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SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 62 Ella
“What kind of paintings are these?” Ara’s big mouth starts popping open as soon as she sees the withered rose and the arrow-and-rock-crushed heart paintings on my office walls. I requested Yen to let Ara come and visit me at the office. At least, it’s safe that way. I’m not sure if I’m being bugged, or somebody is following me because of that incident with Mr. Greg. How did he know I was in that coffee shop? Or, is he sent together with Maezy to monitor me? But those questions are something I could not ask Mr. Greg. I don’t want him or James to create a negative impression on me. “Don’t you like them?” I ask, smiling at Ara as I stand behind her. She spins around and looks at me right in the eye. “Why are they sad and tragic? It seems like those paintings have hidden meanings, or stories waiting to be told.” I nod. Even if Mr. D told me that those paintings are about me and my melancholic tendencies, I still feel otherwise. I feel those speak about hi
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 63 Ella
I hide in Starbucks across the building from where The Quartet has occupied. It's a tall establishment where its glass walls reflect the ocean-blue sky. It stands among the row of buildings where a narrow and busy street separates the arcade that houses the coffee shop where I am sitting from. Luckily, the coffee shop is a two-storey building where dining is also available on the second floor. I choose the table close to the glass wall that overlooks The Quartet Haven because I can still see anyone entering the main entrance.I'm not sure if I'm successful in concealing myself from James' stalker. I hitched a ride from a truck that delivered frozen goods to our building's cafeteria. The truck took the separate entrance the building administrator designates for deliveries of whatever kind. When it's not food, it's laundry or construction materials.And to further disguise myself, I changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt, then hid my bun underneath a
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 64 Zed (unedited)
I pull the car to the side as soon as I see the renovated building just outside the business zone where Kim Yuan Microelectronics is located. On its right side, stands a billboard that says, “Soon to open, Jamella, Philippines! The font size is so large that anyone from afar can read it. And at the bottom, it also says, “…a five-star restaurant that will serve continental cuisines at its best! At the center are the building and design plan. It looks luxurious and attractive, just as what is expected of my girl. I stare at the building just like seeing Ella, herself. My heart swells with pride for her, even if I can’t tell her that in person. I don’t want to make everything hard for her, including her decision to leave me. But when missing her seems too much to handle, I send her flowers but I don’t write my name. I don’t mind if she thinks it comes from James. Ever since the renovation started, I pass by here every day and do what I’m doing now. It’s not far from the only XYZ Coffee
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 65 Zed (unedited)
I don't understand what Ara says, but what she says on the phone makes me curious. It makes my heartbeats accelerate, but I don't know why. Who is she talking to? And who is marrying Mr. D? Soon after, the door swings open. Ara and mine's eyes locked, and instantly, her mouth drops open. She then hurries to cover her mouth with a hand while a panicked look spreads on her face. "What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice shaking. I point a finger to the next door, which has a metal plate the shape of a man. The shock on her face softens, and then she gives me a curious look. "Are you eavesdropping?" she accuses, throwing me a lethal glare. I scoff. "Is it my fault? You should have taken that call outside. Even my men can hear you." Her eyes flicker in fear. I can even feel her entire body shaking. "Ar, come here. Are you hiding something from me? Are you still my best friend?" She rolls her eyes, but I can still see her odd reaction. "That was some women's talk. You shouldn't
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 66 Yen (unedited)
The door suddenly flies open, making me jump off my seat. I am checking some documents that have given me a headache for hours. And this sudden intrusion gets under my nerves. So I look up and prepare to rant, only to see my best friend stepping into my office like a princess in distress. Ever since Kim removed me from the managerial position, I feel I have lost my freedom. He has appointed me instead as his executive assistant, making me tail wherever he is. I don’t feel bad about this because I understand his intention, and that is to tie me up to him on whatever projects, transactions, or functions we are engaging in. However, this also secures our relationship because I am with him all the time. Being the highly-respected CEO and the highest shareholder of the company, Kim has treated me not just as his equal but as the queen of the company. As a result, my decisions are often the company’s laws, and my words are his rules. “Ara?!” “I’m sorry, First Lady, but I can’t take this
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 67 Ella
Mr. D is already sitting at a corner table by the time I arrive at Jakara Hotel's coffee shop. His eyes dart sharply at me the moment I push the door open. His glare makes me feel awkward as if I am walking naked in his eyes. If I hadn’t known him for a while already, I would have seen him as a different person. But I know Mr. D long enough to vouch that he is not as creepy as he looks; only that he’s weird. Just as I make myself comfortable in front of him, the waiter arrives with a tray of two steaming cups. Having coffee with him in this coffee shop in the past, I peer right away into the latte art. And I giggle as soon as I see two versions of my portrait. “You call Yen as the inspiration. What about me?” I can feel my eyes sparkling at my question. He narrows his gaze on me as if he's just got a new idea. I mean it as a joke only but he seems to take it seriously. I then fish out for my phone from my bag and click on the camera from my peripheral view, my eyes barely leaving hi
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 68 Ella (unedited)
My fingers have almost gone numb as I tap on the screen repeatedly. But no amount of effort can do me the magic of reaching Mr. Greg. Wherever he may be at this time of the day, whether he’s heating his ass on a bed or casting his foul fart into the humid morning breeze, I just can’t get him to appear before my face. I’m already too pissed off to let this marriage issue with Mr. D go unsettled for a day.As if Mr. Luck has suddenly decided to be on my side, I remember it’s Thursday today, the day I have agreed to meet Maezy again. And the day James can freely communicate with me through that fake guard. Picking up my phone, I swipe the screen impatiently and press Maezy’s name.“Hey, Miss Maezy? Can we meet up earlier?”“As you wish, dear,” comes her deep and irritating voice.“Where are you now?”“Jakara Hotel.”I raise my brow, and my lips twist into a smirk.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 69 Ella (unedited)
Silence engulfs us as I drop the words. My knees begin to shake; my heartbeats crack like fireworks. The insults I'm anticipating from him start to play in my mind, scaring the hell out of me, even before I feel his rage. "Ella – " "James, believe me. I'm also shocked," I begin to reason out, expecting that he's going to accuse me of seducing Mr. D. "Ella, if I'll ask you some favors, will you do it for me?" Finally, after what seems like an eternity, he opens his mouth again. I nod vigorously without thinking. "Do you understand why I have tasked you to negotiate with Mr. D?" "To seek revenge for what you are going through now." The words fall bland from my mouth, despising him for his refusal to concede. He committed a crime, so he should have accepted the consequence of his evil deed and not blamed anyone else. "Do you actually feel an ounce of my suffering and humiliation?" "Yes, of course," I tell him. He should have likewise known them beforehand so that he would be so acc
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SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 87 The Epilogue
Zed's POV I stare at the charcoal portraits of two little kids. One painting shows them holding hands, another shows them eating together, and another shows them chasing happily. Those portraits depict my longing to be with the brother I had never met. I don't realize that my tears are already brimming as I recall those days. Those days when I sent those paintings to the orphanage together with my father's monthly allocation for him. I wonder if dad had noticed that I also painted a portrait every month and made sure I finished them before it was time to send them to him. "You keep them," I say, lifting my teary eyes to Dennis. Dennis rolls his eyes. "You made me so poor back then. All the money that daddy sent went to the expensive frames I bought for those portraits." Ella laughs but tears pool at the corners of her beautiful eyes. She looks so divine in her bridal gown; her angelic face matches the glitters of those thousands of diamonds that Den adorned on her wedding dress.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 86 Special Episode 9 ( Ara's POV)
My brows furrow as I look at the woman whose voice rings loud and clear inside the room. She looks like she is in her mid-fifties, but a strong and domineering aura emanates from her. Her presence speaks of authority, and the lift of her chin and fiery gaze is enough to tell she holds a high position that even James bows down in respect. “My queen! Why are you here?” exclaims James, his previous arrogant look melts down against the power and authority of this woman. “Put down your weapons!” she orders, moving her eyes around. The three burly men instantly bend down and put their guns on the floor. I look at James and also find him conceding. He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, then bows down, placing his gun on the floor. “Surrender all the weapons, not only those in your hands!” My eyes grow wide at her command, and my gaze darts toward the men pulling the pistols and knives hidden inside their jackets. I also watch James disengage an oliv
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 85 Special Episode 8 : (Ara's POV)
"Very well," James raises his hands and claps slowly but loudly. He stands at the doorway, slowly pacing towards us. Following behind him are three burly-looking men who quickly spread apart, covering the room's corners. However, his claps are not to applaud but to mock. James is devilishly a handsome man in his mid-thirties but doesn't have the aura of domineering and stunning CEOs. He has gold piercings on his ears, messy bangs that he keeps pushing to the side, and tattoos painting his entire arms. He stands tall in a pair of signature rubber shoes and bleached denim jeans, coupled with a button-up shirt that lays open down to the center of his chest. His figure better fits the definition of a mobster. James looks at Zed and says, "I always know you would come to play the role of a knight in shining armor, saving a damsel in distress." I glance at Zed, now sitting beside Ella and holding her hand. He looks back at James, his eyes keen and watchful.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 84 Special Episode 7 : (Ara's POV)
I feel my fear sucking the air out of me. If I have to see myself in the mirror, I must already be as pale as death’s shade. Zed glances at me worriedly, but his expression is worse than mine. I know very well that he’s not scared for himself but us. Every minute that ticks by feels like taking away some years from my life.“Where are we now?” Mitch asks, her eyes moving around fast. She’s as scared as me!“We’re going uphill,” says Zed. He looks now at Ella, who is now fast asleep due to the sedative that Mitch administered to her. Because of my fear, I didn’t even notice before that an intravenous solution was dripping above her.“Will the baby be alright?” He’s sleeping soundly on the stroller beside the stretcher. I can’t help noticing how Ella has prepared for this.“She must be. I have been able to prepare her needs ahead.”The ambulance then skids to a turn. Mitch and I hurriedly peer through the slits of the curtains and see that we’re entering a wide gate. Zed also peeks out,
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 83 Special Episode 6 : (Ara's POV)
"What are we going to do now?" I whisper, but my eyes dart wide in fear. Mitch and Ella also look back at me with freezing gazes, massive glints of fear and shock ruling their expressions. "Where are we heading?" Ella asks, her gaze shifting among the three of us. "I'll call a backup." Zed pulls out his phone from his back pocket without wasting a second. "Sir, we screwed up. When we reached the clinic, Ella was already in an ambulance. But an enemy has taken the driver's place." "Whose ambulance?" "From the hospital where her OB-Gyne is affiliated." "Where's Monster?" "At the clinic. But the key is with me." I realize that the monster they are talking about is the car we used in coming to the clinic. But, perhaps, it got that name because it is heavily tinted and bullet-proofed, aside from the ammunition loaded inside. "No worries. I have spare keys." "You're following?" Zed asks. "Yes."
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 82 Special Episode 5 (Ara's POV)
Zed moves straight ahead instead of turning to the left as initially planned. So I start presuming that Zed has changed his mind about picking up Ella himself. But then he turns right, and soon, we enter a black gate. “What are we doing here?” I ask Zed. Seeing him unfastening his seatbelt, I also do mine. “Hurry, Ar. We need to change the vehicle, a bullet-proof one.” “Who is living here?” “One of my teams.” Zed jumps down from the car and runs towards my side to open the door for me. But before he reaches me, I have already stepped one foot out. “Ara, just stay here. You will be safe here. This area is heavily guarded, and the security is high. I will pick you up once everything is over. But in case I can’t, my team knows what to do with you,” Zed speaks in utmost tenderness. His face even paints his gratefulness and worry for me. But I don’t like him saying goodbye. I may not be of any help to him, but I want to accompany him until
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 81 Special Episode 4: (Ara's POV)
"Ara, close your eyes and tighten your seatbelt!" I scream even before I see Zed's next move. He then looks over his right shoulder, places his right hand on the top of the steering wheel, then eases off his foot abruptly from the brake pedal. I scream again as the car reverses andaccelerates backward, missing the car that speeds next to us narrowly. "Slow down, Zed! I'm not ready to die yet!" I shout from the top of my lungs as our car is about to collide with another vehicle. And the torture doesn't end. Cars after cars come closer by a thread's width, but luckily, Zed swerves away just in time! Damn, Kim! I wouldn't be in death's mouth if it were not because of him! Is he siding now with James? "Scream as loud as you can, Ar! It eases your fear. Haven't I told you? Kim's kindness is just a show-off?" Zed yell in my left ear, jolting me off from my seat. "My goodness, Zedrick! I don't expect this side of you. How can you fly a
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 80 Special Episode 3 : (Ara's POV)
"You're seeking more trouble, Zed. Do you think James will give you peace?" I am already shaking in anger. Zed is just too stubborn. Just where does this man get his courage from? If he relies on his previous investigation team, I don't believe they're more powerful than the assassin's group. They have been delving into James' case for several years already. They would have solved the case long ago if they were that good. "Let him do what he wants." Zed doesn't look like he is kidding. His eyes are on the road, but his sharp gaze reflects his determination. Silence envelopes inside the car, giving me more time to look left and right, scared that a convoy of vehicles will suddenly overtake and block our way. I am fond of watching suspense movies, and finally, I have become the leading character in my life's drama. My phone suddenly vibrates, and I immediately presume it comes from a bomb planted under my seat. I scream, and Zed s
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 79 Special Episode 2: (Ara's POV)
“Made from finest silk fabrics, this gown is embellished with 1000 diamonds. But this is not the most expensive wedding gown. Kate Middleton’s sparkling wedding tiara alone had 1000 diamonds.” Zed’s face pulls into a stern frown. “Are you meeting me just to show that off? Damn you, Dennis! I admit I can never afford a lavish bridal gown as you do, but believe me, the beauty of the wedding lies not in the expensive gown a bride wears, but the weight of the affection she carries in her heart.” I raise my head this time and peer at these men squarely. I may not have met Dennis yet, the one they call Mr. D, but I heard many things about him from Yen. She even calls him eccentric. And judging from what I am seeing now, he looks far more bizarre than how Yen describes him. How can a man in his right mind calls an ex-fiancé just to show off? “I’m seeing you because I want to ask for your suggestion.” Mr. D shrugs like he doesn’t care about Zed’s reaction. I
