Zoe said over the phone, "I want to try making it on my own, Quinn."Quinn swallowed the words she was about to say, tears welling up in her eyes.Meanwhile, Zoe continued, "I know you two care about me, but no one can get me out of this situation except myself. We've been friends for years and you know how much I loved the Levines and how happy I was to be born into their family, but that's all in pieces now… And I don't mean the money, it's my heart. Even if you choose to help me and shelter me, things will stay the same if I can't do this myself.""No, it's different," Quinn argued. "I'd at least feel safer seeing you, and I understand your need to grow up as a person, but you can't do the same alongside us, and it would be the same. We won't ask questions if you're worried we dote on you too much—you can do what you want!""I have my pride. I can't accept your alms without qualms—""You think our bond is alms?!" Quinn was actually angry and accusing. "It's exactly because I
The evening traffic in North City was heavy.Zoe only turned on her phone again when she arrived at the studio, since she was unable to find the director and had to call the man.Nonetheless, his excitement was irrepressible when he saw Zoe… Her showing up on his film set was just like having a pot of gold drop on his lap.What was more, she was doing it for a bargain price!If she could make her show her face, he would make a killing.Still, he understood that he must not rush her—he could just wait until she got used to it before slowly coaxing her into showing her face.In a good mood just then, he was naturally very cordial to her. "Alright, you should get changed now. You don't need to wear anything underneath your towel when you come back—don't worry, there's just going to be two cameramen and myself here. The rest of the crew will be outside.Noticing her puffy eyes, he assured her, "It's natural to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable the first time, so just go with my sug
The raging bellow that boomed in the film set out of the blue left everyone stunned.Zoe then turned to find Bob storming toward them, flushed to the neck!She was shocked—she did not expect to see any familiar faces here!She watched as Bob furiously kicked down the camera in front of him and scooped her up in his arms the next instant while ensuring that she was tightly wrapped under her towel. It was as if he was worried that the towel would fall off in front of everyone!"W-Who the hell are you?!" The director was stunned by Bob's sudden intrusion, and it took a while for him to snap at Bob. "This is a film set, and you're intruding! I can call the police, y'know!""Call them right now!" Bob barked. "Let's see if they'll arrest you or me when they see what you're up to here!"The director was left speechless by Bob's retort, while Bob turned toward Zoe without delay. "Where are your clothes?'"In the changing room.""Put them on right now.""Bob—""It's just money, isn't
Neither Bob nor Zoe noticed a familiar figure just ahead of their car watching them kiss.Jay stood beneath a street light as he watched the pair press their lips together, unable to see their faces but understanding right then.He quietly turned to leave, limping as he did. Walking was difficult for him at the moment, but it hurt more that he always missed out on her. He sat on the end of the back alley, away from their sight, somehow not feeling any pain from his body, which was battered and bruised.After all, his heart was in pieces and that hurt far more than anything else…Suddenly, another figure appeared before him, and Jay looked up to see John, who said, "Come on."He clearly saw Bob with Zoe too. He was having dinner at Levine Manor when he received an angry call from Bob and found out what Zoe was about to do for money.He said nothing and started to leave with Jay, intent on stopping it, only for Nancy to intercept them, stubbornly refusing to let them go at an
Jay was covered in gashes from Lawrence's whip, but he did not make a sound as he took it.And once it was over, he got up quietly and left.John followed him.Nancy once again tried to stop him, but Alan raised a hand, and she did not dare to breathe a word at that.John drove, taking Jay to the studio where Zoe would be filming, and Jay was out of the car even before John stopped the car… only to suddenly pause under a streetlight, turn around, and walk down that alley. John was aware of what had happened in Bob's car too.Perhaps when one misses out on a chance for a relationship, they would miss out on it forever.John held out a hand to help Jay to his feet, but Jay waved him off and pushed himself slowly off the ground.However, he had not walked more than a couple of steps when he suddenly wobbled, and John had to quickly catch him. Even as John took Jay away, he had no idea if it was the physical wounds that overwhelmed Jay, or the heartbreak was more than what he co
Bob whipped out the stack of cash he had, appearing a little grumpy. "Well, I only have three grand. That's it.""I need forty," Zoe said, ultimately giving in."Just hold on. I'll gather the money."Bob did not say another word, let alone ask her what the money was for as he promptly called all his friends to get the cash, even if it was a rarity in this day and age. In fact, Bob had to make over ten calls and drive around the city to take the cash from his friends. Eventually, they gathered the forty grand Zoe needed and had to keep the cash in a large sack."Is that really all you need?" Bob asked her just then, as if worried it was not enough."Yes," Zoe replied."'I'll make a direct withdrawal tomorrow once my bank opens tomorrow," Bob quickly said."You don't have to—""I'm a very generous financier," Bob said regally.He was on the plump side, but he was still somewhat good-looking. His casual wear only made him appear even more of a manchild and naturally affable
Even as Zoe stared at Bob flushing down his neck, she became convinced at that instant that there was a chance he really never messed around with other women."That's a little too fast. I have trouble… keeping up," he stammered. Zoe was a little speechless—who was the sugar baby here again? "Just take me home for now," she said, not fussing about it just then.She was worried that Denzel would have returned by now. "Okay." Bob quickly drove her to the projects where she was staying.But when he actually arrived, he was scowling and could not help asking, "This is where you've been staying?""Yeah." Zoe nodded."Sorry. I didn't know that it was bad for you," Bob appeared remorseful and heartbroken. "I shouldn't have criticized you just now… I would've died a hundred times over if I had to live there."Zoe smiled—that was the best part about Bob.What you see is what you get.Unlike that other man…Zoe thought then that she could probably forget about him forever now.As
Bob was livid.He was worried about letting Zoe trudge up those dimly lit stairs alone, and so, he went after her… only to stumble on the scene that almost gave him an aneurysm!How dare Denzel treat Zoe like that… forcing her to prostitute herself?! 'Motherfucker!'Seeing red right then, Bob rushed forward at Denzel and punched him viciously on the head!He was a drug addict and actually physically frail—only having the strength to abuse women.Against men? He was helpless!Bob soon had him floored, clutching his head and begging for mercy repeatedly. "Please! Please! Please! Stop! I'm begging you—"Zoe really wanted Bob to just kill Denzel right then too. However, that was murder, and they would lose a lot more if that really happened. Putting a hand on Bob's arm, she said, "Stop."Bob was huffing, but he did stop despite really wanting to kill Denzel just then!Still, Denzel lay on the floor, groaning and moaning for a long while before forcing himself up and leaning ag
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a