Time passed but Annalise’ mind was elsewhere. She grew dismayed over the time course. Trying to conceal it behind her facade but failed.“Are you coming to prom? So many guys have asked you but you have refused them all.” She asked in a hollow tone, losing the charm of her resonance.“Why would I accept when they are not the one I was looking for?” Victoria sighed, stuck between her friend and love.Sighing, Annalise told her what was on her mind for a while. A step for her friend’s glee.“You should break your friendship with me, Victoria. Our hatred would never let you guys become one.”Gasping, Victoria shook her head in denial, “Don’t be ridiculous. I have faith in fate, if it was mine, he would become mine under all circumstances.”“And if he is not. He won’t be yours even after being yours.” Their current situation.What was yours remains yours, what was not, could never be yours. “Hey, don’t say this.” Chuckling nervously, Victoria looked down, not praying this would ever happ
SIX MONTHS LATER“Elise, can you get me the printouts?” Annalise’s senior, Jessica, asked sweetly. She was a lovely person, being her mentor. Annalise who gave time to herself, becoming more beautiful than she already was, flashed a bright smile, “Sure.” A good college with a good placement- she gained by selling her Mother’s diamond ring.“Thanks,” Jessica grinned and went back to her work.“No problem.”Annalise started her new life, away from those eyes which called her nothing but a stalker. Those people who used to love her company once and then began to smear her name.“Ah, Elise, one more thing.” She needed a fresh start and her college life provided her with a chance. She started her six month internship in a reputable company.“Yes?”“You might get a new mentor soon. I don’t know who yet.” She told her sadly which made her frown.“But, I feel comfortable working with you.” She reasoned but Jessica smiled apologetically.“Me too but can’t do anything about it.”“Okay…”Sh
Annalise couldn’t believe that of all people, her mentor became Vincent. Seeing him dried her throat, inebriating her mind to ponder about it.“You?” She whispered under her breath, taking a step back unintentionally when he came closer.“I told you.” Jessica whispered, thinking she was attracted but it was not the case.Maintaining his stern features, Vincent came closer. Standing before her. Annalise cleared her throat, regaining her posture and offered her hand politely but it only made him scowl. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His frown deepened, glancing at her hand and then back to her face. Making her heart clasp by the humiliated reject handshake.“I am afraid I cannot say the same.” Furious, He refused to shake hands with her, rolling his eyes off, “Come on, Vincent. Don’t be arrogant. Even you told me you are a gentleman.” Jessica chuckled nervously, unable to comprehend what happened to him in a moment.“I lied.” He mumbled, not removing his eyes from Annalise’s. Augmen
"You have to become my girlfriend." Annalise simply blinked when Vincent declared his demand direly. The seriousness in his eyes indicated he was not pranking her. She definitely considered she misheard because the mere idea of it deeply immobilized her. Her? His girlfriend? Talk about earth colliding with the sky. The chances of it were always zero to them. Annalise didn’t like it. “What?” She asked again for her confirmation. Exhaling, he told her seriously, coming closer as she instinctively moved back. “Yes. If you want forgiveness and start our bond again then you must do it. You have to pretend to be my girlfriend. We have to act as a couple.” He explained further about his intentions which made her heave a sigh in relief. Leaning against the armrest of the couch, she rested her hand on her chest. “Pretend, right? You want me to act as your girlfriend, not actually become one, right?” She asked, seemingly finding lull after knowing the details. “Exactly." Arch
The next morning, Annalise was getting ready to leave for work. Placing whatever happened yesterday behind, clearing her mind and ability to think. But now allowing her mind to grasp, she received a call from Vincent. Forming her lips in a thin line by his call, she attended it. “Annalise. I am outside your home.” His chirpy tone came. “Why?” Furrowing her brows, she looked out of her window where Vincent waved her at, making her heart race in vexation. “To drop you off.” He whispered. “You truly don’t have to.” She sighed, not liking how he acted. Not wanting it all to be a pretense. “But, I am here already.” Chuckling, he leaned against his car, folding his arms while waiting for her. “There is no Jessica to see that.” She frowned, reminding him that but sighing at her discontent he asked, “Can I come in?” She thought about it for a second and got ready immediately, grabbing her bag. She didn’t want her parents to get a wrong idea either. “I will be down in five min
It was the time for their first fake date on the weekend. It was in the cafe where Jessica usually came so they could show her what a good boyfriend Vincent is. Vincent was waiting for Annalise with a frown, tapping his foot continuously as she was late. Dragging him out from his thoughts, Jessica called, “Hey, Vincent, what are you doing here?” Delighted to see him, she shook hands with him. “Hey, Victoria. I am waiting for Annalise for our date. You are here too?” He smiled sweetly, deciding to talk with her until Annalise came. “Yes, I visit here every Saturday. Didn’t expect to find you here.” She hummed, unaware he was there for her. “Me too. But it is a pleasure to see you here. Let’s see when Annalise will come.” Humming, they both sat down, talking for a while. “So, have you found your ‘the one’ yet?” Vincent deliberately asked this question but the kindness on his features concealed his taunt. “Not yet…” Trailing off nervously, she looked down. “I think I found mine
The sound of their laugh gained attention. Their talks were noticed by everyone, how they smiled and held each other’s hand. Everyone glanced at the young couple, praising the young love, the power of their love as their energy radiated everywhere. With his smile growing wider, Vincent’s eyes couldn’t look at Jessica or any girl anymore. “I think not only Jessica but everyone is drawn towards our so-called love.” Annalise smirked, contemplating the whole area. “You are right, I guess we are a rising star.” He chuckled, glancing around as well before stopping his gaze in one hers. “Too bad it was fake.” She snickered, wiping his smile. Vincent didn’t like how it sounded. “So what? Romance is fake, okay. But, not my smile or our laughs.” He shrugged, becoming serious abruptly which widened her smirk. “Chill, I am only reminding. I can tell the difference between fake and real.” She sighed, waving her hand impishly to tease him. “I don’t think so.” He muttered, rolling his ey
After living one of the most mesmerizing moments of his life with Annalise, Vincent returned home. Twirling the keys around his fingers, smiling uncontrollably. “Where were you?” But, ruining his rhythm of glee, His Father’s enraged tone came, coming down. Vincent decided to not ruin his mood by talking to him and smirked, waving his hand at him. “Ah, you came out of your wife’s room? Good to see your face once in a while. I thought you forgot you have a son.” He chuckled dryly and continued to walk. “I asked, where were you?” His strict voice came, coming closer. “I was on a date.” Sighing, he told him, not bothering to look at him and walked past. “With who?” He didn’t bother to reply. “Vincent, I am asking you something- Vincent!” Vincent ignored and continued to leave for his room, not wanting to hear his further degradation towards Annalise which would only hurt him. He went to his room, freshened up. It was the condition his Father put. If he wanted to gain that i
5 YEARS LATER.I was setting the school bag of my four years old son, Jamie. He was messy just like his Father. Sighing, I was putting the lunch and placing the books properly.“Can I take Dahlia to school with me? Please, please, please?” Jamie called me excitedly, pointing at his Father and three months old sister who were sleeping on the couch in the hall.“No, you cannot.” I sighed, frowning at the pair and giving him his bag.“Look, Mama, Papa and Dahlia are sleeping on the couch.” He giggled, clinging onto my arm.Actually, Dahlia was not sleeping last night and Vincent said proudly that he could take better care and took her outside and look at them now.Half of his body was hanging from the couch, holding Dahlia.“Ah, him.” I giggled, shaking my hand after seeing how uncomfortable he must be.“What are they doing outside?” Jamie asked, tugging my sleeves.“Your Papa proudly accepted he could take better care of Dahlia and seems like he is stubborn in proving it.” I sighed, set
ANNALISE. I was carefully listening to his words, how his eyes were refusing to greet mine and it was aching me but he couldn’t see. He was not looking at me in the first place to notice the tears glistening in my eyes. “Come. Let’s end this pointless relationship.” And I lost my forbearance when he dared to speak what I cannot have imagined, releasing the tears I managed to suppress so far. And brimming with fury, I slapped him hard to knock some senses into his damn mind which astonished him to no extent. “How dare you call our marriage pointless?!” I whisper-yelled. Grabbing the collar of his shirt outrageously with tears scattered over my cheeks. “Annalise?” He called me hesitantly at my unforeseen action as I forced him to stare into my desperation, to witness my love and despair too. I wanted him to see my condition. “Do you have any idea how deeply I am in love with you? That I have given my all to our marriage?” I asked desperately, shaking him a little to hear m
After I mindlessly hit Edmond and lost myself, unable to control myself, the neighbors came and forced me to stop until the cops came and took me away.I was looking down the whole time, not moving an inch with an anguish stacking in my chest, I was heartbroken. I felt devastated for losing control and doing what I shouldn’t.Something is seriously wrong with me. Here, in the station, I was locked up and Annalise was talking to Edmond.“I am begging you, Edmond, please, don’t file a case against Vincent.” Their voices were faint but I could hear how my Annalise was begging Edmond to not send me to jail. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I kept staring at my hands out of woe. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I didn’t want to make Annalise cry. This is not who I am, that is not who I should be.I am sorry, I am so sorry…“Edmond, please…” She continued to beg Edmond for her husband’s image. I had never been behind the bars in my entire life. I felt horrible, I was never like this and with
The next morning, I was in my bed, refusing to move an inch. My head was throbbing in pain. I couldn’t move my body, it was burning.It was because of the stress, whenever I worried too much, my body began to burn, my head began to hurt terribly and I didn’t know how to deal with this ordeal.For a while, I remained motionless, covering myself with the blanket until the tenderest hand of my angelic wife dragged the sheets down from me. “Vincent. Wake up.” She whispered softly.Removing the duvet and sitting next to me. “I don’t want to.” I groaned, turning to my side, hiding my face in the pillow, not in the mood to move. I had borne with this feverish feeling before when she was here, I wanted to display that I am in pain and stay with me.Before I was alone, I had no one to take care of him so no matter what state, I must go to work but I have a reason to stay.I won’t go today.“Why?” She called but I refused to listen to her. Glancing from my shoulder, I looked at her timidly,
VINCENT.The following week, limitless thoughts were roaming in my mind. I was tense, I was perturbed about what I should do that could save my marriage. I could feel it under my fingernails that things were on the verge of falling apart all because of my behavior and I was impotent to stop it.I failed to control, I failed to keep her happy. In fact, I made her cry after promising myself that I wouldn’t.I feel worthless. I feel terrible.It was Sunday, my soul was at solace to hold my love. We were spooning on the bed, I was holding her, her back pressed over my chest.“How are you feeling now?” I whispered, biting her earlobe when she woke up from her nap.Annalise was having a headache constantly so I massaged her head until she fell asleep and took a nap with her as well.“Better.” She hummed, relaxing in my arms, smiling tenderly.I hummed and shifted, sitting up slowly. Worried how to confront her about what I knew I must. I couldn’t lose my love with my own hand.I cannot mak
“YOU ARE A LIAR!” The sound of his thundering cries echoed in the room and they hurt me in a way I was unable to recover. The sound I unintentionally created. He covered his mouth, sobbing. And I couldn’t bear it, his sorrow was immeasurable and it made me guilty. Shutting my eyes, I screamed to release the shame gathered inside me.“I AM SORRY! I AM SORRY! I AM SORRY!” Crying my anguish out, I held the hem of my dress. My tears were flowing, he was not the only person whose heart was torn apart. The regret that was built inside me had already stolen my mental peace. I don’t want to hear from him that I am his culprit. I know I am.“I will apologize as many times as you want, Vincent but please don’t be away from me.” Crying, I came closer, tears rolled down my cheek. My body was deprived of strength, I accidentally stumbled on my steps but Vincent held my arms to refrain me from falling.“Be careful!” He gasped quickly to hold me. He couldn't watch me falling or getting hurt
“That I am going to steal you from this world and ensnare in a way, only ‘I’ would exist.” My breath hitched, my eyes widened in terror when I sensed Vincent’s dominant form before me, glaring down at my body which made my soul immobilized. “Vincent…?” Swallowing hard, I forced my weak orbs to look up at his assertive form. He rested his hand over the headrest and placed our heads adjacent.I shivered violently when the fumes emitting from him were felt by my skin. Unable to utter another sound, I knew he was furious. I gasped when his hand from the headrest moved across and rested over my shoulder, giving it a lethal grip which warned me not to do anything vacuous.“That you are going to become mine in an exquisite way that nobody would be able to stop me from possessing you.” “Vincent, please-”I was about to plead but he leaned down to my ears and growled seductively, burning my skin with his minty breath.“That you are going to become. All. Fucking. Mine.” I trembled, glanci
There were countless questions and thoughts roaming wildly in my mind, thoughts that I wanted to share with someone to find and know what was happening.He cannot keep an eye on my actions, that is not okay. I won’t let it.And I knew for it, I had to do what might outrage him but I must do it.Before Vincent could come looking for me, I wanted to seek answers so I called Edmond to meet me in a restaurant.I was anxiously waiting for him, my hands were freezing by the thought of Vincent’s fury. It was scaring me, It was stressing me out.“I didn’t expect you to call me here. What happened? Is your fairytale coming to an end?” Edmond came, smirking mockingly at me but I growled at him.“Shut up. I have called you here to know everything.” I hissed in a low tone. He chuckled and took a seat, arching one eyebrow.“Everything? I thought I was a liar and the bad guy here.” He taunted, leaning back on his seat.Inhaling deeply, I was not in the mood for argument so I came to the main conce
ANNALISE.After spending a memorable and unforgettable time alone, away from everything we returned back, back to our routine and I was feeling strange lately.I didn’t expect Vincent to get this furious because of my harmless prank. I was only kidding around but the way he got perturbed, that made me worried.I wanted him to improve but I agree it would take time. Vincent is attached to me, he couldn’t fathom losing me. I am all he has after all. He was like that all his life, of course that would take time for him to adjust, to settle. Marriage is a sacred and big responsibility, we need time.Vincent was humming to himself, his towel over his head as water dripped to his tempting exposed chest. He was about to leave to grab his white but I stopped him.“Love, I can get your white shirt.” I spoke sweetly, stopping him in his tracks, smiling sweetly.“No, no, it’s okay.” He chuckled nervously, stopping me.“Come on,” I whined, pushing him back playfully with a wink. I like doing sm