They both have different thoughts as they make love. The rain continued, and the falling water on the roof sounded like their falling hopes for each other. Kimberly grabbed the blanket and moved to the other side of the bed. She turned back at him, who was still awake, watching her.
Then he spoke.
"Tell me, how many customers do you have every night?" He seriously asked.
"Why?" She softly answered without making any move.
"I just want to know." He replied, and she turned to face him.
"Honestly, I need ten or more customers every night, but I can't do it." She answered with her eyes on her hands while gripping the blanket. "Some people at the bar encourage me. As long as I do these, I can get used to these like nothing happens every night." She paused a little. "But I really can't." She continued bitterly.
"But you have to. Why?" He asked once again.
"I need a lot of money, as much as I can earn it." She said softly.
"So you are doing these only for money?"
"Yes, I guess I am." She finally glanced at his face, recalling how unfair her life was.
"Unlike you, who just wasted it!" She thought, a bit mad.
"Is there any other guy who touched you as I did?" He asked again as she fell quiet.
"Touch me as you do? Or do you mean having sex with me as you did?" She felt disgusted but a bit comfortable talking with him.
"Well, yes, I'm trying to sound nice, but it seems you want this to be a precise question." He was offended.
"What would be the difference between your words and your actions?" She was a bit annoyed, raising her voice unknowingly. She covered her mouth in shock, and even the man was surprised.
"Fine, just answer my question." He said, which puzzled her.
Kimberly thought he would shout back and demand like before, but he didn't. She fell silent for a while, wondering what was wrong with him. It's as if he was different from the man she met before.
"Kimberly." He called out her name, which surprised her more.
"How did you know my name?" She yelled out, confused.
"You haven't answered my question."
"But___"
"Answer me first." He insisted.
"Those guys earlier when you saw me." She mumbled, feeling shy.
"Anyone else?"
"This is my second time at the pub house, so there's no one else." She stated. "Why does he care to know?" She thought again.
"Is there something that happened?" He was slightly uncomfortable with his question, so he shifted and moved closer.
"What?" She asked and moved backward to keep a distance. "This is awkward. What does he want from me?" She wondered to herself.
"Answer me. Did those guys touch you?" His voice raised, scaring her.
"Does his mood change? Will he hurt me again?" She thought and moved away, scared.
"Answer me, Kimberly! Did they have you too? Did you have sex with them?" He held both arms, frightening her more.
"No..." She flinched at the sharpness of his voice. "You came, and I ran, remember. Please do not hurt me, Mr. Please don't." She begged. He took a deep breath before he spoke again.
"Don't be scared. I won't hurt you again." He comforted her while kissing her forehead longer.
Kimberly was confused and felt strange as it eased all her worries. She can't help but close her eyes and cherish the moment. It feels so safe and restful.
"I'm glad nothing happened." He smiled and looked at her while stroking her face.
"Nothing." She softly said and shook her head again.
"Good."
"What?" She whispered.
"Nothing." He smiled again and lay back in bed.
"What is wrong with you?" This time, she can't help her mouth shut. "Let me remind you, the last time we met, you humiliated me, made me realize how miserable my life is, that I am useless, pathetic, and the most disgraceful person." She spoke bravely and moved closer, which amazed him more. "Remember how you threw your money on my ___?" She continued, but he cut it.
"Enough!" He said in a higher tone, almost a shout that frightened her again like always. She covered her mouth like earlier and moved backward while staring at him. He seemed sleepy, and his eyes were closed with an arm above his head.
"Kimberly." He called again in a softer tone.
"And you haven't answered me. How did you know my name?" Her voice was thinner.
"I'm sorry about last time." He said, ignoring her question while his eyes remained closed.
"I mean, I'm sorry. I am very sorry I was drunk." He continued to apologize, repeating it over and over again. It became a lower and lower voice, almost like a whisper, and then he fell asleep.
Kimberly realized he was in a deep sleep. She lay back on the other side of the bed and thinks about many things. She kept on thinking if his seriousness was true.
"This man's action is so strange. Why? Why, all of a sudden, did he become friendly and ask her for an apology?" Considering every idea she couldn't resolve, she fell asleep beside him.
She slowly shook him at about five in the morning when she woke.
"What?" He groaned.
"I am leaving. Can I have the money?" She asked with fear in her voice. The man gently gets up and hardly opens his eyes.
"How much do you need?" He asked.
"Anything you can afford, Mr." She spoke softly, afraid he might suddenly become a devil again.
"I can afford anything." He said seriously.
"What if I told you I need one hundred thousand? Would you give it?" She answered bitterly.
"One hundred thousand?" He repeated and chuckled.
"Yeah, I am expecting you will laugh at me. I shouldn't have said it." She cried and turned back at him.
"If I give you a hundred thousand, what will you do to make it worthy!" He said. Kimberly was unbelievably shocked by what she heard while facing him.
"What?"
"Yes!" He said coolly.
"Are you sure?" She asked, still in disbelief.
The man took his check from the drawer. He signed it and handed it to her. Kimberly was speechless as she held the one hundred thousand check she needed to earn.
"Nathan Conner. How can a man as young as you will have this kind of money?" She innocently asked.
"That's not necessary for you to know, but since I like the idea, you will work for me. I am the son of a wealthy business tycoon."
"You are so lucky." She whispered.
"Never mind, now tell me what the deal is?" He interrupted.
"You are the boss, so you tell me, and I'll do anything."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
"Fine, come to me whenever I call you and do everything I would want you to do!"
"Like having sex?"
"What else do you think?" He grinned.
"Sure." She agreed. He gave her his calling card.
"Call me around 11 a.m., and I'll be waiting for your call, so don't try to trick me!" He warned.
"I won't do that! It's a deal!" She answered, assuring him.
"Great! Just lock the door when you leave. I'm still tired. Get that paper bag and wear it. I don't want to see you with that dress again." He instructed while pointing to the one he had brought last night.
"Thank you, Mr. Nathan Conner!" She whispered.
Then, she left with immeasurable happiness.
Nathan had a wonderful time the next day. He works enthusiastically with no pressure. He chuckles most of the time and even hums. He gives the order in a polite way for the very first time. Amy Shevere, his secretary, was wondering about the sudden change in the attitude of her boss. Nathan approaches Amy's desk. "Amy, I'm expecting a call at eleven in the morning, so will you please connect it to me as soon as you receive it?" He asks, surprisingly kind. "Sure, Sir." She answered with a smile, yet the shock on her face was undeniable. "Good!" He smiled and returned to his office, holding another paper works from the director's office. "Wow! What's wrong with him now?" Amy hardly believed it, especially when she heard him humming while walking away. It's been twenty minutes past eleven, but the call he expects is not yet received. He calls her secretary for the third time. "Still haven't got it?" His tone is now a bit irritated. "Not yet, Sir." Her voice was soft afraid that th
It was already five o'clock when the bell rang, and working hours were over. Amy went to Nathan's office and found him still busy with work. Well, he is trying to finish what he had started this morning. He must return it to his father for another board meeting tomorrow. "Sir, I'll be going now. Do you want some coffee?" She asked. "No." He answered without glancing. As Amy closed the door, Nathan took a bit of stretching and buried his face in both hands. He stays like it for a while. Suddenly the phone rings like the usual, customers, clients, and business partners. Everything he must encounter and entertain for business purposes. He took the call since everyone was off to work. "Conner Marketing Enterprise, Good Afternoon!" He greets, unentertaining. "Mr. Conner!" Kimberly exclaimed as she heard the familiar voice. "Kimberly?" Nathan is surprised yet happy. He pulled the phone into his reach. "Yes, it's me! I did call earlier, it's a bit late, but I still called you. I didn'
Kimberly's long and exhausting Sunday has come to an end at last. It was ten o'clock in the evening when she had the idea to call Nathan before heading back home. Kimberly thought that maybe he had dumped her already after their last meeting. Perhaps he declined the deal since money isn't something he gave value to, which she is certain of. His secretary always picked up the phone whenever she dialed his number, even though she was trying to reach him. It irritates her that Amy acts as if she were Nathan's girlfriend when she asks personal questions.The following morning around eight o'clock, Kimberly makes another trip to the phone booth in the hopes that Nathan will answer this time. However, much to her dismay, it is the same woman again."Oh, it's you again!" Amy begins to make fun of the situation, mocking her. "Well, just so you know, Sir Nathan frequently goes to work!"She continued and swung her chair back to her desk."Why?" Kimberly wanted to kn
Flying back to Manchester is what Nathan wants best since he will meet his best friend, not just a best friend but a real brother or rather his twin. Henry recently received a Master of Science in Medicine after passing the required board exam. Because he was putting a lot of effort into preparing for the bar exam, they had not seen each other in nearly a year."Really? You're coming?" Henry exclaims in excitement."Yeah, I'll fly tonight. I guess I will arrive there at six in the morning." Nathan assured."Great! I'll pick you up at the airport. You better stay in my place.""I'll be glad to. Thanks, bro!""See you then! Have a great and safe trip!"The trip to Manchester Airport took eight hours for Nathan to complete. At seven o'clock in the morning, a man with a medium build who was the same height as him, wearing glasses with round rims, was smil
Nathan was driving back to his apartment and hoped Kimberly awaited him. He instructed Amy to tell her he would return tonight. But it was already late; the flight was a bit delayed. Perhaps he shouldn't have hoped much.Surprisingly, Kimberly sat on the floor in front of his door, sleeping. She was tired. He put down his luggage and crossed his legs at her reach. He touched her face gently, afraid to wake her. Then he recalled Henry's warning."No, it's impossible she couldn't even break a promise." He murmured and carefully carried her to his room.Kimberly seemed to be in deep sleep. He lays her in bed and removes her shoes. He stares at her longer while touching her face again, caressing it. Unknowingly, he moves closer to her lips and claims it. It was supposed to be a simple kiss, but he was tempted. There's no doubt he misses her. His kisses became torrid and woke her."Nathan...." She cried, surprised."What?!" He uttered.For Nathan
Nathan ordered a ham and egg with cheese and coffee for breakfast. When they finished eating, he asked her to wear the dress they bought at the mall. "Why do I have to wear this?" She said, showing it off. "Remember what I told you last night? About the girlfriend thing..." He answered while wearing his polo. "I didn't say yes__" She protested. "Well, I'm sure you'll agree! I told you I'd pay you no matter what." He retorted while fixing his tie. On the other hand, Kimberly was having difficulty wearing the dress, so Nathan walked towards her and zipped the back of her dress. "You look gorgeous!" He whispered in her ear, making her blush again. "Let's go!" He pulled her. "But my shoes?!" She stopped. "Don't mind it." They go to Xavier's Modeling School in Westside City. It is one of the best schools with advanced training for professional models nationwide, owned by Nathan's favorite Aunt. "Nathan?" A no
It's been two weeks since Kimberly started her way to be part of an elite society. After working at the Restaurant, she practiced more at Nathan's condo. She walks around with a book on her head to balance and has some statements to memorize on how she will answer Nathan's friends' questions, which Nathan himself wrote. She recites it over and over again. And like every night, Nathan arrived with bags of food. "Hi!" She greeted. She removed the book from her head and took off her shoes. She also helped him prepare the food like always. "How are you doing?" he asked as he sat on the chair. "Great, I also memorize some of my lines now." She said while placing some plates on the table. "Well then, let's practice." "Can we do it after eating? I'm kinda hungry." She said, turning to the food. "Fine." He smiles. "So, how about your work? What time did you get here?" "About five o'clock sharp, my work, nothing
There was a long pause....."Why? Did you find someone else?" She asked again, breaking the silence."What if I did? Will you insist?" His voice was agitated."Of course, you haven't paid me." She tried her best to calm him down."Damn that money!" He shouted. "Tell me, you didn't show up here because I refused to give you the money you wanted!!!" Nathan was now mad and started to yell again, which she feared the most."It's not it___" She felt a bit scared."Then, what!?! All you care about is money! Money means everything to you!" Nathan was still shouting, and she couldn't help being teary."If only... I had another choice... I would never come up... to you and ask..." She cried softly."Then who would you come up to? Another customer from the bar?! Oh, how much do you have got?" he asked angrily."Why... do you always... think about that? I already....told you___" Her words broke."Well, come to think of it. A
"I'm not a God, Kimberly." He was frustrated."But you should at least wait for me to wake before you buried her..." she insists."It was A____" Nathan paused as he thought it would be better if she didn't learn that it was Andy who decided it until she gave birth. He don't want her to get mad at Andy with her condition right now. "Sorry... but it's been a week, your mom suffered for almost six years... I just thought that it was not right to let her suffer more." Nathan still took all the responsibility in blaming himself for everything that happened."I hate you for doing that! I hate you because you didn't give me the chance to mourn for my mom." Kimberly was a bit mad."Sorry..." he repeated."If only my first customer in the pub house was not wealthy as you...I guess it will be easy for me to accept that mom died because of another reason... if you haven't found me that rainy night with those guys who paid for me ___" she speaks in pain more.
They were both quiet as they left alone. Kimberly's eyes are on the floor while Nathan stares at her feeling so hurt and guilty."Where are the divorce papers?" she asked still not looking at his face."Here" he handed to her the envelope."Where would I sign?""Kimberly, why don't we go out for dinner first?" Nathan changed the topic."Sorry, but I can't go anywhere else... the doctor advice me to stay in bed." She refused/"I'll just call for delivery, what do you want to eat?" he offered."Nothing... thank you, is this where I sign?" she repeated the question."You should eat first." He insists."Please!" her tone raised and finally glance at his sad eyes that weaken her as tears fell suddenly on her cheeks."Kimberly..." Nathan kneels down in front of her."Why? Why did you choose her? You said you'll wait__" she cried."What do you mean?" Nathan strokes her face, wiping her tears."
"How are you? Did you visit her?" Henry started."I can't. I must obey Doctor Isaac, it's for Kimberly sake." Nathan shakes head while staring nowhere."I don't think so." Henry disagreed so Nathan glance at him."She's so mad at me Henry...giving back everything I gave her." Nathan sighed."How about your kidney? Did you tell her about it? Can she bring it back?" Henry retorted."Henry___" Nathan was surprised, he almost forget about it."C'mon Nathan, she just can't leave you... yes you're an idiot but you almost gave everything only for her." He insists."It's because I love her... I love her all my life... I've never love anyone else like this before__" Nathan said sadly."I know, that's why I want you to visit Kimberly... you deserve to be with her...you just need to explain your side.""But how about Andy?""You don't have to say anything about Andy...just tell her about the charitable institution was only you and y
After injecting sedative on Kimberly she fall back to sleep and Andy started asking Henry about Kimberly's condition. But before he could speak Nathan was calling him over the phone."See you at my office." He said. "It's Nathan and he was asking the same question. Let's go." He added and they walk back to his office."What happened Henry?" Nathan quickly ask as they enter the room."We need to call back the Psychiatrist. Perhaps it's the ASD symptoms. All I can say right now is she still not in good shape." Henry speaks sadly."But yesterday were okay. She even asked me to sleep beside her." Nathan asked."Yes, yesterday was a miracle but as you can see a while ago it's different... she was still scared of you. The trauma is still right there." Henry explained."So what should we do?" Andy asked."Like I said she need to see the Psychiatrist again, it's the best way we can do now." Henry answered."But what if I tell her the t
Knock knock knock"Excuse me Sir Nathan." Amy enters the room. "Sir your ticket to Manchester arrived." She politely said."Cancel the flight." Nathan commanded. "Are you guys coming with me?" He turned to Henry and Andy."Thank you." Andy offers his hand to Nathan. "Brother." He added."I'll make up to you for all the trouble I caused you...one day... because right now, she needs us." Nathan politely answered and take Andy's hand shake."Finally." Henry blurred out."I'll pick up your mom first, will just follow you at the hospital." Mr. Conner said.The three of them decided to ride on Henry's car together."Andy, I'm curious about what happen to the calling card Mr. Xander gave you? Did you find the person?" Henry asked as he was driving the car. Andy was at the backseat while Nathan glance at Henry since he was quiet beside him."I did my best to contact the person until I memorize the numbers, however I got tired of
Kimberly gently open her eyes as the sun rise and the rays gently touches her skin.."WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" she shouted terrifying both Andy and Nathan."What happened Kimberly?" Nathan was shocked and about to reach her as she was standing near the window."DON'T COME NEAR ME!" she shouted again."Kimberly?!' Andy run quickly towards her."Andy... why is he here? He's a monster..." she cried and embraced him tightly."What's happening?" the door open and it was Henry and Meagan."Why is he here? I don't want to see him Andy? I don't want to see him!?" she continued now shaking."Nathan, I think you should go." Henry suggested."But..." Nathan was still puzzled on the way Kimberly act."But Doctor Henry__" even Andy was confused but Henry shakes his head to stop him from talking."Leave now, Nathan." Henry said in command and all Nathan could do is to sighed."Give her sedative." Henry whispered
Knock knock knock"Excuse me Sir Nathan." Amy enters the room. "Sir your ticket to Manchester arrived." She politely said."Cancel the flight." Nathan commanded. "Are you guys coming with me?" He turned to Henry and Andy."Thank you." Andy offers his hand to Nathan. "Brother." He added."I'll make up to you for all the trouble I caused you...one day... because right now, she needs us." Nathan politely answered and take Andy's hand shake."Finally." Henry blurred out."I'll pick up your mom first, will just follow you at the hospital." Mr. Conner said.The three of them decided to ride on Henry's car together."Andy, I'm curious about what happen to the calling card Mr. Xander gave you? Did you find the person?" Henry asked as he was driving the car. Andy was at the backseat while Nathan glance at Henry since he was quiet beside him."I did my best to contact the person until I memorize the numbers, however I got tired of
"Dad?!" Nathan turned to his father with a questioning stare."Nathan, perhaps you were really young when you are with Xander... that you didn't notice the resemblance..." his father speaks in pain. "The first time I met Andy at the hospital I thought Xander was reincarnated, he look exactly like him... a carbon copy..." his father explain."Does Kimberly knows about this?" Nathan asked to Andy."Yes, I threaten her before you got married that I will tell mom the truth about my identity___" Andy said but Nathan interrupts."Why didn't she tell me? She knew how jealous I am to you." Nathan felt unease."Kimberly wanted Mom first to know... we already talk about it when she get back alone from your honeymoon." Andy explained."But Jesebelle gets in the way and she run to Mrs. Aston and tell everything." Henry speaks again. "But I don't think that the news will cause Mrs. Aston's heart attack... Since it involve her ex-husband whom she truly lo
"Nathan___" Henry speaks again but Nathan quickly dial his phone."I need security, NOW!" he shouted."For heaven sake Nathan, would you please listen?!" Henry said almost shouting."Listen! You have no idea what happen__" but Nathan didn't stop shouting."I know! I already knew!" Henry shouted back."So you're on his side now ha! Henry?" Nathan glared."Sir Nathan?" then there's a knock at the door."Take this man out!" Nathan commanded at the guard pointing at Andy."No! Let go off me!" Andy struggled. "I just wanted to talk!" he added."What's going on here?" Mr. Conner senior came out as the commotion was very loud."Uncle, I'm glad you came." Henry felt a bit ease."Let go off him." Mr. Conner order as he saw Andy struggling with the security."So here we go again... you won't listen to me Dad even if I want that shit out of here!" Nathan mocked."Watch your word Nathan!' his father warne