I saw her smile. "I'm glad you still know me." I'm not sure how to respond. Even today, I'm not sure if her being here is genuine or sarcastic."What are you doing here?" I asked formally, trying to ignore some of my feelings. "Well, I'm with someone. We would like to hire you as the architect of the house I'm going to build," she answered. She will do it herself? I couldn't help but arch my brows. As if on cue, a woman in her fifties approached her. I blinked many times as the adrenaline in my chest thumped.I didn't even ask because I already knew who she was. Her looks were similar to his. Her eyes, nose, lips, and facial expressions remind me of Agustine."Anyway, meet Aunt Rosella, my fiance's mother. Aunt, meet Khrystal. One of Agustine's business partners," Lhea formally introduced. I tried to smile as she looked at me. Serious and not disrespectful, but even so a bit of anger that I saw from her eyes did not escape from me. I swallowed involuntarily and then gently poin
I don't know how many minutes I was in my office. Hiring me as the architect of the house, being invited to the engagement party, strange looks from Agustine's mother—all of that is a puzzle to me. They are not terribly ill, right? In the end I let out a sigh and then put my things away. I intend to go to the old apartment I lived in; I hope that the owner will sell it to me. If my plan doesn't work out, I have no other choice but to find a condo unit for us. I hope it's available. After finishing the arrangement, I said goodbye to my secretary and left some instructions before finally leaving. A few minutes later, I got into the car and was about to put on my seatbelt when I was surprised when the car door opened. It's like deja vu. Agustine deposited himself on the passenger seat as he closed the door. "Let me have a ride again," he said (in hard Tagalog). I don't know whether to smile or be annoyed. I blinked twice before emphatically pointing to the outside of the car. Coldl
Throughout the years, I never once imagined that the house I used to reside in would pass into his ownership. Something inside me admired him a little. He's an excellent businessman. He's a billionaire. I did not expect that even a simple property would catch his interest. I smiled and simply released my hand that he was holding. "You can tour me without holding my hand, Mr. Revelar." "Oh? Sorry, I forgot." He made a brief chuckle sound. "Just getting used to it," he whispered back and then started walking. I pretended to be unaware of what he said. I am not ignorant or stupid, I noticed his occasional flashbacks to our past. I don't know if he does that to annoy me or if he really just wants to embarrass me. I just shook my head and followed him even though I was a little worried inside. If I ever buy the house, he already knows where to find me. I am not presuming he will come to me; rather, I'm just getting ready for the possibility, especially since it is not impossible. It w
"Mommy, are you okay?" my son, Gio, asked. His eyebrows furrowed as he stared at me, as if he could not understand my emotion right now. I smiled and forced a smile while frowning at him. We are here now in the room; it's eight o'clock and they need to sleep. "I am fine, son. I'm just thinking about something," I replied and glanced at his twin sleeping soundly next to him. Gia fell asleep first, mom told me that she was tired from playing with Daddy earlier. "Don't forget to rest, Mom," Gio reminded. I smiled and nodded. I gently bent down and kissed him on the forehead, I did the same to his sister. I thought he was going to sleep, but he still kept looking at me. It's like someone wants to ask a question but does not know how to start. "Is there a problem, son?" I said sweetly then told him to the other side. I usually sleep between them, but because of my son's behavior, I thought that I needed to talk to him first. "I don't know if I am allowed to ask it," he murmured.
I had trouble falling asleep. Despite spending hours gazing at the ceiling, I haven't yet felt drowsy. In the end, I simply made the decision to leave the room and prepare a milk in the kitchen. "You are still awake." I looked up at Daddy when he spoke. He had just entered the kitchen and was holding a tumbler. I smiled at him and raised my glass. "I will just drink it," I replied politely. He smiled back at me then went to the fridge. "We're in the same house but I don't see you often anymore." He laughed softly. "How's work?" "I am sorry, I was just busy trying to get make up for the kids. It's okay, Dad. There's no problem with the company." I avoided sulking when I remembered Agustine. He is the only problem. Dad came to me after refilling his tumbler. He stared at me for a moment as if he was looking for something in my face. "You look stressed. Is it about Mr. Revelar?" he teased. I could not stop myself from rolling my eyes. "Dad," I said making him laugh. "Is he anno
I am not sure how to interact with Agustine. I'm aware that he is in my office. I observed him enter the building after the fiancée and her daughter had left.I first asked Mom to take the children to a neighboring park. I want them to take a brief breath. I am aware that seeing Agustine with his family a second time saddens them. I don't want to put this off any longer, though. I'll speak with him, us alone. I inhaled deeply a few times before quietly opened my office door. He was waiting for me in the visitor's chair, as I had anticipated. Our eyes locked right away.On normal days, I can greet him even as a business partner. Now I can't even do that. Yes, it's not his fault that my children caught up with them. But I can't help but feel bad. "Good morning, Ms. Dagsinal," he greeted. I remained silent. I simply went to my seat and sat down without showing any emotion. He raised an eyebrow at what I did. I was afraid he would condemn that, but he didn't, which is lucky for me beca
My body seemed to be moving on its own. I don't know how to think properly. Even though my knees were shaking, I still managed to run. Lord, please, not my son. "M-Miss, Giovani Dagsinal, please," I asked at the nurse assigned in the emergency ward. "H-He was taken to the operating room," a familiar voice interrupted. I unconsciously made a turn in her direction. Her eyes swelled up. Her daughter was seated at her side, sobbing quietly while her elbow was bandaged. Both of them were seated on a hospital bed."Lhea, why are you here? And what happened to Dianne?" Agustine was curious. Her throat was hardly moving. She gave me a sympathetic glance. She started to say something, but then she quickly stopped.Ultimately, I decided to disregard her. I don't give a damn about her. My son is who I need to see. Agustine was following me, but I did not pay attention to him as I swiftly ran away."K-Khrystal," Mom said when she saw me. I ignored her. I immediately went to Gia who was sitt
"Aren't you going to talk?" I took a deep breath and turned to face him. It's been almost ten minutes since we went up here on the hospital's rooftop. I invited him here so we can talk peacefully; that's what I believe. "I don't plan to hide them from you," I began. He scoffed. "Really? That's why I recently found out that I have kids," he mocked along with his intense glare. I bit my lower lip and looked away. "I was planning to tell you today." "Today," he repeated and laughed wearily. I screamed when he faced the wall and punched it hard. He let out a few more before looking at me again. I could see the pain and betrayal in his eyes. "You should have informed me right away when you found out you were pregnant, Khrystal! My children almost turned into bastards!" His veins nearly burst while screaming. "How can I let you know about my pregnancy if I thought you already got a family on your own, Agustine?! Do you think I also wanted to acknowledge my children as illegitimates?
*** "SIR, she's back," Miguel informed me. Finally, the day I've been waiting for has arrived. I looked at him and then put down the gym equipment I was holding. I wiped my face for a while then faced him again. "Set an appointment with her. Your earliest," I ordered. He looked at me before leaving in front of me. After five long years, I felt alive again. Damn, woman. You made me crazy. I have no news about her apart from the achievements I hear from other investors. I could not stop myself from smiling every time they are praising her works. I am proud of her. In the midst of the filthy name that rests on her, she managed to bloom in her own way. She's now a respectable architect. A famous one. Can't wait to see you soon, my wife. Sunrise sunrise. I already fixed myself. I almost spilled the mango on my clothes. I am nervous and excited at the same time. "Is she inside?" I frowned and asked the secretary. "Yes, sir." I knocked several times but no one answered.
"How are you, hija?" my mom spoke as we ate our dinner, she's talking to her friend's daughter, Lhea. I don't know why I always need to be present every time she's here. I knew he wanted the girl for me, but I never agreed with his plan. Although, I didn't decline either. I just let my mom think that I am following her orders. Well, as of now, there's nothing wrong with her plan. I'm not in a relationship, I also don't have someone I like. There's no need to oppose. "I'm doing good, Aunt. How about you?" the girl answered. I lazily tilted my head to look at her. She's pretty, I admit it though. We're friends too. Not bad for me. I saw her looking at me, her cheeks flushed when she found me staring at her. "It's okay. Even though I'm stressed here with my son," Mama complained. The girl, Lhea, chuckled. "Why, Aunt? Is there something wrong with your business?" Mom shook her head and looked at me with a sneer. I just remained my stoic face as I continued eating my food. "He's pl
As I peered into the pitch-black abyss, the chilly breeze embraced my body. Even though it's past midnight, I am back on the hospital's rooftop. I've been standing still and pondering things for practically an hour. I'll admit, Agustine's remarks stayed in the back of my head. I experienced conflicting emotions. Happy? Afraid? Bewildered. I let out a sigh and looked up at the stars. We are not a teen anymore. If we have decisions that need to be made, we don't have to go in circles. I suddenly remembered his interview five years ago. I quickly took out my cell phone and tried to find it on the internet. Luckily, it was still there. I'm shaking while clicking on the play button of the video. I held my breath when some reporters started questioning him. "Mr. Revelar, would you confirm that you are the person featured in the audio recording?" "Yes," Agustine answered directly and without hesitation. "Are you being blackmailed that time? Drugged? Or something?" Agustine's face ins
"Khrystal." I felt a faint tap on my shoulder as I heard my mother's voice. I slowly opened my eyes and saw her standing in front of me. I dozed off. I didn't realize that maybe because I was tired. I glanced at Gio and found him still sleeping. Next I looked for Gia. I smiled when Daddy was with her and gave her his peeled apple. "I'm going to buy our food outside first," said Mom. I immediately shook my head and then stood up. "Leave it to me. I'm also going to buy something outside." I faced Daddy and smiled in farewell before leaving the room. I haven't seen Agustine again since he and Lhea had a heated conversation. Where he went, that also I don't know. I took a deep breath while walking. Now that our past has been clarified, I can't help but regret it. Even so, I'm still thankful because what we went through made me stronger. I am not a good for nothing bastard anymore. I have made a name for myself and I have proven myself. If there was something bad about the separation
I tried to smile in front of Gio. "Baby . . ." I could hardly speak. "Mommy needs to tell you something." "What is it, Mom?" he replied weakly. I cleared the lump in my throat and moved a little. I let there be space for my son to see Agustine's presence. Gradually, my son's eyes grew bigger. "S-Sir," he mumbled. It was like my heart was pinched at that moment. I did not try to look at Agustine. I am afraid, sorry, and hurt. I felt him walking towards us. My son's eyes were focused only on him. His father's presence is awe-inspiring and clouding his vision. "Gio . . ." I barely managed to say. "S-son, Daddy . . . he's here for you." His eyes slowly shifted to me. His tears gathered more and more at the corners of his eyes. He could not believe what he heard. Once again, I tried to smile at him. "You don't have to hide anymore, baby . . ." I murmured. Gio's tears eventually began to fall across his face. His lips twitched as he looked back at Agustine. "Hey, buddy," Agustine
"Omg, girls have some class." My gaze shifted when a familiar voice spoke. I frowned when I saw Agustine's mother. She was standing in front with an expensive bag hanging on her arm. She let out a sigh and then walked elegantly towards us. Every sound of her heels as she stomped on the hospital floor did not escape my ears. "Where's my son?" she asked when she's finally in front of me. I stared at her for a second. I can't see any emotion on her face. I could not even decide whether to respond or ask back a question. "Mom." On cue, Agustine arrived. He quickly went to his mother and gently held her arm. "What are you doing here?" he added. "Well, I found out that you are here. Did something happen to you?" his mother was curious. Agustine quickly shook his head and looked at me. Asking for forgiveness even though nothing has happened yet. His throat moved before looking back at his mother. "Mom, please, go home. Let's talk at home. Don't make a mess here," I heard him murmured
I was pacing back and forth—waiting for him to show up—as I held tight on the pregnancy test. Almost two weeks had passed since I found out about it. I did not know what to do; all I knew was. . . I must tell him about our baby. It's been two hours since I got here to the lobby of his condo. As soon as I landed at the airport, I asked the taxi to send me here. I want to go up to his unit, but I am afraid of his reaction. I know he's mad at me, and it might trigger him to be impulsive. If I show up here in the lobby, he can still control because there are people around. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. I avoided thinking about anything for fear that my child might be affected. I sat on the couch for a while to rest. Right after that, I finally saw him walking. His attention was not on me, but on the floor. I was about to rise from my seat when a child suddenly grabbed his hand. I was even more stunned when his fiancee followed. Our eyes met. I saw shock in her eyes, but
"Aren't you going to talk?" I took a deep breath and turned to face him. It's been almost ten minutes since we went up here on the hospital's rooftop. I invited him here so we can talk peacefully; that's what I believe. "I don't plan to hide them from you," I began. He scoffed. "Really? That's why I recently found out that I have kids," he mocked along with his intense glare. I bit my lower lip and looked away. "I was planning to tell you today." "Today," he repeated and laughed wearily. I screamed when he faced the wall and punched it hard. He let out a few more before looking at me again. I could see the pain and betrayal in his eyes. "You should have informed me right away when you found out you were pregnant, Khrystal! My children almost turned into bastards!" His veins nearly burst while screaming. "How can I let you know about my pregnancy if I thought you already got a family on your own, Agustine?! Do you think I also wanted to acknowledge my children as illegitimates?
My body seemed to be moving on its own. I don't know how to think properly. Even though my knees were shaking, I still managed to run. Lord, please, not my son. "M-Miss, Giovani Dagsinal, please," I asked at the nurse assigned in the emergency ward. "H-He was taken to the operating room," a familiar voice interrupted. I unconsciously made a turn in her direction. Her eyes swelled up. Her daughter was seated at her side, sobbing quietly while her elbow was bandaged. Both of them were seated on a hospital bed."Lhea, why are you here? And what happened to Dianne?" Agustine was curious. Her throat was hardly moving. She gave me a sympathetic glance. She started to say something, but then she quickly stopped.Ultimately, I decided to disregard her. I don't give a damn about her. My son is who I need to see. Agustine was following me, but I did not pay attention to him as I swiftly ran away."K-Khrystal," Mom said when she saw me. I ignored her. I immediately went to Gia who was sitt