GIATWO days later I went shopping with Cleo. She was so excited she almost tripped on the carpet. I went to pick her up, but she wasn't ready so I waited for her in the living room. JL went out with Rolf as he is leaving tomorrow morning.I was checking my phone, but there were no messages. I don't have a lot of contacts anyway so I just kept browsing on Facebook. High school was not something I want to remember because it was horrible. We all have to grow up sometime. The head of our student council at the time made a private group for our batch and everyone is added there — including me, much to my dismay.They are planning a reunion six months from now and they are looking for sponsors. Why do I have a feeling they would ask me? I don't even want to go."Hi stranger," a man with a baritone voice greeted me. It was Corbin."Hey," I got up to give him a hug. He stiffened and patted me in the back. "I haven't seen you in awhile. What are you doing here?" He has a place downtown, but
GIADAPHNE is friendly and we seem to hit it off well. She gave me side swept bangs and layered my hair so that it would be easier for me to blow dry it. I have to admit, I feel lighter with the hairstyle she did. She also suggested that if I was in a hurry, I can always dry it and put it in a messy bun. With my side swept bangs, it would look more sophisticated without trying.I didn't really want to color my hair, but she also suggested that I can get a few highlights, so she gave me some ash blondes here and there. It's barely noticeable now, but if I am out in the sun, it will be more visible. I like it. It's a big change for me. I mean, this whole thing is a total makeover.Our last stop is vision care. After I was tested, I was given contact lenses. I'm not sure how comfortable I would be using them all the time, so I asked for fashionable-looking eyeglasses too. Cleo picked out about ten pairs for me to try, and after eliminating the ones I didn't like, I was down to three. It
GIAJL came in no time. He was dressed casually and I know, he is not going to the office at all. Everyone was staring at him as he walked towards me but he only had eyes for me. The little bud between my legs pooled. Jeez. It’s scary how he affects me with just one look."Hey, hon!" he greeted me as he approached. The Dolce smell from him is enough to make my legs wobble."Hi. I'm sorry, did I disturb you? I was just despe—" I was cut off as we stood by the office door and he kissed me on the lips."You were saying?" His eyes narrowed.I hissed at him and whispered, "Why did you kiss me in front of these people? JL, this is a workplace.""Workplace or not, I will kiss my wife whenever I want."I gave him a stern look. When I glanced at the employees outside, some of them had heart-shaped eyes while the others looked jealous.When I looked back at him, I noticed a hint of lipstick on his lips. I wiped it away with my thumb and cleaned it. He had an amused look on his face."What time
KIMI can’t believe he would say no to me. I bared my heart and soul to him! I fucked so many men who looked like him and made them pretend that they are him.And just because of that ugly girl, he would reject me? I am more beautiful! Smarter! He always takes away what's mine. He better be prepared, I'm just getting started.I parked my pink car in front of the apartment. If I didn't need his help, I would have paid him a large sum and given him a place to stay.The door is unlocked so I went in without knocking. The house was quiet and there was no food on the table. Where is that girl? It wasn't until I walked upstairs to her bedroom that I realized someone must be with her."Oh yes! Right there! Ahh!"Tramp! I walked downstairs and waited for them to finish. I poured wine into a glass and drank. I have to speed up my plan if I want JL to be with me and get my revenge on Gia at the same time. That bitch keeps taking what is rightfully mine.Ten minutes later and she came out with a
GIAOUR weekend was well spent. JL and I had bulalo (beef soup) and rides at Skyranch. He is still a kid at heart. Can you believe it, we even rode the carousel.Before Saturday ended, we drove to Mabini. We went diving at eight in the morning. I was rummaging through my clothes to find my swimsuit. Can you believe this man? He wants me to wear board shorts and a rashguard. I have a one-piece swimsuit at home, but that's not what he brought. He actually bought specifically what he wanted me to wear, with the help of his cousin.We had fun going underwater and seeing the corals and different fishes. After diving, he and I went for brunch."I meant to ask you something," I said to him."Shoot.""Do you know Kim? I mean, she idolizes you and she has said multiple times that we're not a good match.""Honestly? I don't remember her. That day she made a pass at me, she looked desperate. To the point that she is willing to be my mistress." I was shocked."What?"He nodded. "I swear, I am not
GIAALL I could feel in my husband’s voice was disgust and anger. I know it's difficult for him to share this with Corbin because I'm present."She wanted to give me a head and she didn’t stop there. She got up and straddled me, and then exposed her breast. I pushed her and she fell on the floor. Obviously, she cried, but she pleaded for me to choose her and leave my wife because we are supposedly perfect for each other. She insisted we met five years ago at Ethereal. I remember going there with Rolf though. I should ask him."My husband looked at me."What is it?" I asked him."Do you have a picture of her?""Why in the world would I have a picture of her?" I looked incredulously at him.He winced. "I was going to send it to Rolf and asked if he remembered her."Corbin interrupted us. "I'm going behind your company's server, Gia, to get her picture. I am pretty sure her resume is not entirely true."JL spoke. "If this Bettina is Karen, what is her last name?" he asked with a furrowed
GIALAST night was the first time JL and I didn't make love. For some reason, we were both content with just holding each other.His breathing is even indicating he has fallen asleep. While I, on the other hand, am wide awake. If not for my husband's arms wrapped around me, I would be up pacing the room or going through my father's old things.After talking to Dad, I became even more confused. My father-in-law went to the same high school and when I asked him if he knew Kassandra Cueto, my father-in-law fell silent for a moment. I put him on speaker so that JL and I could both hear him.FLASHBACK | EARLIER THIS EVENING"Dad! Thank God you finally answered your phone. Where have you been?" JL is close to losing his shit. I can't blame him, we haven't dealt with something like this before."Sorry, son. Your mother was not feeling well, and I took her to the doctor. Then I got a call that my case has been dropped and they apologized for any inconvenience. I was told that there was a misu
GIAEVERYONE in the office was looking at me funny. Corbin's plan is now in motion. JL was walking with me and he knows the plan as well. The three of us discussed it yesterday.He held my hand and led me into the elevator. The disgusted look on some of the employees' faces is heartbreaking, but I have to stay strong. If we can prove that Kim is behind all of this, I will confront her and we will both undergo a DNA test. It is the only way to prove that her claims are false.Then maybe she can seek help. Mom helped Kim's mother, I can do the same for her.When JL and I were alone in the elevator, he kissed me on the forehead."Everything is going to be okay. Corbin sent someone named Precel. She will be your trainee so that no one suspects anything. All you have to say if someone asks is that I transferred her to you because there were no available positions in our company. Are we good?"I nodded. "I'm scared, JL."He hugged me and caressed my back. "It's going to be okay. I am here.
PHILIPPINES | ONE MONTH LATERI am currently in a meeting when I started feeling a pang of stomach acidity. I had a bagel with cream cheese and black coffee this morning. I tried to ignore it, but it kept coming back and reached my throat. It feels like heartburn even though I don't have that condition. As a result, I developed a headache and started sweating coldly."Excuse me, everyone. I'm just going to the washroom," I said to them.When I reached the bathroom, I tried to vomit but nothing came out. I wonder what I ate that caused this stomach discomfort. Last night, we had chopsuey and grilled pork chops for dinner. I can't think of anything bad that I ate.I better visit the doctor. I have a driver, so I don't need to take a taxi. I'll just bring Gaia and her nanny to the clinic. I'm not sure about picking up the kids because I might take longer at the doctor's office. I called my husband.After a few rings, he picked up."Hon, is everything okay?" he asked."I don't feel well s
SEVEN YEARS LATER | NEW YORKThe years went by quickly and now JL and I have four children. Lawrence is our oldest and now six years old. He was followed by Genevieve, Georgina, and Gaia. Yes, I was pregnant every year. So we have a six, five, four, and three-year-old in the house. You would think that because we have a lot of money, we would have one nanny for all the kids. Nope. I like being hands-on as a mother. When I don't have work at the office, I take care of them all myself. Mornings are a bit of a challenge, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. The sound of their laughter is like music to my ears, and when they bicker, it's like I want to send myself to a mental hospital and join Kim there.Kidding aside, being a wife and a mother of four kids is not an easy job. I still have to run Core and make it bigger. When the kids were still small, I took them to the office with me. Now that the first three are in school, only Gaia stays with me in the office, along with her na
CORBINMr. Guerrero looked bored, but JL continued telling his story. "If you had nothing to do with her death, why was she outside that night and came from your house?""I already got home and getting ready for bed when she called me and said she left her purse. That was about an hour after dropping her off. So I went to check in the car and her wallet was there. I told her I would drop it off tomorrow as I was tired, but Collette insisted that she would get it in my place instead. She said it would be a hassle for me and she also wanted to return my handkerchief. She said she already washed and dried it. When she came to the lobby that night, I gave her the purse, but someone called her and she forgot to return my handkerchief. I didn't really care much for it so I didn't remember it either. That was the last time I saw her. I swear on my wife's life, I did not touch Collette. Your daughter is a wonderful woman, Mr. Guerrero and I respected her. Please, let's not fight tonight and
GIAIs Collette Gillian? Was she killed by Jose Luis? There must be a mistake. She couldn't have done the things she's accused of. How could a woman kill JL and in New York, no less? When he goes out, he goes with Rolf, and he wouldn't abandon his friend. I wasn't there, and I don't know exactly what happened, but I do know that my husband won't kill anyone, let alone rape a woman.I looked at Cleo, and she was awake."I think you've got the wrong person, Sir. My husband wouldn't do that. And I'm sorry for what happened to your daughter. No one deserves that, even the worst person. But I really think my husband is not capable of doing something like that.""Oh? How well do you know your husband, Genovia Ganfornina?" he asked me. He signaled to one of his men. "Take her friend to the other room. I want to talk to this woman alone.""No! Gia!" Cleo struggled as two men carried her chair."Cleo, it's okay. I just need to talk to him. Sir, please don't hurt my friend.""She won't be harme
JL"That is not love, Kim. Put the gun down," trembling, he held his hand while I sweated, afraid he might suddenly pull the trigger."What do you mean it's not love?!" He still aimed the gun at me. Sometimes it's about Emma. "I even killed for you! Isn't that love? I removed the obstacles for us to be together, isn't that love?" He turned to Emma. "You bitch! You even got involved with this man even though you knew he's already married? You're a curse! Like you think you can take JL away from me? I'm the only one for him. He loves me! Not you! Not you! I won't allow him to end up with you after all this." He laughed loudly as if he had lost his mind. "I'll kill you just like I did with Gia. You're a worthless woman! You slut! Ahh!"In a split second, Emma jumped and kicked Kim's hand. The gun flew somewhere."You animal! Let go of me!" Kim continued screaming.Emma twisted Kim's hand and took handcuffs from her pocket. She read her the Miranda warning while Kim struggled on the floor
JLWe are currently in Attorney's office. Unknown to Kim, everything happening in this room is being recorded. I want all this chaos to end so that Gia and I can live peacefully. Corbin and I arrived at the same time, but Kim is not here yet. We don't think she got lost. Attorney said he called her earlier and gave her the office address. Where could that woman be? I was about to call her when the door suddenly opened. Unbelievable. Did she even have time to change clothes? Let's just pretend that this shit is real for one second. Does a real sister have time to change into revealing clothes while mourning?Luckily, Corbin is sitting next to me, otherwise she would have surely sat next to me. Attorney and Corbin are now seated on either side of me. "Sorry, I'm late everyone. The traffic is bad around this hour and I spilled juice on my clothes earlier. I haven't done laundry yet, and this is the best I have," she arrogantly said to us.Her hair is perfectly set, manicured nails, an
After everything that happened earlier, I just want to sleep so that when I wake up tomorrow, everything will be fine. There was food in the house, but it was just canned foods. Well, at least we're quick here. I fried corned beef while Cleo cooked rice."Do you think we can go out for a walk or something? No one knows we're here," I asked Cleo."I don't know. We can ask Brandon or Brent. I think it should be okay, but it's better to be cautious. I feel suffocated in this small house, and we can't even walk around in the yard," Cleo replied."Okay. I'll ask them after we eat."When the door opened, it wasn't the siblings who came in. It was a man I wasn't familiar with, and he had two other men with him. What's happening? Cleo quickly approached me."Gia, do you know them?" she whispered to me.I shook my head. "What's the password?"The man smiled. "I don't care about the password. You need to come with us if you want your husband to live."I knew that Corbin was with JL, so I knew h
GIAI hope they are doing much better than I am. I haven't left the office all morning. Precel is keeping me company and pretending that I have work for her when in truth, she was just trying to protect me.Cleo is not here today because her mother had a sudden doctor's appointment. I just want this day to be over and find out what we will do tomorrow.I focused on work and reviewed a lot of things. Staying in the office also had its benefits because I was able to finish a lot of tasks. I think I even finished the preparations for tomorrow.JL was told to communicate by text so that Bettina wouldn't hear anything. It's difficult to be slippery and make mistakes. Corbin's plans might be disrupted.It was around two in the afternoon when I decided to leave the office."Sofia, I am going home early and will continue my work at home. I will take Precel with me."Sofia just nodded and couldn't look straight at me. Maybe her mind is conflicted about whether the news is true or not. Well, in
GIAEVERYONE in the office was looking at me funny. Corbin's plan is now in motion. JL was walking with me and he knows the plan as well. The three of us discussed it yesterday.He held my hand and led me into the elevator. The disgusted look on some of the employees' faces is heartbreaking, but I have to stay strong. If we can prove that Kim is behind all of this, I will confront her and we will both undergo a DNA test. It is the only way to prove that her claims are false.Then maybe she can seek help. Mom helped Kim's mother, I can do the same for her.When JL and I were alone in the elevator, he kissed me on the forehead."Everything is going to be okay. Corbin sent someone named Precel. She will be your trainee so that no one suspects anything. All you have to say if someone asks is that I transferred her to you because there were no available positions in our company. Are we good?"I nodded. "I'm scared, JL."He hugged me and caressed my back. "It's going to be okay. I am here.