Novels by Kurdapya Fuentebella

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

MORE THAN a month had passed since Matthew and Adeline left the luxurious Fraser mansion in the city to start a new life in the cold, peaceful mountains of Mountain Province. Their former hectic world—filled with noise, worries, and a dark past—was completely replaced by fresh air, lush green views, and the quiet breeze of nature.Matthew was currently in Manila for the 40th-day memorial service since Marky’s passing. Out of respect for tradition and as a final remembrance for his nephew, Matthew decided to travel back down to Manila for a few days to personally lead the decision-making and offer a mass at the cemetery, together with a few close acquaintances and colleagues from the medical field.The mass at the cemetery went smoothly under the bright, pleasant afternoon sky. Matthew prayed silently in front of the white marble tombstone, while his hospital colleagues also offered their final prayers and condolences. Although Adeline and the twins did not come along due to the long d

THE AIR WAS COLD AND PEACEFUL in the early morning of Friday. Despite the early hour, the entire grounds of the Fraser mansion were already buzzing with activity. Five large luxury coaches, hired by a well-known VIP transport company, emerged from the grand entrance to pick up the guests, medical colleagues, and hospital staff who wished to pay their respects at the cemetery. The official funeral service provider, a prominent ultra-exclusive memorial chapel in the city, fully handled all protocols—from traffic control outside the gate and arranging the long convoy of black vehicles, to maintaining the family's privacy against any prying eyes or paparazzi.Inside the master's bedroom on the second floor, Adeline quietly dressed the two children. She dressed the twins, Dave and Raven, in neat, simple white polo shirts and linen shorts.The door opened, and Matthew entered. He wore a tailored black suit without a tie, a simple white undershirt, with the middle butto

THE CAR STOPPED at the edge of the sprawling yard while the cold drizzle from the recently ended rain continued to embrace the entire surroundings of the mansion. At the side of the service entrance, the driver quietly parked Matthew's car. The doctor stepped out of the driver's side door. His black polo shirt was still soaked, wet hair clung to his forehead, and traces of dried mud remained on his legs and shoes. But the aura radiating from him was entirely different now. The heavy burden, the blurred vision from pain, and the swirling rage that had nearly consumed his soul in front of the tombstones at the cemetery were gone. Though fatigue lingered in his eyes, there was now a quiet yet steadfast resolve.He quietly entered through the kitchen door to avoid being noticed by the numerous guests, especially given his current state."D-Doc Matthew! My goodness, you're completely soaked! Oh dear, your fever might worsen because of this," the older housekeeper said anxio

It was two in the afternoon when the black SUV arrived in front of the massive gate of Matthew's mansion in Manila. As the vehicle entered the wide driveway, a vast array of expensive cars parked on both sides of the yard immediately came into view. Many mourners were already inside, mostly prominent doctors from various major hospitals, Matthew's former business partners, and high-ranking society officials who came to express their condolences for the tragedy that befell the family.When the car stopped in front of the grand entrance, Adeline slowly got out while carrying Raven, who had fallen asleep. From the other door, Maria and Trina stepped out, guiding Dave. The two women couldn't bear staying at the rest house and insisted on coming along to Manila to help care for the children and to pay their respects to the family."Thank you so much for coming with us, Maria, Trina," Adeline said from the bottom of her heart. "It's such a big help to have you here at the ma

Sara slapped her back, twice on both sides of her cheeks. She could no longer bring herself to fight back and instead just pushed her away."You'll just wake up one day with everything gone because Matthew has already been seduced by me.""Shut up! Shut up!" Adeline shouted, shaking with rage as warm tears streamed down her cheeks."I loved Matthew! I didn't seduce him for money or for a mansion! We loved each other! I will never be like you, who sees nothing else but a man's body and money!""Oh, stop being a hypocrite!" Sara scoffed defiantly."You learned from the best, my sweet daughter. We share the same blood. So don't play innocent in front of me because I know very well how the mind of a woman like you works.""You are a monster..." Adeline whispered, full of hatred as she wiped her tears away. Matthew immediately came out upon hearing Adeline's scream and pulled her away from Sara."Oh, there you are, Matthew! Have you told Adeline how you were staring at me earlier?""W—What

Even though Adeline had her staff escort her mother out earlier, Sara didn’t completely leave through the gate. She was screaming and throwing a tantrum in the yard while holding her belongings. Since it was already late at night and Adeline didn't want to make any noise that would disturb the neighbors and also yielding to the plea of her conscience as a daughter, she eventually let Sara back inside. However, Adeline firmly made it clear that she would sleep on the sofa or lay out a mattress, not in the guest room. Disgusted as she was, Sara had no choice but to comply.When dinnertime came, delicious food prepared by the staff was served on the long wooden dining table. While they were eating, the workers were also eating outside. A table had been set up there with large pots, while inside, they were dining together with Maria.There was pan-seared buttered garlic salmon, large freshly fried shrimp tempura, and hot beef stew with extremely tender meat that smelled of rich sauce and