Amber's Pov
"Hey, you're really lucky tonight, Amber. A lot of customers gave you a tip this night," Mildy, my colleague as a waitress at the night bar I work, my classmate in school and also my best friend commented on me while smiling widely. The bar we work at is not a bar with dancing GROs, but only women who sing and dance on stage and wear proper clothes. But of course, when people hear the word "night bar" they will think of women dancing on stage while stripping their clothes even though not all night bars are like that. But I do know that I have waitress colleagues who are willing to go with the customers and do all the way jobs outside the bar. It is up to us waitresses to decide if we agree to "go all the way" and the bar management has nothing to do with it. But if other waitresses do it so that they can earn more money, not me. I am satisfied with the meager income I earn as a waitress as long as my money comes from a clean way.I use to pay for my education with the money that I received from working as a waitress. I'm nineteen years old but I'm still in the fourth year of high school. I stopped studying because I lacked the financial means to support myself. I have a mother but she already has a second family. My father died when I was 15 years old because of an accident. I don't want to depend on my stepfather for my education because I don't get along with him. He and his witch daughter, Ruby.I live in Uncle Roman's house now but I am saving up so that I can rent even a small room. And even if I can find rent in a squatter's area, I will accept it as long as I can get out of his house. Ruby and I fight almost every day. Because she is too bitchy and I am a fighter so we always clashed. And whenever the two of us fight, my mom always takes her stepdaughter's side as if she's her real daughter and not me. That's one of the reasons why I want to leave their residence. I feel like I'm just unlikable excess baggage and their house is already filling up because of me so I'll just leave rather than have them throw me out when they can't stand my presence anymore.Monday to Thursday I am on the night shift since I study during the day. When Friday comes, it's my day off. I take advantage of my day off to do all the things I need to do at school. Saturday and Sunday, my shift is from two o'clock in the afternoon to seven in the evening. This schedule is okay with me because I can relax after my work. Sometimes customers tipping to us is slow when the customers are stingy but sometimes, just like today, tippers are gallant as long as our service is good. I received many tips tonight went and Mildy noticed it."Just making up for a few nights that I didn't receive some tips from the customers," I smiled back at her. We laughed and do the high five. Like me, she was also lucky tonight because she also received a lot of tips."But it looks like your night is going to be ruined because the arrogant customer who is always looking for you to serve him a drink is here," Mildy whispered to me as she sniffed at the entrance of the bar where the person who caught all the arrogance that Lucifer cast into the world was just entered"The arrogant and thick-faced man is coming," I replied to Mildy with a frown. That Santi must have thought that he was handsome to the core, that's why he dared to brag. If he only wasn't gallant to give a tip, surely no waitress would come to assist him because of his excessively strong wind and perverted looks."I agree with you," Mildy winked in agreement with what I said."But he's unlucky because I'm going out now," I said to Mildy with a smile. And before Santi can call me, I quickly left Mildy to time out of the logbook. I planned to work overtime tonight because almost all the customers are gallant but this snot came. It's a pity that I would have made more money this night if only Santi didn't arrive. My plan will not be ruined.After I change into my usual clothes, I quickly walked out of the bar before Santi could notice me. Before I go back home, I first go to the canteen where I always eat dinner. I eat before I go home because I know that there will be no food on the table would be left and when there is, I will hear terrible scolding from both my mom and stepfather.It's only a tricycle ride from the night bar up to Uncle Roman's house, which is why I don't have a hard time commuting home. When I got off the tricycle, I immediately frowned when I saw a fancy car parked in front of the gate of Uncle Roman's house. He seems to have a rich visitor today. Or maybe Ruby's lover? How lucky of that witch if she was courted by the owner of the BMW outside the gate.To answer my curiosity, I immediately entered the house. I found my mom, Uncle Roman, and Ruby sitting in the living room talking with two men who were both wearing business attire. One man wearing glasses was probably in his late forties while the other looked to be in his early thirties. And my oh my. He is super hot and handsome. He is handsome even though his face is serious. He also looks tall even when sitting. I couldn't even guess his height because he was sitting. His appearance is more attractive than many local or international actors and models. His eyebrows are a little bushy but they fit his long and curly eyelashes. His eyes are black but I think it's not black but a different color. Because the color of his iris is black when it's held up to the light, it suddenly lights up slightly, so I guess his eyes are light brown during the day. And his long eyelashes added to the beauty of his eyes. His nose is pointed like the nose of the Spaniards. Maybe he is of Spanish descent because of his mestizo feature. His lips are thin and red, which of course is a natural red. He will not put on lipstick on his lips unless he is gay. Thinking about that, I couldn't help but smile. I imagined him shopping for lipstick to apply to his lips.What's funny, Miss? Did you enjoy looking at my appearance? Did I pass your standard?" the handsome man who was talking to me raised his eyebrows."Of course," I answered quickly while smiling. But my smile quickly disappear when I realized my answer. "I mean I'm just wondering why there are handsome guests in the house," I quickly corrected my answer, not knowing if he buy it. He is handsome but he looks grumpy. It gives him lesser handsome points from me."Can you please not bring at home your behavior from the night bar where you are working, Ruby?" Ruby raised her eyebrows as she spoke to me. I couldn't help frowning because of what she called me. Since when did I become her? I stare at them alternately. The handsome man in front of me is frowning as if he is wondering who I am while Uncle Roman, Ruby, and my mom look at me with uneasiness on their faces. I think there is something wrong with the situation. And base on the expression of those three people who live in this house, I clearly see that they don't want me to know or join in what they are talking to. But it only makes me curious so I choose to stay even if I know they will scold me later when their guest is gone.Amber Pov"Night bar?" suddenly asked the handsome man who didn't seem to like what he heard."Yes, Mr. Salvatore. My stepsister works at a night bar," Ruby answered. "We don't want her to work there because her work is dirty and it could ruin her reputation but she doesn't want to listen to us. She is very hard-headed. She says that money is easy and fast to earn at the night bar where she works, especially if her customers are gallant," Ruby's lengthy explanation to the man she called Mr. Salvatore. I couldn't help but to raised my eyebrows again to the highest level after I heard what my stepsister said."There's nothing wrong with me working in a night bar. What's wrong are the people with dirty minds and narrow-minded just like you," I defended my job. I feel like Ruby wants me to look bad in front of the man called Mr. Salvatore and I don't know why she did that."Amber is right, Ruby. Don't bring your behavior there into our house. And are you not ashamed of our visitors and yo
Amber PovMy eyes widened when I heard what Uncle Roman's handsome guest said. My expression was shocked but I quickly calmed myself down. Maybe this handsome guy is just kidding me. Don't he dare to kid me something like this because he will taste my strong kick in his golden balls."What nonsense are you talking about, Mister? And why would I be your wife?" I asked him in disbelief.Only then did the man stand up straight and I discovered that he would pass as a basketball player. He is too tall. I'm not short but if you compare my height with his, we will look like beautiful David and handsome Goliath. I still have to look up at him to see his face."Didn't you fight that you are Amber because you want to be my wife and not your sister?" the man talking to me raised his eyebrows. His face was serious and could also read the way he look at me that he looked down on me. Why? But whatever his reason was I didn't like it."You know, Mr—""Phil Salvatore," he quickly cuts what I was goi
Amber PovI still can't believe how fast things happened. Two days ago, my marital status was still single but now I am already a married woman. I feel like I'm having a nightmare. Yes. It was a nightmare for me because I married a man I didn't know very well. And I am just eighteen years old. Too young to get married. I never thought that I will marry a stranger and enter into a contract marriage. Even if it was just a contract marriage and we will divorce after six months, I still got married and I will become a divorced woman at a young age. But as of now, I am Mrs. Pauline Amber Cruz-Salvatore.After Phil Salvatore talked to me and convinced me of the marriage contract he offered, we quickly flew to Hongkong to get married there. I don't know why we have to get married in another country when we can get married here in the Philippines. But then I suddenly thought that it was better that we got married abroad because it will be easier for us to separate when the contract we signed
Amber PovWhen I married Phil, I expected that we would sleep in different rooms since we weren't a real couple. We are just a couple on paper and in his grandfather's eyes. That's why I didn't expect that we would sleep in the same room and especially in the same bed. Even if our marriage is fake, he was still a man and I am a woman. I guess I'm at a disadvantage in this situation."Can't I just sleep in another room? There are many rooms in your mansion so there's no need for us to crowd into your room," I suggested to Phil. I was secretly praying that he would agree."How can we convince people here that we're a couple if we sleep in different rooms? My bed is big so even if you roll your body you won't fall," Phil answered me. He has no intention of granting my wish. "And if you're thinking that I'm going to climb to your side, then don't worry because it won't happen. I'm going to be honest with you, lady. You are not my type," he told me frankly as if he didn't care if I get hur
Amber PovI woke up when I heard a loud knock on the door of Phil's room which was now my room as well. I quickly got out of bed to open the door. I saw the maid Carmen outside the room waiting for me with a frown on her face. Her eyebrows rose after looking at me from my head to my feet."Our bosses have been waiting for you for a while, but you were just sleeping," she said gruffly to me. It's obvious that I just woke up because my hair is frizzy and maybe it's obvious on my face too.After I put my clothes in the closet earlier I decided to take a shower while I waited for Phil to come back although I already took a bath in the hotel where we stay after our marriage. But after I took a shower, I suddenly felt sleepy. I didn't sleep well last night because I was wondering if I made the right decision. I slept without combing so my hair is still frizzy."I fell asleep after taking a shower. I was sleepy because I didn't sleep much last night. You know, Phil and I are just newlyweds s
Amber PovWe just finished eating our lunch but I still feel hungry. I was not able to eat properly because the people with me stared at me all the time except Phil. Who will be able to eat if all those in front of you have their eyes focused on you? The truth is I almost choked my food earlier but it's good that I didn't choke. I will become a laughingstock if it happened. But I felt very awkward. I feel like a specimen being observed under a microscope. Phil seemed to be the only one who didn't waste his eyes on me while we were eating. What he did will definitely raise doubts in the minds of the people who live in this house. Because Phil is not sweet to me just like normal newlyweds who can hardly be separated from each other."Phil, are you sure that this woman is your wife already?" Aunt Aloha asked her nephew impatiently after she wiped her mouth with a table napkin. My intention to stand up was interrupted when I heard that question from his aunt.Phil didn't answer his aunt's
Amber PovI gasped as soon as Phil and I entered our room. I feel like I can breathe properly now. The people inside this house make me feel tense. I feel like packing up my clothes and running out of Phil's house. But I'm not that kind of person. I don't back down no matter how difficult the situation is. I enter this deal so I will finish it no matter what happens."You have met Uncle Jigo, Amber. You should be careful when you talk to him," Phil spoke to me after sitting on the long sofa. "He will certainly do everything to prove that his suspicions against us are correct.""It's not just your uncle that I have to watch out for but also your aunt. She's too suspicious. I feel like she'll find out the truth at any moment," I answered Phil. I also sat on the long sofa but far away from him."She won't know if you're careful with what you say. And don't forget that I'm your husband," Phil answered quickly.I couldn't help but feel annoyed by what he said. He should remind himself that
Amber Pov "Where are we going, Phil?" I asked him as we walked down the stairs. He just told me to get dressed because we were going somewhere. He didn't say where we were going. So as we went down the stairs I couldn't stop myself from being curious so I asked him. "At the hospital. We're going to visit my grandfather and I'll introduce you to him as my wife. I'm sure he'll be happy when he sees you," Phil answered without bothering to look at me. I suddenly felt a little bit nervous when I heard what he said. I don't think I'm ready to face Phil's grandfather as his wife. I'm not good at acting. I was afraid that my tongue might slip and the old man would realize that only contract marriage bonded between me and his grandson. I stopped walking because of that. When Phil felt that I didn't follow him, he quickly turned around. He approached me with a frown. "I'm nervous, Phil. Maybe—" I didn't finish what I was going to say because there might be ears close by and hear what I h
Amber PovI was lying on a cold floor when I woke up while my hands and feet were tied. I force myself to get up and sit on the floor. I was surprised when I saw Grandpa Fidel one meter away from me. Just like me, he was also lying on the floor with his hands and feet tied up. I quickly approached him to wake him up."Wake up, Grandpa. Wake up," I slightly shook his shoulder to wake him up.I scanned the place where we in and I think we were inside an old or abandoned warehouse.Grandpa Fidel finally opened his eyes and furrowed when she saw me. "Amber? What are you doing here? Did that bastard Jigo kidnap you too?" he asked me angrily."Calm down, Grandpa. Okay?" I quickly stopped him from getting angry. I'm worried that it worsened his health. "I was kidnapped by three men while I was on my way to my wedding. I didn't know who kidnapped me but since you said that you were kidnapped by Phil's uncle I guess that he was the person who ordered these men to kidnap me," I explained to him
Phil PovToday is Amber and Jared's wedding and also the day that my heart will die. Because I don't think I could love a woman just like how much I love Amber. My heart is hurting like hell thinking that it was really over between us. She will live happily with Jared and their future children while I am in pain and miserable."Instead of staying here and making yourself miserable; why don't you just go to the church and stop her wedding with that man? I'm sure Amber will choose you if you only show up now," Alex advises me."You don't know how much I wanted to go and stop their wedding but I can't do it," I replied while shaking my head."Why? Don't tell me that you can't accept her child with Jared?"I quickly shake my head. "It's not about that, Alex. You know the dangerous situation I'm facing right now. So I just have to let her get married to that man for her safety."Unbeknownst to Amber, I already talked with her father. Peter finds me and speaks with me without telling his d
Amber Pov I took one last glance at Mildy's apartment before walking out the gate. This apartment helped me a lot. It has been my home for several years. And starting tonight, I won't be able to sleep in this apartment because I'll be living in Jared's house after our wedding. "Are you really sure about your decision to marry Jared, Amber? Are you sure you won't regret it one day?" Mildy asked me when we got into her car. Her car was the bridal car I chose to take me to the church where Jared was waiting for me. "You think I'm not serious when I'm already wearing a wedding dress and going to the church to get married?" I answered her shaking my head. "What if Phil suddenly appears in the church and objects to your marriage with Jared? What would you do if that happened, Amber?" she asked me with a serious face. I took a deep breath before I answered her question." I closed the chapter of the book of my life with Phil, Mildy. And then ever since he found out I was pregnant and
Amber Pov When I opened my eyes, my child's condition immediately entered my mind. I quickly felt my stomach and if it still contained the child. I felt great concern for my baby when I remembered that I was suddenly bleeding as Phil forced me into his car. If something bad happens to my baby, I will never forgive him. "You are pregnant. Who is the father of that baby, Amber?" I looked to my right side when I heard Phil's cold voice. I was so worried about my future child that I didn't notice his presence in the room I was in. When I looked at Phil's face, his expression was blank. But even though I couldn't see his reaction on his face to what he discovered, I could feel the anger in his voice. Maybe he thinks that the child in my belly is my child with Jared and not his. He should think that way so he won't bother me anymore. "Don't worry because this child is not yours so you are safe from responsibility," I answered him in a cold voice. This time I saw an expression on hi
Amber Pov I couldn't believe it after hearing the truth from my father's mouth. He confessed everything to me and did not hide anything except the person who ordered him to kill Phil's parents. He said that he was afraid that he might suddenly disappear from the world and the whole truth would be buried with him so he mustered courage and finally showed up in front of me. He also confessed to me how he did to make everyone think that he was dead. According to my father's story, inside the car, both his bosses were fast asleep because the coffee he made and let them drink before they got in the car was mixed with sleeping pills. After the couple fell asleep he took them to the place where he was going to execute the plan of killing his two bosses. In a place where cars rarely pass by he brought them. In that same place, there is a big truck parked on the side of the road that he will use to deliberately crash into his boss's car while they are inside so that everyone will think that
Amber Pov "What did you just say, Phil?" I asked him. It was as if I suddenly became deaf to what he told me. "I said, YOUR FATHER KILLED MY PARENTS!" he repeated what he said emphatically. He even emphasized the words I would not believe. I gave him a hard slap. I will not allow him to speak and think badly of my father. "My dad won't kill people, Phil! So if you don't have anything nice to say, just leave us now!" I shouted at him. Phil's face darkened even more when I didn't believe what he said. He approached me and held my arm tightly. "Why, Amber? Are you hurt because I said that your father is a murderer? What about me? Wasn't I hurt when he killed my parents?" he asked me with angry eyes. I was about to open my mouth to contradict what he said but it didn't go through because my stomach suddenly hurt. I bent down slightly and held my stomach with one hand. "Dad, my stomach hurts," I said to my father. My Dad seems to know that I'm pregnant because he has a strange lo
Amber Pov I quickly covered Mildy's mouth with my palm because her voice got louder. "Can you lower your voice? Maybe someone will hear you," I frowned at her. Mildy immediately removed my palm from her mouth and raised an eyebrow at me. "We're here in the hospital room, so who can hear my voice except you and me? Besides, even if people out there hear that you're pregnant, they don't care because they don't know you, anyway." "Even so," I quickly answered my friend. "Does Jared know about your condition? And more importantly, does Phil know that you are pregnant with his child?" I nodded and then shook my head at the same time. "Jared just found out today that I'm pregnant and as for your second question, my answer is no. And like I told Jared, I have no intention of letting Phil know that he's going to have a baby with me," I answered with a serious face. Mildy shook her head. "So you're going to hide your child from its father?" I didn't say anything so Mildy made sure what
Amber Pov When I regained consciousness, I was already inside the hospital and lying on the hospital bed. I immediately felt my stomach which was not yet bulging, worrying that my baby might have been harmed. "Don't worry because your baby is safe," I heard Jared talking to me who had just entered the door and caught up with me checking my stomach. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard what he said but I was suddenly stunned when I realized that he already knew about my pregnancy. "I'm sorry for hiding the truth from you, Jared. But believe me, I never planned to marry you so my child will have a father. I also plan to tell you about my pregnancy when I'm ready to talk to you about this matter," I apologized to him. I can understand if he's going to stay away from me now that he finds out I'm pregnant and Phil is the father. Because not all men can wholeheartedly accept the child of another man or the woman they love. And maybe Jared is one of them. "I'd rather you let me be t
Amber Pov As Jared said, I stopped my nightlife first. I just stayed inside the apartment even though I was feeling very bored. I also bought vitamins for pregnant women that the doctor prescribed and followed her advice. I took care of myself not only for my sake but also for the sake of the baby in my womb. Jared doesn't know about Phil and I's future child yet. I don't know if I should admit it or not to him. I'm worried that he might not accept my baby with another man and raise the child as his own. Although I will feel sad if Jared couldn't accept the child I will feel more disappointed than sad. Because I think he is different from all men. He is not a judgmental person. But it's okay even if he doesn't accept my child because I won't be forced to marry him anymore. I only used him to hurt and make Phil see that I've moved on from him. But Jared thought that what I said was real and I couldn't tell him about it because he would surely get hurt so I had no choice but to g