“I don't eat. I already had dinner with my colleagues.”
“O-oh, okay. I thought you would have dinner at home. Mrs. Shanon told me that you prefer home cooking.”
“Where is Charlie?”
Anthony ignored the disappointment on Dianne's face. He hadn't eaten at home since Shanon left for New Haven. During the week he always ate out. Morning, noon and night, he was a regular customer at Bucky's family restaurant. It was like he was back to the time before he got married, where he mostly ate out if his housekeeper didn't leave something to eat.
He deliberately avoided contact with Dianne because his instincts told him to. Even though Shanon told him many times that it was all just part of his paranoia, he still couldn't ignore his instincts.
"Charlie went to bed an hour ago."
"I'll see him in his room."
“Umm... What about these foods?”
Anthony glanced at the food on the table. Those were all
Anthony fidgeted in his bed. He was sweating profusely, as if the air conditioning in his room was not working. Anthony opened his eyes and threw his pajama top on the floor. He couldn't sleep even though his body felt so tired.Anthony lay back down and tried to close his eyes. He saw Shanon waving at him in his dream. He waved back and smiled. His wife was standing in the doorway in a crimson silk robe. Her hair was left loose and fell over her small shoulders. Shanon walked towards him with a very sexy, sensual smile.It had been a long time since Anthony last touched his wife. He missed Shanon so much, and he was so eager to touch her. Anthony reached out his hand, trying to grab her. Shanon took his outstretched hand happily and let Anthony pull her close."I miss you.""I miss you, too."Shanon's palm rested on his chest, caressing it gently. Anthony closed his eyes, feeling the touch as light as cotton. He knew it was just a dream. But the d
Shanon grumbled irritably into the phone. She turned off the phone and went back to bed in the hope that she could sleep well again.But just as she was about to close her eyes, her apartment bell rang. The person didn't just press it once, but many times, making her eardrums pound painfully.Shanon was forced to leave her warm blanket and walk out to open the door.“Really, Anthony? You picked a really bad time to come visit.”“I can't wait until tomorrow.”Anthony barged into Shanon's apartment while holding Charlie tightly to his chest. The boy was fast asleep wrapped in a thick jacket and blanket like a cocoon. Anthony immediately moved straight to Charlie's room and laid the boy in his crib.“It's been five months since Dianne's incident. Can't you get rid of your paranoia?”Anthony glanced over his shoulder. He bent over his son's crib for a long time without responding to Shanon's words.
Pushing the stroller across the campus grounds with a bag on her back and a baby bag full of Charlie's stuff on her shoulder, she felt like she was walking with a gallon of water in hand. Very heavy. Especially with the cold wind blowing hard around her. Shanon tightened her jaw to resist the cold wind that hit her repeatedly. She wished there was a parking spot right in front of her building. Unfortunately, she did not have that privilege.Last night no snow fell in New Heaven. But the air around her was completely freezing. Shanon dressed Charlie in three layers of clothing and covered him with a thick wool blanket to keep her son warm in his stroller. She was grateful that Charlie was very calm that morning and tended to be cheerful when he was with her.“Morning.”“Hey Scott. Morning. Very cold, huh?”Just like her, Scott also wore layers of clothes under his puffer. His mouth released thick steam every time he spoke.&l
They laughed out loud as they stepped into Shanon's apartment. Scott kept cracking jokes all the way home from the mall. Shanon couldn't help but laugh as Scott shared his embarrassing experience while attending a seminar in Los Angeles.“I was completely out of mind. I misread the sign on the bathroom door. And you know what, I walked into a women's restroom full of women. They were all shocked to see me suddenly enter their territory, and so was I. I was stupid, because I just stood there frozen. They all then screamed hysterically and beat me with bags. It was a ridiculous experience and almost killed me.”"Gosh, you're terrible, Scott," Shanon wiped away the tears that were welling up in her eyes. Her stomach felt numb from laughing so much.“I'm terrible. My mother is even embarrassed to recognize me as her child when she's hanging out with her friends."“Really? Then you must be terrible.”The elevator they
Shanon let go of Anthony and rushed into the kitchen to cook. She looked at the clock on the wall, then decided to cook something simple and quick. She didn't want to starve Anthony by taking too long to cook.“Mind if I make you a chicken burger?”"Absolutely not. I can't be too picky when I'm hungry.”“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. I promise I'll cook you something fancier than burgers for breakfast and dinner tomorrow.”Anthony put his arm around Shanon's waist. He kissed his wife's shoulder and inhaled deeply her soothing scent. His real home was Shanon. He was lonely living in Boston without Shanon."I don't need any fancy food as long as I have you by my side."“Tsk, you poisonous mouth. I can't be angry with you if you say sweet words like that. Right now you really look like Charlie when I would scold him. He would show puppy eyes, so I couldn't get mad at him."“I’m his father,
“I still can't believe you kept those facts from me all this time.”“I never hide anything from you.”"It seems you don't intend to tell me who your husband is if I accidentally met him yesterday."Shanon sighed softly next to Scott. She wasn't in a good mood this morning. Everything was very chaotic. She woke up with heavy, swollen, and very red eyes from crying all night. Her morning was very chaotic and bad. When she came out of her room, the atmosphere in the condo was very quiet. She was pretty sure Anthony had taken Charlie home to Boston.Last night, before she finally fell asleep because she was tired of crying, she heard the noise of Charlie's stroller wheels rubbing and the sound of Anthony's footsteps stomping very loudly. She didn't know whether Anthony was stomping his foot hard on purpose to tell her he was going home to Boston, or whether Anthony was angry. They were both very messy last night.“I admire
He thought he only slept five minutes, not five hours. Anthony sat up in surprise while glancing at the clock. It showed seven."Damn, I'm late!"Frantically, Anthony walked to the bathroom, ready to shower and leave for campus. But suddenly he remembered that last night Charlie came home with him, and he had full responsibility for his baby.Anthony hurriedly left his room. He tripped over his blanket which was hanging down to the floor and cursed softly because of his carelessness. He had never been so careless before. He was also never late. Usually his brain always had an alarm to wake him up at exactly five o'clock. But it was clear that the alarm in his head refused to wake him up because he needed quality sleep after several days of not getting quality sleep because he was too busy with the very tiring duty board."Morning, boy."Hearing Anthony's voice, Charlie automatically looked up from the Legos and various toys scattered on the floor.
Shanon knocked softly on Simmon Kendrick's door. She became even more nervous when Kendrick's deep, raspy voice allowed her to enter his office. She had hoped Kendrick wouldn't be available this afternoon and that would give her time to calm her fears.After Scott left to meet his professor, fear crept into her heart again until Shanon almost went home and canceled her intention to meet Simmon Kendrick.But there was no turning back for her. Like it or not, Shanon had to go into Simmon’s office and meet the killer lecturer.“Ms. Wilson. An unexpected visit.”“Good afternoon, Mr. Kendrick. Sorry to disturb your time.”Shanon pulled up a chair in front of Kendrick's desk which was covered in many student assessment sheets. She slid her body into the chair very slowly before her butt landed smoothly on the wooden chair.“What can I do for you, Ms. Wilson?”“Umm...”Shanon just
Shanon frowned in confusion when she saw Anthony suddenly stand up and throw the napkin on the table. He hadn't finished eating his steak and hadn't touched the wine, but Anthony suddenly left the table in a silent anger that confused her.“Hmm... I think he's sick of having a wife like you. You show the affair too bluntly in front of him."“You've really drained all my patience, bitch. If you can’t say proper words, you better shut your damn mouth.”Shanon moved her chair back and stood up.“Shanon, where are you going? Your ankle is sprained. I will help you.”“No, Jamie. I can handle it. You just keep eating here.”With unsteady steps, Shanon walked out of the dining room. She was so angry that she wanted to hit something. If Annika wasn't her friend, she would have happily punched her sister-in-law in the damn mouth who had been messing with her since this afternoon.Shanon walked to
Shanon was happy because her relationship with Anthony was quite conducive throughout the afternoon and evening. They didn't leave their room after Anthony got a bruise ointment. They spent their time lazing around in bed, cuddling. Shanon enjoyed a very calm moment with Anthony with the sight of a snowstorm that made the entire landscape outside the window very white. They could barely see the mountain ranges or trees that were usually clearly visible from Shanon's room.At seven, they finally went out of their room because they were starting to get hungry. Anthony held Shanon's waist tightly and led her down the stairs because Shanon refused to be carried by him. Shanon's friends greeted Anthony in friendly tones as they passed each other near the stairs. Shanon was very grateful because she didn't run into Jammy at all while walking down to the dining room. That would be a very awkward moment. Shanon hoped they could return to Boston as soon as the storm passed.&ld
Anthony jumped down from the helicopter with solid footing. He brushed off the sunglasses that framed his eyes and rolled his gaze to the range of snowy mountains that spread out around him. Everything was white and a little misty. Anthony turned towards the magnificent villa that stood on flat land at the top of the hill. The villa was quiet. Anthony told the pilot to wait because he wasn't planning on staying that night. He just wanted to take Shanon home right then and there. He thought about it while they were still in the air. He wouldn't let Shanon stay at the villa any longer with her ex-lover and immediately took her home.“Are you one of Mrs. Sarah’s friends?”"Yes. Where is she? Where is everyone?”“They were skiing on the hill.”"When are they coming back?" Anthony asked impatiently.“I think they'll be back at lunch.”Drake looked at Anthony's appearance from head to toe. All black
Shanon appeared exactly five minutes later in a white and blue gradient ski outfit and furry hoodie. Shanon carried goggles and other ski equipment in both hands.“They gave me this before I came out.”“Sarah and Stevan make sure their friends have everything here. Let's go. Our friends left half an hour ago.”“They must be at the top of the hill. Why is there no cable car here?” Shanon started to complain just a few steps after her shoes hit the snow. The combination of uphill roads and very thick snow made the walk feel five times more difficult than just climbing up a steep mountain.“Where's the fun if you just get on the cable car and glide? The journey from the bottom to the top is more amazing than just gliding.”“Really?”As far as Shanon could see, she only saw pine trees and rocks covered in snow. Shanon wondered whether Anthony was a ski fan or not? She had seen Anthony s
“Morning, Shanon.”“Morning, Josie.”“It seems you didn't sleep well last night.”Shanon put her ass on one of the empty chairs next to Joselyn and her husband. Most of the other round tables were already filled with other couples. Shanon caught a glimpse of Sarah and Stevan sitting with Justin and his girlfriend.“Yeah, I think so too. I woke up with a very tired body and mind. I need some coffee.”Right after Shanon said that, a housekeeper came in with a pot of very fragrant coffee and started filling her empty cup with coffee that made Shanon's mouth almost drip."Thanks."“What would you like for breakfast, ma'am? We have pancakes & bacon, hashbrown & sausage, and smoked beef omelets.”“I want a smoked beef omelette with hashbrown, can I?”“Sure. I will be right back."Shanon leaned her back against the back of her chair whi
After making sure Sarah didn't follow her, Shanon dashed to her room and plopped down on her king size bed as soon as she arrived at her room. She rolled herself up like a fetus. She felt that the bed was too big to sleep on alone. She had never felt so vulnerable when she was away from Anthony. She was always fine while living alone in New Heaven. She had never missed Anthony so much. But, that night she felt vulnerable and missed Anthony so bad. She needed to hear Anthony's voice.Shanon rushed to grab her cell phone on the nightstand. She deactivated airplane mode and dozens of notifications started flooding into her phone. It took Shanon ten minutes to wait until the notification ringtone died down, and her cell phone returned to silence. Shanon then pressed the speed dial to call Anthony.“Anthony…” Shanon's voice sounded hoarse and wet."What's wrong with you? You turned off your phone, and you suddenly called me with puffy eyes?”
Something big?Shanon thought Jammie was just joking to scare her or intimidate her. She didn't have any inkling as she went into the dining room with the dress code Sarah had set for that evening. A silk nightgown for the women and silk pajamas for the men. Sarah seemed inspired by their summer vacation at Joselyn's villa. At that time, they had a pajama party and played a snakes and ladders game all night while eating various kinds of snacks that they brought from their respective homes.But for tonight, Sarah had modified it a little. She didn't make her female friends wear pajamas, but instead nightgowns, as a sign that they were no longer teenagers, and that they were adults with integrity.“Welcome to the pajama party.”Shanon's jaw dropped as she entered the common room. The room was on the first floor, second hallway after the hall. The room looked really amazing with a gold interior and walls covered with gold wallpaper. The
Shanon quickly forgot everything Jammie said as she was busy welcoming her friends who came to the villa that day. They reminisced while screaming and hugging because it was the first time they had met since graduating from high school.“Anna Hughes! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's you.”“Sarah, thank you for inviting me and my boyfriend.”“Hi Anna. Are you pregnant?”“Oh, our Shanon genius! And yes, I'm pregnant."“Oh, congratulations to you, darling!” Shanon hugged Anna warmly.She then hugged Aaron, Anna's lover.“Welcome to our humble Villa. Please follow Tobby to your room.""Thanks."Not long after Anna and her lover went to their room in the right wing, Drake arrived from the airport with three couples. Joselyn, the blonde woman, got out of the van for the first time and screamed excitedly as soon as her eyes caught the figures of Shanon and Sarah.
Anthony's voice on the speaker startled her. Shanon hurriedly opened the door wider and asked Jammie to come into the villa. Shanon then turned her back to Jammie to talk to Anthony."I have to go," whispered her.“Hey. Is he one of your friends?”Anthony caught a glimpse of Jammie's face over Shanon's shoulder. Anthony narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his wife's movements.“Yeah, he's one of my friends. I have to find Sarah or Drake to get them to prepare a room for Jammie. I'll call you again tomorrow. Love you.”Shanon sighed softly. She didn't know why she suddenly became that nervous just because Jammie came while she was on a video call with Anthony.“Did I interrupt you with your boyfriend?”Shanon choked up hearing Jammie's voice so close to her ear. She hurriedly turned around and smiled awkwardly. Her face turned red when she was stared at so intensely by Jammie."That was my husba