After everything, the mornings mishap had became more than just an unintentional incident, it was a stand out moment in their adventures together, a reminder that the feeling for each other can grow beyond limits even in the most unseen situations.A voice came out of the living room, echoing everywhere. “Haven, where are you?” She shouted.“I’m right here, there is no need to shout and disturb everyone, Alexis.” He said Haven's voice looked calm and collected.Alexis turned to face him, “Oh, there you are. Do you mind explaining why you cancelled dinner plans, without informing me first?” Her voice spitting out rage.Haven looked up, his eyes not giving emotions. “I sent a text message about two hours ago. It’s not my fault that you don’t check your phone often.”"A text message?" Alexis scoffed, fumbling in her purse to retrieve her phone. "That's how you communicate with your wife now? Just a text, what happens oti dropping a call?”As she opened her phone and started scrolling thr
Haven pushed aside his plate, his face contemplating on his reply. “it’s not intentional, Alexis. I’ve always been like this. Emotions, defenseless, are just my weak point.”"But why?" Alexis pressed, leaning forward slightly. "What are you so afraid of? What’s the issue?"Haven’s face fell, his hands on his face. And for a whole, Alexis was already thinking he had no reply to everything she said. But just right about the time he said. “My line of work has shown me that allowing emotions to rule them, has led to getting hurt and I don’t want to be that person.”Alexis felt a pang in her chest. Slowly, cautiously, she moved closer to him on the couch. "Haven, look at me," she said gently."Feeling things, being open, it doesn't make you weak," she said softly. "It makes you human. And yes, sometimes it hurts. But it can also be beautiful. Exhilarating."Haven's lips twitched in a wry smile. "Like your outbursts of passion?"Alexis chuckled, shaking her head. "Okay, maybe I'm not the be
"Haven!" Alexis exclaimed, half-laughing, half-protesting. "Put me down, you caveman!""As you wish," Haven replied, unceremoniously dropping her onto the bed. Alexis bounced on the mattress, her red hair fanning out around her like a fiery halo.Alexis sat up in bed, beside her was an empty space. Haven had already left for work. Even though their relationship wasn’t born out of romantic love, it was at least solid. Even though there were moments Alexis had doubts.Pushing off the negative thoughts, Alexis headed to the loo and carried out her morning ritual, feeling both anxious and eager for the day. As she adjusted her pencil skirt and white top, she spoke to herself in the mirror. "Alexis, you can handle this; there are just some job interviews left. No pressure.”As I walked towards the towering office building, She was trembling and needed a moment to regain. Herself before going into the building and approaching the receptionist."Despite being nervous, Alexis said, "Good morn
"Hey, Alexis!" Cecile 's cheerful voice came through the speaker. "How did the job hunt go?"With a sigh, Alexis headed up the stairs to the house. "To be honest, not very good. Two rejections out of two interviews.I feel like I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what. It's getting tiring and I feel like I can't accomplish anything flawlessly anymore." "Oh, sweetie," Cecile said with a sympathetic tone in her voice. "I'm devastated to learn about it. Recall that today is only a single day. Any organisation would be fortunate to have you because you are intelligent and skilled.Maybe these just weren't the right fit, keep trying, you would definitely find that missing piece of the puzzle employment."Alexis smiled despite herself. "Thanks, Cecile . I know you're right, it's just I really wanted to find something to keep myself busy, you know? To have a purpose outside of this arranged marriage."Speaking of arranged marriages. How are things with Haven, by the way?” On the oppos
Cassandra followed Haven to his office. She tried to arrange the papers on his desk. The scent of her perfume shifted towards Haven making him a little bit uncomfortable. He kept readjusting his seat, trying to distract his mind which was already fixed on Cassandra at that moment."Is there anything else you need, Mr. Haven?" Cassandra asked, her voice low and sounding like someone on a mission.Haven cleared his throat. "No, that will be all for now, thank you."Cassandra didn't move. Instead, she perched on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs deliberately. "Are you sure? I'd be happy to stay late and help you relax." Her fingers trailed along the edge of his desk, inching closer to his hand.Haven's discomfort grew. He valued Cassandra as an employee, but her recent behavior had become increasingly inappropriate. "Cassandra," he said firmly, "I appreciate your offer, but it's unnecessary. Please, go home and enjoy your evening."As she turned to leave the office, she intentional
"No, of course not," Haven said, frustration creeping into his voice. "She's been flirting with me, yes. But I've never encouraged it, I’ve always stopped her. I swear."Alexis laughed bitterly. "Oh, you've never encouraged it? Is that why she was sitting on your desk, Haven?"Haven's shoulders slumped. "I... I don't know what to say, Alexis. I've been under a lot of pressure at work, and things have been difficult between us lately. But I swear, I've never cheated on you."Alexis's eyes filled with tears. "Maybe not physically, Haven. But emotionally? It seems like you checked out of our marriage a long time ago."He tried reaching out to her after her words hit differently as they felt like a physical blow on his skin. But Alexis resisted, shaking her head in disagreement."Don't," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't... I can't do this right now. I need some time to think."Sweetheart, please," he said softly. "Let me explain what happened."Alexis whirled to face h
Frowning, Haven turned to Cassandra. "Have you seen Alexis? I need to find my wife.”She nodded. "I saw her heading towards the elevators a few minutes ago, sir. She seemed to be in a hurry."Haven knew Alexis won’t just come into the office if not she had a good and solid reason. The fact that she came to look for him because he was late at work was a testament of how solid their relationship was, which was about to go into ruins because of a moment of weakness.Haven ran towards the elevators, his mind focused to set things right. While he waited for one to arrive, he quickly tried to recompose and rehearse what he would say to Alexis. At this point he couldn't just go and meet her unprepared. How will he begin? How could he still savage the relationship? How could he explain his actions?The elevator dinged and the door slowly opened. To his surprise, here was Alexis, looking dejected. Their eyes met and time froze with no one saying anything to each other."Alexis," Haven said, st
"You're right," she said, her voice cold. "We don't have that kind of relationship. Which is why I'm more embarrassed than jealous, Haven. Embarrassed that I walked in on such a compromising situation, and embarrassed for you that you would risk everything we've built for a cheap thrill."Haven felt as if he'd been slapped. "Alexis, I"But Alexis wasn't finished. She stood up, her eyes level with Haven's. "You want to know why I'm upset? Because I thought I knew you, Haven. And now I don't know what to think."Her words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Haven opened his mouth to respond, but found he had no words. What could he say to make this right?Haven nodded, memories of late nights and shared dreams flooding his mind. "I’m sorry," he said softly."Then what changed?" Alexis asked, her voice tinged with sadness. "When did you become the kind of man who would risk it all for what? A moment of passion with your secretary?"Haven felt shame wash over him.
For a long, tense minute, none of them moved. Alexis stood at the door, her chest hurling, her eyes bolted on Haven. The air felt thick, charged with feeling, as if time had halted through and through. “Alexis…” Haven at last overseen, his voice breaking marginally as he said her title. He took a little step toward her, but she took a bigger one back. “Don’t.” Alexis’ voice was scarcely over a whisper, but the constraint behind it was unmistakable. She felt numb, but underneath that deadness was an outrage so furious she thought she might detonate if she didn’t say something, anything. “Don’t you dare take another step.” Havensolidified, his face falling. He looked nearly terrible now, standing in the center of the room, caught between his wife and his ex. “Alexis, I—” “What the hell did I just walk in on?” Alexis’ voice broke, and for a minute, she thought she might lose control and collapse into wails right at that point and there. But she bit down hard on her lip, constraining
Alexis looked at his face, her lips squeezed into a lean line. She needed to accept him. She needed to accept that things may go back to how they were some time ago. But part of her was still afraid…. afraid that this was just the starting of something that might break them. “I don’t know in case I can just believe that,” Alexis said unobtrusively. “I need more than words, Haven.” Haven nodded gradually, pressing her hands. “I know. I’ll show it to you. I’ll make this right.” Alexis looked down at their interlaced hands, her heart throbbing with the weight of everything that had happened. She needed to believe him, to believe that they may settle this. But she moreover knew that it wouldn’t be simple. It wouldn’t be settled overnight.“Okay,” she whispered, her voice faltering. “But don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Haven lifted her hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly. “I won’t. I swear.” Alexis closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his touch, the truthfulness in his
As long as they were talking, she lamented it, but it was late. Haven’s expression obscured, and he took a step back, as if her words had physically hit him. “Are you for real right now?” he inquired discreetly. His voice was low, controlled, but Alexis may hear the hurt underneath it. “You think I still have feelings for Vanessa?” Alexis looked away, her throat tight. She didn’t know what to say. She had no proof, no genuine reason to accept that he still loved Vanessa. But the fear, the frailty, had taken root deep in her chest, and it wouldn’t let go. Haven shook his head, letting out a baffled breath. “This isn’t about me having feelings for her. Vanessa is wiped out. She’s frightened. She’s alone in this, and I can’t just turn my back on her.” “You can’t turn your back on her, but you'll turn your back on me?” Alexis inquired, her voice trembling with emotion. “Do you indeed realise what this is doing to us? To me? I’ve been here, holding up, stressing, pondering where you're
His marriage to Alexis had continuously been great, but this minute right now was digging up questions and questions he didn’t know how to reply. Could Vanessa truly be telling the truth? "Haven." Vanessa’s voice was soft, arguing. "I need you, just for a couple of days while I recoup. I don’t have anybody else." When Haven at last came home that night, Alexis was waiting for him in the living room, her arms crossed firmly over her chest. The minute she saw him, she stood up, her face pale and strained. "Well?" Alexis requested. "What did she say?" "She’s hurt, Alexis. Her lower leg is sprained, and the doctor said it could’ve been more awful if she’d landed in an unexpected way.""That’s not what I implied, Haven," Alexis snapped. "Did she say anything else? Is she still accusing me?" Haven’s quiet was quick enough. Alexis tossed her hands up in scepticism. "I can’t believe you! You’re really believing her?" "I’m not saying I believe her," Haven answered, his voice rigid with
Vanessa’s loft was as if it were a ten-minute drive, but it felt like an endlessness as Haven's mind ran through the conceivable outcomes. When he at long last pulled into the park, his heart crashed in his chest. He found her front door somewhat unlatched. "Vanessa?" Haven pushed it open cautiously. Inside, he found her on the floor at the foot of the stairs, jumping in torment as she clutched her lower leg. The scene was chaotic, a chair upside down, her purse spilled over the floor, and one of her shoes lying midway down the stairs. Vanessa’s face was pale, her breathing shallow. "Jesus, Vanessa," Haven murmured, hurrying to her side. "What the hell happened?" She looked up at him with wide, tear-streaked eyes. "Alexis," she whispered. Haven solidified. "What? What around Alexis?" "She was here," Vanessa said, her voice trembling. "She pushed me." Haven gazed at her in incredulity. "Alexis wouldn't, she wouldn’t do that!"Vanessa’s eyes are somewhat limited. "She did, Haven.
Alexis observed as he wrote angrily, his face lit up by the screen. She knew Haven would do anything to keep her safe, and the thought gave her a little degree of consolation. But the fear was still there, prowling just underneath the surface. As Haven worked, Alexis found herself replaying the call in her mind. The sound of the breathing, the ominous silence… It all felt so thick, so individual. She shuddered, pulling the cover on the sofa more tightly around herself. “What if they’re trying to frighten me?” she inquired, her voice scarcely over a whisper. Haven looked up from the tablet, his expression genuine. “Then they’ve succeeded. But we’re not going to let them keep you frightened. We’ll get to the root of this.” He returned his face to the screen, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he explored through distinctive websites and gatherings, searching for any device that may help to trace the call.Hours passed, the night getting darker and calmer, but not one or the othe
Alexis had continuously been a solid lady, one who didn’t effectively frighten. But this… this was different. It wasn’t just the quiet; it was the feeling that came with it, like somebody was observing her, like she was being chased. She shook her head, trying to expel the thought. She needed to tell Haven. He would know what to do. He always knew what to do. Haven was in the living room, his feet propped up on the coffee table, observing a late-night ball amusement. The soft flash of the tv cast shadows over his face, but he took note of Alexis the minute she entered the room. "Hello angel, you okay?" he inquired, his eyes narrowing with concern as he noticed her pale face and wide eyes. He quieted the TV and turned his full attention to her. Alexis gulped hard, trying to find her voice. “Haven… something bizarre just happened.” He quickly stood up, his huge outline towering over her as he took her hands in his. “What happened, Lex? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “I… I got
Haven considered her for a minute, clearly not persuaded, but he didn’t thrust it. He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, pressing tenderly. “You’ve been working yourself out of late. Come on, let’s get to bed. You should get a few rest.” She gestured, thankful for the pardon to elude the uneasy contemplations whirling in her mind. “Yeah, you’re right. Let me just wrap up here.” Haven kissed her on the chin and headed back upstairs. Alexis observed him go, the warmth of his touch waiting on her skin, but the fear still chewing at her inner parts. She rapidly wrapped up folding the clothing, her hands moving mechanically as her mind began to race. When she was done, she turned off the lights on the ground floor and made her way to the room. Haven was as of now in bed, flipping through the channels on the TV with a sight of boredom on his face. Alexis slipped into the bathroom, sprinkling cold water on her face, trusting it would wash away the unease that clung to her
Alexis was in the centre of folding the final stack of clothing when her phone buzzed on the countertop. She’d had a long day, filled with errands, chores. It was about 11 p.m. She rubbed her chin, feeling the fatigue throb that continuously appeared to crawl up when she was overtired. But the sight of her phone vibrating once more drew her thoughts back to it. She picked up the phone, anticipating it to be one of her friends, likely Trina or Melissa, sending late-night messages about something unimportant. The screen showed an obscure number. A cold shudder ran down her spine, but she dismissed it, considering it could be a robocall. Still, something made her falter. After a minute, she swiped to reply to the call and lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”There was a delay, and for a minute, she thought the call might have been a mistake. But at that point, she listened to it, a swoon, nearly subtle breath on the other end of the line. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Sh