Sophie ..I paced back and forth in the living room as I awaited Luca’s return. It burnt his control not to match his place of work; immediately I heard that news. It’s been ten hours, and I couldn’t bear the weight in my chest anymore. I wanted to call, but this wasn’t the kind of conversation one should have on the phone. My eyes darted to the analogue clock on the wall—8 m. Luca should be home any moment from now. Liam's small thuds slipped into my ear as he walked into the living room, holding his storybook in his hand. “Mummy, aren’t you going to read my bedtime story? You promised today.” He pouted.I straightened my face and headed towards him. I lowered to a squatting position. I skimmed my hands across his pyjamas, dusting off dirt that wasn’t there. “I promise tomorrow. Mummy isn’t feeling too well.” I glanced at Palma, who just entered the living room, before returning my gaze to Liam. “Let Palma read it for you tonight. Mummy will read it tomorrow.” I forced a smile, b
Sophie..The sun had woken after a long hours of sleep, but I hadn’t. Not when Luca had not returned or even answered my call. I cursed my feet for standing still when I should have moved and stopped him. My alarm convulsed as it rang. If only it knew I didn’t need it to wake up. I lurched out of the bed and trudged to the bathroom. After a shower, I slipped into a corporate outfit and headed to the dining area. The aroma of toasted bread filled the walls, intertwining with the sunlight that slipped through the windows. “Mummy, good morning,” Liam greeted before sipping the last drops of the beverage.“Coffee?” Palma asked as she took the cup from Liam. “Have you heard from Luca?” I questioned, smothering Liam’s head. She shook her head.I faced Liam. “I knew I broke my promise again last night. I will read the book tonight.” I drew in a long breath. I stared at the envelope casing my contract I had placed on the dining table. “Are you done with breakfast?” I questioned Liam as
Sophie..An hour had gone by, and dizziness had begun to slip in. My breaths came out shallow, and I leaned on the walls of the elevator. Beads of sweat had coated Alex’s face as he ended the call on his phone.His eyes darted around the elevator. “These bastards didn't even create enough ventilation.” He let out a hiss. “I’m definitely pressing charges.” He gritted. I sank to the floor. My lungs tightened as it wasn’t getting enough air. “How long would it take for them to get here?” I wiped the sweat off my face. “Probably an hour.” Alex settled on the floor, a few inches away from me. “We would probably be dead by then,” I teased, belying the nervousness in my stomach. My heart had throbbed and even given up. Since the company hadn’t been officially opened. The only workers here were the decorators. No one could help with emergencies like this. And thanks to the contractors for building a horrible elevator.Alex let out a chuckle. “Don’t talk much; save your breath.” His eyes
Sophie..The rhythmic hum of the medical machine filled the room as I sat beside him, across from the entrance door. The man who had introduced himself as Benjamin leaned against the wall, his eyes glued on him.Benjamin swung his gaze to meet me. “You can go home and rest; I’ll stay here with him.”I shook my head. I couldn’t bring myself to leave, not with him in this state. “When he wakes up, I will leave.” I held back the next waves of tears threatening to spill. I called Palma and told her I was at the hospital and she should pick Liam up. Benjamin’s eyes raked over me, and I could tell something was on his mind. But I was more concerned with Alex on the bed than whatever was going on in his mind. “Alex!” Her sharp voice melded with the clinks of her heels as she marched into the room.My body tightened. Was it that woman I saw with him that day? Like a stiff doll, I turned around, and my eyes fell on an aged woman. “You!” She gritted. Clenching her fist, she stomped toward
Alex..My eyes fluttered open, the fluorescent light blazing my iris. “Soph.” Her name rolled out of me as I jerked into a sitting position. The IV drip tugged at my skin, a wince escaped me, and the medical scent that outlined the room wafted into my nose.“Welcome, lover boy.” My mother rolled her eyes, her hands folded across her chest. “When are you going to start taking care of yourself?”“Where is she?” My eyes darted around.My mother massaged her temples as she exhaled. “She’s fine. Thanks to you, Superman, nothing happened to her.”I would have loved to see her. But, now that she had resigned, I had no way of seeing her. And I doubt she would pick up my calls.I rubbed my neck. “How long was I out?” It must have been for quite a long time. Manhattan to San Francisco wasn’t an hour's flight, and she could get here so quickly. Glancing at her watch, she said, “Probably three hours.” Her eyes returned to me. “I was already in Manhattan before Benjamin called to inform me.” Sh
Sophie..My chest has been heavy for the past two days. The urge to contact Alex just kept growing and growing with no hope of stopping. After sacrificing his well-being for me, wouldn’t it be natural for me to check up on him? I threw my back to the dining seat; the soft thump brushed against the silence that coated the dining area. I stared distantly at my phone lying next to my empty plate of food on the table. I nibbled on my lips. Should I call him? But that might give him the wrong idea. His words lingered in my mind. “You’re my Sirius A, and I’m your Sirius B.” A grunt bubbled out of my throat, and I jerked my head back, my gaze falling on the ceiling. What did that even mean?The faint breeze strode in through the opened windows, tickling my skin. But the breeze couldn’t cool off my thoughts.Leaning forward, I picked up my phone. My fingers glided across my phone screen as I opened the web. I typed in Sirius A and Sirius B.The information popped and I began reading. “Sir
Sophie..My eyes flew open as I jerked awake. My heart was pounding, and beads of sweat hung on my face. This was the seventh time I'd dreamt about Alex in the past two weeks. I didn’t know why, but they always felt vivid. Some were romantic—walking down the pack, wrapped in each other’s arms, and making promises to never leave each other. And some were intense...very intimate. Hot sex in the bathroom, bedroom, and living room. My cheeks and my nose turned red as I remembered the dream. It’s been two weeks and some days since I resigned, yet his memory still clung to breathing feelings into me. I sagged out of Luca’s arm that was wrapped around my waist, pulling away from his rhythmic warm breath. Perching on the edge of the bed, I took a deep inhale and exhaled. A futile attempt to extinguish the warmth stirred from the dreams. Maybe I do need to take a hot shower. Perhaps a cold shower would be better. I rose to my feet and slogged to the bathroom. I slipped out of my nightgow
Sophie ..“Alex.” His name rolled out like a longing prayer.“Uncle Alex,” Liam yelled. Alex’s lips were pressed into a line, not too tight and not too loose. His expression sitting on his face was calm, but there was a slight furrow on his brows. “Daddy. The ice cream is ready,” said the little boy who stepped from behind him. Holding Liam, I strode till I was beneath the tall shade of a tree, behind the ice cream truck.“Hey.” Alex finally spoke. He lowered into a squat until his eyes were level with Liam’s. “How are you doing, little man?” He smothered his head.“I am fine.” Liam's eyes were fixed on the boy beside Alex. “Is that your son?” Liam questioned.Alex's eyes swung to me, then Liam, then the boy, before returning to Liam. “Yes.” His jaw tightened. He rose to his feet. Placing his hand on the boy’s back, he pushed him forward gently. “This is my Myles and Myles; this is my friend’s son.” His eyes met mine. “Liam.”Liam and Myles exchanged glances as the silence stretc