The car was wrapped in silence as they headed home from the office. Kerill sat in the backseat, eyes closed—but Saviel could tell he wasn't asleep. His posture was rigid, his presence heavy. Up front, Saviel drove without a word.
Saviel was used to his boss's quiet nature. But this was different. The silence these past few days felt heavier than usual—dense, burdened with thoughts Kerill refused to voice.
"Boss," Saviel finally said, eyes still on the road.
No response. Kerill only stared out the window, his expression unreadable.
"If you're having trouble with Ma'am, thinking about it alone won't fix anything."
Kerill turned slightly. "Since when did you start giving advice?" he asked coolly.
"Since I noticed you've been spacing out a lot. No offense, Boss."
Kerill didn't reply. Saviel sighed. "I'm not an expert with women. But maybe… try doing some research?"
"Tsk. Nonsense," Kerill muttered. "I'm thinking about business. Nothing else."
"We?"
Kerill shot him an irritated look. "Can you just drive?"
Saviel went quiet. Kerill closed his eyes again.
---
When Kerill reached his home office, he stopped in front of his laptop. He'd been glancing at it the entire evening—wanting to open it, yet restraining himself.
Eventually, his fingers moved on their own.
Woman's favorite things
That was what he typed into Google.
Perfume. Dresses. Colors. Bags. Endless results filled the screen.
He hadn't done this for Monica. She never needed him to—she could buy whatever she wanted without his help.
Two items caught his attention.
Jewelry—especially necklaces.
Perfume—Prada, Vanilla Lace, Vanilla Sex, Dylan Purple…
Without hesitation, he called Edgar and sent over several screenshots.
"Buy everything on this list. I need it by Sunday," he said, then ended the call.
---
The following days were relentless. Meetings stacked on top of meetings. Business trips came one after another—not only around the Philippines, but across South Asia, where most of their investors were based.
Because of that, Kerill barely returned to the mansion. Charlene and the kids hardly saw him.
"Tita, when is Daddy coming home?" Lily asked while Charlene fixed her hair early one morning before school.
"I'm not sure," Charlene answered gently. "I'll message him later and ask, okay?"
The child nodded.
Charlene drove them to school soon after. As she watched the children walk away, she smiled to herself. Not long ago, she had nearly lost her life because of them. Now, little by little, they were beginning to accept her.
Once home, she texted Kerill.
When are you coming home?
The kids asked about you.
Kerill read the message in the middle of a meeting. Hart noticed the faint smile he tried—and failed—to hide.
"Is that your wife?" Mr. Santiago, one of the partners, teased.
Kerill quickly put his phone away and straightened his expression.
"Looks like it," another man added with a grin. "Who's this lucky woman who can make Mr. Cold Wang smile? I'd love to meet her."
"Let's get back to business," Kerill cut in sharply.
---
Night came. Still no reply.
Charlene checked her phone over and over, hoping for a response. Midnight passed. Nothing.
She eventually fell asleep.
She woke to the sound of a familiar car horn outside.
Startled, she got up and looked out the window. Kerill's car had just pulled in. Without realizing it, she smiled—her stomach fluttering with a strange excitement she didn't understand.
She stepped into the hallway just as Kerill climbed the stairs toward his room.
Their eyes met.
Both looked away.
Kerill disappeared behind his door.
Charlene returned to her room, disappointed for reasons she couldn't quite name. He was probably just tired, she told herself. Besides, it wasn't like he cared about her anyway.
---
The next morning, they had breakfast together.
No conversation. No greetings. Just silence.
Afterward, Kerill volunteered to drive the kids to school.
"What are you still doing there?" he asked Charlene, who was standing by the door.
"Standing," she replied.
Saviel snorted quietly—then immediately stopped when Kerill shot him a warning look.
"Get in. You're coming with us," Kerill ordered as he entered the car.
Charlene had no choice but to follow.
The ride was quiet—made even quieter after dropping the kids off.
The car stopped at a red light.
"I thought—"
"Hey, um—"
They spoke at the same time.
"You first," Kerill said, eyes forward.
"I thought you weren't coming home until next week. Saviel mentioned it earlier."
Kerill paused before answering. "I finished my business early."
Charlene nodded.
"Are you busy today?" Kerill asked.
"Not really—"
"Good. You're coming with me. A client gave me a VIP pass for a private ship lunch."
"Huh? But I'm not dressed for that. This outfit is embarrassing—"
"There's a dress in the backseat. Change here."
She turned and saw a large bag.
"When I say here, I mean now. Go."
"B-but—"
"I'm not going to look," he cut in. "Besides, I've already seen it a couple of times."
"Did you say something?"
"Nothing. Hurry. Don't make me wait."
She moved to the backseat and started pulling off her shirt—then froze when she caught Kerill watching through the rearview mirror.
"Turn around!" she snapped.
"Tsk. Fine."
A few minutes later, she fixed her hair.
"Done?" Kerill asked.
"Yes."
He glanced at her—and paused.
The dress suited her perfectly. Cream-colored silk, thin straps highlighting her collarbone. She looked… different.
"You actually look human when you try," he commented.
She rolled her eyes and returned to the passenger seat.
Kerill handed her a large box.
Inside were several luxury mini perfumes—and a necklace.
Black pearls, surrounded by tiny diamonds.
"This was a gift from a client," he said, avoiding her gaze. "I won't use it. You can have it. If you want."
"It looks expensive," Charlene said, stunned.
"You don't want it?"
"It's beautiful. But are you sure this is really just from a client?"
"That's nothing to them. Just a few diamonds. Be grateful."
"Wear it."
"I might damage it—"
"I said wear it. At least look high-class."
"Wow."
"Are we really going to argue? We'll be late."
She put it on.
It fit perfectly. The perfume smelled incredible.
---
They arrived at the massive ship around ten in the morning. It wasn't ordinary—larger, louder, crowded with people. Celebrities danced below deck.
"Welcome back, Mr. Wang. This way, please," said a uniformed man.
They were guided to the top deck.
No crowd. Just violinists playing softly.
It looked like something straight out of a romantic film.
Kerill pulled out a chair for Charlene before the butler left.
"Is there a party downstairs?" she asked.
"Yeah. A celebrity's birthday."
The name Black crossed her mind.
Then she saw them—approaching.
Black. Mr. Winito Wang. And an elegant older woman.
"Charlene!" Black greeted brightly. "Wow. Romantic date?"
Kerill's expression darkened.
"Hello, Uncle," Charlene greeted politely, kissing Mr. Wang's cheek.
"Dear, I'd like you to meet my wife," Mr. Wang said. "This is Charlene—Kerill's wife."
Charlene bowed and greeted her as well.
Soleina Rossen Wang—the woman Kerill had never accepted.
"Kerill, your Aunt Soleina is here."
Kerill closed his eyes briefly before standing and bowing.
No words were exchanged.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
"Well, we won't stay long. Enjoy your lunch," Mr. Wang said before leaving.
Once they were gone, Charlene turned to Kerill, who was staring at his empty plate, twirling his fork.
"She's beautiful. Mr. Wang is so lucky—"
She didn't finish.
Kerill slammed his hand against the table.
He stood, grabbing his coat.
"Let's go home."
"What? But we haven't even—"
"I'll cook for you at home."
"But this is such a waste—"
"I've lost my appetite, Charlene. Can't you understand that?"
His voice was sharp.
She stood up without another word.