Stuck With You

Being a shadow of her sister isn't easy. All her life, she's feeling indebted to her
family for being the illegitimate daughter of a President.

All she yearns is to have someone that will take away her doubt of a happy ending.

"How did you get inside?" A deep male voice said.

"The door?"

She turned to look at him. She didn't recognize this person standing before her. He
was dressed in winter camouflage, white from head to toe in black combat boots.

"You're a soldier? I thought..." She said, blinking snapping out of her bewilderment.

He ran his tongue across his dry lips, staring at her blankly. "Stop. Stop following
me or I'll report you to your father." His hand went to his hip.

She tiptoed to reach his ear. She would take the risk again to meet the smiling
carelessness of his eyes. "I salute your loyalty to the President, but you can't make
a young woman like me to not follow her dreams." She whispered.

"Your stubbornness will lead you to trouble." he held her arms. " One day you'll
wake up, I'm no longer beside you---fighting for my country. There's no
guarantee---"

She saw the same fear she had.

She rest the palm of her hands on his chest. "I'll stay in love with you."

He kissed her eyelids. "Whatever happens trust me, Baby."

Celestine has never ridden a public bus before; until he met her friend's brother. It
had been a couple of months since he courted her at times, virtually. Every month
she's setting aside more or less twenty-dollar bill; just to see him. No one knew
anything on her side...

"So unfair. Granny decided to limit my computer time again." Celestine griped and
rolled her eyes into the webcam.

"Granny is right Celestine, you are in a trimestral University. It means you have to
read, comprehend, solve, or else you won't really understand Mathematics itself."
His deep husky voice made her grin sheepishly.

"Why can't you find time to visit me this month?" Celestine whined instead.

"We have already talked about this. I cannot skip Army EOD Training." His thick
eyebrows furrowed making his forehead creased while he dragged both hands
through his hair.

"You can save other people's lives, but you cannot even save me..." She mumbled
to herself.

"Baby, I will make it up to you." He caressed his rough, bearded jaw.

The determination in his gunmetal eyes setting sparks through Celestine's rattled
senses.

"W--wait, you love me already?" She furrowed her brows with a lopsided smile.

"Maybe no, I only know..." He winked playfully.

She scoffed, picking up the sliced lemon from the glass water that Granny
prepared.

One bite of the sour lemon caused her lips to pucker. "For your information. I don't
believe virtual confession, honey..." She rolled her eyes skyward.

She made no attempt to hide this, but Xandre will kill him.
"Is.. Lt. Colonel Valdez here?" She wandered her meticulous eyes inside the
Barracks were soldiers are in haste packing essential goods, uniforms, clothes in
their army duffle bags.

"Didn't you know? We're heading to Fort Knox, Kentucky for our boot camp."
Master Sergeant Caliva said while he wear on one shoulder his sleeping bag.

"Is that so..." She pouted, resentfully silent. Tightening her grip on her lunchbox.

"Isn't the President your father?" He asked abruptly. He knitted his brow in
concentration behind her.

"At times-- I guess so..." She shrugged her shoulders before attempting to leave.

"Wait!" His eyes widened seeing them approaching with the senator's son. "Don't
look back he's here. I'll call your---"

"Baby! There you are!" A familiar deep male voice exclaimed.

He looks completely different, his hawk-like greyish eyes just stared at her blankly.
He picks her up before kissing her forehead, and pinched her toned calf.

"Be quiet annoying brat or we will both face your father's wrath." He whispered
through gritted teeth against her ear. Clenching his fist on her pencil skirt,
underneath her thigh.

Soldiers saluting as he stride towards his quarters, deafening silence filled the
Barracks.

"We have talked about this, Celestine Rhea Amor Altamirano." He placed her feet
back on the ground and pinched the bridge of his nose as if it could calm his
enraged soul.

"No we didn't Lt. Colonel Tien Valdez! You didn't informed me you'll be gone for
almost two months!" She firmly pointed at his chiseled chest.
He scoffed and gripped her arms. A devilish smirk suddenly played across his lips as
he look at her again with those gunmetal eyes. "Did you have fun playing with a
soldier man's heart?"

Her brows furrowed trying to understand where all his angst is coming from. "What
are you say---"

He placed his two fingers on her quivering lips. "Shhh... Let me finish."

"Isn't it ironic, Baby. I was in love with another man's fiance." His voice trembled
on the verge of tears.

She heaved a heavy sigh and felt tears slide down her cheeks. Lifting her head, she
searched his eyes, delved into those months of intense desire. She knew her heart
was going to get broken. She didn't just expected this to happen too soon. "You
once told me, Love recognizes no barriers. But here you are, eating your own
words because of pride!"

She sniffed and ran her fingertips over her eyes to wipe away. "Yes! I was born with
a silver spoon in my mouth and everything has been done for me. Until I met you,
you showed me your simple world. In the slums where you grew up, abandoned..."

He loosened his grip. His fingers caressed her arm warmly and brushed the hair
away from her cheek. He gaze at her, remorseful but he already made a decision.
"I volunteer to bolster fight against ISIS. You can marry any man you want once I'm
gone."

Her eyes felt strained as she continued to stare into the wall, there is a big portrait
of Tien and Celestine surrounded by street children that has been a part of their
charity event a month ago before they fall apart.

Celestine pulled the blanket around her shoulders and curled into a shivering ball,
and cried her eyes out until she couldn't cry anymore, then she got up off the
bathtub, dried off and lotioned her entire body and got dressed.
Lately, she had been having constant headaches, emotional breakdown, cravings
at unusual time and now was stuck on the toilet. Again.

Suddenly her telephone rang, she wiped her mouth, then quickly picked up her
telephone. "Hello, are you the handsome delivery guy?"

"What the-- you cheater!" The person on the other side of the telephone shouted
distressingly.

Celestine's eyes widened, and switched on her other ear the telephone. "Shazi! Can
you bring pickles and strawberries." She said sweetly, and hung up the phone
nervously.

Not long enough, while watching The Simpson's her doorbell rang. "Just a bit!"
Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, she pushed her feet into the fluffy
slippers waiting on the floor.

"Thank you Shaz--- Daddy?" She startled when she opened the door of her room.

President McArthur was immediately at her side, gazing at her with teary eyes.
"They're hunting him down."

"Noooo!" She shrieked.

Her father stunned her silent with a slap of his broad, calloused hand, hitting her
flat across her face.

"I told you, your heart should be reserved!" He frustratedly rubbed his hand on his
face. "You're going to marry Xandre and that's final!" Her father growled. He stared
at her daughter's tummy with disgust.

"Daddy," she managed to breath, trying not to show she's weak. "I'm not your
soldier. You can't command me to marry Xandre!"

She wanted to bury those memories. But her heart is hopelessly stuck on the
memory of loving him. And by that, it means fighting for her love.
"I'm sorry Daddy. It's my first time to be your daughter. Please, for once be a father
to me..." She sobbed, covering her mouth with her shaky hands before she left her
furious father.

Celestine reached down with her hands to caress her belly, striding for the
staircase of Xandre's mansion. She saw her life flash before her eyes and realized---
she was going to lament.

"Please, spare his life. I won't tell your secret I promise. I love him so much, he's
going to be a father. I'm begging you---"

"If he loves you as much as you love him, he won't choose his battlefield!" Xandre
gripped her face in his hand. It felt like he was going to crush her jaw and cheeks.

"You don't know what love is. I can't be my sister's collateral, I'm not indebted to
you Xandre!--- Please, let us go..." She fought bravely to free from his grip, her body
screaming as her muscles strained beyond their limits.

Hold on, Baby...

Xandre pushed him against the wall. He puckered his lips, held the cigar in three
fingers, and took a long puff. "You're too late, the leader of ISIS, Abdulaziz already
hostage him with thousands of innocent kids that would be killed." He growled in a
deep menacing voice.

"I'm giving you five minutes to leave my house..." His deep voice had the tiny hair
on her arms and neck standing up. He aimed his gun to her.

A lone tear escaped her eyes, she gaped at him "Xandre..."

"It hurts like hell Celestine but I still love you like my soul." He wept bitterly; turned
to face the portrait of her, hanging above the fireplace. There he blankly stare, the
burning letter of second chances.

She's gone.
 Tuesday, 1942

My dearest Celestine,

Terrorists attack were getting fatal here in Israel. Frankly, I don't know what has
come over me. All I know is I miss you.

I'm sorry, can you still wait for me?

Praying still to be your Honey,

~ Tien

"I'm sorry, Lt. Colonel Valdez didn't make it." The pain and guilt were evident in his
blazing black eyes.

"You're lying!" She screamed.

"Celestine, listen to me." Caliva said. "Tien is dead, he didn't survive the bombing.
He risk his life for the children to be rescued. Believe me, I tried to stop him, but he
was persistent to detonate the bomb. Our Intel didn't told us, there are two bombs
planted in the compound."

"No. No. No. He can't just let me marry Xandre!" she cried. "You're here because of
Shazi, not me right? Tien can't be dead! I'll help you convince Shazi to give you a
chance again. Please, he can't be dead." Celestine punched him on his broad chest
and he let her release her angst.

"But that's the truth." He replied.

"I don't believe you, you're messing with my brain. Daddy! He threatened you to
say this to me." She shouted at him while shaking her head.

"I'm not messing with your brain. Please, listen to me..."

Celestine couldn't take anymore of this. She leaned her head on his shoulder while
shaking her head and sobbing.
"Ma'am..." Caliva stiffened.

All the questions with vague answers that will all come later but for now she didn't
accept Tien died.

He cleared his throat. "You have to come with me. Now, this is an order from
President McArthur. Abdulaziz couldn't accept the army killed half battalion of his
minions. It was all blamed to Lt. Colonel Tien, he's looking for you."

"What does it have to do to me?"

"Abdulaziz have Valdez's locket necklace, it has a picture of you."

That forced her to lift her head and face him. It was the strength of despair. She
could not endure much more.

"Abdulaziz might be mistaken, Tien didn't love me." Her lips trembled. She gasp for
air, her clenching heart couldn't even accept it.

"That's a big fat lie. Haven't you asked your Dad, why he gave you extra money?"
He poked her forehead.

Her brows knitted into a frown. She gave her a perplexed look.

"It's from Valdez. He talked to your father, that's all I know. Regardless, it doesn't
justify the fact that he knows something about your relationship with him. Valdez,
talked to every conductors of bus to collect your fare. Remember, the charity event
you both planned?"

She nodded.

"He collected your fares, in exchange Valdez will support their child's education.
That leads to the charity event, where he once lived. He used it together with his
savings." He gasps for air and blinked the tears in his eyes.
"In short he loves her, and he couldn't accept the fact that women are more
expressive than men!" Shazi intervened irritatingly. "Geez, Uncle told you to fetch
her! Not--"

Master Sgt. Caliva pressed his fingers on her lips. "Shut up or I'll kiss you!"

Shazi rolled her eyes while she removed his fingers on her lips. "Your fingers smells
like poop! I'd rather kiss a dog."

He froze and sniffed his own fingers. "Wait! Can I be your dog instead?"

Shazi ignored him. "Let's go Celestine..." She intertwined their hands and walked
out of the house. And rushed to the back of the military truck.

They were greeted by seated soldiers holding a M60 machine gun.

"Is this necessary?" She asked eyeing them anxiously.

"It's part of the protocol Ma'am." The soldier beside her answered.

"Okay..." She said dryly.

"Everyone settled?" Caliva shouted, he's on the driver's seat.

"Sir yes Sir!" Deep voice of soldiers answered.

Throughout the trip, Celestine stared absentmindedly on the guns.

"Shazi, can't I---" She looked to her left but she's not seated there. She wandered
her eyes and it stopped on the passengers seat.

She sighed heavily and felt envious at the sight.

Celestine always thought she knew how it felt to be broken. She always thought
she knew how to handle all the pain. But she was wrong and it hurts so bad.
"Let me help you." The same man said. They've finally reached the headquarters.

"Celestine, you go first. Uncle McArthur is in the infirmary room." Shazi said and
kissed her forehead before she followed Caliva heading towards the kitchen.

Worried about his father's situation she hurriedly went towards the infirmary room.

Celestine walked in. "Daddy?" She closed the door.

It was a huge mistake because the lights went out. Fear crept over here. She keeps
on twisting the door knob but it seemed locked.

"Help! The door is locked!" She banged on the door but it seemed no one could
hear her.

Sweat dripped from her forehead, sliding between her lips. She licked the fluid,
tasting her effort in its salty bitterness. "Why God? What did I even do to deserve
this pain?" Celestine dissolved into sobs. "Please, take away the pain..."

"Is the pain worth the lesson? Nevermind, Don't let it go to your head." The sharp
voice pulled Celestine back to reality. Moonlight filtered to the opened window.
She turned to meet the shadow of a man laying down on the roll-away bed.

"W-who are you?" She asked in a strained voice.

As she felt her way cautiously into the darkness, sliding one foot ahead of the
other, Celestine almost tripped.

His scent filled her head, a memory skittered across her mind and she tried to grab
for it, but it ... It was like she'd seen the... It can't be!

"Don't look at me! I'm hideous..." His face shifted hiding in the darkness.

"I'll just lay here beside you." Celestine muttered tiredly.

Her eyes felt strained from crying and it really made her sleepy.
"I guess we're both stuck here until they realized we're gone." She hugged the
pillow on his side facing him.

"Can I?" She lifted her hand.

"Okay..." He said in a hoarse voice.

Her fingers trembled when she touched the rough skin. "Does it hurt?"

"Yes..." He combed his fingers through her silky hair and it made her spine shiver.

"Have you been in love soldier?"

He nodded.

"How did you know you love her?" She hugged the pillow tightly.

Celestine heard him sighing with restraint and yet he still answered patiently.
"Because when I'm with her, I feel like I am something like I exist. She made me
realized things, that being abandoned doesn't mean you can't be love anymore.
She's my favorite dream that I live daily. And It's not death I fear the most, it's
loosing her..." His voice trembled on the verge of tears.

She couldn't help but cry again when he heard the feelings he had for her. Her
heart clenched within her. Questions bragging in her mind, but she felt he wasn't
through.

"I've regretted pushing her away, I thought I'm doing the right thing." He hid his
face in his hands. His shoulders were shaking and Celestine realized he was crying.
She'd never seen a man cry before, except his father.

"I'm always drowning for you Celestine. Isn't that simple to choose me? To love me
again..." As the clock stopped, the electricity went back on.

"Oh God..." In haste, she held his face between her hands. And she looked at him
for a long while.
"I was right, you're alive!" she cried.

"More reason not to choose me, right?" He chuckled softly, looking away.

Her eyes are all watery while shaking her head. A slow smile worked its way across
her face and into her eyes. "I still love you Tien. Your scars defines how strong our
love will be."

"I'm sorry for everything." His lips inched closer to hers.

She swallowed hard. His gaze never left hers. Tien followed the curve of her lips
with his forefinger as he bend his head closer to hers. "Can I kiss you?"

"Yes please..." She whispered breathlessly.

With her heart pounding, she turned her face slightly and her lips made contact
with his in a long searing kiss. "You have my heart, Celestine." He murmured. "The
pain is all worth it, we've been stuck with each others love."

All he witnessed was a wild, angry woman shouting down at him, a woman he once hoped would be the wife he
never really had.

"I can't accept her as my daughter! Ever since she appeared in our life, everything started to crumble!"

There was a click, and the door was parted from its seal.

"It's not her fault that our son is missing."

Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, he rubbed his face with his hands finally taking his swollen eyes off her wife's
face.

"Sure you would say that! She's your daughter, illegitimate daughter!" she yelled hysterically.

"Please Amelia tone down your voice!" his eyes were tired and resentful, there were dark circles beneath his navy-
blue eyes.

She screamed and threw the things her shaky hands could grasp to make them shatter on the walls and floor, as she
raged.

"No! That sneaky b*stard should've been abducted instead of our son Thadeus. Ricardo we can't give up!"
Amelia's rage had faded into a sobbing depression and he leaps up to console her. The viciousness he had seen in
her a while ago had been shocking, but her misery softened his heart.

They've lost an angel, but it doesn't mean they have to lose another one.

"Celestine tried to save her brother, she's been in coma for a few months. Please, don't give all the burden to the
poor child." he knelt in front of her, pleading for mercy.

With a shuddering sigh, she wiped her tears. "Once she woke up: either we file for divorce or you'll abandon
Celestine."

His gaze blurred, and hot moisture burned down his cheeks. "Amelia, don't make me choose."

"I've forgiven you for your infidelity, but I can't accept your daughter. It's still your choice." she looked away, tears
trickled down her cheekbones.

Ricardo's knees felt nauseated as he stood up, his gaze were anchored to the ceiling. "I'm sorry."

"If you have a one dollar bill, what would you do with it?" she asked the students.

Most of them wanted something they don't have, such a young age and yet luxury can give them happiness.

Among the answers of the Grade One students, only one child captivated her.

It made her realize, she needn't have to be alone.

"I'll give it to my Daddy, so that he won't be a garbage collector anymore!"

Celestine held her breath for a moment. To her surprise, her voice cracked, and her eyes burned with unshed tears.
"--Sunny, your father must be proud to have a sweet daughter like you."

She beamed, her blue eyes twinkling with proud. "Of course teacher!"

"Here's your reward."

"Thank you teacher!" Even though Sunny can't see it, her glistening eyes shows contentment, evidently.

Celestine never really thought that a star stamp would mean so much to her, until she saw how much her students
wanted one.

It was because every after class, she noticed some students got disappointed if they didn't get something they
wanted.

That is why she makes a way to exert their hunger of learning, in return they'll be rewarded.

She can definitely relate to that.

After her father died, he has demands on her.

"Be patient my child, don't lose hope. Amelia, will definitely love you too. But, you'll have to work hard to earn it."

Honestly, she wasn't that sad when he passed away three years ago and that after his death she got better.
Celestine bitterly remember every day; and, coming home but all alone inside a four-poster wall.

Her soul felt indebted to be there, until one day she realised.

If she can't fit in a rowboat, would it matter?

Guess, no.

She'll die, eventually.

Because when she said no to marry out of wealth to save their empire.

That's how their true colors were revealed.

Celestine had believed them until she'd felt the pain of losing her brother.

Yes, she remembered him.

He's all she have, but because of a candy her savior is long gone.

Now, acceptance became salient issue to her.

Not everyone is going to love her, like her old self, or even care about her, only her can make the alone be wanted.

Independence, it made her heart no longer disappointed, she believes that it takes time to be love.

After all, it's not normal to see a mother cry alone in the middle of the night. Of all the things that she want to go
away, those tears of her adoptive mother will always top the list.

And she's thankful, her sister from her biological mother came to their life. She made their adoptive mother be alive
again, also the Altamirano empire.

A year later.

It saddened her to know, the school she volunteers to teach will be closing.

She's not an heiress.

In reality, she's just an ordinary teacher. She can get any job she wants using her rich surname, but opts instead to
save a struggling school from closing.

But this time around, she can't do anything about it.

She clasped the gold heart locket that hung around her neck, it's from her biological mom.

Tragically, she died from HIV.

"I've heard her real mom is a prostitute! Amelia must've been insane to still accept that b*stard!"

She heaved a heavy sigh, this scene wasn't new to her. She has been living with it since she was born. And even if
her deceased mom's job ain't accepted by the norms of the society, they still don't have the right to disrespect her.
As she approached her co-teachers, they looked like rattled snakes being freed. "Ma'am Celestine, I'm sorry
your other students won't be able to attend school anymore." she said with venom in her voice.

It seems the news has already spread like wildfire. Celestine smiled with perfectly composure. "Don't be, Ma'am
Angel. Be sorry, if you have caused it.

From the corner of her eye, her co-teachers was rolling their eyes, but she didn't bother to even look their way.

She walked pass them with her head held high without looking and heading toward the school's gateway.

Over time, she noticed that the more you tease a lion, the more it will attack you.

So be soft but not stupid.

They are the kind of people when bored they ruin people's mind.

While waiting for a cab in the pavement across the street, her cellphone rang.

She took it out of her coat pocket, looking at the screen, her eyes widened with hope. She picked up her phone, and
spoke into it.

"How did it go?"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't convince Mommy to reconsider your appeal. There's no return of investment, that's why she opts
to invest at Lush Cosmetics Company. It's where I work as an endorser.

Your last resort is to find another financing aid for the Sunnyside SPED school to suffice their education. As of now,
Mom told the school head to close it---." her shoulders sagged as she heard the news. It was her sister, Cleobury.

"I-It's fine. Thank you for trying." she put the phone back in her coat pocket, then she sighed loudly and, catching her
breath more and more quickly, began to sob her angst.

Celestine need rain badly, and the sky heard her plea.

She closed her toffee-brown eyes, she heard a tapping on the ground and then it became a pitter-patter.

"I'm alone again." her lips quivered.

People ran for cover outside and umbrellas were opened as the clouds spat out their beads of water. The roofs of the
cars danced with spray and she could hear the murmuring of the rain. It sounded like the buzzing of angry bees.

The cool rain trickled down her rounded face, slightly lighter than classic tan with a rose coloured tint to her high
cheekbones and a pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyelashes.

Her glossy, slippery hair was golden like the sun with soft curls that sticks to her skin fell just past her dimpled chin.

She have buttoned nose that was just above her plumpy lips that always had a faint smile has now tasted her salty
like blood tears.

Her moments in between were only intervened by a low rough voice saying, "Don't be a hindrance of the human
traffic jam, you're not in a drama."
A hooded figure, cloaked in a black rain coat almost covering half of his face approached her with an umbrella.

"Ha?" She had to raise her voice over the wind. The mist was ghost-grey; squinting her eyes, trying to see him
clearly.

"Go home, tomorrow you can be a whore again----" He pulls his wallet from his back pocket before he gripped her
hand, and he placed the thick roll in her palm, folding her bent fingers around the money and squeezing slightly.

"Spend it wisely, be safe!" And handed her the umbrella before he jogged his way towards his bloody-red Ducati and
kicked off the street.

Celestine watched him in dazed silence and bewilderment as she slowly slid the money into the pocket of her coat.

Her eyes lingered on the umbrella, and she opened it; and, held the umbrella over her head.

There was nothing she could do about it until she got home, she arrived soaking wet inside her apartment.

Celestine gloomily removed her coat, her white shirt and her skirt then she stepped out of her high heels and pulled
off her stockings. She caressed every tired toe on her feet, massaging each one until she felt a lot better.

She rose incontinently to her feet, a sudden memory of a hooded figure and the thick roll of money inside her pocket,
sweeping across her mind.

"I didn't even have the chance to say, thank you." she let out a restrained laugh as she dug the money out of her
pocket.

Swiftly, a piece of paper tumbled out from it too. Curiosity got the better of her, and she eased her way down to
retrieve it. Her eyes quickly move back and forth behind her eyelids, and her face burned with fierce joy.

Being mistaken as a whore wasn't so bad after all.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, from above.

Thanks real mom!

The wind soughs through the window, causing whorls in the atmosphere around her, making the smell of brewing
coffee waft through the air, teasing her nostrils.

She pours herself a cup of coffee and settled herself on the sofa.

All night she was up looking for loopholes about the CEO of Lush Cosmetics Company.

To her dismay, even the search engines she used doesn't have any information about him.

Not even a scandal.

That's why she texted her sister.

Bury: Hmmm. I've seen him often, at a strippers club. He's savagely beautiful but too picky of women and awfully
workaholic. Not sure if it's true, he's also a lieutenant. Why the sudden interest BTW?

Celestine: For sexual perspiration.

Damn you, auto correct!

It's suppose to be "census inspiration!"

Bury: Eww sissy!

Celestine: *not sent

"Ugh! I don't have load anymore!" She face-palm herself.

She sighed and tossed her phone to the bed in front of her, irritated and yawned.

As she sips coffee, she asked herself. "Guest relation officer or apply as his secretary."

Celestine's attention shifted back and forth between the condom sticked on the paper from the mystery man and her
laptop, but neither offered any answer.

All she'd have to do was run her tongue across her teeth, it's a habit she do to pacify her anxious mind.

She really don't want to sacrifice her purity, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Since he's fond of going to strippers club either for entertainment or for pleasure. It's still can be considered as a good
sign of her prospect plan.

She choose the higher source of salary.

It was a hot day for autumn. The leaves changes from green to an incredible display of vibrant colors, just as
Celestine's cheeks get a reddish glow from the colder weather.

Sweat stood out on her forehead and it slowly began to trickle down the side of her face. As her eyes adjusted to the
bright sunshine, she fanned herself vigorously.

It's still hot even in September. And when it's so hot, she felt like her ears and hands are burning. If it's not for her
grandfather, she would be enjoying a leisurely lunch at a restaurant on the water, then walked barefoot on the beach
as she dance her way to the beat of 2ne1's song.

Needless to say, all wants can be satisfied at a time. Especially, when you're unemployed.

Anxious about meeting him, she heaved a heavy sigh. Her sweaty palms are on her hip while she's staring intently
the wide dark painted concrete building of Lush Cosmetics Company owned by a mysterious eligible bachelor
businessman.

Walking leisurely, Celestine climbed the marbled steps of the administrative building.

A security guard, who had been lounging against the wall, jumped to attention and hurried to open the wide glass
doors.

She murmured politely, "Thank you."

"Same to you Ma'am!" Tipping his olive-black cap in response before he closed the door behind her.
In split seconds, she's briskly walking towards the reception desk with red duffel bag clutched under her arm, the
strap slack on her shoulder. With each step her trembling had increased.

"May the force be with me." She muttered looking up the sky begging for help before running her tongue over her
teeth.

"Good morning. What can I do for you?" She was brightly greeted by the receptionist wearing a white neat uniform
and the scarf around her neck was tied so that the ruffles perfectly filled the space left open by her coat.

"Good morning too. I'm Celestine Altamirano, I'm here to see Mr. Valdez regarding his order." She gaze at her while
her elbows resting on the marbled desk, fidgeting her fingers in between her purse.

"Ok Ma'am, I'll have to contact his secretary to inform him. Would you like to take a seat while you're waiting?" She
pointed to a cozy chair in front of the glass tinted walls that has indoor bonsai plants in both sides.

"Yes, thank you." she replied, showing a shallow dimple before she turned and sat down the cozy chair.

For a moment, the soft velvety chair was a haven to her exhausted and aching body. She leaned back on the chair
before she dropped her bag off under it and her purse on her lap.

Her hand was about to remove her heels to massage her aching foot from walking halfway, when she heard the glass
door burst open as if a bomb exploded behind it.

Celestine glances to the man arguing with the employee. His lashes, long and dark, brush against his cheekbones.
Those thick dark eyebrows were knitted forcing his forehead to crease. She can't help but notice his lips, chapped
with stains of dried blood as if it was savagely bitten. Okay, he's gorgeous alright.

But apparently, he's hot-headed. Blown up when things don't go his way.

"Saying sorry can't mend what has been damaged!" He dragged his long, calloused fingers on his hair and winced as
they snagged in the knots.

The woman being scolded went motionless in an instant. Lowering her head, she clutched her skirt tighter, accepting
his boiling anger.

"You have wasted time and money for something worthless! Fix this mess, Ms. Shazi." He added. Rubbing his hands
over his face, frustration washing over him and remained where he was.

In spite of the loud cold voice, the confidence set of his broad shoulders, and the gritting of his pearly white teeth, he
was the saddest client she'd ever seen.

Celestine squared her shoulders and fixed her disheveled stewed-cherry dress, her gaze catching his tanned, toned
legs. It had worked its way free from the khaki shorts he wore, and she followed its length to where the ebony-black
leather belt was wrapped securely around his hips.

Celestine cringed at the telltale tightening beneath her ribs. Though, she has quite fetish for his hairy legs. Stealing
one last glance of him, Celestine fumbles around under her seat for her duffle bag.

When she looks up, he is gone; disappeared into the crowds of Lush Cosmetic's employees at the lobby.

Suddenly, Celestine is off answering the call of nature. The clack of her heels on the floor tiles caught the attention of
the receptionist.

She straightened her back with a natural lopsided smile across her lips. "Ma'am you'll have to wait he's in the..."
Celestine waved her hands in front of her. "It's not it, I'm willing to wait for him."

"A-alright, what's your other concern?"

"Where's the comfort room?" Her brows furrowed squinting her toffee-brown almond eyes where the receptionist
pointed out the comfort room.

"Thank you!" she yelled looking over her shoulders almost tripping from running.

Biting her lips, she twist her legs, she knocked on the women's comfort room door: softly, and then louder.

An old lady wearing a grey suit, holding a plumber opened the door. "Ma'am, the toilet bowl is clogged!" she said and
closed the door in front of her before she could even utter a word.

She groaned frustrated. Now what? she thought as she stared at the door frame, stomping her heels on the ground.
"I don't think I can hold this any longer!"

Her eyes looked around the narrowed hallway. The deafening silence made her assume that she's the only person
who went there besides the plumber.

She licked her dry lips, without second thoughts, she went inside the men's comfort room. And it never crossed her
mind that there's an attractive man who is peeing on the urinal bowl.

She never thought that being a GRO is horrendous.

Stunned, she couldn't move to leave instead Celestine's heart raced. Wide eyes open, mouth agape, her thoughts
went mayhem. "Oh dear..."

CELISTINE started to doubt her sanity.

When she saw the glorious snake sprung to life, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

In haste to leave, she slammed her shoulder against the wall it made her winced, in pain.

"Ouch!" she cried out as she felt a stinging discomfort while she rotate her shoulder in a forward direction.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she prayed silently and yet a horrific image appeared in her mind.

Celestine heard him curse under his breath. "You all right?" His words were tossed at her, his voice low echoing the
room.

She could still hear him urinate; it was awful how every sound carried in this comfort room.

Sadly, it didn't gave her comfort rather it made her bladder feel terribly miserable!

"I'll live." Her response was sarcastic, but it was all she could think of.

Celestine gulped and felt a little uneasy, running her tongue over her teeth. Slowly, her eyes flutter open; seeing him
looking over his shoulder. A gasp made her chest tightened.

It's him, the hot-headed man from the lobby!

A tan-skinned man wearing a white shirt beneath what looked like a well-tailored black Armani suit with a matching
tie, and a pair of loafers on his feet. He wore his thick dark hair slicked back, there are few stubble on his chiseled
jawline.

Now, everything has changed!

He screams dominating sexiness, and when their eyes met a while ago, the devilish intensity in his gunmetal eyes
made her want to step back for fear of getting burned.

"You are lost, be careful." His deep voice sounded lifeless.

A rush of embarrassment sent color to her cheeks, and she tore her gaze from his, focusing her attention on the
mirrored wall as if he's a ghost in her eyes.

There was a rustling sound coming from inside the room. She wasn't sure if it's the ventilation or the sound of a
zipper being pulled up.

She glanced his way, it was surely a pants zipper.

"Oh! Is that so---I'm blind." She blinked feigned with innocence biting her tongue. Stupid! Stupid!

Hearing the noise from the running water, it was evident that he's rinsing his hands; and pulled a handkerchief out of
his back pocket wiping off his wet hands and closed the distance between them.

Her inner walls tightened, It's coming out!

He pressed it against her face, wiping up the little drops of sweat and drawing the fabric over her slightly parted
plump lips. She stepped away from him making her lean the door frame, staring straight ahead the mirrored
wall. Eww gross!

"Too close?" he asked. "You were sweating." He shrugged and put the handkerchief in the back pocket of his pants.

She nodded and hummed her response from deep in her throat.

"I want to pee!" Her mind shouted.

A corner of his mouth tipped into a frown, and he pushed his face into hers, their noses almost touching. A ragged
exhalation sent his minty breath flowing across her face. "Do blind women have third eyes?" his voice gruff and
husky.

Her knees wobbled, inhaling deeply his captivating scent. "I-I don't know, it depends if they're gifted." she said almost
a whisper.

"Aren't you gifted?" He moved his nose to the side of her head.

"No, are you?" she chewed her lips and grimaced.

He shook his head, no.

"I'd like to see more of you." His breath lingered on her neck.

Her eyes turned cold before her sweaty palms flattened against his chest and pushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't come here
for pleasure, I'm here too pee."
"Okay, pee then." He groaned, gripped her wrist and gently walked with her towards the toilet bowl beside the urinal
bowl.

"I'll be outside, guarding the door." he gritted his teeth.

When she lost sight of him, hearing the loud thud of the door, she triumphantly peed. Relieved.

"Success!" she shouted.

Seeing the door opening, made her gasp hard. Well, she assumed he left her. Besides she's not his responsibility.

"I thought you left." She made a sour face.

"Well, you thought wrong."

Celestine sighed, her conscience is making her feel awfully guilty.

Eventually, she has to lie again.

"Can you take me to the receptionist desk?" she asked with hooded eyes.

He ran his hand over his mouth and exhaled with a heavy sigh. "Sure..."

His big, cold calloused hand intertwined hers, with care, and it's connected to her bruised shoulder.

She can't help but smile.

"Let's go." He assisted her out of the men's comfort room gentlemanly as if it's normal for him to encounter a cunning
woman seeing him, pee.

As they stroll, to the receptionist desk, she was extremely anxious about the situation.

Celestine tried to convince herself it didn't matter, but it does.

She couldn't urge herself to ask him to let her go because it would made him jump into conclusion that she's playing
with his head.

Her face distorted with her musings, her wild thoughts creeps her out! But it doesn't changed the fact, she lied.

"We're here." The man stopped walking so suddenly she almost bumped him.

Celestine quickly peeked over his shoulder and saw the receptionists eyebrows knitted into a frown as she looked his
way, confused.

"Ms. Rhea, come here..." the receptionist approached them leisurely, scratching her head.

He turned to face her and it made her heart hammered a beat.

Celestine averted her eyes from her and acted coolly like a good girl.

"I'll be referring you to Ms. Rhea, she'll be assisting you." His eyes brushed over her, then settled on her bruised
shoulder.

"That's so kind of you. But it's not really necessary." She almost gagged at her own sweet voice.
"I insist." he said dismissively and asked. "Does it still hurt?"

From the corner of her eyes, his lips twisted sinfully.

She run her tongue over her teeth. "Your head?"

A playful smirk ran across his lips. "No. I mean your shoulder."

She bite her inner cheeks, realizing how stupid, and bold her unmindful lips had become.

"Err---No. It doesn't hurt anymore." Celestine smiled awkwardly shaking her head and wriggled out of his grasp. She
bit her lips, a sudden pain surge her shoulder.

She glance up at his face and saw him clenched his jaw, managing to smile as she did so.

"Ma'am, Sir?" Rhea said as she turned her attention back to Celestine.

He raised a brow at her and placed his hands inside his pants pockets.

She cocked a brow gazing at the Spolarium painting hanging on the wall, crossing her arms over her chest, "Well,
thank you again. Ms. Rhea is here, you can go now."

"Very well." He replied, unloosening his neck tie and turned away abruptly, directing his attention to the elevator.

She rubbed her strained eyes and turned to face Rhea. "What time can I meet him?"

Rhea gave her a faint smile. "I think you've lost your chance, he just left."

"----I'll get back to you later."

Her body ached with hunger, and her uncovered yawn brought no relief as the voicemail droned on.

After what happened a while ago, she asked Rhea for Mr. Valdez's contact number. In which, she tried to reach but
he didn't budge to answer the call; it always end up in a voicemail. Even so, he texted his whereabouts.

In a blink of an eye it was already midnight, she rubbed her neck as she stepped down from the on-call taxi cab and
walked towards the Ritz-Carlton, LA hotel.

How long have I been waiting for this man?

Celestine didn't want to argue with a taxi driver and yet it occurred because of desperation to meet him on time at
Golden Heart Senior Care but when she arrived at the place: "I'm sorry sweetie, but he left few minutes ago."

She bitterly regret disrespecting the driver and yet the poor man still offered her a ride to the hotel.

It warms her heart in a way the sun never could, she almost burst into tears while asking for forgiveness.

The moment Celestine entered the hotel she saw the men in black holding a cardboard sign saying Celestine
Altamirano waiting for her.

She approached in a brisk walk toward him and felt her cheeks turn crimson red. She said quietly, "Please get rid of
that."
He moved his gaze down the wall and directly into her eyes.

"Miss Altamirano?" he asked politely.

She nodded allowing herself with a wry smile.

"Mr. Valdez is waiting for you." he helped her in carrying her bag and said, "Here's a souvenir."

She grimaced accepting the cardboard ignoring the judgemental glares of people surrounding them.

Celestine followed the men in black. When they reached the hotel suite, he wasn't there. Her eyes perused the room;
it was ghost-quiet, except for the rustling of the wind through the window and the chirping of crickets filling the dark
dusky night.

It reminded her the room in her parents' house, empty and cold, the bed made, comforter tucked perfectly under the
mattress.

Alone in the darkness.

She scrunched up her face and massaged her left temple, clearly trying to weigh her couldn't be suppressed
annoyance. "This man! Aishh."

She threw the cardboard, her head was really heavy.

After smothering a yawn, she asked, "Do they have free WiFi here? Foods?"

"Yes ma'am!" he nodded, and opened the minibar fridge filled with mouthwatering fruits, yogurt, ice cream, and such
but---

Her face twisted and eyebrows scrunched in dismay.

"How about real food like steamed rice and pork sour soup." she rubbed her growling stomach and almost drooled
imagining it.

"None of the above Ma'am." he scratched his head closing the refrigerator.

She pouted while laying down the comfy, warm king sized-bed.

"Will you be staying here with me?" she yawned loudly in the middle of her asking. She was so tired, she couldn't
help yawning.

To answer her query, she heard a loud thud and the wall to the room shook as if someone had been thrown against
it.

Thinking nothing more of it, "Ugh! I needed these babies."

She hugged her pillow and snuggled under the warm comforter, but the sound of running water pried her eyes open
again.

"Can a hungry women get a beauty rest!" She shrieked into her pillow.

Celestine looked towards the bathroom, pushed back the sheets and irritated to swing her legs out of the bed,
stomping her heels a little harder.
As she turned the doorknob and pushed it forcefully, her restless eyes were rolling in circles but before she could
cursed whoever is in there, she lost consciousness, snoring loudly.

and yet she visually see a naked man glaring at him.

looked towards the small bathroom, pushed back the sheets and tried to swing herlegs out of the bed.

It goods to be curious about many things

Worn out and fatigue

Executive Prestige King

An expansive space in the heart of Makati. 40 sqm of room space with a king-sized bed in an urban hotel is a luxury
only offered to a select few. The option caters to discerning travellers who require a spacious abode for meetings or
contemplation. The bathroom comes with a Grohe rainshower and a built-in bathtub. High speed internet, a smart TV
with international channels, and a complimentary welcome snacks and refreshments (when you follow us on social
media upon...

Some men says women are complicated but she couldn't agree with it anymore because of Mr. Valdez's enigmatic
intentions.

The rumpled bed coverings declared another restless night of fitful sleep.

Celestine pulled apart the drapes. Celestine had never seen the street so peaceful.

Our story begins with a twenty-eight year old man named Mateen Tien Valdez, served as a Lieutenant in the Brunei
armed services but lived a lie.

It's 12:51 and Tien is currently slouched in an uncomfortable tree bark bench reading The Notebook by Nicholas
Sparks in the center of the headquarters building, its courtyard bordered several trails ran from the wide grassy area.
His fingers, long and calloused from excessive military drills and physical aptitude.

Taking a little bite of his lower lip, his head gently swung back and forth, eyes fluttering shut once more as the book
slipped from his hands and fell on the lawn. He was only disturbed by a piercing screech of a siren, wrenching him
awake. Cautiously, he peeled open his eyes, and looks around.

The courtyard, which had been previously brimming with soldiers playing poker cards, are empty.

"Code Red! 40 Mike Mike 40 Millimeter Grenade," speakers dotted around the room.

Tien leaps up charging the entire load of ammunition through his M60 machine gun hanging over his shoulder.

He could hear, echoing upward, continuous bullets came singing over the walls; the defending soldiers were
converging, no doubt.

Suddenly, he heard a loud voice come across a speaker, yelling, "Get out! --- it's a bomb!"

Horrified. He ducked and forcefully elbowed a hidden door in the courtyards lawn, managing to make his way through
the whole length of the tunnel. Suddenly, he remembered the book on the brink of crawling on the ladder.
He groped on the moist lawn looking for his book. "Damn! I completely forgot!"

There came a rumbling louder than thunder and it was apparent that the massive air fleet that had flown past minutes
ago was releasing its bombs on the area.

Then the bomb exploded, bursting out the four-poster wall. "Ambush!"

Tien woke up in a snap being kicked in the knee. It got off like a reflex. He screamed then tried to muffle his own pain.

Slowly, his gunmetal eyes opens. He straightened, easing the pain in his back. She's staring fixedly down at him,
brow furrowed as her plump lips pouted. In her hand is a ID Pass bearing the name Celestine Rhea Altamirano.

"Those spiky heels could've killed me." Tien said in a cold voice.

"Sorry, I thought you've rest in peace." She grimaced and gave a crooked smile.

He ran his tongue across his dry lips, staring at her blankly and his nose twitched. "What's that disgusting smell?"

"Oh, I'm cooking dried fish."

He didn't know whether to be irritated with her or impressed. She certainly knew how to make a man go crazy. He
massaged his aching temples.

"Your drunk, again! Who is this man?"

Eventually, he gives in and walked briskly beside her.