"I heard Vivian talk a lot about you," Jaime said. "She always worries about you."Her younger brother smiled. "I've heard about you too. This is the first time Vivian has introduced her boyfriend to me. I feel a bit strange but it's okay. Vivian has taken care of me since childhood, now it's time for her to think for herself."Jaime smiled ostentatiously.A period of silence. Hodja then spoke. "Sister Vivian doesn't spend much time for herself just because of you, so I'm very worried about her future. Now I don't need to worry so much anymore."Hearing this, Jaime was blank for a second then he gently smiled."My sister has had an extremely difficult time trying to give me a good life, so I just hope that whatever happens to her is for the good. " Hodja said. "I'm sure Sister Vivian won't tell you about how she grew up, but I at least want you to know. Seeing how Sister Vivian brought you here shows that she likes you a lot."Jaime glanced at Vivian who was busy in the kitchen then t
Lifting the photo, Vivian brushed the dust from the surface of the glass. Hodja won't be coming to her wedding. She won't let him meet the mother who put them on this path. She would never introduce him to Jaime's family.She decided that after introducing him to her brother-in-law. How heartbroken Hodja will be when she discovers that they live on the streets, while their mother lives in wealth and warmth. They were forgotten, and the mother took care of two other children in their place.When Vivian thought about that, the reprehensible sadness hit her like someone punched her in the stomach with a fist. She and Hodja lived in poverty. Their mother left her difficult life behind and followed a rich man and lived with his well-off children.Her and Hodja's hearts were torn to pieces every day, that woman lived in laughter and children. When the children went to school, they had to live in an orphanage.When those children graduated from school, she had to work day and night to earn m
Vivian walked into the dining room – a spacious room right next to the kitchen decorated with beautiful things and bright paintings on the walls. A long table with five chairs was placed around it and the table was filled with delicious, fragrant dishes.Juke sat in his seat happily waiting for her with a small smile, showing off his bright white teeth. She guessed he was a clone of his dead father because she didn't see him looking like Jaime or his mother, she saw Tanya Miro in Jaime's photo.Vivian turned to look at Jaime as if asking if she could sit next to the child, he smiled and nodded. Jaime sat across from her. His mother put down a bowl of hot soup on the table. Vivian felt her eyes looking down at the table, she didn't have the courage to look at her biological mother."You cooked too many dishes today," Jaime said as the woman sat down in the chair next to him."Is that so? I don't know what my daughter-in-law likes to eat, so I cook all the dishes I can cook." She said,
Jaime was studying at his desk when Mrs. Maggie pushed the door in, holding in her hand the two towels she had just bought that morning for Vivian."Mom," Jaime spoke up as she entered."I came in to ask if you had enough towels for both of you." She speaks."I've already taken a shower, but Vivian is talking to Dad," Jaime said. "You leave it there. It's okay to have more."The woman smiled, her heart was as warm as a spring breeze blowing. She opened the bathroom door, put the towel on the shelf, and walked out.Jaime always studies hard, striving with all his efforts. She knows one day his hard work will pay off and he will live happily with Vivian. Today, his fiancée was here, so he laughed so much that Juke teased him. "If you laugh anymore, your mouth will tear in two.""You study hard." She said as she walked up to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "It's late, you should rest.""I'm waiting for Vivian."Mrs. Maggie smiled, unable to believe this was happening, living under
Too self-conscious, she couldn't look at him, even if she peeked, she didn't dare. Because she was so shaken. She bit her lower lip as he pulled her closer to him."After I graduate, we will get married." He said, his words just whispering in her ears. "Do you believe that?""Huh?" She asked quickly and then felt like she was shrinking back. "Yes...""I can't wait until you're officially part of my family." He continued. "I think Dad is really happy to see you. Because at least he will be by his daughter-in-law's side in her final days. What do you think?"Vivian pretended to smile. "Perhaps..."Jaime gushed with joy, every ounce of happiness she wished she could share with him but she wasn't comfortable even though she tried everything she could."It happened so fast, you also feel a bit strange, right?" He asks. "Just a few weeks ago, we started seeing each other. Now you're here with me. A lot of people would call this unnatural, but I don't think so at all. A lifetime isn't enough
The door opened. The chairman and Luna's eyes fell on her before moving to Vivian next to her."I heard you're graduating next week but I was on a business trip at the time, so I came to congratulate you first." President Evans said and stood up. "This is..."The man's eyes turned round and round between Jaime and Vivian, their hands clasped together, then he looked at Jaime's father for an answer."This is Vivian, our daughter-in-law." Mr. Miro directly introduced. Looking at Vivian, he said. "And this person is President Evans, an important business partner of mine, and his daughter, Luna.""Hi." Vivian bowed her head and nodded slightly towards Luna.Luna smiled, appeared friendly, and welcomed Vivian warmly as if Vivian were her best friend. "We meet again."Jaime's eyebrows furrowed and he turned to look at Vivian. He doesn't know that Vivian has met Luna before. His attention was interrupted when his father spoke."Come to my room after you put your things away." His father gave
Vivian had just changed into comfortable clothes after putting her staff uniform in the closet. The door suddenly opened. She smiled and almost squealed expecting to see Jaime walk through the door, but instead, she recognized the girl who had been to her workplace. The wavy hair and luxurious appearance are still so familiar even though Vivian only vaguely remembers it.In fact, she still vividly remembers the girl talking to her about her marriage to Jaime as if it had just happened yesterday. Vivian got the gist of the story. She should have let Jaime go, so he could have a better life. Vivian would have done the same but now things are different. Here she was and about to marry Jaime, nothing could change the fact that it would happen soon.From the first time, Jaime mentioned this girl to her, it was clear that he was opposed to the idea of a marriage for business interests. Jaime also seems upset about Luna for some reason. Vivian is curious why Jaime doesn't love Luna when sh
Mrs. Maggie patted Jaime's arm before leaving the room. Jaime followed behind to close the door and then walked towards Vivian."Vivian." He holds her hand."How did you and Dad talk?" Vivian asked, looking up at him."Boring." He complained. "I'd rather read a book than listen to my father talk."Vivian snorted. "You should not say that.""I do not lie." He pulled her closer to him. "Did she say anything to hurt you?"Smiling, Vivian shook her head. "No big deal.""Really?""Yes." She nodded in confirmation. "Except she cares about you.""Do not have.""Have."Jaime pinched her cheek affectionately and smiled. "Don't listen to what she says.""Why? What if she tells the truth?" Vivian asked. "That she likes you, she's the only one capable of helping you with the company?"“Then trust me.” He promised. "You're the only one I need."Vivian snorted before he hugged her, she pressed her cheek against Jaime's broad shoulder to bask in his warmth.“But I need to punish you.” Jaime smiled c
5 months later...The road she traveled over the years was full of rocks. Vivian doesn't understand why small things turn into such great things. Life is a circle, she ran a big circle and finally returned to the starting point.She learned that with perseverance, one can go further and that weightless dreams can take flight one day. When the road is long and dark, it means the end is near, there will be light at the end of the road.All we need to do is put in effort and courage, no one can get out of their dark path without scars.That's difficult. Her heart is small and scared but the fear is less now than before.Vivian finds it funny how dramatic and difficult situations have happened to her and Jaime. However, in the end, they somehow remained together hand in hand.She couldn't know if they were soul mates in existence, but she believed that deep down, they had built an eternal bond somewhere from the beginning. That bond remains even after two years apart.She was happy that J
"Wait." Jaime quickly pulled Vivian back as soon as she opened the bedroom door.The bags hanging from her arms collided with each other. She asked with irritation. "What's up?""Close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you to."Vivian snorted. "Is this some trick from that stupid book Clinton lent you?"His eyes became warm. "Of course not." Even though that's a lie. This was a cliché idea he read from a chapter in a book Clinton gave him: How to Surprise a Woman.Vivian closed her eyes.“Did you close your eyes?” He leaned forward to check."Yes." She nodded. Grabbing her shoulder, he led her into the room, gently closing the door behind him. Turning on the light, he led her toward the bathroom and stopped right in the doorway."OK, you can open your eyes." He said and smiled with satisfaction when Vivian saw rose petals floating on the bathtub. The scent of lavender and rosemary flows from lit candles placed around the rim of the tub.Vivian smiled impressed. "Are you serious?
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Vivian sobbed and pulled her mother close as if if she loosened her grip, she might lose her again.It's been a long time since she touched her mother's hair, smelled her scent, or hugged her tightly. All the regrets and pain shattered in that moment, nothing was more important than this moment. "Mom."Their reunion was spent crying and apologizing. Tears fell from all the hurt they had carried over the years. Each tear carries a different story every time it falls.There hasn't been a day since their father passed away that their small family of three has felt so complete."Look at you two." Her mother cried, stroking both of her children. The fact that they survived without their mother's warm hands, she said in a hoarse voice. "You two have grown up very well. My children.""I brought my daughter. Do you want to meet her?" Hodja asked. Picking up baby Esther from the ground, he gave the baby to Mrs. Maggie. "Esther, this is your grandmother. It's your gra
Vivian stayed at Hodja's house, hiding there for a few days until she calmed down and thought things through, but she felt like she was causing trouble for his small family. They are happy. She couldn't go to Jerry's house, so her brother's house was the last thing on her mind.First thing in the morning, Aiden called to let her know she didn't have to go to Jaime's office anymore, and instead she could work with Jerry.The past few days, burying herself in work had helped take other thoughts from her mind, but returning to the solace of Hodja's apartment was completely different. The room was very quiet.She lay on the cold bed and couldn't sleep. When she has nothing to do, she often walks around the apartment, stopping to look out the window.For a week, she let her mind wander and her heart rest for a while. Personal space helps clear any blockages in her mind. The fog began to gradually dissipate, and she could almost breathe normally again. Her chest is not too heavy.All that w
"Why do you want to be my mother now? Why should I call you mother, when you're not there for me or for Hodja, why?" Bitterness filled Vivian's heart. "I don't even know you. Jaime has considered you his biological mother for half his life, more so than Hodja and I. So how do I call you mother?"Vivian's eyebrows furrowed as she looked toward her mother for an answer, but she said nothing. Breathing out a light breath, Vivian turned away to wipe away her tears."If you were there when Hodja almost died twice, I would have knelt and admitted my mistake." Vivian declared. "But you weren't there. Others can proudly say that their mothers raised them well, but Hodja and I couldn't have that happiness. I raised him in your place. I also support myself. We never lived like other people. Waking up to my mother's breakfast, we never had that breakfast.""If I could go back in time, I want to experience that once. I missed that so much that when I finally ate your food, it just made me angry a
Everything would have gone according to Jaime's plan perfectly if he hadn't mentioned her mother. Vivian's blood boiled. She doesn't want to listen. She doesn't want to.Pulling the blanket over her head, she tried to fall asleep.The next morning, she woke up to the smell of delicious food. Jaime was cooking in the kitchen. "Come and eat quickly." He said as she walked in from the bathroom.They ate quietly like strangers. That's so sad. They had come so far, having been together for less than two years apart. Their relationship is so fragile that even the slightest touch will shatter it.Stealthily glancing at Jaime, Vivian found that she didn't know what to say. Is it her fault that they are like this? Because she was too stubborn, too stubborn because she had been in the dark for too long?Because she can't come to terms with her feelings for Jaime or admit them out loud?Is cowardice driving her life so she doesn't want to hear anything from him?That's right, it's her fault, she
Everything was hazy in memory, the argument two years ago had fatefully ended what they had. Remembering why Vivian left him is an even bigger task than plotting to get her back.Jaime leaned forward and ruffled his hair with both hands, frustration evident. Was it the heat of the moment that made Vivian pack her suitcase that night?He can't remember. What he remembered after watching Vivian leave was standing here in this room with anger welling up in a way he had never felt before.He doesn't care if she comes back or not. Jaime regrets that. He should care, because that's what means the most to him right now.That night if he had chased Vivian right after she left, maybe they wouldn't be here constantly arguing. Raising his head from his hands, he thought. Once she left, it seemed like she had no plans to return.He ate lunch and dinner in solitude hoping Vivian would return to eat with him, even if they ate in silence better than without her.If he hadn't rushed to talk to her th
When Vivian returned, she walked into the bathroom, Jaime knew that she would be stiff with anger despite the wonderful night they had had. It's better to give her some space to blow things up, like his mother suggested.Closing his eyes to return to dreamland, he prayed that Vivian would not leave him again.After cleaning up the messy clothes scattered on the floor, he took a shower and walked out. There were no plans for today, so he didn't know what Vivian would do. Mrs. Maggie and Juke have not returned from their trip yet, only the two of them are at home.Since meeting Vivian again after two years, he's begun to learn about her temperament, adapting to it, to a degree he never had when they first knew each other.When angry, she will bite and fight back easily, making him nervous or, most annoyingly, ignoring him. Today she will be angry because he won't let her continue last night's unfinished story.Jaime couldn't figure out how he was going to fight her. He just knew they ne
His excitement increased when he felt that Vivian temporarily stopped resisting. Quickly pulling down her shirt, he smelled her scent and kissed her shoulder. He had been waiting for this.The joy that Vivian kept for him for two years. She owes him. All he could think about was carrying her to bed and claiming her as his own.Retrieving her wet lips, he inserted his tongue into her mouth, groping until his fingers rested on her thighs. He caressed her white calves, pulling her forward to get even closer.Jaime desired her slowly. He wanted to taste every part of her to be reminded of her innocence. The girl's embarrassment about undressing in front of him swept across his mind. He'd be damned if he let her get away after tonight.Releasing her lips, Jaime breathed into her mouth, their lips barely brushing each other. His whole body was aroused, he was using all his energy to satisfy his desire. Turning off the light, he picked her up and walked towards the bed.Vivian's body is attr