***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
It was a boring afternoon when Jenkins decided that he wants to drive around the city. He was just about to descend the staircase when he remembers Stella. A smirk then formed his mouth marching towards Charles’ door. As soon as Jenkins was in front of the door, he raises his fist and knock five times. He always knock on the doors five times. There’s just something about the three times that he hates the most and so he made it five.Just some moments later, the door opened revealing Stella’s unhappy face. Jenkins’ smirk immediately faded and as soon as it did, Stella flashes him a smile. But he notices the wiped tears on the corner of her eyes, her lashes were even wet to begin with.“Is this a bad timing?” he asked.“No, no, why would you think that?” She even chuckled but he knows better of those wet lashes. “Nothing. Just your voice seems disheartened or maybe it is just my boredom.” He faked a giggle, beaming at her. “Would you like to come with me?”“Where to?” Looks like he g
In the lobby, Stella and Jenkins stayed, waiting for Jason’s secretary to come back. They could have barged inside Jason’s office but Stella wanted them to stay on a low profile and do the normal protocol. Jenkins would choose otherwise but he decided to stick with her.“What are we even doing in here?” Stella asked, looking around at the designs.“Nothing. Just want to know how my rivals are doing.”“I remember you said you’d be the heir so why are you still checking them out?”“Silly you, Stella.” Jenkins released a short sob of laughter, looking at her with a smirk. “It’s not about the selection. My bad for referring to them as my rivals. I meant I just want to see how my cousins are doing with their work.”Twitching her lips to the side, Stella noticed sarcasm in what Jenkins stated. But what is she even doing here? She should have stayed in the car and waited for Jenkins.“I think this is a bad idea coming here,” she stated.“How so?” he immediately countered, his curious eyes fo
Charles had a long day and a surprise freakin’ visit from Andrea. What he hated is the fact that she was acting too friendly, too clingy, hugging him all of a sudden. He has to break away without acting like an asshole. Why did he even put himself in this stupid situation?Like he always was, Charles got home late, around two in the morning. This was always his ideal go home time; even sometimes he doesn’t go home but to his condo near his company or worse he stays in his office. But it’s different when Stella’s in the picture.As soon as he got inside their room, he closed the door softly to avoid waking Stella up. It’s not like she could hear it but still, it was better not to risk her sleep.Just when he turned around and enter the doorway to their bedroom, he pauses when he saw who kept the lamp on and off. Stella, looking like one of those ghosts in a horror film.“Jeez, baby!” He held a hand on his chest. “What are you doing and awake? It’s late.”“Yes, it’s late.” She finally
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Jason had a frown, blinking as he shakes his head slightly. “Contract? What contract? Is that with Charles?”“It’s not important anymore, Jason. No one knows and you said I could trust you. So please keep it as it is.”This sudden news kept Jason at his feet. His brain is processing this a little slow. Stella is leaving? But what is that act about loving Charles? “I’ll keep it but just— help me understand, Stella. Why are you leaving when you said you love Charles and you’re pregnant! Don’t you want a ha—““I do,” she interrupts him. “But there are things that just won’t click because you want it.”“Charles loves you and he wants the child! So what is it that doesn’t click, Stella?”He waited for her to tell him what exactly is her reason but instead she gave him a smile. And just like that Stella cheerfully swayed her hands, humming as she walks ahead of him. It’s like Jason just talked with Jenkins. He knows Stella and Jenkins were close with eac
“What are you plotting, Jenkins?” Jason asked.“The question is, what are you going to do, Jason?” He tilts his head a little to the right. Horror in Jenkins's face in broad daylight. “I wouldn’t talk Stella out of it. I won’t tell what made her decide to leave too. I’m rather tired and it’s the grown-ups thing. I’m just a kid.”“You’re not just a kid,” Jason uttered, remaining calm when he is about to lose cool. His hand was in a fist and he bet Jenkins is happy about it.“I’m still ten,” he said. “If your business with me is over, you should just head back inside. I want my peace right now. A kid should take their nap they say.”Jenkins had motioned his hand and again laid back down as he were before Jason came. He doesn’t have much information obtained but there is one thing that was sure. There was something that happened. But the hell is it?For the few days that Stella stayed in Charles’ room, she had memorized where Charles put most of his stuff. He would always carry the contr
***Charles didn’t know anything about doctor Akira coming to their mansion and now he looks like a fool facing the doctor once again. It looks like everyone knew and when he glances at Stella, she just looked away.The two of them haven’t been talking as much. Every time he wakes up, she is gone. The office has been busier than usual and now it keeps him from getting home earlier than he expected. When he’s home, she’s usually asleep or with the grandparents.So now Stella brought doctor Akira in without mentioning it to him. It’d be rude to just grab Stella for himself.“We meet again, Charles!” Doctor Akira faced to him and he smiled. “I apologize for not bringing up Stella’s pregnancy. I am her doctor after all.”“Of course, I understand, doctor. You didn’t lie but you made me guess and allow me to assume. Good to see you again.”“Should I show you your room, doctor Akari?” Crolletta asked. “It is best for you to rest first. I’m sure you woke up early for your flight!”“Oh, yes! A
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