The sun set on me as I stood in the police station parking lot, feeling small and exposed. Thane, leaning against his sleek black car, looking as smug as ever, couldn't help but get odd about it. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as his laughter rang out in my ears, harsh and sarcastic, bouncing off the concrete walls around us.
"Gianna, that was so fucking cool!" Thane's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You're so ugly and couldn't do anything well, but who would have imagined that you could be so fierce today? No man would dare to marry a woman like you, for real." I stood still, staring at him as my heart raced in my chest. Why did he always have to be so cruel? Thane had always had a sharp tongue, and despite knowing better, his words still sting me. I'd learned long ago that showing how much he hurts me only made things worse. He wasn't done yet. His face hardened as he continued, "It's all because of you. You wasted my time. I already had it planned to spend the night with Lulu, and you ruined it..." He paused for effect, knowing his next words would twist the knife. "Take a cab back by yourself. Also, Your bonus for this month will be halved!" My heart sank even further. I watched helplessly as Thane got into his car, the engine roaring to life. As he drove away, I was left alone in the heavy stillness of the parking lot. "I can't believe this is my life now," I muttered to myself, my voice barely audible. With heavy steps, I started walking toward the nearby bus station. Each step felt like I was dragging weights and breathtaking ones at that. The cool breeze that had felt refreshing earlier on, was now giving me the creeps making me shiver. I wasn't there to see it, but I later learned about what happened next. A luxurious Aston Martin had pulled up at the police station at the moment, and John Davis, the ever-professional driver, had stepped out to open the door for his boss. "Mr. Myers, do you want to go in and have a look yourself?" John had asked. Marino - my ex-husband -just waved dismissively. "That's not necessary. Go in and tell her that we'll let her off the hook this time, but she won't have it easy on the next one tho." While John was inside, Marino had stood there smoking, probably thinking about me. I could almost hear his thoughts: "Gianna, you've always been wild and unruly, haven't you? Money never meant anything to you, and you were the one who wanted to leave me without a penny to your name, right? Why can't you fucking live a better life now? Why are you a waitress now, landing yourself in such a pathetic state ?" When John came back, he had news that was upsetting to Marino. "Mr. Myers, someone already took Madam away from here." "Someone took her away? Who did that? Was it Nathan?" Marino had demanded. "No, it's Thane Reed!" Marino had sneered, a mix of anger and amusement in his voice. "Thane Reed? Haha! Look at how quickly he came to rescue Gianna. It's clear how much she means to this Nathan." He crushed his cigarette in his palm before barking out, "Let's go!" Meanwhile, I was at the bus stop, waiting for what felt like an eternity. My mind was racing, replaying the events of the day, wondering how everything had gone so wrong all of a sudden. When the bus finally arrived, its doors creaked open, andI let out a sigh of relief as I stepped aboard. By the time I got home, I was all a mess and out of order. My uncle Thomas took note of this immediatel. "Gianna, what happened to you?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern. "I met that bitch!" I spat out, unable to contain my frustration any longer. My mother, Deborah, immediately hit in on me. "What's wrong with you? Why did you provoke her now?" My sister Rosy jumped to my defense. "I have to. Mom, think about it. Why did this bitch appear at this moment after missing for the past three years?" I knew what Rosy was thinking - we all did. She must have appeared deliberately because she knew I was about to be engaged to Marino. The irony wasn't lost on me, indeed. Mom's face creased with worry. "That's a good idea, but your dad... he misses that bitch. If he knew she was back, he would definitely go to find her, and that'd be very troublesome, you know." "That's why you need to come up with a solution fast, very..fast!" Rosy pressed. Mom sighed heavily, her voice went thick with resentment. "I'll think about it. Your father should never announce his relationship to her to the public." As I listened to them talk about me like I wasn't even there, I couldn't help but feel trapped. Lost between my past and present, between what everyone wanted for me and what I wanted for myself. The worst part was, well I wasn't even sure what that was anymore. I excused myself and went to my room, closing the door behind me,quietly . As I sat on my bed, I could still hear their muffled voices discussing what to do about me, feeling like dead chicken on a chopping board, as they talk about the situation, about everything. I lay back and stared at the room's ceiling, wondering how my life had become so complicated all of a sudden, and the bad kind too. Thane's words from earlier echoed in my head: "No man would dare to marry a woman like you, and you know that." Maybe he was right. Maybe I was too fierce, too difficult, too much of everything that a woman shouldn't be. But as I lay there, a small part of me wondered if there really was such a bad thing, I mean… Could there really be? The events of the day swirled in my mind - the confrontation, Thane's cruelty, Marino's appearance at the police station, and now my family's reaction. It was all connected, a web of bonds and expectations that I seemed destined to disappoint on. Along with Nightfall and so did the house grew quiet, I remained awake tho, my mind refusing to settle in all these troubles and trauma. Tomorrow would be another day, another chance for things to go wrong as well ,I guess, another opportunity for my past to collide with my present. But for now, in the darkness of my room, I allowed myself to feel everything - the anger, the hurt, the frustration, and underneath it all, in these unceremoniously accepting darkness that enshrouds me. Blossoming in it was a spark that tho flikers refuses to die out.Dazzling lights buzzes relentlessly above, casting a not so pleasing glow across the interrogation room. I sat alone, my fingers absently tracing the rough edges of the wooden table that separates me and the guy on uniform . The table felt more like a protective barrier, though whether it was protecting me or them, I wasn't sure of what anymore.My evening gown, which had seemed so off at the party just hours ago, was stained and wrinkled all the more. I could feel my hair coming loose from its careful styling , going out of shape like an honest nest, adding to my wretched appearance. Outside the room, I could hear the steady rhythm of shoes hitting beats against the tiled floor and the murmur of voices discussing what they believe to be my fate. In all my efforts to calm myself, my heart raced against my ribcage threatening to break through.As I waited, my mind wandered to questions I'd been asking myself all night. Is Marino's heart really made of stone? Throughout our five years
I couldn't even sleep that night. The dim light flickering through my curtains, casting dancing shadows on the walls of my bedroom. As I lay there, the coolness of the sheets against my skin provided little comfort to me. The city sounds gradually faded into silence as the night races to it's peak , leaving only the rhythmic ticking of my bedside clock to keep me company.When the sleep finally came, it was anything but peaceful. As reality blurred and faded, and suddenly I went back to three years in the past. The memory was vivid, painfully so. Rosy stood before me, her face beaming with joy as her hands cradled her protruded belly."Gianna, I'm pregnant with his child!" Her voice was giddy with excitement.The rage that filled me then was just as real as in my dream. "How could you do this to me?" I shouted in sorrow, and before I could stop myself, my palm connected with her cheek. The sharp sound of the slap hung in took the moment by hands a bit for a while before being drowned
"Trying to prove strong huh?" I heard Thane's voice say from behind me. "Proving strong? I don't understand. Why should I try to prove to be something I already am?" I said, trying to hide how pained I was.He walked away slowly, as I kept my gaze fixed on my computer. I was indeed trying to be strong. Thane's words got to me. But I wasn't about to show any iota of weakness.A flood of tears bubbled on the inside of me, eager to gush out. I fought my tears, swallowing saliva as if that could dry the flood of surging tears.I prayed the day would run by, it did eventually. I was drenched in my own emotions. I needed to clear my head; when I arrived home, rested and freshened up, I headed to the bar just across the road."Can I snatch you?" A coarse voice said behind me, the baritone sound of his voice sending chills down my spine."Snatch me if you can!" I added, followed by a melodious chuckle. I could already notice he was in awe. "What are you looking at?" I joked, giving his glass
I and Thanes seemed like we didn't get along. But in actuality, we were starting to get closer than we were ready to admit. I also loved that he was always ready to help me in different ways.Thanes and Thorne didn't quite get along, but their father insisted they both run the company. The mansion was outrageously beautiful. I could see a little glimpse of attraction in Thorne's eyes, but I dismissed that as the normal attraction I received from guys; I was gorgeous, so that was expected.I guessed it'd all fade off with time, so to me, it counted for nothing. "Thank you so much, Gianna, for honouring my invite," I hear him say to me, casting his glance on us; he greeted them as well.We had finally seen him after walking for minutes into the main hall. I noticed a slight decline in his exciting demeanour, and immediately, his eyes landed on Thanes. The party progressed beautifully.We sat at our table, it was a sumptuous party, so much to eat and drink. But I noticed Thanes was now
The smell of antiseptic hit me as soon as I stepped out of the door to the doctor’s office.It was clean and clinical — to remind me that I was still in the hospital. I clutched my test result tightly, my palms were damp with nervous excitement. The hallway felt cold to my finger's touch as I leaned against the wall, bracing myself for what was to come.My heart was racing. I couldn't wait to call Marino and share the news. But just as I was about to dial his number, my phone rang, I checked to see who could be calling. My Uncle —Vivid on the spot for caller ID“Gianna, is everything fine with you and Marino?” His voice was serious with a tinge of concern.I laughed, trying to brush off the awkwardness I felt along with his question. "We're fine. Why do you ask?"There was a momentary silence before he continued, his voice was a bit hesitant. "I heard... Marino brought a pregnant woman to the hospital for a prenatal checkup the other day."I laughed harder, but a seed of disbelief
The night was filled with activities outside the grand San Fetillo Hilton Hotel. I sat myself on the passenger seat of a sleek Maybach, as I watched the scenes unfold through tinted windows. Luxury cars gleam under the bright lights, and the air vibrates with the sound of reporters eagerly adjusting their cameras to juicy news. I can see their breath turn white in the chilly evening air. The scent of car fumes and suspense aura seems to seep through the car's sealed interior.Clicks and Flashes of light filled the nights, as photographers captured every moment of arrival with a snap of welcome. There's an electric excitement in the air, My stomach chums from the luxury and high classics. The glamour of it all was suffocating, and I fought the urge to shrink in my seat out of low esteem.The car's door opens, and Thane Reed steps out confidently in a suave white suit. His smile is refined but light as he turns to help his companion, supermodel Lulu, out of the car. She glides out in a
The luxurious atmosphere of the Golden Age Group party swirls about my sides. Soft clicks of champagne glasses and the murmurs of discussion filled the atmosphere, mingling with the scent of exotic flowers and rich aromas from the buffet. I stood awkwardly in my business attire, that couldn't match out with the glamorously dressed attendees. The glimmering chandeliers cast a warm glow over everything, Setting it to me how much I don't belong here.I'm here on a job, not to have fun. Words from Thane echo in my mind, reminding me to stay focused. But as I find my way to the buffet, a sharp, familiar voice cuts through the noise of the party:"Get me some food here!"I looked up, and my eyes fell on Freya Howard. She's plastered with heavy makeup, she stands in an aura of arrogance that makes my skin crawl. Our eyes met, and I saw hers widen briefly in recognition before a smirk found its way across her face. Tilting her chin up, sizing me up like she was some kind of predator."So it's
Though, I didn't mean for this to happen. Standing in that lavish hall, surrounded by crystal chandeliers and people draped in designer clothing worth more than my monthly rent, I felt like an outsider. My simple black dress, the nicest thing I owned, suddenly felt cheap and inadequate. The air was thick with the smell of expensive perfume mingling with the aroma of gourmet hors d'oeuvres, getting my head to spin slightly. Or maybe that was just me being anxious.I have been on the edge lately, trying to fit in in a crowd while keeping an eye out for Rosy too. Just as she had been watching me too, I could tell. Now and then, I'd catch her whispering to Freya, both of them throwing me glances from time to time. Their stares weighed heavy on me making my skin crawl all over.Earlier, I'd overheard snippets of their conversation as I passed by. "To think she showed up?" Rosy had whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "Oh my, look at her. She doesn't even belong here." With Freya's tinkli