All Chapters of Beyond the Bargain: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I got dressed before retrieving the laptop from his room. I chose to wear a strapless black silky dress. I also tied up my hair and applied light makeup.As I left the house, I immediately saw the family driver Liam had mentioned. He was standing next to a white car. He greeted me before opening the car door for me. I got in and carefully placed Liam's laptop next to me. I was worried I might damage it and end up broke because I couldn't afford to replace it.I called Liam as soon as we arrived at his company. The driver helped me out of the car. I cursed under my breath when he didn't answer my call. I sighed before entering the building. Many employees looked at me as I walked to the elevator, and again when I was inside. They were scrutinizing me from head to toe. I pressed the button for the 29th floor. Everyone turned to look at me. I swallowed hard and quickly grabbed the phone from the laptop bag. I tried calling him while in the elevator, but he still didn't answer. Maybe he's

"I'm leaving. Remember the contract, Francine." I furrowed my brows. Was I the only one he needed to remind about the contract we agreed upon? He was with another woman. That wasn't part of our contract. It's a good thing I was the one who saw them."Contract, my foot!" I retorted. I rolled my eyes and looked at him, hands on my hips. "You were with a girl, and now you're reminding me about our signed contract because I have a nonsense issue with Lucas? You should remind yourself too, Liam. You can't be with any girl when I'm with you!" He turned pale at my words. "You should book a room in your hotel before doing that. I can't believe it! You were with her in your office!""Shut up and mind your own business!""What if someone else saw you? What if your employees saw you? Liam, it's not just you who would be affected by your reckless actions. What would your employees think? That their boss is an asshole? Well, that's not new to them because you've always been like that. I will mind m

"Magpahinga na po kayo, Señorita. Nakakasama po sa inyong kalusogan kapag nasobrahan kayo sa pagod," bakas sa mukha ni Manang Elsa ang pag-aalala para kay Grandma. Nanatili akong tahimik at nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. Nag-aalala na rin ako kay Grandma lalo na't nakita ko siyang uminom ng gamot. Siguro gamot iyon sa pangpapakalma. "Contact him once more. I want to speak with my grandson," Grandma instructed me. I had no choice but to call Liam again. His grandmother wouldn't be at peace. "Get in touch with his secretary. I want to speak with Anton. They deceived me. I want to know where they are right now and who their client meeting is with!" Grandma's voice escalated. Manang Elsa panicked upon seeing Grandma's wide-eyed expression."Pick up your phone, Liam!" I shouted as I dialed his number. "Take it easy, Grandma," I was also starting to worry for her. I wondered what had happened to cause Liam's grandmother to behave this way. "Ma'am Francine kayo po muna ang bahala kay Señori

Madaling araw na at hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga at pumasok ng banyo para maligo. Pagkatapos maligo ay naisipan kung magdownload ng mga video games sa phone. Naglaro ako para dalawin ng antok ngunit hindi gumana. Humiga ako sa kama at tumingin sa kisame. Dalawang araw na lang, aalis na ako rito. Medyo sumikip ang pakiramdam ko nang maisip ko iyon. Hindi pa rin ako nakahanap ng bago kong lilipatan dahil hindi ako makaalis sa bahay ni Liam. Napabaling ako sa pintuan ng may kumatok. Bumangon ako at naglakad patungo roon para buksan ito dahil nilocked ko ang pintuan kanina paglabas ng mommy ni Liam. Napaatras ako ng mabuksan ko na ang pintuan. Nakita ko si Liam na nakatayo sa gilid ng pintuan habang nakapikit ang kaniyang mata at nakasilid sa bulsa ang kaniyang kamay. Hindi pa rin siya nakapagbihis. He looked up at me. His eyes widened. I cleared my throat before opening the door wider. "Liam..." I uttered. He entered and immediately sat on my bed. "Don't tel

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mata nang tumunog ang aking phone. Kinapa ko ito sa ibabaw ng table katabi ng aking kama. Bumangon ako at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag. It's an unknown number. "Who's calling you at this hour?" Nag-indian sit siya habang nagkukusot ng kaniyang mata. "May iba ka bang binigyan ng number mo?" tanong niya sa akin. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Nakakunot ang noo ni Liam habang seryosong nakatingin diretso sa phone ko. Wala naman akong ibang binigyan ng number ko. Umiling ako at ibinaling sa phone ang aking paningin ng muling tumawag ang unknown number. Inagaw ni Liam ang phone at sinagot niya ang tawag. "Hello, is this Francine De Guzman Alejandro?" Napalunok ako ng marinig ko ang boses ng lalaki sa kabilang linya. "Who the hell-" Mabilis kong tinakpan ang bibig ni Liam to cut him off. Tumikhim ako at inagaw kay Liam ang phone. "Yes po, this is Francine. Bakit po?" Tinignan ko ng masama si Liam. "This is to inform you that you are qualified to take