Lahat ng Kabanata ng APHRODISIA : Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

Zara’s POV Soon, Marcello’s parents arrive and we all gather in the living. The thought of another meeting is not really exciting but I guess we need to get this over with.Papa Hernandez takes the lead and asks how we would like to proceed. Marcello presents a paper and asks that I should go through it. There’s a clause that states clearly that our marriage is being dissolved. I quickly skim over it. Below, I see a confidentiality clause that says neither party is to talk to the press or say anything on the media. I wasn’t even planning to. I know how much of a blow it would be to the company.The clauses all make sense until we get to the parts concerning custody and asset. He’s asking for shared custody of the children and the monopoly to take decisions concerning their education, and in return, he’ll gift me one of his houses in New York.“ Custody is non-negotiable. I get full custody and you’ll only visitation rights when I deem it fit.”He doesn’t object, simply nods. I was ex

Marcello Andres had always liked silence. He tended to stay away from chaotic things and loud places, except it was business. After dealing with people and their excesses all day, he loved coming home to peace and quiet. That’s partly the reason he moved into his own place. He loved silence, but this particular silence was deafening. The silence rang louder than the toll of the bell at Madison square. He stood at the floor to ceiling window in his office, looking down at the bustling city below. The glass of whiskey in his hands condensed , dropping beads of water, but he paid it no need. All he could think of was that she wasn’t here.She wasn’t here anymore and it was all his fault. When she left that day, he watched her quietly from the window in his office. He wanted to reach out to her, to tell her not to leave him, to tell her ,her home was right here , but he didn’t do any of that. Zara was his peace .With her, he found peace and quiet, even in her laughter and little tantrum

Zara’s POV “Valerie!”“ Hey there, sexy preggy.”It really is Val, right in front of me with her cheesy grin and exaggerated eyebrow raises. The waterworks burst before I’m able to fully grasp the situation. “ How did you know where to find me?”She Snickers. “ You act like you fell off the face of the earth or something. You can’t hide from me, mama. Besides, a certain latina was gracious enough to let us know you would probably be at your parent’s”“ Carlotta?”“ Yep”That voice definitely did not belong to Valerie. My eyes widen. “ She’s here too?”“ In the flesh”, comes Carlotta’s voice again. I look behind me , and true to her words, Carlotta is there, looking every bit of her stunning self, and beside her is Emily.I open my arms and they both take turns hugging me. I would run over to them in a heartbeat, but that’s currently impossible. “ You know, I just thought of you guys a few minutes ago and now, you’re right here. Oh my God, this is crazy!”“ haven’t you heard of the s

Marcello’s POV The rotor blades of the chopper whip the air in loud thundering bursts, but inside my chest, there’s a quieter storm. This would be the first time I am visiting Zara’s family home. Usually, I had her parents fly over.The high rise buildings and the city view shrink into smaller bits under my watchful gaze, reminding me of how Zara’s eyes shrunk that day. I had seen the flicker in her eyes, as if she was pleading that I ask her to say, but it was gone In a second. Almost as if I dreamt it.“ how long until we reach Ohio?”, I ask the pilot.“ An hour and twenty. I have arranged for a car to be waiting at the airstrip.”I lean back on the headrest, fists closed tightly. The exhaustion of the previous day slowly washes over me. I wonder is she’ll agree to see me? It doesn’t matter. Either way, I won’t give up.By the time we arrive Columbus, the sun is still high up in the sky. I quickly transition to the SUV waiting for me. “ Welcome Mr. Andres. Where to?”“ Cincinnati,

Zara’s POV I had just rounded up on my day’s work, when I heard the doorbell. The bell rang again and I wondered if there was no one to check who was at the door. When it rang the third time, I reluctantly dropped my laptop on the beside table and stepped down slowly. Only, before I could move, I heard an all- too- familiar voice.Marcello. He’s here.I couldn’t move. My feet were stuck on the wooden floor. After all this time? I had hoped the first few days that he would come, but after the first week, I had given up. But now, he’s here. I hear mom’s footsteps before I hear her. She knocks three times on the door. “ Honey, are you in there?”I don’t answer. I can’t . My heart is beating erratically in my chest. “ Can you come out for a second? There’s someone here for you. Hello? If you don’t respond, I’m coming in."Leave me alone, please. That’s what I want to say ,but nothing comes out of mouth. It’s like I’m a deer in headlights, scared of moving for fear of being seen. I t