Four people are now gathered together as they scrutinizing an unknown young man in their living room. The man was well-mannered, has a good looks despite looking a little matured due to his rimless glasses. His black hair is well-combed at the back of his head and his polo shirt and trousers are quite neat without creases.Seeing his awkwardness, Lucille broke the silence. "Um excuse me, may I ask who this gentleman is?" The visitor stood up and introduce his self politely. "I'm sorry for my sudden visit without informing you, ma'am. I'm Michael Lorenzo, but you can call me Mike.""Okay, nice to meet you Mike..." Lucille stretched out her hand to shake hands with the him but her husband pushed it away. "Be direct, which among us are you here for?" Armando asked in a serious tone.The young man scratched his head in embarassment. "Actually, I...." He didn't know how to say his aim properly specially since he's infront of everyone and armando with his deathly gaze. He couldn't h
Nathalie walled slowly in daze towards the man who's looking and waiting for her. When she got closer, she noticed his creased brows and his scowling face. "What's up Mr. Sarmiento? Are you–" she has to stop halfway when the man suddenly grabbed her arm and dragged her somewhere. "Let me go! Where are you taking me?" Nathalie tried to break free from his claws but the man tightens his grip. "Say, what do you need from me, do you have to do this?" She asked annoyingly while rubbing her arm."What are you doing in this kind of messy place, just when you had change your interest? Aren't you uninterested with the noisy places like this? And you even surrounded by men! Nathalie, just what are–""Wait....." Nathalie chimed in. "Do you dragged me just to lecture me? Mr. Sarmiento, have you check your identity and your relationship with me before you doing this? Have you thought, what right do you have to question me, are you my family? Who do you think you are?"Nigel slid his hand throug
It's no wonder if Nathalie didn't have any recollection about the sweet moment of the two of them because of his cold treatment towards her during their marriage years. Now, Nigel can't pull even one good memory to say that he's once a good husband to her. About her said one-sided love, he can't say anything about it. "I admit, I was wrong..... If... if I could turn back the time...." The bar went pin-dropped silent and the situation became seriously awkward. Nobody wanted to disturb the moment, they could only glance to each other. They couldn't even make a rustling noise while the others barely breathing, they look back and forth at the two. Nathalie let out a sighed. "Forget it. It's already in the past, let's move on." Nigel wanted to say something but he can't figure out what ought to say, he just sitting there quietly while clenching his fist. Michelle cleared her throat and speak up to somehow get rid of the awkward ambience. "Alright, and this is how we conclude, thank
Lucille who's making a glass of milk at the kitchen looked out the moment she heard a soft footsteps. she went to the living room and saw her daughter sitting at the sofa in a daze. "Nat, it's getting late, what are you doing there?" She asked but her daughter doesn't seem to hear anything. She came infront of her and wave her hand on her face. That's when nathalie snapped from her deep thoughts. "Mom..." Nathalie called, still in daze. "What's happened to you? I've been calling you for a while. Is something's bothering you?" "Well, there is...." Nathalie hesitates whether to ask her mother about her ex-husband. She didn't want to bother herself about his affairs but she couldn't help to wonder and she felt that she's not going to settle not until she figure out about it. "Um, about Nigel..... Mom, do you know if Nigel is in relationship?" After asking away, Nathalie averted her gaze when she saw the suspicious look from her mother. "W-why are you looking at me like that?" "Why
"Good morning Mr. Valdez, I'm stuck in a traffic, sorry I'm late." "It's alright Ms. Andeza, I'm just arrived ten minutes ago." The man got up from his seat and pulled one for Nathalie. The two sat down and exchange their greeting before the man called the waiter. The two chatted happily while eating their sumptuous meal. "I haven't eat my breakfast so I ordered a lot, does it turn you off Mr. Valdez?" Nathalie asked while munching her food, her cheeks was bulging like a squirrel. "No worries Ms. Andeza, it's actually nice to see a woman who didn't restrain herself from eating a lot. You know women nowadays always care about their figure so they always eat a little." "That's true, but I'm different. I don't get plump easily in just one heavy meal so its fine for me to eat more. I don't even restrain myself if I'm starving." "Then, I think I shouldn't restrain myself either. I am a man and I have much a bigger appetite than you. What do you think, should we compete?" Nathali
Nigel didn't hesitate, he rushes out and chase after his ex-wife, but they seemed to play tug and war when Nathalie refused adamantly. Mr. Valdez stepped in to help her. "Bastard, let go! You're so shameless, are you that desperate?""Don't meddle to us, mind your own business!" Nigel retorted. This guy have a nerve to threathen that he might lose his job but he just smirk on him. He didn't look scared in whatever this guy might capable to do, for him, he's just like a jumping clown.Out of madness, Mr. Valdez finally called a security, but when it came over, Nigel introduce himself that made him dragged Nathalie away freely without any restrictions.Mr. Valdez left in a daze, never would he imagine that that man he called bastard was non other than a young elite businessman Nigel Sarmiento, the one he had planned to have business deal in the future. Thinking what he had done and said to him, he finally realized that the man might mocked him because of his naivety. After some thought,
Nathalie was reeling when she arrived home, struggling to process what her ex-husband had told her. She couldn't fathom why Elaine would do such a thing. Nigel told her how the woman shamelessly claimed the credits that belong to her, pretending that she's the one who had saved him from the fire.Nathalie massaged her forehead, wondering if she should still hurt now that it was all over. Yet, her ex-bestfriend's betrayal had left her with so much pain. Torn and uncertain, Nathalie poured herself a rare glass of wine, seeking comfort.Lucille arrived and found her only daughter drinking alone. She dropped her shopping bags on the floor and approached her. "Nat, you're drinking? When did you even learn to drink? What's going on with you?" She took the wine glass and moved the wine bottle away. Nathalie remained unmoved, letting her mom take the bottle. "Mom, I'm so confused... What am I supposed to feel? Should I get mad about my failed marriage, or because of my best friend's betr
Nathalie couldn't answer Nigel's question as it made her ponder deeply, should she confess her fear of loving him again? What would be his response if she did? Though intrigued, Nathalie hesitated. Knowing her priority wasn't rekindling their romance, especially with the company's ongoing crisis and her health issues."Nathalie, are you still there?" Snappped back to reality, Nathalie apologized to Nigel and directly hung up. She slumped against her chair and letting out a deep sigh. She rubbed her temples. Only now did she realize that its really difficult to have a complicated relationships and she didn't want to get involve with this again.........Upon entering the company, Nathalie immediately sensed a strange and weird gazes among her colleagues. She couldn't help to have an urge to rub her forehead, she wondered; 'What malicious reason could be behind their peculiar stares this time?'Nathalie diverted her attention from the unfavorable glances, channeling her energy into h
"Your brother Nigel is already home with his girlfriend," Rina pointed out."What's the point, anyway? Our plan won't push through since the result is negative," Lyka replied. She looked somewhat disappointed."I know we didn't get what we wanted, but are we just going to give up like that? It would be a waste to come all the way to the city for nothing.""What else can we do?... Aunt, why don't we just go back to the countryside? I'll just continue my studies there.""What? No way! I'm not going back there to be a farmer and get my skin burned again by the intense heat of the sun. Why would I struggle there when my sister and her son have such a great life here?""But Aunt...""Just don't give up yet, I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can find a way, you never know." Lyka fell silent and didn't say another word.Rina headed to the hospital where Lyka had taken a pregnancy test. When the result came out negative, she almost got into a fight with the doctor.She went there because it w
"Nathalie, listen carefully...." Nigel 's expression was utterly serious. "You must hate her because she's the one who started it all...." And then he told her about Elaine's fake heart condition.Nathalie clenched her fists. "So, she wants me dead? What did I ever do to her to make her want my life? I already gave you up to her back then and I even decided to donate my heart to her just to prolong her life.""Well, she's not worth it. She's evil, and if she really needs a heart donor, it would be a mistake for anyone to donate to someone like her." "Never mind, it's over now. What's important is that she didn't succeed completely. She may have separated us for three years, but we're still together. For everything she's done, let's just leave it to God to punish her."Nigel smiled slightly. "Um, from now on, no one can ever separate us again... not even her... Nathalie..." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "We haven't done this yet, but can I...?" Nathalie smiled sweetly, she le
Things have been back to normal for the past two weeks. The newly reunited pair is happy, although their current relationship feels a bit weird since they used to be married. They actually prefer this setup, where it's like they're starting all over again, getting to know each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. Travelling together or wherever they decide to go is also part of their plans."Wow, you two seem like you're on your honeymoon already! Where do you plan on making our future grandkids?" Lucille asked when Nigel and Nathalie told them about their vacation plans. "M-mom!" Nathalie exclaimed, her face quickly turning red from her mother's teasing. Lucille and Rebecca burst out laughing, while Armando just listened quietly as he sipped his coffee. "Just kidding, why are you blushing so quickly?" ."Um.... I-it's just..."Nigel gently rubbed Nathalie's back to calm her down, although he couldn't help but feel a thrilled. "Alright Aunt, Nathalie might change her mind and we won't
Nathalie didn't see that coming from Nigel, she found herself glancing around at the people teasing them, egging her on to respond. Her eyes then landed on her parents. Her mom, Lucille, gave her a reassuring smile and a nod, as if to say, 'The decision is yours.'Nathalie couldn't help but think of all the times Nigel had helped her and her family, and how patient he had been with her. She didn't want to respond to him just out of gratitude, so she took a moment to search her heart. She leaned forward slightly, her hand on her chest. In those few moments, she confirmed to herself what she truly felt, and so..."Nigel..." She called out to the man standing before her, who had been waiting for her response. Though he didn't show it, he was clearly anxious. His embarrassment was the least of his concern, but that she might not give him another chance. "I'm grateful for all the help you've given my family, but I don't want that to be the reason I give you what you're asking for–""Nathal
When Rebecca told her son about his sister's apology, Nigel just shrugged it off. But when she mentioned that Rina would be attending his birthday party, he scowled. "No!" Rebecca frowned. "Nigel, can't you just forgive your Aunt Rina? Give her a chance to make things right, she really regrets everything she's done.""Regrets? Do you think she can just have regrets like that? If she wants me to believe her, she should go back to the countryside." "Nigel!" Rebecca's forehead was furrowed. "Is your anger towards her really that great? She's your aunt and your own flesh and blood. Why are you so stubborn? She's just asking for a chance." "What chance? A chance to pester us again?""Okay...." Rebecca sighed, looking stressed. She rubbed her forehead. "I won't argue with you anymore...... Sorry son, but whether you like it or not, I'll invite her. All I want is for you two to talk and make amends." "You're the one who's in charge, Mom. But I hope you won't regret your decision."....
When Rebecca got home from work, she found Nigel crying while her brother in-law tried to calm him down. Rina was nowhere to be found since she was out to play mahjong. Rebecca was shocked to see that Nigel, who was almost two years old, had a gauze on his forehead. When she asked what had happened, Rina's husband explained:"While Rina was engrossed in playing mahjong at their house, Nigel woke up and immediately cried when he found himself alone in the room. One of Rina's mahjong buddies mentioned that her child was awake, but Rina simply replied that the crying child wasn't hers. She called out to her husband, but he wasn't around because he had gone out to buy something.Nigel's crying persisted since no one was attending to him, until Rina and her friends heard a loud thud from the room, followed by Nigel's intense wailing. Rina decided to take a peek at her nephew, annoyed.But when she stormed into the room, she was shocked to see that Nigel had wound on his forehead and was b
Nigel's face darkened. "Aunt, I didn't ask for your opinion, and who do you think you are to question my decisions?" "You..." Rina was taken aback by her nephew's response. "I'm your aunt!""You may be my aunt, but our relationship only goes as far as blood ties. You've never contributed anything to our lives, so learn your place. If not, you might just find yourself going back early." "Nigel..." Nathalie intervened, worried that things might escalate further between him and his aunt. She spoke softly. "She's your aunt, you shouldn't speak to her like that."Nigel sneered. "Heh, aunt? I've had enough of this woman. If only you knew her true nature.""Are you threatening me, huh, Nigel?" Rina asked loudly. At that moment, she was being held back by Lyka, who had pulled her away earlier because she seemed to want to charge at Nigel. "And what are you saying that I haven't contributed anything to you and your mother?... Pfft!" She pretended to spat to the side. "You ungrateful little
As soon as they entered the suite Nigel booked for them, they were amazed. The VIP suite was huge and luxurious, with two bedrooms and a spacious living room. "Wow, this room is massive! And look, the bed is so soft!" "That's right, aunt. It's crazy how rich your sister's husband is. I'm so jealous." Lyka said while checking out the amenities in the room. Rina suddenly fell silent. Earlier, she had a smug look on her face, but now it seemed like she was consumed by envy. She couldn't help but compare her simple life in the countryside to her sister's luxurious life in the city. 'Why hasn't something like this happened to me? Is it because Rebecca is prettier than me?' She clenched her fists in frustration, gripping the bedsheet tightly.Rina's reverie was interrupted by a sudden knock. When Lyka opened the door, a hotel staff member stood before them. "Good afternoon, ma'am, just checking in. Are you getting hungry or do you need anything?"Rina approached the staff member in curi
"What's wrong with you, do you want to kill us?!" Nigel's aunt shouted angrily."What did you just say? Where were you planning to go?" Nigel asked.When the aunt's companion saw Nigel's disposition, she knew he was unhappy with what he heard, so she spoke up instead."W-we're going to her friend's place..... Aunt had already arranged for us to stay with someone before we left." The truth is she was intimidated by Nigel because his demeanor was really frightening."No! We're not going to Merly anymore, why should I stay with someone else house when I have a relative here?" The aunt then turned to Nigel and ordered him in a commanding tone. "Take us to your place instead.""No!" Nigel replied firmly.The young woman felt a little nervous. "A-aunt...." She shook her head at the older woman, but:"What no? Why don't you want us to stay at your place? Is it because we're from the countryside? do you look down on us?" "Aunt... That's enough," The young woman intervened. The older woman