Victoria We got out of the car and Nathan threw his arm over my shoulder and led me toward the door. People greeted us as we passed by and I honestly wasn't used to this. As we got inside, though, Nathan basically pushed me to the side as he spotted Milo walking through the crowd, cup in hand. Nathan tried going in for a hug but an annoyed Milo placed a hand on his forehead and pushed him away. He instead came over to me, hugging me tightly with a smile then taking a sip from his cup."Where's the Serial Killer?" He asked and I knew that he was referring to Landon, making me laugh."Doing what Serial Killers do, I guess." I replied jokingly and he chuckled, watching as Lana pulled a bottle of alcohol out of her purse."Um, Miss, you know there's alcohol here, right?" He gave her a weird look as he spoke, as did the rest of us and she shook her head."This is different. This is Infused." She told him and a smirk grew on his face."Damn, Mami," He chuckled, taking another sip from this
Victoriå"I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable," He said in an almost genuine tone, giving me a sad look before he smirked again. "I just can't seem to help myself when you're around." He chuckled darkly, his hands landing on my waist.I instantly pushed them away and took a step back, shaking my head at him."Milo, Stop." I said, knowing what would happen if he didn't.My phone started ringing in my hand and before I could answer it, Milo grabbed it and threw it across the street, now staring at me with an angry look plastered all over his once calm face."That's rude, Rhee. We're talking." He said angrily, referring to the fact that I was about to answer the phone and I took another step back."Listen, you're dru-"I was cut off by him grabbing my waist again and attempting to kiss me. With all the strength I had in me, I pushed him away and quickly turned, walking across the street to retrieve my phone. As I bent down to grab it, pain shot through my scalp as my hair was grabbed a
Victoria I went up the stairs which glowed red under each step, looking extremely fancy due to the design of the staircase. I went to the door at the end of the hall, knowing that Landon's room was usually in that very position. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door before I turned the handle, pushing it open just enough to look inside.The room was dark, my eyes having to adjust to that before I even tried to see. Scanning the really large bedroom, I spotted a silhouette sitting by the huge window, where you could see the city. He seemed as though he just came back from somewhere, as he wore a shirt that had been buttoned down and his tie hung loosely around his neck.He sat on a chair and was leaned all the way back, his elbow propped on the armrest and a cigarette nestled neatly between his fingers. He was looking back at me, obviously expecting me and I shut the door and walked toward him. But the closer I got, I started breaking down as the events of tonight really soaked
VictoriåI stood there, staring back at him in the mirror with an unsure look plastered across my face. I was hesitant to say anything, just in case it costed me in the end. But if I stayed silent about what Milo had confessed, he'd use that to his advantage. Landon shook his head and stepped away then grabbed a suit, hanging it in the middle of the closet then grabbing some shoes and putting them next to it.I chose to be vague, giving myself time to spit out the truth slowly."There's this guy that I started getting this really weird vibe from," I explained, walking back out into the bedroom and sitting on the bed. "And I wanted to leave because of it."He walked past me and sat on the chair by the window, a stone cold look on his face as he stared at me."He admitted some really terrible stuff to me and told me that I couldn't tell anyone," I continued, playing with a strand of my own black hair. "Or my friends would end up dead and so would I." "Tell me who it is." His deep voice
Victoria I sighed and stripped out of my remaining clothing, stepping into the shower and allowing my worries to disappear for just a second. When I was finished, I put my clothes into the hamper there and dried off my skin, walking out of the bathroom to find Landon standing in the closet, trying to adjust his tie. Shaking my head, I went over and stood in front of him, smacking his hands away and undoing whatever it was that he had tried to do.His hands dropped to my hips and he looked at me seriously for a long time. I couldn't even begin to guess what was going through his head and when I was finished, he still didn't let me go."You know why I'm doing this, right?" He asked nonchalantly and I gave him a small, sad smile.As bad as he was at times, I knew he had his reasons. It was clear that he only became angered when I didnt see things the same was he did. And it was evident that he only did the things he did to protect me."Yeah. It's only fair." I replied, my eyes dropping
VictoriåHe didn't respond immediately and I went over to sit next to him, but instead he grabbed my hand and pulled me down so that now, I straddled his lap. I instinctively grabbed his shoulders to steady myself and he grabbed his phone from his pocket, dialing a number without even looking at the screen before holding the phone to his ear.He then spoke in Italian to the person on the other end of the call, not giving them a chance to reply when he ended the call and threw his phone on the seat next to us. He left one arm on the chair behind him and the other arm wrapped around my waist."What are you going to do about your friend?" He asked emotionlessly, referring to Milo and I shrugged."I'll figure it out." I replied quietly and he rolled his eyes, a sigh leaving his lips before he spoke again."This is the last time I'm helping you, Victoria." He told me and I shook my head."I don't want you to help me this time." I responded genuinely, knowing that I put myself here.He star
Victoria "My husband was a really terrible man. He abused the both of us until I couldn't take it anymore. I got us out of there, even if it meant sleeping on the street." That brought me back to my 'mother', and how she always promised that we'd leave soon. But she never wanted to leave it seemed, treasuring the man she once loved so much."I was just here, wondering where our next meal would come from and," She paused, genuinely crying as she looked down at the bags. "Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much." She thanked him and he stared at her for a while before nodding.Then he walked back over to me and I looked at him proudly, giving him a thumbs up but instead, he lowered his head and turned it to the side slightly, making me laugh before I kissed his cheek."Have you learned nothing?" I asked him and he shrugged.I went over to the lady and grabbed the bills from inside of my pocket, handing it to her. It was just over two hundred dollars but I knew she'd need it much more than I
VictoriåWe got to the Shelter and I got out as they started carrying the stuff inside. I took Landon's hand as he slipped his sunglasses off and dragged him inside with me. But I was positive that he walked slower just to make me think that I was actually dragging him.Inside, there were a lot of women. Some spoke to each other while others kept to themselves and their children. A lot of them had babies and I smiled as the owner approached us with a welcoming smile."Miss Rhee," He greeted kindly, coming in for a hug before he saw the look on Landon's face. "Slater, Sir." He cleared his throat awkwardly and I fought the urge to laugh.I elbowed Landon and his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me backward so that I stood directly in front of him."Thank you guys so much. The women here really needed this." He explained, motioning toward the smiling women who saw all of the stuff we had gotten them. "It's our pleasure." I replied with a smile, watching as a lady approached us with h
Landon"That's how I met her."His eyes glistened as they looked back at me, a look of curiosity washing across his face. His eyes drifted toward the water, then made their way back up to mine. "My mommy?" His little voice asked, a smile growing on his face as he thought about her and I nodded. "I miss her." He looked down and I rolled my eyes."What have I taught you?" I questioned, staring back at him emotionlessly and he nodded."No weakness." He said and I nodded, standing up. He got up as well, looking at me for a while before he hugged my legs tightly. He wasn't like me. No matter how much I tried training him to not show emotion, he always seemed to do the opposite. He was like her in every way. The excessive kindness, the everyday happiness and the random affection. He'd hug everyone and everything in his path and there was no stopping him. His eyes were a greenish grey and his hair was dark and he had most of my features"Come on." I told him, placing my hand on his head. H
LandonI stared at the painting in front of me, wondering how I got to this point. The house felt empty now. There was nothing to come home to other than our son. I couldn't even sleep in our bedroom anymore. Her things there had stayed the same. Her blanket was still in the same spot she left it and everything there smelled like her.Everytime I looked at the baby I saw her, hating the fact that she wasn't here to help me. I didn't get any sleep as he constantly needed to be fed or changed and I had to do this all on my own. I didn't trust anyone to care for him, knowing that he was the last thing I had gotten from her. No one knew what he looked like. I kept him hidden from people that were just looking for another story. I got off of the chair and walked up the stairs to his room. As I entered, I found that his big green eyes were now opened and he was just moments away from crying. His legs kicked the air as he laid on his stomach, his hands grabbing at the blanket. I watched her
Victoria The door opened again and I looked up to find Landon walking in, his eyebrows arched more than usual and I knew that he was angry. "What's wrong?" I asked, pulling the blanket further up onto my body and he looked at me."I can't do this." He shook his head almost frustratedly. I pointed to the chair next to my bed and he stood there for a while before sighing and running a hand through his hair. He came over and sat, crossing his arms over his chest and I knew he was trying to suppress his emotions.I motioned for him to lean closer before cupping his face in my hand, my arm too weak to even lift properly. I stroked his cheek with my thumb and gave him a small smile."You have your whole life ahead of you, Landon," I paused, another sharp pain hitting me in my chest. "You have to move on, okay? For me.""No." He replied curtly, his tone dark and I sighed, expecting nothing less from him."Landon, you can't hold onto this forever. You'll torture yourself." "No, Victoria."
Victoria I laid on the bed, looking at the ceiling blankly. A tear rolled down my cheek as I finally allowed myself to cry because I was alone. There was no one around to be strong for. I was in so much pain. My brain screamed for it to just end and I sniffled as another tear fell. The surgery was scheduled just mere minutes away as they didn't want to risk me passing and the baby dying as well. I knew that this was it. It had to be.There was this bitter taste in my mouth as I laid there. The only sound heard was the beeping of the monitor and my breathing which was loud due to the oxygen mask. They had prepared me for surgery already and my friends were here. They'd be allowed to come in soon to say their final goodbyes and it was this moment that made me realize that I didn't want to go. I prayed and hoped that by some miracle I'd survive this but I knew better. There was no way.Landon was outside making a call and I wiped away my tears quickly as the door opened. Mia and the o
Victoria I was still strong despite my condition. My body was weak and my stomach was heavy but I still managed to build enough strength to walk. It was hard, but I didn't mind. At least I was still around for now. I was supposed to be moving around in a wheelchair but frankly, that just made me feel worse. I continued to do interviews and there were tons of articles covering my life. Even the news kept up with it because it was genuinely a really rare thing to happen. I wanted to see the ocean before I went to the hospital, knowing that this would be the last time I see the world.He walked back into the Living Room a while later and turned the TV on for me. Then he handed me the Jello Cup with a spoon and a napkin before he sat on the other couch and opened his laptop. He buried himself neck deep in work and I ate with my eyes shut, listening to the TV."Let's go to the park." I suggested randomly and he looked up from the screen.He shut his laptop and took it with him as he walk
VictoriåMonths laterToday was December 23rd, one day away from Landon's birthday. One day away from the end. I was surprised that I had made it this long. I laid in bed, my eyelids too heavy to lift. The oxygen mask on my face had been a constant thing since last month, as I couldn't really breathe on my own for more than an hour at a time.I was in more pain than I had ever been in, in my entire life. My stomach was huge now and my body was too weak to even handle its weight. I was already dealing with the pain of my cancer and the constant kicking and punching going on in there wasn't really helping.Tomorrow was the surgery. The baby would be here at just eight and a half months and that wasn't too bad. Definitely not preterm. I just prayed that everything went well. I knew the chances of me surviving this were literally zero and that was okay in my book. I knew that Landon was physically prepared.Over time he'd grown into a really great guy. He did everything for me before I ev
LandonI ran a hand through my hair as I sat in my bedroom, not knowing what anxiety felt like but if I had to make a guess, this would be it. She was out, spending time with her friends and I was on edge the entire time.The air around me smelled like Coconut and Vanilla, a scent I'd grown rather accustomed to. My dresser was now filled with her things; various different products which contributed to the room's scent. I got up, walking to the door and grabbing a shirt on the way out. I pulled it over my head as I descended the stairs, going to the kitchen. I sat behind the counter and checked my phone, seeing as there were still no calls or texts from her."Boss. Permission to speak?" Theo asked from behind me, staying where he was."Granted." I replied, taking a sip from my drink and listening as he approached."Mister Santos is outside." "My office." I got up, walking out of the kitchen and going into my office. I sat behind my desk just as they walked in. He hadn't changed much
She didn't need to tell me that. She made her decision a long time ago. I sighed, taking her hands off of my face and bringing them to my lips. "I want, what you want." I said and she smiled, smacking my cheek."Thank God. Because you didn't actually have a choice." She replied jokingly. She opened her arms, scooting to the edge of the bed and hugging me tightly. "What if I'm not a good father?" I asked nonchalantly as I placed my head in her neck and she breathed out a small laugh."Nobody's perfect." She tried reassuring me and I held her tightly, knowing what was to come in a few months."Would you hate me?" I questioned further and her arms around my neck tightened slightly."You're my wife, Landon. I can't hate you." She assured me and somehow, I felt better about everything. She managed to drag me into something new each month. Things I didn't think were possible for me suddenly began happening and I couldn't complain. "Now help me to the bathroom so I can let all of this hosp
LandonI sat, staring at her sleeping face as she laid on the hospital bed again. There was an oxygen mask on her face to help her breathe and even then her breathing was shallow. She had been asleep for a few hours and showed no signs of waking up any time soon.I took her hand, looking down at the ring on her finger. Her skin was pale now, every little scar she had turning purple. Her long eyelashes casted shadows on her cheeks. She looked peaceful as she slept and I sighed, leaning back in my seat.For the first time in my life, I felt hopeless. I could only watch as she got worse and I couldn't do anything about it. I was tired of seeing her in this room for weeks at a time. Tired of seeing her in pain everyday. She couldn't die. There was no way things would ever be the same without her. There'd be nothing to look forward to every day; nothing to look forward to in the future. No more excited smiles when I visited, no more late nights listening to her dreams, no more buying her