“Why don’t I take you up for a walk?” “Up the mountain?” Frank thought of the incident and was worried. “It might rain in the evening, and it even rained just now. It’s not safe to get up now.” “Don’t worry, we’ll get back down soon.” Since it was evening, they had to go up. No other hour would work! Although Frank was suspicious, he put down his brush and went out with her. On the way, Frank was still thinking about her competition. He said, “Charmine, you need to let your heart go blank and calm down when you write. There's not a lot of butterflies in the city. If you zone out slightly, the butterflies might not feel the movement and won’t come to you.” Charmine nodded. “I know, Frank.” “Your grip; it has to be soft but still. Your grip was too harsh in the past two days.” Charmine nodded. “Okay, I’ll take note of that.” Frank wanted to say more but with her holding onto him, he stopped. Thinking there were animals ahead, he asked, “Are there wolves?” “No, Fra
Charmine looked into his eyes. “Frank, you asked me before about how I’d feel if Anthony was dead, and I’ll say yes. Yes, I’ll be sad and in misery, even, but I won’t want to die. Anthony wouldn’t want me to do so either. “I’m not only the Charmine that Anthony loves. I’m also Chris’ mother, Uncles’ treasure, President of the Jordan Group, and the hope of Burlington’s architectural buildings! “I’m Charmine Jordan, and I am myself.” Her last sentence was filled with confidence and beauty. She gazed at Frank earnestly. “Five years ago, I lived for revenge. Five years later, I’m living for myself. “We should all strive to glow when alive. We shouldn’t treat love, relationships, or anything as our everything, and we shouldn’t die for anything else. “One must live for oneself!” Her every word was stern and urge-filled, and Frank’s expression eventually faltered, overtaken with sadness and emotions. “I know you want to tell me the importance of living. However, my wife sacrific
“Rest well, Frank,” said Charmine. “We’ll go out tomorrow and help sort out your operation and treatments.” “Alright. Thank you.” “No problem.” Charmine walked out of the room and went to the men’s room for Anthony. Anthony walked out, and when he saw her appeased expression, his eyes softened. “You seem happy.” Charmine placed her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Frank has agreed to do the operation!” she chirped. Anthony’s eyes were riddled with uncertainty as he met her gaze gently. “That’s good.” “Yeah.” Charmine released herself from embracing him and held his hands instead as she said, “Have you heard back from William’s mother?” “She’s still considering it,” replied Anthony softly. “It should be fine.” Charmine’s eyes brightened. “Frank will be saved!” Anthony ruffled her head with a solemn gaze. “Are you happy?” “Of course I am!” Charmine never liked self-destructing people, so when she saw the person she comforted get back up on his feet, s
Anthony narrowed his eyes, put out the cigarette’s flame, and said, “Admiring the view.” Charmine sat down beside him and held onto his arm. “I’ve mastered the skill. I’ll be able to leave tomorrow.” “Okay.” Charmine heard his one-worded reply and instinctively turned to look at him. “What’s wrong, Anthony?” Why did he seem so burdened? “It’s nothing.” Anthony reached out to hold her as his solemn gaze eyed the far-away mountain. “Time to leave. I’ll miss the peace in this place.” Charmine felt the same. She did not think too much of his behavior as she leaned on his shoulder and admired the view with him. “We’ll come back next time when we have time.” “Okay.” Anthony gazed at her meaningfully as he held her hand and never let it go. The two of them sat there for a very long while before they returned to the bamboo forest.... Everyone started packing after dinner, while Frank walked into Faye’s bedroom with a heavy heart. She laid in bed with a bandaged ha
Anthony met Charmine’s suspicion-filled eyes and gently caressed her face. “Sit properly.” He then sat by her side and reached out with his large, warm palm to hold her small palm. Charmine turned back to look at him. She asked, “Anthony, what’s wrong?” He was absent-minded since the night before, and he never told her what it was about when she asked him. Anthony’s expression was gentle as he held her hands tightly. “It’s nothing.” Charmine glared at his tightening grip and frowned. “You make me feel as if I’m about to leave you.” Anthony jolted at her words but reached out to ruffle her head. “What are you talking about?” Charmine looked at him in confusion, but Anthony merely leaned on the chair, his hand still on hers, and closed his eyes. At the thought that he was probably tired, Charmine did not bother him as she leaned against him, silently staying at his side. The car ride was very quiet as they were on the road. Everyone was absorbed in their own world
Inside another villa... Waverly reclined on the sofa. Her expression turned cold after she finished a call and placed down the phone. Max looked at her. “What is it?” “Charmine is back, and she has mastered a unique technique. She’s determined to get first prize tomorrow.” Max then embraced Waverly. “Don’t panic—I’ll find someone to disqualify her. There’s no point having mastered the skill.” Waverly squinted as she said, “No need. Let her participate! The show will be fascinating tomorrow.” She lifted her chin arrogantly as she contacted Britney with her phone. Max looked at her and knew she was up to something. His eyes were filled with admiration. “You’re so clever, Waverly.” He embraced her as he seized her lips. Waverly had a hint of discomfort and disgust in her eyes, but she wore a shy smile as she gently pushed him away. “We have to be careful…” Max continued to kiss her. “Nobody is watching.” With that, he pulled her to his form and kissed her passionat
Anthony looked at her. “I’m watching you as you attract the butterflies.” Charmine frowned. He seemed rather off ever since she told him about Frank’s operation. Was he not supposed to be happy? Why did he seem so worried? “Anthony…” Charmine wanted to ask him what bothered him when knocks were heard on the door, and in came Frank’s gentle voice, “Charmine, are you asleep?” Charmine decided to drop it in the end as she answered, “Not yet.” She walked to open the door. It opened to reveal Frank, dressed in a white robe, as he stood outside the door elegantly. “Come on in, Frank.” “No, thank you.” Frank handed a small box to her. “This is the ink I made last night, and there are also other inks, brushes, and papers. These are for your competition tomorrow. They’ll help.” Charmine took it from him and eyed the box. “Frank, you’re too kind.” The equipment looked very high-end. She never saw Frank use them before. Perhaps these were his collections? “As long as they
Charmine grew even more suspicious. Anthony knew? Why did he look at her like that, then? She thought he was angry at her again! Anthony met her gaze and caressed her face. He gulped and asked, “Charmine, if I ever become vegetative one day—” “Nonsense!” Charmine stopped him as she put a finger to his lips before he could finish. She frowned and looked at him. “Anthony, why do you keep asking me that?” He even asked her yesterday what she would do if he became paralyzed. Anthony said gently, “Nothing...just asking.” Charmine fell silent for a while and thought of what happened in the past two days. There was only one possibility! He could be asking her all that because he saw how she cared for Frank. He wanted to know what she would do if it happened to him, did he not? Charmine frowned. What a prideful man! Her clear eyes gazed into him as she earnestly spoke, “Don’t worry, Anthony. Let alone going paralyzed, I won’t leave you even if you’re in a vegetative s
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