P E D R O“I did some digging like you asked, and I think there's something fishy about the family,” the voice on the other end of the line said. I held the phone closer to my ear as I emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my waist.The voice continued, “I've got some information that doesn't quite add up. Are you sure you want to know more?”I paused, a feeling of unease settling in my stomach. Something about this whole situation just didn't feel right. But I knew I had to find out more. I exhaled slowly, bracing myself for whatever was about to come. “Tell me what you found out,” I said, as I made my way to the edge of the bed and took a seat.After a few moments of silence, the voice finally spoke again, his voice low and serious. “The family took in a girl about three years ago,” he mumbled, “and there's nothing about her in any of the articles I found. It's like she doesn't exist.”Another pause, and then they continued. “And her name is Selena.”A chill ran down my
S E L E N A“Chrissy, you seriously need to relax,” I said, trying to hide my amusement as I watched him pace back and forth across the room, a damp towel clutched in his hand. “Liam's going to be just fine. There's no need to worry so much.”Christopher stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, a look of concern on his face. Ever since the doctor had left the room, Christopher had been pacing back and forth like a caged animal. I could see the worry etched on his face, and I knew it came from a place of love. Liam meant a lot to him, and seeing him sick was difficult for Christopher to watch.Christopher sighed, a scowl forming on his face. “I thought his fever should have gone down by now,” he muttered, resting his chin on his hand. His fingers drummed against his lips as he stared at Liam, who was still sleeping peacefully on his bed.As I placed my hand on Liam's forehead, I felt the fever had indeed started to break, just as the doctor had said it would. I drew my hand away a
P E D R OMy hand fidgeted with my tie as I waited impatiently for Andres’ to arrive for the meeting. Having waited for two days to see Selena was torture enough, and time was moving so slowly that I was losing my patience. I was becoming anxious to meet her.“Hi, Ms. Selena, could you please come with me to my office, I have something important to say to you.” I shook my head, even I could tell that what I just said didn't make any sense. If I wanted to ask her the questions that had been bothering me for days, I should at least have a good reason to call her back.I wasn't even sure if she would agree to meet me in private after what happened the last time.“Oh, could you please come with me to my office, I'm afraid I have some important things to discuss with you in private about our project.” I scratched my jaw as what I had been practising didn't seem like it would get Selena to meet with me after the meeting.I was still unsure of how to approach Selena and ask her to see me pri
S E L E N AThe car came to a stop in front of the movie theatre, and I sucked in a deep breath. As I reached for the door handle, Christopher surprised me by bringing out a face cap.“Here, I thought you might need this,” he said, his voice soft. Huh? My brows knitted in confusion as I stared at the cap in his hand. Wondering what I was supposed to do with it.“We don't want you to be recognized, so this should do the trick,” he said, with a hint of dry humour in his voice. Then, he leaned forward and placed the cap on my head. “I'm not sure if it's necessary, but it's better to be safe than sorry,” he added, his voice soft and reassuring. His hands dropped to my face, his touch was gentle, and I felt a spark of electricity as he caressed my cheek with his thumb. He gave me an assuring smile, then, he pulled away.I sighed and straightened in my seat. I couldn't help but glance at Liam, who sat silently in the backseat. When he was sick or just recovering from an illness, he always
P E D R OAs much as I wanted to spend my Friday night at home, I couldn't say no to a movie night with Roy. It had been too long since we'd had time together outside of work, and I was starting to miss our friendship. Plus, I needed a distraction from the thoughts swirling in my head, particularly the ones involving Christopher and his interactions with Selena over the phone in the morning. I needed to get my mind off of that, and a movie night seemed like the perfect way to do it.I leaned back against the headrest of my car, letting out a deep breath as I observed the scene in front of me. People were coming and going from the movie theatre, some with their partners, some with their children. It was a busy night, and I could feel the energy of the place, even from the parking lot.As I watched, I began to feel a sense of loneliness wash over me.I couldn't help but shake my head and mutter, “Lucky bastards,” as I watched the couples and families walking into the theatre. It wasn't
S E L E N A My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Pedro approach me, his eyes shining in the soft glow of the amber lights. He looked so much like our son, and for a moment I was overcome with the urge to reach out and hug him. But I knew I couldn't do that, not after everything that had happened between us. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my emotions under control.“It really is you, Ms. Selena,” he said, his smile wide and bright. The joy in his expression was contagious, and I couldn't help but let out a faint smile. But the moment I did, my heart started to race, and I could feel my pulse quicken. His smile was like a dose of medicine, but I was afraid I was taking too much. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest, and I couldn't calm myself down.I tightened my grip around the cap in my hands, silently cursing at myself under my breath. I should have known better than taking the cap off. What was I expecting that I wouldn't bump into Pedro in a place lik
P E D R OI couldn't contain my happiness as we entered the cinema and took our seats. After dragging me off like a bag of potatoes, Selena stopped by a corner and told me to fuck off. It was as if she was running away from someone and wanted to abandon me when she was done using me.I had to remind her that she used me first and it was my turn to return the favour. After making a fuss and fuming, she finally agreed to watch the movie with me and I couldn't help but let out a satisfactory smile, knowing she was right by my side even though it would only last for a couple of minutes.“Stop staring at me,” she snapped, reaching into the bowl of popcorn and taking a generous handful. She shoved it into her mouth, chewing with an exaggerated crunch. She kept her eyes focused on the screen, determined to ignore me.I felt like I'd been slapped, even though she hadn't touched me. I had to admit, I'd been staring. It was hard not to - she was so beautiful, and her every movement was mesmeriz
S E L E N A I wiped the water off my face with the handkerchief Pedro had given me when I came to the bathroom. I looked up at the mirror and saw a face that looked half-dead, pale and drawn. I looked exhausted as if I hadn't slept in days. Crying was not something I usually did, and I was mortified to have broken down in front of Pedro over a movie. But the character in the movie had reminded me so much of my own past experience with Pedro and his ex-lover that I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. The memories of that time came flooding back, and I couldn't hold back my emotions.It felt like running away wasn't the best option, I felt like I should have stayed behind. But what would have happened? Would my life has been like that character who died for love?“Um,” I took a deep breath, trying to push the what-ifs out of my mind. Whatever decision I could have made, I knew that leaving the city had been the right choice. If I hadn't left, I never would have met Christopher. Meetin
SELENA "Selena, repeat after me," the officiant said, his voice clear and steady. My eyes darted from the diamond ring in my hand to the beaming face of Pedro, who never seemed to stop smiling. “I, Selena Leah Empress, take you, Pedro Joshua Lopez…” “I, Selena Leah Empress, take you, Pedro Joshua Lopez…” the words felt so foreign on my lips. “To be my husband, through the good times and bad. Through successes and struggles…” A lone tear rolled down my eyes as I stared at the ring on my finger. “To be my husband, through the good times and bad. Through successes and struggles…” my lips parted in a smile. I didn't realized he meant it when he was asking about marriage the previous night. It's happening. I would be officially married to Pedro Lopez, in a matter of minutes. I would be married to the first and the only man I had ever been in love with. “Through richer and poorer, and in sickness and health, I will treasure you for as long as we both shall live.” As I recited the vo
PEDRO‘Liam... Selena's baby boy, Liam. He's my son, and they're coming home with me. I'm coming back to the city with my family.’I remembered my words to Roy, my best friend over the phone when I packed little Liam's bags earlier. I still couldn't believe it that the sweet little boy was mine. Selena had a son for me. She loved me, she cherished what we had years ago and decided to keep my baby.“Hey, good to see you too.” I grinned, then stepped out of the car to fetch my son from the backseat."Hey there, Papa Liam," Roy taunted, walking out of my apartment with two glasses of booze in his hands."How did you get in?" I asked, cradling my son gently on my shoulder as I reached for the glass of booze from Roy's hand. He seemed more interested in looking at my son than handing me the drink."I still can't believe we're both fathers now," Roy chuckled, raising his glass in a toast. I clinked my glass against his, and for a moment, it all felt like a dream."Cheers to fatherhood," I
SELENA“I’m going to miss you.” Margaret whispered into my ear as she hugged me tightly to herself.I never would have thought a day would come where I would be saying goodbye to the Andre. They were like a family to me, not until moment ago when I returned to the Villa and Christopher asked me to pack up and leave with Pedro.I had thought it was all a joke until Pedro told me that was why he came; because Christopher asked him to come get me out of his life.“Don’t blame yourself for his recent attitude, I swear, I also have my own share of his sudden change of character.” Margaret further said as she squeezed my shoulders gently.I didn't know what to say to this. Everything happened so fast and I couldn't believe I wasn't the one to be blame.“He used to be good to me, at least I'm going to hold on to that.” I smiled as I pulled away from Margaret.I looked around, making sure I wasn't forgetting anything. It felt awkward to think that I was been chased out of the Villa because I
CHRISTOPHER “Is that really a good idea?” my hands clenched and my shoulders heaved as I walked down the hallway. My heart broke into a million pieces as the thought of giving Selena up flooded my brain. “I own her. I fucking own her. She's living the life she wants all thanks to me.” a single sweat rolled down my temple as I took the hallway that led to my room. I couldn't help but feel like an actual loser as I saw my mother, standing in front of my door. Her back was on me, but I could already tell what she was imagining. I hated to be seen as a loser. Selena of all people should have known better than anyone. I had always strived to win whatever I set my hands on. My mother might have sensed my presence. She made to turn and I halted on my track, making sure to put as much distance between us as possible. “Chris…” she gasped, her face held worry but I knew better than anyone not to read much into her expression. She didn't care. She used to care for me but that was in the
PEDROMy hands clenched to my sides as I recalled how my father explained the incident to me. Maybe if my father hadn't told me, I wouldn't have to be in a close wall to have to tell Selena.She deserved to know the truth behind her parents’ death. Even if it would cost me my future with her, she still deserved to know.That was the promised I made to Edward. If I wanted to earn her trust, and want her to tell me her secret I should tell her mine. Letting her know she could trust me.“My mother was engaged in money laundering which my father, nor any other person known of. She was very careful not to let it get out, even to my father. My father would never support that act so she kept it a secret.” I stared at Selena, it was a surprise she wasn't throwing a fist. She only sat down and let me talk.“Your father was my father's driver, my father admired him a lot. I believed your mother worked for my mother, I never knew what her work was but I knew she worked for my mother. Your father
SELENA"You need to go," I said, struggling to free myself from his embrace. I grabbed his hand, my intention to guide him to the car, but he suddenly grabbed my elbows, his grip firm as he held me in place. His eyes searched my face, pleading with me to stay still.I could feel myself melting under the gaze of his deep purple eyes. I longed to be wrapped in his arms, just like he'd done so many times before. But I couldn't give in to that desire. I had to get him out of here, before Christopher arrived."Please, you have to go," I pleaded, my voice breaking as I rested my head on his chest. I tried to control my breathing, to calm my racing heart, before pulling away. "It would be... It would be bad if Chrissy found you here." I couldn't say the words. I couldn't tell him he was in danger. Not like this.The last thing I wanted was to tarnish Christopher's reputation, to damage his good name and possibly his career. I cared about him too much to do anything to hurt him, no matter how
PEDRO“Tomorrow is the boy's birthday. Come to the address I mailed to you, Selena has something to say to you.” Christopher Andre’s voice erupted from the other end.I stared at my phone in shock, making sure I wasn't imaging things. But it was real, he was really calling me.“You… you know who this is, right?” I stuttered, pinching myself to keep myself from crashing to the floor.“Just do what I said.” he groaned and the call went off before I could get my thought straight.Christopher Andre was really the one who called me. After he walked out of the conference hall that night, I bet my life on it that he would never let her see me again.I was right, he terminated the contract the following day and that prove my assumption right. They never come back to the company. He took Selena away and I was so sure he would never let me see her again.“But this?” I stared at the phone, still doubting if the person who had just called was truly who I thought it was.“Why is he having a change
SELENAI watched from the corner as the maids dressed my son in a crisp white tuxedo. His hair was carefully curled, with a few soft strands falling across his forehead.His smile was blinding. I chuckled from my I stood, watching him pouted his round lips at his nanny.“I want to go to uncle.” he whined, shaking his head to mess up with his hair.Huh? I gulped down nothing before moving away from the door.“Uncle is not here yet.” I cleared my throat once I got behind them, grabbing their attention. “Uncle went to get you a gift.”That seemed to got to him. His purple eyes widened, a glint of pure joy shone brighter in his eyes.“Really?” he asked in his sweet little voice, turning on his seat to stare at me. “What’s the gift?”I shook my head, kneeling beside him and took his hand in mine. “It is a surprise gift uncle is planning. Of course, mommy don't know what it is.” I smiled, squeezing his hand.He pouted and nodded slowly. “What about mommy?” he asked, his lips parted, exposin
PEDRO"I'll take a look around, and let you know if it meets my expectations," I said to the realtor, who gave a slow nod of agreement.Turning away from me, he looked around the living room, before turning back to face me. "If you don't like this one, I can find you another one in any location you'd like," he said, flashing a smile that was missing two front teeth."It's fine, I'm sure I'll like this one," I said, waving him off and turning my attention to the stairs."I'm at your service, Mr. Lopez," he said, a broad smile spreading across his face. He offered his hand for a handshake, and I took it, feeling a little more at ease.“Alright.” I retrieved my hand and turned away from him.As his footsteps faded away and the door clicked shut behind him, I exhaled the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding."This is insane," I said aloud, chuckling mirthlessly as I took in the apartment that had once been home to Selena and baby Liam. A week ago, they had been living here, but now t