"Are we clear, Mayu? Abort the baby and go somewhere far away from here," My biological mother repeated.I swallowed and nodded softly as my tears fell to my cheeks."That's better, Mayu. No one will take care of you. Rosario is gone," she said before finally leaving the room.I fisted my hands and couldn't help but grit my teeth in anger. I looked down at the door and poured out the anger I felt for the person who gave birth to me but also threw me away.I violently wiped my tears. I closed my eyes tightly before picking up the envelope full of cash. I held it tightly. Though I don't want it, I might still need it.My gaze dropped to my stomach. I gently caressed it but stopped after remembering what Mommy said.I moved my palm away because I knew I could never love a child who would never be born into the world."I'm sorry, Baby," I whispered as I felt my heart tighten with the pain.My tears flowed more as I weakly sat on the bed again. I seemed to lose my strength at the thought t
I chose for Mom's burial to be held only for three days. I do not want it to last any longer; it only hurts me every time I see her cold corpse. How many times have I tried to wake her up? But still, she was in her deep slumber.When it was her last night, I didn't want to leave her side. Even though I was dizzy from a lot of smells, I kept looking at her. I tried to remember our happy memories. I just got back into reality when I felt Alice tapped my shoulder."You have visitors, Mayu," she whispered before pointing her lips at the back.My forehead creased as I followed where her lips pointed. My eyes became sharper. Anger just burst into my heart again."What are they doing here?" I meekly asked Alice.She shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes."They are here to give fake condolences, Mayu. What else? Of course your father and your siblings will be happy to see you suffer," she whispered back.I pursed my lips and looked at my father again, who was with Stella and Addison, bot
My hands almost trembled as my knees became almost weak. I also don't want to look at the man in front of me. Earlier, I dragged him outside of the house, so no one will be curious about him. Now that I was leaning against his car and in front of him, I could not begin to speak."Condolence—""I don't need your condolence," I coldy uttered.I could feel his sharp gaze. I even saw how he angrily placed his hand at the side of his waist."Fine. I didn't go here for that," he coldy said as well."Then what, Aldo? What? You'll welcome me back to your company just because I lost someone I loved? I'm sorry, but no," my voice was firm.My mind has changed. Even if he claims me now as his fiancée, I will never accept it. For what? so that my biological parents can hurt me again? No thanks. I had enough."No, Sweetie. I don't want you in my company. You're inexperienced."My lips quivered as I felt a needle piercing my heart."I know, because you only want me in bed."The bitterness seemed to
No matter how much I am doubtful about my decision, I knew I had to do it."We will move out, Mayu?" Alice asked again.I fell silent and was unable to answer. It would be nice to stay away and do what Mommy wanted me to do, but I wanted to stay home."Mayu! What are you still doing here?! The funeral is over. Leave!"Alice and I both turned our heads toward my real mother's voice. She was in a hurry and was almost stuck on the ground because of her high heels. My forehead creased, especially after seeing my real father tailing her."Am I not allowed to grieve first?" my voice became sarcastic."Come on, I'll find someone who will abort the baby—""What is this, Mayu?" Alice groaned after hearing Mommy. She even looked at us, confused."Mayu! I'll change your surname. Just let Stella get closer to Aldo," Daddy offered."Don't listen to him, Mayu. I've given you money, all you have to do is get that baby out of your womb and stay away," Mommy uttered.I seemed to be dizzy and confused
"Why, Mayu? Why would you want to abort your baby?" she asked."Huh? What, Alice?" I looked at her, confused because of what she asked."Didn't your mom order that you needed to abort the baby? Then stay away from here?"My lips parted and stopped. Of course, that is the plan. I swallowed and took a deep breath."It's needed, Alice. I have to do it," I murmured lowly.I stared at the thick envelope from Mommy. I held my stomach as my heart was pounding with a strange pain."But that's your baby, Mayu. Your family. Just in case your baby is the only one you have. The one who will stay with you—""That's not important right now, Alice. What's important now is to get out of here."I continued to put clothes in the backpack and some important documents before I quickly closed it. I'm done, and yet Alice was still looking at me with disbelief."Mayu, listen, please. Don't do that to your baby. I'll help you raise the child—"But we were both shocked after hearing a car park outside. We loo
"Two months in advance, one month's deposit. Six thousand all." Landlady Glenda even showed her palms for the money.Alice and I looked at each other and at the hut in front."We'll pay two thousand dollars in rent for that? For that wood?" Alice couldn't believe it.I can't believe the value either. If a strong breeze of air comes, the hut will be knocked down in front. However, we had no choice; it was already late, and this was nearby."If you don't want it, then look for another one!"My eyes widened, and I immediately held the lady's arm, even before she had finished speaking. I laughed in awe and widened my eyes towards Alice. She laughed awkwardly and held the landlady's arm as well."Glenda, that's just a joke. This is a nice cube of your mansion! My goodness, it's passable. It's worth the price, really!" She even signaled a money sign that the lady liked."This just looks fragile, but it's tough. A lot of the storms go by, but it's still standing.""Yes. It looks like one mor
My lips parted, and my shoulders fell as I turned my back. I even met Alice, who was looking sharply at the old woman, so I gently tapped her arm."The old woman might see you and think you want a fight—" "I do really want a fight, Mayu. I will put war to them since she didn't treat you well," she uttered before pouting her lips.I laughed softly and shook my head. I clung to her arm and forced her back to the fruit market."Apples and oranges, as well as mangoes," I told the shopkeeper.Alice was still throwing tantrums beside me, but I ignored her."There's nothing I can do if they are not hiring, Alice. I'll just look for another one tomorrow," I calmed her down at the same time I paid the shopkeeper."Even so! She should have said it in a good way! Not in a harsh way,""Well, the old woman speaks good English," I butted in.I dragged her to the side after the two girls approached the store. I could hear their giggles as they watched their cellphone screens. I forgot about Alice a
"Is it already safe, Mayu?" Alice asked as she clung to my clothes.I shook my head and couldn't speak. I'm covering my mouth and nose so as not to vomit with the smell of waste in front of us. I pulled Alice here earlier just so Aldo won't see us."Hey, Mayu! What now?" She asked again.I shook my head again. Walk away from where we were hiding and immediately vomit on the vacant lot. I could feel Alice rubbing my back. When I'm done throwing up, I just wipe my mouth with a handkerchief before narrowing my gaze inside the market."We're not safe here, Alice. Let's go back to the house hut. It's impossible for Gueco not to tell Aldo that he saw us.""That's for sure. Maybe we need to move out to another house," she suggested.I immediately shook my head and pulled her over to get a cab."Not at first. They can't easily find that. Besides, we paid Glenda, Alice.""All right. Who would have thought we would have lived in the hut? Of course not Aldo. He only knows Condominiums and hotels
Aldo Hendrix CastellanosI still clearly remember Mayu, whom I saw in the party's garden. Honestly, the first time I saw her, I was sure she was definitely not my type. Glancing at her gown, I knew she would be one of the candidates. That's why I myself went looking for Addison to give me the box that I secretly took from Grandpa.I don't like this plan either, and I have no intention of getting married. And who would be happy in an arranged marriage? No one. And so, as much as I could, I tried my best to give the box to the person I somehow liked.I didn't know, and I was unaware that fate played me so very well. I didn't have a plan for the first night either, other than to scare her, but it seems that fate has a better plan for the two of us and will let something happen and make me crazy about her.I scolded myself every hour for that. And I almost cursed myself for not being satisfied for a night when it was on my mind almost every night and trying to mess up my system.And I th
My nervousness never stops for fear that he might have another bad plan. I didn't even realize I had dialed Addison's number. It was too late, and I couldn't end the call after hearing her artistic voice. I lost focus on Stella and switched to my cellphone."Now, you called me. What, Cheap Bitch?" I think she is still working on the other line.I also started crying, "I just pressed the call button. As if I were going to call you. Bye—""Wait! Don't hang up yet!" She held back, so I couldn't press the end button."What, Bitch?" I tried to mimic her.I heard her whisper, but I also cleared her throat."I'm sorry."My forehead knotted, and I seemed deaf. Did I hear her right?"What?""I said, I'm sorry!" Her loud scream made me wince and hurt my ears, "I'm sorry, but if you don't want it, then don't!"I shook my head. How can I accept a sorry like this?"Not forgiven—""Who cares? I'm just saying sorry because I don't want Mommy to leave us again. Tss," she said, raising her voice, whic
"Aldo, that's enough!" I protested after he didn't stop.But he didn't listen and just continued making me laugh."That's enough! I can't breathe anymore; I'm going to eat." I snorted and grabbed both of his hands, but he just laughed softly from behind."You're bad! It will be your fault if the baby gets dislocated," I threatened.He was stunned for a moment and moved in front of me, asking, "What? Is there a thing called dislocation in pregnancy?"He frowned and seemed confused. I voluntarily groaned and shrugged my shoulders."There is now—""You're bluffing," he said, coming closer and aiming at my side."Aldo!" I glared at him, but he only smiled back at me."I'm hungry. If you had fed me last night, we wouldn't be in the kitchen today, even at dawn.""You could have stopped me from making love to you earlier in the night. You shouldn't have scolded me now. I am just being a professional lover, Sweetie," he boasted.He came and effortlessly lifted me to the kitchen counter and re
"It feels good when it's like this," Daddy uttered absentmindedly while eating the ice cream he was holding.I stared at the avocado ice cream in my hand. Where was it?"Hopefully, I've been a father since then," he added.He bowed, and I could feel the weight of his feelings. I looked away and sighed."It's still possible, just not now," I murmured softly."I will wait, Mayu. I will wait until you accept me as your father. I have many shortcomings, but I am ready to make up for them," he said, his voice almost shaking.I swallowed. I know they have the same motives as Mommy. They both like me now because Aldo is my husband, but even so, I want to think that Daddy is real.If parenting is just a basis, Daddy is always there and updated in my life, even though I don't get to be with him on important occasions in my life. I appreciated the times he rented clothes for me so I could go to the parties they would attend. I will not deny that he cared more about my studies then. He always mo
"What do you mean, Mommy? How is it just Addison?"I'm confused, and even though I have a conclusion in my mind, I want to hear it right from her mouth.She closed her eyes tightly. When she opened her eyes, they were full of regret."Sad to say, I took care of someone else's child while I neglected my own child," she said with regret.My lips parted, and I felt pain in my chest. I blinked several times to keep my tears from falling, but I was not victorious. They fell silent.Instead of being happy that I am her only child, I am more hurt that she was able to choose someone else's child over me.She immediately reached for my hand after seeing my tears fall."I'm really, really sorry, Mayu. Sorry if Mommy neglected you. I didn't want all of this to happen to you, even if I was the one who caused your other ailments in life. I just don't want to blame you for my betrayal of Frank," she continued to explain as her tears slowly fell."If you weren't ready for the consequences, and if yo
I don't know if Aldo is really determined for us to go abroad, but I'm more determined to talk to Mommy again. I waited a long time for her reply. I thought it would be rejected, but, um, yes.Aldo warned me several times not to leave the house in case my desire to explain to my mother prevailed. My only problem is where to leave Arkan. I don't want to bring him with me; there might be danger around later."Mommy, why are you leaving me with Aunt Alice?" Arkan asked with a doubtful tone.I raised my eyebrows and held his hand."I'm just going to buy something, Baby. I'll be right back.""Without me, Mom? Does Daddy know about this?" His tone is investigative.I coughed before laughing hesitantly."Of course, Baby. Your Daddy is always updated," I lied."Really, Mommy? Then why are you leaving me here? Or maybe we should call Daddy and ask him to get me here."My eyes rolled slightly. After that, I winced and slightly knelt in front of him."Your Daddy told me to leave you here for now
"Leave the country? But I don't want to leave, Aldo." That's what I immediately opened when we entered the house.I really don't want to leave. This is not the case now. I want to talk to Mommy in depth. Suddenly, I want to discover and find out what she said about Daddy being her first love."I doubt if we can really have a peaceful life here after everything. I don't want to risk your pregnancy—what's that?"He stopped and looked at the corner of my lips. My eyes widened slightly, and I immediately covered them. I was about to step back, but he immediately grabbed my elbow. When I turned to him, his gaze turned cold, and he gently removed my hand from covering my lips."Did she do that to you?" His cold voice sent nervousness through my body.I was out of breath and afraid to speak. I'm afraid to say that Mommy slapped me fearlessly earlier. I don't want him to get angry at Mommy, not right now."Tell me or I'll find it myself," he threatened.I closed my eyes and looked away, "N-no
I wiped the side of my lips with restraint. I don't want to be angry on this day, but if this is how I am greeted, my patience is over."What a worthless son of yours! I wish you hadn't lived—""I hope you didn't flirt with others so that I didn't develop!" I answered with annoyance, which stopped her."I wish I didn't live anymore if my parents just left me like a cat," I uttered coldly.Even though it hurt to say that, I tried to steady my gaze. I don't see the point of her venting her anger when I have a lot to blame her for.She narrowed her eyes at me, "How dare you?" she uttered in disbelief."Is that what money did to you? You now talk back to your parents? Why? Did Rosario raise you like that too?"I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth."You're wrong. This is how you raised me," I said with emphasis, "One more thing, don't involve Mother Rosario here. For all I know, she's the best mother in the world. No one can compare to her. Not even you, Mrs. Smith."Apart from the par
I don't think this day will end; the skin will mix with the body. Even though I tried to calm myself down, I shuddered every time I caught a glimpse of Addison.I smiled and untied Aldo's arm from wrapping around my waist."Let's go, Arkan. Let's go swimming. Your Daddy is going to fix something," I said coldly before standing up and trying to reach for Arkan's hand, who stood up and held my hand.But before I could even step away from the table, Aldo grabbed my wrist. I was stunned and let go of Arkan's hand."Alaric, get my son, please," he ordered his brother coldly.Alaric followed quietly, picking up Arkan. My son didn't even complain.I turned to Aldo with wide eyes."I'm leaving too, Aldo." I tried to pull my hand away from him, but his grip tightened slightly."Stay here. We'll leave here together," he promised, so I calmed down a little.Just then, Addison slammed the table down, causing my attention to go to her. I simply glanced at Aldo, but he was only looking at me."Aldo