"Big sister, you are so beautiful!!! You look like a princess!" Seven-year-old Lara exclaimed with twinkling eyes full of admiration. Her older sister Lena was currently fitting her gown for her upcoming wedding."Really, Lara?" Lena bent down and squeezed both of her cheeks. "You really are my number one fan!"She gave her sister her big smile, showing off her missing front tooth. Lena had just turned eighteen but she was already set to marry her childhood sweetheart, Migo, in a month’s time. It was still too early, but she could see that Lena was happy with her decision."Do you want to fit your gown, too?" Lena asked.Lara nodded excitedly. She was going to be her sister's flower girl. Of course, she must also have a gown fitting! She will also wear white, like a little bride.Lena helped her put on her gown. Then, they both looked in the mirror."Wow! I also look like a princess! Look at me, big sister!""Yes, you are! Wait, let's take a picture together." Lena took her phone and
Eleven years later..."It’s still very early for such a grumpy face, Señorita!"Lara looked up frowningly at the source of the voice — it was Chester Salas, one of her two best friends. He was tall, dark, handsome and a typical playboy at one glance."So? What do you care, Mister?" She asked with a raised eyebrow."I do care, Señorita, because when you’re grumpy like that, the whole world is affected!" He said dramatically while slapping his own forehead before sitting down beside her."Go away, Chester! Get out of my sight!" She remarked irritably. She was not in the mood for his unfunny jokes. Every time she wakes up on the wrong side of the bed like today, she just can't control her temper. Why was she not in the mood? Well, there’s really no reason. She was just bored with her life."Hey, what is really wrong with you?" Chester asked her, not minding her bad mood. "Wait, where is Tasya? Class is about to start, but she's not here yet."“She’s not coming to school today," she answe
"Divorce?" Atty Baltazar repeated her words as if it was the most unbelievable word ever."Yes, Atty., divorce," she confirmed."Mrs. Villareal," he leaned back on his chair and looked at her intently, like he was wondering what the hell she was thinking. She met the old lawyer's gaze. She needed to show him that she was being serious. She had thought about it for several months and was able to convince herself that it was the right thing to do. She knew she could also convince Atty. Baltazar if he saw the determination in her eyes."Mrs. Villareal," he said again. He clasped his hands on top of his glass table before continuing. "Do you even understand what you’re saying?"She stopped herself from raising an eyebrow. Did she look like she did not understand what she wanted to happen? Her? The Lara Andrade, who graduated summa cum laude just this past month?What she wanted was really simple -- divorce her absentee and overly mysterious husband!Did she need to prove to him that she u
C4 - Proud."Lara," Migo repeated when he didn’t hear from her again. "Are you still there?" Lara’s picture of Migo’s face on her head was vague now. But by the tone he used, she could almost see him frowning at her vividly.His voice… It was no longer the same as how she remembered he sounded. It seemed like his voice became more beautiful. He sounded mysterious and cold and yet Lara felt as though a hand touched her heart.Ah, she couldn’t explain the feeling. "Lara," Miguel started to sound annoyed. "Look, if you don't want to talk, return the phone to George—""I'm here," she cut him, her heartbeat racing. She thought she couldn’t breathe properly. Or was she just very nervous that she was palpitating?She waited so long for this. For this one phone call. For this chance to hear his voice! Finally!"Well, good," Miguel’s tone was serious again. "I want you to prepare your credentials and go to the office tomorrow.""In your office?” She couldn’t believe it.For years, she was te
Lara couldn’t believe it. She graduated Summa Cum Laude but she was given the position of Assistant to the Assistant? Clerical! She wanted to walk out. What did her brilliant husband think of her? Did he think she knew nothing? Given that she was a fresh grad. She could still accept an Assistant position. But to be the Assistant of the Assistant, did Migo think so lowly of her abilities? What insulted her more was what the HR Manager told her. They gave her that position because there was really no vacancy. That if not for her backer, she wouldn’t have been accepted into the company. Yes! The HR Manager was that straight forward! Lara felt like the latter was being personal with her. "I have no idea who endorsed you, but you are referred directly from the office of the CEO. So, I guess he’s someone not to be taken lightly. But don't mistake that because you have an influential backer, you will receive special treatment here," Ms. Salvacion lengthily said. What if she told her
“Have you already seen the CEO?” Lara randomly asked Kylene one boring day while she was photocopying memos to be distributed to the company's various departments. "Mr. Villareal? Not yet. Whenever there’s a meeting, he would only ask till the managerial level. Besides, he has his own elevator that goes directly to his floor,” Kylene answered. The woman was just a few years older than Lara.She also noticed that she was an introvert. She does not join the others in their department. In fact, she was being bullied. They were passing off their paperwork to Kylene. "He’s mysterious even here,” she whispered to herself. "You’re saying something, Lara?" "Nope," she said, shaking her head. She took the photocopied papers to another table and started sorting them."Here’s more. It’s needed in thirty minutes!"The papers that Lara'd been sorting flew in the air when Lizzie slammed a thick folder on the table.If she hadn’t turned her back at once, she would’ve seen Lara’s dagger looks.“L
Lara grinned as she slipped the signed divorce papers into the photocopied files for the CEO. She would let him know of her intention to divorce him and that she was dead serious about it.Enough was enough. She was so done. If Miguel wouldn't take her seriously, then he should just let her go on her own.She didn't need him anymore because she was grown now.'That sounds so ungrateful, Lara,' her mind quickly rebuked.Fine. She owed Miguel everything she had now. But couldn't she have her own life now? Migo should set her free and let her live her life away from him. Because why would he keep her if he didn't have plans of letting her see him?What was the purpose of marrying her when she couldn't see even the tips of his hair? Couldn't they be friends at least? What was Migo's reason for being so mysterious? What was she supposed to do with him?Lara was tired. She didn't want to do anything with Miguel anymore!"Why are you smiling like that, Lara?" Kylene asked curiously as she a
Lara literally looked up when Migo stopped in front of her. She could still remember how tall he was when she was just a little girl. But why did she feel like she hadn't grown at all? Even now, she had to crane her neck to look him in the eye.Lara realized that Miguel Villareal was a tall man. He exuded an intimidating aura. Power radiated from him just from his posture alone. His gaze seemed to come straight from the North Pole, and yet, despite the coldness, the intense anger in his eyes couldn't be denied.What did she do that offended him?'Duh, Lara, do you even have to ask? Look at yourself! You're a mess! You got caught in the act of fighting! How embarrassing. I'm sure Migo would never allow anyone to know you're his wife!'"What are you doing?" he asked.Lara felt her throat constrict. When she opened her mouth to speak, no sound came out. Was she truly speechless?First of all, aside from the familiar features of his face, Migo's total appearance had changed. And Lara hadn
Seventeen years ago, Lara did not understand why she survived a massacre and her family didn’t. Even when her mind was etched with the face of their killer, all she ever thought of was giving justice to their deaths. She knew she would see him again. And she was not wrong. Almost two decades passed, their paths crossed again.Now that she stood at the witness stand and she could see the horror in Stefano’s eyes, Lara was convinced that God allowed her to live for that very purpose. To make Stefano pay for the crimes he committed.Earlier, when the man saw her, he was greatly surprised. Perhaps he had assumed she was dead. Well, she couldn't blame him. He saw her condition back then because he was the one responsible for her gunshot wound. But he had miscalculated. It wasn't her time yet.Lara swore an oath to only tell the truth. And that was exactly what she did. But she was surprised by her own composure. She didn’t break down even when she recalled everything that happened many yea
"Stop crying, I'm not dead yet."Lara couldn't decide whether to laugh or be affected by the emotional outpouring of her two friends.After a week and a half since her near-death experience, Miguel finally allowed her friends to know what had happened to her and visit her."Shut up!" Tasya wiped her tears away. "You always do this to us! I'm scared that next time, we'll just be mourning over your dead body!""Lara, how could you not tell us? We get it that we might not be able to protect you like your husband could, but aren't we your friends? At least let us know what's going on with you," Chester said, his expression serious. His eyes were red from earlier tears."I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean not to tell—""I asked you!" Tasya cut in. "You didn't tell me! If I had known how dangerous your plan was, I should never have agreed to help you! I regret letting you do something without knowing the whole plan!""Tash, I'm sorry... I didn't want to tell you because I knew you wouldn'
"I think our baby is moving..."Lara laughed softly at what Miguel said. His hand was on her belly, feeling the movements even though she wasn't even showing yet."Is that so?" She knew it was impossible because their baby was just a few weeks old. But she didn't have the heart to correct him. Migo was just excited. "Then get ready, Migo. I'm sure when he comes out, he'll be a playful and active child!""Also beautiful, kind, smart, brave, and takes after his mom..." Miguel smiled gently at her.That warmed her heart. Lara was happy, so happy."You want a daughter?""Whether it's a son or a daughter, it's fine. What's important is that both of you are healthy and well," he said, moving closer to cup her face. "I love you, sweetheart...""I love you too, Miguel..."Miguel bent to kiss her lips softly.Lara wanted to cry. She could feel her husband's love for her, and she felt ashamed that she had caused him so much worry. But despite her reckless decision to meet Stefano and falling in
"Sometimes I wonder why I am still alive. Is it for you to spoil me with visits like this?" Meredith rolled her eyes at him. She was propped up against the headboard of her hospital bed when he approached her. "You're here every day, Migo.""It's for you to realize that there's someone who is not yet ready to lose you," Miguel answered, lightly pinching his friend's cheek."As if!"Her gunshot wounds weren't fatal because she was wearing a bulletproof vest. However, she was hit in the arm and shoulder. She was recovering from her injuries, but her sickness persisted and worsened."Have you made up your mind yet?"Meredith sighed. "I made my decision a long time ago, you know it. So, I don't understand why you're still trying to convince me every day.""Mer, until you've tried everything, it's not over. Besides, do you really want to leave me now?""Cut it out," she chuckled, scolding him. "You can't guilt-trip me like that. I know you're happy now. You don't need me anymore, Miguel."
“You should’ve just killed me,” Stefano said bitterly yet unremorsefully.“We’re not the same, Stefano. I am not a killer,” Miguel replied.His cousin had just come out of the hospital, but he was immediately brought to prison. Stefano’s arms were both gone. However, the man did not show any remorse for everything he had done.“You are so full of yourself, Miguel. Your day will come!”“What matters is that your day has arrived. Show even a little remorse, Stefano. You killed not only the woman you claim to love but also your own blood!”Stefano laughed bitterly. “You killed them.”“I didn’t. It was your selfishness and love for money that killed them. You killed them, Stefano.”“I’m the bad guy now?” He seemed to find it impossible to believe.“You’ve always been,” he replied. “Even before we met, you had already ruined Grandfather’s trust in you. I had nothing to do with the changes you claimed to have made. You made all the changes yourself.”He laughed again. “You can refuse it, Mi
"Lena… It’s you… Lena!"Lara was utterly confused. Stefano, who had been a madman, suddenly turned into a meek lamb, kneeling while he held her hands. He was repeatedly calling her by her sister’s name."Lena, I’m sorry. I’m sorry!" He held her hands and kissed them. "Are you hurt?"Lara felt repulsed, but she was too afraid to do anything that might trigger Stefano to become violent again."I know that you’re alive!" He stood up and hugged her. "They all lied to me, Lena!"When he embraced her and gently moved her hair, Lara realized her hair was down. She hadn't noticed it had come loose from the bindings earlier. And with her hair down, she looked exactly like her sister.Stefano couldn't differentiate her from her sister for some reason unknown to Lara. What was going on with him?"I knew you would come back!" He cradled her face in his hands.Lara couldn’t say or do anything but stare back at him with fear in her eyes. Stefano was seeing her as Lena, and that was enough to terrif
"Stefano!!! Leave my wife alone!!!!!!!!!!"Stefano only responded with laughter."Do not hurt her!""I'll say it again, Miguel. From this time on, you will obey everything I say. I'll call you again."Then he ended the call.Miguel slammed his hand on the steering wheel. Stefano had Lara in his grip. It was his fault! He should have been with his wife. He could have protected her!"Location, Jaxen?" he asked his companion in the backseat. His assistant was monitoring their distance from Lara's last known location.When they reached the safehouse, they found his men barely hanging on. The traitor knew where to shoot to kill. But what he didn't know was that one of his comrades had managed to plant a tracking device on him.That was what they were following now, hoping Stefano hadn't noticed it and removed it to mislead them. It was stationary at the moment, indicating they weren't moving. Based on Stefano's call, confirming his wife was with him, it matched the tracker's signal."We're
Lara was beginning to feel uneasy in her seemingly comfortable situation. She was being treated well, and despite waiting for several minutes, there was still no sign of Stefano.There were five guards inside a spacious room in a safe house. Two were by the door, keeping watch. One, who seemed to be the leader, was positioned near the window, occasionally scanning the surroundings with binoculars. The other two were in a corner, playing cards. Meanwhile, Lara sat quietly on the sofa, shifting her gaze between them, looking confused.The address Stefano had sent her was different from this place. However, it could mean that he was intentionally trying to confuse her. After all, only the two of them knew about her plan. But the question remained: where was Stefano? Why was he keeping her waiting?She had been calm a while ago, but when one of the guards at the window suddenly pulled out a gun and started scanning the area, Lara felt her heart in her throat.Earlier, she had asked about
"Are you sure you are going to do this?""You're worrying now? Please, Miguel, I'm not a child."He could almost see Meredith rolling her eyes, though he only heard her voice. She was indeed not a child, but he couldn't help but worry. She was going on a dangerous mission for him and Lara."Remember to prioritize your safety, Mer.""You know I have nothing to lose anymore. This might just give meaning to my life...""I want you back safe and sound," he replied.He understood what Meredith meant. A few days ago, she had confessed everything to him, and he was profoundly saddened. He was losing a friend to a terminal disease. Meredith had fought it, but she fought alone. She didn't tell anyone until the doctors had given up on her."If I come back, I want you for myself, Migo. So, don't ask for it," she teased.He let out a low chuckle, but inside, he was deeply sad. When she had told him about her condition, he felt shattered. Meredith was his closest friend. He couldn't bear the thoug