She peeked into the room and found Jaime sitting in the corner like an abandoned puppy, his head bowed. It was a scene too painful to bear. She didn't bother him, she knew he needed quiet right now. She turned on her heel and sat in the kitchen, eating alone.Mr. Miro was cremated. They put his ashes in an expensive ceramic vase and kept it in the temple. The house is filled with incense and smoke of the deceased. The complete silence upon entering an empty house was not what Vivian expected to experience after getting married. She realized that her mother had once again lost her husband.This life is unpredictable. She leaves her painful past to enter a troubled future.After a quiet meal with Juke who kept asking where his grandfather was, Vivian spent more than an hour cleaning up and washing the dishes before going to bed. Jaime has graduated, preparing to sit in the CEO chair the day after tomorrow. Vivian didn't know how Jaime got over the pain after losing his parents.Jaime li
His eager smile turned gentle, he wrapped his arms around her. Burying his face in her hair, he said. "I am not fine."The needed comfort washed over him as Vivian placed her hand on his back, patting it comfortingly. Gently running a hand through his hair, she leaned closer to him."Even though my father and I were never close, he was still my father," Jaime said. "I may not agree with his ways but he always does everything while thinking about me. Dad is rarely by my side even if I need him but he always gives me everything I need and always makes sure I get the best. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here, with you. As long as I have you by my side, I believe I can do it.""We will get through this sadness together." Vivian agreed, patting him on the back. Then she looked into his eyes, her thumb brushing his cheek affectionately. "So, dear husband, where is my breakfast?"He let out a short laugh before speaking. "Wait a minute." He walked over to the table, brought the tray ove
His breath was warm, his hand was on her lower back, and his lips kissed hers gently as if afraid she would hurt. Wrapping her arms around him, she gripped the back of his shoulders as he pulled the blanket over them both.Her heart was beating fast, blood rushing through her body, involuntarily curling her toes as excitement continued to spread throughout her body. Their breaths mingled as Jaime lowered his body, she felt his midsection touch hers.A breath escaped her mouth as Jaime ran his hands over her hips. Passion flowed through his mouth and desire pulsed through her body like lightning as he continued to engulf her in a thousand fiery kisses.Vivian's mouth opened to breathe, Jaime placed his lips on her cheek, leaving a trail of kisses then he moved towards her ear, her neck. "I want you." She heard his voice whisper.Her hand found the hem of his shirt. Letting out a gasp, he found a good spot on her neck, she gripped his shirt, raking her fingers up his back. Something sha
Mrs. Maggie is extremely grateful that Jaime brought Vivian to live with her but this... she doesn't want Vivian to give away her purity. Mrs. Maggie feels like she was when she was younger, innocent and innocent. Mrs. Maggie wants to protect her daughter because she is still too young, she needs to fly and play, not live the life of a housewife and raise children.Mrs. Maggie wants Vivian to live a happier, more free life than that."Driver Karon." Mrs. Maggie called, rushing out of the kitchen and into the foyer. A forty-year-old man walked into the living room."Yes, ma'am?" He says."Follow them. Hurry!""For what?" He frowned, his forehead wrinkled."Find out where they're going and report back to me. Got it?"~~~~~"Sister Vivian." Hodja greeted them at the door with surprise. "Why did you come so suddenly?""Oh... I just... wanted to visit you." Vivian smiled and then looked over his shoulder, she saw Sunnee in the kitchen. She greeted loudly. "Sunnee." when she entered. Behind
Vivian glanced at her and then at her brother, she patted his arm before walking out. They left right after she ate that awkward breakfast.Driving down the road, Jaime glanced at her. "What were you and your brother talking about?""The things of the past, nothing important." She lied, looking out the window."Is there anything I don't know?" He asked, stopping for a red light.Because she was nervous, she twisted her hands together, placed them on her thighs, and bit her lower lip. Does Jaime know? Would he be suspicious and angry with her? She needs some time to calm down."Why didn't you tell him about our wedding?" Jaime stared at her.Vivian looked at her knees, wishing she hadn't acted on her urge to see Hodja this morning."Are you two arguing?" He said and turned around as the car behind them honked loudly. Jaime was forced to drive and pull over to the side of the road so they could talk.Then, once again, he turned to her, waiting for her to answer."We don't argue." Muster
As soon as Vivian and Jaime left, Luna left too. Mrs. Maggie was surprised by the girl's nature but that wasn't her main point of worry right now. After calling the housekeeper to clear the table, she quickly changed clothes and called driver Karon to take her to the place where Jaime and Vivian went yesterday.A moment later, the car parked across the street from a small house, she observed the short white fence surrounding the yellow house that exuded a quiet happiness. The yard is large, and the flowers and lawn are well-trimmed and cared for. Curtains are drawn tightly to maintain the privacy of the house. A small two-story house built not too many years ago and still in good condition. Mrs. Maggie nodded at the house where Hodja lived.“Did they come here yesterday?” Mrs. Maggie wondered."Yes, my lady." Karon nodded from the front seat."It looks like there's no one in the house." She leaned toward the window. "We'll wait here until someone arrives.""Yes, ma'am." Karon nodded a
Look at Mrs. Maggie menacingly, he said gruffly with his lips curled up. "My mother died a long time ago."A feeling of complete loss engulfed her, she almost stumbled back. "No..." Mrs. Maggie shook her head. "Why you said that?""How dare you use Sunnee to approach me like this." He shouted. "Stay away from me."Mrs. Maggie could feel her heart being torn in half, her heart starting to bleed. This is just a dream, right? Why does Hodja treat her the same as Vivian? Sadness welled up inside her, threatening to overpower, flooding through her body but to shed tears now would mean she was dead to them, she would never let this happen."I have no choice. Vivian didn't tell me..." Mrs. Maggie fell silent. Hodja's eyes, if possible, widened even more, and he became serious."Sister Vivian?" His voice trembled, his face menacing between disbelief and roaring anger.Mrs. Maggie became more and more confused, she blinked a few times. Hypnotizing herself to become confident, she nodded. "That
"They are mostly older men but even old men will have teeth as sharp as knives hidden behind their smiles. Your father has set your first mission. All you do is show them you're capable." She lowered her finger to the paper. "I'll give you a hint to help you survive the meeting. Read this."Jaime's eyes drifted to the paper then back to her."You're the director. Don't forget that."~~~~~It was not a pleasant feeling to know that he fired them just because of their age. He even hated himself when he saw the excited approval sparkling in the board members' eyes when he mentioned it.The streets were jammed with traffic at rush hour, and he sat in the car waiting for the red light to turn green, wondering if his father was more cold than he had ever imagined. He did not like this position, having the power to decide everything as if he were the king of an empire. Jaime doesn't want to make others suffer but he's doing exactly that. If his father did the same, he wanted to do it differe
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