"Take it before I change my mind" Xyrielle said to Andrea, her toke low as she did not want to sound disrespectful.Andrea stole a glance at her and collected the tissues she was offering her to dry her tears with."I'm sorry, I didn't know he was your brother. If I had known, I wouldn't have returned with him" she apologized, blaming herself for the awful things she had heard her brother say to her while they argued." It's okay Xy. It's not your fault" she barely said and managed to plaster a smile on her face." I didn't say it was" she immediately uttered and looked away." Though it is" she paled and looked back at her." I'm sorry for stealing the wrist watch too. If only I hadn't taken it and you got blamed for it, this wouldn't have happened"" Breathe Xy. It's not your fault, it's just how nature wanted things to happen" she muttered again, her face looking more pleasing than before after she wiped her tears." You're a pretty woman. You don't need to cry. If you do then my
The weeks that followed several days after made Andrea realize her place in the Eduardo mansion.Not just was she always the victim of Claudia's nagging nor her daughter's berating, her situation with her family was also awfully sinking down the drain.Her brother had stopped answering her calls, and as he was the only one in her family that has a cell phone, it was hard for her to communicate with her parents, making it months since after her marriage, since she last spoke with them.She felt imprisoned knowing that she could not leave the street to go visit them. The clause she had signed blinded her from leaving. Her brother was her only hope to be able to speak to them to know how they were faring but the more she tried calling him, the more he ignored and snoozed her calls as if they were not family.Ignoring the countless messages she sent to him as well.She was drastically loosing weight and becoming a shadow of her old self, even tho she were bigger as a poor single woman.Ma
"Sir, don't you think we should try another way?"" Why? Are you inlove with my wife?" Niklas asked." Of course not sir. Far from that" he protested while defending himself." Then don't bring that up again if you're not" " I'm sorry sir but it's just that I think it might be too extreme"" And who are you to judge what's extreme or not?" His voice began to grow cold." Don't forget your place Lee. You're just a secretary I picked up and brushed up. Are you trying to tell me that my decision is wrong? That my plans are not worth it?" He blew hot angrily." I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry I misunderstood"" Well better!!! She is my pawn and I get to do whatever I want with her"" Yes sir" he said agreeing, though his eyes said otherwise." What's the media saying now? Are the people still bothered about my silence on the scandal?"" A few still are sir and the hashtag for your resignation is still the second most searched on the internet as if this week"" Second most searched? Why don't th
Niklas couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight of Andrea crying in the arms of another man. His fury was palpable, his fists clenched tightly in his lap. He knew he had no genuine affection for Andrea—it was an arranged marriage but seeing her in such a vulnerable state, seeking solace from someone else, stirred something deep within him. Was it possessiveness? Jealousy? He wasn't sure. "Drive faster," he barked at his driver, his voice cold and hard. He needed to get home, to confront Andrea, to assert his control. As the car sped through the streets, his mind raced with conflicting emotions. He didn't love her, but she was his. His to control, his to dictate. She wasn't given the permission to be seen in the street so she could be seeking for solace from men, and what was with the man patting her back. By the time he reached home, his anger had reached a boiling point. He stormed into the house, slamming the door behind him. The echo of the impact reverberating through the h
The days that followed were all a litany of the same routine she had grown accustomed to.Waking up early to join the nannies in making breakfast, even if she did not help out in the cooking, she always makes sure she stays with them at the kitchen till Niklas dresses and leaves for work.She wouldn't want him getting angry at her nor assaulting her with no reasons. Taking her cellphone was already enough for her. And she having no means of leaving the house nor access to any funds were also.She always duely hoped that her parents would be safe and her sickness wouldn't act off until she had regained her feet in the house to an extent.Xyrielle was also a helper. She was her angel in the house, sent from the heavens to be her best friend.While waiting for the return of her mother in-law who was the only person she felt close to in the whole house, Xyrielle kept her company.She even helped her in watching over her brother at school, her brother whom she had gotten to know was being
"He told you to ask me to leave?" Andrea repeated and Niklas' secretary nodded his head.She batted her lashes and proceeded to begin packing her bag up again.Maybe she thought wrong and he didn't want her to act like his loving wife at a public function just yet.Her eyes darted to her dress again. It wasn't that bad. It even looked way prettier than some of the other women dressed in corporate outfits.Or was her dress not the problem. He didn't want to see her because of the malice he still has against her and didn't want to let her know.Whatever it was, she couldn't place a finger at what was the issue with him. He had been ignoring her since the first day he had laid hands on her.Not as if they were in good terms with each other before but since that day, he had always awoken early and made sure to take his bathe and leave for work, even before she'd get up to join the nannies at the kitchen.Several things seemed to be wrong with him but she couldn't tell what it was, she cou
"Where are you going to?" Dante asked Andrea."I'm returning home. Came to work and felt a slight headache, so I might miss work for today" she lied and feigned being weak.Dante worriedly and hurriedly checked her pulse and as his hand was on her forehead as he checked it, their eyes locked into each other's.There was something definitely going on with him and regardless of how much he wanted to hide it, he couldn't do so in her presence.He had told his assistant to stay back while he went over to her when they had seen her walking out of the bookshop.Why had she been on her way to leave today of all days that he was about to set her free from the worry that had been burdening her. Why had she been walking out dejectedly.He had thought she was worrying because of what might have happened at home but hearing that she might be sick, his heart beat intensified. How could she be sick, today of all days.Andrea retreated in her steps, breaking free from his hand which he had placed on
Niklas watched as Dante Daniel walked in.A surge of anger sparked within him towards him. "He is Dante Daniel?" He asked his secretary, still surprised a young man like him was the almighty Dante everyone spoke about with an untold reverence."Yes sir" he replied with excitement which caused Niklas to scowl and him reverb back into his shell and his stoic expressionless face. He had a scoff etched all over his face as Dante approached him further.He was something. He has taken his time to read his biography after he had seen the request he had made before he accepted the collaboration proposal, and he had been wowed but wouldn't let that show as that feeling for him had been suppressed by the anger he felt from the disrespect of his condition.Hold the collaboration at the bookshop when he had already made plans of having it at the company headquarters? That was an insult to him and the authority he possessed.How could he, who had been successful by luck make such demands from hi
The events of the other night replayed in Niklas' head like a movie being repeated.No, be hadn't planned to attend the ball, that was why he had sent the man whom he was told was her ex instead.He had no intentions of attending and he had no intentions of making Andrea's attend it either.The man had been paid to come to the function and play the recording and act like the mastermind behind it.He was to hack into the events computer system and was to do this through that way and when he'd get investigated, he would admit he did it because he was hurt that he had bee abandoned.Mr Lee had called him countlessly but he was not in the mood to answer any of his calls, but when his call came for the twentieth time, be was unable to ignore it and had to answer, which was how he got to know about how the man he had employed to carry out a very simple task had gone ahead to change the details of the script he had asked him to play by.It wasn't just a humiliation on Andrea's side, it was a
There was something hidden in the glare Mrs Eduardo had shot Niklas with. It wasn't just a normal glare and neither was it meaningless as well.It had to mean something, something mostly about her being disappointed in him and something he had done, what he had done what she was still trying to comprehend.She greeted her and turned to leave for her room. Holding the pains she felt from the heel in her feet still in.She wanted to pull the shoes off but thought against it. It was just a few minutes left before it would be over and she'd be in her room.Mrs Eduardo smiled at her as she informed her that she would going upstairs and Andrea plastered a fake smile on her face as well, even though her heart was bleeding with numerous questions she wanted to ask her.Maybe she left at the heat of the moment. Maybe she had gone after John had began badmouthing her. She wouldn't want to be present to witness her beloved daughter in-law being embarrassed that way in public because surely, the
The glass of water Dante held fell to his feet and broke."Is she going to allow him fool her this way? There's also something sinister with the glances he's exchanging with the man who did that, why is he beginning to act all saintly" he screamed at no one in particular as he watched clips of what happened at the EMC ball on his television.He hadn't want to concern himself with anything concerning EMC Conglomerates. It was none of his business. They did shady dealings for their business and he didn't want to get caught or get mixed up in it through one thing nor the other.But seeing the first headline on his phone about Andrea, the manipulative wife of the the CEO of EMC Conglomerates, he couldn't let his hate for EMC stop him from knowing what the news was about, and especially because it pertained to the woman he had a crush on. Seeing how things had unfolded and how he had begun in his revelation of what he had seen as the epic unmasking of the century, Dante could tell that i
She couldn't take her eyes off him.He sat on the next step in front of the entrance while she sat on the first.She had finished drying the wetness ok her body caused by the wine she got poured with a handkerchief he had given to her.It was seemingly the first time he was being this nice to her. And with the way he had defended her, she couldn't keep the recurring thoughts of it out of her mind. "Thank you" she managed to mutter as she stood up from where she was and handed him his handkerchief which he had lent her. He took it from her, but avoided his eyes from meeting hers.There was something with them earlier when she had given him thar close up look from her teary eyes.They called onto him for protection and warmth, and he had to train himself to ignore them."The driver will be here soon with the car, we just have to wait for a few minutes more" " How about mother?" Her voice came again, breaking as she called her name out. She had wondered where she was as well. She had
As the sounds of his intermittent claps echoed in the hall, Niklas felt a mixture of emotions churning within him. His heart ached seeing Andrea standing there, drenched in humiliation, her teary eyes scanning the room for any sign of refuge. This wasn’t what he wanted, not really. Yes, he had orchestrated this scandal to divert attention from his own public disgrace, but seeing her like this, so broken and lost, made him feel an overwhelming sense of regret.The sight of Andrea standing there, holding her cheek where she had been slapped, was more than he could bear. He had never intended for it to go this far. The plan was supposed to be a mere distraction, a temporary measure to shift the public’s gaze away from his own failings.He had enlisted John's help because he had felt like he would be the best person to crush her ego without her suspecting his involvement, but seeing how he took it personal and as an avenue to bully her, as well as the lady that had come with him, he cou
"I'll be your mother Andrea. Your papa told me what happened with your mom. I promise I won't be like her.i stay by your side, along side your brother" she said and turned to make way for her son to come forward and greet her.Andrea only managed to move her head and looked in his direction, before she looked away from them.He was young. Her father had married a single mother, like himself.But it was so soon, he didn't even give her the chance to mourn her mother who had abandoned her. Who had left her regardless of how much tears she shed as she begged her not to leave her with the car that came to pick her that rainy night.But her mom did not pay need, she didn't look back. She didn't even tell the driver to pause the car even for a minute so she'd get back and hug her daughter who was crying in the rain for her.Instead, she threw a few wads of currency notes at her, the notes which were destroyed in the rain that night.It hadn't passed a month she left and her father was takin
"Then I don't know how it happened. She suddenly became distant to me. She began to give me the cold treatment, not answering her calls, not replying my chats. She was never free for me again. I thought perhaps it was because she had graduated from art school and was looking for a job but I just found out the reason. I never knew she got married to Niklas Eduardo. I never knew she's his new bride. I'm confused. Did she use me and leave me when she found someone better? When she was suffering and everyone avoided her, I was there for her but the second she found a richer man, she left me for him. I'm curious if that's how all women behave and that is why I am asking Andrea for an answer, with you all as my witnesses"Andrea stood puzzled still. She could not understand what he was trying to do nor why he was trying to do so.For what reasons. Why was he lying against her in the presence of all the people. Even the paparazzi that had begun to take photos of her secretly.Was she going t
"Andrea?" She heard him call her name.The tone of his voice came awkwardly so familiar to her. What was he doing there and why today of all days.Why did he have to show his face to her, why did he end up being the first person she was bumping into.If she were allowed to choose between him and her arrogant husband, she'd chose Niklas over him. Atleast his face didn't hurt while being looked at."I heard you married the CEO of EMC Conglomerates. How did you do it? I'm curious, can you share some tips? " He began pestering her despite her body language indicating to him that she didn't want to speak to him nor answer any of his questions." Why are you being shy? We were dating before. Sharing such an information won't hurt would it? Or you have a secret you don't want to tell? Did you have a one night stand with him or perhaps have a secret baby for him no one knows about? Because I honestly can't believe what a man of Niklas Eduardo's standing would see in you to decide to make you
Mrs Eduardo said that she would look pretty in the dress and like she had said, she really did.Andrea could not help but marvel at herself and how fitting the gown was on her body.The world of the rich, they made sure everything they wore was fitting. If she had been in her former home and where she came from, she would have made do with any dress she could find for a company dinner party.Why was she getting over herself, it's not as if she'd get invited anyways. She had never gotten invited to any.She watched herself in the front window of the car as she waited for her mother-in-law to be out of the home so they could leave.She had promised to come with her. She was going to the party with her daughter in-law, like she had always wanted, like she had always hoped for.Andrea on her own part was happy she would not be going alone.She was Niklas' wife, but he had told her nothing about the party.She had heard about it from his mother and she was the one that had invited her beca