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
Freya stole a worried glance at Noah, who was utterly absorbed in his toy, completely oblivious to the weight of their difficult circumstances. She exhaled a disheartened sigh, fearing that he might be growing weary of their challenging life. They had been sitting for hours under a roadside bench shelter, Freya trying to calculate their next move, her mind racing with possibilities and scenarios. Despite having reassured Noah that everything would be fine and that she had everything under control, Freya couldn't help but silently panic, feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of finding an affordable apartment that met their needs. Aside from Imelda, Freya had no other acquaintances in the city, and as she sat lost in thought, memories of Diego surfaced— the one person who had always been there for her, consistently proving his unwavering support and care. Just then, a thought crossed her mind. She suddenly felt the urge to call Diego and ask him for help. But she shook off th
Diego's car squealed to a sudden halt, stopping precisely in front of a towering and enormous white mansion just as the driver swept past the gates.Freya gazed blankly at the building in utter astonishment as the sight of Diego's apartment radiated luxury. She wondered how he felt living alone in such a vast, echoing house, without anyone to share his thoughts with.Noah, on the other hand, also seemed to be captivated and amazed by the sight of Diego's house. It was just as lavish and exquisite as his father's estate, and he began to ponder what exactly Diego did for a living.Diego's driver stepped out of the car and flung the back door open with a grand gesture, inviting Freya, Diego, and Noah to alight.Diego stepped out first, then Noah, who sprang out of the car with enthusiasm. Freya was the last, and Diego, who was obviously waiting for her, extended his hand in a warm, inviting gesture.Noah watched as his mother placed her hand hesitantly in Diego's in a dramatic manner and
Freya and Noah strode into Diego's house, as he had instructed the guards to grant them unrestricted access. He was still absent, having not returned from work, but surprisingly, Freya had closed her food truck business on time for the day and picked Noah up from school with the help of her hired truck driver. This marked the second day of their stay in Diego's house. Although Freya was still working towards securing a comfortable and affordable apartment, Noah seemed to have grown remarkably comfortable at Diego's house. Diego indulged him, having asked his driver to take him to school that morning, stuffing his backpack with an assortment of candies and cookies, all of Noah's favorites. She could discern that Noah had developed a strong liking for Diego, evident in the way he constantly spoke about Diego, inquiring about him, and expressing his admiration for Diego's cool demeanor. Freya was delighted to see that there was finally someone aside from her who could bring him joy, s
Diego stepped on the car brakes, abruptly pulling his car to a halt just in front of Freya's soon-to-be new home. The real estate agent was already present, waiting in front of the house for Freya, so they could finalize the paperwork of the house after Freya takes a good look at their new house and makes sure it was to her liking. Noah didn't come along as he had already been taken to school, but Diego went as far as taking a quick leave from work just to accompany Freya to the house she was going to be settling in soon, his dedication a surprise to Freya. Freya felt a little disturbed that he was taking such measures for her, something he wouldn't normally do for anyone, and although she was grateful, she also kind of wished he didn't bother about her, his actions stirring up mixed emotions within her. “Here we are. Mr Morgan is here already”, he said to Freya, just as he parked his car in front of the house. Then he turned to take a proper and longer glance at her face, ga
It had been a week since Freya and Noah moved into their new home. Despite the struggles, the stress and the numerous paperwork, they had finally succeeded and settled down. Their lives began to have meaning once again and a new wave of ease began to settle in their midst.However, Freya rarely called or texted Diego after they moved out of his house and even though Diego was the one who frequently tried to reach out, she found herself declining his calls and leaving his messages unread.Diego stared hard at his phone, contemplating dialing Freya's number for the umpteenth time. His face was etched with disappointment, his brows knitted in a frown that depicted confusion at Freya's strange behavior. To think that he actually believed that they were finally on good terms.Diego let out a deep, exasperated sigh, shutting his eyes tightly in frustration. He had no clue what Freya wanted anymore and what she stood to achieve by distancing herself from him.His grand biannual charity ball
The night of the ‘Empowering a Greener Future’ charity ball by Hunter Global Enterprises had finally arrived, casting a warm glow over the Bellagio Hotel's grand entrance. The soft hum of conversation and the gentle clinking of glasses filled the air as guests began to arrive, their elegant attire and sparkling jewels a testament to the evening's promise of glamor and generosity.The grand ballroom at the Bellagio hotel was indeed a breathtaking sight. The room was filled with elegant tables, adorned with crisp white linens, fine china, and sparkling crystal glasses. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a stunning view of the hotel's iconic fountains.Outside, the beautifully choreographed water show cascaded across the tranquil lake, creating a mesmerizing display of art and music. The gentle ripples of the water reflected the soft glow of the hotel's exterior, casting a warm, golden light onto the surrounding gardens.The elegant atmosphere was further enhanc
With her lips curled in a hateful snarl and her eyes narrowed, Freya leaned forward, her arms crossed against her chest."Drop the lawsuit, Desmond. Or face the consequences”, Freya threatened, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper.Desmond's expression remained unmoved, his eyes glinting with amusement. In reaction to Freya's subtle threat, he simply leaned back in his chair, deliberately getting on her nerves."Consequences, Freya? From you? Oh, I'm so scared”, he said with a sarcastic chuckle.Then his expression turned sober, and he feigned fright, widening his eyes and mouth in an attempt to provoke Freya further.With a contemptuous glare, Freya watched him mimic a scared person and burst out laughing. Desmond chuckled for seconds, his body vibrating ridiculously as he tried to control his amusement.Freya's face twisted in rage, her hands clenched into fists. “What the hell is funny?” she spat.Desmond held his chest, attempting to suppress his laughter. “I'm sorry. I guess it
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