The sleek black car Michelle was riding in came to a halt in front of the grand stone church, its polished exterior gleaming in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. A bodyguard stepped forward, pulling open the door. Inhaling a deep breath to steady her racing heart, Michelle stepped out of the car, her elegant mermaid wedding gown flowing around her like a cascade of delicate lace and satin. The intricate beading sparkled, catching the light with every subtle movement she made. As soon as she stepped out, a bright voice pierced through the air. âMy beautiful best friend!â Clara exclaimed, her eyes filled with joy. âClara? You came? I thought you wouldn't make it." Michelleâs voice trembled with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes as she rushed into Clara's welcoming embrace. Clara wrapped her arms tightly around Michelle. âI couldnât miss it for the world!â Clara said, her smile radiant. âSeeing my best friend standing here in her breathtaking wedding gown is a moment I simply
âMichelle!â Alan shouted, his voice laced with panic as he dashed toward her. The moment he reached her, he bent down, his strong arms encircling her petite frame, cradling her gently against his chest. âLuisâŠâ she murmured, her voice barely a whisper before her eyes fluttered shut and she slipped into unconsciousness, her body limp in his hold. Without wasting time, Alan raced towards his car, and his chauffeur, standing by, promptly opened the door for him, and he wasted no time in getting inside, keeping Michelle secure in his arms.âDamn it, sheâs bleeding,â he exclaimed, his heart racing as his gaze fell upon the darkening crimson stain spreading across his hand beneath her head. Panic surged through him. âDrive faster!â he yelled, urgency gripping his every word as he felt the weight of the moment pressing heavily on him.~âĄ~An hour earlier, a sleek black Ferrari roared to a halt at the iron gates of the Castillo mansion. One of the bodyguards stationed at the entrance approac
Feeling drained from the dayâs work, Lisa dropped herself onto the couch in the living room for a quick nap. She has left work 2 hours early to arrange a candlelit dinner to celebrate today being 6 months of her marriage. She was awakened by the sound of the door being opened a few minutes later. She immediately sat up upon smelling the familiar scent of her husbandâs cologne infiltrating the air. She stood up and straightened her blue-fitted peplum knee-length dress and happily walked over to welcome him.âHow was your day?â She inquired with a smiling face. However, Trey ignored and walked past her taking his seat on the couch. Lisa disregarded his demeanor and the pang of pain in her chest, a pain sheâd now become accustomed to. She smiled to lighten up her mood and walked to the living room, stopping right in front of Trey.âAre you alr...â Lisa trailed off when Trey handed her a brown envelope and then said.â©âSign it.â His voice was deadly, it sent a chill down her spine, he ha
Valerie took everything she cherished away from her since when they were little, but not this time, not her man, no she wonât give up without a fight. â©She ignored the warning bells in her head and the obvious red flags that waved at her then, she slapped her cousin and said in her teary voice.â© âI wonât let you take Trey away from me! Heâs mine, you took everything away from me, I wonât let you take him too, he loves me.â Valerie feigned hurt by holding on to her slapped cheek and said courteously.â© âLisa.., why are you doing this to me, all I ever did was to love you, but why do you want to take everything I love away from me, you know Trey and I have been in love since we were little, why are you acting like Iâm the one who hurt you, when you are the one who has been hurting me?â Valerie choked out, tears running down her cheeks. â©Lisa opened her mouth to retort when another slap landed on her cheek causing her to fall. â©âI told you not to fucking touch her, but you dared me, I d
She silently turned to walk away but stopped when her name was called.â©âLisaâŠ?â Nathan called. She stopped, sighed, and turned around with an awkward smile.â©âNathanâŠ.. hey,â she greeted with a wave of her hand.â©âWere you leaving just now? I mean were you trying to sneak off?â Nathan asked. â©âYes, I.. wasâŠ..!â She replied truthfully.â©âDidnât you see us?â He asked gesturing more at Trey, making Lisa frown.â©âIf I knew it was you guys earlier, I wouldnât have approached.â Lisa sneered. The moment she said that Trey turned to look at her, his gaze was dark and icy, and it immediately sent a shiver down Lisaâs spine. She shuddered. â© Nathan frowned in confusion. He turned to Trey for clarification but then noticed Treyâs demeanor towards Lisa. He then realized there must be some misunderstanding between them, so he decided to help resolve whatever dispute there was between them.â©âSit with us, Lisa?â He asked. However, Lisa shook her head, smiled, then said.â©âThan
On Treyâs twentieth birthday. His family hosted a banquet to celebrate him. However, Trey felt such an occasion was of little significance and decided not to go. â©Because all he ever accomplishes on occasions like this is going around from one business partner to the other toasting and drinking, the only reason he doesnât end up drunk by the close of such events is because of how he trained himself to have alcohol tolerance. â©When he arrived at the banquet an hour later. He was delighted he did. Standing amidst the guests was the face that had been occupying his thoughts for the past 6 years. Valerie Lynn, his childhood sweetheart. She stood there, looking stunning as ever in a strapless evening gown, as her brunette hair fell down her back, complementing her blue eyes. â©Trey met Valerie when he and his parents were living in Country B before he came back to Country A. Valerie was six years old back then, She was very little but was the most beautiful girl he had ever set eyes on,
The next morning/ The old mansion â©â©Trey finished his breakfast and left for work. On the way to the office, his cell phone started ringing, he checked the caller ID to see Valerieâs name, and a tender smile braced his lips. â©âValerie, what's wrong?â He asked. â©âIâve missed you, I want to see you,â Valerie said in her sweet gentle voice. Trey smiled and told her heâd come and pick her up in half an hour. He asked his driver to change route to Valerieâs apartment. After ending the call, he called his private secretary and canceled all his appointments till the afternoon, and asked her to book a suite at the LEISUREQ hotel and send him the details.â© In 30 minutes, his car was parked inside the parking lot of Valerieâs apartment. In a few minutes, she came walking out of the elevator. Treyâs bodyguard opened the car for her.â© âThank you,â Valerie said entering the car. Trey scowled angrily.â© âWhat happened?â Valerie asked, noticing Treyâs expression.â© âNothingâ he answered di
â© -/Country B/-â©â©Three weeks later.â©After standing on her feet for the last 6 hours operating on a patient with a brain tumor, Lisa walked out of the operating door, feeling exhausted and famished. She disposed of her blood-stained gloves and mask into the red infectious bin, then turned to leave.â©âYou were extraordinary in there Dr Lynn, the surgery was successful.â Susan, her assistant nurse, said coming out of the operating room.â©âThanks, you were a good help. But I donât consider a surgery successful till my patient wakes up.â Lisa said with a smile.â©âThank you, Dr Lynn,â Susan said.â©âYouâre welcome, call me Lisa, Dr. Lynn makes me feel old, Iâm only 21,â Lisa said.â©âI will, Lisa..?â They both laugh. â©âOur shift ended 2 hours ago so, I will leave first, see you tomorrow,â Susan said with a wave as she walked away. Lisa waved back with a âSureââ©Lisa walked to her private office and showered. When coming out of the bathroom, she suddenly felt dizzy.She supported herself on
âMichelle!â Alan shouted, his voice laced with panic as he dashed toward her. The moment he reached her, he bent down, his strong arms encircling her petite frame, cradling her gently against his chest. âLuisâŠâ she murmured, her voice barely a whisper before her eyes fluttered shut and she slipped into unconsciousness, her body limp in his hold. Without wasting time, Alan raced towards his car, and his chauffeur, standing by, promptly opened the door for him, and he wasted no time in getting inside, keeping Michelle secure in his arms.âDamn it, sheâs bleeding,â he exclaimed, his heart racing as his gaze fell upon the darkening crimson stain spreading across his hand beneath her head. Panic surged through him. âDrive faster!â he yelled, urgency gripping his every word as he felt the weight of the moment pressing heavily on him.~âĄ~An hour earlier, a sleek black Ferrari roared to a halt at the iron gates of the Castillo mansion. One of the bodyguards stationed at the entrance approac
The sleek black car Michelle was riding in came to a halt in front of the grand stone church, its polished exterior gleaming in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. A bodyguard stepped forward, pulling open the door. Inhaling a deep breath to steady her racing heart, Michelle stepped out of the car, her elegant mermaid wedding gown flowing around her like a cascade of delicate lace and satin. The intricate beading sparkled, catching the light with every subtle movement she made. As soon as she stepped out, a bright voice pierced through the air. âMy beautiful best friend!â Clara exclaimed, her eyes filled with joy. âClara? You came? I thought you wouldn't make it." Michelleâs voice trembled with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes as she rushed into Clara's welcoming embrace. Clara wrapped her arms tightly around Michelle. âI couldnât miss it for the world!â Clara said, her smile radiant. âSeeing my best friend standing here in her breathtaking wedding gown is a moment I simply
Alan was seated behind his desk, exuding an air of authority that filled the room. His sharp, handsome features were framed by transparent glasses that perched on his nose, giving him an appearance of both intellect and charm, as his blue eyes were fixed on the conference meeting unfolding on his laptop screen. The room was filled with a hushed, tense atmosphere as board members engaged in serious discussions, the glow of the laptop casting a soft light across his focused expression. Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud bang, breaking the silence. Michelle stormed in, her cheeks flushed with anger and her eyes blazing. âAlan, how dare you! How could you make a decision regarding my life without my consent?!â she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls. Alan, momentarily distracted from the serious matters on his laptop, looked up, taking in her fiery demeanor. The board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their gazes dropping to their notes, avoiding the swirling t
Alan returned to the clinic a few minutes later after Michelle left and decided to find her. On the way to her hostel, he saw a girl holding Michelle by the arm and hurried toward them. Just a few feet from them, he heard the girl's shameless statement. He was going to ask her to stop talking trash when she pushed Michelle. His heart raced as he secured his arms around Michelle's petite frame.âAre you alright?â he asked Michelle after steadying her. âI'm fine. Thank you.â Michelle said as the tears she had been holding back since she found out about her pregnancy came running down her face.âYou girls should be ashamed of yourselves. Falsely accusing someone and trying to hurt her? Do you know what I do to girls like you who bully others?â Alan asked in a menacing voice, a deadly expression the girls had never seen before plastered on his usually calm face. The girls took a few steps back, a wave of fear surrounding them.However, Michelle, wanting to vent her frustration, approache
Knock Knock The faint sound of a knock at the door resonated through Principal Whiteâs office; he looked up and saw Michelle standing outside his door. âCome in,â he said. âGood afternoon, Principal White,â Michelle greeted with a hint of nervousness in her voice. The principal gestured toward the chair positioned in front of his desk, his expression serious yet inviting. âPlease, have a seat, Miss Agrilla,â he replied, his tone firm but tinged with a touch of concern. âThank you,â Michelle said softly, settling into the chair and placing her hands on her lap, trying to maintain her composure as she fidgeted with her fingers. âMiss Agrilla,â Principal White began, his eyes studying her intently, âit has come to my attention that you have developed a troubling habit of dozing off during lectures. As your principal, I felt it necessary to bring you in today to understand what might be causing this issue. And let me be clear: if this continues, I will have to involve your p
~~ Three days later ~~ Michelle reached for her phone, lying on the stand with a trembling hand. A silent prayer played on repeat in her mind, hope flickering within her chest like a fragile flame, this time wishing to see a missed call notification from Luis, as it was the umpteenth time that day alone she found herself checking her phone. However, disappointment washed over her when she saw yet again that there was no missed call from him. The weight of expectation wore heavily on her heart, and she was growing weary of this fruitless wait. So tired of waiting for her phone to ring, she had silenced it since morning. Since she was expecting Luis' call, every sound she hears ends up making her heart skip a beat, so she turned off the volume and had now resorted to checking her phone intermittently, only to be met with the pain of disappointment each time. âWhy did she always have to put in so much effort? Why did she have to be the one chasing after Luis? If he didn't love her,
âWhat did you find?â Trey asked Luis when they were alone.âIt was Don Rodrigo; it was a revenge attack.â Luis said, and Trey raised an eyebrow.âValerie, your ex.â Luis said purposely to rile his dad up; he was in a good mood, but seeing Lucia changed it. At Luis' words, Trey looked at Luis' face and sighed; he didn't know why one day, out of the blue, Luis started being detached from him 14 years ago. The son he was very close to started avoiding him. He tried talking to him, but Luis only yelled the words,âI hate you!â in his face. Since then, their interactions have been limited to brief exchanges of greetings, a simple nod, or a quick hello, never delving deeper than casual pleasantries. Awakening a sense of distance between them.And when it was time for Luis to take over the family business, he told his dad he didn't want to work in the underworld because he didn't want to be like him, âheartless.âTrey was very hurt, but he didn't argue with his son and continued to handle t
The next morning, Martina woke up from the gentle feel of a hand caressing her face. She opened her eyes and was met with the pair of blue eyes she loved so much.âTrey,â she murmured, sitting up. âOh, my love, you don't know how much I've missed you,â Martina said. Getting up, she leaned in, sealing her husband's lips in a passionate kiss.âDad?â Clara and James' voices sounded simultaneously from the door. âYou're awake!â Clara exclaimed as she dashed towards her dad, followed by James. Martina moved aside to let her kids also enjoy their dad. Clara hugged her dad, tears staining her face. âI miss you so much; I thought you wouldn't wake up, and I was scared.â Trey smiled as he leaned his chin on Clara's hair, caressing her back, and said.âI'm sorry, Pumpkin; I didn't mean to scare you; see, Daddy is fine.â Clara nodded.âDad,â James muttered, and Clara got up, wiping her face.âCome here, son,â Trey said with open arms, and James hugged him. âMy small boy,â Trey added, placing a
After Luis and James left the hospital, they went straight to the base. Their dad had gone to seal a trade deal the night he got ambushed, and Frank, the mafia making the purchase, was to arrive after midnight for the weapons testing. Since all their weapons were handcrafted, there has been a slight delay following his dad's accident. Which is why he was busy. ~~~ 40 minutes later, they arrived at the base. As they entered the dimly lit underground parking lot, Luis saw a figure lying unconscious on the ground at the far end. He got out of the car when it came to a halt and approached the figure. Luis' heart skipped a beat when he saw it was Selena; he rushed toward her and checked her pulse. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw she was breathing. Selena was Jose's only daughter; he wouldn't want her dead. He carried her in his arms and sent her to the doctor. âBoss,â Daniella, the female doctor at the base, said on seeing Luis. âWhat happened to her?â she asked, leaving the pa