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
Freya's face lit up with joy as she read the life-changing email. She had enrolled in another cooking contest after some months. Her initial fears and doubts had long disappeared as she considered herself tough and thick-skinned.Despite the fact that she had lost a contest before, followed by the heart wrenching humiliation which was aired on several TV stations and the internet, she decided to give it another try.The news of the cooking contest hosted by a very prestigious and popular restaurant was spread about the internet and she couldn't resist. Immediately, she made an application and now, an email was sent to her about her qualification for the contest.She couldn't wait to break the news to Diego. She didn't tell him about her participation in the contest, all she wanted was to surprise him. She envisioned herself making the greatest comeback of all times.Yes, a few people would recognize her and maybe mock her for what had happened at the previous cooking contest, but she
"Ten minutes left!” Freya's cooking pace increased rapidly at the sound of the host's unsettling announcement. She still had to handle the finishing touches of her dish.She couldn't afford to make a mistake; that was the grand finale. She had to make Noah proud.Noah and Diego were in the midst of the audience, watching and cheering her on. She couldn't wait to be announced the winner.In no time, the host returned, his hand up and his voice, loud and clear. “Five minutes left! You should be wrapping up”.Freya was practically done with her dish. However, a sense of inferiority complex stung her as she stole a glance at her opponent's dish. It had a better appearance and looked tastier than hers. The contestant seemed to be her biggest competitor yet.Determined not to lose hope, she shook off the shallow thoughts, focusing on the fact that it was the taste the judges were after.With precision, she seared the arctic char, then carefully arranged it on the smoky beetroot and carrot
Freya rested her head on Diego's shoulder as they settled into the couch together and watched the news on the TV screen. Freya was the talk of the town at the moment, the whole city buzzing about her shocking win. The most envied, mouthwatering prizes attached to the cooking contest were hers — $20,000, a chance to work at Bayside Bistro, a prestigious five star restaurant in Nashville, and a three day trip to the Maldives.Diego's hand tightly gripped hers, his warm touch stimulating Freya in ways she couldn't explain. It was all she needed after a long day. Gently and lovingly, he caressed the back of her palm with his thumbs, drawing imaginary circles on her skin.Their eyes remained glued to the TV screen, pictures of Freya, the rising star in the world of cooking, displayed all over. Freya had gotten tired of shedding tears of joy and screaming joyfully at the top of her lungs. Her initial surprise and shock gave way to her nonchalance — she now considered herself a pro and wa
As one of the prizes she earned at the contest, Freya went on a trip to the Maldives. She insisted on sharing the experience and persuaded Diego to accompany her. She also took Noah along, keeping the gift of travel a family affair.To her, it wasn't just a prize, it was an opportunity to spend time with the ones she loved, the ones who mattered most to her. The Maldives was the perfect place for a vacation for the three of them, far away from home and Desmond, of course.The seaplane, which they boarded, glided smoothly onto the tranquil Maldivian waters, sending ripples through the turquoise sea. Noah's face lit up with joy and excitement and he glanced at Freya and Diego, as if checking if they were as excited as he was.“We're here!” He exclaimed, exploding with excitement.Diego and Freya exchanged pleasant smiles as they witnessed Noah's enthusiasm about the vacation.With broad smiles on each of their faces, they disembarked onto the wooden dock. Diego's hands were intertwined
With her arms folded in reproof and her expression, a stiff scowl, Freya fixed the nonchalant Desmond on the couch with a stern, venomous look, her dark brown eyes cursing his very existence.“What are you doing here, Desmond?” Freya growled, her tone low and icy.Desmond stared hard at her for a few seconds, his gaze condescending. Then he burst out chuckling for a few seconds.Freya stared at him in confusion, his awkward laughter irritating to her ears. After laughing for a while, all that was left was a smile of amusement on his face.“What's funny?” Freya asked, raising a questioning brow at him.Desmond's smiles faded a little. His smile became a thin, forced line. “I heard about your little win, Freya. Congratulations. Thought I'd drop by to discuss some “family matters”,” he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.“Desmond, for the last time, you and I have nothing to talk about. We're done. You should stop following me around”, Freya said with a stiff scowl, her arms still fol
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