Copyright © 2021 Salem Goodness
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Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.
Front cover image by Salem Goodness
Book design by Salem Goodness
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Love is amazing, anyone can find love. But how is it possible to love someone you've never met? tricky isn't. Love is a new kind of feeling that makes you stronger or weak. Your choice on how it starts or how it will end matters the most. Welcome to the new life... ~~~~~~ Cherry rolled on her small torn bed that had pieces of crumbled biscuits scattered over the old sheets she used almost every day. She woke up with a bright smile on her slightly pale face that nearly reached her eyes, Cherry sighed in contentment as the sun peeking through the curtains warmed her skin. She rose with the same smile on her lips that seems to lit up the entire room and made a few stretches with her arms.
"You're hired." The words kept ringing joy and happiness into Cherry's heart. As she exited the building her head could not accept the news, it felt too good to be true. A few moments before she thought they were joking but the handsome guy did confirm it. Cherry decided today was the day she bought herself a treat, a real expensive treat to celebrate. She went to a public food cart and got herself a plate of fried chicken with noodles and took them home to celebrate her new job with her dog. She had been trying so hard to hide the excitement bubbling inside but it was hard containing it. As she walked home she unconsciously let out a loud squeal and got weird looks from people who were passing. Slightly embarrassed by her manners Cherry hid her face with her scarf and walked faster, the news was so Intriguing she knew Christmas is going to be awwwwesome!.
Just like every other day Cherry woke up late again. Once she noticed the time she became a living flash, taking a very speedy bath, partially washing half of her hair. Today was Wednesday and Cherry decide a green pea dress will do since it was still summer and her apartment barely get cold. Before leaving she gave dolly the last piece of her chicken from last night and lock the door quietly to avoid been disturbed by her pet. When she was far enough Cherry put on her old converse and walked down the stairs heading for the bus stop. And to her luck, the bus stop was filled with more people than she expected ‘Great just one reason to be late than I am, already’ She huffs and walked forward hoping to see a cab. Halting a cab was like a fortune to Cherry, but there was no other option left for her to choose, and getting a big salary from her new job could cover all her expenses for a month. The cab fare was higher than the money in her purse. Cherry looked
Previously…She walked to the elevator without looking at who was there and hit the 13th-floor button. To calm her clouded mind she started tapping her foot on the floor matching the rhythm in her mind followed by humming the notes of ‘happy’ She looked up for cameras and found none ‘now it is time for some freestyling’ Cherry shake her hips in sexy moves followed by her entire body going with the rhythm, and before you know it she unintentionally creates her own stripping show performance. With the elevator doors were still closed no one could watch her perform, so she thought.The elevator doors split open and Cherry made a majestic bow before straighten up. “And when you were in my car I thought you were some innocent damsel.” Cherry yelped losing her footing and nearly collide with the elevator doors as they were closing Rex quickly caught her and pulled her back.“You, what are you doing here?” She snapped at him feeling exposed and embarrassed he watched h
Cherry was outside the office waiting, she waited nervously for Rex's meeting to be over while hugging the documents tightly to her chest, she was sure her knuckles turned white from the pressure she puts.“What am I doing here if he wasn’t my boss? Why was I so nervous all of a sudden when I stepped in there, I simply made a fool of myself, going in there and freezing like iced fish.” Cherry complained to no one other than herself. She was trying to weigh her options if she should leave or not, but she soon came up with an answer.“Nah I’ll wait.”It seems like forever before the door finally opens. Cherry straightened up from her position looking at the rich businessmen coming out in their expensive suits. They were dressed in rare fashioned materials that were uncommon in most parts of the US. Some of them greeted her with hooded eyes while some ignored her existence but the last person who looked younger than them winked at her and blew her a kiss. Cherry ph
Rex got to the fourth floor of the building where his cousin was supposed to be waiting. He closed the door behind him as soon as he was inside and approached the tall chair backing him, instead of his cousin sitting on the chair he was greeted by a certain person he never expected to see.“Rexy baby, long time no see.” Susie's sultry voice welcomed Rex. She twirled the chair fully so she was facing him.“Susie, what are you doing here?” Rex asked his ex-fiancé as long forgotten memories came flooding into his mind.“Come on Rexy love I know you missed me.” She went to hug him but he stepped away almost immediately.“Get away from me you serpent.” He snarled bitterly at her.“Serpent?” She placed a hand on her chest as if hurt by his words. “Calling me a serpent is one big bad word and you hurt me Rexy.” She whined.“It is not enough to cover up the humiliation and pain you caused me years ago.” Rex growled lowly at her, clearly
The next morning Rex woke up with a slight pang at the back of his head. He rolled off the bed and grumpily went to have his bath, once again his mind drifted off to Cherry and he began to ask himself why everything about her gives him so much interest, why did he think of her longer than he thought of his first fiancé. This thought bothered him and he wanted an explanation for it.He got out of the shower on time because his mind was getting too clouded with thoughts of Cherry, the blinds in his room were still closed shielding the room from the early sunlight. Rex got his outfit from his closet and got dressed, he later came out of his changing room and pressed a green button on the wall which split the blinds open.‘Cherry must be awake by now.’ he thought and an unconscious smile formed on his lips.Rex was dressed in his signature blood red dress shirt and black silky pants. He folded the sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows for easy movement and walked
“His house?” Cherry whispered to herself ‘that’s impossible’ she racked her mind with thoughts of the last event that occurred before she fell asleep, the only thing that she remembered was the huge argument she had with him and the stranger she talked to after that nothing happened. “How did I then fall asleep?” She asked him. “No need to conflict your tiny brain I did nothing to you.” Rex said and stuck his hands into his pocket. “Did you just insult me?” Cherry asked getting upset. “Did you hear an ounce of insult from my mouth?” He bit back. “I hate you.” Cherry snarled at him. “Do you always have a temper?” Rex interjects making C
The day of the hearing…“December twentieth, we hold the case of kidnapping, attempted murder, blackmail, compromise, possession of illegal arms, and tampering with private property, charged in the name of Miss Susanna Tyler. Please may the accused stand on the witness stand.”A clerk reads her file as proposed by the court then sits back on her chair.“The hearing had been done and all the witness testimonies have been recorded… Miss Tyler…” The judge began.“Yes?” Susanna responds with a stiff attitude.“Do you agree with all that have been said in this court against you?” The judge asks.“I do know I am innocent and one day I will prove it!” She spoke defiantly.“Well, Miss Tyler, all the evidences points to you as the main suspect for all the crimes, and there are several witnesses to back up the evidences. Are you saying all these is a hoax to frame you?” The judge asked but Susanna refuses to answer. “For the last time Miss Tyler, do you plead innocent to all the accusation?”Su
~~~~~~Thanksgiving day…Rex, Maria, Gerald and the babies all went to spent thanksgiving at the hospital with Cherry. Even though she was still in coma and unable to communicate they didn’t want to leave her side, but Rex to be precise made everyone stay and celebrate the occasion with his sleeping girlfriend.“Hey baby, I know you can hear me in there. It’s thanksgiving and guess who I brought along!… It’s Mia, Gerald and Jerry.” He points at the trio stand at the foot of the bed.“Hey Cherry…I hope you miss us because we missed you.” Maria touches her foot lightly then shifts the baby in her arms.“Really, I wanted this day to be for us… so we can celebrate thanksgiving together but…” He drawls and takes her right hand. “Just get well for us, so we can finally be happy.”“She will…” Mia promised.They all stayed longer in the ward, talking and playing with the babies until evening. When it got late Jerry excused himself and Gerald announced his parting but offered to take Maria hom
November 28th two days to thanksgiving…Day two after the whole drama…Everything was back like in the old times, no more fights and yelling. Kayla had been arrested for conspiracy with a criminal and will stand trail when Susanna is ready to face court. According to Jason and his lawyer, the hearing will hold in a few days if Cherry is well enough to testify against Susanna.Rex and Maria spent more time in the new penthouse, with Rex working his ass off to make up for the lost time from work, and trying to spend some quality time with his daughters. All along, Maria had to make regularly visits to care for the babies because Rex had little trust with his staff alone with the girls. He comes into the nursery where Maria was just changing baby two diaper.“Hey…” She drawled.“I checked the kitchen but you weren’t there.” Rex told her.“Yes, I have to stay with them constantly because they are having constant diarrhea.” She reports in a stern voice.“What?” Rex moves to the babies quic
Fifteen minutes of arguing…Maria and Kayla were very lost in the word-to-word fight which had been going on for about fifteen minutes now, and with Jerry trying to separate them, nothing stopped the argument. It’s a miracle no one was trying to shoot another or knock themselves out.“QUIET!!!!!!!!!!!” Maria soon shouts angrily after having enough of the quarrel digested in her system. Everyone instantly went silent and Jerry stares at her in wonder. “We have been in this DAMN office for fifteen minutes and neither of you is ready to SHUT UP! I am sick of listening to meaningless screaming and quarrel! If you all can’t settle your differences like normal people, at least be mature to do it!” Maria expresses.“You know I didn’t want them here but you let them stay.” Rex points out to Maria.“Son, why are you referring to us as strangers?” Marcelo frowns at Rex.“You are been strangers since you and mom left!.” Rex snaps angrily.“Rex!- I’m sorry Sir Angelo, Rex is a little… confused an
At St.Angelo hospital…Cherry was immediately rushed to the ER for an urgent operation to stop the afterbirth bleeding which suddenly happened in the ambulance without any warning. Rex wasn’t allowed into the ER and didn’t fight his way inside. He let them take care of her knowing she in safe hands, and waited tensely in the hallway.Soon after he got a tip that Maria and the babies were in the hospital and being attended to. Rex waited hours for any news, even when the doctors passed in front of him, he tried asking what was happening behind the doors bu they only gave him more unanswered questions and worries.When it looks like his patience was running out and he threatens to force his way inside, Jerry comes out finally to deliver the news without a but or suspense in his words.“SO?…” Rex asked desperately.“The surgery was successful and she is stable.” Jerry announced to him and Rex instantly let out a relieved breath and sang praises under his breath. “But…” Jerry continued an
“Another one?” Maria and the others listening around all exclaim in shock.“Another baby?” Divine and her team also exclaim.Yep, no one was expecting to deliver two babies at the same time.Rex takes their daughter and lay her on the spare bed her set up, making sure she was properly secure before going back to Cherry. His heart pounds uncontrollable in his chest wondering if Cherry will be able to give birth to the other baby. He quickly grabs the radio to ask for help.“She’s having another what should I expect?.”“The same, it should be much easier since one baby has passed out-”“Okay! Maria,how far are you coming with the hatch?” He cuts Divine to speak with his sister.“Just a little more time and we are through. This things is like a freaking military tank! Our guy here is doing his best to cut through the door.”“Just hurry up please.”“We will.”Rex positions to deliver the second child and squeezed her knees to comfort her.“Cherry, I know you-”“This is your fault!” She sc
Outside the chaos ‘Maria’s point of view’…After getting the information of the possible location of the hatch, Maria, Gerald and some police officers go in search for it. Afternoon has passed and the fire burning the mansion is yet to be quenched, many local and international news have gathered to get a glimpse of the situation so they can create a juicy story to share with the public.While they divided themselves into groups in search of the hatch nobody have come up with anything yet.“Do you think we will be able to find this hatch?” Gerald ask Maria.“I don’t know but I put faith on what Rex said, and I h-” Her words were cut when she trips over something and falls unexpectedly to the ground. “Ouch!” She protests while rubbing her calf.“Maria! Are you alright?” Gerald bends low to check on her.“Yeah, I might have tripped over a tree root or something hard-” She frowns deeply and tries soothing the throbbing on her right leg.“Here, let me see…” Gerald takes her leg and removes
Inside the bunker.Rex and Cherry were safe from the danger of the poisonous smoke and burning of the fire but they can’t depend on staying in there forever so Rex tries to call Maria using his cellphone but there was no signal in the bunker. He wanted to let them know he was alright and Cherry was safe but the network was very poor and rigid. “Shit!” He cuss when he couldn’t reach anyone.Cherry’s groaning and small screams brought him back to focus, and he scoots down to her level and checked her body for burns or trauma. Her skin was clear and untouched from a single burn which relieved him.“Thank God you are safe.” He pulls her or a hug but she yells in his ear.“I think the baby is coming!”Rex cringes at the loudness but recovers to do the needful, its just both of them to deliver this baby but Cherry is counting on him to help her.“Hold on, let me prepare the bed.” He says and goes to get what is available to aid her delivery, during his search for some repellent bed sheets
Back at Maria’s apartment, eleven in the morning…Maria was having coffee and cookies in her living room when she decided to turn on the television to watch some movie. She scrolled through some channels until she came across a LIVE news broadcasting channel talking about a fire consuming a mansion. Maria didn’t think much about and scrolled past it but then again curiosity got the best of her and she channeled back to the tv station. She closely listened to the news and watched the footage shown by the police helicopter from above while enjoying her breakfast but then something catches her attention.‘the wall? Are those-’ her thoughts paused and she physically increased the volume. Maria got a little closer to the television and recognized the environment. Her heart sank in her stomach when she recognizes Rex’s massive mansion gates. Before she can have time to react to the loss her hone rang.“Hello?.” She places the phone in her ear.“Maria, are you seeing the news?” Jerry asked