ADELE'S STANDPOINT
"Lu Cheng?" The lady removed her gaze from the TV to me and flashed me a wide grin. "What in the world! How did...how did you_" my remaining words caught in the air when with the speed of a cheetah, she was hugging me so tight I could barely breathe. My hand bag dropped on the floor and tears clouded my vision as I wrapped my arms around her. I haven't seen my bestfriends for closely six years after I left home. Although we still communicated constantly via social media I had still missed them terribly but home wasn't calling my name in a long while and I never planned to return back to the place where I received the biggest shock, embarrassment and shame of my entire life. Cheng was more grown now, married with two kids. She looked much fleshy than I last remember her to be and she now had bangs on her usually straight and long brown hair. We were both still gushing and crying over how well we've missed each other when another surprise package greeted me. "Girls that's enough, I feel cheated right here."Lana? That's Lana's voice.I raised my teary gaze up and a sharp excited scream left my mouth when I saw Lana, my pretty Lana walked in the living room from the kitchen. She was freaking pregnant but have also added a lot of weight. "Lana!" I was hugging her so tight I feared I could hurt her baby-bump. "Easy girl. Happy birthday love. We've missed you so much we had to come unannounced." She chuckled. "Really?" I cried. Lana got married to her boyfriend two years ago but I didn't attend. I couldn't step foot back in the Philippines because it reminded me so much of the one person I've only ever loved. Going back there would bring back happy memories of blissful moments I've shared with my friends, family and even Carlo. But most of all, the bad memories were more powerful and dreadful I didn't dare consider returning. "Of course, Adele. And we know how hard it must have been here without us so we decided we were gonna surprise you on your 26th birthday." Lu Cheng said smilingly as they both pulled me to the couch. "I know you're surprised on how we were able to find and access your home. Well, remember you'd sent us a picture when you bought this building three years ago. It also wasn't hard guessing the password, you never changed it. It's still the year and day of your birthday." Lana said and she was so right. "Girls, I don't know what to say really. I'm only here shedding tears of joy because I never expected you to still care so much about me. Even when I never attended your wedding, thanksgiving or even your baby shower. I wasn't there for you all when you needed me the most, but look, you're here again today. Still loving, still faithful as ever." Tears rolled down my cheeks as I said the words. My friends sniffed as they hugged me again. "Don't say that Dela, you've always been supportive too. We know you a lot more than you think. When we got married, you supported us even from a distance. Financially you were there, emotionally you were there for us. Even physically you're were present_not like literally though," Cheng said and we chuckled shortly. "You attended our wedding ceremonies, baby showers and thanksgiving, live from your own side. You even designed our wedding dresses for free! So never berate yourself about not being there for us, because you were. You've always been loving and caring even when with us and when you're not. It's only fair that we check on you too." She said and I found myself being emotional again. "Oh my gosh! I can't stop being emotional." I laughed as I wipe my eyes and blinked severally to stop the tears. "Oh look at you." They laughed. "You're still as emotional as ever, aren't you?" "Oh well, glad you found out." I grinned and we laughed again. "Thank you coming girls and I'm glad you made yourself at home already. I suppose Kieran isn't here." I looked sideways at them. "That's right, the surprise. Lana what are we doing?!" They both flew out of the cushion. "Wait for it!" I heard Lu Cheng laughed before the lights went off. I stood up immediately in puzzlement as I tried to adjust my eyes to the darkness. What are they up to? I mused. "Girls," I called but got no response. "What's going on?" I turned around sharply when I felt something warm, small and soft touch my legs. I almost screamed when I saw two small figures, standing before me. Since it was dark, I could only see their shining white eyes and sparkling white teeth. I stood rooted to the spot, letting my mind run wild on the possibility of the identities of the two figures my eyes could picture before me. Just then, I heard voices and I turned towards the direction of the stairs to see them climbing down with the lit up candle lights and a sparkling huge cake in their hands. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you Adele, happy birthday to you." They sang as they approached me. I cupped my mouth in shock as my three friends and their husbands made the way to me. Oh yeah, I had tears of joy running down my cheeks already. "Oh My Gosh! Guys! Oh my gosh!" I cried as Kieran grinned at me before placing the same rainbow colored cape cap they were wearing on my head. "Happy birthday, hunny. Make a wish." She said. I closed my eyes sniffingly and silently made a wish.Guess what my wish was about... I wished that I find answers to the million questions I haven't gotten in six years, soon. "Aunty Adele." I opened my eyes immediately only to see the most adorable kids I ever set my eyes on, grinning widely at me. "Oh my gosh!" I was about to start gushing over them but Lana interrupted me. "Blow the candles first Dela," she laughed.I did and they all screamed a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME just as the lights came on and they began dropping their heap of gifts and wishes for me. While they did their thing, I immediately captured the adorable babies in my arms as I gushed over how adorable they were. Of course, the kids were Lu Cheng's and her husband, John's, children. They were a girl and a boy. The girl was about four years old and the boy seemed barely two. Kieran was just recently married, she don't have a child yet and Lana was pregnant. I didn't care about the others again as I played with the children. I've always had a soft spot for kids and I find joy in being with them and letting their warmth flow to me. _____ Moments after I'd released the children to go play, I was eating cake and drinking wine with my friends and their husbands while we all talked about what's been going on in our lives. Our joyful moment was however interrupted, when we heard the loud bang outside.ADELE'S STANDPOINT "I'll go take a look." I said, dropping my wine glass on the table and walking out the living area into the corridor that led to the door. I live alone and I'm not expecting anyone, so who could have made that sound? I held up my long auburn wavy curls in a bun as I walked. I've had no time to do that since I returned home because of the surprise guests I had. I also haven't changed out of my simple bodycon v-neck black dress, since I returned from the company. Well, over the years, I'd established my business and my company had grown remarkably over time. I have several branches of my *DeLa's Fashion House* company in different parts of the world. Mostly in America, Asian and Africa. I was rich from birth but I've always loved the simple lifestyle. My parents are well and doing fine with the rest of my siblings in the Philippines. With the headquarters of my company here in America, I had the opportunity to meet several important personalities, gain
ADELE'S STANDPOINT "Adele! Adele! Hey! Wait up!" I refused to answer him as I continue stomping away in rage as tears were already beginning to cloud my vision. It wasn't long before he caught up with me at the balcony of the building's middle floor. "Hey Adele, listen..." "No! I can't and I won't work with her. I won't let her model my dress. Never!" I spat with excessive hate, turning swiftly to face him. He ran a hand into his hair and sighed wearily. "But why? Why can't you let her model that design? I'm sure you won't deny that it suit her well too. So why can't you..." "I don't care if that bitch is fit for the role Arsenio. What I know is that, I'll never let her model my dress! Get me someone else or I quit my entry in the RELISH FASHION SHOW!" I yelled just as a single tear rolled down my cheeks. "You know what? Just come here." Arsenio said and within the blink of an eyelid, I was pulled into his arms while he gently pat my back. "It's fine Adele. I won't pry anymore. I
ADELE'S STANDPOINT I drove my car into my home only to find my friends packing stuff into Lana's new car and looking all dressed up and ready to go out. Ever since they moved here two weeks ago, I got used to them showing up unannounced in my house. Kieran and her husband already travelled back to the Philippines about two days ago, so it was just Lana and Lu Cheng, storming my home at the best time ever. My mood from the incident at Excellency Modeling Agency still accompanied me home, despite Arsenio's efforts to cheer me up. I had to return home earlier than usual__as Mayven already succeeded in ruining my mood. After I'd packed my car at my garage, I walked to them and they grinned at me instantly. However, their smiles left their faces immediately they noticed my sullen mood. "Dela, what happened? You don't look so great." Lana stated immediately. "True she doesn't. Good thing you're here, we've just finished packing some casual but necessary items from your home.
NARRATIVE She walked into the studio room feeling a lot better than she was the previous day. Immediately she walked in, everyone inside and the air suddenly became tensed and she noticed how they were all looking at her, while mumbling to one another. Adele's shoulders dropped that instant. "Oh common guys, don't be like that. I'm sorry about yesterday." She paused midway inside the studio. "We've always been a great team or haven't we?" "Adele, you were really scary yesterday." The camera guy, Damien said with a soft chuckle. The others nodded poutingly in agreement and Adele sighed, rubbing her hand against her grey suit. "I know and I'm sorry, really." She pouted and that did the trick. The whole team consisting over eight people burst out laughing.They always found it hard to resist her when she did that. They include; the camera team, the makeup team, the hair dressing team and her own team, the dress team. Yes, two assistants from her company were right besi
CARLO'S POV I walked into the elevator with John, my private agent. "How did it go? Were you able to get any audience with her family?" I asked, a bit hopeful. "I'm afraid, it wasn't successful Mr Rodriguez. They didn't let me in or responded to my emails, texts or calls. I've heard no word from them all through the six times we've attempted. I dare to say, you should give up on this quest. I asked around and no one has seen her in years neither did they want to talk about her. It's like she's disappeared from the Philippines." He said and I smiled sadly. "It's fine John. I guess we have to stop sending people over." I said. The elevator door opened at the last floor and we stepped out, heading towards the exit as the employees bowed low in greeting when they saw me. My phone rang in that moment and I retrieved it from pants pocket. Alvin was calling. "Boss, I have news for you about that lady." He said immediately the call connected. I froze on my steps instantly.
ADELE'S POV I had baby Celestine in my arms while Holly was busy doing _only her knows what_ on my toes. I'm in there home. Their dad, John was out and their Mom, Lu Cheng was sitting across me, surfing the web while chewing on a gum I think have been long enough in her mouth. I mean, since I came in here directly from work, she's been chewing on that gum and that's about one hour and some minutes ago. Coming here directly after I closed at the office, helped in easing my mind greatly. It's a good thing they moved here, now my life could be a little bit better. Immediately I rang their doorbell and Cheng had ushered me in, my eyes caught sight of her kids and my sour mood left me instantly. Her kids are so adorable, so much one could think of stealing them. We talked about random stuff and laughed over pretty much silly stuff. Celestine was sucking on his thumb playfully and occasionally, he'll let out those adorable babyish gibberish and giggle over absolutely not
NARRATIVE Alvin stared at the laptop before him, quietly lost in his thoughts. He was right. This lady here was his boss's woman.He'd searched out the name DeLa's Fashion House on the Internet and an exquisite building having about ten stories popped on his laptop screen and right there he started his investigations. Adele Rivera is the CEO of DeLa's Fashion House, one of the top five most famous and successful fashion designing companies in New York City and also among the top ten in America.She's quite a successful beauty...he noted. However it was surprising how they couldn't find her all this while. That was because, she was in the country they never thought she'll be. They were searching the wrong places all this while, no doubt.Alvin had been to the company few hours ago and had discreetly surveyed the area with hopes of seeing her walk out or drive out but he got nothing. We've found her now, so what next? He mused as his finger tapped on the 'enter' key on his k
NARRATIVE It was as early as 7:00am when Alvin pulled up his car close to DeLa's Fashion House. He wanted to affirm that he read correctly. Not so long afterwards, as he tapped his fingers slightly against the stirring wheel, he noticed an ash colored sedan car driving into the company. He sat upright and observed, noticing how the security guards greeted the occupant respectfully and his instinct told him it was her. Alvin's suspicion was confirmed when the car pulled up and several guards hurried to it. A guard opened the door and the moment the beautiful auburn haired CEO walked out, they all greeted her respectfully. He observed as she was escorted into the building and he nodded slightly to himself.I was right after all... On second thought, Alvin decided to search out the latest concerning the CEO; her relationships if there was any. Silently, he hoped she was still single. As he scrolled through the laptop by his side on the passenger seat, he came across sever