When I woke up again, Caleb was nowhere to be found but he left a note saying he will attend the rest of his schedules for today and then we will go home. I smiled when I read the word 'home', he's now treating me as if I was his wife. Truth to be told, I was starting to enjoy everything that I have right now, I was starting to get used to his embrace and company, everything that he introduced me to was starting to be a part of my life.
I was thinking of just forgetting about my plan and live with this, I wouldn't deny that I was falling for him, each day that we spend together was enough to make me fall for him, he wasn't hard to love. But my thirst to make a name in the journaling industry was still strong and it was starting to make a conflict with my mind. I knew I could just forget about it, only if it was just about career we were talking about, but my thirst to prove something in the industry I chose to was deeper than a career purpose.
"That
"Just give me more time, baby. Slowly, I will fill in the gaps. I will slowly let you know who I really am, who I was, and I hope you would still accept me when you find out." My sight roamed around the lively function hall I was currently in. Caleb was busy conversing with his business colleagues while here I was, trying to find my stand in this place of elites. Last week, we received an invitation to a charity ball for abused children. Given that Caleb was kind and helpful to children and women, he immediately accepted the invitation and even prepared a check signed with 150 dollars. What's more was he insisted that I should come with him to this ball not as his secretary but as his date. The moment we entered the function hall earlier, all eyes fell on us and I immediately felt conscious with my appearance. Thankfully, I have enough make-up skills and was able to make myself look like I wasn't a commoner, though the pressure of trying to fit in
"Father, what the hell are you doing here?" Everyone who heard Caleb fell silent as they looked in our direction and the man in his late fifties. I, on the other hand, checked if my recorder was still on as I looked at the two of them simultaneously. Caleb has suddenly looked cold and a bit in rage, while the man whom he called father was frozen on his spot. He was just looking at Caleb with those dark eyes, different emotions flashed through their depths. The woman beside her was also shocked to see Caleb, I narrowed my eyes as conclusions started playing on my head. Did Caleb's family was involved in a third party issue? "S-son—" As soon as Caleb heard that, he sucked a harsh breath and stood up. Good thing I wasn't leaning to him anymore or else I would fall on his sudden movement. He tilted his head and looked sharply at his father, then he glanced at me and motioned me to follow him. I was contemp
PART II - Early life On December 1, 2020, Mr. Caleb Craige attended a charity ball that was held by one of the prominent charities in Sydney. Knowing that Mr. Craige was a good samaritan to women and children, the kind CEO didn't think twice and accepted the invitation.[PHOTO ATTACHED]The invitation that was sent to Mr. Craige a few days before the charity ball. At exactly 8 pm, Mr. Craige arrived at the venue with his La Ferrari and a date who was foreign to everyone.[PHOTO ATTACHED]Mr. Craige handed the keys of La Ferrari to the valet.[PHOTO ATTACHED]Mr. Craige at the entrance of the venue with his partner. Everyone was in awe and was confused at tho who he was with. It was unusual for the known Chief Executive Officer to attend a gathering with a partner as he was always seen alone and enjoying himself, sometimes with his business colleagues. Hence, everyone was asking and eager to know who was th
"We can start by showing off how efficient of a journalist and news reporter you are. Conduct a one-on-one interview with me about what happened last night, and do it live." Setting up the camera that he provided for the live interview that he proposed, I still couldn't believe that he actually told me to do a live interview with him regarding what happened on the ball we last attended. Of course, I agreed. It was an opportunity that I wouldn't miss, another step ahead of my ambition. This live interview would probably make a spark at my reputation as an ex-journalist and I knew there would be a possibility that newscasting companies would offer me to work for them if they would like the interview enough. But then, I knew CBNews already did something for other news companies not to hire me, so I doubt if that would easily happen. But I wasn't closing the door for possibilities. A lot of reporters from different companies have been try
"Geraldine, I swear, I was really hurt. I mean, I was excited about it, I really wanted that live interview to happen because it was another step for my dream, and then suddenly he needed to go because of an emergency meeting although we have already taken the day off!" I was fuming as I told Geraldine through video call how disappointed I was when someone from the company suddenly called Caleb and told him there was an emergency that he needed to attend to. And the person called just when we were about to start! Now, I was here, left alone in our room in full disappointment. Homer, Holmes, and Holen left with him because the interview was canceled, though Caleb still paid them for the inconvenience. He told me not to go with him and just rest because someone would take care of my work. Of course, it was the same person he was entrusting the whole company with whenever we were out. He doesn't need me as a secretary totally, that person could do it a
"Hazel, I am telling you, this is a sign that you should get rid of the ridiculous plan of yours. Just appreciate Caleb's efforts for you and embrace the life he is trying to give you. With the opportunity that he offered for you, you don't need to go with your plan anymore. It's easy to dispose of that now,""I don't know anymore, Geraldine."I put both of my hands on my face as I felt the frustration eating me up. Geraldine was able to give me her day off so that we could talk about the unexpected turns of events in my life at the moment. I too, took the day off and as usual, someone would be there to fulfill my duties as Caleb's secretary. It was none other than that someone he was trusting, that someone that I still don't know until now."Don't you think you are having a hard time letting go of that plan because you already instilled it in you?"And suddenly, I froze at her words and Geraldine took that as a sign to continue."You know, Hazel,
It was still early in the morning, the sun hasn't risen yet but here we were, dressing up after a shower to get ready for our trip today. As he promised, everything was set and all we had to do was to go there; Maldives.This would be our first out-of-town vacation and the last one before we focus on our works. Because I already accepted his proposal to get back in the industry where I really wanted to be, I was no longer his secretary and now he has a new one. Thankfully, it was a man and it seemed like they knew each other enough. My plan has been forgotten for a while, I didn't think about it for the last couple of days as I was focused on getting back in the journalism industry.Yesterday, Caleb's new secretary arranged a meeting with Mr. Zamora, the chairman of Zamora Newscasting Agency or ZNA TV in news televisions. As far as I know, the company was one of CBNews' greatest rivals. Just look how odds were going with me.Mr. Zamora was a tall and a bit fat m
"Well be going to Baros, Maldives, the world's most romantic resort."My mouth just hanged in astonishment the moment the helicopter we were flying in touched the white sands of Baros, Maldives. Caleb informed me that it would take us a 25 minutes ride through speedboat from Maldives International Airport to reach Baros, but because he was rich and he could afford it, we rode through a private helicopter.Through aerial view, I knew Baros would be a perfect place for our vacation but as soon as we landed and my feet touched the soft white sand, I knew it was more than perfect.Seeing the crystal blue water under the shining sun, I immediately felt the urge to run and swim on it, but I was suppressing myself to do so because of Caleb. I was just waiting for him to say that everything was good and I would immediately peel off my dress from my body.A wicked smile formed on my lips when I remember what I did before we went to travel here; I already put on my
Growing up, I always dreamed of having my own family and making sure that it would be a happy one, unlike what I had when I was a kid when my mother always spit hurtful words toward me as if I was the worst person she'd ever met and the worst person who came in her life. I was blamed for a sin I didn't commit, I was blamed for a mistake I didn't do. I always wish on the stars before that if I could only bring back time, I would reverse what happened. I wouldn't let my rapist father rape my mom so that both of us wouldn't be hurt like this. She wouldn't suffer and the same goes for me. But I was thankful that the start didn't grant my wish because if they didn't, I wouldn't happily watch my family having the time of their lives. "Mom, hurry! Daddy misses you again! And my tummy is grumbling, I want sandwicheeesss!" I couldn't help but to chuckle upon hearing that. When I reached the carpet where they were, I pinched his chubby cheeks, earning a giggle from him. "Here you go, my
Hazel Quin's "I now pronounce you, husband and wife." The venue was filled with applause as soon as the priest announced that Caleb and I were now married. I didn't know that getting married would be this overwhelming. The support from the people around was adding to the happiness I was feeling and I knew Caleb felt the same, especially now that the first important woman in her life attended the ceremony. Yes, Callista was here. A month before the wedding date, I visited Callista without telling Caleb. Of course, I was with Len and Athena on that day just in case something unexpected would happen. She wasn't expecting for my visit, she was shocked to see me unexpectedly. "What are you doing here?" It was her greeting when she finally recovered from her shock. And not wasting any time, I told her about my intent. She wasn't expecting it when I gave her the wedding invitation for priority guests. That day, I also tried my best to convince her to discuss about our setup o
Caleb Craige's "Is everything ready?" The staff is in charge of the dinner date I set up nodded with a smile. "Yes, sir. The dinner table, the lights, and the song that will play later." I nodded, "Okay. That's good." I handed him a generous tip which made him glad and I knew it made him more determined to do his work efficiently. After all, people just wanted their work and efforts to be paid fairly and appreciated, then they will do more. Fishing my phone out from the breast pocket of my suit, I dialed Athena's number to inform her that she could go and ask Hazel for a dinner now. I was glad when she told me she was already in my penthouse and convincing Hazel to go with her and the latter told her he'll ask first if I would let her. The thought of Hazel considering my decision first before deciding was boosting my pride and the chances of success for what I was planning to do tonight. It didn't take long before my phone vibrated and a text from Hazel came. Of course,
It didn't take a week before I was discharged from the hospital. But prior to that, I was advised to take a bed rest because of my delicate pregnancy. Due to the stress I've experienced during the trials, there could be a possibility that the next time I bleed, we would lose the baby. Of course, none of us wanted that to happen so we followed the doctor's advice. Caleb became more caring than before and took an out-of-office work. Instead of going to the office every day, he did all his work at home, either in our room or in his library. His meetings as well were held virtually unless his presence was mandatorily needed. He never let me get out of his sight, he was eager to take care of me. Even the foods I was eating and my bath, he took care of them all. And who am I to complain if that was the case? My heart was overflowing with joy and I felt the love I never felt before. He was too caring and too good to be true. Now, I realized Athena's words before; Caleb would do anythin
Caleb Craige's I didn't care anymore if my action of pushing Stephanie too much would backfire on me. The only thing on my mind then was to protect Hazel. "How dare you touch her!" I glowered. She shuddered upon seeing my angry state. My face was red in anger and it was no doubt that I could attack her anytime as if she was a little prey and I was the predator, but the guards held me. I was trying to control myself but couldn't, her image pulling Hazel's hair was still playing on my mind. The guards were having a hard time suppressing my moves to pounce on her when I heard Hazel's cry. "Ah!" All the blood drained on my face upon seeing blood dripping down her thighs when I turned to look at her. She was wearing a dress and with its light color, it wasn't hard to see the crimson color of the blood as she put her hands on her stomach. I was frozen on my spot and was unable to move for a while, until Athena, who came with us, shook me back to reality. "Come on, Hazel is ble
And the busy days making everything better started. The first, second, and third court trials for the cases filed against Stephanie have been done and everyone could now see what would be the outcome of the trials. We have the upper hand. Stephanie was infuriated upon seeing me again with Caleb. Her fury that her plans failed was evident, it helped the court consider the decision earlier than thought. Her temper was a disadvantage for them, she was caught one time when she tried to hurt me. Good thing the guards and Caleb were fast enough to handle her. "You bitch! Do you think I would let you go just like that?" "You took everything away from me. You don't deserve to be happy, you are a dream wrecker!" During our second trial, Stephanie's lawyer used the mentally-ill card to defend her. It showed that Stephanie might be experiencing mental illnesses, she was thinking that the world was against her and it was because of me. She was obsessed with the thought that everything tha
Attorney Lopez was in his mid-fifties but still looked young and masculine. It was no doubt that he had made several women cry in his youth. Len and I invited him into the living room after introducing myself to him. He already knew me because according to him, Caleb always mentioned my name whenever they were talking regarding the cases filed against Stephanie. "He was always saying that we have to win this so that everything would be fine again and he could focus on working on your relationship." A small smile made its way to my lips upon hearing that. He may look mad at me before but he was still thinking of fixing our relationship despite breaking his heart and his trust. Indeed, he was a good man. It was something I failed to realize before. Caleb wouldn't let me down. Instead, he would lift me up but not to the point that I would depend on him. That's just how he was, he was caring and loving in his own way. "Well, I actually don't know what to say about that. I didn't
Hazel Quin's Caleb's tired body collapsed on the bed the moment we came home. It didn't take him long to fall asleep, he didn't even bother to change. Sighing, I moved and started undressing him and changing his clothes with a pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt so that he would be comfortable as he sleep. He was slightly moaning as I changed his clothes but was unconsciously moving along with my commands, making my task easier. It wasn't surprising that he would be this tired. I knew what he has been doing since he arrived in New York. He was working almost all of the time while taking care of me and slowly putting everything back in to place. It may not look like I knew it because I was always asleep due to pregnancy hormones, but whenever I was awake, I could see the dark circles and his eyes. And whenever I would wake up suddenly in the middle of the night, I would see him working and focused on his laptop. His workload was too much now that Mirna wasn't helping him any
Caleb Craige's "Just take these vitamins that I prescribed, avoid stress, staying up late, and don't tire yourself. Okay?" Hazel nodded as the ob gyne put her hands on the pocket of her gown after reminding us what we should do. This was Hazel's last day in the hospital and tomorrow, we'll be back in New York after she takes enough rest back in the hotel. Athena won't be coming back with us, she was now with her lover who just came here this morning to fetch her. Looks like they would spend some more time here before coming back to reality. I looked at Hazel who was still talking and asking Dra. Wrington, who until now still thought that Hazel and I were already married. None of us corrected her, I like how she addressed Hazel as Mrs. Craige. "If everything is okay now, I'll take my leave. Have a safe trip back to Australia." I nodded and thanked the ob before sitting beside my woman who was now getting ready to be discharged. The bills have been settled, we could go out any