Third Person's Point of View 

On his way out, Carlos Hamilton was on his way home when he noticed that a car stopped in the middle of the road. His eyes fixated on the car, until he realized that it's a familiar one and owned by a close friend. 

Meanwhile, a woman came out from the car amidst the pouring rain and thunder. He saw Emerald walking barefoot. A thunder abruptly occurred and Carlos saw that Emerald was looking at the man. Stunned that the man might harm Emerald, he immediately went out despite the danger awaits them. 

"EJ!" Emerald suddenly glanced at the man. 

Her heart melted seeing Carlos at the other side of the road. It has been a while since the last time someone called her EJ. Only her close friends can call her that. 

Carlos assisted Emerald to stand up. His eyes went to where he saw the man earlier but he's no longer there. 

"What happened? Did the man standing earlier harm you?" He asked in a low yet worried tone. 

Emerald gripped Carlos' hands and then spoke. She didn't say anything. However, her eyes speak a lot about her condition. She seemed scared. Emerald coughed and Carlos took her inside his car. 

That's when he gave his spare jacket to her whilst Emerald was sneezing in coldness. 

"W-Wait!" Emerald halted Carlos as he's about to drive. "Are we really going to leave my car here?" 

"Don't worry, I'll contact someone to get it for you. For now, let's leave this place. It's dangerous." He affirmed, assuring Emerald before he drove to his condo. 

****

There's nothing else he can think of aside from his condo. He offered Emerald to stay there for a while until the rain stops. A heavy rain has been reported on the news and is currently advising everyone to stay indoors to avoid accidents. 

A landslide already happened in a nearby area and rescuers have been deployed. On the other hand, Emerald is now wearing one of Carlos' shirts.

"Does it make you comfortable? I can give you a sweater if you want," he offered after putting two cups of tea above the bar counter. 

Emerald brushed off her wet hair. "I'm fine here. Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes by the way. Don't worry, I'll give it back after washing it." 

Carlos chuckled. "No worries. It's yours. I'm not using it anymore." 

He seemed fluttered. Seeing Emerald made Carlos a little happy and shy. He thought his feelings for Emerald faded away yet it's still there. All these years they haven't seen each other, Carlos never set his eyes for another woman. 

"You can stay here for tonight. I have a spare room you can use just like the old times." 

'Just like the old times.' Rings a bell on her. Emerald suddenly remembered their life a few years ago. 

Meanwhile, a certain memory crept in her mind. It was gossip circulating not only in their circle of friends but around her school. Emerald is a well-known smart girl back in her days as well as Carlos Hamilton who's street smart, football varsity player, and a handsome very talented man. 

A lot of people say that they look like a couple. And even a rumor about them dating circulated the whole campus yet Carlos remained unbothered. He doesn't care about what people say yet a lot of people are rooting for them. However, there are still people who are not happy with their rumored relationship. 

"You've always been a good friend, Carlos. I appreciate it." Emerald expressed her deepest thankfulness to him. 

He chuckled a little. Emerald can sense that he looked kinda nervous. 

"I know we just saw each other again after many years but..." he paused momentarily. "I like you, Emerald." 

The smile on Emerald's face faded away. She only sees him as a friend and nothing else. Emerald never imagined being Carlos' girl especially when they were close. 

"Carlos, I-I..." 

"No, EJ. Let me speak, please? Let me express how genuine I am towards you and how many years I kept my feelings just for our friendship..." 

Emerald bit her lower lip. She was speechless. After long years, the man who was rumored to like her is now confessing what he really feels. Stunned, Emerald gripped on her shirt tight. 

Carlos can't take it anymore. He waited for this day to see her again with a bright future. He vowed to himself that he won't see the woman she loves to marry unless he's already successful. Now that he has many things to boast about, Carlos didn't hesitate but to express his feelings. 

"The reason why I became a physician was because of you," he affirmed in a very low, yet manly tone. "You said you wanted a man of honor. Someone who has a lot of things to brag about. A businessman, a lawyer and a doctor to be exact. I took one of the hardest programs because you once said you wanted someone to look after you so I became a doctor... and I'm very much willing to take care of you for the rest of your life, EJ." 

Emerald heard a lot of confessions but Carlos' way of expression was different. It made Emerald lose her mind a little bit. 

She never thought that someone would take her words seriously. She can still remember why she said that. It's because she saw and heard a certain couple bickering outside their school. Emerald wouldn't want a love that is forced, and a love that she's not happy with, so she set her own standards for men. 

However, she still fell in a loveless, one-sided marriage. 

"Actually, the truth is..." Emerald affirmed whilst Carlos was excitedly waiting for Emerald's response. "I appreciate your feelings for me, Carlos. I already noticed it before but I chose to feign ignorance in order to keep our friendship. However..." 

Carlos' forehead creased, and nodded, urging her to speak. 

"However, I can only offer you friendship and nothing more than that, Carlos."

Emerald's Point of View 

Ruining a friendship is not in my 2025 bingo card. Perhaps it may be hard for someone else to confront a close friend but my ideologies in life are the one that gives me strength to voice out what's in my mind and express it towards the person. 

I was standing against the mirror. Carlos let me borrow his sweater as my clothes have been drenched by the heavy rain. He took care of me whilst I'm in his condo, bringing me things that could warm my body. 

"Good bye, Carlos," I affirmed without looking him in the eyes- dying enough to come home in order to avoid the awkwardness around us. 

On my way out, Carlos halted me by holding my hand. "Wait," he paused. "I just want to let you know that I'm persistent enough on pursuing you, EJ. Don't worry, I know you're shocked but it doesn't change anything. I still like you, EJ." 

My heart was pounding fast. I gripped on the sweater hard before pursuing his lips. The way Carlos speaks with gentle and earnest in his voice got me. I feel guilty turning him down. Women flocks on his feet just to date him but here I am, rejecting the person everyone has dreamed off. Regardless, my decision will remain the same. 

"Carlos, you don't understand. You will only hurt your feelings if you keep on-" 

He smiled warmly and held both my hands. "Oh, dear. You don't know how many years I've waited for this. I always had secret feelings for you and now you're aware of it, and I believe we could become a great couple, urges me more. I'll do everything to deserve you, Emerald." 

I took my hands off him. It's not appropriate to let him hold a woman who's already married to someone else. Thinking of Jude incised a small cut in my heart. I feel like I'm betraying the man I love regardless of the turmoil in our marriage. 

He wanted to drop me off at our house but I insisted on taking a bus. He has helped me so much that I don't want to burden him anymore. At first, Carlos didn't agree. We even had a small, not totally an argument before I completely convinced him. However, he never left unless the bus had already departed. 

Anyhow, I share the same roof with Jude. I'm afraid he might see him. 

The next day, I thought I won't be able to see him yet I came across Carlos at the same place where he dropped me off last night. 

A black pick up truck appeared out of the blue. The window slowly moved down and Carlos' handsome face appeared. His smile was up to his ears, showing me his white teeth. At the same time, I smelled something that caught my attention. It's Carlos' perfume that infiltrates my nose. 

"Heading to work?" He inquired with a huge smile. 

I smirked. "Yes. Just waiting for the bus. Why are you here?" 

"Uh-huh. Where's your car?" 

I shrugged my shoulders as he came out of his car. His clean doctor outfit made my eyebrows arched. Now I get why a lot of people like him. 

My car has been towed just this morning and it's currently at the casa, currently undergoing a system maintenance to check if there's any foul play and hacking happening. For now, I will suffer from commuting. 

"Ah, they are fixing my car." I simply said then sighed. "Hopefully I'll get it before the end of the day," well that only happens if a miracle appears 

"Hop inside then. I'll drop you off at Campbell Daily." 

My forehead creased and my eyebrows furrowed. "You know where I work?" 

He nodded. "Uh-huh." 

"Don't tell me you managed to get updates about me yearly?" I jokingly affirmed when Carlos extended his hands and opened the car's door for me. 

He chuckled. "Monthly to be precise," he corrected. "Isn't that what someone does when he or she likes another one?" 

He got a point though. However, I felt awkward when he told me about it. My cheeks blushed when I saw the perfume in his car. So he's using Hugo Boss Elixir Parfum, huh? One of my co-anchor reported that Hugo Boss parfums are widely used when you're out with a loved one, a girlfriend, someone you love or like. 

Suddenly, my cheeks blushed on that certain thought. We're quiet whilst inside the car.

As we reached Campbell Daily's office, Carlos went down. I was curious about what he's about to do when he opened the car's door for me. Unhurriedly, my cheeks turned red as tomatoes. 

"Thank you," I affirmed in a small voice. "You don't have to do it, really." 

He smiled and affirmed. "Don't worry, starting from now, you don't need to commute. I'll drive for you everyday and make sure you're safe whenever you come to the office and come home." 

"Carlos... you don't need to do that. Commuting is nothing for me." 

"I already told you, EJ. I like you a lot. Say whatever you want but I'll do whatever I want." 

I know Carlos Hamilton very well. He's not the type of person who surrenders easily. He's the type of person who does everything to get what he wants in a legal manner. He's charming, has strong charisma but I can't fall for him. 

Carlos left the CD immediately. Someone called him asking his whereabouts and left hurriedly. On my way inside, I saw my co-worker, Mina, an anchor just like me. 

Her eyes widened when she saw me. "Isn't that the famous Dr. Carlos Hamilton?" Stunned, Mina's cheeks blushed. 

My eyebrows arched. "How did you know him?" 

"Ha! You're a news anchor but don't know what's happening? Gosh!" 

I sighed and said, "Of course, yes, I know him. But what is it that's too special for that man?" 

"He's a well-known doctor and a vlogger! He's famous in 'red' app and various social media. He's uploading a vlog answering netizens' questions every two weeks. He's so handsome, isn't he?" I could tell that she's thrilled whilst talking about him. 

Indeed, Carlos became a huge hot shot in this country. Seeing his profile in the red app he's pertaining to made me 'woah'. He has millions of views and subscribers. However, half of her viewers are only there to simp on him but not someone who's in need of help. 

My eyes rolled seeing a bunch of comments regarding Carlos' physical appearance. Searching his name on the internet resulted in too many good deeds he has done over the years. All throughout we separated in college, I never heard anything from him. Our friends thought he's already dead yet we didn't know he's working hard to become a doctor. 

"Tell me more about Carlos Hamilton, Emerald!" Mina, my co-anchor affirmed with a giggling tone. 

I sighed. That's the time I thought of Carlos' feelings for me. Knowing his full capacity, I should find a way to stop him from liking me. 

Suddenly, a bright idea comes in my mind. "Are you free this weekend?" 

Mina was just about to answer my question when another intern came inside my office, looking for me. "Miss Emerald, the chairman is looking for you. He's at his office, requesting a little bit of your time." 

"Tell him I'm on my way." I said then fixed my skirt and stood straight. 

"By the way, Mr. Sanders is also there."

Third Person's Point of View 

"What brought him here?" That's the question on Emerald's mind the moment she stepped inside her father's office. 

Glancing at Jude who's intact on his wheelchair, Emerald caught his cold stares. Questions began to fly in her mind. How come Jude and Emerald were summoned when the chairman of Campbell Daily often talks to them at their mansion to prevent someone from eavesdropping and knowing the string in between them. 

If someone finds out about their marriage, Jude surely won't let it pass! 

"Sir," Emerald addressed her father in a formal manner. People look upon her because she knows how to separate work and her personal life. "You summoned me."

The chairman motioned to the chair and spoke, "Have a seat." 

On the other hand, Aileen, Emerald's mom saw some marks on Emerald's neck. She saw how it turned red and violent. Freaking, Aileen stood up and grabbed her daughter's neck, ensuring what she saw was accurate. 

"What happened here, you brat?" Aileen affirmed in a motherly manner. There's a hint of anger mixed with concern in her voice. 

Jude's eyes drifted on Emerald. Seeing the scratches on her neck made his hand turn into a fist. Unfortunately, what she said to him was all true. He looked away and clenched his jaw. He has no clue who did this and he can't think of the killer's motives. 

He's already thinking what kind of punishment will he do once he captures the assailant. Knowing Jude, he doesn't let go of someone so easily especially if it was dead serious. 

She took her blouse closer to her skin and bit her inside cheek. "I-It's..." She answered in a shaking voice, afraid of her parents' reaction. 

"Answer me!" The woman demanded. 

Emerald stood up and glanced at her mother with sorrowful eyes. Tears began to loom in her eyes as she clenched her fist whilst refraining herself from crying. 

"I got kidnapped!" Emerald burst into tears. "Someone tried to harm me!" 

Instead of believing her own daughter, Aileen rolled her eyes and stressfully fixed her hair. "My God, Emerald! Kidnapped? Really?" There's a hint of mockery in her voice. 

She was in deep pain. How could her own mom not believe her? Among all the people in this world, it should be your family who's protecting you but in her case, no one else is protecting her but herself. Emerald feels alone in this world. He may have a husband but it's distant and hates her a lot. Not even the Campbells give a damn on whatever happens to her. 

Emerald couldn't hide her sorrow. It's evidently flashing in her eyes. 

"Stop fooling around, Emerald! No wonder you can't get pregnant with Jude's child because you're always like this. You're not a kid anymore, brat!" Aileen shouted. She parted her hair in distress and gave her a disgusting, cunning look. 

"M-Mom, I'm telling you the truth. I was k-kidnapped and..." Emerald barely finished her words because Aileen threw something on the table which made her jolt in shock. 

"Do you think kidnapping is a joke? What if it really happens to you? God, be matured! You always think of yourself. Growing a family should be in your plans but look at you!" 

Emerald's stepfather took a deep breath. He shook his head three times before pulling his glasses off and massaged his temple. He doesn't like what's going on. 

"Look, you're in your mid 20s. Don't tell me you'd still crawl in my lessons and ask me to 'Mom, teach me how to seduce my husband'," she paused. Emerald seemed stunned. Her eyes drifted on Jude who's just coldly ogling at her. "I did everything I could but you're the one who's not following everything I say. I'm doing everything for your own good!" 

She scoffed, then chuckled bitterly. "Own good?" Emerald couldn't hide her disappointment. 

Not even Jude can stand Aileen's mouth. He never liked the old woman. Something is wrong about her and he knew Emerald was a slave to her own mother. Unhurriedly, Jude clenched his jaw the moment he saw a tear fall down his wife's eyes. 

Ever since they married each other, Aileen no longer concealed her true colors. Back then, she would pull Emerald away to scold her. It's because Aileen wanted her image clean in front of many people. Until Emerald married him, Aileen no longer gives a damn to whatever they think. All she wants is for Emerald to follow her no matter what. 

She thought her mother was already done but her next word feels like a ticking bomb. "I can't blame you anyway. I wouldn't want to seduce a crippled man."

Those exact words triggered Jude. He closed his eyes and gave Aileen bloodshot eyes. Jude was clearly offended by what the old woman had said. For him, she crossed the lines. However, he doesn't want to mess everything up just because Aileen called her crippled. In fact, it was an insult to him but he would rather stay silent to ceasefire. 

Nevertheless, Jude wouldn't let himself leave without saying anything. 

"Don't drag just anyone in your anger. Truth be told, I don't even love your daughter. Emerald is nothing to me. The circumstances and our relationship won't last resulting in being unable to conceive a child," the mighty among everyone; Jude- affirmed. "Basically, I was stuck in this marriage. I don't want my children to have a wicked grandmother anyway." 

Aileen was dumbfounded. She just realized how cruel she had said making James Campbell tried to go after him but Jude wasn't looking. 

Now he doesn't know where to get angry. Was it because he got offended or the fact that Emerald was kidnapped and no one knew? It's basically making his blood boil yet he needs to remain cool. 

He's already at the elevator when her forehead remains creasing. He's still in deep thought. Perhaps the culprit was the one who called him a few days ago who's asking for money. Unhurriedly, Jude closed his eyes and took his phone out of his pocket. He then called his secretary and glanced at the CCTV. 

After a few rings, Antonette Andrews answered. 

"Emerald was kidnapped. Locate Emerald's location last Tuesday and bring every CCTV footage to me at once. I need it as soon as possible." He commanded his secretary. 

"Copy, sir." 

As Jude was about to put the phone down when he spoke once more. "Tell Philmar to guard Emerald in secrecy. Make sure she has a 24/7 bodyguard wherever she goes. Report directly on me."