Marissa’s POVMy heart and my mind were both cloudy as I stared through the car window. Questions haunted me as we left the restaurant, asking myself what just happened.What did Brylle mean that Nica is his girlfriend? And why did Nica stand up like she was even proud of it? What the hell happened?Brylle and Nica. They were both important to me. We have been together for so long. If my trust was placed in people, it would be them as my first choice. Even though they never got along together because Brylle acted as my suitor, while Nica served as my confidant, they were the ones I entrusted my care and devotion to all my life. I had no parents. No mass of friends. No relatives. No people see me as a dear person to me.An independent woman would only lean on people who truly care for her and would trade anything in the world just to display loyalty. In that way, she would also return the favor. Even everything that she has for them.My grandmother is currently hospitalized. My best fr
Marissa's POVHe turned on the GPS of his car and looked for an exclusive bar near our location. I could not wait to indulge myself in a random party where random people could join me in dancing. I can imagine being so foreign to new things, but I know I am adaptable. And I hope I will enjoy every bit of it. At last, we parked in the parking lot of the nearby bar and there were numerous sports cars, owned by obvious young adults and party people inside. I opened the door of the car and removed Diego's coat from my shoulders."Are you sure about this?" Diego asked as he got out of his car.I first threw his coat on his passenger's seat before regarding him. I closed the car door and nodded in enthusiasm."I am sure about this, Diego," I said and winked at him. "Let's go?"Before he could even refuse, I had already dragged his hand inside without hesitation. He told me to be casual towards him and be comfortable when we are together, so I do not think he would mind inviting him to the t
Marissa's POVI had already dragged Diego away from the entrance and we attacked the bar counter where we went through two groups of people who were drinking and partying. After the bartender gave the pile of cocktails to one group, he then regarded the two of us with a huge smile and enthusiastic eyes."Good evening! What can I do for both of you, ma'am and sir?" the bartender asked us."A bottle of tequila please!" I said and smiled at him."I got you, miss!" the bartender said and then turned his back to prepare for my order.As I sat on the stool, I felt a hand snaking around my waist. Shivers went through my spine as I looked at Diego who sat beside me on my stool as we waited. I was taken aback, but when I looked at him, he was just casually looking.Okay, Marissa. Just like what you said, everything between the two of you would be both casual and comfortable. So calm down.He stated that he is just protecting you from anything that would possibly transpire. Clubs are also one o
Marissa's POVThe disco lights made his eyes sparkle in the middle of a dim place. The music was loud, but its loudness did not disrupt how strong our connection was at this minute. And if I would be given a chance, I wish we could stay like this forever. Because in his eyes, I feel like I am in a haven.“So!” I enthusiastically spoke in the middle of our silence. “To fuck off the world, we will be dancing the night away. We will forget the people who hurt us. Cut off the people who betrayed us. And give our love to ourselves. Just the two of us, Diego.”“Hmmmm,” he hummed and shifted his weight just to face me completely. “I like that. Just the two of us. It could make a perfect movie title.”I laughed when he threw a silly joke like that I had to hit his shoulder. He was so shocked by what I did that he widened his eyes and barked out numerous guffaws. It made a lot of people look at us, but we barely cared.“We will have fun, okay?” I said. “And we will have the best night. Like ev
Marissa's POV Flashing memories went behind my mind. Brylle’s smile when he was introducing Nica in front of his family and relatives. My best friend was even smiling politely and greeting all of his visitors in the restaurant.And I was just there…Collapsing…Betrayed by the people whom I deeply cared for.But someone caught me…Diego Montero brought me to a place of fun and magically made me forget all of the painful memories of that moment I was betrayed. I could not thank him enough.And then, our faces went closer, our lips brushed each other, and began to kiss as our heat became one. His touch was warm and gentle. And his caress was comfortable.But suddenly, it became blurry. He began to vanish. That was when everything went dark suddenly. After a minute, a blinding light appeared in front of me and my eyes became conscious and discerning.Why is there so much light? White light?I slowly opened my heavy eyes as an odd light penetrated and moved my head. My eyebrows furrowed
Marissa's POVHe chuckled and then removed his hands from me. His fingers went through his hair and ruffled it as he sat up on the bed. I gulped because of how handsome he was even early in the morning.Why is God so unfair and all of the beauty of men was rained down on him?!"That's fine. I know that it was not your intention," he justified and smiled a little."Yes!" I answered immediately and I felt my cheeks heating up. "I am so sorry.""But still," he said and winked at me, "you kissed me."I sighed aggressively. "Yes, and I regret it,” she said.He shrugged. “But you have to admit,” he whispered under his breath. “You did like it.”I bit my lower lip and deeply felt the coldness of the aircon. His manly scent was filling my nostrils, and it was addicting. Slowly, he leaned over so that he could near to my face. I do not know why I am not retreating my head. I just let his head move, and when his lips almost landed mine, I covered my mouth with the back of my hand. He furrowed h
Marissa's POVI shook my head because I found myself spacing out after staring back at Diego from downstairs. Without any further ado, I proceeded to go down the long, wide staircase. I was petrified by the sounds my heels were making that were echoing inside the mansion.As I walked down, I was still amused by the mansion's beauty and elegance. It was giving off the old money, rich families where Diego belongs. I mean, it is already expected since he comes from a wealthy family and the country knows them in every aspect like businesses and high socio-economic status among others. They are well-respected and reputable as if they are some royalty.He went towards me with a huge grin. I still cannot forget when he decided to just let me go on my way and did not continue kissing me a while ago. He cannot just torture me like that!But well, I have to let it go. Maybe next time will do.Wait, what? How could I think of that? My cheeks flushed red and shook my head indulgently."Are you hu
Marissa's POVHe just smiled back and went to another chair that was only in front of me. I was still astonished by how he was slowly changing his attitude towards me. It is like it is a new Diego in front of me, and the arrogant one? He was already gone! No trace from him.I wish he was like this all the time. We could have a good relationship while doing our jobs. No pressure, like all those past years that have gone by as if there was a wall between us.I like what we have right now."Come on. You can eat now," he invited me and pointed his palm on the utensils in front of me. “I am so excited for you to eat them.”I looked at all of the breakfast dishes he had prepared for me, and my stomach growled in starvation. I grabbed one small fork and a dining knife to cut the pancake. When I tasted it with its sauce, it was like I tasted heaven for the first time, making me close my eyes and savor the taste.Tender. Soft. Not sweet but tasty. It even has a good smell!"It's very delicious
Marissa's POVFor five years, I only wanted to take care of Lilith, my daughter, as we left the Philippines to start a new life and a new career. After my grandmother died last year, I knew that I had to be strong for the steering wheel that I had been controlling all my life to be steady. Grandma was the reason I wanted to live for a long time. Now, it was Lilith. "Mom, I told you that I wanted to play in the park with my nanny. Why would you not let me?" Lilith said as she stomped her little feet under the dining table.I turned to her while fixing the valuable things inside my bag. Her nanny, on the other hand, was helping her eat breakfast. My beautiful daughter was looking up at me while pouting her lips. Her hair was already done into ponytails and is currently wearing the dress I just bought for her in the mall."No," I said and smiled at her. "The park is too dangerous, my love. You have to understand me.""Nanny! Help me!" she said and then looked at Nanny Elisa. Nanny Elis
Marissa’s POV I could feel the discrete and watchful stares of Nica and Brylle in front of me. I was just staring at the hot coffee inside a huge mug in front of me. They made sure I ate today, even though it was not a lot. It already satisfied them that I had something in my stomach. “I know you won’t open up to us,” Nica said in the middle of the deafening silence. “But I want you to know that Brylle and I will be here for you.” My eyes slowly darted on both of them. They were beside each other and their hands underneath were obviously intertwined just by the visual of their hands together. The only thing that was separating us was the dining table. Currently, we are in the dining area in front of me. The night was still young. “I am leaving tomorrow,” I started with a lump on my throat, but my eyes are already tired from crying. “And I don’t know if I will be back.” “What?” Brylle exclaimed. “What do you mean?” “Madame Margarita was the primary reason why my contract with Di
Marissa’s POV“Brylle! Oh, my goodness! What happened to you?!” Nica exclaimed in shock.The moment I let her inside the apartment, Nica rushed to Brylle who was caressing the white plaster on his right cheek. She was pressing his wound, while he kept telling her that it was alright. I could not help but furrow my eyebrows at how they care for each other. I can see it. “Marissa,” Nica mumbled my name and stood up so he could face me. “Who did this to him?”I crossed my arms after I locked the door of the living room. “It was Diego Montero,” I answered. “I am sorry.”Her expression changed from a serious one to a concerned one. The moment she did that, I already retreated. I shook my head.“We can talk tomorrow. For now, you should rest together with Brylle. Spend the night. I already prepared everything in my grandmother’s room. You can use it,” I said. “I’ll go to my room now.”I did not let her speak anymore and turned my back on them already. I could feel her stares following me
Marissa's POV"If I could follow the contract, he would answer all of the hospital bills for my grandmother. I will also go to New York and have my dream job. In that way, I would reach my dreams and make my grandmother feel better," I explained."Marissa," he mumbled, and felt his hands on my shoulder. "Why did you not tell me? I could have helped you.""No," I said and shut my eyes. "I could never dare to involve you and Nica in my problems. You have done everything for me, and I would be ashamed to reach out to you.""Why would you even think about that? You are important to Nica and to me. If you didn't like Diego, you could have just reached out to us. How dare you think it would be shameful! Oh, goodness, Marissa. I am so sorry you have to put up with that situation."Before I could even completely react, he had already pulled me for a warm and tight embrace. The sadness and loneliness have already pent up inside my heart, making me sob against his chest as I feel his hand at th
Marissa’s POV“You said you wanted to talk to me,” I said coldly as I watched the stars above me with deadpan eyes. “I am free tomorrow. You can bring Brylle over. I will text where.”I heard Nica inhale sharply. “Brylle would be grateful to talk to you,” she mumbled from the other line. He said he wanted closure.”“I know,” I said and looked down at the pavement. “I also need that, too.”The silence stretched as we shared it through the lines of our cellphones. I bit my lower lip as I realized that I had just killed my pride by deciding to talk to Brylle and Nica. Maybe I was also too hard on both of them over the years I was friends with them. Nica maybe was right. I was selfish and self-entitled.The call briefly ended. My sightseeing through the stars prolonged and I was too drowned in them that I barely recognized how late the night was already.Or maybe because I was still recalling how Madame Margarita and I negotiated that I will have to cut my connection with Diego. Because w
Diego’s POVI played with the red wine inside my glass as Tito George and Ms. Zeana Tan were talking business in front of me. The customers inside the restaurant were filling my ears, but I barely cared about the conversations surrounding me. Only the words of Marissa were circling around my mind, repeating, again and again.She will never love me.She doesn't love me.And I should stop dreaming.Then were her smiles when she was in Palawan with me all fake? Was she just pretending that she was genuinely happy with me?“Hey, Diego…”I snapped out when I felt my uncle’s hand on my shoulder, shaking me a bit. He was furrowing his eyebrows at me and parting his lips, bestowing confusion across his face.“Are you okay? You look like you're occupied,” he concluded.“O-Oh,” I exclaimed and noticed that the both of them were just watching me thinking deeply. I had to clear my throat and straightened up while sitting on my chair. “What… Uh, I was not catching up. Where are we?”“We are talkin
Marissa’s POVMy eyes stayed on the cup of hot lemon tea being poured by the maid, but I could still sense how Madame Margarita was staring at me suspiciously. When the maid transferred to her cup, I raised my eyes to her again. She squinted her eyes, while I still instilled my deadpan stare. “I will still not believe that you intend to not marry Diego after you said yes to him,” she said. “If so, what made you change your mind? Were you scared because I did not approve of you?” “No,” I confidently said. “I was willing to win you over.”“You will not win me.”“I know,” I also agreed, making her left eyebrow raise. “That is why retreating to the marriage would also be a good thing.”“I see where you are going.”“And I also know that you are only faking your illness,” she said. “You don’t have cancer.”Because of what I revealed, she flinched a little bit and was motionless for a minute. She tried to not make it obvious, but when she tried to open her mouth, it was trembling. In the e
Marissa’s POVJust by the mention of Brylle’s name, I had to face her and slap her in the face. I heard Ms. Gonzaga gasp because of what I did. Nica ticked her jaw and held the cheek I just slapped. She glared at me. “Stop talking to me as if we are okay!” I whispered loudly. “We were not okay the moment you stabbed me in the back. And what did you say? Brylle wants to talk to me. After what the both of you has done to me?” “That is why I want to “But I cut her off again. “And would you also deny that you scattered rumors about me just because I married my boss? Did you enjoy the fact that the employees where I work are talking behind my back? Have you always been threatened by me?!”“Yes!” Nica inhaled sharply and widened her eyes hugely because of the frustration that was pent up within her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath tremblingly. When she opened them again, there were already tears pooling at its sides. “I hated the fact that the man I love was in love with my
Marissa’s POV“Thank you for your time joining me tonight, Ms. Dela Cruz,” Ms. Zeana Tan said to me when she dropped me off at the hospital. “I hope I did not waste it.”“I am even grateful towards you, ma’am, for choosing me as your company,” I said and smiled. “Is your husband not going to be mad at you for being late, ma’am?”She arched her eyebrow with a slight smile. “It is funny that you think I have a husband,” she said. “I am still single and not planning to marry anytime soon!”My eyes widened in fractions and panicked. “Oh, my god. I am so sorry. I did not know,” I said.“Don’t worry. I am not offended. Everyone, though, assumes the same.”“Who would not, ma’am? One, I think you are very beautiful, intelligent, wealthy, and successful. It is an obvious fact that many people would admire you, especially men!” I exclaimed.Ms. Zeana Tan only meaningfully smiled, like what I said was just a big deal to her. She stared at me for long. I wanted to avoid my gaze because she migh