Noah stood frozen in confusion, reluctant to take a step toward his “uncle”.“Noah, go ahead. Say hi to your uncle”, Noah's school teacher said, urging him on with a friendly smile and a slight wave.Adamantly, Noah stood still, not moving an inch, skeptical about talking to the stranger as Freya had previously warned him not to talk to strangers.“It's okay, Miss. I'll take it from here”, The man said politely, his lips curved in a friendly smile.Noah's teacher nodded in response and briskly exited the scene.Majestically, the man walked towards Noah and squatted in front of him in order to maintain close eye contact.“Little man, don't you recognize me? It's me, Diego”, Diego said with a friendly grin, his eyes radiating warmth.Noah's eyes sparkled with recognition, finally pinpointing the man in front of him. Noah could bring up memories of the only man who had once referred to him as "Little man". The man who had ruffled his perfect hair the day they were robbed at the train sta
Noah sprinted enthusiastically towards Freya, launching himself into her arms. Freya enveloped him in a tight squeeze, encircling him in a warm, protective haven. The event drew to a close, and Noah eagerly rushed into his mother's arms. The duo entwined themselves in a tender, heartfelt embrace, swept up in a torrent of emotions, as Freya caressed his hair with gentle, soothing strokes. Diego, standing behind Noah, observed the tender exchange of hugs and sweet, lingering kisses. He beamed with satisfaction, relieved that the event had unfolded smoothly, without anyone leaving hurt or disappointed. Finally, Freya released Noah from her loving grasp and cradled his face in her palms, crouching to lock eyes with him in a deep, meaningful connection. “Mom, I hope you enjoyed my poem. I wrote it all by myself for you”, Noah said proudly, a cheerful grin spreading across his face. “Yes honey, I did. I loved it. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful poem about me. I love
Freya silently observed, in admiration, the way Diego expertly maneuvered his sleek car, handling the steering wheel with finesse. He cracked his window open, allowing the wind to tousle his longish jet-black hair, which surprisingly added to his majestic and captivating presence.Meanwhile, Noah, who was at the backseat, quietly gazed out of the window with wide-eyed curiosity, likely pondering the pedestrians strolling down the sidewalks, the trees blurring past, the notable landmarks, and the cityscape unfolding before him.For the first time, she took a moment to appreciate the interior of his car. The opulent design of his sleek vehicle dazzled her, its immaculate and stylish decor impressing her. She noticed that this particular car differed from the one he had used to drive her to the station the other day. She wondered about the extent of his car collection and his occupation. Curiosity got the better of her as she suddenly felt an urge to glimpse into his lifestyle, his home,
"Any news?”“Yes. And you'll be excited to see what I've just found”.“What is it?”“I'll send you a few photos”.Imelda abruptly ended the call and swiftly searched for the incriminating photos of Freya, Noah, and the mysterious stranger at the restaurant, which she had surreptitiously taken earlier. Upon finding them, she promptly forwarded the images to Desmond's phone number.Desmond, seated on the edge of his bed with his phone in hand, eagerly awaiting the pictures, received a notification on his phone. Imelda had sent him the photos as promised, and he quickly clicked on them, scrutinizing every detail.As he gazed at the images, Desmond's face contorted into a deadly scowl, his eyes blazing with fury, and his fists clenched in rage. He recoiled in stunned disbelief, taken aback by the shocking content of the pictures. Fury welled up inside of him as he gnashed his teeth in irritation.His eyes meticulously scanned the image, and he zoomed in for a clearer view, fixated on iden
Freya's day was exceedingly successful. She basked in an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and amassed an impressive number of sales that day.Ever since she fell out with Imelda, she began to pay her truck driver to pick Noah up from school everyday, significantly alleviating her burden. Everything seemed to be unfolding smoothly and effortlessly for her.As she swept up to the door of Imelda's house, she let out a deep sigh of satisfaction, happy that her life was gradually blossoming into something better compared to when she first moved into that city.She tapped softly but firmly on the door, waiting patiently for Imelda to fling it open and end her wait.“Who is it?” Imelda yelled grumpily from inside.“It's me”, Freya replied dryly and with a hint of exasperation, tired of always having to announce herself and clarify her identity. She wondered why Imelda always asked even though she never had visitors.Freya paused for a few seconds before Imelda flung the door open, fixing
It was Saturday.Freya went about her business, catering to the few customers who showed up to patronize her. Nothing much happened that day and she had resorted to using her food truck business as a therapeutic escape from the turmoil at home. She had been walking on eggshells throughout that week, wary of Imelda's wicked schemes. Imelda said nothing about the debt or the deadline of payment throughout that week and that made her feel a little bit relieved as she hadn't made the full amount yet. Although she had managed to generate a tangible amount, which she struggled to get with much difficulty, it still wasn't enough.As she prepared gourmet burgers, lost in thought, Freya reflected on her numerous problems and shook her head in self-loathing, reproaching herself for accepting Imelda's offer in the first place. She despised her own desperation for clouding her judgment.The catastrophic events unfolding in her life were a nightmare she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy.Just as s
Freya sat motionless, observing the way Diego strode about the station, passionately negotiating with the cops on her case and also eagerly awaiting Imelda's arrival. He refused to let her be thrown into a cell like a criminal as he vehemently argued with the cops, his voice rising in indignation. She remained silent throughout, her silence a testament to her shock at Imelda's cruel resolve and also to her discreet admiration for Diego's selfless acts of kindness towards her. She could hear him instruct some of his men over the phone to vigilantly watch over her food truck, which she had left vulnerably open along the roadway. Diego's men, about three in number, stood firmly at the door, as if guarding the room, in anticipation of Imelda's arrival. One of them was his driver who had driven his car to the station. Finally, after a few minutes of waiting, the long-awaited guest arrived, commanding attention. All eyes were fixed on Imelda who majestically walked into the station, wi
Imelda stormed about the living room, her fury propelling her back and forth as she struggled to gather her racing thoughts. Her eyes blazed with intense rage, and she let out a fierce snort, her chest heaving violently.She had just been fooled!She shook her head vehemently in utter disbelief as she recalled the shocking and humiliating conversation she had had earlier with Desmond. After narrating every detail of the unexpected twist at the station to him, how Diego had intervened on Freya's behalf, saving her from the clutches of a jail term, she had demanded her payment from Desmond for her role in ensnaring Freya in debt and hauling her to the station.But Desmond, who got infuriated by her revelation and their failed plans, refused to pay her, insisting that she hadn't completed the job as agreed. He claimed their deal was to leave Freya languishing in jail, with the sole option of crawling back to him in surrender. Since the case hadn't unfolded as planned, Desmond deemed her
At exactly 9 PM, Desmond arrived at The Eclipse restaurant, his sleek black car gliding to the entrance. Quickly, his driver alighted and held the car door open in order for him to step out. With a stylish gesture, he stole a cautious glance at his luxury silver wristwatch. Seeing he was right on time, his lips curved in a pleased smirk.With a confident expression and demeanor, he stepped out of the car, stylishly adjusting his cufflinks. As his driver shut the door behind him with a soft click, Desmond took a minute to gaze upon the tall, exquisite five star restaurant, a hint of admiration in his eyes. Freya did have a good taste.He was dressed in a classy tailored charcoal gray suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie, his polished black shoes reflecting the dim street lights. He chuckled inwardly as he couldn't explain why he felt like he was going on a date. Freya's unexpected meeting got him overly fastidious about his dressing.With a mischievous smirk, Desmond strode into the
The rest of Freya's day was ruined, following the sudden lawsuit. Her performance in the kitchen dropped by a certain percentage and her focus flew out the window.Her hands moved on autopilot, chopping, sautéing, and seasoning, but her mind was elsewhere. Soon, her chopping turned aggressive and frustrated as a picture of Desmond's face came to mind.She wondered how Diego would react to the news. He might get furious and confront Desmond. And if things were to go south, Diego would be on the receiving end, getting criticisms from the public. That was the last thing she wanted.As she measured out ingredients, her gaze drifted to her phone, lying stationary on the counter. She kind of wished Diego’s call would come in that instant. Hearing his voice would definitely soothe her frazzled nerves. Then, her gaze shifted to the knife on the table and for a minute, she imagined pushing the sharp edge through Desmond's chest, ripping his heart out. At least, she'd go to jail for the right
The morning sunlight danced through Bayside Bistro's windows, illuminating Freya's domain, where she reigned with effortless finesse and precision as head chef.The previous months had been pretty rough; the distraction which came with the lawsuits. Her personal struggles began to take a toll on her work, fueling absenteeism and dwindling productivity. Fortunately, Freya's colleagues rallied around her, offering unwavering support and a helping hand, empathizing deeply with her challenging circumstances. For that, she was grateful.The lunch menu loomed and Freya's hands moved with precision, chopping vegetables in perfect rhythm as the kitchen's warm atmosphere enveloped her. Sizzling pans and the aroma of roasting meats filled the air, leaving her with a sense of home, and that of accomplishment. She was lost in her cooking, her mind clear and focused.Though it was initially difficult, she eventually pushed away the negative thoughts and energy which came with the lawsuit and force
8:00amFreya cracked Noah's room door open and sneaked in, a mischievous grin on her face. She tiptoed towards the bed where he lay, sleeping soundly.She took a minute to observe him, to admire his innocent features which shone in the bright morning sun while he snored quietly. With a warm smile, Freya gently shook Noah's shoulder, pulling him out of his deep sleep."Happy birthday, sweetie! Rise and shine!" Freya said excitedly, her voice soft and soothing.Noah squirmed lazily on the bed and rubbed his sleepy eyes. He let out a long loud yawn as he stretched his tiny arms and legs to full length, unwilling to get up. Then slowly, his eyelashes lifted, revealing his tired icy-blue eyes, and his gaze slowly focused on his mom's warm smile."Mom..." he mumbled, flashing a weak, sleepy smile at her.Freya's smile widened at how cute he looked in his messy morning hair and his tired blue eyes. As she sat gently on his bed, she leaned in and kissed him softly on his forehead. “Happy bir
Freya paced across her living room, her feet wearing a path in the carpet. Her face was etched with uncertainty and worry, and her brows furrowed in a deep crease.The court hearings weren't going according to her expectations. After the last court hearing, where the testimony of the adoption agency officer painted Diego as a fraudulent person, Freya was certain Diego would lose the case. And what if the final verdict wasn't just going to be about canceling the adoption? What if Diego was to be sentenced to a jail term?Her mind raced with worst-case scenarios: Desmond winning the case, Noah's uncertain future, Diego's life being ruined. Her heart clenched with anguish, a sharp pain piercing through her chest. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to take action now.Just then, the doorbell broke the silence, interrupting her thoughts. Freya's heart skipped a beat as she hurried to answer it.As she flung the door open, her eyes fell on Diego who stood on her porch, his expression so
The oath-taking was over and it was time for Mr. Thompson's direct examination. Mr. Thompson approached Ms. Regina Jenkins and with a clear crisp voice, he began his examination, "Ms. Jenkins, can you describe your role in the adoption process between Diego Hunter and Freya, Noah's biological mother?"Ms. Jenkins nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking, "As director of the adoption agency, I oversaw the entire process. Mr. Hunter approached us seeking a private adoption, presenting Freya's consent form. So, I facilitated the adoption, ensuring all parties complied with state and federal regulations.""Did your agency verify Desmond July's paternity before finalizing the adoption?" Mr. Thompson asked further.Diego let out a deep sigh, his face etched with uncertainty. Sensing his growing worry, Freya reached for his hand and squeezed it gently in a reassuring manner. She stole a fleeting glance at him, as if pleading with him to calm down.At Mr. Thompson’s question, Ms. Jenkins
The next court session had finally arrived. With Freya's consent form annulled, Diego's chances of winning the case were slim. And his lawyer, Attorney Anthonia, was beginning to run out of ideas on how to save him. Everything seemed bleak.As the litigants took their seats, the courtroom fell silent, heavy with anticipation. Diego sat rigidly, his eyes fixed on the empty bench. His charming gray eyes had lost their spark and were now vague. With the way events were unfolding, Diego slowly began to lose interest in his physical appearance. He now paid less attention to the way he dressed and how his hair looked. He dressed simple, in a white dress shirt and black corporate pants; no tie as per usual. His dark longish hair was simply tied up in a small ponytail, revealing the majestic sweep of his forehead.Freya sat beside him, her fingers intertwined with his. She stole concerned glances at him at intervals, hoping he was fine. Though she couldn't help but notice just how much his ph
Freya and Diego were on their way home, driven by Diego's driver. The courthouse's imposing structure receded into the distance, but its impact lingered. A wave of silence settled between them as they sat beside each other in the back seat, their fingers intertwined.Diego's gaze remained fixed on some distant point outside the window, his thoughts consumed by the Judge's verdict. The tension in his body was tangible, his jaw clenched and shoulders rigid. The unfair judgment unleashed on them threw him off balance, threatening to shatter his composure.Freya's gentle squeeze on his hand went unnoticed as he wondered how the subsequent court proceedings would look like with Freya's consent form annulled. He would definitely lose the case as the major anchor he held onto was eliminated.The board of directors of his company were still contemplating permanently removing him as the CEO. The lawsuit gave them reasons to consider his permanent removal and they were working towards it.His l
Imelda grasped her purse and frantically dashed out of the courtroom, her gaze lowered. She avoided eye contact with everyone and hastened her pace, guilt gnawing at her conscience.She couldn't shake the image of Freya's anguished face, but she refused to show weakness. She had to get home on time before she would get caught by Freya.She was fully aware of what she had done and the consequences of her actions. But she had no choice. Her financial life was in trouble and only Desmond could help. She turned a corner, heading out of the courthouse to halt a taxi. Her feet carried her swiftly, her eyes fixed on the ground. Suddenly, while she wasn't looking, she collided with a figure, and her apology died on her lips.Slowly, she raised her head to see who the obstruction was. As soon as she set her eyes on Freya, she froze in shock, her eyes widened.Freya stood rigid before her, fury reignited in her eyes. Her brown eyes blazed with rage, the intensity of her stare sending shivers d