The living room is bathed in the cool morning sunlight, casting a cozy glow over Kendra, Jonathan, and me as we sit together. Our conversations have taken on a lively and spirited tone, something I haven't experienced in a long time.“Ana, you won't believe the latest office gossip. It's like a never-ending soap opera.” Kendra says“Oh, I didn’t know your leave was over”“Oh it’s not over yet, but I’m in the group chat so obviously I’ll know the latest tea”“I've always been fascinated by office politics. Tell us more.” Jonathan chimes in, chuckling.I can't help but smile, thankful for the easy banter and camaraderie that have become a part of my daily life now.“Kendra, you know I've been out of the loop. Spill the juicy details.”“Okay, so there's this colleague who's been trying to outshine the boss. You won't believe the stunts they've pulled!” Kendra says, leaving us on a cliffhanger.“Girl, spill the tea” I say, eagerly, my interest piqued.We share stories, laughter, and even
“Common, let me in…. You’re here but you’re not here” Kendra says to me“The truth is I can’t stop thinking about the threats and everything that’s been happening in my life, it gets tiring Kendra, really tiring”“Jonathan won’t let Jim hurt you, I only just spent few moments with him, but I trust him……. I wonder what you were thinking about when you chose Jim” she says, but the last part in a whisper“Oh Kens, you didn’t just say that to me, did you?”I ask“My bad…. My bad” she says and raises her hands in surrender.She places the tray of cookie dough into the oven and adjusts the temperature.“Want to watch a movie Ana?” Kens asks me“I’m not up for that Korean drama, so I think I’ll just pass” I say, walking out of the kitchen“Well well well, at least it’s better than deciding to sink yourself into your thoughts, I hope you know that”“Damn, you're so mean Kendra, you’re such a bitch”I say to her.“Well suit yourself” she says, leaving me in the corridor.The day settles into a c
As the evening settles in, Kendra, Jonathan, and I decide to lay out blankets in the spacious sitting room. It's an impromptu sleepover, a way to spend more time together and create a place of comfort amidst the uncertainty that has gripped my life.We gather blankets and cushions, arranging them in a cozy circle on the floor. Kendra's eyes are filled with excitement, and Jonathan's warm smile assures me that this is a moment to cherish.“This is going to be so much fun! Fun enough to get your mind off things, I'll grab some snacks.” Kendra says“I'll be the storyteller tonight, I’m a god story teller” Jonathan says“I’m just happy you decided to stay over” I say, comfort filling my chest.“It’s the least I could do for you Anastasia, don’t think about it”As we settle onto our makeshift beds, the room is filled with a sense of companionship. Kendra returns with a bowl of popcorn, and Jonathan starts sharing amusing anecdotes and stories, making us laugh until our sides ache.“I neede
“Oh princess, don’t you think we’ve been apart for far too long, I missed you” he says, and his words disgust me.The nickname ‘princess’ that usually gives me butterflies now makes my skin crawl with different emotions.My body tenses, and I struggle to find my voice. Fear and anger wash over me as I face the man who’s been a source of turmoil in my life.“What do you want, Jim?” I ask“ I just wanted to see how you’re doing, Anastasia. We have a lot to talk about.” Jim blurts out, his eyes averting between my bump and my eyesThe encounter is unexpected, and I can’t help but wonder what his motives are. The streets are filled with people going about their business, oblivious to the tension that hangs in the air between us.As I stand face to face with the man I’ve been trying to avoid, I can’t escape the feeling that this encounter will change everything. The uncertainty of what lies ahead looms large, and I must summon the strength to confront whatever challenges Jim might present.
Jim’s POV“You are not entitled to disappear on me, and make sure to abort what is in your stomach because if you don't, I'll lock you up and do it myself” I say without thinking, and I regret the words as soon as it leaves my mouth” I wish I thought about what I said.The next thing I see is Anastasia running across the road, she’s not looking at where she’s going and I’m shouting, hoping she could recognize my voice and stop“Leave that place Anastasia” I yell, but I’m too late.My heart pounds in my chest as I witness the devastating scene before me. There, in the middle of the road, lay Anastasia, her body lifeless and surrounded by a chilling pool of her own blood.And I can’t help but feel like it’s all my fault, it always has been my fault.The car that had struck her had already vanished into the distance, leaving me to grapple with the harsh reality that I was about to lose everything once again.The world seems to blur around me as panic and desperation floods my senses. I c
I place a soft kiss on Anastasia’s hands, trying not yo wake her up before leaving the room.The waiting room in the hospital feels like a cold, unwelcoming place. The harsh fluorescent lights cast sterile, unfeeling shadows across the stark white walls. I cannot escape the gnawing anxiety that claws at me, nor the haunting realization that my actions has played a significant role in landing Anastasia in this critical situation.Kendra would never forgive me and I don’t even want to think about what Jonathan is going to say to me.Sitting there, my mind races with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Guilt, regret, and fear are all trying to fight for control, each emotion a heavy burden to bear. The memory of Anastasia's lifeless body on the road still haunts me, a stark reminder of the consequences of our tragedic history.As the minutes stretch into hours, the silence in the waiting room becomes unbearable. My gaze remains fixed on the sterile floor, but my mind is consumed by the
The electro diagram makes a loud beep and I turn to see every part of her muscle relax.“Ana!” Kendra yells, her voice trembling with fear as she pleads for her sister's life.“Ana! Go call a doctor Jim, hurry” Kendra yells, her voice echoing through the hospitalI stumble out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest, panic engulfing every part of me as I run blindly through the hallway, in search of the doctor.“Doctor…” I yell, when I spot the familiar face “she’s not breathing” I yell, my voice betrays my desperation, and I don’t care if I look mad, I want nothing more than for Anastasia to be awake.The doctor's eyes widen in alarm as he rushes with me back to the room where Anastasia lies motionless. The room is a flurry of activity as medical staff work urgently to revive her. The doctor swiftly takes charge, giving orders and directing the medical team."Clear the room, please," he commands, and Kendra and I are ushered out of the room, forced to watch helplessly from the hal
“Can we go see her now?” Kendra asks the doctor“Well, her heart rate is beginning to pick up, she’s still motionless but I think she would need some encouragement to wake up” Doctor Mitchell tells us“Thank you doctor” I say.Kendra and I walk into the room.The hospital room is dimly lit, and a somber silence hangs heavy in the air. Anastasia lies motionless in her hospital bed, the steady beep of machines monitoring her vital signs serving as a constant reminder of her fragile state.Kendra sits by her sister's side, holding Anastasia's hand as she whispers words of encouragement, love, and hope. I stand nearby, my eyes never leaving the woman I still deeply care for, a heavy weight of guilt and remorse pressing on me.“I'm so sorry, Ana.” I whisper to her“She needs you now, Jim. You have a lot to make up for.” Kendra tells meThe room is filled with the visible tension of emotions left unspoken. Each moment spent in the presence of the woman that we both care for deeply is a remi