"President, I tried to stop Mr. Gaston Jurado, but he just stormed right in. I couldn't stop him!" Secretary Sarah's anxious voice quickly followed.Yaslyn, however, remained unfazed as she casually sipped her teacup. Indeed, she had nothing to fret about. After all, she was not the perpetrator of the incident.Gaston Jurado, with a face red with fury, stormed into the office. Gazing at Yaslyn before him, he felt a surge of anger welling up within him."Mr. Gaston Jurado, next time you decide to visit, remember to find proper evidence first. After all, I don't have the time or energy to entertain you with such trivial games," Yaslyn quipped. She expected the speedy inquisition to be from Hendrix and was surprised to see Wrenley's father, Gaston, instead.With a smile, she extended her hand dismissively. "If Mr. Gaston Jurado is here only to accuse without evidence, let's leave it at that. I have work to do. Please show yourself out."Gaston was taken aback by Yaslyn's bluntness an
That afternoon, Sarah approached Yaslyn quietly and said, "Yaslyn, I spoke to Mr. Sheldon Warren. He insisted that my invitation wasn't enough. You need to invite him yourself."Sure enough, Sheldon carried himself with importance.Slightly exasperated, Yaslyn rubbed her temples. "I understand. Don't worry, you can go now. I'll give him a call shortly."Sarah helplessly exited the room.Thinking of Sheldon's personality, Yaslyn figured that a brief call might not do the trick.Why bother calling? A personal visit seemed more fitting.…At 3 p.m., a gentle knock was heard on Sheldon's hotel room door.The door opened, revealing Sheldon in just a pair of pajama bottoms, his muscular upper body exposed.Yaslyn pushed the door open and strode in as comfortably as if she was entering her home.As she walked toward the sofa, she spotted a piece of women's lingerie draped over it. She frowned at the sight. "Quite the passionate affair, I see.""What do you want? Why are you here to
"I want to ease the tension between us, as well as the misunderstanding between you and Xoan," said Yaslyn with gentle sincerity that seemed to surprise Sheldon.Sheldon shifted uncomfortably. "There's no conflict to ease," he said, his words holding a barely concealed defensiveness."I know," Yaslyn continued, her gaze steady, "that ever since I ran away from our wedding, something has been bothering you. Even when you seem indifferent, I know it bothers you. We've never really had a chance to discuss it."Mentioning this matter again left Sheldon somewhat disoriented. The usual fierceness on his face melted away, revealing vulnerability and avoidance."You know, I..." Sheldon began, but Yaslyn interrupted him."I know that this matter is important to you, so I want to sincerely apologize. I'm sorry for hurting you and for not reciprocating your feelings. I believe you'll meet someone better, but it's not that woman from before," said Yaslyn compassionately.Sheldon's emotions g
News leaked surprisingly quickly. Yerick, having just recovered from his injuries, already involved himself in this matter.Yaslyn sighed in relief and was grateful she got to Sheldon early. Otherwise, Yerick might have gotten there before her."Should I answer this?" Sheldon looked up, reaching for the phone and gesturing to Yaslyn.Yaslyn nodded confidently. "Go ahead. Let's hear what he wants."With her approval, Sheldon accepted the call. "Hello, how can I help you?""I heard you had a disagreement with Xoan," Yerick's inquisitive words echoed from the phone.Sheldon intentionally switched the call to speaker mode so Yaslyn could listen. "Nonsense. Where did you get that idea?""No need to play coy. If you join me now, I'll ensure you're well taken care of." Yerick's laugh was casual, oozing confidence.Feigning irritation, Sheldon ran a hand through his hair and sounded slightly impatient as he replied, "I've told you, we didn't have anything of sort. You might want to dou
"I don't have any qualms, it just feels a bit strange," confessed Yaslyn.Xoan comfortingly pulled Yaslyn into his embrace. "I know. It's surely not just Mr. Qasim, the grandfather's doing. There's more beneath the surface. Santiago's little schemes are clear as day to me.""I suppose so.""So don't worry. If he plans anything against you, I won't let him off the hook." His words held a tinge of jealousy, making him sound almost childishly possessive.Yaslyn straightened his coat and playfully pinched his nose. "Don't worry, I'm well aware."Just as the two were about to step out, a commotion erupted. A group of police officers burst in, trailed by a flock of curious employees."Mr. Xoan Warren, we've received a report accusing you of illegal business practices and tax evasion. Please come with us," one of the officers, presenting his credentials, announced.Their plans for a meal were derailed as they followed the police to the station.As they departed, Yaslyn distinctly saw
Yerick and Santiago must have worked together for whatever plot they had.Yaslyn suddenly felt an overwhelming headache. If it were just Yerick plotting alone, the situation would be somewhat manageable. However, with both of them conspiring.The Qasim family, while not capable of stirring up too much trouble, was indeed a nuisance."I didn't want to be enemies with him, but it seems that there's no other choice now," Yaslyn said helplessly.Xoan gently stroked her hair. "Don't worry. Leave these things to me."Upon returning to the Warren family home, neither of them had the appetite for dinner. They quickly freshened up and retired to bed.Ever since Marcus' passing, a pall of gloom settled over the Warren family and rendered the house eerily silent. To soothe Sophie's spirits, Stephen took her on a trip, leaving Xoan in charge of the company. Henry rarely returned home either, choosing to stay with Xora in their external residence. Hence, only the two of them remained in the v
The word 'virgin' left Xoan feeling somewhat awkward."Can you use another word for it?" he asked.Yaslyn was beyond words in surprise. Xoan was an innocent young man all this time?!"Who would've thought!" she exclaimed.Xoan, usually oblivious to such matters, saw her laughing uncontrollably and furrowed his brow, misunderstanding her amusement. "What are you talking about?""Nothing, it's just..." Yaslyn mused, finding some joy in this revelation.Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Xoan. Somehow, the pain from the previous night did not seem so bad.Although Xoan did not fully understand her words, seeing her seemingly happy made him drop the subject. However, recollections from the night before started surfacing, and his gaze deepened.Yaslyn, nestled in his arms, sensed something amiss, and her face flushed crimson. "What are you doing—"Yaslyn's lips were swiftly sealed with a kiss that swallowed the rest of her words."Making a baby," Xoan's voice was soft and husky. T
Without so much as a glance at Zyra, Tyler strode out of the office."Hey, where do you think he's going today?"His abrupt departure was unusual since he typically worked from nine in the morning until half past eleven at night. However, he left barely thirty minutes into the work day. Where could he be going?The puzzled Xantara scanned the appointment schedule while frowning. "I don't understand. Mr. Stone doesn't have any appointments today. Why would he leave so suddenly?""Who knows? Perhaps he's got an urgent matter. Since he's gone, do you think I should follow him?"No sooner had the words escaped Zyra's lips than a quick slap landed on her head."What are you saying? Do you really see yourself as a leech with no dignity? Zyra, you're a superstar. Sneaking around like this is beneath you. Isn't it humiliating?"Xantara stared at Zyra with a mix of irritation and disdain. It seemed to her that Zyra, so blissfully unaware of her own beauty, wasted her stunning looks by sh
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi