The day of Herod and his wife Eliana's welcome party has arrived. I'm excited to see that cousin of mine again and meet his wife. Eliana's luck with my cousin Herod was indeed incomparable, apart from being rich, he is handsome and very loving. That's why I was afraid that he would win my wife's heart because Athara might see in him what I couldn't give her in those days and that was love without holding back. "Papa, are you going to uncle's party? Tell him that I miss him and ask him about the gift that I asked for from him.""Yes, son. Stay with your grandma and listen to her. Do not bring your siblings outside, alright?""Yes, papa."As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city, I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my new elegant suit that hung perfectly on my frame. I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building up within me - tonight was the night of the welcome home party for my cousin Herod and his wife Eliana. I had been eagerly looking forwa
The dimly lit atmosphere of the bar was only highlighted by the flickering neon lights that adorned the walls and the faint tunes of jazz that drifted through the air. Here, in the depths of my solitude, I found solace among the solitary souls who sought refuge in the enticing embrace of liquor. My whiskey glass sat idly in front of me, its contents swaying gently with each tremor of my hand.As I raised my weary gaze, my eyes fell upon her – Eliana. She was a vision of grace, her eyes gleaming with a depth that seemed to hold centuries of untold stories. Time stood still as I observed her from across the crowded bar, captivating my gaze and drawing me closer with an irresistible force.With each passing moment, the resemblance grew stronger, and my heart pounded in my chest, almost deafeningly. The beautiful stranger had become an enigma, a haunting reflection of my past. Athara, my wife, who had left my life so abruptly, seemed to resurrect herself within the curves and contours of
She couldn't speak because of my mentioned name."Athara?!""I am not Athara. I will never be someone I haven't met in person. Let go of my hand," she said.I kept staring at her while my hands were still holding her wrist. I didn't want to let her go. I know that there was something wrong with Eliana's personality. She was hiding something, I can sense that. I feel like she was my wife Athara. As I held Eliana's hand tightly, my mind raced with confusion and uncertainty. There was a familiarity in her eyes that I couldn't place, a connection that seemed unbreakable. I needed to discover the truth, to unravel this mystery that consumed my thoughts.In the sanctuary of the toy store's corner, hushed whispers mingled with the murmur of childlike laughter. It was the perfect place to seek answers, hidden away from curious onlookers and prying eyes. With cautious steps, I tugged gently on Eliana's hand, urging her to sit on a small, colorful bench tucked beneath a shelf of stuffed animal
As I sat there in my dimly lit living room, the bitterness of the alcohol mingled with the sadness that had settled within me, threatening to drown me. The room felt heavy, suffocating, as if the weight of the unresolved truth hung in the air. The DNA test results between Eliana and Athro, my son, had left me shattered and lost, unable to accept the outcome.The glass in my hand trembled slightly as I took another sip, attempting to numb the pain that seemed to seep into every corner of my being. The liquid burned as it went down my throat, but I welcomed the discomfort, hoping that somehow, it would provide me with the clarity I so desperately sought.At that moment, Mother Tanna, with her gentle demeanor and her eyes filled with wisdom, appeared at the doorway. It seemed as if the universe had heard my silent pleas and sent her to offer me solace."My son. Theron, I can see that you're torn apart," Mother Tanna spoke, her voice carrying the weight of years spent navigating the compl
I stepped out of the company building, grateful for the day's work coming to an end. The weight of responsibility slowly lifted from my shoulders as I headed towards my car, my mind drifting towards the warmth and comfort of home. The wheels turned swiftly as I navigated through the bustling streets, each passing minute bringing me closer to the sanctuary where my heart belonged.As I approached our house, I caught sight of my three children running towards me with unbridled joy. Their laughter filled the air, and my weary eyes sparked with love and excitement at their mirthful presence. They had grown accustomed to the fact that their mother was no longer among us, but their infectious happiness assured me that they had found solace in one another.My eldest son, Athro, was the first to reach me. His tiny arms wrapped themselves tightly around my waist, embracing me with a ferocity that could only be matched by the bond we shared. Moment came the twins, Triumph and Wisdom, their misc
As I walked through the bustling mall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness emanating from within. The air was laced with a delightful mix of fragrances, ranging from freshly brewed coffee to the delectable aroma of cinnamon buns. The sound of chatter and laughter filled the air, blending harmoniously with the melodic tunes playing softly in the background. It was a perfect day for a family outing, and I was grateful to have my loved ones by my side.Triumph and Wisdom, my mischievous twins, never ceased to amaze me with their boundless energy. Their tiny hands clutched tightly onto their grandmother's, guiding her as they darted through the mall, giggling with unrestrained joy. Mother Tanna, ever the patient and graceful woman, smiled adoringly at her mischievous grandchildren. Her gentle gaze reminded me of Athara, my beloved wife who had left us all too soon. Though a tinge of sadness lingered deep within me, it was moments like these that helped heal the wounds and bring c
As I lay in bed, the weight of my late wife Athara's absence weighed heavily on my heart. The thought of loving someone else seemed unfathomable, impossible even. Athara had been my rock, my soulmate, and the standard by which I measured all others. How could anyone else compare?Unable to find peace in my thoughts, I reluctantly rose from my bed. The moon cast a soft glow through the window, illuminating the path to the living room. I followed it, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of the dimly lit space.To my surprise, Mother Tanna was already there, perched on the couch. Her kind eyes met mine, a mix of concern and understanding evident in her gaze. "Why are you still awake, son?" she asked, her voice a gentle whisper.I sighed, sinking down beside her. "Athara was the standard, Mother Tanna. How can I ever hope to find someone who could compare to her?"She wrinkled her hand and reached out to pat mine, offering a silent reassurance. "Love has a way of surprising us, my dear.
The sun had already set, casting a subtle glow on the city as I left the office, tired but eager to put my work behind me. As I walked towards the parking lot, my mind churned with thoughts of Eliana, my enigmatic companion. We had grown close over the past few weeks, and tonight, I suggested we go to a restaurant to delve deeper into her past. Little did I know that our conversation would take a remarkable turn.We arrived at the restaurant, where the soft lighting and ambiance created a warm and intimate atmosphere. Eliana's eyes sparkled in the dim light, and as we sat down at our table, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity. But it wasn't Eliana I felt sitting across from me; it was my late wife, Athara.My heart raced, and I had to remind myself that this was merely a coincidence. Athara had passed away two years ago, a tragedy that still haunted me. But Eliana's uncanny resemblance was unsettling. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to th
Two years had come and gone since the untimely passing of my beloved husband, Theron. The pain of his absence still reverberated within me, but life went on, as it always does. I found solace in the comforting arms of our three children, Wisdom, Triumph, and Athro. Together, we stood strong, leaning on one another as we navigated the unpredictable journey of grief.In this time of sorrow, there was one constant source of support that held us all together: Mother Tanna. She had been my rock throughout this tumultuous period, offering her unwavering love and guidance when I needed it the most. Tanna had known Theron since we were young, and her bond with our family was unbreakable.On a sunny afternoon, as rays of golden light filtered through a canopy of trees, I found myself standing before Theron's grave. The marble headstone, etched with his name and the dates that bookended his life, stood as a somber reminder of our loss. I gently traced his name with my fingertips, a bittersweet
My heart was beating even faster than before. Earlier, the police with Theron were shooting against Herod's men. "Athara, are you still there?""Y-Yes, Theron. Are there more enemies?""Ugh...damn," Theron moaned weakly but surely in pain, making me stand up without thinking that an enemy might see me."Theron? What happened to you? Are you hurt?!" I asked him worriedly. "I-I am not," he said even though it was obvious that he was hurt. I held tightly to the end of the cement beds. Now I realize where I am. I was inside the morgue of this abandoned hospital. "Theron, do not lie! Are you hurt? Don't hide anything from me, Theron! What's happening to you?!""N-Nothing! Don't worry because I'm fine. The best thing you can do is to stay there and not come out!"I walked out of the morgue, my heart pounding in my chest. The sound of gunshots still echoed through the empty halls of the abandoned hospital, but my thoughts were solely focused on Theron. I knew deep down that he had been s
My right hand trembled as it swam inside my bag. I pulled my hand back when I caught the object I intended to pick up from it. It was my phone. I let out a sigh when my phone was in front of my face. "Love, we can not go ahead with the plan if you hesitate. We'll just find another way to catch Herodotus," Theron said to me as he grabbed my left hand that had fallen to the side of my body. I looked at him and smiled. "Theron, I don't hesitate. I just can't help but feel nervous and scared."He positioned himself behind me. He hugged me while his chin rested on my shoulder. "We can talk to Officer Lucas," he continued. I shook my head before facing him. I know that he was full of concern for me. The worries in his eyes were readable."I can't back down, Theron. It's here. We're here. If Herodotus doesn't put an end to his evil, I ... we will."He just smiled and pulled me closer to him. He gave me a tight hug. My nervousness and fear gradually disappeared because of my husband's hu
It was noticeable that my husband was not very energetic. I didn't talk to him and I didn't apologize after I slapped him. I'm tired of the setup of our life. It's tiring to hide. I think it's better to live like other people, that's why I've made up my mind to coordinate with the police to make Herodotus' greed over. I informed Mother Tanna of my plan. We are now sitting on a sofa. We are next to each other. My right hand was locked between her two palms. We stared at each other at this time. "Have you really made up your mind to do this thing, child?""Mother Tanna, I'm not backing down anymore. This is for my family. This is for all of us. I know it's scary but it's not right that we'll be afraid forever. I've always wanted all of this to end," I said. You can see the fear in Mother Tanna's eyes. He pressed holding my hand. "Child, how about your husband?"I pressed my lips together. I breathed deeply. "He's against my decision, mother. We haven't spoken for a few days after I
I kept staring at Lucas. I just saw his mouth open but what he was saying didn't sink into my mind. "What?"He adjusted his seat. "What I said is let's make your wife a bait. Athara is what he wanted to get from you, right? If he agrees to meet Athara, then surely that will be our chance to catch him completely."I stood up and immediately shook my head. His way of arresting Herodotus was wrong. My wife will be destroyed the way he wants. There's nonway I would let Athara be in that unsecured plan! "I'm sorry, Lucas. I won't bet my wife on this. What if my wife gets hurt? No way. I can't afford to lose Athara."Lucas gave me a blank look. I know he wants to go ahead with the plan. It was obvious to him that he wanted to convince me. "Look, Theron. Athara is the only way we can catch Herodotus. Security is tight at his house and I'm sure it will be difficult for us to get close to him because he is cunning.""I don't want Athara to be involved—""I will allow myself to be the bait
The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm golden glow across the city streets. It had been a long day, and I was eager to head home and find solace in the sanctuary of my humble abode. I stepped out of the office building, briefcase in hand, ready to leave this chaotic world behind.As I made my way towards the parking lot, a familiar unease nestled in the pit of my stomach. Glancing in the side mirror of my car, I caught a glimpse of a sleek, black sedan parked a few meters away. A chill ran down my spine as I recognized the license plate – it was Herodotus' car.Herodotus. The name alone sent shivers down my spine and evoked memories of a painful past. He was a man filled with darkness, an insidious force who sought to claim what was rightfully mine. And now, it seemed that he was lurking in the shadows once again, like a wolf patiently stalking its prey.I knew I couldn't afford to be complacent. Herodotus was relentless, a force to be reckoned with. He wouldn't stop until
I glanced over at Athara as she fastened her seatbelt. The worry etched on her face was plain to see. Herodotus's relentless pursuit had reached a dangerous level, and it was imperative that we stay together, even on a simple trip to the store. With a deep breath, I mustered up the courage to voice my concerns."Athara," I began softly, "we need to stick together. I don't want to alarm you, but Herodotus is looking for you. He's become obsessed, and I fear he might try to take you away."Athara's eyes widened, and I could see fear creeping into her gaze. I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her arm, hoping to convey some semblance of comfort."I will, Theron. Don't worry" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What does he want with me anymore? He got your company and the trust of the board."I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The truth was too complicated, too painful. Herodotus's motives remained shrouded in mystery, his obsession with Athara unfathomable."S
The water kissed my skin as I was under the shower. Tears were sprouting in the corner of my eyes and slowly forming transparent balls before they were rolling down my face. I knew that it would come to happen. I already accepted the fact that I couldn't please the board and they would wish me to leave my position, but I am not used to it. I remembered the moment that Mommy Thaira and Daddy Rondelle gave me the power to take care of the company. I poured my whole being into the company to improve it and achieve goals. I was the reason why the company was on top now. There are many things I want to happen and achieve as the CEO of the company, but I know they will never happen. I no longer have the right to decide what is good for the company because I am no longer in charge of it. I don't know why the board didn't want daddy to be the CEO again. What they really wanted was Herodotus. They chose Herodotus who was greedy and a traitor to lead the company. After I finished taking a
As the sun stretched its golden rays across the room, casting a warm glow over the embrace between Mommy Thaira, Daddy Rondelle, and our children, my heart swelled with a mixture of joy and apprehension. It had been days since their visit, and I had been eagerly awaiting this moment, longing to be in the presence of the ones who had showered me with love and affection. Little did I know that their visit would bring unsuspected turns, unraveling a tangled web of emotions.The laughter of our children echoed in the air as they clung tightly to their grandparents, their innocent faces filled with pure delight. "We miss you so much, kiddos!""We miss you too, granny and grappa!"It was a beautiful sight, one that filled my soul with immense gratitude that they had found such unconditional love in Mommy and Daddy. But beneath the joyous reunion, an underlying tension pulsed, making my heart race with anticipation.After the initial flurry of affectionate greetings, Mommy and Daddy asked f