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
"It's okay for now. Let him be”.The order came and the five hefty men who had beaten the timid young man to stupor, turning his face into a bloody mess, stopped abruptly, pushing their victim violently to the floor.The captive, whose hands were tied and lips were wounded and bleeding, struggled to get up and take a look at the “Boss”, the mastermind behind his kidnap.His clothes were dirty and torn and his body bruised and battered. He was at the brink of death and his ragged breaths were abnormal.“Boss, please…have mercy. Don't kill me… I have a wife and son to take care of… Please”, the man pleaded in between gasps, tears crawling down his swollen cheeks.Desmond, the boss, took a step towards the vulnerable captive and stared down at him on the floor, his deep-blue eyes piercing deep into his soul. A hint of pleasure hung in his eyes as he gloated over the man's miserable state.“Alex Chen. So good to have you here. Please feel at home”, Desmond said sarcastically, shrugging hi
It was Sunday.Freya spent half of her day searching for catering jobs and various ways to take her career to the next level. She decided she couldn't remain a food truck chef for the rest of her life. Although the food truck was about five months old and its success was incredible, she couldn't help but itch to get more. She wanted to give Noah a comfortable and successful life more than anything.She adjusted her reading glasses on the bridge of her nose and scrolled through her laptop, consistent in her search. She was expecting Diego as he said he'd come over to see Noah and her. So while waiting for him, she thought she would just finish up her search for greater opportunities.Diego's car screeched to a halt in front of Freya's house. In preparation to alight and make his presence known to Freya, Diego observed himself in the mirror for a while, then he dabbed a new, enticing cologne on his pulse points, complementing the one he already wore to boost his confidence. He smoothed
The news anchor gazed directly into the camera and began, "Breaking news: Business tycoon Desmond July files lawsuit against estranged wife, Freya July, citing abandonment and breach of marital contract."Diego, watching the news with keen anticipation, suddenly looked around, hoping Freya was too busy in the kitchen to hear the news. With a sense of urgency, he grabbed the TV remote and turned down the volume.His face darkened and his fists clenched in irritation. Yet another scandal on the news.The news anchor went on, “A shocking development has emerged in the highly publicized separation of business tycoon Desmond July and his estranged wife, Freya July. According to sources, Desmond July has filed a lawsuit against Freya, citing abandonment and breach of marital contract…”Diego leaned back in his living room couch, his face contorted in a displeased frown. He rubbed his chin several times in a thoughtful way, his mind racing with measures and countermeasures, even if they were
Diego stared hard at Freya for a couple of seconds, his gray eyes piercing deep into her soul, making her uncomfortable.After a while of intense staring, Diego finally spoke up, his tone icy, "Freya, what were you thinking?" Freya's mouth fell open, her words not coming out. Her brows furrowed in a mix of confusion and surprise."What do you mean?" she asked, surprised.“Why did you meet with Desmond? After everything we've been through, you still thought it was okay to speak with him? And why didn't you tell me? I had to find out from my men who saw you meeting with him. Why?” Diego snapped, his brows furrowed in a slight displeased frown.Freya stared hard at Diego for a few seconds, in disbelief. She recoiled in shock, taken aback by his angry statement.With a silent sigh, Freya shook her head slightly in defense. She began, “It's not what it looks like, Diego. I only wanted to give him a piece of my mind…”Diego cut in sharply, his tone laced with slight anger, “Despite knowing
Freya frantically adjusted her sitting posture, her expression turning worried. How could she have forgotten that Diego was an expert in tracking her location? He had bodyguards stationed practically in every corner of the city.Desmond remained frozen in shock, his stunned gaze still fixed on Diego whose neutral stare seemed to transform into a glare. His smirk had faltered, his confidence wavering for a moment."Diego, I wasn't expecting you”, Freya whispered, her voice neutral, but her eyes flashing a warning.However, Diego's gaze never left Desmond. His icy stare pinned Desmond to his seat, threatening to disrupt his composure. Just then, Desmond snapped out of his stunned form and regained his confidence, his face scrunched up in a contemptuous scowl."I see you're joining the party, Diego”, Desmond sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm."More like ending it”, Diego retorted, his tone cold and even. With a confident gesture, he adjusted his navy-blue blazers and smoothed his
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