"Why are you standing?" One of them asked with a sharp tone. "Sit down.""Yes..." Nodding awkwardly, Vivian timidly sat down, placing her hands on her thighs. Her eyes looked around the room because she didn't know where to look. She was afraid that if she touched one of the eyes here, they would take it as some kind of insult."Sorry for keeping everyone waiting." Her mother said walking into the living room with a tray full of teacups. As she placed the cups of tea on the table in front of everyone, Vivian thought that she looked more like a maid than the owner of this house. That's a shame.Vivian wasn't sure how she felt about that. Without doing anything, she remained there, glued to her seat with a feeling of guilt and pity. She recalls Jaime saying that his aunt and their mother were the same age but Mrs. Maggie looks beyond her years compared to her posh aunt. Vivian felt the same way."Are there any snacks included?" Another woman with dyed dark brown hair suggested."Why don
The fragrant smell of food filled my nose as Vivian approached the kitchen. The smell of butter permeated the air along with the sweet freshness that made Vivian's stomach growl. Tightening her grip on the tray, Vivian stopped as she got closer to the kitchen, feeling her heart become both wary and nervous. She should have left the teacups in the living room for her mother to come in and clean up but in the end, she didn't.Clicking her tongue, Vivian pushed her forward, across the tiled floor, she placed the tray on the table, near the sink. Empty teacups rattled as her mother washed them."Are they gone?" Mrs. Maggie asked."Yes." She didn't look at her mother, deliberately placing her eyes elsewhere."I just made some sushi. Do you want some?" her mother asked."No. I want to take a shower." Turning around, Vivian quickly walked out of the kitchen so as not to talk to her mother.The phone rang as she walked out of the bathroom. To her surprise, she saw Hodja's name appear on the s
The sound of high heels caught her attention. A second later, Hodja turned around when he saw a woman leaning against the corner of a brick wall that connected like a fence to Jaime's house. Following her gaze, Vivian realized it was Luna, who threw them a smile before coming out of her hiding place."I didn't mean to intrude," Luna said, hand resting on her arm. Caught off guard, Vivian withdrew her hand from Hodja."This is my younger brother." Vivian introduced, trying to act calm despite the nervous chills traveling down her spine. "Hodja, this is Luna, an important business partner."Out of politeness, they shook hands. Observing Hodja's tense face, Luna smiled cockily. "Looks like I've disturbed you two. I'll be back later.""No. You don't have to do that." Vivian quickly interrupted. "Hodja is about to leave." She glanced at him, praying he would cooperate with her. The younger brother coldly glanced at her, his eyes not backing down. "Is that right, Hodja? You have something t
Vivian stood still as people passed by, bumping into her on the street. She'd never felt worse than this, she craved Jaime by her side to a degree she couldn't even fathom.Reaching into her pocket, she took out her phone and called him. For a while, she heard the phone ring continuously, along with a haunting beep until her call went to voicemail.Maybe Jaime is very busy. It was only his second day at work but he was so busy with work. After being with him every day, Vivian forgot how to deal with loneliness. Now that he's gone to work, loneliness haunts her all the time but she can't do anything about it. Jaime made her believe that he would always be there for her.Pressing a hand to her forehead, Vivian fought to calm herself and then took a taxi. She needs to do something. Hodja is angry, before he comes back to drag her back, she needs to turn things around. And before Jerry and Hodja join hands, Vivian cannot sit still and let everything be lost. It was with great difficulty t
She didn't expect him to ask so she wasn't prepared to say anything. She doesn't want him to know that they spent all their time teasing and criticizing her with their negative hearts. This only made him more embarrassed."Very good." She lied."Really?" He asked without any doubt, she nodded, wondering if he believed her."How do your job then?" She changed the subject."Boring. Lots of meetings. I don't like the board members.""Why so?" She tried to act interested even though she didn't want to be."They're just arrogant old men." Jaime smiled and reached out to caress her face. "I feel better when we talk. Sorry, I couldn't take your call yesterday.""Huh? Uhm... it's okay." Vivian smiled."I have to go." He leaned over to kiss her. "I will try to leave early."Vivian nodded, watching him walk out the door. As soon as she confirmed that he had really left, she quickly got dressed and went out. Today she will finish her chores and then go shopping to her heart's content. If he foun
Jerry had never heard of this problem. It wasn't like Vivian had shared anything with him but to hear these things from the mouth of another girl, and that girl was the one Jaime should marry, was truly upsetting."Really?" He asked coldly. "What does that have to do with Vivian?""You care about her, right?" She said, noting the defensive note in his voice. Jerry felt his expression twist in annoyance but didn't confirm her suspicions. "Jaime needs someone with business ability in addition to a woman waiting at home.""Their marriage is none of her business." He says."No, I believe it is." She coldly dismissed his idea. "How Jaime performs as director affects the company, and how the company operates will affect the JK Construction partnership. Vivian brings no benefit to this.""You have no right to decide that.""I'm Jaime's advisor." She raised her head, signaling power. "Jaime is vulnerable, he is and always has been. I believe you know Jaime stands on a deeper level in their re
Vivian walked out of the bathroom. The sight of her with her wet hair wrapped up in a towel made her look seductive. He wanted to bury his face in her shoulder to feel comfort. That, he thought, would energize him after a day full of tiring schedules. But at the moment he is in no mood to be intimate."Are you back?" She asked when she saw him, smiling. "You left early today.""I'll try to leave earlier in the next few days, maybe next week." He promised firmly. "Did you withdraw money today?"He caught the surprised expression on her face. Guilty, she muttered. "Right." Hurrying towards the wardrobe, she opened it to show him the new dresses inside. "I bought new clothes. You said I could use them as I like to shop. I hope you don't mind."She seemed worried. It made him feel bad like he was arresting her for something that didn't need to be thought about. But thirty thousand dollars spent just on clothes? This is not reasonable. Jaime still found it unbelievable but decided not to f
Vivian calls to tell Jaime that she's going home after her shift. With a guilty heart, he went straight home after the meeting. After seeing Juke at the door, he walked around the house with his nephew because he felt bored.The air was crisp but his mind wandered to Hodja's surprise visit earlier that afternoon. What does he want to talk about? Is there something about this marriage that he is unhappy with?Jaime believes that he and Vivian are doing well. Unless it had something to do with his aunt's visit the previous morning. Did she say something offensive to Vivian that he didn't know about but that everyone else knew about?"No ice cream today," Juke said sadly."Huh?" Snapping out of his thoughts, Jaime looked down.The little nephew pointed out to the street and then looked up at his uncle. "Aunt Vivian bought me ice cream from that place yesterday. It's gone now."Jaime raised his eyebrows, he crouched down to Juke's level. "Do you want ice cream?"Nodding, the boy said. "My
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