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Tensions and Games
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2024-07-21 18:48:13
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Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย A Vivid Dream
Calista picked up the glass of wine, staring at it for a while, deliberating whether she should let go of her ego and admit she wasnโt drinking, giving Ranya the satisfaction of feeling like the winner he wasnโt.โCalista?โ Signoral called, watching her keenly. โWe are waiting for you.โShe ducked her head slightly, then shut her eyes and pushed the cup to her lips. With a gulp, she swallowed the contents and dropped the cup back onto the table.โAre you okay?โ Anthony asked, bending to her level. Calista nodded and carried her gaze to Ranya, whose face bore a mocking smile.โOkay, Iโm next,โ Anthony said, picking up the empty bottle and rolling it. It turned to Signoral, who let out a slight chuckle.โWould you ratherโโโI think the game is boring,โ Calista cut in, causing everyone to stare as she coughed, trying to clear her hoarse voice.โI think so too,โ Anthony supported, not liking that Calista was made to go through such a hard time all for a game.Ever since he met Ranya, he n
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-23Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย Unspoken Ties
โYou donโt mean that, Calista, do you?โ her motherโs eager voice exclaimed over the call. โEmily is finally getting married? I thought she would have been married, seeing how you havenโt been able to reach her.โโWell, Mama, sheโs getting married,โ Calista replied, sitting on the edge of the bed, trying hard to focus on the conversation with her mother instead of thinking about Ranya.The conversation from last night refused to leave her head. No matter how much she tried to stop herself, her heart kept replaying his words.Could Ranya really want her back? Why? What about Emily? Why is he suddenly being loving?โIโm so glad you went on this journey with Anthony; you wouldnโt have known your best friend was to get married to Anthonyโs brother. What a small world,โ Mrs. MacQuoid said.โWell...โ Calista murmured. โThere are a lot of plot twists in this story, Mum.โThereโs indeed a very big plot twist. Anthony is Mr. Lewistonโs son. How is she ever going to let that out of her mouth?Sh
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-23Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย A Tangled Web of Emotions
โIโm sorry, Anthony,โ Calista apologized, maintaining her distance. She shouldnโt have leaped out of bed like that, but she couldnโt help it. He kissed her when she wasnโt expecting it, and she had to react because of her conflicting feelings.โCalista, is there something wrong?โ Anthony asked, puzzled, finally recovering from the shock. โYouโre always so distant, and I canโt help wondering if Iโve offended you in any way.โโIโm sorry, Tony,โ she pleaded again, keeping her distance. โIโm so sorry.โHe stared at her for a while before finally getting up from the bed. After a moment of contemplation, he walked toward her. Calista tried everything within her to stay rooted to the spot, resisting the urge to step back as he approached.โItโs fine,โ he said, noticing her struggles. โAre you intimidated by my brotherโs hostile attitude toward you?โโIntimidated?โ Calista scoffed, her expression changing to displeasure. โRanya is the last person I would feel intimidated by.โAnthony furrowed
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-24Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย Broken hearts
โOn my way,โ Ranya replied, walking out of his apartment.โEveryone is waiting, Ranya,โ Damian said before ending the call.It was Wednesday night, the night his father had organized a final dinner for his send-off. It was the last day in Texas before moving fully to the White House in Washington. Damian had just called to remind him of the dinner party.The press had been publishing nothing but stories about his engagement. Sometimes he had to battle his way into his office through numerous paparazzi, trying to avoid any questions.As he closed his apartment door, a tiny piece of paper slipped to the ground.He furrowed his brow as he picked it up. Ranya might be the richest bachelor in Texas, but he led a very simple life. The only people with access to his room after Vivian left were Madam Danielle and two other domestic staff he hired to keep the apartment clean.He owned a large estate where he would need to hire many people to keep the house in order, but he loved his privacy, e
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-25Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย Turbulent Transitions.
โIโm glad we get to travel like this again,โ Emily said, walking with Calista to the terminal. She was wearing a slinky white dress and sunglasses.Calista smiled, pushing her little box of clothes. This time, she decided not to spend Anthonyโs money since she had no intention of going out with him.Calista wore a sophisticated, flowy maxi dress, gracefully navigating the airport line as they stood in the not-so-long line for their papers to be verified.โWhy did you choose to travel by plane when you could use the private jet?โ Calista asked as she stood beside Emily in line.โBecause I canโt now,โ Emily replied. โItโs under maintenance, and we really canโt afford one at the moment. The company is going through a lot of crises as we speak.โโReally?โ Calista asked, shocked. โIโm so sorry, dear. I had no idea.โโItโs fine. No one knows except you and my grandfather,โ she replied, taking a step closer to the attendant. Calista followed suit, dragging her luggage with her.โYou did not
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-25Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย Unplanned Encounters
โThe aircraft is available, sir,โ Greg announced the moment Ranya stepped out of his office into the reception area. Valerie followed closely, holding a work tablet.For a moment, Valerie stared at Mr. Windsor, shocked. Were they going somewhere far enough to warrant using his private jet? How come she wasnโt informed?โI donโt need it, Greg. Get the car ready,โ Ranya replied.โBut sir...โ Greg tried to say, surprised that Ranya intended to go to Washington without the private jet.โIs the car ready?โ he asked, interrupting Greg.โIt is always available, sir,โ Greg responded, and Ranya nodded, signifying that he could leave.Valerie finally found the time to talk to her boss. โSir, where are we heading?โโWashington,โ Ranya said, turning to her and smiling.โWhat for, sir?โ Valerie asked, baffled.โWhat do you mean, Valerie?โ he asked, furrowing his brow. โMy wedding is happening in Washington.โโOkay, sir,โ she replied, unable to understand her boss any longer. Ever since the lady re
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-27Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย Conflicted Hearts
Calistaโs mouth fell open at the words she heard. Her heart stopped, and she felt a rush of conflicting emotionsโshock, disbelief, and a pang of guilt. She stared at him, wide-eyed. โHow can you say that?โ she whispered, her voice trembling. โYouโre getting married to my best friend!โโI know it sounds impossible, but itโs the truth,โ he said, pushing his hands closer to her. โI canโt explain it all right now, but I need you to believe me.โโBelieve you?โ she questioned, still finding it hard to grasp the words he was saying. โBelieve you, Ranya?โ She shook her head, disbelief overtaking her as she watched him mumble. โRanya, this isnโt fair. To me, to Signoral, to anyone. You canโt just drop this on me and expect me toโโโI had to tell you,โ he interrupted gently. โI couldnโt keep lying to myself. I love you, and I want to be with you.โโShut up!โ she roared, glaring at him. If he thinks he can buy his way into her heart with his words, then he better take a full course on being a jo
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-27Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย The Rose Garden
โWhat do you mean by that?โ Signoral asked as everyone turned to stare at Ranya.He shrugged, not wanting to cause further speculation that might implicate Calista. โWhy share a room when thereโs enough space to go around?โ he asked, disliking the idea of Calista being in the same room with Anthony.Calista remained silent, unhappy with the arrangement of having to share a bed with Anthony.โWell...โ Signoral started as they walked alongside Damian, Ranya, Anthony, and Valerie into the elevator.โThe residence only has 16 rooms,โ one of the workers said, walking alongside them and pressing the button. โIt wonโt be enough, considering the number of people attending.โโWe can lodge at a hotel. Damian, Anthony, and I will,โ Ranya suggested again, causing Signoral to frown slightly.โIf thatโs what you want, sir, we can actually place the men in separate rooms,โ the worker repeated. She seemed too finely dressed to be a domestic worker, hinting at a different role.โPerfect,โ Damian said
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-07-29
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Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย 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.โSheโs in critical condition! We need to stabilize her heart!โRanya 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 roomโs red light. Every second felt like an eternity.When the doctor emerged, his face grim, Ranya rushed toward him, gripping his coat. โSave her!โ His voice cracked, raw with desperation. โDo whatever it takes. Iโll pay any amount, give up anythingโjust save her!โThe doctor placed a firm hand on Ranyaโs shoulder. โWeโll do our best, but her heart is weak. Sheโs on life support now. The next 24 hours are critical.โRanya staggered back, the weight of th
Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย 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 Calistaโs face - her laughter, her warmth - flashed before him. He gritted his teeth, muttering to himself.โHold on, Calista. Hold on for me,โ he whispered, his voice a mix of desperation and determination.Lynnโs voice crackled in his earpiece, updating him on the location. โBoss, the building is fully engulfed. Be careful.โโCareful?โ Ranya barked back. โSheโs in there, Lynn! Do you understand what that means?โLynnโs silence was answer enough. Ranyaโs 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 Loveย ย ย 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. โTell me now!โ he rasped, eyes gleaming with unshed tears. โWhat did you do to my Allen?โAllen had always come to him in dreams, begging him to remember. Yet he would wake up to find his mind a blank slateโunable to recall anything.The guests murmured among themselves; the atmosphere turning electric. Whispers of confusion, disbelief, and anticipation rippled through the sea of faces.Signoralโs face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain composed. Clutching Ranyaโs arm, her nails dug into his skin as she hissed under her breath, โIgnore him. Letโs finish this wedding. Now.โRanya shoved her hands away and turned to her with a smirk that didnโt reach his eyes. โAfraid to lose, Signoral?โ he asked mockingly, his lips twitching as he pressed a small button on his earpiece. โLy
Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย 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 unionโhaunted 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 Loveย ย ย 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 Loveย ย ย 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 weddingโthe most talked about in Americaโthe
Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย 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 dataโitโs 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 Loveย ย ย 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 couldnโt breathe if she wasnโt nearโฆ but he sounded like someone who had enough oxygen to last him forever, even without her by his side. Her mind drifted to Signoralโs earlier words after she had ended Ranyaโs
Fading Embers: The Search For Lost Loveย ย ย Wedding
โThe 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 okayโฆ" 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
