Fortunately, he was right. His sister was there....but unfortunately....she was being dragged away by a drunk man. In the act of saving Andrea, although he wounded the bad man by stabbing his leg from behind with a sharp piece of wood, he was stabbed twice from the back. Andrea screamed for help over and over again, but to no avail. She tried to go get help but he held her hand and said, "Don't go. Stay...stay with me," he said and coughed out blood."Y-You need help. I won't be long, okay?""For someone aspiring to (cough, cough) be a doctor, I know it's over," he said and coughed again. Andrea's mind went blank as though she couldn't comprehend what was happening. Her mind had suddenly refused to register what was going on. "I know what you're doing. I can tell from (cough, cough) from your eyes," he struggled to speak and groaned, as tears started to run out. "Listen carefully to me Lily. You need (groans) to find Uncle Paulo. Ask mum..." He couldn't complete his sentence as he st
Andrea's apartment... Andrea finally got up to fully read the note on the card accompanying the package once again. 'How on Earth could I think such a narcissistic rich brat would be so nice to me?' she thought with a dejected sigh, still staring at the note which said, 'Sweet dreams dearest Andrea. Hope you can join me for breakfast tomorrow. Time and place are at your discretion...if you do accept my invitation, of course. No pressure though....if you're not available tomorrow. There's the entire festive season ahead of us. Love, Austin.' 'Did Lana put him up to this? I mean he is sweet and all but isn't this weirdly extra for someone I've barely spoken to?' she thought, staring at the card and wrapped box on the table before her with a lifted brow. "Oh Lily Andrea, stop overthinking again," she said, face palming herself for being rude about a clearly thoughtful gesture. She placed the card down and opened up the box. "EEEEEE!" she squealed excitedly. "Chocolate!" she whisper-ye
Moments later..."Austin? What are you doing here today? Giving up your off day?" Nicole, a waitress at Royal Blossom cafe restaurant asked when Austin walked in."Hey Nicole," he greeted with a smile as he moved over to the counter. "So many people are here today, much more than usual. Are we giving out free food?""You haven't heard? The boss came here today," she said in a gossipy mood."Why? He was here for the regular inspection two months ago so..." he was saying when a mischievous thought crossed his mind and his expression couldn't hide it. He turned to Yvonne who was already suspicious of his mindset. "Did he come to...""Shut up knuckle head," Yvonne spat blushing as she attempted to smack him with a nearby napkin."It was our 'beloved' Manager of Blossom Chain," Nicole laughed her heart out and chipped in, "Ouuu but he already invited her to a Christmas event...as his date....""Shut up blabbermouth and get back to work. I'm still your boss.""Wait, so if it wasn't him, who
It had been a week since Antonio and Andrea's meetup in the cafe. Antonio had decided to put the proposal on hold until the festive season was over. He therefore hadn't contacted her ever since. Andrea made it up to Austin by spending the whole of the next day with him, playing games, watching movies and recording videos for their YouTube channels. They still had a pending date but that had to wait since Austin was summoned home by his parents for Christmas day. Andrea, on the other hand, planned a donation with her fans to gift to an orphanage in the city. She visited them occasionally to play with them and teach them handy stuff. At a point in her life, she felt like one of them and that broke her heart, the very thought of feeling alone despite being surrounded by multiple people, feeling like a burden and wondering the reason for existing. She hoped to make them enjoy the holidays, forgetting their problems, even if for a little bit, by showering them with gifts during the festive
"A-A-Antonio," Andrea stuttered, looking like the blood had drained out of her face, as though she was seeing a ghost.The little boy stared with admiration at the man before him and shouted alarmingly, "Santa's in Town!"He wiggled his little body out of her arms and offered to carry the hats in. Antonio chuckled and insisted that he'd do that himself but placed one on the little guy's head. John thanked him and rushed back in excitedly."W-What are you doing here?""Oh where are my manners not replying to your greeting. Merry Christmas to you too Miss Santa," he said sarcastically, causing her to roll her eyes with a chuckle."Merry Christmas to you too Santa Claus. But what are you doing her?""What do you think? I came to adopt. It is an orphanage after all," he said nonchalantly."Huh?" she asked stunned."Except that I'm hearing from sources it would be easier if I had a wife. But how would I get one who would actually like orphaned kids they barely know. Most of the women I kno
Andrea was backed against the wall with Antonio trapping her with both his hands blocking her from the sides. She was absolutely flushed and even cuter than usual. In no time, their faces were barely an inch away. Andrea's mind was a mess. She was being towered by a muscular dominating man. She could barely focus on anything other than the hazel brown eyes staring down at her so intensely with an expression she couldn't read. His hot pink sumptuous lips tensed her up even more as the slightest move could whined up in a kiss.Antonio, who only intended to tease Andrea, found himself unable to move away. He hoped this would ease whatever awkward feeling she might have had seeing him again after their previous encounter. Up close, Andrea was indeed truly breathtaking. Her glossy pouty lips only made it harder, working like a magnet pulling him closer. Just when their lips were sure to meet, Andrea snapped out of her daze. She shut her eyes and turned her face."I-I believe you were maki
The festive season was over. It was a new year and all seemed well and in its usual with Lana back in the apartment. However, torment from the just ended holidays hovered over Andrea, like a dark mist waiting to consume her. After the donation to the orphanage, that very night, Antonio mailed her the contracts which she refused saying, "I'm not about to jump into the lion's mouth."He responded, "I'm not going to persuade you anymore. Where persuasion fails, force is applied. You will work for me Andrea Cabrera. I'll see you next year."These words have been haunting Andrea ever since. 'How far is he willing to go? I can't just give in when I know he just wants to punish me. What do I do now?' she thought distressed. She didn't feel she could confine in Lana about everything because she didn't want the lecture on 'self-control' and 'avoid trouble'. Most of all, she feared her sister would get involved in order to help her out.★★★Meanwhile...Antonio's study...Antonio and Lauren whe
In Andrea's attempt to help the woman, she took her over to the back seat and before she could open it up, the door flung open and she felt a sting on her neck. In the blink of an eye, there was complete darkness."Take the wheel," Lauren said to the man who opened the door while the man who sedated her carried her into the car. "To the warehouse," she said and they immediately sped off.★★★The apartment..."She's still not answering," Lana said, pacing back and forth. "I shouldn't have sent the text first. She's not gonna pick. She's upset.""Calm down love," Jackson said soothingly as he tried to console Lana, rubbing her arms. She however gave him a sharp look before moving out of his embrace. "Maybe Andrea's not coming back right now because she's infuriated by the fact that I'm here. She probably doesn't want to come and meet me here. You could text her and tell her we're stepping out to talk. We won't be long so long as you don't want to.""We definitely won't be long," she sai