I almost dropped the binoculars from my hand. I was right about my intuition when I saw Tim dressing up to the nines. I just felt it was too inappropriate to be dangling with signature kinds of stuff if your job is to drive for your boss wherever she goes.
I pitied my friend. How would I ever tell her that her boyfriend and her close friend are cheating on her? And I felt sorry for Mr. Kim. But that could be the price for cheating on Maezy on that night at the beach with me. They were already married at that time. I could not blame it on the alcohol because he still had the strength to carry me into the room. But I think his conscience still bothered him because he left. And I was glad he did. If he didn’t, I was so out of my mind that night that I was ready to lose my dignity to him.
The next day, I went to Ara’s house after work. Zed wouldn’t be home until late at night due to his speaking engagement.
“Where’s Tim?” I asked as I sat before a coffee tab
In the morning, I received a call from Miss Trish, Kim Yuan Microelectronics’ personnel-in-charge. She talked about Mr. Kim Mori’s special offer to me. And she also said that if I wish to know more about the company, I could come for an orientation at about ten in the morning. Thinking that Mr. Kim wouldn’t be around since he was on vacation with his wife, I decided to come. To know about the company profile would be pleasant if someone else would do it. The incident that night on the beach would surely distract me if ever Mr. Kim would be the one to do the orientation. I was half expecting this because he offered me the post directly. I reported first to the hospital’s accounting department and filed a leave. At about 9:00 am, I was already on my way to Kim’s company. Standing before the tall building, I watched in awe at its façade. The emerald glass walls reflected the morning sunlight, making it more dazzling and elegant. My thoughts then went to Mr. Kim, and I realized how luc
“I understand,” I mumbled, looking away. He seldom stayed in the house, so he must have poured out his time to his wife. Maezy was still young and sexually active—to the extent of using the art of sex toys. “What do you understand?” Mr. Kim turned to me, and I suddenly got dumbfounded. How could I tell him what was in my mind? “That you are busy, of course. With so many companies to handle, how could you sleep well?” “Really?” Kim gave out a teasing smile, and I almost fainted. “That’s why I need you in my company,” he added, and I got relieved. A click on his seatbelt diverted my attention, so I also unfastened mine. Before he could walk around to open the door for me, I stepped down from the car right away. I didn’t deserve any of his special treatment; he was soon becoming my boss. He led me to a table at the corner, and an attendant came over as soon as we pulled out our seats. “Good morning, sir, ma’am,” the attendant gree
The pounding in my ear got louder. My mouth hung open as I gazed at him, but my mind was quick in suggesting that I shouldn’t be transparent. He might take advantage of my weakness if he knows about my infatuation for him before. I shouldn’t feel this way; I’m already a married woman. “I’m sorry, K-Kim. I don’t get it,” I gave out a weak smile and gathered all my courage to look at him. “Really, Yen? You haven’t remembered anything that night?” “What do you mean?” I hoped I succeeded in my pretension. “That moment when...” He looked at me with a dropped expression, probably, in disbelief. I shook my head slowly, but maybe I was not successful in hiding my reaction. “I was drunk that night, Kim. I remembered you carried me to my room, but I can’t remember anything after that.” He chuckled and stared at me for a while before pulling on the road again. “I wish you did.” I stayed silent after that, but I noticed his stolen glances
As soon as Tim and Maezy left, Kim’s driver called him. “Sir, I’m on the other side of the parking. The engine gets into trouble, and I am working on it.” Without mentioning further about Maezy and Tim, he unlocked his seatbelt and gestured for me to do the same. We both stepped out of the car together, and he waited at the side until I walked towards him. “Let’s go to Dennis. He’ll be taking you back to the city.” Leading the way, soon we were standing before a car on the other side of the parking. The man working on the engine must be Dennis. He stood up and straightened once he sensed our presence. “Sir, ma’am,” he said, smiling at us. I smiled back and nodded. I wondered if Maezy recognized him because Kim sent him apparently to spy on her. Kim seemed to have read my mind because he broke my silence while looking in deep thoughts at the middle-aged man bending down below the car's hood. “She hasn’t met him yet, and
“They’re here,” Kim said as he stared at the approaching boat.It sailed gracefully towards us. Her name ‘Lovely,’ painted blue on the starboard, glittered against the moonlight. We saw Tim and Maezy right away, sitting and hugging each other by the bow.I glanced at Kim, and I saw the hurt in his eyes while watching them. Although he turned our lights off, I could still see his full reactions because of the moonlight. I could feel his pain in his silence, but I didn’t dare to say a thing about it.He followed them with his sharp gaze as they stepped out from the boat and chased each other as they climbed up the islet. Perhaps thinking that this trip was meant for romantic dates, they didn’t seem to care if somebody waslooking at them. I was sure they noticed our boat, but because our lights were off, they probably thought that the people inside were also busy with each other. And even if there were boatmen, they m
Before I raised my head to look at him again, he already turned around to leave. However, he hollered above his shoulder.“Good night, again.” The door then clicked as it locked.I put on the scrub suit right away and stood before the huge mirror. I couldn’t help admiring Kim’s right choice for my size. The blue, floral top and its navy-colored pants looked good on my fair skin. It may not have a tight-hugging cut, but it still emphasized my curves.I tried to lie down on the bed and closed my eyes. But no matter how tight I shut my eyelids, I couldn’t take my thoughts away from Maezy and Tim. I could never promise to keep silent on this matter, but I also had to consider that Ara was pregnant. I was too scared she wouldn't be able to handle her grief.How could Maezy do this to Kim and her friend? What else did she want? Money? Looks? Fame? Kim had it all.Feeling suffocated by these thoughts, I went out to the balcon
Kim burst into a peal of soft laughter. Even with the slight lift of his chin and a tilt of his head, his elegance excluded. Ihad trouble resisting the temptation of staring close at him. Right before my very eyes was the full masculine physique of the man in my dreams. Even if Zed also had his unique and attractive physical traits, he could not surpass the quality and standard of the man Ialways dreamed of being mylife partner. Yet, I knew I couldn’t have everything I want in a man. I loved Zed for whoever he was.“I can’t believe it. Really,” Kim said, looking into my eyes.I returned his gaze and tried to look for hints in his expression. Iwas already dying to know if he still remembered that moment on the beach. Yet, he showed none of them. After all, he was rich and powerful—someone who could summon as many beautiful women as he wants in his bed that myexperience with him was just something ordinary. I wa
Zed and I decided to leave after breakfast. We dined in a small, native cottage along the shore, facing the sea. The view was breathtaking and I felt so awed by the rolling waves’ tiny ripples that glittered against the morning sunlight. Every time I had the chance of communicating with nature, I always basked in such a wonderful feeling that I could never put into words.“How’s your day yesterday with Mr. Mori?” Zed’s voice floated in my earsI looked at him, trying to see hints of jealousy but there was none.“Mr. Kim’s time is gold. He decided to make the trip while discussing business matters with me. He thought he could send me back through his personal driver, but the car’s engine acted out.”“You have already told me about that. There's no problem with that.What I mean is his wife’s betrayal.”“I really don’t know. It’s such a personal matter that
“Kim’s wife? But what about Maezy?” “There’s was no marriage between them.” “What?” I gasped; my eyes almost fell out from their sockets. “Kim is just paying for the price of a sinful indulgence.” I was about to ask further, but the attendant came over to take our orders. I felt like sitting on needles already that I could no longer stay seated for a long time. I excused myself and went up to our room. My mind was flooding with strange thoughts already – from those repeated dreams, the building I saw near the company, Kim’s business partners calling me Jakara. I felt it in my heart that somehow, all these were related to my life. I did a video call with Zed once I got inside the room. He was already changing into a suit, preparing for his speaking engagement that night. The tailored piece that hugged his well-built body made him look extremely gorgeous. I couldn’t even take off my eyes on him. “Is there a problem?” Zed asked, smiling b
"Excuse me, everyone!" Kim's voice sliced through the rising commotion among the board members. And immediately, the atmosphere stilled. "Whatever reason Miss Yen had is none of our business. What we need are her potentials and capabilities. Besides, it's already five years ago." I didn't expect Kim would defend me before those intimidating figures of Kim Yuan Microelectronics, Asian. But he should "But Mr. Mori, people…" the man who dared to voice out his question insisted. Perhaps, he was about to say that my past issues would affect the company's reputation. And people would pester them about it. However, I had no idea what kind of past they were talking about. "Please. Let's move on to another topic. Miss Yen is not ready to talk about it. You may bring out your issues to me later." Kim swept them a chilling gaze, and everyone fell silent after that. I could still see that some of them were about to open their mouths to speak b
I stopped and stared at the building through the glass wall, trying to compare it to the one in my dream."What's wrong?" Kim's voice disrupted my thoughts."Oh, nothing." I resumed walking, but I noticed that Kim was stealing glances at me."What?" I stepped ahead, then turned and faced him, getting his full attention.He held my gaze for a moment then pulled up his brows together. "Why do I feel something is bothering you?"I turned and glanced at the house again. "That building seems familiar."To my surprise, Kim's eyes lit up, and he smiled."Really? You must have seen it in movies. One time, a filming group rented that building."I bit my lower lip and squinted, letting my mind run through my memories. My thoughts then flashed to some movie scenes I had watched before. And Iindeed thought I had seen this building in one of those movies."You're right," I nodded and resumed walking."This way, ple
The ringing from my alarm app pierced into my ears and had me bolting out of the blanket. I proceeded to the corner where I placed my suitcase, then pulled out a new set of business dresses with my thoughts on my dream. Surprisingly, it's about Kim running after me again in that same snow-covered place. What made me wonder more was the seeming continuation of my first dream. It felt like adé·jà vu. Where it had ended in an elevator the last time, it now extended to another scene. And the scene wasn't anything simple or expected but something beyond my imagination– an intimate scene with Kim! Of all the men out there, why him? I even had trouble forgetting that scene with him on the beach one time. Zed is now my husband and should only be the only man in my mind. I was betrayinghim already by imagining Kim during those unsatisfied moments I had with him. I could hardly believe I dreamed of something like that! Yes,
I hurried to flip the cover back to its place as soon as I saw the doorknob moving. And at that moment, I wondered how a thief handles his racing heartbeats every time he steals. All the while I was flipping the pages to hunt for information about Kim, my eyes were also on the door, accompanied by loud pounding in my ears. "Sorry," Kim said as he sat back across from me. "It was Cris, Trish's fiance. He is also joining us in the meeting later. He's one of Kim Yuan's shareholders." "Really? Trish is already engaged?" My eyes sparkled in excitement for her. "Yes. By the way, he's not just a business partner, but a cousin." That explained why Kim and Trish seemed comfortable with each other. From other people's points of view, their closeness seemed unusual. Anyone might even think they were into an illicit love affair. "That's wonderful to know. And why does Trish still work for you? Why not at her fiance's company?" Kim chuckled
In about six hours, we were already stepping on the bustling premises of Tokyo International Airport. Kim's driver in Japan fetched us, and to my surprise, we headed towards a hotel inside the airport, the Royal Park Hotel. "What are we doing here?" I asked, scanning my eyes over the façade of the huge building. "You're pregnant. You need to rest for a while," Kim responded, glancing at the building before us. "Sir Kim, can you take Miss Yen with us on all our coming business trips?" Trish butted in, stopping me from thanking Kim right away. "With her around, I can also enjoy the special treatment for a pregnant woman." "Silly girl. But by the way, Trish, from now on, you will be accompanying Yen in all her travels while she is pregnant." "What?!" Trish squealed, making Kim's driver frown. I couldn't help noticing his reaction from the rear-view mirror. Trish was sitting beside him while Kim sat next to me in the passenger's seat.
“What are you two saying? I have habitual panic attacks?” I burst into the living room after hearing them mentioning the term ‘panic attack.’ “You misunderstood us, Yen. Zed only wants to mean you’re scared of guns and any explosives.” I looked at Zed, then back to Kim. “I’m sorry, dear. I have been used to using the term because it’s sometimes included in oneof my topics, “Overcoming Fears" and "Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zones." I shifted my gaze between the two of them again, although Zed had convinced me with his explanation. Seeing the guilty looks on their faces, I lost my intention to go deeper. And besides, we only have a few minutes left before risking the cancellation of our flight. “Wait, I’ll get your suitcase. Please excuse me, Mr. Mori.” “Please have a seat, Kim.” I walked over to the sofa, leading the way for Kim. I then sat down ahead of him, gesturing for him to sit down across from me. He followed me, b
I woke up in the morning, bothered by the dream. It looked so real to me. Unlike my other dreams, where the settings or location suddenly changed, the succession of that short dream was steady. I wished I had seen the name of the building. But what amazed me more was the snow-covered surroundings. I couldn’t recall that place in the past. I may have been to other countries before because of my job, but I couldn’t imagine myself walking in the snow.Perhaps, Kim’s love story trailer that Ara revealed had hooked me subconsciously because it appeared in my dream. And what made it funnier was that I became the Jakara in that dream. And Kim is in love with me? I giggled. Dreams are indeed crazy! "Good morning, dear!" Zed's voice disrupted my recollection of the dream. The smile on my lips even quickly disappeared. What would Zed think if he sees me smiling to myself? "Good morning. You always wake up early." I gréeted him while pulling myself out o
After dinner, Miss Trish called to inform me that she had already sent the flight details to my email. Zed helped me prepare my things and even placed them in a small suitcase. He made sure that I had all I would need for a two-day trip. Though we only had to be there for a day and would be back by night, Zed wanted me to stay so that I could rest. He thought I would be exhausted at the end of the day. Thus, it wouldn't be good for my pregnancy.We were about to go to bed when my phone sounded. The screen displayed Ara’s face the moment I picked up the phone from the bedside table.“Yen, are you awake?” Ara spoke right into the line as soon as I pressed the blinking green icon."Yes, of course," I replied. "What's up?""It's Tim. I feel something isn't right anymore.""Tell me more.""He told me that Maezy wants him to stay in their house so that he could be there whenever she needs to go somewhere."I frowned and fe