Calvin stood on the balcony of his new home. The view was beautiful, serene, peaceful, and quiet, just as he wanted it to be for now. There were times he wished he had someone to talk to, but he decided against it. He called Kimora one time, and when she answered the call, he quickly ended it. She called several times, but he didn’t answer. He just wanted to hear her voice, and once he did, he was fine. ~~~ "Hey, gorgeous,” Alyona said as she entered Ida’s ward with Khloe, Davina, and Zeke. “ Hi guys,” she responded, happy. She was already bored in the hospital. She had spent three days in the hospital and was leaving that day. Elon had gone to drop Kayden off at school and was on his way back to pick up his wife and daughter from the hospital. “ Where’s my little angel?” Khloe asked, walking to the baby’s cot. “How are you feeling, by the way?” Davin asked her cousin. “ I’m exhausted, and I miss my bed so much.” Ida pouted like a child as Khloe carried her baby. She took her m
Shit! What time is it?" Alyona suddenly sat up from Bazyli's lap. They had been so engrossed in chatting and having fun that they hadn't realized how late it had gotten after dinner. They enjoyed each other's company and shared lots of laughs. "It's 11pm," Bazyli replied. "I have to go home, Baz. It's really late," Alyona said, starting to pack her things. He didn't want her to leave, but he knew she wouldn't be comfortable staying at his place. "Let me grab my keys. I'll be right down," he told her as he went upstairs. Aly couldn't help but smile as she watched him go. As she touched her lips, Alyona couldn't help but remember the sweet kiss she shared with Bazyli a few hours ago. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He had been so gentle and tender. "Ready?" he asked, surprising her as he came down the stairs with his bike key in hand. "Yeah," she replied. He walked over to where she was standing and pulled her into a hug. Her hair smelled like bubblegum
"I think it’s time you focused on yourself, Kimora,” one of her friends and colleagues, Ha-Yun, said.“ I’m trying to, Yun, but his thoughts are just clouding my mind. He called me one time and refused to speak, yet I could hear him breathe. I called back several times, yet he refused to answer the call,” she explained.“ You can’t put your life on hold for him. He hasn’t made his intentions clear; whether he is in love with you or not, we do not know.” Ha-Yun tried to reason with her.“ I know, bu— “ You’re in love with him; I get it, but he clearly doesn't know what he feels for you. It’s more of a one-sided love affair. I’m sure there are a lot of men out there dying to have a chance with you.”"Umm, no one has approached me yet, Yun. Unlike you, who’s happily married, I’m a single woman in love with a man who isn’t. Yaaaay! F*ck my life!” She sarcastically added.“ You know what? Do things you like. Go out, visit the spa, and go on solo dates. Learn to love yourself, and then you
The moment Ayanda stepped through the door of the Maximilian Penthouse, she gasped. It had been a while since Giada and Jaxon had last visited the penthouse, and it was even more breathtaking than they remembered. The last time they had been there was for their father's birthday, a joyous occasion that now felt like a distant memory."Wait till you see the room," Giada chuckled, her voice filled with anticipation as they lugged their suitcases up the grand staircase."Hi Courtney, is there anything we can eat?" Jaxon called out to the long-time caretaker of the penthouse. Courtney had been a fixture in their lives for as long as Jaxon could remember, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the expansive property with unwavering dedication."Yes, the cook is preparing you something delicious," Courtney replied with a warm smile. "Go ahead and freshen up, and I'll come and get you when it's ready."Jaxon enveloped Courtney in a hug, the familiarity of her presence bringing a wave of com
“ May I?” A voice asked, waiting for Kimora’s approval to sit at her table. She took Ha-Yun’s advice to go out more and decided to try that since she had no major engagements coming in due to the festive season that was fast approaching.“ Sure, please do," she replied as he murmured a ‘thank you’Kimora raised her head to see who she was talking to, and she was in awe. The man sitting in front of her was gorgeous—I mean, drop-dead gorgeous.He smiled at her reaction, his lips pursed in a thin line. He had toned olive skin, emerald eyes, and the deepest dimples she had seen on a man. He had a clean shave and a chisled jaw. His hair! His hair was thick, long, and curly, parted to the side with a stylish undercut.“ I’m so sorry for staring; I was just—“ It’s fine, beautiful. Pardon my manners; I’m Jamal, Jamal Ryker.” he introduced. “ Kimora, but my friends call me Kim. Nice to meet you, Jamal," she replied. “ Nice to meet you, Kim. I’m sorry. I just invited myself into your space,
Kayden hurriedly descended the staircase to see what presents Santa had left him under the Christmas tree. He had been looking forward to receiving his presents throughout the week. “ Kayden, have you washed your face yet?” his mother called from the top of the stairs. “ B-but the presents,” the three-year-old pouted, pointing at the tree. “ Come on, let's go wash your face and brush your teeth and then you can open up your presents,” Ida said. The toddler reluctantly climbed up the stairs to his mother. ~~Giada and Jax decided to spend the Christmas with Aly after they got home from the Penthouse. They didn't like the idea of staying at their father's house alone when their mother wasn't there. Aly was more than happy to have her siblings spend the holidays with her. It had been a long while since they did that together. “Jax! Giada! Breakfast is served.” Alyona called from the kitchen. She had a few rounds to do so she had to be up early to fix them something to eat before s
The holiday festivities had kept Aly so busy that she barely had time to see Bazyli, and each time they had planned to meet, a family engagement came up.She sat on the lazy chair on her balcony, thinking back on how the year had affected her negatively and positively in her business and personal life. It was the last day of the year, and she was grateful for everything that had happened. She was thankful for life, friendships, family, and growth. She had drawn plans for the new year for her business and personal growth. Who knew? She would even find herself a boyfriend. “Bad time?” Giada asked, walking towards where her big sister was seated. She admired her resilience and hard work, as well as how she was present for everyone. “No, not at all. Come sit," she patted an empty spot for her to sit. “ Thanks,”“ What's up with you?” Alyona asked, starting a conversation. "Nothing; I just wanted to join you and enjoy the fresh air.” Giada grinned. “ You know there's something on yo
As the clock hit midnight, the Maximilian family burst out in jubilation, signalling the start of the new year. Xara, her siblings, and their mother gathered at her house for a happy celebration. The year had been a smorgasbord of accomplishments, new contacts, rich business transactions, and the joyful addition of a new family member. Xara raised her glass for a toast, capturing the essence of the moment. "To new opportunities, finding love, and growth!" Her eyes playfully met Aly's, knowing full well the undertones of her mother's words. The prospect of love lingered in the air, and Xara couldn't help but hope for her daughter's heart to find its counterpart. As the family rejoiced downstairs, Zeke, Aly's best friend and confidant, sensed that something weighed on her mind. Their unspoken connection led them to Xara's room, where the air was filled with a mix of celebration and the unspoken. "Are you okay?" Zeke inquired, breaking the silence that surrounded Aly. "I'm fine, Zeke,
A few years laterEpilogue.To create a 2500-word simplified version of the scene while staying true to the emotional depth and natural tone, I would focus on expanding the moments of reflection, internal dialogue, and memories, while also adding more description and backstory to the characters and events. The goal is to enrich the scene, making it feel fuller and more detailed, without relying on overly complex language.Here’s how we can structure and simplify the epilogue:---"Hey Dad..." she whispered, kneeling gently beside the weathered tombstone. Her fingertips brushed over the engraved name, now softened by years of exposure to rain, sun, and the passage of time. She felt a mix of heaviness in her heart, but somehow, being here always made her feel a little lighter too, like part of the weight of missing him was shared by the earth holding him now.She hadn’t planned to visit today—it just sort of happened. She had been passing by the cemetery on her way home and felt that pu
Bazyli and Aly walked slowly through the park, enjoying the fresh air and the quiet around them. It had been a long journey for Bazyli, but he was finally out of the wheelchair. He now used a cane to help him walk, and though it wasn’t easy, he was proud of how far he had come. As he looked around, everything felt new again—the grass, the trees, even the sound of kids playing in the distance. It was as if the world was welcoming him back, one step at a time."I can’t believe it," Bazyli said with a soft smile, looking down at his feet. "After all these months, I can finally stand on my own two feet again." His voice carried a mixture of disbelief and relief, as if he still couldn’t quite wrap his head around the fact that he was walking again.Aly, who was walking beside him, smiled warmly. "I’m happy for you too," she said, glancing at him with pride in her eyes. "Soon enough, you won’t even need that cane." Her tone was light and hopeful, trying to encourage him, but Bazyli just lau
“I hope she’s fine,” Gia asked over the phone, her voice tinged with concern as Ximena informed her of Shane and Ayanda’s breakup.“I think she is,” Ximena replied, though uncertainty lingered in her voice.“She’ll be fine,” Gia added reassuringly.“I hope so. I know she has new prospects anyway,” Ximena joked, trying to lighten the mood.“How’s it going with your mom, Xi? It’s been a month since you decided to reconnect with her,” Gia asked, knowing this was a sensitive topic for her friend.“It’s been awkward, Gia. We barely have anything to talk about when she calls or when I call her,” Ximena paused, taking a deep breath. “She wants me to come back home, but I don’t think I’m ready to do that, Gia. She threw me out without considering how I would survive on my own. She didn’t just abandon me; she ensured the rest of the family didn’t take me in. How does she expect me to accept returning home as if nothing happened?”Gia sighed, feeling the weight of Ximena’s pain. “It’s complicat
Bazyli’s therapy sessions had finally begun after some initial setbacks, and it was hectic for Aly to balance work with attending the sessions. Even though Kim and the live-in nurse were around, Aly still needed to be there for the sessions when both of them were absent.“I’m happy you both sorted out your differences,” Ida said as she walked into Aly’s office with Khloe and Davina in tow. Talia was a few months pregnant, so Zeke was hardly around these days.“I’m happy we did too,” Aly replied, smiling warmly at her friends. She was grateful to have such a wonderful circle of people around her. Since her first broken relationship, the death of her father, and almost losing her second relationship, they had been there for her, and she cherished their support deeply. Her life hadn’t been all rosy despite the money she had, but her friends had been the best anyone could ask for. She wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.“How’s Bazyli doing? Is he responding well to therapy?” Kh
Bazyli wheeled himself into Aly's bedroom, his face set with determination. "Can we talk?" he asked, his voice carrying an edge of urgency.Aly looked up from her desk, where she had been pretending to study, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yeah, sure," she replied, trying to keep her tone steady. "We were bound to have this conversation sooner or later." She could feel her palms growing sweaty as she tried to anticipate where this was going.Bazyli raised an eyebrow, his surprise evident. "Wait, you knew I had regained my memory?" he asked, a mixture of shock and confusion colouring his words.Aly nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "Yes, I did. She confirmed it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She had hoped to avoid this moment, to give herself more time to think of the right words, the right explanations. But now, here it was, staring her in the face.Bazyli let out a long breath, his eyes searching hers for answers. "Okay," he said finally, his tone softer now, as if he
From his room, Bazyli looked out the window. He remembered everything, but he didn't know how to tell Aly the bad news. He didn't know how to ask her what she wanted to talk about before the accident.He was thankful for what she did for him, but he had to talk to her. They needed to talk things out so that they wouldn't be awkward with each other.She was still important to him, and he hoped she felt the same way.The sound of his phone made him lose his train of thought."Hey Clinton, what's up?"He said, "Aubrey came by; she wanted to meet with you," while waiting for his boss to answer."We met online yesterday, and she didn't say anything about coming by today." What did she need?""She said she was in the area and just wanted to stop by for a quick chat." "But she did ask how you were doing," he said.“Okay, that's fine. I hope everything is going well at the bar, though,” he inquired.“ Yes, everything is going well here. How are you doing yourself?”“ Not bad, Clinton, not bad.
Brynn stood on the balcony of her new dorm room, taking in the surroundings of her new life in LA. It was a clean slate for her, a chance to start over and leave behind the mistakes and regrets of her past. The sun was setting over the city, casting a warm orange glow on the buildings and streets below.As she looked out, she couldn't help but think about the two love interests she had found and lost. She had made foolish mistakes and hurt those who cared for her, but she couldn't dwell on that now. This was her chance to find herself again and maybe even find love once more.She took a deep breath, feeling the warm breeze brush against her skin. It was comforting—almost like a sign that she was in the right place. She closed my eyes and let the moment envelop her.When she opened her eyes, she noticed a group of students walking by, chatting and laughing. She couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was a reminder that she was not alone in this new chapter of my life. Brynn had the op
“ Are you sure you’re comfortable with this arrangement?” Davina asked, helping her pack her suitcase.“Yes, Davina. I want to do this. If he had left for the airport without coming to see me to talk, he wouldn’t have been in this state, and if I had reached out to him earlier, he wouldn’t have been in this state,” she explained.“ I understand how you feel, but is this the right thing to do? What if you get fed up and decide you can’t take care of him any longer? What happens then?” Davina asked.“ I’m not going to be doing that alone, Dav. He’s hiring a nurse who will take care of him during the day when I’m off to work, and I’ll take over from her when I’m back.”“ Okay, if you say so. Be safe and don’t hesitate to call or come over. We’re always here for you,” Davina encouraged.“ Thanks baby girl.” she appreciated.Commuting to work would not be difficult for Aly because Bazyli’s house wasn’t far from her office. Another reason why she opted to be the one to live with him. Kim ad
“ Deep breaths, Aly, deep breaths.” Kimora consoled as they sat in the hospital’s waiting room. Kim booked the next available flight from Hawaii down to New Jersey when Clinton called to inform her of what had happened.“ T-t-t-today w-w-was supposed to be a good day, Kimora. I finally closed the deal, a-and Bazyli and I were supposed to have a call. I didn’t know he was in town, nor did I know he was coming to see me. If only I had reached out earlier, maybe, just maybe, he would have been okay.” she panicked.“ It’s not your fault, Aly,” Clinton said, joining them. “ That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her, but she keeps blaming herself,” Kimora added just as the doctor approached them.“ He’s stable now and out of surgery—-- “ Why do I feel there’s a but?” Aly couldn’t help but cut his sentence short. “ There is. He’s going to be on a wheelchair for a while because of the severity of the hit to his spine. He’s not paralysed, but it will take a while before he’s able to walk aga