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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY: THE COST OF MOVING ON.
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2025-03-22 21:50:44
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-ONE: THE ROAD TO GOODBYE.
Fred remained still, hands balled into fists as his mind swirled in a tornado of thoughts, that things had come down this way after what had happened last night. Thomas, the twin brother he had never known. The very thought of it seemed unreal, almost ridiculous, for here he had spent years thinking it was his lot in life to be alone with all his burdens when all the time the other brother was busy living out his version of the same things. And now, that man, whom he had just started figuring out for himself, was claiming the person Fred couldn't ever forget.Maggie.Just her name sent a sharp arrow flying through his chest. Thomas's voice, in raw, primal emotion telling him something about her, went on playing in Fred's mind. There had been no hesitation or doubt; Thomas really loved her. And Maggie? She chose him.Fred's jaw girded as he tried not to let the overwhelming loss tear the insides of him out. Always a puzzle he could never unravel, a wound that would not close despite l
Last Updated : 2025-03-23BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-TWO: THE HEART REMEMBERS.
Laura stood transfixed, air caught in her throat, staring at Fred standing at her doorstep. The jolt sent a mix of shock, anger, and something that she didn't know. Her heart hobbled such that it thumped violently, pulse drumming in her ears. Of all the possibilities, she had never pictured seeing him here, now.Why was he here? What did he really want?Her hands clenched into tight fists by her sides, aflame with memories of their last communication.The coldness with which he spoke. His cruelty all remained fresh, a wound that had not yet begun to heal. Yet he was standing there before her now as though none of it had ever happened. The sheer audacity of it pushed something hot and sharp within her, tilting her fury toward it and washing out her initial shock. She focused her glare and clenched her jaw. "What the hell are you doing here, Fred?". She hadn't meant for it to sound as harsh; her tone had been colored with anger. She didn't care. He had no right coming in like this, not
Last Updated : 2025-03-24BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-THREE: SHATTERED GOODBYES.
Fred stood frozen, every muscle in his body drawn tight with tension before Thomas, Maggie, and Jack. The very moment bore heavily on his shoulders as if under the pressure of some great strangling force; his heart thudded in his chest, throbbing with a chaotic mixture of rage, regret, and confusion. He had never felt so helpless in his life, watching Maggie prepare to walk out of his life, this time perhaps for good.Is this really what she wants? Does she truly love Thomas? Or is she simply leaving because there is no choice? Because she had lost everything? His piercing gaze slapped Maggie across the face, compelling a desperate search for her expression, anything that might tell him she wasn't doing this willingly. But all he could read was a mask that had become unreadable. The lady who once gave him everything, who once stared at him as though he was her entire world, now stood in front of him in silence. Doubt thrashed in his mind, sharp and relentless. Had she ever truly lov
Last Updated : 2025-03-25BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-FOUR: A FUTURE WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
Fred lifted his eyes at the very mention of his name. Tension entailed in every part of his body under the pressure of conflicting emotions pressing down upon him. His heart was heavy from an image of Maggie, Thomas, and Jack driving away from him when he stood there amidst revelations he was not ready to face; things like betrayal, painful years of deception, and a son he felt he had. And just when he expected to grab a moment of breath, another person from his past showed before him. Helen was standing a few feet away, observing him with an expression marked by sadness and some fuzzy emotion he could not place, pity perhaps. Her appearance was unexpected, as he had been expecting her to be busy in the kitchen, or with house chores, but somehow he was not startled. Maybe he was too worn out to be surprised anymore. With warm and knowing eyes, Helen moved closer, her slow and steady tread bridging the gap between their two worlds. The world around them felt muted, and time itself s
Last Updated : 2025-03-26BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-FIVE: A CONVERSATION LONG OVERDUE.
Laura's voice startled the silence, and Fred was pulled out of his thought process. "Fred?".His eyes darted in her direction before he said anything. His jaw tightly set and shoulders stiff, something unreadable lingering in his eyes. Anger, perhaps? Jealousy? Laura could not quite tell. She sighed and inched closer. "Fred, what's wrong?".He didn't answer for a moment. His face was well-guarded, fingers twitching at his side, and then he muttered with a slow shake of his head, “Nothing, you can go,” then quickly added, “just be back before customers come in.”Her breath caught something in his tone. It wasn't casual dismissal but colder, serrated with something he couldn't quite place. Still, she agreed not to push it. "Alright". "I won't take long."Fred didn't reply but gave her a curt nod and turned toward his office, his back rigid as he disappeared inside.Laura stood there for a second, watching the closed door as the unease settled in her chest. Fred was not one to act all
Last Updated : 2025-03-27BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-SIX: A MESSAGE UNTOLD.
Jerry just stared at the message on his cell phone and grinned widely. His fingers wrapped firmly around the device, completely fixated on the words running through his eyes over and over again as if relishing each letter. He was so glued to his phone that he could not hear Laura shouting his name over and over again. Her voice, growing more impatient with each repeated call, could hardly reach his ears. She stood near him, arms folded and brows knitted in disappointment. "Jerry," she called a little more loudly now.Still no response.She pressed her lips into a line and strolled very close, watching as reality disappeared for Jerry, leaving him glued to that screen. She was hurting below the surface, and the fury had curled her fingers tightly at her sides. It was so unusual of him to ignore her when she was right there.No response. The sharp breath escaped her lungs as she changed positions from one foot to another. Was he intentionally ignoring her? Her face clouded over as s
Last Updated : 2025-03-28BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-SEVEN: AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL.
Laura's heart raced as she ran behind Fred, her heels clicking sharply against the polished office floor. Something in the way he'd called her had unsettled her. Fred never sounded like that unless it was really important. Now, her mind raced with worrisome possibilities, most of them terrible. She threw the door of his office wide, walked in, and froze. There was little air left to breathe. Across from Fred's desk, an attractive woman was sitting there. She imparted an eerie, calm self-confidence. Posture upright. Expression blank.Laura's belly twisted. It was a sinking feeling spreading through her chest.Who was she?The silence felt utterly unbearable in the room, extending and amplifying each beat of Laura's heart. The intrusion of the woman felt not only unexpected but also slightly illicit. Fred hadn't said anything about meeting someone. If it had to do with work, why had he called her so urgently?Her eyes jumped at Fred, looking for answers, but his face gave nothing away
Last Updated : 2025-03-29BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY-EIGHT: A DATE WITH DESTINY.
The dull echoes of her heels striking the polished floor preceded Laura's swift breeze through the front door. Each thrum of her heart spoke her excitement; her mind lingered solely on the evening that lay ahead. She had just one hour left to get ready for dinner at Fred's place. All had to be well.Mrs. Charlotte was sitting on her usual couch, a book thrusting outward from her lap, while Daniel lounged next to her, scrolling lazily on his phone. As Laura stormed in without a word, both looked up, surprise mixed with confusion overtaking their faces as she brushed past them."Where are you rushing to Laura?" Her mother quipped, rather amused.Laura didn't slow down; she didn't answer. There was no time for mockery; all thoughts were on one thing: winning Fred's admiration. Laura opened the door to her bedroom and forcefully swung it shut after entering. Once inside, she took a deep breath and quickly surveyed her room, as if just figuring out how to start. Everything about the dress,
Last Updated : 2025-03-30
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT: INTERRUPTED VOWS.
The early sun caused a golden glare over the town, still sleeping against the softly glowing rays indicating the heaviness of that day. In her own little cozy bedroom, Laura stood at the window while a gentle breeze curled the curtains. She held her phone to her ear, while the presence of flutters in her chest showed excitement.And then his soft, warm voice fluttered in on the line. "Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well.""Yes," Laura replied, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers shyly, "though not without dreaming about today." A gentle chuckle came through the phone. "Guess what," continued Fred. "The event planner is on her way with everything you need: shoes, dress, and a few little extra touches." For a moment, her heart skipped a beat, dissolving into gales of giggles while she shook her head and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Fred, I cannot wait to see you"! She declared with all the joy she could muster."Same goes, beautiful; I want our day to be that p
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN: THE CALM BEFORE THE VOW.
Thomas picked up the call after a few rings, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Fred? What's up? Been a minute." Fred did not answer immediately. His eyes strayed towards Laura, who sat at the edge of their bed, fingers knotted together tightly, nervously. The evening light softened through the curtains, catching the shiny anxiousness in her eyes. On the call, Fred could hear possible laughter, a comical chuckle of Maggie's blended with Jack's lighthearted voice. It painted a picture of peace, a home filled with warmth and healing. The sound stirred something in him. Was it guilt? Regret? He couldn't name it, but it was heavy inside his chest. Fred tried to focus, coughing in an attempt to clear his voice. He reckoned: "I know it's all so sudden." "But Laura and I are getting married... in a few hours”. “Monday morning. Rockaway Beach." There was a pause at the other end. Not static, not silence, just a long moment that tied emotions in the quiet. "What?" Finally came from
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX: ARMS THAT WAITED YEARS.
Time unraveled, his breath slightly impeded, and his chest suddenly tightened with the apparent new stiffness of the atmosphere. For a split second, his legs were rigid and would not allow him to advance. The reverse of time seemed to be in action. Unending photographs flashed through his mind: dusty photo albums, grainy pictures taken in hospitals, the gentle voice of his parents telling bedtime tales, and the image of a woman who had become a treasured legend enshrined in the folds of memory. No, surely, not. It could not have been her. But the contrary was undeniably true. Years had conspired to inscribe their stories on her skin; once dark hair turned lustrously silver, but her eyes had remained constant. Kind and wise, Fred had never forgotten them. Even if time had sculpted her features, everything those eyes stood for was untouched. An agonizing heartbeat followed, and he took a step in her direction. There was another woman beside her, probably her daughter. The family rese
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE: SHADOWS IN THE SALON.
As soon as Helen and Laura entered the salon, the atmosphere changed drastically upon meeting the gaze of Sarah. The light background chatter and hum diminished into a smothering silence; the air seemed to grow thick with tension. Sarah's penetrating stare, almost sharp enough to cut, focused on Laura. She scanned her up and down, stopping at her waist. Slowly, a knowing smile graced Sarah's lips, and it seemed to drip with malice. "Laura..." Sarah said in a mocking drawl, tilting her head slightly. "Why is your tummy looking a little... bigger than usual?".A paralyzing chill gripped Laura; an instinctive tension seized her body; before thinking, her hands went to her stomach as if to shield it from scrutiny by Sarah. A warm flush crept up her neck. It was not only in the words of Sarah's question that the weight was carried; it was in the implication that went with it.Helen felt an immediate tension in the air. She stepped in front of Laura protectively, clenching her jaw, her vo
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOUR: BEFORE THE BELLS RING.
The air was heavy within the tailor's office, burdened by a silence that appeared to drag on forever. Sheriff Jones stood silently with his weathered gaze fixed on Fred and Laura, his face revealing nothing. He remained silent, yet the tension in the room resounded louder than any spoken word. Fred drew a shaky and tentative breath, clearly wishing to ease this uncomfortable tension that Laura would rather avoid. "Well, Laura and I are getting married, and we came to have our outfits measured," Fred said in a low, nervous voice.Sheriff Jones blinked slowly, as if trying to absorb what had just been said; the words hung there like smoke."You're getting married?" He spoke at last, low and thick with disbelief. Fred straightened his back and gripped Laura's hand tightly. "Yes, Sheriff. On Monday, Laura and I are getting married."The silence filled the room, while everybody inside the room breathed shallowly. No one said a word; the sheriff stood his ground, the lines on his face de
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE: UNINVITED SHADOWS.
Fred was sitting on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, sharp eyes fixed on Laura as her phone vibrated insistently on the polished surface. The name that lit up the screen sent a ripple of unease through the room, it was Mr. Tim. Tension thickened, invisible, suffocating. The steady hum of that phone became deafening against the heavy, surrounding silence. Laura seemed to be in a state of indecision, with her fingers hovering just over the screen. She looked uncertain. She could already guess what was waiting for her on that call. It was not going to be good. Fred maintained his calm, studying her otherworldly reaction to it. It was an unwavering embodiment of the quiet, cool force of control even at moments of uncertainty. He further tilted his head slightly, his voice calm yet firm. "Pick up," he urged. "Let's find out why he's got her calling." Laura swallowed hard, steeling herself. She couldn't avoid this. She breathed sharply and reached for the phone to answer, tappin
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-TWO: A WEDDING IN MOTION.
He squeezed Laura's hand as a source of reassurance. His warmth calmed her, keeping her grounded as she struggled with the mention of Maggie and Thomas. The interference of the past rested heavily upon her, and Fred leaned in, low and soothing, whispering, "It is our day, Laura. Let's not let the past ruin it." With a measured exhalation, Laura let his words sink into her thoughts. True, they were right. This moment was for them, their future, their happiness. She held his gaze, the depth of his confidence calming the storm brewing inside her. A slight nod of acceptance from her and a tightening of her fingers around him, told Fred everything she was thinking. "You are right. This will be about us." Mrs. Charlotte watched through the closed-up atmosphere and witnessed Laura's choice. A small, agreeable nod from her gave Laura the reassurance that she had made the right decision. Of course, these events left Jerry and Helen unimpressed and were thrown into silent opposition against
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE: UNSPOKEN DECISIONS.
Dr. Hayes broke through the thick silence in the room, his calm but authoritative presence demandingly freezing the mounting tension. It was not his role to mediate personal conflicts, nor was he, in this instance, in a position to deal with their personal matters. His only concern was with Laura and the child. "Come along with me," he said; his voice lacked any intonation to permit debate about this demand. Before they could say anything, he turned to walk down the hall toward his office.For a moment, Fred and Laura hesitated, thoughts of what this meant for them flashing through the airless space between them. But they had to follow. Their soft footsteps barely made a sound against the stark hospital floor once again. Each crunching sound blasted forth their uncertainty. The hallway stretched before them, a quiet course that led toward solutions, or perhaps more questions.Having arrived at his office, Dr. Hayes swung open the door for them to enter. "Please," he said, his hand rai
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY: A FUTURE IN QUESTION.
Pulling her closer with all that he had, Fred lured Laura against him in a deep, lingering kiss. His touch was airy but strong, and the surrounding warmth of his body felt almost like a protective shield. Laura sighed against his mouth as her fingers wove into his hair, drifting into his embrace.The two hearts thumped in time, erasing the space between them and moving together so precisely that it was almost magical. Every word they whispered, every lingering caress, seemed to carry a meaning beyond mere language. With a gentle caress, Fred traced down her neck, dizzied by the glowing warmth of her kiss, while his hands flooded over the lines of her body, reaching, memorizing, and claiming every inch as if terrified it would escape his grasp. Across the muscles of his back, Laura kept sweeping her hands, fingertips teasing his skin while she drew him toward her. No guidance was ever needed as their bodies fit effortlessly together like instinct and desire, with a natural rhythm of t
