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chapter 4
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2023-03-19 11:00:33Related chapters
Choosen chapter 5
“Mom, I can’t answer your calls every second of the day.” Audrey groaned; her phone glued to her ear as she made her way to her office. Traffic wasn’t a delight to start her morning and now a call from her mother – more like a thorough inspection of her barren love life to her mother’s disagreement if she ever were to start drinking tap water.“I’m just worried about you. I think you’re barely eating. Why don’t you take a vacation and come home?”Audrey sighed at the resurrection of the topic. “You know I can’t.”“Why not?” She asks stubbornly.Audrey stepped into the elevator and hammered at the control panel. “I have this life over here. I can’t just up and leave.”When the elevator pinged, Kylie was already on the other side with her coffee in hand. “Good morning. Black coffee.” She beamed, handing over the to-cup.She murmured her thanks and took her coffee. The thing about her assistant is that she never fails to smile no matter how shitty the
Last Updated : 2023-03-19Choosen chapter 6
Vren is usually great with first impressions. If he hadn’t been drunk, he would’ve impressed the hell out of the Audrey Danler—sweeping a woman off her feet is his strong suit, after all.He never wanted to be on the wrong side of Audrey. That wouldn’t have been the case had she been more accommodating. Or if Audrey hadn’t left before he woke up,In her defense, that’s how wedding hookups work.He never meant to blindside her. Her assistant kept dismissing him, so he had to turn to a few more resorts. Luckily, she’s an old friend—yes, being a past fling makes her an old friend.Willingly enough, she gave her appointment to him. Audrey wasn’t thrilled by it though. It was pretty obvious.The bottom line is he had to do what he had to do.Vren drummed his fingers on the table and glance at the seat across from him. He was never early for a date. Hell, he was never this desperate for dinner with a woman.He reached for his phone on the table and to
Last Updated : 2023-03-19Choosen chapter 7
ONE MONTH LATERAudrey sank onto the cold tiled floor of her bathroom. She tried to grasp the truth indicated by the two lines on the pregnancy kit.Even when her hands are shaking, she neatly placed the stick next to the five others on the floor.She’s forgotten about the possibility of it.The entire month that she’s been working, it never occurred to her that she would actually get pregnant. Or if she ever did think about it, she shoves it back to the back of her mind.However, the truth lies before her in two heart-stopping lines.For the first time in years, she doesn’t know what to do.Oh, God. She needs to tell her mom.She tucked her knees up her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down—as her mother taught her. But her mind was racing, and she couldn’t keep up.She was close to forgetting that one fateful night. But, it was impossible because Vren Parkinson kept reminding him b
Last Updated : 2023-03-20Choosen chapter 8
Vren sipped his whiskey and re-read the text his secretary sent him. He’d hoped Audrey would call him herself but just add it to the pile of his disappointments.Disappointments aside though, he was nervous.Hell, he couldn’t stand to be in a crowd right now. So, instead of staying by his mother’s side as he promised, he went to hide on the terrace.It’s her birthday. Sure enough, she’s thrown a huge party with every single person she knows at it. Knowing his mother, she’s met more people in her life than he could count. From where he was standing, they looked like scattered glitters on an empty canvas.Vren saw a shadow behind him. He turns around only to find Kathie looking like she was about to run. “Sorry. I don’t know you’re in here.”“Hey. I don’t mind sharing the terrace.”Kathie fiddled with her wedding ring. “Nah, I don’t want to intrude.”“Come on, it’s just me.” Vren tries not to look bothered by the fact that his sister-in-law is a b
Last Updated : 2023-03-20Choosen chapter 9
Audrey didn’t back out when Kathie told her that Vren was at the party. She even stayed calm when Kathie told her that she spilled the secret on her husband by accident.She half-expected her to accidentally tell at least one person close to her.However, seeing Vren is a whole other level than just knowing Vren was going to be at the party. In fact, he ended up with her head on a toilet bowl.“That’s right. Let it all out.” Jessica was by the door, keeping a lookout. Like she couldn’t have just locked it. “Just let it go.”Audrey couldn’t hear her over her own retching. She was puking her guts out while Kylie is rubbing her back.“I know we should’ve just canceled,” Kylie murmurs, worry dripping in her voice.She couldn’t respond to that as she was too preoccupied.Jessica bunched up the hem of her dress and knelt next to her. “Audrey, we need to get you home. You are not okay.”Audrey fisted her hands as her head lowered further to the toi
Last Updated : 2023-03-20Choosen chapter 10
Vren hadn’t left Audrey’s side—so did Kathie, Jessica, and Kylie. They’ve taken her to the hospital, and it was evident that he wasn’t the only one worried sick. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other. In fact, they hadn’t even made eye contact with him. They offered him coffee, though.Audrey’s eyes fluttered open.Her friends were on their feet in a split second. Kylie went to call a doctor.Audrey’s face registered confusion, then she realized where she was and remained quiet. She met his eyes.He expected a frown but there was nothing. Like he was right where she wanted him to be.“Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?” Kathie asks, almost sounding like her mother.Before Audrey could answer, Kylie came back in with the doctor.Vren couldn’t wait for a second longer. “How is she?”The doctor gave him a comforting smile. “You have nothing to worry about. Mommy and baby are both fine.”Kathie, Jessica, and Kylie sighed in relief. Judging
Last Updated : 2023-03-20Choosen chapter 11
***Hi! This book is under MAJOR revision, so some things might not add up in the next chapters. Please read on with this in mind.Audrey colored herself thunderstruck as she stared dazedly at the man climbing out of the car in front of her. She was just leaving the restaurant after a meeting with Christian Parkinson - editor in chief of a leading men’s magazine alongside hers. They occasionally had their paths intertwined when the other’s in need or simply celebrating the achievement of another. Sassy and Bachelor are partners - although sometimes a competition.Audrey’s just dealt with a Parkinson and now here comes another with a bouquet of flowers in hand to bribe her. Actually, if she’s really being honest, she’s got herself involved with the Parkinsons long before she realized it. She met Margaret Parkinson when she volunteered at Parkinson Foundation. She was working between jobs back then. Margaret probably saw she’s got the potential and recommended her to
Last Updated : 2023-03-21Choosen chapter 12
***Hi! This book is under MAJOR revision, so some things might not add up in the next chapters. Please read on with this in mind.Vren swirled the wine in his glass as he gaze at the empty seat across him. Audrey has been in the bathroom for quite some time and he’s starting to get worried. She’s excused herself twice, okay, make that thrice and this time Audrey took a little longer. He wanted to flee to her side when he saw her reappearing from the ladies’ room, looking paler than she did the second time she went in the bathroom.“Hey, you okay?” He was up to his feet, ushering her back to her seat. He was surprised when she allowed him to.She murmured something that sounded like a ‘thank you.’ She reaches for the glass of water and sips on it. “I’m fine.”Vren flops back down to his seat, perusing her. “The last time you told me that it nearly gave me a heart attack.”“I won’t faint.” She rolled her eyes.“You know, we can just go. You’re tired.”
Last Updated : 2023-03-21
Latest chapter
Choosen Epilogue
Audrey nodded, sweeping her gaze on every faces in the conference room. She was in one of their weekly meetings. She was following up on their stories, barely speaking because there wasn’t much to say to the competent and insightful women around the table. The fitness team were just giving her an update when her phone buzzed with a text message from Vren.She clicks her pen, wishing nothing more but for the meeting to be over. And when it did, she watches in agony as everyone exits before her. She types a reply on her phone, changing her mind when a man she recognized in one glimpse comes in as everyone else was going out.The lingering glances didn’t go unnoticed. She was getting used to the female attention he constantly gets wherever he goes. She still has her moments though – where she just couldn’t help but get jealous. But, of course, Vren doesn’t have to know that. The things is, she really thought the women would eventually subside once he no longer have the lux
Choosen Ending part 2
“Berry, nude or matte blue?”Audrey squinted closer to her computer screen where Jessica was holding three nail polishes and Kathie was shifting in her enormous couch. “Nude.”Since two out of three has had hassles going to places, they resorted to video calls.“Yeah, nude.” Kathie nods, pausing to fluff a throw pillow.“Boring. I think I’ll choose matte blue.” She glances briefly at them, then snort laughed.Audrey shot her a glare. “What?”“Nothing. My screen is ninety-five percent round bellies. Five percent faces of my best friends.” She shakes the bottle, grinning at the screen.“I’ll kill you if you take a screenshot right now.”Jessica bellowed a laugh. “I’d like to see you try with that belly.”“Just wait until you get one of these bellies too,” Kathie chimes in a sing song voice. She adjusted her phone, angling it to her face.Their friend merely snorted and started painting her toenails.Audrey would’ve given a skeptical eye
Choosen Ending part 1
“Sweetheart?” Vren closes the door behind him. She hasn’t opened the door for him. Although she only meets him at the door on a few occasions, he’s still allowed to expect a peck from his girlfriend. He padded quietly inside his penthouse, chest fluttering as he hears her elegant voice from the living room.He watches in amusement as the woman he’s been obsessing over for months now chided someone over her phone. He couldn’t exactly hear the entire conversation but he was able to get the idea that it was about an advertiser who pulled out from a prime spot at the last minute.She’s supposed to be on sabbatical leave but she kept everything monitored through Kylie. Although she reassured him she’s keeping herself from stress, Vren tries to get her off the phone. Mainly for his own personal gain because he needed the attention. Some days she’s hunched over her laptop, maybe checking her emails, and sometimes engrossed in a video call with her friend Rachel Myers whom she
Choosen chapter 45
Audrey paces in her bedroom. The pink interior slowly transitioned into an irritating shade because her room looked happy in contrary to the dread dwelling in the pit of her stomach. Her mother came over to her Aunt Gemma’s house—the first time she went out of the house since she has been discharged from the hospital.A revving car from outside snapped her out of her thoughts, reorienting her to the task at hand. The engine groaned loudly into a stop but she couldn’t care less about it. She leaned her back against the wall, looked out the window where the sun was streaming in several hours ago. There wasn’t any trace of it anymore which means she’s spent the day fruitlessly.The wall felt cold against her back. She gathered a calming breath in through her nose and scrolled through her contacts one more time. Swallowing the bile in her throat, she rings him. The soles of her feet were freezing as her palms. She hoped it will go to voicemail and save her from the embarras
Choosen CHAPTER 44
One call. All it takes is one phone call. For Pete’s sake just call. She’s been staring at her phone all morning. She’s been mustering all the courage she needed to make the call. Since when did a single phone call became her toughest obstacle?Right. When she started mooning over Vren Parkinson without control over it. And that’s why she’s been wanting to call in the first place.Audrey figured she needed the fresh air to clear her mind, so she sat in the front porch and breathed in some courage.She’s been so occupied she didn’t pay attention to the car easing onto the driveway. Her head snapped to the direction of the driver’s side where the car door just closed with a soft thud. Her hands clenched at the sight of a familiar face she’s known by heart.He hesitated when he sees her on the porch swing. Mistaking her lack of movement for something else other than pure surprise, he turns and reopens the door.“Dad, it’s okay.” She bolted upright, stopping her
Choosen chapter 42
Vren pursed his lips irritably as he reaches the end of his contacts. Yet again. In emotional conflicts, he would resort to calling a past fling. But, surprising himself, he was deleting each single one from his contacts.What the hell was he supposed to do?For a great portion of his life, he had women as proven distraction from the noise of business ordeals. However, he haven’t met Audrey then. He didn’t have a deep emotional conflict that could only be relieved by one particular woman.His life is way off course. The only solution to put it back on track is to have his Audrey back. Whatever it might cost him. He had long lists of grand gestures he’s taken a mental note of. If that doesn’t give away how much he hasn’t been sleeping, maybe the dark circles might.He was on the verge of smashing his phone for having no one else to call. He takes out a heavy sigh and pressed that one phone number he has considered to call.Damn it. What the hell?Vren cli
Choosen chapter 41
Audrey won’t talk about it. She won’t even think about it. She wrapped her arms around her legs and tucked her knees against her chest. Her fingers shielded her eyes from the sun. She peeks through the space between her thumb and forefinger to assess how much she overslept. Her arm slumped back to her side as she wishes she could sink further to the cushions.He loves me.She shakes her head aggressively, shoving the thought out of her head.She told herself that this is how things are supposed to be. It was right to keep him in arm’s length. The barely there suggestion of marriage triggered everything she had kept at the back of her mind and pooled all over her. The mention of the ring really did a number on her. Her mother’s words that angered her then, came back to haunt her. However, she developed the habit of setting aside outside influences from her decisions over the years. So if Audrey were to screw up, she has an accusatory finger right to her face.Aud
Choosen chapter 43
Audrey sink to the rug, her gaze going over the opened door of the bathroom where she just spent the entire morning after having a round of morning sickness and some other stuff she doesn’t want to think about. A small sob slipped out, followed by another.She began crying in the quiet of the guest room. Her chest heaved from huge, racking sobs that doesn’t seem to end. She pulled her legs close, tucking her knees to her chest. She buried her face on the comfort of her thighs. Hoping it will muffle the sound.She was fine yesterday. She was doing well in keeping her mind off the soft spot. But waking up today with a terrible morning sickness felt like stepping right onto a landmine. Amidst the distressing process of cleaning her stomach clean, she thought about how bearable it once was when Vren was right on her side, holding her hair back, rubbing her back and his voice so soft on her ears.“Damn it!” She hissed as the memory flood in fresh new tears to her already
Choosen Chapter 40
Vren’s hand covers hers, snapping her out of her stream of thought. They were in the kitchen having coffee after lunch. He wanted to stay for the weekend. Badly. But he had important business to attend to that he couldn’t reschedule. He likes to think that Audrey was just sulking that he couldn’t stay, but that’s not Audrey. She won’t show her need for him to stay because that would be demanding him to stay. And she’s not the kind to hold someone back.“You’re awfully quiet, Audrey.” He links his pinky finger with hers, finally drawing her attention to him.Her other hand grazed the curving handle of her mug. “It’s nothing, really.”“What is it? Maybe I can help?” Vren wasn’t dense not to notice her mother locking herself up in her bedroom. Audrey leaves her be.She kept her eyes on the mug like she found entertainment in the swaying steam of her coffee. She was silent still.Vren urges her face up with a finger beneath her chin. “Is this about getting a rin
