Nine months later.
I was preparing for my prenatal check-up when I heard a knock on the door. I glanced at myself in the mirror first and got my bag before I walked out of my room. My tummy was now as big as a round watermelon. Anytime, I would give birth to my baby boy. I was so excited. Everything was ready, from his tiny clothes to his bed.
I smiled as I opened the door. It was Arnold. He used to accompany me whenever I would go to my OB since I reached the third trimester of my pregnancy. Although I refused several times, he told me that it's better if I have someone with me, especially now that I would give birth anytime.
"Grandpa?" I uttered. Tears stung my eyes. I couldn't believe that he was smiling brightly in front of me. My heart was filled with mixed emotions. I lowered my body and hugged my grandfather. After a while, I raised my head. I glanced at Alex and then back to my grandfather. I had so many questions in my mind that I couldn't manage to ask. My grandfather gently wiped my tears. "Don't cry, my princess. You just gave birth to my great-grandchild." He mumbled in his wavering voice. "I missed you, grandpa. I'm glad that you're fine. I'm so sorry if I left you." I mumbled as I held his hands.
Hannah's POV I stared at my beautiful face in the mirror. My colleagues always praise my beauty. They admired my almond-shaped amber eyes with especially long and thick eyelashes, while Emily, my best friend, liked my tall, delicate nose matched with my natural pinkish lips. However, there was an explicit sorrow in my eyes as I looked at the white gown I was wearing. Right at this moment, I was trying on the bridal gown that I would wear for my wedding next week. I would marry Robert Shaw, my long-time suitor, even though it was against my will. He's the son of the gambling lord in the city and known as an asshole. I was not able to pay my father's debt to his father, so I was forced to marry him.
The next moment, I woke up with a bad headache. I realized that I was not in my room. The wall was painted white. It was almost bare with only a cabinet and a small table beside the bed where I was lying. Suddenly, a scene flashed in my mind. My heart beat fast as I recalled what happened last night. "Am I dead?" I asked myself as I touched my body and felt every part of it. "No, I'm still alive," I uttered. Then, I looked around the unfamiliar room. A few seconds later, the door opened. A man i
"Y-you?" I asked in disbelief when he removed his hand from my mouth. He was the man that saved me a month ago. How unlucky was I? I was able to get away from Robert only to end up with this pervert. "Yeah, two points for me. I saved you twice." He grinned. I rolled my eyes as I sat up straight in the passenger's seat. "Was it you who gave the note to the bridal shop assistant?" "Who else?" He asked with a silly grin as he looked around. I sighed. "But why are you doing this? Who are you? And how did you know that I was here? Are you following me?"
Everything happened in a blink of an eye. That same day, I found myself signing the marriage certificate. I was now married to a stranger. I didn't even see his full name. Sigh! Then, Alfred paid my father's debt. I didn't know where he got the money, and I was not interested to know, so I didn't ask. What made me wonder was those black men who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. First, at the bar, and the second was when I was in trouble with Robert. I was now suspicious if Alfred was a member of a gangster or a syndicate. "We're here," Alfred mumbled as we arrived at the condominium where he brought me the first time we met. He got out of the car and opened the door for me. Then, we took the elevator to his condo unit.
"Smile often. You look more beautiful when you smile." Alfred uttered. His cold, steely blue eyes were staring at me. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't fathom why I always feel like I was deeply absorbed in his stare. Then, I suddenly withdrew my hands as I felt awkward. Hypnotized by his cold gaze, I shifted my eyes and sat up straight. Fortunately, my phone rang. I quickly answered the phone when I saw that it was my younger sister. "I already packed your things. When are you going to pick it up?" Juliet muttered on the other end of the line. I could feel the irritation in her voice, and I could see how she rolled her eyes as she spoke.
Four days later. I was starting to get bored seeing the four corners of this condo unit. I was spending all my day alone as Alfred would usually go to work in the morning and would come home at night. If I was not chatting with Emily, I was watching tv, or browsing social media. I was not used to this kind of life. However, I still couldn't find a job. I already submitted my application to five companies, but unfortunately, I still haven't received an email nor call from any one of them. Sigh. How long would it be before I could find a job? I'd go crazy if this took longer. Weird. I was beginning to think if my previous employer blacklisted me, that's why I couldn't find a job until n
I looked up at Alfred, waiting for his reply, but his phone rang again. Surprisingly, he didn't answer the call and switched it off instead. Then, he turned to me. "What were you saying?" He asked. "You canceled your meeting?" I rephrase my question. If I heard it correctly, he canceled his meeting. "Y-Yeah. I was supposed to meet a friend today. However, it has been canceled earlier. Now, she called me and asked if I was still free. So, I said to cancel it and reschedule to another day." I nodded in understanding. "
"Grandpa?" I uttered. Tears stung my eyes. I couldn't believe that he was smiling brightly in front of me. My heart was filled with mixed emotions. I lowered my body and hugged my grandfather. After a while, I raised my head. I glanced at Alex and then back to my grandfather. I had so many questions in my mind that I couldn't manage to ask. My grandfather gently wiped my tears. "Don't cry, my princess. You just gave birth to my great-grandchild." He mumbled in his wavering voice. "I missed you, grandpa. I'm glad that you're fine. I'm so sorry if I left you." I mumbled as I held his hands.
Nine months later. I was preparing for my prenatal check-up when I heard a knock on the door. I glanced at myself in the mirror first and got my bag before I walked out of my room. My tummy was now as big as a round watermelon. Anytime, I would give birth to my baby boy. I was so excited. Everything was ready, from his tiny clothes to his bed. I smiled as I opened the door. It was Arnold. He used to accompany me whenever I would go to my OB since I reached the third trimester of my pregnancy. Although I refused several times, he told me that it's better if I have someone with me, especially now that I would give birth anytime.
When I woke up, I was already lying on the bed in a strange room. I looked around and saw Alex. He was talking on the phone on the balcony. It was already dark outside, so I checked the time. It's ten in the evening already. After a while, Alex ended the call and came back to the room. I sat down on the bed as Alex approached me. "You're awake. How are you feeling?" He asked with a bright smile on his lips. "What happened?" I questioned. "You fainted earlier." He answered, but his smile didn't vanish from his lips.
My heart was pounding tremendously in my chest as I slowly raised my head. I breathed a sigh of relief when Alex finally moved and spoke."Are you okay?" He asked in a soft voice.I gazed at his steely blue eyes as I gently nodded my head. Tears burned my eyes, still frightened of what happened. Thank goodness that he's safe. I thought he got shot since he shielded me when I heard the gunshots."I-I'm s-scared," I mumbled in a trembling voice."Don't be scared. I'm here to protect you." Alex uttered as he wiped
I was certain that grandpa had his reasons why he transferred part of his shares to me and not to my dad. But what's his reason? Sigh. I regretted that I didn't insist on knowing. He was about to say it that night when we had talked. However, it's too late now. I signed the Share Transfer Agreement as I thought that it's a simple document and had nothing to do with me. Moreover, I trusted my dad and Jenna. Little did I know that my own father was plotting against me. I swallowed dryly. Then, I took a d
My grandfather fell into a coma. I didn't know what happened. My parents just told me that he didn't wake up that morning. That's why they immediately brought him to the hospital.Hence, I rushed to the hospital. He was already in the intensive care unit (ICU) when I arrived.I couldn't believe my eyes. He was lying on the bed with several apparatus on his body. We just talked the other night, and he seemed well at that time. How come that he was now in a coma?"Mom, what happened?" I asked worriedly."According to the doctor, he suffered from a stroke while sleeping. It resulted in a coma due to the significant impact on his brain. The doctors are still checking
I took a deep breath before I anxiously turned the doorknob of Alex's office. However, I was surprised at the sight when I opened the door. "A-Alex?" I uttered as my eyes roamed around the room. Mr. Scott, John, and Mr. Adams were also there. They were smiling at me as I stepped into the room. "Surprised!" Mr. Scott exclaimed. "What's going on here?" I asked as I furrowed my forehead. "Guess what? We successfully proved that the renewal of the insurance should take effect even in the absence of the Renewal Advice." Mr. Scott explained while Alex walked towards me and held me on the waist.
My grandfather leaned back on the couch while waiting for my answer. However, I really couldn't find the words to say. I was afraid of what would be his reaction when I admitted the truth. His expression became gentle as he patted my hand. "I will not get mad. Just tell me the truth. Your parents told me that you denied it, but they learned you're seeing him again. So, I want to know the truth from you." "Y-Yes, grandpa. I-I lied to them because--" My grandfather interrupted me. "Don't worry. I understand. You don't have to explain." He uttered with an approving smile.
Alex didn't respond. I glanced at him. He seemed to be in deep thought with his jaw clenched and knitted brows. I didn't speak anymore as I didn't want to give him any more worries. Alex had been very busy the next few days. He looked so exhausted already with dark circles under his eyes. He's still trying to find ways how they could file claims since he would suffer a huge loss if he's not able to get any cents from the insurance company. He consulted their Legal Team and other lawyers for any possible resolution about the matter. Sigh. I couldn't afford to see him like this. And I couldn't just stay silent, knowing that there's a way on how to solve the issue about their insurance claims. Thus I de