MANNYManny sighed and massaged her wrist, trying to relieve herself of the pain she felt. She twisted them gently and started writing again.This was a fashion company yet she kept signing documents like she was running a corporation.When she was finally done, she headed to the dressing room to help out. In times like this, she missed Avery.In the Spirit of their competition, she would have done her part of the work and even a little bit of Manny's just so she could prove her worth.‘At least she always got the job done.’ Manny muttered as she grabbed materials from where it was kept and walked back to the lady who was halfway dressed.She sighed and shook her head at how the lady was dressed. The materials were all wrong, the colors didn't match and it looked like she was suffocating inside the clothes, like her measurements weren't taken before making the dress.“Who would dress someone like this.” She grumbled, peeling the clothes off the woman's body gently in order not to ruin
MANNYAs she set out to work the next day, Manny stumbled upon Andrew on her way downstairs and she quickened her pace as he walked behind her.Last night's conversation was still fresh in her mind and her husband didn't utter a word about it which was a good thing. She felt if they were to continue the conversation, it would have ended up in an argument and she didn't have the strength or time to do so.She passed the dinner dining room and was walking through the hallway when Andrew asked her a question. “Aren’t you eating?” “No appetite.” She replied almost immediately and walked away before he could say another word.She was already running out of time, she didn't want her mother to give her another lecture because of a tardy arrival.She blamed the pregnancy for having no appetite. It was either she ate very little or didn't eat at all.Weren't pregnant ladies supposed to have a huge appetite? Why was she different?All immediately went to the back of her head as she reached he
MANNY“Do you think there's an open spot for a manager?” Cheryl asked, nibbling on her food. “Manger?” Manny repeated and then scoffed. Manager for what? Why did she want to climb up the ladder so fast?Manny didn't give her a reply. Instead, she kept her eyes on her chauffeur. If he stands, she stands.She wasn't wasting another second here.Seeing how Manny had been staring at him and sensing her anxiety, the chauffeur got up and walked to Manny, getting the memo.“Ma'am, we need to leave, you should get back to work.” He advised, knowing he was speaking her mind.Feigning ignorance on how much time she had wasted, she pretended to check her watch.“Give me a minute.” Her chauffeur nodded and Manny excused herself and Cheryl waited while making a phone call. She kept whispering into the phone, gaining a suspicious look from Manny's chauffeur.What was she up to?After doing her business she came out of the restroom, and right on cue, the piercing sound of a gunshot was heard and th
ANDREWAndrew was in his study when Jason suddenly entered with take-outs in his hand.He was spending more and more time with Andrew and he found it weird. Jason might be jovial, but he certainly wasn't clingy, which made his actions suspicious.“What are you doing here…again?” Andrew asked, getting tired of him showing up at his house whenever he wished.“I just got here.” Jason replied, looking at Andrew innocently.“You've been coming here every day for the past one week.” Andrew countered, turning on his chair to face his friend and looking at him weirdly.“Are you suddenly having feelings for me now that I'm married?” Andrew asked, raising an eyebrow and causing Jason to choke on his drink.“Wh…what?” Jason stammered, looking flustered. His cheeks turned to the brightest shade of red.“Tchh… I always knew you were gay.” Andrew taunted and turned back to his work, smiling.“What..? I'm…I'm not! I have a girlfriend!” Jason tried defending himself but Andrew was hearing none of it.
ANDREW “Now that's no way to talk to the mother of your child.” Kate reprimanded, mischievousness clear in her voice as she posed at the entrance of the door.She knew she already had him as soon as his eyes roamed her body.Andrew clenched his jaw and tried focusing on his as he felt a bulging in his area—due to the fact that it hadn't been used in a long time.Kate smiled seductively and entered. Meanwhile, Andrew was playing hard to get but would eventually give in. He always did.“Why was Jason here?” She asked, but he ignored her.He wasn't doing anything significant on the laptop yet he had to pretend so she could get the hell out of his study.“I heard what happened to your wife, is she okay?” She asked again and got the same reaction.She wasn't going to give up so easily.“Do you know who did it?” He ignored her again.“I wonder if Damon knows something about it.” She stated to herself but loud enough for Andrew to hear.‘Got you.’ Kate said in her head, smiling triumphant
MANNYWhen they arrived at the hospital, Manny was all dressed up and waiting.She gave him a weak smile as she saw him stand by the door and Jason waved at her, smiling widely.She was so glad to see him and was even more glad she could finally get out of the hospital. She seemed to be spending more and more time here.“Let me go see the doctor first.” Andrew said and left her with Jason.She couldn't help but feel that for some reason, Andrew wasn't happy to see her.“Okay.” she croaked, her throat dry. She laid back on the hospital bed, her back facing Jason who was busy on his phone.She was asleep when he came back to get her. Manny felt Andrew's fingers trace her face and her eyes fluttered open.He had taken that long with the doctor, she wondered what it was they had been talking about.No matter how many times she slept, she was still tired.“Hey, time to go.” She heard him whisper and she became wide awake.Andrew helped her get up while Jason carried the small bag that was
MANNY“Will she be okay?” Manny heard someone ask, the voice sounding similar to that of her husband's.“She'll be fine. She hasn't fully recovered, she just needs time.Manny heard the person sign in relief and she was curious to know who this person was that cared for her.She groaned and opened her eyes slowly as she allowed herself to adjust to the light little by little. When her eyes fully opened, she found Andrew's father peering down at her.“Good, you are awake.” He said the concern in his voice was now gone.Were all the Cooper's men this way?“Where is Andrew?” She managed to ask.She might be awake but her body certainly wasn't.“Your husband is in his study, I will get him for you.” He told her and left to inform his son that his wife was now awake.And in a few minutes, Manny could hear heavy footsteps coming towards her room. Andrew opened the door, walked in, and closed the door behind him, he was never one to knock.He stood in front of her bed and observed her. He co
MANNYToday was the twenty first day of them staying at Andrew's vacation house and Manny was loving it.There was no work, just fun and relaxation. Who wouldn't love that?During their stay here, Manny had seen a totally different side of Andrew, the cool and laid back side. It was like he was entirely another person.He had even opened up about his past, his brother and how he died and how his mother lost it causing her dementia.Manny felt sorry for him. She regretted not being by his side when his mother died, he wasn't yet over his mother's death and now she was giving him another trouble.She became emotional. She thought about it. All this time she thought he was just a cold-hearted person who was full of himself and all he cared about was money. But it turns out he just needed someone to love him.A knock came at the door and she sniffed, cleaning her tears. She hadn't realised they were falling.The knock came again and she laughed. Hewas even knocking on the door now, the An
In a bright, sunlit kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the air. Amelia sat at the kitchen table, her hands gently resting on her pregnant belly. Her long, brunette hair cascades over her shoulders, and her eyes, filled with a blend of excitement and nostalgia, look lovingly at her two children. Aiden and Adelaide, four, sat eagerly beside her, their wide eyes full of curiosity. “Woah!” The little boy exclaimed with so much excitement. “Was that how you gave birth to us?” Amelia nodded, her smile wide. The children were waiting for their father when they pushed her to tell them a story about how she fell in love with their dad. Now that she was done, they looked at her, more curious than before. "You know, when I was a little girl, not much older than you two, I used to dream about the day I'd have my own family," she began. “And now I do.” She beamed at them. “But why was Daddy so mean to you? He even threatened to take away Angel?!” Adelaide asked,
The night was eerily quiet when Amelia's labor began. She had felt sporadic contractions throughout the day, but they were manageable. Now, though, as the pain intensified and the contractions came closer together, she knew it was time. But her husband seemed to be lost on what to do. "Hang in there Manny. I'm calling Josie and Tristan to come over." Andrew said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Call the fucking driver Andrew. I need to go to the hospital." Amelia yelled as the pain intensified. “Right, the driver." Andrew scurried out of the house and later came back in to get his wife. "Get the bags!” Amelia commanded and he complied, afraid she would tear him off with her eyes. On their way to the hospital, Andrew informed Tristan what was happening and he promised to show up at the hospital with Josie. Amelia's mind was a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, fear, and pain intertwined. She had done thousands of checkups and only ate the food Andrew cooked for h
The grand cathedral was adorned with cascading white roses, shimmering crystals, and soft candlelight, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the gathering. The air buzzed with the murmur of anticipation and the gentle strains of a string quartet playing in the background. Down the hallway where she was getting set, Amelia felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness as she prepared to walk down the aisle. Her dress was a masterpiece of silk and lace, custom-designed to fit her perfectly. She had designed the dress herself, she might have wielded a gun for ten years but her hands could still hold a needle. Tristan wore a proud smile as he stretched his hands out for her. She took his arm, feeling the weight of the moment settle in her chest, her heart pounding with each step. The doors swung open, and a collective gasp echoed through the hall. Amelia took in deep breaths, and with joy, she took her first step onto the rose-petal-strewn aisle. Her eyes locked with Andrew’s wh
Amelia spent a month and some days in the hospital getting better but mostly cuddling up with Andrew. Their love continued like she never left. There were times that she would cry while explaining everything she had been through and Andrew would console her, promising to do everything in his power to protect her. Andrew had come to pick her up from the hospital that morning and Josie insisted that Amelia come to her place first. It was her house regardless. “I can't believe this." Josie squealed, unable to contain her joy. All this while, her friend was alive and was right under her nose. She knew the first time she set her eyes on Amelia that there was something familiar about her. “You're alive." She spread her arms wide and Amelia wasted no time in jumping into her embrace. She had missed her so much. "I'm so happy.” "Me too Josie…me too.” The two women cried till they could cry no more. Their cheeks were red, their eyes puffy and their clothes were stained wi
The sound of something shattering jerked Amelia back into consciousness. She tried getting up and groaned as she fell back down. She looked at what was happening around her, her swollen eyes making it almost impossible to see who was who. She was kept hidden in a corner, away from the disaster that was happening. “Fuck.” She heard Sebastian's voice and quickly turned in his direction. She saw him tangled up with the man she had seen so many times. Her captor. “Sebastian.” She croaked, but he couldn't hear. Just then he received a bullet to the end. Amelia froze but then breathed out in relief as he saw Sebastian get up. She looked up to see who had shot the gun and saw Tristan helping him up. ‘Andrew.’ a voice screamed at her. Her eyes scanned the room, her heart pounding, praying something hadn't happened to Andrew as she searched for him. The firing of a gun caught her attention. Tilting her head out of curiosity, she found Andrew, firing his father's both legs. “
Andrew and his men moved out. The roaring engines of the cars filled the air as they drove deep into the outskirts of town. Andrew drove Tristan and Sebastian with him as he continued running the plan over in his mind. ‘nothing could go wrong.’ He thought, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Dude, slow down. You're going to get us killed before we even get there." Tristan cautioned, feeling the increasing speed of the car. This was his first ever mission and his anxiety got the better of him. "I should have just stayed behind the scenes like always.” He muttered, regretting his decision the closer they got to their destination. “I didn't force you." Andrew reminded and Sebastian chuckled at the back. "Whatever. I just want to come back alive.” The car became quiet again and after a while, they got to the place. Allen and Lorenzo had done a good job hiding the place. At first, it was pretty hard to locate. Andrew stepped out of his car, the cool air sweeping
“I kept her under your care.” Andrew bellowed, his eyes blazed with anger as he punched Tristan. Tristan staggered back and massaged his jaw. Andrew had just arrived from Mexico and the first thing on his mind was to punch him. “How the fuck did she get kidnapped!” He roared, hitting him again before he could regain his stance. Couldn't something go right in his absence for once? “I tried to warn her, it's not my fault. She's a grown woman!” Tristan argued, dodging the next punch that Andrew threw at him. Andrew kept charging at him, and Tristan constantly missed it. He tried his best not to hit back, he knew Andrew wasn't himself at the moment. “Andrew!” Josie snapped, her sharp voice pierced through the hallway as her eyes blazed with fury and her lips curled up in anger. “She left on her own. Don't hold my husband responsible.” She hissed coming forward to stand between them. “You should have tried to talk sense into her.” “Who said we didn't?” Josie took a step
“What do you mean kidnapped?” Andrew barked, his teeth gritting. He left her right there for protection. How was it possible to get kidnapped? “She went out for a walk and never came back. We've been searching for her.” Tristan explained he could tell Andrew wasn't having any of it. “And then?” He hissed. “We got a note yesterday, saying if you want to see your wife, you have to bring the cash.” Andrew fumed at his statement, his hand clenched in a fist. Would his father go this far? Or was it someone else? “Did it say who it's from?” “Lorenzo.” He paled. His blood ran cold at what he would have done to Amelia. Then he felt immersed in Anger. He wasn't going to win this time. Without allowing Tristan to continue, he ended the call, picked up the documents from the table, and headed toward the door. He wasn't losing her for the second time. Getting closer to the exit, he saw Sebastian by the door, a duffel bag in his hand. “I'm going with you.” He said, h
“Why can't you just listen? Don't go out at night, it's a very simple instruction.” Tristan complained as he drove Amelia back to the house. She had gone out of the house again for her ‘evening walks.’ “You can't tell me what to do.” She whined, folding her hands like a child that had been scolded. “Andrew isn't here at the moment so as of right now, I get to tell you what to do.” Amelia just scoffed as she looked out her window, the night cool air, hitting her as Tristan drove. They got home to see Josie by the entrance, pacing. “Amelia.” She rushed over to her and hugged her. “You got me so worried, don't just leave the house like that ever again.” “Andrew said your life might be in danger, that's why you have to stay with us.” “I'm sorry for making you worry but I'm here now. Why don't we go inside?” Josie nodded and Amelia led her into the house by the hand. Everyone had retired to bed and was now sleeping, except her. So she decided to go again. Making su