Lola felt tipsy but she held onto Aria’s body tightly before the girl’s wobbly movement caused them both an accident on the street. Soon, the cab for Aria arrived and Lola repeated the address once again to the driver before the vehicle zoomed off.The raindrops which she thought would have ceased persisted. At first, it could be ignored as the fall was light, but now that she stood under the night sky without a covering, her clothes were starting to get damp and she felt a little chilly.Lola looked back at the bar behind where she and Aria had spent most of their evening drinking and longed to be within its comfort again. They would probably still be in there had the bar owner not announced that they would be closing up the bar soon for the night.Lola had only started to weigh her options which included finding a shade to take cover or waiting for her cab in the rain when the rain suddenly increased its drops.“Darn it.” She cursed loudly and just as she made to take cover anywhere
Infinity Jewels HeadquartersCEO’s Office...Noah stood at his favorite position in his large office, by the floor-to-ceiling glass wall that offered a magnificent view of Rosewoods. It was his second day away from home and also the most important day to stay away from it. After today, everything would go back to normal.He had indulged himself in more work and dropped a message off for Lola that he would not be coming home until Monday. The sky was blue and clear and the rain had long ceased. It was his birthday yet he had received no well wishes, messages, or calls from anyone which was fine by him as it was proof that no one remembered. It was in fact, perfect. That way no one would bother him. Lola had called him earlier in the day, telling him that she would be hanging out with her friends later in the evening. While Xena had called right after, with an invitation to attend their high school reunion together in three days, an offer which Noah had instantly declined. Two knock
Flash BackFifteen Years Ago...Game arcades, swimming pools, standby waiters, and alert bodyguards.The party was in full swing as many children were present. Everywhere was noisy as they played around the makeshift amusement park happily. Ava and Andy Sanchez, Noah’s parents had specially set up a field in their family’s estate for their son’s tenth birthday. This was not the main party prepared for Noah as a bigger dinner banquet had been organized that evening for their son. The newly turned ten-year-old Noah who only got to experience such fun a few times a year on his birthday as his parents always declined party invitations from other parents tried to be cheerful as he got pulled in on rides by classmates and children his age whom he rarely communicated with in elementary school. Most of the children present were unfamiliar as he had no friends except for Tyler and his younger sister, Xena. “Where are the parents?.” He heard the event photographer ask as the man stood confuse
The day after Noah’s birthday party was a Sunday and the mansion was a bit bubbly as all members of the Sanchez family were home. After joining the whole family for breakfast in the morning, Xena proceeded to drag Lola into her living quarters by hand. She had preordered outfits from Secret’s latest clothing collection and they had been delivered to the estate that morning.Noah, who had been abandoned at the table with his parents and grandfather by his wife and little sister looked at the two women who were happily walking away from the table and strangely felt that Xena was starting to spend way more time with Lola than he did with her. The two women had only just stepped into Xena’s familiar quarters when Xena hurriedly shut the door behind her and turned back to face Lola with twinkling eyes. Lola, who was starting to get familiar with Xena Sanchez’s cunning antics quickly let her guard up as she looked back at the door wondering if it was too late to back out. “Why that look?.
“Ohh...such a handsome smile. You should smile more often dear. You look so adorable.” Maria commented happily. “Pfft.” Lola almost spat out at her mother’s compliment of Noah... adorable?.. who? This stoned-faced man??.“Mom.. that’s enough. You would make Noah uncomfortable..” Lola said. If this continues she would have to deal with a headache soon.“Uncomfortable?.. are you uncomfortable Noah?.” Maria asked.“No Mom I’m not,” Noah said as he smiled more adorably at Maria and observed Lola’s reaction from time to time. He seemed to be enjoying her tensed-up expressions. It’s been so long since he felt this free or played around this way.Maria nodded at his response satisfied as she turned to face Lola. “See?.. he’s not uncomfortable at all.” Then she turned back to face Noah. “Why don’t you have your seat or let Lola show you around the house? I prepared lunch already before you both arrived and I made just enough for at least three servings,” she said as she left to serve the foo
The long dining table had three vacant seats. Noah, Lola, and even the patriarch of the Sanchez family were missing from the table and the other three members had been waiting for them to arrive so they could start eating. Ava Sanchez, who had abandoned an important scheming phone call to show up for dinner was starting to get upset as she signaled for Mrs. Dorothy who had just walked into the dining room to come towards her.“Old master Sanchez had instructed that dinner can proceed without him and the young master, he would join in much later instead.” Mrs.Dorothy announced as she bowed slightly.“What about Noah?” Ava asked directly about her son, not bothering to also ask about Lola’s whereabouts.“The young master had just arrived but he’s with Old Master Sanchez in his study.” “I see... Thanks, Mrs.Dorothy.” Ava said as she dismissed the housekeeper while wondering what was so urgent for the old man to put dinner on hold. * * *Noah drove up to the entrance of the mansion onl
“We will move out tomorrow as grandfather has advised.” Noah declared as he wiped his hands elegantly with a clean napkin while staring straight at Ava. “If you wish to visit Lola, be sure to inform me about it two days ahead or my doors will not be open to you.” “You...” Ava stuttered angrily as her hands shook at his words. He was her son however he was treating her no more than a visitor. How dare he!“Son..” Andy spoke up but Noah cut him off. He was done with his meal already and had no reason to remain at the table to keep listening to them. “Goodnight,” Noah said as he stood up and walked away from the dining area to attend to other important things. * * *The next morning, Lola woke up early and assisted Maria in wetting the flowers she had planted in the garden behind the house. She also prepared breakfast and served her mother’s food before organizing the dishes on a tray to take them to her room. Inside the bedroom, Maria was still sleeping peacefully on the comfortable
The weather was perfect and the ride home remained silent as Lola stared out from the luxurious car’s window. The scenery outside the vehicle was bustling and multiple cars drove past them as they moved. It was John who had been sent by Noah to pick her up from her mother’s apartment. Currently, the proficient bodyguard was seated beside the chauffeur in the front passenger’s seat. Lola had let down her silky red hair and had worn her green camouflage pants and black crop top which she had kept in her wardrobe back at Maria’s place since she had not left the Sanchez family home with an extra outfit the day before. The men in front could not help but sneak glances at her through the side mirrors. Their madam looked different today... she was like a wild beauty.Lola had her AirPods plugged on, but her thoughts kept drifting back to what had happened in her mother’s home that morning. She was still surprised that her mom who seemed to stay aloof from the world or at least, from the e