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
Diego's warm touch on her skin ignited wild, inappropriate thoughts in her head, his steady gaze compounding the situation.Freya knew fully well that they could go on for hours staring at each other and not saying anything, as Diego didn't look like he was going to take his eyes off her anytime soon.Just in time to break the spellbound gaze, Noah yelled “Diego” enthusiastically, lifting his hands up in the air towards Diego, pulling them out of the trance.And that was when Diego finally noticed Noah, averting his gaze towards him.“Noah! So happy to see you”, Diego said with a cheerful voice, shaking his little hand enthusiastically, a broad grin spread across his face.Noah's face lightened up with a grin in response. He was delighted to see Diego once again and he was certain that Diego would have playfully ruffled his hair if they weren't in a formal gathering.Diego replaced his gaze on Freya, his eyes softening at her.“Freya, I'm really glad you made it. You don't know how ha
The dance was finally over. Freya and Diego returned to their seats, ready to witness the next item on the list of events to be held that night.The Master of Ceremony mounted the stage once again to announce the arrival of a performer, a renowned singer, Sophia Reyes.As the crowd erupted in an ear deafening round of applause, Sophia mounted the stage, ready to perform the song which she had written in regards to the theme of the charity ball.While she sang, Diego slowly reached out for Freya's hand which she had placed idly on the table, enveloping it in a tight, warm grip.“I hope you're enjoying the event”, he said softly to her, though his eyes were fixed on the performer on stage.Freya hesitated for a few seconds, staring hard at Diego's hand which was tightly wrapped around hers. She began to loathe the way he so easily touched her whenever he liked as if they were so familiar with each other. However, a part of her liked the way he touched her, the gentle rubbing of their s
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, and
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
Freya's car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the newly acquired building for her future restaurant, its sleek crimson-red exterior reflecting the soft late morning sunlight. Majestically, Freya stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement as she adjusted her charcoal gray overcoat and looked up at the structure before her. Her eyes beamed with joy and a sense of accomplishment, her broad smile radiating an enthusiastic energy. She had finally done it. She had acquired a new building very close to Desmond's corporate headquarters just the day before. Right under Desmond's nose.Her lawyer, Attorney Kim, followed closely behind, clutching a leather portfolio in one hand and a confident smile on her face.“It’s ready,” Kim said, her voice steady and encouraging. She gestured toward the building with a subtle nod. “It’s yours, Freya. Everything you’ve worked for.”Freya’s gaze traveled upward once again, taking in the sight of her future. The building was a beautiful blend of
Desmond sat in his study, a crystal glass of whiskey cradled in his hand. The golden liquid caught the glow of the late Sunday morning sun which filtered into the room through the blinds, casting faint patterns on the polished wood of his desk.His jaw tightened as he stared at the swirling drink, his mind replaying the events of the past weeks. Freya’s haughty indifference, her commanding tone, the way she moved through the house as if she owned it—it was infuriating.With an aggressive motion, he gulped down the entire glass of whiskey, his angry gaze fixed on some point ahead.His hand trembled slightly as he poured himself another drink, the bottle clinking softly against the rim of his glass. The taste of whiskey burned his throat, but it wasn’t enough to drown the bitter resentment bubbling inside him.Instead of the meek woman he had once controlled, Freya returned with a defiance that made his blood boil. She was colder now, sharper. She carried herself with an air of power, a
The late-night stillness of the house was broken only by the soft murmur of the television in the living room. Freya sat curled up on the couch, a blanket draped over her legs, her focus seemingly on the sitcom playing on the screen.After assisting Noah with his homework, Freya watched him go to bed early, claiming he was a little burnt out. While she was still in Noah's room, the doctor arrived and attended to Desmond. She knew because she had looked out the window the moment the doctor's car drove into the driveway.After tucking Noah in bed, she returned to the living room to watch some TV while the doctor attended to Desmond.Across the room, Desmond sat stiffly in an armchair, his body weak but his mind racing with several thoughts and questions. The doctor stood beside him, packing up his medical bag after administering medication to counter the allergic reaction.The doctor cleared his throat, his gaze fixed on Desmond. “Mr. Desmond, it’s critical that you avoid any food cont
The heavy creak of the front door echoed through the hall as Desmond stepped inside the house, shrugging off his suit jacket. It had been another long day, filled with meetings and sharp-tongued negotiations. He was looking forward to retreating to the warmth of his room, away from the suffocating formalities of his life.As he loosened his tie and began ascending the staircase, the soft patter of approaching footsteps interrupted his thoughts. One of the maids appeared, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, her posture respectful.“Good evening, sir,” she greeted, her voice polite but warm.Desmond nodded curtly, already thinking about the bottle of whiskey waiting for him upstairs. “Evening. Where’s Freya?” he asked casually, though there was an edge to his tone.The maid hesitated briefly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “Madam is…in the kitchen.”Desmond froze mid-step, slowly turning back to face the maid. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and his face was etched
7:17 PM. It was Saturday evening and Diego sat in bed, his laptop open in front of him, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his sullen face. His expansive room was a serene oasis, cozy and intimate, the only sound the soft hum of the laptop and the distant murmur of the TV opposite his bed. The room was dimly-lit, the center chandelier and rays from the TV the only sources of light.The plush, white duvet was rumpled beneath him, and a few pillows were scattered about, evidence of a restless night's sleep.His fingers moved mechanically over the laptop keyboard as he worked, his eyes fixed on the screen, but his mind was elsewhere.He couldn't shake off the feeling of hurt and devastation that had been lingering since the day he paid Freya a visit in Desmond's mansion. His mind replayed the cruel manner in which Freya had shut him out, coldly refusing to talk to him without any reason. It was quite obvious she was hiding something, and Diego's mind had been racing with possibi
Freya sat in her dimly-lit room, the muted hum of the city outside barely registering in her mind as her focus stayed locked on the task at hand. The glow from her laptop screen illuminated her sharp features, her expression steely. Her eyes were fixed intently on the laptop screen, her fingers hovered over the keyboard. The plan she had carefully devised over the past few weeks was now in motion, and she felt nothing but satisfaction as she moved to claim what she deserved.Aside from setting herself and Diego free from the legal battles, ensuring the safety and reputation of the ones she loved, another benefit of moving back with Desmond was his vast riches. Yes, his money.When she returned to him, Desmond persuaded her to go back to having a joint account with him, one which would totally be at her disposal. He assured her that she was free to spend however she liked.His assurance and permission to lavish his money however she liked gave her flashbacks. It reminded her of the t