I let out my loudest scream for help when the door banged open, followed by the figure of the man I would admit scared to see. It was Franco! His face displayed the darkest night I had ever seen. His eyes were flaming red to my vision, and his sneer was devouring me little by little. If there was a real face of a monster, it was him. "Don't come any closer, Franco!" my shock was cut in by Iñigo's deep voice. I could see the face of a man prepared to die with him. "Iñigo?!" I whispered with my trembling voice. I held the hem of his shirt as he moved forward, trying to shield me from the monster. "Old man!" even Franco's voice was scary. "You think you can frighten me with that lamp you're holding?" he laughed maniacally. I just noticed now, Iñigo was gripping the lamp he grabbed from the side table. I grasped his shirt tight, wrinkling the fabric, there's no way we could survive this dawn. Till I heard a loud gunshot and saw Iñigo's shoulder bleeding. I screamed, calling his
A soft warm peck on my lips made me moan as I opened my eyes and saw the person carrying me. I was like a baby lying on his lap. He was just staring at me, my man, worries were cleared on those mesmerizing orbs. "Hi?" I asked, a thin smile appeared on my face. "Hi!" he answered. "You scared me to death, you know that?!" then a sweet scolding. I chuckled at his cuteness, but he furrowed his brows at my response. "I'm sorry. How long was I asleep?" I asked not cutting my stares at him. "A couple of hours. Kota already left with Martin and Gwenny is with Adam. Everything is cleaned and fixed, sweetheart. We can go home now!" Desmond answered. I slowly got up as he gently held my back. "What about Donna, Elsa, Alden, and Dante?" I asked again worried something worse happened to them, especially Donna who had blood on the right side of her head when she shot Franco to death. "They're all fine. Donna is at the ward, resting. She's with the rest. Sweetheart, let's go home. You nee
After three months! . . It's spring! Flowers were blooming everywhere in the garden. The shades of red, yellow, pink, and white color the beautiful landscape Iñigo and Elsa had created. A tribute for their loyalty and care for me and my parents. We were still at Desmond's villa. I could always go back to our mansion, but the feeling of emptiness was still there. I felt like that big house was no longer the same home where I was born and raised. It was totally a stranger to me. I was watching the morning sunshine from the balcony of our room when a gentle knock disturbed my senses. "Come in!" that could be Elsa. "Señorita, we're ready!" indeed it was her. "Yes, Elsa. I'm also ready. This is it!" I gladly told her as I hugged her tight. Elsa was like a mother to me. She saw me grow up and she was also a witness of our love with Desmond. Speaking of my man, he must be waiting for me now. "Let's go then!" Elsa uttered with a smile. As we sauntered downstairs, we saw I
Amy Leah POV.."Where to, Miss?" the cab driver asked me upon sitting in the driver's seat. He had just finished putting my luggage in the trunk.I was in front of the airport going to our mansion about two hours drive by car. I just arrived from London where I stayed for five years and this is the first time that I was going home.Reason?!Don Miguel de la Frontera, the chairman of the de la Frontera Group had passed away from illness. I was going to pay him my last respect."To Corinthian, please. Thank you!" I told him in between my sighs.The Corinthian Estate was an enormous, luxurious, and comfortable residential lifestyle experience at the heart of the huge city of New York. Where the Dons and the Doñas resided, mansions from one neighborhood to another. The place was admired and envied by most people outside of the tall brick fence and two-door wide iron gate but for me... this place was nothing but my casa of bleak memories.I was exhausted from the trip. Surely, an eight-h
"Miss, I think there's an accident ahead of us. Sorry, we'll be stuck here for a while!" the cab driver nudged me up with his words and when I opened my eyes, we were in the middle of huge traffic. Indeed an accident happened for I just saw an ambulance drive by followed by two 911 trucks.That would add more time for my lingering mind. I just gave the driver a swift smile and took my sunglasses from my purse. As I put them on, I continued the journey to my past...That was eight years ago!.At the hospital..."Nurse, my nephew here got hit by a jeep. Could you check his bruises?" Samuel politely asked the woman dressed in white. She was holding a clipboard and a bottle of pills."Wait in line! We have so many patients waiting in the emergency room!" the nurse rudely responded and walked past us."But nurse!" Samuel demanded as he glanced at Desmond who was sweating all over due to excruciating pain. "The boy needs to be treated now!" he couldn't help but raise his voice at the medica
Till we reached his ward no one had ever spoken. Samuel opened the door slowly thinking Desmond might be sleeping. The stillness inside gave us the impression of it so. But I stayed foot on the door frame when I saw he was not alone.He was with someone. And this someone was crying...beautifully!"Who is she?" I whispered to Samuel and he was about to answer when the girl turned around and stared at us."Dad!" she called."Valerie, what are you doing here?" Samuel immediately asked. "Pardon me, señorita. She's my daughter!" Samuel apologetically answered."Uncle Samuel, señorita!" I glanced at Desmond accidentally ignoring this Valerie's wave earning a snort from her. Desmond's face looked much better now and his blue eyes that were fixed on me radiated some meanings I couldn't define. He seemed to be happy seeing me here but at the same time, I could also feel his anxiety.I ambled toward him while Samuel followed behind. Valerie was sitting on the edge of his bed and wiping her tear
At exactly eight I arrived at the hospital and saw Desmond in the reception area sitting on the bench. He looked like a visitor with a cast on his right leg waiting for someone while his eyes roamed around. When he glanced at the entrance, he waved at me and tried to get up while holding his crutches.I immediately ran towards him and held his shoulder. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you in your room? Why aren't you in your hospital clothes?" I shot him a series of questions making his beaming eyes squint at me."What do you mean? I told you yesterday, I'm going to bring you to my favorite place today!" he uttered while chuckling at my shocked expression. "You think I was kidding?!""Well, your accident may not be serious but if you're going to force your leg to walk, it will get worse!" I rebutted with my hands showing a quote sign in the air. "C'mon, let's go back to your bed!"I was about to help him walk when he held my hand. I felt the spark clothed over me, my cheeks blush
I gasped as I halted in my thoughts. The cab driver sighed in frustration while we were stuck in the traffic. I glanced at the window adjusting my sunglasses while watching the situation outside."Couldn't be better?!" I heard the driver scoff in annoyance. He slammed his palms on the steering wheel and groaned. "Huh! Road rage at its finest!"His sarcastic remark fluttered my ears curious of his fury, I followed his vision with my gaze. There we both witnessed in the other lane an upset woman driving a white SUV and a man dressed in a suit sitting on the driver's seat inside a new model black Tesla convertible car, the woman was screaming at the top of her lungs to the driver who was calmly listening to her."Looks like the insane woman has a motive!" the driver scoffed while shaking his head in annoyance. I just smiled at him while staring at the woman and the man arguing loudly, they were now catching the attention of everyone on the road and some passersby."Oh, boy! The man is ju
After three months! . . It's spring! Flowers were blooming everywhere in the garden. The shades of red, yellow, pink, and white color the beautiful landscape Iñigo and Elsa had created. A tribute for their loyalty and care for me and my parents. We were still at Desmond's villa. I could always go back to our mansion, but the feeling of emptiness was still there. I felt like that big house was no longer the same home where I was born and raised. It was totally a stranger to me. I was watching the morning sunshine from the balcony of our room when a gentle knock disturbed my senses. "Come in!" that could be Elsa. "Señorita, we're ready!" indeed it was her. "Yes, Elsa. I'm also ready. This is it!" I gladly told her as I hugged her tight. Elsa was like a mother to me. She saw me grow up and she was also a witness of our love with Desmond. Speaking of my man, he must be waiting for me now. "Let's go then!" Elsa uttered with a smile. As we sauntered downstairs, we saw I
A soft warm peck on my lips made me moan as I opened my eyes and saw the person carrying me. I was like a baby lying on his lap. He was just staring at me, my man, worries were cleared on those mesmerizing orbs. "Hi?" I asked, a thin smile appeared on my face. "Hi!" he answered. "You scared me to death, you know that?!" then a sweet scolding. I chuckled at his cuteness, but he furrowed his brows at my response. "I'm sorry. How long was I asleep?" I asked not cutting my stares at him. "A couple of hours. Kota already left with Martin and Gwenny is with Adam. Everything is cleaned and fixed, sweetheart. We can go home now!" Desmond answered. I slowly got up as he gently held my back. "What about Donna, Elsa, Alden, and Dante?" I asked again worried something worse happened to them, especially Donna who had blood on the right side of her head when she shot Franco to death. "They're all fine. Donna is at the ward, resting. She's with the rest. Sweetheart, let's go home. You nee
I let out my loudest scream for help when the door banged open, followed by the figure of the man I would admit scared to see. It was Franco! His face displayed the darkest night I had ever seen. His eyes were flaming red to my vision, and his sneer was devouring me little by little. If there was a real face of a monster, it was him. "Don't come any closer, Franco!" my shock was cut in by Iñigo's deep voice. I could see the face of a man prepared to die with him. "Iñigo?!" I whispered with my trembling voice. I held the hem of his shirt as he moved forward, trying to shield me from the monster. "Old man!" even Franco's voice was scary. "You think you can frighten me with that lamp you're holding?" he laughed maniacally. I just noticed now, Iñigo was gripping the lamp he grabbed from the side table. I grasped his shirt tight, wrinkling the fabric, there's no way we could survive this dawn. Till I heard a loud gunshot and saw Iñigo's shoulder bleeding. I screamed, calling his
"You've failed me, Mrs. Amy Leah Zaborowski. You need to be punished!" he gritted his teeth while he was staring deeply at me. I shivered at the tension rising around us."Des, I- I""First, we have to get out of here!""But ~ But them!""Let Dante and the rest take care of the mess you've caused!" another sharp look before he pulled me up and led me to his car parked at the entrance.I glanced over my shoulder and saw Martin's men firing guns against Divina's goons. Screams and banging of furniture everywhere.It took us only an hour to arrive at Martin's villa. The way he maniacally drove his sports car was evidence that I was in complete trouble. He slammed the door after opening it ignoring that I was still inside."Desmond, let me explain!" my voice cracked as I followed him in quick stride. He wasn't just upset, he was mad.He aggressively turned around and yelled in my face. "You planned to deceive me by fucking me! You lied to me! What the heck were you thinking, Amy Leah?""D
Amy Leah POV.Months had passed....Everything was set. My plan to enter the lion's den was final. Over the past few months that I recuperated, I also asked Desmond to help me with some self-defense and how to hold a gun. At first, he was hesitant but I finally managed to get his approval. I told him it was for my own safety. The bodyguards he hired were not enough for me."Sweetheart, are you sure about this? Don't you really need us?" my husband asked after he rolled down beside me. We just had finished our lovemaking and I took control which to his surprise and satisfaction, he had no idea I could do it. Guess those months of training and building my strength paid off."Baby, I'm just gonna talk to Divina. The spy I assigned to the mansion is 100% sure she crept there every night once in three months to visit my dad's study room. There must be something important in that room that she can't get rid of or can't bring to her wherever she's hiding!" I confidently told him."All righ
"Ams, about that case, I can't help you anymore. I've been cut off!""I told you so!" Desmond interrupted making my eyes roll."Desmond, I need to speak with Adam alone, please!" I needed to get to the bottom of this. It was almost ten years and I couldn't wait for closure and justice. Justice for my father's name and George's death."No!" my husband urged."Desmond, please!""Amy Leah, you don't need to keep your talks with him a secret, okay? Remember, my parents were also victims of that fire...and my friend, Valerie!" the word Valerie came out only a whisper as he side-glanced at Adam who secretly took a glimpse of his reaction."Our best friend, Valerie!" Adam corrected."All right, no one wants to help me get closure. Then I guess I need to continue what I had originally planned!" I was losing my patience. I felt like I was left wandering alone in the dark wilderness."What?! No, Amy Leah. You almost got yourself killed!" Desmond uttered in a loud tone."Wait! I don't follow. Wh
I drove my way to where I was raised. The nest where I spent my childhood life. Although they were only strings of stories from my ex-fiance Warren and my best friend Kota, coz I couldn't still recall most of my memories, I had these weird feelings enveloping me upon stopping in front of this huge iron gate. Emptiness, grief, bliss, rage, and love. Most were love... I shook my head and bobbed it up and down as outlines of doodled past clouded my thoughts."Mom! Dad!" I whispered in the air.My eyes were deeply shut. My temples were pounding, and my head began to hurt like hell. Flashes of memories kept raging at the back of my head. Damn! I just wanted to scream and freak out.Till...A knock on my car window cleared my messy thought. I stared at the uniformed man deeply staring at me through the tinted window. He was checking who was inside.I removed my sunglasses and slowly rolled down the screen. Beads of sweat began emerging on my forehead and my breathing was unstable. But what
"Desmond, I thought you were working at home!" I immediately got my composure and strode toward him. I took a swift stare at the woman staring sternly at me. Martin's eyes were also fixed on me. These three were like, they were skinning me alive."Supposed to be but Martin told me you want to speak with him. Aren't you going to Dakota's flat?" Desmond's tone was flat and cold but beyond that I could feel rage."Been there and she told me that!" I shifted my glance at Martin. I needed to make a new lie. "Martin is blocked in their building. Is that true?" I questioned the mafia man.He cleared his throat first and nodded. The lady in the middle was stunned that her eyes would like to pop out."You're blocked? Martin, how could that be? Did that woman order the admin to do that!""FYI, her name is Dakota, missy!" I abruptly meddled glaring at her. She just stared back at me."Señorita, you might not remember me but we're friends. Well in a short while. I'm Guinevere Basile. Gwenny for s
Amy Leah POV.."Desmond, is that you?" the clock ticked 12, it was now midnight and Desmond just got home. Where had he been?"My bad, sweetheart. It's my fault. I invited Martin to have some drinks!" he hoarsely uttered.I could see his silhouette from the mounted lamp on the wall. His legs wobbled when he walked which only meant- he was drunk!I turned on the lights and the whole wide living room lit up. My man's shirt was a mess. His hair which was always combed well was disheveled. I rushed to his side when he was about to fall on the floor. Good thing his palm pressed the edge of the table by the door."Desmond, are you all right?" my worried voice made him lift his head and he was staring at me with unfathomable eyes. "Des!"He cupped my face, his thumb gently touching my lips. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you in the past!" he uttered softly, I could feel the pain in his heart but I couldn't understand what he was saying."Des, let's go to bed, sweetheart!" I told hi