NARRATIVE "This is amazing Sis Cheng. I mean, I've never been to a fashion gala_actually I've never been to a gala before." Clara gushed right beside Lana and Cheng as they walked into the grand hall. The girls smiled as they took their seats at the round table amongst others in the grand hall. They didn't bother exchanging pleasantries with people because they weren't familiar with many there. They only came because of Adele and also, to socialize if necessary, to broaden their knowledge about the fashion industry and to get familiar with the identities of the most affluential people in New York City. The gala was just starting, several top designers and models in New York City already arrived, showing off their diverse, colorful and exquisite designs as they walked the red carpet and up the stairs. The paparazzi in their distinguished 'black-theme' wears, stood by either side of the red carpet, taking photos and filming the events with their cameras and phones. Whil
NARRATIVE Arsenio stared at Adele silently as he watched the diverse emotions reflecting on her face. At first she was smiling, then suddenly she looked nervous and now she looked really shocked to the extent she'd dropped her phone on the floor. What could it be? He swallowed nothing as he watched her for a while, trying to calm his thoughts before he'll say or do something that'll piss her off again. Especially since they are fast approaching the hotel at this moment. "Adele, is everything alright? Are you okay?" He asked, leaning closer to her. "Huh?" Adele looked up from her fallen phone and into Arsenio's searching eyes. Fearing his naturally compelling eyes would make her spill, she blinked severally, closed her parted lips and hurriedly retrieved her phone from the floor. "What is it? Are you okay? Did anyone threaten you? Why do you look so stunned?" "It's nothing, Arsenio. I'm fine." She briskly said as she immediately kept her phone in her purse bag. "Adele, you'r
ARSENIO'S POV I never understood how well I was crazy about Adele until this very moment. Watching her smile so radiantly as she walked up to her ex fiancé broke my heart to many miserable fragments. The moment she let go my arm and I trailed her eyes to his, I was suddenly reminded that she's never gonna fall for me. It's a painful fact but it's a reality_a reality I'm not willing to accept. She already got slightly distant with me after our fight few days ago. Ever since I know her, I've never seen her smile so genuinely, so beautifully like this. I feel jealous, angry and really horrible. How is it that she's entirely different from the broken, revenge tasty woman I vividly remember from few weeks ago? How is it that she's easily smiling and walking up to the same man who abandoned her at their supposed wedding six years ago? Did she already forgive him? Did she already find out the truth? What exactly has transformed Adele within such a short time? I sta
ADELE'S POV After a while of exchanging pleasantries and catching up with Emily about both necessary and unnecessary things, I was finally able to escape from the overly chatty woman with the excuse of wanting to use the restroom. Well, here am I walking down the hallway back to the main hall the gala was holding, a few minutes after. The girls were busy interacting with some persons the last time I checked. I could tell from their eyes they couldn't wait to hear what I'd talked about with Carlo. Speaking of Carlo, I couldn't wait to walk up to him now that I'm free from Emily's 'kidnap'. We have a lot to talk about really and I can't wait to meet him. I bit on my lower lip the moment I felt heat rushed to my cheeks at a random thought. That moment when he'd leaned down and whispered in my ear, I'd felt the butterflies_I didn't think was still existent, in my stomach. My nostrils had enjoyed the sweet savor emitting from his fragrance_my favorite rose and a hint of ging
ARSENIO'S POV I was walking towards the restroom in search of Adele the moment I found she'd excused herself from talking with Manager Henry's loud wife. Seeing her smile and talk with Carlo was really a heart shattering moment for me. When he'd leaned behind her ears and whispered something, I felt really sick within. And then, the moment Emily had come by and taken her away, Carlo had sent a knowing glare my direction. I just watched him silently from the side. Would I really let him take her away from me? I knew the answer to that question in my heart. It's really going to be a tough decision. Presently, I was walking down the hallway when I sighted her coming from the opposite direction, her eyes on her phone. Her eyebrows furrowed as a bewildered look reflected on her face. What's it this time? Another secret she may never spill? I could feel the intense battle of my emotions within me as my eyes took in her every move. Would she even accept my feelings? There's no p
ADELE'S POV Walking back into the hall, I tried my best to appear calm. I don't need any unusual report about me on the media. I already dabbed my face with some makeup in other to hide my puffy eyes. I looked around as I walked, flashing a small smile to several people in greeting. My eyes scanned the hall for Carlo. There's no sight of him, I couldn't see his subordinate either. Deciding I wasn't going to think about Arsenio's misbehavior, I approached my friends' table. Did Carlo already leave? Why did Arsenio stared behind my back before he'd suddenly kissed me? "Oh Adele, you're here. Guess who came by to look for you." Lana said with a toothy grin the moment she saw me. "Who was it?" I asked as I sat down on the empty chair beside her. "It was Carlo." Lu Cheng said and my eyes widened. "He apologized to us and said he was going to meet us again and talk in a more convenient environment. And..." "And?" I urged on impatiently. "He asked of you and we dir
NARRATIVE The girls let out a gasp the moment Adele explained what had happened to them. "OMG! I never thought he could do such a thing. My gosh, I'm highly disappointed." Lana shook her head in disapproval of what Arsenio had done. "Exactly! I thought he's a sweet guy. Too bad because I can't vouch for him again." Clara said poutingly while she stared softly at her sister. She could imagine how Adele's feeling presently. "Now it's no longer Carlo who's the bad guy like we thought, it's now Arsenio." Lu Cheng sighed, her head resting against the couch as she stared reflectively at the ornate ceiling in Adele's living room. Adele smiled sadly as she listened to them lament. She was staring regretfully at her phone, rereading Carlo's text for the umpteenth time since she discovered it. "You guys, don't blame him that much. It's my fault to not have noticed his obsession from the start." She said and the girls immediately disagreed. "No Adele, don't even think about
BRENDA'S POV I stared at Carlo's Doctor blankly. There's no way I heard him well. What does he mean by that? My little brother was in coma yet another time because of the same woman?! Carlo how could you do this to me? Do you know how much I suffered for the three years you were out and depending on life support?! "What...what did you mean just now?" I managed to say, though my voice came out shaky and rough. I swallowed the painful lump in my throat as I felt tears pooled up in my eyes. This shouldn't be happening again! I warned him. I warned him but he didn't listen. Did he really care about this girl more than he cared about me, his only sister? His only sibling? His only family? "Chairwoman," the doctor began calmly. "I think you should take things easy. With the right medication and of course, his will to overcome this stage, I'm sure he'd be up within months." "Months?" My fists clenched at either side of my dress. "You mean, my brother's likely to be in a com
Hey guys! It's Author Queenes here. I wanna say thanks to everyone who took out time to read this novel. I hope you were inspired by this book as I was too. Finally, we've come to an end of Adele and Carlo's love story. When I started writing this novel three months ago, I didn't think I'd be able to complete it. I admit, it wasn't an easy journey but y'all here precious people who kept reading, unlocking the chapters, voting, commenting and adding my books to your libraries was the biggest support an author could ever have wished for. Y'all were my biggest motivation and finally, I was able to scale through this because of your believe in me. Your encouragements were what motivated me to keep on going with this project even when I was at my weakest moments. Thanks for believing in a newbie author like me and giving my book your support. I'm sincerely grateful :) I hope we all keep sharing love around. Lastly, I'd sincerely love to know your thoughts about the novel ONLY TILL FO
EPILOGUE~Five Years Later~ Someone was tapping her gently, trying to wake her up. Adele frowned in her sleep and pulled the duvet even more, over her face. "Bebeeee!" She groaned. "Just one more hour. It's soooo cold." Carlo smiled and pulled down the duvet once more. He stared down at her pouting lips and chuckled. "Come on now, otherwise Kerrin wouldn't spare us if she's unable to attend Celestine's 6th birthday party. You know how persistent she gets." He tried to coax her using their three year old daughter and his plan pulled through successfully. Adele sat up with a start at the mention of their daughter. Kerrin was just as persistent as Carlo. Not only that, she also shows great personality similarities with Maddy, Adele's Mom. The only thing the cute little one got from her was her appearance. Kerrin has pretty hazel eyes __which she obviously got from her Dad, Adele's smile and her facial features but her black hair was also from her Dad. She's so cute a
FINAL CHAPTERADELE'S POV Some hours later, our plane landed at the 'Ninoy Aquino International Airport' and the moment we stepped out of the terminal, some escort cars were already waiting for us. Moments after I'd stopped on my tracks and inhaled the scent of the country I've not stepped foot in for many years, I exhaled sharply and nodded slightly to Clara. Without wasting time or much words, we both stepped in the car and the thirty minutes drive to Quezon City began. "Clara, not much have changed in this city over the years. It still looked as exactly as I could remember..." I said with my gaze out the window and a small smile on my lips while I stared through the streets as our car drove past. "Oh, look at that stall Ma always sent us to get her beverages. I guess she still shops here." "Yeah, she still does. Although Willy does most of the shopping these days." Clara said beside me and I chuckled. "I thought as much."They'd be so surprised to see me again after
NARRATIVE "I'm sorry okay? I promise you Lisa, this is the last Elaine and I would set you up on a blind date. Okay?" "Wasn't that what you said the last time too?" Lisa frowned as she stared at hers and Rosy's reflection on her full length vanity mirror. "No seriously, this is different. If at the end of it you still don't like him, you're free to cut me off for one month...oh no, one week.." Lisa smirked as she picked up the red lipstick on her vanity. "One month. You said it yourself. If he really turns out the same as the others or maybe even worse than the last, you'd have to keep to your word, sweetheart." She said. Rosy scratched her neck somewhat reluctantly. "Can we just make it one week? You know I can't keep off from you for even a day." She whinned and Lisa rolled her eyes. "Since you know it, why did you bother? It was your suggestion and I like it even more." She chuckled. "Why? Aren't you certain anymore that I'd like this dude?" "Oh gosh! This girl
NARRATIVE~Five days later~Trixie!The name's of Latin origin, meaning the bringer of joy.And that's what they named her; Trixie Raya Henry. Lana's and Alistair's pretty sunshine. Adele smiled as the memories of the past five days replayed in her head. She leaned further into her seat and closed her eyes, pulling down the black sleeping eye mask over her eyes. Beside her in the luxury first class compartment of the plane, Clara had huge dark shades on and she's deeply engrossed in a novel with Lily __ Adele's cute white poodle, on her laps. During these five days, Adele had taken care of some important matters in her company and had left the company under the care of her PA and sales manager. The news of her engagement to Carlo Rodriguez, hasn't hit the public yet. They had decided it was best not to announce it to the world for now until issues with her family's been sorted out. Thus, Adele refrained from sharing her joy publicly even when she badly wanted to. For now, the
NARRATIVE "A baby girl?" The girls chorused in their surprise. "Yes." The Doctor nodded. "Yesss!!!" Alistair squealed. "I got me a princess! A mini Lana!" He gushed and wasted no time in hurrying inside. Adele and Clara couldn't help but stare at the Doctor in confusion. Noticing this, the middle aged Doctor smiled and went ahead to explain the misunderstandings to them. "Ah, it seems you were all expecting a baby boy huh?" He chuckled. "The fault is from the hospital she had gotten a scan at, in the Philippines. They made a mistake in her scan result, probably an issue of swapped files. And she's not gotten another scan for the sex of the child since then." He nodded at them before he walked off. The sisters stared after his retreating figure in wonder. It seems he had no idea how the situation turned out like this too. "Ah, forget it. Let's go see Lana." Adele smiled, pulling Clara along. She wondered what the girls have to say to this, especially Lu Cheng
NARRATIVEPRESENTLY She leaned up and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "Don't worry, I'll call you." Adele smiled at Carlo and he sighed, finally letting go his hold on her waist. "I know. But are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" He asked for the umpteenth time since he escorted her down here to the rooftop of CR'S Luxury, where his private jet was waiting. "Come on Bebe. We've talked about this already. I can't let you leave the company now, when you've been absent for a long while. In as much as I'd appreciate your company, I can't let you come with me now. Brenda needs you by her side. The company needs you too. I'd definitely keep in touch before traveling to the Philippines as we've discussed. Okay?" She caressed his cheeks with her thumbs, her lips pursed and he slowly nodded. "Okay." He smiled. "You should go in now." He stared behind her at the waiting Jet. "Alright. See you soon." Adele nodded as she turned to leave. However, Carlo caught her hand b
CHAPTER 95NARRATIVE Smiling into each other's eyes as they ate in silence, Adele couldn't help but keep reminiscing over the events from few minutes ago. Immediately she'd said 'Yes' and Carlo had swept her off her feet, both had shared an intimate moment with their lips before they were interrupted by the staff members that'd helped Carlo organize the event. They congratulated the couple on their new journey together, and had taken photos with them also before they quietly dispersed and left the couple to themselves. Carlo had then brought her to the luxurious and romantic dinner table the staff already prepared for them __ based on his earlier instructions. "Once a romantic, always a romantic." Adele said as she stared at the diamond ring in her ring-finger, while Carlo chuckled over her words. "You've always wanted to go on a yacht date, under the sunset and although it took several years, I just granted your wish." He smiled. "Right." She nodded. "In the most
ADELES'S POV I understand Carlo had proposed to me about six years and some months ago. As I stare at him now through my teary eyes, I can't help but remember the proposal at the beach. But comparing both now, this was the most romantic thing I'd ever witnessed. Words can't describe perfectly, how I'm feeling at this moment. I was certain when I had said 'yes' to marrying him several years ago. But this time, I was even more certain that I can't spend the rest of my life without this man in it. I was sure and even more willing to walk through forever with him. He's my soulmate and there's never gonna be anything changing that.Let's do this, Adele!Let's say 'yes' to a promising forever again. "Will you marry me, Adele?" Carlo asked again, his eyes eagerly searching mine. I smiled through my tears and nodded vigorously at him. "Yes!" The flash of relief and joy I saw in Carlo's eyes when he heard me, made me feel like I was floating on air. "Yes please!!" I repeated v