"Yes, he did. He threw me out in a blink of an eye." Amelia said. Aspen was shocked that Amelia still managed to stand rooted somewhere. She had been able to perch like a fly. "Amelia! What are you…" "Son. Did you or did you not throw her out?" Mr. McKinney said, his voice low and dangerous. Despite everything, Amelia still survived like a cactus in the desert. "Yes, father. I did. I had her dragged out of here." Aspen deadpanned. "Why?" He asked. Amelia suddenly walked in front of the men and stood on her tippy toes to get Mr. McKinney's attention and like a little witch from the West, pointed her long nail towards the unsuspecting secretary that still had an ice pack to her face. "Her!" Amelia said with indignation and malice. Mr. McKinney followed her direction and a near-whimpering woman with the slickest black hair was in sight. "What happened to her?" He asked, confusion still evident in his eyes. "Don't listen to…" Aspen didn't get to finis
Aspen walked in, his father trailing behind him. Aspen breathed in the air so quickly, hoping that the quick waves of fresh air blasting his lungs would make his anger dissipate, and for a moment, it was working. Mr. McKinney watched his son do a bit of stress relief exercises while he got comfortable on the chair. Aspen walked around and finally sat down, calm and ready to address his father. "You do know that you just threw out the shares of the Dubois family, right?” His father finally said, and Aspen fought not to roll his eyes. There was vaguely nothing special about the Dubois. They were plenty of things and somehow loved to attract unwanted press, seeing as their daughter didn't fall too far from the tree. "Father…” Aspen seemed to speak, but his father held out a hand to indicate that he wasn't done. "When you speak of their shares, what are you referring to exactly? Don't tell me you still feel it is proper for me to get married to that spoiled brat.” His father said
Dulce hasn't had any peace from anywhere, not in her mind, not in her kids. She couldn't even focus on work. She was forced to casually bring up memories of the newsflash. What man in their right mind knows he has kids and moves on as though they meant nothing, while explicitly holding an item that belongs solely to the mother of his kids, if that wasn't a sign? Becker's talk with her kept on replaying in her mind, from the first day when he expressed his anger to the second day when he expressed his disappointment. Her heart had hardened to the thought that Aspen was a dangerous and reckless man. There was no family guy there, and although she never regretted having her kids, she regretted having him as their father. And what was worse? Oleta who hadn't said a word, was the child who didn't let her rest with her questions. Before, it usually used to be how airplanes could fly, about magic and every other thing kids could think of, but recently, it was about Aspen and when she c
Dulce was panicking about the email. What the hell was she supposed to do about it at this particular time, just when she was about to leave for her date? Dulce was this close to canceling everything and heading home to sleep instead. How was she going to make everything seem as though it was okay and in place while she was with Becker? There was no way in hell was she going to cancel an effort Becker probably made to see her, and a sweet effort at that. Her phone beeped for the second time. —Daville hotel, table 12. Love you. Becker was the sweetest. Whether circumstances tried to pull strings at her or not, she was not going to destroy the one thing she had going on well for her. She was going to hide whatever it was that was threatening her very peace and get on with the date. Moments later, the car dropped her off at the hotel and drove off, scheduled to meet her in an hour. The hotel had pristine walls, all decorated with the fanciest things. There was something so plain
Just as Aspen had predicted, Derek was extremely proud that Aspen had done what he had done instead of being a wimp and doing the opposite of what he had told him to do. “Derek, there's something I need you to do.” Aspen began, but Derek already started to scowl, earning a shocked and confused expression from Aspen. “What?” He asked Derek. “What have I been doing if not so many things?” Derek asked and Aspen hissed. “Look, I need you to help me gather some. No, scratch that, I need you to gather all the information you can get on Dulce.” He ordered. Derek couldn't stop with the surprise and burst into a peal of casual laughter. “What?” Aspen seemed to ask, not understanding where this laughter was emitting from. “What's funny?” He asked again, scowling now. “It's just… it's just so funny, dude.” Derek laughed some more. “First, you entered into paranoia after sleeping with her. Then you enter a search phrase and then give up after a year. But somehow for the second time, fiv
The next day, Dulce was up and about and ready to reschedule that meeting from yesterday. The kids had gone for their regular routine and Becker had left earlier saying he had work associates coming in early that morning. They had shared a kiss and that was it. Dulce was driving her way to work with the radio sounding in all its glory in her car. Out of the blue, her phone beeped in her purse. Dread washed up on her face as she got out of her car. She already knew it just had to be a text from him and despite feeling a bit of excitement going down, the dread was inescapable. She read the mail out. — I'd like to see you. Dulce was nearly forced to groan in anger, but she didn't. Instead, she replied. — no. I doubt that's a good idea! And we only speak for business purposes! — but this is business. Let's meet, please. He replied almost immediately, and Dulce was almost asking him if he had no job to do. Because she had one that wouldn't do itself. — Fine. Just stop sending m
With joy and satisfaction, Aspen moved to his car with a beautiful smirk curve on his brim. "I've got you, Dulce,” he muttered to himself as he pressed the button of the key to his car. It clicked open, and he pulled the hand of his car to open up the door. With smiles making waves over his face, he hit the ignition and the engine came to life. His mouth whistled a sound that he had just conjured out of joy. Dulce was an inch away from coming to him. Derek had given him the perfect advice. In a drift, he was back to his company and all the staff bowed to welcome him in. He strode up to his office, his face still maintaining the grin he had right from when he came out of the restaurant. Meeting Dulce and listening to her response was enough for him to have a great day. As soon as he settled down in his office, work continued from where it stopped. Even when he was tired out, he still stood fit to continue his work. Joy was a source of strength. After hours of working, he g
Dulce heard Oleta question Becker, and she quickly ran to the scene. At first, she had no idea how to respond to their question or the right explanation for her conversation with Becker. The children, though tender, were very smart. The children faced her immediately. They saw her running up the stairs and when she got to them, she nodded her head. "Yes, your father will be coming to take you guys out to have fun. I hope you are happy with that?” She asked, ignoring, Becker's stern look at her. “Yes!” The twins both cringed and jumped happily at their mother's outburst, making Dulce wonder how they had gotten so close to Aspen that they would love to see him each time. "I told you I don't agree with that,” Becker said more in a whisper. Dulce swirls her head to face him. “We'll talk this out later,” she said, pulling the children into her hands and walking back down the stairs. Becker's stares followed after them. Dulce was starting to act strangely at him, and it was
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