It was Sunday. Freya and Noah were home, Noah playing around with his toys.Two weeks had passed without Freya hearing from Diego. The silence was long and excruciatingly painful, absolutely unbearable for her.Freya stared blankly at her phone beside her in intense anticipation of Diego's name appearing on the screen.That was the first time she had stayed for some days without a phone call or a text from him. She was certain he was probably mad at her.But what did she do wrong? Was she wrong to voice out her thoughts and conclusions? Diego was clearly the one at fault and the reason for their misunderstanding. He betrayed her.Freya sat still on the couch, deeply absorbed in her reverie, thoughts of Diego running through her mind. She recalled seeing him on the news a few days ago, clearing his name and disproving the allegations against him. He explained everything that happened in the past between him and Marcus and made it clear that there was no beef between them. He even went
"Have a seat”, Freya said in a low tone and took a seat on the couch. Diego gazed at her for a few seconds before taking a seat as well, at a considerable distance away from where she sat. Freya stole a furtive glance at the unusual gap between them, something she had never experienced since she met Diego. Hurriedly, he cleared his throat deliberately, a precursor to his speech. “I made a promise to you that I would come back with evidence to clear my name and prove my innocence to you. And I always keep promises, Freya”, Diego said firmly as he opened his suitcase and pulled out a file containing a few documents. Freya's brows knitted in suspense as she stared hard at the file, wondering what they could be about. “Take a look at these. With the help of my men and the private detective I hired, I got to find out what really happened the day you lost the contest and how it is linked to the rumors being circulated about me. Look at them”, Diego handed a few documents over to he
Freya attended to the customers at her food truck absentmindedly, her mind racing with several disturbing thoughts.It had been a few days since she last spoke to Diego. He was unusually distant and cold towards her. She sent him a few texts which he didn't reply to; he simply viewed the message and left it on “seen”.She didn't ever believe that Diego, who was madly in love with her, could become so detached. It hurt her in ways she couldn't explain and she felt worse knowing that she couldn't possibly do anything to save their bond. She watched Diego slip through her fingers.Just like he had advised, she went ahead to conduct a further investigation into what happened at the contest and the rumors about Diego. She saw for herself that he was indeed telling the truth and that Desmond had been pulling the strings right from time. He was the devious mastermind behind the chaos and now, his actions cost her Diego.Freya was deeply absorbed in her thoughts when she accidentally touched
Freya stood nervously outside the 25-story Hunter's Global Enterprises building which towered above her, its sleek design and shimmering glass façade intimidating and triggering her anxiety.She knew what she had to do and had thought about it well enough. There was no time to waste. She had to rectify her mistakes.Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her dress and composed herself before pushing open the revolving glass doors into a lobby with gleaming marble floors and a sleek reception desk. Her heart pounded as she approached, her mind racing with the impending confrontation with Diego.As she approached the reception desk, Freya's eyes scanned the area, searching for a glimpse of Diego. The receptionist looked up and smiled at Freya.“How may I assist you?” She asked, polite but detached.Freya began with a nervous stutter, “Uhm… I…” The receptionist raised a brow slightly, urging Freya to go on.Freya couldn't hide her nervousness. She blamed it on the fact that she had never b
11:00pmIt was dark in Freya's apartment. She had tucked Noah in bed hours ago yet couldn't get some sleep.Freya paced back and forth across her darkened living room, deeply absorbed in disturbing thoughts.Fresh tears streamed down her face, washing away the dried trails of her earlier sorrow. Her body felt numb, and a throbbing headache pulsed through her temples, a painful reminder of her exhausting tears.The silence was suffocating her — Diego's silence, his absence, his indifference. It had been weeks since they last spoke, and the weight of his disregard was crushing her.She stopped pacing, her hands clenched into fists as she stared blankly at the wall. Why wouldn't he talk to her? Why wouldn't he forgive her? Was she the first person to ever make a mistake? The questions swirled in her mind like a whirlwind, driving her mad.Freya's mind drifted to the fact that they had no photo together. And if it was indeed true that their relationship had come to an end, then, all she h
Diego finally broke free from the spellbound gaze and snapped back to reality. He rushed towards Freya, touching her shoulders lightly while peering outside, scanning the surroundings, as if checking who was watching.Then gently, he pulled Freya into the house and shut the door with a soft click.While they were still standing at the door, right before Freya could utter a word, Diego began, his words tumbling briskly out of his mouth.“Freya, this is just a few minutes to midnight. What the hell are you doing here so late at night? Don't you know it could be dangerous out there? A woman like you shouldn't be alone by this time of the night. What the heck were you thinking? And why didn't you give me a call before coming?” He asked, raising his voice, his tone laced with concern.Freya let out a deep sigh and tried to speak. “I just wanted…”“Wait, you left Noah all alone at home? Are you being serious right now, Freya?” He exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief, worry etched on his fa
(RATED 18+)Diego savored Freya's lips, his hands tenderly exploring her lower back, igniting shivers down her spine.Having tasted the sweetness of her mouth, Diego slowly broke away, his eyes fluttering open, locking onto hers with newfound intimacy.Freya's hands lingered on his chest, not eager to let go of him. Her eyes locked onto his, his steady gaze piercing deep into her soul.“Freya”, Diego whispered into her ears, his voice trembling as his lips brushed against her ear lobes.Instinctively, Freya's hands slid up Diego's nape, running her fingers through his soft longish hair, tightening her grip around him.In response, Diego enclosed her in his arms, pulling her in for a warm embrace, his lips brushing against her cheeks.“I love you, Diego. I've always loved you”, Freya said in a soft whisper, her voice barely audible, shutting her eyes tight as she savored the deep embrace.Diego buried his nose in the warm nook of Freya's neck, his ragged breaths whispering softly again
Freya's cheek rested on Diego's firm chest, her hair tangled from the passionate night they had shared. Diego's arms wrapped around her, one hand placed lazily on the soft curves of her spine, holding her close as their slow, synchronized breathing filled the silence. The morning light peeked through the blinds, casting a warm glow across the room.Suddenly, Diego's alarm pierced the tranquility, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. The sharp, insistent beeps jolted them back to reality and Diego let out a soft yawn. Freya groggily lifted her head, her eyes squinting against the brightness. Diego's gaze met hers, sleepy and warm.“Morning”, he whispered, his voice husky from sleep.Freya smiled, her lips still swollen from their kisses. “Morning.”Diego reached over to silence the alarm, his movement causing Freya to snuggle deeper into his side. Turning it off, he dropped his arm lazily around her, making her snuggle even deeper into his firm chest. As the room fell quiet once more, t
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
Freya wearily sank into the couch in the living room, staring blankly at the TV screen. The show being displayed on the TV was once her favorite TV show, one she and Diego had enjoyed together. But now, it held no interest to her. Her eyes were sunken and her expression dim. Desmond had gone to work, Noah was at school, and since she hadn't been able to go to work, she was stuck with the boring TV show.The mansion was eerily quiet, with Desmond’s staff moving about in their usual hushed manner. She let out a despondent sigh, her mind wandering as it often did these days.Just then, the doorbell rang and the sound broke her trance. Her brows furrowed slightly as she wasn’t expecting anyone that morning. Visitors were rare, and anyone with business usually went to Desmond's office instead. None of the staff heard the doorbell so Freya volunteered to get the door. Slowly, she rose to her feet and strode towards the door.The minute she opened the door, her heart stopped. Her eyes wid
Freya stepped out of the car and onto the driveway, her heels clicking on the pavement. She was dressed in a crisp, tailored suit, her chestnut hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail — the attire she had put on for work. Despite her polished appearance, exhaustion etched lines on her face, and her eyes seemed to hold a deep-seated weariness.She had gone several places that day, meeting with realtors and potential business partners to set her plans of opening her own restaurant in motion. She also stopped by the food truck at Desmond's workplace to check up on her employee and oversee the activities there. And now, all her energy had been spent.The front door creaked open, and Freya stepped into the dimly lit foyer of the mansion. Right there, before she could take another step, she spotted Desmond.He stood near the staircase, his broad frame slightly hunched, the faintest shadow of hope flickering in his sapphire eyes. "Welcome home, Wife”, he said softly, his voice laced with an