"Good day, ma'am. Do you have a reservation?" A staff asked in a polite tone, all smiles and a bit cheerful. Her aura made me feel a little better.
I smiled back then surround my gaze. "I am with Exiquel Saavedra," I replied.
"Okay, ma'am. This way," She showed me the way while I am looking at the surroundings.
This place changed a lot. I upgraded. It's been a while since the last time I visited this place.
She brought me to the VIP area. I immediately saw Exiquel sitting near the aquarium a few meters away.
I walked towards him. I intentionally made my steps sound louder to get his attention. And I did not fail to get it.
He pouted. "Please, don't mention him, baby. I am jealous."What the fuck?!What the flying fuck did he just say?"You remembered his name without seeing him and you did not remember mine when we met again. Unfair."He sounded like he's sulking."Well, I find you creepy that day. I mean, yes you were familiar but you dragged me to the place where the light is dimmed and not too crowded," I defended. "What do you think I thought of you because of that stunt, huh?"He looked at me in disbelief. "You thought I was kidnapping you?""Yes, of course," I ans
Hey there, young man. I am with your dad, now. We doesn't look good together, are we?"Are you mad at your family?" He asked."I am," I replied immediately, I did not even hesitate."Do you hate them?""Maybe? My blood boils whenever I see them, whenever I think of them, whenever I heard of them. So maybe I am," I bit my tongue when the image of the man I loathe the most flashed in my mind."How about me? Do you hate me, love?""I," I halted. "I don't know," I whispered."That is better than knowing that you do hate me," He sighed. "Maybe you'll hate
I went out of the car in an elegant way. I held my pouch against my stomach while my other hand is relaxing on my side.I saw my brother near his car, patiently waiting for me. I smiled a little and nodded a little.Every employees bowed their heads as we walk through them.I am actually a bit nervous and ashamed because of the attention. It is kind of awkward since they are bowing like I am a queen. Unlike what the fans did when I was modeling, they're screaming my name while holding a banner, they were supporting me.And damn, this is far more different than being in the media.The atmosphere is not that light, it is more of a serious and busy atmosphere."Relax, little sis. They won't eat you alive," My brother said as soon as we got into the elevator."But it feels like they're skinning me alive with their stares, Kuya."He chuckled. "No, they didn't meant for you to feel that way. They probably want you to feel respected. And you are making their head turn because you were once a
"Well, he used to bring me to Paris and bought me anything I want," My jaw dropped upon hearing what he just said."No way," I said under my breath.He winked at me. "Yes way, little sis."I nodded. "So that's the reason why you became a spoiled jerk," I murmured but I made sure that both of them will hear it.They exchanged glances. Then Kuya glared at me. He's probably thinking of how he would murder me. He probably wants to strangle me to death."You're a brat, Assia!""Well, you are a jerk, Kuya," I shrugged my shoulders. "Fair enough." I added then smirked at him."Let's eat," Dad said as soon as the maids brought the foods they prepared on the table.They served veggies and some foods rich in carbohydrates and protein. I was surprised to see that my plate is already filled with foods while the both of them are getting theirs.I pouted. "Don't tell me that this is all I have to eat again.""Then we won't," The replied in unison which made me pout and sulk even more."So unfair. U
He sighed. "I went here last night to ask where you hid some papers we'll be needing. But I saw you convulsing in your sleep.""Oh, sorry you had to cancel an appointment again," I smiled in an apologetic manner.He shuffled my hair. "You should not be sorry because of that. Be sorry because you had a fever again," He flicked my forehead. "This is the fourth time that you had a fever this month. Tell me, did you spend a lot of time bathing again?"I chuckled nervously. "Well, no... I mean, I guess?" I averted my gaze when he looked at me with a blank expression. "I guess I did. Got a problem about that, Kuya?""A big problem, Assia," He massaged the bridge of his nose. "You were supposed to go to the main branch with dad today. I told him that if you're a little better, I'll take you there so he went ahead. Are you feeling better now?"My eyes widened. "Oh my God! I forgot about that! Was he mad, Kuya? Should I call my friends to attend my funeral in case I die today out of daddy's ra
I walked behind Kuya and did not pay any attention to the eyes of people on me just like what Dad and Kuya adviced.It was almost a typical day for me except for the fact that Dad was orienting me more strictly today and handed me more papers to check or read.I was busy skimming on the papers when I saw a familiar name.Alonso.Alonso, Cleandra Myrtle.Why the hell is her name here?Clea, you just gave me more idea about what I want to do.I was so motivated today. So eager to finish everything that I have started.If only I have find out about this earlier, I shouldn't have stayed somewhere and had fun of playing around in a small playground.Playing in a vast playground where the risk is high is so much better than sitting on a swing or swinging on the boring monkey bars. I feel so thrilled.It's rainy today. The clouds seems to have a problem that all it can do is to cry due to the heaviness of the problem.I change into a plain pastel shirt and leather shorts. It's a good thing t
I showed him his keys. He looked at me in the face then squinted his eyes. He grabbed the keys from my hands then clicked his tongue."First, you sounded like my wife. And now, you look like her," He held his temple. "Fuck! I know that I am drunk but this is too much. I think I am seeing a lot of apparitions right now.""What? Are you on drugs?""My dad will kill me if I do. And I don't want to try taking drugs, he'll get disappointed even more."I stared at him. "Fuck," He cursed under his breath then poked my faced. He took a step backwards. "You're real.""Well, I am not a ghost," I rolled my eyes then grabbed the keys from his grasp."Athijha," He called my name then pulled me by the wrist. "Athijha.""What now?"I opened the passenger seat of his car then guided him. "Get in, drunk man."He laughed. "Okay, my wife. Don't be so annoyed," He was chuckling so he almost knocked his head. "Careful, love."I shut the door then went to the driver's seat. "I'll take you home.""I can bri
I sat on my bed. I mentally shook my head and chuckled a little."What have you been doing, Exiquel?" I asked.The door of the bathroom opened as soon as fired that question. I looked at his direction. I knew he's here.I stood up then stand by the the window, looking at the scenery outside."Why are you doing this now?" I whispered.I faced him. "What are you up to, Exiquel?"He smiled weakly. "Nothing, love.""The last time you did something good to me sent me down further. This is a scheme again, isn't it? You're planning to hurt me again, right?""It's not like that, Athijha," His eyes welled up."Exiquel, if you're planning to make everything a game between hearts again, please stop. Our lives are already at peace. We're finally living in peace. Please, don't ruin it. I know that we're both happy now. That we have grown apart. Just go and be happy with Clea.""Is that how you think my life has been going, love? Clea has a family now...""And mom still ships you with her," I said
"Clea," Exiquel called right after I jumped out of our car. "Are you hear to play with me again?" He asked.I smiled then waved at him. "Of course, what else could be the reason I am here?" I asked.I witnessed how my father treated Athijha and she witnessed how hard it was for me too. My sister and I was there for each other but we never had the power to save each other.We were exposed to tons and tons of crimes at such a young age. We were exposed to killing and smuggling, all for the mafia. And even if I want to deny it, Athijha and I were also victims of our father's craziness.My hatred towards this family grew that I even did the most stupid mistake. I used Athijha as as shield just so I can enjoy my life.I started feeling envious towards my sister when I found out that we have different fathers. And I always wished I was her because even if she's an illegitimate child, her real dad is not like mine.I'd always cry myself to sleep after dad's done with his business with me.I'
"Why... why didn't you do it?""I don't know what to say to that person," She replied.I felt enraged towards the person she's talking about. He must hide under his mom's skirt once I find out who he is because curse the ground he's standing on to. I will definitely hunt her until he wishes he died before he could meet me.She was mumbling something but it's a little vague and faint."What? Sorry, Assia, I didn't catch it," I said.Her jaw almost fell when I said that. I wonder what's wrong with her.She laughed nervously and then shook her head. "I didn't say anything. Ha ha ha," She averted her gaze and then smiled a little. "I just find the crowd a little uncomfortable."I chuckled. "Still not used to the crowd, huh?"Something hasn't changed. "I guess I could never get used to it," She whispered in the air.I presented my hand. Her eyes traveled from my palm, up to my shoulder, and then to my bluebell eyes. A smile which reached my eyes crept on my lips as she stares at me with t
"Then I'll just go back to my s-," Before she could even finish what she was saying, I grabbed her arm.My brows are furrowed. "Nope, you're not going anywhere. You're staying here with me."She just want to tease me and damn, love, it's working!She closed her eyes. She sighed and smiled as if she's planning some mischievous things again and wants me to be a part of it.She tugged the hem of my shirt. "What?" I asked."Will you go with me?" She asked in a flirtatious manner.I looked around. "Where?"She smiled a little. "To the cliff, of course.""No," I said which made her brows furrow."Why not?" She asked."You just want to escape this party and just don't want to hear their farewells," I replied and crossed my arms. "And what are you gonna do there? Just stare at the moon or something?"She made a face then stepped on my foot."Stop sounding so sarcastic. And it's better to talk with my son than hear their farewells and shed a tear in the crowd. So, if you don't want to come wit
"Do you feel okay, little sis?" River asked.She tried to reach up for her brother's hand as her eyes starts to water. "Kuya," She called, almost voiceless. "Kuya," She repeated in much clearer voice.She calls her Kuya, huh? It is a Filipino word which refers to your older sibling with a male gender, I suppose. Damn, I guess I really did miss a lot of things.River chuckled a bit then drove his wheelchair to his sister's side.I gulped when I witnessed I Ath... Assia pulled her brother in for a hug."Your eye," She mumbled as she hide her face on River's shoulder."You're thinking that I've gone blind, are you?" She nodded in response. "My eyelid was just grazed by a knife. It's just a small cut.""What if you go blind in tge following years because of that?" Assia asked."I'm glad you're still as silly as fuck," River said then let out a burst of a loud laughter. "Good morning, little sis."You're not really hurt, right?""Yeah. I caught a bullet with my leg though.""Well, you're a
"Good evening, my lady. You look gorgeous like always," I said with a smile when she opened the door."And you are annoying as always," She said then rolled her eyes. "Can I leave this bouquet here? I have a feeling that I might destroy this by slapping you with it out of annoyance.""Harsh. But sure," I took her hand and kissed it. "Shall we go, gorgeous?"She nodded. "Sure."I never knew that 4 kilometers ride is too short for us to stay in car together. Damn the time."Quel, do you know me?" She asked out of nowhere.My forehead creased. "What do you mean? Of course, I know you, Athijha.""What if my name is not really Athijha? What if it is Clea?" She joked then chuckled a bit. "Don't get me wrong, okay? What if I am just her copycat and the real one just happened to tell me everything about her life?"I smiled. "Then you copied her perfectly. Your mannerism, the way you frown, your smile, and your laugh. It perfectly matches hers. But I can never forget how her eyes look. That is
It seems like she's havinf the urge to hit me with her bag she held herself back. "Why are you insisting that I am still your wife? You signed the divorce papers back then, Exiquel." She said.I smirked. "Oh, that? I didn't want to let go of you so I retrieved it when you left. Then I burned it together with the copies you prepared."Her jaw dropped upon hearing that. "How dare you put my money and efforts to waste?"I laughed. "Don't worry, wife. I'll give them back to you, twice. Even a million times if you ask. Anything for you," I replied then wiggled my eyebrows."What if I do something unforgivable? Are you still willing to do that?"I chuckled. "I'll always be on your side, little girl," I shuffled her hair."Exiquel," She called my name."Hmm? What is it, wife?" I asked.She took a step forward. "Do you still remember something I do?" She asked then took another step. "To the moon and back?"My eyes widened upon hearing that. My eyes shone with an unreadable emotion that keep
I visited the pavilion I built to commemorate the faded existence of my child.I'll bring Athijha here for some other time.When I got home, I decided to give her a call.[What is your problem, again?] She said as soon as she answered the call."Are you home?" I asked.[And why should you know?] She retorted with sarcasm. "You didn't text me so I got worried. Are you home? I'm heading there," I said, making up reasons just so I can hear her talk.[No, I am not. I just left. And I don't really see any reason why you should know.]"Because I am your husband," I responded in a proud tone, giving her a hint about what I did.She scoffed. [No, you're not.][Yes, I am.] I insisted.[Shut up, Exiquel. We're divorced. Stop insisting we're not separated, you dumbass.]"Or not," I chuckled.[Whatever you say. I gotta go. There is something important I have to do. Something more important than you,] She said then dropped the call.Then she found out about what I did. She kept on ranting about h
I felt how she got frozen on the spot when I planted a soft kiss on her forehead. I smiled at the back of my mind.I missed doing that."You're being considerate of my feelings too much again. I can handle myself, you know. Go on, love. Sleep now. I'll leave you here alone now. Goodnight, my love."I was wakened by terrified screams from the other room.Chill washed through my body when I realized it was my wife."No, son, no! No," She screamed."Athijha," I called in panic. She's still asleep and covered with sweat as she cries in her sleep."Fuck! Athijha, wake up!"She gasped for air then opened her eyes widely.She touched her cheeks and then brushed the tears away as I cup her face."Fuck! Are you okay, love?"She looked at me who's looking at her with my eyes filled with fear and nervousness.She held onto my wrist then tilted her head. "Quel," she called my name."Yes, love? What is it? Did you had a nightmare?" I asked in a worried manner."Love," She uttered our endearment th
She went out if the car and was about to guide me out but she doesn't really have to do that anymore. I jumped out on my own."It's okay, Jha. I am not drunk anymore," I flashed a smile. "You're back in here again."She nodded a little. She may not be aware of this but the way she acts while looking at the place that's used to be her home says how uncomfortable she is."You should take my car on your way home. It's dangerous," I said."No, thanks," She declined."Athijha.""No matter how much you put authority and warning in your voice, you can't order me to use this since I left my friend's car at the parking lot of the restuarant in front of the club where you drowned yourself."I took a remote out of my pants. "Then might as well spend the night here instead of going home at this hour."I walked in and didn't even dare to look back because I know that she'll choose to walk away and go with the first option I had given her.As I shower in the bathroom of her old room, my feet felt c