SELENA"Are you still at the hospital?" I asked, balancing the phone between my shoulder and my cheek as I buttoned up my shirt.A low growl came from the other end of the line, and I knew that Mitchell was not pleased with me. It had been a week since she called me to tell me about the birth of her child, and I hadn't been able to visit her at the hospital. The past week had been a struggle to get over Edward's death, and I just couldn't bring myself to leave the house."No," she sighed into the phone. I could hear the faint cries of an infant in the background. "I'm back home."I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "I'm sorry," I blurted out, raising my gaze to look at myself in the mirror."Please, don't be sorry," Mitchell said, her voice low. "I heard what happened to Edward. I'm sorry too, he seemed like a really great person." I was surprised she thought so highly of Edward, considering she had barely known him.If Mitchell knew about Edward's death, that must mean that Pe
PEDROMy eyes were fixed on a photo I had taken of Selena and Liam on the night she stayed over at my place. In the photo, Selena was sleeping soundly, with Liam curled up next to her. The image was seared into my mind, and it felt like I could never forget it.As I looked at the picture of Selena and Liam, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. They were like a home to me, a safe haven where I could relax and be myself. I didn't want to admit it, but Selena had become a symbol of comfort and familiarity in my life.I stood in the conference room, staring out the window as I waited for Selena to arrive. Roy, my secretary, was supposed to be the one here instead of me, but he had been away on business for the past week and couldn't bear to leave his wife and newborn baby now that he had returned. So I offered to take his place, and now I was here.“I hope she didn't hate me after I tell her everything.” I gulped, watching as the car pulled into the driveway and Selena stepped out of the
SELENAHis lips pressed against mine and my heart skipped a beat. I blinked rapidly, my mind struggling to process what was happening. Part of me hoped it was just a dream, a cruel trick of my imagination. I didn't want to believe he was just using me to save himself.But as my eyes fluttered open, I knew it was real. Pedro's lips were on mine, his kiss soft and light, the same way it always was. In another time, in another place, it would have been a moment of pure bliss. But now, it only served to infuriate me. How could he think a kiss could make everything all right, when the world around us was falling apart?Without thinking, I bit down on his tongue, hard enough to make him cry out in pain. I felt a moment of panic, fearing I might have done real damage. The last thing I wanted was to hurt him, but I couldn't stop myself from reacting in anger and frustration."Selena, what are you doing?" Pedro groaned, leaning away from me. His eyes were wide, his lips red and swollen from my
PEDROI watched her sprint after him, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I had never felt like such a failure, like such a loser, in my life.Not only did I lose her, I never got to tell her the truth. I hate myself for my cowardice. I hate the weakling that my father gave birth to."I made my choice and she made hers. But why does it hurt so much?" I said, turning to the window and watching their car drive away. I felt hollow and empty, as if a part of me had been ripped away.A sob wracked my body, and a guttural cry escaped my lips. "He'll never let her see me again," I said, the words like nails in my chest.My phone buzzed in my pocket, a jarring sound in the stillness of the room. I reached a trembling hand into my pocket and pulled it out.It was my father calling. I wanted to smash my phone against the floor, to rip it to pieces. I regretted ever trying to mend things with him, regretted the day I honored his request to meet him at the penthouse. I had been a fool, and
SELENAThe drive to the villa was a silent one. Christopher gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched. I could sense his fury, barely contained beneath the surface.He had been busy on the phone all night, and when I asked him what the project was about, he had refused to tell me anything. I had wondered what was going on, but I never imagined it would be this.Did he call off the project with Pedro? Had he paid the termination fee? Had he even reached out to the company to end the contract? Or was the project finally over, without me ever knowing anything.His silence hurt me deeply. I knew how much the project meant to him, and the thought that my actions might have caused it to fail gnawed at my conscience. I hated the idea that I might have cost him his dream. His dreame of making his plan project a success.“Chrissy, can you…”"No," he barked, his voice harsh and cold. His shoulders shook with barely suppressed rage, his
PEDROA week had passed since I'd kicked Louisa out of my apartment, and each day I found myself staring at my phone, impatiently waiting for Mr. Santos' call. I knew he would be livid, and that he would threaten to take away his share of the company.While I wasn't worried about the financial impact of Mr. Santos' withdrawal, I didn't want it to happen. Yes, my father had promised to invest in the project, but I wanted to succeed on my own merits, not because of his help. I wanted to prove to myself and to everyone else that I could make it on my own."Wait a minute," I said, halting my frantic pacing. I tugged at my damp hair in frustration, shaking my head. "Is he expecting me to call him first?" I muttered to myself."Screw him," I muttered, tossing my phone onto the dresser in frustration. I sat on the stool in front of the dresser, I glared at my reflection in the mirror, the anger and disappointment plain on my face.I let out a long, exasperated sigh, and my eyes fell on the s
SELENAWork kept me distracted, but I couldn't help but think about everything that had been going on at home. Christopher had stormed out and hadn't returned since.Margaret and Mr. Andre had been at each other's throats for the past few days, a marked change from their usual harmonious relationship.I felt like a stranger at home home. It was a strange feeling, considering that for so long I had felt like part of the family. But lately, it seemed like I was an outsider, an inconvenience even. They never said anything outright, but I could feel the tension in the air."Last file?" I groaned, then sighed deeply. Working on these difficult files was cathartic, a welcome distraction from my thoughts. They kept me focused on the task at hand, but I knew it was only a temporary reprieve. Once the files were complete, I'd be left with my thoughts, with no way to escape them."I wonder if Chrissy is still at the office," I mused, glancing at the clock on my phone. I took a deep breath.My p
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
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