“ARE you sure about this, Jan?” Winona asked after he told her his plans.
“Yes,” he said with conviction. “It’s about time for me to meet Katherine. She’s my wife, after all.”
His friend heaved a deep sigh.
“Well, then I must talk to her and arrange your meeting. Oh, I bet we should call it a reunion instead.”
Jan fished out his phone from his pocket and looked around the vineyard before calling Winona. He could not reach her at first, but after a few tries, she finally answered.
“Jan, I’m sorry. I was in the middle of preparation for the ball.”
“You’re busy?”
“Quite. But go on, you may speak.”
“How was it? Have you told her?” His heart started to beat faster than normal. But he did not know if he was feeling excited or nervous.
“I’m meeting her tonight at
“AND now… may we call on the CEO for her closing remarks,” the emcee said on the microphone.Kate rose from her seat; Fernan stood up too and escorted her. Everyone applauded the moment she reached the front.She looked around and smiled.“To the shareholders, guests, friends, families, and of course, our dear employees… thank you very much for joining us as we celebrate the founding anniversary. It has been a tough journey indeed… from the day my father started this little empire until this very day that I am standing here in front of you all. This company is my father’s blood, sweat, and tears… This is not just his legacy but also an important memory, for me at least. So, to everyone who helped and stayed with me until this day, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And may we have more beautiful and successful days ahead of us.” Kate paused and swallowed hard, for she was reminded again of Jan.
JAN decided to follow Katherine and Fernan. He watched them from afar as they ate inside the kid’s favorite cake shop. Yes, he was acting like a stalker, and he just could not help it. Jan did all that as his chest hurt. But when he followed them to the house, that was when he could no longer hold himself back.He fished the phone from his pocket when it buzzed continuously. Winona was calling her. His friend must be checking on him.“Where are you, Jan? I’m here at your place. Are you still out?”“I decided to reveal myself to them—”“What?! Jan, calm down and get back here!” His friend sounded hysterical on the other line. “This is not the right time to—”“And when was the right time, Winona?” he said through gritted teeth. “It seems that I already lost everything to my brother. Why didn’t you tell me that he’s with my wife and they have a daught
JAN’s mother rushed to him and hugged him as she cried. Kate was hoping for a better reunion than that. But what could she do when it was not the case? Now, her husband seemed to be mad at him. He saw her and their daughter with Fernan. It made her think she had betrayed him. If Jan would only know the amount of pain she endured for years while he was gone. But he would not listen to her. His mind must have been clouded with emotions, and he could not think rationally at that moment.“Oh… Jan,” his mom cried.“M-mom…”Kate’s forehead creased when she saw how Jan seemed to be having second thoughts if he would hug his mother back. And then, she came up with a conclusion. However, she kept it to herself. She should listen to whatever Jan would say first.She then turned in the direction of her father-in-law. Unlike his wife, he looked more composed. Well, they needed someone like that at that moment. She cou
JAN tossed and turned to the bed, but no matter what he did, he still could not sleep. That day, he remained in his parents’ home. Even Katherine and her daughter were there, except for his brother. No one knew where Fernan went. He must have escaped or out there, cooling down. Winona had been calling him all night, and he did not answer her calls. Jan just sent his friend a message, telling her that everything would be fine in time. She did not respond. Perhaps she accepted and respected his decisions. However, he seemed to regret what he did.He acted out of his raging emotions that made things worst. Maybe he should have followed Winona’s suggestion; to stay away and observe.Soon, Jan decided to leave the room. He went downstairs to get something to drink from the bar, hoping that it would help him fall asleep. But it seemed that he was not the only one who had difficulty sleeping that night because he found his father sitting on a stool as he sipped so
“WHEN will we get the result?” Jan’s father asked the laboratory staff who came to their house to get the DNA samples.“It usually takes two to three weeks if there are no weather disturbances and other delays. Don’t worry. We will inform you immediately once the result is out,” the staff responded politely.“Thank you so much,” Jan said and shook hands with the staff.His father walked the staff out of the house afterwards. And now, it’s just the two of them in the living room. Kate rose from her seat and sauntered towards him.“J-Jan…” She held his hand. “Are you still mad at me?”“Katherine…” He heaved a sigh and shook his head. “I shouldn’t be mad at you, right? Dad had cleared your name. He told me it was his fault. But…”“But what?” she probed.“I don’t know.” Jan let out
KATE stood by the foyer with her eyes fixed in the direction of the gate. She was waiting for Jan to come home. He left before sunset when she had just arrived from work. Jan did not mention where he would go, and she did not dare ask. But now, Kate’s anxiety was tearing her apart. She feared that her husband would not come back just like the last time.“Katherine?”She turned behind her and saw Jan’s mother walking in her direction.“Mom.” She managed to flash a smile.“What are you doing here, hmm?” Her mother-in-law caressed her arm.“I’m waiting for Jan, Mom.” Kate heaved a sigh and turned in the direction of the doorway again. “He left this afternoon and… I don’t know where he is.”“Jan told me he’s going to meet Winona.”She suddenly felt a pang of jealousy in her chest. Jan did not even remember his feelings for her. Wha
SHE opened her eyes when she felt butterfly kisses showering her face. Kate smiled immediately when she saw it was Jan.“Good morning,” he said and kissed her deeply afterwards.Her brows furrowed when she realized that her husband was acting as though they did not argue last night. Was he too drunk last night and he did not know what he was doing? Did he already forget about it?“Tell me… have you forgotten what happened last night?”“Which of the two?” he countered.Kate pressed her lips firmly. Ah, it seemed that he did not forget about everything.Jan sat up and leaned against the headboard. He looked down at her, and his fingers started creating circles at her bosom. Kate closed her eyes and moaned softly. What he was doing was already arousing… for her.“I had a dream last night,” Jan said after a while.“About what?” She did not take her eyes off h
KATE sipped her wine as she sat on the bench in the garden. She went there after putting her daughter to sleep. She thought some fresh air would help her feel sleepy, but it did not do much.“I told you, you should join me in bed from now on,” Jan said as he sat down beside her.“And then I’ll keep running back to Angelique before she wakes up in the morning? Nah.” She chugged down the remaining wine on her glass and put it down. “That set-up is hassle—”“Then perhaps you should teach her to sleep on her own….” He buried his face in her neck and sniffed her scent. “The bed feels so huge and lonely without you by my side.”Kate chuckled when she felt his tongue graze the sensitive flesh of her neck.“I didn’t know that your amnesia has this kind of—” He bit her neck. “Jan!”“Ssshhh…” He snaked his arm around he