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 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
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