ZOE rushed toward the hospital. She asked at the information desk about Helios, but she didn’t use the title: wife this time. She must stop doing it because it’s wrong.Her tears keep on pouring down her cheeks while talking the way toward Helios’s private room. Soon as she got there, she saw the nurse who had just come out of the room and bowed her head when the nurse passed by.Her hands were trembling while her heart thumped so fast. She twisted the doorknob and pushed the door slightly open.Soon as she stepped in, she saw Helios lying on the white bed, unconscious. She sobbed silently as she walked toward him.“Ms. Levine…”Her eyes widened when she saw the two bodyguards that accompanied her during her last school days in college.Guess she’s too occupied that she didn’t notice them.She smiled, but it faded away when she glanced at Helios again. “He didn’t…” she choked and covered her mouth to prevent herself from sobbing.“He didn’t wake up yet, Ms. Levine. But the doctor sa
ZOE reminded herself one fine morning not to be affected by Helios’ cold demeanor toward her.‘It’s for the better, Zoe,’ she thinks to herself as she enters the building.She made the decision to get up early and get to work before seven a.m. And, much to her surprise, the guards informed her that Helios had already entered his office.Helios had begun to treat her coldly since the accident. And here she is, standing in front of his office door, thinking if she will get in or not.She had already printed her resignation letter the day before. But she wasn’t sure if she would give it to him. Finally, she conceals it in the drawer of her table.At the time, she was holding a stack of documents that needed to be signed by Helios, and as her secretary, Zoe couldn’t avoid the fact that he would see him every day. It’ll be fine if she’s in the other department. But sadly, she’s just outside his office.She took a deep breath and sighed before knocking on the door. She twisted the doorknob
IN THE afternoon, Zoe was surprised because Helios really attended his meeting with the investor when in fact, he informed her that he would postpone it because he needed to be in Cali. And what puzzled her more was that he brought her.Helios never brings her to any meetings outside the company. This is the first time.What’s wrong with him?Zoe kept on sighing while they were on their way to the restaurant. She was looking passed through the window. She could feel the awkwardness between them. Their silence is deafening.She’s not used to this, but she will bear with it. It was her choice. If only she got the courage to pass her resignation letter. She will do it right away. But something is stopping her, and she doesn’t know what it is.“This is a new partnership. You should listen and take down notes properly,” at last, Helios broke the silence.Zoe turned to face him, but she saw him looking in front. She pressed her lips together and gave a faint, “mm.”“How’s the report that I
SOON as Zoe arrived in front of their apartment. She frowned when she saw men in suits.‘What are they doing here?’ she thought.She was confused, and suddenly she felt her heart thump fast as she had a terrible hunch about it. She walked towards the door, and her eyes widened when she saw Helios’s father sitting on their old couch while her mother sat across from him.“Mom…” she mumbled and drew the old man’s attention.She saw how a smirk formed on Don Lincoln’s lips. “It was nice to see you, Zoe Levine,” he said, wearing his cold and stern voice. If Helios is scary, his father is more terrifying. As she can at least talk back to Helios but to the old man in front of her, she feels intimidated, and with one wrong word, she thinks she’ll be doomed.“Sit down, Zoe and let us talk,” he said, making Zoe follow like a robot and sit beside her mother.“What do you really want, Don Lincoln?” It was her mother.The old man leaned backward as he rested his arms on the armrest of the old couc
LATE at night, Zoe and her mother talked about moving in, and the good thing is… her mom has a friend in a town in Cali.Of the thing that had happened earlier, they’re afraid that they will get involved with the Lincolns’ businesses. And Zoe knew that what she was doing was for the better.They packed their things before going to bed, and the following day, Zoe went to work early to prepare herself. She waited for an hour before Helios arrived with Ambrose and Cliff.Ambrose waved his hand at her, and Zoe just bowed her head and smiled slightly.Soon as Helios got inside his office, she waited for a few minutes before she pulled out her drawer and grabbed the resignation letter.Whether Helios was going to accept it or not, she had already made her decision. She needs to get away from him.She heaved a deep sigh and smiled at Ambrose and Cliff, who were standing side by side at the door.“What’s wrong, Ms. Levine?” Ambrose asked soon as she stopped a few inches from the door.Zoe sho
IT was eight in the evening when Zoe decided to take a chill in the nearby bar, located just a few blocks from their apartment. While her mother has work to do.They both decided that they would leave Manhattan on Friday.Since she was alone, she just sat at the bar counter while ordering some drinks—just the mild ones. She will not taste any mixtures like Sex on the beach again.“Alone?” the bartender asked while doing her drinks which made Zoe to rolled her eyes.“Did you see any accompany?” she asked sarcastically, making the bartender shake his head and smile.“I never saw you before—”“I’m not in the mood to talk.”The bartender let out a soft chuckle as he pushed her glass in front of her.“Feisty, huh? Since you’re new here, your drinks are on me,” he said.Zoe arched her brow and stared at the guy. “Are you hitting on me?” she asked straightforwardly, making the man laugh once again.Zoe picked up her glass and was about to sip on it when the man spoke again.“You can tell. An
HELIOS cursed inside his head while he stared at Zoe, who sat on the back seat with him.“Sir, where are we taking her?” Ambrose asked as he glanced at the rearview mirror.Helios pressed his lips. “At the penthouse,” he replied.Cliff, who’s in the driver’s seat, started the engine when he heard Helios.“What happened to her, Sir?” Ambrose couldn’t help but ask. He was also concerned about Zoe’s state.“You can see it clearly, Ambrose. Don’t start with me,” Helios replied.Ambrose pressed his lips and sat straight, but he saw how Cliff smirked. He just heaved a deep sigh and remained silent until they reached Helios’s penthouse.“What if Don Lincoln will know about this?” it was Cliff soon as he got off from the car.Helios frowned. “He will not know not unless you said it, right?”Cliff bowed his head. “My apology, Sir.”Helios carried Zoe towards the door, and when Nana saw them, she couldn’t help but ask about what had happened.“I’ll take care of her, Nana. Don’t worry,” Helios s
“ARE you sure about this, Zoe?” Zoe turned around to face her mother. “It’s the best for us, mom.”“You should ask or talk about everything about Helios—”“Mom, please. I don’t want to hear more about it. Look,” she scans her eyes around their luggage, “—we’re already prepared. This is the best decision, mom. Do you want to get involved with their monkey business? Look how Don Lincoln encounters cruel people who even ambushed him. And who knows if they did the same with Helios—”“Okay. All right. I understand. Since it seems like I can’t change your mind, we better must hurry. Pack your things well, and I will just get back to my room and call your aunt Millie.”Zoe nodded her head.Soon as her mother left her room, she threw herself into the small bed, took a deep breath, and sighed loudly.She stared at the ceiling as her mind traveled to Helios. She’s wondering if he’s already awake. Was he looking for her?She smiled. Why is she wondering about it?HELIOS, who just woke up, wen
ZOE’S POVStanding in the hallway, in front of the open door… is Helios. He was holding our daughter’s hand.Is my third eye open as well? I did the sign of a cross and closed my eyes. Lord, God, I may badly want to see him, but this shocked me. I opened my eyes, and he was still there.I also heard the seemingly suppressed laughter of those with me inside.He smiled at me, which made my heart thumps so fast that I could even overhear it. Astonishment registered on my face. Confused…What is this?"Mommy, daddy!" Hela shouted.I looked down at the bouquet of roses that he was holding. It has assorted colors.What’s going on? I turned my gaze to my parents to find an answer. But they just nodded.I backed away when Helios started to walk inward. Our daughter was still next to him, smiling. Helios’s face remains calm as he slowly walks toward me.He stopped a few inches away from me."Baby," his soft voice almost feels so unreal.I shook my head. My vision started to blur again. My hear
ZOE’S POVWhen we got inside the hospital, and inside Helios’s room, I fell on the floor, crying incessantly. They were all inside Helios’s room. Helios is already covered with a white blanket. The apparatuses are also gone.I no longer knew who had pulled me up and led me near him.He gave up!He didn't fight for me... for us.God never answered my prayers.Why?Why do I have to feel this agony?Why do I have to experience this epic romance? I thought things like this would just be in a movie.I immediately hugged his corpse.Corpse?No. I didn’t know what to feel as I hugged his body. Why didn’t he fight for me… for us? Why did he let this happen? Did he not miss us? He promised me. He’s a fighter, but why?“Why?! I screamed. “Why did you leave us? Why did you let go?! You promised that you were going to marry me. You’re being unfair! You’re leaving me alone again while I deliver our child. I want… I also wanted to you—"“Zoe, calm down. Breathe, sweetie. Slowly… Something might hap
ZOE’S POVSIX MONTHS.Six months had passed swiftly, but Helios was still not waking up. There’s still no progress. And I almost wanted to give up, but I knew he was trying to fight. He’s trying to come back for me… for us. And every single thought of losing him almost tears me apart.How many medications have been injected into him? I lost count.I pray every day, especially when I’m on his side, holding his hand, pressing it, and talking to him. I know there’s still hope. And I believe a miracle could exist.Our daughter turned one about a month ago. We celebrated it inside his room, trying to lighten the atmosphere that day, but even if we tried hard, we all knew we couldn’t. We can’t be happy, seeing Helios lying on this hospital bed, apparatuses plunged into some parts of his body and sleeping so sound that it gives a false alarm—that he will let go at any moment.Damn it! May God forgives me. Many people out there wanted to take themselves for useless things. Why should it be hi
“WHAT a cute family?!” shouted Bill and laughed. “Do you think things will be easy just like that? I’m not a fool, Helios. If I die, I will drag you down. And I’m going to take this building down. Now, let’s play, finding the bombs,” he said and grinned.“Helios...”Helios kissed Zoe on her forehead, “Everything’s going to be fine. Let’s get you out,” he said. “Don’t let them escape. Take all of them out of this building!”They were about to leave when Amanda screamed. Her sister’s attention was on Beige. Helios turned to them.“Sir, the bomb in him is activated,” one of the assassins said.“I told you. I’m not a fool, Helios!” shouted Bill, who the two men were holding.Her eyes widened as she trembled because of fear. The timer is only one minute and twenty seconds. Her eyes were enveloped by tears again, as she was afraid of what she was seeing. But Helios led her out. Her chest was heavy as she left the place.“Helios, where’s Sam and Cindy,” she asked between her sobs.“Grant to
BILL came out from an old room and laughed as he pointed a gun at Helios.“Hello, Helios,” he said demonically.The man stopped a few meters from where Helios was. “So, Helios… let’s start some convo, shall we? How are you, my brother?” asked Bill as the muzzle of the gun still aimed at Helios.On the other hand, Helios remained calm that even if he wanted to blow Bill’s head off, he couldn’t because his loved ones were inside.“I’m not your brother,” he replied emphatically.The man laughed. He put down his gun, and his men pointed theirs at Helios.Zoe wiggles and tries to speak even though Helios can’t understand them. Helios glanced at her, and pity registered in the young man’s eyes. And his heart pounded fast when he saw his daughter lying on a wooden table, sleeping as Bea patted her.“Do you like what you see, Helios?” asked Bill.Helios turned to Bill. “No. Let’s end this. Let them go, and you can have me. I’m the only one you need, right?” he said and gritted his teeth.Bill
“I’m begging, Bill. Please, let us go. And please, let me hold my daughter,” Zoe pleaded.Her heart was almost broken because of the constant crying of her daughter, who Bea was holding. They give her milk in the bottle, but her daughter is still dependent on her—she’s breastfeeding the child.How cruel will they be?“B-Bea, please, let me hold my daughter! Let me go!” Her voice was cracked, trying to hold back her tears. “Let me go… let me go,” she said, almost whispering.Bill just laughed while he could see her suffering. What a demon!“That’s right. Feel my wrath, Zoe—Helios’s kryptonite that can serve to be the source of his death,” he said and devilishly laughed along with her daughter’s loud cries.“L-Let me hold my daughter…” she said weakly. She felt dory for her daughter, who won’t stop crying.She doesn’t know where they are. They were immediately blindfolded when they saw the driver on their way to Batangas. When those demons removed their blindfolds, they saw tall trees.
HELIOS went out early to visit Grant’s twin brother, but those guards outside Gunner’s room were already dead when they arrived. They didn’t see any gunshots because all his men were drugged to death, and Gunner was missing.“Damn that, Bill!” Grant murmured as he punched the wall.Ali approached him and touched his left shoulder. “Calm down, Grant. Don’t let your rage eat you.”“How the shits I can calm down? He took Gun—he took my brother!”Helios then let Ali calm his cousin. He massages his temple. Bill is getting on his nerves.“He already found out that we knew his plan and Gunner’s betrayal! And I’m sure he’ll kill Gun! That psychopath will think that Gunner talked about his plans to us. Fuck!”"We need to go back," said Helios."Where to?" asked Calyx.“At home,” Helios replied and twitched the doorknob, and went out of the room. He pulled out his cell phone and called someone to remove the corpses inside the room before the police could see them.When he hung up, his phone ra
THE NEXT day, Helios and his friends leave early. Cindy and Sam decided then that they would stay for a while.“You didn’t come down last night, huh, Zoe? What did you do inside the room?” asked Cindy, carrying her daughter. After bathing her daughter and dressing her, Cindy immediately took the little girl.“Yeah. You left us with those jerks downstairs,” Sam complained while busy tying her shoelaces.Zoe was delighted that Sam could get along and erased the awkwardness.Zoe just shook her head and returned things to her daughter’s bag. “We just talked,” she replied.“Really? Just talking… no touching?” asked Cindy.She rolled her eyes and shook her head.“Ah, that’s why there are hickeys on the top of your left chest and neck?” asked Sam and grinned.“Oh. My. Gosh! Is that hickeys?” uttered Cindy and laughed along with Sam.At that time, she wants to be swallowed by the ground. When she finished, she acted as if she was not affected by the teasing from her friends.“We will be going
IT WAS ten o’clock in the evening when Helios got home. Zoe’s friend is still in the house, and both decided to do a sleepover. Hela Selene was already asleep upstairs. She’s with their maid named Bea.Helios went home not alone. He’s with this guy named Ali, together with Grant and Calyx. She smiled when she saw the reaction of her friend, Cindy. Cindy spits the water she’s drinking when she sees Calyx.They were busy watching when the men arrived. Cindy is at the edge where she back faces the main door—she didn’t expect the arrival of Calyx.Helios approached her and kissed her on the forehead. “Where’s Hela?” he asked.She was about to answer when Cindy and Sam started to tease her. They’ve repeatedly been saying the words, ‘long table’. At the same time, Helios's companions began to whistle.She shook her head and smiled. Then she looked at Helios again. “She’s already asleep. What took you so long?”Helios sat down beside her, and he put his arm around her. He leaned the back of