She looked happy and alive. He thought to himself as he stared at the vintage photograph of his mother erected in front of her urn. A part of him was thankful for that. At least, At a stage in her life, she’d been what he described as happy and alive not what he grew up to know. There weren’t any good memories to reminisce on, so Ollie just stood in the mildly hot columbarium, sweat beading on his forehead. Perhaps if his eighteen-year-old self had visited, he would be steaming with deep-seated rage and spite and he would surely have a lot to say. But right now, nothing came to his mind. His mind was blank.He'd stayed away for so many years, and now that he was here, the feeling was neither hot nor cold, just a strange underwhelming emptiness hung in the air. “Well, well, well.” Ollie’s lips thinned disdainfully at the familiar voice. As much as he hated it, he recognized the voice. It used to be a voice that frightened him so much but not anymore. If he was thirteen, maybe it
He opened his eyes to June. She lay there, curled up on the couch, her chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. She was bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window. He couldn’t help the smile that tugged his lips. He stared at her for a long moment enjoying the view before he slid off the bed and approached her in a noiseless step. He bent over, in an attempt to move her to the bed. That must have woke her up, because she stirred in her sleep and blinked her eyes open. “Sorry. I woke you up.” He whispered. “what?” she said, dazed. “How’s your fever?” Her hands flew to his forehead as she sat up. Ollie placed his hand on hers. “Better.” “No” she shook her head. “You’re still burning up. Why are you even up?” She was already up on her feet, leading him to back to the bed. “The fever is gone.” He said. “I don’t need—.” A look from June was all it took to shut him up. “Okay.” He raised his hand in surrender. He wasn’t going to pretend that he wouldn’t d
June woke up with a big smile, mirroring the same one she had on her face nestled against Ollie’s chest after he’d fucked her senseless. The soreness between her thighs a big evidence, the scent of desire and sex still lingering in the air. The scent of Ollie on the crisp bedsheet caressed her nose as June buried her face into the bed. She couldn’t help but inhale deeply. With her eyes closed, she reached out to her side. When her hands couldn’t find him, she peeled her eyelid open. The bed was empty. Knowing just one place he could be in the house, she slipped out of the bed and huddled out of the room. Just like she’d predicted, he was there. In the study room. Ollie was perched behind a polished mahogany desk with a laptop in front of him, the leather chair beneath him creaking gently. She could smell his favorite coffee in the air. He was so focused on what was in front of him, that he didn’t even notice her. June watched him for a bit before saying “God, you’re such a w
She could never understand rich folks—technically she couldn’t because she wasn’t rich but that wasn’t the point—. How could a hundred thousand dollars be spent on a gold chain that looked like those sold for fifty dollars—she was being generous with the price—. And that was the least outrageous accessory she’d seen this night for such an exorbitant price.She discreetly rolled her eyes—one she’d perfected over countless events like this— as the bidding war went on. Her jaw was on the floor the whole time as the charity auction went on like forever. Well, so was her arm because it was starting to hurt from the tray she’d been carrying for close to two hours now. She yawned and blinked her eyes repeatedly as if it would help with the dizziness she felt. She’d gotten dirty scowls on two different occasions because of tray almost slipped out of her grasp. Would this auction even end anytime soon? As she couldn’t bear it anymore. She withdrew, taking cautious steps to muffle the clic
She swore he never laughed this hard at her jokes. “I should leave.” “Oh, thank you so much, darling.” “It’s a pleasure to be of help.” She grumbled before turning away. She couldn’t help but cast one last glance at Ollie. Her heart clenched at the sight of him and the fair woman. Surprise played out on his face as they locked eyes. “June?” He called after her from the room but she was already barreling down the hallway. The shiny white walls and crystal lights make a path down the corridor. She did trust him and knew it was nothing. But it didn’t help how she felt. She’d left the room because she didn’t want to go all possessive and lose her composure in front of his mother. Her footsteps echoed in silence as she recalled his laughter. An acidic taste of jealousy clung to her tongue. “June.” He called her name out again. The sound echoing in the corridor. The auction was still ongoing hence, the hallway was deserted. She felt his weight behind her, the heat of his presence
June’s hand was already sweaty, panic flickering through her when Seth announced that they’d arrived at Rachel’s villa. Seth was Ollie’s P.A. He rarely ever responded and speak only when necessary like now.When she met Rachel at the auction, there weren’t any standards and she didn’t have to impress her. But right now, she was meeting her officially as Ollie’s girlfriend.And she hadn’t exactly made a first good impression. She’d ranted about how badly she was treated as a waiter by the person who hired them. As much as Ollie said it didn’t matter. he’d also told her multiple times about how Rachel had spammed him with calls and texts just so he could bring her over. However, that didn’t ease June’s panic. It climbed higher on the threshold as they got nearer and nearer until up to this point.Ollie turned to face her, taking her face in his palm. June leaned into his touch, sucking in a breath. “You ready?” Was she? “Not exactly, no.” June rolled her tongue over her lower lip,
A sense of uneasiness swept over her when she pulled open the door to reveal John. Her brother whom she’d forgotten existed until now. John's hand shot up, his fingers moving in a stiff, awkward wave as his lips formed a tight smile. “Hey.” “What are you doing here?” June raised a brow. It was a surprise that John had stayed away when she asked him to. But she was determined to report to the cops if he showed up at her doorstep back then. Now, three months had passed. It would be a big joke if he thought she would let him in again. John chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Our reunion went a lot better in my head.” His eyes darted through the dimly lit porch. Her lips pulled into a deep line of scowl. Reunion? After what had happened? The memories of the past twisted her inside into a tight knot.Her grip clenched around the doorknob. “Can you at least invite me in?” John raised a hopeful brow.“No.” she gripped the door’s edge and closed it in on her body, leavi
A week later, June was meeting John at the said hotel. June found it weird that the hotel was deserted, and her eyes darted around in search of signs of life. They were just an old red peacock car and a surprisingly manicured lawn in sight. Before June could change her mind, she made a beeline to the lobby’s entrance. She just wanted to be over it as soon as possible. When she entered, her eyes glanced through the person seated in the corner of the lobby. He wore a fedora. John waved to her from the far end of the lobby. His face was hidden behind a baseball cap, casting a shadow over his features. She hadn’t recognized him at first, her eyes narrowing as she squinted to make out his identity.She sighed with relief and made her way to him. The creak of her footsteps on the grimy floor echoed through the desolate lobby. John’s eyes met hers as she approached, and he smiled croakily, the lines of worry etched on his face evident even in the dim light.“Hey,” she said as she droppe
Two years later. She did it. Finally, she was a certified interior designer. Today was another great milestone for her. With the help of the twins, her friend, Lola who couldn’t be here because she was several countries away And most especially her man. Who’d been with her through thick and thin. Whose loyalty never waver. Whose patience never ran thin. Whose love multiplied daily. Even when she moved across the country, to California, he’d followed her, he’d took charge, he’d been there for her. He’d stayed with her. He’d and made her take the backseat which she was very much pleased. He’d made her the happiest woman on earth. Her heart swelled with the ceremonial gown on her. “Oh my fu—“ Aiden’s exclamation was abruptly cut off when his eyes locked with hers. “Oh my.” He muttered under his breath. He’d become grumpier as he grew older. “What happened?” Amy’s puzzled gaze scanned the surroundings, searching for the cause of Aiden’s displeasure. A gasp escaped her lips, and she
Ollie had been practically glued to her side. He hadn’t been apart from her for more than a minute. And that was a stretch. He followed her around the house like a lost puppy. Whenever she took a step, he was around by her side. “What did you want? What do I need to do? Where are you going?” He would say with so much love and care. She wasn’t complaining at all about his clinginess. As a matter of factly, she loved so much. She missed him so much. Now that he was finally with her, she was never going to let go ever again. Being with him felt like she could finally breathe. She was genuinely happy. She couldn’t explain the level of joy his presence alone brought to her. They’d been indoors for four days without a pint of curiosity for the outside world. It could be burning down and they wouldn’t even care. As long as they were with each other. During those periods, they’d caught up with each other’s life. They’d shared their deepest insecurities. They’d made love so many times. Th
She was just out of the restaurant she worked part time when she bumped Rachel, Ollie’s step mother. When Rachel’s eyes met hers, the smile on her face broadened and Rachel instantly enveloped her into an embrace. “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise?” Rachel’s voice carried a warmth of genuine delight. June returned the hug. “It is.” As Rachel withdrew, she added, “How have you been?” “I’ve been good. Thank you. What about you?” June asked. “I doing well dear. What else can this old lady do?” a shared laughter echoed between them. “What are you doing here?” “I work here.” June answered, her eyes meeting Rachel wrinkled corners. Rachel said with a low hum. “I’m a regular here and I never stumble across you.” “I work the evening shift.” She’d switched shift with one of her colleague who’d pleaded with her. “Must be the reason.” Rachel said, her hand resting on June’s shoulder. “By the way, I heard you broke my son’s heart.” June tensed up, unsure of what to response. “I…” She st
Max: Are you busy?Ollie: Yes. Max: See you by 7. At Eden.It wasn’t hard to make out Max in the bar. His blond hair stood out like a beacon in contrast with the subdued ambiance of the bar and his outfit. A black turtle neck with matching trench coat. When he flopped on the chair opposite Max, he said. “This has better be for a good reason or I might just kill you. ” Max leaned back, no words just a raised brow as Ollie’s hand sought for bottle positioned between them. Not caring what it was, he poured himself a generous measure into the glass. It felt dull as it slid down his throat. He’d gotten accustomed to the taste of liquor. They almost tasted like water to him. “Take another swig, you will need it.” Though, Confused at what Max was implying, he took another swig. The burn of the drink a familiar comfort. This was how he kept his sanity. This was how he kept going after June. She ruined him and he couldn’t even hate her for it. He'd accepted June the type of love he co
She’d been an unfixable mess since the breakup. Firstly, because there had been an unending swirl of chaos within her. Secondly, because life was still life. A colossal mess. She had no luxury to mourn a broken heart. Every morning, she rose to her feet, not because she wanted to but because she had to. She showed up at multiple part-time jobs until she broke a nail because she had to. To top it, she had to read for the exams.When she’d told the twins and Lola about her ambition, they were so proud of her. They mattered to her but deep down she wanted someone else praise. The persono who’d told her it was okay to dream and instilled this confidence into her to take a step towards her dream. The actual person who’d motivated her to take this risky step wasn’t there. At 2 am or 6 pm, when she ate, when she slept when she worked, when she studied. He was a constant pillar in her mind. She had no right to think about him but she couldn’t help it. He was everywhere. He was in every
It always worked. Work had always been a perfect distraction for him anytime he needed to push something aside and not think about it. Until now. Workloads upon workloads. It couldn’t stop the image of June burning the pages of his mind. It haunted him with vividness that made it impossible for him to concentrate. Her anguished voice echoed in his ears, refusing to fade. Her cruel words whipped him like a lash. Her pained face that he wanted to console even after everything.His brain had been on a maddening repetitive loop. We’ve had our fun. Fun?The word taunted him. All he wanted to do was drown thoughts of June out of his mind but everything he’d done proved futile. Seated at his cluttered desk, surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork, but the weight of his workload did little to divert his thoughts. Three days. Twenty hours. And June hadn’t left his mind for a millisecond. Twenty hours of work a day had done little to distract him. June, even in her absence, was a r
He’ll leave you. He’ll regret ever being with you and he’ll leave you. Ollie’s father's words stuck to her, not leaving her mind for a tiny moment just like the ghost of his hand on the skin of her neck, she could also his word strong invisible vise choking her. That’s all it is to you. You don’t deserve him. Shaken by the incident, June’s hand trembled as she extended an arm to the car’s window control panel, her index finger pressing down as if seeking escape from the stifling words that had choked her She’d hoped that the breeze would ease the ache she was feeling. No, it didn’t Instead, it stung her skin with its painful lash. June was quick to wind up the window before slumping into her seat. The more her mind pounded on the words, the more it churned her inside and broke her into pieces. Her insecurities build with thick layers.He would leave you. Soon. He would. The words echoed once more, cutting deeper than any physical wound. An involuntary sob broke out of her m
A week later, June was meeting John at the said hotel. June found it weird that the hotel was deserted, and her eyes darted around in search of signs of life. They were just an old red peacock car and a surprisingly manicured lawn in sight. Before June could change her mind, she made a beeline to the lobby’s entrance. She just wanted to be over it as soon as possible. When she entered, her eyes glanced through the person seated in the corner of the lobby. He wore a fedora. John waved to her from the far end of the lobby. His face was hidden behind a baseball cap, casting a shadow over his features. She hadn’t recognized him at first, her eyes narrowing as she squinted to make out his identity.She sighed with relief and made her way to him. The creak of her footsteps on the grimy floor echoed through the desolate lobby. John’s eyes met hers as she approached, and he smiled croakily, the lines of worry etched on his face evident even in the dim light.“Hey,” she said as she droppe
A sense of uneasiness swept over her when she pulled open the door to reveal John. Her brother whom she’d forgotten existed until now. John's hand shot up, his fingers moving in a stiff, awkward wave as his lips formed a tight smile. “Hey.” “What are you doing here?” June raised a brow. It was a surprise that John had stayed away when she asked him to. But she was determined to report to the cops if he showed up at her doorstep back then. Now, three months had passed. It would be a big joke if he thought she would let him in again. John chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Our reunion went a lot better in my head.” His eyes darted through the dimly lit porch. Her lips pulled into a deep line of scowl. Reunion? After what had happened? The memories of the past twisted her inside into a tight knot.Her grip clenched around the doorknob. “Can you at least invite me in?” John raised a hopeful brow.“No.” she gripped the door’s edge and closed it in on her body, leavi