After a month-long stay at the hospital, Mirage was finally discharged. She had lost some pounds and had to take some extra supplements for her body, but she could breathe more freely now that she didn't have to wear those hospital gowns anymore." You were out of the hospital but technically, you're just going to be hospitalised at the house too. "" Yeah. And everyday will be much more annoying since I'll get to see your face first thing in the morning. "" My handsome face? Yes. "" Revolting. "Travis smiled and shook his head. He's the one who gets tired whenever they start to bicker. He's far from being a doctor when he's with these two, he's more like a nanny for two spoiled brats!" It's only been a month and you're already this close. I'm a bit jealous. " Travis joked." In your dreams! " Mirage and Nicolo said at the same time. Euphemia giggles after hearing that as if she understands.The trio stopped and smiled and laughed just like the baby. Nicolo picks her up beside Mir
Manila, PhilippinesIt's been a month already. But Elven's still can't accept the reality. His family is gone. Forever. He's alone now. And with that thought, tears pour down again. He thought there were already none. But it seems he still has a lot more tears to cry.He didn't know how much would be left for him until he cry his heart out. Maybe he should call someone but he doesn't want to bother them because he knows they are all busy with their lives. Besides, they wouldn't want to listen to him anyway. They wouldn't understand him. They won't feel anything rather than pity. It is far worse than what he's already feeling.He's in his daughter's bedroom. Lying on the floor. Hugging her favorite Bunny stuff toy as big as her. There's still a faint smell of her as she always hugs the bunny. And the surge of his daughter and wife's memories flows over him.Crying and thinking, but nothing seems to work. He tries to think of ways to make things better. There must be something he can do
Eliana snaps out. She stands up and faces Angelique's fiery eyes." Who do you think you are? You're just her sister. You can't tell us to get lost because this house is not even yours. You didn't live here either! So you better stay out of it and go home! "Angelique managed a fake laugh. This woman is really something. How thick-skinned is she really?" You know what? I regret letting my sister marry into your family. You disgust me on many levels! Maybe Elven's not really your brother, he's so different from all of you! "" Well, your DEAD sister isn't that great. She's not that pretty like the ones who pursue my brother. They give us gifts unlike your sister who doesn't bring anything when she visits us. She's making a big deal because we asked her to do our laundry and clean our house? That's nothing compared to the girl we like Elven to marry can do for us. And that didn't happen because of that good for nothing b*tch sister of yours. If only she didn't seduce Elven, then we wou
Elven's voice was heard from the stairs and his words were like lightning that struck both Leona and Eliana. They looked as if they were petrified.They couldn't speak nor move a muscle. It felt like their whole body had gone numb and all that could be heard was their loud breathing and heavy heartbeats. Their faces were pale as if they saw a ghost. His face was stern and there were dark rings under his eyes. His eyes are still red and swollen." What the hell are you thinking? Have you hit your stupid head again? "Eliana was the first to recover from shock. She was shaking with rage and disbelief at her brother’s actions. Her voice was full of anger but when she looked into his eyes she could only see sadness and hurt." Are you really that stupid? Does everyone need to tell you again and again before you can understand? No one in your family can live here and that's final! "Angelique can't really stop herself even when Elven's already present. Her patience has dried up a long time
Elven leans on the door and slowly slides down until he's slumped on the floor. He roamed his eyes all over the room. In every corner of it, he can clearly see Belle. This room was filled with nothing but her beautiful memories. His heart started to get heavy again. And tears started to well up one more time. He tried so hard to stop it from falling but he just couldn't. How could he? When she's everything that means to him?Her smiles, her love, her laughter... They're all so real and they're still here with him.He let himself fall on the ground next to their bed. Elven's face contorted in pain. A tear fell down on his cheek, then another. His voice was trembling."Why do you have to leave me? " That word made Elven break into a new round of crying. He buried his head between his knees and tried to suppress his cries, his body shaking uncontrollably. He didn't know how long he spent there but when he finally calmed down a bit, his mind drifted back to Belle. The thought of never s
Montana, USAInside the office of Don Augustus at Esquibel estate, he was meeting with detective Ivan Wright, a private investigator who worked for the Don.It was time to inform him about their newest lead and investigation."I've got some information and I think this is it." The man said in his usual professional manner. His voice held an edge of professionalism but also had an air of excitement. He was so excited, it almost didn't seem real as he spoke. The two men sat facing each other on the couch. Don Augustus looked up from his computer screen. "Please tell me what you have," he requested.In response, Detective Ivan opened his backpack that lay next to him and took out a file. He laid it on the coffee table between them. It appeared as if the document wasn't even in order. But it doesn't matter." We've finally found the family of the late Alejandro Vernon. We got our hand to one of his siblings that was processing the title of their land. He said that his family went back
Ever since Nicolo gained enough money and power, he immediately hired a private investigator to find Mirage.Yes.His 10 year old self doesn't forget that incident he and Travis saw with their own eyes. He swears to his young and powerless self that he will find his cousin no matter what and he will prove everyone who laughs at them wrong.He held onto that promise for 25 years and who would have thought that he, himself would find her?He knew that Ivan Wright was working with his grandfather. But as soon as he became the CEO of their company, detective Wright's loyalty fell on his hands. He owes him big time. He owes Nicolo his family's dear life.Detective Ivan Wright's wife and his 2 sons were driving home from school when they met with a traffic accident. At that time, Nicolo was heading back to the office after a meeting with all of their companies' presidents.His wife's condition is critical as the collision with another car hit the driver seat. The driver of the other car was
After Nicolo saved Mirage and Euphemia that day on the shore, he and Don Augustus had been flipping through their phone to make the investigation faster by all means. Calling each and every one who's involved and everyone who could possibly help.It was a lot of work, but it paid off as they began to get results. They finally found her husband's contact information at the local police station which led them to his home address and working place as well.Nicolo found out that he was a store manager of a huge and known hardware store at a very well known mall in the Philippines. He's only been there for two years since he graduated from university, however he did have quite impressive work that let him gain lots of achievements and that makes him the manager." This guy's a hard worker. " Nicolo muttered while reading the report." I think so, too. " Detective Wright said nodding slowly.Upon knowing about that, Nicolo started to make his move. He flipped his phone and make a call. He or
' I couldn't take this anymore. 'Nicolo made up his mind. He will face Mirage head on and make her say whatever it is that she's been going through. Not knowing that Mirage, herself, doesn't know what's happening with her.He opened the adjacent door without knocking just to find out that Mirage's room is empty. He checked her closet and bathroom but she's nowhere to be found.His eyes wandered around the room and it fell on the coffee table. He walked towards it and lifted the cover of the tray. The food were untouched.' And now what? 'Frustration, anxiety and worries were eating Nicolo away.He quickly go out of her room just to be nailed on where he stands. He was surprised when he heard a faint sound of a piano. He even close his eyes to confirm that his ears weren't playing tricks on him. He knows where exactly the sound was coming. It sounded melancholic and emotional at the same time. He took one last look at his surroundings before he turned and headed towards the sound.
As soon as his car driven by Cris Adams leaves the Esquibel mansion, Nicolo calls Agatha, a maid servant." Call me immediately when something happens. Thank you. "He breathed out exasperately after the call. Then he dialed again." What's up? "" Something's off with her. "" Mirage? Tell me. "" She's... not herself. She's acting strange. She's unusually quiet. I'm sure something is wrong but she's not willing to tell me what it is. She even asked me to go out with Euphy today. "And Nicolo glances at the rearview mirror to look at Adams who's also busy making calls using a hands free device so he could still drive with caution. He's cancelling all their scheduled meetings for today." I'll come right away to check up on her. I'll call you later. Take care. "" Alright, thanks. "Nicolo ended the call with Travis. He looked at Euphemia who was enjoying the view outside the car window. She looked so happy. Her eyes are sparkling with amazement. Unlike the sadness that reflects thro
It's been a month since Mirage decided to enter college. She's been busy preparing for her college admission exam and everyone is showing support that sometimes ticks her off." I am fine. "" My wound won't open if I read for an hour or so. "" Stop being overly dramatic! "Those were her lines. But she gets tired of telling them off that she just glared at them whenever they tried to ask her if she's okay, at least hundreds or thousands of times a day.' Why do they have to be so annoyingly caring? 'She thought smiling inside but still slightly annoyed.And even though she's busy with studying and all, she still makes it a point to spend time and look after her daughter, Euphemia. She's her everything, after all.Her grandpa is always there, giving her advice and Chloe comes by often, cheering her up. Nicolo is always making sure she eats properly and explaining some lessons she's having a hard time to figure out. And her personal doctor, Travis, takes care of her wounds that are a
Manila, PhilippinesChristmas and New Year passed in a blink of an eye. Elven didn't have time to celebrate as he was too occupied with lots of work as the General Manager of MAZE Hardware. The new name of the company he's working with. The one that Nicolo bought under Mirage's name.He was busy going around to check and supervised the stand-alone stores and the stores inside MZ Supermalls, the chain of mall where Esquibels were one of the major shareholders and they own 5 supermalls at the least throughout Manila and nearby provinces.All successfully transferred to Mirage's name.He's schedule was always so hectic that Nicolo asked Attorney Mendez to hire an assistant for Elven." Good morning, Mr. Sanford. " Attorney Mendez greeted casually.Elven quickly glances up behind the tons of reports he was reading. He stood up startled upon seeing the smiling attorney in front of him. The attorney decided to give him a personal visit in his office at MAZE Hardware's main office located ju
Leaving the incident at Solstice behind, Mirage decided to just go home." I thought you were starving? " Chloe said while linking arms with Mirage who doesn't mind her at all." We can eat at home. " Mirage said softly." Just tell the chef what you wanted to eat. " Nicolo added calmly." Hmmm... I crave... Italian food. Ah! pasta! " Chloe beamed happily. She's so childish at times. Mirage finds her adorable and sweet but then she remembers how she dragged her here and then leaves her alone, she quickly changes her mind.' She's definitely a troublemaker 'They went home through Chloe's car. And they found Euphemia still fast asleep." See? She doesn't even know that you're gone for JUST 3 HOURS! " Chloe said while rolling her eyes." Whatever. " Mirage answered.Chloe gets the pasta that she craved for. They're in the middle of indulging the food when Dr. Travis walks through the door." Hey! That looks good. " Travis greeted." Come on, son. Join us. " Don Augustus asked the helper
Nicolo sighs as he looks at Mirage waiting outside Solstice." Adams. "" Yes, Sir? "" You heard her. I'm leaving, you clean those trash. "" I understand, Sir Nick. "" You gonna let them all go, Nick? " Chloe said surprised." That's what she wanted. Let's go. She's starving. "" But she didn't buy anything at all! "Nicolo wiped his face by his hand out of frustration. He can't really understand this woman." You decide what to buy for her. "" Really? Alright! " Chloe said beaming." Just make it quick, she's already pissed. "" Just go. I can handle this. "Nicolo turned around and went to Mirage while he slowly shook his head." Okay. "Chloe clapped and called the attention of Solstice's staff." Please, listen. I want you to wrap those 4 racks of new arrivals. The dresses, blouses, skirts, shorts and pants. "Those racks at the center of the store that hold at least 30 pieces each and are worth at least a thousand dollars per item. The staff and the customers around were all
Nicolo walked out of the office in his tailored pinstripe gray suit, exuding authority, confidence, and prestige. Everyone was taken aback when they saw his stunning face, which appears to be sculpted to perfection, but no one dared to approach him. After they had recovered from their surprise, the Solstice staff greeted him. He exhaled and combed his dark brown hair with his free hand while the other was in his pocket as his dark brown eyes scanned the people around him and came to a halt when they met Mirage's.She was sitting there, looking bored."What are you doing here?" he asks in a soft voice that contrasts with the rest of his demeanor as he walks towards her and comes to a halt in front of her.Mirage shakes her head and yawns before saying, "Nothing. I was just waiting for her," as she points her head in the direction of Chloe.Nicole nods slightly and looks outside, where he sees Chloe waving to them while still talking on her phone. He smiles as he looks back at Mirage."
" What's going on here? "A man in a dark navy blue suit came out of the shop's office. He was Mr. Rob Fuller, the shop's manager.Before he even gets closer, Chloe's phone suddenly rings and she turns around and takes a few steps away from Mirage to answer it. But then she went outside of the shop to answer the call." Mr. Fuller! "Lydia's face suddenly lit up and she felt relief upon seeing the manager. And then she acted up." Mr. Fuller, I made a mistake. I thought she's a thief so I confronted her. But she has the VVIP card. But I don't know who she is. "Mirage stood there looking bored as the time passed by and didn't mind what the saleslady just said. Lydia knew how to behave in front of him. She was professional and respected him so far. And when he saw that Mirage was not going to give an explanation as to what happened, he decided to talk some sense into Lydia.He walked toward where Lydia was standing and put his hand on top of her shoulder and smiled at her warmly." It's
" Do we really have to go now? "Mirage said reluctantly." Yes. And that's final, my dear. "Chloe said authoritatively. Mirage sighed. She doesn't really like the idea of shopping with Chloe." Dr. Travis said I am not supposed to be tired, you know? "Mirage said, trying to wiggle out her way of the situation she got in." We're not going to shop all day, my dear. And don't you give my husband your reason not to go out with me, I'll divorce him right here, right now if I have to, just because of you."Mirage mouth gape open.' Seriously? She'd do that just because I don't want to go shopping with her? What a nutjob this woman is! She's far worse than Nico! 'And Nicolo sneezed in his office while reading some documents." Who the hell thinks bad about me? " he muttered after wiping his face with a hanky and continued to read some contracts before signing." So, shall we? "Chloe smiles triumphantly. Mirage shakes her head, defeated." I don't want to leave Euphy. "" Oh, don't give