I could hardly bring myself to go to the office the next day because of the heaviness I felt in my body. I haven't been able to have myself checked to confirm if I am indeed pregnant because I'm still scared. I don't even know what to do next.
Dad must not find out about this. He'll kill me. I've heard more than enough from him when he found out about Mr. Lim rejected the company's proposal. I wonder if he has more hurtful words in store.In the end, I arrived at the office feeling like a lifeless vegetable and immediately started my work. I didn't have a choice. I just hope I won't encounter Isabella today because I don't have the strength to engage in a heated exchange with her, knowing there is hidden anger within me."Pau, can you make me a cup of coffee, please?" I requested my secretary as she placed the files I assigned to her on my desk."Sure, Ma'am Celeste. Are you alright? You look pale," she remarked with concern.I shook my head and ignored what she said. "Just tired and exhausted. Coffee will fix this."She gave me one more worried look before finally leaving my office. I noticed the screen of my phone lighting up on the desk, diverting my attention. I furrowed my brow as I saw that the text came from an unregistered number.Unregistered Number:Hey."Who could this be? The text doesn't provide any context. Just a simple 'hey'. How should I even reply?" I whispered to myself, deciding to ignore it.I spent half of the day at the office since I didn't have any scheduled meetings today. Afterward, I had a late lunch outside with Kim. Luckily, she hadn't eaten yet."I heard you're pregnant. Damn it! Has that guy scored three points already? Impressive!" She blurted out as we sat down at the table for two.I groaned and found myself worrying again. "It's not confirmed yet.""Really, huh? Well, that's acceptable. You're still in denial. Do you want us to accompany you to the OB?" She asked.We finished ordering our food before I responded. "I'll manage on my own. I can handle it.""Are you sure? You might end up going all over the place again," she warned.Instead of responding, my attention was once again drawn to my phone as it lit up. There was another text from the unregistered number.Unregistered Number:You're just having lunch now? It's already too late, miss ma'am. You should eat healthier food.My jaw dropped as I read the message. I quickly glanced around, looking for anyone who might be watching us, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. The restaurant was sparsely populated, so I would have noticed if there was someone suspicious."Shit!" I hissed, realizing that it might be him sending me these texts."What's wrong? You look like you're about to poop," Kim interrupted.I quickly showed her the text. "Oh, my God. Does he know your number? Are you text buddies? Or maybe sex buddies?""Fuck you! No! I didn't give him my number," I replied, annoyed."Well, how did he get your number then? Maybe someone gave it to him," she stated.I couldn't bother to think about that. I quickly typed a response.To Unregistered Number:Who's this? How did you get my number? This is my personal number. No one else should know it.Unregistered Number:I have my ways.Unregistered Number:Now, answer me. Are you free later tonight? Let's talk.To Unregistered Number:I don't know you. Leave me alone.Unregistered Number:Then come out of my restaurant if you want to know me.I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read that message. I quickly released my grip on the phone and looked at Kim, who was getting irritated from waiting for our food."Kim," I called out to her."Damn it! I'm hungry! It's taking forever to serve here!" she complained.I bit my lower lip. "Let's move to another place. I'll treat you.""What? Why? We've already ordered.""I'll explain later. Let's go. The food hasn't arrived yet. We can still leave," I hurriedly said to her, grabbing my bag and phone, then pulling her out."This is so annoying! Good thing I'm broke right now. Fine, you're treating me at Ocean Blues," she said and grinned as we got into my car.I frowned. This girl is so cunning. The food at Ocean Blues is so expensive!"Fine. You should be grateful I love you." I quickly started the engine and left the place in a hurry.That was his restaurant? How come? Fuck!"Why did we leave anyway?" she asked, giving me a suspicious look. "What did he say?""That's his restaurant. He wants to talk." I confessed.I heard her gasp and she even slapped my arm. "Celeste! Maybe he wants to see you again. Why don't you want to?""I don't think we have anything more to discuss. I told you, he knows Isabella. It seems like Isabella likes him. I don't want any trouble. You know how she thinks. I'll be the one to avoid him while it's still early," I explained to her.I could feel my heart growing heavy for no apparent reason. It felt like there was no favorable situation for me. I always ended up losing. No matter how hard I fought, I haven't won against her."So? Does that mean you're not going to tell him about your pregnancy?" She asked, surprised. Her expression turned serious.I didn't answer. That was my original plan. If I am indeed pregnant, he doesn't need to know. What we had was just a one-time experience. No feelings were involved."You're so stupid, Celeste. I don't know what's wrong with you anymore," she said, giving me a disgusted look.A bitter smile crept onto my face. I wish I could stand up for myself, just for once.I was so tired when I got home. I didn't really want to go back to the mansion, but Dad called me because he wanted to talk. I thought it was about our argument from the other day. I thought he was going to apologize.But I was wrong. Well, when did he ever apologize to me?Isabella greeted me as if she had been waiting for me. There was a strange smirk on her lips. It felt like she was judging me by the way she looked at me."So, you came," she smirked and looked at me from head to toe. "Such a cunning whore."Before I could even react to what she said, Dad suddenly appeared behind her, accompanied by Mama Victoria.I immediately noticed the sharp gaze from Dad, as if he could harm me at any moment, while Mama Victoria just looked at me coldly. It was her usual expression toward me."Dad—"I couldn't continue what I was about to say as Dad threw something at me. It hit my eye and fell to the floor."How long do you plan to hide that shame from us, Celeste Koa?!" His voice thundered, full of threats and anger.Still recovering from whatever hit my eye, which, if it was a sharp object, surely left me blinded, he threw something else at my words."What—""You're pregnant?! How, when you haven't introduced any boyfriend to us yet? What is this? Did you just
I entered the prestigious halls of YCC for the last time, my heart is heavy with a mixture of sorrow and longing.I glanced through the glass walls of the conference room and watched Isabella confidently lead a meeting with my important clients.It was supposed to be me, representing the family's legacy. The weight of disappointment and shattered dreams crushed my spirit.Feeling a surge of emotions, I made my way to my father's office. I knocked softly, my voice trembling as I called out, "Dad, may I come in?"Dad's stern voice responded, "Come in."As I stepped into the room, the tension between us was palpable. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, the remnants of anger simmering beneath the surface.This confrontation was long overdue. I have contemplated gathering my courage for this to happen but I feel like I'm going back out. I feel like I can't do this."Is your transition over? Don't you have anything else to do here? Why are you still here?" He asked me sternly.I coul
As I walked out of his office, I carried the weight of my broken dreams and the agony of my fractured relationship with him.It was a painful sacrifice, but I was determined to prove my worth and build a future for myself and my child, even if it meant forging a new path outside the confines of the Yuchengco name.Fuck this family reputation."Is this final? Are you really leaving? How? Where will you go?"Aurora bombarded me with questions as she hurriedly sat beside me. Kim just looked at me, holding my ultrasound results.Yes, I'm pregnant. I've been disowned by my own father. Oh, how great it is to start fresh. Fucking fresh."Don't you think you should tell him about this? You can just show him this and everything will surely be fine. Show your Dad that the father of your child is not just some random guy." Kim suggested.I lowered my gaze to my hand that was resting on my stomach. I had thought about that too.Maybe if I tell him that the child is from the Rioflorida family, he'
"Are you still going to your meeting with the Sy Corp. for lunch, dear? I'm asking because I want to come with you if it's okay with you."I looked at her and smiled. "Don't you want to stay at home and rest? You might get tired again, and Papa will worry about you."She walked around my table and sat in front of me. The pearls around her neck and wrists shimmered as she moved."Your Papa can't do anything about it. Besides, Amanda and I have plans to meet today. You can join us, and afterward, we can go shopping together."I couldn't help but grin as I stared at her. She's in her mid-50s, but she acts like a teenager. Her age doesn't show on her because she remains healthy and beautiful. It seems like she's never been stressed in her life."Fine, Mom, but we'll go home right after. I also need to pick her up," I replied.The door swung open and my secretary, Pau, walked in carrying the files I had requested. She placed them on the table and
Six years ago, he left the country to accompany his dad for his open-heart surgery. The operation went well, but his dad still needed him to take over the management of all their businesses.Liam and I talked about our personal lives for almost half an hour before he finally turned to the real purpose of our meeting."I sent a proposal to your email. Dad has been asking me to do this, especially when he found out that you're now managing the Percepta Group. I'll give you enough time to think about the proposal before we proceed with anything else, don't worry," he said, taking a sip of his coffee while still keeping his gaze on me."I'll check it when I get back to the office. Papa mentioned it to me as well. I think it's fine," I replied, referring to the bidding that will take place at Aomori Resort and their long-standing proposal for a partnership."I don't understand why there's so much interest in that resort. It's not particularly special. I've bee
"Girl, you don't look like you've ever been pregnant and given birth. Ariah is turning six years old, but you still look so sexy. What's your secret?" Aurora praised me while we stood facing each other in front of a large mirror, both of us admiring each other's appearance.Tonight, the social party at one of the towers of Percepta Group will take place. Mama and Papa, along with Oliver, have already gone ahead to the venue, while Aurora and I stayed behind at the hotel because we weren't done getting ready yet.Aurora is one of the representatives of their company. It's a shame that Kim isn't here because she's still on a business trip."Not really. I'm still the same as before," I countered."Nah. You've changed a lot, Ce, believe me. The old you is nowhere near what you are now," she said, facing me. "Who picked out your gown?""Of course, it was me.""Will Ariah be coming?""No, but she'll be staying in one of the suites in the to
As Mom and Dad made their way to the stage, the crowd's attention shifted towards them. They briefly exchanged more stories and conversations with Aurora and me amidst the bustling crowd.But when Mom and Dad reached the stage, everyone's gaze was immediately drawn to them. The room fell into a hushed silence, waiting for them to speak or make an announcement.I could feel a mixture of anticipation and pride welling up within me as I watched my parents take center stage. They were the epitome of grace and power, commanding attention with their mere presence.I knew that whatever they were about to say or do would have a significant impact on the evening's proceedings.The sound of a microphone being tapped draws everyone's attention to the stage."Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please." The crowd turns towards the stage, their curiosity piqued with what Dad said.Beaming, Mom took the other microphone and looks at me.
I was completely focused on him, hearing the whispers of everyone around while they looked at him and waited for what he would say. Even his father and other members of Rioflorida seemed surprised by his sudden appearance.It's as if nothing happened. When Liam told me about his disappearance, I immediately searched online for news about it and found out that he really vanished into thin air.He didn't even attend his mother's private funeral. He ghosted everyone, including his family's companies and several businesses.And now that he's here in front of everyone, effortlessly capturing everyone's attention, with camera flashes from the media all around, I couldn't help but wonder, what caused his sudden comeback.And what was the reason behind his sudden disappearance back then?"Good evening, everyone. I'd like to take this opportunity to announce that I am now taking control and managing several businesses under the Rioflorida Group of Companies