“Trust me to lead you,” Jim tells me, taking me off guard.The gravity of his words.But I wished it was used to describe something else, other than a swimming pool.Something like the battle of life. Something else.“I will” I smile.I grab my towel from the towel holder and wrap it around my chest.Jim does the same and wraps it around his waist.There’s a soft knock on our door.Jim and I halt in our steps, like we’re thief’s and we’re robbing a house.Just one more step will get us shot.Jim and I look at ourselves and use our eyes to communicate.“We’re fucked” we both chorus.“Yes” I say out loud, responding to the person at the door.“Ana, we’ve been waiting for you both since. What are y’all doing?”“Umm…. We just decided to take a shower, but I’m coming out now… out of the room”.“Okay, where’s Jim?”“I’m here, Kendra, what’s up?” Jim says, and it’s obvious that he’s trying to play it cool.“Could I have the keys to the door? The one leading to the swimming pool”.“Yeah sure,
Jim’s POV“Anastasia!!” Kendra yells, swimming to meet Anastasia.“Princess!” I yell and dive into the pool.I’m too late, Kendra already has her in her hands, bringing her to the surface while Joe rushes to the other side of the pool to help her out.“Princess” I say calmly when I’m out of the water and beside a lifeless Anastasia.Anastasia’s head is placed on Kendra’s legs and Joel tries to give her mouth-to-mouth respiration.But I’m frozen.It’s me, it’s my fault.Joel continues trying to carry out CPR on Anastasia, and I don’t even move.I see her hand twitch, and I know she’s coming back to life.“Jim get a towel,” Kendra yells at me.I don’t move. I’m aware of every situation that’s happening right now, but I can’t even control myself.I want to take her away from Joel’s hold, I want to be the one carrying out the CPR for my girl, but my body doesn’t let me.“Are you deaf? Go get her some towels Jim” Kendra yells at me again, and I’m still standing.The same spot.One last pre
“Yes” Anastasia blurts out and it saddens me. For her to think that I’m still capable of hurting her.Why should I hurt her when I say I love her?“But that’s not true princess. I swear I would never hurt you on purpose”“Sigh” she says and sighs“Princess were supposed to be having fun and not fighting, that’s the point of a vacation, right?”“Jim…. Why didn’t you help me? I don’t know what happened but when I opened my eyes, I saw Joel’s face, not yours. Then I saw Kendra’s face, I still didn’t see yours. I looked for you and there you were, standing Jim. You couldn’t even be the one to walk me in. You didn’t make a goddamn effort Jim. And then you say you love me. Is that really love Jim?” She asks, this time around, she sits up and anger is visible in her words.But I’m not sure if it’s anger or pain, or if it’s both.“It felt like a past moment played before me, like something like that has happened in the past. Princess it’s scary I know but you gotta believe me”“Jim” she says
I stand up from my bed, I can’t think. I need Kendra.I leave the room and knock lightly on Kendra’s door.“If it’s Jim you better fuck off cause I’m going to scare you if I see you” Kendra yells from behind the door and that’s enough for me to know that she is hella angry.“Kendra it’s me” I mutter“Oh goodness” she says and opens the door.“What’s up? Are you okay?” She asks me“Yes I am, I just want a little company” I say“Oh, you can come in” she invites“Where’s Joel?” I ask eagerly, not wanting to intrude Joel’s privacy.“He went out with Jim, said they’re going to get takeouts for us to eat tonight”“Okay that’s fine then.”“Tell me Ana, are you okay? Are you happy?” She questions, while I sit on the bean bag.“Oh this is relaxing” I say, ignoring Kendra’s question.“Anastasia!” Kendra says, bringing my attention back to her“Yes I am happy. I know that Jim would never hurt me like that. I know it was an honest mistake Kendra and sincerely, I’m glad that I’m not dead. He apolo
Kendra holds my hands tight and it's like we're both trying to guard ourselves, like we were always doing even when we were little."Who are you?" Kendra asks, as she swims closer to the edge of the pool to come out."Don't you remember me, Anastasia?" The woman says, and it scares me that she knows my name."If I did, I don't think I would be wondering who the fuck you are" I tell her.She giggles and walks away while I come out from the pool and try to follow her.The water on my body slows me down and when I get into the house, she's nowhere to be seen.Kendra walks in behind me and still doesn't see anybody."Nah girl, creepy things keep happening" Kendra says as we walk back to the pool.I reduce the sound of the music and my phone begins to ring. It's Jonathan."Hey" I say, surprised."Hey Anastasia, how are you?" He asks"Umm I'm good. I'm doing great actually. How are you?" I say."Just work and all of that. How is your mini vacation? Do you like it?" He asks"Yeah, As a matt
We walk into the room and Jim pushes me against the door, kissing me vigorously. Taking me off guard.The plastic bag slips from my hands and Jim takes my hand above my head and pins it to the door.Jim looks me in my eyes. It’s love and lust.“I want you,” he says, leaning closer to my lips.My breathing becomes unsteady and so does his.There’s a tingling sensation that courses from my chest to my stomach and then my knees. It makes my knees weak.And then, he smashes his lips into mine.His lips feel soft, pillowy and sweet against mine. And I don’t realize how long I’ve waited to have such an intimate kiss with him until this very moment.His breath tickles beneath my nose.His hand goes to my throat, choking me and it makes me eager to kiss him.He releases his hands that he used to pin my hands against the door and uses it to grab my waist, pulling me closer to him.My free hands roam restlessly through his hairs. And the perfume that he is wearing doesn’t help the fact that I’m
“Who is Jessica?” I ask Jim, recalling the events of this evening. The stranger and how they got access to the house.“What?” Jim asks, the question taking him off guard.“I mean there was a strange person who came into the house today while Kendra and I were swimming and you guys were away. She knew my name and said that I should know her but I don’t know her babe. It was scary. How did she enter the house?”“Wait what?” Jim asks, and I could feel his body tense up.“It was scary”“And why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?” He asks and he’s already sounding angry.“Because I didn’t want to bother you immediately you had come home Jim. And getting pissed wouldn’t even solve the problem at hand”“So how do you know it’s Jessica, who even is Jessica?” He asks, calming down.“Because I want to tell me about a girl names Jessica and don’t lie to me”“Okay baby, I will and I would do that at the right time but if someone could come into this house, then my security has been tampered w
The loud bang is heard from the garage and it startles me.Joel and I make eye contact and I regret my decision of tying a towel.“How did the person even get into the garage? It’s too secure” I whisper to Joel.Joel places the bullets into the gun and I do the same.We walk closer to the garage door and I yell;“Who’s there?”There are no movements or noises so I open the door and I breathe out a sigh of relief when I see that it’s just one of the metals that fell.We walk out of the other side and go outside to inspect the security.There are five men outside and I know they’re capable of doing just the job.I walk up to one of them and he places the side of his palm beside his head in salute.“Please take proper look of my apartment” I tell him“Yes sir” he says.Joel goes behind to inspect, while my phone rings.It’s is a call from Jonathan“Jonathan what’s up?” I ask“They should be there any moment from now. I sent two bodyguards and five security personnel” Jonathan tells me ov
Three months later.....The morning sun bathes our kitchen in a soft glow as I decide to whip up breakfast, the familiar routine grounding me in the comfort of our shared life. The scent of pancakes fills the air when, suddenly, a sensation unfamiliar sends a shiver down my spine. A warm rush, and I freeze.My water breaks."Jim!" I call, my voice betraying a mix of excitement and anxiety. In an instant, he's by my side, a mixture of concern and joy etched on his face.He guides me gently to the car, the anticipation of the imminent arrival of our little one palpable in the air. The drive to the hospital feels like a whirlwind of emotions, the rhythmic hum of the engine punctuated by the intensity of each contraction.Jim's reassuring presence grounds me as we navigate the hospital's corridors, the anticipation building with each step. The medical team takes charge, their efficiency a comforting backdrop to the rollercoaster of sensations enveloping me.The delivery room becomes a san
It’s been two weeks since Jim proposed, and we finally decided to get married.Our families are present here in New Zealand, and my growing stomach a revelation to the family that were about to build together.Jim’s mother and my father insisted that the wedding be done in one of the biggest churches…It’s a night to the wedding and I’ve been too eager to sleepAs the night wraps its comforting arms around us, Kendra and I find ourselves in a room, surrounded by the soft glow of fairy lights. The air is filled with a mix of excitement and tranquility, a prelude to the significant day that awaits us tomorrow, my wedding day."Anastasia, can you believe it's finally here? Your wedding day! I mean if we were to have this conversation years back, there’s no way I would have believed that you’re going to get married before me, but here you are sissy, and I can’t lie, I am so proud of you and of how far you have come in this journey of life, despite the setbacks… I’m always rooting for you,
We freshen up, the anticipation of an evening of elegance and gastronomy adding an extra beat to our hearts.In the soft glow of our bedroom, Jim and I stand facing our wardrobe, selecting the perfect attire for our evening at Le Paragon. I run my fingers over the silky fabric of a deep burgundy dress."What do you think of this one?" I ask Jim, contemplating my choice of outfitJim, a black suit in hand, smiles appreciatively, "it’s Stunning princess, It'll complement the ambiance of the restaurant perfectly.""And what about you, Mr. Dan? Going for the classic black?""Always a safe bet, don't you think?" He teasesAs I slip into the dress, Jim takes a step back, his eyes reflecting admiration."You look incredible, Anastasia." Jim compliments.And the one thing about Jim is that he never forgets to compliment me…. He never forgets."Thank you, Jim. Now, let's make sure you're equally dashing." I say, blushing.We share a moment of laughter as Jim adjusts his tie, the meticulous car
The soft hues of dawn filter through the curtains, coaxing us into wakefulness. As I open my eyes, Jim stirs beside me, his gaze meeting mine in the gentle morning light."Good morning my Prince Charming.""Morning, beautiful." Jim yawns“How was your night?” I ask“It was good, slept like a baby and that’s only possible when I’m with you” Jim replies, making me smile.Our dialogue begins, setting the tone for the day ahead. The idea of a relaxing morning unfolds, and a spark of spontaneity lights up our conversation."What if we start the day with something different? How about a soak in the hot tub?" I suggest"That sounds like a fantastic idea. Let's do it." Jim saysOur dialogue turns into a playful exchange as we make our way to the inviting warmth of the hot tub. The bubbles swirl around us, and the aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the crisp morning air."This is bliss. We should do this more often. Plus it’s so relaxing for myself and for the baby” I say."Agreed. It's the pe
“So pretty, what do you have for me?” Jim asks and I rest against his chest,"Jim, do you ever think about how we got here? It feels surreal." I ask"Absolutely, princess. Remember the uncertainties at the beginning? Now, look at us.""The twists and turns were worth it. This place, this moment, it's a testament to us." I say, my mind racing back to the memories that we shared together.Jim's fingers trace patterns on my back, his touch a silent acknowledgment of the intimacy between us."Every step led us to this. From uncertainty to a haven far from everything." Jim says and I smile because I know it’s true.So much uncertainty from the beginning, but we never gave up on each other, we we’re always with each other, every step of the way, despite the situations that embraced us."It's like we're in a different world here." I say, and I’m happy about it"Our world, away from it all."The dialogue dances between us, revisiting milestones and deepening our connection."Our shared advent
“Oh no!” I say, squealing in excitement.“Do you think you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with me?” Jim asks“I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you Jim, I’m so happy…. I really am” I say, and I’m unaware of the time the tears flow out of my eyesI give him my finger and he inserts the ring into it, the warm arm and the setting sun bathes the landscape in warm hues, casting a golden glow over our skin, sealing this moment in the skies.“I love you my princess” Jim says, placing a soft kiss on my head, and he uses his fingers to wipe the tears out of my cheeks.“This is a testament of our love and the love that has sealed is even till this very moment” Jim says“I love you so much Jim, thank you for making my life brighter” I say, tears streaming down my faceHe engulfs me in his warm embrace “it’s okay princess” he whispersAs we walk hand in hand, the sand beneath our feet tells tales of our leisurely stroll along the beach. The setting sun paints the sky in hues of
Touching down in New Zealand, the air carries a crisp freshness that hints at the natural wonders awaiting exploration. As we disembark, the airport buzzes with a mix of languages, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures.Jim grins, his excitement contagious. “Anastasia, welcome to New Zealand! Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?”I mirror his enthusiasm, feeling the thrill of being in a new land. “Absolutely, Jim! The air here is invigorating.”We gather our belongings, exchanging glances that echo the shared anticipation of discovering this picturesque destination. The airport becomes a stage for our initial impressions and conversations about the cultural nuances we notice.The car that has been assigned waits at the entrance and we place our luggage into the car.Arriving at our vacation house, the car door swings open, revealing the picturesque landscape surrounding our temporary home. Jim takes a moment to absorb the scenery. "Anastasia, can you believe this view?"I join him
As we step into the bustling airport, the air is charged with the anticipation of the journey ahead. We navigate through the check-in process, ensuring our bags are properly weighed and boarding passes in hand. The familiar hum of airports surrounds us, a symphony of travelers embarking on their own adventures.After completing the necessary procedures, we make our way to the gate. The overhead announcement signals the impending departure, adding a sense of urgency to our steps. Jim, ever the calm presence, leads the way, his hand reassuringly intertwined with mine.As we board the airplane, I expect the familiar rows of seats that define economy class. However, to my delightful surprise, Jim directs us towards the front of the plane, first class. The realization dawns on me, and my eyes widen in astonishment. "Jim, is this...?"He grins, "A little upgrade for a more comfortable journey. Thought we could use some extra pampering."My heart swells with gratitude, and I can't help but
The next morning, the sun rises on a day filled with final preparations. Conversations about the excitement ahead punctuate the air as we pack our bags and double-check our checklist.As we descend the stairs, the sight of Jonathan in the living room catches us off guard, his eyes lighting up in welcome."Morning, you two! Ready for the journey ahead?" Jonathan exclaims, a cheerful grin on his face."Absolutely," Jim replies, mirroring Jonathan's enthusiasm. "What's the plan?"Kendra joins the conversation from the kitchen, "I thought we'd start the day with a hearty breakfast to fuel up for the trip."Anastasia chimes in, "Sounds like a plan. But Jonathan, any hints on what you're up to today?"Jonathan winks playfully, "Ah, that's a secret for now. But trust me, it'll be a day to remember."As we gather around the table, conversations flow effortlessly. Jim and Jonathan exchange stories from their childhood, reminiscing about shared experiences that evoke laughter and camaraderie. K