Cordy had just sent her text when a reply came almost instantly.[Nope.]Cordy could not help smiling. It was as if John had been waiting for her text, and she could almost imagine the look on his face. While her heart was not sent fluttering, her lips were still curling upward from habit.She replied: [It's late, and you're a patient. Sleep early, wake up early.]Once she was done, she called Walter to take her to the hospital. She had no idea when it started, but she was not that stiff toward him now. In the car, she was staring at the phone which never rang.He could really be petty sometimes. -After she arrived at the hospital, Cordy tried to be as quiet as she could as she entered John's ward. If he was obedient enough and fell asleep, she would rather not disturb him.However, there was no one in the hospital bed in that dark bedroom.Cordy was frowning when she suddenly heard movement from the bathroom, and she turned toward it just as the door suddenly swun
Today was the scheduled photoshoot for Zoe York for her endorsement of Starstream Group's fashion line for the next season.Cordy was at the studio early in the morning, personally helping Zoe with her wardrobe, hairdressing, and makeup.This was the first product launch commercial for Cordy since she took over Starstream—it was important to both her and her company, so she would not drag her feet. She had personally designed Zoe's dress according to the latter's measurements, and it was even more fitting than she imagined after Zoe put it on."I mean, I've seen your designs, but I'm still amazed at how great this looks once I put it on. This has to be the best casualwear I've ever worn—the design is as perfect as it is unique." Zoe praised generously as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. "You have to give the designer a bonus." Cordy smiled. "I'm honored.""I'm just telling it as it is," Zoe said bluntly. "If Starstream Fashion still doesn't skyrocket in popularity wi
Cordy spoke with much irony, "Kyle Jessop is really good at claiming others' achievements." She had done so much for Jessop Corp, but all of it in the end was categorized as Kyle's work.She did not hold it against him because they were in a relationship, but now, she found that it really was not worth it. "How did you two end up breaking up? Don't tell me that fire burns away your feelings for each other…""He fell for my stepsister.""Noel Sachs?" Zoe smirked. "That two-faced bitch.""You can tell?" "Anyone with eyes can. Shame that four out of five men are blind."Cordy smiled—Zoey was certainly speaking sense, and she could not help feeling a little touched.This was only their second meeting, but there was this indescribable connection between them. Even Cordy herself had to admit that they really get along well together.Since she always kept to herself even as a child, she never had many friends. While she did have a couple of close friends, everyone avoided her e
Cordy took Zoe to her apartment. Zoe certainly was the type who fell asleep easily, and she dozed off the instant they got into the car. Unable to wake Zoe up, Cordy had no idea where to take Zoe since she did not know where Zoe lived.Arriving at the parking lot below her apartment, it took Cordy some strenuous effort to get Zoe out of the car, up the elevator, and into her house, where she finally put Zoe on her bed.Cordy had always lived alone, so there was only one bed despite there being two rooms.Zoe comfortably tossed around in Cordy's bed just then, sound asleep.Cordy thought that she could just call in human traffickers to take Zoe away, and Zoe would be none the wiser.Did Zoe just not care, or was she that trusting toward Cordy?Taking a deep breath, Cordy made Zoe a glass of honey and put it on the nightstand while she took a bath.Once she was done and stepped outside, she noticed that her phone screen was flashing since it was kept on silent.She picked it up
Zoe then added, "Your bed smells really nice."Cordy smiled.After that, Zoe took a bath and put on a pair of Cordy's pajamas, walking around and surveying Cordy's home. "There's only one room...""You can still change your mind," Cordy said as she made coffee at the bar.As she usually slept very late, she did not feel drowsy since it was not midnight yet.And Zoe no longer felt sleepy after waking up either."Change my mind for what?" Zoe giggled. "It's no loss for me."Cordy suddenly stared at Zoe fixedly, and Zoe quickly came to her senses to explain, "Don't worry, I'm straight."Smiling, Cordy handed her the coffee she brewed. "I prefer my coffee black. There are sugar cubes over here if you don't like it bitter.""No, I usually take mine black too—especially when I'm tired."They both sat on the couch as Cordy turned on the TV. She happened to leave it on an entertainment channel, which was broadcasting a reality show with Zoe on it."You're really a fan of mine!" Zo
Cordy asked, "Do you have a problem with Director Parker?""No," Zoe replied nonchalantly.Even so, Cordy thought that things were weird between Zoe and Jay.For one, why would Zoe refuse to take his call? Reasonably speaking, one would feel bad if they did not answer a director's call, would they not?Or maybe Zoe was more important than the project?After all, she heard that the TV series was just slightly above B-list, but not actually A-list. And with Zoe's current status in showbiz, she could get S-list scripts whenever she wanted. But while Zoe could throw her weight around, she did not look like the type who would do that."I'm sleepy." Zoe yawned just then. "I'm going to bed.""Okay."Cordy certainly would not pry into the private affairs of others, not to mention that she and Zoe were not that close. But somehow, they were sharing a bed already.-Early the next morning, Cordy made a simple breakfast for herself and Zoe.When a drowsy Zoe emerged from the be
Mandy did not care who the director was, but she was more or less upset after Jay gave her the cold shoulder back at Alan Levine's birthday party. After a long while, Jay finally showed up on set, and the shoot began after a short exchange."Action!" Jay sat in front of the camera, but a frown soon appeared on his face."Cut!" He snapped.Suddenly told to stop, Mandy scowled immediately."What's wrong, Director?" the assistant director quickly asked."She's looking the wrong way, and her position is awkward. She carries no presence in the camera either, and her appearance as well as her costume won't do," Jay said. "The final outcome won't have any of its intended effect."Mandy scowled even harder at his words—no one had ever dared talk to her like that because of her family background!"Prop team, adjust her appearance. I don't want your run-of-the-mill web celebrity cheap aesthetic. As for the actors and actresses, study the script again to understand it further," Jay fin
John had been constantly texting Cordy before he got discharged. While he did not ask her to visit him before he left the hospital, he was talking about everything else. That includes asking if she was busy, as well as offhandedly and casually mentioning that he could get discharged since the doctors told him that he was recovering well.He was really doing everything he could just to get her here to see him.Still, his efforts were not wasted on Cordy as she actually came to the hospital early in the morning.Randy Martin was busy with paperwork, packing up and everything else. On the other hand, John had changed out of his patient garb into a casual light blue shirt, with slim-cut outdoor pants beneath. It was less prim and formal than his usual suit and tie, but it painted him with a carefree elegance while retaining his usual good looks.But as he sat on the couch, still as a pond, he was glowering…That was, until Cordy's arrival. Randy was certainly rejoicing over her
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