Vivienne found herself in an endless hallway, its walls narrowing as she moved forward, the ceiling lowering ominously. The air seemed to be so thick with an unknown pressure that it made her breath laborious. Dim, flickering lights cast eerie shadows, distorting her perception and heightening her sense of dread. The surroundings were so silent that she could only hear the sound of her own footsteps echoing unnaturally.She wanted to leave but when she turned around, the hallway behind her vanished, replaced by the impenetrable darkness. Panic set in, her heart racing as she realized that there was no way to escape. Since there was no way back, she pressed on forward, her steps quickening despite the growing terror within her. Doors lined up the hallway, identical and closed. She reached for the nearest one, her hand trembling as she twisted the knob.The door swung open to reveal a scene from the past, one she had tried desperately to forget. She found herself standing in a dark fore
The day of the housewarming party soon came and Vivienne had been planning for it since the day she moved in. She could have hired a catering company or even house help to deal with this small but intimate gathering but she didn't want to do so. She'd rather do these things herself as it would seem more sincere to her guests and she'd be able to keep herself busy with physical labor, refraining her mind from being too active with chaotic thoughts.Vivienne was bustling through the kitchen and the pantry when Aurora came over. Since Vivienne had already told her the passcode for the door, she entered on her while looking around with an exaggerated and complicated look. She didn't know what to say to Vivienne about her choice right now."I thought you'd look for a cozy place," commented Aurora as she put down her duffle bag which showed that she came with the intention of staying over. "At least, you could have designed it with a homely feeling. It seems too lifeless just like your eyes
Vivienne couldn't Angelina's words to heart though, how could she possibly ignore the presence of the person in front of her? With eyes the color of the summer sky, he radiated a charm that had always been able to captivate her effortlessly. His sunny smile, warm and inviting, lit up his face, painting an image of ease and joy.It was a smile that beckoned like the sunbeams breaking through clouds, promising warmth and comfort.Noah looked at Vivienne's stunned state and his eyes deepened. He pushed the bouquet of champagne roses into her hands and waved his hand in front of her eyes, "Snap out of it. My handsomeness isn't that hypnotic."Vivienne's lips ticked up at his comments as she really snapped out of it and looked down at the gorgeous champagne roses. She caressed the roses with her slender fingers as she greeted, "What a pleasant and unexpected surprise, Mr. Sullivan."Noah's smile widened as he nodded slightly, "It's indeed unexpected. It's my first time coming to someone's
Downstairs, Aurora had to take on the role of the host as she inquired about what Noah and Liam would like to drink. She couldn't just leave these two men here unattended. "Vivi has prepared a wide variety of drinks," informed Aurora. "So, you both can ask for whatever you feel like drinking. We have iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water, coffee, tea, and even fruit juice. We also have wine but I think it's too early for that. Oh, there is also a signature cocktail but you'll have to wait for Vivi because only she can make that signature cocktail.""I'm fine for now," replied Noah. "So am I," added Liam. He also looked at the interior of the house with an appreciative look in his eyes saying, "Your friend has impeccable taste, Ms. Brooks." "When did you become so formal?" questioned Aurora. "And there is no doubt about Vivienne's taste when it comes to things. But her taste in men can be quite questionable." Her eyes were directed toward Noah when she said that sentence which held qui
Angelina didn't think she needed to hide anything from her husband. They were life partners now and she wasn't the kind of person who felt the need to keep everything inside her heart. She was always talkative and expressive because she believed it was the best way to get along with your partner."I think Noah would understand why my attitude is different towards Vivienne," said Angelina with a slightly teasing smile directed toward Noah who was quite helpless today stuck under the joint attack of Aurora and Angelina at every single turn. And he hadn't even started chasing Vivienne seriously yet.He could only imagine what these two friends would do to him once he really became a little more serious towards Vivienne and he already had an inkling that he wouldn't be able to escape. He might have thought that it was a momentary attraction before but from the moment Vivienne said that they were impossible, his thinking changed. Maybe he had a rebellious attitude now. In view of the fact
Noah did not expect to hear this from Vivienne. He had a complicated look in his eyes when he glanced at Vivienne. For years, he really thought she left because of him. It made him feel guilty at times too. He did not expect that his rejection had nothing to do with her departure. "Is that true?" asked Angelina but the question was directed toward Aurora who shrugged indifferently."It is true," responded Aurora. "It's not like intentionally hid it from you. I did tell you that Vivienne was supposed to leave anyway, don't be so hostile to Noah. Remember?"Angelina vaguely recalled having such a conversation with Aurora in high school right after Vivienne left. But she was too emotional at that time and did not take her words seriously, especially when everyone around them had something else to say about it. A lie spoken a thousand times starts feeling like the truth and rumors are the same. Angelina sighed to herself and drank the cocktail from the cocktail glass feeling the need to
"Vivi, you have to tell me how you made this tiramisu and why I am unable to stop eating it," Angelina had long forgotten about her diet plan as she could not put down any dish that she tried. She felt like this was the first time she couldn't even restrain herself despite having such great self-discipline. She had to believe in Aurora's words that she could never say no to Vivienne's food. "Just teach my husband how to make it."Vivienne looked over at Liam who nodded in agreement, "Yes, please do. I'd love to know how you managed to make it this delicious.""It's Vi's secret recipe," said Aurora proudly. She was not only proud of her best friend's creations, but she was even more proud of the fact that only she had tasted Vivienne's food before today. At least, there was no one at this table that had the honor of tasting Vivienne's food."What secret recipe?" Vivienne laughed at her words. "I just learned it from an old grandma in Italy when I was traveling there. I'll write the reci
Liam gave his cousin a very interesting look as he mentioned, "It's such a coincidence that Noah's dad also wanted him to study law so he could take over the Sullivan family's law firm. But Noah had other plans and dreams." Noah pursed his lips slightly as he took small sips of the drink in his hand. He also found it quite fateful that Vivienne had studied law. Although he didn't know why she wasn't practicing anymore, he was certain that she'd have been a very good lawyer. Someone as smart and empathetic as she was meant to study law. She had always been good at arguing but tried to restrain herself. She also was defensive, critical, and analytical thinking. All of those qualities are needed in a lawyer. Her fleeting emotions did not go by him but he intentionally didn't question anything else. Everyone had their own secrets and he had no reason to pry into her privacy when they weren't close enough.Anyway, he had one very good quality and that was his patience. He didn't think any