LOGINIt was so nice to go home finally. The vast, white and black cream colored mansion filled my vision as our car went through the huge gates. The green Bermuda stretched in the front yard with the meticulously cut flower garden, where a gardener was trimming unwanted leaves from the small trees. I had to open the window to feel the fresh air and see the fountain at the center of the garden.“You like it?” I heard Karlo ask me.“Yeah,” I answered and smiled. “We’re home…”It’s been a year. Just a year, but it felt like I had gone through so much. How many more things and events will I encounter in my own home?The car stopped in front of the entrance doors. Several familiar maids approached us and started unloading our luggage from the back trunk. Karlo guided me to go outside the car, while Timothy helped the maids. Together, we tipped the driver who helped unload our luggage.“You must be tired. Just go to your room,” Karlo advised.“Okay,” I simply answered and turned my back.I don’
The familiar scent of Manila City filled my nose as we got to the exit of the airport. I looked around and saw a lot of busy people striding inside the premises, meeting their waiting loved ones, and loading baggage into the parading cars. Karlo and Timothy were the only individuals who were watching our family driver load our baggage. Karlo was trying to help, but he was talking on the phone, while Timothy was whistling and kicking invisible rocks. Shitheads.“I’m hungry,” I announced and crossed my arms. “I want to eat in a restaurant before we go home.”They all looked at me in confusion, but Karlo was the one who got alerted first and gradually hung up his phone. He nodded.“Okay. Then let’s finish this up.”“Yeah, I’m also hungry now; I could eat a whole cow!” Timothy exclaimed as he dramatically stretched his arms. “I think I’m going to have jet lag.”My cousin was the first one to get inside the car. Karlo attended to me and casually placed his hand on my waist, guiding me to g
I finished my MBA in the remaining months. We just celebrated for a day and then decided to book our flights back to the Philippines. Timothy stayed with us in the house for those months. He also trained me in some combat skills, while Karlo was the one in charge of shooting with guns.“I still can’t believe that we are all going home!” Timothy exclaimed from behind us. “You know what, Minerva, I can’t wait for you to train in the Red Cartel headquarters where you will meet the assassins your parents nurtured for decades!”“Timothy, you shouldn’t say that in public,” I said and turned my head over my shoulder. “You don’t know who is listening!”“Keep your voice down,” Karlo shushed, and even looked at me. “Rest well.”I felt my cheeks heating up because of the concern that seethed through his eyes. I cleared my throat before looking away. Stay strong, Minerva. He shouldn’t see that you are in love with him. Keep a straight face and pretend that everything is fine—-Before I could even
I snapped out and instantly narrowed my gaze at him. I stood up while crossing my arms, facing the handsome bodyguard.“I don’t want to. I will go home. I am sure that they are just going to make me meet a man I don’t even know, so I could marry him!” I exclaimed and hovered my gaze from his head to foot. “But why am I even explaining myself to a bodyguard like you?”“Bodyguard?” he echoed with confusion across his face.“Yes, bodyguard,” I responded.He tilted his head. “Do you have any problem meeting your future husband?” he asked.“The only husband I can accept in my life is my boyfriend,” I said.“You are not even interested in meeting your parents, who wanted you to marry, huh?”“For what? I don’t even know that man! I bet he is an ugly asshole who has the worst body built and is very stupid!He blinked. After that, he barked out a handsome laugh that made me breathless. I gulped and shook my head at myself. What, Minerva? Why are you even overwhelmed by this man? He is nothing
Clearing my throat, I raised the towel to Karlo’s face and began wiping his sweat away. I am better masking my anxiety by making my expression straight and stoic. I don’t want him to see that I am nervous as hell just by touching his body, but the shaking of my hand was evident, betraying every ounce of my dignity. Still, I continued.“Wow,” I heard Timothy comment again, just like he always does. “You’re making fun of my marital status again…”“Who told you, anyway, not to get a girlfriend? You have the free will to do so,” Karlo replied to him without breaking his eye contact with me.Timothy scoffed. “As if I would find a perfect lady like my cousin. You are very lucky to marry the princess of the family, Karlo.”I cringed at what my cousin said, so I pouted and glared at him. I was surprised when Karlo chuckled. I looked up to him again.“I definitely know how lucky I am,” Karlo agreed.“Boo! So corny! Do you have juice inside your ref? I’m so thirsty,” Timothy complained before w
I woke up when some days of the sun went through the window of my room. It is already morning. When I looked at my phone, it was seven AM already. I stretched out before I went outside.The living room was dead silent. I saw Timothy lying on the couch with his mouth open. His clothes were Karlo’s. I rolled my eyes when I realized that he didn’t even visit in preparation and had no clothes with him. I heard frying from the kitchen, which I believe Karlo’s doing.“What are you cooking?” I asked when I went inside the kitchen.“Good morning,” he greeted and smiled. “Eggs and bacon. Would you like a coffee?”I suddenly remembered his answer to Timothy last night. He loves me. He would gladly accept his death if I were the one to kill him. I avoided my eyes and approached the cabinet of mugs.“No need. I will be the one making. Did you drink coffee?” I asked.“No, I waited for you and Timothy to wake up.”“Then I will make it.”“Sure.”Even if I was doing the coffees, I could still feel hi
“We still held the attacker as a hostage. My men are watching over him. He’s unconscious. Once he wakes up, we will interrogate him,” Karlo explained to me.I furrowed my eyebrows. “Do you think Helen is behind this?”Karlo sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. “Well, I received news from Tim
The drive to the school was in complete silence. Karlo didn’t even dare to look at me, and I did the same. It is too awkward just remembering the conversation we had last night. I wanted to ask if he is even okay to drive me to the university since I am thinking that he might have a hangover.I sig
What time is he coming back?I watched the time from my phone and saw that it is going to be one am. Currently, my buttocks are glued to the sofa, Netflix is on the television, and my phone is in my hand. Victor and I were texting each other an hour ago.Victor: So you and Ian had already broken up
The maids have already brought the tray with food and water the moment Karlo went outside to leave me alone. I remained staring at the ceiling, trying to fight the headache caused by what Karlo said to me a while ago.The Red Cartel. The government. The enemies and criminals of my parents…Everythi







