It was like visiting and entering that orphanage will make the wall Mark built collapse. In the following days, I remained in my place. Since the majority of my friends are abroad, I don’t have any friends to hang out with except Lanie. But she was busy with her life so I decided not to bother her. I entertained myself by watching series and sometimes, reading the files that Nikki sent me about Mark. I looked at the door when I heard the doorbell ring. I am not expecting any visitors right now. When I opened the door, my lips parted when I saw who was standing in front of me. He was wearing a plain white shirt, black shorts, and white shoes. In his right hand, he was holding a paper bag. He looked at me casually. I tilted my head as I looked at him again from head to toe. “Glad to see you alive,” Mark said. “What?” “You’re not going out for the past few days. I’m just checking if you are still breathing there.” He said before he stole a glance inside my place and then, looked a
I went back to my senses when my phone rang. Mom’s calling. When I answered it and listened to my Mom, my brows furrowed as I went to my room and looked at my calendar. “What? Really, Mom?” I sarcastically said because I can’t believe what I am hearing now. “Mom, my birthday is coming… why…” I sighed heavily and closed my eyes for a second. My head is aching because of this sudden news. “You should at least ask me, Mom,” I said. Then, she explained so many things that I couldn’t understand because I can’t still process everything. After the call, I remained staring at the floor. And then I realized that reality started to hit me. “Wow… just wow,” I uttered. I looked at my phone when I received a text from my mother. From: Mom I’m sorry, darling. They wanted to have your wedding as soon as possible. Then, another message came. Both of you can still prepare. Your wedding is two months away from your birthday. It is a private wedding anyway. I didn’t text back after I r
Then, he sighed. “Okay, then. I’ll tell them to cancel the dinner.” With that, I immediately looked at him. “What?” “I’ll cancel the dinner, Katherine. We both know that it is not just a dinner. We- no, They are planning our wedding.” He smiled a little after he said those. Yeah, we are both aware that it is not just a regular dinner. “Don’t do what you don’t want to do. Please do what you want to do without caring about what they will say about your decisions. That is your life, Katherine.” He stood up. I remained sitting as I looked at him. Then, he smiled at me, put his hand above my head, and caressed my hair gently. “After all, we are all just people who want freedom, not a chain, right?” I felt a hot liquid forming in the corner of my eyes. He kneeled in front of me as he continued caressing my hair. He is tall, so when he kneeled, our gazes were just equal. “I know you went here to get your freedom. I don’t want to be the reason, and my family, why can’t you get that?
I ran when the elevator was about to close. “I’m sorry!” I said as I entered the elevator. When I look at who I am inside with, my lips form a smile. “Hi,” I greeted.“Katherine,” He greeted. Tiredness was evident on my face, but it lit up when our eyes met. He smiled as he opened his arms and welcomed me, but he was just… asking for a hug. I shook my head and smiled as I moved towards him and hugged him. It feels like home. Him. His hug. I am… finally home. He held my hand as we both went out in the elevator. “I’m going to stay in your place.” He said. “I’ll just take a shower, and I’ll be back.” He gave me a small smile before he went to his place. “What’s the matter, Mark?” I asked as I handed him a can of beer. He was sitting on the couch while watching the news. His hair was still messy and wet from the shower, and he wore a pair of pajamas. He looks so comfy. I sat beside him as I dried my hair using a towel. “Nothing. I just want to stay here with you.” He said. He stood u
“Why didn’t you call me so that I could fetch you at the airport?” My older brother, Kieffer Andres, asked as soon as I arrived at our house. “I know you're busy plus I am an adult now, I can manage,” I said to him as I looked around. Nothing’s changed in our house. It was still the same since I left. Kieffer got my luggage on Nikki, my personal bodyguard. “I know you’re an adult now, but Kathy-” “I just arrived here, don’t ruin the mood, brother.” I cut him off. He looked at me with empathy. I smiled at him before I got my bag on top of one of my luggage. “Where’s my room?” I asked to change the topic. I don’t want to talk about it on my first day here. “Still in the same room,” Kieffer answered. “We only changed the interior designs,” he informed me while we were going upstairs. I left when I was 8 years old. My room was a princess theme and had a lot of dolls. Kieffer opened the door for me. As soon as I saw my room, I smiled in satisfaction when I saw the designs of it. Th
After we ate dinner, I went straight to my room even though Kieffer told me to stay downstairs for a while so we could talk more but I just said to him that I wanted to rest more so he let me go upstairs. I know that he was trying his best to fill up the emptiness and loneliness that I am feeling until now. Mom and Dad both weren’t at home to welcome me. I only have Kieffer and the maids to welcome me. Kieffer visited me in America last year and that was the time when I shared with him my plan about finally coming back. Then, he told our parents about it. Since we were kids, our parents have been busy with the company so they barely see us. Because of that, we have this gap between us. Our parent-children relationship wasn’t that strong. It was just like a normal and casual relationship between two people. Kieffer grew up being independent while I also grew up independent but also feels like not. I spent my childhood and youth in America. My parents visit me just two to three times
After our transaction, I decided to go to the mall to go shopping. I wanted to buy clothes, bags, and shoes for my closet at my new condo. I also look for something that I think I will need. I turned around and looked at Nikki. “I don’t have anything in the kitchen, right?” she asked. “Yes, Ma’am.” He answered. I nodded at him and decided to go to the kitchen department of the mall. Nikki got me a pushcart. I get everything I need. Utensils, plates, glasses, and other kitchenware. I also get a rice cooker, blender, and coffee maker. “I’ll just buy the other stuff later. That’s it for now.” I said before I went to the cashier. Niki fell in line for me. I just gave him my card. “I forgot something,” I uttered. I looked at Nikki, “I’ll be back. Don’t worry. No one will happen to me here.” I said before I left him there. I went to the supermarket to look for some snacks to eat. I got some gummy bears, potato chips and chocolates. I also got some noodles. When I was about to get t
The next day, I went to my condo to organize the stuff I bought yesterday. When I got there, the old woman on the first floor, who was Lily, told me that I had deliveries arrived earlier and they put them in front of my door. Nikki helped me put the boxes inside. I also texted Kieffer to inform him that I am going to stay in my condo today. “Nikki, you can go home now. I’ll be staying here for today.” I said after I got out of the kitchen and I am still holding a glass that I washed and now I am drying it. I am wearing a cute pink apron with flowery designs. “You don’t need any help, Ma’am?” he asked as he put the boxes aside. “I think I can do it by myself. Thank you,” she said. Nikki nodded at her before he decided to leave. “Leave the boxes there. I’ll just throw it away later.” I said when I saw that he was about to bring the boxes with him. After he left, I continued organizing the kitchen. I also put the groceries I bought before we went here in the refrigerator while the c