Freya, Diego, and Noah sat in strained silence, their beach loungers angled apart beneath a colorful umbrella which now seemed mockingly cheerful. The warm sand, which was once inviting, felt coarse and uncomfortable beneath their feet.The beach, once a haven of relaxation and excitement, had transformed into a reminder of their disrupted tranquility. The warm breeze rustling the palm trees and the gentle whooshing of the waves against the shore only highlighted the oppressive stillness between them.Each of them wore huge sunglasses, dimming the warm glitter of the vibrant sun which was a stark contrast to the dull atmosphere which settled over them.Desmond's sudden arrival had injected a toxic dose of alarm into their wholesome vacation, shattering their tranquility.In unison, the trio let out a collective deep sigh, their expressions gloomy and cold.Behind tinted sunglasses, Freya’s gaze drifted blankly towards the horizon, her expression a mix of discomfort and unease. Noah s
It was Monday and the vibrant Monday morning sun cast its warm golden glow on Freya as she slowly pushed the door open, alighting from Diego's car with a sense of readiness for her first day at work.“Freya! Wait!” Diego yelled the moment she stepped outside, dashing out of the car to follow her.Freya stopped abruptly, waiting to hear what Diego wanted to say to her. Diego rushed towards her and instantly pulled her into his arms in a warm embrace.“Aren't you going to give me a hug before you begin your first day at work?” Diego teased, planting a gentle, passionate kiss on the top of her head.“I was actually waiting for you to come out of the car. How could I leave without getting a kiss from you first?” Freya said in a soft whisper, wrapping her arms around his torso in a tight, firm grip.Diego gently caressed her back, his fingers tracing the tender hollow of her spine through her shirt. “Are you excited to take your place in the culinary world?” Diego breathed softly into her
7:00am Freya's sudden alarm disrupted her sound sleep, its sharp insistent beeps piercing through the tranquil atmosphere. Freya stretched her arms and legs to full length, letting out a loud, sleepy yawn. Lazily, she reached for her alarm, silencing it immediately. She snuggled deeper into her comfortable blankets, savoring the quiet morning moment. The gentle caress of morning sunlight, streaming through the window, danced across her face, illuminating her peaceful expression. As she slowly opened her eyes, the brightness filled her gaze, and she smiled blankly at the ceiling. Her thoughts drifted to the day ahead, and a flutter of excitement stirred in her chest. It was her birthday. Everything, including the morning sun's gentle warmth seemed to whisper, “Happy Birthday, Freya.” With a contented sigh, Freya tossed aside the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She planted her feet firmly on the ground, feeling the soft carpet beneath. Her mind raced wi
With seven approaching, Freya's transformation was complete. Diego's carefully selected outfit hugged her curves, while her self-applied makeup highlighted her natural beauty. The result was flawless. Ruby red hair pins secured her locks, exuding elegance. Freya beamed with pride, knowing she had achieved breathtaking perfection by herself — no makeup artist or stylist required.With graceful strides, she walked out of her room, clutching a small black purse which complemented her dress. As she arrived at the living room, she stopped abruptly, her brows furrowing in a confused frown as she watched Noah spread lilies around the house.“Uh…Noah, what's going on?” She asked, utterly taken aback by his actions.Noah, stunned by her unexpected presence, dropped the small basket of flowers and sprinted towards her.“Happy birthday, Mom!” He yelled, a broad grin on his face, spreading his arms as a warm gesture.Freya giggled cheerfully at him, surprised by his sudden gesture. She had conclu
As they pulled up to Diego's estate, Freya's eyes widened in astonishment. The once-familiar mansion had undergone a breathtaking transformation, leaving Freya momentarily wondering if they had accidentally arrived at a high-end hotel.The sun dipped into the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over Diego's majestic mansion, transforming the estate into a fairytale setting.The mansion's shocking transformation took her breath away. Soft candlelight and delicate string lights adorned the facade, the flowers and sparkling decorations creating a fairytale ambiance. “Wow”, Noah exclaimed as Diego drove past the gates, his eyes intensely scanning the dashing environment through the car window in wonder.Soon, Diego parked his car, and the three of them were ready to step out.“Freya, wait”, Diego called out suddenly, stopping Freya from opening the door.“What's wrong?” Freya asked skeptically.Diego emerged from the car with swift courtesy, sweeping Freya's door open with a polished smi
"Noah”, Freya called out, her tone laced with uncertainty.Diego stood back in silence, willing to let Freya do the talking.“You missed the live jazz quartet performance. It's over. I wanted to watch it with you but you were gone. For too long”, Noah said dryly, his tone unusually cold.“Oh, my love. I'm so sorry I missed it…” Freya began, walking towards him.Noah edged backwards, his tone robotic and flat, “No, it's okay. I'm going back to the party. You can join me whenever you're done with whatever you're doing”.He stole an uncertain glance at Diego who strangely couldn't maintain eye contact with him. And with that, he spun around and hurried away, heading back to the grand foyer.Freya and Diego exchanged uncertain glances, shocked by Noah's cold attitude towards them. However, they couldn't tell if he was mad at them or simply neutral.“I feel guilty. Did you see the way he looked at me?” Freya said, her tone laced with worry.“Don't worry too much, Freya. He'll calm down and
As Freya slipped into the serenity of her bedroom, the silvery glow of the moonlight from the window cast a gentle silhouette of her on the walls and she felt her heart still aglow with the magic of the evening, the wonderful memories still lingering on her mind.The ruby red dress, Diego's thoughtful gift, shimmered in the dim light as she carefully removed it, each delicate strap and intricate lace detail a reminder of her unforgettable birthday experience.She hung the dress in the closet, her fingers slowly tracing the fabric, reliving the moments Diego's eyes sparkled as he told her just how beautiful she looked in that dress. The memory of his whispered words, “You look like a stunning piece of art, my love. Red looks absolutely gorgeous on you”, made her smile.Freya slipped into a plush, ivory robe, the softness enveloping her like a warm embrace. As she tied the robe's silk belt, she gazed into the mirror, her dimly-lit reflection radiant with happiness.“You look so beautifu
8:25amWith her wavy chestnut hair tied up in a ponytail, Freya scrubbed the kitchen counter with a vigor which contradicted her tired eyes. Saturday morning sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the spotless room. Cleaning up wasn't so easy especially when Noah wouldn't lend a helping hand. He woke up acting weird and said little to her, his words monosyllabic and flat. The usual chatterbox she was used to was gone. All that was left was the gloomy eight year old child.She had tried her best to find out what the matter was, flooding him with a series of questions. However, he remained unyielding.Noah sat at the kitchen table, his elbows resting on the surface, his hands cradling his chin. His cereal which was once a steaming bowl of golden flakes, now sat soggy and cold, the milk turning into a puddle. He hadn't taken a bite in a while, too busy watching Freya clean up. His eyes followed her every move, watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle, his b
The first day of the trial arrived at last, shaking the news and internet. Freya couldn't admit that the lawsuit was a huge turning point in her life. She had never imagined that she would one day be in a court battle. Let alone, in a court battle with her dear husband, the ex-love of her life.The courtroom was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner vents. The air was thick with tension, heavy with the weight of expectation. Desmond sat confidently in the front row, his eyes scanning the room with an air of superiority. His smile, though subtle, seemed cruel and he squared his shoulders in a haughty manner. His lawyers flanked him, each one busy preparing documents relevant to the case.Across the aisle, Freya sat stiffly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes, which were red-rimmed from lack of sleep, darted nervously around the room, her gaze flicking towards Desmond before quickly looking away. He wore a mask of overconfidence and Freya couldn't
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 s
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