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
Freya's driver brought the car to a stop in front of Desmond’s mansion. The towering estate stood firm, silhouetted against the deep orange evening sky, staring back at Freya through the car window.She exhaled slowly, glancing at Noah, who sat stiffly beside her, his wide eyes glued to the mansion and his lips pressed into a thin line. The tension between them was palpable.Though she had grown used to Desmond's outbursts, the thought of his reaction to their 24-hour disappearance unsettled her."You ready?" she asked softly, though she already knew the answer.Noah nodded, his movements jerky and uncertain. "Will Daddy Desmond be...mad?" he whispered.Freya forced a reassuring smile. "I don’t know, sweetheart," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. "But whatever happens, stay close to me, okay?""Okay," Noah murmured, his voice barely audible.She reached over and squeezed his hand, drawing strength from the bond they shared. Then, steeling herself, she opened the
10:30 PM The event had come to an end, and guests were trickling out in large numbers, leaving the venue abuzz with faint remnants of laughter and conversation.Desmond stood near the entrance, scanning the thinning crowd for Freya and Noah. His jaw tightened, a knot of unease forming in his chest as neither of them appeared. He had been searching for the two of them ever since the event drew to a close but to no avail.“Where are they?” he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting across the room. Freya’s sudden disappearance felt deliberate, a silent defiance that only added fuel to the growing fire of his rage.How could she leave her own event like that without supervising its conclusion? And how dare she not tell him where she was going?He moved purposefully through the venue, his commanding presence making the staff glance nervously his way. Each one he passed offered polite nods and smiles, but none dared to stop him as he searched every corner. The restrooms, the bar, the
The event had finally begun to wind down, the last notes of music fading away as the guests began to disperse. Freya felt the weight of the evening pressing on her shoulders, evident in her tired eyes and robotic movements. Smiling and thanking the guests had taken its toll, and she needed a moment to herself. Quietly excusing herself from Noah and a few other guests, she slipped away from the main room, heading toward the restroom at the far end of the hallway.Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor, the sounds of the celebration fading behind her. She let out a slow breath, grateful for the brief relief.But just as she turned a corner, she stopped dead in her tracks, stunned.Diego was walking toward her, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, his steps unhurried. The soft lighting of the hallway highlighted the familiar features of his face—his sharp jawline, the kind warmth in his eyes, and the faint trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.Freya fr
The main event began and Freya mounted the podium, a wide smile plastered on her face. The soft murmur of the crowd faded as the spotlight centered on her. She stood tall, her posture exuding confidence, yet her expression carried a quiet intensity. She adjusted the microphone, glancing briefly at the audience, where dozens of faces waited expectantly.Diego sat with Noah at the table in the front row which Freya had reserved specially for them. Freya's driver had brought Noah to the event quite late, but just in time for her speech.Noah was very happy to see Diego once again. He was more glad to know he was still in touch with his mom—being at the event proved that.They had a little father-and-son bonding time before Freya mounted the stage. Diego was especially grateful he was given a chance to see Noah again. He couldn't contain his happiness, which was evident in his wide grin.However, Desmond was seated away from the front row—Freya had arranged it that way. She had reserved t
Freya's gaze softened, and her heart fluttered in her chest as happiness warmed her entire being. He made it eventually—Diego honored her invitation. Even if he didn't show up at her event, she wouldn't hold it against him. He had every right to be mad at her. Yet, he showed up and her pleasure showed outwardly in a soft, subtle smile. Diego didn't mirror her smile, his expression still neutral. However, there was a hint of warmth in his eyes that Freya didn't miss. He didn't take his eyes off her, his gaze unwavering as if he were under a spell.Just in time, Desmond’s disdainful voice broke Freya out of her reverie. “Look what we have here. I see Diego decided to grace us with his presence. Bold of him, considering the circumstances.”Freya’s eyes suddenly darted to Desmond, a hateful intensity in their depths. Her expression switched from soft to cold in an instant. Her pulse quickened, but she tried to maintain her composure. “He was invited,” she replied icily. “He’s a valued s
The atmosphere after Imelda's departure was now tense. And Freya seemed to have lost her smile. She sat in a corner, cradling a glass of champagne in her hands but not taking a single sip. The P.A she had recently hired, by the name Kira, approached her, wondering why she was staring blankly into space when she should be getting ready for the night.“Freya!” she called out, a mix of surprise and confusion etched on her face. “What's the matter?”Freya snapped out of her thoughts, her expression turning professional. She looked up at her P.A, forcing a faint smile.“Just wanted to have a drink. Let's go,” Freya said calmly, rising to her feet.Just before she could take a step, she caught a glimpse of someone at the entrance and halted abruptly.Desmond had just arrived.Freya didn't flinch or react, she simply stared Desmond down, her piercing tawny eyes boring into his soul.As Desmond walked in, flanked by his bodyguards, his domineering presence commanded the room and attracted at
The grand opening of Freya’s new restaurant finally arrived after a few weeks of anticipation and it was nothing short of spectacular. The venue radiated sophistication—elegant chandeliers bathed the room in warm light, while the earthy tones of the decor created a welcoming yet refined atmosphere. Every detail, from the artfully plated dishes to the melodic hum of a live jazz band, spoke of Freya’s sophisticated taste. The luxurious space, decked in modern elegance, buzzed with excitement and expectation. Guests entered in a steady stream, their laughter and murmurs of admiration filling the room. Society’s elites, dressed in sophisticated attires, mingled effortlessly and clinked champagne glasses, each one vying for Freya’s attention as they extended their congratulations. This was Freya’s night, a hard-earned triumph she had gotten through hard work and heartbreak. However, tonight, the crowd wasn’t just here to celebrate her success. They were also here to observe, to judge
The boardroom of Hunter Global Enterprises was filled with the sharp sound of clicking pens, murmurs of conversation, and the rustling of papers as Diego walked in.Diego stepped into the center, his back straight and his face set in a mask of stoic professionalism.His demeanor was composed, yet his eyes held a hint of uncertainty and discomfort. His company's board of directors suddenly called a board meeting without specifying the details. The board members, a sea of stern faces and expensive suits, glanced up from their notes, acknowledging Diego's presence.Their collective gaze was fixed intensely on Diego, throwing him off balance. Diego threw his gaze away, but his expression remained stoic to prove he wasn't intimidated.As Diego sat down, his eyes scanned the board members’ faces, hoping to fish out the reason for the meeting from their expressions.For a moment, the room fell silent, with the eyes of the board members shifting between each other as if silently calculating
The warm, familiar aroma of roasted garlic, simmering sauces, freshly baked bread and the hum of chatter and clinking dishes greeted Freya as she pushed open the glass door of Bayside Bistro. A bell above the entrance jingled softly, announcing her arrival. It was mid-afternoon, and the restaurant was alive with activity: waitstaff gliding between tables, patrons laughing over glasses of wine, and the distant clatter of pots and pans echoing from the kitchen.Freya paused in the doorway, taking it all in. This place was her first step to success, a constant reminder of her triumph, how she had won the breakthrough cooking contest. She had poured her heart into her work here, finding a sense of purpose. Now, she was back to say goodbye. Returning to resign from her position there felt bittersweet, but it was necessary. It was all for the best.She began walking towards the kitchen, to see her soon-to-be ex-colleagues. But she halted abruptly, realizing it was better to see the manag