Aiden The room was cast in shadows, the dim light filtering through the curtains giving the space an ethereal quality. I lay there, tangled in the sheets, still lost in the remnants of a dream that felt too real. Her words echoed in my mind, haunting me with their sweetness. "I love you," she had said. Her hazel eyes bore into mine, a depth of emotion that left me breathless. Her light brown hair spilled over the pillow, framing her delicate features. Her lips, red and puffy, begged for a connection, a taste of something more profound. I was buried deep inside her, our bodies entwined in a dance of passion. In that moment, it felt like the universe had conspired to bring us together. But then, the dream took a cruel turn. The hazel eyes that had held so much love transformed into cold, indifferent blue. The lips I had longed to kiss turned thin and unfamiliar. The woman beneath me was no longer the one who made my heart race, the one I craved with a desperate longing. Guilt and
Aiden I felt an instant relief when I saw Drew's name flashed on the screen, and I groaned inwardly. I had no desire to speak to that bastard. Ignoring the call, I let it ring until it finally stopped. But it wasn't long before it rang again, persistent and annoying. With a resigned sigh, I reluctantly answered. "Just hear me out before you turn me down," Drew's voice came through the line, urgent and rushed. I remained silent, not willing to give him any indication that I was willing to listen. "It's about Laura, her health," he continued, his words catching my attention despite my reluctance. I felt a knot form in my stomach. Laura's health had always been fragile, her heart condition a constant source of worry for those who cared about her, myself included. If anything were to upset her, it could have dire consequences. "The doctor has warned us countless times that any news that upsets her could land her back in the hospital," Drew explained, his tone heavy with concern. "But
Aiden I had reluctantly promised Drew that I would talk to Val, but deep down, I knew it was a promise I might not be able to keep. I had made the call but my call had gone straight to decline and I knew she had my number on the block. I did try for other phones and landlines but none of my calls were picked. Val was a force to be reckoned with, the polar opposite of Laura in so many ways. She didn't take nonsense from anyone and had a tendency to shoot straight, right between the eyes. That fierce independence was what made her special, and it was also what made confronting her such a daunting task. Despite the challenges, the thought of Laura's fragile health deteriorating due to the revelation of the truth scared me enough to muster the courage to face Val. I loved them both, and the internal conflict tore me apart every time Val crossed my mind. I had inflicted more pain upon her than Drew ever did. Those words I uttered in the club, dismissing her feelings and revealing the cru
Valerie As I stood there in the reception area, the weight of guilt pressed upon my heart like a relentless force. I was doing this for Laura and Val both. It wasn't just because of Laura that I was seeing her. "Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, her voice snapping me back to the present moment. "No, I am her... boyfriend," I replied, the words feeling heavy and awkward as they left my lips. I could sense the smile on the receptionist's face falter slightly at my response. She didn't look much pleased at all. "Give me a second," she said, her tone shifting slightly as she reached for the phone and dialed a number. While she engaged in hushed conversation, I stood there awkwardly, my gaze drifting toward the entrance to the inner offices where Val's workspace resided. "Sir, why don't you sit down? Someone will be with you shortly. Ms. Caulfield is currently with a client," the receptionist informed me, her tone now tinged with a hint of reservation. Oblivious t
Valerie As I sat there in the upscale cafe, occupying a window seat with a view of the bustling street outside, I couldn't shake off the heavy weight of regret that hung over me like a dark cloud. This wasn't just any cafe; it was the kind where reservations were made months in advance, where the ambiance was refined, and where money spoke volumes. But none of that mattered to me in that moment. All I wanted was a chance to speak to Val, to make things right between us, or at least to let her know about Laura's condition. I glanced around the cafe, taking in the elegant decor and the laughter of diners enjoying their meals. A young couple passed by the window, their laughter and easy camaraderie reminding me of happier times with Val. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to indulge in memories of our short-lived happiness, of the moments when we were truly content in each other's company. But those moments were fleeting, replaced once again by the heavy burden of guilt that weighed
Valerie As I sat at my desk, trying to focus on my work, my mind was buzzing with a chaotic mix of emotions and thoughts. The conversation with Shay still echoed in my ears, her voice filled with excitement and determination. She seemed convinced that she had a solution to my problems, a way to finally bring the truth to light and find some semblance of satisfaction in the mess that my life had become. "I'm so fucking glad you did that, Val," Shay's voice rang through the phone, filled with an energy that was both infectious and intimidating. "Me too, I couldn't fucking go through it anymore. It was becoming fucking torturous," I replied, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders just by acknowledging the decision I had made. "I declare this as one of the best decisions of your life, Val," Shay exclaimed, her excitement palpable even through the phone line. "Thank you, but it still doesn't satisfy me. I think satisfaction can't come to me until the truth is out," I confessed, the wo
Valerie When I reached the cafe Shay was already there, but alone. Didn't she say she wants me to meet someone? Shrugging that thought away, I settled down beside her. She was busy reading something on her phone, that she didn't acknowledge my presence. She was too engrossed in her phone, and at that, I smiled like a cherished cat. Have you ever poked a person who is too engrossed into something? I have, and it's hilarious. Very slowly my finger travelled towards her waist. I was just this close to poking her, when she scared the hell out of me. "Don't even think about it?" She said, making me jump in my seat. My breath hitched in fear, and my hand rested over my heart. God, my own trick got used on me. "You scared me, Shay," I whisper- yelled. I was sure that I might have gained the attention of a few other people in the cafe. Shay smirked, making me smile. "I knew you would do something like this, so I learned a lesson from the last time, and made you believe that I was too bus
Valerie "I will let you publish it." My words loud and clear. "But I don't want mine or Aiden's name to be revealed. As much as I would like to destroy, him I don't want to. He was better than Drew, and even if he was a jerk? at least he told me the truth. You will write about him, but not reveal his name, just like mine, and to make the story better and bring more destruction to Drew's so clean image. I will give you the non-disclosure agreements that he had his mistresses sign. However, I would like to know one thing, Arnold. How can I trust you? What if you are one of Drew's men and all you told me was a story." He smiled. "Val, he isn't like that," Shay intruded. "No, it's alright. She is right. You are a scorned woman, Val. If I was in your place, I wouldn't have trusted myself. I came prepared for it, though." He took a folder out of his bag, and placed it in front of me. "If this story doesn't appear on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper, you will own everything I have.