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
It was evening at Diego's house. After a long day at work, Freya decided to unwind from the stress and the noises from the kitchen of Bayside Bistro by paying Diego a visit. However, she didn't come along with Noah as she had convinced him she would only be gone for a short while.She lay reclined on the couch, her head resting on Diego's lap, and his arm wrapped around her. He sat comfortably, his back against the cushions, with her legs stretched out across the seat.Together, they watched a movie while Diego's hands gently explored her arms, her back, her nape. Diego's fingers gently stroked her hair, his touch sending soothing waves through her relaxed body.The soft glow of the TV illuminated the cozy living room, casting a warm glow over their intimate moment. The movie they were watching had long lost their attention, replaced by the gentle rhythm of Diego's fingers stroking her hair.Freya momentarily closed her eyes, savoring the comfort and security that came with being in
Diego Alan Hunter and Desmond Hugo July sat across from each other, the opulent conference room at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami serving as a stark contrast to the venomous tension between them.Diego had scheduled a meeting with Desmond. His ego wouldn't let him go all the way to New York from Tennessee, and he was certain Desmond's ego wouldn't let him do the same.So he asked to meet Desmond at a five-star hotel in Miami. Desmond agreed to the meeting just as Diego had expected.They came along with a few trusted assistants of theirs, their P.As and a few bodyguards. The meeting was as discreet as possible, each of them flying down to Miami in their luxurious private jets.Diego made sure no media personnel, paparazzi, journalists or any means of recording information and taking matters out that room was available.Everything was perfect, including the hatred between them.The polished mahogany table gleamed under the soft glow of recessed lighting, while the floor-to-ceiling win
"You son of a bitch!” Desmond growled, massaging his jaw in pain.Immediately, he recovered, swinging a wild blow in the air towards Diego’s face which he dodged with ease. Diego countered with a hard punch, sending Desmond crashing into the conference table.Without giving him a chance to recover, Diego swiftly circled the conference table, launching himself at Desmond, tackling him to the floor.The conference table chairs scraped against the marble as they crashed to the ground. With a burst of rage, Diego grabbed Desmond by his throat, tightening his grip viciously. “I'll send you to hell for daring to lay a finger on my woman! I'll kill you”, Diego snarled, his grip tightening and his fingers digging deep into Desmond's throat, his eyes blazing with intense fury.Desmond's face reddened and his eyes bulged as he struggled to squirm free from Diego's fierce grip. He pounded Diego's arms repeatedly with his fists, desperately struggling to push him off his body. He tried his best
Early evening arrived and Freya returned to the hospital with Noah. As Diego lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the muted TV and lost in thoughts, the door cracked open, revealing Freya and Noah.Diego’s eyes immediately found Freya’s, scanning her face for answers. His expression was calm but with a hint of concern.As soon as they walked into the hospital room, hand-in-hand, Noah’s face lit up in excitement, seeing Diego sitting up slightly in bed, his eyes open and alert.“Diego!” he exclaimed, his small feet pattering against the tiled floor as he ran to his bedside. “You’re awake now! I’ve been waiting for you to wake up!”Diego averted his confused gaze from Freya to Noah, his eyes brightening with relief and gratitude.“Buddy”, he whispered, his gaze softening. He smiled despite the ache in his body, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He reached out a hand, and Noah grasped it eagerly, his tiny fingers clutching Diego’s with enthusiasm and surprising strength.Freya s
Freya sat in the back seat of the car, staring out the window but barely seeing the city passing by. The late-morning sun poured down, its golden light sharp and relentless, as if mocking her awful state of dilemma.Everything outside looked so ordinary—people walking, cars streaming past—but her thoughts were far from ordinary. Her mind was chaos.Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, threatening to pour out. Desmond’s cruel and unbelievable ultimatum swirled in her head over and over, each word cutting deeper the more she thought about it.Each passing thought made her realise how deep Desmond's conditions were. They were deeper than what it sounded like, and a sense of fear enveloped her like a thick blanket.Desmond wasn’t just asking her to return to him. He was asking her to sacrifice herself for the sake of peace. To live a lie, trapped in a cage, while the people she loved moved on without her.Her heart ached, and her mind raced with disturbed thoughts. How far was she w
10:30 AMFreya’s driver parked her car outside the sleek, towering Everston Grande Hotel. The morning sun glinted off the mirrored windows, but the warmth of the day couldn’t melt the cold determination coursing through Freya.Taking a deep breath, Freya grabbed her purse and alighted from the car. Shutting the door with a soft click, she looked up at the gigantic hotel before her.She smoothed her blazers, straightening imaginary wrinkles. Then she began to approach the main entrance door with brisk urgent strides.She pushed open the glass doors and stepped into the lobby, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.Just then, she halted abruptly as she set her eyes on Desmond. There he was, standing near the entrance, impeccably dressed in a designer suit, his confident stance as infuriating as ever. He spotted her immediately, a smirk tugging at his lips."Freya”, he said smoothly, extending his arms in mock welcome. "I've been waiting for you.""Let’s just get this over
Freya rushed out of the hospital, the crisp morning air swirling around her. She didn't know exactly where to find Desmond, but she knew he was never far when chaos unfolded, always watching from the shadows and pulling the strings in secret.Today, she wouldn’t let him hide. Today, it ended—once and for all. And she had to do something quick. What if Desmond decides to strike again and eventually succeeds in killing Diego? What if Diego doesn't survive Desmond's next attack?She strode quickly to the parking lot where her driver had parked her car, waiting patiently for her. Earlier that morning, after Diego woke up, she had summoned her driver to get her car to the hospital where she was.Freya's calm facade crumbled, her jaw tightened, and her eyes burned with determination. She was going to find Desmond wherever he was hiding.She was the reason Diego had nearly died. If it wasn't because of her, Desmond wouldn’t have thought about hurting Diego or Noah. And now, she was going to
The hospital room fell silent, the faint beep of machines and the occasional footsteps of nurses across the hallway the only sounds heard. Freya sat beside Diego’s bed, carefully cutting a piece of toast into small, manageable bites. She had pulled a tray of hospital food, which contained a mix of bland oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and the toast, and balanced on a table close to his bed.Diego watched her closely with a small, amused smile, though his face was still pale from the injuries he was healing from."You don’t have to do this, Freya", he whispered, his voice soft but husky.Freya looked up from the food tray, her gaze meeting his tired eyes. "Of course, I do. Why not?" she said gently, spearing a piece of egg with the fork. "You’re still weak, and I’m not about to let you starve because hospital food isn’t exactly gourmet."He chuckled weakly, the sound more of a breath than a laugh. "Yeah, I’d rather be fed by you than eat this myself. Makes it taste good”, he said, his gaze s
7:23 AMFreya stirred slightly, her neck stiff and aching from where she had fallen asleep. She had slumped over in the hard chair with her head resting on the edge of Diego's hospital bed, her fingers curled loosely around his hand.The faintest movement beneath her palm made her brow furrow in confusion. Being half-awake, she shifted slightly, brushing it off as a trick of her tired mind. Then drowsily, her eyes sank downwards as she began to drift off to sleep once again.But then it happened again—a soft, deliberate squeeze on her fingers. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, and her mind, still heavy with exhaustion, struggled to make sense of what she was feeling at the moment.The sterile white of the hospital room came into focus, and her heart thumped hard as she lifted her head, her disheveled chestnut hair falling around her face. Her gaze fell on the source of the touch — Diego's hand which was intertwined with hers. Just then, Diego’s fingers moved again, wrapping weakly ar
4:17 AMFreya gently twisted the door knob and cracked the door open. Before stepping in, she scanned the hospital room where Diego lay. Letting out a silent sigh, she stepped into the room, ushering Noah in. Then she gave a slight nod to the nurse who accompanied her as if asking for privacy. The nurse got the message and left, shutting the door behind her. The hospital room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of the monitors. Freya's eyes misted, her hand steadying Noah's as they approached the bed. Diego lay unconscious, his skin pale against the stark white sheets. An IV drip snaked down to his arm, and there was a pulse oximeter sensor clipped on his index finger. She had prepared herself for this moment, but the reality of seeing Diego like this was far more painful than words could convey.Freya's heart sank, and her face reddened in anguish. The sight of Diego's helpless state stole Freya’s breath, but it was Noah who let out a soft, broken cry.His grip on her hand
As Freya settled back into her seat, trying to focus on the relief of Diego’s survival, Desmond’s phone suddenly buzzed, shattering the deafening silence.Desmond pulled his phone out, glanced at the screen, and furrowed his brow, making a show of standing up and stepping away.“Yeah?” he answered, his voice pitched just loud enough for them to hear. Freya and Noah exchanged uncertain glances before returning their gazes to Desmond once again.A short moment passed before Desmond nodded, his expression shifting to what Freya recognized as his version of “concern.” “What? Now? Alright, I’ll handle it.”He ended the call abruptly and slipped the phone into his pocket, turning back toward Freya and Noah. Then he gave a small, almost theatrical sigh.“I’ve got to go. Work emergency,” he said, the words almost too casual for the supposed urgency in his tone. “I’ll have to leave. Keep me posted on Diego.”His voice carried that familiar blend of arrogance and feigned importance, which trig
The waiting room was quiet except for the faint hum of the fluorescent lights and the occasional rustle of papers at the reception desk. The atmosphere was still, the kind of quiet that felt heavy and unnatural.Freya sat stiffly in one of the hard plastic chairs, her hands gripping the edge of her seat. Her eyes kept darting to the double doors of the emergency unit at the far end of the room, every nerve in her body tense. Diego’s life was behind those doors, and the uncertainty was suffocating.She felt like she was holding her breath, afraid to let it out in case it broke the fragile silence. Her emotions were spilled all over, tears welling up in her eyes. She had promised herself she wouldn't shed tears anymore and that Diego was going to survive. However, the feeling of self-pity washed over her as she reflected on all she had faced alongside her loved ones in just one day.Noah sat beside her, his small legs swinging just above the floor. His face was pale, his usual spark di