Adaline's POV:"Dad?" I saw my dad sitting on a bench in the park not far from our old rental house.Dad smiled, patting the empty space next to him, and reluctantly, I walked over and sat down."Why are you here?" I asked, glancing at our old house. The house we left when I entered middle school. The house filled with beautiful memories where I grew up."Do you forget? Back when we were moving, you cried incessantly. Saying to us how much you liked our old house."I smiled and nodded. I did cry a lot back then, begging my parents not to move from there.I didn't want to make new friends because I had a hard time socializing. But Dad said everything would be okay. In fact, if we moved, I would be even happier.Dad said I needed to learn to be more sociable because life is more beautiful with many friends."Why are we here?" I asked, confused.My dad smiled. His face looked so fresh, cheerful, and of course, handsome."Just a reminder that we once had a past," my dad said casually. "Do
"Oh God, Al..." Jovanka moaned as Altezza continued moving in and out with a rhythm he knew Jovanka loved. The woman held onto the dressing table while her lover moved faster. "Al..." Jovanka started going wild; she was almost reaching climax, and Altezza's movements became faster, as if he knew what she desired. And not long after..."Arrggghh..." Altezza groaned simultaneously with the warm liquid coming out from him, contained by the rubbery wrapping that sometimes choked him.Altezza removed the used condom and tossed it carelessly into the trash bin, while Jovanka had already put on her nightgown again. Altezza's body was still sweaty after their passionate lovemaking, but seeing Jovanka's appearance, he knew that the discussion he wanted to have would only reignite her anger."Mamma and Padre keep pushing me to get married. How long are we going to continue like this?" Altezza asked in frustration.Jovanka approached Altezza, who was now lying on the bed, moved closer, and cares
Several hours later, at a club.Altezza growled. He downed his drink again, unsure which glass it was. He hoped the hot and bitter taste flowing on his tongue and throat could somewhat ease the tightness in his chest due to the disappointment he got from Jovanka. Antony, his cousin from his father's side, whom he called just before entering the club, looked at him with a furrowed brow."Don't tell me you're getting drunk and asking me to be your driver, Cousin," he grumbled, shaking his drink without intending to sip it."I'm not forcing you to stay," Altezza replied flatly. "You're the one who keeps sticking to me," he continued with a speech that was no longer clear due to the effects of the alcohol he had consumed.Antony smirked mockingly, glancing at Altezza while shaking his head. His cousin clearly looked messed up, so how could he let Altezza be alone and leave like that? His cousin could go crazy when he was drunk. And maybe even worse, Altezza could fall into the traps of tr
Antony had entered the basement of Altezza's apartment and parked his sports car there. He once again helped Altezza toward the elevator that would take them to Altezza's penthouse.Altezza remained silent, wrestling with his own thoughts."Stop crying over your fate, Al. I've told you from the beginning that she never truly loved you," Antony said as the elevator doors closed and began to ascend."She loves me, Antony. That's why she accepted my proposal," Altezza replied coldly."No, she doesn't love you, Al. And you have to stop fooling yourself. She married you because she knew she would get a comfortable life and financial support to boost her career. If she truly loved you, she wouldn't waste you. Her career would be secondary to your happiness. And look at what has been happening. For her, the career comes first, and you, well, who knows what order you're in. So what else do you expect?" Antony asked as the elevator doors opened. They walked slowly out of the elevator toward th
Adaline was late for work. It was all because the taxi she had taken had a flat tire, and they still had a considerable distance to cover. Adaline had no choice but to find another means of transportation to get her to the office. Unfortunately, she couldn't find a taxi during this busy hour, and on top of that, she had run out of money. It was just her luck. However, Adaline had no other option but to run to her office.With heavy breaths, Adaline greeted the security guard at the lobby and shouted at anyone in the elevator to hold it open for her. Adaline stepped out of the elevator looking less than put together. She was sweating, and her hair was slightly disheveled from the run. When she entered her office, her senior and good friend, Tessa, looked at her with a raised eyebrow."Late start?" Tessa asked, casting a teasing look at Adaline.Adaline grinned, placed her bag under the desk, and tidied up her appearance. "No, just unlucky on the way here," she replied while running her
After his conversation with Antony last night, Altezza really tried to consider his cousin's advice. Waking up with a headache and a dry throat from alcohol, Altezza forced himself to get up and hurriedly took a shower. He intended to go to the house he bought to live with his secret wife, Jovanka.Although officially a couple, Altezza didn't stay there because he was afraid that rumors about his relationship with Jovanka would spread to the public, potentially damaging her career. Ironically, every time he went there, Altezza always parked his car far from the house and even entered through the back gate. He behaved as if he were visiting a lover rather than his girlfriend. And he did all this to fulfill the desires of the woman he loved.He was the owner of the house, but he entered it like a thief. He did it all for Jovanka. Even his household assistant—a middle-aged woman with melancholic eyes, and her husband, whom Altezza appointed as Jovanka's personal driver and garden caretak
Jovanka sat on the thick carpet with her head bowed. Perhaps hoping that Altezza would take pity on her and surrender again. But this time, Altezza had truly hardened his heart.He looked at the middle-aged couple still standing in their place, who instantly lowered their heads when they saw the cold expression on Altezza's face."You are now my witnesses. Listen to me. I am Altezza Quirino, and from now on, I have no relationship with her. We started this relationship amicably, and we will part amicably as well."And this house, as I promised you, will be yours."I hope you are happy, and I hope the film you will work on is successful. I always wish the best for you," Altezza said and left Jovanka, who was just frozen in her place, trying to absorb all the words Altezza had spoken."I won't give up, Al! I will come back!"After all this is over, you will come back to me. And I will be yours, Al!" she shouted from the staircase. But Altezza didn't care. For him, everything was finishe
Adaline rushed halfway down the hospital corridor towards her mother's ward. She was in a panic, scared. Earlier, Emma had contacted her with sobs still audible, despite the woman's attempts to hold them back. Her mother was critical, and she was asked to come to the hospital immediately. Hastily, she sought permission from her boss, honestly stating that she needed to see her mother's condition.Adaline arrived at her mother's hospital room. Every time she was there, she felt regret for not being able to provide the best facilities for the woman who raised her. Instead of giving her mother comfort by renting a VVIP or VIP room, Adaline allowed her to be treated in a room shared with three other patients.Adaline desperately wanted to give her mother comfort, but their finances were dwindling day by day. This was all she could afford. It's not that she wasn't trying, but she had to adjust everything to their circumstances. All the money from her father's allowance had been used for he