"Thank you," He kissed Angel's cheek. "And yeah, I was kidding. Your Mama would never spout sewages. She looks smarter than that."Clenching and unclenching her fist, Baby was running out of patience with Diam's sarcasms and snide remarks. "You should leave.""I know. God, I know." Diam got on his knees. It was the most disparaging thing he'd ever done. But she was worth it. "Angel, please. I really need to go. But I can't if you don't come with. I'll take care of you–""Just like you promised four years ago, right?" Baby added lowly, clamly but the pains were latched on her words.Diam looked up at her beseechingly. "I could scream my lungs out, rain down my apologies, have a thunderbolt strike it into your heart, but it wouldn't be enough to let you realize just how sorry I am. I have no excuse, and I'm running out of words already. If you could just look into my heart, let go of your anger and take just one peek at my heart, then you'll see. I'm at my lowest, Baby. I'm on my fuckin
FLASHBACK"Are you alright?" Diam asked, his voice laced with immense concern.It's been weeks since Baby came into his life and home. Been weeks he stopped existing and started living. Everything changed with her around. His austerity was replaced with warmth and enthusiasm. Everyday, he looked forward to waking up in the morning and finding her in his arms. She was his muse, he'd learnt to embrace that fact. Those unsure feelings were sure now– he cared for her, more than he'd ever cared for anyone. All his life, he'd seen ladies as bland. Their incessant fawning to get their way into his bed had triggered the disgust he felt towards ladies. But Baby, she was different. You could see it all in her eyes, no room for pretence. She was an open book, and each day, he was addicted to reading her, knowing her. His rash decision in making her his partner certainly paid off. Now he wondered what life would be like if she wasn't here. But she was, by his side, in his car, with that flushed
The two guys hurried to the parking lot, which was at a secluded area, away from the main parking lot of the clubhouse. The Danes practically ran the place, so it's no wonder they had their own...everything! David, on seeing them, alighted from the car and bowed his head."Where is he?" Blane asked. "He's inside, Sir Blane.""Open it.""Sure." David nodded and opened the door, revealing a sleeping Diam and Baby.Any onlooker would find it impossible to say who looked more stupified amongst the two guys. They both had their eyes barely hanging to their sockets, gaping at the sight in front of them.Roland spoke first, but it was more of a stutter. "That's...that can't be...is that... really Diam?""Nah, it can't be." Blane chuckled incredulously. "There has to be an oversight.""Yeah, like...what if that guy is an imposter? A lookalike?""No, Sir Roland. That's Sir Dane Diam.""Like I said, an oversight. You gotta think. Figure out the loophole. Maybe at some point, you picked up a m
Dane Diam could only do so much as wait after he pressed the doorbell.The cold breeze hovering over the suburb swept through him. It was something he'd gotten familiar with. The cold breeze. The serenity. The faint rhythm from the windmill. The endless meowing cats in the next building. Distant chattering. The old couple always on the patio of the house across the road. He was familiar with just...everything.His constant visit these two months was enough to get him familiar with the place. His last visit here had been terrible. He'd caught a cold from the chilly breeze. Baby had sensed his agony and threw him out drenched in cold water.He caught the bad flu that had him bedridden for weeks. Stupid that he had sought for her again once he recuperated.Diam Dane shuddered. This time, It wasn't because of the breeze. It was the awful fate awaiting him behind the closed door. He reached for the doorbell again, but the door flew open immediately.He froze, gulping at the sight of her.
FLASHBACKS.Baby had her aunt's number on the redial. The situation was totally out of their control. They needed all the help they could get."Please pick up, aunt." Baby was getting scared with each call her aunt missed. She redialed but still got nothing."Did she pick up?" Her Father asked. The situation had him weary and confused. He knew just as much as she did that her aunt was their last hope."...and that's forty times. Fuck!" Baby spattered, hurling the phone to a corner. She ran her hand through her hair in utter frustration. This wouldn't end well. Not when they had no one to turn to."Your aunt Silvia has never been there for us. Whenever we needed help, she disappears. But when things are going smoothly, then be prepared to have her around every second.""That's not the issue here, Father. The deadline is impossible. We can't afford such money so quickly. Even if we're given all our lives, we still wouldn't be able to afford it!""It's alright, Baby. I will look for a wa
On that memorable day, Baby had to go seek help from Dane Diam. He was the boss of her Father. An important file that contained a special delivery which was worth 8.5 million dollars was stolen in Phillips Smith's care and resulted in a big problem. Baby asked for help and sure, help was given to her, but in a very unexpected way."What did you just say?" Dane Diam stood up from his swivel, leather chair. His stare was intense and hard on her. He could not believe she had just agreed to his proposal without giving it a second thought. It was the most vulgar proposal he'd ever made. It was inappropriate in all ways. She seemed like a naive one. Surely, he'd expected her to weep and beg for mercy. It was more than shocking that she'd accepted his insane proposal in a heartbeat. Diam walked closer to her. With a turn of the swivel chair she was sitting in, he was staring deep down into her eyes."Do you, by any chance, understand what I just proposed to you?""Yes, Sir DaneDiam." Baby g
Phillips Smith prepared a delicious macaroni with cheese which would serve as dinner for his daughter and him.Seated on the dining table, they laughed and talked like they had zero worries.Baby had locked away the proposal with Diam in the basement of her heart. Never was she gonna go back to his office. She was perfectly fine where she was, with her Father."Father?" "Yes, Baby""Thank you.""For what?""Your love. Your kindness, and most of all, your support."Philips Smith smiled at his daughter's soft words. "I'll always support you in any decision you make. Always.""I know." Baby beamed but it vanished instantly. "Now what?"Phillips Smith sighed sullenly. "I'll go to Mr. Diam and explain to him. Don't you worry about a thing.""Do you think he'll agree to it? Won't he think we're messing with him?""I don't know. But don't think about that too much, hm? Let's just eat for now. We've got plenty of time to worry about that."After dinner, the father and daughter sat on the cou
Baby packed up a few clothes and left with Diam in his car. It was a long, quiet ride that she dozed off. Diam woke her up with a soft shake when they arrived at his mansion."Welcome to my humble aboard." He stepped out of the car, stretching out a hand to her.Baby placed her hand on his and he helped her alight from the car.She couldn't stop drooling at the many magnificent things surrounding her. Everything was different like she'd just entered a whole different world.She knew this neighborhood. 'Smiles', that's what it's called. It was the haven for the richest amongst the rich. You only get to reside in 'Smiles' if you're ranked 1-15 in the top richest here in California.It was a very beautiful and peaceful place. The middle-class and lower-class are never allowed into 'Smiles'. Many lower classes did try to work as maids but these rich folks would never allow it. Their maids were college graduates. Skilled and tactical. There was no room for mistakes and tackiness.Diam led
The two guys hurried to the parking lot, which was at a secluded area, away from the main parking lot of the clubhouse. The Danes practically ran the place, so it's no wonder they had their own...everything! David, on seeing them, alighted from the car and bowed his head."Where is he?" Blane asked. "He's inside, Sir Blane.""Open it.""Sure." David nodded and opened the door, revealing a sleeping Diam and Baby.Any onlooker would find it impossible to say who looked more stupified amongst the two guys. They both had their eyes barely hanging to their sockets, gaping at the sight in front of them.Roland spoke first, but it was more of a stutter. "That's...that can't be...is that... really Diam?""Nah, it can't be." Blane chuckled incredulously. "There has to be an oversight.""Yeah, like...what if that guy is an imposter? A lookalike?""No, Sir Roland. That's Sir Dane Diam.""Like I said, an oversight. You gotta think. Figure out the loophole. Maybe at some point, you picked up a m
FLASHBACK"Are you alright?" Diam asked, his voice laced with immense concern.It's been weeks since Baby came into his life and home. Been weeks he stopped existing and started living. Everything changed with her around. His austerity was replaced with warmth and enthusiasm. Everyday, he looked forward to waking up in the morning and finding her in his arms. She was his muse, he'd learnt to embrace that fact. Those unsure feelings were sure now– he cared for her, more than he'd ever cared for anyone. All his life, he'd seen ladies as bland. Their incessant fawning to get their way into his bed had triggered the disgust he felt towards ladies. But Baby, she was different. You could see it all in her eyes, no room for pretence. She was an open book, and each day, he was addicted to reading her, knowing her. His rash decision in making her his partner certainly paid off. Now he wondered what life would be like if she wasn't here. But she was, by his side, in his car, with that flushed
"Thank you," He kissed Angel's cheek. "And yeah, I was kidding. Your Mama would never spout sewages. She looks smarter than that."Clenching and unclenching her fist, Baby was running out of patience with Diam's sarcasms and snide remarks. "You should leave.""I know. God, I know." Diam got on his knees. It was the most disparaging thing he'd ever done. But she was worth it. "Angel, please. I really need to go. But I can't if you don't come with. I'll take care of you–""Just like you promised four years ago, right?" Baby added lowly, clamly but the pains were latched on her words.Diam looked up at her beseechingly. "I could scream my lungs out, rain down my apologies, have a thunderbolt strike it into your heart, but it wouldn't be enough to let you realize just how sorry I am. I have no excuse, and I'm running out of words already. If you could just look into my heart, let go of your anger and take just one peek at my heart, then you'll see. I'm at my lowest, Baby. I'm on my fuckin
It took the words leaving him and her round eyes taking a deep shade of red for Diam to realize it was him who needed to be let down gently.Having to leave just when he was beginning to feel that home was shitty. But he hadn't realized just how much until he spewed out the words. As the tears dropped down her eyes, he felt the excruciating pain like he'd been jabbed by sharp spikes. "You're... leaving?" Angel sobbed, clinging to the collar of his shirt."Only because I need to," Diam took it upon himself to wipe off the tears before they could make their way down. "But, but you said...you said you didn't wanna go," "And I mean it. I'd give anything to stay. But, I've got obligations and it's crazy that I just can't leave them unattended," Diam tried explaining, chocking back tears."In the big castle? Mama said you belonged there, not here with us.""That's not true. I belong wherever you're at. Both you and your mama. But for the next few hours, I need to take care of something."
"What happened?" Diam came rushing to her. He'd heard their voices from the kitchen. "If it isn't the homewrecker, Dane Diam. I think it's safe to say you've succeeded so my congratulations are in order." She replied sardonically, shoving him aside and going downstairs."Wait, Baby. What are you talking about?" Diam held her hand and she turned. Her finger dug into his flesh and with a wince, he dropped her hand."My daughter asked me to leave her room for the very first time.""Why would she say that?""Take a wild guess!""You two argued about me, didn't you? I'm so sorry...""Don't be. For someone doing what he's best at, you shouldn't be sorry."Taking out her anger at him was logical. Even though it wasn't his intentions, his presence here had erupted whatever serenity might have existed. But what was crazy was the fact that he wasn't sorry for coming. It was either coming here or loosing his mind, and he would never choose the latter."You know what else she said? She said I wa
Downstairs, Diam found Angel exactly where he'd left her. Her plates were empty and she was gulping down the last of her coffee. She looked up and grinned, softly slamming her mug on the table."Thank you for the breakfast, fine mister." Diam took a seat next to her, taking her hands and placing kisses on her palms. "You should be thanking your Mama. I didn't move a muscle.""It's okay. I'll thank her too." Angel giggled. "Your Mama said I should come down here and say my good-byes to you,"Sighing, her smile vanished and she pouted. "Do you really need to go?""No. I could always stay here if your mama would let me.""Really?!" Angel shrieked excitedly. "You'll stay with us?""Only if your mama would let me." He shrugged, and bent closer to her. "Tell me something, dear. Does your mama bring home male visitors?""No. Except the mailman and the old neighbors across the street who brings us cakes occasionally, we don't get much visitors.""Why is that?""Mama said we're better off al
Stepping past the threshold of her room, Baby slammed her door close. It didn't slam. Sharply, she spun around and gasped. "What are you doing here?" Her feet moved backwards, seeking refuge. But there was none. Not in her small room, not in an exquisite bedroom, not anywhere in the world!"I'll be damned if I allowed you a second alone." Diam shut the door, locking it firmly to avoid any intrusion. This time, she had to spell it all out for him. He was damn sick of her games."Don't come any closer!" She clenched out."That depends on you. I need answers and I need them right now. And I swear to God, I'll do anything to get them, even if I have to pin you down. Literally, pin you down." His brows were raised, giving her the utmost clarification of his every word."You're gonna manhandle me? How low of you!""It's up to you. I could be the perfect gentleman, with my hands safely stashed away in my pockets, provided you give me answers. And not just answers, but the damn truth! I've h
Halfway through her journey back to sanity, Baby could barely make out coherent words for her little girl.With her hands clinging to his arms, and his, firmly wrapped around her waist, Baby knew she was caught in the act.Devastation rushed in with great tide at the realization that her little girl might know exactly what they'd been doing.She was downright flushed; the stench of her juice lingered on the table; her lips were swollen from his kisses. They were all there – everything to point out what nastiness had gone on minutes ago. Still, with the last ounce of hope, she prayed her little girl doesn't figure it out."What happened?" Angel gasped at the broken plates on the floor. "My China!" They were hers; her favourite to be exact."They fell–" Diam finally picked up his words, and lowered his head to stare into Baby's eyes. –"from your Mama's hands. It was an accident." Startled by his lies, Baby could only gawk at him. His daring gaze had her speechless. There was more to hi
Diam woke up to the clattering of plates from the kitchen wing. He sighed groggily, muttering profanities at the damned chef who chose to be so noisy. Sitting up, he took a quick glance around, almost surprised at what he was doing on a couch. Then it dawned on him. The happenings of last night. Baby. He puffed, slouching into the sofa. The noises grew, raking through his ears.Upset, he stood and headed to the direction of the noises. Blasting her was not a good way to start the morning. But neither were the noises. It's a Saturday, for Pete's sake!Her back came to view, and whatever profanities he'd arranged in his head eluded him.Slow steps brought him to the doorway, and there he stood, lost and stunned.It was not the first time he'd been allured by her beauty. But each time always feels like a first. Today was no exception. Her backless black gown, studded with diamonds was the most seductive dress he'd ever laid his eyes on. Skimpy, lingering just few inches below her waist.