This is the very first time, Carol enters Damien's room. Despite having her room next to his, they both respected each other's personal space. However as soon as she enters the room, her expression changes entirely. Her jaw drops. Their rooms are opposite. When her room is cozy and warm, mostly bright and shiny... Damien's room is an entirely authentic masculine haven. She observes every inch of the room. The room feels calm and stylish, with deep gray and black colors. The walls are a soft charcoal gray, adding warmth without making it too dark. A low, black bed rests against the wall, covered with gray blankets and a few soft pillows. A tall black lamp in the corner spreads a cozy, gentle light. Next to a large window with the garden view. Even the wooden desk, chair and rocking chair everything is black. Two abstract paintings in black and white hang above the bed, giving the room a bit of character without being too bold. Every detail feels simple but thoughtfully placed.
Damien has been trying to pull all the work together and finish as soon as possible. Recently he has been trying to make sure Carol has everything ready before she starts working on her position. Right now, the meeting with the recent project members has been held. The air is heavy with the tension between the employees and others while Damien has been checking their final works. James puts another file aside for Damien to check. Almost throwing the file away, he extends his arm on the next one. But he takes a glance at his phone when the phone starts ringing. James who is sitting next to Damien takes a glance as well. He frowns when he reads the name of the caller. It's Eunice. He thought like usual, Damien will ignore the call during the meeting. But to his surprise and surprise everyone , Damien grabs his phone, " Excuse me!" James tries to say something but Damien just opens the door and moves himself outside. " Seems like an urgent call. We should dismiss the me
Damien puts a pillow behind her back as she has been lying on the bed. She has been saying that she will be overnight and she will be able to go to the company. But Damien can't find any sign of her being okay. He doesn't know how it works. But so far whatever he learned online, is saying that it will take two or three days for her to be fine. He can't help but feel a bit of respect for women in every aspect. At least after learning that they go through such pain, cramps and discomfort every single month, the level of respect increases. Right now, Carol is trying to sleep. She doesn't want to skip her training just because of this. It's bearable and time won't wait for her. Damien, in the meantime, puts everything on the Nightstands, snacks that she likes to eat, hot water bag, painkillers if it works and other necessary things that she may need anytime soon. He hasn't let anyone come inside. So everything is done by himself. Next morning, Carol wakes up as usual. Th
After the marriage, one of the best things that happened to Carol was joining this company. Not only was everyone open-minded and hardworking, but they welcomed her warmly, almost as if they had been waiting for her arrival. Now, with her last day of training complete, Carol sits in the cafeteria having lunch with her coworkers, who have been incredibly helpful throughout the process. She grabs a beef sandwich, savoring the peaceful moment. Two female coworkers sit across from her, smiling and waving. **Hi!** they greet her cheerfully. Carol nods with a small smile, acknowledging them. **How was your last day, Ms. Carol?**one of them asks. **It was great! Everyone was so easy to communicate with,** she signs warmly. **That's the beauty of this place. They really prioritize employees' well-being, which makes us more communicative and close,** the other responds. **It feels like a second home to all of us!** they grin. Carol smiles softly, taking a bite of her sandwich. It fi
Carol glances around the office room one more time to ensure she's alone. After confirming the coast is clear, she sets her phone on the stand, taking a deep breath. Quickly, she dabs her face with tissue, smoothing her hair and wiping the streaks of dried tears from her cheeks, masking any trace of her earlier breakdown. The call rings and rings, and Carol begins to think Eunice is busy. But just as she's about to hang up, Eunice’s face pops up on the screen, her hands flying in a flurry of agitated signs. **Why haven’t you checked your phone? It’s lunchtime, isn’t it? I’ve been trying to reach you! Where are you? Are you free now? It’s an emergency!** Carol flinches at Eunice’s rapid gestures. She raises her hands, trying to calm her friend. **Eunice! Breathe! You’re signing too fast—and using the wrong signs!** Eunice pauses for a beat, inhaling deeply, her shoulders relaxing slightly. **Okay. Do you have time now?** she asks, more composed. **Yes, I have ten m
Damien’s eyebrows arch with annoyance and frustration. Today, he was supposed to be at his company, overseeing Carol’s last day of training. But instead, he’s buried in endless work. James has been watching Damien throughout the day, noticing his reluctance and irritation. Every now and then, Damien lets out deep sighs and low groans, as if he’s being forced into something he doesn’t want to do. With a shake of his head, James tries to refocus on his own work. “She didn’t even message me,” Damien mutters suddenly, disappointment heavy in his voice. “I thought we were close enough for that. Right, James?” His shoulders sag under the weight of his frustration. James shuts his laptop, finally giving Damien his full attention. He’s been watching closely for a while now. The Damien he knew seems to have changed—turned into someone consumed by emotions. But it can’t be love. Not with Carol. The day is approaching, and James knows that if this continues, everything might fall apar
“I’m sorry! I misunderstood!” Alex says, rubbing the back of his neck with guilt as he glances at the blonde. His earlier hostility vanishes now that the blonde man has explained everything. Brianna kneels beside Carol, gently examining her swollen ankle. “Thanks for helping her,” she says, her tone soft but guarded. “But we’ll take her to the hospital.” “It’s really fine,” Nicolas replies with a polite smile. “There’s a clinic nearby. I’d like to make up for the trouble. Please, let me take care of it.” The siblings share a look, silently weighing their options. After a brief moment, Brianna nods. “Alright. But Alex, call her husband. He’s going to worry if she’s not home soon.” She turns to Nicolas. “I’ll drive.” Alex shifts closer to Carol, watching her carefully. She’s holding her throat with a pained expression, and worry etches deeper into his face. Gently, he taps her hand. **Sis, are you alright?** he signs. Carol meets his gaze helplessly, frustration evident in her eye
“Her ankle will heal within a week. But... about her throat, I suggest you take her to a larger hospital,” the doctor says, flipping through Carol’s medical records. He hands Brianna the prescription—a list of painkillers for her ankle and anti-inflammatories for her throat. Brianna nods, her fingers tightening on the paper, though her eyes flicker back to Carol, who sits silently in the wheelchair, clutching her throat.Carol hasn’t signed a word since earlier, and her hands keep trembling as if she’s holding back discomfort. The doctor clears his throat. “Given her medical history—losing her ability to talk and hear after the accident—I recommend you don’t ignore the throat pain. If it worsens, please see a specialist immediately.”Brianna forces a tight smile. “Thank you, Doctor. We’ll do that.” She walks to the reception desk, quietly paying both the medical bill and the extra fees Nicolas insisted on covering. Brianna knows how to be polite, but she’s not one to owe favors to
It’s late evening, and the house is quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioner. Everyone left except Carol. She just put Aria in her bed after a long day. Carol is curled up on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone, catching up on the day’s events. The soft glow from the screen lights up her face, and she can’t help but smile as she reads a message from her best friend, Eunice. After what felt like a long stretch of tension and uncertainty, Eunice and James have decided to try again—James is back, and it seems like they’re working things out. Carol’s heart swells with happiness for her friend. Just as she leans back, stretching her legs on the couch, the front door opens, and Damien walks in. His shoulders are hunched, his tie slightly loosened, and he looks exhausted. The stress from his day is evident, and he doesn’t even bother to take off his shoes before walking towards the living room. Carol raises an eyebrow, putting her phone down and watching
Aria sits quietly on the couch, her little body curled up into a ball, her plush carrot tightly held against her chest. Her small face is scrunched up, a mixture of confusion and sadness overtaking her usual lively demeanor. She can’t stop thinking about what happened with Julian earlier, and it's hurting her innocence heart more than she’s willing to admit. She is confused why Julian wants to play with someone else when she is playing with him. Damien, noticing his daughter’s silence, looks over at her from the kitchen, where he’s sipping his coffee. His heart clenches at the sight of her pouting face. Aria usually bounces around the house with boundless energy, but today, she’s a shell of her usual self. He places the mug down on the counter and walks over to her. “Hey, kiddo,” he says softly, sitting beside her on the couch. He gently pulls her onto his lap, his big hands rubbing circles on her back as he tries to comfort her. “What’s wrong, princess? Why the long face?” Aria d
The apartment is filled with the sound of the faint rustling of clothes and the occasional thud of a box being moved around. It’s quiet in a way that feels almost suffocating, the air thick with the unspoken tension that has been building for weeks. Since James hasn't been in his company, I couldn't ignore the situation. He wants to stay a few days to travel around the city. However, he has been getting lots of calls from his assistant. I can't let him slack off all day like a lazy ass. I sit cross-legged on the bed, staring at the half-packed suitcase in front of me, my fingers mindlessly folding the clothes I’ve laid out. My thoughts are a jumbled mess, as usual, filled with a thousand things—mostly about what’s coming next, about leaving and starting over, about the future that feels uncertain. But there’s one constant. One person. James. I can feel him watching me from across the room, where he’s leaned lazily against the dresser, arms crossed, his gaze locked onto me
Although I couldn't secure a position in the American branch of my company, for our best interests, James has asked me to work for him in his company. Although it's a new company, Damien has been helping him with lots of projects. We will leave soon. I have resigned my position. The bar is alive with music, the low hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter as glasses clink together in celebration. The air is thick with the scent of alcohol, fried food, and something bittersweet that lingers beneath it all—farewells. My farewell. I should be celebrating. This is my night, after all. A send-off from colleagues who’ve become friends, from a place that’s been my home for years. A place I fought to leave, worked tirelessly to outgrow. But as I sit at the bar, nursing my fourth—or maybe fifth?—drink, there’s a hollow feeling settling deep inside me, like something slipping through my fingers no matter how tightly I try to hold on. Maybe because I acknowledged th
The apartment is unbearably quiet. I sit curled up on the couch, knees drawn to my chest, staring blankly at the dark ceiling. The only sound is the faint hum of the refrigerator, but even that feels distant—like the world outside this room no longer exists. James’s message from last night is still on my phone, the words burning into my mind. "Staying at a hotel tonight. Don’t wait up."He didn’t call. Didn’t ask to talk. Didn’t even ask why. I clutch the blanket around me, my fingers tightening in the fabric. The weight in my chest is suffocating, pressing down like a stone. Sleep never came, only hours of staring at the walls, thinking about the moment he found that ticket—how his expression darkened, how he left without another word. He knows. And I hurt him. The sky outside turns from black to gray, signaling morning, but it doesn’t bring relief. The ache in my chest only deepens. I can’t sit in this silence any longer. My hands tremble as I pick up my phone and d
Eunice, The morning sunlight drapes across the living room, casting a golden warmth over the space. Everything feels too still, too peaceful, as if the world itself is oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. James moves around the kitchen with ease, sleeves rolled up, flipping pancakes like it’s second nature. I watch him, mesmerized by the way he hums under his breath, his presence so familiar yet so foreign at the same time. It should be comforting—this domesticity, this quiet moment between us. But instead, my chest tightens, because I know that soon, everything will change. Since we have returned home, I have been fighting with myself for a decision that I thought was simple a month ago. However, his appearance, me falling in love with him again made that simple decision one of the hardest decisions ever. I haven’t told him yet. “You’re staring,” James teases, his voice smooth, pulling me out of my thoughts. He glances over his shoulder, flashing that boyish grin that u
With a long-suffering sigh, he nods. “Fine. I promise.” Aria beams, hugging him tightly. “Yay! My Julie forever!” Irene smirks, crossing her arms. “We’ll see about that.” Julian groans, rubbing his temples as Aria and Irene continue their tug-of-war over him. He has had enough. “Can you both just stop?!” He snaps finally, his patience finally breaking and wearing off. Especially to Aria who is clinging onto him like a slime. Silence falls. Aria blinks, her grip on his shirt loosening. “J-Julie…?” Her voice is small, uncertain. Julian exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Irene, you always mess with me and now her, and Aria, you act like a spoiled kid whenever I talk to anyone else!” His voice is firm, frustrated. “I can be friends with other people! You don’t own me, Aria!” His sharp cold eyes shudders Aria who looks confused with Julian's cold and indifferent gaze. The room suddenly feels too quiet. Aria’s fingers tremble as she stares at him,
Julian narrows his eyes before walking towards the door, " What's their name!?" He asks. " Julie! You got friends. What about me?" She follows him hugging her plush. " I don't know her name but she is here to play with you!" Julian walks downstairs while Aria skips the staircases one after one. " Why do you have friends? I don't have friends. I want to be friends with your friend!" She keeps whining while running towards Julian. " Hi! Julian!" A girl wearing a beautiful dress shyly waves her hand. " I am here to play." " Irene! Why are you here?" Julian asks, frowning a bit. " To play -!" Julian barely takes two steps forward before Aria latches onto his arm, her plush carrot squeezed against her chest like a battle shield. Her big, round eyes lock onto the girl standing before them, her lips pursed in a deep frown. Irene blinks, then smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Is this your little sister, Julian?” Aria gasps dramatically, releasing Julian just to s
Two days ago, Julian told her that he hated her for touching his homework. Now she is yet to get over from that shock. Julian barely stirs under the warmth of his blanket, his face half-buried in his pillow. The room is quiet except for the faint rustling of fabric as he tries to sink deeper into sleep. But Aria stands frozen at his bedside, her tiny fists clenched, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "He said he hates me…" Her lips tremble, but not from sadness—from determination. She knows Julian better than anyone. He can say all he wants, but the moment she starts crying, he’ll melt like an ice cream cone in the sun. Taking a deep breath, she clenches her plush carrot and prepares for battle. She sniffs. Loudly. A little whimper escapes her lips, followed by another dramatic sniff. Then, with precise control, her lower lip wobbles as she blinks rapidly, allowing fat, glistening tears to pool in her big eyes. Julian shifts slightly under the blanket. She s