"It's true that you can work under pressure. You don't disappoint, Marianne.""In the long run, you get used to meeting irrational expectations. It's the primary requirement for our client profile," I explained as we both got into the elevator. I pressed the button to go up."Irrational… I like that
I gathered my strength to hold back, but things weren't working out the way I wanted. There was no way Lucius could accompany me to see that apartment. No way at all."You can't come with me to see that apartment!" My voice came out louder and shriller than I wanted."Why not? I showed you mine. Or
This city had a gentrification problem, which had skyrocketed just in the past year. In the year when I was oblivious to mortal issues because of my rich ex-fiance. I should never have gotten used to that comfort. Or dreamed of more than I could earn with my own hands. My mother was right: depend on
Never underestimate how fast a woman without a home could move. Within hours, she had filled out all the forms and gathered most of the documents she needed to apply for the mortgage. It would be enough for an average-priced, cozy, two-bedroom apartment near the city center. Nothing luxurious, but a
“We can’t have more surprises with my marriage and your nephew being so close,” Amanda said, emphasizing the juiciest words so others would overhear. “On Saturday night, Andrew and I are hosting a welcome dinner at our apartment for your new partner. Mom and Dad will be there. Trust me, we’re all ex
Friday arrived, and with it, the night I had dreaded finally came. My panicked face was probably worth a portrait as I announced myself at the entrance of Lucius’s new building. They let me in quickly, and the elevator moved faster than I would have liked. In a few seconds, I was knocking on his doo
“I don’t have a mother, Marianne. Any other questions I might actually answer?” he offered.I got the message instantly. The mother was worse than the father, and he didn’t even want to joke about her. Noted and filed away as a forbidden topic. I reorganized my thoughts. I had a purpose for tonight.
“When will you give it to me? We need to plan the proposal,” I said as I sat in the nearest chair.“Does tomorrow work for you? I was thinking we could do it then,” he suggested.I loved the idea.“It would be perfect to do it at that dirty cheater’s apartment, with my whole family there,” I envisio
I was easily the most boringly dressed guest here, yet the moment I arrived, I felt all eyes on me. Around me were either complete strangers or familiar faces tied to the Lewis family, and the latter group I knew watched me closely. I ignored them as best I could. Let's just say I wasn't a welcome p
"Well, that boy has been in love with you for many years, and a man's ego is fragile enough as it is. I'm not surprised he reacted badly to your rejection," my mother said.I bolted upright from the bed, startled."What are you saying?" I sounded offended. "Our romantic feelings are recent. That's w
My mother had had me when she was eighteen—a single mom who had faced countless struggles because she had a child so young. I know that for most of my life, I've had the financial backing of my father's family, but those early years of poverty, hunger, and loneliness were memories that hadn't faded.
He was staring at me a lot."What are you looking at? Haven't you had enough of staring at me since we were kids?" I teased him."I'll never get tired of looking at you," he replied.I couldn't help but smile at that. How could he be so sweet?"Well, since you've given up on that ridiculous wedding,
I unhooked my bra, wanting to be more comfortable, and I began playing with my nipples. He noticed and kissed his way back up to them, sucking on each one in turn. It was even better as he didn't stop using his fingers, thrusting them in and out of me. However, he hadn't looked me in the eye since I
I hadn't woken up this morning planning to test Lawrence's patience, let alone end up kissing him like this. But the way he held me tightly against his body, the way our tongues danced wildly together, had me teetering on the edge.I had no idea he was such a good kisser nor that he was so skilled a
"Hello, Emma. It's nice to hear from you too..." I answered, feeling utterly drained."I want an explanation now, Lawrence," she snapped.Honestly, my brain wasn't functioning well enough for riddles at this moment."Who is 'she'? How are we making fun of you?" I asked, confused.I heard a frustrate
The best treatment and care at home—that was what my father was receiving. But no matter how much money was spent or how excellent the medical attention was, it wouldn't save him. In the end, money could only buy the material things. It couldn't replace a body destined for death.I was so disturbed
Lawrence Lewis's P.O.VWhen I got engaged to Emma and put the distance between me and Sara that I should have enforced all along, I never expected this. Out of all the scenarios I had predicted, what had actually happened was never one of them. I tried to chalk up what happened in that dark closet t