Happiness blooms in our souls like a rose in the middle of a meadow. It’s the warmth of a genuine smile, the embrace of laughter’s gentle caress. It dances in our hearts and paints our lives with so much gratitude and joy. Today, I’m overcome with happiness.In our little corner café, Clara and I shared some quality time together even with Geon following me everywhere. Lorenzo thinks my life is still in danger although Gustav is in the wind and he can’t seem to find him or his mother.“So.” Clara places her cup on the table and she gives me that, hungry for a sweet romantic story look, her eyes start to twinkle, and the corner of her mouth curves into a crooked smile. “Are the two of you officially a couple? Like, will you be going with him to the met gala and so forth?” Clara pops her eyebrows at me.I sip my coffee and shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know, I like the way we are.”“Seriously?” She pouts and rolls her eyes at me. “So you will be fine with it if he went with some other wo
The first ray of sunlight peeks through the window, casting a warm glow upon the room. The awakening of a new day. My soul stirs under the warm and comfy sheets, waking me. My eyes flutter open, a surge of anticipation, tinged with a hint of trepidation, my body is being invaded by a phenomenon called morning sickness. With a weary sigh, I rise from the bed, my steps tentative as I navigate my way to the bathroom. I slam the door shut and lock it behind me as I rush to greet my new friend, I fall on my knees before the toilet. It is as if a tempestuous sea churns within my very being. A whisper in my ear, a siren’s call of discomfort that leaves me longing for a relief.“Lilly-Ann,” Lorenzo calls from the other side of the door. He yanks on the handle, “Open up, Lilly-Ann.” He demands.My ears are ringing and my head is pounding, I can barely move, and now his barking orders like some captain. “Go away,” I mumble between gags, my body starts to tremble as I start to think what can be
A hushed stillness settles upon the city as the day drew closer to its end. The fading light gently caressed the horizon, casting a melancholic glow upon the world below. I’m tired, stressed, and afraid of what comes next. With Shane leaving tomorrow and my sister in her own new world with Ricardo, I feel alone. I gaze at the sunset through Shane’s empty apartment window, as all the unanswered questions run through my mind.“A penny for your thoughts,” Shane says as he breaks my daydream and hands me a cup of coffee.I let out a soft chuckle, “Waste of your money.” I roll my eyes and take the cup. “Thanks.”“If you’re worried about Lorenzo, don’t be, he adores you and won’t mind starting a family with you.” Shane smiles at me as he adds. “Just send me pics when you start to get fat, for my album." He winks.I let out a sarcastic huff, ”Yeah, sure” Shane throws his arm around my shoulders and pull me to him.“I going to miss you.” He whispers. “But just in case Lorenzo sends you packin
Waking up to a cold empty bed, still wearing the clothes of yesterday, but my shoes are next to the bed and someone draped a blanket over me and a glass of water and two painkillers with a note reading Love you baby girl on the bedside table. My heart warms up as I sip the water, why would he reject me, this man loves me. I’m so stupid hiding from him, this is existing news and he will accept it just like he accepted me with all my flaws because he loves me.With my newly found courage and strength, I rise to my feet and kick on my shoes. “You can do this,” I mutter to myself, just as I’m about to open the door, a soft knock shatters my hope.“Lilly-Ann?” Lorenzo says I freeze on the spot, where has all that courage run off to? “Are you awake?” I hastily lock the door, but for some reason, he still turns the knob. “Can we talk?” I want to talk but I’m afraid. “Jaxson left and I’m sorry about last night, I don’t know what came over him, his such a dick sometimes.” He turns the knob aga
The sun’s golden rays spill through the curtains of our new apartment in London. Today is the day I have been avoiding, my first doctor’s appointment. With a mixture of nervousness and excitement bubbling inside of me, I take a deep breath and swing my legs out of bed. Shane said he would go with me, but I want to do this alone. He has his own new life to rebuild here and I don’t want him to fuss over me.I gaze at my reflection in the full-length mirror in my room. I’m starting to show, just a little, but the bump is there. A sharp pain in my chest has me clasping my T-shirt as memories of Lorenzo surface. It’s been months since I ran off, sometimes I wonder if he even looked for me. The only people who know where I went, are my sister and Regina, she even got me a part-time job at a small magazine here. I finger-comb my new short locks, which I’m still getting used to.Both Shane and I got a new hairstyle, he bleached his hair and got a nice deep faded cut and for yours truly, Shane
"So did you talk to him?” Shane’s smile turns into a straight line as his expression turns serious. I know who his asking about and I think he knows the answer to that question as well, but for some reason, he feels the need to ask it.I gaze out the window of the café, “It’s going to rain soon.” This place brings back memories of NYC. It’s such a cozy café, the vibe is soothing and calm, and the only thing this place lacks is the books, add that and this will be my favorite place in the world.“Ann, don’t change the subject.” Shane pouts as he devours his croissant.“No, and I don’t want to.” I take a big sip of my coffee and rise to my feet. “I think I need a walk.” My emotions are all over the place, I feel like crying but at the same time, I feel like I can smash someone’s head in.“Ann," Shane calls as I storm out of the café, I’m not mad at him I'm mad at myself for thinking about Lorenzo and allowing him to still hold such power over me. With a heavy heart I embark on my
Everybody knows that soul-crushing, earth-cracking, heart-shattering, feeling. That’s what I’m feeling now, I know I have no right to feel like this but I can’t help it. I did not think he would move on so quickly, I mean it hasn’t even been that long and he just shoved me aside like I’m an old pair of broken and worn-out shoes. My phone bounces from the bed as a tear run down my cheek, my mind is trapped in a maze of confusion and I can’t seem to find the exit.“Engaged.” My voice crack as that word leaves my mouth, “How is it even possible?” I search the floor for the answer.“Lilly-Ann, Sweetheart,” Shane strolls in, he must have heard my heart shattering to pieces. “Come here.” He pulls me to his warm chest, “There is only one solution.”“And that is?”“Well not alcohol.” He grins, “or sex.” His eyes widen in warning. Yeah, like I’m in any state to find a new fuck buddy. “Go to your mom’s birthday party and while your there you might as well talk to him.”“Why? Why would I want to
Clara seems to have everything here in control. She already arranged with the center for the party, the cake is booked, the food, the décor, everything. She gave me one task to do today and that is to pick up the cake from the bakery. Dr. Yummy and Clara are decorating the hall and I’m the pickup guy. Well maybe it’s a good thing, their lovey-doveyness is making me crazy, I swear they are having sex on the tables right now. Mental note, sanitize the table and chair, before use.Raindrops started to dance on the street as I pull into a parking. “Great.” I sigh, well I knew it was going to rain by the looks of the grey sky but I hoped it would be after the party. I scramble around on the back seat with my hand, searching for an umbrella. “C’mon,” The irritation scrambles in the pit of my stomach. “What the hell, Clara? No umbrella.” I sigh and clasp the steering wheel as I give up on my search. The bakery is on the other side of the road and it is pouring outside. I can’t run, I’m afrai
Three years have passed since the death of Gustav it went public but they say it was suicide, he couldn’t take the loss of his dear wife, Lorenzo’s mother, and shot himself. I realized then how much power Lorenzo has and I have to admit it scared me a little.Anyway, Clara and Nick got married soon after returning from Finland, where they hid from Gustav. They have a beautiful baby girl named Anika. Ricardo is very protective of his baby sister. Nick was a doctor without borders, which I did not know. But he settled when they got married, and they still live in New York, he bought a house not far from us and we almost see each other on a daily bases. Clara loves the peaceful life they created together and she’s a full-time mom now.Rayon is still in the picture though, he comes to visit Ricardo a lot. He surprised me with how a good father he is, I never expected him to be so caring. He is still staying in New York as well, he met someone and seems to be happy. I didn’t see her yet th
The sun is shining brightly as the guests arrived at the grand estate for Tomson's sixth birthday party. The driveway is lined with fancy sports cars and limousines, and the valet attendants were busy parking them. As we walked up to the front door, we are greeted by a team of butlers who handed us champagne flutes filled with sparkling cider.I'm dressed in my gorgeous black gown Shane got me and Shane is dressed in his stylish pink and white tuxedo. "Wow." Shane's stunned at how many people showed up for this, but I'm used to it. Yeah, my dear friend, this is Vicky for you, she loves big events and glamor.Inside, the house is decorated with balloons and streamers in Tommy's favorite colors, and a huge banner that read "Happy 6th Birthday Tomson!" hung from the ceiling. The place is stacked with people I don't know, I scan the room for Vicky or Chad but they are nowhere to be seen. I spot Jena standing in the far corner of the living room dressed in a beautiful navy blue dress. watc
Motherhood changed me, it made me stronger.Clara, Nick, and Ricardo come strolling out of the arrivals gate of the airport. Yeah, I dialed Clara and told her to come pick up Ever-Lee and keep her safe, I will come find her when this is resolved. So they made a pit stop picked her up and flow to who knows where. She gave me a be careful speech after realizing my mind is made up, I will not run anymore. I smothered Ever-Lee with kisses and shed a few tears as I watch them disappear.“We should talk,” I say over the phone as Lorenzo answers on the first ring. “Meet me at the office.” I end the call, I didn’t give him a chance to replay or to even say a word, I’m out for blood and Gustav is at the top of my list, but I will need help, and who better to ask than a mafia boss?I have a solute plan in mind the when, where and everything. Now all that’s left is the manpower. The only way this nightmare will end is to destroy him, destroy everything he holds dear, his company, his reputation,
The smell of coffee and freshly baked croissants fills the air as we enter. Vicky is carrying Ever-Lee to an open table in the corner and I place an order for us. That is when my eyes caught the newspaper.I grab it from the counter and my whole world comes crashing down. Gustav Lenkov, realest from prison, he is a free man. “No this can’t be happening.” My hands are shaking, he will be out for blood and Rayon will be the first one he wants revenge on. “Ricardo,” I mumble and scramble to fish my phone out of my pocket. My fingers are numb and I can’t seem to dial.I inhale a long sharp breath, calm yourself Lilly-Ann, you're jumping to conclusions again, he might be a changed man and won’t even hurt a fly. But just in case, I hit the call button.“Hey, sis.”“Clara, are you okay? And Ricardo?”“We are fine, what’s wrong Ann, did something happen, you sound terrified.”“Did you see the newspaper?”“Oh, n hadn’t had a chance.”“Gustav is out of prison, I think he might try something, pl
The next morning I’m like a lovesick puppy, racing through the apartment to get everything done, so I can go to work and see Lorenzo again. I had no shut-eye I couldn’t stop thinking about him and his promise, which I want to talk to him about. How close of an eye did he keep on me, is my apartment bugged and do I have people following me? And then the question that has been bugging me the whole night, what happened with his engagement? I haven't seen him in the tabloids at all, it’s like he disappears from the face of the earth, poof gone.“So is that a yes or a no?” Shane asks, drumming the kitchen table with his fingers.“Uh, maybe,” I replied a bit confused.“You didn’t hear a word I said?”I sip shyly on my coffee hiding my face behind the cup. “Sorry.”“What has gotten into you? You are acting weird. Is it a man?” Shane grins and moves closer to me.I almost choke on my coffee.“I knew it.” Shane slams on the counter making m and Ever-Lee jump, “Is it someone I know?”Ever-Lee s
Every piece of my being is consumed by his darkness, it is arousing every piece of light I had and changing it into his.His dark eyes are pulling me in, like a moth to a flame. I’m lost in his presence, my heart is pounding out of my chest as he slowly stalks closer to me. “Stop,” I warn breathlessly. My heart, mind, and soul want to leap into his arms and wrap myself up in his warmth but…. “You have no right showing up here.” I’m a mother now and he is a threat to my only piece of happiness.“I have all the right in the world, baby girl,” A smirk pulls on his face as he looks at me.“I’m not baby girl, I’m Lilly-Ann, Lilly-Ann Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of The money maker magazine,” I say proudly narrowing my eyes at him as he slowly walks towards me with a proud smile on his face.“I know.” He whispers in a mischievous tone. “And you will always be my baby girl.” A grin that can light up the whole of London paints his face, he stops right in front of me, his eyes burning into my sou
It has been a year, Ever-lee Anderson, had made her way into the world. Yeah, not Eva or Eve-Lee. Shane said Ever-Lee because she took forever to emerge. I didn’t have the energy to fight him on the name so Ever-Lee stuck. My sister and Ricardo visited for a few days after Ever-Lee’s birth but with all the drama with her work she couldn’t stay long, but I think she missed Nick too much to stay longer, she just use work as an excuse. Chad gave me a month's leave from work, he has been so giving and kind since I started there.My big green eye baby girl has some much of her father’s looks it’s scary. Today is her four-month celebration and my return to work, I’ve been in and out, but today I’m ready to stick around, which I’m a bit nervous about. I know Jena, my geeky PA, had everything in control while I was absent, but for some reason, my nerves are chewing at me like a puppy dog with a new toy. Chad also insisted that I bring Ever-Lee to work, he set up a cot and everything I need in
Dusk brushes over the city and for the first time in a long time, I feel lonely. I had just made an agonizing decision, one that I might regret in the near future. I walked away from the man I loved, I had known for a while that our paths can not intertwine any longer. My heart feels heavy with the overwhelming love I still feel for him. I sink my head into the pillow and feel the anchor pulling me deeper into the realms of loneliness.A familiar creak of the door closing reverberates through the stillness. I jerk up to see who my intruder is.“Ann? You still awake?” Clara whispers as she tiptoes to my bed.“Yeah…” I flick the bed lamp on and push my body up. “I don’t think sleep is an option for me.”Clara sit next to me and looks at me worried. “You need rest, it's not good for you or the baby.”Easier said the done, I can’t get his face out of my head, that shattered look in his eyes. ”I know.” I pull my pillow to my chest and hug it tight, “But you didn’t see him.”“Ann, he is eng
Have you ever experienced one of those earth-freezing moments when time and everything around you seem to come to a standstill? Well, I just did. My hands press hard against his strong chest as I try to breathe. He grips my wrist in his hand and bends down to my ear.“Not in public, baby girl.” His breath fans over my skin leaving goosebumps in its wake. I blink my eyes rapidly as I gulp down the last of my sanity. “Now if you would please excuse me.” Lorenzo strolls away leaving me spellbound, with my fingers prickling from our touch.Clara comes strolling by. “Hey, what’s the matter?” She furrows a brow, “Are you feeling sick?” “Huh?” I jerk my head in her direction as I lose sight of him. “Did you say something?”“Ann, what’s going on?” She looks at me with a concerned look in her eyes.“Nothing, nothing at all.” I know Clara only met him once but fuck he is not the forgettable type, how could she invite him. I check the guest list to see if his name is on it, but it’s not.“