8“Yeah, for now.” He responded, Anna's eyes Caught pictures on the table slabs looking exactly like her, she made to take a closer look but he immediately swept her off her foot and she laid on his hands in a bridal style. Their eyes locked together, their faces almost closer to each other.What the heck?“I..um..my place is really messy. I don't want you to see it like this, that's why ummm…” He stammered, Anna chuckled softly and nodded. He was still holding her tightly in the bridal style.“Um, yeah. I think I understand.” she nodded nervously. “If you don't mind, you're holding me tightly.” she added.“Oh that's right. Cool.” He said and lifted her immediately. The anxiety in his eyes could be clearly seen which made Anna laugh inwardly.“You know what, I will leave you here now. You can freshen up, and then we can talk about dinner.” He said hastily.“Yeah, sounds good.” Anna said and left for the inner room to pick out something to wear. Xavier quickly picked up the pictures o
9“Finally. I really have to move on with my life now.” she said and scooped some food in her mouth.Xavier twisted and rolled all over the bed, he could sleep he laid down straight up facing the ceiling as his whole thoughts drifted to Anna.***Flashbacks***Xavier paced around the room rehearsing the best words to tell Anna about his feelings for her. “Anna, I've loved you ever since the very first moment I've seen you, I know that you're with my brother. And that you're happy but I think that I can make you so much more happy.” He recited. “Yes!” He rejoiced at his winning, his heart beating so fast, he nodded in so much confidence and stepped out to meet her.“Yeah, I will marry you Michael!” Anna said happily, Micheal slid the ring in-between her finger and they kissed happily. Xavier's eyes widened and he stopped halfway. Tears were already forming in his eyes.Michael disengaged the kiss and turned to him smiling broadly “Xavier…look! She finally agreed to marry me!” He rejoi
10The next morning, Anna woke up with a sense of resolve. She dressed carefully, her face set with determination. The pain of the previous day still lingered, but she refused to let it defeat her. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath. She wouldn’t let Sophie or anyone else dictate her life.She was done with hospitals for now. It was time to find a new path, a new beginning. And she would do it on her own terms.She got to the first company whom she searched online before getting the update that they needed employees to work in their company. Anna sat down waiting for the queue to reduce before it could reach her turn.“Miss Anna!” The receptionist called. Anna heaved a sigh of relief and took her bag, she got to the Manager's office and it was a very plumpy lady in her late 30’s. “Good morning ma'am. My name is A….” She tried to say but the lady cut her off with a hand sign in the air.“Your resume and qualifications please?” she said. Anna clumped down ha
11“Actually, I do. And Anna is my new assistant!” Xavier smiled. Her eyes widened in shock, mouth agape as the breath caught in her throat, unable to comprehend what she just heard.“Excuse me!?” Those were the only words she muttered.***Anna was in the kitchen preparing dinner of fried rice and grilled chicken laps for herself and Xavier. She decided to call Jessica so that she can have company and someone to talk to.“Hey Jessie!” Anna said happily. She flavored the chicken laps with a spicy sauce and placed it into the oven.“Girl, how have you been? What the fuck is going on with your life? Everything seems like a super story to me.” Jessica said on the phone.“How is it confusing, I told you that I'm now living with him. Like, c'mon girl…I have nowhere else to go to and I don't want to stress you up you know.” Anna responded in a playful tone.“What? First you ran into your Ex-husband's Brother along the road, he saved you and now you're living with him? And he's a billionaire
12“Everyone loves a munchkin with chef Anna!” Jessica added happily. “What?” Anna said and scrolled through her followers. She saw a strange follower without a name but just a letter. “N”“Who the hell is this? Trying to be anonymous. Could it be….” Anna thought she was confused.***MorningIt was morning in the office and all the employees gathered around the table with assorted foods with some other two popular chefs as they tasted the food on the table which was prepared by Anna.“Hmmm…it's really delicious.” They are hummed as they taste different delicacies on the table. “She is really a good cook!” The two famous chefs complimented. Maureen stood by the corner, her eyes narrowing as she watched her colleagues gather around the food and eat from it, praising her homemade dish with enthusiasm. Each compliment felt like a personal attack, igniting a fiery rage within her chest. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she forced a tight smile."Can you believe
13“Yeah, but you seem to be her number one fan. That's why you're letting her live with you right?” Maureen asked, everyone stared at them surprised.“Live with him?” They all asked, looking at each other.“Well, you're right! We are living together. He dropped the bombshell. Mara covered her mouth with her palms and smiled sheepishly. “Oh, they are so cute!” She whined.“I knew it!” Maureen said nonchalantly, she walked to him seductively and arranged his tie in a seductive manner. “You know what, it's really not good luck , Xavier. Shacking up with your little assistant. You should go accordingly to work policies as the leader.” Maureen said with a smirk.“Really? That's right, but now …was my assistant!” Xavier responded, he drew back from her and Anna's eyes widened. “What?” Anna was devastated and lost about his response.“Wow! Firing her already. I see.” Maureen giggled happily and laughed at Anna.“No, I'm not firing her. She's not being fired and I don't really know where yo
14Anna straightened her posture, her chin held high, and without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away. Each step was confident and deliberate, her head held high as she moved through the crowd, leaving Michael to stew in his own humiliation. The room remained silent as she exited, her presence commanding respect, the strength of her actions speaking louder than any words could have.Michael burned with anger, he brought out his phone and dialed a number. “ hello, find out who's funding Anna's businesses. Now!” He said on the phone and hung up the call. He stormed off.****Anna re-entered the winery, her heart still racing from the confrontation with Michael. The adrenaline was slowly ebbing away, leaving her feeling slightly unsettled. She scanned the room for Xavier, but he was nowhere to be seen. A growing sense of unease settled over her as she searched the crowded venue, her earlier confidence wavering.After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Anna decided to call h
15“Xavier, I... I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, a radiant smile breaking through the shock. “Thank you. I can’t believe this... it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”She looked around the restaurant with new eyes, realizing that it was no longer just a beautiful space—it was now a reflection of her passion, her hard work, and the faith Xavier had in her.*****On the morning of her first day at work in her very own restaurant, Anna awoke with a mixture of excitement and nerves buzzing through her. The sunlight streamed through her bedroom window, casting a warm glow over the room, but her mind was already focused on the tasks ahead. This was the day she had dreamed about for so long, and now it was finally here.After getting dressed in a crisp white chef's jacket, she decided to call Jessica, her best friend, for a bit of moral support and some extra hands to help with th
Greg's face was plastered with worry and panic, his brow furrowed and lips trembling as he fidgeted nervously. “Could it be that they’ve rekindled their old feelings, sir?” he ventured, hesitating as he spoke. His voice wavered, unsure whether he should even suggest such a thing.Leo’s reaction was immediate. His eyes darkened, the veins in his neck bulging as fury built inside him like a storm. His fists slammed onto the table, rattling the objects on it. “It’s *not possible!*” His voice exploded, raw and full of venom. His breathing quickened, each intake of air sharp and strained, the very idea of betrayal igniting something fierce in him.Greg stepped back, eyes wide with fear as he instinctively raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “S-sorry, sir,” he stammered, bowing his head to avoid Leo’s searing gaze. His heart raced, pounding against his ribs. Leo clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached, but the pain in his chest was far worse. His eyes darted back and forth as his
THIRTY FOURFear gripped Talia as she looked around the dark, suffocating room. Her heart pounded like a drum, her palms slick with cold sweat. She pounded on the door, her fists aching from the effort. “Mother! Mother! Please, open the door! Open the door for me! I know you're out there!" Her voice cracked with desperation as she slammed her body against the heavy door again, the sound echoing in the suffocating space.Outside, her stepmother smirked, her lips curling into a cruel grin. Her hand gripped the door knob tightly, fingers lingering as if savoring Talia’s agony. "Shut up, Talia!" she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "Stay inside and let the matter settle. When everything falls into place, only then will I open the door for you. Do you hear me?!" Her voice was sharp, echoing through the cold, silent house.Talia’s heart dropped. She backed away from the door, chest heaving, her breath ragged. She fumbled for her phone, hands shaking, and frantically dialed the guards
THIRTY THREE Talia immediately stiffened, her name echoing through the hallway, spoken by a voice she didn’t recognize. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she turned slowly toward Leo, her heartbeat quickening with a mix of fear and frustration. “Let me finish this conversation with my mother tonight, Leo,” she said, her voice barely concealing the exhaustion that weighed heavily in her chest. Her eyes flitted away from his, avoiding the intensity in his gaze. “We’ll talk about this later.”She ran a hand through her hair, trying to soothe the tension pounding in her head. “And I think we both need time to calm down, to think clearly before we take any action.”Leo’s hand lingered on her arm, his touch soft yet filled with restraint. His lips pressed together as he held back the words he truly wanted to say. His eyes, though dark and stormy, flickered with something more tender—something Talia refused to acknowledge right now."Al
THIRTY TWOMr. Diego's eyes widened, confusion and disbelief etched on his face as Leo’s bold claim hung in the air. The room fell silent, all eyes shifting to Leo and Talia, their tension palpable. Talia’s heart thudded in her chest as she avoided her father’s questioning gaze, desperately trying to maintain her composure.“Wait… you’re married?” Mr. Diego asked, his voice thick with curiosity, as if struggling to grasp the reality.Leo’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk, his sharp gaze fixed on Talia, who stood rigid beside him. Her pulse quickened under his stare, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. He seemed to take pleasure in the subtle discomfort he was causing her. “Yes. I got married as soon as I returned to the country,” Leo responded smoothly, his voice laced with arrogance. “I just haven’t announced it yet.”Mr. Diego raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the sudden revelation. “It’s quite a rush! I wonder if one of the people here is your fiancée?” His wo
THIRTY ONE Malia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixated on the floor, as her mother gently combed through her hair. The rhythmic strokes of the brush were meant to soothe, but the tension in Malia’s clenched fists betrayed her frustration. “You look absolutely stunning, Malia,” her mother, Mrs. Lyra, said, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m telling you, no man will be able to walk past without turning his head.” She admired her daughter’s reflection in the mirror, her voice dripping with pride. Malia’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes dark with jealousy as she met her mother’s gaze in the mirror. “That’s only if my idiotic stepsister doesn’t decide to crash the night and ruin everything, like she always does,” she muttered bitterly, venom seeping into her tone. Mrs. Lyra’s fingers paused for a second, her face twisting with a knowing smirk before she resumed brushing. “Oh, that’s right, Talia. The ever-perfect golden child. But did you hear?” Her voice lowered, al
THIRTY Talia glared at Marco, the heat of her anger burning in her chest as she avoided eye contact. She clenched her fists, every muscle in her body screaming with frustration. She didn’t want to be near him, let alone listen to whatever nonsense he had to say. “What do you want?” she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. Her expression remained hardened as she shifted her weight uncomfortably, wishing he would just disappear. Marco’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he took a step forward, his hand reaching for hers. “Let’s go,” he demanded, his voice devoid of emotion as though he had the right to still control her. Talia flung his hand off her wrist as if his touch burned her skin, her heart pounding with irritation. “Just tell me what you want, Marco!” Her voice rose, shaking slightly from the mixture of hurt and anger coursing through her veins. “Stop touching me!” Marco’s eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, the calm facade slipping for a brief second before he compos
TWENTY NINE Talia’s face was a mask of forced calm as she walked over to Leo's table. Inside, however, her stomach churned with discomfort. She sat down across from him, plastering on a fake smile, hoping this encounter would be quick."Mr. Leo, what a coincidence seeing you here!" she said, her voice bright, but her eyes carried a glimmer of frustration she struggled to hide.Leo leaned back in his chair, a sly smile curling on his lips as he met her gaze. “Yes, Miss Talia. Funny thing though, my wife cooked for me today, so I didn’t even need to come here.”Talia froze mid-bite, her throat tightening as she swallowed her food a bit too forcefully. She quickly reached for her water, taking a sip to mask her growing irritation. *Oh please, stop talking nonsense,* she thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes."Then why aren't you eating what your wife cooked?" she asked, her voice filled with false curiosity a
TWENTY EIGHT Lisa's face flushed with anger, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stormed toward Malia, her eyes blazing with indignation. She moved so quickly and forcefully that the tension in the air crackled around her, completely ignoring Marco who stood nearby, his gaze shifting between the two women with a quiet intensity.“Malia, I thought you were fired?” Lisa spat, her voice sharp and accusatory, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Her fists clenched at her sides as she squared off with Malia, her anger palpable.Malia let out a slow, sarcastic laugh, her lips curling into a smug smirk. She stood tall, shoulders back, exuding a cocky confidence that only made Lisa’s blood boil more. “Fired?” she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery as she raised an eyebrow. “No, darling. I wasn’t fired. I was *demoted,* yes, but I’m still your supervisor.” Her smirk widened as her eyes flicked over to Marco, who gave her a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable but approv
Lisa finished talking, letting out a long sigh as her head drooped back onto the desk. The exhaustion in her eyes was evident, dark circles framing them. Her shoulders sagged, and within seconds, she dozed off.“Lisa, don’t sleep!” Talia’s voice broke through the silence as she barged into the office, her hand dramatically placed on her growling stomach. “Let’s go eat. I’m *famished*,” she added with a playful groan. Her eyes scanned Lisa’s sleeping form before she walked over, lightly tapping her on the shoulder.Lisa jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open, squinting in confusion before she realized where she was. She groaned, stretching her arms above her head as a tired smile curled on her lips. “Ugh, Talia, I was in the middle of such a good dream,” she mumbled, but the moment she caught sight of her phone, her grogginess faded. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she reached for it. “Girl! I have some juicy gossip for you!” she exclaimed dramatically,