***The next morning, Stella woke up without Charles in bed. She got off the bed and searched for him but even his case was not there. Did he leave super early? She asked herself.“It must really be a big problem I caused,” Stella murmured.For breakfast, Stella head downstairs and saw them waiting for her. Crolletta, Charles’ mother Emilia and the rest of the aunts were there together with Verna. She was a bit shy to face them again.At the dining table, they talked about her pregnancy and about getting her a doctor that’s in the city. Of course, she needed to refuse since Doctor Akira has been great to her and Stella didn’t want to replace her good doctor.“But, my dear! There are family doctors that are more convenient in need of--”“With all due respect, grandma, I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with them like I’m comfortable with my current doctor,” she interrupted. It is a bit rude of her to not let Crolletta finish but … it’s absurd to change doctors.Crolletta took a deep bre
Crolletta started marching toward Stella and Felius with a straight face. Stella was too stunned to speak and answer Crolletta’s question while Felius had a smile, an excited one.“My love! What a surprise visit from you!” Felius went over to the other side and embraced Crolletta like they aren’t living in the same place. “I was in the middle of telling Stella the importance of having an ace.”“You are not supposed to, my love.” Crolletta coldly broke free from Felius’ embrace and looked at Stella. “My dear, if you were bored, you could have come to me. A young woman like you is supposed to be taking knitting lessons and taking tea breaks.”“But Stella wants to learn something and she just came to talk about Charles and I have led--”“Hush, my love!” Crolletta raised a finger and Felius zip his mouth close immediately. “Stella, let’s have tea near the garden.”“But Grandma,” Stella glance at Crolletta apologetically and the old woman raised a brow, “I would not disrespect you in any w
It was a boring afternoon when Jenkins decided that he wants to drive around the city. He was just about to descend the staircase when he remembers Stella. A smirk then formed his mouth marching towards Charles’ door. As soon as Jenkins was in front of the door, he raises his fist and knock five times. He always knock on the doors five times. There’s just something about the three times that he hates the most and so he made it five.Just some moments later, the door opened revealing Stella’s unhappy face. Jenkins’ smirk immediately faded and as soon as it did, Stella flashes him a smile. But he notices the wiped tears on the corner of her eyes, her lashes were even wet to begin with.“Is this a bad timing?” he asked.“No, no, why would you think that?” She even chuckled but he knows better of those wet lashes. “Nothing. Just your voice seems disheartened or maybe it is just my boredom.” He faked a giggle, beaming at her. “Would you like to come with me?”“Where to?” Looks like he g
In the lobby, Stella and Jenkins stayed, waiting for Jason’s secretary to come back. They could have barged inside Jason’s office but Stella wanted them to stay on a low profile and do the normal protocol. Jenkins would choose otherwise but he decided to stick with her.“What are we even doing in here?” Stella asked, looking around at the designs.“Nothing. Just want to know how my rivals are doing.”“I remember you said you’d be the heir so why are you still checking them out?”“Silly you, Stella.” Jenkins released a short sob of laughter, looking at her with a smirk. “It’s not about the selection. My bad for referring to them as my rivals. I meant I just want to see how my cousins are doing with their work.”Twitching her lips to the side, Stella noticed sarcasm in what Jenkins stated. But what is she even doing here? She should have stayed in the car and waited for Jenkins.“I think this is a bad idea coming here,” she stated.“How so?” he immediately countered, his curious eyes fo
Charles had a long day and a surprise freakin’ visit from Andrea. What he hated is the fact that she was acting too friendly, too clingy, hugging him all of a sudden. He has to break away without acting like an asshole. Why did he even put himself in this stupid situation?Like he always was, Charles got home late, around two in the morning. This was always his ideal go home time; even sometimes he doesn’t go home but to his condo near his company or worse he stays in his office. But it’s different when Stella’s in the picture.As soon as he got inside their room, he closed the door softly to avoid waking Stella up. It’s not like she could hear it but still, it was better not to risk her sleep.Just when he turned around and enter the doorway to their bedroom, he pauses when he saw who kept the lamp on and off. Stella, looking like one of those ghosts in a horror film.“Jeez, baby!” He held a hand on his chest. “What are you doing and awake? It’s late.”“Yes, it’s late.” She finally
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Jason had a frown, blinking as he shakes his head slightly. “Contract? What contract? Is that with Charles?”“It’s not important anymore, Jason. No one knows and you said I could trust you. So please keep it as it is.”This sudden news kept Jason at his feet. His brain is processing this a little slow. Stella is leaving? But what is that act about loving Charles? “I’ll keep it but just— help me understand, Stella. Why are you leaving when you said you love Charles and you’re pregnant! Don’t you want a ha—““I do,” she interrupts him. “But there are things that just won’t click because you want it.”“Charles loves you and he wants the child! So what is it that doesn’t click, Stella?”He waited for her to tell him what exactly is her reason but instead she gave him a smile. And just like that Stella cheerfully swayed her hands, humming as she walks ahead of him. It’s like Jason just talked with Jenkins. He knows Stella and Jenkins were close with eac
“What are you plotting, Jenkins?” Jason asked.“The question is, what are you going to do, Jason?” He tilts his head a little to the right. Horror in Jenkins's face in broad daylight. “I wouldn’t talk Stella out of it. I won’t tell what made her decide to leave too. I’m rather tired and it’s the grown-ups thing. I’m just a kid.”“You’re not just a kid,” Jason uttered, remaining calm when he is about to lose cool. His hand was in a fist and he bet Jenkins is happy about it.“I’m still ten,” he said. “If your business with me is over, you should just head back inside. I want my peace right now. A kid should take their nap they say.”Jenkins had motioned his hand and again laid back down as he were before Jason came. He doesn’t have much information obtained but there is one thing that was sure. There was something that happened. But the hell is it?For the few days that Stella stayed in Charles’ room, she had memorized where Charles put most of his stuff. He would always carry the contr
***Charles didn’t know anything about doctor Akira coming to their mansion and now he looks like a fool facing the doctor once again. It looks like everyone knew and when he glances at Stella, she just looked away.The two of them haven’t been talking as much. Every time he wakes up, she is gone. The office has been busier than usual and now it keeps him from getting home earlier than he expected. When he’s home, she’s usually asleep or with the grandparents.So now Stella brought doctor Akira in without mentioning it to him. It’d be rude to just grab Stella for himself.“We meet again, Charles!” Doctor Akira faced to him and he smiled. “I apologize for not bringing up Stella’s pregnancy. I am her doctor after all.”“Of course, I understand, doctor. You didn’t lie but you made me guess and allow me to assume. Good to see you again.”“Should I show you your room, doctor Akari?” Crolletta asked. “It is best for you to rest first. I’m sure you woke up early for your flight!”“Oh, yes! A