Alina and Anton returned from their honeymoon, feeling refreshed but not ready for what awaited at home. As soon as Alina stepped inside, she was greeted by Natalie’s wide grin and the gleaming eyes of Barbara, Francis, and Lucy. “Well, well, well! Look who’s back! Mrs. Rodriguez, ready to spill all the details?” Natalie exclaimed, leaning against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed, a mischievous smile on her face. Barbara smirked and joined in, “Oh yes, we need all the details, Alina. You can’t hide anything from us. Did Anton sweep you off your feet the entire time?” Alina blushed, trying to avoid eye contact as she slid her bag onto the floor. “Ladies, please… it was just a honeymoon, nothing too special.” “Just a honeymoon?!” Francis interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “You two spent weeks in Hawaii on a private island! Don’t tell me you didn’t have fun.” Natalie grinned and nudged Alina’s arm. “Exactly! You’re glowing, girl. And don’t you dare say it’s from the sun. We n
Alina sat on the plush couch in her living room, surrounded by the remnants of her honeymoon bliss. She had just returned from an incredible getaway with Anton, and now she was missing him terribly. “Ugh, I can’t believe he’s at work,” Alina muttered to herself, glancing at the clock. It had been a long morning, and she had barely spoken to Anton since they’d returned. Their reunion had been brief, just a fleeting kiss and a promise to catch up later. She sighed, curling her legs underneath her. “Are you going to sit around feeling sorry for yourself all day?” Francis asked, popping her head into the living room. She had come by to check on her, a knowing look on her face. “I thought you were going to enjoy your first day back as a married woman.” “I wanted to rest after the trip,” Alina replied, pulling a pillow into her embrace. “But now I just feel… empty without him.” “Why don’t you go surprise Anton at his office?” Francis suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m s
“Are you sure we should be doing this here?” Alina asked, breathless between kisses, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Anton pulled back just enough to gaze into her eyes, his expression a mix of playful and serious. “Alina, every moment we can steal together is worth it. Plus, I’m the boss. If anyone walks in, I’ll just tell them I’m giving my wife a little extra attention,” he quipped, a smirk tugging at his lips. Alina laughed softly, feeling a thrill at the idea of being so daring. “You really think you can explain this to your employees?” “Watch me,” he challenged, leaning in to kiss her again, his hands gripping her waist. Alina melted against him, surrendering to the moment. “Okay, I’m game,” she teased, her confidence bolstered by the knowledge that they were creating a secret memory together. “But you better make it worth my while.” Anton grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, I plan to.” With a swift motion, Anton lifted her, positioni
The evening of the business party was set in one of the city’s most luxurious hotel ballrooms, with chandeliers sparkling above and an air of sophistication settling among the guests. Anton arrived in a sharp black tuxedo, looking every bit the successful and commanding man that he was. Alina, walking by his side, radiated confidence and beauty in a sleek, form-fitting emerald gown that accentuated her curves. The dress had a plunging neckline but remained elegant, paired with delicate diamond earrings that glittered against the soft lights of the room. They entered the ballroom hand in hand, greeting many of Anton’s business associates and friends along the way. Everyone seemed to turn their heads to look at them—Alina’s presence always commanded attention, especially when she was beside Anton. "Anton, great to see you!" one of the men approached them, shaking Anton's hand enthusiastically. "Likewise, Richard," Anton responded with a smile. "Have you met my wife, Alina?"
Anton and Alina had just arrived home from the party. The evening was finally winding down after all the socializing and interactions with business associates. They both changed into something more comfortable, trading their elegant outfits for soft, cozy clothes. Alina, now in a simple oversized shirt and shorts, was still replaying the heated encounter she had with Jasmine. Anton, who had slipped into a T-shirt and sweats, noticed she was unusually quiet. He leaned back against the kitchen counter, his arms folded. "Alright, now that we're finally home, care to explain what that whole 'marking territory' thing was at the party?" He raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Alina turned towards him, a small, playful smirk dancing across her face. She knew he was asking in good humor, but there was something more serious behind his question. “Oh, you mean the kiss? That was just my way of handling an annoying situation,” she said lightly, but her expre
Anton sat in his office, rubbing his temples in frustration. His workload had been piling up, and deadlines loomed over him like a dark cloud. In the living room, Alina, unaware of the storm brewing in Anton’s head, was in her playful mood, trying to get his attention. She bounced over to his chair, leaning in with a teasing grin.“Hey, mister workaholic,” she cooed. “Want a break? I could use some attention over here.”Anton barely glanced at her, tapping on his laptop with force. “Not now, Alina. I’ve got a ton of work to get through.”Alina pouted, slightly annoyed by his short response. But she wasn’t going to give up that easily. She circled around to face him, leaning against the desk and attempting to be seductive. “Maybe I could help you relax for a bit?” she whispered, a playful glint in her eyes.But Anton wasn’t in the mood. His eyes narrowed, his frustration bubbling over. “Alina, this isn’t the time for your childish games!” he snapped, raising his voice. “Can’t you se
Anton paced his office, eyes glancing every few minutes at his phone, waiting for a text or call from Alina. It had only been three days since she left on her business tour, but it felt like an eternity. They had been almost inseparable since their honeymoon, and now the emptiness gnawed at him.His phone finally buzzed, and his heart leaped. It was a video call from Alina."Hey, handsome," Alina’s voice filled his screen, her face glowing with excitement. “How’s everything going?”“Better now that I’m seeing you,” Anton responded, his voice warm but with a tinge of longing. “How’s the tour? You’re killing it, right?”Alina smiled brightly. “Oh, absolutely. The gallery meetings are going great, but... I miss you.” Her smile faded slightly as her eyes softened.“I miss you too,” Anton admitted, leaning back in his chair. “It’s not the same without you around. I’ve been trying to keep busy, but honestly, everything feels off. Even Zack has noticed.”Alina chuckled, but there was a tende
As soon as Alina concluded her last meeting, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Three days apart had felt like an eternity, and now that everything was finally wrapped up, she couldn’t wait to spend uninterrupted time with Anton. Alina stepped out of the building, her eyes scanning for Anton, and there he was, leaning casually against a black SUV, arms crossed, watching her with a soft smile. His presence, tall and confident, made her heart skip a beat. He opened the door for her, always the gentleman, before sliding in beside her.“You looked amazing in there,” Anton said as the car began moving. Alina smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. “It’s finally over. Now I just want to spend time with you.”“That’s the plan,” he said with a playful grin. “I’ve got the whole day mapped out for us.”Their first stop was a coffee shop tucked away in a quieter part of town. It wasn’t fancy, but it had a cozy, rustic charm to it. They took a seat by the window, and as Anton draped hi
The villa was a picture-perfect scene of Christmas cheer. Twinkling lights adorned the exterior, casting a warm glow over the snow-dusted garden, while a large Christmas tree stood proudly in the living room, its ornaments glinting in the soft light. The scent of fresh pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of friends and family. Alina held her one-month-old daughter close, cradling the tiny bundle in her arms as guests arrived. She smiled, watching as Linton and Gabriel practically hovered around her, peering down at the baby with wide-eyed wonder. “Is she really my sister?Sometimes it feels like a dream mommy.” Linton asked for the tenth time, his voice filled with awe. Alina chuckled softly. “Yes, sweetheart. She’s really your sister. You got exactly what you asked Santa for last Christmas.” Linton beamed, reaching out a cautious hand to touch his sister’s tiny fingers. “Hi, baby sister,” he whispered. “ I’ll always protect you.” Gabriel,
The doorbell rang, and Alina smiled, knowing exactly who it was. A few moments later, Linton’s excited voice echoed through the hall as he raced toward the door to greet his best friend, Gabriel. “Gabriel!” Linton yelled, throwing the door open and giving his friend a high-five. Gabriel grinned as he stepped inside, holding a little gift bag in his hand. “Hey, Linton! Hi, Aunt Alina!” Gabriel greeted, his eyes wide with excitement as he approached her. “How’s the baby?” Alina chuckled, patting her belly. “Getting bigger every day, Gabriel. And she’s quite active today.” Linton immediately perched himself beside his mom, his eyes sparkling with interest. “Can I talk to her again, Mommy?” he asked with a shy smile. “Of course, sweetheart.” She smoothed down her shirt and leaned back so the boys could get closer. Gabriel scooted onto the couch beside Alina, looking both curious and excited. He handed her the little gift bag, inside of which was a small stuffed bunny with floppy ea
Alina rested on the couch, a blanket draped over her legs and her hand resting on her rounded belly. At seven months pregnant, her baby bump was unmistakable, and it was a joy to see how much it had become a part of the family’s daily life. From Anton’s frequent hand resting over her belly to Linton’s fascination with “talking” to his baby sibling, the whole house seemed to radiate warmth and anticipation. Linton, bursting with excitement, had clambered up onto the couch beside her, his small hands gingerly placed over her belly as if holding a fragile treasure. He leaned in close, his expression serious as he started whispering to the baby. “Hi, baby sis,” Linton said, his voice soft but filled with excitement. “It’s me, Linton, your big brother! I can’t wait to meet you, and I’m gonna teach you everything I know. We’re gonna play so many games, and I’ll teach you how to draw dinosaurs and superheroes. And… and I’ll share my toys, too!” Alina chuckled, resting her hand over his.
Alina gently ruffled Linton’s hair, nudging him awake. Anton was already up, sipping his coffee in the kitchen, as she whispered to their son, "Wake up, Linton. I have a surprise for you today." Linton’s eyes fluttered open, and he rubbed them with his small fists, his face brightening instantly at the word “surprise.” “A surprise? Where are we going, Mommy?” Alina smiled. “You’ll see soon enough. Go get dressed, and we’ll be on our way.” As Linton scrambled out of bed and rushed to get ready, Alina made her way to the kitchen. She kissed Anton on the cheek, feeling a surge of excitement about the secret she was about to share. She had been working on a special painting for weeks, pouring her heart into every brushstroke, and today, she would finally reveal it. “Where are we off to this morning?” Anton asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity as he sipped his coffee. “Just a little outing to the gallery. I have something special to show you both,” Alina replied, her eyes twin
Alina and Anton pulled into the driveway of David and Isabella’s home. Their hearts were light, filled with the warmth of their recent trip to Paris and the excitement of reuniting with their little one. As they stepped out of the car, Linton’s energy was palpable; he bounced on his feet, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he saw his parents getting down the car. "Mom-dad I missed you so much." Linton hugged their legs. Anton picked him up in his arms. “Are we ready to see Gabriel?” Anton asked, ruffling Linton’s hair. “Yes! I want to show him the new toys you brought!” Linton exclaimed, practically dragging his parents toward the front door. Alina chuckled at her son’s enthusiasm. “Hold on, buddy. Let’s not rush too much. We’ve got to make sure we greet everyone first.” They rang the doorbell, and moments later, David swung the door open, a wide grin lighting up his face. “Welcome back, you guys! We missed you! Literally ever since Linton got to know you are coming he h
Steam filled the bathroom, the warm mist clinging to the glass walls of the shower as water falling softly. Alina leaned against the cool tiles, her body relaxing under the hot spray. She felt a gentle touch at her waist, and without opening her eyes, she knew it was Anton. "Mind if I join you?" his deep voice rumbled softly in her ear, a smile evident in his tone. Alina smiled and turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder. "Of course sweetheart. You never need permission." Anton chuckled, stepping closer, his hands slowly trailing up her arms, pulling her back against his chest. The heat of his body mixed with the warmth of the water, enveloping her in comfort and safety. "I thought I’d be polite today so I was asking for permission," he teased, his lips brushing against the side of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Alina leaned her head back, resting it against his shoulder. "You? Polite?" she teased back, the warmth of his breath tickling her skin. "Hey, I c
David's house was alive with the sounds of giggles and shuffling papers as Linton and Gabriel sat side by side at the large wooden dining table, their books spread out before them. “Got it!” Gabriel declared triumphantly, holding up his math workbook. Linton, still scribbling away on his own page, glanced at him with a smirk. “You think you’re fast, huh? Let me check that.” He leaned over, playfully scrutinizing Gabriel’s work. “Hmm... looks right, but I bet I can finish mine faster.” “Oh, it’s on!” Gabriel grinned, and they both dove back into their homework with renewed energy. Isabella stood at the kitchen counter, watching the boys with a fond smile. She was whipping up pancake batter for their afternoon snack, the aroma of freshly made batter already filling the air. The kitchen was warm and inviting. She glanced over her shoulder at David, who was reading on the couch, occasionally glancing up to chuckle at the boys' competitive banter. “I love how determined they are,
The next day, Paris greeted us with a warm breeze and a clear blue sky.Anton was already up, sipping on his coffee by the window as he admired the view. I walked over to him, still in my pajamas, and leaned against his arm, taking in the sight of the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance. “We’re really doing this, huh?” I asked, smiling as I looked up at him. Anton grinned, setting his cup down on the table. “Absolutely. Are you ready for a day of cliches and tourist photos?” I laughed, nodding. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” An hour later, we were standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and despite the crowds around us, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement bubbling up inside. Anton had his camera ready, capturing moments before we even started climbing. Every few steps, he’d stop, turn to me with that teasing smile, and snap a picture—of me laughing, of us together, of the view. "Okay, one more,” Anton said, holding up his phone, getting us both into the fram
Anton’s hand brushed softly against the small of my back as we entered the suite, his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary. I looked around, taking in the breathtaking view from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city of Paris. The Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance. Everything about this place felt perfect—luxurious and romantic. The door clicked shut behind us, and the sound echoed in the quiet, intimate space. I placed my purse on the plush chair near the window and took a deep breath, letting the atmosphere of the city sink in. “We’re really here,” I said softly, more to myself than to Anton. Anton chuckled behind me, his arms sliding around my waist. “We are. No distractions. No meetings. Just you, me, and Paris.” I leaned back against him, closing my eyes and enjoying the warmth of his embrace. For the first time in what felt like forever, we had no obligations pulling us in different directions. Just us. I turned in his arms, looking up a