WINTER:I held my breath, as I listened to my ex-husband. “W-We never kissed, Cali. It never happened.”A little part of me wanted it to happen. To check if my toes still tingled. Or I was still lusting over him. What would happen if we kissed?If you were tlaat curious, you should have kissed him. He chuckled while massaging his neck. “Yeah. Yeah. We never. But we might when Carmela did not enter.”Well, it might be true. I might kiss him for real. “It might happen. D-Does that mean…you have feelings for me?” he asked shyly. “You can choose not to answer, pumpkin. I don't want to pressure you or anything like that, okay? I am only curious.”My eyes bulged. Then, I masked my face. “What the heck are you saying? Why would I have feelings for you? Our marriage started with a loveless one and it ended the same.” I scoffed while feeling the coldness of my hand. My heartbeat wildly against my ribcage as if it was going to come out. “I.. I don’t have feelings for you.”“If…If you don’t ha
WINTER:I could see that Calcifer was interested in listening to me. Good because this was the only time I would be brave like this. Next time, I won't be able to tell him. Cali's expression softened in the camera and I had the urge to hug him right now. If only we were not separated by the virtual world…then…I would be able to do what I wanted with him like cuddling and kissing. “Why did you leave, pumpkin? I mean, why did you withdraw and imprisoned yourself in your room?”Here it goes. “There was some incurable sickness in our family which only spread among the women. Mom was one of the victims of that sickness so the rest of her family members. When I started to get some symptoms, I got scared that I would leave you. I eman…despite being in a loveless marriage, I also liked you as my husband since you’ve been good to me. I was scared that I would leave this world without getting the chance to know you, Cali.”He sucked in a breath.“W-What did you experience?”“Dizziness. Pain
WINTER:Unknowingly, my hands went to my lips and touched them. My breathing slowed as I focused on Calcifer's lips. A kiss, huh? I nibbled on my bottom lip as I remembered the memories. He was such a good kisser and his lips were soft and always red, reminding me so much of the apples I saw on the online streaming platforms. What would it feel like if something happened between us again? It had been a long time since the last time I was with a man. Well, excluding Hawk since these past few months, he was exclusively working for me. Until Calcifer arrived. I shook my head at the train of my thoughts. Those were dangerous thoughts that should have been destroyed the moment they started to kick in. Really, Winter? You're going to be fooled again by someone like him? Then you will cry your heart out?"S-shut up, Calcifer. You're only lonely now. You can kiss your other ex-wife." If he was not lonely, then he would be talking to Carmela now. That woman was desperate to get Cali’s a
WINTER: “I never said that!” I exclaimed.“I heard it, pumpkin. You're so cute when you're embarrassed.”My nose flared. “I'm not trying to be cute!” I whispered in a harsh voice. “I know. You're not acting to be one. It's effortless,” he retorted in a dreamy voice. “Can I keep you forever, pumpkin?”“You're getting drunk.”“Drunk of happiness because of you. I wish we were always like this. I don't know talking to you is fun. It seemed like we were on a courting stage where we got to know each other.” I fell silent. Well, it was true. Back then, we got married directly. Calcifer was so busy at that time, running their business while I was also helping Dad with our company. Except for our names and family background, we did not have any idea who my groom was. “You're being cheesy,” I muttered under my breath, but was silently smiling. I liked talking to him, too, and unfortunately, no matter how much I tried to keep the hatred in my heart, it was slowly disappearing. It will only
WINTER: Are we going on a date? I wanted to ask but stopped myself. Liam had not known Hawk loved me and I did not think this was the best time to tell him about it. And if I did tell him, what would he say? Would he be against it or not?“Where would we go?”“Where do you want to go?” he asked. “I don't have anything in mind.” Right now, I would rather spend my day sleeping in bed, but this was Hawk we were talking about. “But we can go where you want. D-do you have something in mind, Miss Winter?” he asked shyly. Where I want, huh? There was only one thing I wanted. No particular place in mind but somewhere where I could be at peace.Liam raised his hands. “Me, Uncle Hawk. I want to go to the zoo!”“A zoo?” Hawk scratched his head. “If it's fine with your Mom.”"I'm fine everywhere as long as Liam wants it."The child danced with joy. "Yes! Thank you, Mommy! Thank you, Uncle Hawk!""Why don't you change first, Liam so that we can go now?""Yes, Mommy. I will change."I called t
WINTER:The whispers from the women continued and I did not like it a bit. The more that I wanted to hide Hawk from them. My bodyguard deserved someone who would never cheat him. Someone who would love him for the rest of his life. Since when are you getting possessive of your bodyguard? the other part of my mind said. This is not possessiveness. I am merely trying to protect him! Protect him from what? Or are you only jealous, Winter? I'm not jealous of anything or anyone. Why would I be jealous of them? Hawk lifted his gaze, watching me with a confused expression.“This is a nice spot, Miss Winter. Liam can see the giraffes from here.”I'm not jealous, right? I cannot accept that I am jealous. It only meant that I had an inkling of feelings for him. Which only meant that I had some feelings for him and Calcifer.Torn between two lovers, huh?Hawk was not bad at all. He was nice and warm inside so we would get to know him better and I could attest to that. “Yes, Mommy. I love t
WINTER: “Yes, it was a woman, Miss Winter. Is there a problem with a woman being a content creator? You should try watching her videos, Miss Winter. It's educational. She explores different countries and lets you see what that place offers.”My mouth opened and then closed.There was nothing wrong with that. What was wrong was how I thought right now. Was this jealousy over some random woman? And why would I feel like that?“Do you like her?” I asked before I could stop myself. Now, Hawk liking someone was already an issue to you? the other part of my mind asked. “I like her,” he answered without hesitation, without even getting embarrassed. My lips pressed into a thin line. “Why do you like her?” I pressed.“Uhm…is it wrong to like her, Miss Winter?”Yeah. Is it wrong that he will like someone else, Winter? Did you forget that the world does not revolve around you always?“N-No. Nothing.”“Is it not okay to like a content creator, Miss Winter?” he pressed, in pure confusion. I
WINTER:Hawk’s face went bright red as he struggled to look for some words. Aw. Such a cutie.I found him cute especially if he kept on acting like this. When he still could not say anything, I said, “It’s fine, Liam. Uncle Hawk does not need to buy any flowers for Mommy. Bringing me here is enough.”“No, Mommy. Uncle Hawk. You should buy Mommy flowers. Or if you don’t, I will just tell Daddy to bring Mommy one. Mommy, can I call Daddy right now? I will tell him to bring you flowers.”“I forgot to bring you one, Miss Winter.”Hawk and I stared at each other while his face was getting even redder.“Hey. It's no big deal, Hawk.” I was not waiting for anything in return to him. He was new to these things and I accepted anything that he could offer. I did not want to put pressure on him.“No, Miss Winter. I felt bad for forgetting to bring you one.”“You should buy one, Uncle Hawk. Daddy always gives Mommy flowers. And they are all beautiful.” “I…I will buy flowers, Miss Winter. I fou
WINTER: One week later… Just like what I wanted, it was a small wedding only, attended by some important people. The wedding only happened in the mansion, something Calcifer did not approve of, but agreed to in the end. Did he have a choice? He did not. In the end, he had no choice but to give in. My wedding dress was nothing fancy. It was a simple one which I bought at the mall. Cali wanted to hire someone to make the dress for me, but I declined. I didn't want anything extravagant. It was better to donate the money to some charities. After all, what was more important was the marriage. Our marriage life after the wedding. We only invited the pastor to come into the mansion. The press found out about our wedding. It was all over the news, but I told Cali not to give any statement about it. I will do it when I want. Despite the venue, Cali was still able to ask the wedding planner to transform the hall into something beautiful, with a lot of flowers on each side. The servan
HAWK: The door burst open and saw Miss Nathalia’s angry look. I stopped drinking and looked at the newcomer. The alcohol did not even make me drunk. I need more. “Miss Nathalia. Cheers.” I offered a bottle of beer, but her expression told me she was not a bit happy. “Is this all your plans, right now, sulking in the corner? Smoke. Drink?” Nathalia asked. She put her hands on both of her lips as she looked at me with disappointment. Almost a week of staying in this apartment which she had helped me get. In the meantime. I was supposed to start working on her, to be her bodyguard, but I did not have the strength to work at the moment.It still hurts.Miss Winter was my ultimate love and there was no other woman beside her.The alcohol made me numb the pain, but when I got sober, it was back again. When will this end? "I am only giving you this week to fix yourself. If you will not, I will kick your butt and let someone drag you to my condo and stay there."She had been pestering
WINTER: The crowd was expecting my answer while all I could do was stare at Cali kneeling down, holding an opened box where the ring was waiting for me. “I know this is not the kind of proposal that you’re expecting. This is simple, but I thought that you also did not like anything fancy. This is not like what you see on social media platforms, but there is one thing that I wanted to assure you. My feelings are real. My promises will remain the same. It's the feelings that matter, right?”Cali was expecting my answer, and the more I was silent, the more he grew nervous. My eyes went to Dad. He was already wiping the tears from his eyes while Nathalia was silently cheering for his brother. The servants seemed like they could no longer breathe because of the fast beating of their hearts. “Cali…I…” I bit the inside of my cheeks. Was I ready now? “May I talk to you for a moment?”His mouth fell but was able to get hold of his emotions. Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes, Pumpkin. Wh
WINTER: ONE MONTH LATER...“Mommy? Why is Uncle Hawk leaving us?” Liam asked, watching Hawk bringing his bag outside. Not only Liam and I were sending him, but Calcifer was also with us and the rest of the maids. None of us wanted him to go. “He is just visiting his parents, Liam. He does not know when he will be back, that's why he resigned.”He looked at me with pure innocence. “Daddy? I don't understand why he needs to leave us while he visits his parents,” Liam continued. Cali patted Liam. “You will understand when you become an adult.”He pouted. “I don't want to become an adult, Daddy. I want to be your baby forever.”“You will be our baby forever.”A month had passed since I accepted Cali's love. A month of always showing me how much I meant to him and our son. He never failed to show us how much he loved us, by cooking and traveling abroad. Above all, Liam was the happiest. He constantly brags to his classmates that his Daddy is already with us and he constantly wants Ca
WINTER:I rubbed my hands together as I waited for Hawk. Craning my neck, I stared at the gate, waiting for a car to enter— the car I let Hawk lend.My heart continued to hammer against my ribcage. Damn it. Why was he making me this worried? Was he punishing me? It was already six o’clock and he was not here yet. I wonder what happened to him. He was not this late. He also never was the type who never texted me where he was right now.I bit my fingernails while pacing back and forth on our porch.That man. I will give him a scolding for making me worry this much. This was so unlike him. Did he want me to die because of worrying?Cut him some slack, Winter. That man is hurting after you told him the truth. Do you think it is easy for him?But he went out to have some check right? It was nothing to do with me and Cali?I stopped and checked my phone again for the nth time. Still, no messages coming from him. Damn it. What seemed to be wrong?What if I call his number? Why haven't I
HAWK:Nathalia was pretty easy to talk with.The moment I asked for her pin code, she gave it to me without hesitation. Was she always like this to other men? [Don’t be shy to order something online, Sweetie.][Are you there, yet? Your silence is making me nervous.][Hawk! You have to answer me, or I will call the police and declare you missing.]I shook my head while reading the last message.Answer her. She does not joke when it comes to you. Again, left with no choice, I texted some replies and hit the word send.[Yes? Yes? Is that the only thing you could answer me, Sweetie? I’m putting all my efforts into giving you a reply and you’re going to answer short ones? You are seriously hurting my feelings.]I pocketed my phone after telling her that I was going to enter her condo.She was not the one who I was expecting to text. It was Miss Winter. But I did not receive anything from her.I stopped at Room 703 after double-checking it. This was the room Nathalia had given me.I was a
HAWK:I stared at the ceiling like a fool. Now what? Where would you go now? Why did you lie to Miss Winter saying you’re sick? Now, you’re forced to go out and spend the rest of your day there. Now, you’re forced to go out and spend the rest of your day outside while your guilt is eating you away. You never lied to Miss Winter like this. I smiled bitterly. Could I be blamed? When I heard Liam and that bastard’s laughter, I gave in to the temptation and I went to the pool and saw them myself. The bonding of the real father and Dad. Something which I will never be able to achieve. My chest felt like it was being wrung. I held my breath as the pain became too much seeing how they looked good together. The three of them. Liam was happy. Miss Winter was happy with the bastard’s presence in the mansion. When he failed to sleep in this room, something might happen between them.I closed my eyes tightly as images of them being together entered my mind. Something already happened betwee
WINTER:Hawk's silence was not helping at all. “Hawk? I'm waiting.”"May I use this day as my day off? That's the reason why I approached you.”“Day off? Where would you go? You did not usually use your day off, right?”“I'm not feeling well right now. It started last night."Worry flashed over me and touched his forehead. “You don't have any fever at all.” But sometimes, you felt hot inside your body but on the surface, it was not hot. "Do you want me to call our family doctor to check on you?""No, Miss Winter. I already called someone. A friend of mine. I will visit his clinic so that he will know the diagnosis."“Don't you think it's better to stop smoking? It's not good for you.”“I will think about it, Miss Winter. It's not easy to quit.”“If there's a way, there is a will. Do you have a friend who is also a doctor? No offense, Hawk. But I don't see you hanging out with anyone.""I met him on social media.""Oh, I see. Is that person to be trusted? Hawk. Please be careful. Ther
WINTER: I was dreaming. You know the feeling that you were aware that you were inside your dream? That's what I'm feeling right now despite facing Cali in a fine dining restaurant. He wore a suit while I was wearing a red dress. He looked so handsome.“Why are we here?” I asked. “You don't remember, Pumpkin?”“What?”“We are celebrating because we are having our second child. So don't drink any alcoholic drinks from now on.My eyes bulged. “I'm with a child?”He chuckled and grabbed the wine glass from my hand. “This is supposed to be mine.” He emptied the contents. “We're going to have a baby?” I asked.“We are. I'm so happy, Pumpkin.”I looked down and saw that there was indeed a baby bump. Tears simmered down my eyes when I felt the kick of my baby inside. “We are going to have a baby?” I whispered while caressing the bulge on my stomach. “Thank you for approving to have another baby,” he whispered and kissed my hand. “Calcifer!” a woman's voice suddenly shouted. We all lo