THE NEXT MORNINGWhile the last tints of night's darkness were lost, a soft, diaphanous glow enveloped the world-the delicate warmth one knows on an overcast summer's day. The morning sun stole over the horizon, catching up the lingering shadows, with slow, insistent fingers-like the fingers of some lover-onward, till a warm touch pervaded all things.With morning light still dancing across the topography, it highlighted the quiet intimacy of the world, like the soft focus of a camera lens. The trees stood tall, stretching upwards to the sky, like outstretched arms of a lover, their leaves rustling softly in the morning breeze, with the whisper of a summer wind.The density of sleep was slowly pulled aside by a light, ringing sound, a little like the tinkling a wind chime gave out on a summer's day. It persisted, demanding to be heard, much like the insistent humming of a fly on a hot afternoon. A call from my cell phone woke me up-the shrillness of its tone cut through the gentle qui
As I drew near, he looked up, his eyes meeting mine, and I felt the intensity of his pain, like the black, still waters of a lake on a windless day. "Love," he breathed, his voice barely audible, like the gentle rustle of leaves in an autumn breeze. And while he talked, he leaned his head on my shoulder, his body craving comfort and relief, as a child would under the protective embrace of its mother.And all at once, without reason, his tears started pouring down his cheeks, as slowly dripped the water from a tap. I was dismayed, my heart grieving with a sense of wonder and astonishment, like the sharp sting of a winter's chill wind. What had been able to wound him so, so badly? I wondered, my mind whirling with doubts and questions, like the frothy whirlpool of a hurricane.I raised my hand, gently patting his cheeks, my hand warm and soothing, like the warm rays of a summer sun on a cloudy day. "Tell me what's wrong," I said, my voice with a sense of understanding and concern, like
"Yes, the new project is a building," he replied, his tone filled with excitement, like the low, soft buzz of a summer insect that seemed to vibrate with energy."We are building a sustainable landmark city in Dubai that will benefit us," he went on, his eyes alight with passion, like the low, soft glow of a summer moon shining brightly across the night sky.".I exclaimed, my voice choked with wonder, like the pale, soft glimmer of sunbeam in summer that appeared to disclose every feature. "What are the merits?" I challenged him, my curiosity stirred, like the soft, gentle susurration of leaves in autumnal wind that appeared to convey secrets.Adrian's smile was wide and warm, such as the mellow, soft warmth of a sunbeam with joy."A lot of benefits, sugar," he replied, his voice one of confidence, such as the soft, gentle beat of a summer drum sound that seemed to reverberate through every cell of my body."More revenues, good reputation for our company, and attracting more investors
Adrian's words lingered in the air as a summer morning mist that enveloped everything in mystery while my eyes were drawn to the blueprint like an illuminating summer sunbeam which revealed every detail. "This is it," he exclaimed with an unnatural excitement that resonated like the delicate buzz of a summer insect charged with vibrant energy.My cognitive functions initiated data processing while examining the blueprint, reminiscent of an autumn breeze's delicate leaf rustle which appeared to convey hidden messages. The realization struck me with the delicate collision of a summer wave against warm evening shores. "Baby, there is something your writer is missing," I said, my voice filled with a sense of conviction, like the soft, gentle pounding of a summer drumbeat that seemed to echo through every cell of my body."The importance of the project," I added, my eyes locked onto Adrian's, like the soft, gentle gaze of a summer moon shining brightly in the night sky. I explained why gov
The tension continued to build between Christian and Adrian. Christian's voice pierced the space with the cold, demanding authority of a steel blade that cut through the severing weight of anger and frustration that had lingered for ages."I request, and not demand, that you lower your voice, Adrian," he said, with each word, in glaring contradiction to the rising anger surging within Adrian, spreading like a dark cloud across the horizon.Adrian's disbelief was compellingly stupendous; he had been completely floored by Christian's remark as he stared stupidly with mouth agape and eyebrows raised in questioning. He felt transfixed, as if beyond motion and speech. It was as if Christian had turned him into an erect statue of his own anger and frustration.But Christian was all too determined. His words grew sharper, his tone louder, more intense; the dam to his frustrations broke; a rising flood had been building for months, years maybe — a squall waiting to land, lightning tearing at
Christian terminated the call, leaving Adrian aghast, his face reddened with pure wrathful passion as anger blazed in his eyes with indignation, like a wildfire raging uncontrolled.... What gives him the right?" he burst out, the sound of his becoming louder, angrier, almost hitting the walls challenge them to let them know he was very upset, then cry for outrage like a wounded deer scaring the sledge."And just how could this lowlife dare!" he spat, as contempt and loathing dripped from every word, venomous in its tone, curling his lip in scowl on face-a very picture of anger and hatred. His eyes glowed incandescent with rage vibrant with indignation, every part of him pulsing with such rage as if a live wire were bursting sparks of electricity.Adrian promptly called Christian again, fingers flying across the keypad as if time were the essence, boiling over with indignant anger and frustration like water that had been put on the stove but never cared for.Adrian's voice, whip-like w
It was the early morning light sifting through the open window, depositing warmth and golden beams across the room as the notification on Adrian's phone woke him up. The soft melody ringing from the notification seemed to intrude on the silence of the morning: it was a gentle but insistent call for attention.With excruciating slowness, Adrian stirred, propped himself on one elbow, and reached for the phone; his heavy lids stage-opened in slow motion as he unlocked the phone and looked at its screen.This text from Christian was an incursion, an off-key jarring note overpowering the relaxation of Adrian's morning. Blinking away the disturbance of sleep off his mind, he mumbled to himself as his half-awake eyes read the message. "Mr. Adrian, I regret the day I ever started working with you, and I curse the day I have to work with you." The words branded into Adrian's somewhat semi-conscious consciousness, scalding-hot acid-like, almost leaving him reeling.Just as Adrian was about to s
Adrian's mind was actually racing back to the time when Christian was nothing and very petty, a nobody, a mere shadow of a man, living on the streets and struggling for life. It is the very same memory of how deeply he had picked Christian up-the entire gutter of him, both literally and figuratively, to redeem him. There was the way Christian would have looked at him with gratitude and admiration as he pulled him up to his back.He entered his car and drove away. "He has forgotten how I picked him up from the gutter," said the voice of Adrian, most definitely, as it dripped with a sense of betrayal, along with a hurt that seemed to have cut deep into his soul.Because the words would tumble off in a slow, deliberate cadence, it was almost as if he were composing poetry about some ballot brought from deepest recesses of his heart to express the sheer feeling of disappointment that had crept in from all corners for understanding or about possible solutions for Christian's foolishness.A
JENNY POVThe bailiffs were rather coming at them; movement was swift and fine tuned. "Let go," said one, coming towards Samuel and Julian.Samuel was apparently fighting bailiffs and raised his voice in protest, "It can't be! I'm innocent, I tell you! I'm innocent!"Julian, however, seemed defeated; eyes cast down as the bailiffs cuffed him. He didn't resist; didn't fight; just stood there, shoulders slumped in resignation.Bailiffs led them away in a straight line as Samuel kept shouting and protesting, his voice blending up with noise-making. Julian was around, quiet, with that sight on the floor.The doors of the courtroom shut behind them, and the spectators trickled out, whispering amongst themselves about the shocking verdict. I, my mom and Adrian stood there watching bailiffs take them away. Justice was served, and they would pay for what they did.When going through the corridors where we just walked out of the courtroom, my mom turned to us now with a grin on her face, with
JENNY POVWe made our way into the apartment, all that added weight dragging behind us, "We do not require Gabriel anymore,' I said to Adrian, my voice firming with determination. Days trailed into weeks before, finally, the court date came. The tension flickered in the air as we sat together in our living room. He looked at me expectantly, trying to read my eyes. By the concern in his voice, Adrian finally asked, "How did we go about it, baby?" he added. "We haven't seen our evidence."I fell sprawled over the bed with a whirl of thoughts. Suddenly, my expression transformed from one of despair into hope-filled determination. I straightened my back, locked eyes with Adrian, and declared, "I've got it," as that spark within me surged. It struck me with an idea that signaled I knew perfectly the next thing we would do.It was a regal, breathtaking court with high ceilings and dark-paneled walls. Inside it had been set for the audience and witnesses - row upon row of polished wooden ben
JENNY POVContrary to what I vaguely recall about the trial, with little less than half a month to go, I walked my final tour of the evidence. I took a long walk up the stairs toward the safe box where all the documents and evidence were kept, my heart racing.When I opened the safe box, the second surprise awaited me; it was empty. All our evidence was missing! Panic swept over me, and I reached in to search frantically, hoping maybe I had mislaid the documents. But the truth was clear: everything was gone.Unbelievably so. Everything we had worked for and all our evidence had vanished. It felt like the wind was knocked out of me. How could this happen? Who took the evidence?Panicking, I called Adrian and the lawyer, stuttering. "It's gone," I said. "All of it."Adrian was calm. He reassured me: "We'll figure this out. We'll get to the bottom of it. Don't worry. We'll find a way to move forward."But I felt uneasy now. That meant our case was in trouble. Samuel's team would probably
JENNY POVWe had amassed all the evidence and, with Gabriel's expert counsel, we were quite confident of a solid case against Samuel. Upon consulting our lawyer, we scheduled an appointment to discuss the next steps and finalize the court date.There was a nervous energy fluttering around me as I followed Adrian into the lawyer's office. What would the lawyer say? After that, will it be possible for us to carry on with our case? Just the sight of Adrian's stoic demeanor reassured me, and I inhaled deeply again to control my nerves.Gabriel was inside the room, coffee in hand. He gave a little nod of acknowledgment as we settled in, while the lawyer began to go through the evidence.She finally said, after looking through the papers, "Let us go over the plan one last time. We will be bringing the lawsuit.” Then, we prepare for Samuel's team to respond, which will probably include trying to discredit you or the evidence."Adrian nodded, jaw tight with determination. "We are ready for th
JENNY POVWhen we broke away from each other after the hug, the memory of him really made me grateful for Adrian. Surely he was that support system I needed at this moment. "Thank you for being here for me," I said with quavering words.Adrian smiled at me, took my hand, and replied, "For always, I am here with you." "We'll face everything that comes."Rejuvenated, we took our seats one last time to review the evidence. The lawyer had told us that the case was strong, but we had to be prepared for every event. Adrian and I were going through the adaptations, underlining the crucial points, and exchanging views on strategies.As the day darkened, the tension in the room built up. Both of us were waiting for the return of this breath-holding event, wishing it would end soon so that we could all finally move on. But it was obvious that this required patience and tenacity.And then, just when we were seeming to take a break, the doorbell rang. Adrian went to answer it, and I could hear so
JENNY POVThen she turned to us with a playfulness glinting in her eyes and said, "I have a question for you two." Adrian and I exchanged curious looks, and I asked, "What is it's, Mom?" She fixed her gaze upon us, darting between Adrian and me, before eventually saying, "When should I expect my grandchildren, please?" The question hung expectantly between us, twinkling as a little playful tip made both of us smile and ponder on how to answer it.Adrian stared at me, a sly smile spreading across his face as if he was daring me to respond to my mom's query regarding grandchildren. "Soon, Ma," he said, his voice teasingly mischievous as he tried to deflect her curiosity. My mom's eyes sparkled with mischief while teasing me: "I know Jenny won't say anything." Her words hung in the air, humorous but full of innuendo, and made me laugh loud, feeling my cheeks burning.The night pressed on: the ambiance of darkness shielded us, and we were slowly traveling back to our rooms, slowly paying
JENNY POVThe days morphed gradually into weeks, while weeks would gradually morph into months, and my mom was really okay after that. "Thank you so much, Jenny," she said to me, holding my hand. Her voice was much better now, and we were chatting well. She didn't get sick anymore, and the doctor visits were not frequent by now since the workers kept caring about her with kindness and compassion.Adrian and I used to go and visit the hospital together to bring her favorite food and flowers. We sat down to watch movies or even play games, but even though it was at a slow pace, she was getting back. The hospital room of care was now much brighter with laughter than it had ever been used to and filled with sadness and concern.It was like any other day; we were just chit chatting when suddenly, a glittering tear glistened in Mom's eye. "I'm very grateful to you, Jenny," she said with a shaking voice. "You have been my stronghold during this journey." A warm hug followed from me, elated a
JENNY POVIn the course of her recovery, I fleeted back home to refresh myself often. The workers would live with her, looking after her needs, and updated me about her conditions through regular phone calls, sometimes giving me a good laugh or two while hearing stories on her improvements.We began to develop a bond through these talks, and soon I would be on the edge of my seat waiting for their calls. They told me all about the jokes she told, her smiles, and how determined she was to recover. I laughed and appreciated their kindness.One day, I asked them all over for breakfast in appreciation of the small things they did for my mom. They came with huge, toothy grins and gifts of sunshine-dripped fruit and fragrant flowers. Here we were around the table, sharing together in a hearty meal.Mrs. Jenkins said, "We're so proud of your mom's progress, Jenny. She's a fighter." I smiled, feeling all the more blessed to have them with me. "Thanks to you all, she's getting a little better
JENNY POVAt first, the workers got busy setting up my mother for the transport to the hospital. I watched as they transported her into a stretcher, their faces serious."We'll get her the help she needs," Adrian said, his voice reassuring. "We'll make sure she's okay."I nodded, and hope washed over me. Maybe, just maybe, we could get my mom back on her feet. Maybe we could undo the damage that Samuel had done.But for some reason, all along the way that took us out of the house into the open, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the opening act--the warm-up--for a longer and tougher journey ahead.As the workers placed my mom in a car, an entire jigsaw puzzle of emotions filled the air: relief because actions were finally being taken; then apprehension of what could come to pass in future. The workers whose eyes had been somber just a few moments ago suddenly spoke."Pleeeeeeease, Jenny, let us help,” Mrs. Jenkins said, her voice being a little shaky. "We'll assure that y