CHAPTER 11“Wow! This place is amazing. Ryker! We’ll come back here, okay? Or maybe for our next reunion, we’ll come back here too. What do you guys think?” Rowela couldn’t help but said it with excitement.I mean, we were all in a resort in Cebu for our reunion, and we were all amazed because none of us paid anything. Everything was free, thanks to Ryker. His aunt and uncle said it was free, so we were all so happy. Imagine? We could enjoy two nights and three days exploring their famous resort here.Even our fares were discounted, so not only were we happy, but our parents were also happy.Except for me, because Ryker even paid for everything for me, he even bought my ticket. Can you believe that? Imagine, Ryker Matt Sullivaño knows how to spend money for me. I thought he could only afford to treat me to halo-halo, but I can also borrow money from him to buy books.“Do you like it here?” I smiled at Sebastian, who was just beside me.“I love it!” I answered him.“Good!” he said. He
CHAPTER 12I was so tired from chasing Ryker and slapping him, so we decided to go back to the gazebo where our classmates and friends were. Maybe they were already done eating. Gosh, maybe there won’t be any more delicious food left.“Did I tire you out?” he asked. I glared at him.“What do you think? You tired me out from tickling me, you know I don’t like being tickled like that. I almost couldn’t breathe because of you. And look! We haven’t even gone swimming in the sea yet, and I’m already dirty, Sullivaño!” I complained while we were still walking slowly on the sand because I could barely walk anymore.“It’ll go away later. I’ll massage you if you want?”“Free? I’m up for it if it’s free. I don’t have any money,” I said, hoping he’d agree because my body really ached.“No! Do you think there’s still free stuff now? There’s no free stuff now, Aubree Lynn,” he said.I pouted because I thought I could get away with the word “free.” Oh well, in this time, things have changed, includ
CHAPTER 13I rolled my eyes again, especially when I saw this guy's face. He really loves it when I'm always frowning.When I stare at him, he avoids my gaze, but you can see the corners of his lips lifting, trying to hide a smile.He's really happy to see me follow his wishes, like wearing this rash guard that makes me look like a spring roll because it's so tight."Hi sexy!" I heard a guy whistling at one of my classmates. If I was wearing a bikini, someone would definitely be doing that to me, calling me sexy.I am sexy, right?I ran my hand over my body, wrapped up like a spring roll wrapper, or rather, fabric, and I just stomped my foot in frustration at my situation.But the other one just kept smiling.He was sitting on the sand, and so was I, but I didn't sit next to him because even the perfume he used, I didn't want to smell because of my anger at him.He pouted and pointed for me to sit next to him, but I just winked and rolled my eyes. I turned my attention back to watchin
Chapter 14"Didn't I tell you this mall is beautiful?" Rowela greeted me as we arrived at the mall she said was owned by the Baltimoore."It's just a sad the young model who's their son isn't here in Cebu, he's in Negros Oriental." She added. I laughed, this witch is so updated on Baltimoore, though she already told me she had a crush on the model and she actually has a picture of him in her wallet, for remembrance, she said."That's right, their mall here in Talisay Cebu is huge, and we've been walking around for a while now. We haven't bought anything yet because we're enjoying eating first, before we buy snacks and soft drinks later for our drinking session." I said.Our classmates also had their own plans to walk around the mall, and we just told them to meet at the fast food near the exit so we can all wait there.They're old enough now, so they know what to do if they get lost, just make sure they can still ride the van for free, the one Ryker's uncle let us use, when it's time
Chapter 15The Man Who Breaks My HeartWe were chatting and teasing each other while swimming in the pool. It was already evening, so we couldn't swim in the sea anymore, what if we get swept away or drowned, it's scary to swim at night.Especially now that there's drinking, we really can't swim in the sea anymore because it's already night, and there's a lot of food lined up in a small basket near the pool, so if we want to eat, we can just get some from there."Imagine, the Sullivaño family is so kind, we're staying at their resort for free, and imagine all the food the chefs are cooking for us, since yesterday, we haven't been hungry at all!" Rowela said."That's right…" everyone agreed.But me? Yes, the Sullivaños are kind, but the one I know? He's probably only kind when he's asleep, none other than Ryker."Hey, wake up!" See… even if this idiot is asleep, he's still not possessed by kindness."Why did you splash me with water, you ruined my meditation!" I said angrily, and splas
CHAPTER 16I woke up to someone holding me tightly. I moved, but winced in pain from my lower body.What happened?It felt like I had been beaten several times before being left alone. I closed my eyes tighter, trying to remember what had happened.Again, I felt someone holding me, and they were crying? I opened my eyes and was shocked to see who was beside me."Ryker?" I called out his name."What's wrong with you? Are you crying?" I tried to move my leg away from him, but I couldn't help but cry out in pain. "Ryker, hey, are you okay?" I called out to him again."It's my fault! I'm sorry," I furrowed my brow. I tried to lift his head, but he was just looking down near my chest."Why? Did something happened?""Don't you remember?" I was taken aback."W-What do you mean?" I was nervous about my own question."I couldn't stop myself. We made love last night, Aubree. I'm such an idiot. Don't you remember?"I shook my head at his question while thinking. We were both still lying in bed,
Chapter 17We had just returned from Cebu and finished the farewell party, but some people were already planning to visit other places as long as they were with the same batch. I welcomed the idea of others who weren't there last time wanted to join.But I refused. I needed to focus on my final thesis and other requirements for graduation, and I had to find a job right away. Besides, I was tired from the party.I wanted to avoid those gatherings, especially after what happened to me that very day. Something happened between Ryker and me.Ryker Matt Sullivaño, a man I never thought I would be with. The famous playboy of this school, and I fell for him."You're spacing out again, thinking about something, you witch? Share if you can, otherwise, you'll end up talking to yourself." Rowela's voice brought me back to reality. I rolled my eyes at her last statement.We were at the soccer field, hanging out, sitting on a bench with a circular cement table. Our professor was late for the afte
Chapter 18"Maybe after our graduation, you won't pay attention to me anymore." He hugged me from behind."Maybe you're the one who won't pay attention to me anymore, Aubree.""What reason would I have to not approach you? Didn't you say you'd take me out tomorrow? We'll celebrate together. So I'll really approach you to confirm, because what if it's all just a drawing and you won't fulfill your promise to take me around your entire hacienda?"Yes, next week is our graduation, the batchmates of this year. So far, my plans have turned out well. I have a job waiting for me in Manila, with someone my mom knows.Since there were no more classes, just graduation practice, and Ryker's parents were in the states for vacation, he brought me here to their house. I told my mom, but I didn't say that I was with Ryker, the son of the boss where they work.Because she might wonder why Ryker and I were together.After we had lunch, he took me to his room on the second floor to watch movies.I thoug
Chapter 50: "Happy birthday!"We all sang happy birthday to Douglas Martinez’s daughter together.Everyone was happy, the children were even happier, there were games and everyone was active. Aside from the little children, the adults weren’t going to be left behind, especially the men, they were also joining the children’s games.Instead of our children enjoying playing, they were also laughing with their daddies. They were almost tripping over each other as they ran to be first in the games the MC was announcing.Longest lines, bring me, musical chairs, relay races, and more. They wanted to play all the games and didn’t want to lose."If this wasn’t a children’s party, for sure they would be taking off their clothes until there’s nothing left to reach the longest line. Look, they even took Zyro’s hair just to include it in the measurement, good thing he has long hair." Michaella said, laughing."My husband is so pitiful, are they going to shave my love bald?""Oh, seriously, maybe
Chapter 49"Are you alright?" He asked me with a smile. I glared at him and pinched his side."Ouch, it really hurts, binibini." He said, making me hit his arm again. I don't know why I'm hurting him, maybe I'm still scared of riding the helicopter and this is my way to relieve my anxiety."It’s all your fault, why didn’t you tell me that was our ride? I’m okay with planes, but helicopters, you’re going to kill me.""No, I thought you were brave like your daughter. But then, I know it now, so next time… we’ll ride a helicopter back to Manila–" he teased me."Hey! Stop it, I’m telling you. You go first, we’ll just take the bus or I’ll have Caloy pick us up. Even if it’s far, I know he’ll go here to pick us up. Just not your helicopter. I’ll die of fear." I told him. I saw his jaw clench and he glared into the distance. Go ahead, mark my words. I don’t want to ride any more flying vehicles.He looked at me and tried to smile, "sorry for what I did, I didn’t know you were scared of heigh
Chapter 48"Aren't you really coming, son?" I asked Maynard, who was reading a book. He loves reading encyclopedias. He almost finished reading the entire volume I bought for them.Since childhood, I haven't trained them to use gadgets, and it's funny that they haven't been influenced by other kids who are into technology.He turned to me and smiled, "No, Mama, just enjoy the birthday party with Freya. I'll just stay here at home and watch over Lola Mama and Lolo Papa while I read." He said, making me smile.I stroked his uppercut hair with my fingers. I was already dressed in a simple white blouse and black pants and white sneakers, and Mama offered to dress baby Freya, so I just waited for them here in the living room. I wasn't in a hurry, and the birthday celebration in an exclusive subdivision in Tagaytay would start later this afternoon.I think we'll still make it. "Okay, after you’re done or when you feel a little tired, you have to rest first, okay? Especially our eyes.""Yes,
Chapter 47“Baby, help me Ryker! They ganged up on me.” Oh, if you hadn’t started it, they wouldn’t have ganged up on you. You’re alone, I have a lot of amazons, even if I don’t tell them to help me, they’ll help me on their own.“Sir, she’s the one who started it, sir, we were just defending our Aubree,” Lorna said to the man who just arrived, looking at us with his hands on his hips. When our eyes met, I saw how worried he was as he approached me. I gasped in surprise, and he immediately carried me, so I couldn’t complain. I felt like I was in a daze at that moment.“Omg, Ryker, how about me?” Ryker turned to Miss Caterpillar, I mean Grachia? Garcia? Diraschia? I don’t know her real name since she arrived.Ryker glared at her sharply.“I’ve known your plan from the start, go home while I can still control myself,” he said and immediately went inside his office carrying me. I heard Miss Caterpillar shouting outside before the door closed.I was so embarrassed because of what this man
Chapter 46"So, you? What do you want?" Mama asked me.I sighed and rested my elbows on our table, waiting for Mama's sinigang to be cooked. It was Sunday, and we had just come from church with the kids, who were now in their room getting ready for the house.We didn't go out because the children wanted to stay home, so we decided to have bangus sinigang in miso for lunch."Am I really taking Freya, Mama?" I said. Ryker's friend's child was going to have a birthday party, and he needed someone to bring a child. Really? He shouldn't go because he doesn't have a child to bring. But apparently, the birthday family wouldn't accept his gift if he didn't go without a child."Those parents are different, huh. If you're the one who wants to bring one of your children, then you're the one who decides, if the children agree.""Freya agreed, Mama, she's easy to talk to, she immediately agreed and was even excited, but Maynard didn't want to, and I understand because he's not into those kinds of
Chapter 45The morning dawned, and I already felt like I didn't want to go to the office. I was sluggish, but I had to work, especially since payday was approaching. I needed to be diligent to get my salary.I hurried into the lobby and rushed to the reception table to log in my name. I was already late, it was almost ten in the morning. I was too lazy to get up, I just stared blankly at our ceiling. My mind was filled with thoughts until I decided to just go to work because I had no reason to take leave and I wasn't sick."Is the boss here?" I asked the receptionist."Yes, he's been here since eight, Miss." She said."Really? Is he looking for me? Okay, thanks." I did nothing but run towards the elevator, and when I reached it, I pressed the up button. When it opened, I was surprised to see Ryker inside the lift, standing with his hands in his pockets. His brows were furrowed earlier, but when he saw me, his face suddenly softened. Was I right, or was I just imagining things? I don't
Chapter 44"Hi-" he greeted us, his voice barely a whisper. His gaze flitted between me and the child. While holding the hands of my daughter, didn't react, probably wondering who she was talking to."S-Sir Ryker," I managed to say, but my voice barely whispered. My heart pounded with nervous anticipation at this unexpected encounter between the father and the daughter.He looked down at Freya, his brow furrowed. He was still holding a teddy bear in his right hand and another one in a paper bag.He looked up at me. "Y-your daughter?" I slowly nodded, and he did the same, as if he understood what I said. "You have a child." He repeated, not as a question.Should I tell him now? Should I introduce him to his real daughter? Is five years, turning six, was enough time for her to meet her father, who now stands before me?"How old is she?" My throat felt dry, and I couldn't swallow."F-five, sir…""Five years old." He bent down his knees to be level up with my daughter. "Hi! What is your
CHAPTER 43"Bye bye mama. Take care always. We love you," Freya said to me. They didn't have school today, so they were at home."Bye baby, see you later okay. Behave yourselves at home and don't be naughty to mama and papa and of course-""Don't talk to strangers.""Right, call Lola mama or Lolo papa. Don't go with anyone you don't know, okay?" I reminded the kids. This is what I always tell them when I'm not around. It's dangerous these days, you never know who's good and who's going to do something bad, even if you know them."Yes mama, thank you ," she said and kissed my cheek again. I showered her face with kisses, making her giggle."Let's go see your twin so I can say goodbye. I might be late for the office," I said, and we walked hand-in-hand towards the bedroom. I left my things in the living room.As we opened the door, we saw Maynard still fast asleep. He had been working on a project last night, so he woke up late. I went to the side of the bed and kissed him on the forehe
Chapter 42"Aubree, is there something wrong?""Papa," I shifted my position so Papa could sit on our long wooden bench outside our mini garden."Nothing, Papa." I just said."You're my child, I can feel it even if I don't know what's on your mind, but I know something's bothering you. You can talk to me, I'll listen." He said, stroking my shoulder."Papa…" I put my head on Papa's shoulder. Mama was inside, cooking lunch. I didn't go to the office today because I didn't want to see Ryker, even for just today."Papa—""Hmm…""What if… for example… when the time comes or the day comes when my children want to know their real father, I don't know what to do, Papa. I'm scared." I confessed."Scared of what?"l"That he might take the kids away from me, Papa. I'm scared he'll take away my rights to my children." I said."Why would he do that? Is it because they're richer than us? Is it because they're influential people? Kid, we may not have money, but we have principles and rights that we