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2024-10-29 19:42:56I fell asleep right away after I placed my head on my pillow. And maybe because I had been under a lot of stress lately, I didn’t have a deep sleep. Dreams started to float in my mind, troubling my usual dreamless sleep.
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The Tough Five
Ara: Girls, listen. I met a friend today. She said she has a friend who offers an accounting job in
Japan. Would you mind telling me if you are interested?
Julie: Really, girl? Tell her I’m interested. How much is the rate?
Ara: Speaking of rates, OMG! Higher than you can imagine. I’ll send the details to your email.
Vilma: That’s great, Ar. You may use the experience in applying for another job in the future. Could you send me the details also?
Ara: @Vilma, sure. Right now.
Stacey: The Tough Five should go. How’s that, ladies?
Yen: I’m in!
I then saw myself squealing with my
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SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 32
I felt like I waited an eternity for the sun to rise so thatI could go to Maezy's house and see her mother. Sleep eluded me already after all those bothersome dreams. I had the feeling that those were not mere dreams but memories because I didn't have a deep sleep. I could even hear the sound of the cars that passed by."Want to take a walk?" Zed asked as he sipped his coffee and me on my milk."No. I'll go to Maezy's house.""Is it something urgent that you can't wait until you see Mr. Moriin the office?"I shook my head and knitted my brows, reminding me of my guilt."It's not him, but Maezy.""Okay. I'll take a round. Then, I'll prepare your dress for work."That statement moved me again. I realized Zed did all the household chores since I started working, including the laundry. I couldn't even help in cleaning the house, or in preparing our meals. Zed was like a superman who did everything, yet I never heard him
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 33
My heart broke when I saw how Maezy treated her mother. After threatening to report her to the police, Nag Zabeth bolted away faster than a flash of lightning. My shoulders also drooped in frustration, but I swore I wouldn't stop until I get what I want.I could have asked my parents directly about it, but I didn't want to. I wanted to blast their minds with the news that I had already discovered their secret. I never felt bad at them -- and what right did I have if I would? They picked me up from wherever I was and loved me as their own. My only wish was to know why my mother gave me to someone else."I don't want you to talk to my mother because you will only confuse her," Maezy's voice broke into my thoughts.I got startled. I didn't expect she was still there because my attention was on Nang Zabeth, who fled before me."I don't understand," I said, giving her a smirk afterward. "Why would I confuse her?"She got tongue-tied for a while, throwin
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 34
“Dear, are you alright?” Zed’s voice cut into my train of thoughts.I blinked and stared at him, wondering for a second if he was still a part of the scene in my mind.“You looked unwell. What’s wrong?” Zed sat beside me and pulled me close to him. “I wonder what takes you so long, so I come here to look for you.”I smiled and glanced at him. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”“Because you lack sleep,” he said, rubbing the edge of my shoulder. “I’ll go back and get the car so that you won’t have to walk.”I thought so, too, so I nodded. And while I rested my mind by closing my eyes, I suddenly heard the sound of someone jumping in front of me.“Ta-daa! I’m back!” Nang Zabeth happily exclaimed. “I tricked Maria Zenaida into thinking that I went away, but the truth was that I hid behind a house. Do you really want to trea
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 35
I called the waiter right away to order some coffee. And only when she took a sip did she continue speaking.“Maria and I were best friends, and we were both working for Mr.& Mrs. Williams. She’s as lovely as you. And do you know that you’re her replica?”“No,” I answered, trying to control my emotion and my anger due to her delay. However, she enjoyed the suspense like it was leisure to put me on a cliffhanger.“One time, he had a one-night stand with Maria out of his drunken state and she got pregnant. She tried to hide it from him, but eventually, Mr. William knew about it. He let her raise the child and let her continue working for his family. He even asked his wife to adopt the child as their own because they were childless.”“Does Mrs. Williams know that I am his daughter?”“Yes, after she gave birth to you. She got so angry that she filed charges against her fo
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 36
Are you holding a fault against me?” He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes.“No. I want to know the truth.”“The first time happened when I was drunk, and the second time happened after she forced herself on me while I was also drunk. And believe me, nothing happened after that.”I scoffed, half-amused, for being jealous of Kim while he assumed Zed and I did it many times as a married couple.“It doesn’t matter.”“Really?” Kim laughed, then pulled me over for a kiss.“By the way, when did you stop investigating my case?” I pulled myself upright so that I could look straight into his eyes.“When I learned that the last video footage showed Zed taking you out of the room.”I froze. That’s exactly how I saw it on Maezy’s video.“What could that mean?” My voice turned hoarse suddenly.“The fact that Ze
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 37
“Please, excuse me.” I looked at Kim, then at the man who sat in front of us. “I have something to take care of.”Kim gazed back at me, and he looked like he was worried at my reaction.“I’ll walk you to your office,” he said, standing up ahead of me.“No need. You’re in a meeting.”“Your need comes first before others," he said, giving me a zipped smile.“How sweet! I'm surprised that the love six years ago has never waned," said the man in front of us, chuckling afterward, and Kim glared at him.“You knew about this ever since, did you? Or else, I wouldn’t have invested much In finding the culprit of her misery,” Kim said, bending over so that only him could hear what he said.“Of course. I’m sorry that you haven’t found any evidence yet.”“Not yet for now,” Kim already hissed.The man scoffed a
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 38
"Her urinalysis shows she has a urinary tract infection," the doctor explained after she flippedthe pages of the chart. “And that explains her chills and fever.”“Is stress the cause of the infection?” I asked, having nothing else in mind to blame for her illness.The doctor looked at me and smiled, and her eyes fell on my abdomen afterward. I wondered if an obstetrician can tell if a woman is pregnant or not by just looking at you, but that gaze she threw at my lower abdomen suggested that she thought I was one. However, she didn’t say anything about it but answered my question instead.“Pregnant women are at increased risk for UTIs because of the changes in the urinary tract. Since the uterus sits directly on top of the bladder, its increased weight over time can block the drainage of urine from the bladder, trapping bacteria inside it. And that causes the infection.”I nodded and smiled, subconsciously ru
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 39
“I know my husband more than anyone else. So don’t fret me with your lies.” I raised my brows and smirked, ignoring Maezy afterward.“I hope you won’t come begging at me in the future for some evidence,” she replied, giving me a leering look. She then slammed the door shut, and I felt my eardrums bursting afterward.Worse than the stressful incidents I had been through, this revelation about Zed bothered me more. I could never accept that the kindness and thoughtfulness of Zed had some darkness behind it. It hurt me even deeper to know that his major flaw was not only his sexual incapabilities for having Erectile Dysfunction Syndrome, but also for being the mastermind of my emotional turmoil.I hurried to leave Ara's house and went directly to the hospital to bring some things she might need. But because she was asleep when I arrived, I did not disturb her anymore. I just touched her forehead, and seeing that she’s
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SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 51
My mom almost fainted when she saw me standing outside the door with Kim. Her eyes were on his arm on my shoulders, and I could tell by her expression that she was gritting her teeth in anger. “Where do we fail in raising you, Yen? Why do you bring another man into the house? Is it because he’s richer? Why? Are you not content with Zed’s income?” I was taught to keep silent every time my parents scolded me, so I just swallowed all her hurting words. “Come inside and let’s hear what your dad hasto say. You put us all into shame.” My knees trembled right away as I imagined dad slapping me in front of Kim. If that would happen,I would surelydie in shame. So, when I heard his footsteps on the stairs, I held Kim’s hand tighter. Kim also raised his arm again and pulled me close to him. Damn it, my mom’s eyes almost fell out from their sockets. “Yen, you’ve finally remembered us. Do you have any idea how many times we went to your h
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 50
I waited until Dr. Vergara came back. Her eyes flew wide as she saw me holding a record of another patient.“Miss Yen, this is not allowed. All records must be confidential,” she explained politely, even though her voice didn’t conceal her being upset with me.“I understand, doc, but he is my husband. So, if you tell me everything, that would save him from my lifetimehatred.”The doctor sighed, but she began telling me a little about Zed.“He’s been with me for a couple of months already. However, I believe that the reason he’s not improving yet is because of the secrets he hides from you. If you want to know more, talk to him.”I hurried out of the doctor’s clinic. And for the first time in 6 months, I stepped into the place that created my best memories with Zed. The grass had grown tall, and dried leaves filled the lawn. But it looked like no one was living here anymore.
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 49
I moved out of Zed’s houseright after I was discharged from the hospital. I even refused to stay at Ara’s house since I didn’t want to live near Zed anymore. I only came to her house when she informed me of her flight to the USA. And that happened after six months.“Yen, you should listen to Zed. I’m not telling you to go back to him, but at least you talk things out.”“I wouldn’t dare anymore.”“How about your marriage annulment?” Ara asked, but I didn’t believe she didn’t know anything.“Only his lawyer came. Zed has decided to make everything smooth for me by not appearing during the hearing. Both of us signed waivers. I refused to have a share in his house, car, and businesses.”“It’s sad, Yen, but I’m after your happiness. I guess you are happier with Kim.”I didn't tell Ara that I also asked Kim for some space and tim
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 48
When Zed slammed the door shut, I went out of the room. But then I felt a cramping sensation in my lower abdomen. I hurried upstairs to rest, ignoring Zed's calls.This was what I was too scared about. That this constant nervousness and tension I went through would eventually bear me down and risk my pregnancy. I forced myself to sleep, hoping that this cramping would be gone when I wake up. But somehow, the symptoms persisted until morning.I took a quick shower, preparing myself to see Dr. Mitch. I also wondered where Zed had gone to, but I shook it off, thinking that Zed wouldn't want to see me after that conversation with Kim.I was already pulling out of the garage when Ara called."Where have you been? Zed had been drinking all night.""Zed? He doesn't drink," I argued, but Ara insisted that he did."He fell asleep here on the porch. He thought you would come here after running away.""Don't wake him up," I said. "Let him sleep
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 47
I hurried away from the hotel, pushing away Kim and Zed, who tried to hold me. I just didn’t want the confrontation happening this way. But who could stop Maezy from getting back at us? Perhaps she thought I was avenging for Ara when Kim barged into her home and brought Tim’s things with him. She must have also thought that I manipulated Mr. Yuki and Kim that all those things that should be hers went to Ara instead. She was already desperate, and nothing could stop her from suspecting me.I went home and sought a place to hide. Yet, Zed had all the keys to open the rooms, even our guest rooms. Of course, I would have wanted to stay at any hotel or resort, but I didn’t have time to prepare anymore. Moreover, I knew that these two wonderful men were already rushing after me. Luckily, I had thought of the stockroom. And I knew Zed would never think I would hide in that messy place.I turned on the lights and locked the door before I looked for a comforta
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 46
Ara, Zed, and I gathered around a table in the finest restaurant in the city. The day had finally come for all of us to have dinner with Maezy and him. And since we arrived earlier than them, I kept stealing glances at the door. At this time, I had already prepared myself for the worst. I was already too exhausted from constant hiding and running. I had always wanted to protect Zed from hurting, but I had not lived in peace for a long time.“Good evening, everyone!” Kim’s voice jolted me off my seat. I had shifted my attention to the baby inside the stroller because the anxiety was killing me already.“Good evening, Mr. Mori.”“Good evening, sir Kim.”“Good evening, Ja -” Kim greeted, looking at me. I froze for a second, but then he said, “I mean, Yen.” He then took a seat across from me, stealing gazes now and then. But, damn it, his presence was then sending pricks down my spine, es
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 45
“Go ahead. Do everything for her,” Zed replied. He saw me coming, so he met me halfway and pulled me to a corner.“Don’t worry. Ara will be alright. She just needs close monitoring.”I pulled out my phone from my bag and called Tim. He didn’t pick up right away, so my anger escalated. I was already shaking -- aggravated by that sore spot in my heart.“Look at what you did. Do you really think this is the best time to drop your bomb on her? Ara is dying, Tim! She’s in the ICU, and the doctors are attending to her right now. If Ara is not going to make it, you will never see your son. And what’s ironic about it? Your son looks exactly like you!”“Ara has given birth already?” Tim confirmed, shaken by the news.“What do you think? Can’t anything happen to her after picking the best time to shatter her heart?”Zed snatched my phone away because my face had
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 44
“Dear, I will go home. I will prepare the baby’s room.”“Zed, you’re just so excited! The baby will stay with Ara for as long as she is here.”“Ara said she wouldn’t look at the baby. So that the pain of having to be away from him would be bearable for her.”Glints of massive shock must have spread on my face because Zed rubbed my back. I couldn’t believe Ara could do that. But perhaps, she had already thought about that and I had to honor her decision. Some people appear tough on the outside, but they are too weak inside. If she couldn't handle more than her stress over Tim's betrayal now, who am I to judge her? Perhaps, all she needed was time.The nurse picked up the baby and held it out for me. And there was the cute bundle, sleeping soundly in his sky blue bonnet and nappies!"I can't wait to hold her, Zed!" I exclaimed, giggling."You have all the time to do that later. Go to
SINFUL INDULGENCE BOOK 2 43
I felt my strength leaving my body as I stared into Kim’s eyes. I slowly dropped myself to the floor, but Kim was quick to pick me up. He brought me back to the office and placed me on the sofa.“What’s your plan now?” Kim asked.“You know what, how I wish I could turn back the time. I would not have chosen to work for you. I’d rather forget a part of my life than hurting someone who doesn’t deserve it.”“Then what about me, Jakara? I had been searching for you for a long time, and this is what I get?”“But Kim, I still don’t remember the feelings I had for you back then, although I feel comfortable with you around. Aside from that, we have hurt people. You hurt Maezy before by your indifference, and now for discarding her like trash.”“I even think I knew why Maezy seduced Tim. It’s because she’s insecure.”“And because she’s a
