Anya opened her eyes once again and saw she was in the same hotel. She fell asleep last night after thinking so much. She sighed and got up, and sat on the bed. She was just dazing for a moment when she heard a knock on the door. She quickly became startled and went alert.
“Good morning, Ms. Anya, I am a doctor that was sent to check on you,” A voice of a woman came from behind the doors. Her voice was professional and calm. Anya was quite doubting but hearing it was a woman, she mustered up a courage and answered.
“Come in,”
The door was gently opened. Anya saw a woman wearing a white coat and spectacles. She carried a bag that seemed like a medicinal bag.
“Uhm, I don’t remember calling for a doctor. Perhaps you are mistaken?” Anya said to her. The doctor smiled and explained.
“I was called by the hotel saying there was a guest who fainted last night. Don’t worry, Ms. Anya, this won’t take long.”
“The hotel?” Anya once again pondered. The woman only nodded and smiled, but did not add anything anymore. She started taking out her things to check on Anya.
Anya finally let go of her doubts. Maybe this hotel is really that luxurious and hospitable to their guests?
The doctor asked her a couple of things. After checking her and seeing nothing seems wrong, the doctor assured Anya and cleaned up her things. She also informed her that her hotel bills were already taken care of. Anya was surprised once again and asked who was it that took care of it.
“I was only ordered to deliver these words, Miss. If you would excuse me, I’ll be on my way. Always be careful and take care of your health.”
The doctor left, and Anya was left dumbfounded and still wondering. Despite this, she still felt unsafe in this hotel, so she hurriedly left. While going out, she felt the feelings from last night surging up once again. It’s ridiculous how she felt like running out for her life. why she needs to always be on alert just to be safe.
And what’s more ridiculous is how she is unsafe with her husband. All of this is because of him. The man she once loved, married, and cared for. She did so much for him, but why is it like this?
While she was walking, she couldn’t help her tears from falling. She placed her hand to her chest and cried. Yet, she promised that this would be the last time she would weep. Just let her cry and grieve for this moment. Let her grieve for the man and future she always thought about and aspired to, but know she will bury this and let go completely.
Little did she know that someone was keeping an eye on her, making sure she would come out and go home safely.
Damon was sitting in his car as he watched the woman who was crying quietly while walking. His face was dark and stiff as he felt anger and sorry for her. He thought that she accepted the surrogacy to help the Davids. But was happening now? How could she walk so miserably and experience such danger in the clutch of such despicable men?
Looking at this, he can’t help but ponder if it was his fault? Because he put her through a surrogacy that led her to what is happening now.
But no matter the reason, it is never right for any man to let his woman experience such things. The problem is not her or what she chose but the people around her. The problem was her husband. Andrei Davids.
Damon felt indescribable anger towards this man. He didn't know how he could feel so much enmity towards a person just because of a woman, but he knew that this kind of man should be taught a lesson.
His eyes had a gleam of danger as he closed the car’s window and gave orders to his driver.
When Anya got to her home, she immediately freshened up and took a shower. While she was in the bath, she poured a lot of soap on the sponge as she rubbed and cleaned herself roughly. Her skin turned red, but she didn’t stop rubbing. She felt that by doing this, she could erase the traces and disgusting touch of that man. A tear fell at the corner of her eyes, and she angrily brushed it away.
After she cleaned herself, she wrapped herself in a towel and stared at her face in the mirror. She saw her face was flushed, and her eyes were quite swollen. She dreaded her pitiful appearance. She closed her eyes and went out of the bathroom.
Just after she changed into fresh clothes, her phone rang. She took it and saw the caller’s ID.
Marie.
She quickly answered it, but before she could say a word, the woman in the other line had already exclaimed.
“Anya! What do you mean about this?! What divorce?! How could things escalate this quickly?! I didn’t even know you have troubles with your husband and now you’re saying this?! Are you still treating me as your friend?!” She rambled none stop as she was so angry that Anya didn’t know who her best friend would kill first, her husband or herself?
“Darling, calm down-“ Anya tried to appease, but she was immediately cut off.
“Don’t you, darling, me! You gave me such a surprise!” Marie continued to exclaim, and Anya just let her burst for a while.
Marie not long became tired. So, she said coldly. “Now you talk,”
Anya could only smile helplessly.
“Are you free? Let’s meet so I can explain to you clearly.”
“Of course, I am free! Now you need to properly explain to me, or I will pull your ears!” She said, sulking. Anya chuckled and gave her an address to a restaurant that was
quiet and peaceful so they could talk properly. After she heard her best friend’s approval of the location, she hung up the phone, packed up her stuff, and was ready to go.
It was not long before she arrived at the location. Marie was already there with a stiff face, obviously anxious for her explanation or to knock on her head. Seeing this, Anya became quite guilty. When she was pregnant, she didn’t tell anybody about it, even her best friend and grandma. She felt it was nothing to be proud of. She was worried about what they would say and what might stop her. But at that time, she really wanted to help her husband.
Anya sighed and went to Marie’s table. When her friend spotted her, she also sighed and just eyed her intensely. She looked calmer now than before.
“Now, explain,” Marie said as early as Anya sat on her sit. Anya pouted at her, but Marie was dead serious. So, Anya stopped delaying and told her everything from the beginning until now.
Marie was so shocked listening to her best friend. She never thought Anya was experiencing such things for the last two years. And the thing that she did not expect more was how Andrei turned out. It was really true that money, power, and anger can really change a person. Marie was a witness to the couple since they were in college. Andrei was a bright young man; never could she have thought he was capable of such despicable things.
“You really should divorce him! How could he?! No real man would do something so awful! It is a crime! He should even go to jail! How dare that brute!” Marie continued to curse Andrei for a while. Anya could only listen as her best friend vented out her anger. After Marie had killed Andrei countless of times in her head and with her words, she gradually calmed down and looked at Anya again.
“How about the baby? Where is he?” She asked Anya carefully as she weighed her friend’s expression.
When Anya heard this, she gave a heavy breath. She knew it was inevitable that Marie would ask this, but the problem is, even she doesn’t know anything about the child.
“I also don’t know. I wasn’t able to even hold him for even a second.” She said as she looked outside the window, averting her teary eyes. She doesn’t like this topic because she can’t help but feel hurt in her heart.
Marie saw this all, and even though she had a lot to ask, she swallowed all of this and just kept quiet about it. Her friend was still a mother, and she knew how hard it was for her to experience this. No one could carry her own flesh without giving him her heart.
She sighed and changed the topic.
“Did you tell your Grandma?” Marie asked. Anya heard this and also remembered her problem with this. She can’t recklessly tell her Grandma about this. Anya felt a headache coming as she answered exasperatedly.
“Not yet. My other problem is that too.”
“Well, I’ll help you with your divorce papers. Just focus on your Grandma.” Marie was in the legal department and was quite knowledgeable about this. Anya had also told her about her Grandma’s sickness, so she knew about how sensitive her situation right now is.
Marie looked at her tired and devastated friend and also became depressed.
“Gosh! Why is this so depressing? You’re finally throwing away your trash of a husband! We need to go and unwind; you can finally be free!” She said, cheering up Anya. She offered for them to go shopping. Anya tried to retort since she had just resigned from her job, it was not right to spend recklessly. Marie heard this and retorted back.
“It is more a time for you to shop! Go and get ready for countless interviews! You need to have new clothes and a new look for a new environment. Come on, loosen up!” She encouraged her. Anya knew that her friend just wanted her to cheer up, so she could only smile helplessly as she agreed.
Marie celebrated and then started to order their food now. They decided to eat first in the restaurant. Marie ordered a sumptuous meal and told Anya it was her treat. Anya did not shy away and accepted her friend’s kindness. They started to laugh and talk about lighter things.
When their food arrived, they ate happily as it was Marie’s turn to tell her about her life. she told Anya about her work and news about their past classmates and friends to divert Anya’s attention from her stressful problems. When they talked about this, they laughed and had smiles on their face as they reminisced about their past. When they were still young and innocent, ignorant of the problems of the real world.
After they ate their meal, they went straight to the mall. They went to the woman’s section and looked for clothes.
Marie was pushing countless pretty clothes to Anya. The latter could only laugh it off and took the formal ones and tried them on. Anya was quite satisfied with it and felt that it was reasonable to buy new clothes since she needed to get a good impression of the company she would be applying to.
Anya chose a few, and from Marie’s persuasion, she reluctantly accepted the casual and pretty clothes she chose for her. She said it was a gift for her, for being absent for the worst days of her life. Anya could only laugh it off, but for Marie’s peace of mind, she accepted it.
But Marie’s persuasion does not end there. She pushed Anya to the fitting room for her to change into these new clothes and also planned to go to a salon. She said it was a makeover from her fairy Godmother.
“Come on! You would be meeting your Grandma not far along. How could she be at ease when you explain to her but also look devastated? Show her you’re beautiful and completely fine so that she won’t worry!” Marie convinced Anya. Anya could only stare at her and dread her friend’s persuasion power. It was too strong. She was really meant to be in her field. Anya sighed and accepted the clothes.
After she changed into, Marie could only sigh as she stared at her friend.
“Did you really give birth? How could you still look like that? You’re freaking hot!” Marie praised. Anya blushed but only chuckled at her friend’s teasing. She only passed it as a joke. She was completely oblivious to her own beauty.
They went to the salon and spa next. They first went for a facial, and then Anya had a hair treatment. Marie was acquired for hair color, and the two of them sat beside each other and in front of the mirror. They were chatting with magazines in their hands. Marie was pointing at an article and sighed with admiration.
“The CEO of the Castellano’s group of the company closed a big deal internationally yet again!” she chatted to Anya.
Anya looked at her and also expressed her admiration.
“Not only that, such a young and great man but also so hot and handsome, kyaah!” Marie exclaimed. Anya was used to her friend’s playfulness and just laughed.
“Really?” Yet she also inquired curiously.
“You haven’t seen his pictures yet?! Are you still on Earth?” Marie eyed Anya exaggeratedly as if she failed as a human. Anya could only roll her eyes playfully at her friend.
Marie was about to show Anya the picture of the Castellano’s head when the beauticians called for them to rinse their hair. Anya put down her magazine and followed her stylist, completely brushing off their topic. Marie also forgot what she was about to show her and also left with her own stylist.
The magazine showing a complete and exquisite picture of a handsome and refined man was pitifully left at the sides.
After their salon spree, both of them stood in front of the big mirrors. Anya was quite taken about the outcome of her look. The pitiful woman she had stared at just this morning was nowhere to be found.
She looked at her appearance. Her hair became shiny and vibrant, bouncing with volume. Her face was clear and smooth, and her bright blue eyes complemented her
white skin. The outfit she was wearing was a casual dress, but it made her look youthful and vibrant.
As she so this, she thought that having a makeover once in a while was not that bad.
“Oh my! You look so beautiful! Andrei will regret you for the rest of his life for treating you badly! Ha! I want to see his face when he regrets wasting a beauty like you!” Marie admired her and not forgetting to curse Andrei.
Anya only gave her a warning look, but also appreciated and saw that she indeed looked better.
Anya looked at the time and said to Marie.
“I guess I would just visit the hospital today. I’m worried Anna might find her and drop her a bomb suddenly.” She spoke. Anya also told her about what Anna did.
“Tsk. You should also cut ties with that sister of yours! What a promiscuous woman and also a disgraceful ingrate!” Marie said with her poisonous mouth again. Anya just kept quiet but couldn’t refute her words. She also doesn’t want to have any relations with that sister. She could accept Anna hurting her, but Anna used her Grandma as a threat. She can’t risk her Grandma’s health to a relative who obviously didn’t care a bit about her Nana.
Soon after, they both bid their goodbyes and promised to be in touch with each other. Before going to the hospital, Anya dropped by at her apartment to leave the things they had just brought.
She arranged and organized her things as well as what she had bought. After that, she felt a little tired from their spree and from arranging, so she sat for a while to rest. She had a habit of going through her phone when in idle, so she took her phone and browsed for a while.
When she was at it, she also checked her emails as what she normally did. There were a few messages, but what caught her eye and took her by surprise was the job recommendation.
The surprising thing was it was from the Castellano Group of Companies, the one they had just recently talked about in the salon.