"How are you?" He asked me the moment he started driving.
"I'm fine. How about you?" I casually answered and asked him the same question.
"I'm all good. Kinda busy."
"Same. Tomorrow we will start the renovation of our restaurant."
"I heard that from Baste. You hired Thrante to be your engineer."
"You heard it right. Yet, this is a business deal and money is involved."
""Our restaurant", what do you mean?"
"Vince is with me, Joe. We're partners."
"Vince what?" He glanced at me.
"Vince Vega. You know him?"
"Yeah... the chef?"
"Yes," I confirmed.
Silence followed. I glanced outside the window, wondering where he was taking me.
"Where are we going?" I asked, roaming my eyes outside the car.
"Anywhere."
I peered at his side, "W
"I'm home!" I declared excitedly and went inside the house. I looked after Jonas and Uno. I saw them both in the living room while studying. Jonas was teaching his son to read.Uno looked up at me and smiled widely. "Mama!" He called and ran towards me. I lowered my hips so he could reach me."I miss you, baby!" I kissed his cheek."Look, Mama! Papa teaches me how to read!""Oh, that's nice, Uno."I rose to my feet. Jonas welcomed me and kissed me on my cheek as well.I decided to give Jonas another chance to be part of our lives and to give myself another chance to be his partner. Now, we were happy again. Uno was happy to be with his father."Hi, love," I greeted."Are you hungry?""Not much, love. Have you eaten already?""Yup. Before we study.""Okay. I'll just go upstairs to change my clothes.""Can I join?""Huh?"He chuckled. "Alright. You go up now.""Wanna come with me?"
Someone knocked on the door, stopping our moment. I heard a little voice and that's when I realized we left Uno downstairs."Mama?" He called.Jonas and I looked at eacher. We both laughed upon realizing Uno was outside the room. I pulled away from him and marched the way out. I opened the door for Uno."Mama, what's taking you so long?" He asked innocently."Sorry, Uno. I almost forgot you.""Can we sleep now, Mama?""We haven't taken our dinner yet, Uno. Are you sleepy already?""Yes, Mama. Can I sleep beside you and Papa?"I glanced at Jonas. He nodded. I turned to Uno again."Of course, Uno. Mama will just change, okay?""Okay, Mama. Please hurry up."I chuckled. "Sure, Uno."I changed my clothes quickly. After that, I lied next to my little family."Mama," Uno called. He was between me and Jonas."Yes, Uno?""I don't have siblings, Mama?""You want one?""Uh-hu
"What now, Etincelle? Are you up for tonight's fun?" Morthena asked me with excitement."Where will be at tonight?""Let's go to Makati, E. It's gonne be fun! Philip and his friends will be there too!" She clapped as she giggled.We like to party and get wasted. It's our routine every weekend and if we are up for the fun. While you are still young, just enjoy your days. You can party all you want, get wasted and move on the following day. Lucky you are if you won't get hangover the following morning."Sure! Can I invite Thrante?" I asked them."Of course! But will she join us?"I cracked a laugh. How many times have I invited Thrante to a party? I lost count. But she always rejects me because club isn't her thing. She didn't like hanging out with strangers."At least she knows we invite her," I countered."Okay! And if she will join us, I
After my two shots of wine, someone went here and stood few meters away from me. He leaned his body against the counter and ordered his drink."Hey," I called him."Yeah?" He turned to me lazily."Jonas, right?"He nodded. "Etincelle, right?""Yes. Are you alone?""I'm with my friends.""Is Baste here too?""He's not with us. Don't expect anything from him anymore. You know how devastated he is right now.""Yeah..."I felt bad for Baste too. There were times that he ran to me and cried. He was hopeless. He really loved my cousin. I'd never seen any man like him who would cry over a girl. In fact, he could have any woman he wanted but he wanted Thrante alone."Who are those friends?" I asked him."Skyler and Xander.""Ah," I replied and shut up.I excused myself from him. I searched for Morthena everywhere. I found them on the circle sofa. Morthena was so drunk already."Can you s
Summer was just around the corner. I worked out everyday to achieve the body goal that I wanted. Azy's wedding is getting near too so I had to maintain my figure."Thrante's eager to get annulled with Sebastian," Mom stated during our dinner. "Your Tita Katherine is also supportive. I don't think they won't win against the Marcados. They've done it before against the Imperial. There's no way they won't do it again.""Do you think that is normal, Mommy? Will it bring a shame to both families if people will learn about the annulment?""It surely will. But as much as I want to be excluded from this issue, I also want to support your cousin. In this generation, divorce and annulment is normal for married couples.""This is why I hate marriage," I grunted. "I'm not against them 'cause I know Baste was a good husband. Maybe they aren't just meant to last? They are not meant to be.""Maybe they are better off as separated, Etincelle. They need a break fro
After that chitchat, I went home and found my mother in the living room."I'm home," I announced."Etincelle," Mama called. I kissed her cheeks and sat next to her."Why, Mommy?" I asked."Within this week, Thrante will send a summon to Sebastian for a statement proving that there's no collusion between two parties.""And?" I folded my legs, leaning my side against the sofa. I studied my mother's face.Some people said I looked like my mother, some said I was the girl version of my father. While studying Mom's bare face, I can see myself in her. I got the shape and color of her eyes. While for Dad, I got his nose and lips."Do you know how the annulment goes?" She asked me but it didn't sound like a question. "Your petition will be granted only if it will proven to the court that there's no collusion between two parties. That means if the case is proven that both parties have no illegal connection, there's a big chance that the petiti
"So, you're in good terms with Baste again?" I asked Thrante as she told me she's living with Baste again.I have no work today so I decided to meet Thrante. It's her day off too so I decided to visit her here in the penthouse."He offered me a 30 days of marriage. I just thought his offer sounds good and he promised to rewrite his statement once this agreement ends.""Then what? What if you will your mind?"She bit her lower lip. I can see how hard this was for her. But she looks like she's just go-with-the-flow set up and she has no back up plans."Look," I folded my arms. "if this agreement works, I hope you guys will get back together.""What for? We will be annulled after this.""So, it's fine with you that Baste will love someone else?" I asked, incredulous."If he wants to, who am I to restrain him?""You sound so confident. Did you find a better man already?" I accused."Me?" She chuckled with distinct moc
"How old are you again?" He asked curiously."25?" I was not sure. "Or 26.""Still young," he remarked.Silence followed. I was just staring at my shot glass, not knowing what to do. I feel like I will doze off if I will add another shot."You're an architect, right?" He asked again."Yup. Why do you ask?""I have a friend who's looking for an architect. I'm thinking if I should recommend you to him. Is that okay with you?""Really?" I peered at his side. His eyes were serious. "When?""Is that a yes?""Will I ask if not?""I want to make sure. There's still a tendency you will decline the offer if you don't like it.""Depends on the job.""What does that mean?""I specialize restoration. You might ask me for commercial buildings."He slid his palm across his mouth, staring boldly at me. I turned my face away. His hot stares burned my body even more."Here's the thing," he