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Chapter 6
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Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 7
“Fuck!”That, alongside a slew of other cusswords, seemed to have become Gabriel's favorite word or one-worded tagline in the past week since his unplanned visit to Joslyn's home.Gabriel admitted that that action of his had been stupid and risky of him to take, especially since his girlfriend, Sigourney, could have decided to visit her best friend that morning, not minding the fact that they'd already surprised her the day before.What reason would he have mustered to justify his presence there? What would he have said he was there for? And how would Sigourney have reacted, knowing her boyfriend came to visit her best friend behind her back?But luck had shone on Gabriel—a rare one, considering the fact that when it came to matters pertaining to Jos (whom he now knew the full name of: Joslyn), all he seemed to garner was bad luck because how else would he explain the happenings of the last two years revolving around her?How else would he explain developing a near addiction for the w
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 8
|| A Year Later (The Present) ||“Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our final descent to Vancouver, British Columbia. In preparation for landing, please return to your seats, fasten your seatbelts, raise your tray tables and ensure your seat backs are in the upright and locked positions. Any personal belongings which may have been used during flight, please make sure they are secured in the overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.” Joslyn said as she stood on the aisle in the middle, her eyes scanning the passengers.When she looked satisfied with the fact that they were paying attention to her and already making adjustments, she continued.“Also, please make sure to pass any remaining service items and unwanted reading materials to the flight attendants as they will be making one last trip through the aisles to collect them. We will be landing soon. Thank you.”She smiled, earning a few ‘thank you’s and ‘you're welcome’s as she headed towards the jump seat stationed be
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 9
Joslyn trudged up the stairs leading to her apartment complex, having stepped out of the elevator a floor below hers so she could round up her morning exercises with a stair climb.Panting lightly, she stomped her way up the last few steps, groaning in relief when she finally reached the top and made her way into the corridor where her room was located. Uncapping her water bottle, she tilted her head backward and brought it to her mouth to take large gulps of the water rather quickly in order to quench her thirst, thereby allowing a few drops to escape the corners of her lips, trail down her exposed neck, mixing with the accumulated sweat there and continuing their paths into the sports bra she was wearing. Still gulping down the water, Joslyn pinched the fabric of her sports bra between her index finger and thumb, lifting the now wet material off the skin of her chest. Her action brought a bit of her cleavage into view and the man who, at that exact time, walked out of his own apart
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 10
Joslyn couldn't seem to rid herself of that same immovable lump that remained ever present in her throat any time she visited the hospital. No matter how much she tried to swallow it down, it remained ever lodged there, choking her with the familiar heaviness in her chest.For a moment, Joslyn sat completely still in the cab parked on the curb, staring out the window at the building that seemed to loom over her; a building that held the last thread of her sanity. If that thread were to snap, she wouldn't know what to do with herself.A sudden honk caused Joslyn to jerk in the seat as her head snapped towards the front, her gaze clashing with that of the cab driver through the rear-view mirror. He shot her a meaningful look as he spoke, “I haven't got all day, Miss.”“Right. Sorry.” She quickly rummaged through her purse, handing him some money. “Keep the change. Thank you.”“Will do,” he replied and zoomed right off the curb immediately she alighted from the car and shut the door.Wit
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 11
Joslyn stepped into the lobby of her apartment building, her mind still swarming with thoughts from her earlier visit to the hospital. She let out a sigh, offering a weak smile to the receptionist, Eunice, who returned it with an equally tired smile of her own."Hey," Eunice greeted her, presenting a brightly wrapped box of chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine."Good evening, Eunice. What's this?" Joslyn questioned, peering curiously at the box."The new building owner asked to share these gifts with each resident to celebrate his acquisition of the building and foster a cordial relationship between residents and the landlord," Eunice explained, her voice tinged with rehearsed politeness.Joslyn accepted the gifts with a polite thank you, but couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. She glanced around the lobby, noticing that the other residents didn't seem to be receiving similar packages. With her brows furrowed, she decided to inquire further."Have all the residents bee
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 12
Gabriel arrived at his mother’s house, feeling a wave of comfort as he stepped through the familiar doorway. The scent of his childhood lingered in the air, mingling with the aroma of his mother's cooking. Despite his demanding role as a CEO, he never missed their biweekly dinners—a sacred tradition he cherished dearly.“Hey, Mom,” he greeted warmly, presenting her with the strawberry and banana trifle, one of her favorites.Nora's face lit up at the sight of the dessert, and she enveloped Gabriel in a warm hug. “Gabriel, dear, it’s so good to see you. Come on in.”After exchanging pleasantries, they set the table together, the rhythmic clinking of dishes a familiar melody of their routine.As they settled, Nora gently broached the topic. "Why haven’t you been picking up your calls, Gabriel? I've been trying the home phone. You know I worry when I can't reach you."Gabriel sighed inwardly. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve been preoccupied with work, and I moved out of the mansion for a change of
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 13
Joslyn woke up to the morning sun streaming through her window, casting a warm glow over her room. With a groan, she reached out to silence the blaring alarm that had jolted her from sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up on the edge of her bed, staring blankly into space. Despite feeling reluctant to leave the comfort of her bed, she knew she had to start her day.After a moment of blankly staring into space, Joslyn pushed herself to her feet and made her way to her dresser. With a sigh, she rummaged through her clothes for a suitable outfit for her morning gym session. Eventually, she settled on a comfortable set of workout clothes and made her way to the bathroom for a quick shower, even though she knew she'd be taking another one when she got back.After gathering her resolve, Joslyn headed to the gym just around the corner of their block for her morning workout routine. Upon arrival, she exchanged pleasantries with familiar faces, exchanging nods and smiles with fellow gym-goers and
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 14
As was typical of a day such as this one, Joslyn woke up with a sense of anticipation tinged with dread. It was the day she visited her twin brother, Josh, at the hospital—a ritual she and her father, Timothy, maintained weekly. But as she rolled over to check the time on her phone, she was greeted by a message notification from her father. Her heart sank to her stomach as she read the words.Dad: I'm sorry, sweetheart, can't make it today. Something really urgent came up at work. Will make it up to you next time. Pure anger and disappointment surged through Joslyn in equal measure at her father's text. She knew him well enough to tell that he was lying to her, especially because work had never been a hindrance to him visiting Josh before. In fact, his coworkers were already really familiar with his routine on this particular day and lastly, his workplace was close enough such that he could spare at least an hour’s visit before returning.Therefore, her father had absolutely no excus
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Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 16
The next morning, a slight headache greeted a dazed Joslyn as she woke up, her surroundings unfamiliar to her for a minute before the events of the previous night came flooding back. She was in Gabriel's guest room where the soft rays from the morning sunlight filtered through the diaphanous curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.Letting out a heavy sigh, Joslyn sat up on the bed with her back against the headboard as she carefully massaged her temples, her mind still reeling from the emotional turmoil from the previous day.She rubbed her eyes next, feeling their dry and puffy state, then suddenly Joslyn was reminded of how she'd broken down in front of Gabriel the night before and how, being so intoxicated by the much-needed comfort he provided with, she'd tried to kiss him. Joslyn’s eyes immediately widened, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment as she recalled her actions and how Gabriel had delicately rejected her, not wanting to take advantage of her when she’d been in su
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 15
Gabriel found himself revisiting the scene in his mind as he roamed his apartment, unable to shake the vivid memory of what had happened earlier. After a long day at work with countless meetings running into one another, Gabriel had been about ready to go to bed when he'd heard the loud bang from outside. Worried and cautious, he'd quickly stepped out of his apartment—only to be met with a sight that had caught him by surprise. There, seated before her door, was Joslyn, surrounded by her scattered belongings, resembling fallen leaves in disarray.However, it hadn't quite been the disorderliness of her belongings that had captured Gabriel's attention initially. It’d been the tears streaming down her face, her shoulders shaking with each sob. The contrast between her usual composed demeanor and her current state of vulnerability had been so stark and had struck him deeply.The image of Joslyn in such a state of distress had stirred within Gabriel an overwhelming yet inexplicable sense
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 14
As was typical of a day such as this one, Joslyn woke up with a sense of anticipation tinged with dread. It was the day she visited her twin brother, Josh, at the hospital—a ritual she and her father, Timothy, maintained weekly. But as she rolled over to check the time on her phone, she was greeted by a message notification from her father. Her heart sank to her stomach as she read the words.Dad: I'm sorry, sweetheart, can't make it today. Something really urgent came up at work. Will make it up to you next time. Pure anger and disappointment surged through Joslyn in equal measure at her father's text. She knew him well enough to tell that he was lying to her, especially because work had never been a hindrance to him visiting Josh before. In fact, his coworkers were already really familiar with his routine on this particular day and lastly, his workplace was close enough such that he could spare at least an hour’s visit before returning.Therefore, her father had absolutely no excus
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 13
Joslyn woke up to the morning sun streaming through her window, casting a warm glow over her room. With a groan, she reached out to silence the blaring alarm that had jolted her from sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up on the edge of her bed, staring blankly into space. Despite feeling reluctant to leave the comfort of her bed, she knew she had to start her day.After a moment of blankly staring into space, Joslyn pushed herself to her feet and made her way to her dresser. With a sigh, she rummaged through her clothes for a suitable outfit for her morning gym session. Eventually, she settled on a comfortable set of workout clothes and made her way to the bathroom for a quick shower, even though she knew she'd be taking another one when she got back.After gathering her resolve, Joslyn headed to the gym just around the corner of their block for her morning workout routine. Upon arrival, she exchanged pleasantries with familiar faces, exchanging nods and smiles with fellow gym-goers and
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 12
Gabriel arrived at his mother’s house, feeling a wave of comfort as he stepped through the familiar doorway. The scent of his childhood lingered in the air, mingling with the aroma of his mother's cooking. Despite his demanding role as a CEO, he never missed their biweekly dinners—a sacred tradition he cherished dearly.“Hey, Mom,” he greeted warmly, presenting her with the strawberry and banana trifle, one of her favorites.Nora's face lit up at the sight of the dessert, and she enveloped Gabriel in a warm hug. “Gabriel, dear, it’s so good to see you. Come on in.”After exchanging pleasantries, they set the table together, the rhythmic clinking of dishes a familiar melody of their routine.As they settled, Nora gently broached the topic. "Why haven’t you been picking up your calls, Gabriel? I've been trying the home phone. You know I worry when I can't reach you."Gabriel sighed inwardly. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve been preoccupied with work, and I moved out of the mansion for a change of
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 11
Joslyn stepped into the lobby of her apartment building, her mind still swarming with thoughts from her earlier visit to the hospital. She let out a sigh, offering a weak smile to the receptionist, Eunice, who returned it with an equally tired smile of her own."Hey," Eunice greeted her, presenting a brightly wrapped box of chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine."Good evening, Eunice. What's this?" Joslyn questioned, peering curiously at the box."The new building owner asked to share these gifts with each resident to celebrate his acquisition of the building and foster a cordial relationship between residents and the landlord," Eunice explained, her voice tinged with rehearsed politeness.Joslyn accepted the gifts with a polite thank you, but couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. She glanced around the lobby, noticing that the other residents didn't seem to be receiving similar packages. With her brows furrowed, she decided to inquire further."Have all the residents bee
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 10
Joslyn couldn't seem to rid herself of that same immovable lump that remained ever present in her throat any time she visited the hospital. No matter how much she tried to swallow it down, it remained ever lodged there, choking her with the familiar heaviness in her chest.For a moment, Joslyn sat completely still in the cab parked on the curb, staring out the window at the building that seemed to loom over her; a building that held the last thread of her sanity. If that thread were to snap, she wouldn't know what to do with herself.A sudden honk caused Joslyn to jerk in the seat as her head snapped towards the front, her gaze clashing with that of the cab driver through the rear-view mirror. He shot her a meaningful look as he spoke, “I haven't got all day, Miss.”“Right. Sorry.” She quickly rummaged through her purse, handing him some money. “Keep the change. Thank you.”“Will do,” he replied and zoomed right off the curb immediately she alighted from the car and shut the door.Wit
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 9
Joslyn trudged up the stairs leading to her apartment complex, having stepped out of the elevator a floor below hers so she could round up her morning exercises with a stair climb.Panting lightly, she stomped her way up the last few steps, groaning in relief when she finally reached the top and made her way into the corridor where her room was located. Uncapping her water bottle, she tilted her head backward and brought it to her mouth to take large gulps of the water rather quickly in order to quench her thirst, thereby allowing a few drops to escape the corners of her lips, trail down her exposed neck, mixing with the accumulated sweat there and continuing their paths into the sports bra she was wearing. Still gulping down the water, Joslyn pinched the fabric of her sports bra between her index finger and thumb, lifting the now wet material off the skin of her chest. Her action brought a bit of her cleavage into view and the man who, at that exact time, walked out of his own apart
Her Strength, Her Bane Chapter 8
|| A Year Later (The Present) ||“Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our final descent to Vancouver, British Columbia. In preparation for landing, please return to your seats, fasten your seatbelts, raise your tray tables and ensure your seat backs are in the upright and locked positions. Any personal belongings which may have been used during flight, please make sure they are secured in the overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.” Joslyn said as she stood on the aisle in the middle, her eyes scanning the passengers.When she looked satisfied with the fact that they were paying attention to her and already making adjustments, she continued.“Also, please make sure to pass any remaining service items and unwanted reading materials to the flight attendants as they will be making one last trip through the aisles to collect them. We will be landing soon. Thank you.”She smiled, earning a few ‘thank you’s and ‘you're welcome’s as she headed towards the jump seat stationed be
