* Reda Faith *"Bye dear, have a safe flight."My grandpa was smiling ear to ear as he helped me put my luggage at the back of my car. I knew that he would go fishing at the inner harbor of Fremantle again after I left for my flight. "Thanks, Grandpa, enjoy fishing with your friends!""I do, and if there's a good catch, I'll make sure that you can have some when you come back.""Oh, thank you, grandpa."I got in the driver's seat and started the engine of my brand-new white Honda CRV. The first thing I bought after getting a job at the S&A airlines. Dad was still at work but I knew that he would send me a message before my flight, he knows that I have work starting today from Perth to Manila and Singapore then back. My job pays well, I am even earning a few dollars higher than that of my father. Grandpa is also loving the place and he has found friends who enjoy fishing. There is a huge community of Filipinos in Australia and most of them are very friendly and helpful. The idea to mi
* Reda *"Axel"I spill out his name in surprise, of all the people around the world who could have reserved all the VIP seats of the first class. Why it so happened to be him, I met his gaze and felt the familiar spark. His eyes held the same power, and yet I could tell that he did not expect to see me on board the same plane with him. The glass of whiskey in my eyes felt cold from my palm and I had to put it on the table in front of him. Feeling the heat of his gaze while I leaned over.Pretending that it was alright, but it is very much far from it. My heart is thumping wildly inside my chest, he is still the same handsome and arrogant yet I fell for him."I did not expect to see you here Reda. But this is rather a pleasant surprise, how was it since the last time we saw each other?"The question came out natural but his voice was so manly and I could only imagine the last time his lips were on my ears whispering. I had to blink my eyes and throw those memories away from my head. I
* Reda Faith *I felt small but not enough to hide beside Henry when the plane landed safely at the airport in Singapore and we had to stand at the exit to say goodbye to our VIP passengers. I wonder how I did not notice him when they entered the plane and yet now as they have to go all I could ever think about is how to hide myself because I am very much aware of his presence inside the plane this whole time. And my heart has been acting all over my chest like it wanted to leave my body and follow Axel."Thank you for flying with us, enjoy your stay in Singapore!"Carla has been extra sweet, bidding her goodbye to the men who came out first. Axel was the last one to stand on his seat and his eyes were already with me before he moved forward. His physique intimidating even for Henry whose height was almost similar to his and his build the same, but Axel held himself with such a strong aura and his attitude could not match any man that I have ever seen."I'll see you soon Reda."His lo
* Axel *"You seem to be in a good mood Boss."The short comment came from Donte as we took the elevator above to one of the five-star hotels in Singapore. I pretended like I wasn't glad to have the small piece of paper in my pocket from the flight attendant named Carla. She wrote the room number and the hotel name where Reda was staying, it was easier to speak to her than to get Reda's attention inside the plane. Although the woman was a little disappointed that I was more interested in her colleague than her she was glad to help me with the information."I am glad that you are here Donte, it was wise to bring you on this trip."Donte groans as Rocus and Rafael curiously look at him. "Why, I don't think I am the reason why you are such in a good mood. That is not true that it's because of me, more like something to do with the piece of paper that you slip inside your pocket."I put my hand up in front of Donte's face to let him stop talking. The elevator stopped on the top floor of
* Axel *Donte is with me inside the elevator while it's going down, I hate to fight him and insist on keeping him inside the upper floors. He is the most stubborn among the members of my family, his intentions are for my safety. However, I am going down three floors to see Reda who's in the same hotel as us. I was lucky to get rid of the two, Rafael and Rocus but Donte is a little hard to shake off when he has already read me from the moment that I saw her again on the plane."Don't worry about a thing, she won't even notice that I am waiting outside."A sigh of relief escaped my mouth when I heard his comment. It would be awkward to let him inside Reda's room, and I am not even sure if she would let me in. I have about an hour or two before Rafael and Rocus come back, I don't want to have to explain to them who I met with. Unlike how much I am open with all the details to Donte."Great, that is very convenient Donte."My sarcastic remark did not even register in the blank expression
* Reda Faith *My heart racing faster than when I was running on the treadmill, with his hands holding both my palms I couldn't even have enough strength to pull them back away from him. His warmth filled my skin and my whole body became fully aware of his appeal like a prey I am lured towards him. But I should think back on how my father was unhappy with him, how he was smiling back then when I moved with him to Australia. My mind is ruling over my heart, I can't be with him if it would cause so much pain and sadness for my Dad and my grandpa."Axel, I. Please let go of my hand."For a moment he was confused and his hand refused to let go which I did have not enough strength to pull back again."You are different Reda, something has changed. Even I could tell that there are no lovers around you but I am wrong to think that there are no men. There are two, which you deeply cared about. But that wouldn't stop me, now that I have seen you again I have decided on one thing."His eyes loo
* Axel *Her lips are so soft and her body feels like it's only fitted against mine. If I were to follow my instinct, I would tear off her piece of clothing and throw them anywhere inside her room pull her closer, and lift her to where her bed is and God knows the rest. But I need to stop, it doesn't matter how much I crave for her right now but I don't want to ruin the special moment where I could start something better with her. Something worthy to be cherished, unlike what happened between us a year before."Oh God Reda, I could take you right here and now just behind this door."I lifted her with my right hand on her buttocks and the other on her soft chest while both her arms wrapped around my neck and her mouth was still connected to mine. I lowered my lips on her neck nibbling and kissing her smooth skin leaving tiny marks that would stay for a few days a reminder that she's mine. She softly mumbled something incoherent and I couldn't stop myself from grinding against the middl
* Reda Faith *My eyes flew open as soon as the sun came out from the clouds, and the memories of Axel inside the room yesterday were so vivid that I could still smell his scent around me. The noise of the alarm from my phone followed by a text message alert made me up quickly. I grab the phone from my bedside table and see what she messages me about. Then groaned when I read that she wanted us to have breakfast together. Axel is expecting me around eight so I sent her a text that I couldn't make it without any particular reason.Of course, she then asked me why, but that one I chose not to reply and instead went ahead to the bathroom and took a bath. I am trying to convince myself that I am not excited to meet him but it was the only thing I thought about the whole night before I closed my eyes and slept. After my bath, the next thing I did was to find the perfect outfit for the date. Date? I wanted to kick myself for thinking that I was having a romantic date with him, but there was
* Reda Faith *It was exactly one month and two weeks when I noticed my body started to change, in the morning I felt nauseous, and often I take naps in the afternoon and wake up at night. Which is unusual, my body feels tired even though I haven't done a single chore all day. I need a check-up with the doctor but I also need to keep this from my Dad and grandpa. For some reason, I'm afraid that I have conceived and might be having Axel's child.The thought have may stressed out, but in the bottom of my heart I felt a little glad that it was from the man I love. Whatever the situation is, a child is a blessing and I have to confirm it soon."Are you alright Reda dear?" From looking at the glass of milk in front of me on the dining table, my eyes look up to face Grandpa."Good morning Grandpa. I am fine, please don't worry about me."He nodded but still his eyes looked worried before he turned towards the backdoor that led to his garden. "Come on out dear, you might need a little bit
* Reda Faith *Days have passed by until it became weeks. I tried to keep myself busy by going out to the malls and buying things that I didn't need. Pretending that everything is alright, that I am enjoying my vacation. Dad did not ask me again for my job, but I knew that he would be asking soon. Then it was one month when I felt more tired than ever. Perhaps what I felt was more emotional than physical, because I had a hard time sleeping whenever I thought of him. He can't call me because I changed my number and blocked him on my phone.But one day when I was just sleeping and woke up late, I heard my Dad and my grandpa in the living room watching the news. I walk out of my bedroom surprised to see the time on the wall clock that strikes at five pm."Hello dear, you woke up just now?"Grandpa turned his head from the television and into me. After breakfast, I was feeling sleepy since I hadn't slept the night before. And was not aware of the time I slept and woke up just now."Yes Gr
* Reda Faith *As the cold wind blew my hair at the side of the street where I waited for my Dad to pick me up outside the airport, I couldn't stop myself from thinking of him and how is he doing at the moment. I know that he already found out that I left and the reason behind it. It's easy knowing that I left the clue on the small table beside our bed. I took a deep breath in and filled my lungs with courage in order not to let those tears drop again. I cried at my seat on the plane while I was on board, good thing that the seat beside me was empty.I waited for a few more minutes until I recognized my Dad's car approaching. He went out after stopping beside the road and came towards me."Welcome back Reda, let me get your luggage sweetie.""Thank you, Dad."He quickly took the luggage away from me and brought it to the back of the car while I opened the door beside the driver's seat and got inside. He then joined me and maneuvered the car back to the road."So, how was Singapore? An
* Axel *I waited for the lawyer to finish all the matters concerning the police before leaving the casino. It wasn't long before the police informed him that someone had already surrendered himself at the police station for the murder of Mister Bernard Ang. The fast act only came from Julliana of course, I know she did it after I agreed that she use my casino to deal with some of her clients. "Boss, did the lawyer call you?"Donte went inside my office right after I spoke with the lawyer on my phone. Following behind him is Rafael. Both of them refused to leave as soon as they found out that I was taking over time."Yes, and you all focus on the construction of the interior. The casino has to finish and operate soon."They looked at each other and both nodded. "I am in it Boss, the workers will be well compensated for overtime starting tomorrow and I guess one more month and we can start operating.""Great! Now it's time to go home, it's late and it has been a long day."They walke
* Axel *As we were on the road to the casino building, Donte got a call from Rafael as he was the one in charge of the unfinished building. I let my eyes wander on the road and recalled the conversation I had with Julliana. I didn't like the way her face was giving strange reactions that I couldn't read behind those dark glasses and I felt that something was off. The series of explicit words coming from Donte as he speaks on the phone made my eyes turn towards him. He looks tense while holding the mobile phone and then turning it off as an indication that he finished talking."What is it, Donte?"He exhaled sharply as he met my gaze."There are police in the area Boss, it's better if you stay in the car while I go check what's going on."My eyes widened. If police are involved it could only mean that something bad had happened to our building."Damn it! What happened? I can't possibly just stay in the car if there is something serious going on with the casino!"Donte shook his head.
* Axel *"Hello there! Didn't think you were here early?"With her dark shades on, I could still spot her on especially when the expensive restaurant is not too crowded. Donte seated on the farthest table from us made sure to come with me, and I didn't refuse the idea since having him around is the safest for me."I wasn't here for a long time, just arrived a few minutes and ordered something refreshing to drink first."Her lips curved in a smile before standing up to greet me with a hug and a brief kiss on my cheek. I could feel the tension from her and recognized her three bodyguards sitting not far from us. The waiter immediately came forward for my order, and I asked for a glass of water and a shot of whiskey."What's up Julliana? I thought you were busy with the business that you're running, why have you invited me out for lunch?"I know that the casino issue was not really what she wanted to talk about and she just made it as an excuse to meet me. "Your casino is almost finished
* Reda Faith *For hours, I locked myself inside the bedroom crying my heart out until I figured out the things that I had to do. It was all too much to bear, that I find difficult to comprehend or believe that everything is true. Yet the evidence is screaming right in front of me. The paper signed by Axel himself and Julliana, the truth that they were married. How could something like that happened, why did Axel hide everything from me?"Ma'am, are you alright?"Following the knocks on the bedroom door was the voice of Ana who sounded worried as she might have heard me. It is time for lunch and I have not gone out of the room telling her what to cook. I wiped my face with the tissue beside me and moved to stand up from the edge of the bed where I was sitting. I opened the door to see her standing."I am not hungry Ana, please go have lunch and then you can leave for the day."The surprise was written all over her face along with the worry. "Are you sure ma'am? Would you like me to ge
* Reda Faith *Three days after that sweet romantic night, our relationship had just gotten stronger and the hours passed by like it was nothing. However, without the knowledge of my family, I contacted the airlines and tendered my resignation. Following the plan of my future husband, I am happy to be spending the rest of my life with him. Too happy to defy my father, still I didn't have enough courage to tell him about our relationship, and just like what Axel had planned after two weeks more we would go to Australia together."Ma'am, someone's outside the door. It's a woman. Shall I open the door?"From browsing on my laptop, I looked towards the bedroom door where Ana was talking. My brows furrowed as I stood up to follow her."How long was she standing there outside?""A few seconds ma'am, I supposed."I took a look at the peephole and saw, Miss Goh. "Go back to what you are doing Ana, I'll talk to her."She looked at me and then exhaled, thinking that I probably knew who was on t
* Reda Faith *I could not measure the amount of happiness that I felt because of his gift. It's a feeling as though I am being put into the clouds, just like they said that a diamond is a girl's best friend and maybe that is why feeling it around my neck made me feel important. Suddenly I felt that I was the most cherished person in his life, not because of the expensive diamonds but because he chose to give them to me. The dinner went well with the romantic music that a is playing in the air."How's your food sweetheart?"I meet his gaze before I answer. "It's great, this restaurant is not expensive for no reason. The chef must have done a great job serving us such delicious food."He chuckles and lowers his head to accommodate his spoon. Then I had a glimpse of the people behind him, it's impossible not to notice the woman from the other table. She's wearing a fancy gold dress embroidered with sparkling stones and when she moves her body sways showing delicate pearl white skin. She