"For five years?" I gasped, my mind reeling from the realization. Austin has been wanting me to be here for that long?My brain is buzzing with a whirlwind of thoughts, and I find it challenging to focus on just one. It's like a jumble of ideas and emotions all vying for attention at once. I couldn’t understand a thing that was going on. This is really hard to wrap my head around. The fact that Austin wanted me here for over a year doesn't make any sense to me. I thought he only found out about me a month before we signed the contract. But now it seems like I was totally wrong. It feels like everything, from the contract signing to Uncle Martin's involvement, was all part of a big setup. I mean, that's the only reasonable explanation right now because Uncle Martin knows everything but never said a word to me….. Why would he do that to me? I'm his niece, after all. Although he never actually considered me as one because if he did he would have always been there for me and Layla. As
I slowly open my eyes, greeted by the soft rays of sunlight that filter through the curtains and gently caress my face. Letting out a tired groan, I reach out to the space beside me, wondering if Austin is in the room or not. When my hand finds nothing but cool sheets, I sigh and roll over to the other side of the bed, seeking solace in its familiar embrace.There is no better relaxation than having the bed all to yourself. It’s just so comforting and satisfying knowing that I can roll over the bed anyhow I want to without anyone touching anyone. Feeling the relief of being alone, I let out a dramatic sigh, savoring a few precious moments of rest before mustering the energy to lift my body and stretch my arms. With a gentle rub of my eyes using the back of my hand, I bid farewell to the cozy covers and made my way to the wardrobe. There, I carefully select my favorite pair of panties, grab a fluffy towel, and gather my toiletries before heading to the bathroom.It’s time to freshen u
With tears streaming down his face and his voice choked with emotion, Charles looked down at me and said, "Jacob is gone."My heart dropped, and tears started to well up in my eyes. Did he just say….. no he didn’t? I don’t think I heard him right. I definitely heard him wrong. That’s not what he said, I just know it. I heard him wrong, I definitely did. I look at Charles and my face is filled with disbelief. I must be mistaken, right? There is no way Jacob could be gone. It just doesn't make sense. Jacob can not be gone, he is fine. I can sense that he is fine. My mind starts to race, trying to find any other explanation but it’s so hard when I have two men mourning in front of me. Jacob is actually gone?No.I don’t think so. There is a good explanation for this. It is possible that I am just overanalyzing everything. Maybe I didn't fully grasp what Charles meant. Perhaps he and Austin are feeling down because Jacob is no longer around, which could also be because he went on a j
~ A week later It’s been a week since Jacob passed away and just like the very day, I am still finding it hard to believe that he’s gone.Every day, every night, every minute, every second has been a goddamn nightmare for me. I have flashbacks of Jacob and I imagine the dreams we wanted together- the dreams that will never be reality. Thinking of Jacob has become a daily habit of mine, making it hard for me to believe that he is truly gone and will never come back. Since the day I learned about the death, I haven’t had a good sleep not because I couldn’t sleep but because each time I close my eyes I see his beautiful face and his bright smile dancing across my eyelids. It makes it hard for me to accept the truth and endure the pain. It’s been a real struggle for everyone most especially Austin. I mean, he is really going through it right now. I have never seen him so down and out before. He's just different now. He’s lost his appetite, barely saying a word to anyone unless absolut
We pulled up at the church and I walked out of the car with Austin. He has a sunglass on and is refusing to remove it no matter what. I guess he put them on to make things easier for him. I understand that he doesn’t want people to see him crying, especially in a crowded place like this. Austin and I walked together, our footsteps echoing in the quiet church. He seemed lost in his thoughts, avoiding eye contact with anyone. As we matched to our seat all eyes were on us but Austin acknowledged no one as he found his seat. I sat down beside him, a comforting presence by his side. In the next minute, the pastor's voice filled the air, speaking words of tribute and remembrance for Jacob. Each word struck my heart, a bittersweet reminder of the void left by his absence. It still feels surreal, like a cruel twist of fate that Jacob is no longer here with us.While the pastor's words filled the entire room, I couldn't tear my gaze away from the somber sight of the closed casket positioned a
The funeral service came to an end, and we returned home for the reception. I was engulfed by a sea of sympathetic faces, each person trying to console me with their own grief and words of encouragement. Their presence meant a lot to me, but my heart ached to break away from them and rush to Austin's side. I really want to ensure he is okay and offer him the support he desperately needs in this difficult time.I was really concerned after he finished speaking at the church. And back when we were heading home, he didn't say anything else, and I'm scared that he might be feeling depressed and could do something to hurt himself. All I want is to ensure that he's alright.While I was talking to Clarissa, the pastor's wife who was trying to console me, I glanced around the room, desperately searching for Austin. But to my disappointment, he was nowhere to be seen.My mind is filled with negative thoughts, and I'm really scared that Austin isn't doing well. I finally manage to excuse myself
Everything is not the same now. Feels like all my life has changed, nothing is going to go back to the way it was before. As a matter of fact, this is now the new normal - being home alone with Austin and everyone else but not Jacob - never Jacob. It’s so hard to live in a house where I am used to seeing him and talking to him but now, I can’t even do that even if I wanted. Every corner of this room reminds me of Jacob and how sweet and loving he’s always been. I really miss him and just like last week, I can still feel his presence isn’t here but he is never here. It’s like I am being plagued by his absence. Every corner and angle of the house seems to whisper his name, reminding me of the moments we shared. I still miss him like I do every single day and I still crave to be with him but now I have come to understand that it can not happen. I have finally found the heart to accept the truth that Jacob will never be back and I might forever be hunted with his love and affection. I
~ ASHTON’S POVI stood in front of the cemetery, my heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and sadness. I couldn’t bring myself to muster the courage to step in as I wanted to and I just couldn’t help but let my gaze roam around the yard, studying each gravestone. I have been doing this for nearly five minutes now, unable to stop. It's like I'm drawn to the stories and memories held within these grounds. It's both eerie and mesmerizing at the same time.I want to walk in but something inside of me isn’t ready yet. Maybe a part of me knows how hard it will be for me if I step in, or maybe I just still find it hard to believe the horrible reality. I’d rather be kept in an imagination than believe the truth of the death of my own brother.It’s been more than a week now since Jacob passed away and honestly, life has been pretty much messed up. As a matter of fact, I hate living knowing that I have no family left. Jacob was my only family and now that he is gone, I am all left alone with no o