations for the Virmich party. Then at six thirty, they all head out. The girls in a limo except for Stella and Jason together with Jenkins in another car. Since Stella and Charles are a couple, they went with their own car as well.While they were on their way to the Virmich’s place, Charles kept kissing Stella’s hand that he was holding. It was something that made her giggled a lot.“Why do you keep doing that?” she asked in a cheery tone.“Nothing. I just want to mark your hand so when guests tries to greet you and kiss your hand, they’ll be kissing me and not you.”“What?” Stella could not help but burst out laughing at Charles. “Sometimes I don’t know if you’re a billionaire or a comedian!”“Well, I can be both for you.”“Aye,” Stella looks out the window, her smile remaining. “I wonder what it’s like at their party.”“Have I said that you look stunningly gorgeous tonight?” Charles’ question that mad
Stella with wide eyes stared at Charles, asking him what the heck was that announcement all about. Is this why Andrea wanted her to be here? To say that?“Baby, listen, I swear to you. I don’t have any idea--”In her anger, she hold her hand up to interrupt him. He was trying to touch her but she shoved his hand away. Stella could feel everyone’s eyes at her.There were two options for her. One was to leave this absurdness with gaining shame on her and the other was to bring shame to Andrea but she needs courage. It would be a waste for dress and her preparations if she just leaves.“Baby, please listen to me,” Charles was trying to console her but she pierced his eyes at him, stopping him from where he is.“No, Charles! You listen to what I am about to fucking say!” she grunted.With her head held high, Stella took a few steps, swaying her hips confidently and that red lips of hers curved into
With what Andrea had done, the rest of the Castigado decided to leave the party. It wasn’t in a rude way, they parted with the Virmich’s approval. Now the girls were leaving the party disappointed that they could not flex their dresses well enough. It’s mostly Jennie who is whining and ranting.“Why the hell would Andrea embarrass herself like that?” Jennie asked, irritated at the fact that they have to go home. “And did we really heard it right? Stella is pregnant?”“You heard it right, Jennie. Now, shut up. You’re too noisy!” Verna was mad. It’s not because they are being sent home or the fact that Stella was pregnant, she’s mad because Andrea forced it out on Stella to announce it to everyone.Verna saw how Jason and Charles’ world turned but she focused on Jason and he was hellish. That reaction is a devil’s reaction when there’s something he wants and he can’t have.“Jason looked really terrifying earlier,” Marie suddenly uttered catching Verna’s attention. “I have never seen him
Jenkins was dropped off by Jason at the gate and he needed to walk for a half a kilometer to get to the mansion. Yeah, if only he was allowed to drive a car, he would be driving already. Now, he is stuck with walking because Jason was mad because of his idiotic ways.He was really forward to have a dance with Amunie but it seems like he has to wait for a while. She looks divine when he saw her descend the stairs with her hair down and tiny braids with butterfly clips like he requested. He wanted to keep holding on her hand.“Andrea had to ruin my night,” he twitched his mouth to the side. “I should get back at her when the time comes.I could have had her first dance.”When Jenkins was near the mansion, he saw a figure on the stairs and as he was getting closer, he realized it was Amunie. She was still wearing her dress, sitting on the dirty stair. What is she doing? He asked.As soon as Amunie saw him, she smiled sweetly, quickly standing up and brushing the dirt of her dress. She exc
In the morning, Stella had so much visitor coming in their room. First she had three sweeties coming in the room and giving her breakfast. While she was at it, the elderly came, Felius and Crolletta giving her some advises and offering her a lot of things. After them was Charles’ parents and the list went on.“You see?” Charles chuckled, crawling back to bed with her. “They don’t blame you for anything. In fact they are all happy that there’s a baby here soon. I am the most happy person in the whole world since last night.”“But aren’t they taking care of me too much?” she asked. “I mean I like it but they’re doing too much. I don’t have a baby bump yet!”“Oh let them be, baby! They’re just excited like I am!” Charles suddenly put his head on her stomach. “I hope he or she can hear me. I hope my child knows we are all happy.”Stella then softly chuckle at how Charles is acting right now. To see him like this brings tears to her eyes. Oh it feels like a dream, something too good to be
That evening, Stella visited the garden and sat by a small parapet. After what happened to her and Jason earlier her head has been clouding up. Jason just confessed to her that he liked her and regretted ever setting up Charles. That’s why he was looking all down lately.Stella breathes in deeply and blows it out, looking up at the stars. Everything is okay and now it gets complicated. Now that she knows how Jason feels it would be more awkward for them meeting together or even just being in the same room.“Should I just go home for now?” she asked herself.Just a moment after, Stella hears the garden gate creaked and she turned to see who was coming. It surprised her to see Jenkins with a smile.“What are you doing here, young man?” she asked with a smile lingering in her mouth.“Oh, I saw you come here a while ago so I thought I should join you,” Jenkins answered, making his way to Stella. “Mind if I sit down beside you?”“No, not at all! Please, do accompany me.”And so Jenkins sat
***The next morning, Stella woke up without Charles in bed. She got off the bed and searched for him but even his case was not there. Did he leave super early? She asked herself.“It must really be a big problem I caused,” Stella murmured.For breakfast, Stella head downstairs and saw them waiting for her. Crolletta, Charles’ mother Emilia and the rest of the aunts were there together with Verna. She was a bit shy to face them again.At the dining table, they talked about her pregnancy and about getting her a doctor that’s in the city. Of course, she needed to refuse since Doctor Akira has been great to her and Stella didn’t want to replace her good doctor.“But, my dear! There are family doctors that are more convenient in need of--”“With all due respect, grandma, I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with them like I’m comfortable with my current doctor,” she interrupted. It is a bit rude of her to not let Crolletta finish but … it’s absurd to change doctors.Crolletta took a deep bre
Crolletta started marching toward Stella and Felius with a straight face. Stella was too stunned to speak and answer Crolletta’s question while Felius had a smile, an excited one.“My love! What a surprise visit from you!” Felius went over to the other side and embraced Crolletta like they aren’t living in the same place. “I was in the middle of telling Stella the importance of having an ace.”“You are not supposed to, my love.” Crolletta coldly broke free from Felius’ embrace and looked at Stella. “My dear, if you were bored, you could have come to me. A young woman like you is supposed to be taking knitting lessons and taking tea breaks.”“But Stella wants to learn something and she just came to talk about Charles and I have led--”“Hush, my love!” Crolletta raised a finger and Felius zip his mouth close immediately. “Stella, let’s have tea near the garden.”“But Grandma,” Stella glance at Crolletta apologetically and the old woman raised a brow, “I would not disrespect you in any w
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