Novels by Kurdapya Fuentebella

Adeline“When it's just the two of us, you don’t need to pretend that I’m your wife, and especially don’t be sweet; we both know we’re just fake with each other!” I answered.Matthew fell silent at what I said. His grip on my hand loosened slightly, but he still didn’t let go completely. He stared intently at me, seemingly searching my face for the reason why my attitude toward him had suddenly turned cold compared to last night."Let's go home," he commanded briefly. His voice returned to its dominant self, the harsh Dr. Matthew most people knew."Aling Maria isn't done buying yet—""Ben will stay here and help Maria," Matthew cut me off while keeping his eyes locked on me.“Matthew–”“We’re going home, Adeline!” he interrupted me again.I had no choice when he pulled me out of the market. I glanced back briefly at Aling Maria, who looked embarrassed and worried about what had happened, but I just gave her a quick smile to let her know I was fine.During the entire ride back to the r

AdelineAs soon as I woke up, the pain in my lower abdomen was still there. We had sex last night, but the ache wasn't what hurt me the most. It was the deep pain lingering in my chest.Matthew was sleeping peacefully. His arm was still draped around my waist, but to me, it now felt like a heavy chain.I stared at his handsome face in the dim morning light. Just a few hours ago, he had soothed me with such tenderness, only to remind me of the cruel reality moments later. He didn't answer me.I removed his arm slowly from around me, careful not to wake him.I needed to get away. For the remaining eight days of this arrangement, I had to teach myself not to fall any deeper for him. This was no longer a simple attraction or desire. I was stepping into something dangerous—something that could destroy me, and I wasn't sure I would be able to survive it.I quickly slipped into a simple pair of jeans and a thick cardigan to ward off the cold of the province. I quietly opened the bedroom door

UPON RETURNING HOME, Adeline immediately took a rest to relieve her fatigue from two hours of harvesting. After gathering enough strength, she went straight to the bathroom to bathe and freshen up. After dressing in a simple white summer dress that felt light and cool against her skin, she sat in front of the vanity table in her room on the second floor. The surroundings were quiet and peaceful as she slowly combed her damp hair. In those moments, her mind drifted slightly to Matthew's cold reaction earlier at the plantation.However, in the middle of her daydreaming, the silence of the night was suddenly broken.A soft strum of a guitar echoed from outside her window. Adeline's brow furrowed. It was followed by a rhythmic and familiar beat that seemed to originate from down in the yard.Feeling a bit of wonder and curiosity, Adeline put down her comb. She stood up and approached the open window to look down at what was happening below. As she looked out, her heart almost stopped beat

"Sir Matthew! Ma'am Adeline!" Mang Ben's familiar voice broke the heat that was about to envelop them once again. Adeline was suddenly left hanging while the doctor quickly composed himself.“Fvck!” Matthew cursed under his breath, unable to hide his flushing cheeks and his heavy breathing, which he tried hard to calm down. Adeline, on the other hand, let out a violent, deep sigh, a trace of intense frustration written on her face over being interrupted. She had wanted to stay sitting on Matthew's lap, but someone had ruined it.“Nuisance!”“You okay?” Matthew asked worryingly.“Ah, yes. Just a bit left hanging,” she replied. Matthew chuckled at her frankness. The worker couple approached them, with no trace left of what the two had been doing earlier.“Oh, it’s you guys.” Adeline said casually."I was just patrolling the fence on the upper side, ma’am," Mang Ben greeted with a smile. "Would you like me to take you to the largest flower farm in the other valley?" Matthew adjusted his

AFTER Matthew’s intense and obvious outburst of jealousy, Adeline thought it was best to invite him out for a ride to cool his hot head. He took her to the farthest end of his property, where a huge private farm of fresh vegetables and flowers was hidden among tall pine trees and thick fog.In the middle of the quiet valley stood an old wooden stable holding a few beautiful horses owned by the Fraser family."Y-You know how to ride a horse?" Adeline asked in awe, staring at Matthew. He was wearing a black leather jacket, jeans, and riding boots. He looked really handsome against the cool mountain breeze."I grew up coming here during summers, baby," Matthew answered in a low voice. He led a tall, shiny black horse out of the stable. "This is Shadow. He’s my favorite."Adeline blinked and looked at the big animal. "W-We’re getting on that? Together?"A playful smirk appeared on Matthew's lips. He stepped closer, held her waist, and carefully lifted her onto the saddle. He got on right

AdelineA week passed by quickly following their intense and overwhelming arrangement. Far away from the noise and judgment of Manila, the cool mountain breeze only intensified their exclusive twenty days together.Inside the rest house, Matthew did nothing but fulfill every promise he made. Every corner of the house, from the spacious veranda facing the fog, beside the fireplace, to the king-sized bed in the master’s bedroom, bore witness to his relentless possession of her. No longer as a former intern or his son’s fiancée, but as a man completely undone by Adeline’s every movement and moan.As heavy rain poured outside and the biting cold wrapped around the estate, Adeline lay on the soft mattress. Naked under the thick duvet, she felt the exhaustion in her entire body from their endless night and morning together. Yet despite her weariness, her heart and body still craved to be near him.The bedroom door slowly opened. Matthew walked in, a white towel low on his hips. His chest hea

Solana did not answer his question and she didn't care at all about whatever Henry might think. The only thing that mattered was her child. She quickly shoved her things into her bag without organizing them, turned around immediately and ran toward the office door."Solana, wait!" Henry called out, but she kept going without looking back. Henry had no choice but to just watch her leave in a complete panic.As soon as she arrived home, she parked her car on the side of the road and ran through the open gate."Ma'am Solana! Ma'am!"The nanny rushed to meet her, crying heavily and shaking from extreme fear and worry. She was holding her apron while desperately trying to explain."I only left for a moment to get a snack from the kitchen... I didn't notice that Princess got out of the gate! I searched the entire street and the next block, but I couldn't find her! I'm so sorry, Ma'am. Please don't send me to jail!" she begged through her sobs."Where are the other two?" Solana asked immedia

The whole floor where the engineering and architectural teams stayed was quiet. There was no trace of noise except for the soft sound of keyboards and the gentle voice of the HR Manager, Katrina, as she showed Solana around the large office."So, Solana, just like Sir Rafael briefed you, you will serve as the lead structural engineer for this whole project," Katrina explained with a smile as they walked."I will introduce you first to the whole junior team and the resident architects before you go straight to the executive suite.""Thank you very much, Ms. Katrina," Solana answered. She forced her voice to be steady, even though with every step, it felt like a heavy stone was pressing on her chest. She held her leather folder tightly. Katrina stood in the middle of the open-plan office and clapped two times to get everyone's attention."Good morning, everyone! Attention please," the HR Manager said."I want to introduce to you our new lead structural engineer for the Manila Coastal In

I calmly told Rafael to use the restroom before we left the restaurant. I needed a few minutes away from them, a few minutes to breathe and fix myself up after the confusing tension at the table. After using the restroom, I retouched my makeup and adjusted my clothes. When I made sure I looked presentable, I went out.But the moment I turned the doorknob and stepped out of the bathroom, a strong arm suddenly grabbed my arm.I gasped in surprise, but before I could even speak, he quickly pulled me to the side and leaned me against an empty corner next to the wall, far from the view of the people and the dining area.He pressed his body against mine, making the hair on my skin stand up from the familiar feeling of Henry’s skin.“What the! Let me go, who are you, bastard?!”His jaw tightened, and his eyes seemed to be burning with anger. I wasn't able to finish what I was going to say because he held me tightly by the waist and brought his face so close to mine that I almost went cross-ey

THE NEXT DAY, Henry entered the executive boardroom for a very important partnership meeting. His company was set to join forces with Vandel Construction and Engineering Firm for a multi-billion infrastructure project in Luzon.Henry stood at the end of the long glass conference table, formally and emotionlessly adjusting his cufflinks while his executive secretary and board members surrounded him. His aura was cold, just as everyone was used to.The large boardroom door opened, and the CEO of Vandel Group walked in—Rafael Vandel, his former college classmate from Ateneo who now had his own successful business."Henry! It’s good to see you again, man," Rafael greeted cheerfully as he walked quickly toward him and shook his hand. Rafael was with a woman, but she stayed behind him, so Henry didn't notice her much and didn't really care."It’s been five years. The whole country has really been looking up to you.""Rafael," Henry responded coldly but formally, giving a short nod. "Glad to

AS THE SUN slowly sets and darkness covers the sky, the tall buildings in the center of the district light up one by one. But on the highest floor of the Del Carmen Enterprises tower, only the light coming from the large glass window and the cold glow of a laptop screen brighten the office.Henry is sitting in his swivel chair, leaning back while his right hand keeps clicking his pen. His eyes, showing no trace of emotion are focused on the documents of a billion-peso contract that he needs to sign before the night ends.Five long years have passed since his father died and he officially took over the entire Del Carmen assets. During those five years, Henry did nothing but bury himself in work. He made the once successful company grow and expand even more. Under his iron rule, Del Carmen Enterprises reached the peak of success, making him the second richest and most powerful businessman in the Philippines.The business world admired and feared him. He was known as a merciless man towa

The days passed like a long dream from which I could not wake up. Even until now, I am still staring blankly into space. After Freddie's cremation and quick burial, I was left with a deafening kind of silence—a silence that suffocates my system every single second. I often sit by the window of my room, staring at the vast garden that has been completely neglected since the housemaids all left. I long for Freddie. I miss his voice, his advice, and the protection he gave me even in the final moments of his life. He was the only one who knew my secret. But despite mourning my elderly husband, there is a part of my heart that cannot help but rebel. My confused heart, with every beat, screams nothing but Henry’s name.I want so badly to see him. I want to feel his presence, even if his eyes are cold or his words are full of insults and sarcasm. Maybe this is also due to my pregnancy, this intense longing for the father of the child I am carrying. These past few days have been incredibly di