RONALD'S POVAs I held Emily in my arms, I could feel her body shaking with fear. I tightened my grip, trying to convey a sense of safety and security. "I'm sorry, Em," I whispered, my voice gentle and calm. "I didn't know he contacted you again. I promise that I'm working on catching the culprit and apprehending him."As I spoke, I watched Emily's face, seeing the fear and anxiety etched on her features. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I was the reason she was going through this.But as I looked into her eyes, I saw something there that made me feel a sense of unease. It was a flicker of doubt, of uncertainty. And I knew that I had to reassure her, to make her believe that I'm there with her. I don't know what the unknown caller told her but I will make sure he gets caught. As Emily's body relaxed in my arms, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe I can keep her safe, I thought. Maybe I can protect her from all of this.But as I looked into her eyes, I saw that flicker of
EMILY'S POVAs I stepped out of Ronald's car, the warmth and security of his presence began to fade away, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. The worries and fears that had been momentarily reduced by his reassuring words and gentle touch began to creep back in, like a chill on a winter's night.I trudged into the office building, my feet heavy with a sense of dread. The familiar hum of the elevator greeted me as I stepped inside, but my mind was elsewhere. I gripped the metal rod for support, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me.The faces around me blurred together, their voices a distant hum. I felt myself swaying, my vision narrowing to a tiny pinprick of light. And then, everything went dark.A strong, firm fingers wrapped around my elbow, catching me before I could hit the floor. I felt a jolt of surprise, followed by a wave of relief."Ma'am, are you okay?" a deep, familiar voice asked, cutting through the fog in my mind.I blinked, my vision slowly clearing. Alex's
RONALD'S POV As we strolled to the nearby restaurant, Emily's eyes sparkled in the sunlight, illuminating her passion for her work. I watched her, my gaze drawn to the way her face lit up when she talked about the volunteer work.Over lunch, our conversation flowed easily, and I found myself captivated by her kindness and compassion. But I maintained a safe distance, my expression neutral.As we finished our meal and headed back to the office, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. My eyes narrowed slightly, my mind already racing with possibilities.Back at my desk, I picked up the phone and dialed Lila's number. "Hey, what's the update on the investigation?" I asked, my tone firm.Lila's voice came through the line, apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ronald. We've been unable to track the caller. They're using a burner phone with a VPN, making it nearly impossible to locate them."My grip on the phone tightened, my jaw clenched. I felt a surge of anger, but my expression rem
EMILY'S POVI stood in front of the company, surrounded by my fellow volunteers, each of us with our bags and luggage stacked beside us. The excitement was palpable as we chatted and laughed, eager to embark on our field trip to the rural village. I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, my anticipation growing with each passing minute. As the bus finally arrived, my fellow volunteers parted to let me board first. I stepped up into the bus, and the murmur of side conversations followed me in. I caught snippets of hushed tones - "Wife of the chairman...", "Why is she...". I ignored the whispers and made my way down the aisle, my eyes scanning the seats for a comfortable spot. My gaze landed on the back seat, and I thought to myself, that's where I'll sit. As I approached the back seat, I stopped dead in my tracks. A figure sat at the other end of the seat, their face obscured by a hoodie. I felt a sudden jolt of surprise, and my eyes narrowed slightly as I tried to m
RONALD'S POVI sat in my office working on some files when a message entered my phone. It was Emily updating me on the transport of the volunteers for the field trip.I stared at my phone, my eyes fixed on the screen as I waited for Emily's response. I had sent her a message, trying to convey the depth of my feelings. "I will miss you… in fact come down from the bus, I can't handle you not being here," I had written.As I waited for her response, I couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. What if she didn't feel the same way? What if she thought I was being too clingy or possessive?But then, my phone buzzed, and Emily's response flashed on the screen. "Lol," she had written. "I will miss you too. I will also be back in no time, it's just a three day trip."I let out a sigh of relief as I read her message. She felt the same way! I couldn't help but smile as I typed out a response. "Okay, I will try," I wrote, adding three love emojis to convey the depth of my feelings. Emily excused
EMILY'S POV As the villagers learned that a team would be arriving from the city to help them, the women of the village quickly gathered together to prepare a feast. They worked tirelessly, cooking up a storm in the village kitchen.As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the village, the women proudly presented their culinary creations. They served the volunteers and workers, who had gathered in the village square, with warm smiles and generous portions.As I sat among the villagers and volunteers, enjoying the warm and lively atmosphere, I suddenly felt a shift in the air. The chatter and laughter seemed to fade into the background as a tall, imposing figure appeared in the doorway of the shed.Ronald's presence was like a magnet, drawing everyone's attention to him. He stood there for a moment, his eyes scanning the room as if taking in every detail. His broad shoulders and chiseled features seemed to command respect, and I could feel the weight of his gaze as his
RONALD'S POV I slowly opened my eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun peeking through the window. I stretched my arms and yawned, shaking off the remnants of sleep. After a refreshing shower,l slipped into a pear of dark blue jeans,faded at the right places and a comfortable white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled down my elbow as I felt invigorated and ready to tackle the day.I sat down at my computer, drinking a cup of water as I began to work on my tasks. The hours flew by as I typed away, lost in my own little world.But as the morning wore on, my thoughts began to drift back to Emily. I wondered what she was up to, and whether she was having a good day. I saved my work and closed my laptop, deciding to take a break and go look for her.I stood up, stretching my arms over my head as I made my way out of the room. I walked through the village, asking a few of the locals if they had seen Emily. Finally, one of them pointed me in the direction of a small group of volunteers,
EMILY'S POV As Alex and I strolled through the village, the warm sun casting a gentle glow over the thatched roofs and lush green fields, we came across the old woman from yesterday. Her face, etched with lines of age and experience, broke into a wide, toothy smile as she caught sight of us.We approached her, our footsteps quiet on the dusty path, and introduced ourselves once more. "We're here to help you with anything you might need," I said, my voice sincere.The old woman's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she welcomed us onto her farm. She gestured to the rows of earthy mounds, where the green shoots of potato plants poked out of the soil. "I'm harvesting potatoes today," she said, her voice filled with pride.I smiled, my eyes crinkling at the corners, as I took in the sight of the lush green plants. "They look like they're doing well," I said, my gaze meeting the old woman's.She nodded, her face brightening with happiness. "Yes, they are. The rain has been good to us this sea
EMILY'S POVAs I sat at the kitchen table, sipping my coffee and staring blankly at my phone, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of Ronald that had been plaguing me all morning. I had made up my mind to avoid him at all costs when I get back to work on Monday. But the thought of avoiding him only made my heart ache. Mia's sudden return, beaming with a bright smile, caught me off guard. "Emily," she called out, her voice low and sweet, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.I looked up, my curiosity piqued, and raised an eyebrow. "What's making you smile like that?" I asked, my tone laced with a hint of amusement.Mia just chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and said, "I have something to show you." My curiosity was piqued, and I found myself leaning in, eager to know what Mia had in store.Just then, Colin walked in, followed by Ronald. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt a rush of emotions: anger, hurt, and a hint of longing. My expression changed instantly, my
RONALD'S POV Ronald went about his morning routine, tackling his tasks with his usual efficiency. But just as he was getting into the swing of things, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Calling."Hey, meet me at the usual spot," Calling said, his voice low and mysterious.Ronald's brow furrowed in surprise. "What's up? It's only 2 pm. We don't usually meet until evening."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Calling responded, "Just trust me on this one, Ronald. I need to show you something."Ronald's curiosity was piqued. What could Calling possibly want to show him that couldn't wait until evening?As I drove to meet Colin, the city streets blurred together in a haze of worry and anxiety. The sound of the engine and the hum of the tires on the pavement were the only sounds that filled my mind. I navigated through the crowded streets, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, my mind racing with thoughts of Colin's call. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease
EMILY'S POV As I lounged on the couch, lost in thought, the door swung open and Mia burst in, her energy infectious. She dropped her bag with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Emily, let's eat out today!" she exclaimed, already moving towards me.I opened my mouth to protest, but she was too quick. Her hand shot up, palm facing me, and I felt a familiar sense of resignation wash over me. Mia always got her way, and I knew better than to argue.With a sigh, I let her pull me up from the couch. She propelled me towards the bedroom, chattering excitedly about her day. I shrugged, letting her fuss over me as she rummaged through my closet for a change of clothes.As Mia dug through my closet, her voice bubbled over with excitement, recounting the highlights of her day at the office. I couldn't help but smile as she giggled her way through a story about her boss's misadventure with a cup of coffee. "And then, he stood up, and coffee just dripped down his shirt!" Mia's laugh
RONALD'S POVI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. It had been a week since I'd sent Emily packing, and I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest.I missed her. I missed her smile, her laugh, her sleepy face under the morning light . I even missed the way the calls me, the way my name rolled out of her tongue when we were intimate .But my pride refused to let me admit it. I had to maintain my tough exterior, my confident demeanor. I couldn't let anyone see the vulnerability that was eating away at me.As I glanced around the office, I noticed my subordinates whispering and glancing at me. I knew they were speculating about my relationship with Emily. The fact that she hadn't been coming to work only added fuel to the fire.I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why did they have to gossip about my personal life? Bunch of gossipers. But deep down, I knew it was my own fault. I had let my pride and ego get the better of me. I ha
EMILY POVI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of my grief. My body ached from crying, my eyes burning from the constant flow of tears. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt such overwhelming sadness.As I lay there, I felt Mia's gentle touch on my shoulder, her soft words of comfort whispering in my ear. But I couldn't respond, couldn't even muster up the energy to push her away. I just lay there, numb and broken, as she tried to reach me.I knew Mia was worried, I could sense it in her touch, her voice. But I couldn't reassure her, couldn't even look at her. I just felt too much pain, too much sorrow.As the minutes ticked by, I felt Mia's presence fade away, leaving me alone in my darkness. The silence was oppressive, the only sound was my quiet sobs. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my grief, unable to escape.I don't know how long I lay there, lost in my sorrow. Time seemed to stand still, the world outside my
RONALD'S POVI stormed into the conference room, my face a thundercloud. My team, seated around the table, exchanged nervous glances. I couldn't help it - I was still reeling from the pictures I had received the previous day. My mood was in a jumble of mess. "Alright, let's get started," I growled, slamming my fist on the table. My team jumped, taken aback by my outburst."Uh, yes, sir," one of them stammered. "We've got the quarterly reports ready for review."I snatched the report from the team member's hand, my eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of disdain and anger."This is unacceptable," I snapped, my voice rising. "You call this a report? It's a joke!"The team member who had presented the report looked taken aback. "I-I apologize, sir. I'll make sure to-"I cut him off, my face red with rage. "You'd better. I expect to see a revised report on my desk by the end of the day. And if it's not up to par, there will be consequences."The team nodded hastily, eager to escape my
EMILY POVI trudged into the room, my heart heavy with shame, regret and confusion. Ronald's words still echoed in my mind, "I don't want to see you again." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut,my heart shattered,my breath knocked out of me.I began to pack my bags, my hands moving mechanically as I tried to process what had just happened. The question, ‘How did this happen?’ swirl in my mind,I couldn't even remember all that happened before I black out, I just know that I was in the club. I didn't have anywhere to go, no one to turn to. I contemplated calling Mia, but I didn't want to burden her again. She'd already done so much for me.But I didn't have a choice. I had to call Mia. She was the only person I could turn to. I dialed her number, my heart racing with anxiety.Mia's son came to pick me up, and the drive was silent. I could feel Mia's eyes on me, sense her curiosity and concern. But she didn't ask me any questions, didn't pry. She just let me be.When we arrived at Mi
RONALD'S POVAs I stepped into my house, I felt a wave of fury wash over me. My expression was a mask of controlled anger, my eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. My jaw was clenched in a tight line, my face set in a stern, unyielding expression.I couldn't believe what I had just seen. A photo of Emily, laughing and smiling with a drink in her hand, had been sent to me. My mind was reeling with questions and doubts. Why had she lied to me? Why had she told me she was going to a quiet dinner with Mia when in reality she was out partying?I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my trust and faith in Emily shattered. I couldn't believe that she had betrayed me like this. I thought we had something real, something special. But now, I wasn't so sure.As I walked through the house, my footsteps were heavy and deliberate. I was weighing each step carefully, trying to calm myself down before I confronted Emily. But it was no use. My anger and hurt were simmering just below the surface, w
EMILY'S POVThe doctor discharged me, giving instructions that I should have enough rest and should be taken care of. I couldn't stop crying as we left the hospital. The pain and grief were overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in my own tears.As we were about to part ways,Ethan turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes."Emily, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," Ethan said, his voice filled with regret. "I feel like this is all my fault."Mia's voice was sharp and angry. "You're right, it's your fault. Why weren't you watching her? Why did you let her out of your sight? You invited her to the party,you should have made her your responsibility."I reached out and put a hand on Mia's arm. "It's not Ethan's fault, Mia. It's an accident. I'm the one who...who...". I couldn't finish the sentence. The pain was too much, and I felt like I was going to break.But Mia's was unforgiving. “An accident? An accident that could have been prevented if he had been paying attention.”Mia'