Chapter 8 Part 2
It’s been so long since I went to my bar. I smile as I enter the smell the addicting scent of music and liquor but one thing caught my attention.
It looks like my employee is flirting with a customer. He looks familiar but I can’t exactly remember where I saw him.
“Is this what you do in your working hours?” I smirk and sit beside the man in the bar stool that made Kate look at me in horror.
“You’re back!?” I don’t know if she sounds happy or not.
“Why? You don’t like it?” I smirk and raise my brows to the man she was talking to earlier. “And who is this man? Is this your new prospect? Got tired of my brother?”
She pouted as I said that. “That’s Ethan. We’re getting to know each other.” She became a shy teenage girl when she said that but Ethan? That sounds familiar and the way he smile at me it’s like he knew who I am.
“You have a nice palette.” A man in his mid-40s approach my booth with his arms crossed while looking at all of my paintings hanging. “You like bold colors?” He suddenly ask.
“I guess, depending on my mood.” He nodded and smile.
“How much do you sell that?” he pointed my painting that’s an abstract of my brother Evan, that one is different from the others, it has bright color and when you look at it you feel the good energy it has.
“20,000 dollars.” I should’ve price it higher than that. It’s special to me. I look at the man and wait for his reply.
“How about 20 million dollars?” My eyes widen. “I like it, and I want it ship immediately at my house.” He said.
“Sure.” I said feeling weird. “Can I have your address and name?”
“Ethan Hale.” My brow creased as his name feel so familiar but I just nodded and gave my business card and he gave me his too. “You just look like her.” He whisper that made me look at him and give him a asking look but he smile and shake his head. “I have a friend that just look like you. You resemble her so much.” I hope that’s not my sister… where would meet him though?
When he left I can’t help but wonder where I heard that name.
**
That’s not the only time we encounter each other.
“I heard it’s your birthday yesterday? Happy birthday.” I was so stunned that I couldn’t speak nor move. I just stare at him and the box that he’s holding. “Are you okay?” He suddenly asked.
“What are you doing here?” I look around. I’m in the library inside our school and how did he get in here?
“I’m wishing you a happy birthday and to give you my gift. I hope you didn’t forgotten me yet?” He chuckle.
“Yeah, but we only met once and you were my buyer and we didn’t be friends.” I know I’m being rude but this is creepy and I’m scared.
“Fine, just receive my gift and I’m not a bad person.” He said before he left. I look at the box he put on the table and I look around and saw a couple of students that was looking at me and immediately look around when they saw me staring at them.
I nervously exhale and slowly open the gift and my eyes widen when I saw a gold necklace and has a pendant. My brows creased as I notice that there’s a message in it. “A life live with love will never be dull.” I read it out loud. “What is this? I look around but he’s not he’s nowhere to be seen.
“I heard a rumor.” I was walking around the hallway with Kate to go home when I notice some of the my fellow students are looking at me and shaking their head in disappointment. “Ana is a illegitimate child. Her mother had her when she was young and her father is different.”
My eyes widen from what I had heard. Where did that rumor came from? Kate hold my hand as she saw that it was shaking. “Are you okay?” She ask but I couldn’t answer.
“Maybe her father is the one who’s she was talking to yesterday in the library.”
**
“What are you doing here? Did you get close to Kate because of me?” I fee nervous when I ask him that but I just had to while Kate is busy doing something else but he just smile. I don’t know if Kate remember this man, they didn’t really saw each other so I’m guessing he forgot about the incident in school.
“No, there’s a different reason.” He said and look at Kate that made my brows creased.
“What are you guys talking about?” Kate ask when she return and I just shook my head and smile.
“Nothing, I want a run through of what’s going on, on my business.” I stood up and walk towards my office which Kate followed.
She told me everything that I needed to know and I was so relief that she was able to handle it on her own despite not being able to contact me from time to time.
“You have a shoot, we should get going. I already have your things ready here.” She said and I nodded.
When we went out of the office and I stop mid-step when I saw my brother talking to Ethan. “They know each other?” I can’t help but ask and Kate nodded.
“They’re so annoying when they’re together.” She said that made me raise my brows.
“You’re really busy huh?” I smirk at her before walking towards my brother.
“What are you doing here?” I smile and gave Evan a hug that made him pout.
“This is the real you huh?” He said that made me look at him seriously. I don’t like where this is going.
“I’m going out. I have a shoot.” I said but his eyes are already with Kate who’s talking to Ethan now.
“I’ll drive you there.” Ethan suddenly said that made me look at them.
“I’ll come.” Evan said that made me raise my brows.
“Aren’t you busy?” I ask while I start walking to the parking lot.
“I am but now I have time.” He said and when we arrive at the parking lot he made me sit on the passenger sit, oh, I think I know the reason now. I can’t believe my brother is really interested in Kate.
I get it now why Kate is annoyed when the two-- Ethan and Evan are together. They just can’t stop bickering and fighting like kids.
We arrive at the studio and I’m having my make up done and I can’t help but look in the mirror where I can see the three in the corner, Kate is busy with my things while the two boys are trying to impress her with trying to help her. I can’t help but chuckle where did this combination came from?
“We’re all set.”
I can’t help but close my eyes and inhale. I belong in the studio, that’s has been running in my mind the moment I enter the studio. I belong in the modeling and even though I had my doubts I also have my confidence that I can do great. I miss the photo shoot, the runways and I miss how busy I am when I’m doing modeling… but some things change, I will still get to do shoots and runaway but not as much as before.
“Let’s eat dinner.” I said to Kate when I finish changing my clothes and thanking the staffs.
“I already book a restaurant.” She said and start walking fast beside Ethan and now my brother is walking by my side.
“I know what you did, sis.” He said seriously that made me look at him.
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s Pearl’s idea, right?”
“Evan.” I said glaring at him.
“I know you switched. I can read you like a book and the moment I talk to her as you I immediately know. Don’t worry, I will always support my sisters.” He said and I just nodded, I don’t really know what to say to him, and I can’t believe my brother is slowly being mature now. “I just hope that you won’t fall on your trap… I don’t want fight between families and you’re twins… I hope you won’t fight at each other when the time comes.”
Chapter 9 “Evan knows.” “You’re going to my resort.” Pearl and I said at the same time when she enter the condo while I was waiting for her in the living room. It took us a while to process what we just said. “What? Evan knows?” She said in shock and I just nodded. “He supports us though, he said he won’t tell anyone, but wait, isn’t Luke going back to work? Why are we going to your resort?” “I don’t know, we were touring around the company--I don’t know why we did that as we don’t know the company well but back to the topic, it just came out and now Luke wanted to go there… as he said to continue “our honey moon.” She pouted when she spoke the work honey moon. “Oh… but what did you say why you’re going away?” “I just told him I was meeting a friend and he was very clingy and ask me not to come.” She look irritated when she said that… does she hate Luke that much? Why do I like it when he’s being clingy? Is it because of my feelings for him? Truth to be told I don’t mind if he
Chapter 10 “I remember you saying that you love the beach and I just realize that maybe this is the reason why?” I don’t know what to say… because I’m not really in the position to the answer that question but I need to answer… “It is, I love the sunrise and sunset. It makes me wonder about how wonderful life is.” That’s not a lie… that’s what I’m really feeling right now especially that I’m watching the sunset with him. “I can see why.” He said and put his head on my shoulder while I smile as I watch him get comfortable in his position. It feel so good hanging out with him like this. It’s simple but more than enough that I could ask for. “Mommy!” All the solemn and peace was distracted when we heard a crying child. Luke is now sitting still and looking at the child who’s crying and I can’t help but notice the gentleness in his eyes. He stood up and I follow him. “Hey, kid. You lost your mommy?” Luke ask while arching his back to talk to the kid.” The kid nodded and looks at me.
Chapter 11 “I don’t have work either.” Luke just went to work and I immediately called Pearl that I don’t have work today and it looks like she doesn’t have work too. I actually plan this as I want to visit Luke from work and how he’s doing because lately he has been going home really tired and it saddens me to look at him in that state. “Okay… I’m visiting Luke in his office. I haven’t really gotten to visit since he return to work as we’re both busy…” I don’t know why this is so awkward to talk about. “Oh… I think that’s a good idea. The employees might wonder where’s his wife.” She doesn’t seem to mind. I smile and nodded to myself. “Okay.” After that phone call I immediately got ready and put on my best dress. I pouted as I look at myself in the mirror. Is it just me or is it the dress? I feel like I’m glowing and I notice the curves in my body especially that the dress hug my body so well. It’s above the knees and has this puffy shoulder design and the color white really comp
Chapter 12 I close my eyes tight as I sit on the edge of the bed. I cover my mouth using my hand and look at Luke before rushing towards the bathroom and throw up to the sink. I sigh and remember my conversation with Pearl. “We don’t have a choice but proceed with your pregnancy. We’ll have to pretend to be each other and do our work. You can tell me what I would do and I’ll guide you to handle the resort too.” “I’m sorry I caused this.” I said and I can’t even look at Pearl but she was cool about it and gave me a smile. She shook her head and hug me, “No. I’m sorry I asked you this. And congratulations. You’re having a baby.” I came back to reality when I notice that the bathroom door open and Luke was peaking at me. I gulp as he step a foot inside and walk towards me… He look at me hesitant before opening his mouth to talk… “A-are you pregnant?” I smile and nodded, I didn’t really know how to say that to him but I’m glad he found out, it’s hard keeping it a secret especially
Chapter 13 I slide my hands to Luke’s hands as we’re having our morning walks. He raise his brows as he looks at me and I just look away and pretend this is nothing. It’s our third day here in his rest house and he always make sure I get my daily walks and sunrise. He’s really sweet and I don’t know what will happen if he’ll be back to work. I kind of feel lonely already but since I have work too I’m getting by with his business. I look around and gather all my courage to do this thing without being caught, I’m scared that if Luke will find out about this, he will doubt if I’m am really his wife. “Is this all you need miss?” “Yes, thank you.” Luke is back to work again and I’m alone in his rest house and I have been thinking for days to start painting again so here I am putting the things I bought to the garden… cabin, since no one will come here, and of course I ask the maids to clean it up. “This feel so good.” I smile as I let my imagination and hand do the work. I smile as I
Chapter 14 Part 1They say that when someone you love becomes a memory that memory becomes a treasure. I hate it… simply because I didn’t know you will only become a memory now.I...I feel dizzy. Did I eat something wrong? I was fine this morning but suddenly I’m feeling under the weather. My heart is racing like I’m in a marathon and every step I take becomes shaky and blurry… Is there something wrong with me?“Miss!”I heard muffled voices and steps coming to me. I clench my teeth and try to open my eyes but it feels so heavy and I feel so weak. “Miss! Stay put, we’re here.”Huh? What is happening right now? I wanted to ask but I can’t hear my voice nor open my mouth to speak. I notice something is gushing down to my thighs that made
Chapter 14 Part 2“Ana.”My brow creased as I open my eyes, did I just heard someone said my name? Wait… where am I? It took me a while before looking around in the surroundings and that’s when I realize I’m in the hospital, and the memories of yesterday came running back into me.My heart start beating faster as I try to move my fingers and when I look at it that’s when I felt that someone was holding it. My heart skipped a beat as I saw who it was… It’s Luke holding onto my hand like it’s my precious life… but when he felt that I moved my finger he looks at me with a shocked expression… wait, was he the one to call me by my name? That can’t be happening right? Maybe I was just hallucinating… yeah, maybe I am because if he found out my identity he would have been angry at me and he
Chapter 15“Thank you so much.” I said again and again while still on the floor crying my eyes out.“Love.” Luke called me and even though I can see the tears in his eyes he manage to give me a smile. “Everything will be okay now.” He said and hugged me tight.It took as a while before we stop crying and hugging each other to the side of the NICU before managing to pull ourselves together.We look at the big window in the NICU to see our baby again before leaving the floor. I wanted to stay so bad as I want to be there, I just feel lonely leaving her again but we need to eat, change and I have to take my medicines, what happen earlier made me eager to heal more so I would be there and be strong for our baby. I know Luke has been putting up so much pressure in him and I feel sorry for him,