Angelo noticed the changes on Samantha’s appearance as he stared at Samantha’s photograph taken by Mosli. She gained weight. Gone also the sophisticated outfit. He remembered that Samantha was an excellent dresser. Before, as he can remember, all her clothing and apparels were branded but now no more. Samantha never appear in public wearing simple clothing. Her face was devoid of makeups. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail style. Only slight lipsticks visible. But to Angelo’s amazement, Samantha’s simplicity now only add-on to her appeal. She was more beautiful than before when she wore heavy makeups.What happened? Angelo thought. He felt guilty again. He concluded that Samantha had already lost luxurious life style as he watched the picture. The financial abundance that she used to grow with was no longer visible now. The woman was wearing loose T-shirts and jeans. An outfit that is very common and almost cheap or a product of austerity.He felt pity for the woman. Humanity was re
SAMANTHA was almost trembling with rage. She hardly controlled herself. Frank was not answering any of her questions. All her anxiety that piled up inside her made her not in righteousness. She lost her sensible mind. All the events that had occurred to her made her feelings fragile. It started from the night that she made love with Angelo and his unexplained disappearance. Angelo’s disappearance had destroyed her self-confidence and the stress was so great that she had almost gave up.Her pregnancy and financial distressed that followed. Her being in jail and now her losing one of the major clients at work. Her fear of losing the job that she needed the most to support her baby had escalated.What did I done to suffer all this mishap? It seems that heaven is forsaking her. That her fate was playing odds against her.“At the right time. You will know everything, Samantha.” Frank had said after admitting that he knew Divina Montes.“Then who are you to her?” Samantha asked boldly.Fran
SAMANTHA’s fear escalated further when she faced Norberto. This was the first time she saw the man’s gloomy expression devoid of the usual ready smile. Sitting inside Norberto’s office she tried to control her fear. The man was walking back and forth while talking to his cellphone. Waiting added to her nervousness. She was alerted when Norberto was done talking to his phone and approach Samantha.“The Boss wanted to know about the Fareast Cosmetics.” Norberto asked directly. “What happened?”She told Norberto the truth. That it was Jersey who handled all accounts and she only handle the training of their models.Norberto nodded silently then asked? “Do you need money Samantha?”She was taken aback by the questions but answer truthfully. “Y-Yes of course. But if you are referring to the unliquidated cash advances you can ask Jersey about it. I received the money alright but I gave it all to Jersey for his operating expenses. Actually I asked him already to liquidate those cash advances
SAMANTHA sent first the money she promised to her mother. Bought groceries for her baby and decided to drop by Frank’s apartment to pay the man the money she owed and at the same time ask for an apology. After all, Frank had been good to her since she met the man. Frank was there when she needed someone to talk to during her low moments. The man was a great help during her pregnancy up to the time of her delivery. It was Frank who brought her to the hospital and even pay for the shortage of her bills. He was very supportive all the way. Whatever his reason for lying and not telling the truth was that Frank had helped her in the past.But when she knocked on Frank’s apartment two couple had opened the door. At first glance Samantha guessed they were Italians. She asked for Frank and when the woman answered she was sure that her guess was right because of the accent.“Senior Franco was no longer living here.” The woman said. “We are the new occupants.”“But I just talk to him the other
BUGGY’S impatience was growing as minutes passes. Today is the last day of their pictorials for Fareast Cosmetic’s new product launching. The ads are almost halfway and the Marketing Director of Fareast was beating the deadlines. They were not on schedule and the pressure was piling up.All the crews from Director, camera man and photographer were all in place ready and waiting.Buggy was pacing back and forth in the studio. His assistant was nervous too trying to reach out to their model.“Shane was not answering the phone. Just keeps on ringing and then the call was dropped.” The assistant said anxious.“Keep trying.” Buggy bark at his assistant impatiently.Shane Camille was his top model for the Fareast Cosmetic’s commercial ads and he is wondering what happened. Shane was a professional model and known for her punctuality in every pictorial.“Have you tried calling her manager?” Buggy asked his assistant?“Yes. Said Shane had called and said she was already on her way for pictori
ANGELO was patiently waiting at the lounge of Dr. Martha Valley’s OB clinic. Dr. Valley was Marisa’s obstetrician and gynecologist. He was done with his part a while ago. Dr. Valley had requested for his sperm sample. At first he was uncomfortable. But when Dr. Valley’s assistant nurse escorted him to a small room with televisions on and smut magazines all over, he understood what to do.“Just put your sperm in this vial sir.” The assistant lady nurse said with a mischievous smile. “Just relax and take your time. You can watch videos or read this magazine. It will help to expedite the process.”It was actually easy and after a couple of minutes he had done what was required and now is Marisa’s turn. She was inside the examination room and Dr. Valley was checking her.Their wedding was postponed again. Marisa’s father Don Leonardo Rossi was out of the country again but Angelo had a doubt that the old man doesn’t approve of him as Marisa’s husband. The man was cold during their first me
THE sad news affected Marisa too much. The woman changed almost overnight. She was no longer the woman that Angelo met the first time. No more is the confidence and the strength that was almost mistaken for arrogance.“I will file an indefinite leave of absence.” Marisa said almost withdrawn during breakfast.” Dr. Valley advise me to avoid pressure and concentrate on medication.”“Oh that will be good. You can have your rest.” Angelo replied.“You have to take your leave also.” Marisa curtly said staring at Angelo seriously.“What?” Angelo almost fall down from his chair in surprise. “Why should I? What is that to do with me?”“Because the doctor said that you must be always on my side and we have to make love every day. Timing is very important. We should not take chances.”Angelo could not believe that the burden will be great just to give Marisa a baby. He begun to felt annoyed. Having sex everyday was an ordeal especially for a busy man like him. Everything not in moderation was n
Finally, his rage for Arnald Lopez superseded his love for Samantha. He decided to forget the woman. Avoid her and never talk to her. He is at peace not remembering the woman. Samantha is like a dull scalpel that open the healing wound. Her beauty is like a needle stitching his wounded feeling. And the reality that they were siblings is like salt that is adding to the injury. More painful and gruesome.“Honey are you done with your meetings?” Marisa asked smiling as she entered Angelo’s private office.“One more, later in the afternoon.” Angelo answered. “This morning I’m done so maybe we can have a little walk. I’ll show you around the farm.”Marisa seems contented living in the farm. There was a great mood swing from being irritable and domineering to being condescending and relax. The woman hugged Angelo and kissed him.“I have a better idea.” Marisa flashed that mischievous seductive smile. “Let’s make love here.”“Right here? In my private office?”Marisa’s voice and seductive sm
WITH so many things occupying her mind, Samantha was surprised to see Angelo Lopez in her office accompanied by her secretary Becky Sanchez.“He insisted Boss.” Becky reasoned.“That is okay, Becky. You can leave us now.”“You are very hard to find, Boss.” Angelo said mockingly. “Cannot reach your phone and the apartment was empty and no neighbor can tell where you transfer.”Samantha understood Angelo’s resentment. Because of the fast turned of events in her life, she actually forgotten about the man. Due to Franks advice she terminated her subscription with her old cell phone, instead she used burner phone. An inexpensive phone designed for temporary call. According to Frank it will be safer so that no one can track her. She forgot to inform Angelo about it.Also due to Frank’s insistence they already move to the mansion. Her mother resisted it at first but when she realized the gravity of danger to Samantha being Frank’s daughter she eventually obliged. She already realized by now t
MARISA was overwhelmed, elated and more than happy seeing her new face. She was even more beautiful now. The doctor had really done a miracle on restoring her damaged face. She cried and hugged Angelo with too much happiness.“I think this needs for a celebration.” Angelo suggested silently feeling overwhelmed too. The burden that was lurking inside him and the fear that Marisa could not make it suddenly disappear.“Ohh… honey. I am so thankful.” Marisa said with misty eyes and then turned around. “Thank you Doctor.”“Thanks the Lord ma’am. I am just his instruments.” The doctor humbly answered. “The miracle was from him.”Marisa nodded in silence. She believed the doctor. In her past reading of the holy bible she contemplated much about her past and she realizes how lucky she was. A blessing that she should share to less fortunate. She was so touched and now she had promised herself that she will do good deeds in the future.They dined happily that evening as a celebration. She now r
FRANK was thinking if he will tell Samantha everything about his secrets. When his wife and son Roberto was killed in the car explosion, he vanished for a year. He also spread rumors that Franco Ortega was also killed in the incident. His youngest daughter Beverly, orphaned at two years old was raised by his wife’s parent.When he resurrected, he became incognito and very careful. He transacted business online and made some slight changes in his appearance through plastic surgery. He became Frank Sevilla. In his absence he stayed at the hotel he inherited from his grandfather. That was the time he met Divina Montes and Samantha was born.He looked at Samantha and contemplate whether it is her time to inherit the organization. He sensed that she had the quality of a good leader. In her few months as Chief Executive Officer of the company, Samantha showed prowess in decision making. Decision making makes or breaks a leader. Poor decision went astray while good decision made it through.
The Boss lead Samantha to a sitting room after they eat. It was a huge room with no windows but well lighted. There was a steel framed working table and a sofa. Aside from collection of antiques, the room was almost bare. No pictures or paintings hanged. Only a brown painted wall with high ceiling.The Boss took a bottle of wine and pour it into two wine glass and handed Samantha the other one which she eagerly took. She badly needed a drink after the incident of gun fire and surprises that had happened. Her adrenaline was still up and she wanted to eased a bit.“I know you are surprised seeing me here.” The Boss said after he emptied his glass. “I think we have to be introduced properly. I am Franco Ortega. But to you and your mother I am Frank Sevilla. I am sorry that I did not introduce you myself earlier. I have reasons.”“So you knew that I am your daughter all along?” Samantha said sounding like a statement of annoyance.“Yes. Since you were born. I was in the hospital when you
AS they speed away going to the office’s direction, Constantine eyes was wary and wandering. He was looking at every direction of the road. The bodyguard seated at the front also do the same. Samantha was sitting at the back and trying to relax but she could not. She sensed something was up to. The way Constantine and the other bodyguard was acting made her nervous. She touched the gun on her bag and adjusted her bullet proof vest.Samantha was thinking about her daughter and was almost tempted to make an order to turn around and go back. Constantine had fill her in about how dangerous Marisa Madrid’s family. An old mafia family that made things done by violence and guns. She glanced back and saw the other car following them. It was part of the three car convoy. Their car was in between and the first car leading them was speeding constantly.As they are about to cross the bridge, there was an explosion in front of them. The first convoy was almost hit and then there was another explos
Marisa Madrid was sleeping in her hospital bed. Angelo was staring at the woman who was fully bandaged on the face with broken nose and gunshot wounds on the right cheek. The wound was not fatal because it exited the soft skin of the jaw but the doctor said that it will need longer therapy to restore both the skin and the broken jaw.Marisa also suffered fractured bones and limbs. Other than that she was already out of danger and the good thing is that the baby was not affected. Angelo got a mixed emotion about what happened. He learned that Marisa provoked the fight but he could not imagine that Samantha was now capable to break somebody’s limb. What happened to the sweet soft woman that he used to loved? It seems that something had turned out within the woman that made her a killer.Marisa moved and open her eyes. She was wary at first but when she saw Angelo sitting beside her bed she started to mumble incoherent words. The bandage and the wounds made her difficult to talk.“P-Plea
ONE morning Constantine her driver/body guard handed her a bullet proof vest before they left the apartment.“It’s a vest. Like mine. Please wear it.” Constantine slowly said while helping Samantha unwrapped the black jacket like vest.“You are scaring me Constantine. Why am I supposed to wear a vest like this?” She said, starting to feeling nervous.“Protection Boss.”“Oww. Another threat I guess.” Samantha said to lighten the mood and then added a joke. “Or maybe we are going to a raid or something.”Constantine help Samantha with the vest and asked after. “Is your gun with you?”“Yeah of course.” She said touching her bag.She remembered Brenda’s word. “Don’t let yourself a willing target. Always carry your gun with you wherever you go. Consider it your best friend that you cannot live without.”“Let’s go then.” Constantine said and started the car.AS the car drove to the office direction, Samantha could not help but think. She never dreamed of a life like this. What she wanted wa
Divina was silent during breakfast and Samantha decided to respect that silence too. She was light headed that morning because of lack of sleep. As she watched her mother silently, Samantha was almost tempted to ask her who was her real father again but she had a second thought because Divina had answered that already and firmed in her conviction that Arnald was her father. Samantha had a second thought about it and she knew that asking will bring her nowhere. Now she realized how distant was Arnald to her and her mother in her growing days. She never remembered that the man had spent longer hour for her even during special occasions like Christmas and birthdays. She outgrown the thought that maybe Arnald was just a busy man.After high school she was sent to America to study college. It was Arnald’s idea and her mother could not say no but cry.Well maybe her mother was still expecting a second chance between them and Arnald like she was silently hoping for the second chance between
Divina remembered that when she confronted Arnald about the blind item, her husband did not confirm nor denied. She was so hurt and devastated. She loved her husband but she reached her limits. Like a scorned woman seeking for vengeance her first impulse was to self-distract. She began to socialized with old friends to forget but the pain always remained.She started drinking heavily and going out every night with old friends. Rich and adventurous friends who eventually taught her to gamble in the casino. Gamblers always had its beginners luck but it doesn’t last that long. House always wins and Divina had already been addicted to it. She lost heavily. She had almost dried her own savings, pawned all her jewelries but could not have the nerve to tell Arnald and ask for more money.The Pharmaceutical Company was now converted into a corporation from single proprietorship. As corporation it has a separate entity from the owner’s and she could not withdraw money without asking permission