After Len told me her story as Caleb's cousin, she started to be more talkative with me. It was late morning now and I was busy in front of my laptop, reading the journalism materials that I retrieved on my flash drive when I was still a student. I was serious when I said I would do some recap to make sure that my skills were still intact. After months of being Caleb's secretary, I started enjoying the job despite the fact that I only did it because of my plan. Having that said, I wasn't sure if my journalism skills were still intact since there was a fine difference between being a journalist and a secretary of a company's chief executive officer.
Len on the other hand did all the housekeeper duties; from sweeping and mopping the floor to washing of dishes. As she does her chores, she would talk to me from time to time over some things, perhaps getting to know me better and I to her. But when she saw that I was reviewing my journalism modules, she stopped talki
"Do you think what you have right now will last? No, darling. You don't deserve to be happy, so, just wait and see what we have for you." — H & SFor some reason, the note instilled fear in me even if I know that mom doesn't have the power to do something against me. But then, she mentioned the word 'we' on her note, which could mean that she was with someone and maybe that was the reason why she has the audacity to send this note to me.But I was curious as tho how was she able to leave this note here? As far as I know, she couldn't get back here because of Len who was mad at her. She needed Len's permission first before she could go back here. So, I was curious how on Earth did this note got here.With that, I decided to call the guards and ask. It was their leader, Henry who complied with my call first and ask me what was wrong. Taking a deep breath, I showed him the note, the emotion on his face didn't change."This note was fr
Geraldine and I were silent at first, just staring at Len in shock, but after a while, we were able to recover and invited Len to join us. I introduced them to each other and because they have lots of things in common, they easily got close, much to my relief. And because of that, I was able to calm down and didn't make move out of anger which was just good.Len asked about what happened, so I told her about the note and she too, was curious as to how did the note get here. Even she doesn't remember anyone going in the kitchen aside from her, Mirna, Caleb, and of course, the guards."I'll ask the building for the CCTV footage, I'm sure we would know in time whoever got here without the guards knowing. I'll talk to them as well, but first, we have to get on that Stephanie."Geraldine told her about Stephanie and about our issue way back in college which Stephanie brought up today. I wasn't surprised when she actually knew who was Stephanie. Accordin
Different smells from smoke, liquors, and expensive perfumes; party lights in hot pink, scarlet, green, blue, and yellow danced around; the loud stereo that was making the ground almost shake welcomed us the moment we entered Night Play, the bar where Stephanie usually goes for bar-hopping. Night Play wasn't my kind of place, hence I was uncomfortable at first.Thankfully, Len and Geraldine were here to accompany me. We have plotted a plan against Stephanie while in the car and we decided to let some time first after we arrived here before ruining Stephanie's night. Len pulled me to the bar where a bartender immediately came to serve us.Because they ordered Tequilla, that's what I ordered as well. When the bartender moved to serve our orders, I roamed my eyes around, observing the place and how people acted, so I could easily blend in. The people here seemed wild and free, they seemed to be out of their minds and just doing whatever they want.Dri
Caleb Craige'sI was emotionless as I watched them drink on the bar, men trying to get in their way but my private guards who were now in disguise were blocking them. Half of the guards, the ones who came with them were outside for standby, while half of them came with me when I decided to follow them here. After they left, I hastily went to our bed to change into casual clothes since I couldn't go here with my business suit still on.The damn press was still waiting for us outside the building and even a few meters away from the company building's entrance. But thankfully, they weren't as many as when we just got off the plane from Maldives. Maybe because it has been a day since they tried to get anything from us but nothing and I wasn't planning to give anything to them, anyway. It has been planned that Hazel and I will hold a press interview exclusively by Zamora News Agency, the interview was supposed to be today but I knew she was not yet ready. And
Caleb Craige'sEverything was red as I hastily walked down the dance floor where Hazel, her friend, and my cousin were enjoying dancing and seemed to be interested in hooking up with damn strangers. The party lights flashing different colors were gone and there was only scarlet around as I felt my blood boiling."Ouch!""Sorry,""Yow, bro, what's your problem?""Fuck you,"I wasn't looking at anyone as I strode through the crowded dance floor, making my way to the spot where Hazel was. I was pushing everyone just to get there as soon as possible, saying sorry whenever I would hear a woman's voice complain and a cursing whenever a man would complain. I could feel their dagger looks at my back but I wasn't giving any damn as my goal was to get to Hazel.When I finally reached the space where she was, the red I was seeing around me became intense as if the whole dance floor was painted with blood. And without any word or wh
Hazel Quin'sWe were having the best out of us, wild and free under the spell of alcohol, dancing without thinking of anything and anyone through the party lights flashing different shades of hue, and through the loud stereo blasting loud party music as everyone rocked with it. I was out of my mind, I knew that. But I wasn't giving a damn as I was enjoying, I was living one of the best and wild nights out of me.I didn't know what was happening anymore, I couldn't see Geraldine and Len anymore because we were moving around the dance floor as we danced with everyone. Even so, I didn't mind it and continued getting lost in Night Play.The night goes deeper and deeper until I was totally lost, then I felt hands touch my waist, and instantly, I knew it wasn't Caleb. I wasn't feeling anything even when the hand started moving up my body, unlike to Caleb's touches where I would instantly feel something, the connection, the bond connecting the two of us.
Caleb Craige's"I'm sorry, Caleb.""I'm sorry, mom.""I'm sorry for being a failure.""I'm sorry for ruining your life.""I'm sorry for being a mess."A sigh made its way out of my lungs as I laid Hazel on our bed. She was now asleep but she was talking and still apologizing, mumbling something every five minutes or so would pass. I stood straight and went to the bathroom to ready a basin, a water that came fresh from the faucet, and a towel to wipe her body.When I have everything that I needed for cleaning her, I walked into our walk-in closet to choose comfortable clothes for her. She didn't even have the chance to drink even just a glass of water because she fell asleep after crying for an hour while she was in my arms. She was blaming herself for what happened.But then, as I've told her, it was my choice to follow them there because I knew that whatever they did might backfire on them. It was also my choice
Caleb Craige'sIt was already late when I woke the next day from my deep slumber. Hazel was still sleeping beside me, I would understand if she would wake up late with her head spinning. The drink they had was probably still on her system right now, from her smell, I could say that they took Tequilla. It would pass as a strong drink for someone who's not used to drinking like Hazel. Then, if the bartender mixed something strong in the Tequilla, I wouldn't be surprised if she would vomit when she woke up.Kissing her forehead, I stepped out of the bed and headed to the bathroom to take a morning shower. And to make sure that I would wake up for real, I turned the shower cold and I shivered as the water poured on me, almost freezing me.A sigh of relief escaped my lungs when I was done dressing up for this day. The remnants of last night were gone and I knew a cup of black coffee would complete it. I was trying hard to forget the face of the bastard