The sun was just starting to set on the West and it was a beautiful sight to behold. Its golden rays spread like a large star shinning at the end of the horizon. Even the cars hurried down the road as everyone tried to get home in time for dinner. It's been two long - hectic and boring - weeks and Damien had been busier than usual. Having to make up for the time he spent in the villa, his schedule was beyond tight.Sitting on the couch in the living room, before his television with a bottle of diet soda in his hand, he kept sighing. This was his life: lonely, boring, and pathetic. No one needed to tell him how sad and empty his life was.For two hours, Damien sat before the television set, barely watching a thing as he was lost in the whirlpool of his secrets.Maybe he should start letting them out, he thought and hissed at the idea. Secrets were meant to be personal and private."But, she's a secret I can't keep forever." He muttered, placing the bottle on the table he picked his ke
Chapter 40… MotherNote... The chapter before this should have been Secrets..Do well to read that before reading this one ***"Mother?" Damien called as soon as he opened the door. His voice was low and trembled lightly.The woman on the mat in a corner of the room turned to face him. Her head tilted to the side and she scrutinized Damien very well.Damien smiled at her reaction. He knew she wouldn't recognize him -she never did. Still, he came every week to see her with hopes that she would one day recognize him."I brought flowers." He said, holding the lilies with both hands before him. He grinned awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck."Actually, I plucked them at the foot of the hill since no flower shops would be open now."The woman named Mirabella, smiled and patted the mat next to her. Damien didn't hesitate and hurriedly took a seat besides her after placing the lilies in a glass of water."Mother Mary said you're getting back." He said and she nodded, her eyes squin
Chapter 41… Found OutThe alarm blared at six a.m. Eleanor lifted a hand sleepily to turn off the ear piercing cry of the clock. All she wanted to do was to lay in bed -cuddled up by the warm covers- all day.Yesterday, she had to deal with a slight fever and thought it to be the effect of stress. So, she had ignored it. At least it was simply a fever until night came and she was struck by a splitting headache and she couldn't sleep. All she did to lessen the pain seemed abortive until she had to resort to the last option -grandma Cindy's extra strong pain killers. And instead of the usual prescribed one pill, she had opted for two. Only then did she feel better and was able to close her eyes in sleep.Groaning, she sat up and let her eyes adjust to the little light that was coming in from the window. Eleanor could already tell it wouldn't be sunny today. It was six and the sun was still hidden. Besides, the weather was starting to change though slowly. But, sure.She stretched her
Chapter 42… Find HimAt Golden Inc…Jonathan's Office…Eleanor was seated in a swivel chair and she twirled around with a cup of water in hand."I didn't expect it," she mumbled to Jonathan who was watching her from where sat on the couch.He knew she was hurt by the sudden betrayal. Anyone would be. He didn't even know what to say to her. As far as he knew, El already had a way to deal with the culprit so, he could only five her a listening ear.Eleanor hissed again and place a foot on the ground to stop the chair from moving. She looked up at Jonathan and cocked her head to the side.Jonathan frowned. "What is it?""I was wondering…" she began.Jonathan hissed. "Wondering what, El?""If I know you well - and I do - whatever it is you are thinking is not good." He quickly added to hear her let a throaty chuckle."You know?" She asked.Jonathan sneered. "Like I just met you today, hmph!""But," his face became serious once more as he stood up and went to sit on the desk before her. "W
Chapter 43… I Know You"Find him"Jonathan froze. His eyeballs dilated as he turned to face Eleanor slowly."Are you out of your fucking mind!?" He yelled.Eleanor shrugged and grabbed her keys. "Maybe""Are you sure about this?" Jonathan asked before she could reach the door. "I mean, I've always trusted anything you do but-""Then don't start doubting now." Eleanor replied dryly and left.Jonathan watched the door close with a soft thud. He was very sure that Eleanor must have lost her mind. With a sigh, he stood up and headed to the bar of the house and picked himself a bottle of whiskey.*****Eleanor drove around the bustling streets of New York City for hours with no destination in mind. This was something she did when she was at crossroads.The sun had long settled when she drove down a very bright alley that looked familiar. As she drove down the road at a very slow pace, she saw the building in one corner.'Castle Of Wine'It read in bold letters that illuminated with colour
Chapter 44… A Different Environment"Y-you have to kno-" she began but couldn't complete her words as she slumped into the table.Damien reached out to her in a haste, scared that she was harmed. He only breathed out when he felt her heart rate and heard her snoring."Is she okay, sir?" Andy asked, shaking at the side.Damien nodded.He pulled out his wallet and fetched some money, not minding how much it was and placed on the table before Andy."That should be enough" Andy nodded, still not convinced that Eleanor was alive."She's alive, right?" He asked again.Damien chuckled. He grabbed Andy's index finger and place it on Eleanor's pulse to feel her pulse. "Felt it?"Andy nodded and breathed in relief. Damien picked Eleanor up bridal style and turned to Andy."I'll take her home. Could you help me with her bag?"Andy nodded and grabbed the bag before following Damien up to his car."I'm sure her car is here somewhere, what would be done about it?" Andy asked.Damien placed Eleano
CHAPTER 45… COINCIDENCES?She asked, not knowing which to ask first. Was it who he was or where he was all this time?Somehow, she had always known that she was not just looking for him for the sake of the kids and right now, the tugs in her chest seemed to be confirming it"I know you have a lot of questions," Damien said calmly, his expression turning calm, placid and plain. "I do too. But, before that, I would like to invite you for breakfast."Eleanor opened her mouth to refuse but Damien beat her to eat."Don't worry, this is my home and I can assure you that you are safe. We can discuss and I'll answer every of your questions over breakfast. Also, you get to tell me about the kids… my kids… our kids"Eleanor froze in shock. He already knew of the kids?How did he know?Who informed him?She swallowed past the lump in her throat and nodded. It might just help that he already knew.Damien smiled. He showed her to the bathroom where he had already prepared a pair of Beverly's clo
CHAPTER 46… HIDDEN SECRETSShould he tell her about his mother or just continue with the lie that she was dead?Damien did not know what to respond. If he told her where his mother was, would she keep it a secret until everything is done?But, with the coincidences, it seemed like she was the only one who could help them as Eleanor's mother was dead.Damien sighed.Seems like he would have to take the risk and tell her."Can I trust you with a secret?" Damien asked, looking into her eyes. Eleanor nodded."Are you sure? It is a secret I have kept for years and not ready to share with the world." Damien asked again, wanting to be sure."I swear on my kids" Eleanor replied. She loved her kids and would do anything to keep them safe. So, they were her only oath taking materials.Damien nodded.He sighed and told Eleanor a few things before they left the villa.*****Damien parked the car where he usually did and came out. Eleanor came out from the other side, confused as to what they wer
Eleanor's eyes widened at Damien's suggestion. Disbelief flickered across her face. "Remarried? No, that can't be. Mirabella never mentioned anything about remarrying, and we have no reason to think so."Damien leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in contemplation. "Well, it's unusual for someone to go by different names within the same family. Could there be something we're missing?"Eleanor shook her head. "Sienna is in her twenties, while Eliora would be the same age as myself since she is my twin."Damien agreed. "Does that mean Sienna is a relative of yours, then?" he inquired thoughtfully.Eleanor shrugged. "That's the only logical explanation for the moment," she rasped out. "Besides, judging by the story Mirabella told us, the man must have loved my mother too much to remarry," she added with a sigh."Or, she is adopted," Eddy, who had been quiet, suddenly chimed in, causing the duo to turn to him."What do you mean?" asked Eleanor, confusedly.Eddy crossed his arms ove
Eddy, still trembling, pulled out the letter and extended it toward Antonio, who took it with a cursory gaze directed at Eddy."Yes, Mr. Huxton," Eddy stammered. "I have a letter for you. It's important, and I was instructed to deliver it personally."Antonio's gaze traveled between the letter and Eddy. Something about Eddy did not sit right with him. Antonio thought that he had met Eddy before but he could not remember where."Who sent you?" He asked, slowly tearing open the letter."Z-zara Anderson-Red, sir," Eddy answered.Antonio's head whipped up to Eddy's face quickly. There was shock clearly etched on it as his eyes widened."The Andersons?" He muttered disbelievingly and Eddy nodded. Antonio quickly pointed to the couch. "Please, sit."Eddy nodded and sat, although he still did not feel comfortable.To Sienna, Antonio said, "Go, get our guest something to drink! Hurry!"Sienna stood up and left. As she made her way to the kitchen, she kept trying to remember where she had hear
Eddy's head quickly whipped to the angle the voice had come from. His jaw dropped the moment he saw the lady who had called him, walking towards him. For a moment, Eddy lost himself in the magnificence way her hips swayed as she walked towards him.Her black hair danced with the wind, making her look like a celebrity. Her eyes were clear and focused on him. Eddy was so lost in her beauty that he did not see her stop in front of him."Hey, mister! Here!" She snapped her fingers before Eddy, jolting him to reality. "Who are you?""Uhm," Eddy suddenly became confused. He scratched his head that was not itching. "I, I, uhm-i..." he suddenly coughed. "I am Martin Derek, a writer. I have a letter for Mr. Antonio.""Martin Derek..." The woman drawled, looking at Eddy's messy red hair. His eyes were a brilliant shade of jade, shinning through the spectacles on the bridge of his nose. "You don't look like a 'Martin Derek'," she stated."W-what?" Eddy chuckled nervously. He adjusted the tie on
Eddy's head quickly whipped to the angle the voice had come from. His jaw dropped the moment he saw the lady who had called him, walking towards him. For a moment, Eddy lost himself in the magnificence way her hips swayed as she walked towards him.Her black hair danced with the wind, making her look like a celebrity. Her eyes were clear and focused on him. Eddy was so lost in her beauty that he did not see her stop in front of him."Hey, mister! Here!" She snapped her fingers before Eddy, jolting him to reality. "Who are you?""Uhm," Eddy suddenly became confused. He scratched his head that was not itching. "I, I, uhm-i..." he suddenly coughed. "I am Martin Derek, a writer. I have a letter for Mr. Antonio.""Martin Derek..." The woman drawled, looking at Eddy's messy red hair. His eyes were a brilliant shade of jade, shinning through the spectacles on the bridge of his nose. "You don't look like a 'Martin Derek'," she stated."W-what?" Eddy chuckled nervously. He adjusted the tie on
"How do we get in?" Damien asked.Eleanor had suggested that they try to get into the Huxton's site, but they needed to find a way in. How to bypass the security at the gate without drawing attention to themselves."Well," Eleanor said, chewing her pen cover under the watchful gazes of Damien and Eddy. "How about we use Eddy?""As a scapegoat?" Eddy asked, with wide eyes. "No, thank you! My boss would not eve-""I agree," Damien nodded, surprising Eddy who shook his head slowly."I knew it!" Eddy cried. "You hated me for a very long time. Now, you are gonna send me to my death."Eleanor smiled."Stop being fussy, Ed." She turned to him. "Nothing's gonna happen to you. I have a plan."Eddy slumped to his knees."She has a plan," he kept muttering."What's with him?" Eleanor asked, turning to Damien who simply smiled."He's fine…" he replied. "What's the plan?".*.*.*.Eddy was sweating. Every step he took was as if he was walking on pins to his demise.How did he let Eleanor and Damien
CHAPTER 56… WE MAKE A PRETTY GOOD COUPLE.*.*.*.*.*.When Eleanor got out of bed the next morning, breakfast had already been served in a tray and placed by her bedside.She yawned, stretched and got out of bed. After her shower and dressing up, she returned to the blue themed bedroom. It was large, about the same size of her bedroom back home.As she was about to sit and dig into the breakfast in the tray, a knock interrupted her."Door's open," She called, watching to see who would come in.Damien walked in. He had already bathed and was dressed in a pair of blue sweatpants, and yet, another thousand dollars Nike shoes."Did not think you would be up already," He said, pointing at her. "And I see you are already dressed up."Eleanor nodded."Hmmm. Good morning," She greeted and turned to her tray of food. "Care to join me for breakfast?" She asked, glancing at him before adding, "it's the least I could do to thank you for bringing me to such a comfortable room."Damien nodded."Enjo
CHAPTER 55… SAD NEWSDamien's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had expected Eleanor to be anything but not a hacker. He was tempted to tell her 'no', but as he looked into her eyes, he could see clearly, the unwavering determination that mirrored his own.Toni turned to Eleanor, her eyes widening in surprise."Can you do it?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of skepticism and hope.Eleanor nodded, a small smile playing on her lips."Yes, I'm a hacker too," she revealed, her tone filled with a quiet confidence. "I can break through that firewall, gather the information we need, and I'll also make sure to log out before the system can trace me."Toni's doubt did not fade away, but she let Eleanor take the seat, then she stood behind her."Let's see what we got here..." Eleanor drawled as she began tapping quickly on the keyboard. Her eyes stuck to the screen of the computer as she worked with a very clear mind.As for Damien, he found himself curious to see if she could really do
CHAPTER 54... A HACKER.*.*.*.*.*.The next morning, Damien looked out at the vibrant city of Spain, feeling a sense of nostalgia washing over him. It had been far too long since he last visited, but the familiarity tugged at his heartstrings, welcoming him back like an old friend.Eleanor sat quietly in the cab, her gaze fixed on the passing streets. Her mind was filled with thoughts as she observed the people around her. While many smiled and exchanged greetings, she could see glimpses of hidden struggles and doubts behind those cheerful facades. It saddened her to realize that there was often more beneath the surface than met the eye."We can finally move out of the hotel," Damien noted, pulling Eleanor's attention back to him as the driver kept driving. His voice was filled with a sense of relief. Curiosity sparked in Eleanor's eyes as she could not help but wonder. "Just how wealthy are you?" she asked, a faint smile playing on her lips.Damien shrugged casually, not giving too
CHAPTER 53… LOOKALIKE .*.*.*.*.*.The next morning, Selena came out of the house pulling a suitcase behind her. Behind her, Cassie was pulling another, and then Penny, who was carrying a lunch basket.Damien was already waiting for her in front of his car. When he saw her, he put his phone away and like a gentleman, reached for the suitcase in her hand.Eleanor hesitated and said, "You do not have to come along if you do not want to, you know."Damien hissed and pulled the suitcase out of her grip gently. "Firstly, I'm going on this trip because I want to. Secondly, I'm going because I have a meeting in Spain. And thirdly," He paused and flashed her a wink. "Let's leave that one for later.""If anything happens to her, you will not make it out of Spain alive!" Cassie yelled sternly.Damien stuck his head out of the trunk and smiled before returning it.Penny brought the bags and gave them to him before going back to bid her goodbyes to Eleanor and returning into the car.The kids we