“YOU DON’T KNOW what you’re talking about. I can raise my son alone, even without his father.” I decided just to put the cellphone I was holding in the bag and folded my arms next to him.
“Of course you do. But you can never deny the truth that I am his father. Like you, I can also secure his future with you. We could be a happy family together if you wanted to.”
I just shook my head. I can also do that. I can be a father to him. I am not the only one in this fight. There are many single moms, and I know they can handle it. But I do not close my heart for him. I just wanted to protect my son from all of this shit.
“I’m not stopping you from looking after him. But that’s all I can give you,” I finally said.
“I want to secure my place for my son. I will not allow him to know any father other than me. I want you to take Clarence away from that man soon,” he said in a rough tone.
I
I DROPPED A call to Mom. I let her know that we will spend here tonight and tomorrow we will go home.I just wore my nightdress after having taken a quick shower. I went straight to the kitchen to make coffee, but it was delayed when I heard a series of doorbell sounds.My heart starts pounding. I have no expected guests, especially this late-night time.“Margaux, open this door.”I heard Peter’s voice outside.“Margaux, let’s talk, please . . .” His voice was blaring outside the door. I guess he’s drank based on his loud shout.Because I did not want to disturb the other unit, I quickly went to the door to open it. And his usual playful smile had drawn into his face welcomed me.“Hi,” he uttered softly.I opened the door wide to let him in.“What are you doing here? I guess you stayed too late,” I said carefully.He did not answer, but instead, he
THEN HIS HAND moved to my hair and slowly caressed it gently. “I’m sorry about last time. I was so drunk, I didn’t know what I was doing,” he muttered closely.I shook my head and tried to paint a smile. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have done that to you either.”“No, you were just true to yourself, Margaux,” he utters softly at me.I just nodded until silence suppressed us.Then Peter breaks his silence. “Hmm, if you’re free tonight, can I invite you to dinner?”I raised my head with a twinkle in my eyes. Lawrence also invited me on a date tonight . . . D*mn it!Perhaps he noticed my silence, so he spoke again. “If you have any important things to do tonight, you can—”“No! I mean, yes! I’m free for tonight,” I cut him off.His face immediately brightened. I think this is the possible way to make it up to him. After eve
“LOOK, PETER IS inside, and I’m sure he’s waiting for me!” I caught the storm in his gaze after hearing my protest. He tightened his grip on me, and for a split second, he took me inside his car. Lawrence quickly attached me to the seatbelt so I could do nothing but fold my seat and look straight at the road. He also quickly turns to get on and drives the vehicle away from the restaurant. I was under his control. I could do nothing but join him. After all, I was also guilty of why I was stuck in this situation. After a long dying moment, I felt slowing down. I finally realized where he had taken me. “This bridge . . .” I simply whispered to him. He parked his car on the side of the road. From here I can see the vast park where there are only a few people. “What are we doing here?” I asked him while full of wonder. Instead of answering, he turned off the engine of his car and got off. He quickly opened the door for me and gently held my hand. I wanted to put my hands back on it,
“IS THERE A problem?”He glanced at me for a moment before speaking. “Dad asked me a favor.” He did not continue what he had to say because his jaws tightened first.“It’s okay, I understand.” I draw a frugal smile on what I said after I caressed his arm.Again he sighed heavily. He took a few more minutes before we reached our house. I stayed in the car for a few more minutes because I didn’t want to end the night like this.I looked down at the ring I was wearing. I even slightly caressed it and once again marveled at its quality and beauty. My heart turned into a sunburned red. I never thought I would wear it a second time.“It looks more beautiful when you wear it,” Lawrence muttered.I was overwhelmed, my heart pounding even more as I watched him closes the gap between us. “Thanks for the ride. I-I better go,” I said in a stammer.He just nodded, but I noticed his dark and
I STEPPED FORWARD to approach it, and I was immediately amazed at what I saw. It was a family picture—a teenage version of Lawrence with his mom and dad.Now I am even more observant of how handsome he is even at a young age. I also take a short glance at his dad, who is almost a carbon copy of him. And his mom, she looks stunning wearing a white dress. There is also no denying her beauty and whiteness while smiling next to Lawrence.I was shocked to hear the door open on my side. I immediately put down the frame I was holding and faced him. I watched his dark eyes looking hard at the frame I held earlier.“Y-you have a beautiful family,” I commented.He just nodded and stepped closer to me. He has not lost his dark look since before. So I awkwardly step back. I feel there is something wrong with what I did.“I want to show you something,” he said as he passed me by.Immediately my feet stepped to follow him. In a few momen
I QUICKLY TURNED around to go upstairs to change. It was there that my tears finally flowed. I can’t do it even if I stop it. My heart was being hit and twisted in both fear and excitement. Is this the right time to accept him back into my life?Maybe I just make mistakes and send in my own emotions. But when I saw Lawrence hugging his son, all my worries seemed to go away.Before I went down, there was a concrete decision formed in my mind. This time I will decide not just for me but for the sake of Clarence.Loud laughter greeted me as I went back to the living room. I immediately noticed Mommy carrying Clarence while Dad and Lawrence were in front of them.“You’re so adorable!” I heard Mommy say.I smiled, then I approached them.“How was my baby Clarence doing? I asked as I enter the living room.“He’s my grandson. I’m no doubt about it,” Dad said, then he tapped Lawrence’s right shoul
I LICK MY lower lip. It felt for a moment on my side before I opened my lips.“Uhm, I just want to apologize for what I did last night. I haven’t been able to say goodbye to you properly,” I started.But he did not answer; only a heavy sigh was released.I looked up at him, and those dark and piercing eyes looked down on me.“You’re not here just to say sorry for what happened last night, are you?” he said in a baritone voice.My former courage to stare at him is gradually dissolving. I lowered my head down ashamedly. My heart, which had been beating so hard before, seemed to speed up even more because of what he said.“I saw you with Lawrence last night. You also came together today.”I swallowed hard. I closed my eyes to stop the tears from falling in my eyes. I also bite down my lip hard and clasp my hand tightly.“Don’t worry about me. I understand. I always will, Margaux,”
“DAD TEXTED ME. I’m being sent to San Simon today. Let’s have dinner there too.”He did not wait for my answer because he quickly changed and deviated from the road. His face immediately turned cold; hardened eyes stared straight ahead.I firmly bit my lip and watched the car move as we left the city. I think we are running at a speed of ninety at these times.He was just quiet the whole trip. His sudden coldness already shook my heart. Ice seemed to cool his gaze on the dark road.I adjusted my seat as we entered San Simon. My thoughts are getting heavier, my pulse beyond wild now. This is actually my first time meeting his father. I’ve heard a lot of good about him, but the consequence is that he is strict and far from everything.“We’re here,” he whispered in a low voice. I cleared my throat, looking up at the open and lofty fence that seemed to be waiting for our arrival.When his car parked opposite t
I GOT A bit of a surprise when a row of resort employees greeted me. I reciprocated with a smile during my step. When my white heels stepped on the sand, I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe there is nothing wrong with undressing it? It doesn’t matter if I wore anything. The important thing is that I get to the end where I know someone is waiting for me. I can see the aisle from here. I can’t still believe this is happening. Tears started to form in my eyes when I saw my friends and relatives waiting for me. They are complete—Dad and Mom with Clarence, Cindy, Carrick, Jocko, and others with their complete attire. That’s when I can’t hold back my tears. It continued to run down my cheek. I paused for a moment as if unable to step on my feet due to too much emotion. Mom and Dad immediately approached me to hug me tightly. Mommy wiped away my tears and handed me the bouquet of roses. “I thought you couldn’t come?” I said with full of
“WILL YOU MARRY me tomorrow?”As if I wanted to laugh at what he said. I turned my attention back to the beautiful city because I could not find the answer.“Tomorrow, I will marry you. I want to make sure you never leave me again, that you will never escape me again.” I was swallowed up by what I heard.“Do you agree?” My lips quivered at his question. I know I have no reason to refuse, but why is it so fast?“We are not yet ready, Lawrence.”He groaned, he licked his lips, and it became redder.“It takes one week to prepare. I make sure everything will be finalized and perfectly polished before I discuss this with you.”My lips parted in his revelation. So, this is the reason he did not see me for almost a week.“I hate you!”My two eyes started to heat up. I let go of his embrace and wiped away my tears.“Hey, where are those tears co
I LOOKED UP at him again and saw his pale eyes. While staring at me, the tightness in his jaws did not let up.“Forgive me if I hurt you before. Maybe I need to correct my mistakes so I can make the right decision now. I don’t know how I can talk to him!” I cried.He walked up to me slowly and pulled me closer to him, wrapping his arms around me. “Shh, don’t say that. That’s fine. Just trust me.”I sunk into his warmth hard chest. I closed my eyes and smelled his fragrant smell. His hugs still did not change. It was still the same as before. I could feel the warmth of his body: the security and the gentleness.How could it be that I hadn’t seen his love before? Pure, unselfish, free, warm, cozy, and real.“Talk to him. Lawrence is the type of man who will not give up easily. Just trust him.”Maybe he was right. I have to trust and believe we can still fix this.I slowly let g
MAYBE HE REALIZED this too and just obeyed the command of his dad to choose Elliesse. It is also not a joke to lose everything he worked for just for Clarence and me.I shook my head as hate and enmity welled up in my heart.My eyes fall again, but I regain my strength. I quickly wiped away the tears that I wanted to drip and tried to calm myself.Eventually, I found myself wandering around the city. I was driving with no direction, and I didn’t know where I was going.Until I passed Peter’s restaurant, where he took me, I no longer bothered to park my car and get inside.I ordered a panzanella and pizza margherita. I suddenly felt hungry as it was served to me while it was still smoking.I started eating while waiting for Brigette to join the stage. I heard from some customers that she would sing tonight.I was enjoying my food when I heard a familiar voice near me. When I looked at it, I did not make a mistake; Jocko was
I DID NOT go to work the next day because of the bad feeling. Lawrence and I did not meet for a few days.After what happened at the party, I did not talk to him again. I don’t think it is the right thing to do. But this is probably the best thing to do right now.If I continue to have a relationship with Lawrence, I am sure there will be nothing left to him. Even everything he worked for will go to nothing. Maybe I should just follow his father’s wishes—and that was to be separated from him.“Margaux, can we talk?” Cindy’s voice spoke from outside of my bedroom door. “Please, Margaux!” she said with a series of knocks.I blew out a deep breath and was forced to open the door.“What are you doing here?” I turned my back on her and went back to bed, and sat down.I heard a deep sighed before she spoke.“I should have asked you the same question! Look at you, Margaux! You
SUDDENLY, MY CELLPHONE rang because of Cindy’s call.“Hello, Margaux?”I immediately noticed the noisy background on the other line.“Oh, why?!”“Come here now!” she said hysterically.I suddenly woke up in bed because of the tone of her voice.“Where?”“Here in Eastwood, in the Royal Highs Subdivision. Just say Carrick’s name to the guard!” After she said that, she turned off the call.Though confused, I obeyed what she said. I headed to the place Cindy was talking about. Gradually I got an idea of what was going on, but I did not want to make a conclusion about it until I had no concrete evidence.In a few moments, I reached the place she says. I looked up at the mansion, where a party was taking place.I tried to call Cindy, but I could not contact her. As she said, I mentioned Carrick’s name to the guard, so I went inside.The
I COULD NOT speak immediately. I would have liked to ask what the flowers were for, but I was even more confused when he invited me to have lunch with him.“Don’t worry. It’s a friendly date. I’ll pick you up at twelve. Alright, Margaux?”I was about to speak, but he immediately dropped the call. I could do nothing but sink into deep thought.Could it all have something to do with what he told me at the hotel? I shook my head and just put aside the doubt.When lunch break came, I got myself ready. I also arranged some of my belongings while waiting for Franco.“Mr. Franco Fuentanilla is here!” Karen broadly smiled as she peeked at the door.“Uh, tell him I’m coming out.” I just hovered for a moment as I looked in the mirror and finally left my office.I saw him sitting in the waiting area. He immediately stood up when he saw me.I couldn’t help but smile at him w
“HOW ARE YOU? When is the wedding?” Jocko asked him while swirling the wine in his glass.“Maybe next month, I want to make it as soon as possible,” he said thoughtfully.I was left out. The redness on my two cheeks immediately went up. Lawrence really handles all the details of the wedding. My only role is to wear the gown and the bridesmaids.“You really are a road to forever!” he joke, then had a fist bump with Lawrence.Carrick arrived later, bringing the dinner of Lawrence and me. We walked into the home and decided to dine there.Lawrence remained silent. Even the meeting of his brows was not enough to deter him from looking towards Carrick’s group.“Would you like to go swimming with them, Julia?” he asked coldly.“Uh, not first. I’m okay here.”He leaned back to his seat and looked at me with twitched brows. “So, what do you want to do, then?&
LAWRENCE PARKED HIS car at the famous hotel. He gave the valet the key to his car and then helped me get out of it.My jaw dropped open as I wandered around the lobby. This is actually my dream hotel. I used to dream of getting in here when I was a child. The beauty and quality of the place are really different. It was Mediterranean-inspired, from the terra-cotta roofing to the white tile floor. Its size is also not a joke.“Good evening, Mr. President!” The one who’s wearing a uniform greeted him.Suddenly I looked at Lawrence with amazement in my eyes. “This . . . is yours?!”He looked at me over his shoulder and smiled broadly.“Gosh!” I just patted my forehead because of stupidity.“I’m one of the stockholders of this company. Actually, I owned fifty percent share of this company,” he said casually.With his posture and kind of smile, I can say that he did not brag about