"Mr. Stone, there's someone outside looking for you. They're interested in discussing a partnership."Radman, noting his assistant's pale complexion at the doorway, felt a twinge of concern. "Did they schedule a meeting?""What's the matter?""It's the Lukesh Group."Radman's face soured. "I never thought they'd track us down here. Still, we've managed to keep them at bay for four years, which is no small feat."He glanced at Yaslyn's puzzled expression and murmured reassuringly, "Why don't you head downstairs and wait for me? Just ten minutes, and then we'll go fetch Matheo."He flashed ten fingers to emphasize.Yaslyn nodded, aware of the demands of his business, and chose not to intrude."I could actually pick him up on my own.""No can do. Matheo said he's expecting me today, and I've got to see him."Yaslyn sighed, resigned to the situation, and gave a reluctant nod. "Okay, I'll hang out downstairs until you're ready."With a smile, Radman handed her the car keys. "It's
Yaslyn burst through the door and was met with the sight of her usually sweet and tender son pinning a boy down in fury with his head slammed against the table."Say that again. What are you trying to say?"The boy underneath, though larger in size, was silenced by Matheo's intense glare.He certainly had not expected the seemingly delicate Matheo to have such overpowering strength, rendering him completely immobilized."I said it already. If you didn't catch it, too bad!""Say it again. Who's the bastard?"Matheo's voice was almost a growl, his eyes icy with anger.The other boy, accustomed to picking on the weaker ones, was visibly shaken by Matheo's unexpected show of force."I'm sorry, I..."Hearing the apology, Matheo's anger subsided a bit, and he eased the pressure of his grip.Yaslyn's voice cut through the chaos, "What in the world is happening here? Why are you guys fighting all of a sudden?"The kindergarten teacher was equally at a loss when she saw the scene, pr
Yaslyn listened to the woman's tantrum, her lies twisting the truth, and could only scoff. "Everyone knows who the real troublemaker is."The woman was itching to lash out at Yaslyn, but with the man's eyes on her, she softened her tone, playing the understanding victim. "I know you've never liked me, but today, just apologize to me and my son, and all will be forgiven."Yaslyn's eyes went wide with disbelief. "Are you for real? You think I've got it wrong?""You!"Yaslyn huffed. "What about me? In my opinion, you're the one who should be saying sorry. If not, I can't promise I'll hold back, and that goes for your son too.""Isn't there any justice left?"The woman turned to Xoan with a look of hurt. "Sir, you be the judge. She's clearly in the wrong. Look how hostile she is, and she just won't back down even though she's the one at fault."Xoan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You're not wrong. She’s quite fierce and unyielding."Yaslyn shot him a glare. "If you're not on m
Matheo's fleeting look of confusion threw the two adults beside him for a loop.Xoan took the chance to really look at his obedient son. Studying his soft, pale face, every little scowl and grin was tinged with a familiar, icy charm—no doubt, that was his boy."I'm definitely your dad."Xoan had expected Matheo to be ecstatic to learn the truth, but instead, the boy just glanced at him calmly and then let slip a look that seemed almost disdainful.Xoan was puzzled. 'Disdain? Why's my little guy looking at me with such distaste?'Matheo did not mince words with his verdict. "That's kind of creepy."Yaslyn, recalling the incident just before, instantly grasped why Matheo would say something like that.Yaslyn and Xoan caught each other's eye, their cheeks coloring with an embarrassment they could not hide."Matheo, let me explain..."Before Yaslyn could get the words out, Matheo turned away, offering her a reassuring smile, "Mom, I know you're not to blame. It's this guy who's th
Radman shook his head, firm in his opinion. "You know, amnesia might be a blessing in disguise for you."That meant he had no intention of revealing the past to her. After all, he was the one who had found her, which meant only he and his crew knew that particular secret.If she could not get the truth out of him, it seemed she would never uncover what had happened. With a throbbing headache starting to build, Yaslyn decided to push those thoughts aside.She snapped back to reality, intending to check on Matheo, but when she turned around, the back seat was empty."Matheo?!"Where on earth had Matheo vanished to?A wave of panic washed over Yaslyn. She had just seen him sitting right there in the back seat. How could he just disappear?Radman's expression darkened at the sight of the empty seat. "He must've slipped out while we were talking."Yaslyn replied anxiously, "We've been driving for a bit now. Where could he be?"Radman gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Let's not j
Matheo, recognizing the misunderstanding, attempted to clarify the situation.However, Yaslyn, believing he was in peril, comforted him with a gentle pat on the head before swiftly turning to cast a stern gaze at Xoan.Xoan stood there, appearing utterly bewildered and wronged, despite being the one who had been hurt."Don't worry, I've got your back," Yaslyn assured Matheo.A bead of sweat trickled down Matheo's forehead. "Mom, you've got it all wrong.""If you're being coerced, just blink."Matheo instinctively blinked."There, you see? He's being coerced.""Mom, everybody blinks. It's just a thing people do," Matheo replied.Yaslyn fell silent. However, she was not about to stand by while her son was apparently being pushed around.Xoan caught her eye, his look filled with an unreadable emotion. Before she could get a word out, his face took on a look of such sorrow that was almost too much to bear."I can't believe I came all this way to see you, and this is how you trea
Radman was usually laid-back, and he kept his composure, though the twinkle in his eyes did not quite light up his face. "Alright, let's hit the road."He sounded as mellow as ever, but Yaslyn knew him too well. After all those years, she could tell that beneath that calm, Radman was anything but thrilled.Xoan's piercing gaze was giving her a headache though.The talk was over, and they all headed out of the daycare. However, they hit an issue when they reached the parking lot.Who was driving?Xoan was quick to swing his car door open, taking the lead. "Hop in with the kid. I've got snacks ready in my car."Yaslyn's eyes widened as she saw not just snacks but also a big bunch of flowers—her favorite bellflowers, no less.She paused, a bit taken aback, as the man behind her chimed in. "I picked out these flowers just for you."She would be lying if she said she did not like them. What girl would not be charmed by a big, white bouquet of bellflowers?However, coming from him,
Once they left, Yaslyn was once again caught in an uncomfortable silence.Xoan's gaze lingered on the woman before him, his suppressed emotions brimming beneath the surface, leaving him with nothing to do but watch her intently."How have you been over the years?"Yaslyn could not quite grasp the depth of feeling in his eyes, but his intense gaze made her feel uneasy."I've managed quite well," she replied.With an awkward smile, she asked without thinking, "What about you?"Immediately after, she wished she could take the words back.Xoan's emotions were a mix of detachment and deep sadness. "Life hasn't been kind to me. I've missed you terribly all these years.""How did you find me?"Yaslyn's curiosity was piqued, yet she could not shake off her concern for Matheo's safety.The fact that Xoan had pinpointed Matheo's kindergarten so precisely was unsettling."For the first few years, I had no solid leads, but recently, I've picked up some clues. Someone gave me a tip durin
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