MARISSA’S POV“We have nothing to talk about,” I firmly said and dropped his hand. “Why don’t you go home to your family now, huh?”Before he could see the tears stinging at the sides of my eyes, I turned my back on him and went straight to my car with my heart beating fast and my mind so cloudy with memories. When I got inside my car and looked in front of me, his car was already running towards the exit, leaving me in the indoor parking lot of the company.I wanted to break down and hold my chest while mentally saying that everything would be alright. Whatever the reason he is here is solely none of my business. Whether he has a family or not, I don’t need him in my daughter’s life.But wait a minute, how did he know that we had a daughter? And did Madame Margarita Montero tell him about what we both agreed on in order for me to leave Diego?Nonetheless, what is done is done. I can’t go back to the past anymore. I have a life here in New York with my daughter. I may not be happy jus
I felt my heart drop when I saw Diego Montero entering the backyard with Lilith holding his hand and pulling him to her friends. Diego’s expression was mixed with confusion and surprise. The guests barely cared, because in their minds, Diego must just be a guest. “What is he doing here, Marissa?” Nica asked as I followed her going outside the house. “Do you think I know?” I exclaimed and muttered a crisp curse. “So why is he holding Lilith?” “I don’t know!” Nica and I kept exchanging frustrated mumbles because we have no idea why Diego was here. How did he even know my address? “Sir, you can get a slice of cake at the buffet table,” Lilith even said and pointed at the table with her head looking up to Diego. I was taken aback that I could not help and snatch her hand away when I got to the both of them. Diego parted his lips as he looked at me, his eyes digging into mine and searching answers from the questions he must be having in his mind. Out of urge, I held Lilith and moved
Third Person’s POV“Good morning, ma’am!”Marissa Dela Cruz briefly bowed her head to the employees greeting her in the lobby. She was holding her handbag while flawlessly wearing her black bodycon dress. Her dress was a huge contribution to tracing her curvy body and matched her light makeup. A call came from her cellphone, so she answered it.“Yes, this is Secretary Dela Cruz. How may I help you?” she asked with a smile.“I have been looking for Chief Executive Director Montero. This is from Gregory Corporation because our annual meeting is approaching. Can you please remind him?” the other party informed.“You do not have to worry, sir. I have all his schedules in control,” she said before she dropped the line.After that important call and a long minute of constant greeting the enthusiastic and productive employees, while walking through the lobby, she finally arrived in the elevator and rode to the sixth floor where her office is just near her boss’ office. She picked a button be
Third Person's POV“I do not know why they will turn their backs when we did not even do anything wrong!” Diego said and flew his hands in the air. “Or maybe you said or did something that discouraged them from considering the project!”"I also don’t know-“ the manager tried to explain further.“What kind of a manager are you? You only have one job and that is knowing the whole information!”“I am so sorry, sir-““You are so stu-““Mr. Montero!”It was the cue to cut what he was saying to the manager.Marissa has encountered a lot of insults from the CEO over the years. She does not want the others to take it, for she knows how it feels after being reprimanded. Both of them looked at Marissa who was approaching them. She meaningfully gazed at Diego who was squinting his eyes as if observing her. In the end, she avoided her gaze from her boss and regarded the manager whose eyes were already watering with tears.Oh… it was like the first time in her job when she was accepted as a secret
Third Person's POV At last, they arrived at the shooting range where Diego purged all the guests so that he could be alone shooting in the area. Of course, it was Marissa’s job to appease the people who left and make them understand that it was an urgent situation.“What is your problem? Do you even own the shooting range?!”“I might slap your face for evacuating us!”“You look pretty, young lady. How about you come with me and leave that man you were with? How much for one night?”If Marissa had the same anger issues as Diego, she would have punched and smacked all of the people who disrespected her. Instead, she just bestowed a calm smile and polite attitude towards them. After all, she is just the CEO’s secretary. It is a part of her job to be patient, despite being disrespected.The bullets piercing through the mannequins Diego was firing using a pistol made loud sounds even though Marissa was already wearing headsets. As usual, she is only standing beside her boss who is bursti
Third Person's POVMarissa went to their bags so they could go now to the company. She helped him prepare the things before they went to the car parked in a lot. Her boss was silent the whole time while driving, and she could sense that if she spoke up, she would be thrown out of the car. They were in the middle of an intense silence until they reached the company and the floor’s office.“Mom?” he called the moment he opened the door. “Are you here?”Mrs. Margarita Montero was sitting on a sofa in the drawing area of the office. She only stood up elegantly when she saw Diego walking towards her. The old lady wore a white branded dress that had a golden belt which she paired with black heels. She also had golden accessories, and her brown hair was also flailing. If Marissa did not know that she was the great Margarita Montero, she would have thought that the old lady was a former model or a celebrity that quit showbiz for a long time. Marissa closed the door as she watched the two hugg
Third Person's POVMarissa listened to Diego’s mother as she explained how the doctors could not do anything to her health. It was too personal and emotional to be there, listening and watching, but she could not do anything about it.She could see how Mrs. Margarita Montero seemed so kind and intelligent, not to mention how she talked angelically with her son like her child was still a kid. She could sleep just by the sound of the lady’s voice. She suddenly wonders how it would feel to have a mother. A mother who cares for you when you have problems in life. A mother who would laugh at your jokes. A mother who nurtures your well-being and teaches you how to become a great woman.Sometimes, Marissa misses her parents, but she does not know how to feel when she would have been with them – because they were never there. The bitterness went to her throat, but she swallowed it, for it was not her moment. It is her boss and his mother’s.The secretary must have roamed all of the corners of
Third Person's POVBut his mother’s sentiments did not work on him. He just smirked and kept shaking his head. “I… I can’t do that. I don’t know anything about… stupid relationships,” he explained. “I only cared about my business, and how I could prosper it. Women do not interest me.”Marissa took no offense. What Diego and her have in common is that they are more practical than being flown by emotional aspects. They have ambitions to chase; a very complicated love.“I thought you were going to do anything for me?” Mrs. Montero said using her disappointed tone. “Would you let me die without granting my final death wish?”“Mom, it is just that…” Diego muttered and played his lower lip. "It is too much. I do not even know if I could love anyone.""Then does that mean that you do not love me?""Of course, I love you so much!""You can also do that for another woman of your life!" Madame Margarita said and held the hand of his hand. "Don't you get excited that there is a woman out there w
I felt my heart drop when I saw Diego Montero entering the backyard with Lilith holding his hand and pulling him to her friends. Diego’s expression was mixed with confusion and surprise. The guests barely cared, because in their minds, Diego must just be a guest. “What is he doing here, Marissa?” Nica asked as I followed her going outside the house. “Do you think I know?” I exclaimed and muttered a crisp curse. “So why is he holding Lilith?” “I don’t know!” Nica and I kept exchanging frustrated mumbles because we have no idea why Diego was here. How did he even know my address? “Sir, you can get a slice of cake at the buffet table,” Lilith even said and pointed at the table with her head looking up to Diego. I was taken aback that I could not help and snatch her hand away when I got to the both of them. Diego parted his lips as he looked at me, his eyes digging into mine and searching answers from the questions he must be having in his mind. Out of urge, I held Lilith and moved
MARISSA’S POV“We have nothing to talk about,” I firmly said and dropped his hand. “Why don’t you go home to your family now, huh?”Before he could see the tears stinging at the sides of my eyes, I turned my back on him and went straight to my car with my heart beating fast and my mind so cloudy with memories. When I got inside my car and looked in front of me, his car was already running towards the exit, leaving me in the indoor parking lot of the company.I wanted to break down and hold my chest while mentally saying that everything would be alright. Whatever the reason he is here is solely none of my business. Whether he has a family or not, I don’t need him in my daughter’s life.But wait a minute, how did he know that we had a daughter? And did Madame Margarita Montero tell him about what we both agreed on in order for me to leave Diego?Nonetheless, what is done is done. I can’t go back to the past anymore. I have a life here in New York with my daughter. I may not be happy jus
MARISSA’S POV I only snapped when Mrs. Rivera called me. I regarded her who was eyeing me up and down, weirded out by why I was wet. Even Diego was also coldly staring at me, couldn't care less that I was in front of him. He did not even flinch, as if he had already expected that I am here. In New York! “I… I’ll just change, madame. I’m sorry. Excuse me…” I did not waste time and immediately turned my back in order to escape from that stupid embarrassment. My little run with my high heels was awkward as I made my way to the washroom. I gave a message to Ms. Desmon to find me a pair of clothes from my locker and fix myself. “Shit, what was he doing here?!” I said in panic as I paced back and forth inside the cubicle. “He can’t be here. I mean, he can, but for all the places on Earth, why here?!” And he has a wife. And a child. It’s just five years, and he has already moved on? Or am I the only one who distinguished five years to be a shorter time? “Ma’am, here are your clothes.”
“Are you okay, ma’am? You seemed stressed. Do you want me to get you some coffee?” an assistant of mine asked me when she noticed me staring at the wall of my office.“Huh? Oh!” I exclaimed and almost panicked, but I stopped myself and just grabbed the paperwork in front of me. “Don’t mind me. Just please get to work.”Shit. I did not like the idea of not focusing on my work enough and being distracted by what had happened last night with Madame Zeana. Everything she said seemed so absurd to me and impossible.How could she be my mother? She lives in the US, and I lived with my grandmother in the Philippines. I had a simple and convenient life as an assistant, while she is the most luxurious woman who people have known, bringing success from her business and showbiz. Now I could not imagine her kneeling yesterday in front of me, just so I could forgive her.I clenched my fist, crumbling the paper inside my hand.“Ma’am, you are destroying the contract…”“Oh, shit…” I cussed and looked
Marissa’s POV“I don’t understand why you are here,” the first thing I said to Madame Zen who was in front of me. “I don’t even have an idea how you tracked me.”The nanny of my son placed the two cups of tea on the dining table. I am currently sitting in the capital opposite to Madame Zen. She was wearing a fancy cardigan and above the knee leather skirt. Her Louis Vuitton mini bag was even boasting itself that she put on the corner of the dining table. Her sparkling success was very shiny that I had to clear my throat and mind who I was talking to.Madame Zen stared at me for a while before the corners of her lips rose a little. “I have tracked you down ever since you came here in New York. The last minute that I could not see you in the Philippines, I got worried, so I hired a private investigator just to find you.”I was so overwhelmed by what she spilled that I laughed in amusement and sipped on my tea. My head was shaking in disbelief because I thought she was just throwing a jo
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