"Oh, hi. Good morning" Arah was startled by the figure sitting at the breakfast nook. She thought she was alone. Since she got home from her dinner with Tim earlier, she hasn't even blinked and she wasn't aware Luther arrived home. It was past midnight and she got thirsty from trying to sleep so she went out to grab a drink. Clutching her silk robe in front, she faces him. Aside from her flimsy champagne-colored night dress beneath the thin robe, she wears nothing. With his presence, she feels naked. She hasn't mind being decent since she was not expecting to find him at home. Usually, he would spend the night at some hotel together with his 'takeout'. Luther is resting on the nook but looked up upon hearing her. "Good morning" though his voice is hoarse and slurry, he musters to greet her. "Rough night?" she playfully asks. Looking at him, he looks like a mess. She doubts if he is even sober. She got no response but a drunken chuckle."You rest now, Ther. It's almost morning"
After all the awkward incidence of their so-called marriage, they become more estranged. Avoiding each other. If there are instances they meet it would be fleeting. Like passing by each other while on the way to the office. Both are avoiding repeating the awkward incident in the kitchen a few weeks ago. Though they had set it aside and acted like it never happened, it already affected their affinity.Nonetheless, there are situations they need to be together like today. If not for the dinner banquet she needs to attend to heed Helen Steel's invitation, she won't be stepping inside the Steel Corporation building. But Helen is a dangerous adversary. Her coming days will not be in peace once she dares defy the old woman. Clad in a white long-sleeve soft chiffon blouse tucked inside her perfectly fit tailored cream trousers paired with three inches stiletto, she steps out of the elevator to the admiring gazes around. "Good day, Dr. Rechner" Greetings together with the rising tension f
"You got to be kidding me" though soft, she heard Tim mutter under his breathThey are having lunch after he had bombarded her for she doesn't know how long and eventually succeeded in taking her out of her clinic.But the relaxed meal they are looking forward to is disturbed by the arrival of the two figures, Luther and Claire.Their eyes met but no one initiated a greeting aside from the slight nod they shared. The two went straight to the table reserved for them. Claire looks like wanting to approach them upon seeing them, but Luther guided her away. "Such absurdity. A husband dating someone else in front of his wife" he chuckles while gently shaking his head. "What's between us is just a silly agreement, Tim. He doesn't owe me anything" casually, she counters. She is so tired of battling with herself that she almost felt numb. Luther cannot hurt her more than she is hurting now. She can no longer feel another pain topped to the excruciating pain she has been enduring since the
"To whom do I owe this visit, CEO Steel?" smiling, she playfully asks Luther after he got settled across from her. "Let's get a divorce" unceremoniously, he announces. Arah leans on her chair while intently looking at him. While their gazes lock, silence rules. She had actually expected it but it still hurts. The previous night during the dinner banquet at the company, Luther had made his point. Not only her but the entire family together with those who were present have seen that point. It was clear. And it become clearer to her yesterday when they met again during lunch. She was with Tim while Luther was with Claire. So she has been expecting him to ask for a divorce anytime but not this soon. She miscalculated. "Okay. Where's the document? I will sign it" she smiles and opens her hand to him.It's been a while since she agreed but Luther remains unmoving, staring at her. "No questions?" Luther snickers after a while of silence. "None. It was not part of my terms to ask the re
"So, you and Arah are now divorced?" Helen casually asks while they are having dinner at the mansion. "Yes," he responded with a casual nod. "What came into your mind marrying her just to escape me? Marriage is not a game, Luther!" exasperated, she angrily raves at him. "I can't believe Arah agreed to this dumb charade" she added. "She lost nothing from the agreement, mom. I didn't disturb her peace. Married or not, she goes on with her life as if I didn't exist. She is too busy to mind a husband, so the setup made no difference. We got married and divorced, that's it" he calmly counters."Then, I won't be bombarding you with the nonsense of settling down. I can't believe you had come up with the most absurd ideas to escape" after glaring at him, she rolls her eyes in annoyance. "Glad to hear that" he mumbles while he continues eating."I would love to see you get settled and I would be more delighted if it's Arah. But some things are not meant to be. Arah is a delicate gem and s
It's been weeks after the divorce and Luther had only sent Arah a copy of their divorce through his secretary, which she didn't mind. His occasional indifference is nothing new to her. They had been like it since they met eight years ago.With the freedom he reclaimed for himself, he was frequently seen with Claire. And as the famous and most eligible bachelor in the country, the news created uproar in all media portals. The two become the favorite topic as the perfect couple."Good day, Chairman Steel, President Steel" Claire greeted the couple one Sunday Luther brought her for family lunch."Good day, Miss Peterson" Helen greeted while remaining formal towards her.Timidly, she smiles at the matriarch and patriarch of the Steel family. Fidgeting on her feet, she turns to Luther who gave her assurance with his smile.Awkward silence ruled before it was disturbed by a loud chatter coming from the entrance. "You're still great at driving" Tim's voice echoed. "It's been long I haven't
Ara chooses to distance herself from any Steel. Even from Helen and Eric. Unfortunately, they are moving in the same circle, and meeting each other is inevitable. “Amara…” Helen’s voice tears her away from talking to some colleagues. Turning to its direction, a polite smile adorned her face.“Chairman Steel” though she had already expected the family’s attendance at the event she is still quite startled by their presence. And choosing to be polite and civil towards the couple earned her an arched snickering brow from the matriarch.The colleagues she has been talking to earlier graciously excused themselves upon the arrival of the intimidating Chairman and President of Steel Corporation. She understood them so well. Helen and Eric Steel’s presence is quite terrifying for common people.Ignoring Helen’s intimidation, she steps closer to greet her with a hug and a sincere smile. And like every mother, Helen receives her with a tender smile. They took their time, seeming to make up for
The entire time Jazz has been vocal about his admiration toward Arah, Tim has been shifting on his feet while the rest are quite amazed. Jazz is a great man. Aside from his family's wealth, he acquired his own. He is an established doctor and is starting to have a name as a surgeon. Going after Arah's affection is not an impossible quest for him now. He has been very vocal about his admiration since their university days. But Arah was too indifferent at that time. So he chooses to admire her from a distance. And tonight, Arah's interest in his playful antics is quite obvious. She is indulging him. And it will not be impossible that something could develop between the two doctors. Profound than what they had back then. "Believe me, Jazz. I'm the wrong person to ask for such a favor" shaking her head, she chuckles. "Believe it or not, you are the perfect person, Dr. Amara Rechner" he playfully persisted. While they seem to be in their own world, Helen and Eric have been exchanging