She ran out towards the door in the opposite direction. Her eyes filled with tears and her nose with snot. The feeling inside her was a terrible one. She felt betrayed for she had trusted Becker and again her trust was broken. Her thoughts became disorganized, even more than the way they were when she was at the office. She was downstairs now and stood in the kitchen with one hand up against the fridge. She pondered if she was deserving of all that had befallen her. She never imagined this betrayal to come from Becker. If it were anyone else, she probably wouldn’t have hurt as much. She believed they had something special but now she felt dumb for thinking so. Her head faced down as tears dropped from her eyes. She took a minute and then took a deep inhale. “It was okay,” she tried to tell herself. All would be right with the world soon enough. These were the thoughts that filled her head as she tried to play off the pain she was in. She tried to smile and even laugh b
For a good while, the grown man and woman stood, lost in the stare of each other. At first, they did not take immediate recognition of themselves. Dulce thought that maybe the series of events that had already happened was affecting her psychology already. Not just her psychology but her vision too. Having to jump from one troubling issue to the other was no small deal for a little child let alone an adult who had so many other responsibilities to fuse into her life. She stood there, doing nothing but stare at Aspen. Her legs did not feel like they could move. Of course, they would not. Her muscles had been paralyzed. Was it really Aspen, the father of her little angels that was standing right before him? She at a point shook her head to see if the unreal image right before her very eyes was going to become immaterial and go to where it had come from. But it didn't. Stealing a long glance at the bottle in her hand, she returned her gaze to Aspen. Are you real? Is this
Both Aspen and Dulce woke up the next morning to news. The fortune and misfortune of the information were split between them. Dulce woke up in her children’s room to numerous missed calls and the information that her company stocks had gone up. People were buying shares like it was hot cake. In fact, she had become a hot cake. While Aspen on the other hand after a night with barely any sleep in it woke up to the news of people withdrawing their investments from his company. His stocks had plummeted. They both briefly pondered on what would’ve caused the sudden influx and decrease. Till they remembered the scandal. Dulce wasted no time. She got into the shower and took her bath. Probably the fastest shower she’d ever taken. She rushed out and put on some clothes and headed downstairs. Her cook stopped her mid-haste to ask if she’d like to eat breakfast but Dulce wasn’t having any of it. She had to get to the office. “Are you sure you don’t want anything for breakfast,
The crowd of journalists, her employees, and regular people had all been left in shock. They were in disbelief at what they had heard. She proceeded to explain the events of the night. “I was intoxicated, be it I was drugged I cannot tell but what I do remember was me going into Aspen's room and I do regret to say that I forced myself on him.” The crowd was once again in shock at the words she uttered. Cameras moved closer to her face and flashes of lights began to appear out of nowhere. She knew she was like a chum in a shark tank now. All she could do was hope for the best as she tried to maneuver in the shallow waters. The reporters and journalists pressed forward and the questions began to rush in. “Miss Florencia, was he your only victim, or are you a repeat offender,” asked a reporter from the local news. “Did you force yourself on Mr. McKinney and get pregnant to steal his money?” that was someone from the daily paper. As she stood there on that podium trying
Chapter 53He stood still at the door, watching them. His father's stern face was hardened even more than it usually was. His mother's eyes were squinted in disapproval and her jaw was set in a scowl. Aspen took in a deep breath and tightened his hold on the door handle. He was tempted to slam the door in their face and follow the back door out but he knew he would never live it down. His parents would torture him in every mental way possible. It sounded horrible to think about. "Mom." He turned to his father. "Dad." He straightened and hardened his face. "You didn't call beforehand. That's unusual.""Oh, but we did," his mother stated, looking extremely unamused and a little ticked. "You would know this if you had bothered to check your phone." She crossed her hands and glared at him, her eyes very much like her son's. They had the same light brown eyes that glinted in rhythm to their emotions. She was stunning, her lush brown hair was barely affected by the passage of time and he
Dulce parked her car in the garage and placed her head on the steering. She was tired. Annoyingly so. She felt like she had walked out of a furnace and the sound of the cameras and clicking and reporters screaming her name with different unreasonable questions and too many unrealistic assumptions. She had a headache coming on and it was worse than ever. She placed her hand on her chest and heaved heavily. Her adrenaline was still rushing and her palms sweated like a track runner on a summer's day. She wondered how celebrities dealt with these conferences and nearly keeled. It was different tho. They weren't standing on the podium to publicly announced to they were a sexual offender. Her heart dropped even further in her chest. She had just told everyone she had raped a millionaire. It felt like a dream. A nightmare. She couldn't imagine how it would play out. While she spoke, she felt like she was on autopilot. Her lips moved and her brain formed words in response to the millions of
Aspen's parents were now alone in the big house. It was just like a little drama that had played out before them. Well, Aspen's whole life when it came to the aspect of love seemed to be a total drama. And whatever the case was at the moment, the drama was not taking a very good shape. For the past years, it had been their earnest prayers that their son should get entangled in a serious love life and not one that would take his joy away in the end. Yes. They were happy not so long ago about their son getting involved with this woman that they did not know who she was or where she was in particular. But right now, the joy that they once had been replaced totally by the look of sadness, worry, and curiosity mixed. They now had a bigger worry. They used to fear that Aspen would end in a love life that might take his joy away. But now, it appeared to be that the joy was already slowly disappearing even without the love life coming to an end, that is if it has any intention to come to
Mr. Mckinney scoffed. “That is the help I can offer to him, dear. If you let him handle his love life and the company at the same time, it will end up cripple and everything around him. Can't you see the state of the company?” “It had not been well for the past moments. If he should be allowed to continue in this light, then we will have nothing left of the company.” “But you already handed this company over to him.” Cassy protested. “And he has been doing quite well in the last couple of years. The only problem is with his love life.” “Exactly. His love life has caused a problem with his business life.” “That is more reason for you to help him to solve his love life issues so that his business life can stand well. If you can do that much, he'll be able to balance his life. " “No. No. Listen, cassy. The problem is having to let him bear the burden of business alone. When one has issues with one's personal life, it is normal that one gets to detail from certain paths in life.
A month had gone by and everything was finally settling in. Dulce had moved into a new apartment with the kids and their nanny, Cynthia. Her former apartment brought her nightmares."Zig! Olletta! where are you guys?" she yelled. She was trying to get ready for her first date with Aspen and also prepare the kids for a weekend with their grandfather."Over here," Zigfrid called out from somewhere near the stairs, sounding tired. "We can't find Olletta. Have you seen her?""Hang on," Dulce said as she ran upstairs. She opened her bedroom door and immediately saw a pile of clothes on the floor."Mom! Where have you been?! You gotta pick us up in fifteen minutes!" Olletta cried.Dulce sighed. "Look, kiddos, we can't go to the mall today, because of our schedule.""But, it's summer!" Olletta whined."I know. But your grandfather is coming in to pick you and your brother up. Mummy wants an alone time with your dad," Dulce said, trying to convince Olleta. Olletta frowned slightly. "That sou
Eventually, she managed to calm down. Once she did, she pulled away from him. Her tears were still streaming down her cheeks."I'm so sorry for running away, papa," Dulce muttered.He smiled sadly. "It's okay. But, you know you had a choice in all of this. It's not your responsibility to be in this. You don't have to apologize for that," he reassured."I know. I just...," She trailed off."What is it sweetheart?""I mean, I didn't tell you the real reason I left. I just disappeared and I always felt bad about it. Even when I came back, I didn't come to see you.""Why?" he questioned.Dulce hesitated at first before answering her father. " I was afraid."He arched his brow. " Afraid of what?""I was afraid you'd hate me."Aspen, Derek, Cynthia and Mrs Cassy McKinney filed out of the room immediately they saw Dulce and Theodore having a father and daughter moment. They didn't want to interrupt.Once they were gone, Mr. Theodore Florencia approached his daughter once again. He gently car
"Yes ma'am," Cynthia said, her head slightly bowed."Why do you..." she wheezed a little. Cynthia reached out for the water and gave it to her. "Thanks. Now, why do you look like you were used as a punching bag?" She chuckled weakly.Cynthia sighed. "That isn't important right now. We'll talk about it when you're better," she said."Yeah," she replied slowly before coughing. She cleared her throat and swallowed hard. The doctor came closer to check her pulse."Everything looks fine to me. She's awake now and she seems alert enough to understand us. So I'd say it's safe to say she's going to be completely okay," the doctor confirmed. "We should get her discharged in a few days, but I want you to bring her back next week. She needs rest."Derek nodded. "Okay, doc."Dulce stiffened at the sound of a familiar voice. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw Derek and Aspen together and another stranger with them."Uhhh..." she slurred her words."Derek, why... are you here... wit
Theodore was shocked at the turn of events. He couldn't believe that he supported Becker. The very man who was behind his daughter's predicament. He couldn't believe that he almost fell for his bullshit.The thought of strangling Becker crossed his mind. He wrapped his hands in a fist as he paced up and down the court's hallways."Fuck!" he said, muttering under his breath. He was so angry and disappointed that he could hardly see straight. After a few minutes, he calmed down and took in a few deep breaths, attempting to calm himself down from his rage. He didn't want the others to know how agitated he was by the situation. No doubt they'd pity him, and that made him even angrier. "Fuck," he repeated, this time quietly. He ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to clear it out of his eyes.``Damnit, damnit, dammit...I shouldn't have been so easily swayed." The last thing he wanted was to make it seem like he had fallen for Becker's lies.Theodore tried to focus on calming himself
The defence calls Ms Cynthia, the nanny to Ms. Dulce Florencia's children, to the stand," the defense attorney said, beaming with pride.Everyone began muttering among themselves and the courtroom buzzed with excitement and speculation about whom it might be. Cynthia tried her best not to gulp nervously but judging by the glances people were sending her way, she failed miserably.As soon as she reached the stand, a familiar voice erupted from the spectators section. "How dare you show up here without telling anyone?!" The voice belonged to a female reporter. "Are you aware that you are a witness to a crime! I bet you're here for the money!" she screamed angrily."Excuse me?" Cynthia snapped. "What do you mean by that? Did this reporter just assume that I was here because of some money? Do you think this is funny?!" Cynthia yelled furiously.Everyone hushed and fell silent. People stared wide eyed at Cynthia, waiting to see how she was going to react. Cynthia stood there, breathing hea
At the crack of dawn, Cynthia had struggled her way out of bed. She ruffled her hair a bit so she wouldn't be recognized before stepping out of her ward sneakily.As she passed the corner of her ward's hallway, a smooth feminine voice stopped her. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach."Hey! Checked the patient in Room 3?" the voice asked. Cynthia turned and a nurse stood before her."Uh..." She stuttered."Oh, my bad. I assumed you were a nurse," the nurse said.She smiled kindly at Cynthia before gesturing for her to keep going. Cynthia continued on her way. After a brief moment of hesitation, she slipped into the hall towards her destination.She didn't want to be caught unawares and. so she put up a straight face and walked briskly out of the hospital, avoiding conversations of any kind until she got to the road.She glanced around her and relaxed. No one was here.With an air of confidence, she began walking down the sidewalk. Her mind raced over what she might need to do nex
Ms Linda, I wish I could reveal everything to you but I can't. I'm grateful for what you and your daughter have done for me," Cynthia said, wishing they wouldn't ask her more questions.She didn't know the answer to any of them and she wasn't sure she wanted to. All it did was make her want to disappear even more than she already did. "But, I still have things I need to deal with and I need your help.''The girl's mother nodded, accepting her words at face value."What is it? Name it," Linda encouraged her to speak freely."Well...I don't really know how to explain this..."she trailed off not knowing where to start. "But I need to make a call and I was wondering if you could lend me your phone for a few minutes."Cynthia wasn't sure if they'd agree to her request but she needed to ask anyway. Her life would be in danger if anyone ever knew that she was alive."Oh, Cynthia, of course we'll let you borrow our phones to make a call. How about five minutes? You know you just got up and you
"Oh my goodness!" a young girl of nine years old gasps in shock."What is it again, Maya? See something amusing again?" the middle aged lady questions."Mum, look!" she says and points in the direction of Cynthia. Cynthia was walking haphazardly along the road, clinging on to dear life and praying that a miracle happens. "The poor lady looks like she could use some help.""That's because we're not helping." the girl's mother says, as she drives the car closer towards Cynthia, who was trying hard but failing to hold herself up. "We can't just abandon the lady like that . She looks so helpless," Maya reacts sadly."Yes, yes you can," her mother, Ms Linda warns sternly." I can't believe you right now, mum!" the little girl says sadly before folding her arms. together and looking at her side of the window, not wanting to see her mother drive past the wounded lady without helping.Ms Linda scoffs. "Oh come on! I'm just messing with you. Of course we'll help her. Hopefully she's okay but
"Get up you slut!" one of the thugs said.It had been days since Cynthia was constantly tortured and her body showed proof. The marks on her body were enough to leave scars. A lot of bruises and cuts had formed over time. Her clothes were torn, dirty, and her hair messy. She was just lying there on the floor with no energy at all. One of the thugs kicked her face. "Get up or we're gonna fuck it up!" Another thug said angrily. He didn't mean it seriously though; he was just angry because she wasn't moving. Cynthia looked around trying to gather herself as much as possible but she couldn't muster up any strength. She was still too weak, too exhausted even. There weren't any other options though, so she stayed limp. The thugs grabbed her arms harshly and pulled her up.They threw her across the room. They kicked her once before hitting her in the stomach. Cynthia groaned from pain and tried to curl into a fetal position. She wanted to die right then and there. But if she died then the