“Mandy?” Both Nathan and Joshua called out in unison.Michael stared at Mandy’s face and then at his friend’s dazed expressions, “How do you know her?” he asked them. Nathan opened his mouth to talk but right then, Mandy skipped back to the house, her eyes filling with sudden tears.Michael watched her retreating figure until it was out of sight. He then forced his attention back to his friend’s faces.“What’s going on? How do you both know her?” he asked sharply, putting forward two steps.Joshua sough, shoving his five fingers into his golden locks. He probably didn’t know how to explain the whole situation to Michael and that was because he had caught something interesting in his eyes when Mandy was there.“That was Mandy. My ex-girlfriend,” Nathan responded, almost sounding nonchalant.Michael's expression darkened immediately, “The same Mandy you told us shit about? The one her friend came to beat you up?” his voice was calm yet unsteady.Mandy’s hand crept to her mouth while s
Daniella stared at her father’s deep penetrating eyes that spoke of heartbreak, betrayal, remorse, undying love, or maybe lust.“Tell me honestly, Ella. Do you think you can get rid of me by using your friend? ” Liam said with a ragged breath as he tightened his hand around her shoulder, bringing her closer.“I don’t understand what you are trying to say, Dad. I love Matthew as much as he loves me back,” Daniella's nose flared.Liam’s face broke into a million shreds and his chest rose. He hated the fact that her daughter was admitting that she loved someone else to his face. He then let his hands slide down Daniella’s hips, his tongue licking his lips and his heady gaze electrified her body.“So does it mean you don’t want Dad anymore?” his husky low voice took her breath while his fingers kneaded her skin.Her pulse was now racing fast as she inhaled a strained breath. She wanted to tell him to stop, but she was not sure she could say the words without being breathless.“What do y
Liam Brandon sauntered into the gymnastic center, moving toward the high bars, and wrapped his huge palms around them.*I’ll leave you to think about it then*His words to his daughter replayed in his again and his hands suddenly fastened, full of rippling veins.What was he thinking to have blurted such a thing to his daughter?Leaving her to think about what exactly? How immensely they both have been craving to fuck one another? And he was ready to give in now? To fuck his own daughter?“Goddamnit!” he swore loudly, slamming his bumped fist against the bars column and they came shattering immediately. “Liam,” a soft voice called out his name from behind but he didn’t turn to have a look as if he was already familiar with the voice.Henry shuffled his footsteps closer, his lips thinning into a tight straight line.“The woman is here to see you again,” he broached the reason he was here to disrupt his bad moment.He didn’t know how long his boss was going to remain in such a miserabl
Daniella’s breathing was now pounding strongly as if it could jump out of her chest anytime soon. She tried hard not to audibly sigh or moan or do anything at this close distance between her and her hottie Dad.She stared straight into his eyes which were exceptionally attractive like it was full of water, sparkling and deep.“Come on. Let’s get you inside,” she controlled the tremor in her voice and pulled away from Liam gently.She proceeded to pick her father up from the cold floor and thank goodness, Liam obliged this time. He stood giddily, smiling sheepishly at his daughter all the time.“You didn’t miss me, did you?” he asked incoherently as he sent his huge long arm around Daniella’s shoulder.Daniella glanced at him as she steadied his arm around her shoulder and guided him out of the door; his face was red and his breath smelled strongly of liquor.“Tell me, Dad. What made you drink so much?” Daniella raised a question while she made him lay on his bed.Liam sank with a wh
“My first love,”Hearing this, something knotted and painful released in Daniella as she stared at her father’s face.“We grew up together, did everything together. You know then, I never thought that we could separate one day,” as Liam spoke, he allowed himself to dwell in the past as he continued to look onward into the void.Meanwhile, Daniella did not know exactly what kind of mood she was having at that moment.“I’ve always loved Ivy with my heart and every bone in my body, Ella,” Liam continued, taking his eyes to his daughter’s face but seeing how acid her expression had become, he knew instantly that she was no longer comfortable with the story.“Talk to you later. I’ll go have my bath now,” Daniella notified glumly and spun around.“Shall we go to the gym together?” Liam asked from her back in a low expectant voice.Daniella then tilted her head to his face and the intensity of his eyes and slow grin forming at the corners of his thin lips held her speechless.Without saying
Ivy!The name reverberated in Daniella’s head and mind and she felt a tight knot twisted in her chest while her eyes glared holes at the sophisticated dressed lady standing in the entrance way.What the hell is she doing here?Looking at the woman at the entrance, Liam’s handsome face was now carrying a tinge of indifference, emanating an arctic coldness.Suddenly, he walked over to her and grabbed one of her hands. Like a clamp, his hand pinched her hand extremely tightly and then dragged her to stride away fast. His usual tender golden eyes blazing with fire. “What in God’s name is your problem, Ivy? What the hell are you doing here again?” Liam yelled out as he roughly let go of her hand, causing her to nearly fall down but he seemed not to give a damn.A pang burnt in Ivy’s chest as tears built in her eyes wildly. She thought in her mind that this was the first time Liam would be yelling at her and acting recklessly toward her. However, it was proper for him to behave like this
With a bright smile swaying over Mandy’s oval-shaped face, she looked up to Liam’s troubled expression from her cellphone.“You’ve absolutely nothing to worry about, Uncle Liam, Ella is fine,” she said persuasively.Liam scratched his jaw impatiently and asked, “Where is she, Mandy?”“I’m not sure, Uncle. Although, she sounded really drunk but I think Matthew is with her,” “So you’ve really got nothing to worry about,” she completed her words with a wide grin spreading across her face.Actually, Mandy liked the fact that Daniella and Matthew were together. In her opinion, it means those two were getting along really well.Meanwhile, Liam’s chest had collapse and lines creased his forehead from the moment Mandy had mentioned Matthew’s name.“You mean to tell me that my daughter is likely to be with Matthew now?” as he asked this question, he felt like someone was tearing his heart apart with a saw.Mandy continued to giggle and answered, “Yes,”“Where are they right now?” he asked col
“Of course, Dad. It only means one thing; you still love I-v-y,” Daniella spelled out, tears fast building in her eyes. That said, she tried to walk away but Liam had wrapped a hand around her waist and hauled her into his chest in a swift.“Just in case I haven’t told you this before, Ella,” he said against Daniella’s hair as she continued to whimper softly in his chest.“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Ella. I thought I wouldn’t be able to love another woman as much as I’ve loved Ivy but you growing up into a beautiful woman with me every day,”“Also, the great love you have for me, Ella, that I believe no one else could love me the same-not even your mom. It makes me realize that you’re just the one for me,”After listening to his last words, Daniella pulled out of his embrace and searched his face, staring deeply into his amber eyes.“I agree that I used to love Ivy with every part of my body but I never loved Ivy the way I love you, Ella. I love you more each
FIVE YEARS LATERRight in front of a lengthy portrait of a wedded couple that had their best smiles on their faces, there stood an almost old man— gazing at the beautiful married couple with tears running down his face. The tears were a mix of boundless joy and grievance. And this especially happens whenever he watches the big picture like he was doing at the moment.“Oh, there you are,” a soft smiling feminine voice drifted to the man and followed by footsteps fast approaching. He already knew who the person was even without turning around. “Beautiful couple, huh?” the woman sidled up to him, her eyes overly bright when staring at the picture too. “I still can't forgive myself, Jessica,” he suddenly let out, breaking the brief silence that took place and turning his head to peek at the stunning woman beside him. “Whenever I look at Daniella’s wedding picture, Jessica, I feel like I don't deserve to be forgiven for my outrageous crime in the first place and I should have died alo
Daniella sprinted into the terminal in a way that people around thought that she was being chased by something they couldn't see but only she could see.She kept darting her eyes around as she ran, not paying heed to the security man running after her advice to slow down. “Ouch!” she suddenly yelped out, bending in two and holding her right leg. She'd just tripped on her foot. “The reason I urged you to stop running, Miss,” the security guard enunciated, catching up with her and holding her to steady herself. Daniella spared him a grateful look and started walking lamely, holding the man’s hand tightly for support.Soon, they got to the airline front desk where two beautiful women sat behind, greeting passengers and checking tickets. The security guard stepped forward and asked, “Has the Spain flight taken off?” “Yes. It just took off five minutes ago,” one of the women answered eloquently and returned to her business. It felt like a stab in Daniella’s heart and if the security
The following day after the morning lecture, Mandy’s arm was linked into Daniella’s as they both sauntered out of the hall. “I called Matthew yesterday. He said he's out of the country, Ella, and it’s most likely he won't be returning anytime soon,” Mandy uttered, looking as sadly as she felt.Daniealla only puffed out a breath and said nothing. Maybe it was for the best. “Have you heard that Mr. Brandon resigned yesterday?” These words wafted toward Daniella and Mandy and they both stopped walking directly and then spun to see who'd just spoken. There they stood two ladies, facing each other and seemed really engrossed in their discussion.“Which Mr. Brandon? You mean the same Liam Brandon? The most handsome per-time lecturer in our school?” the other girl asked her gossiping ally, her eyes bulging outwards with shock.“Of course, Priscilla. The same Mr. Brandon who has a daughter here in our college. Don't tell me you haven't heard of it when the news has been spreading around t
“That was how it all happened,” Jessica concluded and wiped the tears slipping down her face. “I’m really sorry, Daniella. Please forgive me,” Her emotions were raw as she sniffled and wiped away the tears that kept flowing down her face in a gush. “So, dad gave up on his love for me, Mom,” Daniella professed, remorse etched across her face. “He let go the primary reason he left the orphanage home to be with you because you claimed you didn't want to raise a child without a father. Yet, mom, you had the nerve to charge someone like that?” Her throat choked up, she had to stop talking and take a deep breath to get herself under control again. “I won't forgive you if he probably does anything stupid, mom. Trust me, I will hold you accountable if anything bad happens to him,” Daniella deadpanned, her tears breaking loose and streaking down her cheeks.“No, my dear. Nothing bad will happen to Liam,” Jessica reproached gently, inching closer and reaching out to hold Daniella’s hands
Jessica got to the hospital parking lot in no time—her eyes darting around as if she was searching for someone. She went farther into the garage, turning around and around and soon, she found who she was looking for and her temper aggravated immediately. She dashed toward the person’s car and called out his name from behind who was about to get in his car, “Antonio Flores,”Antonio looked back swiftly and a look of contentment flashed on his countenance as soon as he saw Jessica with the flowers.Infuriated, Jessica stormed three steps in his direction and hit him with the bouquet once and then let it go to the ground. “Are you mad? What do you think you're doing?” she squeezed the words out through angrily gritted teeth.Taken aback, Cole, Antonio’s assistant quickly veered to the other side of the car where his boss was and planned to interfere. But, a single movement of Antonio’s head ceased his action. He bowed in understanding and only crouched a bit and picked up the huge be
Michael sat at the extreme end of the bed with a sleeping Daniella while Mandy sat on a chair with her head resting on the space beside Daniella, holding her hand. She had long fallen asleep after Michael’s solacing words. Michael sat there, watching the two sleeping friends with pure affection plastered on his face. Shortly, he noticed that Daniella was starting to move slowly. Her long, thin eyelashes trembled for some time before she was able to slowly open them. “Ella,” Michael called out softly, rising to his feet, “You’re awake,” Daniella was gazing at the unfamiliar ceiling in a daze and her-sleep dazed eyes cleared when she heard Michael’s voice. “What are you doing here?” she asked in an extremely low voice and Michael wouldn't have heard her question if he'd not read her lips.Giggling, Micheal scratched the skin behind his neck, unsure of how to respond to her question. Daniella then tried to retract but she discovered that her hand was being held. She tilted her he
By the time Liam arrived at the facade of the villa, Daniella’s car was already fast-speeding out of the yard. “God!” Liam exclaimed and then started running toward one of his cars among the numerous cars in the garage. He reached the car and dug his hands into his pocket to fetch the car keys only then did he realize that he wasn't with any car keys. “Fuck you, Liam!” he cussed at himself before dashing back into the house. He sprinted out almost immediately, running back toward the car as if his ass was on fire. ‘Merciful Lord, please take over the steering, don't let anything bad happen to Ella,’ he prayed inwardly while he jumped onto the driver’s seat, turned on the ignition, and drove out of the house with velocity. In a matter of moments, Liam had reached the highway and it didn't take long before he caught the glimpse of Daniella’s car speeding frightfully among the multiple cars on the roadway. He broke out in a cold sweat as he also accelerated to the same rate as Dan
“Please, Jessica. I’m sick and tired of acting like a father to the woman I love,” Liam’s throat felt heavy and tears blurred his eyes. “I know this isn’t part of our deal, Jessica. I know very well that this isn’t what you assigned me for and this was not what I signed for but I can’t help myself any longer. I’ve fallen in love with your daughter while watching her grow up,” “I kept telling myself that I’m Daniella’s father and I shouldn’t be falling so hard for my daughter but my heart is strongly against the sentiment. My heart, body, soul, every single cell in my body longs for Daniella, Jessica,” Tears overflowed from his eyes as he ever-so-slowly went on his knees, pressing his palms together in a pleading manner and looking up at Jessica with his face full of tears.“I will always remember the huge favor you've done for me, Jessica. You found me on the street and gave me a new life. I swear to God, Jessica, I'll never take all the support you rendered me during my helplessne
TWO DAYS LATER.Jessica looked for her seat number on the ticket she was holding just like every other person in the queue. Soon, a tiny smile touched her lips the moment she found it and saw that it was the window seat.She advanced toward her seat and settled down and then dropped her handbag on her thighs. Smiling, she watched the people around her with sheer happiness. She had decided to board an economic flight instead of her regular first class. She just wanted to be among the crowd; perhaps it would help draw away her persistent thinking. Her smile widened when she saw two kids—a boy and a girl fighting over the window seat in the second roll. Their mother came forward and put an end to their fight by occupying the seat and the two kids both stuck out their tongues at each other simultaneously. Jessica chuckled and was about to tilt her head to look out of the window when a tall figure suddenly enveloped her. She looked up at the figure looming in front of her and a flick