"You should leave now. I don't have time for you, Yumi," Arik said firmly and coldly to Yumi.
That's what I heard when I escorted Ariah to the connecting room in my office along with Pau. I stayed on one side and just observed the two of them.
This woman has some nerve. She really forced herself to come into my office just to follow us. Thankfully, I was able to explain to Ariah right away, because if not and she saw or heard how violent she could be, I'd direct all my anger towards her.
"Let's talk first, Arik. You've been away from home for days. Where have you been? Is it because of her that you're not coming home anymore? Why are you doing this to me? I thought we already discussed this?" She said irritably, her tone full of frustration.
Her frustration was clearly evident on her face, while Arik remained expressionless, looking at her.
"You should be the one to go home, Yumi, and don't come back here again," Arik stated firmly, but Yumi contin
"I don't want Daddy to leave... Daddy should stay here. He can't go."I just stared at Ariah as she repeated those words over and over. She was asleep now, clutching her unicorn toy tightly, tears still wet on her cheeks. She had cried herself to sleep while I softly patted her back.To make her feel that she wasn't alone.But I felt like it wasn't enough.I bit my lower lip and quickly covered my mouth as I started sobbing again. Arik was still outside this room. I knew he had heard us earlier when Ariah and I talked. I knew he had heard his daughter cry while she begged me not to make him leave.I felt like I was burning inside. Like I was being killed over and over again, only to be brought back to hurt again. When it came to Ariah, I was shattered. I knew how much she loved her daddy. She had waited for him for so long.But how could I tell her everything? That her father had been lying to us ever since the accident. That the reason for
The next day, it seemed like nothing had happened to Arik. He woke up early, and I found him in my kitchen, busy cooking. Sometimes, I come back to this condo, so I try to keep it stocked with food. Our other belongings were also here.I kept staring at him. He was quiet while preparing breakfast that morning. Ariah was delighted to see him when she woke up, but I remained worried. I was waiting for him to talk to me or even just look at me, but he didn't.He's avoiding me, and I know why. I don't know how to broach the subject with him. I'm scared.I was busy washing our dishes when I felt his arm wrap around my waist. He even kissed my shoulder gently as it moved upward to my ear."I've got this," he said in a soft voice, still not letting me go."It's okay. I'm almost done.""I dropped Ariah off at school. Do you have work today? Can we just rest all day?" He asked. It seemed like he was carefully choosing his words.After finishin
"It's not that important," he shrugged, taking his seat at the long table. I was seated near the front but on the side."It's as important as those scars on your back and where they came from, Arik. You should've told me," I insisted.He adjusted his hair and looked at me gently. I noticed his hand playing with his pen."I don't want to burden you anymore, Celeste. You have a lot to deal with," he said, making me frown as I stared at him.He chuckled and took my hand. "What?""Burden me anytime, Arik. I want you to burden me all the time, please," I pleaded with him, feeling that familiar tug at my heart.We held each other's gaze for a long moment until he let out a sigh, as if finally giving in to what I wanted."I will. I'm sorry."The meeting lasted nearly two hours. After lunch, we headed to Arik's secret house. On the way there, I suddenly remembered Hannah because I hadn't seen her lately."She's in the US. Dad se
What was supposed to be an intimate celebration of Tito Isaiah's birthday turned into a grand and lively affair when Arik's cousins and their spouses suddenly arrived.They set up a barbecue party in the spacious backyard of the Rioflorida mansion. It was an impromptu decision, and the older Rioflorida had different plans for that evening."Are you close to your cousins?" I asked Arik as he busied himself with grilling the barbecue.He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close, not even looking at me."Yeah. I met them in the US when we left the country and lived there for a few years. They're all on my father's side because I don't have much connection with my Mom's side.""But why did they recognize me so quickly?" I asked him again.When they arrived, they immediately approached me, greeted me, and acted like they had known me for a long time. I could tell that they were genuinely good people. It seemed to be a trait of the Riof
"Is Isabella aware of this? That's new, huh? Wasn't she upset?" Aurora inquired, her initial question after I revealed the contents of that envelope.Among them was Dad's letter. I didn't notice it initially because I didn't immediately pay attention. So, I didn't know how I'd react when I found out what he had left for me. I thought it was just a letter."She reminded me to read the letter. I think she knows," I replied, gazing at the papers.Some of them were property titles in my name. Dad's last will and testament was also there. I had it verified by our family lawyer to confirm their authenticity, and they confirmed they were legit.It was mine, part of my inheritance. Isabella knew about them, but she didn't even bring it up the last time we spoke."And then she jetted off to the UK that quickly? Why did she do that? Did she tell you the reason?" Kim asked and handed me a copy of Dad's last will and testament.I shrugged and put them away. "She di
"Do you expect me to believe that after seeing you on the CCTV? Some people have witnessed it too, Damien. How do you explain that to the board of directors?" His uncle persisted, further infuriating Arik.Arik suddenly released my hand and began to curse multiple times, which alarmed me.I thought he might lose his temper, but instead, he remained seated in the swivel chair, seething with anger. I was rendered speechless, simply watching him."Explain it to me, Damien—""I have nothing to explain to you. I don't care anymore. If you want me out of this company, so be it, uncle. Just do it. I know you've had your eyes on me since I returned, and I don't give a damn. Do whatever you want. I don't care," Arik said with a tone of resignation, leaving me even more disheartened."Is that what you want? What's happening to you? Ever since you came back to the country and got back together with this woman, you've lost your focus. You're even defying us. Is th
I came to a halt and gazed up at the full moon, which illuminated our surroundings during this quiet moment. The distant sounds of the party on my family's vast estate filled the air."Celeste," he called my name in his hoarse voice, causing me to turn towards him."Hmm?" I responded.He furrowed his brow and turned to face me, his eyes filled with an intense fear that caught me off guard.Was this related to what I had witnessed earlier?"Why, Arik?""Please, be mad. Aren't you mad with me for what you saw earlier?" His voice was pleading, and it nearly made me chuckle.He reached out and took hold of my hands."Should I be angry?" I asked him simply.The crease on his forehead disappeared, but he still seemed perplexed. His jaw clenched as he gazed at me with affection.When I had seen him hugging Hannah and crying, my first thought was to inquire why she had returned from the UK and why she was in tears.When I asked him, he
"But she deserves to know the truth, Arik. You've also mentioned that Celeste can be quite trusting. I'm confident she'll believe you with a proper explanation. She's too innocent for you, anyway."My heart aches at those words. I search for something to anchor myself, feeling like I'm about to lose my strength. I can't find anything, so I brace myself, biting my lip and taking slow steps.What is she referring to? What does she mean? What do I need to know?"Stop saying that about her, Hannah. You should be grateful I spent time with you last night. I'm not going to lie to her again—""What did you lie to me about, Arik?" I interrupt him courageously before he can continue.They both look shocked and quickly stand up, especially Arik. He's about to approach me, so I immediately raise my hand in front of him."D-don't... you dare," I say, trembling."Celeste...""What lies have you told me? What are you talking about? Did you spend the n