"What?! We're moving again?!" Alice's reaction came after she saw me packing clothes."We can't stay here, Alice. Aldo is just around the corner.""You just recovered, Mayu. You might be hospitalized for what you want. After a month, we can move to Buenavista—""We should go now. Should I wait for him to find me here? Should I wait for him to know I'm pregnant?"I glanced at her for a moment before packing again. I won't let Aldo see me, not even the tip of my finger.I heard Alice sigh before starting to pack."There are only five places we can go to, Mayu. This is the third time we have left. There are only two left; please, you have to choose a good location so that you don't have to get tired moving again," she noted.I bit my lower lip after hearing the coldness and strictness in her voice. I understood that it was for me too, and I knew she was just thinking of me."Promise, Alice. This will be the last. After two months, you can go back to Manila." She stopped and stared at me
"This is going to be a big scope. My brother will surely go crazy if he finds out the truth," he uttered again.I pursed my lips before looking at him. He has those same features, similar to Aldo and Alaric, and now I wonder why he is doing this."What are you doing here, Apollo?" I simply asked.I don't want to sound ungrateful, especially since it was because of him that Aldo still can't find me."I tracked you down. It's funny that you didn't use my card. I had a hard time finding you. and you're just here. Of all places, why here?" He smiled a little, as if to laugh at himself.I pouted a little and couldn't answer. I also don't know why my feet brought me here. Finally, I glanced at his hand, which was still in my stomach. I slowly removed it, which made him glance at it again."Aww, I'm sorry. I got excited about my nephew," he meaningfully uttered.I quickly shook his hand. I cleared my throat and looked back in the distance."What if I say that this is not your nephew?" I glan
I grinned at what he said and remembered Aldo. In fact, Aldo just wanted the heat of the body."Because your brother is such an asshole that he only cares about his carnal cravings. By the way, why did you help me? You're betraying your brother."I turned to him and caught his mischievous smile. He seemed to be thinking of funny things. and I doubt if I would like that."Nah-huh. Let's just say I love this game. Hide and seek, huh? Let my brother go crazy trying to find you. Anyway, are you available tomorrow? Let's shop."That was the last thing he said before he left. I didn't even nod at his offer. I immediately called Alice to report that.She was giggling from the other line, as if she were so happy with the news."What's exciting about that, Alice?" I asked sarcastically, which made her stop: "Nothing good is happening, Alice. I mean, Aldo can easily find me—""Silly! That means you have captured two Castellanos! Ayiiee! You might never know that Alaric and that old Castellanos
Nothing could be stronger than my heartbeat. It was in vain that I clung to Apollo's leg out of nervousness."Why don't we eat lunch together with your girlfriend? Don't worry. My treat," Aldo offered.My grip on Apollo's leg tightened. I was already pulling his jeans, so he was holding it at the waistline.He glared at me and slightly pulled his leg back. I widened my eyes at him and pulled his jeans more."I'm waiting, Apollo," Aldo impatiently uttered.Apollo laughed out of tune and forced his jeans to lift. He even tried to pull back his leg."Bro, my new girlfriend is shy. She doesn't want to face anyone." He laughed again at the end."Really? I thought she was being aggressive since she said yes to you. Anyways, what are you doing on this baby's section?" His tone became doubtful.Apollo laughed again and presented the cart full of baby gear, so I pinched him again in the leg. He's putting me in the worst situation!"Can you pay for these? I forgot my card, and my girlfriend nee
I was stunned and could not move from my place. It was as if I was just waiting for Aldo to turn around because I knew the hide-and-seek game was over. Gradually, the cellphone I was holding in my ear dropped along with my tears. I could still feel Arkan's slight kick, which made me cry."Are you excited to meet your father?" I asked softly and even glanced at my baby bump.I smiled bitterly, especially after seeing the pair of black shoes in front of me.The hiding is over, Mayu. My brain murmured that."It's late at night. Why are you still outside? The baby might catch a cold."My eyes widened at that low baritone voice. I blinked and immediately raised my gaze just to see Gueco grinning in front of me."You thought it was Aldo?" he asked, confirming my thoughts.My lips parted as my forehead knotted, and I turned to look behind him to confirm that Aldo didn't follow him. My tears flowed back after seeing that he had not been behind him."I asked him to get inside when I saw you. I
I wanted to be angry with Alice for what she had done, but the nurse came back to say it was already my term. In the end, I looked at her intently. She bit her finger as she looked remorseful.I took a deep breath and gave my trust to God. I tried to calm my heart during the operation, even though I wanted to scream. I don't even know how it ended or if I heard Arkan cry. All I know is that I want to get up, go back to the room, and rest. I'm not sure if I fell asleep. As far as I know, I was awakened by Alice's voice and another male voice."Is she alright?""I'm not sure. Maybe. Wait a minute, how to hold a baby?""I don't know. I have never held a baby in my whole life. We'll call the nurse.""Crazy! You're going to disturb others—""Of course. We can't be careless about holding Arkan. That's my nephew we're talking about, the heir of our empire and my brother's firstborn. We will all die if something bad happens to Arkan. Not just to Aldo, but I am sure my grandfather Frederick wi
We were both puzzled, not knowing how to hide from Aldo when he called again and said that he was near Apollo's cellphone location."Maybe you should leave first, Apollo?" I suggested.Arkan had never stopped crying, so we were more panicked."Where else is there a baby crying, Miss Selvestre? He will still look at this place." He rubbed his neck and cursed.Alice and I looked at each other. I don't know what to do."You have to move to the other room first. Maybe they have a baby too," Alice suggested. "Shoo Greek with a dark conscience! Come on!" she pursued.Apollo's eyes squinted at Alice before he decided to leave the room.We took a deep breath after he went out. Alice carefully took Arkan and danced with him a little."Would I still be wondering if Aldo is here tomorrow?" Alice's eyebrows raised.I sighed and gently held Arkan's smooth leg."We should go home tomorrow. Check again if Arkan's birth certificate is okay, Alice."She nodded and took care of Arkan carefully. We chec
"We will leave, Apollo—""Don't. If you are thinking about Aldo, he will not come here. He's busy."I don't know, but a bitter smile appeared on my lips. "I know. "He's busy finding a fiancée—""Yeah, his runaway fiancée," he added, which made me stop after what he said had sunk in to me.Why is he referring to me?"It was his fault that I ran away—""Silly, I was just kidding." He chuckled softly before he became serious: "Please don't go anywhere, Miss Selvestre. Arkan deserves all of this."That was Apollo's request before he left us at home. Now, I don't know if I will stay in the rest house or run away."Let's just stay here, Mayu. It's tiring to move around," Alice murmured, leaning back on the soft sofa."What if Aldo suddenly appeared here?" I asked worriedly.Alice got up from the sofa and looked at me tiredly."Don't think about that, Mayu! He's busy. Busy! Okay, I'm busy," she explained.I couldn't help but worry and watch my son. I can't even understand why my heart seems
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