Raymond sat in a bar, his eyes fixed on the tumbler glass in his hand as if trying to spot something in his scotch whisky. Opposite him sat Jared, whose attention was glued to his phone, grinning from ear to ear.Raymond gulped down his drink, catching a glance at his friend's excitement."What's so special about your phone, man?" Raymond asked, refilling his glass. "You haven’t touched your drink since we got here.""You know what distracts a man," Jared said without lifting his eyes from his phone. "She’s unlike the others I’ve met before.""A woman?" Raymond asked. "We came here to chill after a long time, and you're distracted by a woman? She must be special.""More than special. She’s like a little demon in an angelic body," Jared said, replying to a message. "She’s arrogant and bad-mouthed, but I love the way she defends herself. It makes me laugh. She’s a nice girl, though.""This is the first time I’m hearing you talk about a woman like that. Who is she? Do I know her?""Her n
“Hi, Mom," Melissa waved at her mother, smiling awkwardly."What did he say?" Her mother asked in a clipped tone."What… what are you talking about?" Melissa's voice trembled."Don't play dumb with me!" Her mother snapped, jerking up. She fixed Melissa with a venomous glare. "You're pregnant for that bastard, aren't you?"Melissa's heart dropped. How did her mother find out? "Who told you that? I'm not pregnant," she tried to deny, but it was futile."You seem to have forgotten who your mother is. Did he take responsibility for the baby?" Her tone was laced with anger and disappointment.Melissa scratched the back of her neck. "He said… he didn't," she stuttered, retreating to the door."That asshole!" Her mother groaned between gritted teeth. "We're aborting that bastard. Get ready," she added, turning to go upstairs."I can't, Mom," Melissa flitted to her mother's front. "This is my child. I can't terminate my baby, please.""Then get ready to f
Raymond waited for the doctor as she examined Eureka, who was still unconscious. “What’s wrong with her, doctor?” he asked, his tone filled with worry.“We’re still evaluating your wife’s condition, but she appears to be stable for now. We’re running some tests to determine the cause of her loss of consciousness. I’ll provide more information once we have the results,” the doctor explained, turning her attention to Raymond.“Can you tell me more about what happened before she was brought in? Was she experiencing any symptoms or discomfort beforehand?” she added.“I’m not sure. We were chatting fine before she fainted,” Raymond said, but before the doctor could continue, his phone rang.“Excuse me,” he said, stepping aside to answer. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Raymond’s tone grew anxious. “What? I’m coming over. Just stay calm, okay?”Without a second glance, he dashed out of the hospital, leaving Eureka alone. The doctor called after him, but he ignored
Eureka stepped into the master bedroom and saw Raymond buttoning his dress shirt in front of the mirror. She had slept in the guest room after their fight. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes puffy from crying. She moved to his side.“Good morning,” she greeted, but he ignored her.“I want to tell you something,” she said.Raymond turned and gave her a once-over. “I also have something to tell you.”“You first,” she said, leaning her hips against the vanity table.“I want a divorce.”His voice was calm, but the weight of his words struck Eureka like lightning. She was about to announce her pregnancy, only to hear that he wanted a divorce. She stood frozen in place.“Okay…” she said slowly, urging him to continue.“How shameless can you be, Eureka? You’ve been sleeping with Harvey behind my back!” he growled, throwing some pictures at her. They showed Eureka and Harvey in seemingly intimate positions.Eureka sighed, placing the pictures on the table.
Raymond marched into Harvey's house. His father’s words had hit him hard, leaving him no choice but to look for Eureka. He never expected her to leave. He thought she would beg him, but her reaction had shocked him to the core. “Where’s my wife?” Raymond demanded, grabbing Harvey, who had just opened the door. “Where is she?” “You’re an idiot for asking me such a stupid question,” Harvey retorted, pushing him back. “What gave you the nerve to barge into my house, demanding Eureka?” “For the last time, Harvey, where is my wife?” Raymond growled, his eyes narrowing at Harvey, who stood unfazed. “Use the door,” Harvey replied calmly, trying not to escalate things per Eureka’s wishes. As he turned to walk back to the living room, Raymond cocked his gun. “Tell me where she is, or I’ll blow your head off.” “You really want to know where she is?” Harvey spun around, struggling to contain his anger. “She left the country because of your foolishness.” Raymond stumbled back, unable
It had been over two months since Melissa was disowned by her mother. Life hadn't been kind to her. She had also been kicked out of the hotel. Her mother refused to listen to her unless she agreed to abort the baby, but Melissa was unwilling. She couldn’t bring herself to do it.“I won’t kill my baby, Mom," Melissa had told her the last time she visited. “I don’t care what the world throws at me, but I’ll stand by my child. I promise to make you proud by becoming the woman you always wanted me to be. Even if you never accept me back, I owe you that. I love you," she said and walked out of the house.She thought she had friends to turn to until they proved they were never truly her friends. “You were with me because of my wealth?" Melissa cried when Linda refused her entry into her house with shallow excuses.“It’s ridiculous you’re only realizing that now," Linda scoffed. “You have no place with us anymore, Lisa. You’re no longer the famous Rachel de Leon’s daughter. You’re a nobody n
Raymond sat behind his office desk, going through some files when the door creaked open. He looked up at the intruder, who turned out to be Jared. Jared moved closer, his face long and shoulders sagging. Without a word, he sank into the chair opposite Raymond and removed his sunglasses."What's up?" Raymond asked, resuming his work."I thought you said she was a call girl," Jared said, his voice tinged with disappointment as he fixed Raymond with a sharp stare. He had been investigating what Raymond had told him about Melissa after she slapped him for calling her a prostitute."We're supposed to be friends, man. How could you say something like that? And to think I believed you—it makes me an idiot.""What are you talking about?" Raymond asked, his tone calm as he put the files into a drawer. "What did I tell you to do?" He leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on the desk as he met Jared's stern gaze."You told me Melissa was a slut," Jared said, his voice tightening as he struggle
Melissa crouched in the living room, cleaning the center table while humming a song. “I wish I knew how to sing like Eureka," she mocked herself, laughing.“Melissa?" Mrs. Cargill called, entering the living room.“Yes," Melissa replied, turning to face her.“I’m going out. The cook said she won’t be back today either. Can you fix dinner before I return?" Mrs. Cargill asked, adjusting the hem of her dress.“Cook?" Melissa exclaimed, surprised.“Why? You don’t know how to cook?"Melissa looked away, fidgeting. “Um, I… yes, ma’am.”"Yes, you don’t know how to cook?” Mrs. Cargill’s tone made Melissa’s stomach twist."No, that’s not what I mean. I mean I can cook well. What should I cook?” She lied."Fix spaghetti Bolognese. Don’t use red pepper flakes—use black pepper instead. Can you do that?"“Perfectly, Mrs. Cargill," Melissa replied with an awkward smile, scratching the back of her neck.“Alright. See you when I get back," Mrs. Cargill said as she walked out.The moment she left, Mel
“Have you lost your mind, Kaiden? How could you tell Stetson such a thing?” Kailani scolded as she pulled him up to her room. “What do you expect him to think? Oh my God! I can’t believe this!” “Let me ask you a question, were you going to accept his stupid proposal?” he snapped. “What if I was? What if that’s the only way for us not to think we belong with each other? What if we need others to come between us? What if that’s the solution?” she asked, disappointment laced in her tone. “There’s no solution, Kayla. I love you means I love you. You can’t be with that smiling boy. What were you even thinking? I would sit and watch you accept him, spend more time with him, go out alone with him. God forbid. That’s never going to happen. Over my dead body,” he groaned. “Kaiden!” “Don’t Kaiden me! I don’t fucking care what society thinks anymore. You’re my sister and the same girl I love. If you think I’d watch you be with anyone else, think again.” “It’
“Let me go, Kaiden, please,” Kailani begged. “I don’t want to do this. You’re my brother.” Kaiden was jolted out of sleep by the noise. He sat up abruptly to find Kailani struggling and crying in her sleep. “Kayla? Wake up!” he shook her. “Kaiden!” she shouted, jerking up on the bed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She cowered upon seeing him, her hand clawing at her chest. “Relax, it was a dream,” he soothed. “Stay… stay back!” she snapped, retreating to the edge of the bed. “You’re going to fall if you keep moving back,” he warned. “Were you fighting with me in your dream?” he asked casually. “Can you tell me about it? Why were we fighting?” She scanned the room, slowly calming down. “Was it… really a dream?” she asked, her lips trembling. “What do you think?” he replied. “Tell me about it. Did I hurt you?” She nodded. “You were… you were… gosh,” she stammered. “I was what, Kayla? It was just a dream. Why can’t you say it?” “Kaiden,” she called, adjusting
Kaiden moved back and forth in his room, his phone clutched in his hands, his expression dark and unreadable. He paused for a minute, stamping his foot on the floor. “That bitch won’t ever stop until you give her what she wants,” he pondered. “You can do this, Kaiden. Don’t let this get out of hand.” He sighed and held up his phone. He dialed Lucy’s number. “Wowee! You’re the last caller on my mind,” she laughed. Kaiden could already picture an irritating smile on her face. “What’s up, baby boy?” “I’m ready,” he said. “Where are we meeting?” “Come again. What did you just say?” “The last time I checked, you aren’t deaf. You heard me right. Let’s get this done once and for all. I’ll come see whatever you want me to see, and you won’t tell anyone about my feelings for my sister. But it’s going to be only one visit,” he stated firmly. “It’s a deal, boy. Just make sure you come alone. I’ll text you the address,” she spoke cheerfully. “I can’t drive,” he declared. “Then take
Eureka sat in front of the vanity table, applying her night cream. She returned home late from the office because of some new investors she had.“Come in,” she told the knocker at the door, and Raymond entered. He turned the key in the doorknob before moving closer to her. He leaned against the table, staring at her. “I thought you wouldn’t return,” she said, focused on her routine.“And I thought you wouldn’t call me a thousand times,” he retorted. “Talk to me, Eureka. Are you as confused as I was some years ago? Are you stuck between forgiving me and moving on without me?”She glanced up at him. “I don’t understand that,” she said.“Will you ever forgive me?”“I’ve forgiven you, have I not?” she replied.“Do you still love me?” he asked.“Are you worth loving twice?” she spat.“Do you love the other man?”“Is that any of your business?” She stood, trying to go get her ringing phone from the desk when he grabbed her hand and hauled her towar
Raymond didn’t show up at the house as Eureka thought he would. She waited all through the night, constantly looking out the window, hoping to see him come in, but he didn’t. She tried his line countless times. He didn’t pick up.Kailani was the first to wake up, going over to her mother’s room and knocking several times. Eureka was jolted awake, scrambling from the bed as the knock persisted.“Hold on a sec,” she said, rubbing her eyes and staggering to the door.“Mom,” Kailani entered. “Good morning, Mom. Did you send my dad away? He’s not in his room. He didn’t come home last night. He didn’t kiss me goodnight. Where did he go?” she asked, her eyes brimming with tears.“I... I didn’t send your dad away. Why would you think that?”“Did he travel? He would have told me,” she sobbed.“Stop crying, honey,” Eureka pulled her closer. “Your dad is fine. The thing is… he was with me in the office when I received a call from a client in Texas to come get a package.
Raymond straightened himself as Eureka elegantly approached him, dressed in a fabulous short red gown, her hair packed in a ponytail. Her steps were firm against the floor, her eyes meeting his briefly. Raymond’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes raking over her gorgeous stature. He loved her in red dresses. He swallowed, wishing he could grab her and kiss her to oblivion. When he realized he couldn’t anymore, he smiled disappointedly. He opened the door for her and entered. She watched him stride around the car before taking a seat behind the wheel.He looked at her through the rearview mirror, their eyes meeting again. “You look breathtakingly gorgeous, Miss Bennett,” he complimented her.“Thank you, Mr. Blackwood,” she said.“To the office or an appointment?” he asked, starting the car. She didn’t answer as her phone rang.“Hi, hon,” she picked up the call. Raymond felt his stomach twist as he glanced at her one more time. “Really? Aren’t you tired? You were all over
Kaiden was heading back home with his driver at the wheel. He was focused on his phone, replying to some comments on his latest video. His photographer had done a perfect job, and his fans loved it, showing the world how well he trained and all that. Suddenly, the car jerked as the driver pressed the brakes instantly, causing Kaiden to wobble on his seat. A car had just swerved into their path, prompting the abrupt stop. “What the heck?” he grumbled. “You’re lucky nothing happened to my phone.” “We have a problem, Kaiden,” his driver said as Lucy, her face masked as usual, stepped out of her car in a black leather jacket and pants. She leaned against the trunk, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “That’s your problem. You go take care of that,” Kaiden said casually. His driver stepped down, and in less than two minutes, he came back inside. “She wants to speak with you,” he announced. “And who the hell is she?” “A fan of yours, I believe,” the driver replied. “F
“Did you ever hate me?” Melissa murmured, moving dangerously closer. “Did you regret meeting me?”“Lisa,” he called, his hand sliding around her waist, causing her to gasp. “Stop asking silly questions. Our son must be watching. You can handle this, okay?” he told her, a soft smile appearing on his face.“You feel it?” she asked, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Is it that obvious?” she still lingered in her leaned-in position, inhaling his intoxicating fragrance.“You’re always vulnerable, Lisa,” he teased. “This was the same expression you gave me on our first night; I can’t ever forget.”“I’m doing it again. Will you do the right thing?” she whispered, her hand caressing the nape of his neck. “I know I’m being a spoiled brat again. I won’t regret this one.”“Lisa, careful. You need to stop,” he tried pulling away. She was reluctant, her lips nearly brushing his. Their breath mingled with each other, eyes locked. Before she could press her lips to his, his phone rang, start
Stetson was seated on the couch, his eyes fixed on the TV as he watched his favorite weekend series. It was the season finale, and he didn’t want to miss a single dialogue. “Come on, dude. Don’t make me panic, just tell her already. If she leaves this time, that will definitely be the end,” Stetson spoke to the screen as though the characters could hear him. He moved forward, putting his popcorn on the table. “Just say it!” he encouraged. “Wait a minute. Why does the advice seem directed at me? Damn it, do I really have the courage to tell her? Will she be disappointed? Gosh, that would be embarrassing.” Melissa descended the stairs, her slippers patting softly against the marble floor. She had gone shopping with Stetson earlier, and she had to go change into casual, knee-length navy blue pants and a white tank top. “Holy moley! What in the world just happened?” he exclaimed as the movie ended without the main lead and the female lead getting back together like he had expected.