CHAPTER 33The past days were so hard for me. Hestia asked me more and more questions about her daddy. I don't have anything else to answer, so I better change the conversation between the two of us. It's a good thing that Callum didn't attend the meeting on my first day at the company because he had an urgent meeting somewhere. Hestia is also staying at the mansion even though I feel that she is not yet comfortable with her new babysitter.After a week, Hestia got used to her new life here in the Philippines. She is getting used to the climate and her new babysitter. She adopted the place very well and so fast. So I didn't have any trouble with her.“Ma’am, you have a meeting with the board members with in 10 minutes.” My secretary said from the doorway of my office.“Alright,” I answered before straightening myself up because I was done with what I was doing.Meeting with the board members, and Callum will be one of them. I closed my eyes and immediately put whatever was bothering m
I stilled for a moment and slowly turned my head to see if I was right. And yes, I am. Meters away from us is Mrs. Juliet. She’s standing there while looking intently at me, then her gaze drops to my daughter who's prettily eating her ice cream, unaware of what is happening now.“M-Mrs. Juliet,” I slowly stood up and looked at her.“I'm sorry if I called you Avery. Because I got used to Callum during the four years that Avery was always mentioned." My heart leapt for a moment when she said that. "There is not a day that you are not mentioned in the mansion. And... this year he left the mansion because... he said he misses you and only remembers you there in the mansion. Buy a new condo to stay there.” She's spitting it, not minding what I am thinking right now. Or what Callum and I's situation is.“Uh . . .” I don’t know what to say! Fuck it!"How are you? After you left the mansion… everything went back to normal, eh. Sorry if I’m talking too much now. I just really missed you," he a
“You’re off to work now?” I asked while wiping my hands. I just got finished washing the dishes. I look at him with gentle eyes.He nodded while adjusting his necktie. I approached him and helped him fix his necktie. He stopped what he was doing and let me continue.I’ve got conscious when I felt his stare at me. He’s not glaring, he’s just staring like I’m kind of a puzzle. I looked up at him and smiled slightly.“You're old enough but you still don't know how to fix your necktie.” I joked with him and it was followed by a short laugh. But he didn't even look happy and his expression was still serious.After a while, I gasped when I felt the touch of his warm palm on my waist.I don't know why, but I always get a strange feeling every time our skin comes close. Whenever he touches me by accident or whenever I try to touch him. There was a strange tickling in my stomach. Sometimes my whole body gets hot because of that.It was just a simple interaction from my husband but I feel like
"Dad, you can't do that to my sister!" Kiana shouted at our parents.I just bowed my head and just listened to them in their decision for my life.I lived my entire life like this. Controlled and manipulated by my adoptive parents. We're blood related because Mom is my biological father's sister. I was just adopted by them when my parents died due to plane crashed when I was just five years old. And because Kiana was missing that time, they want me to be their own child. To fill the emptiness they're feeling.They legally adopted me months after my parents burial. It is also because my parents entrusted me to them. I somehow, learned about to love them as my real parents. At the first ten years, they're good at me. They all treated me well. Even sometimes I get scolded, especially when they are hot-headed and beat me, that was fine with me because I knew that was part of disciplining me.Until they saw their daughter, Kiana, when I was sixteen years old. I was happy for them when they
“Callum Travis Villanueva,” he handed me his hand while looking so intimidating in front of me.I gulp before shaking his hand firmly, “H-Hailey Avery de Guzman.” I introduced while withdrawing my hand from him and looking away.“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. de Guzman.” his husky voice sent shivers down my spine.“L-Likewise. And uh... Just call me Avery or Avery, whatever you please. It’s too formal if you’ll call me Ms. de Guzman every time.” I said while looking away from his intense eyes.He chuckled, “I prefer to call you Avery. I like it more.” he said seductively.I frowned and look at him straight in his eyes. “Okay,”“You can call me Callum or Travis.” he said without taking his eyes off me.“Callum,” I seemed to be very used to pronouncing his name when my mouth utter his precious name.It feels like a deja vu.He was my crush... When I was in College. He’s my senior that time and I was a freshman. Way back the time when I was new to school because that was my fi
When he pulled me gently I just let go. I was just dumbfounded until we got in front of his car.I looked at him when he opened his car door for me. I slowly got in there and put on my seatbelt. He turned around in his car to get to the driver's seat. I sit there like a statue, not wanting to move nor talk. I just look outside and refused to look at him.“Your things are already in my house,” I just turned to him when he spoke.I nodded and just covered my mouth before looking away from him. He started the engine of his car before speaking again.“You don’t have to worry about household chores, I have enough house helpers in my house. They can also help you if you want to learn some things. Just asked them away.” I shut up when he finished speaking before looking at him.“Uhm... I also have a work. But... I'll try to cook you breakfast... That's only if you want. But if you don't want it, you can't do it." I took it back because it looked like he didn't expect what I said, my offer.H
“You really should. Because the moment I found out you had a man or flirting a man, I will make sure that your life with me will be a living hell.” I swallowed hard at what he said and didn't move.A strange fear crept into my system causing my body to stiffen. I didn't immediately move and process what he said.His words and menacing voice still lingers my mind even if it’s now evening. His words were still stuck in my mind like a lecture I should memorize.“So you should behave like a faithful wife does.”So does he. Why would I be just the one to behave and be faithful if we’re both in this marriage? I really should know him more. I really should think always that I married a man like him. He’s not as kind as I thought because from the very start he never showed me softness. He’s always rough and shows no emotions at all. I should be careful because I don’t know what would happen next if I did something wrong.Maybe he's just like Mommy and Daddy. He will be rough on me, too. He wi
That's what really happened. After we ate breakfast, he had his car taken by a caretaker at the garage. Before he led me out of the mansion.“Are you really not going to bring your lunch, Ma'am Hailey?” asked Mrs. Juliet. A while ago she was asking me if I was going to bury the food because he said he was not sure if the company’s food was cooked properly.“Not anymore, Mrs. Juliet. Uh, I’ve been working there for a long time so I’m sure their food is good and delicious. But... Uhh... If you will insist, you can pack me a lunch tomorrow?” I promise even though it’s not really necessary.I have money for my food purchases and buy my personal items and necessities. I'm working, so even if you say I want to save money, it's embarrassing. But then... Callum is now my husband. I have all the rights to— No. I can work for my own, though. I can’t just rely on Callum for all that even though I have money and work.“Oh he's fine, tomorrow I'll prepare your lunch for work. I will remember that
I stilled for a moment and slowly turned my head to see if I was right. And yes, I am. Meters away from us is Mrs. Juliet. She’s standing there while looking intently at me, then her gaze drops to my daughter who's prettily eating her ice cream, unaware of what is happening now.“M-Mrs. Juliet,” I slowly stood up and looked at her.“I'm sorry if I called you Avery. Because I got used to Callum during the four years that Avery was always mentioned." My heart leapt for a moment when she said that. "There is not a day that you are not mentioned in the mansion. And... this year he left the mansion because... he said he misses you and only remembers you there in the mansion. Buy a new condo to stay there.” She's spitting it, not minding what I am thinking right now. Or what Callum and I's situation is.“Uh . . .” I don’t know what to say! Fuck it!"How are you? After you left the mansion… everything went back to normal, eh. Sorry if I’m talking too much now. I just really missed you," he a
CHAPTER 33The past days were so hard for me. Hestia asked me more and more questions about her daddy. I don't have anything else to answer, so I better change the conversation between the two of us. It's a good thing that Callum didn't attend the meeting on my first day at the company because he had an urgent meeting somewhere. Hestia is also staying at the mansion even though I feel that she is not yet comfortable with her new babysitter.After a week, Hestia got used to her new life here in the Philippines. She is getting used to the climate and her new babysitter. She adopted the place very well and so fast. So I didn't have any trouble with her.“Ma’am, you have a meeting with the board members with in 10 minutes.” My secretary said from the doorway of my office.“Alright,” I answered before straightening myself up because I was done with what I was doing.Meeting with the board members, and Callum will be one of them. I closed my eyes and immediately put whatever was bothering m
“Hestia Clariz!” I shout to call my daughter, who is hopping and running inside the airport. She’s very energetic, and I don’t have any idea where her energy is coming from since we’re both tired. I’m getting exhausted from taking care of her every day because of her energy, but I don’t want to give up on her because she’s my daughter. There’s no other person who will take care of her but me, because I am her mother.“Mommy! Mommy!” She chanted as she run towards my direction.When she came to a stop in front of me, she was already sweating profusely. I took a towel from her bag and wiped her sweat on her face, neck, and forehead. She was running inside the big space in the airport, and she's sweating so much when she runs towards me. She's still energetic, but you can still see how tired she is through her eyes.“I saw people, Mommy. Cutie unifolm.” It sucks hearing her saying a word with “R” in it. She still stutters in that letter so sometimes I laugh at her words.She really is g
“Ate . . . I’m pregnant. What s-should I do?” I said while crying, I lowered my head thinking what to do because to be honest, I really don’t know what to do next now.We left. I left him, for real. I can’t seem to accept that I left him. But the pain will continue if I don’t. My parents did something horrible to his family, and he did the same to my family. So I don’t know if we can continue or stay with each other without thinking about what happened. The pain is excruciating and can’t bear anymore.Ate Kiana’s eyes looking at me were full of sadness, anger, and sympathy. I tried to be strong but I know to myself that I couldn’t. Hindi ako kagaya ni Ate Kiana.“Dad is in jail now. He has many cases to face. Moreover, he owed a lot of money that he still can’t pay. The company is now under Callum’s name so he has no claim anymore.” Ate Kiana informed. “Callum doesn’t know that . . . you are not the real son of Mommy and Daddy. I mean, he had no idea that you were Mommy’s sister’s dau
“She’s dead, Hailey. She— She was shot.”I was depressed and couldn’t immediately answer what he said. I lost the courage to speak. At the same time as I took a deep breath, my tears fell.“Everything is a mess right now, Hailey. T-The company’s now . . . u-under Callum’s name. I-I don’t know how did it happened. Dad said he tricked him. A-And Daddy . . . Daddy was the one behind what happened to Callum’s parents. Daddy . . . h-he killed them . . .”I cried hard when I heard that. I couldn’t even accept the last word Ate Kiana spoke to me.“N-No. . .” I whispered. I tried to deny what I found out. I tried to put aside that this was Callum’s goal now.“Zild and I found out that . . . he supposed to marry me because I am the real daughter. Or even the first daughter. But he thought you were my parents real daughter. I talked to Justin, h-he said, Callum was supposed to marry me so he was surprised that he saw you. Because he knew I’m an only daughter. But was wrong when he saw you inste
Our relationship goes on. Even though everything was a bit difficult, I didn’t budge. Kiana is even more telling me to be alert and be careful.“I’m just warning you, Hailey. This is not the time or season to be complacent. Until we can be sure that Callum has no bad intentions, we should be cautious. Especially you. Because you’re the one whose with him all the time, you’re the one he’s married to, and you’re the one he’s falling for so badly. So be careful. Okay?” she said while she’s in my office. “I am also investigating on my own. Even more so, Mommy and Daddy are a bit anxious about something. I don’t know because every time I ask them, they say that everything is fine and that I should not worry. I’m just thinking that there’s something wrong.” She put her hand on her forehead and shook her head as if she didn’t know what to do.“What’s the state of our company, Kiana?” I asked slowly.“It also slowly rising because of Callum’s name in it. As a . . . finally a half owner and st
I was in a bad mood all day while at the office. I barely finished my lunch and I’m in a daze even though I have so much to do today.I am bothered, yes.Because I know who Faith is in Callum’s life. She once made him happy and complete. She once a part of his life and who knows if she still is. He loved her truly, while me? It is all just a pragmatic marriage. A relationship full of convenience. He just felt lust towards me and nothing much. Just that. And it hurts that from the very beginning, I’m a loser.They are all just using me.A few more days passed and I noticed that Callum was getting very busy. I don’t know what it’s for but I’m not asking either. He might be mad at me for being too nosy.I’m his wife yet I feel like I don’t have the right to ask more questions. I feel like there’s a miles of gap between us.“You look so pale, Hailey.” Dustin commented when we had lunch together.“Just tired,” I answered weakly.His eyes narrowed at me. “Tired or there . . . is something b
I couldn’t lose the smile on my face while in the office because I still remember Faith’s expression earlier. My smile didn’t fade. He was furious that you thought Callum belonged to him.He’s mine. I won’t let you steal my man.“Ma’am, the meeting will start in five minutes.” Christina informed me.“Alright,” I said before standing up and following him to the conference room.I distracted myself by taking care of the project I was working on. I had almost consecutive meetings that day. So I suddenly felt dizzy. I didn’t pay attention to that because I was in the middle of the meeting.I ate right on time, so I don’t know why I feel dizzy. Or maybe from fatigue and stress? I’m doing so much that maybe my body is giving up. But I can’t rest yet. It’s necessary for what I’m doing right now so I can’t rest yet.“Ma’am, are you all right?” Chris asked when the meeting ended.I smiled at her, “yes, I’m fine. I’m just a little dizzy because you know, we’ve done a lot and I still have a lot
“He’s waiting in the living room,” said the maid while looking at me.I got nervous. Why is he here? Is he mad at me? Because we didn’t eat breakfast together and didn’t go to work together? Or maybe he’s angry because I insulted his ex-girlfriend?“What are you waiting for, Hailey? Your husband is in the living room!” Dad’s voice filled my ears that’s why I almost jumped on my seat.They’re now heading inside the house and I am just the only one whose sitting on my chair.“Y-Yes, Dad.”I immediately stood up and followed them, trembling and not knowing what to do. I saw my mom look at me and narrowed her eyes on me. I look away and pretended to be cool even if my mind is in haywire right now. Dad seemed too pleased to hear that Callum is here. Ate Kiana is just silent while walking inside.When I got all the way inside, I immediately saw the bulk of Callum’s body with his back to our side. When he notice we’re arriving, he looked our way and I saw how his jaw clenched when our eyes m