Share

Practical Affections

Author: Moonbunnie
last update Last Updated: 2024-06-29 00:11:27

“You’re not doing that, are you?” Emily asked, her voice a little high-pitched, as they were currently in one of the biggest lounges in Texas.

She owned a lounge called ‘The Place.’

When she decided to name it THE PLACE, Calista laughed out loud, wondering why she chose such a weird name for a bar. What she didn’t know was that her friend actually meant it; she wanted everything to stand out, including the name.

Emily’s smartness caught her attention when she went to a friend’s party in college. She knew just how to attract the right person, and her friendly gestures towards everyone captured her attention.

“How did your family take it?” Emily asked, nodding her head at the loud music. “I mean, it will be a lot, given the time frame.”

“I didn’t give them enough time to process it, Emmy. We’re moving out the day after tomorrow, and that’s it.”

“I kind of find you cruel,” Emily added, her voice sounding displeased. “You can’t snatch off a life because you’re afraid he might not come looking for you. You’re afraid you might not move on.”

“Emmy, I told you already. I don’t love him,” Calista replied, feeling tired of the conversation already. She was still in her short office skirt, coupled with a blazer blouse that went well with her skin tone. Her hair was still neatly packed in a bun.

“Why did you use such strong words?” Emily inquired, shaking her head vigorously at the word “love.” Emily was a fan of casual sex, but Calista suspected she was still a virgin.

She used to be like that, fresh and untouched, until three years ago, when she lost it in the most unrealistic way. She remembered vividly his displeasure after breaking her hymen.

“I will not take responsibility for this, Calista. You chose to omit your sexuality, even though I asked repeatedly.”

Those words didn’t hurt a bit then, but they do now.

“You’re attracted to him, no doubt. I bet that’s why you want to be so much farther away; you had to choose the Philippines of all places.”

“I’m not getting away from anyone; I’m just going home. My roots cut deep into the Philippines, and there are many good opportunities there,” Calista explained, avoiding sharing a glance with her friend.

“You know I don’t believe you, not even the slightest.”

“Well,” she said, stretching to go. “I left home in a hurry, not wanting to answer questions after telling them the news, but home I shall return after all.” Calista laughed, picking up her handbag. “Thank you, Emily. I gotta go; I have something to do early tomorrow morning.”

“Sure. Allow me to drop you home,” she offered, walking towards the exit with her.

“Nah, I already texted a ride,” Calista smiled, walking out of the loud vicinity.

“You never let me take you home,” she pouted, holding her hands firmly while she waited for the ride.

“You are getting married soon, Emmy. I shouldn’t stress a wife-to-be,” Calista replied, rubbing her hands lovingly.

“He hasn’t approved, Cal. He’s into someone, I think.” Her smiley face from a moment ago fell immediately.

“I don’t understand why he’s so insensitive as not to love someone as sweet as you,” Calista turned fully towards her, firmly holding her shoulder. “Why do you have to go through all this stress when you can easily find someone? You have a lot of suitors.”

Calista had only heard about her betrothed and had never met or seen a picture of him. Emily mentioned that it was to remain private until they were married, which made Calista feel a bit worried.

“I love him,” she blurted. “What I feel for him is exceptional, Cal, and I’m going to get him. I will let him do his thing, but he’s mine to keep. My betrothed.”

Emily could be desperate. Aside from being all lovely and perfect, she got what she wanted.

“The ride is here,” Calista announced, giving her friend a tight hug before walking away into the car. She waved at her, and the car zoomed off.

Despite being late, her father was up, patiently waiting for her return.

“Dad?” she called, startled as she turned on the light. “What are you doing in the dark?”

“Waiting for you, Cal,” her father retorted, pointing towards the sofa. “Sit, dear; we have to talk.”

“Dad, I’m exhausted. Can we possibly talk about this tomorrow?”

“No, Calista. I promise it will be brief,” he replied, asking her to sit next to him. “Your sudden announcement caught me unawares, daughter, and not to mention you said we’re going to the Philippines. How do you want us to cope with the dialect? They barely speak English.”

“Dad?” she called, yawning. “What are you insinuating?”

“Can we not go there?”

“Work is tiring, Dad. I had a long day, and I need to be at work tomorrow. You can choose anywhere of your choice; just make it far away from Texas,” she said, standing up to go. She moved towards her dad and kissed him goodnight.

Calista headed upstairs, her heart heavy from the lies she repeatedly told her family. Ever since she started seeing Ranya, she stopped working.

He made sure of that with the constant payments and gifts he lavished on her. She couldn’t bring herself to reveal the truth according to the terms of the contracts. It was confidential; she couldn’t tell anyone, not even Emily, her best friend.

What she told Emily was that he was only a good friend helping her. She remembered Emily laughing, calling it friends with benefits, but not until she started having feelings for her helper.

Ranya had always been kind to her. He didn’t engage in romance, not even kissing. He went straight to the point, ensuring she was not hurt and that she experienced some pleasure.

She pushed her clothes off and entered the bath, wondering why she allowed her dad to manipulate her into changing the location. With the money she had saved and the one he gave her, she was going to make a life out of it and run further away from him.

Emily was right. She was cutting him off because she feared he might not come looking. He might just leave her hanging with numerous emotions and memories. They created no memories aside from the bedroom activities; everything else remained a mystery to her.

Tomorrow, she was going to his place to erase everything. He would be left with nothing to stand as a reminder of her. Everything she touched, she was going to dispose of. She wouldn’t let him have lingering thoughts of how he thrust into her. She wouldn’t give him the honor.

While she took her bath, in another part of the city, Ranya was with his lover, the woman he only enjoyed sex with. Her moans filled the room while he pushed into her, trying to see if he was going to remember this moment they shared in the past. If he was going to feel the excitement while he thrust into her sweet sex.

“Ah, yes, Ranya,” Vivian moaned, adjusting herself to brace up with his pace.

Something was wrong with him. From the moment he kissed her to this very moment he was inside her, she felt the barrenness.

He grabbed her leg, trying to go in deeply, so he could make her feel pleased, but his heart and soul weren’t in compliance with what his body was doing.

Instead of the love he intended, he was unleashing pain. The pain he got accustomed to. She was no longer moaning but screaming.

“Ranya?” she called, holding his hands to stop him from breaking her in two.

He groaned frustratedly, pulling out of her.

He couldn’t think clearly. He hadn’t been able to push her out of his mind after the contract ended. He was sure he felt nothing then, but the emptiness, the heavy heart made him want to shatter things.

“Are you okay, honey?” she called, pulling the blanket over her while she knelt beside him on the bed, touching him.

“Yes, Vivian,” he replied, sparing her a grin. He hadn’t been able to smile properly since she left. The smile left his face the day she took her things and left his house.

He shoved his hands into his head, trying to think properly. Maybe this was guilt. It had to be. He shouldn’t have ended things abruptly between them the way he did. Maybe he should have told her many days before today to keep her prepared.

Fuck it. They were in no serious relationship, and it was only logical he ended it the way he pleased.

“I’m so sorry, Vivian,” he pleaded, turning fully to her and wrapping his hands around hers.

He couldn’t really place his hands on what was wrong, why he was being so distant, why he was not feeling any excitement whatsoever.

“It’s fine, baby,” she said, taking her hands off his hold and wrapping a hand around his neck while the other combed through his thick black hair.

“I’m not going anywhere, trust me; we have plenty of time to do this,” she said, pushing his head to her bosom. He allowed it and closed his eyes, shutting himself off from the world.

“Why are we in the penthouse at your office, Ranya? Why not take me home?” she asked, running her hands through his hair. He briefly opened his eyes before closing them again.

“Someone needs to go there,” he replied calmly, drifting off to sleep. “It will take a week.”

Comments (1)
goodnovel comment avatar
Ronny Frank
He is so stupid....
VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Related chapters

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Echoes of Departure

    The beeping sound of the elevator distracted her thoughts yet again.She vividly remembered the first time she had come here. The elevator had opened, and she had walked out, feeling repulsive with each step she took towards the apartment.After entering the passcode, the one he had asked her to choose three months into the contract, he had wanted her to have access, warning her always to wear a nose mask whenever she visited. Those rules she had adhered to diligently over the years.The door beeped, and it opened. She pushed it open and as she stepped in, the familiar smell of him hit her sense of reasoning, and for some minutes, she felt like breaking down.He had made it clear that it was a contract. A contract with no strings attached. It was so unfair she had to feel this way, and with determination, she decided she was not coming back to his apartment again.The living room was extremely spacious and lively. It used to be gloomy and depressing until she couldn’t bear its emptine

    Last Updated : 2024-06-29
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Veiled Realities

    “Mr. Ranya Windsor,” Damian said confidently as he walked towards Ranya, his face no longer masked with anger but replaced with a smile. Ranya looked up from the system as the well-dressed man in a blue suit approached his table.“You’re not kidding me, are you?” Ranya asked, gesturing towards the system on the table. “This is a cafe, not your office.”Ranya scoffed loudly, shaking Damian’s outstretched hand, and whispered, “The last time I checked, we were supposed to meet for work. I agreed to this cafe meeting because I know you brought him with you. I can only avoid unnecessary drama by choosing to meet in public.”Damian laughed and took a seat across from his friend. Damian Lillard was Ranya’s cousin, and he chose to work for him due to his political agenda. Being the Prime Minister’s personal assistant had many advantages for a politically minded person like Damian.“I see you’re avoiding questions about Vivian,” Damian remarked, staring intently at Ranya, whose expression turn

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   The blank sheet

    “Did she sanitize this?” Ranya asked, wearing a puzzled look as he stretched the empty paper towards Valerie. She took it and brought the blank sheet to her nose.She coughed slightly, perceiving a deeper scent than expected. “It’s sanitized, sir. The card is too,” she replied, handing the sheet back to him.He accepted the blank sheet, bewildered by why she would send it along with his keys.“Sir, are there any threats of any kind? Should I inform the police?" Valerie asked, watching her boss intently. She couldn’t help but wonder what business he had with the lady in shades.She did not say anything when she arrived because Mr. Windsor had already informed her that a lady would be returning his card, and she was to take it.“I thought I gave her a week?” he asked, walking into his office, scanning through the sheet in his hands to see if she left any hidden message. Valerie watched her boss walk away with surprise overly written on her face. She had never seen that look on him befor

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   The Void She Left Behind

    “Is your heart made of stone, Calista?” he mumbled to himself, hastily finding his way into the empty home. It wasn’t completely empty, as he had presumed. The house still looked luxurious and well-fashioned, but the things Calista had bought to make the house less cold and frightening were gone. She had brought colors to his home, and her absence made the whole place feel extremely out of place for him. It felt quiet, making it look less like home.With his heartbeat pounding loudly against his chest, he roamed the entire house seeking something connected to her—a single item she must have touched or something he had gotten for her—but he found nothing.He walked through the rooms, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The apartment was filled with memories of moments shared and emotions felt. He searched for any sign of her presence but found nothing. No lingering scent, no personal belongings. It was as if she had never been there.Before she came, his home was void of colors. The

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love    A Father's Challenge

    “Mr. Windsor,” Valerie called, her breath shaky and her eyes avoiding him. Ranya’s face furrowed in displeasure as a web of inquiries filled his mind.Despite his internal conflict, he was determined to meet with Vivian to address and resolve any misunderstandings, knowing he had to confront his inner turmoil to prevent further harm.“What, Valerie?” His voice was cold and dismissive. “What is it?”“I’m extremely sorry, sir, but while you were away, the Prime Minister came.”“What?” Ranya asked, casting a dreaded look at her. “Did you?” He stared at her and then at his office door. “You’re not saying you let him wait for me?”“I couldn’t stop him, sir,” she replied, following closely behind him as he walked faster yet calmly into his office, anger visibly exuding from his entire being. He opened the door to his office, and there he was, standing elegantly, watching the view of the city, his broad shoulders turned away from them.Ranya’s angry eyes bore deeply into Valerie, causing her

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   New Beginnings

    “California isn’t all bad, really,” Willie MacQuoid said, munching on a ramen burger. Ever since they arrived in Los Angeles, she had fallen in love with the city’s unique culinary delights. “You all just said California; nobody told me we’re coming to LA.”“I told you,” Mr. MacQuoid replied, sitting across from her at the dining table, his eyes on the magazine gifted to him by a friend he met on the plane. “I’m good with locations.”“Dad, you need to try this. No one will believe how magically delicious it is until you have a bite,” she persuaded, pushing the burger towards him with an encouraging smile.Mr. MacQuoid forced his eyes away from the magazine, nodding his head while eyeing her emphatically. “There’s no way I’m eating a burger made of noodles.”A long, throaty laugh escaped Calista’s throat as she walked into the dining room holding a dish filled with chicken-fried steak, its sweet aroma filling the whole room.“Don’t feed Dad those crispy things. We left Texas, but we sh

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   First Impressions

    “You are the rude brat from the airport,” Willie interjected stubbornly, despite the glares from her mother.“I remember you,” his husky voice laced out, walking closer to the family. “How am I having just limited people here? I asked for twenty, and I have just four.”Mr. MacQuoid stared, stunned by his extreme arrogance. But having worked with such people, he knew how good they could be. He squinted, trying to identify where he had seen the cute face before.Anthony turned to Mr. MacQuoid, displeasure evident on his face as he watched him intently. “I bet you’re their leader since you’re the eldest. Where are the rest of you? And please make sure she...” he pointed at Willie, “...does most of the cleaning. Now get to work.”Calista stared, her lips partly open as he walked to the sofa, sitting comfortably while he rubbed his temple in agitation.Willie scoffed loudly, her eyes staring daggers at him. Mrs. MacQuoid seemed to be tongue-tied, as a slight smile played across her lips.T

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08
  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Desperate Searches

    “Ranya?” Vivian squeaked from the bathroom, her legs clashing against the marble floor as she approached him. “Why wouldn’t you let me fix this house? It looks so lifeless to me.”Ranya sighed, turning slightly towards her, the coldness in his expression easing as he gazed at her. “The house looks perfectly fine, Vivian.”“Why won’t you let her fix it, Ranya? What are you scared of?” Ranya thought.“No...” she blurted, grabbing his tie, attempting to help fix it, but he stepped back, a forced smile on his face. “I can handle it.”Her lips parted slightly, trying to say something, but her lips wouldn’t budge.Since she moved in a month ago, she had noticed his changed demeanor. He seemed to be pushing her away, despite his skilled attempts to hide it from her, not wanting her to feel unimportant. She knew he wasn’t the loving Ranya she had once known.She released the tie and observed him adjusting it around his neck. Her gaze lingered on his eyes, noticing the absence of the warmth th

    Last Updated : 2024-07-08

Latest chapter

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Forever, My Love

    The hospital buzzed with urgency as medics wheeled Calista into the emergency room. Tubes snaked across her fragile body, her face pale and lifeless. The doctor barked orders to his team, his voice sharp with authority.“She’s in critical condition! We need to stabilize her heart!”Ranya stood frozen in the hallway, his hands trembling as they clutched the edges of his blood-streaked jacket. His throat burned from inhaling smoke, but the agony in his chest far outweighed the physical pain. He paced, his eyes darting to the operating room’s red light. Every second felt like an eternity.When the doctor emerged, his face grim, Ranya rushed toward him, gripping his coat. “Save her!” His voice cracked, raw with desperation. “Do whatever it takes. I’ll pay any amount, give up anything—just save her!”The doctor placed a firm hand on Ranya’s shoulder. “We’ll do our best, but her heart is weak. She’s on life support now. The next 24 hours are critical.”Ranya staggered back, the weight of th

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Fury

    Ranya gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white with tension as he pushed the car to its limits. The tires screeched on the asphalt, leaving behind faint trails of smoke as the vehicle hurtled through the deserted road.His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, every beat a painful reminder of the urgency that gripped him. The image of Calista’s face - her laughter, her warmth - flashed before him. He gritted his teeth, muttering to himself.“Hold on, Calista. Hold on for me,” he whispered, his voice a mix of desperation and determination.Lynn’s voice crackled in his earpiece, updating him on the location. “Boss, the building is fully engulfed. Be careful.”“Careful?” Ranya barked back. “She’s in there, Lynn! Do you understand what that means?”Lynn’s silence was answer enough. Ranya’s foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as he weaved through traffic. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Was she alive? Was she trapped, crying out for him? The thought of her s

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Chairman Hamilton

    The whole crowd stirred the moment the old man spoke up, his voice reverberating through the grand hall. Chairman Hamilton, with trembling hands, pointed toward Signoral, his face etched with desperation. “Tell me now!” he rasped, eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “What did you do to my Allen?”Allen had always come to him in dreams, begging him to remember. Yet he would wake up to find his mind a blank slate—unable to recall anything.The guests murmured among themselves; the atmosphere turning electric. Whispers of confusion, disbelief, and anticipation rippled through the sea of faces.Signoral’s face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain composed. Clutching Ranya’s arm, her nails dug into his skin as she hissed under her breath, “Ignore him. Let’s finish this wedding. Now.”Ranya shoved her hands away and turned to her with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Afraid to lose, Signoral?” he asked mockingly, his lips twitching as he pressed a small button on his earpiece. “Ly

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Wedding

    The wedding took place in the sprawling outdoors of a luxurious estate in Texas. Guests from across the globe - politicians, business moguls, and celebrities - graced the event. Despite the short notice, the wedding was a spectacle of grandeur. Ornate decorations, pristine floral arrangements, and the soft hum of a live orchestra created an enchanting ambiance. Ranya stood at the altar, his tailored suit exuding elegance, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned. Worry for Calista tightened his chest with every passing moment. He fought to maintain his stoic facade, yet memories of his promises, and the potential consequences of this union—haunted him. Thoughts of Calista filled his mind: her smile, her trust, and the despair she must have felt. His hands, clasped tightly in front of him, trembled imperceptibly, a stark contrast to the composed image he projected. With every glance toward the arriving guests, the whispers of his conscience grew louder, questioning h

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Talk of the devil.

    Signoral stood in front of the full-length mirror, her reflection a striking vision of elegance. Her white gown, meticulously crafted with intricate lace and shimmering beads, hugged her figure as though it had been made for her alone. Penelope and a small team of stylists hovered around her, making final adjustments to her veil and train. The air felt stiff, not just from the preparations, but from Signoral's brewing thoughts. She couldn't help but feel something was wrong. But she had made Penelope check over and over for any sign of leakage whatsoever. Charlotte, too, had seemed to be in good health, but she hadn't wanted to take any chances. That was why she had wired a lot of money to her, with stern warnings that she had to disappear for good this time. Her phone buzzed on the vanity table, drawing her attention. She picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and swiped to answer. Charlotte's voice came through, sharp and accusatory. Talk of the devil. "Signoral," Charlott

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Disappointed

    The following morning, preparations for the wedding were in full swing. All of America buzzed with shock at the whirlwind announcement of Ranya and Signoral's wedding. Speculations ran wild, and everyone had an opinion about the sudden turn of events. Some believed Ranya was erratic, incapable of making rational decisions. Others celebrated, claiming that Signoral had finally secured her rightful place by his side. Meanwhile, a considerable number expressed disappointment, having grown fond of Calista and rooting for her relationship with Ranya. The media frenzy was unparalleled. Paparazzi and journalists flocked to both the Lewiston Estate and Signoral's residence, hoping for an exclusive statement from either of them. As expected, Signoral basked in the attention, offering vague yet tantalizing comments to reporters. Ranya, however, maintained a strict low profile, refusing to entertain any questions. Five hours before the open-air wedding—the most talked about in America—the

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Shadows and Secrets

    Washington, D.C."Did you do as I instructed?" Mr. Lewiston's voice emerged quietly, his hands working diligently on his laptop as he screened through the files the caller had sent him. "Yes, sir," came the composed reply of a woman from the other end of the call. "I sent you every single detail, including the supplements injected into his system. I had one of my men verify the data—it’s accurate." "And the real heiress?" Mr. Lewiston asked, his tone dropping lower. There was a brief pause before she responded. "She was spotted in China, sir, with your sister," she said, hesitating slightly. "But the authorities were already looking for her. I was about to make provisions to get her out, but they're out already... Mr. Windsor used his jet to take them out. They're on their way to Texas as we speak." "Good work, Rena," he said, leaning back in his chair as he moved his fingers away from the keyboard. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk while he processed the inform

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Calista

    Calista sat in the dimly lit room, her arms wrapped around the chair as the evening deepened into night. Anthony sat across from her, his expression torn between guilt and frustration as they both stared at nothing in silence. Signoral's guards loomed near the door, their presence a constant reminder of her captivity. Calista glanced at Anthony, her annoyance simmering beneath the surface. "Why?" she asked, her voice low and angry. Anthony raised his head and turned to her. Bruises marred his body from the beating. "Why what?" Calista turned away, her chest tightening. She couldn't shake her growing resentment toward Ranya. He hadn't even tried to reach out or threaten Signoral on her behalf. Did he even care if she was okay? He had told her the night before that he couldn’t breathe if she wasn’t near… but he sounded like someone who had enough oxygen to last him forever, even without her by his side. Her mind drifted to Signoral’s earlier words after she had ended Ranya’s

  • Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Love   Wedding

    “The wedding wouldn't be held in Washington as I promised. We will have it here." Ranya ended the call with Signoral, his jaw tightening as the anger he had bottled up turned into weariness. The room fell silent for a moment, all eyes on him. Damian, Valerie, Lena, and Lynn exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and disbelief. "You didn't ask if she was doing okay…" Mr. MacQuoid's voice broke the silence. He couldn't help himself. His daughter was being held captive by someone who used to be her best friend. Ranya glanced at Mr. MacQuoid, knowing the man felt guilty and was beating himself up over Calista's kidnapping. Perhaps if he hadn't called her to talk about leaving Ranya, things wouldn't have escalated the way they had. "No," Ranya replied curtly, shoving the anger and worry aside. "Hearing her voice will only make me do nasty things I'd definitely regret." And that was the truth. He wouldn't be able to bear it if her voice betrayed any uneasin

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status