Charmine’s ruby lips curled into a smirk. Was Faye so unrelenting that she riled on like this? “What’s wrong?” asked Frank. “Nothing,” said Charmine. “You’re not feeling well, Frank, so I’ll practice on my own today.” “No need. It’s not a big deal,” insisted Frank gently. “You’re running out of time, so do make the most out of your time here.” Charmine looked at his gentle face and felt her heart aching with pity. She reached out her hand heavily to help him walk inside. “I’ll help treat you with needles. Let’s see if that will ease the pain.” Frank fell silent for a few seconds and nodded. “Okay.” Helping him to lie in bed, Charmine took out the needles and said, “I need to prick around the eyes. Tell me if it hurts.” “Okay, don’t worry.” Charmine took out the needles and slowly pricked them around his brows and the corners of his eyes. Each needle was as long as the palm, and the needles were embedded halfway in. Charmine asked, “Does it hurt?” “No. Go on.
“Brother Anthony, didn’t you see—” “So what?” Anthony cut her off. “Frank is in pain, but not only did you not care for him, but you don’t want others to attend to him. Furthermore, I was only acting with you to make sure my wife gets how I feel when I get jealous—I only have her in my thoughts. Now that she gets it, you’ll do well to stay away from me from now on!” “W…What?” Faye’s face went pale. “Brother Anthony, you…” She was so shocked that she could not speak. He merely treated her kindly to make Charmine understand what jealousy felt like? Her eyes reddened instantly. “Brother Anthony, how can you treat me like this? You used me?!” She cared for him wholeheartedly, yet he hurt her! “I’m sorry, but you’ve misunderstood from the start,” said Anthony in a low voice. “After all, I’ve always been cold to you, and I never told you I have any feelings for you.” Faye had tears in her eyes; she looked as if she was hurt. Seeing him make breakfast for Charmine, she bit her
As they were about to go out, Anthony asked Frank, “What breakfast do you usually have?” “Faye should be preparing it. You two should eat something before you leave.” Anthony frowned. Faye? She ran out crying after he told her off, and she had not returned since. Frank noticed something had happened when he noticed Anthony’s silence. “No, that’s alright,” said Frank, “I’ll make it right away.” Charmine quickly pressed him back to the bed. “No, I’ll make it with Anthony.” “No, you two are guests,” Frank insisted. Charmine frowned, and her tone grew cold as she snapped, “Frank, please don’t be so polite. If this goes on, I’ll get angry.” Frank was stunned silent. Knowing Charmine, he did not turn her down after that. Charmine turned around and held Anthony's hand, asking, “What would you like to eat? We’ll make it.” “Anything. I’m not picky.” “Okay.” Charmine turned and went out with Anthony, closing the door behind them. She turned to look at Anthony and asked,
Charmine, in Anthony’s arms, sighed in awe. “So beautiful.” Anthony’s gaze never wavered from her face. “Very beautiful indeed.” His voice was heavier than usual. Charmine frowned. She turned to him and met his gloom-filled eyes. Pausing momentarily, she then asked, “Why do you look at me like this today?” He was strange. She treated Frank and made the man breakfast without Anthony getting angry. He even fed her caringly! All that, and he looked at her in such a way… “Anthony,” said Charmine as she gazed at him. “Is everything okay?” “Yeah.” Anthony looked away and watched the rising sun. Momentarily silent, he then turned to her solemnly as he called out with an equally serious, “Charmine.” “Hmm?” Charmine looked at him. He pursed his lips and asked, “If I fall paralyzed one day, will you—” “What nonsense are you talking about?!” Charmine reached out her hand to cover his mouth. “Don’t speak of nonsense!” Even the thought of it made her breathless. Anthony f
Charmine smiled and looked at Anthony. “Anthony, look.” Anthony looked up and saw her standing at the peak of the mountain, her brush dancing with the butterflies fluttering around her. She seemed so stunning to him, and his gentle eyes somehow dulled a few shades. She was so captivating. She belonged to the spotlight and did what she liked. She should not be worrying about anything. Lips flatlining, Anthony solemnly gazed at her and asked, “You really want Frank to live on?” “Of course.” Charmine did not hesitate to answer. Anthony’s eyes darkened… Charmine noticed his eyes and, thinking he was stretching things again, explained, “Don’t overthink it. I treat him like a person I’m grateful for.” She placed down the brush and looked into the mountain, her gaze stoic. “Back then, I was betrayed by the people I trusted wholeheartedly and was sent to Africa. Luckily, I met the Uncles who discovered my talents. They trained and grew me. “All I wanted was revenge back th
The next day. After breakfast, Frank asked, “Charmine, how did practice go yesterday?” “Much better than the day before.” Charmine then assured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll practice harder. You only have to take care of yourself.” “Okay. You’ll master it in a day or two.” Frank’s gaze became content as he spoke, his tone gentle like his expression, “Go and compete. Get a prize.”“Your calligraphy will surely get first prize, Frank,” said Charmine. Frank smiled calmly, “It doesn’t matter which prize you get, just try your best.” “Okay.” Charmine wanted to assure him that she would be fine practicing alone, but Frank said, “I’ll teach you the last lesson today regarding the movement of rush. This will allow the butterflies to fly and dance at your command.” “You need more rest,” Charmine turned him down, “there’s no hurry.” “It’s okay,” Frank waved it off nonchalantly. “Don’t mind me, and don’t get worried. I’m fine.” He was not suffering that much; it was just that the fre
“Frank!” Charmine sensed Frank collapsing as she quickly reached out to break his fall, supporting him. When she saw his pale face, she frowned worriedly. “Frank?” Why was he not responding to her? Panicking, she used all of her strength to hold him and bring him inside. Outside the bamboo forest, Anthony heard the commotion and, thinking of something, placed down everything at hand and ran inside. He saw Charmine walking in with Frank, and she seemed anxious. Frowning, he walked toward them and carried Frank into the building. Nial saw them coming back, and he alarmedly grabbed the medical box and followed them. Anthony placed Frank over the bed, where Nial walked over and did a series of checks on Frank. His usually optimistic face darkened. “His illness has worsened. He needs an operation right away, or…” He did not have to finish his sentence for them to understand. Everyone looked dispirited as they glanced at the unconscious Frank. Their hearts sank. He w
Long and narrow needles were slowly injected into Frank’s arms, yet there were no signs of him waking up. Charmine frowned, her expression turning urgent. Nial looked at the unconscious Frank as he blurted, “His illness needs to get treated as soon as possible. It’s now worsening, and it’ll only wreck his life if nothing is done to him.” Charmine and Anthony exchanged glances. They knew what to do, but knowing Frank, he would not agree to it… What else was there to do? Watch him in his final moments? Anthony frowned. “Why don’t we send him to the hospital, now that he’s ill? Why not find a way to treat him and make the next move?” Nial nodded at the suggestion, agreeing that it was a good idea, but... “No need…” Frank seemed to have overheard their conversation. He opened his eyes and said listlessly, “Don’t worry. Just leave me be, everyone.” “Frank…” Charmine frowned and comforted him worriedly, “You need an operation.” Frank shook his head weakly. “I’ve made up
There was an unnoticeable glint in Sonia's eyes. She nestled herself further into Harry's arms as she added, "Let’s go to Pares. We'll come back after I give birth to the baby.""Alright."Harry stayed by Sonia's side as he watched over her, cared for her, and talked to her until she finally slept in his care.He stood up tiredly and walked out of the room to sit in the living room.Thuck!Something fell out of his pocket.He narrowed his eyes to the source of sound and spotted a USB.Since when did he have a USB in his pocket?With a small frown on his face, Harry curiously picked it up and noticed the front side of the USB glowing. Something was carved onto its surface, too.[Granger].Was it Dior’s USB? Why was her USB inside his pocket?Harry’s clear fingers held on the USB tightly. He thought for a moment before he took out a laptop, turned it on, and plugged in the USB.A moment later, the screen showed what seemed to be peculiar surveillance footage with a descriptio
Dior was still lost in her storm of thoughts when a shadowy figure zipped past her and ran toward Harry.When she spotted this familiar figure, she reacted quickly and held onto him."Let go of me!" growled Guy. "How dare he slap you and misunderstood you? I have to beat some sense into him!"Harry broke free and chased after Harry.Dior, despite having lost all hope and life in her, mustered the last strand of her will to chase after Guy and reeled him back. "Brother, don't," she muttered, "spare your energy…" Her sorrow clouded her eyes as she mumbled, "He’s the man I love. Even though he hates me, I won’t allow you to hurt him. As for the explanation…"Dior smiled ironically. "Whatever. That slap decimated every beautiful daydream I have about him, anyway."She no longer expected anything from him.He had no trust in her, so what would it matter if she finally got him? He did not even love her, and he did not trust her either.Dior smiled elegantly, but her eyes were fille
Dior looked forward to that new shift.She watched as Harry made his way into the restaurant silently, unable to deter her mind from the daydreams she had of him, of the new chapter of their story they would have.He would apologize to her, trying to redeem himself, and kiss her dearly as he embraced her. Later down the line, they would have a child of their own, too.Harry's long legs walked in strides, his dark gaze trained on Dior.The bright light shone on Dior’s delicately stunning face, and she also wore a red dress.He remembered her wearing this back in Mount Village.He could remember how alluring she looked back then, how they stayed in the same room, how she put down her ego to treat him with so much gentleness.Harry’s cold face mellowed down, but recalling a certain memory, the vague wistfulness in him vanished and he sat in front of her.Dior looked at him fondly, like she always would. "Long time no see."Her eyes burned brightly as if she wanted to drink in his
Dior examined the footage the moment she received it.True enough, it showed Sonia and George talking about their little deal. It also showed how Dior was telling the truth while they both ganged up on her.Dior’s frail heart felt as though it was rejuvenated once more, feeling as though blood was once more pumped into her heart. Her dull eyes devoid of hope regained their lost luster once more.Not thinking twice, she dialed Harry's number with this evidence, though he had to be busy, seeing as he did not pick up even after the phone rang for a long while.Just as she was about to hang up, Harry picked up the phone."What do you want?"On the other end of the call was the voice that she had missed for so long. His low, hoarse voice sounded so cold and emotionless.Hearing his voice brought Dior back to the image of his handsome face, and her heart skipped a beat.She tried her best to restrain her fluttering emotions as she tried to speak calmly, "Do you have time? I’d like to
At Mount Village…Inside the elegant bamboo house was Dior, dressed in a beige dress. She sat in the front yard as she took sips of her wine.The sunlight shone past the leaves and illuminated her, yet she exuded an air of loneliness.She swirled the glass and could not help recalling the moments she spent with Harry.In the beginning, she was attracted by his looks; he looked so gentle and elegant.She gave him money, kept him company, and continuously showed up around him in hopes of conquering him.Alas, she ended up in this state.The time she spent with him in Mount Village was the happiest time she had ever had. They had lived inside the bamboo house together, where he took care of her and claimed her to be his woman.They even laid inside the same room.Everything was so beautiful.Cursed was her luck, however, that it was just an illusion. He had been using her from the start, while he chose to stay with the woman who lied to him and even hurt him!No matter how mu
"Although Susan was unhappy, she should've voiced out her displeasure instead of bottling things. Cheating is wrong, regardless. Furthermore, if she wanted a career, she didn't have to stay home and depend on her husband."Grandma Bailey halted.Was that what Charmine truly thought of?Grandma Bailey thought Charmine would find Susan too aggressive unto herself.Charmine glanced at Susan again and apathetically commented, "She doesn't want to make money on her own, but she wants to be rich while complaining about her man not making time for her and taking care of her? If a woman has no ability of her own and also blames others for her miseries, all she's worth is to sit quietly at home and wait for her husband to come home. She also has no right to cheat! This is how the world works."Charmine patted Grandma Bailey’s shoulder and held Anthony’s hand, her words met with everyone's evidently surprised gazes and their silence.Grandma Bailey was shocked. Sure, Charmine sounded rathe
The colossal cruise started to drift away from the pier.Eric stood on the cruise and let the wind blow at him, loneliness and hatred still oozing from his being.He stared at the blue ocean ahead of him as Charmine's words rang in his mind unceasingly.'Will you really feel good after you've killed them?''You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?'"Forgive them and yourself.'Deliberating everything carefully, his lips curled into a bitter smile.It was true, after all, that Charmine understood him the most.Eric poured himself another drink and downed it with loneliness as he allowed the cruise to bring him wherever it would take him.…Susan was still inside the operating room when Charmine and the rest of the Baileys rushed into the hospital.Darryl stood before the room, his expression blank, his figure lonely and helpless.So many things had happened in half a day.He found out about his wife's inf
"No one's stopping you now. Eat!"Anthony clenched his hands tightly and took another glance at Charmine. He was more determined than before, and he was close to eating the pills in the bottle.Charmine, who was held hostage, gradually opened her eyes at that moment. Her gaze drifted toward Eric before she asked, her tone challenging, "Will you really feel good after you've killed them? You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?"Eric halted, and his eyes darkened.Charmine had just woken up, yet what she said…He cast a cold glance at Charmine. "It's my business, and it has nothing to do with you!"They were his family, and he did not want a family like this!Charmine looked squarely at him. "Eric, I don’t care if you used me or plotted against me all these years; I've treated you like a true friend, nothing more nor less. You were the only person who stayed by my side in the past five years, so I hope that you
Anthony's breath hitched when he saw Charmine.He clenched his fists and, without doubting himself, relented "I can agree to your terms, so let her go right away. This has nothing to do with her; you only hate me after all. As long as you let her go, I'll take the pill. Everything will end right away."Susan shook her head. "We'll die after eating the pill. I’m not taking that!"She had just reunited with Eric, and she did not want to die yet. She looked at Eric and begged, "Please let Anthony be, why don't you? He’s your brother, after all, and he doesn’t even know about your existence. If you’re really angry, just kill Charmine, and I'll make it up to you—"Anthony's expression contorted in sheer fury upon hearing Susan's plea, and he glared at her with murderous intent."This was all your fault, so what right do you have to make Charmine take your blame?!""What on earth are you going on about?" snapped Grandma Bailey. "Charmine has been kidnapped because of you, yet you want