It’s been almost a week since we moved here to Cavite, and our stay has been okay. Mama hasn’t been asking too many questions; she’s been busy because she really likes Jaxon. I’ve been enjoying myself too because Mama’s cooking is delicious. Jaxon doesn’t need to go far to get my cravings; Mama often knows exactly what my taste buds are looking for. She said we’re almost as picky as she was when she was pregnant with me and Lola, her mother. Her mother used to cook for her when she was alive. I was only six years old when she passed away from diabetes. So when I grew up, Mama also warned me about sweets or sources of sugar, like chocolates, rice, cake, and ice cream. It’s just the five of us at home—Mama, Sam, Zain, Kris, and me. Jaxon and Cain aren’t here; they left together for something important. But from what I heard, they’re not going to the same place. It’s almost two in the afternoon, and I’m so bored. I wanted to go out, maybe to the mall. I just want to buy some things for
Maria “Ija, come join us,” my mother called as she saw me coming down the stairs from my room. It’s been three months, but I still can’t believe what’s happening to me now. It feels like just yesterday I was raised in Tondo, where I encountered all kinds of people. Not everyone there is bad, though. People just assume it’s a den of criminals, but not everyone is like that. Not everyone is bad. It also feels like just yesterday when I was almost sold to the elderly for my soul, and also when I saw the man who saved me. I thought we would never see each other again, because who am I for him to look for? But I felt revived when someone arrived at the house, insisting that he’s my mother. At first, I couldn’t believe it. I grew up in Tondo with my mother and two siblings, as well as my father. I didn’t finish college due to financial constraints, so I chose to work after graduating from high school to support my two younger siblings. I helped my mother in the market on my days off an
I don’t know how I managed to get back to my seat without causing a scene because of what I saw. I wanted to rush over, to pull the hair of the woman who kissed him, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk anything happening to my child.“Pregnant, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Does your stomach hurt? You’re not speaking,” I suddenly remembered that Zain was with me here. He’s been asking me what’s wrong since I looked pale.So I drank some water and took a deep breath. It felt like my heart was being stabbed with everything I was seeing. I’ll let him explain. I’ll give him a chance to defend himself.“I’m okay. Eat your food before I take it back,” I said. He started eating, while I tried to calm myself. I’m in public; I don’t want to cause trouble. I don’t want a scene, I don’t want to be seen on Facebook as a grandma who loves to fight. I still have respect for myself.“I’ll just be over there. I have somewhere to go, I’ll just be in front of you. Enjoy yourself for a while,” I told him, and
I don’t know how I managed to get back to my seat without causing a scene because of what I saw. I wanted to rush over, to pull the hair of the woman who kissed him, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk anything happening to my child.“Pregnant, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Does your stomach hurt? You’re not speaking,” I suddenly remembered that Zain was with me here. He’s been asking me what’s wrong since I looked pale.So I drank some water and took a deep breath. It felt like my heart was being stabbed with everything I was seeing. I’ll let him explain. I’ll give him a chance to defend himself.“I’m okay. Eat your food before I take it back,” I said. He started eating, while I tried to calm myself. I’m in public; I don’t want to cause trouble. I don’t want a scene, I don’t want to be seen on Facebook as a grandma who loves to fight. I still have respect for myself.“I’ll just be over there. I have somewhere to go, I’ll just be in front of you. Enjoy yourself for a while,” I told him, and
“Are you really sure, love? Can’t I stop you? Are you really going to leave me? I thought there would be no leaving, ouch! Okay, fine!” We were still in front of the house, and he was still arranging my things, just two sets of clothes, personal hygiene items, and a few vitamins. I was only going to be with Alex for one day, he really didn’t want me to leave. It seemed like he wanted to come with me, but he said he had to call their headquarters and he needed to go there, so he had no choice. He also offered to send one of his buddies with me, but of course, I refused. It would be embarrassing for Alex if I had someone with me, right? And he might wonder why I had someone with me who wasn’t familiar to him. He’d probably ask questions. “I’ll just be there for one day, Jaxon, and that’s it, okay? We haven’t seen each other for so long, and now, if you act like you can’t live without me, it’s too much.” It’s true, it’s been a long time, four? Or five years. “I’m barely living when yo
“Ely!!” I immediately looked for where the voice was coming from, it was Alex, running and waving at me. She was wearing her favorite hoodie and shorts. She looked different too, she cut her hair short and dyed it ash gray, and it suited her. Her skin seemed to glow in white; she used to have pale skin, but now, she seemed to have really embraced her pregnancy. Good for her. “Omg, I missed you!!” she exclaimed as she approached me, then hugged me. I moved away a bit because my stomach was being pressed, it was a bit painful. “I missed you too.” I teased her, and she separated from me. “You probably know him,” I said to her, holding Jaxon’s arm. “Oh, of course! Hey, Zander Vanth! Finally, you showed up.” She said and slapped Jaxon on the shoulder. I saw Jaxon grin a bit; it must have hurt when she slapped him. Jaxon just smiled and hugged me, maybe they weren’t that close, so that was his reaction. “Love, I’ll stay here. I’ll call you later, text me when you get home.” I told him, h
“Damn it! It’s been seventeen hours! How the hell can you still not contact them? Or even track her?!” Damn it! How did it come to this that they were able to track Zander? There’s no information coming out of this building. Kris, you’re handsome. Don’t think too much, it diminishes your charm, right. “Zander, calm down first. It won’t be solved if you’re like that. Just think deeply about it.” I gave him a stern look. He might snap at me. It’s annoying, and I don’t want that. I love my life, heart, heart. Zander sat down and took a deep breath. I’m really good at calming him down. Nothing can escape my charm, hehe. But even I was stunned when I found out that the pregnant woman was missing. So I get why Zander is so worried. It’s dangerous. We don’t know who took her or where she was taken. Zander put a tracker in the ring he gave her so she wouldn’t notice that he knows where she is. He’s been crazy about Elara for a long time. Not like a stalker, more like crazy in love. It’s
I woke up feeling heavy, in a room with no windows, and only one door. There were no interior decorations. Where am I? The last thing I remember, I took a shower after we ate, then I dozed off in the room Alex gave me, but this isn’t the room where I slept. Where am I? Where is Alex? The door opened, and an elderly woman entered. She looked like a helper because of her uniform. She was quiet as she approached me and set down the tray she was carrying. It had rice, vegetables, strawberries, and water. I also saw the two bottles of vitamins I take. After she set it down, she left without a word, closing the door behind her. Did I just hear a click? Like she locked the door? I don’t think so. Why would she lock me up here? I stood up and went to the door to try to open it. What the heck? I’m not hallucinating! She just locked me up in this room! What the hell is happening right now? Where is Alex? Why am I here? Why am I not in my room? Where is my phone? “Alex!” I called out, and m