He had been waiting there for almost two hours, but Clarisa, Nanay Celia, and Tatay Kardo were still nowhere to be found. Where could they have gone? he wondered to himself. He stood up from his seat and entered Clarisa's room. A few clothes were scattered on her bed—probably what his wife had taken off earlier. He opened her dresser and was shocked to find the jewelry he had given her. Why was it there? He thought it was supposed to be at their house. He took the jewelry and tucked it into his pocket. Then he headed to the room of Clarisa's parents, feeling increasingly anxious. He hoped that what he feared wasn't true. The room of her parents was neat, but he noticed a folded piece of paper resting on the table. He picked it up and read: "Dear Don Miguel, I hope this finds you in good health. We apologize for not being able to inform you that we have left the estate. Our daughter has been deeply hurt by what Sir Reed did to her. Our daughter got almost raped by the g
CLARISA: She woke up to the conductor's shout... They were already in Quezon Province... She glanced at her mother and father, who had fallen asleep during the trip. "Mom, Dad, wake up. We're almost there," she gently nudged her parents. They immediately became alert. "Sir, we’ll get off at the next stop," she told the conductor. "Are we almost there, dear?" her mother asked. "When we get off, we'll still need to take a jeepney, Mom. The place we're going to is in the barrio." "Oh, is that so... it really is far, isn't it? We've been traveling for hours." "It's good that it's far, Mom... no one will recognize us there." "That's true, dear... this is where we'll start a new life." She felt sad again. "I wonder how my baby is doing? Maybe he's hungry by now." "Don't worry about your child for now... I'm sure Sir Reed is taking good care of him. Plus, Maria is there to look after Blue." "You're right, Mom. I'll call Ate Maria later... I'll check on my baby." "That's up to you
REED'S POV:Reed returned home with a heavy heart, carrying milk for Blue. He wasn't sure if he had bought the right one—Clarisa always knew about these things. Today, he realized just how lost he was without her... It felt like a huge part of his life was missing."Sir Reed, you're back. How is Don Miguel?" Isko asked."Grandpa is doing fine,He just needs plenty of rest.""That's good to hear, sir. By the way, your girlfriend stopped by earlier."His face suddenly brightened. "Really? Clarisa came? Where is she? Is she inside?""Oh no, not Ma’am Clarisa, sir... It was Diana."Reed's jaw clenched at the mention of her name. She was another source of trouble in his life. If only she hadn’t come into his room, Clarisa wouldn’t have gotten so angry with him."Why would you say she's my girlfriend, Isko? She's not. I have a wife, and that's Clarisa!""My apologies, sir... It's just that Ma'am Diana’s been acting like a queen here since she found out Ma’am Clarisa left. A-and I saw the two
Maria has arrived from the drug store. It was just in time for Blue to wake up, so he was able to feed. At first, he didn’t want the milk because it wasn’t what he usually drinks—he was looking for his mommy's breast milk. But maybe because he was hungry, he eventually drank the formula milk.“Maria, please take care of Blue for now. I’ll just go back to the hospital to check on grandpa… he still hasn’t woken up. It’s a good thing Clarisa’s friends are there. They’re the ones looking after grandpa while I’m away.”“All right, Sir. I’ll take care of Blue here.”He stepped out of the house and headed straight to his car, bringing along some of his things. He knew his grandfather wouldn't be able to go home yet due to his condition.As he drove, he kept glancing at the road, still holding on to the hope that he might spot Clarisa somewhere.If only it were that easy... If only finding his wife were that simple. But he knew deep down it wasn’t. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he kn
"Why don't you know where your wife is? ... You're her husband ... you should know, right? ... Is it because you're too busy with your other woman ... and you've already kicked your wife out? ... What kind of man are you?""Pops, it's not like that!""I heard everything you talked about ... I feel sorry for Clarisa. She was expecting us ... to be on her side, but we were the first to insult her ... We didn't even bother to find out what really happened ... and you, you jumped right into another ... woman's arms." He struggled to speak clearly but was out of breath.This must be the reason why his grandfather lost consciousness earlier. He saw what happened between him and Diana and how he kicked Clarisa out."That's not true, Pops! I'm not cheating on Clarisa. I just can't explain why Diana was in our room that day!""Where is Clarisa? ... Bring her back to the mansion!" His words were firm.He bowed his head. He didn’t know how to tell him that Clarisa and her parents had already lef
They were both silent for a moment after Diana left. Neither of them wanted to break the silence.“Lolo... I’m sorry about Diana. I don’t know why she showed up again. She hadn’t made any contact for a long time, but now that there’s a problem, she suddenly appears to stir things up...”“Is it true, Ken... that her child is yours?”“I-I don’t know... but the DNA test came back positive. I don’t want to reject the child just because I don’t like his mother.”“Think about it carefully, Ken... because from what I see, Diana will be a big headache.”“Right now, my concern is Clarisa, Lolo... I don’t want to waste time thinking about that worthless Diana.”His grandfather didn’t respond, simply closing his eyes, seemingly exhausted from their situation. Reed felt pity for him, but there was nothing he could do either.*********************************They were now back at the mansion, having spent three days in the hospital. Even though Lolo Miguel insisted on being discharged early, Reed
“You can’t live here, and that’s final!”“If that’s the case, Kiel and I will just come here every day so the two siblings can bond.”He had no more words to say to her persistence.“Maria... can you please prepare some food for us? We’re hungry.” Diana turned to the nanny with a sweet command and sat beside him.Maria just frowned, knowing that Diana was only putting on a show because she was in front of her.“I’m sorry, Ma’am Diana, but that’s not my job. My job is to take care of Blue, not to serve you.” Maria replied politely.Diana shot a sharp look at the nanny. “Look how that nanny treats me, Reed!” she complained.Reed felt like laughing at Diana’s reaction; she couldn’t even boss Maria around.“Maria is right, Diana; it’s not her job to do what you’re asking. If you want something, go to the kitchen and tell the staff.”“Hmmmp! You’re siding with that nanny more than with me? I’m the mother of your child!” She crossed her arms as she spoke, her eyes blazing as if she were the
CLARISA POV:Two years have passed. She is currently in America and has returned to work as a nurse there. She has also been promoted to Head Nurse at the hospital where she works. She brought Tita Grace, Rose's mother, with her. She took her along so that they could be together with Rose. She has fully entrusted the hacienda to her parents.The hacienda is running well under her parents' leadership. The people there are kind and treat them with respect, especially since they know that they are the new owners of the hacienda.At first, she didn’t leave the house. She was embarrassed that the people there might have watched her video, but she noticed that no one looked at her differently; they treated her normally. Perhaps it was because almost all the people there didn’t have cell phones and spent their time focusing on planting and growing crops, which is very different from the city where almost everyone has a cell phone, making it easy for her video to spread and many people to rec
When they went out, her parents and Grandpa Miguel were already waiting at the dining table. Tita Grace and Blue were also there, busy watching Cocomelon on his tablet. They walked hand in hand, and the elderly people smiled as they approached. At first, she didn’t know why they were smiling. Then, she remembered that she and Reed were holding hands, and she was about to pull her hand away. But Reed didn’t let go. She had no choice but to just go along with it. "You’re here, my grandchildren... come, the food is waiting," Grandpa Miguel said. They both just nodded. She was still a bit shy. Reed helped her sit down, and then he sat next to her. "So, what’s your plan for your relationship, children?" Tatay Kardo asked. "Ahm, I’m going back to America, Tay... I’ll just finish my vacation here," she replied. "Why are you going back to America, my dear? Your husband can take care of you. And your hacienda is big enough... Isn’t that enough for you?" her mother asked. "Lolo... I have
After they ate, they walked around the hacienda. They walked hand in hand while their child ran around the wide lot of their house.A little while later, their maid, Nene, approached them. "Ma'am Clarisa, someone is looking for you... They said it's Anton.""Anton is here?" she said in disbelief."Who's Anton?" Reed asked, raising an eyebrow."Ah, he's a friend of mine... He was the one who helped me when Fernando kidnapped me. Just wait, I'll go see Anton..." she excitedly replied. It had been a long time since they last saw each other. Her mother was the one who told her that Anton visited their hacienda whenever he wasn’t busy. She didn’t have social media, so he couldn’t contact her."Anton!" she shouted as she saw him talking to her father. He smiled as he waited for her to reach him."I’ll leave you two for now. I still have a lot to do..." Her father said as he said goodbye."How are you, Ma'am Clarisa? Long time no see!" Anton greeted her happily."Didn't I tell you not to cal
It was already evening when they finished eating. They spent a long time at the dining table because of their endless stories. They missed each other. Her parents and Don Miguel were talking about the mango plantation, while she was busy taking care of her child, feeding him. After they ate, she took Reed to the room where he would be staying. Blue, on the other hand, would sleep in her room. "Sweetheart, why can't I sleep in your room? Aren’t we okay now?" he asked, pouting. "It's embarrassing to Mom and Dad if we sleep in the same room... We just got back together!" she explained. "That's actually better. They might even prefer it. Besides, we’re married. It’s normal for a married couple to sleep beside each other... And what about my promise to you that I’d take care of you later?" "Shhhh! Be quiet! Someone might hear you! You're so shameless," she scolded her husband. "Why? What's wrong?" he asked, feigning innocence. "Just shut up!" she said, clearly losing patience in tr
They walked together into the mansion. Blue was in between the hands of his parents, while Reed and Clarisa walked hand-in-hand, following them. She didn’t really want to hold hands with him. She was shy because their staff at the hacienda were staring at them. She tried to pull her hand away, but Reed didn’t let go."Why? Are you ashamed of me? I’m handsome, aren’t I?" he joked."It’s embarrassing, they’re staring at us.""Let them look. I want you by my side always..." he whispered in her ear and then put his arm around her. She felt a thrill from what he did; it was like they were back to courting each other."By the way, Reed, Clarisa, Don Miguel is here too," her father said."Grandpa Miguel? What’s he doing here?" Reed asked in confusion. Both of them were surprised that Don Miguel was there. Before her parents could respond, they saw the old man approaching."Well, here you are, my grandchildren?" he happily greeted them."Grandpa!!!" she shouted and ran to him. She hugged him
Here we go again... the topic from two years ago is being brought up again. She didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She didn’t want to revisit it because it still hurt, but she had no choice but to listen because she was driving. She couldn’t pretend to sleep. She couldn’t silence Reed with what he was saying either... She had no choice but to listen to his explanation."God knows how much I regret not believing you. I looked for you back then, but I couldn’t find you.""Is what happened with Diana also just an accident?" she asked, almost sarcastically. She didn’t believe it was an accident."I don’t know, sweetheart, how she ended up in our room. She gave me a drug to drink... before I knew it, she was holding my manhood, but please believe me, sweetheart, I didn’t want that. You’re the one I love..."She glared at him again to hide the pain in her chest. She felt her eyes starting to water, threatening to cry. She could barely see the road. She stopped the car on the side. Thankf
The next morning, they were awakened by the noise of their child, who had gotten up before them."Yehey! We're in the same bed! Mom, Dad, and me!" the child exclaimed happily. Reed was right last night—if their child found out they weren’t sleeping together, he would be upset. It was a good thing she listened to her husband."Good morning, baby," she greeted her child. Reed also woke up from the noise."Good morning, Mommy," the child said, planting a kiss on her lips."Good morning, Daddy," he added, kissing his father on the lips too."You both kiss Mom and Dad," the child commanded, giggling."L-later, sweetheart. Mommy's breath smells bad," she tried to reason."It's okay, even if Mommy smells bad, I'll still kiss her," Reed teased before kissing her on the lips. "Good morning, sweetheart," he said softly, making her blush again."Yehey!" Blue cheered with excitement."Mommy, didn’t you say we’re going to visit Grandpa and Grandma today?""Yes, sweetheart. We’re leaving today. You
She went to the closet to grab something to wear. She didn't bother opening her luggage since it would only be a hassle to reorganize it tomorrow when she and Blue left.Once she was dressed, she was about to leave the room to check on her child."Where are you going?""To Blue's room. I'll sleep there.""No need. I'll bring him here so the three of us can sleep together.""Are you kidding me? Why would I do that?" she snapped at him."Suit yourself. But if your son wakes up and we're not sleeping together as a family, he'll get upset again," he said nonchalantly. She suddenly fell silent."You stay here; I'll get Blue," Reed said, standing up and walking out the door. She was left sitting on the sofa.When he returned, he was carrying their sleeping child. She quickly stood up to greet him and take Blue from him. She flinched when their skin accidentally brushed against each other.Get a grip, Clarisa! Acting like a virgin just because of a little touch? she scolded herself.Once she
"Your dad's room is bigger, sweetheart... can he just stay there? We might not all fit in your bed," she tried to convince the child again. She still couldn’t fully grasp the idea of sharing a bed with him."Then let’s just stay in your room with Dad, Mom. I’ll move to his room as long as we’re all together," Blue replied."That’s right, baby. Let’s stay in our room with your mom so you can roll around. Our bed is big enough, right? Back then, your mom used to roll around on it too," Reed chimed in from behind them, carrying his luggage. They hadn’t noticed he had followed them. He meant something else entirely, but she chose to ignore it.She shot him a sharp look for joking around with their child. Had he and Blue already conspired on this before she even arrived at the mansion?"Mom, let’s go to Dad’s room!" Blue exclaimed enthusiastically, tugging her out of the room and leading her to Reed’s bedroom.At first, she hesitated to enter, but Blue gave her a little push, urging her in
They sat in silence in the car as he drove. She didn’t say a word either.“H-how have you been? I’ve been looking for you for so long… you and Nanay Celia and Tatay Kardo. I even went to the mango orchard, but you weren’t there anymore.”“We hid in a place where no one knew us, where no one could mock me because of the video that spread back then,” Clarisa replied, her face blank. There was no trace of her true emotions.“A-about the video… I just want you to know that I believe you now. I’m sorry for not trusting you right away back then, sweetheart,” he said to his wife.He saw her tears begin to fall. The brave front Clarisa had put up crumbled, and she started crying. He quickly pulled the car to the side of the road to comfort her.“Don’t cry, sweetheart. It breaks my heart to see you like this. Please forgive me for what I’ve done to you. I still love you…” he whispered to her. Her sobs grew louder until she buried her face in his shoulder.He kissed her to try and stop her tear