NARRATIVE As Adele followed Alvin's lead into the big family house, her eyes scanned the few family photos she could see hanging on the walls of the big, grand living room. This was the house Carlo grew up in as a child until_on his sister's request and after their parents burial, he had to stay back at his home country_Philippines, for a while. Under the care of a well trusted woman. His mother was a beautiful woman... She noted. "This way, Ms. Adele." She looked ahead at Alvin and found him beckoning her towards the flight of stairs nearby. "Uhm," she nodded slightly at him. Adele let her fingers clench at her coat for support, before she spared one more glance at the large old family photo, hanging high up the wall. Taking a deep breath in, she turned around and walked after Alvin. Moments later, they arrived at the door of Carlo's room and without hesitation, Alvin turned the knob and pushed the door open, ushering her inside. Adele paused briefly, taking a
NARRATIVE With his head resting against his car's headrest, his eyes closed and a hand on the steering wheel, Rhys let his thoughts wander about for a while. His car was parked right outside CR's Luxury and he'd been here since Brenda's car drove out of the company. Seconds later, he removed his hand from the wheel, opening his eyes as he retrieved his phone from the phone holder. Tapping on the screen and staring at the wallpaper, his lips curled up into a smile at her photo he'd used as his phone's wallpaper. Gently, he rubbed his finger against the part of the screen that her face was as he let himself drift through memory lane of the first time he'd seen her.FLASHBACK ~six years ago. Atlanta, Georgia~ "Boss, the chairman found out you were at the nightclub yesterday. He sent someone over since you wouldn't pick his calls." His PA announced and the young man at the back seat of the car, smirked. He was already exhausted from having to attend this business conf
NARRATIVE~Six years ago~Philippines, Quezon City. "I'm at the location now. You mustn't forget our deal. Do your part and I do mine. Never mention my name again as soon as this is over." Mayven said as she stared through her huge glasses at the entrance of the mall. "Sure. A deal is a deal, Mayven. I'm sure you're excited about your share of the money as well, that aside, you can also get your revenge. Or, do you like that he's going to get married to someone else today?" The man at the other end said mockingly. "You're such a loud mouth Rowan. It's sad that the poor chairwoman fell for a scumbag as you. Anyway, it's not my business. Tell the guys to be on standby and also, send a photo to him too. He's a stubborn person, he might not likely come with me." "Ignoring your previous remarks Mayven, we both know you're also doing this because of the benefits too. If he doesn't come with you, then you must go with the next plan. In all, today's mission must be successful. I
NARRATIVE~Six years ago~Philippines, Quezon City. Staring at Mayven in shock, Carlo was lost for words. He never felt more betrayed than now. What was his offense to her? Only because he broke up with her a long time ago because she cheated on him severally, extorted money from him on numerous occasions and her character made him fall out of love with her. Now she has blackmailed him and not only that, she's working with people to threaten the life of his woman and on such a day as this. Thinking through his options at hand, Carlo knew that if he didn't go, they might harm Adele for real. If he retreats now and call the police, he'd be doing more harm than good because either ways, Adele could still be hurt_Mayven still has the sex tape. He didn't care about his situation or what happened to him. He just wanted to make sure Adele was fine and wouldn't come to any harm. "Fine!" He finally said and Mayven's eyes glistened excitedly. "You've made the right choice.
PRESENTLY~New York City~NARRATIVE "Here you go. It's okay." Brenda said, passing another pack of tissue to Adele. All three packs were already used by her yet, she still had tears running out her eyes. "T...thank you." Adele sobbed as she wiped her nose and eyes. "I really...I really had no idea such a thing happened. How hard must it have been for him..." She said, glancing at Carlo's direction. "If I were in such a situation too, I wonder if I'd be able to give up my family's properties because of him. I had no either how much he suffered, yet I went on hating him for seve...several years. I really deserved to be punished." She cried. "Oh Adele, it's okay. That's in the past, I'm telling you all this now in place of Carlo. He searched for you for long immediately he was out of his coma. He wanted to tell you he didn't abandoned you. It was partly my fault too. I should have reached out to your family too as soon as it happened. But I didn't think it through, I was more co
PRESENTLY,~New York City~NARRATIVE "Indeed, it's because of me." Adele sighed, sniffing back her tears as she wiped her nose. No matter how she tried to hold back her tears, she just couldn't. She knew she'd be hating herself for a long time. "Because of me, he was in that situation. How terrified he must have felt..." "He slipped into coma due to immerse shock and he developed heart failure at that moment." Brenda said as she took a sip from her teacup, pausing momentarily before she continued. "Carlo thought it was over immediately he signed the documents, he didn't know Konstantin and his men had other plans for him. They didn't plan to let him live at all. Thankfully, we got there just in time before they ran their car over him in his unconscious state. Today, Konstantin and his cohorts are still in jail. But recently...ah, never mind." Brenda smiled, deciding not to bother Adele about Rowan's presence at this moment. She placed her teacup back on the table and s
ADELE'S POV The rays of the morning sun coming from the open windows in Carlo's room, seemed to be shining directly on my face, making me blink my lashes several times before my eyes adjusted completely to the brightness. Slowly, I raised my head up from his bed and glanced at him. He was still the same, no improvement yet. I had stayed up the previous night, wishing he'd at least move a finger miraculously or open his eyes. While watching him, I must have fallen asleep with my head on his bed. "Good morning Carlo. Can you hear me?" I began, reaching my hands to his. "I know that no amount of words I'd say would make up for the pains I'd caused you. That's why you should wake up quickly and punish me as you deem fit." I said as I brush my thumb on his hand gently. "I've been so stubborn, so unyielding and so unforgiving to you whereas it should have been the other way around, since I was the cause of your misery. I'm sincerely sorry. I hope you can wake up soon and talk to me.
BRENDA'S POV I stared at him in shock, my jaw almost dropping to the floor. Blinking my eyelashes several times, I instantly retrieved my hand from his and took two steps backwards. "How...how did you know about Rowan, Rhys? How did you know I was searching for him? What do you mean by I won't find him?" I asked, my eyes not leaving his. Yes of course, he's my PA but I've never discussed Rowan or my past relationships with him. Neither did I tell anyone other than John and some of our underlings about Rowan. I mean, this only happened yesterday and I've been so discreet about it so how did he know? Rhys sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. "Brenda, actually there's something I have to tell you." He said. "But first, I'd need you to sit down and listen to me." "Sure, of course. I'd listen." I hurriedly affirmed, walking to sit on one of the chairs in his office. I'm curious about how much of me he knows already and also what he meant by me not finding Rowan e