Franchesca Mauve is a woman who is considerate, polite, and pleasant to be around. However, despite her judgmental demeanor, she finds people peculiar and can count the number of her pals on one hand. Her best buddy from childhood was like the other half of her. This person keeps upsetting her comfortable life. She's been wanting him for a while, but she's been keeping it a secret because she knows he doesn't like her and that another lady likes him. She has been holding back her emotions for a very long time in an effort to preserve their friendship, which means a lot to her. She was no longer surprised when the man she liked or her male friend already have a relationship with the woman he truly likes. It feels like her world has turned upside down. Until she makes a choice that will completely upend her world. Pain is the root of everything. She makes a choice because she fears suffering. She misplaced her loved ones, her money, her friends, and the guy who was always there to support her. She misplaced everything, including herself. She causes a catastrophe, and for a beautiful girl, that catastrophe becomes a lovely one.
I keep on asking myself what is the definition of pain. Witness the beautiful flowers that were in front of me when he answered the question that I was having a hard time answering. Pain is the reason for every decision we make.
Some are left behind because they are afraid of being hurt.
Some leave because people are afraid of being hurt.
There are those who cheat because they are afraid of getting hurt.
Some people cheat because some people are afraid of getting hurt.
To make everything short, pain is the scariest thing that exists. We don't know when we will feel him and we don't know if we will be able to feel him once we do. We are all afraid of feeling bait. Especially in terms of loving someone. So, in order to avoid it we choose to put that pain in someone. We will decide to avoid that pain just so we don't feel it again.
"Isn't it over yet?!" Zoe shouted loudly as we were arranging my things.
He didn't even look at her and continued to fold the clothes I wore earlier. I don't want to make this hard for every crew member so I choose to help them. We just finished our photo shoot at Cole clothing, but instead of going home right away, I chose to help with the repairs.
"You're always a hero..." I heard him say softly before passing me and entering the dressing room.
She was my best friend back then and I know that she was mad at me. Sometimes I really ask myself why he is angry with me. We were both not chosen. She reaches her dream career which is to be a professional photographer. I had no choice so I ended up here.
"Heart isn't there yet?" Ela asked Keysi.
It was like something choked me because of what I heard. I can't move because I feel like I have no right. It's been a year but the guilt is still inside my soul and eating me.
I didn't like that. I didn't want to be hurt and hurt. I just... I just can't find any way to avoid the pain.
It's tiring because I can receive those diseases that over time are buried in my heart and mind. Avoiding pain is not cowardice. I just saved myself.
Avoiding the pain is not bad, especially when you just want to save yourself. It's not being selfish because it's taking care of your mind, soul, and heart.
"Alright... we'll take care of it, maybe Zoe's cape will catch fire," Keysi uttered, one of the stylists here.
I just smiled at him and continued what I was doing. Zoe is good at barking, especially using hurtful words. I'm used to him so why should I be afraid? When we finished the arrangement, I said goodbye to them.
I held tighter the coke float that I was holding when I saw a very familiar guy. He looks stunning wearing his white hoodie and navy blue cargo shorts partnered with his favorite white slipons. He didn't do anything to make everyone look at him but he already hooked the attention of everyone inside this fast food chain.
I don't know what to do. I bit my lip to stop the feeling. I admit that for the past years I still miss him. No matter what I do... I can't cut him. He still has a very special part in my heart. Only for him even if he doesn't want to.
He was not angry at what I did to him and for destroying the relationship between him and Heart. Because he is kind... I took advantage of his kindness.
Because Aze is the man who apologizes to you, he will forgive you.
"Daddy!" I almost fell out of my seat when I heard my son's voice.
I can't move while looking directly at her. He couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my eyes. My baby... My baby is wearing a smile that I just saw.
I want to kneel and beg Aze not to look at my son because when the three of us face each other, my world might collapse again.
"Baby girl... he's my boyfriend. He's not your Daddy," I almost froze when I saw Zoe walk up to Aze and hold onto his arm.
I slowly lowered my hand and pursed my lips watching Zoe's movements. They look good together, the reason why I felt like my world is slowly fading.
"It's because I saw his picture on my mom's wallet. My mom said he was my daddy..." Cheche politely explained.
"Maybe I'm just your Mama's idol, Baby." Aze softly said and tapped Cheche's head while smiling.
Aze smiled widely at my baby Cheche and I swear that my heart crumpled because of her reaction. The pain was slowly showing on his face but somehow he managed to smile. That forced smile... as if he was indicating that. It's okay... which he accepts.
My son watched his father and Zoe walk out the door. He is like a child who is lost while looking at the person who left him. No... he can't.
I covered my mouth and stifled pitiful sobs. It's like salt is sprinkled on the wound in my heart. Nothing... I can't do anything anymore. There was nothing I could do to introduce my son who was missing his father. I don't have the courage to tell him about this situation. I don't want to bother them. I don't want to hurt anyone again. I don't want to put pain on someone. To me... only to me.
Yes, this is the consequence of my action. So I must endure... so I must remain okay even though I know in the deepest part that I am not. He couldn't stop my loud sobbing along with the rapid movement of my shoulders and the rapid rise and fall of my chest. I covered my face because I know all of them are staring at me.
"Mommy! Why are you crying?" my son asked in tears and hugged me around the waist causing me to cry even more. "Are you in pain, Mommy? Tell me where it hurts and I'll kiss it..." he asked confused.
I looked at him sobbing. "I'm not in pain..." I lied.
I picked him up and held him in my lap. She wiped my tears while shaking her head like she knows that I'm lying.
"You told me that eyes can't lie and our eyes are the way to let our soul talk. What Papa Wave said when someone cries there are only two reasons. Happiness and pain. You can't lie to me, Mommy. Your eyes already answered my question," he explained at length.
I don't know but I cried even more because of what he said. I can't find any words to use as an excuse.
"I'm fine, my baby cheche. I'm fine Mama and you don't have to worry," I tried to smile.
Yes, I'm fine... I should be fine.
He nodded like an innocent kid. "Papa Wave just told me that happiness is when you feel that there is nothing missing. I don't have a daddy so I can't be called happy but here it is, Mama, what is it?" the bait?" he asked confused.
I looked into his eyes full of wonder "What is pain? Pain is the scariest one..."
"Chacha..." I froze at the voice that called me.
I tightened my grip on Cheche's clothes before turning my gaze to Aze who was now standing in front of us. He looked back and forth between Cheche and me as if asking a question.
I can't move because I don't know what to do. I felt like if I move then my world will stop rounding.
His jaw clenched as he stared at me badly. "You know... you know I can't be angry with you..." he said holding back and I saw his fist clenched. "I think I can do it now..." he said firmly while staring at me full of anger.
Franchesca Mauve is a woman who is considerate, polite, and pleasant to be around. However, despite her judgmental demeanor, she finds people peculiar and can count the number of her pals on one hand. Her best buddy from childhood was like the other half of her. This person keeps upsetting her comfortable life. She's been wanting him for a while, but she's been keeping it a secret because she knows he doesn't like her and that another lady likes him. She has been holding back her emotions for a very long time in an effort to preserve their friendship, which means a lot to her. She was no longer surprised when the man she liked or her male friend already have a relationship with the woman he truly likes. It feels like her world has turned upside down. Until she makes a choice that will completely upend her world. Pain is the root of everything. She makes a choice because she fears suffering. She misplaced her loved ones, her money, her friends, and the guy who was always there to support her. She misplaced everything, including herself. She causes a catastrophe, and for a beautiful girl, that catastrophe becomes a lovely one.
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!