"Señorita, I was about to call you not to attend the board meeting!" George blocked me as I strode to my dad's office. I felt his uneasiness and fear. I glanced around and saw the eyes of our staff staring straight at me. They were either pleased or unhappy to see me, I couldn't tell."Why don't you want me to attend that important meeting, George? Are you scared I might find out something?" I asked and stared at him with a sardonic look. For the first time, I got mad at him.We strode quickly till we reached dad's office. I used to come here when I was young. It wasn't because I wanted to but my dad forced me to watch him run the company. George quietly opened the door and Divina's silhouette appeared in front of us. She was behind a laced curtain and based on her gesture, she wasn't alone."Franco, give me the documents that are needed to be signed later. This company must have a buyer ASAP. I can't wait ~""What did you say? You're not selling this company, Divina. Not in my watch!
My intertwined fingers fidgeted while waiting for everyone in the conference room. I ordered George to arrange an emergency board meeting in the afternoon. After speaking with my dad's former lawyer, I made a decision to tell everyone about the real situation of the company. Much to George's disapproval, he had no choice but to follow my league."Are you sure about this, Amy Leah? You see it's not just Atty. Smith's life who's gonna be in danger here but especially YOU!" I heard a tone of dismay from George who was sitting next to me."Atty. Smith will be safe, George. Don't worry. He will be well taken care of. And for the company, the staff has all the right to know!" I understood his concern but I had no right to give the employees false hope. De La Frontera Group was no longer ours, that's the truth!"They're gonna skin you alive. I'm sure of that!" George sighed deeply. He took his phone from his pocket and called someone. "Iñigo, prepare Amy Leah's car. Make sure it's not tapped
We all halted and stared at the gorgeous woman in business attire. A simple knee-length checkered pencil-cut skirt fit with a checkered coat which length approached her knees. Her blouse was a stretchable black shirt that she tucked inside her skirt.Her long wavy blonde hair draped around her shoulders and at her sexy back. Her aura was in the middle of both sophisticated and tyrannical. Perfect enough to muzzle these barking dogs down.Behind her was a young good looking man who I guess could be her subordinate. Bodyguard perhaps. Speaking of bodyguards, I saw Franco staring straight at me, the corner of his lips curling up forming an irking smirk."Good afternoon, gentlemen!" her voice was elegant, I, myself, couldn't help but gawk at her. "Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Bonifacio, please go back to your seats. We have to finish this discussion with closure!""Hrmm! Excuse me, Miss. This meeting is exclusively for the De La Frontera Group employees. I think you entered the wrong building!" Cain
The moment I set my eyes on her, flashbacks of how those painful but sweet memories of our past lingered in my mind, scratching the wounds, which I thought were healed, deeper. My chest tightened as my saunters became heavy. I planned it all along. These were all part of my five years scheme. These were all part of my revenge. To make her suffer...However, why seeing her again in person made my body tremble like a team of horses galloping inside my chest near my heart. I shut my yearning orbs trying to calm myself down and paint those bitter memories of the past. If that would make me feel stronger in front of her, then I would always scrub my thoughts with those hurtful moments that we shared.Eight years ago...Winter!"Desmond, what's keeping you too long in your room?" my mom asked, a bit crabby.I had been in my room for almost two hours choosing which clothes were I going to wear for a casual working day. Different colors of shirts, shirts with collars, and jackets messily spre
"Hello, señorita Amy Leah!" I shyly waved my hand for a simple hello gaining the attention of the woman on her left, aristocratic look with an angled eyebrow good enough to squeeze me like a bugging bug.Her long slender legs crossed in a dignified manner. Dressed in black sleeves one-piece hugging her curves perfectly. Her hair was tied in a bun with some strands hanging on her ears where dangling diamond earrings almost blinded my sight. The illumination from the Imperial chandelier on the gorgeous paneled ceiling sparked through the crystals striking the brilliance of the jewel...a symbol of her titled Majesty."Samuel, Victor!" Don Miguel greeted us. He stood up with dominance and grace followed by the woman and Amy Leah."Good morning, Señor Miguel, Señora Divina, Señorita Amy Leah!" my elders greeted them with a slight bow and I followed right away."Desmond, how are you feeling, boy? Is your leg okay, now?!"Odd! I was hit by him last October and that was a couple of months ago
Much to my parents' hesitation, they were forced to agree with my decision. After the new year, I had to move to Corinthian and begin my new life. My father believed that the wealthy's kindness had an accompanying favor in return. A favor we might hadn't able to bestow. Thus, my mother, as much as possible, would like to tie me to my bed just to keep me from leaving. The struggle was beyond words to describe.At our dining table, there were always waves of laughter and banters every time we had our meal but this evening, it was awkwardly different. My father focused on his food with a stern look and my mother hurried her plate like she was in a food competition. I couldn't help but feel anxiety, the tension between us was screaming loud at this deafening eerie silence."Mom, you chew the meat well. If not you might get choked!" I tried to take her plate but she glared at me right away."The way I chew my meal isn't of your concern anymore, Desmond!" she grumbled while the marinated por
"Desmond! You're here!" she clamored in gladness. "Samuel, good afternoon. Please, come in. Dad's at the company now but Iñigo will help you today!" she stepped aside and let us in first before she closed the door.Uncle Samuel was right. How elegant the exterior was nothing compared to how magnificent the interior was. Each piece of stuff had a value as expensive as gold. I didn't even realize when Amy Leah held my hand. Uncle Samuel followed behind us."Come! I will show you to your room. You will share a room with Iñigo. He's my bodyguard and driver and he will help you with the ways in the mansion!" Amy Leah kept speaking while she led us to a bungalow house behind the mansion."That's the servant quarter. Elsa is our butler. She's very kind like Iñigo. You can ask them anything!"As we stopped by the entrance door. Samuel patted my shoulder. "Desmond, I have to go back now. Take care here!""Uncle, aren't you staying for a while?""No! Señor Miguel tasked me to visit the hacienda
Our love grew stronger in time. I was now 21 and she was turning 18 in a few months. Though it was hidden, we managed to see and contact each other almost every day. There was an old oak tree at the back of the mansion facing the lake. That tree became the witness to our deep affection."You know, we can't lie to Mr. Oak if it could just talk!" Amy Leah uttered while staring at how I carved her name with my dagger. I just carved our names together inside a heart. "It's perfect!" she whispered as her fingers touched the rough carvings."It is. And with your statement earlier, what could we lie to Mr. Oak? This tree knows how much I love you and how much you mean to me!" I slid my thumb on her cheek down to her chin gently lifting them so I could nibble her lips."Hmm!" she moaned with my gentle caress. "I agree with you. Des, you've passed the entrance exam at the university where I also study. I can't wait to start this semester with you!" her hands on my chest developed a voltage of
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