They started eating their own food in silence. The silence they’re all giving indicated how tired they were for the entire morning as they had themselves focused with their own lunch. As minutes went by, the canteen now became packed with employees coming for lunch. When the quadruple finished, Missy checked her phone.
“I’m full,” Missy sighed heavily in relief then leaned her back. “What time are the models coming, Will?”
He emptied his drink then placed it on his tray. “I had Lucy mail them to come by one sharp.”
“Well, we’re still twenty minutes early,” Missy said as she patted her tummy. “Let’s talk. V, what do you want to talk about?”
“You do know I’m not good with starting conversations, M.” Valentine playfully glared at Missy then laughed.
“I’ll start for you, sweetie.” Pepper volunteered by raising her voice up to be heard
Valentine decided to divert her attention from the two to Pepper and the models. She felt guilty for underestimating the company. All these thirty models were divided into three categories. The first ten models—including Missy—were the ones with skinny, yet wonderful body. The way how square their shoulders were and how their collar bone popped out was definitely every man’s type of women. The second ten models were thick, just like her, they had side rolls, back rolls, belly rolls, and jiggly arms and thighs. Some were curvy, some were not. The third ten models were plus sizes women, they were beautiful and confident with their own body.She smiled as she noticed that she was indeed, mistaken. She thought their models must be skinny because they’re advertising lingerie. Valentine loved the way how every woman in the room moved their hips as they walked in catwalk. This caused her to not mind the surroundings and be a part of them.However, afte
They arrived at the company and met with the twenty-nine other girls with Pepper at the top floor. They exchanged morning greetings before they proceeded onto their rehearsal for their public appearance later. Hours had passed and their rehearsal had finished. William and Missy chatted once more, he excused himself as he called out to the models for their attention. He decided to give them two hours to prepare before the fashion show would start. They were given time to return back to their homes to freshen themselves up and return to the company building for them to be escorted to the venue. When they arrived, they were immediately greeted and pulled right away by their hairstyle artists and make-up artists. There were sixty-two of them. One hairstyle artist and one make-up artist for each model. They were rushing, dabbed foundation, contour and colors onto their models’ faces. Tension, whispering, and laughing scattered everywhere inside the room. It was ne
Missy and William’s bond gotten tighter as days passed by after the fashion show. While all Valentine had to do was deny her feelings for him, she still couldn’t hold herself back from showing hints of jealousy. One time she rolled her eyes at the two while they were talking more animatedly than before, and even hissed at them even though they ‘thought’ they did nothing wrong.Every time she’d watch or catch a glimpse of the both, she wanted to slap them hard in the faces. Missy had become too touchy-touchy with William and clearly, he was enjoying it. What made her wanting to choke them to death more was every time Missy and her were alone – she’d share every moment, jokes and every word William told her. However, she hadn’t mentioned anything about their kiss.Aside from that grievous sudden closeness of theirs that caused her jealousy, there was one thing that eased her, however. It was William’s mother. Valentin
Bras of various sizes, colors, fabrics, and designs lined up on the left, while panties on the same categories lined up on the right. The both of them separated as they searched for a perfect pair. However, she seemed to not have found one that can be matched with the dress.Her eyes landed on Richard who was farther away from her. He had his back against her. “Richard?” she called.“I’m not sure about this. I can’t believe I’m choosing without her either,” he laughed as he neared her with a pair of undergarments on both of his hands. Both had the same designs but different color. They were both in satin for the breast covers, designed like an upside-down spin top with lacing of what seemed to be like styled into a peacock’s feathers. “Royal blue or black?”“What do you think fits her? Think about her skin color.”Richard paused to think as his eyes travelled from fabric to fabric. &l
While on the car, William handed each of them small white envelopes. Valentine wanted to ask what it was but he spoke first. It was their salary for taking part in the runway stage, for saving his fashion show. He said he had Valentine’s doubled, because she joined in, despite of her being a beginner. While Missy was as the same as the other models.He mentioned that for the entire week, her sudden and unexpected appearance, together with the wonderfully-designed lingerie the Lux Style company had shown to the public became the talk of the city. He was proud of himself.Not two minutes later, he and Missy were sharing words once again.Later that evening, Valentine checked the time. It was already 10 in the evening and she had been practicing on how to tell William about four things she wanted to tell him. One was Mia’s promotion to be the shop manager, two was Mary or her mother to be hired to work at the shop, and third, about her father. Lastly, h
They pulled away. Valentine finally felt comfortable being at home. She missed stepping onto the tiles that she grew up with. She expected the aroma of cigarette and alcohol combined, lingering themselves in the open space. Instead, it was flowery, and cozy.“I arrived about three days ago. I didn’t expect you to be here since I’ve seen your face shown in the television. You’ve been the talk of the city, Val,” he said, sounding amused. “What have you been hiding from me all these years? I only got myself in an accident then there you are, married to one of the famous and successful faces of our city.”Billy’s voice was wrapped with various emotions. He was proud, he was surprised, and he even sounded upset — in which, Valentine presumed he was for she had been ‘hiding’ her relationship with William all this time.“About that… I’m…”“No,” Billy sai
She finally stood up and they went to the kitchen, her father walking ahead. She checked the rice cooker to see if there was rice, and fortunately, Billy already cooked rice. She then found her way to the refrigerator and opened it. It was full. There were beef slices, pork slices, limbs of chicken, vegetables, eggs, then fruits. That’s where she remembered something. “You know how to cook, why didn’t you cook yourself food earlier?” she asked, in a loud tone, just so he couldn’t hear her as he was in the living room. The speakers of the television booming so sudden. “I don’t know… maybe I just missed the way you cook?” She scoffed then smiled. “As if,” she replied mockingly. “No, Val, I really do.” Based on the noise lowering down, he must have minimized the volume. “I just couldn’t stop wondering what the hospital did to you all these days, dad.” She grabbed the four eggs from in the door of the refrigerator and grabbed seasoning. “W
For three days, her life had become oddly quiet. She hadn’t seen news of either her or William in the television. She hadn’t received any more mails but the only one where it’s stated he didn’t want to divorce her. Once again, he had left her confused and seeking for answers.Every time she’d go out to shop for groceries, she’d always get to be asked why she weren’t shopping with William. She had one valid excuse, however – he was at work. Speaking of her husband… she missed him. She missed the way he laughed, the way he uninvitedly just snake his arm around her waist then pull her closer, the way his breathtaking eyes would drag and drown her. She missed every bit of him and she hated the feeling.Valentine hated the feeling of wanting him again.It was only a month ago when they met after so many years, but it felt like yesterday. A lot happened within a month; dramatic events happened within a month.
The lights inside the room were dimmed, although it was dimmed enough for them to see each other. They were standing near the bed, with William behind her. “I want to see you wearing it again,” William pleaded. His breath tickled against her neck as he moved the strands of Valentine’s hair aside to kiss her nape. “No,” Valentine replied promptly. What was he thinking? They already had a three-year old Xavier and a two-month old baby Yvonne to watch over. They just couldn’t simply hit a home run now that they had company. “Please? It’s been years since you wore my gift. I just want to see you in it one last time,” he begged. She scoffed, not believing in him with his words. “Are you certain with that ‘one last time’ of yours?” “Yes, I am.” She was convinced. Valentine sighed and wiggled out of William’s arms around her. She looked for the white lingerie he gave her the day after their wedding. It definitely had been a while since she wo
Twelve months had passed since they popped out the news of her pregnancy to Helen. And the mother-in-law herself popped the news out to the guests during her birthday celebration as well. Considering that there will always be paparazzi everywhere, it made the big announcement as a headline for the next day’s television news. Just after a few days since the announcement, Dave Henson, the manager of the restaurant where William proposed to her, apologized and introduced himself as William’s cousin. The second ‘little bird’ who did background checks on her for Helen. As Valentine didn’t want drama in her life anymore, she forgave him. After two months since Valentine gave birth to their first son, they went on a ‘little’ outing trip. Valentine, William, their baby, Billy, Helen, Vaughn, and Lucy went to Paris, France. Every time she would catch Lucy’s stare at her, she’d always receive multiple apologies at once. Yet, she forgave her too. Either once, twice, or
Just as planned, Valentine was already inside the room, she was just standing a meter away from the door, her back against the wall, and the gift she made for Helen was on her hand. William closed the door and she heard every step of his shoes click against the floor as he left.It had been minutes but Helen still hadn’t arrived. She was getting anxious; Valentine might have gotten inside the wrong room. Because of the nervousness she was earning, she’d been tightening her calves for a while now and they ached.Rather than making herself stand against the wall and wait for someone that took ages to arrive, she decided to get out of her position and pace around the room.The door opened as Helen came inside. To Valentine’s luck, it seemed that her mother-in-law hadn’t noticed her yet as she was busy talking with William. Quickly, Valentine went back to her previous position.As Helen walked in, she saw William carrying the gifts she
Valentine returned upstairs right after her conversation with Helen ended. Her husband was on his laptop. Based on the way he almost had his face plant itself to the monitor of his device, it showed that he typing away as if his life depended on it. Well, of course. William’s life did depend on it. She smiled at her silliness. “Hey.” “Why did you want to talk with her?” William asked as his eyes were still focused on the screen. “I wanted to tell her about this.” She circled her hand around her tummy as a gesture for him to understand why. His face softened and he closed his laptop. “How did it go?” the way his voice sounded smooth and cozy made Valentine want to jump on him, cuddle and scoop with him until this evening. “Well…” She plopped herself down on the bed, sitting with her back slouched and continued with a tone of disappointment, “I didn’t get the chance to tell her.” “And that’s because?” “I think your mothe
A maid knocked on their doors, as she said loudly that Helen requested for their presence as she wished to eat breakfast together with them. Valentine figured out that this could be the opportunity she’d take to tell her mother-in-law about the great news — which, she thought could be the reason if Helen would change her perspective of William and her.They got out of the room. Valentine thanked the maid for informing them and they followed her towards the dining room. Helen was already sitting on her seat with her food untouched.“Happy birthday,” Valentine greeted.She didn’t receive a verbal response. Instead, she received a stare. They ate their breakfast. All she could hear was the clink every time their spoons and forks knocked lightly against the plates. Just when they finished, Helen started a conversation about the company with William, making Valentine left out.She had to keep herself quiet just like what she did l
For every trip to almost all of the jewelry shops in the city the couple did to find the perfect gift for Helen, it took them half an hour until they switched to another shop. The both knew Helen Fajardo was a woman with the highest standards and expectations, considering that she was a wealthy widowed woman, of course she deserved something that would amuse her the most.Afterwards, they headed off to the arcade and spent the entire afternoon playing. They never once thought of eating for lunch. Valentine’s constant cheering, giggling, and laughing and William’s chuckling added fun to their little date.Not until William received a call from his mother, asking where he was and why it took the two of them to return back to the residence. They sped off back to the mansion not a minute later and had dinner together.It was a quiet one. They exchanged a few words every now and then, to be exact, it was only William and Helen who conversed, as Valentine
As they arrived to the dress shop, Valentine immediately pulled Delilah in. She dragged her friend towards the part of the shop where there were many dresses lined up, where they could discuss about Adam privately and to make sure that they were far enough as possible.When they reached the part of the shop, they halted.“What are you doing?” Delilah wanted to know the reason behind her abrupt action.“There is something you need to know,” she said.“Valentine?” William’s voice entered her ears and that’s where she realized that her husband followed them. Valentine’s eyes widened as she saw Adam with him.“You can go stay there at the bench. You know us, girls, we usually take an hour to pick our own clothes,” she laughed nervously.“Okay. We’ll wait there. But take note that I’ll pay for your dress and Delilah’s if ever she wants one.”&ld
“Hey guys!” Delilah’s voice boomed across the floor. “I thought you left! It’s hard to look for you since this place is pretty much packed.” There were three employees behind her, carrying a tray on their hands. Valentine felt relieved as she didn’t want to take care of Adam anymore. She watched as Delilah rocked her hips sideways, walking towards their table. She sat down beside Adam and placed her tray. She and Delilah said their ‘thank yous’ to the employees as they placed the rest of the trays on the table then left. “Where’s your husband?” her friend’s question caused Adam to flinch visibly. “He’s on a call,” Valentine answered, with her eyes sticking suspiciously at him. And as she faced her left, William came into view. “Oh, there he is.” “Hey.” William sat down beside her and apologized, “sorry it took me that long.” “Where were you?” Delilah unwrapped her rice from the paper, looking curious. “Work.” “Ah, very
A ringing sound of William’s phone took over the silence. Valentine looked at him, worried if he’d pick it up or not. He glanced at Adam and Valentine then said, “sorry, I’ll just have to take this.” He fished for his phone from his pocket then answered, “Hello, yes?” Valentine wanted to eavesdrop but the voice from the other end of the line was quite inaudible. She stayed silent but still wanted to know what it was about. Instead, her eyes focused on Adam — who was showing difficulty in avoiding her stare. “What?” he spat promptly, yet in hushed tones. His sudden manner of speaking made her to look back at him and mouth, “what’s wrong?” “Work,” he mouthed back then returned his attention to the caller, “tell them to contact me.” He stood up as he pulled the phone away from his face. “I’ll be back. I need to take care of this.” Valentine nodded, understanding that he’d be busy all the time. Nevertheless, she decided to take this opport