MICHELLE was shocked to see the man giving him a friendly smile. There’s no way she would have never recognized him; it was his good-boy-next-door charismatic aura and friendly vibe that made every woman in their university turn their heads towards him. The ever-so-sleek Eionn Jackson, who used to be her classmate at college!"Eionn, is that really you? Oh my gosh!" Michelle exclaimed as she walked toward the man.Eionn chuckled, and it brought her ease. Still amazed to see an old friend, Michelle could not help but look at him from head to toe. The man has definitely changed. His entire build and features screamed power and professionalism, and it seemed to be that he had finally achieved a lot of success in life. Wearing an all-black suit, Eionn was a head tuner. Even the employees coming in and out of the company building glanced over their way."I’m glad it’s really you. It’s nice to see you again, Michelle." Eionn smiled at her, and his deep dimples became visible."Likewise," Mi
"IS THAT true? Eionn’s having a project with your husband?"Michelle rode a cab going to Ethan’s parents’ house to pick up Marsha and her nanny, Anna. On her way, she called Megan to tell her the great news: that Eionn Jackson was one of Ethan’s clients."Yes, it’s true. I’m shocked to see him after seven years." Michelle chuckled as she gazed through the car window next to her. "He’s changed. I mean, he looks definitely like a bachelor now.""Oh, my God! Isn’t he the one you had a crush on before?"Michelle fought the urge to roll her eyes at what her best friend beamed at her. Sure, she really had a crush on him in the past. Eionn was a nice guy and she wasn’t like some sort of stone to not feel anything for him, especially when they were practically "college buddies." But that’s all there is. He used to be her crush, a one-fleeting admiration that was long gone. Still, she wanted him to be her friend."Don’t you dare mention it in front of Ethan. I swear I’m going to kill you," she
"GOOD MORNING," Eionn said as she paused at the door to Ethan's office, looking over at Michelle, who was brewing coffee in the pantry.The door of the pantry was opened, and Michelle was standing on the door frame waiting for the coffee to be ready. She spun on Eionn, and was surprised to see him."Good morning, Eionn," she greeted him back. "You have a meeting with Ethan?"Eionn nodded, pocketed his hand as he walked to the pantry with a smile on his face."Ethan is in the conference room discussing the budget approval with the finance team." She then checked her wrist watch. "It might take another thirty minutes. Would you like a coffee while you wait?""Of course, and a good company, please.""Well, my desk is inside his office, anyway. So, I can get you accompanied." Michelle smiled at Eionn."Sounds like you’ve gotten yourself a territorial husband, huh?""No," Michelle said, shaking her head. "My old desk was removed outside his office due to a major renovation, so he decided t
THE NEXT few days passed like a blur. His suspicion towards Eionn continued to grow even more, making him feel such unwanted feelings that engulfed not just his mind, but especially his chest.Eionn and Michelle were practically friends. Even though Ethan was trying to distance Michelle by giving her tasks outside his office, he just couldn’t stop the two from talking whenever they had a chance. Sure, it was nothing but pure friendship for Michelle, but the way he observed Eionn, he was convinced that the man didn’t just see her as a friend back in college. That, more than any other, angered him secretly.The worst part was, he could not call Michelle out. She wasn’t doing anything bad. Her intention—which was friendship—was so pure and he could see it clearly.And so he decided to confront the real problem.Eionn Jackson..."I don’t like the way you stare at my wife, Mr. Jackson," he said straight over lunch in a nearby restaurant.Eionn, who was about to taste his pasta, stopped mid
"WHAT THE HELL, Mich?"Ethan had finally stopped the car. The rain was still pouring hard, and he could not figure out why Michelle acted so weird only because he chose not to answer her question.Sure, he was damn jealous...extremely jealous of the fact that Eionn Jackson could make her smile without any sweat. He could not help but compare himself to an old friend of hers who could make her eyes spark whenever they reminisced about great memories in the past. He was damned jealous of the fact that Eionn could get her attention whenever he talked.And yet, when it came to him, Michelle remained distant, could only offer him a thin smile, and paid him little attention...Ethan knew he did not have any told you to feel that way. Apart from being a contract husband, he was never a kind man towards Michelle. But now that there was a man who came from her past, and was deeply in love with her, Ethan felt suddenly possessive of his wife.Surely, he would have told that. But he couldn’t fin
THE PAIN in Michelle’s heart was excruciating. Her outburst was unexpected, humiliating, but she could no longer take it all back.Amidst of walking, and crying under the rain, a warm hand held her hand, squeezing her palm. Her lips quivered as she came to a halt, turned around only to see Ethan once again. It became even more painful, seeing the soft expression on his face.“I told you to go,” Michelle said coldly.Ethan shook his head, and that made her even more miserable. Her entire being ached so much. She gasped when he pulled her closer, engulfing her in an unexpected hug. He wrapped his arm around her so tight, as if he was afraid to let her go.Michelle was not able to move. They stayed in that position for a while, and all she could hear was the loud beating of her heart inside... no, there was another heartbeat. Was it his?Insane, she told herself. Absolutely insane. There was no way Ethan’s heart would react that way over a mere hug. She tried to push him, but he hugged h
IT FELT surreal...Michelle’s mind was still haywire. She could not believe that Ethan confess that he loved her.After all those years of hoping that her feelings would be returned, it seemed that fate had finally listened to her. It felt like a dream for Michelle. To hear those precious words of assurance from Ethan was something that completed her life, not just as a woman but as a mother for Marsha.And now that their feelings for each other were clear as the blue sky, Michelle would do everything to protect her family; not just Marsha. This time, Ethan too.“Dry your hair,” Michelle said, holding a towel on her hand and giving it to Ethan who sat down on the edge of their bed. “You are going to be sick.”“No, my immune system is good,” he responded, glancing up at her with a smile.They were both done taking a shower after picking up Marsha from Ethan’s parents. Their daughter even wondered why were they soaking wet, and if it was fun to play under the rain. Michelle could not he
IT WAS ONLY an hour or so before Michelle could clock out in the office. She was busy scanning through some documents that Ethan needed after lunch when the office door swung open. Eionn entered the office, and his eyes immediately found hers.“Eionn.” She stood up and immediately walked towards him. “Uhm, what brings you here? Ethan is still in a meeting with the board.”She looked at Eionn, who looked a bit messy, which made her curious. He seemed like he had not gotten some sleep for days...and had been drinking as he smelled reek of alcohol.“I need to talk to him.” Eionn rubbed his forehead, totally stressed out, and then he cursed. “Your husband, I swear I’m going to kill—urgh!”Michelle didn’t like what she heard from Eionn. She stepped back, and gave him a glare.“I do not know what exactly happened between the two of you but please be careful with your words, Eionn. Are you saying you’re going to kill my husband? Why? What did he do for you to say that?” she fired at him in f
"THE VICTIMS were sent to the hospital for proper treatment," the cops told her the moment she arrived in the area where the accident happened. Michelle could not stop crying and asked the policeman which hospital her husband had been brought to, driving immediately as soon as she got the answer she needed. She dialed Megan’s phone number and informed her best friend about the name of the hospital so she could follow because she knew that Andrew also needed her. When she arrived in the hospital, she felt nothing but the dreadful feeling coursing through her. She wanted to compose herself, but her mind was already haywire because of all the worry she had for her husband. It felt like the rest of the world stopped revolving, and all she did was run and run... "Two victims of a car accident were sent to this hospital. Where are they?" she managed to ask the front desk officer. "How are you related to the victims, Ma’am?" "I am the wife of one of them," she answered, taking a deep bre
MICHELLE walked down the stairs with Marcus in her arms. She just finished breastfeeding him and now wanted to hang out with the people in the garden.The Steinfields, her father, and Megan were all out there, preparing for the New Year’s Eve that they would celebrate that night. They all came together to welcome another New Year, and she could not be more thankful that these people came to their house to join them for another chapter of their lives."Look at that little pumpkin. He has gotten bigger, Mich," Gregory commented and immediately took his grandson from her arms.Michelle giggled. "That baby loves to sleep and eat every single time.""He looks definitely like you when you were a baby.""I believe he definitely looks like Ethan. See those marble gray eyes, Dad?"Gregory chuckled. "Well, eyes won’t lie, I guess.""Of course, Dad."She could not help but smile seeing her father try to make Marcus giggle by making faces. It was such an adorable sight, and she felt honored to wi
SHE glanced around the men's boutique, her curious eyes efficiently trying to find good clothes or anything she could give Ethan as a gift for their year-end party. Ethan already had anything; name it and anyone would find it in his vast walk-in closet. That being said, Michelle was having difficulty deciding on the best gift she could give him—that one thing that would make him smile and surprise him."There are so many designer shoes at that corner. But I don’t know which one is good for Andrew," Megan stated, and it was followed with a sigh of defeat. "God, why is it so hard to find gifts for men?"Michelle laughed a bit. She could relate, as she was having difficulty choosing too. It just so happened that they both married men who had everything, so every year they’d end up cracking their heads trying to get them nice gifts."Are you able to choose anything?" Megan curiously asked her.She shook her head, pouting her lips. "Not yet. I don’t think work suits would be a good gift. H
HE brushed his fingertips over the soft angles of his wife’s face and could not help but adore every feature she had. It was his morning routine whenever he got to wake up first in the morning, and he would find his wife still sleeping soundly next to him.Needless to say, he’d become easily addicted to her and to this kind of morning with her. Her strawberry scent that kept him enticed every single day, her soft skin that kept him warm at nights, her laughter and soft touches that kept him sated and content, and her presence that made his world colorfulHe had no idea that a man like him, who had amnesia, could be in love so hard; madly and deeply. However, he wanted to treasure that moment at all costs. This kind of beauty in his life needed to be protected and kept.Michelle’s forehead formed a knot as she lifted her head. A soft moan escaped her closed mouth, which made him smile. Seconds later, she slowly opened her eyes and met his intent gaze."Good morning," he murmured under
"YOU’RE making me crave for sex," Ethan said, kissing her neck and sucking her skin sensually.Michelle’s lips parted. She was in deep pleasure, and whenever Ethan would say things like that, a big lustful part of her was getting more aroused.Her hands traveled around his firm back. She touched the muscles he had there. A moan escaped her lips when Ethan bit her neck firmly, making her dig her nails over her bare skin. She bit her lower lip and shut her eyes, but when Ethan claimed her lips again, everything went so fuzzy.It didn’t take long before the man was able to strip her naked. The cold air brushed against her skin, making her shiver. But when Ethan pulled up to stare at—admire—her naked body, she felt the scorching heat go to her. He looked at her as if she were a piece of beautiful art. The gleaming desire to take her was evident in his marble gray eyes, and the smile of contentment that curled in his lips gave her more confidence."You’re beautiful, Mich..." Ethan said bre
The ring of her cell phone jolted her awake. With a forehead crease, Michelle rose up and quickly turned off the alarm on her cell phone. It was already 6 o’clock in the morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep for at least six hours, but she had to get up and follow the "mom on call" schedule to better take care of her little sunshine—none other than Eionn Marcus.It had been what? A month had passed when she gave birth to their second child, and Michelle could still feel the excitement getting through her whenever she would walk into the nursery room, open the curtained windows to let the sunlight lighten up the entire solemn place, and wake up her little one by planting kisses on his fluffy cheeks.It had been her morning routine. She was strictly following the "mom on call" schedule because it wasn’t only giving her much time to bond with her baby but also making sure that Marcus’ health was always a top priority."Good morning, my little sunshine..." she greeted her baby with a hea
THE CAR was filled with her whimpers, cries and screams. Her nails dug over the leather seat in the passenger seat. She was lying down there, making a few deep breaths to relax herself but the great amount of pain consuming her entire body was making her ballistic and a mess.Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. Her legs and belly were both getting numb as the minutes passed by. Ethan was driving the car so fast, completely alarmed by her situation. He was panicking so much, and so even she was in great pain, she reminded him to drive carefully as she didn’t want them to get into some road accident.“Oh, my God...” she murmured, crying. “I think I’m going to die. He’s coming out. Faster, Ethan!”“Uhm, you just told me to slow down a bit,” Ethan said nervously.“Fuck. I swear this will be the last time you’d be able to impregnate me!” she screamed on the top of her lungs and made a push before she took a few deep breaths again. “I really swear to God—““Calm down, Mich! We’re on
AFTER A MONTH, "WILL you be fine without us?" Michelle looked at her father. At first, she thought that the old man was teasing her, seeing how he curled his lips downward, but she realized that he was actually worried, seeing the worry in his eyes. Still smiling, she took a deep breath and softened her expression as she looked at her father, who she hadn't realized had become more frail as time passed. She was so busy with her life that she wasn’t able to watch out for her father. Distracted by what life had thrown her way, she didn’t notice that her father was really getting older. "I’m going to be fine." She checked over her shoulder and found Ethan, who was fixing a chandelier’s light bulb in the living room. "Ethan will be here, so you shouldn’t worry that much. I hope you and Marsha would enjoy hanging out." Her old man laughed heartily, shaking his head. He and Marsha would go to the school where they enrolled the little girl. It was going to be Marsha’s first day in her ne
"GOSH, you have to calm down, Mich!" Megan said.Michelle shook her head, pacing back and forth in the living room. Her mother-in-law called an hour ago, saying that they would send Ethan back home. Selene did not mention whether the result of the surgery turned out well or not, so she could not calm down a bit even though the people around her were telling her to do so.Megan and Andrew came to visit as they were excited to find out how the surgery went. All of them were in the living room, waiting for her husband to arrive. Holding her pregnant belly, she didn’t stop walking around, getting very impatient as she wanted to know how the surgery turned out for Ethan."I don’t understand why Mom didn’t tell me how it went," she said and stopped in front of them, biting her fingernails. "Do you think it went bad and that’s why she couldn’t tell me?""We can’t assume, Mich," her father said, sipping on his coffee."Your Dad is right. We can’t assume unless we see it personally," Andrew ad