LeoI deepened the kiss, ignoring her gasp of excitement as I parted her lips with my tongue. I wanted even more, I wanted to feel her, her warmth. I slid my hands around her, settling one on her upper back, while my other hand reached for the luscious curve of her bottom. I pressed her hard against me. It had been so long. Damn long and I felt her so soft in my arms. “Oh Leo,” She moaned.I wanted more of her, and I could remain hypnotized by her. Passion clouded my reason, and I was determined to have the best of her. To feel the sensation of her in my arms and beneath me. The heat of her tickled my skin as she spread out her legs…The chiming of my phone startled me out of my reverie. I immediately switched off the shower and slipped out of the bathroom. I toweled my hair, reaching for my phone. It was a strange number…who could be calling late at night? I tossed away the phone and settled on the bed, my mind wandering back to Layla. This was the first time in many years I wou
LeoTony most probably then only loved to discuss Ariadne and it was starting to give me much more peace of mind than ever before, but I couldn't stop thinking about Layla and Nathan. The cops had not provided anything that could point to the criminal, and I was starting to think that they were not taking the case seriously for one reason or another. My contacting the IP didn't seem to be having the supposed effects.“It's time for the meeting, sir…" Celine walked in.“So what do you think? Do I proceed?” Tony queried. What was he even talking about?“Ah, yeah, yeah… it's… it's fantastic.” I pretended to have heard all of what he had said from the beginning to the end, whereas it was totally otherwise.“You don't have any idea of what I'm talking about, do you?” He frowned.“You caught me!” I admitted. “I'm sorry…I…"“You are overwhelmed.” He said as a matter of fact. I knew.“I'll be there in a minute.” I turned to Celine.“Sure sir.” She smiled and walked out.“Have they not caught
LeoShe flinched and abruptly rose to her feet. Henry was staring at us."Uncle Henry, mummy and Leo are going to be great friends!" Nathan chirruped."Really? That's wonderful." Henry chuckled. I doubted his sincerity he supposedly exhibited.Who would be in harmony with a man who posed as a threat to his romantic pursuit?He walked inside as Layla stepped further away from me. Her beautiful eyes seemed impatient."Mummy?" Nathan turned to her. "Miss honey always says be good to your friends. Be good to Leo, too." He said. I felt I had finally gained a voice through him.His mother nodded quietly and went out of the room. Henry made himself comfortable on Nathan's bed."You two are friends too, aren't you?" Nathan queried."Yeah?" Henry arched his brows. "Yeah." He affirmed afterwards.Friends? Last time I checked we were strangers."We actually haven't had the chance to talk," Henry began."Yeah..." Was all I could say. I wasn't interested in talking to him, most especially when Lay
Other than the times that he had felt disappointed at something, I had never seen Eugene so pale and teary-eyed. He was slumped on the chair when I arrived at their big house full of sympathizers and well-wishers. Some bouncers were just outside the door, fencing away the press with their sizes. I was the only one putting on colors due to the fact that I had come directly from school. Eugene was surrounded by many people, especially adults wearing the mournful color, black. His mother had just died, his would I feel if someone I was very familiar with died so suddenly? Someone like Aunt Layla or Mrs. Carter. I would be so sad and angry, Sad and mad I thought. I wouldn’t even allow so many people to be around me, saying all sorts of odd things to my hearing. It wouldn’t do me any good, not in the slightest. I’d rather be on my own.I approached the crowd that had gathered around Eugene and tried to wriggle myself through.“Excuse me,” I said to one bosomy woman who was actually about t
I wasn't going to drink, not with so many women around. History must never repeat itself again. I could say my life was the way it was because of the event of four years. I still see her in my dreams, conflicting my emotions. Love was a story for another day.I quietly sipped from my glass of water."So what do you think? Do you agree with my terms?" He asked after he had presented the terms of the contract to me. I wasn't so sure about his proposal as a third party was involved. A third party I didn't know."It states here that there is a third party. Which organization is that?" I wanted to know."A very interesting organization. It's one of the budding businesses in the fashion and entertainment industry." He responded."I am still in the dark...""Put your mind at ease Mr Cooper. I'll have the three of us meet very soon. Meanwhile, you can think your decision over. Rest assured." He smiled, stroking the golden hair of the lady who was clinging very close to him. I looked away, thi
He was standing at my door like he said he would.“You will let me in, won't you?” He grinned.I quietly opened the door wider and walked back in.“Leo!” Nathan ran across the room to embrace him. I had accepted I had no control over these things again.“Look what I got for you…” He said when I ambled inside the kitchen. I felt a little bit relieved by the fact that Henry had earlier left for some important business. Sincerely, I felt terrible keeping him in the dark.“How are you doing?” I was jolted out of my thoughts. He was there, at the door, with a sheepish grin across his face. Oh, how much I detested that smile! I ignored him and proceeded to make Mac and Cheese for Nathan.“I don't mind a serving…” He shuffled in. “What can I help you with?” He offered.“Nothing.” I flatly replied.“I can do anything, you know…you used to make me do them during college…”LeoShe glared at me like I had said something abominable. I guessed she didn't want to hear anything about our past. Tha
By the time I got home, Nathan had fallen asleep and had been quietly tucked in. Henry was still not back, these days he had become very busy with some work I believed he told me would earn him a lot.“I made Dinner,” Leo said when I opened my bedroom door.“You shouldn't have bothered…"“I should expect you in how many minutes?” He questioned, instead ignoring my statement.I sighed. I didn't plan on having dinner with him.“Did Nathan have something before he slept off?” I asked.“Yeah, some cereal. Will that suffice?” He asked.I wasn't certain. I restrained a yawn, I was exhausted.“I'll rouse him for some snacks before I go to bed. He gets hungry easily.” I said.He nodded.“See you downstairs.” He twitched a smile and walked away. I shut the door.LeoThe way she chewed on her food gave the impression that she was either shy of eating in my presence, which I found weird, or the meal wasn't delicious.“Is it okay?” I asked.“Hmm.” She nodded, her eyes were glued to the food, and
LaylaI expected Henry to be back by the end of the day, but he called me in the evening, informing me about a change of plans. He wouldn't be coming back until the end of the week. And as it was, Nathan was still home and without a babysitter, since I had to do some work outside the house, I couldn't fill in the space. I thought about Mrs. Carter, but unfortunately, she had previously complained about the tiredness and weakness her pregnancy came with. She always dozes off within seconds these days. I didn't want to add to get problem. Sofia wouldn't be around either, as on the previous day a public apology was given by the culprits as regards her case, so she could then return to school with her head up high. Moreover, some investigations were still going on concerning the slanderous publications, and Eugene's father promised to get to the root of everything. It was baffling, to all, how one could manipulate the friendship between two kids and use it as a tool of public embarras
8–9 months laterAriandeI was already having contractions, and it was obvious I was going to go into labor soon. It was great I was with Layla though, and I tried to call for her. A yelp escaped my mouth as the contraction hit me harder."Oh my God, Ariande, are you okay?" Layla entered into the living room where I was, dropping the glass of water she had gone to bring, and she took out her phone to call Tony.He arrived sooner than we both expected, and he helped me into his car with Layla, who was pretty heavy too. She was to be due in a few days or a week from mine, and we'd both be free of mood swings and erratic hormones. Then she followed us to the hospital where I went into proper labor and gave birth to my girls a few hours later.I could tell from the minute that Tony walked in after my labor that he had gone through a lot of anxiety and I collected the baby when the nurse placed her in my arms, "Oh my God, Ariande, I'm so grateful for this, thank you for bringing her into t
AriandeIt was so great seeing these two get married, and I think I had seen Tony staring at me intently during the vow saying, I wouldn't be sure what that meant though.I loved the wedding reception even more, and it started off to a great start with some good music which me and the girls had gone through, including Layla and some good champagne. Other alcohols of different types were being passed around too, and soda for those who wouldn't want alcohol. There was great food and the couple when they finally entered.The song we had chosen for them to dance to upon entering started, and I have to say Leo gave his best more than Layla. It seemed like she was rather shy about dancing in public.Games were played and a lot of activities were thrown out. When the most awaited moment arrived, the throwing of the bouquet, I was in the front row because I wanted to get the bouquet and I got it.I squealed happily, "wow, I got it."Everyone smiled happily, and we waved the couple off to have
LaylaWedding preparations went on in full swing by the time we came back and as Nana, Leo's grandmother, liked hosting parties, she was the one that took control of the entire thing. She did seek my permission on some things and I answered as best as I could.Hannah was so happy for me, so also Mr and Mrs Cooper, and they very much petted me like I was their new doberman.Ariande drew me to a fitting shop days before the wedding, and I was surprised to see the other ladies "were just here to give our opinions."I was happy that they were all rallying around me, but it was just making me more nervous. I looked through the variety of gowns they had and picked one, "Go try it on."I walked into the dressing room with Ariande to help, and I had to admit we had become pretty much closer.I came out to the sight of the other ladies, and they were like hmm, hmm, I felt like that too, it wasn't really giving. It was nice though, like an off-shoulder gown with a full train and veil too. I fel
LaylaBy our fourth day there, the grill was out with the game night preparations being underway, and I helped as much as I could with the preparations. For one, I was feeling quite dizzy and nauseous and I did have an idea of what it might be, but I wasn't sure though, so I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.Tony and Leo helped set the lights on the beach and the chairs were set out around a fireplace in the middle. The beers were placed by the side and someone was to be manning the grill while everyone ate; Tony and Leo, of course. Kai offered, but the boys turned it down, and we all faced Kim."So what are the games we are going to be playing?""Okay, so I prepared quite a number of games, but the two most interesting ones would be never have I ever and two truths and a lie.""Oh, Kim" Ariande commented, making all of us laugh."So here are the rules for 'never have I ever'. Actually, it has just one rule. Everyone gets a turn to say 'never have I ever' and if you've done it
Ariande"Something fun, what would you consider something fun". The girls and I were sitting on the kitchen island pondering on what was fun, as the guys had gone off to God knows where."Well, we could go clubbing," Kim suggested, to which I agreed, though I wasn't sure I could drink with my pregnancy. Actually, I couldn't."We could also have a game night, just sit out on the beach and have some drinks too while we play some games,""I agree too," Layla said in agreement to Kai's suggestion."Well, we could go shopping. That would be for the girls, but the guys could also tag along if they want to."We all nodded in agreement, planning the whole thing and I and Layla offered to go buy the groceries for the day we would be there.It would be nice to just bake and cook for everyone. I learned there was a grill too."So have you decided on anything?" Layla asked as we drove to the mall."Yes, I decided to tell him first before I made any decision. I'll tell him probably a day or two fr
AriandeI was feeling quite funny and that was not good. I couldn't fall sick during production and at a crucial moment like this. I smiled happy when I saw my daily dose of bouquet delivered to my dressing room on set."He's just being so open now, isn't he?"Jeremy smiled, unsure of what to say."So how is your relationship with my brother?""Uhm... Actually I was going to say something about that. You're going on your break soon, right? I was wondering if I could take some days off then?"I cocked my head, "are both of you going on a vacation or trip?"He nodded slightly, "I could be back quickly if you want me to or cancel but...""It's okay, you can go. I'll manage on my own.""Really?"I nodded. As it was going to be my break soon, I wouldn't be having any shoots or production during that time because I would want some peace and quiet and, since I wouldn't be doing much then, it wouldn't be fair of me to rip his vacation from him.I called Tony when I was done with the scenes fo
LaylaThe designs were created within weeks and the collections were out together for another week. I looked through the portfolios of models that had been placed on my table and decided on the ones that we were going to use for the fashion show and campaign too.Amanda and Henry came in from New York to help with the process and a date was given for the fashion show. As for the campaign, I supervised the photo shoot and video shoot of the collections, and it was posted on both the models and CARTER'S official website as well as social media handles.I was going through one of the documents when my secretary came in, "this young lady...""Aunt Layla!" I looked up from the document to see Sofia rush in, and she was looking all bubbly and happy. I signaled the secretary that it was okay, and I gave her a big hug."Hey girlie, how have you been?"She smiled, "good""I heard you were in trouble" she smiled again, but this time more mischievous."It wasn't my fault that somebody wanted to
KaiI wasn't sure what to expect as I walked into the family house with Leo and Layla, and I was definitely surprised at the number of people that were there.Isn't that the famous actress, Ariande? And Leo's friend Tony, who were the couple that were looking about the same age as Leo's parents in a corner there too? There was also a grandma and grandpa too. Guess I had a lot of family."Leo honey" The Grandma greeted him, pecking him on the cheek, and he greeted her back. The woman also greeted Layla and a younger woman came to greet both of them too. Grandma stared at me, "and you're...""Oh you must be Kai, right?" The younger woman said, making me guess that she was Mrs Cooper, and I nodded."It's nice to meet you""Nice to meet you too", I shook her outstretched hand."This is Park Woojin, also Kai, Steve's daughter". Grandma looked confused."Steve didn't tell me about having a daughter.""Kai, meet Nana, your step grandmother and your step grandfather over there too."I greeted
Ariande"You still haven't figured out who is sending you the flowers yet?" Tony asked as I sat on the island in his kitchen. He had a bowl in his hand as he mixed chicken with mashed potatoes and I shook my head."No. I plan to use a private investigator though, because it could be a stalker and..."He nodded and smiled, "I understand.""Why did you invite me for dinner though?" I asked, surprised, since I hadn't been to his house since the last time I was drunk.He has only ever come to my house since our altercation and had sex with me. Nothing else, no dinner, no nothing, not even a drink, so what had changed that?"I just needed company to eat with today.""Oh" I felt honored even though I shouldn't, and I watched him intently as he started frying the mixture together on a bone stick.It was crazy just how much he had invaded my head. It was like I couldn't think of anything else but him and I deserved it because it had been the other way around. I had manipulated him at first, p