CHAPTER 23
Lea stared at the broken mirror. Her face cleared with make-up now, and her golden hair cascaded on her face. She looked beautiful, but if you looked closely, one could see the hard glitter of her eyes. She had already lost all innocence that once endeared her fans when she first made her appearance in a cameo role. She was the toast of the town then--- a movie and modeling offer knocked on her door without her even making an effort. Life was good then. Her decision to run away to the city, to this day, was still her best decision. She acquired fame and money that she thought would not diminish. And if that was not enough, she also married a wealthy surgeon who has the proper connection in the movie business. Then, the divorce came---.
She bitterly remembered how her goo
CHAPTER 24 Agnes watched the approaching man with anticipation. The last time he visited her was weeks ago. This time, he looked more relaxed. David's smile was friendly and happier. He has also dressed appropriately this time. He wore white shorts with a matching V-neck stripe shirt and a pair of topsider shoes. He looked like one of the models she saw in the magazine -casual and chic. Atty. David Bern is a successful lawyer, rich, handsome, and single. She wondered if he had girlfriends too. Women will find him a good catch. Jose followed him closely, pushing boxes of goodies that David brought to the island. She is pleased to see him. Agnes was living on the island with only Jose and Maria as a companion can be dull. Of course, she has the mini cooperative that was immensely growing with islanders' help. At tim
CHAPTER 25 - TALL TALES Chris Duvier tried to duck away from one of the most famous gossip mongers in New York, but the old socialite is much alert than he is. She had seen him enter the Hilton Hotel lobby before he could see her, who was conveniently positioning herself at the hotel entrance. With a much confident gait, she approached him, together with her group of cronies, looking like a sweeping hawk sensing new tidbits. He's been trying to avoid the tabloid for the past week, toning down the secret meeting with Lea into just a necessity. The news has been mercilessly pounding him. Some of his business partners and friends have already voiced their concerns about his married life. The seventy-year-old socialite Barbara Barry is someone he doesn't want to see in a public place. She was a n
CHAPTER 26 The meeting was long and critical for their plan to acquire an old factory. The old owner wants a bigger pie on the buy-out. Chris Duvier's acquisition officer was reporting to him about the demands of the owner of the property. "The man wanted to increase the price 10 million more. He said he was not selling if you wouldn't give the additional amount. Chris, are we going to give in to his demand?"
CHAPTER 27 Bern's Masquerade Ball is a spectacular event with only special people invited to participate in the event. It ranked as the top five of the most anticipated party of the year. The invitation is as coveted as praying for manna. Socialites, tycoons, artists, politicians, and the shaker and movers of the country descend on this small town every 9th of May to celebrate Bern's weeklong event. Agnes gasped at the grand ballroom turning into a fairytale land complete with a vast fountain splashing at the center. At a raised stage, an orchestra is playing the classic song of waltz and ballads, while at the ceiling are acrobatic fairies dancing and flying from one chandelier to another while sprinkling gold dust. The guest has masked on different creative shapes. Everyone is having a good time. To her, they seem more human than what she was used to seeing on television or reading in maga
CHAPTER 28- PULLING ALL THE STOPS She strategically seated herself from across the room to see the incoming guest of the restaurant. According to her very reliable source, which she paid a hefty sum just to get the information, Barbara Barry will be dining in the restaurant with friends. Lea Walden tried her sources just to get an invitation, but it seems everybody wants one. Everybody had a bidding war to get that Masquerade Ball invitation. A little bird told her that Barbara Barry could get her inside. She waited patiently, but it was already very late. Lea rechecks her watch, but it seems her informant has conned her. She was getting tired of waiting when a flurry of guests came,
CHAPTER 29 Everyone looked at them. Lea, who was facing Chris, did not see her approaching. When the actress heard Barbara's announcement, she turned around in surprise. Their eyes locked, and she blushed, then looked away guiltily. Agnes pushed herself towards them. "Hi Lea--" Awkwardly, her sister kissed her in greeting. "I did not know you would be here..." Lea blushed and glanced at Chris. "My husband must have forgotten to mention it. But wives do need to be with their husbands, right?" she looked at her husband directly. "Where you been, I have been looking for you." Chris Duvier ignored the silent jibe.
CHAPTER 30 Agnes woke up late in the morning. Her body felt sore and her hand aching due to the cut from the shrub she tried to avoid as she ran away from the mansion. Her feet, too, have bruises and cuts. Last night, Victoria and David were waiting for her when she returned from her walk. She took the back door to avoid seeing anyone. It was already dark, and the guest was already sleeping or winding down towards their apartments assigned to them. Agnes tiptoed to the stairs to not disturb the owner and the guests who stayed with them in the mansion. Upon seeing her when she entered her bedroom, the two were horrified to see her condition. Both gave her a warm hug and comforted her. David asked Victoria to help her bathe and change her clothes while asking the servant to bring her warm milk and medicine. She was too tired to refuse their help. Agnes was dozing in between bathing, and Victoria had to force her to drink the mixture an
CHAPTER 31 She touched her image in the mirror. Gone was the girl lost in her world. What she saw in the mirror was a woman who had seen and felt what it's like to love entirely with her whole being. She doesn't know if she can ever feel this way again. Every fiber of her mind and body is alive with the knowledge that genuinely and indeed, she loves Chris Duvier. "Chris Duvier..." she whispered his name." Hi, I'm Mrs. Agnes Duvier." Her image smiled at her. Her joy reached out to her heart." Mrs. Agnes Duvier..." Dreamily, Agnes hummed a lively tune. She smiled and twirled in front of the full-length mirror in front of her. She was dancing and singing, twirling with joy when Victoria dashed inside her bedroom when she heard her friend's voice. The young girl la