Lara remained silent while she and Miguel ate. She had no appetite, even though she was actually hungry.She was frustrated with the outcome of her long-awaited dream of seeing him again. She had expected to encounter the gentle Migo who was once deeply in love with her sister back then.Why, after sixteen years, had not only his appearance changed? The kind and sweet Miguel Villareal she once knew had been replaced by this intimidating and overbearing version."Why didn't you come to work?" he asked, wiping his lips. He was already done eating, while she just pushed her food around her plate."For what? You humiliated me, remember? What face do I have left to show there?" She rolled her eyes at him."You are twenty-three, Lara. You're not a child anymore. Can't you handle such a small matter?" His tone held a hint of irritation."How about you? Must you confront me that way? You could've called me to your office and settled your issues with me privately!" she retorted, growing increa
"Lara!" Kylene greeted her happily when she saw her. "I thought you were fired too! I'm glad it's just a suspension for you!"She furrowed her brow. Suspension? Was she supposed to be suspended? Was that what Migo had informed the office about her absence?Nevertheless, she didn't try to correct Kylene. She couldn't tell her that she just didn't feel like going to work yesterday."Who got fired?" she asked instead."Lizzie. Also Kendra," Kylene replied. "One-third of our department got suspended yesterday."Lara thought about it. How did Migo find out about what happened to her there when she only mentioned it to him last night? And it was merely because she was annoyed. But he had fired them in the morning when she hadn't said a word to him yet.Was what he said true? That he cared about what was happening to her there because she was his wife?'He should, Lara. He's the one who put you in this situation. He should be responsible,' her reasonable mind said."Finally, no one will both
Miguel didn't come home that night. But it wasn't like he was supposed to anyway.After all, he hadn't been home in sixteen years, had he? Should she really be surprised that he didn't show up for just one night?Lara tossed and turned in her bed until morning came and she realized she hadn't slept at all. What was wrong with her?She got up groggily and took a shower."Miss Lara, are you feeling unwell?" Auntie Rosette asked as she served her breakfast. She even pressed the back of her hand against Lara's forehead."No, I'm fine," she mumbled. "Did Migo come home, Auntie?""No," Auntie Rosette replied, giving her a curious look. "He didn't say he was coming home. He's probably at his condo.""Where is his condo, Auntie?" she asked, reaching for her food, knowing full well that Auntie Rosette wouldn't reveal Migo's address."Is there something bothering you, Miss Lara?" Auntie Rosette inquired instead."Nothing," she replied before sighing.What was her problem, anyway? Yesterday, she
Lara was supposed to call Uncle George to pick her up. But at midnight, she found herself sitting next to Chester, crying her heart out.She was to be with Tasya, but her friend was out of the country. So, here she was, with Chester, who was patiently waiting for her to finish crying. He was waiting, even knowing full well that no matter what questions he asked, she wouldn't reveal the reason for her tears."I feel weird watching you cry," he said, his patience running thin as he handed her one tissue after another. "It's the first time I've seen you cry, and I'm dying to know who the fvck made you like this! This isn't you, Lara!"She felt weird crying in front of him too. But what could she do? It seemed like her eyes had turned into endless wells of tears.Heaven knew she wanted to tell Chester why she was crying. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew him well; they'd been close friends for many years. She trusted that he wouldn't mock her or judge her.However, for som
Surprisingly, Miguel didn't confront Lara the next morning. Uncle George said he left early.Lara secretly thanked her stars. She couldn't think of any excuse for coming home late the previous night. She just hoped he wouldn't reprimand her at the office.After breakfast, she headed to work. Her eyes weren't as swollen, which was a relief. She only looked tired, and not because she had cried last night."Lara, take this to the boardroom," Ashley ordered, her hand trembling as she handed Lara a folder.Lara glanced up from the report she was working on."Hurry up," Ashley added.She sighed and accepted the folder. On her way there, she ran into Leonie, whose head was bowed after leaving the boardroom where the executive staff briefing was ongoing before the quarterly Board meeting later in the day.Seeing Leonie and Ashley, Lara felt hesitant to enter the room. She hadn't even reached the door yet when she heard Miguel's shout.Her heart raced as she stepped inside and found an employe
It was Saturday.Lara's loneliness led her to Lena's grave once again. Just like before, she sat in front of the tombstone, pouring her heart out to her departed sister."I didn't know that if we met, he would scold me every day. Am I a bad girl, big sister? Did I fail to make him proud of me, that he treats me this way?"She wiped away the tears that escaped her eyes."I'm not a crybaby. You know that, right? Even if Mama didn't take care of me, it was fine as long as you were beside me. I miss you…"And just like before, she lost track of time. She found herself staring blankly, her grievances poured out to her sister.So she was surprised when she felt another presence inside the mausoleum.It was Migo. He had just taken off his sunglasses when she glanced in his direction. It was as if it was her first time to see a handsome man and she was momentarily stunned before secretly scolding herself and hastily standing up."What are you doing here, Lara?" he asked. His tone was gentle e
Migo's apology left Lara in disbelief.Had the world come to an end? She couldn't help but stare at the man whose attention was focused on the road."What? Cat got your tongue?" he asked, casting her a glance."I'm not sure if I heard you right," she replied, her disbelief obvious."I think I really need to tell Rosette to schedule a visit to your ENT doctor," he said, shaking his head with a chuckle."I'm not deaf, Migo," she defended herself. "I just wasn't sure. This isn't like you. Aren't you always mad at me? Why are you saying sorry?""What do you remember of me when you were young, Lara?"With that question, Lara's mind automatically went back sixteen years."I wasn't angry at you," he continued when she didn't reply. "I wouldn't have taken care of you for so long if I was angry."She allowed him to talk while her mind lingered on the past. She remembered how he used to be a sweet big brother to her. Because she was like his sister's child, she always took her along whenever he
"All of these came from Migo?" Lara couldn't believe it.It was already her birthday, and several delivery vans had arrived at the mansion early in the morning. They were filled with various supplies for the orphanage she was going to visit later. She felt a mix of disbelief and overwhelming happiness. She had already purchased many items in the past few days, but this gesture from Migo made her even more excited. She knew these supplies would be a significant help to the orphanage, which didn't have many benefactors."They're your husband's gift to you," Auntie Rosette said with a smile, just like her, she was also busy with preparations as they were about to leave to distribute cookies to the children on the streets.This time, she had added packed meals from a popular fast-food chain to the goodies. Since Migo had told her not to be frugal, she spent a significant portion of her savings on her birthday celebration this year. They had also packed groceries for the less fortunate."W