EVANDER I skimmed through the second art-related book in my hand. Mr. Miyagi just confirmed that the meeting would be during the party next month, so I needed to familiarize myself with such terms before the time came. My peaceful reading was interrupted when Rui came in, a confused look on his face. I let down my reading glasses and looked at him with one eyebrow raised. “What’s with that look?” I asked. He scratched the back of his neck. “It’s weird,” he said. “I didn’t get any vibes from her.” My frown deepened. “What vibes? And from who?” “From your friend, Julia.” I sighed and shook my head. “She’s not my friend.” “Well, whatever she is. She’s quite…different. You know how I’m afraid of women, right?” I let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned it plenty of times.” “I wasn’t afraid of her—Julia. She just seems really kind,” he said, a small smile appearing on his lips. “So what?” I asked, turning my attention back to the book. “You fell in love with her in first s
JULIA "Woah!" Harper exclaimed as soon as she saw me. "What happened to you?" I pursed my lips. It hadn't been long since I arrived at school, but I already looked like it was the end of day. I clutched the canvas to my side, silently thanking the universe that it dried on my way here. I had so much in my mind that I forgot to start the project for Mr. Matthews' subject. With that said, I started it just yesterday. Was I satisfied with the result? Not necessarily. However, I still needed to pass something somehow. Old me would have scolded my current self. "I didn't sleep," I said, slumping on the chair. It didn't help that Mr. Matthews was our first-morning subject. "I can see that," Harper chuckled. Gianna joined them, nudging Harper's side. "Even if Julia didn't get any sleep, she's still prettier than the majority of people people in this class." "Well, you're right about that," Harper said. "She still looks very beautiful." Just then, the door opened, and it seemed like
JULIA This week was shaping up to be one of the worst weeks of my life. First, I got drugged by a lunatic and was saved by my ex—who made me feel like his help was worth a million dollars. Second, I found out that Heather, my ex's current girlfriend, was born a day before my son. Not only that, but she invited me to the said party, which was going to be held at the Astor's mansion. And third, Mr. Matthews, the professor who used to adore all of my works, called my latest piece 'mediocre,' 'lacking feeling,' and 'should have never been passed.' He didn't even take my artwork and told me to pass him another one by the end of next week! I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. It was the middle of the week already, and I still hadn't made my decision regarding Heather's invitation. I also haven't been able to restart the artwork as Mr. Matthews has instructed. Even Sarah was on edge as she watched me, not knowing what to say. Just then, Andy came out of his room with a wide a
EVANDER "Rui, grab me a coffee," I said, not looking up from my laptop. It was already the end of the week, and I was tired out of my mind. Tomorrow, I still need to come to work before going to Heather's birthday. "You should place the coffee maker in your office at this point," another voice said, making me frown. I sighed and lifted my head, already dreading the conversation. "What are you doing here, Dad?" I asked, massaging the bridge of my nose. "Why?" he asked, sitting on the large leather couch. "Can't I visit my one and only son?" "Dad, please," I said. "I'm already tired as it is. Cut to the chase." He chuckled, making me shake my head. "You really know me so well. You know that Heather's party is coming up, right?" "Yes," I said. "You arranged it to be in our mansion and invited all of your friends and colleagues." "Well, yes," he said. "Our house is big enough to host the entire city! Your mom wants to make it extravagant, too, since she's turning 25." "Hmm," I hu
JULIA“What?” Sarah exclaimed, chuckling. “I’m just telling the truth!” “Whatever,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m going to get changed.” “Julia,” she said in a scolding tone. “Look at yourself right now.” She directed my body to face the mirror, and there, I saw my entire look. “What am I supposed to look at?” I muttered. “A very beautiful, breeda—” “Don’t even finish that sentence,” I warned, glaring at her. She chuckled and shook her head. “You look perfect!” she said. “I know you don’t want to capture anybody’s attention, but you’re just a natural at that. I can make you wear a rag, and you’d still get their attention.” “Where are you going with this?” I asked. “What I’m saying is,” she smiled, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You’re going to be okay. You’re not overdressed. Silver and gold are the themes, and this fits right in it! Heather would be predictable and go with something red, but hey, what do I know about it?” “Anyway,” she continued. “Don’t feel out of plac
JULIA Heather really must have invited the entire city.I tightened my grip on the clutch in my hand, glancing over the group of people spilling across the mansion’s sprawling garden. It was amazing that someone knew so many people. I didn’t even have these many friends on my social media! However, what was more amazing was the space. The place should have been cramped, but the Astor’s estate was designed to fit crowds that could fill a stadium. Instead of chaos, the scene looked like a magazine spread. Fairy lights were strung between towering oaks, champagne flutes glinting in the golden light, and impeccably dressed guests mingling like they owned the world.Their laughter was also a familiar tune. It was the sound of rich people laughing—the borderline fake one that you hear in casinos, golf courses, or yachts. “Woah, is this Heather’s house?” Gianna whispered beside me, her jaw practically on the floor.I shook my head, still amazed at the scene before me. “No, it’s the Asto
JULIA Evan’s eyes widened, and before I could even react, his hand clamped around my wrist.“What are you—”He didn’t answer. He pulled me quickly to the side, his movements prompt but not rough, and before I knew it, I was standing behind a heavy curtain. The fabric scratched against my arm as Evan stepped in front of me, shielding me from view.“Stay quiet,” he whispered, his voice barely audible from how thick their curtain was. His body was close—really close. I could feel his warmth from the thick cloth. I was sure he could feel my chest, too, the way it rose and fell, along with the tension on my shoulders. My heart thudded in my chest, not just from the sudden movement but from the way his hand lingered against mine. His touch wasn’t harsh. It was almost...protective. Well, he had always been protective of me when it came to his parents. Despite their blatant rejection of my presence in their family, I never felt its heaviness because of Evan. I tilted my head up to look
JULIA I stood there, staring at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test. My hands shook so badly that I almost dropped it. “Goodness,” I muttered, massaging the bridge of my nose. I knew I had been feeling off lately. The dizziness, the nausea—it all made sense now. I glanced at the clock and sighed. Evan would be home soon. My heart raced at the thought. Would he be happy? I bit my lip, trying to swallow down the nerves bubbling up inside me. “There’s no need to feel this way, Julia,” I muttered, smiling at my reflection in the mirror. Evan loved me. He’d called me the greatest gift in his life more times than I could count! He’d always chosen me, even when girls with prettier faces and wealthier families tried to steal his attention. He never even glanced at them!However, there was still a nagging doubt that made my fingers curl tighter around the pregnancy test. Evander Cassiel Astor—the heir to Astor Empires and my boyfriend of four years. We’d been together since our f
JULIA Evan’s eyes widened, and before I could even react, his hand clamped around my wrist.“What are you—”He didn’t answer. He pulled me quickly to the side, his movements prompt but not rough, and before I knew it, I was standing behind a heavy curtain. The fabric scratched against my arm as Evan stepped in front of me, shielding me from view.“Stay quiet,” he whispered, his voice barely audible from how thick their curtain was. His body was close—really close. I could feel his warmth from the thick cloth. I was sure he could feel my chest, too, the way it rose and fell, along with the tension on my shoulders. My heart thudded in my chest, not just from the sudden movement but from the way his hand lingered against mine. His touch wasn’t harsh. It was almost...protective. Well, he had always been protective of me when it came to his parents. Despite their blatant rejection of my presence in their family, I never felt its heaviness because of Evan. I tilted my head up to look
JULIA Heather really must have invited the entire city.I tightened my grip on the clutch in my hand, glancing over the group of people spilling across the mansion’s sprawling garden. It was amazing that someone knew so many people. I didn’t even have these many friends on my social media! However, what was more amazing was the space. The place should have been cramped, but the Astor’s estate was designed to fit crowds that could fill a stadium. Instead of chaos, the scene looked like a magazine spread. Fairy lights were strung between towering oaks, champagne flutes glinting in the golden light, and impeccably dressed guests mingling like they owned the world.Their laughter was also a familiar tune. It was the sound of rich people laughing—the borderline fake one that you hear in casinos, golf courses, or yachts. “Woah, is this Heather’s house?” Gianna whispered beside me, her jaw practically on the floor.I shook my head, still amazed at the scene before me. “No, it’s the Asto
JULIA“What?” Sarah exclaimed, chuckling. “I’m just telling the truth!” “Whatever,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m going to get changed.” “Julia,” she said in a scolding tone. “Look at yourself right now.” She directed my body to face the mirror, and there, I saw my entire look. “What am I supposed to look at?” I muttered. “A very beautiful, breeda—” “Don’t even finish that sentence,” I warned, glaring at her. She chuckled and shook her head. “You look perfect!” she said. “I know you don’t want to capture anybody’s attention, but you’re just a natural at that. I can make you wear a rag, and you’d still get their attention.” “Where are you going with this?” I asked. “What I’m saying is,” she smiled, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You’re going to be okay. You’re not overdressed. Silver and gold are the themes, and this fits right in it! Heather would be predictable and go with something red, but hey, what do I know about it?” “Anyway,” she continued. “Don’t feel out of plac
EVANDER "Rui, grab me a coffee," I said, not looking up from my laptop. It was already the end of the week, and I was tired out of my mind. Tomorrow, I still need to come to work before going to Heather's birthday. "You should place the coffee maker in your office at this point," another voice said, making me frown. I sighed and lifted my head, already dreading the conversation. "What are you doing here, Dad?" I asked, massaging the bridge of my nose. "Why?" he asked, sitting on the large leather couch. "Can't I visit my one and only son?" "Dad, please," I said. "I'm already tired as it is. Cut to the chase." He chuckled, making me shake my head. "You really know me so well. You know that Heather's party is coming up, right?" "Yes," I said. "You arranged it to be in our mansion and invited all of your friends and colleagues." "Well, yes," he said. "Our house is big enough to host the entire city! Your mom wants to make it extravagant, too, since she's turning 25." "Hmm," I hu
JULIA This week was shaping up to be one of the worst weeks of my life. First, I got drugged by a lunatic and was saved by my ex—who made me feel like his help was worth a million dollars. Second, I found out that Heather, my ex's current girlfriend, was born a day before my son. Not only that, but she invited me to the said party, which was going to be held at the Astor's mansion. And third, Mr. Matthews, the professor who used to adore all of my works, called my latest piece 'mediocre,' 'lacking feeling,' and 'should have never been passed.' He didn't even take my artwork and told me to pass him another one by the end of next week! I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. It was the middle of the week already, and I still hadn't made my decision regarding Heather's invitation. I also haven't been able to restart the artwork as Mr. Matthews has instructed. Even Sarah was on edge as she watched me, not knowing what to say. Just then, Andy came out of his room with a wide a
JULIA "Woah!" Harper exclaimed as soon as she saw me. "What happened to you?" I pursed my lips. It hadn't been long since I arrived at school, but I already looked like it was the end of day. I clutched the canvas to my side, silently thanking the universe that it dried on my way here. I had so much in my mind that I forgot to start the project for Mr. Matthews' subject. With that said, I started it just yesterday. Was I satisfied with the result? Not necessarily. However, I still needed to pass something somehow. Old me would have scolded my current self. "I didn't sleep," I said, slumping on the chair. It didn't help that Mr. Matthews was our first-morning subject. "I can see that," Harper chuckled. Gianna joined them, nudging Harper's side. "Even if Julia didn't get any sleep, she's still prettier than the majority of people people in this class." "Well, you're right about that," Harper said. "She still looks very beautiful." Just then, the door opened, and it seemed like
EVANDER I skimmed through the second art-related book in my hand. Mr. Miyagi just confirmed that the meeting would be during the party next month, so I needed to familiarize myself with such terms before the time came. My peaceful reading was interrupted when Rui came in, a confused look on his face. I let down my reading glasses and looked at him with one eyebrow raised. “What’s with that look?” I asked. He scratched the back of his neck. “It’s weird,” he said. “I didn’t get any vibes from her.” My frown deepened. “What vibes? And from who?” “From your friend, Julia.” I sighed and shook my head. “She’s not my friend.” “Well, whatever she is. She’s quite…different. You know how I’m afraid of women, right?” I let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned it plenty of times.” “I wasn’t afraid of her—Julia. She just seems really kind,” he said, a small smile appearing on his lips. “So what?” I asked, turning my attention back to the book. “You fell in love with her in first s
JULIA I opened the door to our humble apartment and was immediately bombarded with a tearful hug. My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at my little boy, hugging my thigh. "Mommy," he sobbed. I pursed my lips to keep my own tears at bay. I knelt down to his level and pushed his hair away from his face. "Andy," I muttered. "It's okay now. Mommy's here. She's not going anywhere anymore." "Mommy, I was worried," he cried into my neck. "I know. I know," I said, hoping my words would comfort him. However, it seemed to make him cry even harder. "I don't want to lose you, Mommy," he softly said against my neck. My skin was wet from his tears, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "You're the only one I have," he added, making my heart break further. "Of course," I said with a small smile. "I'll always be here, hmm? Mommy won't let you go...ever." I tightened my hold around him, not wanting to let him go. However, the moment was interrupted by Sarah barging in, her phone next to her hear,
JULIA I stared at the pile of money on the table, feeling my annoyance return. I didn't even take the one on the bedside table! I merely stayed because Susan had prepared breakfast, and I didn't want to be disrespectful. "Sir Evander," Susan said in a warning tone. Evan pursed his lips and ran his fingers through his hair. "I told you to escort her out when she wakes up. Why is she still here?" Susan sighed. "It's because I prepared enough breakfast. You can't let your guest leave with an empty stomach." "She's not a guest," he deadpanned. "She's merely here because she didn't want to say where she lived." Susan appeared stressed. "Still, you cannot throw money like that to a person." Evan didn't say anything and typed something on his phone. "Fine," he said. "I already called Rui. I'll have him take her home." Susan was about to respond when the door flung open, revealing an unfamiliar person. "Sir," he said, bowing at Evan. "Are you ready to head to work?" Evan nodded and