"You!" Lorena turned around slowly, with her trembling hands pointing at Markris. "You caused this!""What?" He shook his head, looking around him. Indeed she was talking to someone else and not him."The wedding was pushed forward because of you!""Me? What did I even do?" He placed his hands on his chest, grimly crossing his face."You had to talk to your father rudely, didn't you? You love to be the center of attention so much that you played the hero, and now it has backfired." Her chest heaved, and her breathing increased."I was defending you!" His voice raised a pitch higher. He squeezed his face, thin wrinkles forming along its lines."I never asked you to, though. Every time you intervene in my business, everything goes to shit! Why can't you leave me alone!" She said, her voice breaking down. Her eyes began to twitch, but she fought the tears. She had cried enough. She couldn't let Markris see her tears too."You know what? You're right. I don't even know why I bother with y
Markris strode into his company, keeping a straight face. He had substituted his usual business attire for a more business-casual one. The sleeves on his white shirt were rolled up a bit to give more room for his hands to stay in his pants pockets as he walked freely. He ignored the greetings from everyone around, not in the greatest of moods today. Some had worked in the office for over five years but still managed to be fascinated by him. His look was a blessing, but on his worst days, it was his curse. As soon as he stepped into his private elevator, Jorginho forced his way inside before it closed."Stalking me now, are we?" He said, without so much as an expression on his face."I wish I was that obsessed with you." Jorginho pouted, then smirked."Why are you in such a hurry?""So you saw me gesturing for you to wait, and you ignored me," Jorginho said, his mouth falling open. Just then, the elevator stopped.Markris shrugged and stepped out of it. Yes, he had seen Jorginho runni
Markris's eyes went from his father's piercing gaze to Ariana hurled behind him, shivering. This image transported him back to a time he had thought he would never have to remember again. The last time he saw his mother or the idea of the mother, he had it in his head because he had forgotten what she looked like. No, he pretended he didn't remember what she looked like. It's why his looks were a blessing and a curse. It's why his father was so harsh on him. He looked like the woman that broke his heart.He remembered that day like it was yesterday. His little six-year-old self heard raised voices in a heated argument from the living room. He remembered hiding behind the curtains, watching his father boil in anger. The look on his mum's face was like Ariana's now—fear mixed with uncertainty about the future. The only thing his little brain could piece together, judging from their words, was that someone had cheated. He didn't know what that meant. All he knew was that he woke up t
Her day started the same way every other day did. Her mother looked down on her with her unique smile, which deepened her dimples. Her hazel eyes reflected love. Her soft hands stroked her hair gently. Her sonorous voice hums a song repeatedly. On that day, something was slightly different. Her mother's voice had sadness to it. She was only a child, so how could she have sensed it? But looking back through the lens of an adult's eye, she could tell. You can almost guess the exact period even the strongest person you know gives up. It could be the way their eyes shine brighter than usual. It could be them telling joke after joke. The way their mood switches when they think they're alone. Everyone has a breaking point, and that day was her mother's.She lost the only parental love that came from a real place, and not because of greed that day. She would never know what it felt like to embrace the womb your life sprung from again. The day her mother died was the day Lorena Cicero's desti
In the middle of Lorena and Verona's closing remarks to their mother, Archie woke up with a cry."Hey, baby! You're awake," Lorena smiled, looking down at him. "I think he's hungry." She said and handed him over to Verona."Just in time to say hi to Mama," She rocked him gently. His cries began to subside as she drew him closer to her mother's grave. "Say something to Grandma Arch." He instantly began to smile, and then it turned into a giggle. Verona and Lorena's eyes teared up again as they watched him make baby sounds. It looked like he was communicating with her. He went from giggling to smiling at intervals. It went on for some more minutes until he finally yawned."Yeah, they're done now, and he needs to feed," Verona said, breaking the silence between herself and her sister."Goodbye, mum," Lorena muttered, finally gaining clarity. She knew the repercussions of each possible decision she could take. What she didn't know yet was what the final decision would be.She sighed and b
"Oh my!" Lorena clutched her chest with both hands and inhaled audibly. Verona stood beside her with eyes wide open and a raised brow. Archie, on the other hand, was still adjusting to the sudden bright light until he caught sight of Francesca and began to struggle out of his mother's grip."What is it, Arch?" Verona's forehead creased in worry as she cuddled her baby deeper in her chest."What is going on here?" Lorena asked, looking around. The living room was decorated with disco balls and heavy lighting. Roselina. Her vision turned to the food, and they were so many delicacies. A giant cake was at the center of the table, surrounded by her favorite chocolates. Then there was wine, a whole lot of wine."Don't get mad, my lady, but we wanted to celebrate your bachelorette," Roselina said, quickly coming forward."I understand that, Rose, but why?" She asked, the effect of the initial surprise finally wearing off."Because we love you and want you to be happy." Maria suddenly appeare
TEN HOURS BEFORE THE WEDDINGLorena sat at the edge of her bed, her hands resting against her face, as she sobbed quietly. Her phone sat beside her on the bed, a video playing in a loop. Her lip quivered, and her head throbbed the more she cried. Not even the voices in her head could push through her distraught state. There was a stillness in her being as if the world had paused at that moment, safe for her and her trickling tears."Lorena? Why are your lights still on by this time?" Verona pushed open the door to Lorena's room and stepped in. She glanced at the time on her phone and saw it was a little past midnight. "You won't believe Arch just made me feed him again by this time. Anyway, he is finally asleep in Francesca's arm, and..." She suddenly paused her rant when she caught sight of her sister in a head-bent position. Her heart skipped a bit when she heard the silent sobs coming from Lorena.In two quick steps, she was sitting by her side."What is it, Sorella?" She asked, rub
FIVE HOURS BEFORE THE WEDDINGA loud thud on the door woke Makris up. Immediately his eyes pushed open. They squinted to adjust to the stream of lights going past the windows. He tried to turn, but his neck felt stiff. It was like the blood circulation around his body had ceased. He took a deep breath and pushed himself up slowly.At last, he could raise the upper part of his body. His hands went straight to his head when the vibration hit him. It was like a rave in there, with the bass at a maximum.Another loud bang sounded on the door, and a loud groan escaped from Markris."Fuck me!" He cussed, struggling to move out of the bed. Soon as his feet touched the ground, he exhaled a sigh of relief. He straightened himself up and looked around the room. There were empty bottles scattered all over. Female underwear was littered all over too. His brow raised as he took a quick look at himself.He was completely covered. His face contorted some more as he tried his best to remember what t