Ayana stormed into the house, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest, each beat echoing the fury that coursed through her veins. The weight of the encounter with Robert hung heavy on her shoulders, a burden she carried with a mixture of frustration and defiance. She could still feel the heat of his gaze, the venom of his words lingering in the air like a toxic cloud.As she entered the living room, her eyes fell upon Adam, who paced back and forth like a caged lion. His brow was furrowed with anger, his fists clenched at his sides as he muttered curses under his breath. The tension in the room was palpable, crackling with the energy of their shared frustration."Adam," Ayana called out, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. Adam stopped mid-stride, his gaze snapping to hers with a fierce intensity."Ayana," he replied, his voice tight with emotion. "What happened? Are you okay?"Ayana shook her head, her hands trembling with the remnants of adrenaline. "It's Robert,
When Robert opened the door to find Adam's attorney standing on his doorstep, a surge of anger and disbelief coursed through him like a bolt of lightning. His heart pounded in his chest, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he glared at the man before him.‘An attorney? He is not even wearing a friendly look and this is definitely not one of their usual lawyer looks. Did that bitch screw me?’ Robert wondered inwardly as he studied the attorney.His jaw tightened with a mixture of frustration and defiance as he braced himself for what was to come. The sight of the attorney holding an envelope only fueled his rage further, a stark reminder of the obstacles standing between his plans. Wicked plans, because a sensible and trustworthy person would not have it in them to do what he was doing to Ayana after everything he had done in the past.Robert's nostrils flared with every breath as he struggled to contain his emotions. His mind raced with thoughts of defiance and rebellion
After leaving Robert's house, the attorney wasted no time in making a call to Adam, eager to inform him of the successful delivery of the restraining order. With a sense of satisfaction, he dialed Adam's number and waited for the call to connect.As the phone rang on the other end, the attorney's mind raced with thoughts of the impact that the restraining order would have on Robert and his ongoing feud with Adam and Ayana. He knew that the document would not be well received, but he remained steadfast in his commitment to upholding the law and protecting his clients from further harm."Hello, Adam," the attorney greeted as the call connected. "This is Attorney David. I just wanted to inform you that I have successfully delivered the restraining order to Robert."Adam's voice crackled through the phone, his relief palpable even from a distance. "Thank you, Attorney," he replied, his tone tinged with gratitude. "I appreciate your swift action on this matter. Hopefully, this will put an
The evening breeze carried a sense of tranquility as Adam and Ayana sat together on the balcony, surrounded by the soft glow of the night sky. The distant hum of the city below provided a comforting background melody as they indulged in their late-night coffee ritual. Ayana's question lingered in the air, adding a touch of curiosity to the tranquil atmosphere.With a gentle sip of his coffee, Adam turned to meet Ayana's gaze, her eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. He could sense the weight of her question, the unspoken desire to understand him more deeply, to unravel the layers of mystery that surrounded his life.Ayana's voice broke the serene silence, her words carrying a sense of earnestness that resonated with Adam's soul. "Adam, when are you going to tell me what you do for a living?" she asked, her tone soft but filled with genuine interest. "I've been wondering for a while now, and I really want to know."Adam felt a warmth spread through his chest at he
Adam chuckled at her remark, his laughter ringing out into the night like a melody. His eyes sparkled with amusement, his genuine smile lighting up his face as he shook his head in amusement."I guess you could say I have gotten used to it," he replied, his tone laced with humor. "But trust me, there are days when even owning a bank feels like a wild rollercoaster ride. The pressure, the risks, the responsibilities, and everything that comes with it is just so overwhelming sometimes."Ayana grinned at his response, her heart swelling with pride for the man she loved. Despite the magnitude of his success, Adam remained grounded and humble, a testament to his character and integrity.Ayana's voice softened with affection as she spoke. "Well, I'm just glad to know the truth," she began, her words carrying a weight of sincerity. "And I promise to support you every step of the way, although that sounds too cliche, right? I mean, what can I help with in running a bank? All I know is paintin
As Ayana nestled into Adam's embrace, a gentle breeze swept across the balcony, carrying with it a sense of tranquility and serenity. The revelation of Adam's true identity had left her speechless, her mind swirling with a whirlwind of emotions. She looked up at him, her eyes tracing the contours of his face, illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight.As Ayana gazed up at Adam, she found herself enveloped in a sense of admiration and respect that seemed to deepen with each passing moment. It was as though a veil had been lifted, revealing the true extent of his character and the magnitude of his accomplishments. While she had always sensed his integrity, kindness, and compassion during their time together, the revelation of his remarkable achievements added new layers to her understanding of him.In that moment, Ayana felt a profound connection to Adam, realizing that she was in the presence of someone truly exceptional. His humility in the face of his accomplishments only served
In Adam, Ayana saw not just a man of accomplishments, but a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in oneself. His journey was a testament to resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles with grace and dignity.As she listened to him, Ayana couldn't help but feel privileged to be by his side, witnessing his growth and evolution firsthand. He was more than she had ever imagined—a true embodiment of strength, compassion, and integrity.In that moment, Ayana realized that Adam wasn't just someone she admired; he was her partner, her confidant, and her source of inspiration. With him, she felt a sense of purpose and belonging that she had never experienced before.With a heart full of love and admiration, Ayana vowed to stand by Adam's side, supporting him in his endeavors and celebrating his successes. Together, they would continue to inspire each other and make a positive impact on the world around them.As Ayana reflected on their journey together, s
As Adam and Ayana sat together over their late-night coffee, the city's skyline stretched out before them like a canvas painted with the soft hues of twilight. The gentle hum of the city below provided a comforting backdrop to their intimate conversation, a rhythm to their shared moments of reflection and connection.For them, these late-night rendezvous had become a cherished routine—a sacred space where they could escape the chaos of the world and simply be together. With each sip of their coffee, they savored not just the rich flavors, but the depth of their bond, strengthened by the shared experiences they had accumulated along their journey.In the quiet stillness of the night, they found solace in each other's presence, their conversations meandering from the trivial to the profound, from lighthearted banter to deep introspection. They spoke of dreams and aspirations, fears and uncertainties, laying bare their souls in the safety of each other's company.As they watched the city
“Hey! “ Lian spoke with her signature smile, of course. “Why don’t we first stop by calling it a sin? Let us just say that it was casual sex done for the wrong reasons and at the wrong place. But all in all, we were adults, and we both proved a point that day. Of course, it hurts, just a little, because you did not offer exactly what I wanted. But if anything, Adam, I want you to know that I wouldn’t waste a chance with you even now if I had it. I am not ashamed to be on the list of, you know, all of those you have been with.” She then looked at me. “I am sorry to say this too, but at least I got to taste the famous Adam Stone De’Leon!” She smiles, and I think I am beginning to love her smile now. Eyes roll! “You are lucky, Ayana. You both are lucky to have each other. And this is where I wanted to be—to have you look at me the way you are looking at her, with so much love and adoration. Your eyes speak submission every minute they brush her. Even a fool can tell you love her so much.
“What, son?” His father asks.“The merger that you seek with the De’Marios will happen.” Excuse me, what? I snap at him, and I was just to give him a piece of my mind, but a gentle squeaaze of my hand sealed my lips, opting to trust him, hoping that he knows that these bunch of heartless fools do not deserve to benefit even just one bit from me. “But not on the grounds of my marriage to Ayana!”Fantastic! Bingo! God, I so love this man!Eyes flickered on each other for a long moment of screaming silence, until my father had to break the lull. Desperate old man! “What are you talking about, son? You know you are really growing desperate by the day here. And now, we have damages to pay to the Adrianos for what Grace did. Things are weighing down on us, Adam! So, what do you suggest? Anything that will help at all. We will abide!”So, Adriano, are you asking for compensation for the damage that Grace’s actions caused? Well, they seem to be the experts in not letting any opportunity slide
After a long, unnerving moment, the door opens again and freezes on our spot as our house is swamped with people.Yeah!People!And I am not talking about two or three people here, no! This weird woman is the weirdest of all because, how did she pull all these?And yeah, before I forget, I am not talking about just any other people. Not some ordinary people. Naah!We are talking of the De’Leons, Adam’s father and mother; the De’Marios, my parents; and this skinny witch who used to be my sister. And these other people, whom I presume are Lina’s parents,.Forget everyone. Lina and her parents have a score to settle with Adam, and so do the De'Leons, who have the right to be in their son’s house. But these black souls, these people that God gave me as a family? How dare they have the guts to set their feet here, huh? The nerve! The temerity! I mean, after all they have done to me? And this little brat of a witch, after insulting Adam like he was the greatest sinner the world has ever had
“You got my information from my parents? How? When? Why?” I ask.She steadies herself. “It wasn’t intentional. It just so happened that you both were the reason why some dark secret that was kept in the dark for years was leaked out. Our families, the Adrianos, the De’Leons, and the De’Marios had to meet because that was a breach of contract!” She speaks.I get everything about the dark secret and the urgency for the two families to meet, and I can also understand that tabgle. But breach of contract? What was all about that?“Breach…” I throw Adam a glare to ask for clarity, but he seems clueless and lost like I am, so I decide to ease both our curiosities. “Breach of contract? What contract?”“Yes,” she says, throwing Adam a glance, and she speaks, looking at him as if the words were only meant for him. Wasn’t I the one who asked the damn question here? “Our families, the De’Leon’s and the Adriano’s, after settling for compensation and agreeing to bury all that had happened, signed a
“Hey! I am harmless, you know!” The lady, Lina, speaks, and she even has the bravery to smile at me while my hand freely retreats from the mission of shaking her hand.She had no choice but to drop hers in letdown.She is harmless.The woman that supposedly Adam raped years ago is smiling right in my face, and I should not be worried. She is harmless. Harmless, huh?What is this?Why did she come here?“I know who you are,” I murmur, hoping that we don’t have a problem here, but how stupid of me to think, no, to actually hope for that? Why would he come here if there wasn’t fire in the mountain? “Wha…what are you doing here?” I ask.As Adam composes himself and approaches, his trembling hand clasping my waist reveals the struggle within him. It's not merely a physical tremor, but a manifestation of the turmoil in his soul. I sense the weight of his past bearing down on him, an unwelcome guest crashing into the delicate balance he's been striving to maintain.In his touch, I feel the e
The chirping of the early morning birds calls me out of my peaceful sleep. I peel my eyes, and they almost impair with a striking, sharp pain as they collide with the savage rays of the morning sun. I shut them for a minute, but when I don’t feel those strong arms around me, I peel them open in a flash, turning around. Empty space! That explains why the widow's curtains are open, permeating the savage sunrays. He woke up before me. That has never been him. I always wake up enveloped in his arms every single day of the six months that we have been together. What changed? Is it because of that question from last night? This marriage issue? After he asked me that, and after I failed to come up with a straight answer, I just laid my head on his chest and snuggled into his warm embrace. He understood the memo, which meant I was not ready for that kind of conversation. And he respected it, just like he has always done. He pulled me closer and tighter, and we drifted off to sleep. Did I
“Goodnight, mommy,” Angel says after I tuck her to bed, or rather, we tuck her to bed. Me and Adam. She turns to him and says disrespectfully, "Goodnight, Uncle Adam. You two are the best." Some“Alright. Goodnight princess. Have sweet dreams, and your mommy and I love you so very much,” Adam says, kissing her on the forehead before standing up as the sweet little girl closes her eyes.My sweet little angel. My gift is straight from heaven. What can I give God to thank him for bringing her into my life? She is my pride! My joy.“Shall we?” Adam asks, holding my hand, and I don’t waste time. I follow him behind, leaving Lyana’s room as we stroll across to his master's room. Or just simply, our room. This has become our room, just as his house has become my house. We are better off being called a family. A married couple. Because this is what all this depicts. I forgot about my house a long time ago. All that is left is for me to pick up my belongings and settle here for good. Yes, here
Ayana's anger flared, fueled by the woman's bitter accusations. "What I meant was," she retorted, her voice trembling with fury, "I did not know that Robert had a wife. And no, I have never entertained this fool ever since he came back from nowhere, and I never will. For me, he is nothing but some fresh vomit that I can never take back, no matter what."Her words cut through the tension like a knife, carrying a raw honesty that left no room for doubt. Ayana's resolve was unwavering as she stood her ground, refusing to let the woman's scornful words diminish her self-worth."And as you said," Ayana continued, her voice rising with conviction, "I am with my man. A man worth being called a man, and not some trash!"With each word, Ayana reclaimed her power, asserting her worth and dignity in the face of adversity. She refused to be defined by the actions of others, standing tall in her truth and righteousness.Robert's once confident demeanor faltered as Ayana's words pierced through his
All eyes turned towards the unexpected newcomer, a tired and heavily pregnant woman standing before them. Ayana's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight—the woman's weary expression, the telltale swell of her abdomen—indicating she was carrying a child.As confusion clouded Ayana's mind, she searched for answers in the woman's gaze. There was a sense of familiarity—a haunting resemblance to Robert—that sent a chill down Ayana's spine. Could this woman be Robert's wife?What puzzled her was why Robert had suddenly reappeared after six years, pursuing her and their daughter, especially if he had a wife—a pregnant wife, no less.The revelation left Ayana grappling with a myriad of emotions—bewilderment, frustration, and a gnawing sense of unease. She couldn't comprehend why Robert would resurface after all this time, stirring up chaos and turmoil in their lives.The realization hit Ayana like a ton of bricks, her mind reeling at the implications. If this woman was indeed Robert's