"Stop it, Miguel!" I whispered to him while looking away.He took my hand and kissed it. I looked around in case anyone had seen us and recognized me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed that there were only a few people eating and they were only looking at their food.It wasn't long before I finished eating. I just ignored his lingering stares at me. This was nothing new to me, but it felt like something new to me. Is it because we both have feelings for each other?"You seem to be thinking deeply," Miguel suddenly asked as we walked towards his Mom's room."Nothing. I'm just happy," I said. I wrapped one of my arms around his waist and leaned my head on his shoulder."Is there a problem?" Miguel asked.I stopped walking. "I might be gone for a week. My cousin's wedding. I'm going to Cebu. Daddy gave me a one-week vacation. It's a shame because I can't be with you. Your family needs you here.""When are you going to Cebu?""Tomorrow morning. Don't worry. We have body guards th
"I'm just thinking about your well-being, Miguel. I'm your friend. It's not that I'm interested in your relationship. But it's wrong for you to love your boss's daughter!"I wanted to scold Love Rein but not a single word came out of my mouth. I let go of Miguel's hand and faced him."Isn't what you're doing now a nuisance, Love Rein? Why was it such a big deal when you discovered our relationship? I know you don't like me. I'm not blind enough to not notice the way your eyes dart around whenever you see me.""Think about it, Caroline! You're putting my friend's life in danger. You're ruining his life!" Love Rein hissed at me."She's not ruining my life!" Miguel shouted.We both looked at Miguel. His jaw tightened and he looked straight at Love Rein."She's not ruining my life, Love Rein," he repeated in a calm voice. "If you have nothing else to say, it's best to just go home."Love Rein sighed. "You're going to take me home? You'd choose that girl over me?""Yes. I will choose her o
I stood up and picked up my bag from the floor. I carefully placed it on the small table."What if I'm an illegitimate child? I'm grateful that I found out the truth." I adjusted my clothes. "Wow! You're different." Cecile clapped her hands. "You must be so proud when you found out that you were the child of Daddy's mistress," she added.My fists clenched. I wanted to tug at her hair but I just held myself back. I needed to calm down because I owned the condo."Jay, let my sister out," I ordered. I looked at Jay and noticed that she wasn't moving from where she was standing. "Are you going to let her out or do you want to lose your job?" I threatened."Hey, Caroline! You can't let me out because I own this too!" Cecile shouted angrily when Jay grabbed her."Caroline, are you that angry with Cecile? She wants to stay here for one night -""Don't get involved in this, Alexander!" I shouted angrily.Alexander frowned. "Don't talk to me like that. Maybe you forgot that your family's comp
I turned around and saw Julia walking towards me. She was sipping her coffee.“Are you okay? Is there a problem? I’ve noticed you’ve been quiet for a while.” She put the glass of coffee on the table.I smiled and shook my head. “I’m just tired from the trip,” I excused myself. She raised an eyebrow at me. “I don’t have a problem, Jul. I’m just really tired.”To be honest, I didn’t sleep well last night after Mommy called. I don’t know why she called and asked for forgiveness for everything she did to me. It was the first time I heard the word sorry from her.“How are you? I haven’t heard from you. Aunt Glenda said you were busy with your company. You didn’t tell us that Alexander is your boyfriend.” She sipped her coffee again. “I thought you didn’t like that guy. You know, his life background is ugly.”“I had no choice, Jul. I wasn’t the one who decided to answer Alexander either.”“W-Wait, wait. You didn’t accept that man?”I nodded. “That was her decision. And worst, she even went
I was locked in my room all day. My other cousins always teased me to go out and play with them because the sunlight wasn't so painful. I just watched them while they happily played in the sea."Caroline, give me a break. I'm getting married and you don't want to play with us," Julia said as she entered my room."I want to rest first. I'll come out later," I said as I adjusted my clothes."Promise? I'll be mad at you if you don't come out."I smiled and nodded. "Promise."I lay down on the bed when Julia left my room. Honestly, I've been too lazy to go out and hang out with my cousins ever since I found out I was an illegitimate child. I was afraid of what they might say when they found out the truth.I downloaded video games on my phone to keep me busy. It wasn't long before I got bored of playing games. I watched shows and other trending videos on the internet.I looked at my phone when its screen lit up. I looked to see who had texted me, and I smiled when I saw Miguel's name.From
I was frozen in my seat. I couldn't move. I didn't know how to react."Caroline Anastasia Brooks is dating his bodyguard," Violeta repeated while showing me her phone."W-What does this mean, Caroline?" Julia asked while her eyes were on Violeta's phone. "You were on the news, but they didn't put a picture of your so-called bodyguard.""T-That's not true. I'm not dating my bodyguard," I defended. I stood up to check the news they were saying about me. "Where did this news come from? And who is spreading false information?"I bit my lip so hard when I remembered Miguel. I had no plans to deny our relationship but I couldn't help but worry for him when I also remembered what Miguel said last night. I don't want his life to be in danger just because of me. For now, I'll try my best to keep our relationship. It was too early for the public to know about us.I looked at my phone when a series of messages arrived. My heart beat faster when I saw Daddy's name calling me on the screen. Everyo
I looked at Alexander’s parents who were stopping their son from hitting Miguel when he saw me.“You’ve never contributed anything good to this family!” Cecile was furious. She stood up and walked towards me. “You’re nothing but a disgrace! You’re even embarrassing Alexander’s family!”“Shut up, Cecile!” Daddy folded his hands. He couldn’t look at me because his eyes were on Miguel. “It’s not right if we scold your sister. We need to calm down and listen to her complaints about the news circulating in the media that she and Miguel are in a relationship!”“If I’m flirty, this kid outside is even flirtier!” Cecile stormed back to her seat next to Mommy.Cristy gave me my own chair and placed it in front of me. I carefully put down my bag before looking at them. I closed my eyes for a few seconds after glancing at Miguel.“Miguel has already told us about you, hija. We also want to hear from you if there is any truth to all the things he confessed to us.” Daddy’s voice calmed down.I was
My lips parted and I looked at Cecile.“She can’t bear a child?” I asked hoarsely.“Yes, Caroline. I can’t have children,” Cecile said while sipping her coffee.“Your sister has many issues. We don’t want trouble. We also don’t care if you’re Samson’s illegitimate child, hija,” Tita Portia added.“You’ll just give us a grandson, hija. You can file a divorce after giving birth,” said Tito Rafael.“Are you crazy? You will get us both married because you want to have a grandson?” I sighed. “I will never marry your son!”“Caroline, watch your words!” Mommy scolded.“Why don’t you stop me from forcing that marriage? You can find someone to take care of your grandson. Why me?” I turned to Daddy. “I will not marry him. I don’t care if I lose my inheritance, lose my job, and you reject me as your daughter! This is not the life I dream of. I want to have freedom in who I love and marry, Dad!”I looked into Daddy’s eyes, hoping he would change his mind. I was still his daughter. I wiped the tea
The sadness I felt when Kalix and I’s DNA test results matched was overwhelming. All my resentment toward the child suddenly disappeared. I became even more determined to win Caroline's heart again. I want to win her back. I will make everything right now that I know we have a child together. It's worth all my suffering. Maybe that's why I'm so crazy about her because we still have a connection to each other. And that connection is our child.I watched Caroline playing with our child. I can't help but laugh every time I remember how I proposed to her. I was so jealous that I couldn't help but propose, even in that situation. I wanted to prove to the world that she was mine. I didn’t care if I was obsessed with her."Slowly, you might get pregnant," I said as she got into the car.She's six months pregnant now. I made sure she would get pregnant right after our wedding. I never expected that we would have triplets. I'm excited to meet our triplets."If you hadn't made me visit you ever
She's happy with someone else now. I can't destroy her family. I just saw her happy with someone else, and suddenly, I got scared. All my courage to take her back has retreated. I feel like if I take her back now, I'll only destroy the family she built."I'm going back to the Philippines. Keep an eye on her. I'll be happy knowing she's in good shape," I told Seb bitterly before turning my back on him.Years passed, and I still couldn't forget her, no matter how many women I dated. I still asked my staff about her life every day. I'm madly in love with her.I helped her family regain popularity and increase their sales. I invested in their company as planned. I found out that her mother owned Brooks Industries. It was written in the last will of Aunt Roxanne's late father, but they had changed the name of the company.I was busy reading reports when Seb suddenly walked into my office. He was panting when he handed me his cellphone."She's back!" he said.My brow furrowed immediately. "
Ever since I saw that secret room in their CR, I've been visiting Cecile almost every day. I've also been more careful about pretending to be interested in her so she doesn't realize I have other plans."Seb, I need your help," I said directly when he answered my call. "Tomorrow night, come with me to Cecile's house. I want to check out the contents of that secret room. Caroline might be there. It’s up to you how you put their people to sleep."I was determined to see and enter that room. I had a feeling Caroline was there. Maybe they had hidden her inside.When night came, I went straight to Cecile’s house. I had dinner there. While she was busy eating, I secretly slipped a sleeping pill into her juice."How's the food?" she asked, placing her cellphone on the table. She drank her juice."Delicious," I replied sparingly and held her hand. I caressed it and bit my lower lip."Don’t you have anything to do tomorrow?" she asked, drinking the juice again. I smiled when she finished it."
Miguel's POVI am holding her hands as we walk towards Mama's grave. It's been five years since she passed away, but it all still seems like yesterday. Since she disappeared, I've been visiting her almost every day."Why didn't you tell me that Aunt Mary had been dead for a long time?" Caroline asked after arranging the flowers. Kalix lay down on the grass."You never asked," I replied modestly.Caroline sighed and sat down next to me. "Can you tell me what happened?"I stared at her for a moment. She took my hand and played with it."It’s a long story, Caroline. But to make it short—before she died, she kept looking for you because she wanted to give you your grandfather's last will. Mama thought Aunt Roxanne had been dead for a long time. She left the will before her own brother kidnapped her. When I woke up, Mama was gone. So I promised her I would find you, no matter what happened. But I found your mother first."I could barely move my body when I woke up. I looked around. There w
I glanced inside his room impatiently when I realized he had no plans of letting me in after we escorted Kalix to Don Ernesto’s room.“Aren’t you going to let me in?”He looked pained as he opened the door wider. I frowned, slightly offended that it seemed to hurt him to let me in. I entered the room and sat on the bed. My brows furrowed when I caught him staring at me.“Why does it seem like you’re forcing yourself to let me in here?” I couldn’t hide my disappointment.I crossed my arms and walked toward him. He frowned even more as I approached. Even under the dim lights, the way he looked at me revealed how much he was holding something back—something he clearly desired. He swallowed and parted his lips to speak, but nothing came out.“Miguel?” I tried again.I saw how his eyes reluctantly tore away from me. I smirked and stepped closer. I could tell he wanted to back away, but when he saw my smile, he knew I’d tease him if he did. His lips twitched, and he let me near him.I smile
"I'll take Kalix to the office. We'll have breakfast there too," Miguel said after adjusting his necktie.I peeked at Kalix behind him. He was already dressed."Kalix, stay here. Your dad won’t be able to work properly if you go with him.""Mommy, I want to go with Dad," Kalix said, rolling his eyes."No. You can’t go with him," I repeated and placed the milk on the table. "Drink your milk.""Drink your milk first, Kalix, so we can go," Miguel said after finishing his coffee."Yes, Dad," Kalix replied. He sat down in front of me, but his gaze remained fixed on Miguel."Miguel, Kalix might distract you—""He never bothers me, Caroline. He wants to come too," he said coldly.I forced a smile and looked at our son."Don’t be naughty there. I’ll see you later so we can have lunch together.""Kalix and I are eating out. Don’t bother coming to see us, Caroline. And don’t wait for us tonight either—we're going home late because Dad wants to spend time with Kalix. Why don’t you just invite
I took a deep breath after packing up my things. It was past six in the evening, but Miguel still hadn’t called me. The other employees had already gone home. I picked up my cellphone and dialed his number, but it just kept ringing. I ended up texting him that I would take a taxi home to the condo. I couldn’t be late because our son was waiting for me. Kalix wouldn’t eat dinner without me, or without both of us there.I was about to enter the elevator when my cellphone vibrated. I immediately answered when I saw Norma’s name.“Mommy, where are you?” Kalix asked right away.“I’m on my way home, Kal,” I replied as I pressed the ground floor button.“Hurry up, Mom. I’m hungry,” Kalix said.“Yes, Kalix. If you can’t wait any longer, go ahead and eat first. You might get a stomach ache again. I’m ending the call now. I love you,” I said.I looked outside and noticed there were still a lot of people. I wondered why the other employees hadn’t left yet.“Good evening, Ma’am Caroline,” greeted
I buried my face in Miguel's chest after reading Daddy's letter to me. He kept asking for my forgiveness. It felt like a thorn was removed from my heart when I read the words, "I love you," in his letter. He said he only wanted to give me a good future, but he went about it the wrong way. He never considered how I would feel. He regretted giving Cecile more attention. Still, I couldn’t entirely blame him, because neither of us knew the truth—that Cecile was an illegitimate child. My tears fell even more when I felt Miguel's tight embrace as he gently caressed my back."At last, he saw you before he died, Caroline," Miguel whispered and kissed my hair. "Maybe you were the only one he was waiting for. Now, he can rest peacefully. He won’t have to suffer anymore. He died knowing you forgave him.""It's hard to accept. I never thought that would be the last time I’d see him and talk to him. If I had known he would be taken from me so soon, I would’ve visited him every day..."Miguel sighe
Miguel held my hand as we waited for Cecile, Glenda, and Daddy to arrive. We were at the jail, visiting them. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been here—I’d been busy helping Mommy at the company, and we were always traveling outside the Philippines. Miguel was also a different kind of person when it came to dates—he and Kalix were always taking us to other countries. He wouldn’t even let Kalix out of his sight. Sometimes I wondered if he was courting me or our daughter.“They’re on their way here, Ma’am,” said the female police officer who assisted us.“Are you okay?” Miguel asked, gently kissing my hand.I smiled and nodded. “You shouldn’t have come with me. You canceled all your meetings just for this.”“Don’t worry about it, Baby. That meeting wasn’t important.”“Still, Miguel. You don’t have to be with me all the time. You have your own life too. Some people might think I’ve cast a spell on you or something,” I joked.“I don’t care what people say, Caroline. You’re the