“May I have your permission to start the fire, pick the vegetables, and prepare the condiments?” Charmine wanted to refute when Anthony added, “My darling, just like how you’re worried about me, I’m worried about you overworking, too. With your eyes on me, even if I forget something, you’re still around to remind me, won’t you?” His trust in Charmine was evident in the way he spoke. Charmine pursed her lips and felt touched. True, their love worked both ways. If she was worried about him, he would get worried about her, too. Charmine thus did not refuse Anthony of his request and said, “Fine, you’ll go and do the lighter chores. Don’t take up anything more than that!” “Yes, ma’am!” said Anthony and went to her side to start picking the vegetables. Once done, he chopped up some garlic and onions for her. Following that, Anthony started the fire while Charmine stir-fried the dish. The small kitchen radiated warmth and love. After lunch… Kay returned with the cobra a
“What!?” Kay cried out in shock. “How could it be? What happened last night was that the ME completely canceled the TD!” The doctor frowned and looked at the data, unable to comprehend what happened. “The test from yesterday did show that, but the current data shows that it’s not working.” Kay said, “Doctor, had one of the steps failed? This shouldn’t be happening!” The doctor sighed helplessly. “Alright, I’ll conduct another test.” He extracted Anthony’s blood once again to analyze it. Anthony, meanwhile, remained solemn, not having much hope in him. He knew this was not working; he could feel it clearly. He did not mind it, but he was worried that Charmine might be disappointed. Anthony looked at Charmine and saw how hopeful she was, staring at him. Her voice was soft and calm as she coaxed him, “Don’t worry. If it doesn’t work, we’ll think of another way.” “Yeah.” Anthony nodded and held her hands tightly. The doctor tested again, and the final result was the
A group of people even dug out the mistakes Waverly made in the past and posted them on Tweeter. She was ridiculed so badly that she dared not leave her house. Recalling how Anthony made her life a living hell, an eerie glint shone in her eyes. How could he use her and leave with Charmine after that? Hmph. He might as well dream about it. If she could not be happy, nobody else could! As Waverly began plotting her next step, the phone on the table rang abruptly. With the cigarette still tucked between her lips, she picked up the phone. When she noticed that it was Britney, she answered it and began, “How did the investigation go?” Britney reported, “Ms. Waverly, Anthony and Charmine had gone back to Mount Village. They even found out in the morning that the ME substance in the cobra could cure Anthony’s amnesia—” “What!?” Waverly shrieked in disbelief, cutting off Britney before she could finish. “Has he recovered?” Britney’s heart quaked in fear at Waverly’s eerie ton
Anthony’s heart sank. When he saw the look of determination in Charmine’s eyes, he was very moved. He hugged her and said, “Rest assured, my darling. I’ll be the apple of your eye, the man you can’t have enough of.” With that, he lowered his head and landed a gentle peck on her face.… It was windy that night.A car pulled over not far away from Mount Village. A few men dressed in black got off and filed out with intent, heading straight for the cave of snakes. They opened the cage and saw a lot of snakes inside. Each snake perked up, their head angled upward and jaws wide open, ready to attack. The men in black coldly took out a spray and pressed at the nozzle at the snakes, spritzing its contents. Just like that, the snakes stood no chance to attack. They instantly fell limp into a pile.The men quickly shoved the snakes into a bag and hurriedly brought the bag to the car parked at the village’s entrance.They left in silence. Little did they know… Inside the ba
Before Chloe could touch them, the snakes brought up their heads and opened their jaws. Terrified, Chloe quickly retrieved her hands and looked at the snakes before her with suspicion. The snakes used to be so tame. What happened to them? “Do, Re, I’m your best friend, Chloe,” fretted Chloe, pained at how the snakes behaved. “I won’t hurt you all.” She then pointed at the side. “Look, this is where you used to live. Grandma and I used to feed you every day.” The snakes fidgeted as though they had violent flashbacks upon seeing the cage. They straightened themselves, and their gazes grew sharp, unforgiving. Chloe saw the looks in their eyes and frowned. What harm befell them that they did not want to even go to the cage where they had lived all year long? Chloe looked at them helplessly. After a moment, she tried to hand over some food she took from the side. “Do, Re, are you hungry? This is your favorite food; have some!” Both snakes did not move even as they spotted
It was as though both snakes were touched by Chloe’s kindness that after she spread the ointment on their wounds, they felt more comfortable snuggling into Chloe’s arms, not wanting to leave. They were tame, just like how they used to be. Chloe caressed their heads.As if returning the gesture, they licked Chloe’s arm, their gazes no longer bloodthirsty. They became mild and domesticated. Gazing at them, Chloe was pleased that they had returned to how they used to be. As she continued to stare at them, however, she then noticed and realized something in them.Her eyes lit up. The snakes looked fierce when they were hurt, but at this moment, they acted gently and softly like they used to be. That meant… Yes, that had to be it! The cobra that bit Anthony slithered away on its own accord, not causing more damage. However, when Kay and the doctor dissected the rest, the snakes became cruel. Were the snakes’ emotional changes causing the difference? Were there possibly c
Thinking it through, and not wanting to kill the mood, Charmine nodded. “Alright, then.”…At night, in the bamboo house. The tree branches swayed in the night breeze, and the clear sky held the clear, rounded moon up high. The family of three sat in the front yard and had their dinner in a loving atmosphere. Charmine scooped up more food for Chris. Recalling her getaway with Anthony tomorrow, she said, “Have an early rest tonight, Momo. Daddy will take us to the beach tomorrow.” Chirs’ eyes twinkled at the news. Just as he was about to cheer happily, however…he recalled that Chloe was going to bring him up the mountains to learn about herbs. He was studying herbs under Chloe’s tutelage in hopes that one day, he could be an adept like Chloe. Furthermore, it was not easy for Anthony and Charmine to reunite. He wanted them to have some alone time, and not have him as a third-wheeler. Chris pursed his lips and said, “You can go with Daddy then, Mommy. I’m not going.” “
Anthony stared at Charmine and instantly forgot why he returned home. He even forgot the headache that tormented him. His gaze softened as he cooed, “You’re a sight to behold, my dear.” Charmine met his eyes, ones filled with adoration for her, and her red lips curved into a smile. “I’ve finished packing up. Do you have anything you want to bring?” Anthony looked at her. “Having you is all I need.” Charmine was touched. She was very much looking forward to this trip. “Let’s go, then,” she spoke, pulling at the suitcases. Anthony nodded before he reached out to get her suitcases. He said, “Let me have these, my dear.” Instead of handing the suitcases to him, Charmine placed her small hand in his hand instead. She grasped at his hand and intertwined their fingers, saying, “Leave them to me. Didn’t you say I’m all you need?” Anthony looked at their intertwined fingers and felt all warm and fuzzy inside. “Yes, my darling.” He held onto her hand tightly as they walked to
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