Charlotte decided to stay with Riele at her house for the rest of the week and then they will go to work together on Monday and from there, she will go to her house. "Harry," Charlotte called."Riele, Charlotte." he ran to hug them when he noticed his sister wasn't feeling too well. "What happened?""There was a minor injury," Charlotte explained. "Go and prepare a warm bath for her, I think she needs to soak herself in there for a long time."Riele gave her a funny look which she understood. "You don't have to be so dramatic about it."Charlotte smiled. "Take your time. I will prepare us something to eat."Riele nodded and went to the bathroom. She wasn't liking the way she was smelling. The smell of the drugs and injections was sickening."I'd like fried noodles and egg omelet" Harry danced around with a smile on his face."Ok. I will prepare that for everyone. Get the noodles and eggs." Harry happily left to get them.Harry arrived with the noodles and eggs and gave them to her. Sh
Story Title: Love and Crosses: What The Heart WantsChapter Seventeen “I am pregnant,” Charlotte said. Riele and the two guys in the house looked at her with shocked expressions written on their faces. Riele wasn’t shocked about it because she knew the truth already but she was shocked that Charlotte would discuss it without telling her about it. “What do you mean?” Jay asked. “Is it the same ‘pregnant’ I know about or is it another word for something I do not know about?” Charlotte smiled, “it is the same ‘pregnant’ you know about.” “How many weeks?” Kim asked. “Four weeks.” “The father?” He asked. Charlotte looked at Riele before telling them who the father was. “You are saying Kim Utter is the father? The same Kim Utter I told Riele to get as the male model?” Charlotte and Riele nodded. “That was why I tried talking you out of it. I don’t know what made you change your mind about hiring him but I am glad you didn’t,” answered Riele. “I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him ye
Reality "That was when it started. I tried my best to avoid him but I couldn't."Charlotte said."You mean you fell in love with him?" Riele asked in disbelief.Charlotte bowed her head in shame, "I never intended to.""So, how did the pregnancy happen?" Jay asked."It was on his birthday. Riele didn't want to go and I didn't want to either but Mr. Owen told me I had to be there."~~~Flashback~~~ "I can't go, Mr. Owen," Riele said but before I could say anything, Mr. Owen turned to me and said."You are going, Charlotte and we ain't debating on this. Someone has to go and if Riele doesn't want to because of how much she hates him which of course I'd suggest she shouldn't, you have to go.""BUT...""No buts. You are going and that's finally," and he left."Let me know if you need help kicking his ass," Riele said almost smiling."Come on, Riele, let's go together." I pleaded but Riele refused."I wish it didn't have to be Kim Utter, I'd have come along." She touched my shoulders to gi
They stared at each other while Charlotte and Jay watched them. "How do you expect me to prove it?" Kim asked her in a soft voice. "I will be in my room." Riele stood up and was about to leave but he caught her by her wrist."If you aren't a coward, tell me." Riele jerked her hand away from his. "I don't care if you know about love or not all I know is you are nothing but a..." before she could go further, he pulled her close and kissed her.Jay and Charlotte opened their eyes in shock. No one expected that. Kim pulled away and when he noticed her shocked reaction he said, "It's obvious you haven't had your first kiss yet. I won't be surprised if you haven't dated anyone either." "I hate you!" Riele yelled and ran to her room.Kim was satisfied with what he did, this would make her shut up for a while, he thought.Jay didn't know if to feel angry or jealous but he wasn't happy with what he saw."Make sure she comes to work when she is fully okay and make sure to take enough rest a
The following day, Riele got dressed for work. She left early to avoid Charlotte from stopping her. It was seven in the morning, the weather was chilly. She ran back inside to get her scarf, gloves, and coat then she headed for the road. She boarded a taxi that took her to her office. Arriving there, she met someone she never expected, Kim Utter. What the hell is he doing here? She asked herself. Just as she was about to walk to him, he entered the office, straight to the elevator. Riele had to wait till the elevator was ready for use. After some time, she got in and it took her to the third floor where her office is. Jay was the first to see her so he ran to approach her. "What are you doing here? Chae Woon said you should stay home. Why did you come to work?" "I am scared he is going to deduct my salary. I don't trust him a bit." Jay noticed she was restless like she was searching for something. "Are you looking for something?" He asked. "Did you happen to see which way Kim Utt
Jay took Riele out to a beautiful place. It was filled with flowers and there were a few couples there. "What's this place?" she asked him. "It's Called, 'A place of love." Jay watched her stare at the place with amazement. "It's where lovers come to spend some time or where someone comes to profess his love to the one he loves."Riele turned to look at him when he heard it. What does he mean by that? She thought. They weren't lovers. Does that mean... "Riele, I have been dying to let you know this." he paused, grabbed her hands, and placed a tiny kiss on them. "I love you, Riele. I don't know how long this feeling has been there but I can't seem to hold it in anymore. I can't seem to pretend that we are just friends when I feel something deep for you." Riele was about to speak but he continued. "I get jealous when I see someone else making you smile. I was angry when Kim kissed you and it was then I realized that... I love you."Riele was shocked. She wasn't expecting this when s
“Riele,” Kim called with a smile on his faceRiele was confused. First, he came to her house unannounced and now he is smiling at her. “Listen, I know you are wondering why I am here and I will explain all that if you just stop standing there and staring at me like that.” She couldn’t believe she had been standing there for a while. She mustered up the courage and sat down next to him. She wanted the night to be over so she could sleep through all the whole happenings today. She waited for him to say what he had to say so that he could get the hell out of her house. “How was your day with Jay?” Why is he asking me about Jay? She asked herself. “It was great,” she answered. “I had a good time with him.” “I see.” He rubbed his palms together and his eyes were fixed on something she couldn’t place her mind on. He slowly turned to her and asked, “Did you tell him yes?” What? Does that mean he knew about Jay’s plan? Is that why he is here? But why would he be h
The following day, Riele went over to Charlotte's house. She was unable to get any sleep because she didn't trust Utter with her best friend. What if he decides to hurt the baby? She arrived at her place and pressed the doorbell several times but there was no sign of Charlotte. She was about to kick the door with her leg when the door opened only for Charlotte to see Riele in a karate style. She was shocked."What is going on?" She asked.Riele cleared her throat, ignored her question and went inside the house. "What took you so long to open the door?""I was just coming out of the bathroom and you didn't tell me that you were coming around." Charlotte was watching her friend search the whole apartment. "What are you looking for?""Where is he?""Oh! Kim?" She asked.Riele came to meet her and she could tell that something definitely happened last night. "Yes, Kim. The one you said came over last night drunk, the one...""Chill girlfriend, I know the Kim you are talking about.""Well
Kim sat on the edge of the bed, his hands folded tightly in his lap. The room felt too quiet now that the words he had been holding inside were finally out. The weight of everything—his feelings for Riele, the kiss with Jane, the way he had been juggling both women for so long—was pressing down on him. And yet, for the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn’t sure where to go next. Jay leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he regarded his friend. The tension between them had always been palpable, but now it was different. Jay knew Kim had been struggling with his feelings for a while, and he knew it wasn’t easy to come to terms with it. Still, the conversation they needed to have wasn’t over."You've got to talk to Riele about the kiss," Jay finally said, his voice steady but firm. "You can't just let that slide. It means something, Kim. She deserves to know how you feel."Kim’s eyes dropped to the floor as he exhaled sharply. “I know it was a mistake,” he muttered, his voi
Kim stiffened as Jane’s lips touched his, his mind racing. The kiss was fleeting, but the impact lingered like a storm cloud ready to burst. He pulled back sharply, his hand raising as if to create distance between them.“Jane, what are you doing?” His voice was low, confused, and laced with regret.She smiled faintly, her eyes searching his. “Reminding you of what we had… and what we could still have.”Kim clenched his jaw, his heart heavy with the weight of her words. “That was a long time ago. Things are different now. I love Riele.”Jane’s expression darkened, but she masked it with a bitter smile. “Love? You think what you have with her is love? We built something real, Kim. That doesn’t just disappear because she came into the picture.”“It’s not about her replacing anything,” Kim said firmly. “It’s about what’s real now.” He took a step back. “I can’t do this, Jane. I’m sorry.”But before he could say more, a gasp from behind startled them both.At the garden’s entrance, Riele
The morning sun filtered through the grand hotel windows, filling the room with a soft glow. The air was warm with the scent of fresh pastries and brewed coffee as the four of them gathered for breakfast. The mood was lighter than the night before; the glow of victory still clung to their smiles and conversations.“Any plans for today?” Jay asked, his eyes twinkling with playful energy as he glanced around the table.“I think we should take a break and explore,” Jane suggested, her fingers idly stirring her cup of tea. “After all, we’re in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”Riele nodded, the idea of getting some fresh air and exploring beyond the competition appealing to her. “That sounds great. We should make a day of it.”Kim, his hand resting lightly on Riele’s, looked between her and Jane. “All of us together?”Jay grinned. “Actually, why don’t we split up? I’ve got some places in mind, and I was thinking Riele might want to join me. You could—” He flicked a glance at
After the award ceremony’s excitement settled, the group decided it was time to unwind. The long hours of preparation, the tense competition, and the adrenaline of victory had left them all exhausted. They headed back to their hotel, each person retreating to their respective rooms to savor a moment of peace before the after-party.Riele entered her room and closed the door, leaning against it for a moment. The plush carpet under her feet felt grounding after the overwhelming rush of the day. She took a deep breath, her mind still replaying the events of the evening—the applause, the bright lights, and Kim’s heartfelt speech thanking them all.When Kim had pulled her into that celebratory kiss, her heart had leaped in her chest. The kiss wasn’t just about winning; it had felt like a culmination of every moment they had fought for. Even now, the memory left her feeling warm and light-headed. She had kissed him back, completely forgetting the cameras, the crowd, and the world beyond the
The air was thick with excitement as the awards ceremony reached its climax. The grand hall buzzed with energy, the flashing lights of cameras catching every angle of the designers, models, and industry professionals who had poured months of hard work into the competition. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd eagerly waiting for the final announcement—the winner of the year’s prestigious modeling competition.The host stood at the podium, his charismatic voice booming through the venue, addressing the crowd with flair. “Ladies and gentlemen, before we announce tonight’s winner, let’s take a moment to thank all the incredible participants who have made this competition so remarkable. Without each of you, this show wouldn’t be the success it is today. A round of applause for all our competitors!”The crowd erupted into applause, and the models and designers stood proudly, each one sharing in the collective pride of what had been a hard-fought competition. From the beginning, every one
The atmosphere in the venue had shifted again, this time to a celebratory one. The excitement in the air was palpable as the models, their looks still sharp and ready, mingled backstage, awaiting their next assignment. The host, a charismatic woman in a bold red dress, stood before the crowd, her eyes glinting with enthusiasm.“Now, everyone,” she announced, “it’s time for something special. We want all the bosses of our incredible models to join them on stage for a photo op. It’s time for a snapshot of success, a symbol of the hard work and collaboration that’s gotten us to this moment.”Riele felt a small wave of anxiety at the mention of the "bosses"—that meant Kim would be front and center, just as he always was. The others gathered in groups, some laughing, some adjusting their outfits, while Riele remained slightly apart, her gaze flicking to where Kim was already motioning for her."Riele," Kim called, his tone casual but firm, “come on over here. I want to get a picture with yo
The music pulsed through the venue, echoing off the high ceilings and filling the space with an energy that was impossible to ignore. Riele stood backstage, her hands trembling slightly as she waited for her name to be called. The sound of other models walking, the faint murmur of the crowd, and the laughter of the host were all distant noises in her ears. Right now, the world seemed to narrow to the space right in front of her—the runway, the lights, and the anticipation building with every passing second.“Next, Riele,” came the voice of the assistant, calling her forward.Her heart thudded in her chest as she took a deep breath. She had prepared for this, practiced for months, and now it was time to shine. She couldn’t let her nerves control her. This was her moment.Jay gave her an encouraging smile as she passed by him on her way to the runway. “You got this,” he whispered, his words simple but full of conviction.Riele’s smile was small but genuine. “Thanks, Jay.”The moment she
**Chapter Title: "The Road to Glory"**The morning light filtered through the sleek windows of the luxury car, illuminating the faces of Kim, Riele, Jay, and Jane as they sat in silence, the anticipation thick in the air. The competition was just a few hours away, and the nerves that had been building up over the past four weeks were reaching their peak.The car was spacious, comfortable, and equipped with everything they could need for the journey. Plush leather seats, tinted windows, and soft music playing from the speakers set a calm tone, but the undercurrent of excitement could not be hidden. Kim was at the front, his face set with determination, while Jane sat next to him, her posture stiff, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her jacket. Riele and Jay sat together in the back, the distance between them and Jane palpable.As they drove toward the venue, Riele couldn’t help but look out the window, trying to calm her racing thoughts. This was it. The moment she had been waiting
Utter sat in his dimly lit living room, the cold glass of whiskey in his hand reflecting the soft glow of the lamp beside him. The room was still, save for the low hum of a nearby fridge and the occasional clink of ice as he took another drink. His thoughts swirled in a haze of frustration and regret, the burn of alcohol barely numbing the ache in his chest.He had been planning to leave for the competition, eager to reclaim some semblance of control in his life, but that had all been derailed by Madison. She had shown up, as if out of nowhere, and completely dismantled the fragile plans he had made. The anger still simmered beneath the surface. He had to admit, he wasn’t ready to face the competition now—not with everything weighing on his mind. Not with the unresolved mess that was his life.But what else was left for him? He had rejected Charlotte’s pregnancy, and the fallout from that decision had been harder to ignore than he had anticipated. He hadn't been prepared to see her lea