ZED'S POV My three-year run away to other countries got wasted after a wild moment with Yen. If I already had enough trouble getting her off my mind before, that multiplied after I gave in to my intense yearning for her. Yet, I know I must stop before everything gets out of hand. A knock on the door jolts me out of my thoughts. I look up, thinking it's just the staff banging his vacuum cleaner on the door. But another louder round follows. I draw out a deep breath and then exhale before I force myself out of the chair. Walking to the door, I open it wide. And to my surprise, Ella's face greets my eyes. Then, perhaps noticing my expression, she smiles and says, "I told you I'd be back for dinner." "You have money. Is there a problem?" I frown. She shouldn't have come back for unimportant matters. "Yes, but-" Ella stops, her face turning pale. "But?" "I just want to have dinner with you, if you don't mind." I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. I'm sure she's not too stupi
I smile at Yen and Kim as if they aren't the ones who break my heart. Seeing them happy together reminds me of how miserable I have been since three years ago. However, I don't want them to see how wretched I am because pride is the only shield I have in this battle. I don't need their pity — it's eating up my self-worth. "Come on, Zed! We have lots of things to catch up on," Ara exclaimed, her beautiful eyes as big as the round LED light above us. I shake my head, annoyed at how spineless Ara seems. As Yen's best friend, she's a witness to all of our emotional struggles, but now she's acting like she has forgotten them all. I even ran away — she knows that — because it's just impossible to heal and move on while they are around the corner. Kim used to be our neighbor, so when Yen moved in with him, I almost went crazy. It's because I knew that in that other house, Yen was there in another's arms. "Dear, do you mind if we join them?" I tell Ella, pulling the edge of her shoulder c
Yen's POV "I'm only offering this if Zed and you are in the marrying stage." My eyes pop wide for a second. I don't understand why Kim brings this marriage thing up. I am already so sick of putting up a fake façade before these two men, and yet he worsens the situation. Just a few hours ago, I had been a whore and one hell of an idiot. I could have run away the moment I realized Zed was not himself. He never forced on me before, but his changed behavior towards sex made me curious. Despite the lust burning in his eyes as he devoured me, I saw desire. Desire to make me his again. But I realized that was all a presumption. Zed has already moved on and is now in love with Ella. I don't understand myself. I know I should be happy for Zed because I am happy with Kim. Yet, the way Zed laughs and smiles at Ella reminds me of how he treated me like a fragile princess before. He makes me feel so special. And that is something Kim can never do, although he loves me in his own way. "Are we,
"Congratulations!" I tell Ella as I stand beside her at the sink. My wish to be alone for some moments got denied when she followed me to the bathroom. She smiles, but her brows raise as she looks at me. "On having a baby." She throws me a quick and confused stare. My brows also pull together, wondering what is in her mind. "Oh, that. Thank you. I thought you meant Zed and me,” she says, tilting her head into a radiant smile. She speaks with such elegance and gracefulness that I feel inferior to her. Oh, heavens! She's confirming it. They're pregnant! “That one also. I was worrying for him back then. I was kind of guilty,” I pause, trying to find the right words. I'm sure Zed has confessed everything about us. “But some things just happened beyond our control. So, seeing that he’s happy now makes me breathe freely again.” “We all fail in life,” she says, holding my gaze; her interlaced hands suspend under the faucet, “but what’s more important is we move on.” “Right,” I smile,
Zed's POV "Jamella," I mumble as I type on the G****e search box the name of the restaurant Ella and Kim talked about during the meeting. Photos of both the exterior and interior views of Jamella then appear on my screen. I gasp in surprise. What greets my eyes aren't simple views of a common restaurant but the mighty elegance and luxury of a five-star establishment. "Wow!" I turn to Ella, who sits by my side inside the car. "What?" she asks, holding my questioning gaze. If she's amused at my surprised look, her expression doesn't show. "You own this?" I ask, showing her the photos of my phone. She nods but sighs afterward. "My father, but he left them to me when he passed away." A glint of sadness flickers in her eyes for a mere moment. I get curious, so I hold her gaze. "Sorry to hear that." She chuckles, "It's alright. It's been years ago. I'm long past the mourning stage." "How's your
I watch Ella until she disappears from my sight. The hotel's lobby still looks lively despite the wee hours of the night. And the soft golden light streaming from the inside allows a clearer silhouette of her retreating back, even as she enters the elevator. People are coming in and out of the entrance; some are in groups, some in pairs. Along the stretch of the glass wall, I can see the rows of couches -- all filled with people hanging out. Perhaps, some are catching up over late-night coffee, some just dating. Everyone else looks happy, except Ella and me. I slowly maneuver out of the parking lot, a pang of pain and loneliness enveloping me. This is my choice; I have no one to blame. Not even Yen who is the sole cause of my miseries. Nothing seems good enough to swerve me out of my conviction until this time. And perhaps, the only person who could free me out from the safe haven of my solitude is yet to be born. I raise my left arm and look at my watch. It's already past one in
I walk toward the receptionist's area, a sense of self-mockery poking my conscience. I spit out the words of kind rejection several times to Ella, only to find myself swallowing my own puke. I told her I didn't want any woman in my life, embarrassing her even. But now I am here, walking into the last place I'd ever set my feet into. However, I need to do this – Yen prompting me into this. Last night at the hotel, I remember myself fuming in embarrassment deep inside. That eccentric Dennis unconsciously exposed me through his tactlessness. His words still reverberate in my mind even as my eyes were on the receptionist. "From now on, you'll keep coming here to see your inspiration," his teasing voice now taunts me again, playing like a broken tape. Damn that latte art, Dennis is right! "Good morning, sir! May I help you?" says the receptionist, interrupting my thoughts. "Please tell Miss Ella Sahara that someone wants to talk to her." "Your name please, sir?" "Zedrick Ramos." I wa
Ella's POV My sense of envy overwhelmed me when I saw how Zed cared for Yen. I want to be loved freely like her and by a man who can freely be with me. Yet, it seems I am destined to be involved with a complicated man from a complicated world. That even our dates should be discreet as if I am the worst criminal in the world. And now, James is in jail. He may have set me free, but his request binds me to him. I may not like to live a troublesome life – my father even made sure of that– but I can’t turn my back on him. He loves me, and does great things for me and my dad. Chances give me a huge favor. I met Mr. Kim Mori and his wife without any effort. Then, here comes his offer to collaborate with him, providing me the chance to invade his territory. According to James, Mr. Kim Mori doesn’t have a group of genius computer engineers or software designers. However, he has Dennis – the brain of all their flagship products. And my first task is to get to know him and win him over. If th