On the other hand...Almira is extremely happy. Her plans are finally in motion. Perhaps others thought she would just stay quiet on the sidelines, but she's always been one to carefully strategize rather than act impulsively.Khaye Dominguez is a failure. She's a total idiot! No common sense at all. She creates trouble and even gets caught. If she had just killed Ericka right away, they wouldn't have any problems. She's arrogant and useless.That Khaye Dominguez is really worthless. If she had just stabbed or strangled that flirtatious Ericka, she wouldn't have problems now.They know each other, with Khaye Dominguez being in the fourth year in their school while she is still a freshman. Khaye often tries to act cute with Monte, but she remains unfazed. If it's about beauty and wealth, she won't back down. She's been a model since she was a child, and her beauty only blossomed further in her teenage years. She has one personality trait – if I don't like you, only two things will happ
Ericka noticed that Monte seemed anxious. For days, he appeared to have something to say but couldn't express it. She observed him from her seat. The man was lost in thought. She decided to engage him."The meeting with Mr. Diaz, the presentation is ready," she tried to grab his attention. He still stared at the table, unresponsive. What could be happening? "Monte?" he still showed no reaction. "Sir San Miguel? Sir?" With no apparent response, she approached him. "Monte, are you okay?"The man seemed startled by her presence. "Ah... yes? Do you have something to say?""Since a while ago," she spoke with a hint of concern in her voice, "what are you feeling? Is there something bothering you? I've noticed for a few days that you've been absent-minded."He took a deep breath before standing up and walking to the side of the office where everything could be seen. "I don't know how to tell you.""What is it?" She suddenly felt nervous. Is he going to propose? Will he confess that he loves
POV: MonteHe has been trying to call Ericka since earlier, but she's not answering. Now he can't reach her at all. Where did she go?According to Marie, Ericka left in a hurry, and her eyes were swollen. Is it because of what she confessed? Damn, I'm so stupid. What's her plan?He went to her desk. Files were scattered. He went through them, and one paper caught his attention. Addresses? Why did she write these? They all seem familiar until he realizes whose address it is. Almira's! Is she planning to find that woman?He grabbed his coat and rushed out. "Miss Marie, cancel my appointments. I have something to take care of." Then he ran towards the elevator."What's happening with that couple? It's like they're avoiding each other," Marie whispered to herself.The elevator is so slow. In his estimation, it feels like the elevator is supporting Ericka, delaying his descent. As soon as he reached the ground floor, he looked for his car. It wasn't there."Where are you, Mang Turing," irr
"The first address she went to was closed. Locked from the outside. It meant no one was there. She followed the condo in Pasay.After parking her car, she hurriedly got down and headed to the condo lobby. Those who lived there seemed wealthy. There were beautiful chandeliers and uniformed staff. It felt like a hotel.She saw the reception area. The lovely woman there greeted her."Good morning," she greeted."Yes, ma'am, good morning. What can I do for you?" the receptionist asked warmly."Is Miss Almira Madrigal here?" she inquired.""For a moment, ma'am," she checked on the computer. "Yes, ma'am, who are you?""A friend.""May I know your name, ma'am?""Ericka Reyes."The receptionist furrowed her brow, "Ericka San Miguel?""Ye---yes," she wasn't sure why the receptionist recognized her. Perhaps from watching the news and seeing her on TV."Room 10-B5, ma'am.""Can I go up now?""Yes, ma'am.""Thank you," she smiled at the woman."Welcome po, ma'am," the receptionist replied with a
She opened her eyes. There was a device attached to her body. She was wearing oxygen. "What happened? Am I in the hospital again? Since we got married, this is the third hospital for me. I must be really unlucky."She saw Monica sitting nearby. She raised her hand to get her attention."Ericka!" Monica approached her. "How are you?""Where's Monte?""He left. Said he had somewhere to go. What happened to you?"Tears were all she could manage. It seemed serious. She removed the oxygen and sat up. She felt strong; at least that's how she felt."What happened?""They haven't told me yet. The doctor said you just had a shortage of oxygen. I thought you were pregnant when they called me." She sighed. "Bernard and the others are acting strange. I feel like they're hiding something from me."She bit her lip. "Should I tell her?""I went to see Almira," she looked up."Oh? Why would you visit that girl?""There's-- there's..." her mouth trembled. 'How do I begin?'"There's what?" Monica prodd
Monte walked down the hallway of their house, unsure whether to tell his grandfather about what happened or not. On his fourth turn, Ericka emerged from their room."What are you doing?" she asked, standing at the door and watching him nervously.He nervously bit his thumbnail. "How do I start with grandpa? What if... what if he gets angry?""It's not your fault since you didn't know," Ericka reassured, approaching and placing her hands on his shoulders."But...""I've been hearing whispers for a while now. What's going on here?" The grandfather stepped out of the room, looking concerned."Grandpa!" They both exclaimed in surprise.They approached as if they had seen a ghost... what is it?" he inquired."Uh... well... grandpa... we have something to tell you," he stuttered."What's going on? Is it important?" he grinned, "Do I have great-grandchildren now?""Let's discuss it in the study room," suggested Ericka."Alright, it seems like it's something important," he walked ahead.They
Almira closed the door of her condo with a sly smile. The señor seemed easily fooled, thinking he'd found Almira Madrigal. After snipping a lock of the child's hair, she retrieved the one she had taken from the Monte household. Returning to the señor, she maintained her grin."If we can prove this is my grandchild, we'll do what's right," the señor's words echoed in her mind.Feigning concern, she asked, "What about Ericka?""I know how to handle her," the señor confidently replied.Her smile widened, a masterpiece of deception."You will bring luck to my life," she praised the child, acknowledging the power of wealth and intimidation.She knew that the one she tasked would do everything she instructed. She wouldn't be disappointed, unlike someone like Khaye Dominguez. If she were still alive, she might have spilled everything to the police.She placed the child in the playpen and called the elderly housekeeper."Why, ma'am?" the housekeeper asked."Get ready. You're going home. The s
A week passed...POV: ErickaShe was in the garden, watering plants when someone called at the gate."Ma'am, letter for you," said the courier standing in front of the gate."Thank you," she received it, 'confidential? Addressed to grandpa.'She took it to the study room where the elderly couple was reading reports that day."Grandpa, there's a letter," she handed the sealed envelope to the old man.He examined it, "This is the result of a DNA test."Her heart pounded as if it were drumming. Her hands and feet grew cold. Despite the cool aircon, she was sweating profusely."Are you okay?" Monte whispered, helping her to sit."Yes," she replied, though she wasn't ready for what she was about to hear.The old man furrowed his brow, looking at them."Take a look," he motioned as he sat up.They approached. Tears streamed down her face. 99.9999999 percent. The child was Monte's. Even Monte felt a chill. 'What have I done?'"Both of you, sit down," the elder said. They complied."Give me s