‘It’s probably enough for today,’ Christine told herself, as she assessed the situation and the growing restlessness of the children. “We’re getting hungry, when can we eat?” The plaintive voice of one of the children echoed. “I need to use the bathroom,” complained another, shuffling uncomfortably. “I must call my parents.” The voice of a slightly older child cut through the murmur. The kids were, rightfully, starting to grumble, expressing their basic needs. Addressing the crowd of reporters, she spoke in a soft, respectful tone, “This is an educational camping trip for the children, and I believe you’ve gathered sufficient footage at this location. It would be beneficial for us to start our planned activities now. So, if you could kindly wrap up your reporting for the day, we would greatly appreciate it.” Her words were gentle, politely brushing off their intrusive presence,
After skillfully dodging the bullet from Martha’s gun, Christine was on the verge of self-sabotaging. Why was she feeling so nervous that she momentarily lost sight of why she was there in the first place? Was the thought of sharing a tent with Hunter so unnerving that her son's well-being — the core reason for her presence — simply slipped from her mind? "It just seemed rather cramped, that's all," she said in a light, casual tone to mask her unease. "The arrangement was also booked by the school as part of the educational experience. Just as the children are learning to spend time away from the comforts of home, the chaperoning parents should, naturally, lead by example," the manager explained, still somewhat perplexed by her initial reaction. "Of course, you're absolutely right," Christine agreed. "I must be too tired to think straight." "If everything is settled, I'll take my leave," the manager said. "Tomorrow is going to be another full day for all of us." "Of course, we und
Initially, he had thought it was all a dream, yet the clarity of his recollections was now making him question that assumption. One after another, images from the previous night seeped into his consciousness. It was cold outside, so he should not have strolled to the tent, water dripping from his body, scantily clad in only a small towel. Such an act was ill-advised, yet he had indulged in it, hoping to draw a reaction from her, or at least leave an impression. However, fate had a different agenda, serving him a bitter dose of fever after he attempted to sleep on the cold, hard mat. An intense warmth radiated from his body, while simultaneous shivers racked his form. Consequently, Christine must have been stirred from her slumber. Vague memories of her checking his temperature and trying to keep his shivering at bay with her jacket trickled back to him. When this measure proved ineffective, she resorted to the primal method of body heat to soothe him. The plan was to lend her warmt
‘I must find a way to bring Mommy and Daddy closer! But how can I do this? My Mommy is incredibly stubborn.’ Ethan wracked his brain, earnestly searching for a solution that would unite his parents. Time was ticking away; they would have to depart from the camping site in just a few hours. The clock was against him, and he was painfully aware that opportunities like this were rare. An audacious idea began to form in his mind. It was risky and filled with peril. The very thought of it made his heart race with trepidation. However, his desperation propelled him forward. He cherished the moments when his classmates showered compliments about his parents, but deep within, he knew that he was perpetuating a façade. A dream that he was determined to transform into tangible reality. And if that meant venturing into the woods all by himself, evading his parents' watchful gaze in the hopes of them uniting to find him, then so be it. He had read that dire circumstances, where lives hang in t
It would be a vast understatement to say Christine was merely upset upon realizing Ethan had disappeared on purpose. She felt a whirlwind of emotions: anger, heartache, and an overwhelming sense of agony. The thought of her five-year-old son, lost and likely terrified in the shadowy depths of the forest, tugged relentlessly at her heartstrings. She pieced together his intentions quickly. He must've seen it as a golden chance to bring his parents together. Such a young boy shouldn't be burdened with creating opportunities or, even worse, risking his life for them. Childhood should be about carefree laughter and joy, not the weight of such schemes. "Don't blame yourself," Hunter softly interjected as they scoured the forest for any signs of Ethan. He extended his hand toward her, an offer of comfort and support. Gratefully, she took it, feeling more vulnerable than she had in a long while. “I think I understand what he was trying to do; it wasn’t hard to deduce, really. And don't blame
As each day passed, Elenora's anxiety intensified. Faced with a daunting decision, she considered selling some of the cutting-edge technology patents of her late husband’s company, a legacy she now presided over. Her management, however, had been criticized, especially in light of certain damning financial reports which indicated her inadequacy as a leader. Selling those prized tech patents would indubitably bring in a significant amount of cash, saving the company from bankruptcy. Nonetheless, this decision would strip the enterprise of its intrinsic value, leaving behind a mere shell. And what possible use would she have for a company stripped of its essence? Her attempts to secure funding had been a series of failures. Banks turned their backs, skeptical of her ability to steer the company back to prosperity. Desperate, she turned to her circle of wealthy acquaintances, hoping they would throw a lifeline. But, realistically speaking, which savvy investor would willingly board a ve
Late in the evening, amidst the dim lighting and soft hum of chatter, Martha and Elenora found themselves nestled at “The Lounge”. This upscale pub boasted the finest celebratory cocktails in the city. It was, without a doubt, a fitting choice for their evening, as they had significant reasons to celebrate. Staying true to their reputation, the establishment presented them with some of the most refined drinks they had ever tasted. One might wonder why someone would be in high spirits after ceding more than 60% of their company's ownership. The answer wasn't universally understood, but for Elenora, her glee emanated from the fact that Christine hadn’t managed to acquire the company. That single triumph was enough to elevate her spirits, casting aside any other concerns. CDE Group, having a reputation for acquiring and transforming businesses into thriving ventures, had made numerous successful purchases over the past year. Elenora consoled herself with the knowledge that, despite owni
Martha's anger was palpable as she pressed her lips together, glaring at the man before her. She scrutinized him intently, her gaze intensifying as she took in his near-perfect features. His thick, light brown hair framed a face boasting baby blue eyes and lips that seemed all too inviting. Every facial contour - his impeccably chiseled nose and jaw - seemed as if it had been meticulously crafted by the world's most talented sculptors. With his sun-kissed complexion and imposing stature, he radiated a magnetic allure. He was the kind of devilishly appealing man who could easily tempt someone to throw caution to the wind, following him into the most treacherous of realms without a second thought. Furthermore, this enigmatic man, known as Jake Black, was impeccably dressed in an Armani suit that clung to him as though it were custom-made for a deity. Rather than concealing his athletic physique, the suit appeared to accentuate every defined muscle with deliberate precision. By all st
Three months have passed since Hunter’s childhood home was blessed with the laughs of an ass kicking mother, charming father and adorable little brat. Loukas, a proud grandfather, was visiting them often, after his relationship with Christine was rebuilt to one of a father and daughter. It was one particular day when Christine’s feelings were all over the place. She was staring at the papers in her hands, and multiple emotions were spreading through her body. Her suspicions were confirmed, she was pregnant. Indeed, black letters on white paper were clearly stating that she was two months pregnant with Hunter’s child. A blessing from the heavens. This time, it was bound to be different. This time, she had support from him, the love of her life. Tears of joy were forming in her eyes, she could not remember the last time she cried of happiness, if ever. She could already imagine Ethan’s thrill to play with a sibling, she c
Fuming with rage, Elenora launched at her daughter, strangling her neck. “You did what, you wretched girl?”Choking, Martha cried out. “Help! Somebody… Help me! She is trying to kill me!”In no time, an officer interfered and separated the two women, before something disastrous would happen. He took Elenora away, with the promise that her recent act will be added to her long list of criminal offenses.Still struggling to breathe normally, Martha shouted. “You will rot in jail, mother! I know enough information to assure you of that! And don’t forget that Christine has the proof that you hired a hitman to eliminate her!”Heartbeats later, inside the interrogation room, she started her confession.“Are you aware that you are admitting to complicity by confessing your mother’s crimes? You had knowledge of every one of her crimes and did not report her. That, until now.”In
Unbearable silence was engulfing the room, there were only Christine, Hunter and Loukas left. Elenora was practically dragged outside by the police, while she shouted and threatened all the way to the car. Christine believed that watching Elenora in predicament would bring her fulfillment, but it was not like that. Certainly, her being punished was bound to bring some sort of satisfaction, but that didn’t change the past, the hurt and desolation that she felt because of that horrible woman. And to find out the shocking truth about her biological father, a truth that Elenora knew from the very start, that was… Well, that was backstabbing at a whole new level. The mere idea was making her sick to her stomach. After careful consideration, Loukas decided to take the lead. “The two of you seem to have much to talk about as well, so I’m going to say just a few words. In private, if that is possible, Christine!” Hunter placed an affection
In a twinkling, her world crumbled into small little pieces, leaving her completely broken inside.Everything was in a blur, the pain of betrayal stinging her chest. Reaching a hand out to Jake, she leaned on him for support for a few good seconds.In all honesty, it would have been less painful if someone would have pulled her heart out and stabbed the poor organ with a million daggers.“Is it true?” Anger and hurt were burning in her eyes. “TELL ME!” She cried out, walking to where Loukas was standing and clamping her fingers in his jacket.He met her accusing regard with silence, yet his entire demeanor was suggesting he was guilty.“Why are you quiet? I just heard you! Am I wrong?” She glared at him in outrage.“No, you are not wrong. You are my biological daughter.” He declared shutting his eyes close, his voice holding strong emotions.Her heart sank i
A press conference was scheduled by Fame Media to publicly apologize for sharing unverified information that led to undeserved public slander. As a consequence of their actions, the victim suffered moral damage, as well as monetary losses. Though CDE Group shares’ price plummeted only for a few hours, Christine demanded compensation, and her lawyers succeeded in securing a more than satisfactory amount. “Fame Media takes full responsibility for the damage caused by spreading fake news. In the past, we took pride in providing the best accurate information to our followers, therefore we are deeply ashamed of the recent events. After compensating the victim by paying the requested price, we are sad to announce to you that we will close our doors for the time-being. In the last decade, our followers have been like a second family for us, but mistakes must be punished. Speaking of that, we filed a lawsuit against Elenora Carter. As you may be a
A low moan sounded in his chest, it was all the approval he needed in order to ravish her, to appease the hunger that screamed to be gratified. Intoxicated with lust, their hands were roaming freely on each other’s body, while their tongues battled for dominance. Erotic moans filled the room, and they didn’t even start the love making session properly.It was just the warm up. There was no more reluctance, only complete surrender to their sexual cravings, their need for each other. It was when Hunter settled his manhood to her entrance that they suddenly stiffened. There was some noise outside the room. Footsteps. Then the door opened widely and a small silhouette appeared near the bed. Rubbing his eyes, he climbed into the bed, his eyes darted from his mommy to his daddy in confusion. It was the nightmare of any parents, to be caught red handed by their child. Good thing that they were covered by the sheets. “Mommy, w
Christine made several attempts in reaching Hunter, but his phone was off, her calls going directly to voicemail. ‘Weird. I hope everything is fine.’ Pacing the room, making holes in the floor, the tension was building up inside, eating her alive. What if something happened? He should have delivered her child by now. Her intuition told her that something was off. Or maybe she was just nervous, it was understandable, after all she went through. In the wake of such an excruciating day, she needed to have Ethan in her arms, he was her most prized possession, her pride and joy. Stealing glances through the window from time to time, she finally spotted Hunter getting out of the car, then scooping a sleepy handsome boy in his arms. The boy’s small arms locked behind his daddy’s neck. It was an image that pulled at her heartstrings, sweet and sour at the same time. She breathed a sigh of relief, the claw that was squeezing her hea
For a few good seconds, it seemed as if time stopped for Hunter. Air was suddenly kicked out of his lungs, he even forgot how to breathe. His chest tightened as he fought with the suffocating sensation.His mind was a mess, his thoughts all over the place, experiencing a roller-coaster of sensations.‘Martha lied to me all our life together!’‘Christine might have lied to me as well…’‘This child in front of me is possibly mine...’His eyes shut close. ‘Who am I kidding? I would be a fool to lie to myself that what I’m suspecting is not utterly real.’It demanded a major shift in his thinking to adjust to the new information. To accept it.Still, he needed a proper confirmation.His eyebrows furrowed. On the outside, his inner battle was translated as if he were immersed in plans of critical importance.“Daddy, are you feeling unwell?” E
Left by herself, Elenora sneered, staring at the text from Christine with a sulky expression.‘Take all my money? How dare that wretched girl threaten me? It’s more likely for hell to freeze than her winning against me!’A vein became visible on her forehead, as if cutting it in half, while her entire demeanor was turning murderous. ‘I’d rather kill her with my own two hands than lose this battle!’Glaring at the phone angrily, she typed [“Aren’t you afraid that I will reveal who is the father of that devil kid of yours?”]‘I know all your weaknesses, Christine! Each and every one of your vulnerabilities are within my reach! You should be scared of me! You damn should!’She was looking forward to the reply, but to her enjoyment, it didn’t come through. Naturally, she believed that she had won.‘Yes, go and hide in your closet! And don’t come out until I