"I'm sorry." He whispered, his breath fanning my ear as we hugged. My resolve broke completely and I decided to forgive him. A new year, a new slate.But it wasn't going to be that easy. Since he said her words were lies, I'd give him a chance to explain his part."Let's talk about this later." I whispered back. His eyes shone with hope."Thank you." He said. I nodded, leaving him to hug my dad. We walked away from everybody."Happy New year Dad." I said to him. "Happy New year my angel. I love you so much and I'm sorry for everything I've put you through this past years. I should have been there with and for you, not left you to fend for your siblings and yourself.""It's fine dad. Let's forget the past and look forward to a better future with a happy family." I smiled. His eyes crinkled when he smiled back at me."I'm trying my best to get better so that I can be there for the twins. I shouldn't have left you all alone after your mum died and I feel so guilty. When you needed me th
Lilian resignedly followed me to my room as she had no other choice but to stay with me. Her eyes travelled around the room as I opened the door taking it all in. The room had way more details than my room at home as I spent most of my childhood and teenage years within this four walls. "Don't you have any baby pictures?" She asked settling on a beanbag. My eyes dimmed a little. My Dad's family took over the house after the accident. When Nina and I went back they already threw out most of our stuff, keeping only the valuables."They are not here." I said solemnly. "What do you mean?" She asked "Did it get lost or what? Rose's pictures are all over the house.""Thing is," I started, sitting at the edge of the bed "Nina and Kane aren't my biological parents."Lilian's green eyes that were staring at me with indifference widened in surprise. "Nina is my aunt. My parents died in a car accident when I was ten years old. She and Kane took me in and raised me like their own child." Whe
The thumping chest beneath me and the warm arms wrapped around my waist were the first things I noticed as I stirred awake.I opened my eyes and lifted my head to see Byron staring at me. Creepy."Hi. Good morning." He said, sounding skeptical. He was probably wondering if I had forgiven him or not. I returned my head to his chest, not feeling like getting up from his warm embrace. The memories of last night came rushing back and I felt embarrassed at my show of ‘affection’. He visibly relaxed when I didn't run from him and instead wrapped his arms tighter around me."Good morning." I muttered in response to his greeting."Are you good? Did you sleep well?" He asked, his hands running down the length of my back.I nodded. He must have seen my head move because he let out a sigh of satisfaction."You don't have a headache? You cried a lot last night." He said to which I shook my head. "Don't you want to speak to me?""I have morning breath." I mumbled but he caught on to it because
This chapter contains mention of sensitive topics. Viewer discretion is advised.________The first thing we did when we got back home was move Lilian's stuff back to our room. "You don't mind me invading your space?" She asked when she moved my clothes to make room for her stuff in the closet."I'd choose having no where to put my stuff than an empty space any day." I told her."Good, you have no choice in the matter. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I'm staying for good." She said with a self-satisfied smile.I hugged her from behind, my head resting in the crook of her neck. "I wouldn't have it any other way."I pressed a kiss at the side of her face. She shoved my face away. "Why are you so touchy? We still have things to do." She chided. Though she sounded angry, I saw that tips of her ears were red and her anger was a front to hide her embarrassment.I didn't call her out on it and enjoyed being in her presence though we were organizing the closet.After our reconciliation,
Byron and I sat in the library, going through books quietly, our legs intertwined."This book is about childhood friends. It's cute but not the type of book I'd normally read." Byron said, putting the book in the already growing pile beside him."Then why is it in your library?" "Most of the books here are for Rose, I'm not an avid reader. If it's not self-help books, count me out." He replied, surfing the shelves for another fiction he could manage."You're too serious to be real." I teased, picking up the book he dropped. I opened the first chapter and skimmed through it. It seemed interesting and catchy."Am I?" I heard him say from behind me before I felt his hands tickling me."Stop it, Byron." I pleaded in between bouts of laughter."Call me a sweet name." He requested. I threw my head back and saw him looking over me. "My love," I whispered, not able to hold my laughter, "please, let me go." He smiled and dropped a kiss on my lips.I shook my head at him. "You know how tickli
Every moment spent with a loved one was special. I didn't know how true that statement was until I fell in love with Lilian. It didn't matter what we were doing as long as we were together then I was content.We were just reading books in the library when she said. "The male lead's younger self reminds me of this boy I once knew. Now that I think about it, I realize I've not thought about him in years.""Was he a neighbor?" I asked not thinking much of it. "Not quite. We met at an orphanage." My head shot up its own will as I stared her, waiting for her to continue. What was the possibility that... "Do you remember his name?" I questioned trying to keep the anxiety from my voice. She looked up in thought. "Not at all. It's been almost fifteen years.""Oh." I relaxed into the beanbag flipping open my book. So what she met someone at an orphanage. What was I thinking? I was with Lilian now and she deserves my unadulterated attention. I shook away the thought. "What about the male
I squinted at the rays of sunshine coming from the drawn curtains. The light snore beside me stopped my train of thought and what we did last night came back to me. He looked so peaceful as he slept. I kissed his cheek and gently got out of bed, reaching for my shirt that was flung over the sofa. I made my way to the bathroom for a shower, my mind replaying every moment from last night. Byron made me love my body again as he complimented me last night. I stood in front of the mirror and admired myself, feeling much better and more confident. After my shower, I stepped outside and saw Byron picking out clothes from his side of the closet. "Babe, you're awake." I said, drying my body. "Yes love. How'd you sleep?" He asked, pulling me in for an embrace. I leaned into his hug and let his warmth surround me."Good." I mumbled into his chest. He stroked my hair carefully."How do you feel?" He asked again, referring to last night."I'm okay babe. Shouldn't you get ready for work?" I re
REGINA THOMPSON"This can't be happening" Regina ran a hand through her scattered hair. She sat on the floor staring at her cracked phone. "Why isn't it going through? Dammit!" She screamed, throwing a flower vase. The apartment was unrecognizable. Pieces of discarded clothing were flung about in weird places, the tables and countertops were littered with chocolate wrappers, boxes of takeouts and cigarette butts. There was the addition of the broken vase pieces on the floor.Just like the house, the owner also looked different. Gone was the put together, seductive Regina with the perfect hair and nails. Her hair looked like a bird's nest from lack of care and running her hand through it too many times, she had on a baggy tee with food stains on it and brown shorts.She picked up her phone. The screen had various cracks from her bouts of anger, it's a miracle it was still functioning.She paced around the house. "Byron can't be doing this. Did he.. block me?!" She walked barefoot on