Calvin kissed Angel again. Thinking about their silly fight that made him miss precious moments like this with her, he couldn’t help smiling. They had to work on their communication, and he swore to himself that he would be more patient with her. He missed her lips. This was what he missed out on due to an unnecessary fight. If anything had happened to her, he would have never forgiven himself. He broke off the kiss to touch his forehead to hers.
“I have to be at work today,” he told her.
“Really?”
“Yes.” Angel pouted, and Calvin chuckled. She was back to being his compliant minx. The escapade on the dining table might have also contributed to that. “Don’t go anywhere, okay? Stay here and work on your stories. I’ll call Mum to let her know you’ll be spending the night with me.”
“The night?” she said. “I’ll think about it.”
Calvin laughed. He didn&r
“Baby boy,” Angel replied.Calvin’s chest caved. He kissed her hungrily like he needed her mouth to breathe well.“I thought something happened to you,” he said between kisses. Every time she tried to speak, he stole another kiss from her. He needed more, an eternal contact to comfort his heart. “Why didn’t you call me, princess?”“I’m sorry.” Her foot dragged across the floor, and she looked at him with a guilty smile. “I don’t have your number, and I didn’t know how to ask. They will think I’m a bad wife.”Calvin laughed. “I don’t have yours, either.”Laughter bellowed out of Angel, and she palmed his face so she could kiss him. His hands roved over her body, pulling out sexy sounds out of her lips. Why did he agree to the celibacy thing? He stepped back long enough to stop himself from dragging her dress over her as
Morning came, and it was time for Kyle to leave. Hana tried to hide her unease as he prepared for work. She wished for the first time that she also had a job that took her out of the house. Something that ensured they were both close to each other during the day. Her fiancé looked up from the buttons he was fixing, and she smiled. It was a miracle they had survived the night without making out. But Kyle had kept to his word, and they cuddled throughout.“Are you okay?” he asked.“Yeah. Already missing you,” she admitted.Kyle’s work was hectic and busy, which was part of the reason they were rushing their marriage. Their honeymoon would last only a few days. She feared he would have less time for her afte that. As if sensing the directions of her thoughts, Kyle bridged the distance.“Hey,” he whispered. “It’s okay.”Hana sniffed. She hadn’t realised she was in tear
Calvin couldn’t stop staring at his baby girl. Her dress hugged her frame, and the heels elevated her height. She was wearing a necklace with a pendant that dropped between her boobs. When she pulled away from the hug, he had been given a brief view of her boobs.Now they were in the backseat of the car, quiet. He didn’t know how to break the tension. He didn’t even understand how it went from exciting to this point.“How was work?” they chorused and laughed.He placed a hand on her knee. “You first, Angel. How was today?”“Fine. Boring, mostly. How about yours?”“I couldn’t concentrate,” he confessed. They had meetings upon meetings. His only saving grace was Destinee’s attentiveness. She would slide him a note each time she noticed he was distracted. That had saved him today. “I couldn’t wait to come back to you.”And he
Hana sniffed her flowers again. She heard laughter around her, but she didn’t care.“Might as well get you a bag so you can strap it to your chest,” Camilla murmured. Hana threw the young lady a look, but it only made the whole table laugh harder.They were having breakfast, and yes, she brought the flowers down with her. She had shown it to everyone in the house after Kyle dropped her home yesterday. Her heart fluttered from thinking about it. She couldn’t wait to legally be a McKenna even if it felt like she was already one of them.“It’s a beautiful bouquet, Hana,” Leila said.“It is,” KJ muttered. Hana narrowed her eyes at him. He returned this morning, and Camilla had briefed him about the flowers. He was sitting beside his mum while Camilla sat beside Hana. Kelvin was at the head of the table. “I didn’t think flowers were Cal’s thing. I see he’s learning.&rdquo
Calvin tried not to pace his office. But it was almost impossible. He was getting married. Fuck. He wasn’t just getting married, he was getting married to the woman he loved. A woman he was certain loved him as much. He stopped beside his desk and pulled open the last drawer of his table. There was a blue velvety box inside it. He closed the drawer and adjusted his tie. His parents hadn’t been picking up his calls. But he had plans to take Angel on another date before their wedding on Saturday.Someone knocked on his door. He looked up and ushered the person in. Ivana stepped in. “Yes?” he asked.Calvin was too nervous, too excited. Too everything. He wanted today to be perfect.“I’ve been watching the rank of A dragon’s—”“Not today, Ivana,” he replied. Her face fell. She tugged on the end of the scarf hanging from her shoulder and nodded. No one in the office knew he was getting mar
Hana had a ring. God, she couldn’t believe this. Her head dipped when Kyle caught her staring at her ring for the umpteenth time. She had no issues with marrying Kyle, but a proposal had never come to mind. Glancing around the restaurant, she noticed how most of the people she had thought were diners weren’t there to eat. They were only there to help with Kyle’s proposal.Taking her hand, he placed a kiss on the ring and she smiled. “Thank you very much.”“There’s no need to do that, Angel.”There was every need. But she didn’t want them to get into an argument. So, she said nothing in reply. They continued their meal. The nerves that had taken over her before had all subsided. They talked about so many things, drinking and eating to the point she didn’t want to leave. When they finally left the restaurant, Hana was buzzing with need.As soon as Kyle was seated in the car, Hana hopped on hi
Calvin couldn’t stop pacing. He chewed his knuckle, walking up and down the length of his dressing room. KJ sighed from the chair he was seated on. “Cal, you need to stop.”“I’m calm. I’m calm,” Calvin said without looking at his brother. KJ stopped pressing his tab and stood. “I’m fine, KJ. I promise.”KJ laughed. Already in front of Calvin, he helped his big brother fix his cufflinks and adjusted the buttons that were wrongly placed. Holding him by his shoulders, he said, “It’s a small party. No need to be so nervous about it. Hana wants to see you.”Yes, she did. Calvin was convinced about that. But he hadn’t seen her since that last time on the bed. That thought made him almost blush. It was a first for him, but it wasn’t something he could say he regretted.“Alright.” He tugged on the hem of his navy blue jacket and nodded. “A
Hana couldn’t stop smiling. She had tried, but her lips automatically curled upwards. Their wedding reception was over. She had just entered the backseat of the limousine with her husband when Camilla poked her head through the window and hugged her.She held onto her sister-in-law’s arm, her smile authentic and wide. “Thanks for today,” she told Camilla. “I appreciate it.”“That’s what sisters do for each other.”That statement was a stab to Hana’s chest. But she smiled. Cara would have had fun here without Baba and Mama to tower over them.“I love you,” Camilla said, kissing Angel on the cheek before stepping back. She stuck her tongue at Kyle, and Hana laughed.“I love you too,” Hana replied.“Me too,” Kyle yelled from the other end of the car. The three of them burst out laughing, but she couldn’t help that linger
Footsteps pounded behind Camilla. How the heck was he so fast? He sounded close, but she didn’t look back to confirm her suspicions. A sudden pressure on her hair made her screech to a stop. Pain spread through her scalp, and she bit into her lip to stop herself from screaming. The copper taste of blood filled her mouth. She placed both hands on her head to ease the pain.The pressure finally reduced, but the pain lingered. Vanya stopped in front of her, the ends of her long ponytail wrapped around his fist. Her breath rushed out in ragged pants. Tears pricked the back of her eyes.Camilla took one step back, but the tug on her hair reminded her she wouldn’t get far. She had always prided herself on her long hair, but now she wished it wasn’t lengthy.“Let. Go,” she whispered, her voice shaky.“The phone.”“No.”Vanya reached for her handbag, his hand tight around the strap. She tried to yank it from his grip, but it was nearly impossible. His grip was steel. They struggled, mostly her
Deep breaths. Inhale and exhale.Camilla May McKenna could do it. She could handle the simple task of taking pictures of a cheating lover and prove to her best friend that Vanya, her boyfriend, was a scum. KJ, her youngest brother, always told her evidence was key. He was the same one who told her men hated shopping and never went on that adventure without a woman unless sex was involved. So, the second Vanya walked into the boutique, she had rushed to the bathroom to call her best friend Faye. If Vanya was at the boutique, then he was with someone else. Faye was in class. All she had to do was get evidence, so Faye would leave the cheat.Retrieving a tube of pink lipstick from her purse, she reapplied it and fluffed her hair. From the mirror, her hair was flat on the sides from her consistent touching. Wasting no more time in the bathroom, she smacked her lips and walked out. Vanya hadn’t met her. He wouldn’t recognise her, so there was no need for her to use a disguise. Cold air r
Sweat rolled down Calvin’s forehead. He hid a frown as he dabbed on the evidence of his anxiety. This was a regular date with his wife. He shouldn’t be nervous, but unlike other dates, this one was special. Different. It was an anniversary date. Last month was the one-year anniversary of meeting Angel on that rainy night. His wife had suffered an abrupt illness, so he couldn’t take her out. They had rescheduled it for today, making sure it fell on the same day. 10th day of the month. Instead of celebrating a one-year anniversary of knowing each other, it would be a thirteen months celebration. Calvin adjusted his suit in front of the mirror and ran a hand over the front of his jacket. He had no reason to worry. Life was good. His babies were fine. His wife was awesome. The cast of season two were already getting ready for production. A smile took over his lips as those thoughts solidified even more.The bedroom door opened, and Calvin stopped fussing with his tie. Angel strutted in,
Calvin waited in the car while his wife and sister-in-law visited their mother’s grave. His fingers drummed on his knee as the seconds went by. He couldn’t understand what they felt. Losing both parents would drive him insane. But the ladies had taken it in stride. Cara seemed to be the most affected.It was only a few days after the new year. Cara had spent it with them but returned to school the next day. These days, she spoke more often without prompting. The cast of season two had already been selected, but he wanted to give her a spot as an extra.IfLance agreed. But Lance would have to.Browsing through his phone, Calvin sat up when he heard approaching footsteps. He looked up to see Cara and Angel. Cara’s eyes were red with tears, and Angel looked to be consoling her. They stopped a few feet from the car and Angel hugged her sister. He waited behind, not sure his presence would be wanted in such moment.Soon, both lad
Christmas was a big deal for the McKenna family, but that wasn’t always the case with Hana. She adjusted her dress a few times, and her husband scooped her up before she could tug on her sleeves one more time.“Baby, you need to stop that,” Kyle warned. She hugged his neck, her eyes closing as she let out a breath. “Everyone already loves you, there’s no need to be nervous.”“Well, yeah, I guess.”Hana’s stomach grumbled. He frowned and placed a hand on her stomach. “Hungry?” “No. Just a bit nervous.”“Don’t be, okay?” he said in a patronising voice. “I love you, and my family loves you.”Hana wasn’t only nervous for herself, she was for her sister too. It was the first family dinner with Cara, Hana, and the entire McKenna clan. After her discharge from the hospital, Cara had gone cold. Or should she say,
Night rolled by without Kyle showing up to the guestroom. Hana curled under the sheet, her eyes filling with tears. Should she have been upset about the loss of their child? Yes, she was. She was hurt. Her heart was shattered for their child, but at no point did she blame her husband for that.If any one should be blamed or punished for it, it was Baba. But Kyle was driving a wall between them with his constant self-blame. They lost a child and should grieve together not push each other apart. She meant what she said about not wanting a fight with him. She had missed him too much to let what was supposed to be a shared suffering drive them apart. He was seeing it as a loss, but she saw it as a gift.Maybe others wouldn’t see it that way, but that was her. Baba pushed her. She fell on her belly but lost only one baby. What if she had lost all? She had so many more positives to be thankful for. One, her sister. Two, her babies. Three, her husband. He mi
Calvin should be a happy man since his kidnapped wife was back home, but he hadn’t gotten the courage to tell her about the babies. He also couldn’t get rid of the guilt that had taken over his chest. No matter what anyone told him, it was his fault. His stubbornness brought them here.Someone tapped him. He looked up, and a fake smile took over his lips. It was his wife.“What are you thinking?” she asked.“Nothing. Just getting ready.”Angel placed a hand on her waist. “Really?”Calvin hadn’t heard his beautiful wife enter the bathroom. She must have caught him staring into space. He tended to do that more often these days. They were getting ready to head to the hospital for their evening checkup. Cara was still there, but she was feeling better than she did last week. His wife had formed a habit of reading a chapter from her favourite romance book to her sister.
Hana’s eyes peeled open slowly. She had gotten so used to her new home that the change had her shutting her eyes again to be sure this wasn’t a dream. This… this didn’t look like where Baba kept her.Where was he? Where was Cara? Each time she tried to remember everything that could have led her to this point, her head throbbed. Someone squeezed Hana’s hand. Groaning softly, she turned to the side and saw Kyle. A minute or two passed. That, that couldn’t be real. Was she dreaming? Was this heaven?“Baby,” he whispered, his fingers brushing her cheek. He was real. Wait, were both of them dead? Did Baba kill her? How did he get here? The heart monitor beside her beeped out of control, and Kyle palmed her cheeks. “Hey, princess. Relax, it’s me. Your dragon prince.”“Kyle?”“Yes. Yes,” he whispered. “I’m here.” Hana winced as she tried to sit up. Her h
They found her. It had been a week since Calvin’s mother gave them the tip about the tracker in the pendant. In that time, they had all worked tirelessly to find Calvin’s wife. Within that time, Calvin experienced too many breakdowns to count. This ordeal wasn’t one he would wish on anyone, not even people he loathed. He sat in his wife’s office, phone in his hand, waiting for a call or something that would take him to her. His heart was broken and hollow, and had stopped beating right a long time ago.This was pain. This was torture.Coming to the office wasn’t actually for him to work. Her absence was driving him insane because her scent was everywhere. He was tired of his whole family fussing over him, so he had promised them he would show up at work to use it as a distraction. That didn’t work. Because he found himself in her office, sometimes just touching all the things she touched, staring into space or pacing the