14.This is true. Theyโve come to an agreement, and she has agreed to his offer. Yes, she offered herself. Baron would kill her if he found out what she did, that is if her husband is still alive.โCanโt we go tonight, Ruth?โ Lush Miguel suddenly asked the young lady. He was driving towards their destination. He said he would drop her off at the exit, and she couldnโt refuse.What does he mean by โgo tonightโ?โD-Do you mean, um, do that tonight?โ she asked, feeling awkward. Oh no, is she really ready? Sheโs on the verge of tears, having guarded herself for Baron, and now sheโs about to sell herself.In an instant, it will be gone, and another man will benefit. This is a chapter of her life she will keep hidden forever, even from Baron. This will be the ninth time something will happen between her and her boss, who is none other than Lush Miguel.But thatโs it. Close your eyes, Ruth. She reminded herself. She has to swallow it. Only her virginity will be lost, not her entire being. Af
15.Lush Miguel tossed his keys onto the table near the sofa. Delight gave him a disapproving look, eyebrows arched, and a blank expression.โItโs too early, bro. Please, spare me from your lecture that Iโm disrupting your night. Itโs justโฆโ he glanced at the wall clock, hanging on the beige wall, โ7:47.โHe lazily settled on the single sofa, and shortly after, a young girl came running towards him.โTito Lush!โ Nana exclaimed and immediately hugged him, almost tripping over her long nightgown.โWhereโs Ate June?โ He asked, looking around.โStill at the grocery store. Said sheโs stuck in traffic.โโThat explains,โ he said, fixing the hem of Nanaโs dress.โExplains what?โ Delight furrowed his brows.โExplains why ky nieceโs dress looks like itโs for Miss Universe.โDelight laughed at what he said and scratched his head. He really had no idea about being a father, so he wasnโt surprised that Nanaโs dress looked like it was for a ten-year-old when she was only four.โWhat do you have fo
16.Ruthโs eyes widened in disbelief as she read the message from Lush Miguel. She was still half-asleep, but it felt like a nightmare. Could this be true? She read the message on her phone again: โLetโs do it tonight. I donโt mind your period. Tonight and tomorrow night. Iโll give you eighty thousand pesos.โ Her eyes grew even wider as she realized what her boss was suggesting.Eighty thousand. Not bad for two nights. She couldnโt believe it. She wasnโt that beautiful. There were many more attractive women โ sophisticated, with jobs and aspirations.He claimed not to care about her period. Ruth immediately stood up and checked her underwear. No period. Her uterus had been calm since yesterday.When she got home, she noticed her pad was empty. She sighed in relief and sat down. The text arrived at four in the morning. It was already five-thirty. Was that man sleeping, or was he thinking about her period and having sex with her?Baronโs memory saddened her. No matter how much she conv
17.Ruth found herself scrutinized by the occupants of the Presidentโs floor more intensely than being a criminal. It was her second time on that floor, and once again, mocking glances were directed her way. These individuals, accustomed to seeing familiar faces, likely comprised a high-ranking circle.She, a new face, assumed the appearance of a janitor.โJust constantly follow me. Lift your head, Miss Eduardo,โ the man instructed, prompting her to obey. โYouโre here for the boss and not for them.โShe nodded, finding a lift in her spirits. It lightened the weight on her and her somewhat lowly identity.โWait here,โ the man said, pointing to a cubicle.Entering the bossโs office after a couple of knocks, he left her sitting in a chair, hands clasped. Her gaze seemed fixed at the door as if the surroundings were devoid of any other presence.โCome in,โ the man who had accompanied her earlier said, so she stood up and walked toward the door. She grasped the doorknob and slowly turned i
18.MELO entered the office with a paper in his hand. Lushโs eyebrows raised, only glanced at his secretary.โAnother paperwork?โ he asked, feeling tired.โI just need a sign, sir. This is from the utility department. This is a termination paper,โ he explained.โTear it,โ he ordered, and Melo stood there in surprise.โSir?โโTear it. Is it for Mirabelle?โMelo nodded.โRip it apart and return it to the head. Tell him not to waste my time on nonsense, a termination without a valid reason. What did it say?โMelo read the termination, โMiss Eduardo was absent for three consecutive days, and when she returned to work, she was on time for a day and really late the next day, leaving the comfort rooms untidy.โโUntidy his ass,โ he retorted, causing Melo to hide a smile. โHeโs using it for personal motives. Return it torn apart. Tell him to read the policy and bylaws.โโYes, sir.โMelo turned away and he was left alone, leaning against a chair. It was within his headโs right to ter
19.Ruth stood in front of a condominium she recognized. The driver dropped her off at the entrance, and a uniformed man opened the door for her.โTo the unit of, uhโฆโ she stammered nervously. She felt breathless.โTo the receptionist, maโam,โ the man replied.Embarrassed, she approached the receptionist. โGood evening, maโam,โ the woman greeted with a smile.โTo the unit of Lush Miguel Montesalvo,โ she said, trying not to show her nerves. She felt a pang of embarrassment; she hadnโt expected such a setup in Lush Miguelโs condo.โWhatโs your name?โ the woman asked.โRuth.โโRuth?โ The woman frowned.โMirabelle, Ruth Mirabelle Eduardo.โ She showed her ID.The woman smiled, โYes, maโam Mirabelle,โ glancing at her ID. Ruth guessed that Lush Miguel had informed them. She tucked her ID back into her bag when someone suddenly touched her shoulder.Her arm moved automatically, delivering a slap to the manโs face. โOuch!โ he winced.Horror struck her as she realized it was her boss
20. SHIT. Lush Miguel put Ruth on the bed and pulled her feet. Iโm sorry, but even though he has no experience, he canโt control himself. Itโs not that he paid her but because he was really dying to have sex with her. He would get bored too, he knew. She screeched to what he did but he didnโt move. She clutched the towel to her chest and tried to hide her body. He took off his shirt while eyeing her, and then removed his shorts and boxers, too. He had expected Ruthโs eyes to widen when she saw his hard and erect manhood. He just never paid attention to her reaction and knelt on the floor. She immediately got up but he pulled her back and spread her legs. โIโll show you something,โ he smirked and pulled her towel. She didnโt do anything when he got it and just closed her eyes tightly, as he looked at her body. Fuck. He couldnโt wait to stretch her pussy so he could fuck her harder. He felt that Ruth was trying to close the thighs he was holding but he was trying to open
21.Ruth wondered why the sun wasnโt shining on her. Is she already dead? Thatโs how she felt lying on the bed, lifeless. She quickly woke up, realizing she was alive. Damn it! She felt as weak as a dying cat, attributing it to her lost strength.Countless orgasms, her knees and legs trembled uncontrollably. It happened repeatedly, leaving her powerless. She resisted lying down to avoid encounters with Lush Miguel, fearing another brutal encounter.She thought her first experience would be like death, but despite the guilt in her thoughts, she didnโt feel it. Each time she opened her eyes, imagining Baron was using her, she saw the handsome face of Lush Miguel.She was painfully aware she was having an affair with her boss, not her husband. My God. Can her actions be forgiven in heaven? She wanted to cry, but what could she do? Even if tears flooded, nothing would change. She had done something she might regret forever.Really? Would she regret it if her missing husband were found by
46.RUTH accepted a handshake offered by the manager, Vaughn Andaya. She was sitting in front of the man, who was in a swivel chair. She applied for a position at SM as a sales lady for an expensive clothesline worn by politicians in their area. A button-down shirt costs four thousand pesos. Today is her interview, and she just got hired a month after returning home from Manila to Camarines Sur. Sheโs in Naga City searching for a job and doesnโt want to stay idle at home.Her relatives are furious with Baron, and they say that if he shows up, heโll face consequences from Uncle Ernesto. They may not have pure blood relatives, but their relationship with each other is invaluable, especially for her, a considered orphan of the family. Her family is protecting her, especially now that they know the story about Baron.The people from Cam Sur have a different attitudeโbrave and unyielding. If Baron sets foot in their area, heโs in for a surprise. Vaughn smiled at her during the handshake, b
45.RUTH is holding her resignation letter, planning to give it to Lush Miguel. Patricia, facing her, reads the letter. โThis is an urgent resignation letter, Miss Eduardo. It says you have something to attend to and will be away for a while. Where to?โ Patricia asks with a smirk.โConfidential, Maโam. Iโll be traveling today,โ Ruth responds.โOkay. If thatโs your decision, itโs hard to stop you. I donโt know your personal life and problems,โ Patricia signs the letter without hesitation.Surprised, Ruth asks, โWonโt you submit it to the CEO?โโNope,โ Patricia shakes her head, โLush had given me all the authority to decide as long as itโs under my supervision. In your case, since youโre under me, Iโll handle it. Besides, there are plenty who can replace you. Good luck.โRuth nods and forces a smile. All the authority is with Patricia. Why should she be surprised? Patricia is probably the woman Lush mentioned as new, just unwilling to tell her.She turns away, heavy-hearted, wal
44.FINISHED.He took a deep breath as Ruth gradually disappeared from his sight. Seated in his car, he waited like a thief, watching her run away with Museโs cage.Thatโs all he could do, gaze at the girl from afar because, despite his anger, he genuinely loved her. Even in anger, he couldnโt insult or speak hurtful words to her.His respect for Ruth remained high despite everything, knowing she deserved it. Now, he envied Baron. That asshole's spouse was kind, and he hoped to find another Ruth someday, but not now.Lush badly needed time to heal, and the process wouldnโt be easy. He was sure of that because he was deeply hurt in his first experience of love.The young man lazily started the car engine, but he didnโt go in. He would go home, where his parents and Babuela were. He owed his parents an explanation. At thirty-one, he felt the need for a motherโs care. He needed his Mommy.When he arrived home, his shoulders still slumped. As soon as he entered the portico, his Mommy was
43.1Ruth was startled when the door opened, and Lushโs imposing figure loomed over her. โOh my!โ she exclaimed, supporting the young man who peeked at her and smiled. He playfully tapped her nose with his index finger.โHold on a moment,โ she said, closing the door. โWe canโt go upstairs; the stairs are too high, and we might both tumble down. Letโs sleep downstairs. Wait, Iโll get the blankets. Have a seat.โHurriedly, she assisted him to sit on the sofa. He groaned and shook his head, but the young woman quickly went upstairs to retrieve the thick comforter from the bed.Descending again with the items, including Lushโs replacement clothes, she handed him the bottle of alcohol he still clutched.โIโll take that,โ she said, grabbing the bottle.He closed his eyes, his cheeks flushed. He remained the most handsome drunk she had ever seen.โDid you drive home like this? Youโre really drunk. Next time, donโt get overly intoxicated. You might stumble or lose balance,โ she lectured whi
43.Lush choked on saliva. He couldn't find any words to respond to Ricky. Tearfully, he averted his gaze to hide his eyes. Did she lie to him? Did she conceal her real status? Her profile claimed she was single. Did she forget to update it? Damn! He wanted to rub his face, feeling suffocated. Is he serious about his feelings? Why is fate playing with him like this? The woman he loves is Baron's wife?Damn it!He almost clenched his fists. He wanted to cry and almost wanted to slap himself."Wait, Rick," he hastily excused himself from his friend and walked briskly towards the table with various expensive drinks.He stood in front of it, on the verge of tears. Is there another Ruth Eduardo in the world? Who?He couldn't explain his feelings. He was angry. Why did Ruth deceive him? If that's what happened?He grabbed a wine glass and drank. Unsatisfied, he took another and drank again. He repeated this to numb the pain in his heart. The time with Ruth might have been brief, but he knew
42.Lush Miguel remained nonchalant, lounging. He was still in a four-post position. Ruth was sleeping after four rounds in bed. She was upstairs, and he left her momentarily. He went downstairs to have some coffee now.He grinned as he remembered her annoyance earlier when he introduced Patricia in the lobby as the supervisor. Ruth was jealous of the woman, and he found it amusing. Ruth already had feelings for him, but she was reluctant to admit it. He felt a different kind of joy when he heard the girl sulking in the bathroom earlier.He used to dislike having someone chase after him. He didnโt want anyone to be possessive, but now, he was proud of it. To the point that Ruth didnโt fence him in, and she didnโt hide. Luckily, he overheard her.He took the coffee cup and sipped, but he looked at the stairs when he saw Ruth descending.She was wearing his long sleeves, buttoning a few buttons.โWhy are you still lounging?โ she asked, obviously sleepy, with no slippers on.He glanced a
41.The last message Lush Miguel sent her was when he mentioned driving his grandmother back home. Itโs now ten in the morning, and the coffee break is over. Sheโs inside the restroom, yet thereโs still no update.Sheโs also waiting for that. Itโs a big miracle that sheโs not being talked about in the entire company now because of what happened the other day. Sheโs been waiting to hear something since yesterday. She even told Berna about it so she wouldnโt be surprised.So far, Montevez has remained a peaceful environment for her, especially now that Dennis is no longer around.โHey.โShe winced and stopped mopping the floor as Berna approached her.โCome on, hurry. Your boyfriend is there with another girl!โ Berna waved at her, causing her to furrow her brow.Lush?She quickly walked to the door and went outside. The janitors gathered in the lobby, all staring at a beautiful girl. She wasnโt tall, but her skin was exceptionally smooth. She was chubby and had blonde, long hair.She ca
40.โIF I were you, go to the party, so your ex wonโt have anything to say,โ Ruth told Lush while talking on the cellphone. He was already in the hospital while she was in the penthouse. It was late, and she was alone. All lights were on because she had no company, but she wasnโt scared. He had a companionโthe cat. It was amusing that when she asked Lush to take Muse from the condo, it was promptly done by Lushโs bodyguard.โDamn. I really donโt want to go there, sweetie.โโItโll just be a moment,โ she said, though deep down, she didnโt want him to go.Oh God! She gets jealous at the thought of Lush fooling around with that woman, Annelyn or any woman, but he canโt do anything about it. She wants to push him away so that if they break up, it would be easier for both of them.Ruth feels like she has a bomb in her head, a life-threatening illness, that could end any moment. As time passes, she gets closer or, more accurately, falls for the right guy at the wrong time, wrong circumstanc
39.โThank you,โ Ruth smiled at Ricky when they left the police station. She declared that the missing person, who pretended to be kidnapped, was not really kidnapped. She published everything, with Ricky as her witness. The investigation was over. She had concluded everything.The police laughed, wondering why her own husband did such a thing to her. There was only one reason, Baron loved money more than her.โYour job for me is done,โ Ruth added, acknowledged by the investigator.โNext time you need a private investigator, just call me directly. For simple matters and when Iโm free, even without payment. Itโs what makes me happy.โโBut never trade a woman and leave her at the altar for an investigation,โ she said meaningfully, and he laughed, getting the meaning of her words.โOf course. Thereโs a more deserving man for you, unlike dela Vega. Where to? Shall I drive you?โโNo need. Thanks again.โโAlright, take care. Iโll get you a taxi.โRicky walked towards the street, and she fol