Rima's POV
I was roused from my sleep by the soft cry of a baby echoing through the silence. Blinking against the morning light that filtered into the room, I stretched languidly, my gaze drifting towards my wristwatch. It read half-past seven. Despite the early hour, I felt the refreshing tendrils of a good night's sleep wrapping around me, leaving me feeling rejuvenated.
Quickly, I slipped into the ensuite, letting the warm water of the shower wash away any lingering sleepiness. As I dried my hair, the baby's cries continued to echo in the background, a soft undertone to the morning's tranquility.
I dressed simply, pulling on a pair of casual blue jeans and a comfortable white sweater with long sleeves. The outfit was simple yet chic, perfect for the morning ahead.
The baby's cries, persistent yet soft, were now emanating from downstairs. As I descended the staircase, the sounds of an awakening household greeted me. The living room was alive with activi
Rima’s POVI felt their eyes on me, their gazes heavy with unspoken queries: Why had a simple lullaby provoked such a profound emotional response? Why was I visibly in pain, struggling to mask my anguish from them?“Excuse me” I murmured, my voice barely audible. I was on the verge of standing up, ready to retreat and let my tears flow freely in solitude, when Diana's hand gently gripped my arm. Her voice, soft yet steady, broke through the heavy silence “Rima, it's okay" her voice was soft, her touch gentle "You don't need to hide your feelings. You don't have to go"Her words, though kind, only served to bring more tears to my eyes. I wanted to pull away, to escape to a private place where I could let my emotions out freely. But Diana's hold was firm; not restraining, but supportive.Diana passed the sleeping baby to Jenny, who was closest to her, and took my hands in hers. There was a warmth and sincerity in her touch that made
Rima’s POV"Are you absolutely certain about this?" Jacob questioned, his tone laced with a hint of concern. He extended a gun towards me, his eyes reflecting an unspoken anxiety. He seemed to worry that I might recoil from the danger inherent in such an activity, that fear might overtake me and create a rift between us once more.With a tentative smile, I reached out and took the gun from him, my grip steady "Yes, Jacob. I'm a hundred percent sure. Just relax, and let's enjoy this moment together" I assured him.The competition hadn't started yet, and I was the only one scheduled for a practice session. They all surmised I was inexperienced with firearms and wanted to give me a fighting chance so that Jacob and I wouldn't embarrass ourselves in the upcoming competition. Jacob himself was considered rusty, having confessed that he hadn't held a gun in five years, but he chose not to join me in the training. Perhaps his years of experience had ingrained in
Rima’s POV"I always hate this part the most" Diana's voice rang out softly, choked with emotion. She was hugging Jacob goodbye, for the third time. But this time, her embrace had an air of finality. She clung to him, her fingers wound tightly in the fabric of his coat, her resolve not to let him go etched in every line of her body. Her tears, once delicately balanced on the edge of her lashes, now streamed freely down her face, a silent testament to her struggle to suppress her sobs.It was a heartrending scene, the raw pain in her eyes mirroring the ache that had lodged itself in our hearts. The sight of her distress over Jacob's departure felt like a physical blow, a poignant reminder of the deep bonds that tethered them to one another.The room was dimly lit, the hands of the clock creeping closer to seven in the evening. It was our third day here, and the inevitable moment of farewell was fast approaching. Our flight at the Fairbanks airport was sched
Rima’s POVWith only half an hour until our departure, we navigated the labyrinth of security checks and checkpoints with practiced ease. There was no time to relax in the lounge, as we were ushered directly onto the tarmac where the sleek private jet that brought us here awaited.The interior of the jet was bathed in a soft, ambient light, the plush seats beckoning invitingly. We slipped into the same seating arrangement as before - me by the window, Jacob beside me, his presence a comforting constant.As the cabin crew began their pre-flight checks, a wave of unease washed over me. My hand trembled slightly as I reached for my seatbelt, the cool metal clasp slipping through my fingers. A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead, my palms growing clammy.The all-too-familiar fear began to claw at my insides, my stomach churning ominously. It felt like a cruel puppeteer was tugging at my intestines, threatening to evacuate my earlier meal. My phobia
Rima’s POVI watched him, this man who had just bared his soul to me, his face a canvas of raw emotions - vulnerability, sincerity, and a touch of fear, perhaps of my reaction. It was in this moment that I saw the real Jacob, the man behind the boss, the man who wore his heart on his sleeve for me."I..." I started, my voice wavering slightly. I paused, collecting my thoughts. I wanted to respond to his honesty with my own "Jacob, I appreciate your honesty and... I care about you too. More than I've ever admitted before"His face softened at my words, a sense of relief washing over his features. The tension in his shoulders eased, and for a moment, he closed his eyes, as if to savor the moment.When he opened them again, his gaze was intense, burning with a raw passion that made my heart flutter "Rima" he whispered, reaching out to gently hold my hand. His touch was warm, a solid reassurance of his presence "I promise you, I will do everything in my
Jacob's POV In the realm of dreams, I was ensnared by visions of hazel eyes, gleaming with an intensity that sparked a fire within me. They were paired with lips, so full and hearty, they whispered promises of unspoken words and lingering touches. I dreamt of kissing her, the imagined taste of her lips intoxicating, making my heart pound with a rhythm that mirrored my yearning. My dreams were painted with images of touching her, tracing the contours of her form with a reverence that only heightened my desire. The sound of her voice, saying my name in the most sensual way, echoed in the depths of my subconscious, striking chords of longing that resonated throughout my being. I was like a teenager in the throes of puberty, unable to control the rush of newfound desires. The line between dream and reality blurred, the intensity of my longing for her manifesting in a physical response I couldn't ignore. My body reacted instinctively, growing more aroused as her i
Jacob’s POVAs we settled in to watch the film, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment having her by my side.As the movie progressed, we fell into a comfortable silence, broken occasionally by our shared reactions to the unfolding story. It was an emotionally charged film, and I noticed Rima becoming more and more absorbed in it.One scene in particular seemed to resonate deeply with her - the heart-wrenching courtroom scene where Sam, portrayed brilliantly by Sean Penn, was fighting for custody of his daughter. The desperation, the love, and the fear in Sam's eyes were palpable, and it was impossible not to be moved by it.I glanced over at Rima and saw a single tear escape her eye, trailing down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, but not before I noticed. It was touching to see her so affected, her empathy shining through.Without a word, I reached over and gently squeezed her hand, letting her know I was there and that it was
Rima’s POVThe week unfurled at an astonishing pace, each day blending into the next in a whirlwind of activity. Our intimate dinner and movie night seemed like a distant memory as we plunged back into the relentless rhythm of work the following day.The atmosphere at the office had shifted subtly, the tense undercurrents replaced by a familiar ease. My boss had returned to his old self, the kind and considerate man I had known before. His acerbic edge had softened, his scoldings had ceased, and I was no longer subjected to the brunt of his unpredictable moods.The work was still grueling, the demands of our projects sapping my strength day by day. Yet, the return of my old boss, his kindness and understanding, somehow made the mountain of tasks more bearable. Each day, despite the fatigue, I found myself looking forward to tackling our shared challenges.However, by the time Friday rolled around, my body began to protest against the relentless pace