Revenge on Arrogant CEO

"Do I really need to dress up like this?" Nicole complained to Danica while looking at her own reflection in the big mirror in front of them.

Danica nodded at her best friend with a wide smile. "You look perfect!" Her eyes are shining as she complimented her.

Nicole pouted and she's not satisfied with what she's wearing. Her healthy breasts were almost bulging out. Aside from the long slit on the side of it that reveals her smooth and long leg with each step of the feet, it is also very fitted to her body.

"Oh, c'mon! You should get used to wearing this kind of dress. Remember, you're now working in a big company. Expect that there will be gatherings like the one we're going to."

Danica has a point, she also can't say no to her now because she is so indebted to her. She helped her get into a famous company. She does not know how her friend met the CEO of such a company. And up to this day, she is afraid to meet the man's sharp eyes.

In her whole life, it was the first time that her mother praised her when she knew that she got into a company as an assistant of a manager. Danica doesn't want anyone, even her mother, to know that she was the one who helped her. Her friend knows how her own mother treats her.

Her friend is ambitious and she admires her skills in obtaining what she wants in life. Even her parents admire her. Her mother would often compare her to Danica and belittle her. But she never felt jealousy toward her friend. Instead, she supports her so she can achieve her goals easily.

If they're talking about life status, her family is better than Danica's. She is her mother's godchild, that's why she almost lived with them and became her mother's favorite. After they graduated from college, they separated for a few years. She didn't know where did she go and what she did. Now, she is the girlfriend of a hostile CEO of a company.

At her age of twentytwo, she has never experienced being in a relationship yet. She is not that picky, but she liked no one among those who courted her. Danica has the same age as her and according to what she knows, her boyfriend is twentyeight years old. The man allegedly became an orphan at a young age with his sister, so they were trained to handle their company as children.

"But is it really needed to wear something as sexy as this? You know that I'm not used and comfortable with these." Nicole continued to complain.

She will just accompany Danica to attend the grand opening of her boyfriend's hotel in Makati. But with her look, her friend was the one who seemed to be the assistant between them.

"What's with you? Don't you trust my fashion sense?" Danica sounded upset.

"That is not what I meant, Danica. Look at yourself compare to me." Nicole pointed at themselves in front of the mirror so she can see what she's talking about

Danica's left eyebrow furrowed as she stares at themselves in the mirror. She in not blind to not see what's wrong with how they look today. But it is a part of her plan and it's okay if she wouldn't look outstanding in the eyes of everyone.

"Do I look ugly?"

"No!" Nicole answered quickly because it seems that she offended her. She knows that she doesn't like it when her look is being criticized because whatever she wears, suits her and she always look pretty.

"Then, there's no problem!" She smiled at Nicole and fixed her hair again. She's also the one who styled it and curled the ends so her friend would look sophisticated.

Nicole chose to stop arguing with her friend. They leave together using her car. It is her first time to attend a grand event, thus she is afraid to be separated from her friend's side.

"Danica, why did you bring her here?" Rita whispered to her friend when she approached them.

Danica smiled at Steven's sister. She was the reason why she became close to the young man and she obviously dislikes her friend, Nicole, when she introduced her before.

Nicole heard Rita's judgement of her look. That's why she doesn't like her look from the beginning. She looks like an antagonist who wants to appear better than her own friend. She has no idea why Rita despises her ever since they met.

"Um, Nicole, excuse us first."

Smiling, she nodded at Danica and pretended that she hears nothing from Rita. When she locked eyes with Rita, she rolled her eyes after she examined her whole appearance.

"Why did you let that bitch to look better than you?" Rita scolded Danica when they get away from Nicole.

"Rita, please! You know how indebted I am to her family, right? I don't want her to be upset with me so I agreed to her wishes." She said to her friend, who will soon be her sisterinlaw.

Rita sighed before hugging her friend. She hates seeing her sad, thus she's always the one who argues with her brother whenever she would find out that the two had a misunderstanding in their relationship. She was so happy when she found her after so many years. She's making it up to her and because her brother loves her so much, he gives her everything she wants.

"I don't like her to stick to my brother. It's obvious that she wants to seduce my brother so she dressed up like that." She said to Danica, who she treats like her own sister, before she went back to where she was.

A strange smile formed on Danica's lips behind her friend's back. She quickly went back to Nicole and dragged her near Steven.

"Honey, congratulations!" She kissed the young man's lips when he looked at her. She felt that he was surprised by what she did. She knows that what she did was like taking advantage of the situation. He's her boyfriend, but he is not showy in public about their relationship.

"You're really lucky with your girlfriend, Mr. Scout." The businessman who Steven is talking to praised them.

Steven seemed to hear nothing and had no reaction to his business partner's comment. He looked at his girlfriend with a serious face in order not to embarrass her to those who are watching them. He, then, looked at Danica's companion who is showing too much of her body.

Nicole quickly averted her eyes from Steven when she met his intimidating stare. She felt embarrassed because it was obvious in his eyes that he was not happy with what she looks.

"Honey, do you still remember my friend? She's Nicole and she's in the company..."

"I know." Steven said indifferently, stopping Danica from saying more.

Nicole is always the one she talks about when she's talking to his sister and he's there as well. He did not know why she had to talk so much about her with his sister. When she asked Rita to accept her in their company, that's when he understood her motive. He could do nothing but accept her. In what he remembers, the woman requested to Danica to put her in a high position. But that was too much and he did not allow it. He sees her as an attention seeker and ambitious woman.

Danica never separated from her boyfriend even though he was talking to famous people in society. There are politicians and businessmen. And because she also needs friend support, Nicole needs to stay by her side. She's the one who talks to her friend when her boyfriend is not paying attention to her.

Nicole couldn't help but stare into Steven's face as he talked to Danica. Even if he's just in a side view, his elegance still dominates everything there. His pointed nose that matches his grim face is fascinating to look at. Add to that his lips that are normally red and his thick eyebrows that also looks good with his eyes.

Nicole blinked when she noticed that someone was watching her. Soon, Rita stepped close to where she was standing.

"My brother's already taken, so stop dreaming of him."

Nicole looked at who spoke, her forehead furrowed. She did not like her tongue's sharpness. Yes, Steven is goodlooking and she has a slight crush on him. But she never thought of liking him, nor taking him from her friend.

"I know you became close with Danica because of an intention. I'm warning you, you'll have to fight me if you continue your ambition to get my brother's attention. If Danica doesn't see your true color, I'm different." Rita said arrogantly to Nicole.

Nicole clenched her fist to stop herself from saying something unpleasant to Rita. She's her boss's sister and Danica's friend, so she's controlling herself. Besides, she's not her friend so she wouldn't bother clean herself in her dirty mindset.

"I don't know what you're talking about and I don't remember doing you bad deeds for you to treat me like this." She answered Rita calmly.

Rita sneered and showed her that she wouldn't change her opinion of her. Her face and how she looks at her brother is enough for her to think that she's a gold digger.

When Danica saw that her friend is talking to Rita, she immediately said goodbye to Steven to approach the two.

"Is there a problem?" Danica asked calmly to Rita when she noticed that she's frowning.

Rita smiled at her before she spoke. "Nothing, I just entertained your friend while you were busy. It's a pity and she looks like an ugly duckling." She answered Danica sarcastically.

Danica choked and suppressed the laugh that wants to get out of her mouth. She hemmed and looked at Nicole apologetically.

Nicole smiled at her to let her know that she's fine. For her, she won't mind Rita's contempt.

"Hello, ladies!" Xander greeted the three specially outstanding beauties.

Rita rolled her eyes at the young man who approached them. He's a close friend of his brother and he treats her only as a younger sister. The annoyance she felt for Nicole intensified when she noticed that Xander looks at her admiringly.

"Hi, Xander. This is my childhood friend, Nicole." Danica introduced her to the young man.

"You really amaze me, Danica. All your friends are beautiful." Xander switched her stares between the two ladies. He smirked when he looked at Rita and she rolled her eyes.

"Because beauty is contagious." Danica's joking response to Xander.

Xander's laughter was contagious, so Nicole smiled as well. He's funny and has a strong sense of humor. But she noticed that Rita was even more annoyed with her when she talked to the young man so she just distanced herself. She excused herself to them and used the bathroom.

Steven followed the woman with his sharp gazes as she walked away from his best friend. Even other men who she passes by, looks at her. It was as if she was deliberately swaying her hips while walking. She wore a long maroon dress up to her heels. But the slit on the side has almost reached the middle of her thigh.

Nicole quickly leaned against the closed door after entering the bathroom. She has been uncomfortable with the men's scorching looks at her body. A fashion designer even offered her to be his model but she refused. Even though she has a good body shape, she does not brag about it. She now wants to regret why she agreed to what Danica wanted. What she hates the most is attacking attention, especially of men.

WHEN Nicole returned to the hall, her friend was busy talking to others. She's happy with her friend's achievement. In the two years of her absence, she can say that her image has changed a lot. But her attitude was still the same that she liked. Still humble and friendly, she knows how to look back at where she came from.

Nicole distracted herself by watching around while Danica was busy. She was grateful and Xander did not approach her again. She saw Rita with him, they are talking with the other guests.

"Hi, are you alone?" A man greeted Nicole.

Nicole smiled a little and accepted the hand of the man who wanted to be her acquaintance.

"My name is Ralph, the manager of this hotel." He introduced himself.

Nicole's small mouth rounded and she was impressed by his elegance. "Nicole." She introduced herself to him before smiling.

"Are you sure you don't have a partner with you here?" Ralph seemed doubtful.

"Is it not allowed?" She replied jokingly to the young man. She quickly became comfortable with him because, like Xander, he was also funny.

The man chuckled as he scratched his neck. "No, it's just not convincing that your boyfriend lets you attend something like this without him."

She raised an eyebrow at the man and looked at him teasingly.

"What I mean is.. if I was your boyfriend, I would be afraid to leave you alone on this occasion. With that beauty of you, it is unlikely that no one would dare to try to pursue you." He explained to the young lady and scratched his neck again when a smile spread on her lips.

"Oh, should I guess how many you've praised before me?" Nicole asked the man jokingly. This attitude of hers shows when she knows the person she is talking to is kind.

"You, do I look like a womanizer?" Ralph sounded upset.

Nicole couldn't help but laugh with the man. Now, she enjoys the party. The waiters began to walk around, carrying trays with wine and glass. She no longer refused when Ralph handed her a goblet of red wine.

"Cheers for the beginning of our friendship!" Ralph raised the cup he was holding and toasted Nicole.

Steven took a series of sips from the wine while his eyes never leave the woman laughing with Ralph. It seemed that she's easily flattered by men, even though she just met him, she incautiously laughs with him.

Danica also looked at where her boyfriend's gaze is focused. The tip of the upper part of her lip lifted as she recognized who he was observing. She could not deny that the beauty of her friend is no match to the other ladies there. She admits that her body is more shapely than hers. But she lacks selfconfidence and that’s what she has.

"Honey, try this one." Danica grabbed the young man's attention. She gave him the goblet she took from the tray carried by a waiter who had just passed in front of them.

Steven took it without hesitation and drank its content straight.

Danica suppressed the smile that wanted to appear on her lips after her boyfriend drank it. After a few more seconds, he shook slightly from his position and she immediately supported him.

"Are you okay, Honey?" Danica asked him worriedly.

Steven rubbed his own forehead as he felt his surroundings spin again.

"I think you need to rest first. You've also drank so much alcohol. I'll tell Rita later to handle it if others look for you."

Steven no longer refused when Danica led him to the elevator. The event was coming to an end and some have returned home, thus he could leave the hall without worrying. He has his own room in the hotel so he can spend the night there.

"I'm okay here, leave me and join Rita to entertain those who are still there." Steven pushes the young lady away.

Danica kissed her boyfriend on the lips before leaving. She hurried back to the venue and looked for Nicole.

Steven suddenly felt hot so he decided to take a bath before going to sleep.

"Here you are!" Danica breathed a sigh of relief as she approached Nicole. "I'm sorry if I left you here too long."

"Don't worry about me. I won't be lost, besides, I've made a new friend." Nicole's eyes were drowsy and she smiled at her friend. She was not used to drinking alcohol, so she became tipsy.

"Thanks for accompanying my friend while I'm gone." Danica smiled gratefully at Ralph.

"No problem, your friend is humorous and it's easy to make her laugh." Ralph's comment.

When Ralph was no longer in front of them, Danica signaled to a waiter to approach them. "Drink this juice first to reduce your dizziness."

Nicole obeyed her and accepted what she offered. It was less than a minute and she suddenly felt strange in her body.

"My, Aunt Rox will be mad at me for letting you get drunk. We should just spend the night here." She led her to a room.

Nicole agreed with Danica. She's right, her mother will surely scold her particularly with what she's wearing tonight. Her mother is scary when she's angry and she's afraid that her friend would be scolded too.

"Where are you going?" She grabbed Danica's hand when she moved away. She sat on the side of the bed.

"I'll just go back to Rita. Take a break and don't worry because I'll join you here later." Danica said goodbye to her.

Nicole lay down on the soft bed when Danica left the room. But she immediately sat down again when suddenly, she felt a hot tingle between her thighs. She was restless and her feeling gradually became hot. She suddenly felt like her cloth is choking her even though it is not around her neck.

Irritably, Steven wrapped a towel around his waist and went out of the bathroom. It took him long because his body barely loses its heat. He realized that what he had drank earlier was wrong and he has to call his doctor friend to bring him medicine before it gets worse and he could no longer control himself.

"What's happening?" Nicole asked herself, her own hand involuntarily rubbed her thighs when it felt hot again.

His attempt to reach for his cell phone on the sofa was thwarted when he heard a woman's low growl. Only the lampshade was on, thus he didn’t notice that someone else was in his room. The woman's hair was covering her face so he couldn't recognize her right away. She was apparently surprised at his presence and quickly removed the hand that was between her thighs.

"What are you doing in my room?!" His voice echoed in the four corners of the room. He groaned and tried to control his libido when he saw the woman's appearance. Her eyes are beautiful and she's biting her own lip to suppress the growl that wants to escape her mouth. He shifted his gaze to her legs, she's squeezing what's between her thighs.

Nicole did not know what caused the sudden trembling of her muscles when she recognized the man. If it's because of the heat she feels or her fear of him or because of the excitement, seeing his muscular body. It looks delicious to eat, especially because only a towel is draped over his entire body.

"Oh my God!" She screamed in her mind. She felt the heat on her face doubled because of the embarrassment.

"I'm asking you, Young Lady!" he hissed while clenching his fist.

"I… I don't know, Sir," she said while firmly touching her thighs when again there was a twitch between her thighs. She was already sweating profusely and didn't know how to release the heat in her body that she wanted to lose.

"Shit!" Steven cussed when he noticed that the woman was not behaving normally.

"Huh!" She sighed loudly when the young man took a few steps and carelessly got her up from the bed.

"Tell me, who is your accomplice to carry out all this?!" anger flared in his eyes as he held the woman by the neck. Anger, disgust and lust mixed into his emotions.

"I… don't know what you're talking about, but please help me!" Nicole moaned and ignored the tightness of his hold around her neck. The heat that lingered in her intensified as she is pressed against him.

Steven angrily released her neck and pushed her back onto the bed. "Don't blame me after this!"

Those were the last words Nicole heard from the young man before he moved on top of her. She felt like she's going crazy because instead of being scared, her body is excited. Her mind was already empty because of the strange sensation she feels.

His anger for her dominates Steven's heart and mind as he indulges in her body. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but even though he wasn't under drugs, he was addicted to kissing her lips. He just let her be noisy. Even he moaned when she learned to respond to every kiss he gave her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as he finally got her most careful compliment. It was painful at first, but the ones that followed were unparalleled in taste.

Steven completely lost his sanity as he continued to own the woman. It didn’t matter to him if he hurt her. What was important to him was to release the intense heat that was building up in his manhood. He claimed her a few more times and she just let him because her body needed it, too. He could no longer count how many times he had taken her to paradise until they were both exhausted.

"Are you okay?" Rita asked Danica worriedly. She accompanied her to a room in the hotel when she informed her earlier that she had a headache.

"A little bit." Danica replied to her in a whisper. The truth is that her heart is hurting now, knowing that the two important people in her life are drowning in the heat. She wanted to shout to relieve the anger she felt, but she had no right to complain because she was the one who wanted it.

"You look terrible, I will call brother Steven so we can bring you to the hospital."

"No!" She quickly grabbed Rita's hand. "Your older brother is not feeling well too and I don't want to disturb his rest. Don't worry about me. It's just a migraine and it will go away later."

Rita sighed and went back to sit next to her friend. She massaged her forehead to somehow relieve the pain.

"Thank you!" Danica smiled at her before closing her eyes to relax herself.

Understanding the situation, Rita just laid down onto the bed next to Danica. She felt sorry for her condition. She's the only one who knows the true status of her body. She knew that she's stressing herself, thinking how to give her grandmother's demand. But her brother did not cooperate because he did not have time. She knew that her brother only had business on his mind. He's not active in the sex life and that’s what the relationship of the two lacks.

DANICA can't force herself to sleep. Rita, who was next to her, was already asleep while she was still bothered by worries. She has sacrificed a lot and will not let all her hard work go away. She suddenly remembered the agreement between her and Steven's grandmother.

"You have a year to give what I want. Before that time is over, you have to give me a grandchild from Steven. Once you're pregnant, it's easy to arrange your marriage."

"Fuck that old woman!" she cursed in her mind. Her closeness to Rita was not enough for everything she wanted to happen. The old woman is cunning and Steven inherited it.

"Ah!" Danica wanted to scream loudly, but it got stuck in her throat because she didn't want to make any noise that might wake Rita. She pulled her own hair out of frustration.

Just a month ago, she found out that her ovary had a problem so she could not get pregnant. Aside from the fact that she still has to get Steven drunk before he can touch her, her chance of getting pregnant is low. If only the old woman hadn't been pressuring her, this thing wouldn't have been her problem up until now. She decided to make Nicole her bait against Rita's family.

"This is all your fault, you deserve to suffer!" she spoke to herself and glared at nowhere. As if Nicole was there, looking at her mockingly, Danica's grudge grew even more.

Since she was a child, she envied Nicole even though she considered her a friend. She looks perfect, even her family is, and she is just like a leech clinging on to her. She didn't want her life to be like that forever. She is even disgusted with her parents because they do not dream to be rich. Fortunately, she was the favorite of Nicole's mother because she is more intelligent than Nicole. That was her advantage over her. She does everything to get the attention of the person she wants.

Danica grinned as she remembered the past. She was a kind and an exemplary daughter in the eyes of every person who knew her. But she did not want to be pitied. She hated those feelings! Nicole never did anything bad to her, but she despised her in the depth of her heart because she has the things she lacks. And now, she hates her even more because she has to use her again to fulfill her biggest ambition.

Nicole woke up with a severe headache. It's like it's being torn apart. The pain in her body increased as she moved. "Argh! What happened?" she asked herself, feeling so confused, as her eyes remained closed.

She has no memory of why she is feeling head and body aches now. She slowly opened her eyes to look around. She frowned because the room was unfamiliar to her. She slowly got up, but was also immediately stunned when she noticed the figure of a man next to her.

Nicole covered her own mouth with her palm to prevent herself from letting out a loud sigh when she recognized the man next to her. She was too shocked to see herself naked, too. She quickly tried to remember what had happened last night, why she was now in bed with her friend’s boyfriend.

"Oh, my God! What have I done?" she whispered to herself, as tears began to fall from her eyes. Even though she had not accepted everything yet, the door suddenly opened and it revealed Danica.

"What does this mean?!" Danica's eyes widened and she looked at Nicole with so much contempt.

Nicole didn't know what to say to her. She trembled with fear and embarrassment. She was confused and still couldn’t believe why she was there in Steven’s room. She was unable to move her body. She tightened her grip on the blanket that hung over her chest because she was not wearing anything.

"You bitch! Traitor!" Danica tries to kick Nicole, but Steven wakes up.

"What's wrong with you?" Steven asked Danica angrily because he was woken up by her noise.

"I'm the one who should ask you that!" Danica cried and scolded the young man.

Steven watched her cry in a daze. When he heard another woman sobbing, that's when he figured it out. He aggressively looked at the woman beside him who looks miserable.

"Why you're still here?" his voice was cold and emotionless and it only added to the weight Nicole was feeling.

Though her body is aching, Nicole forced herself to move and put on her clothes that were scattered on the floor. But before she could compose herself, Danica rushed at her. She slapped her on both cheeks followed by pulling her hair. She was almost deafened by the force of the slap on both her cheeks. She growled because of pain, but did not fight back because she knew she made a sin. She felt her hatred for her, Steven just watched them.

"What the hell is happening here?!" Rita asked in shock when she reached the scene in the room. She woke up to find that Danica was no longer around, so she thought of going to her brother's room.

Steven quickly got dressed and stopped Danica, otherwise her friend might end up dead. "Enough, Danica. Let's talk about it properly." He spoke calmly to her.

Danica angrily shook her boyfriend's hand and her sobs grew louder.

"You're a bitch! I knew you had the intention of snatching my brother from Danica!" Rita angrily went after Nicole when she recovered from the shock.

Steven didn't know if he should feel sorry for Nicole when he saw that the two had hurt her altogether. He could do nothing but pull her and hide her behind his back to stop his sister from hurting her.

"Don't say you side with that gold digger?" Rita angrily pointed at Nicole who kept her head bowed and looked like a wet chick hiding behind her brother.

"Enough!"

Rita became silent as her brother yelled. He looks angry and she knew he was still holding his bad temper in.

"Believe me, I also don't know how I got here. All I remember is you brought me here, Danica." She almost pleads for her friend's help and looks at her like she was begging. But she only became even angrier.

"Are you saying that I brought you to this room? Do you think I'm so stupid, Nicole, to take you to my boyfriend's room?" Danica's eyes were full of anger and attempts to reach Nicole's hair again, but Steven blocked her way.

"I said, enough!" Steven yelled before turning to the woman in the back. "And you!"

Nicole trembled and suddenly stepped back from him when he faced her.

"You succeeded in your plan today. But remember this, something happened to us only because of the drug you gave me!"

Rita and Danica covered their own mouths with the discovery. They are disgusted and angry at Nicole.

"You're the worst woman that I've ever met and don't dream that I'm responsible for what happened to us. You don't deserve to be the mother of my child, so leave my sight before I can drag you out!"

Every word Steven uttered were like thunder and lightning that hit Nicole's heart. Out of embarrassment and fear of him, she quickly complied. But before she could get past Danica, she saw a strange smile form on her lips.

As she walked out of the hotel, her mind was chaotic. She was quite grateful because she was able to carry her small bag. She kept her head bowed and was unable to meet the questioning looks of the people passing by in the hallway.

Why would they not look at her? Her hair was messy and she knew the makeup was also spread on her face because she cried. Even her dress was not worn properly.

Nicole went to the comfort room first and composed herself. She didn’t want to look miserable and be seen by her mother like that.

When the woman was gone, Steven sat down on the bed. He frowned, now he felt the effect of what happened last night. He just let Danica cry quietly while Rita comforted her. He had nothing to explain, he was Steven Scout, he didn’t care about the feelings of any woman other than his grandmother and sister.

Rita felt sorry for her friend, she felt sympathetic, knowing her brother's behavior. Knowing her brother's attitude, she knew he had no intention of consoling Danica or apologizing for what he had done. Besides, her brother seems to be just another victim of that woman.

"I want to be alone for now."

The pain in Danica's eyes was evident when she locked eyes with Steven. She asked for an explanation from him, but he just keeps on showing coldness.

"Danica, let's go home first. Don't worry, you will surely make up with my brother."

Danica nodded understandingly at her. Rita knew her brother well, so she knew it would be better not to force the young man to speak. He might push her away from his life if she insists on what she wants now.

"Rita, I'll die if Steven disappears from my life!" Danica cried again when they were in Rita's car.

"Don't think about that because I won't let that happen! You're the only one I want to become a member of my family and I'll do everything to keep that ambitious woman from succeeding!"

Danica's heart secretly rejoiced at what she heard. She just kept crying on her shoulder until she got to her own condo unit.

"I want to be alone now." She stopped Rita when she tried to accompany her to the inside.

"Promise me you won't do anything bad to yourself!" Rita's face was serious, she was still really worried about her. If she was in her situation, she might have killed that woman.

She smiled at Rita to assure her. "I love myself," she joked, but a bitter smile flashed on her lips. "And besides, I don't want to see you sad when I'm gone."

Rita tearfully hugged Danica again. She recalled what happened when they were little and they were both trapped somewhere far from the houses.

"Please take care of yourself. If you need anything, just call me." Rita instructed her friend before letting her get out of the car alone.

Rita watched her friend's back until she entered the condominium building.

Nicole's mind is a mess, she took a taxi to go to her parent's house. She doesn't know how and where to start to make all the things that happened in the hotel clear. She's also a victim, but no one believes it. She herself can't explain how she got into Steven's room. Particularly, the thing that happened between them.

Her heart wants to explode now because of the stirred emotions. She's the biggest loser, actually, because she lost her virginity that way. To make matters worse, the person who took her first was not her husband nor boyfriend.

She buried her face in her palms. She's thankful because the driver was kind. He even lent her a jacket when he noticed she was getting cold.

"We're already here, Ma'am." The driver said to his passenger when they arrived at the address she gave.

"Thank you." She handed the money to the driver and did not take the change.

After getting out of the car, she entered the gate of their house with heavy steps. She thought she would be able to rest her mind for a moment after entering. But another damage to her life was waiting for her.

"You're so shameless!" Rox angrily rushed at her daughter and pulled her hair which was already messy.

"It hurts, Mom! What's my fault…"

"You still have to ask?!" Rox slapped her hard on the cheek.

Her resentful eyes met her mother's angry eyes. She already has a hunch as to why she is mad. Instead of taking pity on her appearance, she only became angrier.

"How could you do that to Danica? Merciful heaven! She did nothing bad to you for you to ruin her dream and steal the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with!" Rox's voice trembled with anger.

Nicole's mouth was close as she stepped back to distance herself from her mother. "Am I really your daughter, Mom?"

Rox could not move and she stared at her. "Why would you suddenly ask me that? Are you really insane now? And who do you think is your mother besides me?"

"You always judge me like that. You wouldn't even listen to my side before you hurt me and give me your judgement." Resentful, she talked back.

"Don't change the subject!" Rox scolded her. Until now, the pain that Danica feels is still played in her mind.

Danica called her earlier and she was crying. When she told her everything, she felt sorry for her and was mad at her daughter.

"I don't know either," she replied with her head bowed to her mother.

"You're a useless daughter and friend! Get out of here and don't you dare come back until the relationship you broke is fixed!"

Nervously, Nicole followed her mother into her room. She couldn’t stop her as she carelessly removed her clothes from the cabinet and threw them on the floor. She could do nothing but cry and put her clothes in the small suitcase.

"Remember, you can't set foot in this household again until your broken friendship with Danica is repaired!" Rox yelled at her.

Nicole quickly changed clothes in front of her mother and left the room without any words. Her father who's standing in the middle of the living room was silent, but disappointment was also on his face. Tears welled up in her eyes as she left their home. She doesn't know where to go now.

"Where are you going now, Ma'am?" the man who was driving the taxi asked politely.

Nicole was surprised when the car stopped in front of her. She recognized it, thus she was a little relieved.

"Come in, young lady." Smiling, the gentleman invited her. Earlier, when he picked her up from the hotel, he knew she needed help. She didn't speak, but he can feel that she's tormented.

"Thank you!" she no longer bothered to hide her true feelings. When she got into the car, she started to cry.

Kanor understands what the lady is going through. He just drove the car slowly and waited for her to open up to make herself feel better.

Nicole spent a few more minutes before continuing to calm herself. Somehow, God has not abandoned her. There are still people who care about her even though they don't know her.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked the man who is probably older. She estimated that he was the age of his father—fortyeight.

"I see my daughter in you." Kanor replied sadly to the lady. He introduced himself and so did she.

"Where is she now?" he asked the gentleman curiously. She was curious because he looked sad when he mentioned his daughter.

“She’s gone,” a tear ran down his face as he remembered his daughter who died two years ago.

"I'm sorry." She suddenly felt sorry for him. She felt that he loves his daughter very much and suddenly she felt jealous. Her father also loved her, but she did not feel his support for her.

"I neglected my daughter and she made friends with some addicts. Because of my negligence, she became addicted to drugs and became a victim of gang rape."

Nicole burst into tears again out of pity for the man. She felt his remorse and he's blaming himself for losing his daughter too early.

"Do you have a place to stay?" Kanor changed the subject.

Nicole shook her head sadly. She didn't want to stay with someone who knows her and Danica because surely, like her mother, she would be judged by them as well. She did not want to add to the heaviness in her chest.

"You can stay at my place, don't worry because I have a maid in the house."

The man seemed trustworthy, so Nicole goes with him. He took her to Quezon City and she was surprised to see his house. She did not think that the man was an owner of taxis. It was just his hobby to travel sometimes with one of the taxis he owns. She's lucky and she was his passenger that day. She understood his motive of wanting to help. He did not want her to be like his daughter who had passed away.

"From now on, consider my house your home. I have another child, but he is staying in another country."

"I'm really grateful to you! You're a great help to me!" Because of so much joy, she hugged him.

Kanor considered Nicole his own daughter and his maid welcomed her well. He considered everyone in the house a part of his family.

"Have you found her yet?" Danica asked her people a few hours later. She asked them to find Nicole, she didn't expect her parents to banish her because of what she had complained to them. She cannot be lost because she may get pregnant.

"She's not in the places you told us to go to, Ma'am." The man replied to Danica from the other line.

"So annoying!" She threw the cell phone on the bed because they have no good news. She also asked them to contact Nicole's cell phone, but it could not be reached.

At the Scouts' mansion, the siblings get into a fight because Steven is stubborn and refused to fix his relationship with Danica.

"What kind of fuss is this?" Madame Asuncion reprimanded her two grandchildren when she saw them arguing.

"Grandma!" Rita approached her grandmother for help. It's been two days since the incident at the hotel. And until now, Danica has not gone out of her house and her brother is not even taking any action.

Steven sighed because his sister is being annoying. It is not in his vocabulary to appease a woman just because of a misunderstanding. He didn't have time to explain what really happened. It's enough that they knew he was drugged so something happened that night. Steven quickly dismissed it in his mind when he recalled the woman who he had slept with.

"Grandma, please talk to brother. You know how much important Danica is to me. She's my savior and I can't bear to see her hurt and my brother is the reason." Rita pleads with her grandmother.

The madam sighed as she shook her head. She already knew what had happened at the hotel. But she did not feel sorry for Danica. To this day, she still doubts her identity, thus she did not agree with Rita's wish to marry her brother off to that woman.

"Call your friend, tell her I need to talk to her." Asuncion orders her granddaughter.

Rita frowned at her grandmother's reply. Even as an elderly, she still possesses a cold heart. Fortunately, she did not inherit it.

"Brother?!" She called her brother angrily when he turned away.

"I have a meeting to attend." Steven said emotionlessly and kissed his grandmother's forehead before continuing to leave.

Rita turned around to follow her grandmother's order reluctantly.

"Have you eaten?" Rita asked her friend when she answered her call.

"I'm doing fine."

She sighed when she heard Danica's lifeless voice. "I'll tell the driver to pick you up. Grandma wants to have lunch with you."

Danica frowned when she heard the old woman's name. She knew that Rita just worded her grandmother's order to talk to her better.

"But if you're still not ready to face other people…"

"Maybe I'd better deal with it all so I don't feel sad anymore."

Rita smiled even though the person she was talking to couldn't see it. She was happy because somehow Danica can move on and follow her advice. She understood her if she thought that woman might get pregnant and use that to own her brother.

When Danica arrived at the mansion, she politely greeted the old woman. And she was right in her suspicion when she ordered her to follow her to her office which was also inside their house.

Rita gave Danica an apologetic smile when their eyes met.

Danica quickly followed the madam for fear that she would get angry if she moves slow.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. I heard about what happened at the hotel and I want to know what your plans are now?"

Danica didn't budge at the old woman's intimidating stare. She answered her confidently and did not take her eyes off her eyes. She knew that she wanted to read her true thoughts.

"The agreement goes on. Not a friend of mine can break my love for Steven."

"What if your friend gets pregnant earlier than you? As far as I know, my grandson used no protection when he touched that woman."

"You probably won't let your grandson go to a deceitful woman, will you?" she replied challengingly.

"Huh! You're smart and you know how to compete with the opponent. I won't take back the first agreement. But don't expect me to let my greatgrandchild grow up to be a bastard with that woman if it ever happens."

The truth is that Asuncion has already started to find out the background of the woman. Their clan is small. Little did everyone know that the blood of their men was strange. They are not sexually active if they are not compatible with their partner. That is why she thought that Danica should get pregnant before she could allow her to belong to her family. She needs to make sure there is an heir for the next generation of their clan.

"I understand." Danica grinned her teeth.

"Good! You can leave."

Danica bowed her head first before turning her back to the old woman. She is so frustrated on the inside because all her plans are put in jeopardy.

More than a month passed and Nicole's life has become quiet. She became the secretary of Kanor who she now calls Father. He also stopped driving the taxi because he had already accomplished his mission, to save someone whose life is almost ruined. She was that person, and he has also considered her as his daughter. She kept nothing secret from him except who she slept with.

"You look pale, haven't you had breakfast?" Kanor asked Nicole worriedly.

Nicole was unable to answer the gentleman because she felt cold in her hands and feet. She was sweating even though it wasn't hot.

"I should bring you to the hospital to have your condition checked."

When Kanor approached her, Nicole suddenly felt nauseous. She didn't like the perfume he used even though she's been smelling it even before. Covering her own mouth, she ran into the bathroom.

Kanor watched her with a worried expression. He was sure why she was acting like that. His wife was like that when she became pregnant with their first child.

Nicole burst into tears when it was confirmed that she was pregnant. Her mind was again confused and she did not know whether to inform the father of her future child.

"He has a right to know that what happened to you resulted in your pregnancy. Based on your story, it doesn't look like he's a bad person. You'd better let him know your situation." Kanor advised to her.

Nicole thought for a few minutes. She has had no contact even with her own family since she left their home. She threw away her sim card and her cell phone broke, so she didn’t know who else to contact.

The next day, Nicole decided to go to the company to talk to Steven. But she first saw Danica and could not avoid her when she was invited to talk in private.

Danica wasn't mistaken in suspecting that Nicole might show up there, so she hired someone to watch around the company. When her staff called her earlier, she hurried out of the building and looked for Nicole. Now she's with her in the car.

"Danica, where are we going?" Nicole asked Danica, who remained silent by her side. When her head turned to her, she slightly moved away.

"Can you just be quiet?" she gave Nicole a sharp glare.

Nicole did as she was told. She wanted to reconcile with her, so she agreed to go with her. But with how she treated her, it's obvious that she still hates her a lot. She was saddened by that thought and forced herself not to cry. She became especially sensitive when she found out she was pregnant.

Nicole did not know how far they had traveled and where they are now. She went out of the car and followed her old friend into a house she was not familiar with.

"Danica, can we talk now?" She calmly pleaded with her.

"I don't need your explanation. I want you to tell me the truth, are you pregnant with Steven's child?"

She nodded hesitantly in response to Danica. She had prepared herself for her reaction and she would not let herself get hurt because she was pregnant.

A crisp laugh escaped Danica's mouth, which surprised Nicole. She seemed happy with the news, instead of being angrier with her.

"Then, all my plans came was successful. All I have to do is wait for you to give birth to the child and I'll be the mother it will know." Danica smiled as other events according to her plan played on her mind.

"What do you mean, Danica? I'm here to clarify what happened that day and not to give you my baby when it's out." Nicole felt nervous, as if she didn't know this friend of hers anymore. She had a very different attitude and behavior right now.

"Don't try to become clean because no one will believe in you. Even your parents believe in me, so don't have hopes in others either." Danica sneered at her.

"Danica? What are you saying?" she asked confusedly. She did not expect her to be happy with the fact that her life has become miserable because of what had happened.

"Simply put, I drugged you and Steven to make my plan work." Danica explained with a smirk.

"But, why?" she asked, utterly confused. She couldn't think of why she would want something to happen between her and Steven and for her to get pregnant. She thought Danica loved that man so much.

"Don't ask because I don't have time to explain further with a fool like you."

She decided to change her plan because the old woman found out about her ovary problem. She didn't think that even her inability to conceive would be known. Her intention at first was to claim that the baby Nicole would have is hers. She also found out that she was looking for Nicole to make sure the baby would be fine if she got pregnant.

Nicole was suddenly scared, she felt danger for the baby in her womb. "Whatever you're planning, I can't let it, Danica! This is my child and I won't let another woman take him away!"

Danica slapped Nicole on the cheek out of annoyance. "From this day on, you have no right to contradict everything I want! If you want that baby in your womb to live, then be obedient!"

Nicole pushed Danica and ran out of the house unfamiliar to her. But she backed away when the door opened and an armed man entered. He pointed the handgun at her head, so she went back inside while trembling with fear.

Danica's laughter grew louder and she enjoyed the visible fear on Nicole's face. She approached her and dragged her into a room.

"Ah… let go of me!" She struggled with Danica's grip on her hair, but she was stronger. She just noticed that there were other people inside the house.

"Make sure that woman can't escape here and her pregnancy is healthy." Danica talks to the older woman.

"Danica, don't do this to me. What did I do wrong for you to do this to me?" She pleaded while crying. She fears for her baby even if it was only formed because of a scheme.

Danica smiled and softened the expression on her face. "I'm not mad at you. You just have the things I've always wanted to have. And for me to have everything I want, I have to use you."

"Danica, you know Mom loves you more. In fact, she kicked me out when you told her I stole your boyfriend. Isn't that enough?" she calmly talked to the vicious woman. She hoped even a little that she would change her mind and let her go.

"Promise, I won't appear in front of you ever again if that's what you want. I'll go away and Steven won't know about my pregnancy." She continued to plead with Danica, who went silent.

Danica purposely made a sad face and approached Nicole. "I'm sorry if I have to lock you up here. I only need the child so Steven would marry me."

Nicole stepped away from Danica while shaking her head. "Don't you want to have your own child? Why would you need mine?"

Annoyance replaced the sadness on Danica's face. Her patience was short when it comes to Nicole. She intended to look miserable so that she would willingly agree to what she wanted.

"I have a problem with my ovary, so it's unlikely for me to be pregnant. I need to have a baby or else his grandmother will look for another woman who could give her a greatgrandchild." She confesses to Nicole, expecting her to take pity.

"I'm sorry, but this really is not right and…"

"You're not going to help me?!" She shouted at Nicole. Her fake act has been cut off.

Nicole was surprised because of the loudness of the speaker's voice. "You know you shouldn't get what you want in the wrong way, Danica. I'll help you, but not this way."

"You're a worthless friend! You deserve to be thrown out by your parents! Don't waste your saliva because my mind won't change!"

Nicole burst into tears when Danica left her in the room. The door was locked from the outside and the window was intentionally crossed with steels, so that no one could pass through there even when it's open.

A few more minutes later, Nicole calmed herself. Nothing would happen if she would just cry there. She peeked out the window to see the surroundings. She lost some hope when she saw that there's only trees. She thinks this house is an isolated vacation home. If the situation was normal, she would appreciate the beauty of the surroundings and would like to live there. It's quiet and cold.

"I need to leave, update me every day about her condition and take good care of her for the baby." Danica strongly instructs the trustworthy person.

"Yes, Ma'am. We'll take care of her." Soledad replied to Danica. She was a former midwife who lost her license because a couple who lost their child filed a complaint.

Danica smiled at the lady. She met her on a street and found that she could deliver a baby. She offered her a large sum, she knew she would not betray her. She hired two more people there to serve as guards and make sure Nicole wouldn't escape.

It's been two months, but Steven still can't sleep well. He wakes up in the middle of the night and is wanting the body heat of someone. He lost his appetite even more even though Danica seduces him a lot every time he was alone with her.

In the company, people became more and more afraid of Steven because even a small mistake makes him angry. All the employees who pass by him inside the building he owns, bow their heads and at the same time greet him. He didn't even look at them and just kept walking.

"Good morning, Mr. Scout!"

The next to greet him were highranking employees in the company. It was only then that he looked at them one by one, he was looking for a particular someone's face, but he couldn't find it. Now he just remembered that she was missing.

"Dismiss!" he authoritatively orders them before signaling the assistant to follow him inside the office.

"I want to know the status of this employee." He handed his assistant the small piece of paper on which was written the name of the daring woman that night. He did not know her full name, but he knew which department she was assigned to.

"Right away, Sir!" Grey bowed to the boss after taking the paper from his hand.

Ever since Steven started running the company, he has been his assistant. He did not dare to ask even though he was curious about why he suddenly took an interest in a female employee. He noticed that since the grand opening of the hotel, he has somehow changed.

"Wait a second." Steven calls Grey before he can walk out of the door when he suddenly remembered something.

"Is there anything else you want, Sir?"

"When the grand opening of the hotel was held, where were you the night I got drunk?"

Grey couldn't answer right away and thought about what had happened that day. He asked himself if something had happened because of his negligence.

"I woke up that you weren't around."

"I'm sorry, I was careless that day!" he was quick to apologize even though he had no idea what had happened. "When Ma'am Danica took you to your room, she told me to leave and she will take care of you."

Steven's eyebrows met and he thought deeply. A few minutes later, he told the assistant to go.

"I KNOW you're looking for my friend." Danica's voice sounded both calm and angry as she talked to Steven.

Steven stared at his girlfriend intently. Somehow, he felt a conscience for her as her boyfriend. She did nothing but love him and his sister. He didn't have time for her too, and now she even finds out that he is looking for that woman.

He felt guilty, she stayed by his side despite what happened between him and her best friend. She was right, he was searching for Nicole. He just wanted to make sure she didn’t get pregnant. If she gets pregnant, he will not be able to allow the child to be a bastard and grow up without knowing him as the father.

"I know you didn't like what happened between you two because she confessed to me." Danica referred to Nicole.

"Where is she?" Steven asked quickly. According to his assistant, the woman has not entered the company since the day something happened between them.

"She didn't want to let me know and her parents had kicked her out of their house already."

Steven's forehead furrowed because of what he heard. He could not quite imagine that there are parents like that.

"You don't know Nicole. She's ambitious and can't be content with what she has. This is not the first time she wanted something from me." Danica said sadly.

Steven felt pity for Danica when he saw in her eyes how much she had been hurt by the woman whom she believed her true friend.

"She's mad at me for letting you make her leave that day. She expected me to choose our friendship over you." The sadness on Danica's face became even more noticeable.

Steven felt that she carries a lot of weight in her chest as she recalled what had happened. He quickly comforted her while she tried to hide her tears from him.

"You know how much I value friendship, Steven. You witness my love for your sister even though we've been apart for a long time." She continued with a little reproach.

"I'm sorry," Steven said and he felt guilty. He was sorry not because something had happened between him and her. But because her friendship with that woman was ruined because of him.

"No, it's not your fault. I'm the one to blame because I've let her do this kind of thing to me ever since. I let her get used to being forgiven as always."

"I don't want to add to your resentment, but I need to find her. I have to make sure what happened to us didn't result in pregnancy." He explained to her even though he is not obligated to do so.

Danica tried to keep the sadness on her face even though she suddenly felt pissed. In his words, it seems that she was compatible with him, thus he thought that she could get pregnant. Something has happened between them for three times, but he never thought she could get pregnant.

"Knowing Nicole, I'm sorry, but she certainly won't give you the child without anything in return. And I'm sure it's your freedom that she would demand for. She's very cunning." She continued to slander Nicole.

Steven frowned, he didn't like what he heard. No one can dictate him what to do. If she can't agree with some nice deal, then he could choose something harsher.

"All I need is my child and she's excluded. I will take the child, whether she likes it or not."

Danica smiled when Steven was no longer in front of her. She quickly left and returned to her office. It's nice that she recorded the last words he spoke. She thought of sending the record to the person she assigned to watch over Nicole. She can't go there personally because someone might follow her. It has been a month since she left Nicole there. She was updated on all of the happenings, her room also had CCTV to make sure she wouldn't do anything bad just to escape.

Nicole was losing hope of getting out of Danica's hands. She is only forced to eat because she is pregnant. She didn't want the child to die with her. She was aggrieved to think that she might have to leave the baby to Danica's care. She feels that Danica will not let her go while she's alive after she gives birth.

"Ma'am Danica has another surprise for you." The maid smirked at Nicole as she entered the room.

Nicole's mouth remained shut and she didn't plan on talking. She was tired of begging her to let her go and feel sorry for her future child.

Soledad opened her cell phone and showed Nicole what Danica had sent her. She adjusted the volume so they can clearly hear what is in the video.

"Hello, Dear. How is my child in your womb?"

Nicole clenched her fist seeing the face of the woman she considered a friend and family member. She seemed happy with what she was about to tell her.

"It's okay for you to be mad at me, I forgive you." Danica's smile was teasing as she looked straight at the camera.

Nicole quickly averted her eyes from the video, but Soledad pulled her hair and forced her to look at the cell phone screen.

"Steven already knows you're pregnant because I told him. You'll definitely be happy so I'll let you know what his reaction was." Danica picked up a cell phone and played something from there.

"All I need is my child and she's excluded. I will take the child, whether she likes it or not."

Nicole gritted her teeth because of the anger she felt. She didn't know the man's personality that well, but she could recognize his voice even though she couldn't see his face. Same as Danica, he has no heart. Now she thought that perhaps what happened between them was not just an accident. He could be Danica's accomplice and they both only want the child.

Just in case she escapes, she will make sure Steven can't find them. She will forget everything, even her family, just so that she won't be separated from her baby. She didn't want the child to experience a life like hers. Growing up deprived of parental love.

Nicole knew there was a camera focused on her inside the room. She needs to think of a way so that the two do not succeed in taking the child away from her when it comes out. Right in this moment, she has no one to rely on but herself. Her parents would probably not bother to search for her. Kanor, on the other hand, must be having a hard time looking for her because he had no idea that this would happen to her. Maybe he doesn't think good of her anymore because she suddenly disappeared.

Danica watches the reaction on Nicole's face from the CCTV. She was pleased to see that she was hurt by what she heard.

Donya Asuncion had given up the search for the woman who was with her grandson when she heard that he was also looking for her. Like what Steven thinks, the child is important to them.

Danica went to Nicole's house before Steven's people could come.

"Danica, Hija! It's good that you pay us a visit. I thought you do not plan on coming anymore because of what Nicole did." Rox welcomed her goddaughter with a hug.

"You know I can't do that." Smiling, she hugged her godmother back.

"Come inside, your Godfather Joey will surely be glad to see you!"

Danica gladly followed Nicole's mother. The house has not changed, it is still spacious and has many equipments. When her godfather saw her, he also hugged her.

"I hope you have forgiven our daughter for what she did to you, Hija." Rox said with hope.

"She's one of the reasons I came here." A gloomy aura clouded Danica's face. With how she looks like in front of them, the couple really feel guilty for her to the extent that they didn't want their daughter anymore.

"If we can help, just tell us," Joey said.

"First of all, I'm sorry, but I can't afford to lose Steven. I can't afford to give in to Nicole's request to leave my boyfriend to her because she's pregnant." Tears kept falling from Danica's eyes. She looks like she's overly struggling with the whole situation.

Rox covered her own mouth with her palms. She could not fully imagine that her daughter is able to take advantage of someone's kindness. They did not lack financial support or anything for her to want something from other people.

"I didn't think she will take advantage of my illness." Her cries rang out and she covered her own face with her hands to hide her miserable life.

Rox quickly approached her seat and hugged her. As a woman, she understood how she must have felt.

"How could she do this to me? Instead of feeling sorry for me because I have a problem with my ovary, she took advantage of that to try to snatch the man I love the most! She knows that Steven's family wants a child but I can't give it to him yet."

"I didn't know you were going through such hardship right now, Hija. I understand you and I don't like what my daughter did. Even if she is pregnant, we will not tolerate her just to fulfill her selfish dream." Rox also burst into tears out of pity for Danica. If Nicole is there right now, she would have surely hurt her and made her kneel in front of her friend.

"I'm having a hard time convincing her. She's hiding now and doesn't want to give the child to Steven if he won't marry her. Godma, what will I do when Nicole succeeds? All my life you know I've just been asking for attention. You know that I want to have a whole family and I only love Steven like this. Where else can I get strength if I have little chance of having children and then I lose the man I love?"

Even Joey burst into tears because he felt sorry for Danica. He touched her shoulder, which was shaking from crying so much.

"We won't let that happen, Hija. Don't worry, we'll talk to her when she comes back. If Steven accepts the child and you're the mothertobe, he probably won't leave you." Joey comforted her.

"Your godfather was right, Hija. If you want, we will talk to Steven so that he will not trade you for the sake of the child. We will take care of Nicole so that she can give the child to you and you will be the mother."

Danica felt like she was floating in ecstasy as she listened to what the couple was saying. But she had to suppress the joy at the moment. Her tears grew louder and she thanked them with all her heart.

"Did your Mom and Dad already know what happened?" Rox asked sadly. Her parents are in the province, they prefer to live there with their animals. Danica lived with them from the time she graduated from high school to college.

Danica shook her head. "You know they have no interest in my life even before."

Rox was sad for this young lady. Danica came to love her dearly because Rox loved her more than her own parents. She doesn't know why Dolores says Danica is a rebellious child.

"Don't be sad, I and your Godfather are here to support you. I will have people to find Nicole and convince her. I know there is still goodness in my daughter's heart and she will also feel sorry for you."

Danica didn't like the last thing Rox said. That's what she hates the most, to get something out of pity. She closed her eyes tightly to hide the frustrations.

After Danica left, the couple immediately ordered their men to look for their daughter.

A bitter smile flashed on Nicole's lips upon hearing the conversation between her parents and Danica. She, then, laughed out loud, which surprised Soledad. She thought she was losing her mind.

"Are you like that with your own child?" Nicole asked Soledad sarcastically.

"I don't have children so don't ask me." Soledad replied, annoyed.

Nicole laughed at her again. "That's why you and Danica got along. Maybe you also stole someone else's child so you lost your job?" she continued to tease the lady.

Nicole feels anger and dissapointment to her parents. They did not even worry about her, or even for their future grandchild. They do not value her feelings. They pity Danica more than they worry about her and didn’t think she might need them as well in her current situation.

Instead of getting angry, Soledad smiled teasingly at the pitiful woman. She was offended by what she said, but she would not fight back. Danica strictly instructed not to hurt her because it might cause harm to the baby in her womb.

"You fully deserve to not be blessed with a child, you don't even have a conscience!" Nicole's eyes glared at the CCTV camera.

Danica quickly turned off the screen monitor so as not to hear what else Nicole was saying. She won’t let anything lower her self confidence due to the fact her personality is lacking.

"Are you okay?" Rita asked Danica when she caught her in a daze. She visited her in her office after she heard that she had confronted her brother yesterday.

Danica blinked and calmed herself when she saw Rita. She didn't realize she had gotten in there and fortunately, she already turned off the cell phone.

"I talked to brother's secretary. He noticed you came out of his office with your eyes red."

Danica smiled at her and told her to sit down. "If you were in my situation, would you be willing to take care of your beloved's child from not just another woman, but someone you considered a family member?"

Rita's forehead furrowed and it was on her face that she was not happy with what she heard. "Don't you tell me that gold digger is pregnant?!"

Danica nodded sadly. "Your older brother only wants the child. I talked to Nicole and she didn't want to agree. I can't find her anymore. The last conversation we had was that she would only show the child if Steven would marry her."

"That bitch! The thickness of her face to imagine that my older brother would want to marry her! She'll regret it all when she forces herself on my family!" Rita shuddered with anger for Nicole.

Danica hugged her and hid how she truly felt at the moment. This is what she wants, for her to hate Nicole so much. For if the day comes when she comes to know the truth, she will not believe any of it. She'd be the only one everyone believes in.

"I can't, but I also can't let the child motherless in case your older brother takes him. You know your brother can do everything, so I'm worried for the child. The baby will be the one to be most affected by this incident."

"I understand you, my brother is lucky because you are the woman he chose to be with in his life. Don't worry, I know everything will be fine. I will help you so that the child would not know that you are not his real mother."

"Thank you! I owe you a lot!" She smiled in response to Rita as tears flowed from her eyes.

Danica knew that Rita would keep her promise to her. She doesn’t have to worry anymore and she is sure that she'd stay by Steven’s side. Their grandmother wouldn't be able to do anything because the most important thing is the heir of their family.

Steven's temper became more aggressive because Nicole could not be found even though he had already hired a detective. That woman is good at hiding and it's hard to find her. He lost his appetite for sex even more and his mind was focused on his future child. A picture of her was sent to him the other day. It looks like she's close to giving birth. There was also a letter of demand for marriage in the envelope, that is, if he wants to see the baby.

Steven picked up the picture hidden in the drawer again and stared at the woman's face. It was just sideview and located in the middle of the room. He was suddenly excited to see the child when he saw the bulge of her stomach.

Steven threw off the stuff on his table when he felt frustrated again. He did not know where to find her because the letter had no address. The only thing stated there is that she will show up when she has given birth and if her wishes are obeyed.

Grey just remained standing quietly in front of Steven. He did not know how to calm the young man who was now going crazy with anger. He just let him throw away and break whatever he put his hand on. The papers were scattered on the floor.

Grey sighed, the young man's secretary would have a lot of work to do because the papers were messed up. In case he does find the woman he is looking for, Grey was sure that she would be miserable. Seeing the anger on his boss's face now, he probably wanted to strangle that woman if she was just in front of him.

A month has passed, and Nicole became increasingly worried about her baby. She feels her pregnancy is not normal. She still can't figure out how to escape in this hell. She also figured that Danica's call to the maid had become more frequent. She pretended to be asleep and secretly listened to what they were talking about.

"She's about to give birth, make sure the baby is healthy and do what I want you to do." Danica reminds Soledad again.

"I remember, Ma'am. I will make it so that she died in childbirth and I will contact you first." Soledad replied to her while her eyes were staring at the sleeping woman.

"Is everything that's needed ready?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Soleda turned the cell phone camera to the equipment she would use.

"Very good!" A wide smile was posted on Danica's lips. She was suddenly excited to see the baby. Nicole should give birth anytime soon, but she can't go there. Her plan had to be carried out without anyone suspecting anything.

Nicole bit the inside of her lower lip to suppress its trembling. She suddenly felt cold when she confirmed that Danica would not let her live. She wanted to cry, but she had to suppress it because Soledad was still in her room.

Nicole observed her movements through her senses. She heard the door open and someone enter.

"Am I going to remove the CCTV now?" Gardo asked Soledad while looking up at the ceiling.

"Yes, Ma'am Danica doesn't want to let any evidence." Soledad replied to the man. From what she sees, Nicole will give birth at any moment. She has also cleaned up suspicious things around. Gardo will pretend to be her husband.

Nicole finally let go of the tears that she had been holding back when the couple was gone. "I'm sorry, baby. In case I won't be able to see you, I hope your father will take good care of you. He won't leave you to the person who caused our separation." She caressed her stomach as she continued to cry silently.

Inside the office, Steven was restless. He could not forget the month when Nicole would give birth. He feels something bad is going to happen.

Danica also locked herself in her office. Soledad has not called again since she was informed earlier that Nicole was in labor.

Nicole's tears and sweat mixed as she screamed. The pain she's feeling in the process was unbearable. The pain in her hips and abdomen was too much.

"Gardo, hurry up! Give me the lukewarm water!" Soledad shouted at her companion. Even she was sweating as well. She didn’t expect the child to be twins and Nicole seemed to have a hard time bringing out the other.

"Ahhhh…!" Nicole screamed again because of the extreme pain when her stomach ached. She wanted to give up, but when she heard the cry of the first child, she felt that she had more strength again.

"Do it again, the child's head is about to come out!" Soledad angrily commanded her.

Nicole screamed and pushed as her stomach ached again. She was out of breath, she couldn't help but drop her head on the pillow as the second child was born.

"The hell, there's another one!" Soledad exclaimed when she saw another child. She panicked as Nicole is getting really weak.

Gardo quickly obeyed Soledad's order to cook noodles for Nicole. She said she had to gain strength at least a little to release the third who did not want to follow in the release.

Soledad quickly called Danica while waiting for another child to come out.

"What? She had twins?" Danica asked in shock.

"Yes, Ma'am and the other one doesn't want to come out yet."

Danica gritted her teeth and she was annoyed at the fact that the twins had been formed in just one night that happened. Out of annoyance, she ended the call with Soledad after ordering her to make sure that the children were alive. She no longer asked about the gender.

Soledad hurriedly dropped the cell phone and took the bowl of noodles from Gardo. "Eat, so you'll have the strength to deliver the other child." She carelessly handed the bowl to her.

Nicole's hands trembled as she eats. Even though she was feeling weak, she struggled to fight the fear she felt. Her eyes rolled and she noticed the cell phone just near her.

Gardo is busy helping the lady clean her two children. She put that aside at the moment. She quickly reached for the cell phone and hid it under her pillow. She also powered it off so as not to create noise if anyone called.

Fortunately, Nicole has hidden the cell phone when her stomach ached again. This time, Gardo helped by pushing on her stomach to get the child out. It took a few minutes before the third child was born.

"She's not breathing!" Soledad was confused when the child did not cry. She flipped the baby over and tapped her on the butt, but the child seemed to have difficulty breathing.

"What are we going to do?" Gardo is also nervous. It was his first time seeing such a scenario and he felt sorry for the child.

"The child can't die, Danica will surely make us pay for it."

Nicole forced herself to open her eyes to see her child. She could hear the two whispering, so she was very worried about the child. Her baby is beautiful, but she looks weak. She could not see the faces of the other two because they were far away from her. But she knew one of them was a boy.

"Please, take my daughter to the hospital and save her life." Nicole pleads with the two weakly.

The two turned to her at the same time. From her appearance right now, they know she won’t last long when left unattended. But because that was really the plan, they just let her suffer alone. What matters to them now are the children.

"She can't move, so let her be." Gardo rebuked Soledad when she cut the umbilical cord and pulled out the child's placenta.

"Are you stupid? I would be blamed if she dies." Soledad scowled.

"You talk so much, just take a picture and send it to Ma'am Danica already so you can take the child to the hospital." Gardo said arrogantly. They are the same age, but they don't get along.

Soledad quickly searched for her cell phone, but she could not find it.

"WHAT the hell? You're really old and you've become forgetful!" Gardo scorned.

"Why don't you just shut your mouth and help me find it?" Soledad glared at him and looked around for the cell phone. She can't remember where she placed it because she was panicking earlier.

"Look for it later, use this!" Gardo handed his cellphone to his companion.

Nicole kept her eyes closed, but she knew that Soledad was taking a video of her. "Please, take good care of my children. I know I won't last longer…"

Soledad quickly cut off the video recording before Nicole could say everything she wanted.

"But I hope you let my three children live." Nicole continued to plead with the two while crying. But she got no response from them.

"I'll take the child, you don't know how to drive anyway. Find your phone and call Ma'am Danica to let her know that the child is not well." Gardo hurriedly took the baby from Soledad.

After Gardo left, Soledad left Nicole without a care. She felt a tingling sensation in her stomach. She could not leave her for hours and now she feels the need to urinate.

Nicole's body felt heavy as she lifted herself up. She quickly grabbed Soledad's cell phone, which she hid and turned it on.

Kanor could not sleep that night. To this day, he still thinks about Nicole's disappearance, he has considered her as his daughter. He secretly watched around the house where she used to live with her parents, but he did not see even her shadow. His worries for her prevailed over his resentment because she had not even said goodbye to him before she left.

Nicole quickly dialed the number she still remembered and prayed that he was still awake and that her call would be answered immediately.

"Hello?" Kanor answered the call, it was ringing nonstop.

"Father, help me!"

He instantly jumped up from lying on the bed when he recognized the voice from the other line. "Nicole? Where are you and why do you sound sick?" he asked worriedly.

"Dad, I don't have enough strength. They won't let me live."

Kanor shuddered as he listened to Nicole's weak and trembling voice. He quickly took his car key and ran out of the house.

Nicole quickly sent her location to Kanor, who she has considered as her second father. She didn't have time to speak anymore because she was getting weaker. She crawled to reach where her two sleeping children were. She was still bleeding, but she didn't mind it. She kissed the child on the forehead before taking the other one and exhausted her remaining strength to get out of the house.

It was dark all around because it was late at night at that time. With the help of the flashlight from the cell phone, she could see the road. She was grateful because the child in her arms remained asleep as she walked away from the house with her weak body. She didn't look back because Soledad might catch up to her.

"Bitch, where are you? If you don't come back, I will kill this one of your children!" Soledad shouted from the door of the house. She knew she hadn't gone far yet because she was still weak.

Nicole forced herself to not cry when she heard the cry of the child she left behind. But she had to do this. She turned off the flashlight of the cell phone, fearing that the person looking for her would find out where she is hiding. She was sure Soledad was just scaring her and using her baby. They will not let her live, so she had to temporarily escape and leave her two children. She knew the woman would not be able to kill the child, otherwise she will suffer from Danica's rage.

"I'll get the two of you back, that's a promise!" Nicole whispered to herself and continued in slow stride because she was still very weak.

Nicole quickly hid in a large tree when she saw Soledad use a huge flashlight and light up the surroundings. She was holding a gun, so she absolutely can't let herself be seen. The crying of the child who was left behind grew louder, as if she felt what she was feeling now. The child she was holding, on the other hand, seemed to be sensible and remained silent even though he has woken up.

"What the heck! Shut up, you kid!" Soledad angrily returned to the crying child and brought a bottle of milk to her mouth. She needs to go out and find Nicole. But there is no one else to take care of the child, she will be in danger in Danica's hands if something happens to the baby.

Nicole took the chance to escape. She secretly thanked her children, she had the chance to escape because of their help. She walked away faster. She no longer knew where she was because she was not using a flashlight.

Soledad could not leave because the child was crying too much. She was panicking, she could not even find her cell phone, she could not call Gardo to ask for help to find Nicole. She also can't tell Danica what's happening now.

Kanor drove the car very fast, but Nicole's location was still far away. As far as he could see, she was in Quezon Province and he came from Quezon City. He called the number Nicole used, again. He called for the tenth time and no one answered, thus he was very worried about her.

When Nicole made sure she was far enough, she sat behind a tree and leaned there. When she saw the cell phone she was carrying flashed again and there was a number registered on the screen, she immediately answered.

"Nicole, I'm on my way. Tell me, how is your condition now."

Nicole's tears flowed again when she heard Kanor's voice. "Dad, just… in case you can't make it in time. Please, don't leave my children in Danica's hands." She weakly pleaded. Her eyesight has become blurred and she had no strength to stand up.

"What is that you're saying? Don't give up for your children! I'll think of a way to get there right away!"

"DDon't take me to the hospital." Nicole's last words to the gentleman before losing her consciousness.

Kanor slammed the steering wheel when the person from the other line did not speak anymore. He quickly scrolled down his contact list and thought he might know someone near the young lady's location. A few minutes later, he saw there was one and he immediately called the number.

"I'm on my way, Sir." Tony replied to the boss as he sped up the car. It is only right when he came from Lucena because someone hired him from the airport. The location is in the Tayabas part and he is only a few minutes away from there.

Kanor prayed hard and did not drop the call to be updated. There is no traffic on the road because it was already so late, so he can travel fast.

When Tony parked the car on the side of the road, he immediately got out. He followed the location given to him by Kanor. He walked, then, ran into the woods. He ignored how dark it is because life was what he had to save. He prayed that he would not encounter any wild animal.

The cell phone that had fallen to the ground remained on. The child inside the cloth slung over Nicole's shoulder began to cry.

Tony turned to the right when he heard a crying of a baby. If his boss had not said that there was a child with whom he would rescue, he would have been scared. Who would have thought there was a child in the middle of the forest if it was just an ordinary night for someone? He quickly dismissed the fear of thinking that it might be a little monster. He walked with large steps toward the direction of the crying baby.

"Thanks God!" Kanor burst into tears when he heard a child crying. He quickly ordered the staff to take Nicole to a secret place. He already called a doctor to examine her.

It was as if Soledad's baby patient was doing it on purpose because after an hour, she fell silent on her own. She doesn't seem to feel any pain now that she has fallen asleep. She slowly laid the child down on her bed and hurried out of the house. She hoped Nicole hasn’t been able to get away. But before she could get away from the house, she already felt scared. The surroundings were dark and only the chirping of insects could be heard.

Soledad went back inside the house again when she did not see Nicole around. She did nothing but wait for Gardo's return.

Danica cursed at Gardo when she found out he was in the hospital. She had called Soledad earlier, but she did not answer.

"Ma'am, the child's condition is critical, so I brought her here." Gardo explained the reason.

"Leave the child there with a nurse for now and go back to Soledad. Find out why her phone can't be contacted!" she angrily commands the man.

Gardo did not say more. He was also annoyed with Soledad, she neglected her job of contacting their boss. The baby was placed in the ICU and he understood nothing about what the doctor had said earlier about the baby's condition. He simply begged the nurse to watch over the child he claimed to be his grandson before leaving.

Soledad has no sleep due Nicole's disappearance with one child. The surroundings were about to light up when Gardo arrived. She immediately met him and ordered to look for Nicole.

"Bullsht! How did that woman escape you?" Gardo scolded the woman. He was also tired and had no sleep, yet he had to deal with this.

"Can you badmouth me later! Hurry up and maybe she's just around. I'm sure she hasn't got away from here. She's carrying one of the children, and it's definitely crying by now." She talked back to Gardo.

Without a word, Gardo turned around and walked down the road with traces of Nicole's blood. Soledad was right, it would be a miracle if that woman survived because it looked like she bled continuously. But he had almost wandered around the forest, yet he could not see the woman. He could not even heard a baby's cry.

"What are we going to do now?" Soleda asked the man nervously.

"What else? Lie if you still want to live!" Gardo was annoyed with the lady.

Soledad looked at Gardo, unconvinced.

"Let's just say that there were only two babies. Help me make a humanlike thing to put in a sack to show we buried it."

"But what if she's alive and shows up?" Soledad still asked nervously.

"It's your problem to hide so Danica can't find you. About me, I'll go far away when I receive the money!"

Gardo has a point, and fortunately, she did not tell Danica that Nicole actually had triplets. She simply agreed to the plan.

Gardo immediately answered the call from their boss. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but one of your plans failed. Nicole tried to run away when I was gone, Soledad shot her."

"Useless ones!" Danica angrily cursed them.

Her plan was to wait for Nicole to gradually die of exhaustion before informing her family. She would have pretended to let them know that she was the first to discover where she was and show the corpse to everyone. She would fake the cause of her death, tell them that she died shortly after giving birth. But since she died from being shot, she had to think of a different plan.

"Bury her there right now! Make sure no one else sees what you're doing. Make a deep hole so that no animal can smell her corpse!"

Gardo smirked after hearing his boss's decision. Soledad breathed a sigh of relief as their first problem was resolved. In Nicole's case, it will take a long time for her to recover even if she survives. On the other hand, they don't want to make a problem about the children. What matters is that Danica believed that she had killed Nicole and that she did not ask for the body. When they receive the money, she would go to a place where no one knows her. She will also change her identity.