“ 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,
“Mmmmhm!" Talia exclaimed as she gleefully sank her teeth into the cinnamon roll. She could barely contain her excitement about squeezing in some fun with friends before the big day. Even with her trusty wedding planner leading the charge, she wanted to ensure everything was absolutely perfect for her special day. "This is off the charts delicious, right?!" Camari asked enthusiastically. "Cam, you're the best! I really needed this," Talia beamed, giving her hand an energetic squeeze. Camari had been by her side every step of the way, energising her planning sessions with creative suggestions and keeping her motivated. "It was my pleasure! Promise me you'll let loose and have an amazing time on your honeymoon without a care in the world," Camari encouraged. "You deserve to relax and recharge so you glow from the inside out on your big day, but I know how hard it is to slow your roll!," she teased. "Luckily, my radiant complexion is always on fleek," Talia replied confidently.
Ximena was beyond excited! "Someone's looking extra happy tonight. Come on, girl, spill the beans—how did your big date go?!" she exclaimed. Her friend playfully glared back. "Only because you're so darn curious. Alright, I'll tell you about it." Ximena leaned in with anticipation."So he came to pick me up, and we hit the road. First stop was a cute little coffee shop to grab some drinks before the party. We chatted the whole ride there, and the time just flew by!" she recalled with a big smile. "It sounds like you two really connected. I'm so glad you had such a great time!" Ximena beamed. It was obvious that this date was a total success."Hey, are those flowers?" Xi asked, noticing the fresh bouquet by her bed. "After about an hour at the party, we slipped away. But he had another surprise—the most beautiful garden I've ever seen! It was on his property, but a little walk from the event. Nice and quiet too. Just peaceful.""There was a cozy blanket fort, a hammock under the tre
Talia sat nervously in her chair as Aly made her face up for her wedding. She had waited long and hard for this day, and it had finally arrived! “ Are my girls almost done?” she asked Camari, who was almost done with her makeup.“ Um, May and Lacy are done; the makeup artist is currently on Faye's; that leaves Coco and Aubrey,” Camari answered. Aly came with two apprentices, one for Cam and the other for the girls.“ That was fast,” Talia added as her make-up artist applied blush to her face. A couple of minutes later, Camari was done with her make-up, and the apprentice moved on to help her colleague.Camari went to check on the girls. They had to get into their bridesmaids robes for pictures and videos with the bride.“ You look great,” she complimented her friends as she entered the room. Aly admired her work as she applied the final stroke of lipstick to Talia’s lips. She looked very pretty.“ You look beautiful, Tal; I’m happy for you and Zeke,” Aly complimented. “ Thanks to y
“Kim?” a voice called behind her. She stopped in her tracks for about 5 seconds as she slowly turned to face him. If she had heard his voice call out to her a few months ago, she would have run to jump in his arms. But now, the feeling was different.“Calvin, when did you come to town?” she asked casually.“ A few weeks ago,” he replied.“ Good, good. I hope you’re feeling much better and have gotten the closure you needed." She referred him to the reason why he left town.“ I feel much better than before.”“ It was great meeting you, Calvin; I gotta go," she said after a while of silence between the two of them. “ Can we have lunch sometime?” He shot his shot. “ I'll check my schedule and get back to you," she said as she turned on her heels and walked away leaving him dumbfounded. I'm sorry, Calvin, but I've moved on now. Kimora said to herself while walking. ~~~~~~~Giada and Jaxon had returned to school, and Aly’s house had become lively again. She was already missing their ene
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