We finished our meals while chatting and laughing. Joey’s laughter made the whole outing feel light and refreshing. Soon after, we headed back to the store together, talking and enjoying each other’s company. It was a simple day, but it left me feeling hopeful and lighter.Stacy was another little bundle of energy who frequented the shop. She always came with her nanny, a kind but slightly overwhelmed woman named Mary. Stacy, with her golden blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, was a curious five-year-old who had a question for everything.As soon as she walked into the shop one afternoon, she ran straight to me, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny. “Luna! Why are all the clothes here so tiny? Are they for dolls?”I laughed, crouching down to her level. “No, sweetheart, they’re for kids like you. But maybe we should start a doll section, huh?”She gasped dramatically. “Yes! My bunny needs new clothes!”Mary called out from a nearby rack, “Stacy, don’t bother Luna too much!”“It’s oka
I’m so sorry, Luna, but I have to leave now,” Claudia said, pulling her phone from her pocket. She handed it to me. “Here, can I get your contact please? I’d love to keep in touch.”I smiled and quickly typed in my number. “Sure, I’d like that.”With that, Claudia bid me goodbye, and I watched her leave the restaurant. I waved to Pa Kevin and Matilda on my way out, thanking them again for their kindness, and then headed home.Back in my room, I rummaged through my closet and pulled out a beautiful dress my mom had given me for my twentieth birthday. Holding it up against myself, I stood in front of the mirror and twirled, admiring how it hugged my body perfectly.For a moment, I let myself dream. I had signed up for a modeling contest once, right after receiving this dress, but I didn’t make it past the casting call.I sighed, brushing my hand over the fabric. It had been nearly three years since I started chasing the idea of a modeling career, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t for me.
I glanced at Stacy, who had fallen asleep on the couch, her small figure curled up under a blanket. She looked so peaceful, so unaware of the worry surrounding her.No, Mom, I said, shaking my head. I think we should take her home with us tonight. We’ll report to the police in the morning if her father or nanny doesn’t show up.Mom hesitated but eventually nodded. All right. Let’s do that.Carefully, we carried Stacy to the cab. She didn’t stir as we drove home, her soft breathing the only sound in the quiet of the night.When we got home, she woke up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. I gave her a bath and dressed her in one of my shirts. The sight of her in it made us both laugh; she looked so tiny. She joined Mom and me for dinner, her energy returning with each bite.Stacy, do you know your home address?” Mom asked gently over dinner.Stacy shook her head. No. I’m at my nanny’s new house so I can spend the weekend with her, but I don’t know how to get there.”Do you know why your dad didn’
He was impossible to ignore tall, confident, and dressed in a sharp blue suit that fit him perfectly. His presence alone commanded the room. Heads turned, whispers began, and I wasn’t the only one caught staring.The women in the room were visibly entranced, their smiles widening as if his arrival was the highlight of their night. Even a few men seemed momentarily struck.He moved with a quiet grace, like he knew every eye was on him but didn’t need to acknowledge it. His white hair stood out, crisp and refined, and his piercing, crystal-clear eyes swept across the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.Then he raised his hand, and his deep voice rolled out, effortlessly cutting through the noise. “Attention, everyone,” he said.That voice. Smooth, commanding, with just a hint of warmth. It felt like he could have said anything, and I would’ve hung on every word.Wow, you didn’t even need to ask for attention,you already had it, I thought, unable to stop the flutter in my chest.Claud
Hospital? I struggled to piece together what had happened, but my mind felt foggy, the details slipping through my fingers like sand.Why… Why am I here?" I asked, my throat dry and scratchy.Don’t worry, the voice reassured me. You’re going to be okay. Just rest for now.But before I could ask anything more, my body betrayed me, dragging me back into the darkness.When I finally woke up, sitting upright in the hospital bed, Mom rushed over to me, pulling me into a tight hug.Oh, my dear, how are you feeling?” she asked, her voice trembling with relief.I’m fine, Mom,I said softly.The doctor walked in just then, clipboard in hand, giving me a warm smile. Good to see you awake, Luna. You’re doing well. We’ll discharge you today.Today? I repeated, confused. Wait, how long have I been here?Two days later, he said matter-of-factly.Two days? I turned to Mom in shock.She gave me a reassuring smile. Don’t worry, honey. You’re fine now, and that’s all that matters.The doctor excused hi
Can I sleep here tonight? he asked softly, clutching a pillow. It feels lonely in my room.I smiled, patting the space next to me. Of course.He climbed into the bed, snuggling close. “Thanks, Luna. You’re the best.”As his little breaths evened out in sleep, I realized just how much I enjoyed being here. Now I wish I had a baby brother to keep me company.Joey and I had settled into a comfortable routine when his grandma arrived, a few days later. She was a cheerful, beautiful woman with soft gray hair that framed her warm, kind face.As soon as Joey saw her, he ran up to her, throwing his arms around her and planting a kiss on her cheek. Grandma, you look so cool he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration.She chuckled, stroking his hair. Oh, my little boy, I’ve missed you.I walked up with the maid to help carry her bags inside. Joey, ever the polite host, introduced us. Grandma, this is Luna, my friend.Grandma turned to me with a knowing smile. So, this is the famous Luna I’ve h
But she shook her head firmly. Listen, dear, she said, pushing the envelope back toward me, this isn’t payment for taking care of Joey. Your hospitality cannot be paid with some currency notes.It’s just my way of trying to help. Daniel told me you’ve been struggling to find a job, so I spoke with Mr. Antonio. I gave him your contact information. He’ll be in touch soon.Tears welled up in my eyes. Oh, Grandma,” I said, hugging her tightly, “I wish there was something I could do to ease your pain.You’ve already done more than enough, Luna,she replied, wiping her tears. Then her voice broke as she continued, As for Joey, we’ll be leaving the country soon. He needs to be surrounded by family, and it’ll be too hard for both of us to stay here with all the memories. I don’t know when we’ll return, but when we do, you’re always welcome to visit.I nodded, unable to find the words to respond. The thought of leaving them weighed heavily on me.Later that day, I packed my things, getting ready
I turned around, startled, only to see Stacy running toward me. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she threw her arms around me.Stacy I exclaimed, hugging her tightly. How have you been?.“I’ve missed you so much, Luna," she said, holding on as if she’d never let go.Behind her, Nanny walked in, smiling warmly. Mom and I exchanged surprised looks before Mom asked, “What happened? Where have you been?”Well, Nanny began, “we left the country for a while. That’s why we haven’t been coming to the store.I told Nanny I wanted to buy some accessories,” Stacy chimed in excitedly, but I mostly just wanted to see you, Luna!”I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. You’ve grown so much, Stacy, I said, kneeling to her level.Do you think so? she asked, twirling around.Absolutely! So, what kind of accessories are we shopping for today?Everything Stacy declared with a giggle.Nanny chuckled. “She’s been talking about this visit ever since we got back five days ago. I think she missed yo
Damien nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. “Sometimes, not having a plan is the best plan. Just go with the flow, till you figure something out.“Wise words,” I said with a smile. And he chuckled.We continued talking about everything and nothing, laughter filling the car as we made our way to Silver Hills, and enjoying each other's company. Before I knew it, we had arrived. The place was breathtaking, its grand exterior buzzing with excitement. Elegantly dressed people filled the area, each one a walking masterpiece of style. Fashion was at its peak, selfies were being snapped, photographers darted around capturing moments, and flashes illuminated the vibrant scene.I stepped out of the car, awestruck by the glamorous chaos. My eyes wandered from one dazzling display to another, taking in the colorful gowns, tailored suits, and radiant smiles. It was as if I’d stepped into a world where art and elegance collided. For a moment, I got lost in it all.“Looks like someone’s a little ench
“Well,” I muttered to myself, “whoever moves in there next better be a truly good neighbor.With a sigh, I turned and walked into my house. The quiet hit me immediately. Mom isn't home yet. I wandered into the living room and noticed the small, enlarged photo of me I had taken at Aurora Innovations. Picking it up, I stared at my younger, happier self, frozen in that moment.As I gazed at the picture, thoughts of Romano began flooding my mind again. Memories of everything he had done, both good and bad, came rushing in like a tide I couldn’t control. I shook my head, setting the photo down.“No,” I whispered to myself firmly. “I’m not ready. I can’t go back.”Placing the photo back in its spot, I retreated to my room, trying to push the thoughts away. But what I didn’t know was that the following months would bring mysteries unraveling, wounds reopened, and revelations I wasn’t prepared for.A future so uncertain.A nightmare in the daylight was dawning.The city was alive with noise a
As I opened the door, my eyes widened in surprise. Standing there were Mrs. Harrington and Joey. They looked healthy and happy, their smiles lighting up the doorstep.Joey I exclaimed, and before I could say anything else, he rushed forward, wrapping his little arms around me. His warmth filled me with joy . Mom We have visitors I called over my shoulder, still hugging Joey.As I stepped back to let them in, I caught sight of another figure approaching. Antonio. He was walking toward us with his usual confident stride, a small smile playing on his lips. The sight of him filled me with a sense of relief and gratitude.When he reached me, I didn’t hesitate. I threw my arms around him in a warm embrace. ''Mr Antonio,” I said softly, pulling back just enough to look at him. He smiled down at me.Just then, Mom walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She paused, her face lighting up with recognition. “Joey, my then little customer, she exclaimed, her voice filled with exci
Feeling safe, i turned around to reveal my saviour to Antonio, but he was nowhere to be found, i kept looking around, he was here i kept saying, yes i know tommy was here answered Antonio, no not tommy he escaped, I'm talking about the man who saved me from the house, as I turned to look at the house again, all i could see was it's ruins, and thick smoke roaring up into the sky. Go check it out, bring anyone and anything of value you can find, Antonio commanded his men.As you can see ma'am Melissa there's absolutely no one else here, with you, are you sure someone got you out, or you're just seeing things, i am certain mr Antonio, i was saved by a mask man, but i guess Antonio didn't believe me.We need to get you to the hospital, he said as he guided me away, in a helicopter.I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly. "Mom, you’re so strong. I’m so glad you’re safe now. Antonio truly is a hero.She pulled back slightly, brushing my hair from my face. You’re my strength, Lu
Antonio chuckled, crouching slightly to meet Joey’s gaze. That’s a noble goal, Joey,he said with a warm smile. You’ll be an amazing hero one day. Just remember to always protect those you love.We all shared a laugh, the tension in the air finally beginning to ease. Later, we checked on my mom, who was recovering well. She looked so much better, and to my relief, the doctor confirmed she could be discharged.With Mom cleared to leave, Melissa, Mom, and I headed home. Before Melissa left for her own house, Mom took her hands and thanked her sincerely for all her help. Melissa smiled and waved us off, leaving us at the door.As we walked inside, I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. “Home sweet home,” I murmured, sinking into the sofa and letting my body relax for the first time in what felt like forever.Mom sat beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. We’ve been through so much, Luna, she said softly, but we made it. I’m so proud of you.I leaned into her, grateful for her p
My heart stopped as Joey broke free from Tommy’s grasp and ran toward us, his little face pale with fear and tears streaming down his cheeks.Behind him, Tommy staggered, clutching his chest as blood blossomed across his shirt. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud.Then, like a hero , Mr. Antonio emerged, his gun still smoking in the broad daylight. Without hesitation, he ran to us as I and Joey knelt by Grandmother, frantically trying to wake her up.“Grandma! Please, wake up!” Joey cried, his small hands shaking her.The other men who were with Tommy fled the scene, chased by the officers who had arrived with Antonio. Chaos erupted as gunshots echoed in the distance, but my entire world narrowed to Grandmother lying motionless before us.Some officers apprehended and handcuffed Tommy, ignoring his injuries. He was still alive but groaning in pain as they dragged him away."We need to get her to the hospital, " I cried, my voice trembling.Without wasting a second, Antonio and I c
For a while longer, we stayed up, laughing and talking. He told me about his adventures like the time he accidentally spilled gelato on a street artist’s painting, or when he and Grandma got lost in a vineyard and ended up having the best picnic ever.As his eyelids grew heavy, I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. Goodnight, Joey. Sweet dreams.Goodnight, Luna,he murmured sleepily. I’m so glad you’re here.I’m glad, too, I whispered, watching him drift off. In that quiet moment, all my worries melted away. The following day, Joey and I decided to go grocery shopping. Grandma handed us some cash and sent us off, but I had already made up my mind to leave right after we were done. Knowing this, Grandma asked the maid to accompany us so she could take Joey back home.We had a blast at the store. Joey giggled endlessly as I placed him in the shopping cart and spun him around, his laughter echoing through the aisles. We bought everything Grandma had listed and by the time we were done
“Well, Luna,” she began, “things haven’t been easy for us since Joey’s father passed. It’s been a difficult journey grieving, trying to move forward, and, most of all, seeking justice for what happened.She paused, her gaze momentarily drifting to the window. “The loss of my son left a void that can never truly be filled. Joey adored his father, and it’s been heartbreaking to see him struggle to understand why someone would do such a terrible thing. It’s a question I ask myself every single day.Mrs. Harrington’s hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together on the table. “For the longest time, it felt like we were just shouting into the void. The authorities weren’t giving us answers. But then Mr. Antonio got involved. He’s been a beacon of hope for our family.She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and determination. Antonio has gone above and beyond. He reopened the case when everyone else wanted to close it and forget. He’s dug deep into investigations,
The house was eerily quiet, every room turning up empty. My mind raced with questions. Had Tommy known Antonio was coming? Was he hiding them somewhere else?I finally stumbled back outside, my chest heaving as panic set in. Two of Antonio’s injured men were being loaded into an ambulance.Antonio walked up to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “Luna,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with concern, we’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you. But I wish you hadn’t come out here. Now he knows you’re involved. He might come after you or your mom.The weight of his words sank into me like a stone. “What do we do now?” I asked, my voice barely audible.I’ll assign some men to watch the area, Antonio replied. “You, your mom, and Melissa need to be extra careful. If you see or hear anything suspicious, call me immediately.The moment Antonio and his men left, the reality of the situation hit me like a tidal wave. I stood frozen, staring at the empty street where Tommy had disapp