I rechecked our things in the luggage for the nth time this morning in our living room while waiting for Patricia. Hank introduces her to me. She's a licensed caregiver with a six-year experienced local and international.I interviewed her via Zoom last night; luckily, she's available for a week, which I need. I glanced at Paris and mom, sitting on the kitchen stool while eating the breakfast Shiloh had prepared; he prepared a chicken salad for mom, a pizza for Paris, and a clubhouse sandwich."How many more times will you check that, Sydney? I'm getting tired of watching you." Paris complained. I stared at her and raised my left eyebrow. "Then stop staring at me, dumb." I zipped up mom's luggage after confirming that I didn't forget anything. I pulled out Paris' luggage and opened it up. My jaw dropped when I saw the mess she made after folding them. "Seriously, Paris?" she ran to me and snatched her luggage."Let it then." she closed it, pulled up the handle, brought it with her t
Hade's P.O.V. I walked out of my room to check what was happening outside; I woke up from a loud broken glass. As soon as I opened my door. Screams and breaking of things plangent. Our helpers keep running around— panicking. I held Arin's arm — one of our helpers, and her face full of fear, she stared at my eyes as if she was begging for her life. I'm confused. I was about to speak when Miss Sarah held my arms and pulled me to the living room; I instantly let go of Arin's arm. When we got there, I saw Hank talking on his phone. Honor was holding dad back as well as their mom. The television caught my attention when I heard Jarred's name. I walked near the Tv and listened to it intently. I saw Jarred and Jackson walking in the crowd of reporters with a policeman on their sides. "The president of Arrow Publishing Jarred De Verra turned himself last night at Quezon City Police Station and confessed that he and his dad —Jackson De Verra was behind the Connect Incorporation Chairman's s
Hank and Sydney came back to Europe last week. We decided to work separately. Hank came with Sydney since it would be safer if he was the one protecting Sydney than me. It's a shame, but I cannot agree more. It's Sydney and her family's, after all.I tried dialing Ricci's number for the nth time. "The number--" I stopped imitating the interactive voice response when it suddenly rang. "Hello?" I stood up and almost jumped."Ricci?" I gasped. The call suddenly became static. "I'm being tapped." and he ended the call. "Hello? Ricci, wait!" but he no longer could hear it. "Damn it!" I screamed and stumped my foot. They're all in the run. I instantly dialed Hank's phone number while I picked up my keys and ran towards the garage. He picked up the call when I was already in my car, starting the engine."I got a lead which matched Sydney's." he greeted. "Oh, well, no more hello's or what's up?" I joked."You still have the time for joking around?" I rolled my eyes."Of course, what if I su
Sydney's P.O.V.It was a long, tiring, and unnerving week. Jarred and I came to Europe together since his family was staying right next to our hotel room. I still can't believe that my theory was right. Although Hade was right that I don't have solid grounds, it all became solid when I heard Hank's. I wonder how they're feeling right now. I mean, it's their parents, after all; I feel bad for them. Especially for Honor, I wonder how he will take this. He's just twelve. I just can't imagine the horror they all felt. I sighed and looked at mom and Paris, who were talking in the living room. I breathed the air on the balcony before walking toward them. I sat on the sofa; they were seated on the carpeted floor, reading something at the low table. I sat behind mom and looked at the thing they were reading. It was a plant brochure, it is a company named Jangga Plants. "Do you want to start a flower shop, mom?" I asked. She turned behind just to look at me. She nodded."Will you help me?" s
Hade's P.O.V.I stood up from sitting on the wooden chair and walked back and forth, biting the nail of my right thumb. I crossed my arms to my chest and bit my lower lip as I stared at the door, waiting for the steps to grow louder. As the steps increased, the tempo of my heart synced with it. I gasped at the same time when the door opened wide. My mouth hung open as I stared at the man in front of me. He looked down, sighed, and shook his head. He looked defeated."I'm sorry, Hade, Haris still doesn't want to meet you.", the chief of the ward said. I sighed and let both of my arms feel on my side. I don't know what pains me more. Was it because dad kept trying to escape our reality, or was it because I already knew why he had done this to me.I let a loud sigh and weakly smiled at the chief. "Please tell him I'll be back; I won't stop going here unless he shows himself. Thank you, sir." I didn't let him cut me off, so I watched his mouth hang open with his eyes panicking. I heard th
Sydney's P.O.V.After Hade rode to the elevator without waiting for us, we waited for another five minutes before the elevator came down, with another set of students coming out. We step back to give them away."What's wrong with Hade this past few days?" I asked. Both of them shrugged, and a grin appeared on their face as I watched their reflection on the elevator wall. We walked inside the elevator, and they pressed the eighth and tenth buttons."Sydney, don't forget the party, okay?" Hank reminded. I nodded and checked my calendar on the phone. Damn, the finals were just around the corner. I actually didn't expect to be a deans lister. Mom was thrilled, and dad congratulated me through his long message on Messenger. Maybe Enzo did tell him. Mom and Paris baked me a homemade cake with Shiloh's help, and he baked me brownies too as a gift. I suddenly became anxious with the finals coming, and I still have a lot of things to do, especially at my organization. We planned to have contes
I clicked my car keys as I walked towards the cafe's entrance. I instantly saw Hade and Jarred sitting on our spot sipping their coffee as I pushed the glass door. Jarred waved at me as I walked toward them. Hade looked back and flashed a smile. He instantly stood up and sat next to Jarred. I sat on the sofa where Hade was seated first. "What's up?" I asked. Jarred pouted his lips, pointing to the four glasses in front of us. "That's a lot.""You're way too late, Ms. Soriano," Jarred said. I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. I leaned my back on the sofa and sighed."You're right, traffic.", I said in defeat as I put my arms down and sat straight, looking at my shoes. I just noticed that Jarred and Hade were wearing the same design of shoes. I smiled before looking at them. They were staring at me and a slight smile on their face. They seemed proud as they stared at me. "What?" I asked as I suppressed a laugh. They both shook their heads in unison, picked up their glasses, and sip
Hade's P.O.VAfter the party last night, I wasn't able to talk to Sydney, but I got the chance to speak with her mom. I was shocked when I heard that Sydney had been talking about me when we were chatting online. I was a bit scared when her mom started talking to me because I thought she was strict and didn't like me, but she was soft-hearted and comfortable to talk to. I knew where Sydney got the energy from.I was sitting on my balcony watching the sky. The morning breeze isn't cold or hot. It's perfect. I sighed as I looked at the formation of the clouds, isn't the day seem so perfect to have a date with the one you love? But what if Sydney would say no? She doesn't want to date anyone. I sighed and rested my head on one of the grill bars installed on my balcony.I have to think of an excuse to make her come with me without telling her I want to spend time with her. But what if she thinks I'm getting too clingy? I shook my head and shivered. I stood up, walked toward my bed, and sl
Paris' P.O.V.Mom recovered her speech now. She can have a normal conversation without stuttering or just using one to three words. But still can't move her left hand. Dad changed. He was like a new person, like a freshly born. After I graduated from high school, Dad returned to the Philippines. He ran a food business which was actually a hit, just like how you imagined it would turn out. Dad quit drinking alcohol and looked much more healthy than ever. He and mom were running the business. And their relationship was far from how we saw it. It became better than ever.I took Architectural, just like how we planned for our future, and I graduated as Laude. Who's stupid now, Sydney? I remember we were talking about it when you asked me what my future would be, and we both stayed quiet for a while thinking about our future. One night, we decided to stay up and eat midnight snacks. We sneaked outside while mom was sleeping and bought food on 7/11. We stayed on the roof watching the moon
I stared at the end of the aisle and saw Hade staring at me with tears in his eyes. Hade smiled as I took my first step on this red carpet. I never thought that I'll look good in a White dress. Every step I took, I saw images of us, how we met, and spent every second, minute, hour, day, and month together. I stared at Hade's face remembering every detail. He looked so happy, and I could never ask for anything else.When I reached the end of the aisle, I smiled at him and walked toward him and smiled. I mouthed congrats before I walked to the side to give way to his bride. I watched you shift your gaze to your bride, how your smile changed when she started walking toward you, and how the crowd cheered for her. The ceremony started, and just like my usual stay at church, I felt sick; I needed to get out of here, but I didn't want people to say that I hadn't moved on yet. It has been four years. Four years had passed, and he moved on, and I'm glad he found the love he needed.When the c
We walked around the hospital ground. The right side of the hospital was a golf course, while the left side was the hospital buildings. We watched the old man and lady play on the trail as we walked. They seemed like they were enjoying their lives to the fullest. I smiled as I watched them, mom should be doing that these times with her friends, but I ruined it. She was lying flat on her hospital bed. "What do you want to talk about, Sydney?" Hade asked. I looked at him and instantly looked away. I shouldn't be doing this, and I know deep down why I wanted to tell Hade how I feel, although I'm in this complex situation. We're not using him again as a distraction. I glanced at Hade and smiled at him as I shook my head. He stopped and stared at me. I stopped walking and walked back toward him. "You don't have to rush it, Sydney. I'm willing to wait this time." He smiled. My mouth slightly hung open, I was about to say something, but no voice came out. I stared at Hade's face, and he l
After some time of thinking and processing all of the things that happened to me this year, I decided to just push my luck further. I mean, mom recovered, she and Paris is my top priority, but now that I have already given them the things they needed without me needing to worry about almost everything, I think a little heartache from someone won't wreck me.I messaged Hade to meet me at the restaurant where we first met when he woke up from a comma. I told him that I had reserved the same room and the same time for us to meet up. It was still dawn, and I hadn't been sleeping yet. I don't know, but I feel sad these days and keep overthinking things. I am aloof to almost everyone but trying not to be obvious, so I don't have to explain things.I took off the comforter out of my lower body and stood up. I walked to my balcony and sat there. I stared at the dark sky—the moon was shining alone; I could not see any stars.I want to risk it; I'll tell Hade later that I like him, and then wha
I am baffled about what to do about my feelings. Everything seems to happen way too fast as if someone clicked the eight times speed on my life. I suddenly achieved all of my goals and dreams in a span of a year. Mom suddenly returned to normal as if she had never suffered a stroke. Paris suddenly became responsible as if she was never lazy. And about dad? Enzo, Kurt, and Arnie all seem unreal, dad having his own company. I cannot digest this all. Having someone like Jarred around seems unreal, too; no one would just take care of you like that except your own mom if you're lucky enough to have a loving mother like that.Being one of the rising writers is unbelievable. I can travel anywhere I want with my mom and sister without worrying about money. It was just so surreal. I walked towards the stairs; I called Jarred last night and asked him to meet me today; I have something to discuss that I think only Jarred would understand. I saw mom and Paris sitting on the couch, watching me w
Victoria transferred to our school. The semester ended last month, and we were already on our second week. Victoria and I were in the same classes. She sat beside me on every subject we had. Victoria told me things about her, like that she loves shopping and playing games, which is where Victoria met Hade, whom she first knew as Tycen as well. Victoria talked about how she fell for Hade. My heart ached when she told me that Hade confessed to her first. I suddenly felt unease. Hade made the first move to Victoria while he never cleared his intentions with mine, maybe because my intention with him was just to be friends; that's why he didn't pursue me at all. But wasn't it ironic? Why does he want to see me after they broke up? Didn't she fill everything up? Wasn't it enough? If Victoria didn't satisfy Hade's want, then how about me? I have nothing to offer, and I still put my family on top of everything.After our classes, we walked towards the Oreo building; I heard Victoria join the
Hade promised me that he'd not tell anyone about the Cielo Alto. We enjoyed our stay at Cielo Alto. We toured the whole villa, admired the beauty of the mountains and the sky on my cabin's balcony, made a bonfire in the evening, and talked more about our past and what we thought of each other the first time we spoke. It was a site named Emerald. I have been using that during my off-season at the University since I dropped out. I was trying to enhance my communication skills since I don't particularly appreciate socializing that much, and I have to strengthen my communication skills since the degree I'm taking up requires good communication skills because we work around people, and we got connected; he was awkward and stiffed the first few minutes. But then he loosed a little when I started joking around. I'm really a good talker when I'm around people who are shyer than I. But I'm the quietest when I'm with people like Reyleigh and Taylor. They were social butterflies while I'm a wa
Tell me Hade's attention was on me, not on Victoria. I repeatedly said inside my head as I waited for Victoria to wake up Hade. I could hear his groans and sleepy talk."Sydney's waiting for you.", I heard Victoria say."Uhh, what?" Hade's voice was low, confused, and very drunk. I could imagine Hade's confused face. I heard hasty footsteps on the other line."Hello?" he said in his morning voice."Hade, what took you so long to pick up your goddamn phone?" I said irritatedly. I heard Hade clear his throat and footsteps again and the chinking of his keys."Hade, wait, you can't drive; you're still drunk.""I can, Victoria." He stopped. "And why am I here in a hotel?" he said. It seems like he put the phone away from him. His voice sounds small. I wasn't able to hear Victoria's answer. I waited and glanced at the three guys sitting in front of me. I muted myself, put the call on speakers, and put it on the table. They all looked at the phone and glanced at me, confused."You guys up to
When I opened my eyes, I saw mom sitting on the side of my bed while Hank was leaning on my balcony, his arms crossed in his chest, staring at me. I instantly checked if my hands were tied and looked around me."I'm at home.", I whispered, staring at mom confusingly, she glanced at Hank, and he shrugged. Mom shifted her gaze at me and helped me sit, and leaned my back on the headboard. She tucked the strand of my hair behind my ears and cupped my left cheek."You're at home, sweetie. Tell me what happened." I closed my eyes and put my left hand on my forehead. Trying to recall what happened."I was in my usual room at the hospital, and then my hands were tied on the bed. I could barely move and speak." I glanced at Hank; he was staring at me, listening very carefully. "He injected something into my IV bag, and I felt very, very sleepy. But I heard him say something." I closed my eyes again and thought about it carefully. I shook my head when I couldn't remember the words."Who?" mom a