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Chapter 3
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2023-10-20 08:04:33Four years ago: Tate
Carrito is fuming. She doesn’t like me. No that’s the understatement of the year, she actually hates me but unfortunately, I can’t pluck out her eyes and feed it to her since she’s Bridget’s only daughter and Nigel’s only sister. I sometimes wonder how they are siblings when they act nothing alike but then again, Nigel is adopted so that explains it. However, she’s Bridget’s copy. Both are bitches.“Oh, miss, Tatum is just helping me out here”, Nana replies sweetly. It’s a farce, she also hates the whiny bitch.“Well, I don’t see how she’s helping. What if she poisons the food!”Wonderful!“But miss-“. Nana actually looks affronted so I cut her off unless she might actually deck the little shite across the head.“It’s okay Nana, Carrito is just being paranoid… or is she”, I add the last part with a wicked glance in Carrito’s direction. She pales and stills then just as rapidly reddens“Did you just threaten to poison the food??”“No I didn’t, sweet girl”. I step down from the stool and make my way towards the door, towards Carrito“Or did I?”, I ask in a low tone while passing her. I hear Nana’s muffled laughter but I don’t look back to see Carrito’s expression. I was just kidding, I’m not a murderer but Carrito deserves every bitchiness she gets.I’m walking across the hallway when I see some chefs trailing the butler with trays of exquisite dishes. Bridget must have gone out of her way to welcome her son. She does this all the time, hire chefs that prepare the dishes that’d be served during Nigel’s arrival. I feel insulted on Nana’s behalf that she doesn’t trust her enough to cook a nice enough meal for an event like this. This hired food is probably too synthetic, nothing like Nana’s sweet homemade recipes. Bridget doesn’t know that though. She doesn’t even know her son enough or she won’t serve him meals like this.I finally make it to the entrance of the dining area where I see Bridget, Carrito, and an older man I don’t know having brunch at the table. The moment my eyes land on Nigel’s handsome form, I forget to breathe for a few seconds. God I missed himHe’s sitting on the right side of Bridget who is at the head of the table. The older man is on the other side and seems to be in deep conversation with Bridget. I’m pretty sure Nigel is part of that conversation but he’s doing so well with acting like he’s paying attention when I know for a fact he wants to get out of there.He’s beautiful. A black button down shirt tucked into dark blue jeans and his perfect hair framing that face I always dream of. He’s perfect.I have a strong urge to see him even though I know I could wait till they’re done so I can meet him.I could whisper his name from where I am and hope he hears me . Who am I kidding? The dining hall is huge, there’s absolutely no way he’d hear me and even if he did, all other heads would turn as well. Talking myself out of the crazy ideas I currently have, i begin to turn and leave but then he raises his head and his eyes meet mine. It’s a gentle caress and also a dominant perusal of my body with his blue piercing eyes. I stand still. Not because I plan to but because I really can’t move. He has me pinned down with those eyes.We’ve probably been eye fucking for too long because Carrito raises her head and stares at Nigel for a while, wondering what has his attention. She follows the direction of his eyes and almost sees me but I dock a little slowly but quick enough that she doesn’t see me.I stay still in that position for a few more minutes, trying to calm my raging heart before poking my head to peek in again. Just as I begin to lower my head, I see Nigel’s black shirt. He’s standing right in front of me.Looking up at him, I begin to call his name but he takes my hand and begins to lead me away. Through corners so we won’t be caught going to his room. At least I assume that’s where we’re going . Sure enough, we make it to his door where he opens it and shuffles me in then quickly closes the door and makes to lock it. He’s back is still turned to me and I’m breathing very hard while waiting for him to face me. He finally turns after what felt like a long time then makes smooth strides towards me. The moment he’s close enough, my hand begins to go around his neck as he lifts me up to straddle him. We’re kissing now. It’s not gentle, it’s anything but.It’s hot and dominant and bruising and packed with emotions. He doesn’t stop. Instead he lays me on the bed and continues to kiss me slowly while on top of me. I eat it all up. I savor the taste of him because I don’t know how long he’d be staying. I enjoy his presence because his absence hurts way too much. When he finally breaks away, we’re both sober. He rests his forehead on mine for a few seconds.“I missed you Tate”, he says gently and then, I break into quiet sobs. He kisses all the tears away“I missed you Nigel”, I manage to choke. “God knows, it’s been way too long. I missed you so much”He smiles down at me then he tucks my hair behind my ears with his big hands. I laugh because I missed that too. The feel of his hands.“You look beautiful”I smile “I always do”Related chapters
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Four years agoTateMy answer is honest. It’s a reflection of Nigel’s thoughts about me. He always tells me, he always tells me how beautiful I am. Never misses an opportunity to say it to me and everytime, he has wonder in his eyes when he says it . He smiles at my cocky tone then lays on the other side of the bed while I lay on his chest and trace his eyebrows. “How was college?”, I ask“It’s good. I wish I could be doing something else with my time though”That earns a chuckle from me“What? You don’t think the education is worth it?”He bites his lip in response. “No, I just wish you were there with me”My breath catches in my throat and I stare like an idiot at him. It’s him who chuckles this time. “Anyways, I’d be done very soon. Just a few more months. I’d round everything up as soon as possible so I won’t have to spend any more time than needed there. God knows I’ve spent too many years there already”I laugh. Nigel is five years older than me. I recently turned 19 and he’s
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 5
Four years agoNoahThe next day, I get off work late and manage to order dinner this time around. I finished everything at the office so I won’t have to work while home. Delivery doesn’t take a lot of time and I sigh in relief while moving to open the door. The knock sounds again followed by a feminine “Delivery for Noah ‘sugar’ Brooke”. I can almost hear the mocking smile in her voice and for once I wish Dorothy wasn’t always so extra.I swing the door open a little bit more forcefully than normal while grunting out a hesitant “That’d be me”I must have used a bit too-much force on the door because the girl jerks back in surprise and I still because I recognize her. It’s annoying that I still do after so many years but my memory is potent. She looks much different than before but at the same time, she looks like she hasn’t changed at all. She’s still a little lady, albeit with certain parts of her body more formed than her earlier, most likely teenage self and a certain maturity t
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 6
Four years agoTate“Jesus. Seriously Tate? All this time, have you seriously thought Nana knows nothing about us?”, he asks, surprising me.“Uhm..”, I try to come up with something to say but words elude me. The possibility that Nana knows about us has been a nagging thought in my mind for the longest time. But hearing him voice it makes me realize that she really has known all along. All the side comments, the knowing looks, oh my God, she knows!“Nana knows everything in this house. I don’t know how you possibly thought that she didn’t know. But don’t worry, she won’t tell on us”, he continues, trying again to pull me to him.“Yeah, but I still have to finish this”“Ugghhh”, he’s groaning now and it makes me smile till I hear him speak up again.“Oh hey chica”, he shoots down from the counter and goes towards Nana- I didn’t see her come in- then circles his arm around her shoulders and leads her towards the fridge.“What is it now boy?”, Nana asks, trying to sound exasperated. It
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 7
Four years agoTatum Nigel always saw me as a child and a little sister when I was already so obviously in love with him. We didn’t talk again because he went back to college and I didn’t see him for a while. Those were my most depressing days. I was so hurt and felt so insignificant. If I wasn’t important enough to someone who I’d know since I was a baby, then I was probably not too important to anyone else. I could’ve never gotten over my feelings for him but I was beginning to accept my fate until he came back from college one Christmas. I had just turned seventeen then and hadn’t seen him for more than a year, he didn’t come back home after the incident so when I saw him, I was not only surprised but my feelings came rushing back like a hurricane. He was there and he was looking as beautiful as I remembered. He got me a gift for Christmas and one to wish me a happy birthday since he hadn’t come back that year for my birthday but wanted to wish me anyways. I thought we were fina
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 8
Present Noah“Hi”, Tatum greets unenthusiastically. She knows how to hold a grudge. I give my attention to her and she looks away immediately. Dorothy doesn’t notice though, she turns back to me to ask what I’d like to order.“What would you recommend?”, I ask, turning in Tatums direction. It’s obvious she’s been paying attention to my conversation with Dorothy because she instantly knows I was referring to her.“Me?”, she asks, turning to face me with a stunned expression“You’re the chef, what would you recommended?”. Dorothy turns to face her with a smile, probably also anticipating her recommendations“For breakfast? Uhm, you’d feel better if you consume a light meal so I’d recommend croissant sandwich with mushrooms and Brie. That way, you eat light enough to keep you active for the day but filling enough to keep hunger at bay. Coffee which would be served with the meal would soothe your body and make you alert”, she ends with a smile that seems genuine even if it’s me she’s ta
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 9
Four years ago TatumBridget summoned me to her office. Battle Bridget summoned me to her office . If that doesn’t spell disaster, I wonder what does. She’s hardly ever asked for me in the past but the few times she did, it was always for something bad I did. Getting into a fight with another kid on the manor, causing trouble, scoring the fence. I always got a good scolding for my actions but the last time Bridget summoned me, I was thirteen, young, stupid and on the cusp of pubertal craziness. Now however, I’m nineteen, almost a fully grown woman with a full brain to know when to walk out from a battle and put a lid on my stupid anger issues. I get to the door of her office and raise a fist to knock, frozen for a second by the torrent of questions that barrel through me, then taking a deep breath and finally knocking. “Come in”, her chilling voice calls from within. I don’t hesitate, I walk in and shut the door behind me. I’m about to open my mouth to ask why I was called when sh
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 10
Four years ago Tatum The picture in my hand almost makes me hyperventilate. I’m sitting on a swing and Nigel is behind me, smiling down at me as he holds on to the swing, preparing to give me another push. I’m smiling so hard while looking at him so my entire face doesn’t show but anyone who’s seen me before would immediately recognize me. Still, not enough evidence. The pictures keep getting worse though because in this next one, I can’t comfort myself with the “no evidence” thought anymore. We’re both lying on a sheet on the grass, with me lying flush on my back and Nigel’s head on my breast while he holds onto my waist, enjoying the feel of my hands caressing his hair. The picture was taken from above us on a day we’d gone for a picnic a month ago. There was a drone that was hovering about the park for some minutes, I remember smiling at the drone, happy about it, and when it hovered over Nigel and me, I had smiled at it because I thought nothing was amiss. Bloody idiot. If only
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Distant Hearts Chapter 11
Four years agoTatumOver the next few days, I realize that Bridget is who I think she is. A witch. I’m not a servant in this manor, I live with my dad and he’s the one who works for the house so I’m never really expected to take on chores but I help when I can. It’s a norm in the manor, children of the staff aren’t burdened with duties but it seems Bridget doesn’t give a shit at this point. In the past week, I’ve done house laundry, cleaned the gardeners shed, washed dishes and even mowed the bleeding lawn. It’s all Bridget’s punishment for me. She’s trying to get back at me for standing up to her in her office and to be honest, I’m fed up of being tossed around and used like a human dog. But if there’s one thing Bridget is very good at, it’s treating people like dirt. Dad is out of town for a few days, all part of her plan I’m sure, since she sent him on a fools errand in town for a few days just to make sure he isn’t around while she makes my life hell. As much as everyone in the
Last Updated : 2023-11-14
Latest chapter
Distant Hearts Chapter 27
Four years agoTatumIt’s been two weeks since the day I tried to break up with Nigel. I couldn’t do it that day and still haven’t been able to do it. He’s been busy, more than before. Going on trips to and from San Francisco, trying to speed up the process of opening his own firm. I hardly see him these days, we hardly communicate except for the few calls and messages, keeping me updated on his whereabouts and activities. I appreciate it, all of them. Dad has been busy as well. He hasn’t asked me if I broke up with Nigel, he hasn’t asked anything about my relationship and I don’t know how long he’ll hold off the conversation, how much longer I’d have that freedom. Either way, I’m definitely not prepared to answer the question. I just hope he remains occupied and doesn’t ask. Bridget has been quiet. She hasn’t called me to her office again, I haven’t seen her around either. Carrito started college recently so she’s been at school for the past few weeks and Kate, Nigel and I haven’t t
Distant Hearts Chapter 26
Four years agoTate:I wake from my slumber, stretching and slowly opening my eyes only to see dads eyes already on me. He’s leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. I sit up, throwing suspicious glances his way.“Being creepy doesn’t suit you, dad”, I say, if not for anything, then to avert his strong gaze from me. He doesn’t.“There’s Tylenol on the nightstand”, he says instead, pointing towards the glass of water and card of drugs beside me. I’m confused at first, but I recall that I cried myself to sleep the night before and judging from the raging headache I’m suffering, dad was really nice to bring me the pills. I stick one pill in my mouth, swallowing it down with the water. Dad uncrosses his arms and makes his way towards me, sitting on the edge of my bed and staring at me.“We need to talk”, he says and I groan.“Too early daddy. I’m exhausted”. I’m honestly not, but I’m not ready for heavy talk. “Sleep later. We talk now”. His tone leaves no room for argument.
Distant Hearts Chapter 25
Present NoahI take Tatum to my apartment after we leave the supermarket. She doesn’t complain which makes me realize that she always intended to cook here anyways.When I put in my code, I open the door for her and she waltzes in, her confidence captivating. Stepping in and locking the door behind me, I see her reach into one of her jacket pockets and grabbing a chocolate bar.How did she get it? She walks to the kitchen counter and prepares a pot of boiling water. When I get to the kitchen, she barely looks up at me when she instructs me to place the groceries on the counter, chewing on her chocolate bar.“How can I help?”, I ask and she shakes her head.“Just go get changed. You must be tired. I’m good here”I don’t bother arguing even if I actually want to help because if there’s one thing I’ve learned with Tatum so far, it’s that she does things on her own terms and hardly gives space for arguments. So I go into my room, change and pull out my laptop, working for a few minutes
Distant Hearts Chapter 24
Tatum: Four years agoNigel leads me into his room and closes the door behind us, locking it. He rests his forehead against the door, breathing heavily. When he turns to face me, anger and pain fill his eyes."You should've listened to me, Tate. If you had, I would've taken care of her and none of this would've happened.""Your mother threw a 1kg glass frame at me, barely missing my head by an inch, Nigel! This happened because she's crazy, not because I spoke up.""Mother has anger issues," he defensively states, infuriating me."Anger issues?" I incredulously ask. "Don’t pretend like you didn’t see her try to kill me, you even called her out on it so don’t fucking pretend, Nigel!""For fucks sake, Tate. You know she would never approve of our relationship, and you only made it worse by insulting her."I scoff in disbelief, speechless. How dare he defend her?"Let me check if you're hurt," he says, moving closer, his gaze fixed on my shoulder."Get away from me." I push him aside and
Distant Hearts Chapter 23
Noah: Present "Shall I drop you off at the restaurant, or would you like to go straight home?" Tatum turns to answer my question."Drop me off at the restaurant. I need to wrap things up with Dotty and go over what I discussed with Sophie.""Did you guys finalize the menu?"She shakes her head. "No, not yet. But that's why we'll meet up again.""Hmm." I pull up at the restaurant about five minutes later, and Tatum steps out with a goodbye. I wait for about a minute, then restart the engine, and as I'm about to pull out, I see Tatum hurriedly stepping out of the double doors. There's a panicked look on her face, and without thinking too much, I step out of the car just in time for her to basically fly into me."Dot-Dotty is...," she rushes out frantically but chokes on the words."Tatum, calm down," I say, and she does. I take her hand to lead her back inside, already knowing that something is wrong, and it probably has to do with Dorothy. Sure enough, Dorothy is slumped over on one o
Distant Hearts Chapter 22
Tatum: Four years ago.I'm floating. At least, it feels like I am. I have no idea where I am, and my mind is foggy. But slowly, I start to come to, and I feel my body being moved around. I'm being carried. I reach out my hand to touch him."Nigel?""Shh, go back to sleep, baby. I'll take you to bed."Sure enough, he puts me down on a bed that I recognize as the one in the cottage. Suddenly, my mind clears up completely, and I remember the events that led up to this moment — Kate, getting caught by Bridget, and Nigel's promise to meet me at the cottage. However, he never came as soon as he promised. I fell asleep waiting for him."Where were you?" I ask him. "What time is it?""A little past midnight," he replies, ignoring my first question.I sit up and persist, "Where were you?"He doesn't respond."You promised you were going to meet me here right away.""I know, baby, and I'm sorry. I got caught up," he sighs frustratedly."In Kate?" I ask scornfully. His surprise is evident, even
Distant Hearts Chapter 21
Noah: Present Julius and I arrive at his family house a little after noon. We have work together and he had things to do at home so he suggested we move our meeting here. I’m not exactly happy with the idea but arguing with Julius is a waste of time. He rings the door bell and his little sister, Jennifer opens up the door with a wide smile on her face. “Hey Jelly”, Julius greets, immediately walking past her and into the house. I nod at her, about to follow him but she shifts a bit and I can’t get past her now. “Noah”, she greets, “it’s been quite a while since I last saw you”Her signature smile is on her face. She’s the last child in the Dale family and also the most spoiled. “Yes. Hello Jennifer…how are you?”, I add for courtesy sake.“I’m good”, she replies, the smile on her face seeming to widen. “Come in then, I’d take you in”I’ve come here countless times but I still indulge her. She doesn’t take me to the living room, instead, she takes me to their lounge room and there
Distant Hearts Chapter 20
Tatum: Four years ago I've been in this compound for a while now, and Bridget is the most feared person here. Even when her husband was alive, she commanded fear while he earned respect. The staff felt more comfortable around him.I've seen Bridget's anger enough times to recognize it, but this time it's different. She is absolutely furious. There's no other way to put it. If we weren't so far apart in Nigel's large room, I'm sure her anger could physically harm me.I'm too shocked to move away from Nigel. I'm frozen, unable to take a single step.She glares at us from the doorway. The light streams in, revealing our shocked expressions, frozen in time."Maid, leave. Nigel, my office. Now!" She doesn't wait for a response, simply walks away, the angry click of her heels signaling trouble.Nigel turns to me. "Stay here, okay?""What? Don't leave me," I protest, but he interrupts."I promise I'll be right back." He kisses my forehead and leaves the room without waiting for another wo
Distant Hearts Chapter 19
PresentNoahI can't tell if I'm nervous. I'm hardly ever nervous, so I really don't know what it truly feels like. But right now, I think what I'm feeling could pass for nervousness. Tate is short, just a little above 5 feet tall, and I'm 6'3", which is a significant height difference between us. So, explain to me how she's managing to glare down at me like she's not the one who's closer to the ground."How could you even let him?" she asks, enraged."You have to understand that this isn't my fault," I say, not sure if I'm trying to defend myself."Well, obviously it is. You could've simply told him no from the get-go, but you chose to ask me instead, knowing that my answer would be no either way.""Tate—""Forget it," she cuts me off. "It's useless, and I'm not doing it." She turns and walks away, but I don't stop her because I warned Julius this was gonna happen. She gets to the door of my apartment and is about to reach for the knob when the door opens, and Julius steps into the
