Once everything was set in order according to my plan, I was thinking about where I should trip and have a long month's vacation. Europe? New Zealand? Or Hawaii. What about the Philippines? I've heard the country has countless breath-taking spots in that country. White sand beaches. Clear oceans and rivers. Historical buildings and sights. Food. I'd love to try and experience their scrumptious delicacies. Lechon. Adobo. What else could there be? Clarisse is expected to be heartbroken and devastated about his brother's arrest, so I'm taking her with me. Dad would certainly be pleased and would support me with that decision. "It's a long story to tell, Dom. A very serious one." Charlie speaks out, finally. "But I'm afraid I can't tell you everything about it yet, and I was hoping for your kind consideration." Kind consideration, huh? I heave a sigh at that. How am I supposed to understand and bestow him my kind consideration if he didn't even
“Waiter!” Charlie waves at the nearest male server.While Charlie is busy giving the server our orders, I also occupied myself scanning all corners of the place. I had to know the ins and outs of the building in case things could go south.The grand lobby of the hotel shimmered with elegance, marble floors gleaming under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers.“Do you have additional orders, babe? I ordered all your favorite foods, but I’m not sure if you still crave them because of what happened last night.” Charlie asks.Charlie’s confession undeniably caught me by surprise. We have known each other for weeks, yet he already knew my favorites.Did he do some research about me? I knew nothing about Charlie apart from that he’s my wife’s older brother.Beats me. Digging about him would only be like wasting a minute of my precious time. I mean, who does that these days? Are new couples in this generation required to know all that stuff?I didn’t even know what his favorite color is.His
Who could have thought I was this wild and aggressive whenever I'm too wasted? Perhaps this old saying about drunk people telling the truth or expressing their true feelings unknowingly every time they're drunk is indeed proven true.I, for one, am proof. "Wait. Did we have sex last night? Did the bastard take advantage of me being drunk?" I cleared my mind and quickly checked my body, searching for possible pain. The last thing I remember about what happened last night, and before everything turned dark, was when Charlie helped me to the bathroom as I kept throwing up. He even helped me patch the wound on my lips. Since then, nothingness consumed me. I felt pain all over my body, but I think it's not about that. It's about my head that keeps spinning. I looked around, searching for some used condoms, scattered clothes, or anything that could be used to prove my innocence.Charlie must have cleaned them up before leaving my condo, as the entire place became spotless. I didn’t see a
“Is proving my innocence not that important to you, Dad? Do you want me to get imprisoned instead of the real killer then? For the love of God! Are you even my father?” Resentment grows inside me when memories of the past suddenly flash above my head. I couldn’t even dare open my mouth every time Dad beat me to death when I was a child because it scared me, especially when he was holding something in his hands. Broomstick. Plates. Glasses. Or even electrical appliances. No matter what that is, as long as he was holding it. He would smash it on me without hesitation. Without even considering that a feeble kid like me might die if it hits a crucial part of my body. But I had already had enough of his maltreatment. I am already twenty-six years old, and I know my rights in this family. The kind of right that even a father could not take away from me. He can’t beat me like this every time he wants. I won’t let him. “Excuse me?” Dad blurted, his voice filled with irritation and dis
“Of course, I’m not scaring anyone here, especially you, Madam Mayor.” I retorted with caution. “It is simply to remind you about the indestructible bonds between our families. I believed Dad would be devastated and heartbroken once he knew you tried to kill his only son, the future of Jones Group and Companies.”Then I stood up, fixing my tuxedo.“You already have the evidence to prove my innocence, Madam Mayor,” I added. “It’s up to you now how you are going to use that.”After resolving the issue, Mr. Allen and I headed back to the mansion. Halfway through, countless messages popped up on my phone’s screen.Messages from Charlie.First message: “Hi, babe. What are you up to right now?”Second message: “Are you ready for tomorrow?” Then he attached a photo of himself half-naked.I didn’t expect Charlie to be this kind of man. He’s not only clingy but also naughty.Third message: “I couldn’t wait to have sex with you again. Perhaps I should invite myself to your place, and we’ll have
“That’s our big boss! That’s the kind of Dominick Roy de Guzman that we know of. Cold and heartless.” Mr. Allen proudly announced, his downward smile reflected in the mirror. “But, boss. Are you sure about putting Mr. Frost in prison? What if your wife intervenes and won’t let you?”That hurts my pride, but I’ll take that as a compliment. Charlie is Clarisse’s older brother, to begin with. He’s the closest family to her, and she’s too proud of him.I already expected her to stop me from doing what could hurt her or her brother. And I believe she will do everything in her power to stop me.Does she think she alone is enough to stop me?Of course, not! I won’t let her win this time. This is my best chance to prove that I’m not just anyone they can manipulate.I am the new CEO of Jones Group and Companies. I had to prove that the crown belongs to no one but me. Not even Dad could stop me.“Then she’s giving me enough reason to divorce her. Dad hates traitors in the family. You, of all pe