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I try to breathe, to pull myself together... I can't go downstairs looking like a mess with red eyes, but the cold water does nothing but wash my mascara off. If only it had the same effect on the void growing inside my heart if only cold water could wash my sorrows away. One might say, "Be happy for him." but I am not that selfless, I take on the right to even hate him a little... hoping it would help take my feelings away. If only he wasn't such a good person."Alex, you have been in here for ages, just pick one painting already," Mom says as she barges into my room and I quickly close the bathroom door. "I'm in the bathroom. I'll be downstair in a second, I promise." I say as I press my body against the door frame. "Dont make me look bad in front of our guests." Yeah, I couldn't possibly want that. "Please hurry." She says and I wait until I hear the door close to let out a loud, exhausted breath of air that seemed to suffocate me. I look back at my reflection in the mirror and c
"So now that my overbearing mother left how do you really feel about my paintings?" I asked even tho I didn't care but it was better than to sit in an uncomfortable silence. "As I said, I'm impressed by your exquisite eye. You certainly know how to capture the essence of your subjects." Did I truly possess that kind of a gift, I always thought I was simply transferring my surroundings on a piece of blank canvas."Thank you, I never quite saw it that way," I say as I take the paintings from his hands and set them aside. "Painting has always been a hobby of mine. Dad used to say I was holding a brush before I could even walk." Why am I sharing this information with a person I just met, I have no idea. But I just want to talk about something, anything, to keep my mind occupied."People always assume artists use art as a way to escape reality. But it's not about the escape, it's about capturing a moment. Living, and leaving a trace." Lorenzo says as he leans back in the chair and looks ou
I didn't take long to figure out what I wanted to wear for tonight, there was no one I wanted nor needed to impress so it took all of the pressure off, at least for me. I liked this yellow dress and the design screen of Marilyn Monroe's flowy dress with a modern touch. "Are you sure you dont want change?" Mom asked while I was trying to put on my earrings. "How about that purple dress we got on our last shopping trip, it would look so lovely on you." "Mom, for the last time I'm not changing. Besides, that purple dress is not suitable for an event like the art exhibition." Now that dress being bodycon and fitted in just the right spots was screaming hot date, something this was not. I make sure that the hair clip stays secure on my head and grab my clutch bag. "Fine, but at least tell me... do you find him attractive?" My God, please no. But I know better than to think a prayer would work that fast. "Mom, please dont make this into something that it's not. This is not a date, nor do
"Are you having a good time?" Enzo asks as he rejoins me with two glasses of champagne. "Yes, everything is amazing. The paintings are wonderful, the stories transport you to a different place and yet they ground you at the same time. Nothing I can create could ever compete with this." "Dont says that, dont compare. Especially not when you haven't even tried, you have the potential to become something big. Trust me." Is funny that a complete stranger can have so much faith in me when all he saw was two pictures I didn't even select with care. "I'm not sure, mostly because I already made peace with having my art stored in the back of my closet and never seeing the light of the day." Except for the few that hang in Mrs. Hendrics room."Why dont you let me have some of your paintings, we dont have to put your name on them right away if you dont want to. That way you can see how the public reacts without having to expose yourself." "I dont know, Enzo." I look around the boat at the peo
Adam's POVSasha may be my best friend in the world, we know each other front and back and there are secrets between us that no one else knows, but when it comes to love there is where he draws the line. He closed that door years ago and even trying to talk about it with him is impossible without him making it into a joke. That's why when I mention Autumn to him and the impression she left on me he was everything but understanding.But there is another person who is always there when I need someone to listen to me. Alex. She has a way of putting my mind at ease, with her everything is easier. That's why I dont doubt even for a second to call her as soon as I get home and sit down. It is late, but there have been times when I would ring her after midnight and she would still answer with her voice half asleep.Yet this time the phone rings and no one picks up. This could be the first time in our history that we know each other that she hasn't picked up a call. I stared at the screen to s
I arrived at the prestige party but instead of taking my assigned seat I grabbed a glass of wine and walked the room, mainly to avoid uncomfortable conversations with my mother's friends who were perfectly aware of my relationship status. I pretended to admire the artwork on the walls and did my best to avoid making eye contact with pretty much anyone who wasn't a waiter mainly to exchange the empty glass for a full one. But that wasn't enough for one very persistent lady who was seemingly breaking through the crowd to get to me so while there was still time I managed to escape into the hallway, I looked back to make sure I lost her I felt someone bump into me spilling a drink all over my gray suit. "I'm so sorry." She says as she looks around when I recognize, first her voice, then her face. "Autumn. Autumn James." Autumn turns around to look at me and I am not sure if she remembers meeting me in the hospital. Frankly, I'm supriest to have found here here of all places. "You don't
..."What, just because now you learned that Anthony comes from a wealthy family you're willing to offer him your hand? He is still the same man I brought home to you, a simple man who wants to open his way in life by following his morals and heart and not pawing the path with his family money, or last name. So no, I won't let my husband shake your hand because you're not worthy of taking it." There was so much I didn't understand about what was happening but somehow being in the middle of this family drama made me appreciate my parents so much more, especially after seeing everything Summer had to deal with. "What is she doing here, from what I understood she's no longer your brother's girlfriend?" Gregory directs himself toward Autumn, giving her a cold stare over his shoulder. "She's my family, the family I chose to have with me on an important day in my life. If you don't like her presence the door of this house is pretty big and you can leave at once." Summer had a clear on whos
... "Take a sit, can I offer you something to drink?" Autumn asked as she left her coat and bag by the door while the bodyguard went upstairs. "No, thank you I'm alright," I say as I sit down on the couch as she joins me, she stares at me wide-eyed, pressing her lips together almost nervous waiting for me to speak. "I'm sorry I just find it strange you wanted to talk to me when we don't even know each other." "I don't even know where to start." I scratch my forehead while trying to find the right words to begin. "I find it easier to start from the beginning." She says and I smile briefly before the seriousness of the situation erases the smile off my face and exchanges it with a stiff one. "Then I guess I should start thirty years ago when your mother left your father without telling him she was pregnant with you." Now it was her face that went stiff for a moment before her eyebrows lifted and her mouth slightly parted. "What are you saying? Where is this coming from?" Au
Sasha lets him fall into one of our Victorian chairs while Adam and I stand in front of him like parents who are about to scoll their child. But this talk was very necessary, for the sake of our sibling bond and their friendship.I glance at Adam, silently asking him if he’s ready for this. His calm smile reassures me. He’s been patient, waiting for this moment to happen, but I know it’s not easy for him either."Sasha," I start, my voice steady but firm, "we need to have a real talk about all this because Adam isn’t some phase or fling. He’s serious, and I am too. And I need you to accept that. Not just for me, but for us...all of us.""So, let me get this straight," he says, finally breaking the silence, his voice low. "You two have been sneaking around behind my back, hiding this whole thing, and now suddenly I’m supposed to just accept it? What was all that about, huh?"Adam shifts next to me, his hand resting lightly on my back, but I can feel the muscles in his shoulders tense up
...That night... "...so now we are not only friends and brothers-in-law but I had the privilege of being his best man. What he and Autumn have is special, anyone can see that, and all I can say is that I wish them both happiness. Also Autumn I'd like to ask your permission to take him out this Friday to play ball." Anthony jokes as he finishes his best man speech. I once heard of a so-called bromance Domenic and Anthony had pretty much ever since they met each other. Summer said she found it endearing. "As long as Summer gave you permission to go." Autumn hits Anthony with a comeback. "But Friday is a no-go, we have a Lamaze class," Autumn says as she touches Domenic's shoulder. "But you are free to join us," She added to which I started connecting the dots. Why Summer looked somewhat green on her face, why she didn't eat and why would she go to a Lamaze class... "That's a great idea." Summer says and Anthony looks at her strangely. "Why would we go to a Lamaze class?" He asks an
Alex's POV I woke up with a smile on my face as the light of the day shined over my face. Despite the cold, I wrapped myself into a blanket and sat in the corner of my balcony, breathing in the familiar salty ocean air. I used to sit here and watch over the driveway, waiting for Adam's car to drive in, and while everything seemed the same, everything had changed. Now, we were together, dreaming about a future and enjoying the present. A day I once dreaded would never come was now here and the happines set in my chest could be painted in a million colours. I smiled to myself, thinking about how far I’d come. How we had come. With Adam, I had learned to be whole. I closed my eyes, letting the wind brush across my face, and took a deep breath. The salty air mixed with the faint scent of coffee surrounded me too and I suddenly opened my eyes to meet Mrs.Henrdics standing at the balcony door with coffee in hand. "Good morning." She says as she walks over to me and hands me to warm cup.
"How is Autumn?" Eloise asks us as soon as we walk in leaving her cup of tea on the living room table."She is alright, as is the baby. They are gonna keep her overnight. Domenic stayed behind but I think Richard and Sasha will go home soon." I say as her eyes travel to the spot where Alex and I are holding hands when my mother comes to stand by Eloise. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know."So... the two of you..." Eloise gestures between Alex and me. "How long has this been going on?" She asks."A while now," Alex says. "And before you start, it was my idea to keep it a secret. I didn't want our families involved before we were sure of where this was going." "I think that was very sensible of you." My mother says as she joins the conversation. "So now that you are sharing the news does it mean it's official?" "But they didn't share the news, they were discovered in a secret. There is a clear distinction." Eloise says.Alex laughs softly at Eloise’s comment, squ
"How is she? Can I see her?" Domenic asks as he jumps to get to him before everyone else. "Miss Cromwell is fine, she and the baby girl are stable. Her blood pressure went up which caused her to faint. I'm going to recommend bed rest until the baby gets here to avoid any possible complications." The doctor says and one could see and feel the worry melt off of our backs. "Did you talk to her? Did she remember anything? Is that why she had the crisis?" Richard asked as I stepped back and took Alex to my side wrapping my hand around her, keeping her close. Perhaps it wasn't the right moment but being able to hold her in public gave me a sense of power I never had before. "We talked for a brief moment and she described to me what happened, all the excitement of the wedding and the events that happened after took a toll on her, but she remains not remembering the past." We listen as the doctor talks and Alex smiles. We didn't care about the memories so much anymore. Autumn was alright
"What happened?" Richard yells as he runs to Autumn's side, almost crushing down at the site of her unconscious body in Domenic's hands. "I'm so sorry... I didn't think..." Rachel said as she watched what her words caused. "What did you do?" Richard asks her with fury in his eyes but Rachel only stares at Autumn in shock while Leo does the best he can to hold on to her. "Help is on its way!" Alex yells as she comes back and sticks to my side. Her hands are cold as they slip into mine. I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from the situation that was in front of us with both Autumn and Sasha. "Dont wait. Get her in the car and drive to the hospital. I'll go with you and make sure they take good care of her." My dad says as he helps Richard stand up and move away from Autumn. Domenic lifts her in the air, and her veil falls down onto the floor. The sight was heartbreaking, this day turned out to be everything but perfect. First Alice, now this. I just hope it doesn't get any wo
Miguel jumps at Alice, grabbing her hand while the other guy manages to take the gun from her, ultimately pinning her to the ground when Alex pulls me back as the rest of the family gets up and gathers up at the front. “Let go of me, I'm not done yet!” Alice yells as she struggles to free herself but to no use as Miguel ties her hand to her back. “It's over Alice, it's finally over. You won't be able to hurt us ever again.” Domenic says as he presses Autumn to his side while Miguel lifts Alice, her hands pinned at her back. “Take her to the security room and call the police. She won't escape this time, not on my watch.” Richard says while rubbing Autumn's shoulder, trying to make sure she is ok. She look pale, shook but somewhat alright. She held onto Domenic the same way Alex didn't let go of my hand all this time. “He is lying to you, everyone is…” Alice says but Miguel drags her away. She was trying to do damage to the last second she could use. So much haterade in such a s
I always found weddings to be beautiful, yet this one was special. This was about my friend, someone who I knew would always be in my life, but I somehow knew that from the day I met her. Now sitting here, watching the smile on her face as she stared at the face of her loved one, the man she chose yet again despite every odd, despite not knowing the past. A path she chose solely based on what she felt within herself, and that was love. I had my doubts about it, I had my doubts about Domenic... the things I knew about their past, the things I didn't share with anyone else, not Alex, not Richard... I saw the regret in his eyes, I saw the pain but I also saw the love... and I wish them happiness. The same one I wished for myself and the woman who was sitting next to me right now. My love. My Alex. Today wasn't just the start of a new life for Autumn, this was also the day that meant something big for Alex and me. This was the day we would finally stop hiding. The day everyone would final
"Adam, where the hell were you? We are going to be late and you still haven't changed." Mom yells at me as soon as I step through the door. "I had some business to take care of. Dont worry I'll be ready in time." "Business, on a day like this one." Mom asks, her nad on her hip and eyebrow raised scepticly. "You look great by the way, where is Dad? You should go check he doesn't get something on his suit before we have to leave... I'll go shower now, bye." I manage to ramble up and run upstairs to get ready. Luck had it that Rosie had already got my clothes ready and waiting for me on the bed so I showered, got my hair ready, and got dressed just as a text came for me letting me know Derek was booked and taken care of. One more reason to party. ... "See, there was no reason for all that rushing. I had plenty of time to finish my meal." Dad said as we got out of the car at the Cromwell mention. It’s the perfect place for a wedding...grand, romantic, and more than enough to make an