PEDRO“I wonder how it's going.” Roy sighed, tapping his fingers lazily on the files on the table.I tugged at my glasses and peeled it off my face. “You should know better than anyone that nothing is going to happen.” I shook my head and picked up my phone to check if I had any unopened messages from Mitchell. But there was none.His hand paused an inch from the file, and he averted his gaze from the file to me, flashing me a deadly glare from across the couch where he was sitting. “You’re only saying this because you're not the one that was threatened with his life if anything should happen to her.” he scoffed, grabbed his glass of whiskey and gulped it down his throat.I dropped my phone back on the table and groaned out. “Man, take it easy, would you?” I honestly didn't understand why he would be panicking if I let Mitchell work at the hospital. He wanted her to live a free life but wouldn't do anything about it.“If I'm not taking it easy, will I be sitting here going through th
SELENA‘Oops, my first day at work is no fun at all.’ I chuckled, remembering Mitchell's whining after she realized that the patient she was assigned to was still sleeping and wouldn't wake up until the time she needed to get back home.“God. I miss her.” I smiled, got out of the cab and shook my head, not believing any of what happened back there at the hospital.Meeting Mitchell was still like a dream to me. A dream I never wanted to wake up from. And the fact that the patient she was assigned to was no other person but Edward made it feel surreal. ‘Let’s meet tomorrow if you have a chance. I will text you the location.’ I lowered my gaze to my phone, and seeing her name in my contact list made my smile widen.She had given me her number and invited me to meet her at the coffee shop before she went to work. I was excited at the prospect of seeing her again. Then, my mind drifted off to what happened the last time I visited the coffee shop made my smile widen. I moved my hand to my
SELENAThe car pulled to a stop outside the hospital, and for a moment, we just sat there, not moving. Christopher's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. The silence was deafening, and I wasn't sure how to break it. I didn't want to make things worse, but I couldn't stand the stillness any longer."Are you angry with me?" I asked, my voice trembling. My eyes welled up with tears as I stared at my trembling fingers, unable to look him in the eye. I was afraid of what he might say.He sighed heavily, running his fingers over the steering wheel. "I wish I could be angry with you, Selena," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "But I can't. I just can't." He shook his head, his frustration evident. I felt like my heart was breaking, hearing those words. I didn't know what to say, or what to do."I'm sorry," I said, my voice small and vulnerable. It was a phrase I had uttered so many times in the past few days, that it felt like a broken record. But this time, it felt dif
CHRISTOPHER As we pulled up to the hospital ward, I saw a figure sitting on a bed, reading a book. From the distance, I couldn't make out who it was, but I had a feeling that it was Mr. Edward. I saw Selena tense up beside me, her fingers gripping my sleeve tightly. I knew she was nervous, but I also knew we had to go in.I leaned close and whispered in her ear, "You've got this. Don't be nervous." I gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it from my sleeve. I knew she was feeling anxious, but I also knew that she was strong enough to handle this. I gave her a reassuring smile and took a deep breath.Selena took a deep breath, and I could see her resolve hardening. She gave me a small nod as if to say that she was ready to face whatever was on the other side of the door. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and opened the door."Edward!" Selena called out, her voice shaking slightly. The man looked up from his book, his eyes widening as he saw her standing there. A s
CHRISTOPHER I walked over to the person and sat down next to them, taking the empty seat beside them. They didn't seem to notice my presence, their head still hanging low as they wept. Their sobs were now softer, their grief seeming to have subsided slightly. I sat there, unsure of what to do or say. I just wanted to be there for them, in case they needed anything.I cleared my throat, trying to find the right words to say. "Hey, man. Are you good?" I asked softly. I wanted to let him know that I was there if he needed to talk. I could see that he was struggling, and I wanted to offer him a listening ear.I raised my hand and placed it on his back. The man remained silent, his shoulder trembling slightly under my hand. I kept my hand there, hoping that the gesture would offer him some comfort. I was starting to feel a bit anxious, unsure of what to do next. But I knew that I needed to give him time to process his emotions. So I waited and hoped that he would eventually open up to me
SELENA"What did she say?" I asked, as I approached Christopher, who was holding his phone between his shoulder and his ear. He gave me a quick glance and a tight-lipped smile and then turned his attention back to the phone call.I could tell that he was trying to focus on the conversation, but I was curious to know what was going on. I tried to be patient and wait for him to finish the call, but my curiosity got the better of me.As I started to turn away from him, he shook his head and grabbed my hand. I stopped in my tracks, unsure of what to do. He continued talking on the phone, motioning for me to wait. I stood still, trying not to fidget or move around too much. It was clear that he wanted me to stay put until he was done with the call.I could feel my heart beating faster, my mind racing with questions about what was happening with the babysitter. I tried to remain calm, but I was starting to feel anxious about the situation.Christopher gave me a sheepish smile as he put his
SELENA"I can't believe it!" Mitchell exclaimed, a big smile spreading across her face. She couldn't stop staring at Liam, who was sitting on my lap, happily gazing back at her. "You have a son? How did this happen?" She looked at me, her eyes wide with curiosity. I let my gaze dropped to the floor as I thought to myself; perhapsI had made a mistake by bringing Liam out. A huge mistake at that."Crazy right?" I said, laughing nervously. I took Liam's hands in mine, starting to clap them together. He giggled, completely oblivious to the tension in the air."Not crazy," Mitchell said firmly, raising her index finger for emphasis. Her face lit up with a bright smile, and she leaned forward, fixing her gaze on me. "It's just... unexpected. But it's not crazy at all." She reached out and placed her hand on my arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze.I met her gaze, feeling my own smile forming on my lips. "Thanks," I said, feeling the tension in my body start to melt away. "I really appreciat
SELENA"You're buying way too much," I said, looking at the cart, which was already overflowing with children's books. I grabbed a stack of books from the top of the pile and placed them back on the shelf. "That's enough," I said firmly.Mitchell frowned, clearly disappointed by my decision. "But he needs more books," she protested, reaching for another stack of books."I know he does, but you're buying more than he needed.” I grabbed her hand and started pulling her away. After dropping Liam off at the playground, Mitchell had insisted that we stop by the bookstore to buy some children's books. I knew she had the best intentions, but I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the amount of money we were spending."I just want to make sure he has every book he needs," she said, her eyes pleading with me. "It's not like we're going to do this every day."I sighed, knowing that she was right, but I still felt uneasy about having her spend so much money. "I know," I said softly. "But I think
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