The talk of her and Sebastian getting a divorce was the least of Andrea’s concerns right now. It had been days since the announcement and she had received tons of messages from all kinds of people. But just as Sebastian instructed, she gave no comment whatsoever.What she focused on for a while was moving into their new villa and finding a doctor who is keen on anonymity for her pregnancy and Madeline’s healing.As of now, she had to know her father’s side of the story. Because as she remembered, Laura said that he was a horrible partner and that he left them before she was even born. Her mother drilled it in her mind that her father never wanted her.But she listened as Eugene tried to explain, though overwhelmed with mixed emotions of rage and confusion by what Laura had told their daughter. “I didn’t know about you. Laura, she- she was the one who left me after realizing that back then, I was failing as a filmmaker. Just now did I realize that she was using me to get into acting. S
“You’re about to pop and you’re still so active!” Andrea instantly recognized the voice as she dropped the paintbrush she was using to color the nursery. She turned around and as she expected, Ren was by the door, grinning from ear to ear. Her feet moved to run towards the person before her brain even thought of it.“Oh my god, Ren! You’re here!” The best friends hugged each other, although unsuccessfully due to the large bump between them. So instead, they had an awkward side hug which made them laugh.Ren leveled down to rub Andrea’s prominent belly and talked to it, “Of course, I didn’t forget about you, dearie. You’re the reason I’m here after all! You’re mom’s just a side effect.” They laughed some more at this before settling down at the villa’s parlor.“So, how’s everything with the baby?” Ren started.“Well, she’s doing great. Doctor Kane said that the earlier complications haven’t affected the pregnancy. Phew, thank goodness.” Andrea wiped an invisible sweat on her forehead a
It’s been three years since that sudden intense encounter, but Sebastian still thought about it from time to time. When he was rushed to the hospital, everyone was confused at how the doctors found nothing wrong with him. Even when they went for a second opinion, then a third, until the tenth where his grandfather had the best team of doctors be transported from different parts of the world.But they came up with the same conclusion as the first. He was in his prime and the numerous tests confirmed it.Then what was that feeling? It felt like his abdomen was being squished by an unseen force while his bones were simultaneously breaking off. After that, any physical pain that he’d experience can’t compare.Edmond coughing beside him cut off Sebastian’s thoughts. He looked at his grandfather who, always at this time of the year, looked more fragile than stern, more flawed than perfect. The look of a father who has lost his son. “Thank you for coming this year, Sebastian,” the old man sa
Just one look at the well-toned back and Andrea knew right away who it was talking to her daughter. Why did he come? She knew for sure he wouldn’t be present at his father’s grave specifically on this date. And the chairman always came around sunset to visit his son, which was why she chose to bring Anastasia in the morning. So what was his business coming here?Andrea was so frustrated with herself and relieved at finding her toddler that she didn’t think about the consequence and screamed, “Ana!”Each step felt like lead was chained to her ankles but she pushed through and sped to take Anastasia away from the man. She took the opportunity of Sebastian still turning around to rush past him and run away as fast as her feet could.The confusion on Sebastian’s face was mirrored in Anastasia’s but her mother didn’t care. Andrea heard him say something but refused to listen. Her daughter didn’t help by squirming from her hold. “Mama, down.” It was at this age that the toddler didn’t want
“Wait, he saw both of you at the cemetery?” Ren almost made the entire house shake with her booming question. After a whole day of making Anastasia forget what happened at the cemetery, both the adults were tired from the toddler’s boundless energy. Now, they got to drink beer on the patio by themselves to unwind while talking about what actually took place.“Shhh!” Andrea winced at her voice. She just settled her daughter to bed and didn’t have the strength to chase the kid around the house again. That girl could tire out even a high-endurance athlete. “You’re going to wake her up,” she sharply whispered.Ren’s widened eyes quickly slanted at her and replied with the same harsh but silent tone, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could have done something before we left there! Wait, what did he say when he saw you? Did he talk like the shitbag that he was again? Tell me, Andy!” Her empty can of beer was dropped on the table as Ren continually shook Andrea by the shoulders.“Ren, relax!
A thick, emerald, and ivory envelope placed in the center of his office desk welcomed Sebastian as he entered. It was detailed with fine, gold lines that made it look more exquisite. His name, Sebastian Adams, was embossed on the paper. He gave it a mystified look before holding it up to his eye level.“What’s this?” He asked in his cranky tone as soon as Robert closed the door. It was the manner of speaking that people around him had become accustomed to for three years.Another day of countless meetings, supervising productions, and dealing with stakeholders. Usual CEO stuff. But due to his recent actions against a few employees like the executive he just fired before, Sebastian had to take on more tasks than what he, as the corporate leader, had to do. And it always left him tired and more irritable at the end of the day. But it was his choice of not ever taking a break, overworking himself to death.That meant he didn’t want to deal with whatever party invitation the envelope held
“Dawen, over theyr!” Anastasia pointed at a toy store with such pep that she was able to tug the six-foot-three, sturdy man. She proceeded to pull his arm thinking that it will get them there faster.“Alright, Ana, we’re going. You don’t have to pull me hard,” Darren chuckled as he tried to calm the toddler down after she saw a life-size Iron Man figurine by the shop’s entrance. They didn’t know who to blame for why Anastasia had such a fascination and abundant knowledge of superheroes when they weren’t sure who allowed her to watch those kinds of movies. Though, Andrea suspected it may have been her father, Eugene. That was how the two bonded after all, by marathoning countless movies.They got to the store’s open glass doors and Anastasia exclaimed in excitement, “Woaah! It’s him! It’s Ayon Man!” She got up to the figure and waved hello. Darren continued to watch her with an affectionate smile, trying to get the inanimate statue’s attention to no avail. Had it been three years alrea
“We home!” The door opened as Anastasia dashed with her small feet toward her mother who was slaving away in the kitchen. She was followed by Darren who looked visibly drained trudging along with the bags almost touching the floor. It looked like they came from two very different places.Andrea laughed as she picked her daughter up. “I told you not to take her to the mall alone, but you didn’t listen. Now, look where that got you.” Darren approached them and tousled the top of Anastasia’s hair, making her giggle. “It was worth it because we had fun the whole day, didn’t we, Ana?”The toddler energetically nodded her head and showed her new toy to Andrea. “And we got baby Ayon Man!” Darren winced, forgetting to tell Anastasia not to show it. Andrea had warned him beforehand about buying anything unnecessary.But her mother wasn’t angry, she instead gave a confused look and asked, “Baby Iron Man?” Darren proceeded to explain to her the huge debacle regarding the toy’s life-sized counter