ADELE'S STANDPOINT
I drove my car into my home only to find my friends packing stuff into Lana's new car and looking all dressed up and ready to go out. Ever since they moved here two weeks ago, I got used to them showing up unannounced in my house. Kieran and her husband already travelled back to the Philippines about two days ago, so it was just Lana and Lu Cheng, storming my home at the best time ever. My mood from the incident at Excellency Modeling Agency still accompanied me home, despite Arsenio's efforts to cheer me up. I had to return home earlier than usual__as Mayven already succeeded in ruining my mood. After I'd packed my car at my garage, I walked to them and they grinned at me instantly. However, their smiles left their faces immediately they noticed my sullen mood. "Dela, what happened? You don't look so great." Lana stated immediately. "True she doesn't. Good thing you're here, we've just finished packing some casual but necessary items from your home." I gave Cheng a puzzled look. "Just get in the car Adele, we'll talk about it on the way. We need some girlie time together anyways." She said, shoving me into the passenger side of the red sedan car. I sighed and obediently wore my seatbelt. There's no point arguing with them anyway, they won't listen. I watch them throw the remaining of the items into the booth before they finally joined me in the car. Lu Cheng by the wheel beside me and pregnant Lana at the back seat. It wasn't long before Cheng started the car and soon directed it out of my home and into the streets.______ Guess where I finally found myself? Oh well, at the beach. All thanks to the girls' amazing idea. Coming here wasn't a bad idea considering how much I needed to think and ease my heavy heart. "Don't you like it here?" Cheng asked with a concerned look in her chestnut brown eyes. "Of course I do. Just that I can't seem to get over the incident at Arsenio's today." I looked towards Lana, she was happily walking by the beach and dipping her legs in the water. "Really? Something unpleasant must have happened then. Does it have anything to do with him?" "No. Not really." I bent my knees beneath me and stretched my knuckles. "I'll call Lana over so we can talk about it. You in?" She asked. I nodded a yes and watched her called Lana over. "Lana stop running. Girl, you're pregnant!" I raised my gaze towards her and to my amazement she was really running. "Oh C'mmon Lu Cheng. I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't run you know, I'm still Lana." She grinned and slowed down her pace. "Aye-aye Miss, just come sit." Lu Cheng chuckled. I smiled as Lana reached us and sat beside us on the picnic mat. "So who was it that got you so pissed?" I looked at Lana and sighed. "Carlo's Ex, Mayven." "What?! How's that possible? The last time I checked, that bitch was home in the Philippines, throwing herself around in a bid to become a model. How did this happened?" Lu Cheng asked, her rage rising with her voice. I could already feel she was really angry. Who wouldn't be? Considering what Mayven did to me. "I don't understand Dela. Did she call you or did she send you those damned messages again?! Tell me. I'm ready to fly back to the Philippines and have her entire career ruined." Lana gushed angrily as well. "Apparently, she happened to be a new contracted model in Excellency Modeling Agency." I announced, pushing the strands of hair off my face as it was starting to get windy here. "What the heck!" "OMG!" "Actually, I don't care what she's doing with her life. My anger is that, I saw her wearing my couture design for the upcoming Relish Fashion Show." "No. No don't tell me she's gonna model that amazing piece. She doesn't deserve it." Cheng frowned. "Yeah and we can't let her. Not after all she did. I can swear she's still not repentant, right Dela?" "She's still a bitch to the core. She insulted me straight up on seeing me and realizing I designed the dress. She said many things to hurt me and she almost succeeded. Seeing her brought back unpleasant memories in me I thought was buried deep inside me and long forgotten." I exhaled sharply as my eyes pooled again but I quickly blinked back the tears. "Oh Adele," "Don't let someone so damned get to you." The girls tried to encourage me and I smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not letting her." I pursed my lips. "Thankfully, Arsenio was understanding and decided he'll let me choose anyone else aside her." I added. "Wow, that's amazing." Lana smiled, her lovely dimples revealing. "This Arsenio guy, personally I think he's into you. Don't you agree Lana?" Cheng grinned, Lana looked at me and immediately started slurping on the drink beside her in an attempt to avoid answering Cheng's question. "Oh not again, Cheng. Not now." I swat her laps slightly. She gave me an innocent grin. "Fine. You both are no fun.' She eyed us. Lana continued sipping from the juice can absentmindedly and I rolled my eyes from Cheng. "By the way, who's gonna be the new model for your dress? Have any in mind?" She asked. "I'm thinking Sheila. You know her? She's an international model but also works for Arsenio. From what I think, my design would look perfect on her even more than it does on Mayven." "I don't know this girl but I say yes. Anyone not Mayven is perfect for the job." Cheng said as she lay flat on her back. "I know her. She's got really nice body, She'll do just fine and I believe, win you the trophy." Lana said approvingly. Amongst all three of my friends, she was the number one fashion freak and sometimes even more than myself. Lu Cheng was the least fashionable one amongst us. "Thank you girls." I smiled at them. "You're welcome only if you'll agree to go swimming." "Lana? You're pregnant girl, we know you love swimming a lot but not now, it could be dangerous for your health and that of my godson." Cheng chided, sitting up straight to proof her point. She stared at Lana's bulging stomach and sighed, raising her hand to touch it while Lana watched her with a bored look on. "My darling boy, I'm sorry your mom had to be so 'unreasonable' sometimes." She glared at her. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to continue keeping her on the right track. You know, she's inexperienced that's why." "You done?" Lana sprang up and started running to the water again, while shouting to Cheng about swimming being healthy for pregnant women too and that Cheng should do proper research. Cheng chased after her shouting that she stopped running and blabbing about it being unhealthy and bla bla. I laughed as I watched them. They're always so amusing. "What are you doing? Hurry and join us." I raised my gaze to find Cheng back, pulling me to stand up and join them.Oh well, that wouldn't be a bad idea. I laughed as I dive into the water.______ARSENIO'S POV "So do you think you'll be able to do it? Alright, see you soon Sheila." I dropped the phone on my desk and sank into my bed. My mind traveled back to the incident at the company with Adele and Mayven as my eyes traveled around the wall of my exquisite room. Her photos were everywhere in my home, but they're more in my room. Call me obsessed, I don't care. I just know that I've been in love with Adele for a really long time now. Sadly, she doesn't seem to know or pretends not to know. There's something about her_probably from her past, that she's not saying. I've watched her since I knew her for about four and half years now and no matter how she tries to pretend she's fine, I could tell she's suffering from depression. Most times when with her, she just zones out. Like, she's lost in some unseen place for a long time. It took a lot of effort from my part before I could get her to be friends with me. Adele is beautiful, independent, successful, smart and intelligent. But there's one thing she doesn't have_happiness. For the first time since I met her, I saw her cried. She cried so convulsively it hurt so much. While hugging her warm endowed body against mine, I just wanted her in my arms forever. It felt right_like she belonged here with me. How am I gonna help her if she's not willing to share her story with me? I've tried several times already but she'd turned me down politely. What am I going to do to make her trust me? I want her to be happy. It wasn't nice seeing those tears that seem to weigh a lot. Stalking her isn't helping matters. I only managed to find out were she lived. I took a guess on her favorite flower because it's clearly obvious from the red rose plants in her home and the ones surrounding her fashion house. One thing was certain though, I'm helplessly in love with her and I won't stop loving her because I can't even stop. I'll continue to stick to her side until she gets overly comfortable with me. Whatever it is, I'll keep trying to help her move on.NARRATIVE She walked into the studio room feeling a lot better than she was the previous day. Immediately she walked in, everyone inside and the air suddenly became tensed and she noticed how they were all looking at her, while mumbling to one another. Adele's shoulders dropped that instant. "Oh common guys, don't be like that. I'm sorry about yesterday." She paused midway inside the studio. "We've always been a great team or haven't we?" "Adele, you were really scary yesterday." The camera guy, Damien said with a soft chuckle. The others nodded poutingly in agreement and Adele sighed, rubbing her hand against her grey suit. "I know and I'm sorry, really." She pouted and that did the trick. The whole team consisting over eight people burst out laughing.They always found it hard to resist her when she did that. They include; the camera team, the makeup team, the hair dressing team and her own team, the dress team. Yes, two assistants from her company were right besi
CARLO'S POV I walked into the elevator with John, my private agent. "How did it go? Were you able to get any audience with her family?" I asked, a bit hopeful. "I'm afraid, it wasn't successful Mr Rodriguez. They didn't let me in or responded to my emails, texts or calls. I've heard no word from them all through the six times we've attempted. I dare to say, you should give up on this quest. I asked around and no one has seen her in years neither did they want to talk about her. It's like she's disappeared from the Philippines." He said and I smiled sadly. "It's fine John. I guess we have to stop sending people over." I said. The elevator door opened at the last floor and we stepped out, heading towards the exit as the employees bowed low in greeting when they saw me. My phone rang in that moment and I retrieved it from pants pocket. Alvin was calling. "Boss, I have news for you about that lady." He said immediately the call connected. I froze on my steps instantly.
ADELE'S POV I had baby Celestine in my arms while Holly was busy doing _only her knows what_ on my toes. I'm in there home. Their dad, John was out and their Mom, Lu Cheng was sitting across me, surfing the web while chewing on a gum I think have been long enough in her mouth. I mean, since I came in here directly from work, she's been chewing on that gum and that's about one hour and some minutes ago. Coming here directly after I closed at the office, helped in easing my mind greatly. It's a good thing they moved here, now my life could be a little bit better. Immediately I rang their doorbell and Cheng had ushered me in, my eyes caught sight of her kids and my sour mood left me instantly. Her kids are so adorable, so much one could think of stealing them. We talked about random stuff and laughed over pretty much silly stuff. Celestine was sucking on his thumb playfully and occasionally, he'll let out those adorable babyish gibberish and giggle over absolutely not
NARRATIVE Alvin stared at the laptop before him, quietly lost in his thoughts. He was right. This lady here was his boss's woman.He'd searched out the name DeLa's Fashion House on the Internet and an exquisite building having about ten stories popped on his laptop screen and right there he started his investigations. Adele Rivera is the CEO of DeLa's Fashion House, one of the top five most famous and successful fashion designing companies in New York City and also among the top ten in America.She's quite a successful beauty...he noted. However it was surprising how they couldn't find her all this while. That was because, she was in the country they never thought she'll be. They were searching the wrong places all this while, no doubt.Alvin had been to the company few hours ago and had discreetly surveyed the area with hopes of seeing her walk out or drive out but he got nothing. We've found her now, so what next? He mused as his finger tapped on the 'enter' key on his k
NARRATIVE It was as early as 7:00am when Alvin pulled up his car close to DeLa's Fashion House. He wanted to affirm that he read correctly. Not so long afterwards, as he tapped his fingers slightly against the stirring wheel, he noticed an ash colored sedan car driving into the company. He sat upright and observed, noticing how the security guards greeted the occupant respectfully and his instinct told him it was her. Alvin's suspicion was confirmed when the car pulled up and several guards hurried to it. A guard opened the door and the moment the beautiful auburn haired CEO walked out, they all greeted her respectfully. He observed as she was escorted into the building and he nodded slightly to himself.I was right after all... On second thought, Alvin decided to search out the latest concerning the CEO; her relationships if there was any. Silently, he hoped she was still single. As he scrolled through the laptop by his side on the passenger seat, he came across sever
ADELE'S POV No matter how hard I thought of who to call when my car suddenly broke down at the highway, I ended up calling Arsenio. Why? Because he's the only friend I know I wouldn't be inconveniencing at that moment. I couldn't call Lu Cheng out in a weather like this, she have kids to look after. Neither could I call her husband, he's a family man. Lana's pregnant and I can't expect her husband to leave her side on a rainy day because of me. It wouldn't make sense. I called my personal mechanic, he wasn't available at the moment. I couldn't think of anyone else because of the introverted life I've lived since I moved here. My only option turned out to be Arsenio and I'm grateful he was able to come for me. "Thank you Arsenio, I'll make it up to you one day." I said raising my gaze when I felt the car pulled up as I had my eyes closed all through the ride. "It's nothing. I'm glad you called me." He smiled. I took that opportunity to look around and I found the environmen
NARRATIVE "Ouch!" Sheila winched as the assistant tried to zip her dress. She was staring at her reflection in the dressing room with a little bit of satisfaction. The golden, royal-looking flowing dress was stunning and fitted her perfectly. This was the dress she'd be wearing as DeLa's Fashion House model, if they were able to make it to the second stage of the fashion contest. "I'm sorry, Miss. I see it's a little too tight. I'll fix this immediately." The assistant apologized as she zipped down the dress from Sheila's body. "Sure," She assisted by raising her long hair that was sprawled across her back with both hands, pushing it to a side of her shoulders. "Where's Miss Adele by the way? Today's the last photoshoot and I noticed she's not here yet. Is she alright?" Sheila asked as soon as the dress was off her body. "Miss Adele's caught a cold, she won't be coming today." The assistant responded. "Oops! That's bad, I'll call her after the shoot's over." "Al
NARRATIVE "My Rodriguez, it's a pleasure to have you here. Please come with me." The middle aged CEO of the Relish Industries said as he led the way through the gathering crowd towards the reserved VVIP section of the large hall where the Relish Fashion Contest, was holding. Carlo who was on a disguise_as he had dark sunglasses over his eyes and a mask over his nose and mouth, nodded slightly in acknowledgement to the older man while his eyes roamed searchingly, over the already filled up hall. Alvin was right beside him and several security guards escorted them until he got to his seat and they retired slightly at a corner behind him. The moment he was seated in his private VVIP section of the hall, his eyes still scanned around, looking to see if he'd find her. At this moment, Adele and her team were just arriving, Lana and Lu Cheng, her best friends, didn't fail to come too. While they walked in, Adele had to pause and exchange pleasantries severally with some business