.......... Shanice, I thought it would be romantic to write a letter. Hope you don't find it cheesy, even though, it is a little bit. The day I met you for the first time I assumed you would be just another self-centered, stuck-up girl who looks down at others for no reason. But it was when we started spending time together I realized how wrong was I. You are more than just a pretty face. At first, I was attracted to your pretty face but with time I grew to admire you for your kind, caring, and ambitious nature. I should have known though, Serena's best friend can be anything but narcissistic. I like how grounded you are despite your desire to own the sky. We have so much in common. We both have dreams and goals. We both want to own the world one day. Your dreams resonate with mine. When I talk to you, I feel heard and understood. You encourage me when I feel down and appreciate me when I accomplish something. We've been together for three months and I can feel us growing into so
The night was a dreamy one. Her bow-shaped lips curved into an endearing smile as soft fluffs of wind began flirting with her long, loose hair. As she smiled, the night turned brighter. Her innocent gaze was following the moon as it constantly drifted through the heavy chunks of cloud. A golden halo surrounded the celestial globe. Sometimes the gigantic clouds would completely swallow the poor orb, leaving no trace of it. And every time it disappeared behind the layers, she would patiently wait for it to come out and light up the jet-ink sky once more with its divine light. She didn’t own a halo like the moon, but she was no less divine. Her angelic aura was her halo. She was sitting at the edge of the pond with water reaching the middle of her legs. She drew a deep breath and inhaled the sweet aroma of night jasmine. Her husband had them planted especially for her as they were her favorites. The entire garden was swarming with them. He had planted them with his own hands and buil
His hands fell away from her. The color drained out of his face."I am not a la..ladder you can use to gggget to Shanice," Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gritted out in passionate resentment. Her lips quivering, her heart breaking into a million pieces all over. Asher took a desperate step towards her but Serena backed away, not wanting to be near him. "I..I thought you are diff..different but you are jjjust like all those boys who uuused me to get cccloser to Shanice. No, you are worse than them. They..they just broke my hhhhheart but you..you broke ME, Asher," she cried out. Asher was crestfallen. "You knew I li..liked you. Ddidn't you?" Serena questioned, agony and vulnerability evident in her every word. She was tired of being used and used by others for her friend. Can't they all see it hurts her too?She was such a fool to think that she could ever have Asher fall for her. Of course, he wanted Shanice, it makes so much sense now. He always had his eyes on the best of
"No," Asher refused in a strict tone, daring her to disobey him. "You are no one to decide for me," she shot back, her voice tinged with resentment. Now that she knew the truth, his dominance, his possessiveness was only irking her. Earlier, she didn't mind his possessiveness because deep down in her heart she was hopeful that his jealousy, his possessiveness stemmed from his hidden love for her that he wasn't able to recognize yet. But now that she had uncovered the truth, it only made her feel like a plaything that he thinks he could control. Asher crossed the space between them and stood in front of her, all determined to stop her if she tried to leave this house, to leave him. "I am your husband," his gaze bore down on her. They were not in some superficial relationship that she can withdraw from any time she wanted, they were married- for better and for worse. He was her husband, her life partner. She was bound to him and she will stay with him. Her gaze sharpened at him
Serena picked up a photo from the nightstand. It was their wedding photo. A candid shot and her second favorite, after their kissing picture. In it, they were dancing, lost in each other's embrace. She was standing on his shoes to minimize their height difference as they danced. Her face was heavenward as she laughed with pure, unbridled joy whereas Asher was staring down at her with an adoring smile on his face. They looked so happy, so carefree.How did he fake so much affection? She wiped away her tears and put the picture back on the nightstand. It didn't belong with her any longer. After packing her bag, she made her way out of her room. Tonight she is going to stay in a hotel and tomorrow, she'll see what she has to do. As she was climbing down the stairs, she saw Asher perched- hunching over the couch like a defeated man- in the living area with his back on her.As soon as he heard her footsteps, Asher stood up and turned towards her. Her facade of indifference slipped slight
Before his lips could meet hers, Serena raised her hand between them. "I don't need your confession in charity, Asher," she criticized him, feeling more irritated. Does he think that she is so naive that she would believe his lie?Asher was wounded by her outright dismissal of his feelings. "It's not charity, Pumpkin. I mean it. I do love you," he beseeched her in earnest, close to getting down on his knees and begging her if she didn't believe him. Yes, he made mistakes in the past, he used her and he regretted that more than she can imagine but now things had changed. His constant lies were frustrating Serena to no end. His confession was only hurting her more and more. "We love only once and..and you've confessed your love to Shanice already. I saw the letter, Asher. Don't lie anymore," she retorted, losing her patience with this man and his lies.Asher was baffled. It was too many shocks to handle for him at once. Serena had overwhelmed him with her accusations. Just a few
Serena plumped down on her bed, incinerated with rage. How dare he? What does he think of himself? She had never even imagined one day Asher would blackmail her. Why does he always have to force his authority over her every damn time? Back in school too- he let his "beloved" do whatever she desired but whenever it came to her, he would dominate her as though she wasn't some living being but his possession that he needed to keep under his thumb. She was a fool to think it was his way of protecting her from evil. Her grudging thoughts were interrupted when her phone rang. She quickly wiped away her tears to glance at the screen. It was an unknown number. She accepted the call and pressed the phone to her ear. "Hello?" she said. "Ren. It's me, Shanice. You've been avoiding my messages and calls so I....""Shameless bitch. Stop with your act, you hypocrite. I know you give no fuck about me. You just wanna know if I am still alive or have died after the venom you spewed into my life. I
Serena woke up to his familiar scent. Smiling, she inhaled deeply and snuggled more into his warm, broad chest. His mouth trailed along her forehead, peppering soft kisses. She moaned in weak protest and reached up with her hand to cover his mouth. He kissed the center of her palm. She lifted her face and looked up at him groggily. "Good morning, sweetheart," he mumbled against her palm, returning her gaze with boundless affection. Her lips spread into a lazy smile. But the memories rushed back, causing her smile to freeze before vanishing altogether. Asher's smile dropped too and anxiety took over him.Serena recoiled from his hold as though he wasn't worthy of her touch before bolting up and leveling him with a glare. "I don't like it when you touch me. So do not lay your hand on me ever again," she scowled at him. Hurt flickered in Asher's eyes. She was being cruel. Throwing the comforter away, she got off the bed and went into the bathroom. Asher leaned against the bedpost and