Chapter 15.1How do you even know when you're falling? When you're in love with someone? What does it feel like to love? And to be loved in return by the person you love? They say that true love is a decision. You choose to commit to someone because you love them. You choose them every day and show them how much you love them. But what if I’ve never truly felt love before? How can I say for sure that what I’m feeling is love? “Eloise?” Cate’s voice pulled me back to reality. “Huh?” I turned to her, still lost in thought. “Do you like him?” she asked again. “If you’re afraid of liking him, there’s nothing wrong with that. We’re free to like and love whoever we want. There’s no law that says you can’t love someone just because of your differences in status. It’s just people who think that way,” she said in a long monologue. “I don’t know,” I replied. She sighed and held my hand tightly. “Listen to this,” she said, pointing at my chest where my heart was. “Listen to this, but
Prologue "Hi Loise!" Carla greeted me. I smiled at her and greeted her too. Of all the employees here, she's the only one who's nice to me. The other women here can only see me with very high eyebrows. I didn't do something wrong, but I guess no matter how good you are people will always have something to say about you. I just continued my walk to my cubicle. I need money more, than asking them about their problem about me. I don't have an energy to have a confrontation with them, If they're mad at me so be it. As long as I knew myself I didn't do something wrong to them. I was so oblivious of my work that I didn't know It was already morning, my shift was only until 6am. After fixing my things I already left the building. I walked 5 minutes to get on the jeep. I remember the first time I commuted, I don’t know how. I don't even know what happened. I almost got lost because the jeep I rode was wrong but thankfully
Chapter 1.1"You know I'm not into that okay? I told you that I only go to the masquerade and no one else. You know my reasons."I sipped my coffee while staring into the city lights in front of me. A thick blanket wrapped around me as I sat in a hammock on the veranda of where I was staying. I'm talking with Catelyn on the other line of the phone, she's keep on offering me a job."But Loise, it's a great opportunity to know more possible clients in the future and besides you needed the money right? What you can get here is more than you need. The event is exclusive, and there is no media so I assure you it's safe. "I sighed and toyed with the rim of the cup I was holding. Yes, I badly needed the money right now but I'm also thinking of the publicity of the said event, maybe the situation I'm in now will only get worse. I don't want to add to the problem now, maybe it's just more compl
Chapter 1.2 I didn't even look at my dress and bit my lip so hard. Men like him prefer those who have almost nothing to cover their woman. It was as if the clothing factories had run out of fabric so their clothe could hardly be called clothes anymore. "Let's go." I looked up at him when I heard his low and deep voice. I shivered and immediately looked down when he took my hand without holding a purse and sang it on his elegant arm that even if it was covered by his expensive sout now he is undeniably a gym customer. As Catelyn said earlier, no media greeted us at the hotel entrance, only the guards were there to pick up the invitation card given by my male companion. Even though I've done this a few times I still can't help but be nervous, I'm afraid someone will recognize me here. I tightened my grip on the man's arm as we entered the event hall. The ch
Chapter 2.1How did his look make me feel different? It felt like there was a race in my chest because of the force of the explosion I was feeling. He was the only one who made me feel this way and I didn't like it. It feels good but scary. The idea that I could drown in it and if I wasn't lucky I wouldn't be able to get out was frightening.Even if his face is against the light of the bright fireworks in the sky, I could still see him clearly like in the broad daylight. His picture perfect features that will make every woman drool over him. He no longer needs to approach women because the women themselves will approach him, they will definitely throw themselves at him."I don't know if you're staring at me or at that f*cking fireworks."I blinked and stared into
Chapter 2.2I was not on my own just watching him as he stood and when he came out of the room. My brain was still processing what he said."W-what?"He just turned to me and looked at the corner of the room. When I looked back at it, all the things I had brought were already there."W-wait, huh? Why are my things here? And how did you get my things?"He shrugged his shoulders and boredom was written all over his face. He really doesn't have anything to talk about."I have my ways." That's all he said and left the room.After he left, I immediately took a shower and got dressed, maybe he will pay me for this hotel.I was arranging my things when suddenly my cellphone on the bed vibrated. I opened it and what I saw slapped me the cruel reality of the world.Mr. Valdez sent me his payment on my bank account.I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I don't want to cry, I'm done there. I must be used to it, but every time I see the digits of the money being entered into my bank account, I
Chapter 3.1It may be true that when you want to avoid people, destiny will play tricks on you more. Your paths will really meet no matter what happens. Even if you want to avoid it, there is nothing you can do.What is this man's up to? Catelyn said that he's handsome and every woman would even bend their knees just to get his attention. So why me? Besides, the man seems to have a girlfriend. I don't want to ruin the relationship! I've been with different people, but I always make sure that I will never be the reason of the wreckage of their relationship. Never.I said I didn't want to see him but I just found myself packing my things for tomorrow's flight. I haven't even been able to find a job yet but here I am now, leaving again.Why did he think of including me there? He can bring his girlfriend! If it was really him, I knew that his girlfriend would definitely love to go with him. I was planning to get a new job and stop what I'm doing this past few months. If Daddy will wake up
Chapter 3.2I also immediately resented my own feeling because that wasn’t right and I didn’t have the courage to name this feeling. I shouldn't feel this, it's obviously a suicide! I have no plans to crush my whole being.He smiled at me, "I'm just making sure that you'll go with me. It's a waste of my money if I don't?"I was stunned because of what he said. He thinks of me as a paid woman who goes out with any man.It's true Eloise! Why are you hurting now?"Can't talk? You've been with a lot of filthy old rich businessmen right? They paid you for that kind of job, so what's the difference when you'll go with me?"You're handsome and they're not.I wanted to say that but I didn't. There's no way I'll te him that! "I pay triple than the price they paid you."After I heard those words, my cellphone rang and a notification popped up. When I looked at the screen, I saw that it's a notification from the bank I was using for this job. I was depressed when I saw that he actually paid tri
Chapter 15.1How do you even know when you're falling? When you're in love with someone? What does it feel like to love? And to be loved in return by the person you love? They say that true love is a decision. You choose to commit to someone because you love them. You choose them every day and show them how much you love them. But what if I’ve never truly felt love before? How can I say for sure that what I’m feeling is love? “Eloise?” Cate’s voice pulled me back to reality. “Huh?” I turned to her, still lost in thought. “Do you like him?” she asked again. “If you’re afraid of liking him, there’s nothing wrong with that. We’re free to like and love whoever we want. There’s no law that says you can’t love someone just because of your differences in status. It’s just people who think that way,” she said in a long monologue. “I don’t know,” I replied. She sighed and held my hand tightly. “Listen to this,” she said, pointing at my chest where my heart was. “Listen to this, but
Chapter 14.2"Let`s go," I said to Wyatt, who was still sitting on the sofa waiting for me as I stepped out of the room. I waited for him to stand up and walk out first before following him. I simply trailed behind him. When we reached the door, I stopped to lock the apartment. Once I was sure the door was locked, I followed him to the car parked out front. I quietly got into the car and sat down. "Aren't we leaving yet?" I asked him. When I turned to look at him, he was already holding a white t-shirt, which he had taken from a black duffel bag in the backseat. "Come closer," he said. "Huh?" "Tsk." Since he hadn’t put on his seatbelt yet, it was easy for him to move closer to me. I was puzzled about what he was going to do. I was about to ask when his actions answered my unspoken question. He held my hair and started drying it with his white t-shirt. "You should dry your hair; the water is dripping onto your blouse," he said. When I looked down at my blouse, it was
Chapter 14.1The next day, I woke up to the sound of two consecutive knocks on the door. I still wanted to sleep, but whoever was knocking on my apartment door seemed to be in a hurry and couldn't wait any longer. With my eyes still closed and half-conscious, I got out of bed. I quickly fixed my hair and adjusted my sleepwear before leaving my room and walking toward the living room. I yawned as I opened the front door of the apartment. I rubbed my eyes absentmindedly and then looked to see who had arrived. "Good morning," I greeted the person in front of me without thinking. There were really times when not only was my hair a mess in the morning, but so was my brain. I didn’t even know why I greeted them—words just came out of my mouth. A smiling Wyatt Wolfenstein welcomed me the moment my vision cleared. He was wearing a simple gray polo shirt, cargo shorts, white shoes, and black sunglasses. His cologne lingered in my nose, and he smelled really nice. He leaned toward m
Chapter 13.2"Uh, Eloise? Can you hand me my bag, please?" I glared at Wyatt, who now had his head peeking out from the slightly open bathroom door. I grabbed his bag, which was just below the sofa, and angrily threw it at him. It hit him right in the face. "Damn you!" "What did I do?" he asked, laughing as he adjusted his bag. The part of his face where the bag hit had turned red. "'What did I do?' Your damn face!" I yelled at him, completely furious. The more he spoke, the more my blood boiled in anger. He was seriously raising my blood pressure! He just smirked at me before going back inside the bathroom because if he didn't, I might actually end up behind bars for murder because of him. After he finished showering—and after I had taken my turn—we had breakfast together. He mentioned that he had a meeting at 10 AM, so he probably wouldn't be able to have lunch with me, which was completely fine by me. I was still annoyed at what he did earlier! Ugh! No matter what I d
Chapter 13.1I woke up when I felt something heavy draped over my stomach. I also felt a breath against my neck. When I opened my eyes, I found Wyatt lying beside me, his arm wrapped around my waist, and his head nestled against my neck. I gasped at what I saw. I couldn't move, nor could I even speak. I took a deep breath and looked at him. He was sleeping soundly—he wasn’t snoring and remained completely silent. I traced his forehead when he suddenly frowned, his embrace tightening around me. He looked scared, and I didn’t know why. After a few seconds, his breathing became steady again. I continued tracing his forehead down to his pointed nose. After watching him for a while, I decided to get up. Someone might walk in and see us in this position. They might think the wrong thing about the two of us. The sun hadn't risen yet, so the cold still lingered in the air. I was about to remove Wyatt’s arm that was wrapped around me, but he only tightened his grip. He must be awak
Chapter 12.2I did what I was told. I stayed inside the room and waited for him. I didn’t have to wait long since he came back quickly. He brought two paper bags, one of which was from the fancy restaurant near the hospital. No wonder he arrived so fast—it was just nearby. He placed the two paper bags on top of the small table in front of the sofa. After setting them down, he sat on the sofa across from it. From the paper bag with the expensive restaurant’s logo, he took out five disposable food containers. The unbranded paper bag contained two plates and two sets of utensils. I just sat there silently, watching him as he opened the containers one by one. There were also some utensils in the other paper bag. He started setting them on the table while I continued watching him. "Come here," he said, looking at me. Despite feeling hesitant, I stood up and walked toward where he was sitting. "Sit beside me, Eloise," he instructed. Like a robot, I obeyed him, but I made sure
Chapter 12.1When I got back to the apartment, I quickly changed into a fresh, clean set of clothes and fixed myself up. I didn’t stay there for long. Since I had already packed, I left right away and headed to the hospital. I felt so uneasy on my way there. Instead of taking a jeepney, I took a taxi because I wasn’t sure if it was safe for me to ride public transportation at that moment. I felt like there were eyes watching my every move. Besides, it was getting late, so taking a taxi was the better option. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was greeted by the strong scent of alcohol and various medicines. The nurses were busy attending to newly arrived patients. A stretcher carrying a bloodied patient almost hit me. I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a sudden wave of fear. I probably wouldn’t find Nurse Tessa in Dad’s room. It looked like there was an emergency, and the doctors and other nurses needed all the help they could get. As expected, Nurse Tessa wasn’t in Dad’s room.
Chapter 11.2"What?! I told you already!—No! Are you stupid?" she shouted. I don’t know who she was talking to, but before I could hear more from whoever it was, I had already left her there. Maybe she needed some privacy too. From the tone of her voice, that call must have been important. Because of that, I didn’t get to eat breakfast. Never mind, I’ll just eat later. I took a bath and did my morning rituals. After showering, I put on a white long-sleeved blouse and a black skirt, paired with black wedge sandals. I didn’t bother tying my hair and just let it fall naturally. When I saw a white hair clip, I decided to use it as an accessory. I examined myself in front of the mirror, checking if my outfit looked good on me. I looked good, I guess.I put some powder on my face, a little blush on my cheeks, and applied some lip tint. After fixing myself up, I gathered my things before heading out. I didn’t bring the bag where I kept my other belongings yet since I would be coming
Chapter 11.1It felt so magical. Butterflies and feathers fluttered inside my stomach, and I felt like I was floating in the clouds. I couldn't explain my feelings anymore. This felt surreal. The silence stretched between us after the kiss. No one dared to speak. The sounds of the crickets and our uneven breathing were the only sounds we could hear. I tried to open my mouth, but nothing came out. I just took a deep breath and looked away, where I could only see the light from the streetlights and a few passing cars. We had been here for a while, but we still hadn’t moved or left. I bit my lower lip and then remembered that I was kissed by him a few minutes ago. I could still feel his lips on mine. The tingling sensation it gave me all over my body. I bit my lip so hard that I almost hurt myself. Thankfully, I managed to stop myself. I could still feel my face blushing, and I couldn't sit still! Even now, it felt like he was still kissing my lips. I clenched my fist on my l