Veronica stopped Aries’s fervent kisses and pushed his chest. “What do you mean contrary to what I like in women? Did you say I’m stupid but you still like me?” “I said I love you!” Aries said, caressing her cheeks. “But you called me stupid! Such an offensive proposal!” She creased her nose as Aries chuckled. “I’d never say yes….” Before she could complete it, Aries claimed her lips again. “Even your spirit would say yes to me!” he whispered against her lips, lifting her off the wall and turning her to the beautiful sunset. Veronica parted her lips, witnessing the beautiful crimson colors of the sun as it set in the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea enlightened by the orange and red colors in the reddish sky. “It’s so gorgeous!” Veronica muttered. Aries was standing right behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist and Veronica put her head on his chest, taking a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the sun’s reflection in the blue water. “Excuse me,” the photographer approached the
“What do you want, Samantha?” Ace gritted his teeth as he walked out of the house to take her call. “I called to question your so-called upbringing based on which you won Aries’s custody case!” Samantha sounded furious. “Aries called me bitch! How dare he abuse his mother? Is this how you’ve raised my son?” “Our son!” Ace corrected her. “And he’s a thirty-year-old man now! Not a seven-year-old boy you left on the beach!” “Whatever! I want to speak to him. Ask him to pick up my goddamn call.” Samantha said and Ace drew a deep breath. His eyes traveled to Maria as she slid into the taxi. “Maria!” He cut off Samantha’s ranting and walked over to her. She stopped holding the car door and turned to him. “Where are you heading?” “Umm.. ah, just meeting some old friends over coffee.” She gave a tight smile and Ace put his hand over hers. “She just called to talk about Aries. Nothing else!” Ace said. “Of course! Aries connects you two, so it’s understandable.” She said. “I’ll see you la
Shane Glazier A hand put down fresh white iris on Shane’s grave and then moved to the next grave to put down the red roses. Rachel Glazier’s favorite red roses. Isla drew a deep breath, looking over their graves next to each other, and she recalled a missed take on Cynthia and Alfred’s deliberate attempt to keep her father away from the woman he loved, even after his death. She should’ve understood that they were cruel people who didn’t even care about the last wish of the dead man. It was she who firmly stood against them and did what her father wanted. To rest beside his beloved woman. “It will be my second honeymoon with Rachel!” Isla chuckled, recalling her father joking about his death and Veronica frowning. “Why do you always end up talking about death when I mention Mom?” Veronica knitted her eyebrows. “Death is the last truth of life! Why do you get so upset?” Shane asked. “Because I don’t want to lose you! I don’t want to lose anyone!” Veronica crossed her arms across h
“What do you mean?” Aries narrowed his eyes at Alfred and the latter chuckled. “I was playing this game way before you were even born! Did you think I opened up all my cards to you?” Alfred lifted an eyebrow expertly. “Focus on the well-designed speech, boy! Maybe it’s the last time you’re listening to her beautiful voice.” “Every girl says her dad is a king. But my father was an angel!” Veronica had a proud smile. “All his life he thought about the betterment of his people. His business was to bring a smile to the face. Every day, he’d venture out to do at least one good deed!” “Yet he had the most brutal death!” Alfred whispered into Aries’s ear. “Guess Jesus forgot to count his good deeds.” He sneered. Veronica drew a deep breath. It was the first time she could openly talk about her father, and she had so many things to tell everyone. “Today….” Before she could start, all the phones in the hall started pinging, and she watched people taking out their phones. “Three… Two… One!”
“Veronica?” She heard footsteps. The familiar deep voice halted her action, and she waited for the man to show up, and when he did, she gasped in horror. “Dad!” She blinked her eyes as she watched the man in black pants with a white shirt precisely tucked in, sleeves rolled up to his elbow, and kicking aside the broken glass pieces, he walked in her direction. He squatted down before her and looked into her bloodshot eyes. His black eyes glanced at the cuts on her body and pressed his lips. “Trying to hurt yourself?” He asked, taking the glass piece from her hand and Veronica blinked her eyes mutely. “What happened? You were praying to see me for six years and I’m finally here. Aren’t you going to give a hug to your dad?” Shane smiled, throwing the glass piece and watching her as she moved to hug him. Veronica clutched his back and cried harder. She felt him rubbing her back softly. “It’s alright! If you’re still breathing, you can solve all your problems!” His soft voice soothed t
The car sped on the outskirts of the city. Cold sweat covered Veronica’s forehead and her body trembled as the speeding car led her to an unknown place. “You know I was in love with your mother!” She heard Alfred and her head snapped in his direction. “I wanted to give the world to her, but she chose your pathetic father over me!” he sneered. Veronica didn’t miss the underlying hatred in his voice as he continued. “She chose to live with her father in poverty where it was hard to manage two meals a day sometimes and I so fucking hate Shane for this! How could he propose to a girl when he has no money in his pocket to even fancy a dinner!” Alfred glances at Veronica. “And your mother was equally stupid for accepting his proposal!” He gritted his teeth and looked ahead. Veronica stared at him. “She was not stupid. She knew you were not worth it!” She said and Alfred glared in her direction, and the next moment he pinned her to the car door, his hand clutched her throat and Veronica str
Keith walked over to Aries and Veronica. “Are you alright?” He looked concerned for Veronica. “Don’t worry, Everything is under control!” “What are you doing here?” Veronica asked. “Aries planned everything to record Alfred’s confession, and he required my help!” Keith answered, and Veronica glanced at Aries. “I had to come for you!” Keith said, and Veronica’s eyes darted back in his direction. “Thank you!” She said nonchalantly, and they shared a moment of eye lock. “We wanted to catch him alive, but it’s good he is dead!” Keith said. Sebastian checked Alfred’s daughter. He shot in the heat of the moment. There was still hope for her and he picked her up in his arms, rushing over to his car. “Take her to the hospital, quick!” He asked the guards he came with to support Aries. “Let’s go. You need to see a doctor!” Aries asked Veronica, and the latter nodded. Isla rushed to Alfred and squatted down, watching his body smeared in blood. “Hate the sin, not the sinner!” Her father’s w
[MATURE SCENE AHEAD] Minutes turned into an hour. Veronica watched Aries pacing in the room, deep in thought. “Can’t we call the company and ask them to open it for us?” Isla asked. “Why are we wasting so much time on such a petty issue?” “I checked with the company. They can open this only through Shane’s fingerprint!” Simon pressed his lips. “What could be inside the vault?” Aries turned to them. “And do we need to open it now? Alfred is dead, Cynthia is in jail, and we’ll get the chief soon. Veronica got her status back if we keep aside the humiliation because of the video!” “I want to see what had he stored in there!” Veronica’s words brought Aries’s attention to her. “Even if it doesn’t mean anything to anyone. It means everything to me!” “I think it’s Isla!” Simon said, and everyone looked in his direction. “Mr. Glazier has decorated her room on the first floor. This only explains he wanted her here along with Veronica!” Aries turned to the window, lighting his cigarette, a
“Let me go!” I cried out in terror as they threw me onto the freezing floor of the dungeon, and I observed the silhouettes of five towering figures looming over me in the dim, wavering light. One of them made a call to my father, Connor Blair. The closest ally and confidant of Anton Genovese, the most feared Mafia King of New York City. “If you’re willing to see Janet again, just do as I say!” The sound of their menacing voices on the phone call sent a shiver down my spine. “Let’s see who you choose between your precious daughter and loyalty to Anton Genovese.” He finished the call and glared at me with murderous eyes. Despite the threat of harm, my father remained loyal to the Genovese family and made the decision that left me to face the consequences of their anger alone. Realizing that I was now worthless to them, they resolved to present me as a gift to the Russian mafia to enhance their alliance in their struggle against Genovese. They handed me over to a group of Russian arme
One year later, ~Veronica~ Today, for reasons I cannot fathom, my mind wandered back to the words Jasper spoke to me years ago. ‘Cara, the savior in a difficult situation, isn’t always the hero. The world we live in is not always kind, and not everyone you trust is virtuous. How come you are so gullible?’ As I reminisced about the past, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, realizing how naïve I was back then. Or perhaps now I am wise enough to decipher the true meaning behind his words. As I take a stroll down memory lane, I am reminded of the angels that entered my life at just the right moment to rescue me. I would have died that night if it weren’t for Megan Morgan taking me in. Sandra consistently had my back and ensured I never went to bed hungry. Keith, who made me feel special even for a brief amount of time, and left behind all the differences between us in the past, I respect him for that. He made me experience love for a small amount of time and I am thankful for all th
Gianna’s white halter dress fluttered in the wind as she paced outside her apartment, her heart racing with anticipation. Glancing at her wristwatch, she groaned, realizing that Keith was already twenty minutes late and her stomach grumbled with hunger. “I better go back inside and grab a bite,” she thought to herself and turned to head back into the apartment complex, letting out a sigh. However, a black range rover pulled up next to her, causing her to roll her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest and fixated her gaze on the car door. Keith stepped out in a neatly tucked white shirt and black pants, spiking his hair to perfection. But it wasn’t him who caught her attention. Elijah made quite the entrance as he stepped out of the car, looking dapper in his black suit and carrying a bouquet of red roses that were almost as tall as he was. “Dad, help me!” Elijah struggled to hold them, and Keith sighed, bending down to take them from him. Elijah breathed a sigh of relief and fl
Gianna glanced at her watch when she heard Elijah sitting next to her in the car. “You shouldn’t have disturbed Dad. He is always busy with work. He doesn’t like anyone interrupting him.” Keith’s attitude agitated Gianna. “If he refuses to support his son, how will my therapies be successful? I’m a doctor, not a magician!” As soon as the ten minutes were up, she gritted her teeth in frustration. “It would be wise for me to withdraw from this case.” She contemplated as Keith got into the car. “Hi!” he smiled and then his eyes moved to Elijah. “Why did you go to see the doctor alone? Why didn't you call me?” “I didn’t want to disturb you,” Elijah lowered his head. As Keith opened his mouth again, he caught Gianna's eye, and she gestured for him to take a deep breath and speak calmly. Keith followed her and put his hand on Elijah’s head. “Eli, are you upset with me?” “No,” he didn’t meet his eyes. Keith's internal conflict had been brewing, and he finally decided to confront the iss
Aries pushed the plate of cookies forward. “Here,” “What do you mean?” Veronica lifted an eyebrow. A puzzled expression crossed Aries’s face. “Do you think I am cheating on you?” A look of hurt crossed her face and Aries could see tears swimming in her eyes. “Aries, I go to Keith’s place to spend some time with Elijah. Since you weren’t here, it’s hard for you to comprehend the special bond that Elijah and I share. I don’t want him to hold any grudges against Chase because I am too busy to give him the attention. It has nothing to do with Keith. I find him occupied with work in his office whenever I’m at his place. It’s just that today…...” Aries grabbed a cookie and stuffed it into her mouth. “Hold your horses, sweetheart!” He placed his hands on either side of her and locked his gaze with hers. “When did I say you’re cheating on me?” He lifted an eyebrow. “You’re still so stupid!” He playfully smacked her forehead and let out a chuckle. She takes the cookie out of her mouth. “I
Elijah stood beside Veronica outside the principal’s office, absentmindedly tracing circles around her wedding ring with his thumb. “I’m sorry Veronica. I’ll never do this again.” She heard him say and looked down at him. “Sweetie, you are always so calm and patient. What went wrong?” Veronica ran her fingers through his hair. “He said bad words about Mom.” Elijah lowered his head, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Everyone in school thinks you’re my mom because I told them you’re marrying my dad!” He answered “They saw your wedding pictures on the internet and mocked me. They said I deserved to be motherless and I’ll always be miserable. Am I miserable, Veronica?” His sad eyes met hers as he looked up. “Of course not! Did you know your mom loved you the most?” She caressed his face. “And I love you. So much!” She planted kisses on his cheeks. “We all love you, baby!” The sound of heels clicking in the empty hallway caught their attention, and their eyes shifted to the woman in
“Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Baby Shark…” Chase stole a glimpse at his father, who let out a frustrated groan after listening to the same song repeatedly. Chase’s face lit up with a wide smile while munching on another fruit snack, and he redirected his focus to the screen. “Mommy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Mommy Shark…” “Fuck, I can’t take this anymore!” Agitated, he got out of bed and began pacing the room. “Stop playing this song or I’ll turn into a shark!” His glare made Chase twitch his mouth. “Go to sleep!” “No,” Chase shook his head. “Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo… Daddy Shark…” “Daddy Shark!” With a loud exclamation, Chase raised both hands into the air and began swaying his body to the tune. Veronica couldn’t help but stifle a laugh as she watched the father-son duo. “You’re really enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” Aries gazed at Veronica with eyes full of accusation. The baby shark song looped again in the back
[MATURE SCENE AHEAD] ~Veronica~ As I rolled down the window, I couldn’t help but gaze out at the roads, trees, cars, and buildings speeding past me, just like the faint memories of my past life that seemed to fade away with each passing moment. It was all on a loop again. Cynthia and Alfred beating me up and kicked me out in the dead of the night. Encountering Keith and finding a short-lived sense of comfort. Meeting the captivating grey eyes right amidst shattering glasses. Aries saved me from the crossfire, risking his life. Keith’s rejection. Losing my baby. The club Flames of Sizzling Desires and the night Aries claimed me. “I have a question!” Keith’s voice seized my attention, causing me to face him next to me. “The news of your wedding left Elijah feeling very melancholic. He thinks you’ll stop visiting him.” He chuckled. “And he awakened some questions in me that I’d like to know from your stance!” His eyes settled on my face and I wondered what was in his mind. “Look, d
“Why isn’t she picking up the damn calls?” Aries let out a frustrated sigh. “Are you sure she went to meet Cynthia?” His gaze shifted towards Isla. “I don’t think she would dare go to her. But it’s habitual for her to switch off her phone whenever she’s doing something that’s prohibited.” She pursed her lips in contemplation. “No, she won’t go to her ever! I should go and check.” She turned on her heels. “You’re not going anywhere!” They heard Liam’s firm voice. “The last time you visited her, you experienced a severe bout of depression.” Aries’s eyes moved to Isla. “But I’ve recovered! I don’t have any such issue. In fact, I don’t need medicines ever since Chase stepped into our life.” Her eyes briefly shifted to Chase in Aries’s grasp before settling on Liam. “I must check. It’s my mother who made Veronica’s life hell.” “The answer is still a firm no! I don’t want you anywhere near that evil woman. All she does is ruin people’s lives.” He finished his drink and made his way out