The melancholic song played in the car’s stereo filled was Audrey’s companion during the night drive. After parking by the roadside for almost half an hour to cry her heart out and compose herself, Audrey decided to go back to Nathan’s place instead. She thought of something important she needed to tell the other regarding her newly started business. Audrey realized she needed a break. The leisure moments she had for a week with Shane seemed not to be enough. For her, those merry days felt like it happened decades ago.
She had been driving for more than an hour and was entering the city borders when her phone kept ringing. Audrey moved her hands around to grab her pouch sitting on the passenger’s seat with her eyes still on the road. The car accident years ago hadn’t completely faded from her memory yet. It would occasionally remind her to be careful when she’s in front of the steering wheel. After struggling to reach her pouch, Audrey pulled over the car to the sid
“Audrey?” It was the same as the old times. The voice that Audrey missed for so long.“Nanny? Yes, it’s me, Audrey.” She tightly held on the rails for support. Other than her parents, Audrey had been dependent on her Nanny Esther. The old maiden spent her youth taking care of her mother and later, she was there for her when her parents weren’t around.“Oh my! I received your wedding invitation but I’m too old to travel. Have you received my gift? I’m missing you so much and my days are numbered now,” Nanny Esther laughed on the other line. She still cared for her despite her old age.“I missed you too, Nanny. The wedding went well and I just came back from a short vacation with my husband,” Audrey told her. Her nanny was the first person to find out that she had a crush on Shane when they were younger. And the elder would tell her mom about it.“It was Shane, right? I’m so happy that you ended up together,” Nanny Es
The swift wind blowing Audrey’s hair tickled her neck. She smiled as she held on to the dark coffee-colored hat she was wearing. It was around 7 in the morning and the sun was gradually rising, gracing the earth another pleasant sunny day. A small smile curved on her lips as she headed out to the arrival area and gazed around to find anyone familiar. Her face lightened when she saw the elder woman standing in the corner while holding a placard with her name written on it. Audrey chuckled at the scene.“Nanny!” Audrey waved her hand as she pulled her suitcase and walked towards an elder woman. She watched her turned in her direction and with an unbelieving happy smile, the elder waved her hands back at her.“Audrey, you’re here. I was so worried to send anyone else to pick you up, so I did. My nephew tends to joke around, and I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around him,” Nanny Esther said, clipping the placard under her arm and sought her for
Two weeks had passed and Shane still couldn’t get away from Stephanie’s grasp. He was forced to stay under the same roof with her by the company’s arrangement. The situation was getting out of hand each passing day. Shane kept his lips sealed while ‘acting’ as Stephanie’s lover. After all, the DNA test result said he wasn’t her baby’s father. He wanted to tell that in her face, so he could break free and chase after his wife, but the singer had always something up in her sleeve. She would threaten him to kill herself once he left her which he shouldn’t really care about as he knew she wouldn’t do such a thing. However, he noticed how stressed she was recently, and knowing that he’s the only one she could rely on, Shane quietly clenched his jaws and played along. He asked someone to find out the man who impregnated Stephanie but with so many men involved with her, even his detective had trouble to confirm it.Lucy, on the other hand, convinced the company to save Sha
Shane clenched his fists. “What did you say?” He asked, making sure he heard it right. “Audrey called me?” He sounded unbelieving, not expecting his wife to call him. After all, he did nothing but caused Audrey heartbreak which he promised he wouldn’t do again when she married him. She wouldn’t call him first unless something happened.“What? You suddenly become excited. Aren’t you going to annul your marriage with her now that I’m pregnant with your baby?” Stephanie mumbled. Shane swore he would have already smacked her head to wake her up from her delusion if only she wasn’t a woman and pregnant. He wasn’t even the real father of her baby and going along with her whims was only a part of the company’s arrangement to save her face. It wasn’t like he would let him be taken advantage of when he had someone he should be caring for. Shane wasn’t sure how long could Audrey wait for him. And even if she would be willing to wait for a year or longer, he wouldn’t let that
Audrey woke up to the smell of food from the kitchen. A smile curled on her lips as she looked forward to what Nanny Esther prepared for breakfast. The elder would always fill the table with vegetables and fruits fresh from the farm managed by her relatives. Audrey missed the times when her Nanny Esther would tell her to eat vegetables and not just sweets and meat. Although she wasn’t fond of them before, several years later, her preference changed. She learned how to eat a balanced diet which also helped her lost weight when she was in Bologna and was still striving to become a well-known chef. The day when she was able to serve her dish to the public was the biggest break she ever had in her life. Audrey could never be proud of her achievement when she got recognition from other professionals. Her love for the food when she was younger didn’t go in vain.“Pfft!” She chuckled recalling the days when she was a chubby girl who was bullied because of her body size. Ho
Audrey cleared her mind and focused on chewing her food. The memory of last night when she received a phone call from Shane almost made her cry with joy. However, she could tell by the way he spoke to her that things weren’t going any better. Perhaps they might have to go on their own, move on, and forget what’s in the past for good. She scolded herself many times, putting her defenses up against him until she fell asleep. At last, even in her dreams… Shane wouldn’t leave her alone. And it annoyed her how she couldn’t consider it a nightmare, despite claiming she hated him. ‘I hate him’, was what she wanted to think. As Shane’s wife, Audrey also considered staying by his side to support him, especially when he’s having a hard time. But she wasn’t born to be a saint, forgiving the man who hurt her many times just because she still had feelings for him, nor she was someone who couldn’t forgive and forget but she endured too much pain alrea
Another week passed and Audrey tried to manage the morning sickness she had every day. She knew the change of mood was beyond her control, but she couldn’t help feeling sorry for her Nanny Esther who’s taking care of her, especially her cravings for non-seasonal fruits and foods she usually did not like in the past.She decided to tell her husband, but Shane was occupied with work as the show he’s in was almost done. Audrey thought it would be fine, she could tell him next time until her mother-in-law paid a visit and suggested something that could help her.“Hija. I am truly ashamed of my son,” Mrs. Vargas said with her head down. “I’ve already talked to his father about this. The thing he did on your wedding day five years ago made his old man furious. He was lucky to be forgiven after what he did and even got to marry you but he just ruined his last chance.” She smiled sadly and held her hands.“So we’ve decided, we’ll disown our son from now on.”Audrey was surprised but later laug
Several months later, Audrey’s life was better than she expected. She lived in peace, away from the stressful situation she had to go through during her pregnancy. Despite Shane’s absence, she was able to survive the hard days. Well, not completely though. She had yet to give birth and it would be the most challenging part. With her mother-in-law’s constant support, each day passed quickly with Audrey sighing in relief. Her priorities were clear. Aside from herself, her baby’s life was the most important.“Have a safe trip, Mom.” Audrey waved her right hand as she bid goodbye to her mother-in-law who was leaving for another country to attend a very important business meeting. “Don’t forget to eat your meals on time,” she added as she rubbed her baby bump.“Oh, Hija. Stop worrying about me and just think of yourself and the baby. Don’t hesitate to tell the butler if you need anything, alright? I’ll be back in no time,” the elderly woman said and gave the pregnant woman a peck on the che