d forced manner, I opened my eyes. The leaves swaying slowly outside t

a new

s I let my eyes stay on the calming view outside. Soo

" I ex

f bed. I ran towards the door but stumbled on the floor when the

on was immediately caught by a loud ringing from my phone. I

. I fear it might be my parents or someone connected to them. It can't be A

my number as s

like a ticking bomb. It seemed like that bomb could explode at any mome

saw the name of my secretary. I filled my

ivell

to ask if you're coming to work today. The

ate isn't characteristic of me. I'm supposed to be in my clinic, checking patients every We

father's men might be everywhere? If they catch me, th

said Cl

oday. I have some personal problems to take care of right

n her teeth. It seems urgent; she's been bugging me since earlier. I told her I

lity. Once, when I wasn't around, she got angry at Clarivelle, humiliating her and stating that she doesn't have the right to do what dentists do. Little did s

breath; I ha

tend to Mrs. Madriaga. After that, I'm leaving. I'll e

re," she said, concer

nded knowing I woke up late. Just the thought of not b

ready gon

ss the entire living room. It was clean, no s

d he think? That by acting like this in his house, I'm not contributing? That just because

ready lef

I quickly scanned the entire living room.

the kitch

ards it. The rapid pace of my steps matched the pounding of m

t of it. My steps automatically halted, and the woman did the same. She blinked a few

rning, po," I aw

at Zion's house, this was th

azel, right?" she replied, w

es,

g Neri. Zion mentioned that he has a compan

No, thank you, po. I'm a

furrowing her brows w

ha

'm Zion's helper here.

pened, surprise evid

just said he has someone with him, and you can sleep in. If you're wondering why you only see me today, it's because I'm only here on Wednesd

o respond to her words. Seeing the

'm just not used to having someone

for waking up late. It seems

and continued walk

ning. I immediately cooked breakfast because I know Zio

is it now? The sun is blazing. If he waited for me

rised if one day your belo

ang Neri?" I asked as we

n the table and furrowed he

ld he be

ad of waking up early to atten

she smiled reminded me of my loving

Maybe you're new to this field, so you're not used to waking u

ew to this field. I wanted to tell her the truth about why I'm

ll make s

me handle your tasks for now becaus

ng Neri. Is it okay if I go out f

e, dear. But won

d, still with

back. Thank you, po

ed. "Tak

ready. A part of me was thankful that Zion wasn't here; it made it easier for me to leav

ith Clarivelle and ask her to m

I put on a black cap, shades, and my white coat

r furrowed brows as she stared at Zion's white round-neck shirt with stains. It got discolored when I mixed it with the bleach for whites

eri, I'll

aring dark blue denim jeans and a black polo shirt. Cream-colored flat

her gaze bac

a helper here, H

I'm

y before I could a

, Ma

for almost a minute

e back quickly. T

you,

ly retrieved my hat and shades from my shoulder ba

r, please," I said. I saw him n

tion. It felt like unseen eyes were watching, ready to apprehend and take me home at any

's kitchen supplies? I can't refuse, and he might not appreciate bei

here. My skills aren't enough to manage the cl

situation, expressing my temporary absence from the clinic and requesting

ge it yourself?

r some problems, Doc. It wouldn't be

other choice but to close the clinic for now. But ho

t behind it, I sensed

sari store at home, and it's earning well.

ging Clarivelle felt like embracing a younger sister. S

any problems, financial or otherwise, just call me. I'll

I could feel the warmth

hope your family issues ge

c would be closed until further notice and allowed some patients to pick up t

ast few days, I noticed that he doesn't have a fixed time for coming home-it varies. T

er bag. Thinking it was Clarivelle, I quickly retrieved it, o

mm

na. Don't provo

My eyes welled up as I star

ife, Mommy. You did that to Ate Cheska. Now, are you doing

f my phone. I glanced around and

ver there for a moment? I need to buy

iped my wet face and went to the store,

looking for, M

aking sure no one f

sell SIM

d. "Which

e, pl

M cards from a hanging pocket. I took

e change

and as soon as I closed the door, I stashed the SIM card

where Zion's house is located. I almost froze as I stepped ou

alread

ards the main door and silently opened it. I don't know why I felt so nervous, knowing I d

such inconsiste

ly blaming h

... with a woman. They were seated. Zion was engrossed in his laptop on the center table, readin

y. In that moment, I glimpsed a shadow of darkness in Zion's onyx

" he ca

Zion," I greeted wi

unchanged, maintaining a

u coming from

u question and answer session. I didn'

sim card. The o-old one was running out of lo

hing towards his waist. I glanced at the woman bes

babe?" the

om me. I blinked rapidly, feeling the hairs on m

Zion replied,

The woman's tone d

ut. Almond-shaped eyes, a petite but pointed nose, and plump lips adorned her face. She was skinny, extrem

lf to her, Adrianna? And why does

oice snapped me

man raised

ork sinigang for us, Hazel? I'm craving that

? How do you cook that? What are the ingredients?

just hotdogs, how m

oman wanted. Instead, all I saw was him raising an eyebrow,

mn

d, nodding repe

sinigang," I said,