Abigail POV Hi, I'm Abigail. Full name is Abigail Hampton. I'm a friend and also a cousin of Flavia and the niece of the man she loves, Gladwin Hampton. I'm not the busiest person in the world, and I'm not the most laid-back either. But one thing's for sure, I'm someone who likes to bother myself with other people's lives, especially when it comes to their love affairs. Ten years ago, I played a role in the love story of Flavia's dad and my aunt. And now, I want to play a role again. Not just want, but I have to take part in the love story of my best friend and also my uncle. Even though I'm still figuring out how to make my intentions work. I just got back from a photo shoot. Honestly, even though I'm a model and get paid quite fantastically, I still don't have my own house. Unlike Flavia, who already has her dream home, I prefer to wait for my future husband to provide me with one. Considering I haven't p
"Sorry, Doctor. I already have plans," I hear my uncle's voice, formal and seemingly cold. Even my hair stands on end listening to it. I shudder myself; it feels like a horror movie hearing my usually friendly and sweet uncle suddenly act like this. "Plans? Lunch plans? With whom?" The voice sounds... What should I call it? Defensive? Possessive? Ah, maybe possessive. 'Come on, Doc. Isn't she perceptive enough? It's clear that Uncle is declining.' "I have plans with Abigail." Oh, my uncle is being honest. I silently applaud him. "Don't joke. The last time you said you had plans with Abigail, you ended up going out alone with your assistant here." There's a hint of disdain in her voice. Or is it a snort? Eww, it turns out that the elegant Doctor Phoebe, according to Mrs. Lipstick, can also be less refined. "I thought you weren't the type of person who likes to eavesdrop,
I knocked on the white square package in my hand before taking out the filtered object and placing it in my mouth. "I thought Dr. Gladwin doesn't smoke." The mocking voice beside me made me turn. Freddie looked at me with his questioning gaze. I'm not an active smoker, but occasionally, I smoke when stressed or when gathering with friends where cigarettes serve as one of our bonding tools. You know, a cigarette and the conversations of men. And right now, stress is my reason for smoking. "How's Robby doing?" I asked casually. "He's fine. How about the foundation? Enjoyable, working with the kids?" he replied. I nodded. Yes, replacing Freddie to check on the kids at the foundation back then made me grateful for the blessings I have now. A complete family, the love of my family, a successful and well-paying career. It's vastly different from their situations. But forget a
I just looked at him silently. Could he deduce my feelings after everything I've said? "Do you forget what you said to her before?" Freddie looked at me sharply. I furrowed my brow, trying to remember and guess Freddie's question. "I hope you remember the last birthday party of Ignazio we attended before you decided to go to Germany." He reminded, and I furrowed my brow even deeper. It happened almost six years ago. "Abigail asked us. Me, you, and a guy who claimed to be 28 at that time. About our opinion on having relationships with girls his age. And you clearly said NO." I remembered my words back then. "The answer is clear. It feels like marrying your own niece. I prefer girls who are not much younger. At least, their mindset won't be too conflicting. A decade of difference has a lot of impact. From personality, hobbies, and learning styles, they will surely be different.
Antony's house was bustling that evening. Claire had returned from the hospital, carrying a baby boy in her arms. Ignazio's new playmate. That's what her younger brother said when he found out that their mother had given birth to a baby boy for them. Claire's family, consisting of Abigail, her older sister, and all their children, gathered. Antony's parents, who intentionally came from Manhattan, along with Altezza and Adaline, who chose to reside in Kansas, arrived with the twins Falisha and Geremia. They ended up causing a disturbance in Ignazio's room, who, in fact, didn't like his territory being disturbed. Gladwin? Of course, Claire's twin came. Surprisingly, he came with Phoebe, Penelope, and Julie. "Are you okay?" A soft voice in his head made him look up. The handsome Altezza with his characteristic stubble bowed to Flavia and looked at her anxiously. Flavia smiled and nodded. "Is she Gladwin's future wife?
"Uncle? Why are you here?" she asked, surprised. "I thought your habit of feeling sick after smelling perfume was gone. You seemed fine yesterday when you shared a car with Phoebe." Gladwin said again. Flavia just smiled and walked away from Gladwin towards the kitchen. "I'm just not feeling well, Uncle. It's not the perfume's fault," she gracefully deflected. She did feel unwell due to lack of sleep, not because of excessive work. It was a result of constantly thinking about her conversation with Abigail earlier, combined with the tension of waiting for her mother's delivery. Gladwin stood in front of her and placed the back of his hand on Flavia's forehead. Flavia widened her eyes, surprised by her uncle's impulsive gesture. "Uncle?" She looked up at him. "You're a bit warm," he said casually. "What do you feel? Headache? Nausea?" Flavia tried to gently push away her uncle's hand. &
"What happened?" Abigail sat Flavia down on the bed. The girl still looked shocked. Her body was still trembling, and her sobbing continued. Her face was wet, tears streaming down. "I-I just had a dream," she answered between sobs. "A dream?" Abigail furrowed her brow. "You sleepwalked?" she asked in surprise. Flavia smiled faintly and nodded. "It seems I fell asleep in the kitchen earlier. I dreamt Uncle came. In my dream, he said he loved me." The tears that had momentarily stopped now rolled down again. Flavia covered her face again with both hands, crying softly. Now it was Abigail's turn to comfort her by embracing her petite frame. Abigail leaned Flavia's head against her chest, gently stroking her friend's arms. She rested her chin on the top of Flavia's head. "That wasn't a dream," Abigail said softly. "You weren't dreaming, Via. It was al
Flavia was confused. The emotions in her chest were now mixed. Joy, happiness, touched, sadness, doubt, and fear came all at once. Once again, Flavia was unsure of herself. Not because of her feelings of love, as it was clear that those feelings still existed without Gladwin having to try hard to bring them out. Other thoughts that came in succession made her afraid. Rejection, sharp gazes, the feeling of being isolated. All of that now haunted Flavia's mind. Especially the fear of not being able to fulfill the desires of her closest people. The fear that she couldn't make Gladwin happy in the end. "I can't, Uncle." "I can't promise that I will always bring you happiness because life is not always about happiness and laughter. I also know that my choice in the future won't be easily accepted by others. But I won't give up. It's not others who will create my happiness; I myself will create it," replied Gladwin confi