Marissa's POVThe nurse tightened and placed a bandage on my shoulder. I can still see the blood penetrating through it. She excused herself while I was left on the bed where I was brought in to tend to the wound I had when my grandmother had thrown the empty bowl a while ago.I swam in my deep thoughts as I remembered the fear she had in her eyes when I was so worried about why she was in hysteria.I should not see her?Who is the person I should not see that she even almost lost her mind when I was about to step forward?If it were not for the hospital staff and Jane who heard her screams. She tried protesting and getting out of the hospital bed, but thankfully, she was immediately sedated and calmed down until she dozed off. Jane escorted me to a room where a nurse could take care of my wound. I did not feel pain, though. I was more curious."Ms. Dela Cruz."My thoughts were interrupted when a doctor showed up in front of me. It was my grandmother's doctor. I had to stand up from s
Marissa's POVI showered first thing in the morning. Diego followed. Diego cooked. We ate. I double-checked everything to carry. Diego carried it. I made sure we had food on our trip. Diego took care of booking our hotel in Palawan. "Are you ready?" he asked when he sat in the driver's seat. "We'll go to Starbucks first so we can have coffee."I grinned. "That is the nicest thing we would ever do.""My treat.""As if you have let me treat the two of us. That was like never."We both laughed before we left the apartment building. Just like what he said, we went to Starbucks and ordered the coffee we desired to drink. Conversations and plans went on until we got to the airplane. I continued sleeping there with my head on his shoulder. "We're on board now, baby," I heard Diego whisper. "We have to get out of the airplane. Hey."I slowly opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was the small screen that was playing a Disney movie in front of me. I shivered as I felt how cold inside the
Marissa's POV"Grandmother, what is wrong? Are you okay?" I worriedly asked the other line. "Marissa, where are you?" she asked in a firm voice, meaning that she was angry right now. Why does she sound so angry, though? Is she not done yet?"Grandma, I am in Palawan with my boss for a business trip. Why? Is there a problem?" I asked, curious now. "Good," she said."Then stay there. The longer the better until that bitch leaves."My hand flew to my mouth because I was surprised that she knew how to cuss like this. Even before, she would even reprimand me when I cussed in front of her. I know her to be so old-fashioned and so set in her ways to always be respectful, dignified, and kind. "I do not know who you are, Grandma," I said, wanting to see who she is talking about."Just listen to me, Marissa," she said. "I can't let you see her because she will only ruin your life. You would hate it, so I hope you do not get to the point where you will be making the decision you will ever re
Marissa's POVIt took only a few seconds for us to pull each other's arms and kiss torridly with passion. I could feel how hungry he was for me, and I was also needing him. It was easy for us to remove the towels from our bodies because we were already naked. He lifted my buttocks to the sink and bit my cheek. I hung my head when his mouth grazed around my neck and sometimes bit it, making me moan. His hands explored my breasts, massaging them gently and firmly.Before I knew it, he was devouring both of my breasts and licking my nipples like he was a hungry infant. It was bringing me to heaven until his kisses went down. He parted my legs and wiped one of his fingers. He made me see how he licked it in front of me. "You are wet... and delicious," he said and leaned down while holding my legs apart. "Ah!" I moaned loudly when he began licking all of the parts of my core. "Oh, Diego...""Moan my name, baby," he said and continued torturing me with every flick of his tongue and did hi
Marissa’s POVThe long week of staying in Palawan was over, and the next thing I knew, we were flying back to Manila City. I was sad looking at the clouds in the sky, but what could I do? We still have work in the company, and Diego has been receiving a lot of phone calls.“Zeana Tan will visit the company this week and my father will also be included in the board meeting,” he said.“Wow, that is once in a blue moon to happen. Zeana Tan must be a very important businesswoman,” I commented and nodded while sipping on my hot coffee.“You have to research about her. She is not only an amazing businesswoman but also a philanthropist who has a huge empathy towards children and orphans. I met her in person and she was the kindest and very gorgeous, I must say. It must be one of the reasons why my Tito George is so crazy about her since I think he still has feelings for her,” he shared. “You will also meet him in the board meeting, and I will introduce the two of you sooner.”I squinted my e
Marissa’s POVI know what I did to Brylle was terrible. I still have not explained everything to him, and that is why he does not get my relationship with Diego. All he knew was that I hated my boss, and now, I will marry the man that I hated the most.But still, it does not justify him hooking up with my best friend. He knew better. Or maybe this is a payback for him. He knew I would lose Nica, just like I lost me. He wanted me to know what it feels like to be betrayed by the person you treasure the most.“What seems to be bothering you, Marissa?” my grandmother suddenly asked me when she witnessed that I was spacing out while feeding her. “Is there a problem of yours that you would like to share?”“H-Huh?”That is when I realized that the spoonful of rice soup was left in the air. It was supposed to be near her mouth. So I snapped and continued what I was doing. She immediately opened her mouth and ate the soup.“Nothing, grandmother,” I lied. “It’s just that I had a rough week.”“A
Madeline’s POVI felt like I was showered with shame when I entered the lobby of the company with the employees stopping in their tracks. Or if they did not stop, they would just exchange whispers with each other as they talked about me. I prepared for this day to come. To be known by everyone to be the girlfriend of the CEO. Even I still can’t believe it. How much more for them?I wore my best coat dress. The expensive one that I bought last night when I went to the mall to prepare to face the people in the company. My heels were also brand new, YSL brand. My bag was a Louis Vuitton and my earrings were pearls now, not the hoop earrings, so I would look formal and presentable. I had a trim and made it wavy brown which the salon had done to me last night.And yup, I used my salary and the bonuses Diego has been giving me for the past few days for doing the services with the benefits I acquired. When I started walking through the lobby, I could sense the awkwardness they had in their
Marissa’s POV“Mr. Montero, you have a meeting in the conference room with some of the board of directors. I think the properties you were selling in Pangasinan were affecting some businesses of yours. Do you want me to make a presentation, sir? The meeting will happen in about two hours,” I said while writing my notes. “Also, a client wants to file – Sir? Are you even listening to me?”I was bothered when I saw him staring at me while lounging comfortably on his swivel chair. I had to raise my eyebrow and tilt my head to get his attention.“Sir? Do you hear the words that are coming from my mouth?” I asked again. “Yes, madame,” he said. “Then why are you watching me like I am some entertaining TV show?” “Because you are interesting to watch.”I frowned at him, because this is the job I had for him for over the years, and now he decided to watch me, when before, he was focused on his paperwork. I leaned my hands on the desk to smile at him. Because leaning forward was intimate to h
Marissa’s POVI tightly clenched the handle of the glass door of the coffee shop where I am supposed to go. I stared at it, doubting if I should go in or not. I closed my eyes and breathed in and out deeply.Marissa, you are already here. Do you think this is the right time to be nervous? You already called Zeana Tan and wasted her time to come here. To talk about why she was telling you that she is your mother. And the truth behind everything that still lingers everywhere but never been answered.In the end, I pushed the door and the bells rang inside the coffee shop. There were not a lot of people, I noticed. The scent of the variety of coffee kind filled my nostrils. For a moment, I checked if I smelled good and my coat dress was a good choice. It was Chanel and I even brought my Gucci bag. I wanted to look formal but not too impressive. Only subtle, because I would be talking to the most successful woman I have ever known.“I’ve got this…” I said to myself and heaved a sigh again.
Marissa’s POVAs I prepared the fruits and other food in the tupperwares from the huge back we brought, my eyes would repeatedly look in the direction of Lilith and Diego playing in the playground nearby. He was the only parent playing with his daughter, while the other kids were just enjoying themselves with their parents in their picnic spots, taking photos and talking with other adults. Diego was gently pushing Lilith on a swing. I smiled without even noticing as I stopped and watched them. I could hear Elisa rummaging the plastic so she could get the water bottles.“I thought Lilith looked more like you,” I heard Elisa comment, so I gazed at her. “But now that I am seeing your boyfriend beside her, she does have some significant features from him.”It made me stare intently at Diego and Lilith. I have always thought that our daughter has his eyes and smiles whenever I look at Lilith. Maybe Elisa was just used to seeing only me and Lilith.“He is not my boyfriend,” I found myself
Marissa’s POV“You’re late,” I pointed out when I saw Diego outside of the house. He just got out of his car. “Sorry,” he said, caressing his nape while busy looking around behind me. “Where is Lilith?”He did not even try to look at me properly. At least, appreciate my dress, makeup, and hair?But I did not let the disappointment linger over me. Instead, I cleared my throat and pointed to my car parked on the other side of the road. Lilith and Elisa were already inside the car after I went there to turn on the engine, so I can go to him next.“They are already ready,” I answered. “Anyway, you are not busy, right? You don’t have any meetings?”“Well, do you have any in your company?”“No.”“Then I don’t have any. I am only here because of you and Lilith. I invested in the company where you work just to see you,” he said without taking his eyes off me.Small ticklish atoms scattered inside my system, affecting my ability to compose myself because of what he said. The sun was behind hi
Marissa’s POV“You have to go. It’s going late already,” I said to Diego when we finally both went outside the house. “I don’t want you waiting for Lilith at this time. She won’t see you. Let’s give her some time.”Diego’s eyes were conspicuous in front of me, and it made my heart constrict again just like what it did when he kneeled in front of my daughter. Currently, he was subtly looking behind me as if he was hoping Lilith to go outside. He was even playing with his fingers nervously, fidgeting and blinking. The sides of his eyes have already dried up from crying. “Diego…” I called him, now claiming his attention. “Are you okay?”“Yes,” he immediately said and bowed his head. “I feel like I am just disturbing you and Lilith.”“When did you know?” I curiously asked. “That she is your daughter?”He only looked at me with sadness, his eyes venturing around my face. It did not make me uncomfortable. It even gave me nostalgia for how he looked at me every time before, side by side on
MARISSA’S POV“Are you really sure about talking to him?” Brylle asked as he hid my view of Diego who was sitting on the couch in the living room.I sighed while I was crossing my arms. “He wanted to see and know about our daughter,” I said. “What should I do? Deny? He already knew before he could even reach here.”“But you vowed to yourself that you will never see him,” he said firmly and furrowed his eyebrows. “Don’t tell me that you still have feelings for him, Marissa.”I remembered how Diego kissed me a while ago, and I felt so guilty in front of Brylle. Ever since I left the Philippines, he was the one who comforted me together with Nica. They were both supportive of Lilith and I. So I know that he is just worried about me seeing Diego.I could not help but avoid my gaze. I saw from my peripheral vision that he nodded, as if he just confirmed something.“You still love him,” he reckoned.“I have been prepared for making Lilith meet her father,” I stated, meeting his gaze again.
I felt my heart drop when I saw Diego Montero entering the backyard with Lilith holding his hand and pulling him to her friends. Diego’s expression was mixed with confusion and surprise. The guests barely cared, because in their minds, Diego must just be a guest. “What is he doing here, Marissa?” Nica asked as I followed her going outside the house. “Do you think I know?” I exclaimed and muttered a crisp curse. “So why is he holding Lilith?” “I don’t know!” Nica and I kept exchanging frustrated mumbles because we have no idea why Diego was here. How did he even know my address? “Sir, you can get a slice of cake at the buffet table,” Lilith even said and pointed at the table with her head looking up to Diego. I was taken aback that I could not help and snatch her hand away when I got to the both of them. Diego parted his lips as he looked at me, his eyes digging into mine and searching answers from the questions he must be having in his mind. Out of urge, I held Lilith and moved
MARISSA’S POV“We have nothing to talk about,” I firmly said and dropped his hand. “Why don’t you go home to your family now, huh?”Before he could see the tears stinging at the sides of my eyes, I turned my back on him and went straight to my car with my heart beating fast and my mind so cloudy with memories. When I got inside my car and looked in front of me, his car was already running towards the exit, leaving me in the indoor parking lot of the company.I wanted to break down and hold my chest while mentally saying that everything would be alright. Whatever the reason he is here is solely none of my business. Whether he has a family or not, I don’t need him in my daughter’s life.But wait a minute, how did he know that we had a daughter? And did Madame Margarita Montero tell him about what we both agreed on in order for me to leave Diego?Nonetheless, what is done is done. I can’t go back to the past anymore. I have a life here in New York with my daughter. I may not be happy jus
MARISSA’S POV I only snapped when Mrs. Rivera called me. I regarded her who was eyeing me up and down, weirded out by why I was wet. Even Diego was also coldly staring at me, couldn't care less that I was in front of him. He did not even flinch, as if he had already expected that I am here. In New York! “I… I’ll just change, madame. I’m sorry. Excuse me…” I did not waste time and immediately turned my back in order to escape from that stupid embarrassment. My little run with my high heels was awkward as I made my way to the washroom. I gave a message to Ms. Desmon to find me a pair of clothes from my locker and fix myself. “Shit, what was he doing here?!” I said in panic as I paced back and forth inside the cubicle. “He can’t be here. I mean, he can, but for all the places on Earth, why here?!” And he has a wife. And a child. It’s just five years, and he has already moved on? Or am I the only one who distinguished five years to be a shorter time? “Ma’am, here are your clothes.”
“Are you okay, ma’am? You seemed stressed. Do you want me to get you some coffee?” an assistant of mine asked me when she noticed me staring at the wall of my office.“Huh? Oh!” I exclaimed and almost panicked, but I stopped myself and just grabbed the paperwork in front of me. “Don’t mind me. Just please get to work.”Shit. I did not like the idea of not focusing on my work enough and being distracted by what had happened last night with Madame Zeana. Everything she said seemed so absurd to me and impossible.How could she be my mother? She lives in the US, and I lived with my grandmother in the Philippines. I had a simple and convenient life as an assistant, while she is the most luxurious woman who people have known, bringing success from her business and showbiz. Now I could not imagine her kneeling yesterday in front of me, just so I could forgive her.I clenched my fist, crumbling the paper inside my hand.“Ma’am, you are destroying the contract…”“Oh, shit…” I cussed and looked