DRAKE: CHRISTINA looked at me in disbelief before she laughed. "Why? You're threatened now or is it because your ego could not accept that someone out there like your ex-wife and is willing to take full responsibility to your ex-wife and your son because that was what Josh promised to me. That man had been in love with your ex-wife since they were still in high school and that feelings turned into love until now. Beatrice was his first love, you got that. And nothing could beat first love. So, if I were you, stop being stubborn and get out of her life as soon as possible so that Josh would be able to come here freely." "I am already here, and I am planning to stay for the rest of my life. Beatrice will have to deal with my presence, and I won't allow it that they got to marry that Josh," I declared. Her eyes narrowed and folded her arms in front of her chest. "What do you think are you doing? Making a mess in my sister-in-law's life?" "This is not making a mess, Christina. I am on
BEATRICE:I was expecting that Christina and Drake would be asking about my date. How it turned out. But definitely not about me having sex over some random guy. I wished Christina could stop her mouth for a moment. She was totally embarrassing me. Could I ask the ground to swallow me now? I no longer know what I should do with her mouth. She was too blunt. Christina should be siding with me now. Not with my ex-husband. How could she put me in an awkward position? And how could she blatantly ask about sex while we were still in the doorway? Well, why would I be surprised when that was part of her personality? I should already accept all her strangeness since Everette had long accepted it.But still…I could not get used to it. But my ex-husband was another story. Why would he be asking about such things? What was his right?“Well?” Christina asked, her eyes full of mischief. "Do I have to answer that? It is too personal. I don’t usually share my private sexual activities," I fou
BEATRICE:Why was Christina interested in my sex life? It was not like I was craving for it, right? "Where is Grayson?" I asked, changing the topic in an attempt to let her forget what she was planning to ask me which I knew would be a lot. Knowing him, she wanted the juiciest details. "Fast asleep. He told us to wake him up when you come home, but let's do it later. I need to monopolize you first. Now, tell me what happened. Everything. From beginning to end.""How about your husband? Did he not look for you? Everette must be worried for you? Why don’t you go home now and let’s continue about this over the phone? If it’s fine with you? It’s already late, Christina. My brother would be worried about you."“You don’t have to worry about me. I have a bodyguard and a driver on standby. If you are worried about something or someone, it should be you and your son. Stop wasting your time on me. Let your brother do that.”She rolled her eyes. "We've been chatting a few times now. I told h
BEATRICE:Josh. As my future husband? I tried to feel something on my chest, but was confused about what I was about to feel. What was there to ask when he was an ideal man? The very reason why my friends liked him for who he was. There was nothing negative that I could think about him. Just pure admiration. If Josh was the one whom I married, my marriage would not fail. He loved me already and if he kept on showering me with his love, there was no way that I would not fall for him. Women feel harder if they are treated nicely. Are you sure the same goes with you? the other part of my mind asked. Would you really fall for him? Why not? I could try if my heart is ready for it. “What about Josh?” I acted, playing innocent. “There is nothing extraordinary about him.”Josh was surprisingly funny. He looked like nothing of a billionaire I envisioned. I thought he was serious. Moody. Who thinks highly of himself, but no. He was quite the opposite. You were talking about your ex-hus
BEATRICE:Will I ever marry again? I was not in the hurry to do so. "You have to let me grow and let me act at my age. I can do this. I will approach you if everything becomes unbearable.""Alright. Fine. You could not make my worry go away, okay? I could not do that. You don't have someone to take care of you and Grayson. You know what? Whenever I laid on my bed, while my husband was softly snoring, I could not help but let my mind wander to you and Grayson. I don't want you to feel even more difficulty. You already suffered enough, Beatrice. I just want to ease your burden.""This is my problem, Christina.""Don't stop me from helping you. Everette would do the same if he is here. If he finds that you're always tight on cash, don't you think he will give you monthly assistance?""And then what? When Mom will find out about that, he would also be disowned? I would rather be with my son than drag my siblings to my problem. This is mine to carry.""It's not that of a problem. He has m
BEATRICE:It had been a while since Christina left, but my mind would often wander on what she had been telling me. Of pushing me towards Josh. Until now, it was still a question if he was worth it or not. But I know for a fact that he was always worth it. I was just not ready. Or maybe…I was looking for someone. Especially my ex-husband? No matter how much I denied it, the feelings were still there. Still…My sister-in-law always had a point. When it comes to love, she was wiser compared to me. How come she would not become wise when she had experienced a lot of breakups and had relationships already? Each of them taught her life lessons. But sometimes, for some of them, she did not learn anything at all. How could she not when she easily falls in love? She always thinks that she’s in love with someone she barely knows. When I think about Josh, despite talking to him earlier, he seemed like a walking green flag. When I recall my friends, I would hear them talking about him nicel
BEATRICE:“A chance for what?” I asked, rolling to my side and turned my back against my sleeping son. “What kind of chance are you asking, Drake? I could not think of anything because you do not deserve any of it.”How could he ask for it after everything he did to me? Did he forget everything? Did he forget how much I suffered in his hands? "I admit I am shameless for asking too much from you, Honey.”Honey. My heart thumped wildly against my ribcage. Honey was our endearment in the past. It was your endearment only. He never called you one. It was always Beatrice. But now…what was in his mind?“A chance to be with you and Grayson. I want you back. It is only now that I realize that you’re important to me. If you only give me a chance, I will never fail you.”I knew those were fake, just to make me warm up to him, but I could not deny the fact that my heart liked hearing those words as if I was craving for his consolations and comfort. Letting out a shivery sigh, I questioned, “
BEATRICE:My ex-husband was hiding something from me.Drake’s silence about my question was living proof of that. My sleepiness suddenly jumped out of the window. What was he hiding? A certain part of me wanted to know about it while the other side just wanted to let it go. It was not worth it, right? Why would I be interested in anything about him? "Your silence means yes," I declared. He did not say anything anymore. "Fine. Keep that secret to yourself and tomorrow, I will learn it. Just make sure that your secret is worth it, Drake.""Beatrice," he called in a pained voice. My heart broke at the pain in his voice, making me want to take back the words that caused everything about this. "I only want us to be complete. Is it wrong to ask about that? Is it wrong to desire that?"Why did it feel as if it was my fault if I was the reason why it wouldn't be happening? Back then, it was me who would always beg at him, but now, the table had been turned. Who would have thought that my m
BEATRICE:I was about to tell Drake, but stopped myself from saying out loud. There was already too much that was running on his mind and I could not afford to add more problems to him. “It was nothing, babe,” I replied and leaned on his shoulders, as he continued to drive the long road. Grayson was in the backseat already knocked out. “Nothing that you should be concerned about.”“Are you sure because you seem bothered after talking to your Mom. How did your conversation go? You know what? I made sure that you and your Mom will have some time to talk.”“Really? That's the reason why you left us at the table?”How considerate of him. How could I not fall for him over again? He was worth it. He was worth everything. “Yeah. Your Mom won't talk if there's some audience around us.”And she was able to say everything she wanted when we were alone. “Tell me the company's situation.”He was silent for a moment, before saying, “No need to worry about it. Let me handle it, doll. I will make
BEATRICE:Something about the board losing their trust on you? I wanted to ask, but no words would come out of my mouth.Why was it so difficult to ask him?“Hey. Are you okay?”Are you okay? Why can’t you tell me the truth? Why do you suffer in silence, Drake? Don’t you believe that I could help you, too? We are all in this together, right? Why don’t you let me join your suffering? I want to help you with it. So please…at least let me join you.“I am. How about you?”He chuckled. “I am fine. How about you?”“You’re acting weird, Beatrice. But to answer your question. Yes. I am fine. I am always fine whenever you are with me. I forgot all my problems because there is you, doll.”“Tell me how much the company meant to you.”“It’s my life,” he answered. “I worked hard for it. That was the result of working too much because of our absence, doll. I promised myself that I would make it successful so that when you returned, I could offer it to you.”"You did well, babe. I am so proud of you
BEATRICE:Seeing my reaction, Mom clicked her tongue together. "Based on your reaction, I assume that your ex-husband did not say anything to you about it.""He...He did not, Mom.""The board of directors agreed that if he did not do something to save the company, they will pull off the remaining of these stocks and what do you think will happen?""Worse case scenario, the company will continue to have losses and would eventually file for bankruptcy.""What about his people? Do you think he is fine with that? He will blame himself for what happened and he's the only one who knows what will happen."I clenched my fist. "Why are you telling me these things, Mom?" She shrugged off her shoulders. "I was surprised that you were able to have a child.""When Drake divorced me, I didn't know that I was already carrying a child during that time.""I won't question that child. He took a lot after you which is fine with me.""What do you want, Mom?""You? What can you do to save your ex-husband
BEATRICE:Mom and Dad. I wanted to rush to their side and hugged them until they found it difficult to breathe, hoping that a tight embrace would fulfill the countless years of not seeing each other. Back then, I was still debating on whether I would see them face to face, but now... I was glad that Drake had pushed me to meet them. My heart felt like it weighed a ton. Dad's eyes simmered with tears, while Mom... I did not know what she was thinking. She wore a poker face. Mom was always like that. Unreadable. My other siblings called her Ice Queen Mother, for showing rare affection towards us. I always scolded them for calling Mom that, but they would only say that it was Mom's fault for being smart like that.I was the one who fulfilled the emotions my siblings craved. I thought it was enough, but it was not. Despite Mom's personality, they still wanted to feel her affection. "Mommy. Who are they?""Your grandparents," I whispered.They finally reached our table."Beatrice,"
BEATRICE:Guilt washed over my chest, knowing the tragedy that fell on Zereka's life. Poor child. I should have known that she had suffered. If I did, I should have been patient with her."Oh, my goodness, Drake. Are you telling the truth?""I'm the only one who knows about it, and I hope you will not tell a single soul, doll. She will kill me for sure. The tough exterior was only a facade, because she did not want others to treat her weakly. Deep inside, she was still thirteen years old I saw crying for her Mom's name. Please be patient with her, doll. I know it's unfair to you...""It's fine." Now that I know that child's background, how could I be a bitch? "I called her a bitch. She might be hating me for that.""You also cannot be blamed.""I want to meet Zereka again and who knows? Maybe we will be friends in the end. How about children? Does she want children? Do you think she will like Grayson?""I saw her staking your social media account and stare at Grayson. So, maybe she li
BEATRICE:“I told him I was going,” I explained. "He invited me at first, saying he will have a better chance than him being alone.""Oh, great. Does Everette know about that?"I shook my head. "He did not know anything. If you tell him right now, that's the only time he will know about the plan.""There's only a slim chance that they will invest in his company and do you know the percentage? Only one percent, Beatrice. After what he did to you, for divorcing you, do you think they will forgive you easily? You two became the talk among your relatives. They keep on asking questions about you and your ex-husband. However, when your Mom snarled and scolded them, they became silent. However, the rumors of your separation did not stop, angering Clara even more. Everette and I were witnesses to that. When you disappear from the family, the rumors become even worse.""More than five years had passed, Maybe she had forgiven what happened?" I hoped she did. And if she did not? I no longer
BEATRICE:“Beatrice? Are you still there?”What a bastard.He knows that Christina had her miscarriage, yet he called her?“Yes, I am here. What is it again?”“Is there no chance that the two will reconcile?”Exhaling, I inquired, “Did you call because he asked you?”“I was about to call you even if he did not call. But he got the right timing. He called me first before I was able to call you.”“Christina, the next time he calls you, don’t answer it.”“Why?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity. "Did something happen between you two that I was not aware of?"I bit the inside of my cheeks, debating if I should tell her or not.She's still not fully recovered, Beatrice. what if she will be sent to the hospital again, because of stress?There was a point, there. "N-No. Nothing happened.""So why are you evading him as if he is bringing the plague?""I-It's because of Drake. I have decided that I will give him a chance."I heard her mutter a few curses in the background. With a faint v
BEATRICE:Relax. Don’t fret. Control yourself, Beatrice. You will not lose your control because of that woman.“Did you hear me? She pulled my hair!”“Why would Beatrice do that, Zereka? She’s not the type to—”She sniffed. “You never listened to me, Drakey. You always believed that I was making a scene. That I am lying to you. How could I do that? I love you so much that I will never ever lie to you,” she declared, cutting off his words before he could even finish it. Rude. Every time she said that she loved her brother, the hair on my arms would always stand. It always felt like it had a double meaning. “Do you know what she called me? A bitch, Drake. I’m only eighteen years old and someone already called me a bitch!”“Beatrice. Is that true?”“What do you want to hear, Drake?” I asked. “Tell me so that I will tell you right away. Don’t waste my time anymore.”“Doll… I’m not saying anything wrong. All I wanted is you to tell me your side. I don't want to take sides as much as pos
BEATRICE:If Drake was here, I would never know why Zereka was here. If Drake was here, she would keep on pretending to be the sweet little sister of his. She could fool anyone with that sweet face of hers. "I'm sorry, but you don't have a say on that, too. We have chosen ourselves to love each other and even if a million people would be against our path, our love will remain strong. That includes you, by the way."It was a cheesy statement. I never thought the time would come when I would say those words, but here it was.She threw back her head and laughed. "Love? Are you freaking kidding me? Don't tell me that kind of bullshit. Love does not exist. Only lust." I was taken aback at her curse. My forehead knotted seeing how she bawled her palms into a fist. "Are you perhaps..." Did she perhaps not experience how to be in love? That she did not know how it felt? That she believed it was all lies? Right. I remembered. This woman was Drake's half-sister. And Drake's family had n