Five years later.On a private remote island owned by the magnificent Jenkins Castigado lived Stella as Amunieβs guardian. With them is Stellaβs little boy, Casper. Jenkins named him and Stella thought it was nice so they agreed to call him that.Jenkins comes around once or sometimes twice a month to visit them. Amunie is homeschooled while Stella is being taught the business by someone hired by Jenkins. Sheβs been studying for three years and Jenkins too teaches her how to read people when he visits.How Stella is dressed, how she behaved, and how she was back then without class are all gone. Jenkins changed her into someone better, someone with a degree to brag about when sheβs being brought down.βDonβt you think five years is long enough, Stella?β Jenkins asked her while they were having tea at the terrace overlooking a big entity of water.βYou just turned sixteen, Jenkins.β Stella glances at the sparkles in the water. She has enjoyed her peace. βYouβre already handling a compan
On the city side, in his office, Charles stayed looking outside his full-length window. He has been doing that for years just wondering where Stella could be.That night, five years ago when he confronted Jason, he didnβt get anything out of him. Jenkins was the same back then but he doesnβt know why that little devil has been annoying him for no reason.The selection has been canceled because of what happened. Felius said it will resume when Jenkins turns sixteen and he did a few days ago. Now, Jenkins will be part of assemblies and meetings with the group. His debut will be in two weeks.Who did that to Stella, they still could not find who. It was as if Stella was a dream but she ended up like a nightmare to Charles, haunting him anywhere.She left no traces, even doctor Akira is nowhere to be found. It was clear to Charles that someone has been protecting them.If it was Jason, he would have found out already and Jenkins was too young at that time. He was always quiet then. Felius
The second that door opened, Charles eyes grew large to see the lady who came in with Jenkins. He knew he was not the only one who was shocked. Even though Stella seemed changed it was still her, the woman he is looking for.βShall we start the meeting?β Jenkins asked everyone.It awoke Charles, turning to see Jenkins and his evil smirk. So, after all, it was this little devil who hid Stella cautiously. Although the meeting has began, Charles couldnβt keep his focus on everything they say. He wants to take a glimpse at the back where the secretaries are keeping notes. All he could think about was Stella, that she is here with them. The woman he has been looking for is in the same room as him. He canβt let it pass.Soon as the meeting was over, Charles wanted to come up immediately to Stella. Unfortunately, a big investor came up to his face. In a blink of an eye and Stella was gone at that corner.Charles knew he needed to face the investor but he learned from his mistakes. He just
βMama!β Casper shouts, running to her as soon as Stella enters their unit. Then he hugs her with those tiny arms. βI didnβt see you off!ββThatβs because you wake up late, Casper.β Stella put down her bag and folder, and lifted up her son, kissing his cheek. βI missed the two of you!ββWe missed you more, mother!ββIβve cooked dinner,β Amunie announced.Before they dine in, Stella took a quick shower and dressed casually to eat with them. Casper told her how they went to the park and how the kids there annoyed him.βThatβs how kids are, Casper. They run around and have fun.ββWhatβs the fun in running around? I wanted to get fresh air so I went there but theyβre noisy!βStella and Amunie laughed. They expected that already from Casper. Knowing the little guy, he idolizes Jenkins so much.βHow about your day, mom? How was it?β Amunie asked.βIt was okay. Your boyfriend was very busy with his company.ββI wish I could help him like you are helping him, mom.ββOh, but you are, honey!β St
At the parking lot, Charles opened the front seat door for Stella but then she decided to open the back seat and went in. It was supposed to piss Charles off but instead he just chuckled and opened the door Stella went in to.βYo, in the front seat,β he tells her.βYouβre only taking me home,β she said, raising an eyebrow.βI know thatβs why you have to sit on the front seat.β Stella gave him a cold stare but of course he didnβt let it get to him. βDoes it make you uncomfortable just sitting beside me? You know what they say when you avoid--ββI am not avoiding you because of that, mister Castigado.β She clicks her tongue and snatched her bag from her side. βMove so I can transfer seats.βCharles moved and opened the front door for Stella. He could not help but enjoy himself while looking at Stellaβs annoyed face. While she made herself comfortable, he closes the door softly. Then he went to the other side to get on the driverβs seat.βSo, whereβs your address?β he cheerfully asked.β
Saturday. Stella and Amunie together with Casper went to a tailor to fit Amunieβs uniform. While Amunie was fitting, Stella and Casper sits in the waiting area. It will not take long, they say.βDo you want to have ice cream after this?β Stella asked Casper. They always liked strawberry ice cream and even recruited Amunie to the team.βIf it doesnβt get you behind your schedule for the day, mom, I would like to get one with you and sister.ββOf course, it wonβt, Casper. Mama would always pick you over anything else in this world, okay?βStella looked at Casper's eyes and he nodded. She moved forward and kissed the little boyβs forehead.βI will be with a bunch of kids when Amunie attends school, yes?ββYou can enroll in kindergarten in two months. You donβt have to worry.ββThey are still kids, arenβt they?ββBut youβre also a kid, Casper. You should enjoy having friends.ββUncle Jenkins said that we humans are complicated beings. The only way to understand us is to look at us from a
Since that day when Jason met Stella with Jenkinsβ help, what she said that day just wonβt escape his mind. It gets him furious that Charles didnβt even believe Stella and it pushed her away.Charles is even stupid enough to have helped Andrea and got her to work in his company. It pisses Jason off. He wants to do something to help her so bad but Stella asked her not to help her. She told him not to get involved.βI canβt just stay still,β Jason frustratingly sighs after saying it.Tapping his finger on the desk, he thought of seeing Stella again. He really wants to see her again since that day. Itβs just that he doesnβt have a lot to say.Not to mention Casper. He is the spitting image of Charles yet he acts like Jenkins. What the hell can he offer to that little guy? How to take care of people? How will he say that he was the reason his mother is hurting?After work, Jason went to visit Vanessa, knocking on her door. He had memorized her schedule that he knows when to come and not.
Two week ago a ghost came back to haunt Andrea of a thing she did five years ago. She thought she had won and buried that woman but just recently, news travels to her from Jennie that Stella is indeed back.Andrea has been suspicious for the past days that Charles is chasing Stella. She is being disregarded and recently Charlesβ office has been empty of him. Only Dimitri was there. She canβt even get a hold of him anymore especially on calls.For five years, she could not make Charles look her way anymore. He was always gazing at the window.βIs the president in his office today?β she asked her workmates.βThe president should be here since today is the grand investorsβ meeting,β one of them answered.βWhat time is that meeting again?ββIt should be ending soon.βShe plasters a sweet smile and took a thick pile of paper. It wasnβt something she had a problem with, she just really wanted to go see him.So, Andrea rushed outside with her paper. On her way, she was bouncing and humming b
Andrea has been shouting inside her room, breaking and throwing everything out of order. She is furious right now that sheβs 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 didnβt just fail in taking her life but also taking her son. Now everyone in the Castigado is happy because of that kid!βI want you all dead!β Andrea shouted, throwing another vase at the wall. It shattered and she laughed like a maniac. She was well aware that she wasnβt like this before but she could not control herself anymore.In Andreaβs 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 didnβt 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.βMom!β 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 didnβt do anything. Stella was just afraid of nothing. Even Charlesβ parents thought they were back together now.They also said the little boy had told them everything and now she didnβt have to explain to them what happened five years ago. Stella really didnβt 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.βStella!β 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 sheβs 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 didnβt 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 canβt help but be silent with the fact that heβs still hurting to see Stella with Charles.Vanessa noticed that part. She didnβt 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.βQuit staring at me like Iβm a pathetic loser, Vanessa.βShe immediately faced front, fixing her composure. Then she cleared her
βWhere are we going, uncle Jenkins?β 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.βDo you ever wanted to see your great grandmother, Casper?βIt made his little mind wonder. To see his great grandmother? Are they going to see her?βAm I going to get introduced to her, uncle Jenkins?ββTo everyone, Casper,β Jenkins answered. βYou are staying in the mansion for the time being until we fixed the problem.βIt shocked Casper to have heard that. At the mansion? Her mother donβt want to come back in that place ever again so why?βDoes mother know about this, uncle Jenkins?ββYes, she does. You donβt have to worry about hurting your motherβs feelings. She agreed on this. And this will keep you safe as well.ββWhat is this problem that you need to fix?ββItβs not a kidβs problem anymore, Casper. Trust us on this, okay?βCasper 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 didnβt allow them to go meet Jason since they didnβt 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 Stellaβs been there. She visited Jason once with Jenkins.The moment they arrived outside the door, Jasonβs 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.βSo, what are you two doing in here? Youβre not trying to invite me in a reunion party, right?ββTch!β Vanessa scoffed, walking to the side and sat down on a chair. βWe were at the shop talking for hours when this guy started looking at us in a maniac way.ββIs this true?β Jason asked Stella.βHow dare you!β Vanessa yells when Jason didnβt 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 sheβs excited and at the same time really nervous. Sheβs the reason for all of this.βFive minutes more,β she uttered, glancing at her wristwatch once again. Her hands were shaking really bad.βVanessa.β 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.βSt-Stella! Hi!β She exclaimed and abruptly stand up, still snapping out of her shock. Vanessaβs 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 Vanessaβs worry annihilated. The storm in her mind became clear and calm. All she could do was cry softly.βThank you for coming to my rescue five years ago,β Stella cries as well. βI 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.βCasper is in cloud nine right now,β Amunie whispered to Stella. βI bet he is really happy.ββYes, he is.β Stella smiled. Amunie and her was washing dishes but they can hear Casperβs giggles. βAre you okay now with the Castigado, mom? Or are you still not convinced to bring Casper there?βRight that takes Stella back to Crolletta and the rest. Earlier she realized, itβs not important anymore what Crolletta and the others will do.βI canβt keep him a secret anymore. Iβll just have to protect him with my life, Amunie. Whatever God decides our faith, then be it. I wonβt have regrets.βCharles 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 itβs 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 didnβt 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, thereβs only one wish that he wanted so bad to come true. Itβs 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 Jenkinsβ 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 doesnβt 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 didnβt have a choice and watch in the
On the other side of the elderβs 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.βI know what you are here for, young man!β the old man exclaimed. He has this loud voice when they are just in front of each other. Charles thinks itβs the old people's thing. βYou are here for the silk! The old woman from earlier will not allow you!ββSo I have been told a couple of times, gramps!β he needed to louder his voice too because the old man is kinda deaf. βBut I am not entirely here for the silk. Iβm here for my woman.βThen the old manβs laughter echoed across the room again. He lifted the bottle and filled his cup. And immediately drank it.βYour woman? That beautiful lady earlier with you?β the old man continuously asked. βShe doesnβt seem to be fond of you!ββWe were once in love!ββOnce!β the old man repeated. βShe is not anymore, is she