We are quietly steering in the rain, heading home after a long but fabulous day. We were so engaged in chit-chatting and watching movies that we lost count of time. It was only past ten that we decided to say goodbye. Unfortunately, the kids had fallen asleep, and the rain was pouring like hell. It still is. It took Rita and her husband a lot of persuasion to get Andy to agree to leave his daughter with them for the night. The guy went berserk at their proposal at first. I even thought they were unnecessarily squandering their energy and time, but eventually, his paternal humour won over his stubbornness, and he finally gave in, albeit unwillingly. We are still at odds with this niggar, but I am nonetheless pleased that he did what was adequate for Angel. I mean, I personally am shuddering just at the sheer notion of the cold outside, so what more a little girl like Angel? It wasn't worth the trouble, especially if it entailed disturbing her sleep. So here we are now, permeating our
"It's one thing for me to say all the dirt I fucking want, but it's another thing for you to go all dirty on me. You get that?" Everything stands still—the clock stops ticking, all the fury I was feeling a while ago for this guy fades away, and the stars in the sky align to witness this beautiful and peaceful domineering moment. I feel like I have been born again in his sweet, strong arms. I feel so warm despite the coldness surrounding us. He leans in closer to my face, sealing the gap between our faces and feeding me his rich-scented pheromones. Despite the heat burning my face, I force my eyes to gawk into his dark brown ones, seductively staring at my lips. I swallow hard as my lips part willingly with desire—the desire for this man.The sensation of his hand taking a slow, soothing stroll up and down my back is like a seducing lullaby, and I give in to its irresistible magic. As he leans closer, brushing his tempting sugar lips on my trembling, destitute ones, I shut my eyes, su
"Hey!" He whispers while on top of me, and I stroke his jaws to let him know that I can hear him. "I will feel like a complete jerk if you don't look at me." I know I have called him a jerk several times. I also don't know how it feels to be a jerk, but I know that it isn't a good feeling at all. I don't want him to feel anything like that after praising me so much while preserving my purity. How is that even possible? He is such a magical pleasure. I never knew something like that really existed until a while ago. I gather the little courage and strength left in me after all the trembling and moaning, and I open my eyes, meeting his. "Tell me you are okay." He asks the moment my eyes meet his, and I slowly nod, which makes him smile. "Are you okay?" I ask as my hand drops slowly to his chin, caressing his lower lip with my thumb.He looks at me without saying anything, and then he leans and gives me one last kiss, which I welcome gladly. "Thank you." He hums. I show him the most b
He gives me a quick glance, then he looks away, staring into space for a couple of minutes before dropping his hand on top of the duvet. I take his hand into mine and put my other hand on top of it, soothing him. "Some other time, please?" He looks at me, his eyes pleading with me not to insist, and I understand him. It must still hurt to talk about his life, or maybe he doesn't trust me with his secrets. That time will surely come, Andy, and I will be here waiting to listen to all your worries and fears, because I know those are the things holding you back from trusting again. "Okay. Forget everything else. Can you tell me how you became a filthy billionaire? You should be so proud of everything you have accomplished in life. Everybody in the world would want to be where you are." I smile at him, and he smiles back, brightening up a little. "Filthy, huh?" He asks with the most genuine smile I have ever seen on him. "This is all about God plus my handwork. I have built the AA empire
Curse this freaking alarm! Jeez! Is it morning already? I feel like I just took forty winks. I slept so late last night because today is charity event day, and I decided to make some snacks for the kids. I learned from Andy that both children's homes' have a total of 120 children, so I made about 150 cupcakes. I left about ten for today's breakfast and packed the rest. I did not want to tell anyone that I was going to prepare something, so I waited until Andy retired to bed so that I could start preparing my surprise. And that is how I found myself going to bed for twenty to forty minutes. I went to bed in the morning, and I had to wake up early in the morning. I hope he likes my surprise, though. I stop the alarm, kick my warm duvet aside, and get out of bed. It's seven in the morning, a perfect time to make breakfast. As the host, Andy should be at the venue by twelve to receive the quests, and we are all going together. I change from my pyjamas to a black sleeveless dress after t
We are in the foyer, at around four thirty in the evening, with glasses of juice in our hands, waiting for Andy to come and give his vote of thanks so that we can call it a day. The day has been a joyous one. We had incredible fun with the kids. Gosh! I can't even recall the last time I fiddled with children the way I did today. I engaged with them in almost every recreation, including hide and seek, which was the most incredibly fantastic because Andy deliberately called me from my hiding place so that his daughter could win. He will pay for that later, I swear. All the same, I think that was the highlight of the fun. Thereupon, I assembled all the children and disseminated the cupcakes, and Andy notified me later that someone paid a generous amount for them, which will be part of the donation. I did not have that kind of idea when I was making the cupcakes. All I wanted was to gift kids with something, but nevertheless, I am so delighted that I somehow helped boost funds for the ki
I am in love—deeply in love—with the impossible Adrian Ashton. Or, should I say, the broken Andy?Days have gone by since the day we went to that charity event. Despite the disturbing, contradicting emotions of seeing my ex in the most unexpected place, I came home enthusiastic that day because my sweet, handsome crush, Andy, had promised that we would talk about the kissing that has become addictive to both of us. I was so eager to know why he kisses me every day with so much passion. I was ecstatic about understanding his true feelings for me. Finally, I would know what he really wants from me. On getting home, Andy became distant. He did not want to talk. We did not even have coffee together that day. He went directly to his office, and when I went to ask him if we could talk, all I got was the annoying "I am busy" response. He did not even look at me. He did not care to ask what I wanted to say. He did not even tell me that we would talk later. No. He just dismissed me by burying
"W.h.a.t?" I stammer, feeling confused. "Turn around," she asserts. What the heck is she up to? I do as she asks, albeit with dismay, and I meet with the only person I was hiding from. Right in front of me stands my tormentor, my.... What the hell is he doing here? Did this bitch friend of mine set me up? Did...I turn to look at my phone in my hands, and wow! Just wow! My friend hung up on me a long time ago. Ooh, I will kill that bitch friend of mine! How dare she? She better... "So you want to forget me, huh? Can you?" So he was listening to our conversation? Shit! I did not want this. Damn you, Rita!All the same, I think it's high time I show him what Tania Marie Lawson is made of. How dare he challenge me? Is he enjoying toying with me this way? Is he taking pleasure in torturing me with these stupid kisses of his? I hear his footsteps getting closer, and I stand up to face him this time around with all my guards on. I won't be swayed by his sweet, cold talks or anythi
As I tap my stilettos at a tortoise pace on the red carpet down the aisle, my lips are curved up to an expansive, salacious smile. All my senses are receptive, attesting to the happiest day of my life. The day I bid goodbye to my youth and embrace marriage and all the commitments that come with it. I'm neither apprehensive nor fearful, and I am not walking into this with any of the myths out there about marriages. I know mine will not be like any other, and that is the difference. Life with Andy has been blissful for those eight months I have known him, despite the drawbacks and challenges, and I have no qualms that this is yet another onslaught to a heavenly incredible life. This, conclusively, is my sunniest day under the face of the earth, and it will infinitely be nurtured in my heart, alongside all the days I have had and ever will spend with my better half. The man who melts my heart even without a word or any action. All I need is to think of him or cast a glance at him, and ev
"Ooh, I said I could walk, Daddy. Just put me down." Angel snorts to her dad after we get out of the car, making us all laugh. She is acting all tough and strong for someone who just left the hospital, but we are all happy that she isn't now experiencing much pain. At least her attitude doesn't say that. "Are you sure you can walk, princess?" Andy and his worries as he puts her down, albeit unwillingly. "Of course, daddy. Princesses are strong, right?" She chirps, taping her feet on the ground and walking a few steps ahead of us as we watch her. "See, I can walk." "Okay, but just be careful, okay? Don't run." She smiles as she leads us inside the house, marching with so much vigour. She must have been so exhausted from being constrained in that hospital bed. I would be as overjoyed if I were her.Stepping inside, she stops just a step away from the door, her eyes darting around to the new faces awaiting her inside—my family. We walk in, Andy and I standing on her sides. "Hi, cuti
FAST FORWARD. TWO DAYS LATER We park at the hospital's parking lot and step out, Andy hooking his hand around my small waist as we make our way to Angel's room. He is becoming so overprotective as the days go by, and I can't lie that I don't like it. As I had anticipated, the news of our baby has blown his mind. It seems like an accomplishment for him, and I can't be less enthusiastic. As early as now, I can't wait to hold my cute little angel in my arms when it's born. I just can't wait. We stroll to where Ambrose and Rita are perched on the leather couch just outside the door, and they stand to acknowledge our presence. They have been of tremendous help these past three days. We have been alternating shifts to watch over Angel, and for that, among many other things, like bundling me to my prince charming, I will always be indebted to them. They are indeed friends worth keeping. We hug them and rack in front of them. This guy beside me has been procrastinating on talking to them f
"So, we have this entire house to ourselves, baby." Andy says this as we make our way out of the shower in our master bedroom. Apparently, he bought a new house for my family to stay in, as we couldn't have accommodated them all here. Well, we would have, but he just has some stringent beliefs of his, which I concede. Like, how could we let my parents sleep in a room that has been used? It's not right. I applaud him for his wise sentiments. We haven't discussed anything with them yet because they suggested we get a little sleep and some freshening up first before we can talk. Sleep huh! It's not like there is a case or a motion to dispute it. It's just the formal introduction and some clarifications here and there. Mina and Mira needed a lot of rest too, so my parents chaperoned them to the house Andy got for them, while Rita and Ambrose stayed back to watch Angel. We don't have much time since we know Angel will inquire about us when she wakes up, but our desires can't just let thi
We all stand up when the door to Angel's room opens, with the doctor standing in front of us. We are all here—all my family members and also Rita and her husband. Andy called them up, though they haven't conversed, but at least they feel appreciated even by just being here. "Well, doc? How did it go?" I ask because Andy seems to be contemplating something that I don't know. "It went well, Mr. Ashton. The transfusion was a success." The doctor replies, causing us all to relax. Everyone was tense. "Can we see her now?" I ask after breathing out a sigh of relief. "Sure, but don't bother her so much as she needs a lot of rest. Only two people at a time." The doctor says this and excuses himself. My parents nod at me, implying that Andy and I go in first. That was deduced. We are her parents anyway, and we just can't introduce them to her in her hospital bed. I looked at Andy. He is still lost, to the point that I had to shake him to reality. "Let's go in." I ask, afraid of what he lo
My family pulls me for a family bear hug the moment they get out of the car. I missed them so much, and I am so glad that they have arrived safely. I was really worried because Damian is still on the loose. You can't trust crazy maniacs like him. You just can't tell what way they would use to get back at you. But finally, I am at peace. I pill away, and their eyes fall to the bandage on my head, my mother's hands travelling to it. "My dear." "How are you all?" "We are okay, Tania. How are you?" Father responds? "I'm okay. We are okay." "Hi, everyone." Andy greets me from behind me and allows them to exchange pleasantries. He still hasn't said anything about Angel, and I am afraid of asking him anything. I fear for the poor kid, and I want to believe that he is just going through an emotional crisis that won't last long. "Babe?" He calls, and I look up at him, Mina and Mira standing beside him. "I'll just show them to the doctor." He explains. "Okay." I respond, and then he tu
"You don't know what a cranky and stringent jerk that jerk of yours is, Tania." Ambrose speaks. "Hey! Watch your mouth, will you? If he hears you, we are done!" Rita warns.What will I do about these three? They surely can't continue like this. "Is there anything else that you two aren't telling us, Tania?" Ambrose is the first one to speak, and guessing by the pregnant look on his wife's face, I know she has tons of questions too. "Yes, Tania. Why can't any of you donate blood to Angel? And why is Adrian acting so overly protective of you? We've been watching from a distance, and you two are acting weirdly odd. What's up? Is there a problem?" Huh, these two! I understand their worry, but still, I'm not opening my mouth. "Come on, Tania! The situation isn't that bad to shut us out like this." Ambrose pleads, his worry and concern palpable in his voice. "I still don't understand what your faces are doing here because our agreement still stands." Whoa!They cower back in fear agai
"Don't you at least need to sit down, babe? You are pacing too much, and that is not good for you." Andy says. Huh! See why I refused to tell him right away? What will pacing do to a one-month-old foetus? Goodness! I have heard stories of expectant women participating in and winning running marathons. But to Adrian Ashton, pacing, standing, or anything at all except eating is not good for me. Leave aside that for now, because I know I have not seen anything yet, but how on earth can even I stop this freaking pacing if no one is picking up my calls for the tenth time back at home? Where the heck is that family of mine when I need them the most? "Still no response, Andy! What are we going to do?" I ask, worry washing over me. My twin sisters are the only hope we have right now to save Angel, but I can't get a hold of them. Who the hell is with that damn phone? "Relax, babe! Just sit first." Huh, this Andy again. He guides me to the leather seat and assists me to crouch down with ca
"Tania!"I turn around to hear the voice of Rita behind me, her husband beside her. They are shocked at my state. "Ambrose. Please find doctor Shannia and ask her to take you to where Andy is taking a bath. " I say, and he turns around on his long strands. I hope he arrives in time to find Andy still in the bathroom. Otherwise, it would be impossible to get him back there again. "How are you, my friend?" Tania speaks before I can forget that there is someone around me. I need comfort. I need a friend, and she has always been the only one.I fall into her arms, and she hugs me tight, the weight of what I have been carrying for the last couple of hours coming out in drops of tears. I rest on her chest until I realize I am almost soaking her top wet with my tears. I pull away. "I am so afraid, Rita." I mutter, keeping my sobs at bay and drying some of my tears. "Everything will be fine, Tania." She consoles. "When, Rita? Every time we think this is about to be over, something happe