I placed my hand over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I can teach you," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. "I want to be the one to show you what it means to be loved, and how it feels to be in love," I added, looking into her eyes intently, trying to convey my true feelings through my gaze.I hesitated for a moment, as I struggled to find the right words to express my feelings, but I knew I had to be honest with her. "Laia, I know this might be the wrong time and place, but I have to tell you, I love you. I've loved you for a while now, and I want to be with you, to make you happy, to be your partner, your confidant and your best friend." I said, my voice filled with emotion, as I waited for her reaction, hoping that my confession would be met with the same feelings."Don't add me to your list of conquests," she said, her voice laced with a hint of skepticism and irritation. "Even though I may not be attuned to the emotions of others, I can still tell when someone is holding
"Laia, wait," I said as I followed her into the bedroom. "What do you mean he killed your mother? Can you please explain?" She let out a sigh as she sat down on the bed, her gaze seemed distant as she spoke. "My mother was a kind and gentle woman, but my father was never satisfied with her. He always wanted more, more money, more power, more prestige. He would constantly belittle and berate her. He also used to get angry that my mother never gave birth to a son. It took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and took her own life. I was only six years old at the time." I was filled with a mixture of anger and sadness as I heard her story. "Are you telling me this happened when we were in first grade?" I asked in shock and disbelief. "Yes, it was coincidentally before you suddenly bit me just because I don't want to play with you," she replied as she smiled bitterly, her eyes still distant as she remembered the past. "I'm so sorry, La
As the fireworks continued to burst and lit up the sky with their vibrant colors and beautiful shapes, my mind was consumed with thoughts and emotions. The possibility of losing Laia, and not being able to express my true feelings for her, was unbearable. I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to find the words to express my feelings. I realized then that my feelings for her went beyond simple liking, they were deep and profound, I loved her and the thought of losing her was unbearable. My heart felt heavy with emotion as I grappled with the gravity of my feelings.Laia seemed to have forgotten her previous question as we walked through the crowded streets after the fireworks display had ended. I couldn't fully appreciate the stunning display because of her question which still lingered in my mind.Her question had left me feeling unbalanced and uncertain, and I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my chest. I knew I needed to come up with a
As I leaned into her shoulder, I felt her tense up, her body stiffening in response to my presence. I knew that my words were falling on deaf ears, as I had already missed my chance to make things right. The past was set in stone, and there was nothing I could do to change it. I couldn't take back the hurtful things I had said and done, and I was left to face the consequences of my actions. "I know that you may not trust me right now. I'm not asking for forgiveness or for you to believe me. I just want to express my sincerest apologies for hurting you in the past," I said, my voice filled with remorse as I met her gaze, trying to convey the depth of my regret. "I don't know if it still matters now, but back then, I didn't hate you. I have been just sad because I thought of you as my only friend. And I already knew it was you who wrote the letter I showed you. Your handwriting is quite unique, it would have been hard for you to deny it," she said, smiling at me as she climbed into bed
Carlo's face contorted in disbelief as he locked my head in his arms. "Dude, I thought you were here to console me. I just went through a break-up, and now you're getting territorial about your wife in front of me? That's harsh, man," he murmured, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice.I wriggled out of his grasp, laughing. "Come on, I was just teasing. You were staring a little too intently at her," I said, trying to lighten the mood.Carlo let out a deep belly laugh, collapsing onto the couch as Laia looked on in confusion. "Alright, enough of this. Let's eat. I prepared breakfast for us," she called out, gesturing towards the dining table.With a groan, Carlo pulled himself off the couch and made his way to the table, with Laia and I following closely behind.The spread before us was truly a sight to
I couldn't believe what I was reading. My mind raced as I thought about the implications of this news.My heart pounded in my chest upon reading the message from Tiffany as I imagined the possibility of her son being my own. I had always hoped for the test results to come back negative, but deep down I knew that I needed to know the truth for me to take the correct course of action without hurting my pregnant wife. The thought of potentially having a child with another woman made me feel guilty and uncertain about my future. I couldn't help but feel nervous as I thought about the impending confirmation of my paternity and the implications it would have on my life.I knew that this was going to be a problem. I had been trying to avoid thinking about Tiffany's return, but now it was happening, and I didn't know how to react. I felt a mix of emotions, from guilt to sadness to worry. I didn't know what to say to Laia, who was sitting across from me. I tried to steady my br
It was already the day of Tiffany's arrival, I was caught off guard as she stormed into my office unannounced, cradling a baby in her arms. "Az! We're back!" she exclaimed with a bright smile, completely disregarding the fact that she had entered without permission. My initial shock quickly turned to anger as I glared at her, gritting my teeth as I tried to dial security."Who allowed you to enter my office arbitrarily?" I asked, raising my voice with frustration."Goodness, babe! You're scaring your son!" she chided, shushing the whimpering baby in her arms.I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Why did you come here?" I asked through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice low in an effort not to startle the baby as I placed the phone apparatus back to its place."I just said I'm your wife. What's wrong?" she replied, her tone nonchalant as if she had done nothing wrong."Wife? You are not my wife!" I exclaimed, my frustration growing by the sec
As we stepped out of the building, I could not help but notice the envious glances from her colleagues. We made our way to a cozy Italian restaurant that I had made reservations at. The aroma of freshly baked bread and herbs wafted through the air as we entered, making my stomach growl with hunger.Once Laia and I were seated, I ordered a pitcher of fresh lemon juice and appetizers for us to share. The dishes arrived within minutes of placing our order, but the pasta and steak that we had ordered were still being prepared. I had wanted to order a steak for Laia, but she had mentioned not wanting to eat meat due to her morning sickness."Are you sure you don't want to order anything else?" I asked, concern etched on my face as I noticed her pale complexion and the dark circles under her eyes."I’m fine. Don't worry too much," she reassured me with a subtle smile as she sipped her juice.I had something on my mind that I wanted to talk to her about, b
After Carlo and Sienna's exquisite wedding, Laia and I discovered ourselves in a serene corner of the resort's garden. The waning sun cast a gentle, warm glow over the surroundings as we distanced ourselves from the jubilant celebrations. The air carried the delightful scent of flowers, and in the distance, we could hear the soothing waves caressing the coast.We trekked together, our fingers entwined, and contentment surged through us. The brisk ocean breeze and the subtle saline sea aroma, nearly eclipsed by the flower's fragrance, stirred up cherished memories. With a grin, I inquired, "Recall our first New Year together?" as we settled on a nearby bench."That day was full of joy, shared with our friends and families," she chuckled. "I believe it's also the very same day when their relationship took off.""Who? Carlo and Sienna? How did you find out?" I asked, perplexed since I hadn't told her yet how I discovered Sienna's pregnancy two years ago, during her
Shortly after waking up, Daniel Adler quickly started sharing the truth with a detailed account of events. He came forward with additional evidence, determined to bring justice to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dominique's death, my son's tragic fate, and the traumatic suffering my wife endured throughout the kidnapping ordeal.He revealed that after my father-in-law's hospitalization, he investigated Mr. Stone's company as part of his mission. Unfortunately, his independent efforts led to his discovery and capture by the Black Panthers. In a twist of fate, the day he first saw Laia in the same room where he was held captive was the beginning of his ruse. He feigned allegiance to their cause, providing them with intricate details about Mr. Dominique's assets and the contractual agreements we had in place.Mr. Stone, recognizing Daniel's potential, offered him a lifeline, allowing him to work within their organization. The day he and Laia disappeared was part of a scripted act, with
The twilight deepened as I paced back and forth in a silent and dimly lit corridor in front of the operating room. Daniel Adler's operation took hours due to the tricky position of the bullet inside his body, while Mr. Stone was already in the recovery room, surrounded by law enforcers who took turns keeping an eye on him."I have to go home now and check on my wife and Anika," Carlo said as he walked near me. "You should relax yourself a bit.""Carlo is right," Eric interjected, his voice a comforting anchor amid my turmoil. He urged me gently with a supportive tap on my back. "You should take a well-deserved break and entrust the rest to me. Go and be with your wife," he suggested understandingly.I muttered, glimpsing at the operating door, "But—""I'll stay here and keep you updated. Here's your phone, so go ahead and check your wife now," Eric insisted.Carlo then pulled my arm and said, "Let's go! The exit is also that way."Despite my excitement, I felt conflicted about seeing
We carefully scheduled our corporate celebration to occur precisely one week after the highly successful launch of Harmony Assist. The timing was deliberate, as we wanted to ensure that the project gained ample attention and coverage from the media all across the globe. The response to Harmony Assist had exceeded our expectations, and it had become the focal point of many news outlets and tech publications.The project had captured attention, not just for its innovative features but also for the rapid pace at which we had developed it. Our exceptional team of engineers and designers had worked tirelessly, sometimes through the night, to make Harmony Assist a reality. The result was a revolutionary product, transforming not just technology but also the quality of life.The media frenzy around Harmony Assist was so intense that it momentarily eclipsed other news stories, including the ongoing litigation against Mr. Stone, the former CEO of Stonewell Construction Enterprise. This legal b
I found myself in profound silence, staring at the room's ceiling. The pristine white expanse seemed to reflect my inner turmoil, a cruel reminder of the revelation about Olivia Harrington that had shaken me to my core. I sat at my desk, feeling overwhelmed. I forced deep breaths to steady my racing heart. Each beat resonated in my ears, echoing the emotions welling up inside. At the same time, my head throbbed with anguish, and tears blurred my vision. Each fleeting moment stretched endlessly, and the surroundings dissolved into obscurity as I grappled with the surge of intense emotions. It was as if the weight of the entire universe rested on my shoulders, and all I could do was hold my breath, adrift in the chaos of my thoughts and feelings. After I regained some composure, taking a deep, shuddering breath, I reached for the company phone. I summoned Carlo and Eric to my office, maintaining a steady tone despite my inner restlessness. They promptly arrived to discuss further enha
Following the downfall of my father-in-law's prominent business and my wife's kidnapping, the Black Panthers maintained a low profile. A confidential investigation revealed Mr. Stone's abstention from further actions, emphasizing their exclusive objective of eradicating the AD corporation from the corporate landscape. To steer clear of direct rivalry with his enterprise, I channeled my newly established venture into pioneering technological advancements, ensuring their covert development beyond the scope of Mr. Stone's scrutiny.During the initial weeks of rekindling my friendship with Tiffany, Mr. Stone grew suspicious to the extent that he had me surveilled by Black Panthers personnel. Unbeknownst to him, these individuals were spies working for Red Phyton under John's direct and discreet supervision.Mr. Moretti had surreptitiously penetrated the rival faction, skillfully breaching their sanctuary without alerting their senior leadership. Shortly after I managed to assuage Mr. Ston
I froze, my heart pounding as though it might burst from my chest. My hands trembled as I grasped my champagne glass, my fingers slick with moisture. It couldn't be her, I reasoned. My mind is scrambling to rationalize the absurdity of the situation. Laia had been missing for a year despite our best attempts, and the agony of not knowing her fate had been a continuous weight on my shoulders.However, the deeper hole kept opening up inside me as she moved nearer, and the facial features became apparent clearly. It was her. The same hazel eyes that once sparkled with frivolity and comfort are scanning the space in a vain attempt to locate someone. The edges of her lips curled up in a gentle smile that carried the power to dispel all anxiety.I put my champagne glass back on the table and started walking in the crowd, looking at them with mixed feelings of hope and anxiety inside me. Time seemed to have stopped, and I felt neither the piercing eyes nor the whispers behind my back. It was
As the night wore on, Sienna and Carlo prepared a makeshift bed in their living room for me. They insisted I stay the night since it was already late, and they couldn't let me go alone in my current state of mind. However, the events of the day had taken a toll on them. Anika, who had been relatively calm during dinner, began to cry, and Sienna had to tend to her. Carlo reluctantly left my side to help her soothe the baby.The frantic cries of Anika filled the apartment, echoing through the living room where I lay. But then, as Carlo and Sienna's efforts to calm her continued, a deafening silence enveloped the room. It was in this silence that my mood turned for the worst. I was overwhelmed with misery, despair, desire, wrath, and self-blame.I tossed and turned on the improvised bed, thoughts consumed by the day's events, the hunt for Laia, and the inquiry into the accidents. The heaviness of the universe seemed to settle on my shoulders, and I couldn't escape the feeling that I was
After more than half a year of attempts to find the perpetrator who caused both my father-in-law's and my wife's car accidents, the investigators finally caught him. The bittersweet relief clashed with my agony and rage, followed by self-blame as I lowered the phone, placing it slowly on the bed. "Was that the investigators?" Carlo inquired as soon as I hung up the call. "Yeah, they finally caught him," I replied. "It took them a while," he grumbled in disappointment. I clamped my jaws as I felt increasingly frustrated, then flopped onto the bed with desperation. A deep sigh escaped from my mouth as I yearned for a moment of relief. I tried to seek comfort in my mind, but my inner turmoil prevented it. Restlessness surged through me. I couldn't resist the urge to shift and turn on the mattress. It felt like a storm of thoughts and emotions was swirling within me, making any chance for rest seem like a fantasy. "Man, I know how anxious you are right now, but we need to sleep so we