ChristianWithout wasting another second over there, I surge out of the room. Ivanna follows me. I wanted to tell her not to come downstairs because it'll stress her out. However, I know her well. She's not gonna listen to me in this case. Moreover, I don't have enough time to argue with her. I climb down the stairs when I find John standing in the hallway, his back facing me. And Thea is straight facing me. I halt as her gaze darts on me. The audacity she has to glare at me after literally blaming me for the whole thing. However, I don't expect her to have any shame. John must have realised she was looking in my direction. He turns to me. As I had already expected, his eyes are full of rage. As much as I want to understand his situation and justify his rage is far, I pity him for being so fucking blind. I can only imagine how much brainwashed a person has to be to see what Thea truly is. I feel Ivanna just behind me during the deadly eye contact.I climb down and just when my
IvannaI squeeze my eyes shut and brush my fingers against my forehead letting out a huge sigh. It was something tragic for me since I never came across such a situation, especially in the villa itself. I look at the door. John and Thea have left but John's last words keep echoing inside my head. The way he gazed at Christian and threatened to ruin him was enough for me to realise the upcoming turn of events. I can still feel my heart thudding against my chest. It takes me a while to process it all. I roll my eyes around the hallway. Mrs Fisher has been there, a few feet away. Her eyes are full of concern. As soon as my gaze lands on her, she gets startled and looks around. "Get back to your work, everyone", she says in a firm tone to the house helpers. Getting startled, they also get back to their respective work. "Let me know if you need something", she says with a half-smile and leaves. I catch my breath and turn around. Christian has been already looking at me. His eyes are cal
Ivanna"Had to leave early. There are some emergencies. Don't worry. It'll be okay. I love you"I read the text through my blurred vision when I'm still on the bed, lying on my stomach, trying my best to get up. I sent an emoticon in reply. There was a silly time when we both used to get offended when there were such small words in the reply of I LOVE YOU. But like a relationship ages, it doesn't matter anymore. Especially with texts. I laugh to myself and tuck my head back under the sheets. I don't feel like getting up. And it's been a whole month since I have focused on the firm itself. Christian was right. I didn't have to quit that way. Initially, I'm taking long breaks which is better than quitting. "It's time for work!" I feel small taps on my blanket with Chrissie's voice coming like a command. "Mama! You keep bunking your work. Don't be a lazy girl. Get up", she squeals. I groan, regretting what I told her yesterday. Yes! I told her that I'll get back to work today. She
Christian"What happened last night?" Kane asks, surging straight to my desk. By the look on his face, I can clearly say he has been losing his mind after the contracts were paused. "Something we all expected", I say, passing a half-smile and getting back to my computer screen. "Well, You better not lose your mind about that""How could I not?" He says, slumping onto the seat in front of me. "Did you even try to explain anything to Mr Fox?""He wouldn't trust me anyway. I don't even expect him to. Now, all we can do is prove everything in court and Thea has no other option except for confessing her deeds. John isn't gonna trust any of this until she confesses herself""As if she would", he groans. "She can keep acting innocent for the rest of her life instead of confessing what she has done"I move my gaze back to him. "Stop panicking, Kane. There's nothing to panic about""There is actually. You looked at the revenue of your company. The graph! It was already frozen and we could onl
IvannaStreet coffee has become one of my favourites. I'm sure Christian loves that too. I get down from my car and find him across the road, sitting by the streets next to the cart. He's looking in a direction without any movement for a long time as if he's lost in his thoughts. I stand there for a while, observing him. When he texted me about cancelling the meeting I wasn't sure if that was the right decision. However, he might need some space between two back-to-back incidents. I don't even know if something happened in the office. I take a deep breath, put on a smile and walk towards him. He doesn't notice me until I sit beside him, stare at him for seconds, and then slowly tap his shoulder which makes him startle. He shrugs, tilting his head at me. "I didn't realise you were already here""You spaced out", I grin. "And I can't say you were thinking about me"He smiles back, taking my hand in his and pushing a few locks of my hair behind my ear. "I might be looking too miserab
Ivanna"Hey, what a surprise!" I exclaim as I walk towards her. "You didn't tell me you're coming around"She stands up. "Well, it's not big news though. If you guys can literally do something huge like splitting the company without even telling us, I can definitely come around without telling you" Emily says straight, gazing at both of us. I look back to Christian who is utterly shocked. "That was really not right. You know that. And you don't have to be shocked, Christian. As Kane told me Arthur knows you both since you guys were kids. There's no way he wouldn't want to know if everything is okay between you and Kane. Thus we got to know"I hear Christian letting out a deep sigh. "Where's Kane?" He asks."He's freaking out at home. And he even asked me not to come. But when did I listen to him anyway?" She rolls her eyes. "I don't know why you did that. But he's really hurt. You don't have the fucking right to do so", her voice cracks. "Listen, Emily. Hear me out", Christian wal
IvannaI rush across the room to reach her and hug her right away full of excitement. "Oh my God! Emily! Congratulations""Thanks", she giggles as she gets almost pinned against the couch while I lean to embrace her tightly. "When did you find out?" I exclaim, breaking the hug and looking at her curiously. "Yesterday. I went through an ultrasound, didn't tell Kane because I kind of wanted to surprise with a gender reveal ceremony", she says.I frown. "Ah? So, why did you ruin it for us? I mean you told us. Could have been a surprise too, no? Imagine we all be so surprised at the ceremony""Well—" she purses her lips. "I dropped the plan of that ceremony. I'll just tell him once he's in a good mood""Wait!" Christian says. "Why would you drop the plan? I mean it sounds great. You should have one"Emily looks back at him and hesitantly shakes her head. "I don't know. It just doesn't seem right now. He's kind of not in the mood for anything. "You must be kidding me. He'll be good""Bu
TheaI was definitely not ready for this abrupt question. Gawking at him in disbelief, I stand completely frozen on the spot. He finally shifts his gaze up at me and his lips curve into an artificial smile. "I asked you a simple question, Mrs—" he pauses and opens a file. "Thea Fox. You look nervous"I shrug off and pass him a forced smile. "Well, I'm not nervous. I'm just surprised. No greeting and all. And you just jumped with a weird question"He smirks. "That's my rule number one. I ask this question even before breathing on my client first. I need to make sure I'm in a right place"His words give chills all over me. "But they reply straight away. You did not", he raises his eyebrows at me.I clean my throat. "Yes. Of course. I'm innocent", I shrug, walking towards his desk. He doesn't shove his eyes away from me and it makes me kinda anxious. Is he trying to scan my reaction?He might have seen and talked to so many people for years that it's easy for him to figure out who's l
JohnGetting married in the 50s isn't that strange anymore. But for me, it was— for a man who believed his marriage would last forever and then believed he would never marry again. I stood before the mirror as Ryan helped other groomsmen with their last fit."You all look pretty handsome. Ready to leave. But I wish Kevin had that time to get a good fit. Your suit sucks!""I feel better anyway", Kevin snarls. I chuckle while fixing my bow tie, watching my sons in their 20s still fighting like toddlers. It's been a blessing for me to have a family which didn't break even after the biggest disaster. And maybe it was because, in our family, it had always been us. Me and my two boys. Their mother wasn't there. The death was just a formality. I didn't really change that much. My boys were happier than ever after she died. It's really mean of me to think that way but it was the truth. They were traumatised because they were kids. As they grew up, I realised they had a better and healthier
It's been a while since I updated this book. However, I have delayed letting you know that I'm writing a book on Samuel and Chrisanna titled "Dispute Marriage" You'll find it on my goodnovel profile. This book is a bit different from others which don't have a forced marriage trope or any abusive family since you are already familiar with both families.The story revolves around two childhood friends Samuel and Chrisanna and their sudden marriage after Samuel disappears from Chrisanna's life for eight years. The book deals with heavy mental issues and a dark past. Slow burn. Please give that book a try and let me know if you like it. And I would like to know if you would want a short portion of John and Georgia's story or a direct epilogue to close the book.
Tiffany Emery runs to Sebastian. "Da—dy"And he immediately drives his eyes down and takes her in his arms. They both look at me lovingly. Now, I don't feel bad about pushing the wedding. This feeling would not be the same if we got married before Emery came. Ryan and Kevin walk beside me to the aisle. I wanted them to do this honour because if there's anyone in this world I still love more than Sebastian and Emery, My eyes become teary as I walk to them. Sebastian spreads his arm at me and I immediately dig into his chest.He leans closer to my ear."My beautiful bride"I smile against his chest and look up. He takes my hand and leads me to the centre. I take a look at every one. John, Mr Ryder, Gary, Myra, Christian, Ivanna and the recent teenager Chrisanna. Everything feels so complete and beautiful. Mr Ryder comes and takes Emery from Sebastian even though she doesn't wanna go. With the pastor's words, Sebastian and I looked into each other's eyes deeply. "I, Sebastian Ry
TiffanyI can't figure out how to react and what it's all about because I don't wanna assume anything unreasonable. He's on his knees with a damn ring.It means— God! I can't— comprehend it. My eyes flutter open at his handsome face. No words come out of my mouth. I'm at a loss of words."I know you're shocked! And I'm sorry if I scared you with this sudden—" he doesn't complete, yet keeps his eyes straight into mine. "But I couldn't keep this longer inside me, Tiffany. I had known a long time ago that I needed you in my life. Forever! And I'm not scared to ask you that—"With that pause, my heartbeat stops and my entire body shivers when I wait for him to complete."Will you marry me?" I feel goosebumps littering all over me with those words. Did he really ask me for marriage? It takes me a while to process. His eyes are full of fear and hope and I'm left in shock. Never in my wildest dreams, I had imagined he would propose to me. I hear some people around cheering up and root
TiffanyTime indeed flies like air and it happened in my case in a better way. In the best way, actually. I started my job in the daycare centre with all the lovely kids around which made my life less monotonous after Ryan and Kevin left. They are doing good in their new school and John has also settled into his new office over there. I and Sebastian balanced our life beautifully, supporting each other. As days and weeks passed, our love grew stronger. Among everything, I was happy with the fact that I have my identity now. A good identity. My salary doubled in just three months after joining for my good service and the way all the kids related to me. In a year, I was promoted to manager of the daycare centre, life couldn't be any less beautiful. It's been two years, I and Sebastian are together and we are living our best life. We hardly argued and most of the time it was just silly. He loves to tease me and I go along with it. Sebastian has become the most demanding lawyer in the
TiffanyWe spent the last two days painting the house and I can't describe how beautiful it came out. We did some changes like replacing the furniture and donating some. If everything goes well, I'll be here in less than three days.John has finished all the preparations in Hong Kong and he's leaving the day after we decided to move in. It all happened so fast but I'm glad that John is recovering. It's been eight months since the tragedy and I know it's gonna take years for him to overcome this. I'm happy for him but I would be happier if there was any chance that he finds someone to love him as much as all of us found a person to love.It sucks and I hate the fact that all his life he never found someone like that.I and Sebastian carry the portrayal I had in my room for years. It's a huge one and Sebastian suggested we should place it in the living room because it's beautiful. It's a painting I got from an art summit years back, featuring a mother and her small daughter, surviving
Sebastian"Really, Sebastian? I have never seen you this excited before", Georgia says as I show her some themes I'm confused with and I end up telling her the whole plan. "Isn't it something to be excited about?" I blurt out. "She's moving in with me. Isn't it amazing? People can't even go past dating and we are really moving in!" I tell her and she smiles wider, sitting in front of my desk."That's true", she says. "I'm just wondering what you would do once you guys announce the marriage!" she laughs but on a serious note, it makes my heart stop for a while.She pauses, looking at me. "Sorry. I should not have said that?"I chuckle. "Nah! Nothing like that. I just spaced out when you talked about marriage""Ah! So, that means you're thinking about it", she leans to the desk. I scratch the back of my head with an awkward smile. "I could marry her the moment I saw her! But hell! I'm not repeating any mistakes from the past. Maybe, I'll wait for a while before proposing to her. And t
Tiffany We stop by the nursery. It's one of the biggest nurseries in the city which I can completely believe by the way it looks. The boys run into the green surrounding and I and Sebastian slowly walk to see the plants. One of the workers accompany us, showing us all the kinds of plants we could use for decor. "I want the real ones", he says as I scan those plants which need no sunlight. They would be perfect for indoors."These are real ones too. These are just indoors", I say, watching his expression change. "But I still don't find the realness in them. You can take these. I'll look for others", he walks away to find his REAL plants as I shake my head at him in disbelief.We load all the plants we have got for the decor and Ryan and Kevin took two small ones to plant in the yard. Even though they won't be staying here, they wish to see it all grown up when they would occasionally visit. After that, we stop by a restaurant to have lunch. Surprisingly, Sebastian didn't suggest h
Tiffany We talked a lot today. I'm glad that I took this whole day out for him because we needed to have this conversation. I have finally decided to move in with him. Nonetheless, it'll come with more challenges and I'm ready for it. This decision will not only make our relationship stronger but also give me a world of my own. I can't wait to finally live my life in my own conditions and happiness. Sebastian asked me if he could help me anyway. But I refused to take any help from him as I did with John. It's my call to explore and look for opportunities which I'll be doing from today. I'm thinking about having a conversation with John again. I want him to change his decision of holding back until I settle down. Because that's impossible. I'll need a lot of time to clean the mess and organise my life and I think I'll surely do it if I have Sebastian.I'm glad that Sebastian understood me and more than that he trusted me enough. I'm scrolling through my phone to research the jobs I t