"I heard Hodja say that my debts have been paid off. Is that you?"Gritting his teeth, he lowered his gaze and couldn't even look at her because of the pain.That's right, he hunted those bastards. Vivian died, and guilt tortured him, so he paid her debt for her."That's why, Jaime, we should divorce so you can move on with your life," Vivian said. "Get rid of your ugly past, start over like you should have two years ago. I'm sorry for putting you through that. I feel even better that we met again this way. If I run into you again, I at least want to see you happy.”Jaime raised his head at the sound of an approaching car that soon pulled up to the side of the road. Through the window, he spots Jerry behind the wheel.Of course, he thought. Who else does Vivian call other than the guy who stole from her for two years? The man Vivian had been living with for the past two years.Anger welled up inside him as Vivian stepped out from under the awning, walking towards the car without even
Vivian's eyes looked towards Jaime then walked towards the door. What will she do? She doesn't want Jerry and his mother to see Jaime, another man, inside the apartment with her.She doesn't want his mother to think she's using the apartment as a means to meet men. She didn't want Jerry to think that she continued to hang out with Jaime outside of work as if they had something fishy going on.Jerry and his parents already know she broke up with Jaime - it's just that the two older people have never met the guy.Nervous, Vivian let go of Jaime's hand and walked towards the door. She'll tell them to come back later, even though that will make them suspicious. Before she could walk towards the door, she was pulled back by Jaime, his hand tightening around her arm."Where do you think you're going?" He asks."Open door." She gritted her teeth."Are not."Trying to pry his hands away, she said. "I have a guest, Jaime. Did your mother raise you to be so impolite?"Something flashed in his e
This became too much for Vivian to handle. She could say whatever she pleased if Jaime wasn't here, but she wasn't such a nice girl and everyone saw him as a villain. Would he be angry that she let them talk about him like that? Would he hate her more?When they finally finished eating, she felt discouraged by the fact that Jaime didn't say a word or get up to leave, which meant he was going to stay and show her up a storm that he repressing inside.Jerry's mother helps her wash dishes, organize the refrigerator, and put away food. After talking about her mother, she finally left with Jerry an hour later."I'll call you." She told him at the door. Feeling uneasy, he glanced behind her."Will you be okay?" he asked."Jerry, it's late. Let's go home." His mother urged then spoke. "Vivian, don't work too hard. I'm sorry if we interrupted your business with the president.""I know, get home safely." She said then turned back to Jerry. "I'll be fine. Don't worry.""Sorry, Vivian. I didn't
"Leave me alone," Vivian screamed fighting to push him away. Her elbow punched his chest and he held her in his arms. She bit his shoulder, pushing him away with all her strength.Seething with cataclysmic anger, Vivian wishes she could slap him instead of trying to take off her dress without her consent.She grabbed her purse from the bed and turned around to walk out. Grabbing the phone from the kitchen table, she put on her slippers and threw open the door. The first thing that came to her mind was to call Jerry and meet him to cut off Jaime.She closed the door, and a second later, the door opened again. Jaime angrily walks towards her, she runs away, looking for the door leading down the stairs.He was very worried today, maybe she will submit her resignation tomorrow when she goes to work. Jaime intends to push her to the brink of insane anger. Vivian was downstairs when Jaime grabbed her hand.“I told you to spend the day with me.” He reminded."Release." Vivian continued to sc
Her heart trembled with madness and pain as she listened to Jaime interrogate her aunt. He will get justice for Vivian, forcing Nelly to apologize for the abuse that Vivian and Ly Hodja endured."I don't think that's any of your business. Please go away." She ordered. "I won't tolerate rude guests.""I've looked through your bank records and over the past 13 years, you've been receiving quite a bit of money from an anonymous account, do you want to explain who that person is? And why did you get that money?”The woman's face was annoyed by him. "I'll call the police if you don't leave.""Go ahead, my lady." He was calm. "If you pick up the phone, I'll assume you're hiding something."The woman's face seemed scared, her hands clenched. "Do you need money?""I don't need money, my lady." Jaime remained completely indifferent and insisted. "According to the investigation, I know where the money came from and its purpose."Vivian's aunt was more stubborn than he thought.Holding his head
Jerry drives Vivian back to her apartment after she convinces him to buy her a few beers. Now she is drinking like there is no tomorrow."You have work tomorrow. I don't think this is the time to drink." He said then listened as she held back her sobs and shed tears again. "Why do you cry?"He hesitated before placing a comforting hand on her shoulder."It's okay, Vivian.""No OK." Vivian burst into tears. "Not alright."He could only hear her sobs. He always felt most helpless when Vivian cried. He didn't know what to say to make her feel better, he could just always be there. Sometimes he wondered what Jaime would do when she cried and if he knew, he would try to do the same. But Jaime is not here."What's up?" He asks. "You'll tire yourself out and get sick if you keep crying.""I feel very sorry." Her voice choked. "As for Hodja, for making him run away with me. He's a boy. They'll probably raise him and give him a better life.""What are you talking about?" Jerry frowned and aske
Like Vivian, the woman looked at him blankly. There was no reaction at all."For what she did, taking all the money you sent to Vivian and Hodja, and not looking for them when they ran away," Jaime explained. "I want to punish her."Turning away, still smiling sadly, the woman spoke. "Why punish her? Everything has happened, nothing can be changed.""Still can." He emphasized. "I can still make a difference.""That doesn't make me feel any better." She spoke quietly, her eyes looking far into the distance as if she wanted to fly up with the stars. "If you do that, Vivian won't come back to life."That day he swore to his father. For the rest of his life, Vivian was the only one and he was content with that. Right now... right now... he needs Vivian to mend his mother's heart, to turn Juke into the happy boy he once was, he needs her so he can withstand Luna's threat.If the marriage broke down, how could he face his father in the afterlife? Whatever thorn exists between him and Vivian
"Jaime." She called instinctively. When he stopped, it was too late for regrets. "I... I'll come with you."Moments later, they rushed out of the building together, and she followed him to the parking lot. Sitting in the car, Vivian twisted her hands together nervously. Juke, poor nephew. Where did he go? Is he running away?Jaime stopped the car in front of Juke's elementary school and hurried inside to meet Juke's teacher, a middle-aged woman with thick, round glasses."Juke's uncle." The teacher greeted."Are there any strangers around?" Jaime began his interrogation immediately. "Around the school, are there any suspicious people?""Do not have."Jaime took a deep breath, trying to maintain his patience. "Did Juke talk about any place he wanted to go?""No, he didn't say anything." The teacher shook her head. "When the children gathered this morning, one of them noticed that Juke was gone.""What do you mean?" Vivian interrupted. "Shouldn't teachers be around students?""I... I me
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