As they entered, the atmosphere shifted to one of sophistication and glamour. The walls were lined with exquisite pieces, and Iris felt a thrill as she wandered through the racks, touching fabrics and admiring styles. Carter hung back, letting her explore. “I’ll just be over here,” he said, his hands tucked in his pockets, a relaxed smile on his face. Iris started picking out items, feeling more confident with each piece she held. A striking dress caught her eye—deep green with a silhouette that hugged the waist before flaring out gracefully. “What do you think of this one?” she called over to Carter. “A yes,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face. “You should try it on.”As Iris slipped into the fitting room, her heart raced with anticipation. The deep green dress shimmered against her skin, and she felt a wave of confidence wash over her. She glanced in the mirror, admiring how the fabric hugged her curves perfectly.“Hey, how’s it going in there?” Carter called from outs
The sleek black car pulled up outside the apartment, gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Iris smoothed her dress nervously, her fingers fidgeting as she checked her reflection in the window. Spending an afternoon alone with Grandma Martha was already nerve-wracking, but the thought of being under her scrutinizing gaze for hours made her stomach churn.“You’ve got this,” Carter had said earlier, his tone calm but insistent. “Just answer her questions honestly. If you say no, it’ll only make her more curious.”“Why does it feel like I’m heading into an interrogation?” Iris had replied, half-joking.“Because you probably are,” Carter admitted with a wry smile. “But just be yourself. She’ll come around.”Now, as the car door swung open, Iris took a deep breath and stepped in. Martha sat inside, poised and regal, her sharp eyes missing nothing. Her tailored suit and pearls screamed authority, but there was a warmth beneath her composed exterior, buried under layers of propriety.“Ah, Iris,
IRIS"Well, here goes nothing."I took a deep breath, shut my eyes and hit the plastic piggy bank sharply with a small hammer. I opened one eye, then the other."Holy crow!" I cried as I spread out the bills on the kitchen counter.There was money here. Lots of it. How had I ever managed to save so much money in just under a year? I glanced at the clock. It was still hours before Ollie was due home, but what was that saying again?Time flies when you're having fun.And I was going to have a lot of fun buying my husband the best, most expensive wedding anniversary gift I had ever given him. I spent the next fifteen minutes straightening out the bills and counting them. As soon as I finished, I changed and headed straight for the most renowned jewellery store in the city. From the store's window, one could see the pieces they had on display, sitting on soft velvet cushions. I had window-shopped here more times than I could count. Now I actually had enough money to buy something.Getting
CARTER"Carter? Are you still there?"My grandmother's high-toned, querulous voice came floating over the phone."Yes, Grandma," I said. "I'm here."I had gone over to the little calendar kept on my desk. I ran my fingers along the dates twice to be sure. I wasn't mistaken. Today was a Friday. Every Friday evening, without fail, my grandmother went out with several of her friends to play bingo. Grandma was a creature of habit. So, what on earth had changed her routine? Why was she demanding to see me on a Friday? What was so important and urgent enough to disrupt her routine? And most importantly, what did I have to do with it?"I'm here," I said again."Then you heard what I said?""I did.""Good. Remember, this evening.""You're feeling well?" I asked.It had just occurred to me that perhaps something was wrong with her health, although her voice was as strong as ever."Of course I am. What else do I pay those overpriced doctors for? Don't keep me waiting, Carter."She rang off. I w
IRISWith a scowl, I shifted on the barstool and resumed contemplating my drink. Was I on the tenth or twelfth glass now? I couldn't remember. I didn't care either. I just wanted to get drunk enough to forget why I had come here in the first place. I threw back my head, gulped the drink, shuddered as it hit the spot and poured another.I stared right into the depths of the amber liquid in my glass and wished that I could somehow drown myself in it. Thoughts of ending it have been creeping up on me lately. Oblivion had to be better than this gut-wrenching pain I had to live with daily, right?"Hi, baby. Can I buy you a drink?" said a voice beside me.I squinted at the stranger as I tried to bring him into focus. He was tall, dark and wearing a peaked cap that obscured most of his features."No thanks," I said.He sat beside me and draped his arms around the back of my chair."Okay then. So what's a pretty woman like you doing alone at a club?"I shrugged. "I'm just having a night out."
CARTER"I have done what you asked," I said.Grandma Martha raised a brow. She took a bite of toast before she asked, "And what is that?""Getting a wife, of course. I have finally found the woman I intend to settle down with. I'm getting married to her in four days."She choked on her cup of coffee, spluttered and had a protracted coughing fit."Easy now," I murmured.The maid who had just served her tea immediately darted forward. She poured my grandmother a glass of water, dropped it in front of her and hovered uncertainty, her hands fluttering helplessly over Grandma Martha, who eventually twisted her fingers impatiently in her direction and shooed her away."You- what did you just say?" she said in a voice made hoarse by the coughing.I glanced at the glass of water at her elbow. "Maybe you should take that first before-""I'm fine. I'm fine. Did you just say you're getting married?""Yes.""In four days?""Yes."We sat in silence for a second, two, three. The corners of her mout
Iris could feel the cold stare from Ollie across the table. She instantly got cold feet about the whole idea, making her question the decision to marry Carter. What if Grandma Martha wouldn’t bless their union? Would she think of her as a whore instead? "Was it a wise decision?" A voice in her head questioned.Her mind raced with thousands of questions and unsettling thoughts about what people would say about her, a woman who had divorced her ex-husband and was now marrying his cousin.Feeling her unease, Carter softly ran his fingers over her arms, still within his grasp. Placing his hands on the small of her back, he guided her towards the dinner table with a reassuring touch.“Iris darling come sit beside me," Grandma Martha called for her in a sweet voice. Iris immediately felt intimidated by Grandma Martha and the wealth around her as she took the seat next to her. She was dressed in an expensive lace garment that fit perfectly. Her tennis bracelet twinkled under the grand cha
Iris couldn't still believe that she would marry Carter only after some days of meeting him. It felt surreal, like something out of a fairytale. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, savouring the moment before the whirlwind of the day ahead. "Don't worry, I’ll personally take care of every detail of the wedding," Carter reassured her. Those were indeed some piece of nerve soothing words to hear."Seriously?" She had whispered, unsure if he meant those words, her pupils dilating in genuine appreciation. Carter's eyes softened as he reached out to gently cup Iris's hand in his own, his touch a comforting anchor amidst the storm of uncertainty swirling around her."Absolutely," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity and determination. "I meant every word”.Iris's heart fluttered at the genuine warmth in Carter's words, a flicker of hope igniting within her. She searched his eyes, seeking reassurance in their depths, and found nothing but unwavering sincerity staring back a
The sleek black car pulled up outside the apartment, gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Iris smoothed her dress nervously, her fingers fidgeting as she checked her reflection in the window. Spending an afternoon alone with Grandma Martha was already nerve-wracking, but the thought of being under her scrutinizing gaze for hours made her stomach churn.“You’ve got this,” Carter had said earlier, his tone calm but insistent. “Just answer her questions honestly. If you say no, it’ll only make her more curious.”“Why does it feel like I’m heading into an interrogation?” Iris had replied, half-joking.“Because you probably are,” Carter admitted with a wry smile. “But just be yourself. She’ll come around.”Now, as the car door swung open, Iris took a deep breath and stepped in. Martha sat inside, poised and regal, her sharp eyes missing nothing. Her tailored suit and pearls screamed authority, but there was a warmth beneath her composed exterior, buried under layers of propriety.“Ah, Iris,
As they entered, the atmosphere shifted to one of sophistication and glamour. The walls were lined with exquisite pieces, and Iris felt a thrill as she wandered through the racks, touching fabrics and admiring styles. Carter hung back, letting her explore. “I’ll just be over here,” he said, his hands tucked in his pockets, a relaxed smile on his face. Iris started picking out items, feeling more confident with each piece she held. A striking dress caught her eye—deep green with a silhouette that hugged the waist before flaring out gracefully. “What do you think of this one?” she called over to Carter. “A yes,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face. “You should try it on.”As Iris slipped into the fitting room, her heart raced with anticipation. The deep green dress shimmered against her skin, and she felt a wave of confidence wash over her. She glanced in the mirror, admiring how the fabric hugged her curves perfectly.“Hey, how’s it going in there?” Carter called from outs
Carter strolled back over from the restroom, casual air about him as he grabbed a seat across from Iris. “Hey, how’s the food?” he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich, his demeanour relaxed. “It’s fine,” Iris replied, trying to sound upbeat despite the tight knot in her stomach. “Just trying to soak in the atmosphere.” Carter shrugged, his tone nonchalant. “Good. Do you know that black card? It’s mine. Figured you might want to splurge a little.” Iris blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Wait, what? You’re serious?” “Yeah, it’s just a card. Use it if you want,” he said, waving it off as if it were no big deal. “I’m not going to be using it anytime soon, anyway.” “Thanks, I guess,” Iris said, her heart doing a little flip. “I mean, I could use a bit of fun.” “Just don’t break the bank,” he quipped with a half-smile before finishing his sandwich. Feeling emboldened by his casual offer, Iris took a deep breath and stood up, ready to dive into the shopping adventure. “Let’s see
Iris stood in the living room, the bright morning sun casting a warm glow on the newly arranged furniture. She caught the shock on Carter's face and her heart raced. Was he impressed or horrified?“Carter? Is this... too much?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly.He stepped closer, eyes wide as he took in the fresh paint, cosy throw pillows, and the eclectic mix of decor she’d carefully curated. “No, no! It’s amazing! I can’t believe you did all this by yourself!”Relief washed over her. “Really? You like it?”“Like it? I love it! How did you manage all this while I was snoozing?” He laughed, running a hand through his hair.Iris shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. “I might have gone shopping early... and maybe emptied my bank account in the process.”Carter’s smile faltered slightly. “Wait, what do you mean ‘emptied’?”“Just that I used the money I made from selling my watch. It was worth a pretty penny, but…” Her voice trailed off, a touch of uncertainty creepin
Carter stepped out of the hospital, the sterile scent lingering in his nostrils, but his spirits were surprisingly light. Iris, on the other hand, trailed behind him, her face pale and shadowed.“I can’t believe I crushed his—” Iris began, but Carter cut her off with a chuckle.“Hey, you didn’t crush his dreams. Just his... well, you know.” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood.Iris shot him a glare that could freeze the sun. “This isn’t funny, Carter. I just ruined his life!”“Come on, it’s a hilarious story in retrospect!” He nudged her playfully. “You should’ve seen the look on his face. Priceless!”Iris rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a faint smile. “That doesn’t make it okay.”“Alright, alright. Let’s just get you some sleep.” He handed her a small bottle of sleeping pills. “This should help.”The next morning, the sun streamed through the curtains, illuminating Iris as she brewed coffee. She had a determined look in her eyes when Carter stumbled into the kitchen, hair to
Iris sat on the edge of her seat, her attention divided between Paul's animated storytelling and the door leading to the adjacent room. Paul was recounting tales of his adventures abroad.As Paul spoke passionately about his travels, Iris found herself unable to fully immerse herself in his stories. Her eyes kept darting towards the connecting door, her mind consumed by thoughts of what could be happening on the other side."Iris, are you listening?" Paul's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present moment."Sorry, Paul," Iris replied, offering him a sheepish smile. "I'm just a bit distracted. Your stories are fascinating, though."Paul chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I'm glad you think so. But is something on your mind?" Iris shook her head, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts.Iris hesitated, unsure whether to voice her concerns. But the longer she remained silent, the more her worry gnawed at her. "It's just... I can't help but wond
As Carter followed Anya into the other room, a sense of unease gnawed at him, his mind swirling with confusion. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Anya's behaviour, especially given in front of her husband, Paul.As they entered the room, Anya turned to face Carter, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she closed the door behind them. Before he could react, she moved closer, her movements predatory as she closed the distance between them.Carter took a step back, his heart racing with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. "Anya, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and discomfort.But Anya simply smiled, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine."Relax, Carter. I just wanted to have a little fun," she purred, her voice dripping with seduction.Carter's eyes widened in shock as he realized her intentions."But...what about Paul?" he stammered, his words barely a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the s
Iris lay on the massage table, her muscles melting beneath the skilled hands of the masseuse as she drifted into a state of blissful relaxation. The scent of lavender filled the air, soothing her senses as she let out a contented sigh.As the massage came to an end, Iris slowly sat up, feeling refreshed. She turned to thank the masseuse, only to find herself face-to-face with a friendly-looking woman standing nearby, Anya."Hi there! I'm Anya," the woman said with a warm smile, extending a hand towards Iris.Iris returned the smile, shaking Anya's hand warmly."Nice to meet you, Anya. I'm Iris," she replied, her voice soft and friendly.Anya's eyes twinkled with curiosity as she glanced over at Iris. "Are you enjoying your massage?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine interest.Iris nodded enthusiastically. "Oh. It was amazing," she replied, a hint of awe in her voice.Anya's smile widened, and a look of understanding passed between them. "I know, right? There's nothing quite like
Carter sat on the balcony of their honeymoon suite, the soft sea breeze ruffling his hair as he stared out at the endless expanse of ocean stretching out before him. His laptop lay forgotten on the table beside him, the glow of the screen a stark reminder of the work that awaited him back home.With a heavy sigh, he picked up his phone and dialled one of his trusted business partners, hoping for a brief respite from his honeymoon."Hey, man" he greeted, his voice laced with weariness."Hey, Carter! What's up?" came the cheerful response on the other end of the line.Carter hesitated, unsure of how to tell his colleague that he rather be at work than on his own honeymoon. "I was just...thinking about work," he admitted reluctantly. "I know we're supposed to be on our honeymoon, but I can't help but feel like I'm falling behind.""There's so much I have to do and so many people counting on me"There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before his partner spoke again, their v