I entered the opulent office, which smelled like leather-bound volumes and had oak furniture. Each step I took was echoed by the polished marble floors. I couldn't believe I had returned to Pangasinan and had agreed to take on the position of CEO of the business that was in my family for many years. I took a deep breath as I headed towards the conference room. I still remember the last time I joined this company. I was still young then, because I always avoided Mom and Dad's wish that I inherit it and run it. I can also say that a large part of me is ashamed of my parents, because I chose to prioritize my happiness over my dreams. If I had only known that my relationship with Lucas would lead to this, I would not have poured all my time and wealth into him in the first place. The big windows in the room looked out onto the greenery beyond, bathing the space in the gentle glow of early sunlight. I inhaled deeply and moved to the CEO's chair, where I found a stack of papers and
"What's his name?" I asked Dave and Chelsea. "Precious," Chelsea said. She was beaming with joy, the love of motherhood shining in her eyes. "It's really beautiful," I praised her baby. "Who did it inherit from? It doesn't seem to be Chelsea's." "Shut up, Dylan. Even though she looks more like his Papa, I'm sure that one hundred percent, my blood is the winner, that's why she's this beautiful. Isn't it?" "Hmm, for now I'll agree." They laughed. "But I'm really happy. It's a really different feeling, especially now that I can see and kiss her." Despite my pain, I forced a smile. While I truly rejoiced for Chelsea, her remarks stung me to the core. My husband's affair had caused me a miscarriage, prevented me from having the child I had yearned for, and I couldn't help but think back on that. The wound I have because of this will never heal, and every time I remember it, my anger for him grows stronger. "S-Sorry, Dianna." I think Chelsea noticed my speechlessness. "It's ok
"We then expose his immoral conduct to the media, to the rest of his company partners, and to the entire globe, striking where it hurts the most," I said in a low, calculated voice. I will make sure that everyone knows if what a worthless CEO he is. The night is cold and silent as I poured another wine on my glass. I'm in my work room, with the lights dimmed but not completely off. A small desk lamp hangs above my head, illuminating an old notebook where I put my initial revenge plan. "It's really funny how I once loved you dearly, Lucas. But here I am now planning how to make you fall," I whispered and then took another sip of wine. For a few moments I found myself staring at the photo of Lucas with his mistress and daughter. Not a day goes by that I don't feel pain whenever I remember the situation where I saw with my own eyes that they were doing something obscene. Those days it was as if my world had collapsed and trampled my entire being. I never lacked my love for him,
I knew it was time as I kept staring at the computer screen, which cast an eerie light of blue in the dark room with its glow. This is the time of my first step for my revenge on the man who crushed me so much. If he thinks that I will just let everything happen, he is wrong, because I will use what I found out about his company to bring him down little by little. I was going to make use of the details I had obtained as a weapon tonight to get back at him. I signed into the anonymous email account I had created just for this purpose with shaky fingers. I typed in the subject of the email the words... 'No Secret That Is Unrevealed' As I connected the files holding all the damaging information—the unpaid debts, the fraudulent loans, and the approaching bankruptcy, a smirk formed on my lips. If Lucas thinks that the stench of his company will remain in it, he is wrong. I will not allow his other work colleagues to be fooled by him and be included in his sinking. After I was sure
I opened the heavy door of Romeo's Night Club and I was greeted by the dizzying light here that changes color. This is the only place where I can get drunk and for a moment forget all the pain I feel. When I entered, I immediately looked for a seat and immediately ordered one of their strongest wines. I need it, so I can release all my resentment towards Lucas. "Here's your drink, Ma'am." "Thanks..." A mass of bodies filled the dance floor as they moved in time to the seductive beat. Couples danced together as I watched, their murmured conversations and giggles filling the air. It was a painful reminder of everything I had lost as well as the love that had failed me. I felt the vibration of my cellphone in my pouch. When I picked it up I saw Dylan's name on the screen. I thought for a few seconds before deciding to answer his call. "Hello, Dianna? You said you came home early to—" "Wait, where are you?" "Dianna, are you alright?" With a heavy heart I responded to his que
"What are you doing here?!" I stood up from my seat. "You're not what I need," Lucas said emphatically to Dylan. "How did you get in here?" Instead of answering me, he threw a doll on my table, with messy hair, broken hands and feet and a scary face. "Did you send that to Roxanne?!" I closed my office door. Dylan and I looked at each other, I told him that the other day. "Hold on, Lucas..." "Why do you always blame me? At first it was about what was happening in your company. And now this?" "Why not? You have plenty of reasons to do all that." "Oh, it's good and you know that you owe me a lot. But I'll tell you again, Lucas. I'm not sending anything like that to you." His jaw clenched. "I just don't want to know that you have a plan for everything that happens to us. Because of that doll, Roxanne almost put our daughter into danger." The anger he had was clear in my eyes. My forehead furrowed, pain crawled through my heart. "Alright! What if it's me, what are you going
"Open the brown envelope first." I looked at Dylan for a moment before I opened what he taught. "These are the bits of information I've accumulated. I have grounds to assume Lucas has been dodging taxes for years, as it appears he has taken part in some suspicious financial activities." I read some of the documents. After just a few minutes, I let him open another envelope and he took out the pictures contained in it one by one. I saw the pictures—a lavish display of luxury and excess—that captured events from Lucas's expensive vacation. I didn't even know about them even when we were together. I just realized how good he is at hiding his secrets. Dylan and I looked at each other again, but I immediately avoided mine as well. "Although some of the information is not new to us, what is important in this instance is that we already have evidence." "This is really unbelievable! I'm sure he wouldn't want these things he's hiding to explode." "We can all use that, but it's up to
Dylan and I were both sitting in a cozy cafe near the front of our company. Although we both had a cup of coffee in front of us, I did not plan to taste it because my heart might beat faster. The surroundings were warm and welcoming, the ambiance. The atmosphere was filled with the smells of roasted coffee beans and sweet breads. But despite its beauty, I can't stop my mind traveling back to the past. "Have you seen that flower I gave you?" he asked me first. His voice was calm, matching the simple smile on his lips. I swallowed and then nodded to him. "Ahm, y-yes. By the way, thank you." His eyes sparkled after I said that. He moved his chair closer to the table between us. "Dianna, those flowers mean a lot to me. I know you are not numb enough to not notice." I met his gaze, whispering to myself that it's better that he would not continue what he was going to say. "Dianna, I am falling for you. I thought it would pass. I thought it's just a simple affection after seein