Chapter 1

She's in the office, making some changes to the layout that they will present later to their client. While she was busy with what she was doing, she did not realize that her friend was already in her office, who was also working with her on this project.

"Sis," Beth began beaming, "I heard that the owner of the Gariellemo resort is handsome," Beth continued, before pouting.

 

 "But it's a pity that he's married, "she couldn't stop laughing at Beth's reaction.

 

"Just look for someone else. Do you intend to pursue a career as a hooker? '' I said while still laughing. Beth just rolled her eyes while still talking about the owner of Gabriellemo Resort.

 

"I don't care about the owner; I care about the work," she says. 

"It's better if you just go over the presentations so you're doing something."

"Excuse me, sis," Beth says as she points to the laptop on my desk, saying, "I've finished reviewing the presentation and everything is OK. Only the layout is needed. "

"That's good. And as for the layout, I'm still working on it since Engr. Galvante made an adjustment. " Her friend Beth simply nodded and walked away.

 

She finished the layout after a minute or so and went out to the company to buy coffee. When she entered the cafe near her workplace, she immediately ordered coffee, but she was surprised when someone called her name. She froze because she recognized that voice. 

"Freya, hija, it's good to see you." she turned and gaped as her suspicions were confirmed.

"It's great to see you, Mrs. V-Victoria Grace H-Herrera," she said pleasantly, despite her nervousness.

"Don't be too formal, honey; just call me Aunt Grace like before," Grace said with a sweet smile on her lips as she looked at me.

"What are you doing here, Aunt Grace? I inquired as I looked around, wondering if she was accompanied by someone.

"I would have just passed by, but I saw you. So I approached you immediately. " Freya was nervous when Grace held her hand and guided her out of the cafe. She would have asked where they were going when Grace suddenly spoke, "Let's eat; it's already launch time and you have a lot to tell me," she said. Freya didn't refuse because she missed Grace too.

As soon as they arrived, she immediately got out of the car and went inside a fancy restaurant. As they walked into the restaurant, a waiter greeted them and guided them to their table. Grace immediately ordered as they sat down. 

"Do you want to add anything else? " Grace asked. In response, she simply shook her head. 

"That's it," Grace said to the waiter.

 

Then Grace returned her gaze to her. "Freya Hija, I haven't seen you in a long time. What happened to you? " Grace asked her while holding her hand and squeezing it. "You didn't even say goodbye to me."Grace said, with a sulky tone.

 

Freya didn't want to answer but she didn't have a choice. "I had to leave because my older brother required assistance from our company in the States." Partly yes, that's the reason why she left, but the main reason is that she is hiding her daughter.

 

"Come on, I know that's not the real reason why you left suddenly," Grace said, eyes twinkling.

  

"What do you mean, Aunt Grace?" she asked, with complete confusion in her face.

 

"I knew that you were pregnant back then because when Dr. Simson and I met, she asked me if you were doing OK.I asked her why, because I got confused why an obstetrician asked about you, and that's when she told me that you are pregnant and your pregnancy is delicate, so she said that we should take good care of you.

"You know, all along?" She asked while her hands were over her mouth.

Grace immediately nods with a smile on her lips, "but I was more shocked when Zeus told me that you left because you already know the truth.We didn't even know where you were, but that hasn't stopped me. I went looking for you and when I saw that you were in good hands with your brother, I didn't bother you anymore. I respect that you hid your pregnancy from us, because I know you were in pain at that time, but I never stopped going to the states just to see you and my granddaughter. "

"Then why didn't you show yourself to us?" She asked, still shocked that she couldn't process the details that Aunt Grace was telling her.

"You might run away again, but Astraea knows that I'm her grandma. I showed up to her when I saw her in the park playing. I could no longer bear not to touch my granddaughter or talk to her." She saw Aunt Grace's eyes sparkle with delight while talking. She didn't know that Aunt Grace was doing that for a long time. She thought that no one knew about her pregnancy, but it looks like it's not.

"That's why Astraea always wants to go to that park," she said, laughing, thinking that she always asked her daughter what was so special about that park that she always wanted to go back there.

 

"Well, I told her that was our meeting place and I also told her that she shouldn't tell you that we were meeting because I know you will be afraid that I will tell Zeus about Astraea, but don't worry, Zeus won't know about this, I promise." Aunt Grace holds her hand and smiles at her. She also smiled. She could breathe a sigh of relief now knowing her secret would be safe with Grace.

 

After they were done eating, they immediately left the restaurant, and Aunt Grace took her to her workplace. It took a long time before they arrived at her workplace. She got out of the car right away, said her goodbyes to Grace, and entered the company building.

Girl!!!" Beth exclaimed, causing her to shift her attention.

Why are you yelling so loudly? I asked irritatedly.

"Because the owner of Gabriellemo resort has already arrived, where have you been?" She did not answer Beth's question. Instead, she started walking fast because they were late and she didn't want them to wait. She immediately prepared herself before entering the conference room. 

"Good afternoon, everyone—" she said, but was cut off when someone spoke up. 

"Your late Ms Ilustre." She was taken aback when she recognized the owner of that baritone voice. She couldn't speak due to the shock and fear she was feeling. She had not expected their paths to cross again. 

Long minutes passed before she could speak. "I'm sorry, sir," I couldn't take my gaze away from the man at the other end of the conference table.

"Now, present your presentation; I don't have all day to wait for you." His voice was very cold while looking at her. She immediately complied and presented. As she spoke, she glanced at him, and when their eyes met, Zeus had this cold-eyed stare at her. 

"Is that all? " Zeus said abruptly, causing her to stop talking. "The design, particularly on the gazebo, does not appeal to me. I want to keep the eco-friendly garden design with a classic touch. " Zeus says, while still staring at her.

"Don't worry, sir," Freya calmly replied.We can email the spare design we have to your secretary if you want to add or change something, and if you liked any of the ones we sent, we will change them as soon as possible.

"There's no need because you, Ms. Ilustre, will stay and speak with me about this," Zeus stated as he went slowly to the front of the room and looked around. "All of you can leave now; I believe Ms. Ilustre can handle this." He looked at me, and that made my heart beat so fast.

"Right, Ms. ilustre?" Zeus asked.

 

Freya replied with a nod. People, including her friend Beth, left the conference room as soon as the "meeting adjourned" was announced.

"So, Mr. Herrera, what are your specific concerns? If you're looking for a different design, I have a number of options that I could show you right now." Freya said, as she took a deep breath and tried to relax.

"Is that how you treat your ex? Ms. Ilustre?" Zeus said as he slowly walked towards her. Freya stepped back because she was intimidated by Zeus' penetrating gaze.

"Let's not get personal here, Mr. Herrera; we're talking about business. " She said, as she tried to relax because their bodies were only a few inches apart.

 

"Really, Freya, after you've left me, do you have the audacity to say that?" She saw how Zeus's face darkened.

 

"What are you talking about, Mr. Herrera?" Freya asked, fighting the uneasiness that had taken over her body. "And, Mr. Herrera, please move away from me; you're making me uncomfortable." She pushed Zeus hard, and it quickly moved away from her.

He scoffed mockingly. "Really? You're not going to explain why you left me without saying goodbye, and now that I've seen you, you're just pretending you don't know who I am," Zeus said, holding back his anger.

Her blood immediately boiled off what she heard. "So, are you hurt because I left you?" Freya sarcastically asked, pointing to Zeus's chest, "The agony that you are feeling right now is not enough for the sorrow that you have given me."

Freya is trying hard not to cry because she doesn't want Zeus to see that she is weak and still affected by their past. "I trusted you, yet you lied to me. "

"As far as I recall, I didn't lie or cheat on you," Zeus said, averting his gaze. "I don't know why you left me, Freya, because you were the only woman in my life at the time." 

The only woman in your life? I have my doubts, but... it has already happened; why don't we just forget the past; you and I have both moved on. " Freya said as she wiped her tears streaming down her cheeks.

Zeus grabbed her by both arms and locked his gaze on her. 

"OK, fine with me if you don't explain yourself. What I want to know about..." Zeus shut his eyes because of the frustration he was feeling. "Is she my child, the girl who was with you when we met at the mall?

Because of what she'd heard, she felt as if cold water had been dumped on her. She has no idea how to respond to Zeus. "W-what?" she asks. She's at a loss as to what to do.

"I'm just asking you, Freya, is she my daughter or not? " Seeing Zeus furious made her even more nervous.

"Really?" she asked sarcastically, trying to mask her true feelings. "How did you come up with such an idea, Zeus?" Freya didn't show that the question had an effect on her.

"It's... because she has green eyes like mine and the necklace. Astraea said that her dad gave it to her and that explains everything, so please, Freya, tell me the truth," Zeus said, whispering, while loosening his tight grip on her arm. Zeus looked into her eyes as if pleading with her to tell him the truth.

As she stared into Zeus' emerald eyes, she scoffed. "You're not the only one with such eyes, Zeus, and you're not the only man in my life, and about the necklace, forget about it, Zeus, stop making assumptions because that's not the concrete evidence to base that Astraea was your daughter." She said, fighting the nervousness she was feeling, Zeus shouldn't know that she was lying.

 

Zeus shakes his head in disbelief, "I know you were lying..." Zeus took a threatening step while gritting his teeth and said, "And if I find out the truth that Astraea is my daughter, I will take her with you and you will never see her again." After saying those words, Zeus left her. Her legs turn to jelly after hearing Zeus' words, and she knows he's capable of doing so; after all, he's powerful, and getting Astraea to her is simple for Zeus.