Tuesday morning,

Faith get up early.She plan to go at work as early as possible,knowing there were lots of things she has to take care of.

"Good morning sir!"She bow her head when he saw his boss marching to his office.

Erico nod and was about to smile when he saw the band aid on her temple.

"Ms. Gallot?"He asked in concern.

She smile and assure that shes alright and not to worry about it.She just told him that she slip when taking a bath yesterday.

She know her boss doesn't buy her alibi,but he just chose not to asked anymore.And she felt relief.

Faith were busy on her laptop when one of her co worker named Dexter came and asked her for lunch.

"Thank you for inviting Dex,but Im so sorry I have tons of work to do."She pouted her lips with a puppy eyes.

"I see you have a lot of time for chitchats Ms.Gallot!"

Faith recognized the voice and immediately stand up.He saw her boss standing at his office door.

"Im sorry Sir...Dont worry Ill finish all of these and send it to your E-mail right away!"She answers in panic.But her boss just look straight at her while walking near them.

"Follow me."He finally declare.

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Faith and Erico where in the parking lot.The lady doesnt have any idea what are they doing there.She doesn't remember any outdoor activities on his boss' schedule.

"Hop in!"He invited.

"Uhh..Excuse me sir,where are we going?"She asked.

"We're having lunch."He shortly replied.

Faith blink her eyes,feeling confused while putting her seat belt.

"Whats with him?Did a gypsy put a spell on him?Or Am I hallucinating?"She whispers.

Erico cough trying not to laugh.

Pretending he doesn't heard anything.

"Silly!" He tells himself.

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"So how was the food?" Erico asked while driving back to their company.

"Ah!Well its quite good Sir."

"You just taste your food and never touch it again.Funny you say its quite good."He replied unconvinced.

"Well..honestly..."She paused,she wasnt sure of what shes going to say.She just scratched her head while thinking.

"Tell me what kind of food do you like then,maybe we can buy some while on our way!"

"No sir,its okay...Besides Im still full,I dont feel hungry at all!"She insisted but unluckily her stomach growl's that reach his ears.

Erico force again his self not to laugh but he cant help it.While Faith on the passenger's seat felt so embarrassed for the second time.

"You must eat.I dont want anybody get starved while they are with me.Its a burden."

He said while giving her a lunchbox from the backseat.

Faith was too shy, but still get the food without looking at her boss feeling ashamed.

She was about to grab a bite when his boss interrupt her with his words.

" I really made that for you..."

Faith was stunned.

"Really Sir?Thank you...but why?"

"Remember last sunday?Well if its not because of you I may not have closed the deal with the foreign investors.So as a token of appreciation I decided to personally prepare you a lunch,just like my Mom used to do.But I dont know how will I give it to you a while ago.So I just decided to asked you out for lunch instead."

"So you mean to say sir,We went to the restaurant to treat me because of what Ive done last sunday?"She asked to make sure.

"Yes...Yes ofcourse... Its a thankful gesture I think?!"He replied.

"Ayeehhh! Ikaw sir ha!May nalalaman kapang papack of lunch kemerut jaan!Salamat!Na touch naman ako,mas masarap nga ito kesa sa pagkain dun sa pasosyal na restaurant na yun nuh!"She said out of happiness.

Hes eyebrows met.-

"Sir,I said...Thank you,your food is way more delicious than the pasta they serve at the restaurant a while ago.Thank you for being thoughtful and I appreciate your effort. "She explained.

"Okay,please finish your food.Enjoy!" He smiled.

"Wait! Sir are you smiling?Youre smiling right?"

"What?Why?Is it wrong if I smile?"

"No sir!Ofcourse not!Its just that...It was my first time seeing you smile."

"First time seeing me smile?"

"Yep,your genuine smile sir!"

Erico brushed his hair.This woman is really unbelievable.

"Ms. Gallot,please just eat! Will you?You keep on noticing unnecessary things."

"Pshht!There you are again sir!You know what? Why dont do you stop being grumpy and just smile more often.Enjoy the things around you.Life is too short! Smile!

"If that is the case,then can you please stop talking?Your too noisy,I wanted to enjoy things around me,because life is too short.I should smile"he sarcastically replied.

Faith stop and bite her lips.

"Im sorry Sir,I just got too excited about my lunch.Im sorry...You're right I talk too much .Dont mind me Sir just drive okay.Ill keep quite,I promise!"Faith raised her hand and swear.

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"Hey Faith! Its already past seven!Are you not going?"Amy asked ,one of her officemate.

"Not yet,but these wont take long."She replied.

"Aw!Ok I'll go ahead first.My son is waiting for me."

"okay bye then!"Faith wave her hands.

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An hour past.Faith was stretching her arms when she heard her boss calling her.

"Ay pangit!" She exclaimed.

"What?"He's boss asked.

"Ah...Its nothing sir.Its just an expression in Filipino.He!He!He!" She tried to laugh to convince him.

"And?"her boss still asked.

"And it means..."not good looking or Ugly...Sir!"She hardly answered, biting her lips.

"So...Am I not good looking?Am I ugly to you? Faith?"

She froze and swallow upon hearing her name.It was like music to her ears.

Erico snap his finger."Hello?"

"Yes sir!Ah I mean...Yes ofcour-"

"Excuse me?!"Erico yelled in disbelief.

"Well...Sir.What I really mean is your not ugly!Youre a good looking guy!Youre handsome!Youre so attractive!Youre Sexy!Youre Hot!My Gosh!Youre not pangit okay?!Type nga kita eh...sarap mong jowain!Yummy!Nakuh!" Faith straightly answered without hesitation.

Erico was satisfied of what he heard.He tried to hide the glee on her face and act normal.

"There you go again..Speaking your own language.

Im handsome!Im attractive!Im sexy!Im hot!Yes I already knew about it.Im aware of it." He simply answered.

"Grabe naman to! GGSS! " she mumured.

"GGSS what? and what was that again?

Type?yummy ?the last parts,what was those?"

Faith dont know what to say.She's biting her lips and playing with her fingers,thinking how she will handle her boss from asking.

"Uhmn...Its nothing sir.I just translate what I said in Filipino."She smile fakely.

Erico smirked and walk closely to her secretary.

Faith inhale,her heart beats fast.She tried not to breath.

About an inch,there cheeks almost kiss.

Oh God! He can smell the fragrance of her.

He opened his mouth to tell her something but the voice of a woman snap him out from that intimate position.

"Erico?"

He closed his eyes in dismayed and turned around to face her.

"Lexi!What are you doing here?"

The sophisticated woman walk near them.

Shes like a living doll.She walks gracefully like in a catwalk.Faith thought in her mind.

"I called your Mom,she thought were together since you're not yet home.I was on my way so I drop by to check and surprise you but-she paused and glared at the lady beside him

" unfortunately,you suprised me!" She said with a suspicious tone.

"Ohh God! Im so sorry.But I was really on my way to fetch you at the airport.." He apologized.

"Really?"

"Ofcourse! Im just busy so I didnt notice the time. But dont worry,Ill make it up to you."

"So you were busy?-with whom?"Lexi asked again,throwing a sharp eyes to his secretary.

Erico brushed his hair with his fingers.He knows what Lexi trying to imply.

"Im sorry,this is my secretary Faith Kei Gallot.Faith this is Lexi Kim." He introduced.

"his fiancé!" lexi added.

"Good evening Maam."Faith greeted bowing her head.

lexi didn't mind her instead, she put her arms around Erico's neck as if no one where watching them.Or if there is,she doesn't care anymore.

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"You sure you'll be alright here?I think its best for you to stay at your parents house." Erico asked Lexi while on their way to her hotel room.

"I miss you!"She told him instead.

Erico just smiled "Its late,you should take a rest."

"Are you not going to come inside?Why dont you join me for a glass of wine,instead?"

Erico knew she's seducing him.

He was about to turn her down and just walk away but Lexi grab her already.

She kissed him passionately and deep.

She stop when she felt him not responding.

"So you are still mad right?"She asked in between her kisses.Shes working on his neck this time.

"No! Why should I?"He replied feeling uncomfortable.

Lexi got a little annoyed.She open the door and pulled Erico's hand for him to enter the room.She kissed and hug him aggressively while unbuttoning him.

He pushed her lightly for them to separate but Lexi was so determined to do her thing.

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"Your leaving?"Lexi asked while watching Erico putting his shirt.

"Lexi..I think we should stop this!"He replied not looking at her.

"Stop the what?"

"This! These things that where doing-

The engagement!"He finally answered.

Lexi get up from the bed,

shocked.

"Are you serious?"She asked.

"Yes."

"No.Youre not damn serious."

"Lexi.I will not joke around with this matter"

"Then why?"

"Im just tired of it.

Our parents,they make decisions for us both,but they dare not ask of what we want. They make us feel that we should like it.That we must obey it.And here we are embracing it."He desperately answered.

"So what are you trying say?

That youre just doing all of these because of our parents?That you were just treating me nicely because of them?!That you were just pretending everything?and you just fuck me because of that agreement nine years. ago?" She starts to get hysterical.

"God Lexi No!You know thats not true!Listen to me...Its not what it really sounds like okay?

"Please..just-...,let's just stop doing this.Its not working anymore. .I cant do these anymore! I know I told you that Ill let it pass.That I will forget everything but Im sorry if I lied.Im sorry if I pretend that things are working but deep inside my feelings for you were long gone.Im sorry .I really am."

Lexi stop crying and forcefully slap Erico's cheeks.He felt numb.

"You mean to say,all these time you were just pretending?How dare you!"She cried in misery.

"How dare you!How dare you!

How dare you do this to me!

How dare you just pretend while I was liking you!How dare you just pretend while I was busy giving you my all.

How dare you just pretend when I almost gave you my heart? She shouted in anger while punching his chest.

He just let her cry to ease her pain.He felt so bad.He wanted to comfort her but he doesn't want to give her false hope.

"Im really sorry Lexi.You know I did like you the moment I saw you.

I promised my self to cherish and take care of you.

I always wanted to make you happy,because whenever I look at your smile,I am contented.

I did not look at the other girls and just focused on you.I set my eyes just only for you.

I move out from my safe zone to join you in your world.

I gave up my dreams,while you were busy chasing yours.

Im proud of your best and embrace your flaws.

But what should I do?

After what you've done I cant...I cant even look at you the way I look at you before!"Erico told her with a heavy heart.

"Im sorry,Im so sorry,"she sobbed.

"Lexi,God knows I tried my best to accept and understand you when you did that to me.

I just told myself maybe my best is not enough.Or maybe I wasn't good enough for you.

So I decided to pack my things and go home."

"Yes but we sort things out right.You didnt tell anybody about what happened.You even went back to Paris ?You said we'll try again."

"I didnt tell any body what happened because it's you,yourself should tell.

For my parents sake, I went back to Paris and put things back to their places.I succeeded but one thing I cant put back anymore.My heart for you!

So I just pretend.

,.. Im sorry...I really am..

Erico emotionally te1 ll her everything.

"Please dont do this to me Erico..Ill do anything just dont leave me please?" lexi beg.

He didn't answer,He just left her there,

on her knees.

**Nine years ago...

"Vio!My friend long time no see!How are you?"Andy Kim cheerfully greeted his friend.

"Never been this good my friend!" Olivio Cruz laughing.

"Ahh Mariotte!Youre still beautiful!You never aged!"He also greeted hes friend's wife.

"Thank you Andy,you too.

Oh! Hi there Leslie!How are you?" Mariotte asked to Andy's wife.

"Hello, Im fine..Im fine...what about you?"Leslie asked in return.

"Well..Im a little tired from our trip but Im also happy that finally my husband thought to settle ñand just focus with our business."Mariotte replied.

"Well that's a good idea.Im sure your son is happy with that news."Leslie answered back.

"Oh!Speaking of which...Hes with us,he was just getting some present's for you in the car."

"Aw!You shouldn't have-..."

"Hes here!"Mariotte exclaimed.

"What a tall handsome man will he be!"Leslie gasped.

"Yes ofcourse,that's my son!" Mariotte felt so proud.

"How old is he?17?He was 3 years ahead of my daughter Lexi right?"Leslie was busy asking when she notice a familiar figure trying to sneak in.

"Where have youve been?"Leslie asked the girl from the entrance.

The guests confusely turn their heads and look at her.

They saw a fine young beauty.She has a long black straight hair paired with a milky white skin.A thin red lips and a fine stroke of nose.

Obviously she enherited her fathers korean eyes.But she got her moms blue iris.

"Ah... Hi?"the young girl smiled sweetly.

The young Erico Mason Cruz smile back at her.And their parents were smiling ear to ear while watching their child's first meeting.

That night both parties arrange their marriage.

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Lexi's POV

I knew I felt something special for Erico,the first time I saw him that night.

When he laid his eyes on me,my heart pounds like never before.My Father and his were old pal,I remember one morning when my Mom tease me about someone in our class,but my Dad scold me and tell me not to get into relationships except for his friend's son...and that was Erico.

After our first meeting,we started to stay closed to each other.

Erico and I never talk about the arrange marriage.We just let our emotions overtake us.As days goes by,my feelings for him grow.Well who would not?

When I decided to pursue my passion as fashion designer he didn't hesitate to give up his dreams and come with me to Paris.

I enrolled at one of the prestigious school for fashion design there.

While Erico,he dreamed about being a doctor and build his own hospital or a pharmaceutical company but he didn't pursue. I covinced him to enroll his self to a business school.Since we are the heiress of our parents companies.So he did.

Sometimes I feel guilty about leaving him alone in our apartment.I know he misses home,but he just dont show it.He doesn't want me to worry for him.

He was always there whenever I need him.With or without me calling.Whenever I feel of giving up,he was there to cheer me up.When it comes to me,he was very considerate.He comforts me when Im sad.He laughs with me when Im happy. He's my best friend,my supporter,my protector, and above all my love.

For me he was perfect.And hes mine.

They say after the rain,comes a sunny day..

But what if its the opposite?

After a very fine day was a storm fastly approaching.

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I rushed to get dressed when I woke up.I was in an unfamiliar room.Empty bottles where everywhere.Clothes where scattered all over the floor.My head hurts but I tried my best to remember.

My knees where shaking and my hands are trembling when I realized what happened.I cried.

When I got home Erico where asking my whereabouts last night.I honestly dont know what to say and just avoided him.

I remember him preparing breakfast for us.He was quite and never ask again about last night.He was really considerate.

I went to the bathroom and took a shower,I saw my naked body with a kissmarks all over,again I cried.

The night I spend with a stranger happened again for several times.I go out and party all night with my friends not feeling guilty of leaving Erico alone in our apartment.

Three months easily passed and I feel some changes in me.

I feel irritated and easily get annoyed.I lose weight.I pick what I eat.I yawn and feel sleepy at times.I become sensitive.Most importantly I missed my periods.

I know and I can feel...

something is growing inside of me.

"Are you pregnant?"

Erico asked,while having our dinner.

I almost got choked when I heard it.

"Stop it,its not funny!"I just answered him nervously.

"Youre not answering my question,youre avoiding it."He plainly replied.

"What if I am?" I test him.

"I know you were pregnant.I know what happened to you that night-

and for every night youre not around."

I almost got out of breath when I heard him.

I tearfully look at him.

"This is yours!" I cried.

"Bullshit!Are you really gonna lie on my face?

He hissed.

"How can you get pregnant with me if your taking those fucking pills!Tell me?

You think Im a fool?You honestly think I would believe you?Fuck!" He cursed.

"Fine!Tell me how you've got pregnant with me?

You know what if that was really mine,Ill be jumping around in happiness!But no!Its not!"

I tried to talk but there where no words wanted to come out.

"I knew all along what happened to you for the past three months.You were living with me, but he was fucking you!Dont you know how painful that is?

But I kept my mouth shut!I pretend that I dont know anything!And now that you got pregnant,you tell me its mine?

Im not stupid Lexi!Im not stupid!You were strictly taking your pills every night without a skip.But you didnt take it,the night you two first did it,right?Dont you dare lie to me!" He finally burst out in anger.

"Im sorry..Im so sorry..."those where just the words I kept on telling him.

One morning, he left me with a note,telling me to take care and be happy.