Till we reached his ward no one had ever spoken. Samuel opened the door slowly thinking Desmond might be sleeping. The stillness inside gave us the impression of it so. But I stayed foot on the door frame when I saw he was not alone.
He was with someone. And this someone was crying...beautifully!"Who is she?" I whispered to Samuel and he was about to answer when the girl turned around and stared at us."Dad!" she called."Valerie, what are you doing here?" Samuel immediately asked. "Pardon me, señorita. She's my daughter!" Samuel apologetically answered."Uncle Samuel, señorita!" I glanced at Desmond accidentally ignoring this Valerie's wave earning a snort from her. Desmond's face looked much better now and his blue eyes that were fixed on me radiated some meanings I couldn't define. He seemed to be happy seeing me here but at the same time, I could also feel his anxiety.I ambled toward him while Samuel followed behind. Valerie was sitting on the edge of his bed and wiping her tears with a tissue she took from the side table. I stretched my hand giving him our present before I spoke my first word to him that day."Hello, Desmond. How are you feeling now?" a thin smile crept up my face. I could feel a slight blush on my cheeks. I also sensed Valerie's face tense as I side-glanced at her and met her furious look."I'm getting much better now, señorita. Thank you for your visit and the cake!" he shyly told me. A tingling sensation sparked abruptly when our fingers accidentally touch each other when he took the cake from my hands.Like the time stopped ticking for a while I just stood there staring at him while his face showed a smirk. It didn't make him less gorgeous, it just made him more charming. I shook my head when I heard Valerie's voice beside me."Thank you for visiting Desmond, Miss de la Frontera!" I could hear the sarcasm in her tone and when I glanced at her, I saw her angled eyebrow. This girl was looking for trouble."Hrm! Val, don't you have classes today? Why are you here?" Samuel's stern voice behind me broke her smug face. She shifted her glance at her father and got up. She took her purse from the bed and smiled at Desmond. She walked toward him and leaned her body forward."Bye Des. I will visit you again next time!" her voice was a whisper but good enough for me to hear it. However, her next move was the one that took me by surprise. She gave a swift soft kiss on his cheek which the latter just calmly accepted. His expression would tell that wasn't his first peck from her."Valerie!" Samuel roared. I imagined him widening his eyes at his daughter at that moment. But me, I fixed my unpleasant stares at the young lad who couldn't look me in the eye.When the door closed, Samuel cleared his throat first before he followed his daughter outside. Now, it's just us left here in the ward. I glanced around the four empty beds. The other patients might have been discharged I thought."You're the only patient here!" I uttered breaking the awkwardness as I shifted my stare back at him. I could feel his enchanting sapphire blue orbs glued on me."Yes! Two patients were discharged earlier!" he replied timidly. Now, he was bowing his head. Was he embarrassed about that kiss? That gave me the idea to ask him."Is...Valerie your girlfriend?" for a bit, I felt a pang deep inside while asking that question. I was also anxious to hear his answer."She's my best friend. We grew up together. We have the same age!" he suddenly lifted his head leveling my face. His deep stare was meaning something. Was he checking my reaction to that answer?"Ow! I see. Then why did she kiss you?" again, the first thing that came up to my mind was that stupid question. And I even asked aggressively.Foolish me, really!"It was just a friendly kiss. It has no other meaning at all!" he explained with a tad bit of tease in his voice, his cute lips slowly turning into a sneer. "Why don't you sit beside me? Your legs are gonna get hurt standing for too long!" he uttered before I could let out a word."I can manage!" I raised my chin showing my señorita aura I learned a little from my aristocratic stepmother. "Besides, I'm not staying here for too long. I have some stuff to do at the resort!" my arched eyebrows were taunting him. I couldn't understand myself but all I knew was my heart skipped when he accepted the kiss from his childhood friend.Was I experiencing some trickery coz I saw his smirk shifting into a gloomy expression? "Could you at least stay for a little bit? I mean...you brought a cake!" he then hesitantly uttered."The cake is only for you. It's my sorry gift for accidentally hitting ~""I can't eat the whole cake. Also, a chocolate cake gift tastes better if you share it with the person who bought it. My mom always tells me that!" he smiled ignoring the fact that he just cut me off...in an adorable way. "Please, señorita!" now, he's even pouting. I couldn't help but chuckle and found myself sitting on the edge of his bed facing him."Okay! Only today!" I shrugged my shoulders off while he formed a wide grin. He set the patient's table and put the cake on it. He took the plastic bread knife and sliced a pie."Wait!" I said and stood up to get two paper plates from the side table. "Here!" I gave him one while I was holding the other one."Thanks, señorita!" his smile was reaching his ears and his eyes glistened like crystals. "This is for you!" he gave me a slice of cake and took the other slice.A few minutes had passed and we were now both enjoying the sweet delicious taste of the dessert that I bought."That's so funny. How did you escape then?" I laughed at him and lightly slapped his shoulder after telling me his story."Well, it's so easy. I just told the teacher, I had diarrhea that day and she let me pass the dental check-up!" I burst out, my hands were on my tummy. Just one more jest from him, I also might have ended up at this hospital due to stomach pain.He was just telling me how scared he was of the dentist at their school that every time they had students' check-ups, he would lie that he couldn't do it because he was having the trots. That happened a lot during his primary days.We laughed, we talked, and we ate the whole cake. We forgot about the time. When Samuel opened the door and entered the room, he was stunned at how close we were. I saw a tiny smile escape his lips but didn't really ask about it anymore."Señorita, your father has been calling you. He asked me why aren't you answering!" he uttered.That's the only time I realized I spent more than an hour at Desmond's ward. I got up immediately and took my purse from the bed. "I gotta go!""Wait!" he stopped me with his abrupt word. I turned around and glanced at him. I saw sadness in his eyes, feeling like he didn't want me to leave yet. "Could you come again tomorrow? It's really boring being alone here!" his voice was gentle and his eyes were beseeching."Well! I dunno! I mean...I'm kinda busy~""Please...señorita!""Desmond, Señorita Amy Leah is busy. You can't just take her time. She's going back to the mansion this Monday!" Samuel disclosed, making us both surprised."What?!" we questioned in unison. Yeah! That wasn't the plan. As far as I had known, I still had a week left. "Daddy said I will be staying at the resort till Friday!" I clarified whimpering a bit."Yes, señorita. But Don Miguel has some sudden appointments with the company's clients. So, Jack will be arriving tomorrow to pick you up. Jack was my dad's driver and bodyguard. He'd been working for my father for five years now."That's too bad. I've been even planning to discharge earlier so I can tour you to my favorite place!" Desmond butted in, disappointment was written all over his gorgeous face.I chuckled at his little gesture and placed my hands on my waist. "Well, where is that favorite place of yours then? Huh?!" feeling haughty and chesty, I sternly asked him. I was trying to pretend I was snobbish for suddenly asking me out but my shoulders which were bouncing up and down just exposed me.He sneered at me. We totally ignored Samuel's presence who was just listening to us with amusement. "Can't tell you. Unless you promise me to come back here tomorrow!"Hah! I knew it. This handsome lad was feeling advantageous. He thought he could buy me with those tantalizing eyes and killer smile he was doing at the moment. I raised my eyebrow at him but he just winked in response. This becoming annoying crony of Adam, seriously?!"Okay, fine! I will come back here tomorrow!" he threw his fist in the air, a sign of his vicious victory. "But...If that favorite place of yours isn't exactly charming, I will leave right away!" I lordly said. Samuel was just awkwardly gawking at us. At first, he was stunned. Then he also smiled in the end."Deal!" he shortly answered and shook his hand with mine."Deal! So, see you again tomorrow, Mr. Desmond Thompson!" I replied standing like we had just closed a business deal."See you tomorrow, Señorita Amy Leah de la Frontera. Eight sharp!" he responded with a wide grin."All right! Let's go Señorita. Don Miguel might get mad at us!" Samuel butted in and stepped out of the door."Bye, Desmond!" I whispered before I followed Samuel.At exactly eight I arrived at the hospital and saw Desmond in the reception area sitting on the bench. He looked like a visitor with a cast on his right leg waiting for someone while his eyes roamed around. When he glanced at the entrance, he waved at me and tried to get up while holding his crutches.I immediately ran towards him and held his shoulder. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you in your room? Why aren't you in your hospital clothes?" I shot him a series of questions making his beaming eyes squint at me."What do you mean? I told you yesterday, I'm going to bring you to my favorite place today!" he uttered while chuckling at my shocked expression. "You think I was kidding?!""Well, your accident may not be serious but if you're going to force your leg to walk, it will get worse!" I rebutted with my hands showing a quote sign in the air. "C'mon, let's go back to your bed!"I was about to help him walk when he held my hand. I felt the spark clothed over me, my cheeks blush
I gasped as I halted in my thoughts. The cab driver sighed in frustration while we were stuck in the traffic. I glanced at the window adjusting my sunglasses while watching the situation outside."Couldn't be better?!" I heard the driver scoff in annoyance. He slammed his palms on the steering wheel and groaned. "Huh! Road rage at its finest!"His sarcastic remark fluttered my ears curious of his fury, I followed his vision with my gaze. There we both witnessed in the other lane an upset woman driving a white SUV and a man dressed in a suit sitting on the driver's seat inside a new model black Tesla convertible car, the woman was screaming at the top of her lungs to the driver who was calmly listening to her."Looks like the insane woman has a motive!" the driver scoffed while shaking his head in annoyance. I just smiled at him while staring at the woman and the man arguing loudly, they were now catching the attention of everyone on the road and some passersby."Oh, boy! The man is ju
"Elsa, tell Iñigo to prepare the car. I'm going to my father's wake!" still shaking in fear, Elsa darted away but also stopped near the door frame where my witch stepmother blocked the way. "I'm sorry, Elsa!" I uttered as I sauntered forward. "I can't eat the meal you cooked for me. I suddenly lost my appetite!" angling my eyebrow at Divina, I sarcastically muttered.Elsa turned around and nodded in silence. Excusing herself from Divina, the latter stepped aside to give her a path. When it's just the two of us, we halted in a death stare. Divina Montenegro, my evil stepmother. She's still the same... a pretentious, two-faced gold digger who ruined my relationship with my father. He met this wicked woman at a banquet when I was 10. The moment I saw my father's eyes beam again, that was the time I knew my life would change."Who told you to touch my stuff, Divina?!" my blood boiled upon seeing her smirking at me. I ambled forward, my fingers slowly curling into tight fists. I swore I co
We mourned my father for three days as per tradition. Some of his political friends and business clients joined us to pay him their last respect and gave him their last goodbyes."Don Miguel is such a huge loss!" I heard the mayor of the city utter to his fellow politicians. I was sitting in front of my stepmother and we both wore black dresses with black veils covering our faces. Divina acted unhappy with her tiny sobs and little tears gaining the pity of our visitors."Doña de la Frontera, I'm so sorry for your loss!" one woman of the same age as her hugged her while patting her back making my stepmother cry even more."Thank you for coming. I miss my husband so much!" Divina uttered and the cries continue. "I don't know how to live without him!"I grimaced at her pretense. Instead of consoling her, I got up and strode to the side of the church. I opened the door and got out, I needed some air to breathe. The atmosphere inside was suffocating me. Most of the mourners were Divina's f
"Señorita, I was about to call you not to attend the board meeting!" George blocked me as I strode to my dad's office. I felt his uneasiness and fear. I glanced around and saw the eyes of our staff staring straight at me. They were either pleased or unhappy to see me, I couldn't tell."Why don't you want me to attend that important meeting, George? Are you scared I might find out something?" I asked and stared at him with a sardonic look. For the first time, I got mad at him.We strode quickly till we reached dad's office. I used to come here when I was young. It wasn't because I wanted to but my dad forced me to watch him run the company. George quietly opened the door and Divina's silhouette appeared in front of us. She was behind a laced curtain and based on her gesture, she wasn't alone."Franco, give me the documents that are needed to be signed later. This company must have a buyer ASAP. I can't wait ~""What did you say? You're not selling this company, Divina. Not in my watch!
My intertwined fingers fidgeted while waiting for everyone in the conference room. I ordered George to arrange an emergency board meeting in the afternoon. After speaking with my dad's former lawyer, I made a decision to tell everyone about the real situation of the company. Much to George's disapproval, he had no choice but to follow my league."Are you sure about this, Amy Leah? You see it's not just Atty. Smith's life who's gonna be in danger here but especially YOU!" I heard a tone of dismay from George who was sitting next to me."Atty. Smith will be safe, George. Don't worry. He will be well taken care of. And for the company, the staff has all the right to know!" I understood his concern but I had no right to give the employees false hope. De La Frontera Group was no longer ours, that's the truth!"They're gonna skin you alive. I'm sure of that!" George sighed deeply. He took his phone from his pocket and called someone. "Iñigo, prepare Amy Leah's car. Make sure it's not tapped
We all halted and stared at the gorgeous woman in business attire. A simple knee-length checkered pencil-cut skirt fit with a checkered coat which length approached her knees. Her blouse was a stretchable black shirt that she tucked inside her skirt.Her long wavy blonde hair draped around her shoulders and at her sexy back. Her aura was in the middle of both sophisticated and tyrannical. Perfect enough to muzzle these barking dogs down.Behind her was a young good looking man who I guess could be her subordinate. Bodyguard perhaps. Speaking of bodyguards, I saw Franco staring straight at me, the corner of his lips curling up forming an irking smirk."Good afternoon, gentlemen!" her voice was elegant, I, myself, couldn't help but gawk at her. "Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Bonifacio, please go back to your seats. We have to finish this discussion with closure!""Hrmm! Excuse me, Miss. This meeting is exclusively for the De La Frontera Group employees. I think you entered the wrong building!" Cain
The moment I set my eyes on her, flashbacks of how those painful but sweet memories of our past lingered in my mind, scratching the wounds, which I thought were healed, deeper. My chest tightened as my saunters became heavy. I planned it all along. These were all part of my five years scheme. These were all part of my revenge. To make her suffer...However, why seeing her again in person made my body tremble like a team of horses galloping inside my chest near my heart. I shut my yearning orbs trying to calm myself down and paint those bitter memories of the past. If that would make me feel stronger in front of her, then I would always scrub my thoughts with those hurtful moments that we shared.Eight years ago...Winter!"Desmond, what's keeping you too long in your room?" my mom asked, a bit crabby.I had been in my room for almost two hours choosing which clothes were I going to wear for a casual working day. Different colors of shirts, shirts with collars, and jackets messily spre