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
NEWS HEADLINE: Billionaire CEO Diego Hunter Involved in Physical Altercation.“...Sources confirm that Diego Hunter, CEO of Hunter Global Enterprises, was involved in a physical fight with no other person than the renowned CEO of Dexus Innovations, Desmond July and now his reputation is hanging on the line. In the video which is currently ravaging the internet, Diego Hunter was seen physically abusing Desmond July, inflicting injuries on him. The billionaires were involved in a gruesome exchange of fists in the Four Seasons hotel in Miami, a location Diego himself had chosen for their meeting, according to our source…” the news anchor reported.Gasps and murmurings spread among the board members seated around the polished wooden table in the sleek conference room of Hunter Global Enterprises.All the members of the company's board of directors including Diego, watched the news together, disappointment etched on their faces. Diego, still wearing a faint bruise on his lip, sat at the ed
6:18pmDiego sank into his executive swivel chair, mindlessly drifting from side to side in a gentle arc. His eyes were fixed absentmindedly on the ceiling, his mind racing with several disturbing thoughts. His expression was gloomy and his jaw clenched.He was in a state of dilemma, confused on what action to take next in order to rectify his mistakes and save his name. With his reputation being shattered and his company's shares plummeting, Desmond would finally have the upper hand. He couldn't allow that to happen. Then his thoughts drifted to Freya. He didn't know how to face her just yet. He had seen her on the news— she was affected too. What hurt him the most was the terrible comments he saw about Freya, saying she was a gold digger, using two billionaires to her advantage.With a deep exasperated sigh, he sat up on his chair, grabbing his phone on his desk. That was when he saw the numerous missed calls from Freya.“Oh, no”, he muttered under his breath, shutting his eyes in
Diego emerged from his sleek, black Lamborghini, its tinted windows gliding down to reveal his chiseled face, which remained neutral. His driver stood sentinel by the door, holding it open for him to alight. The golden sunlight shone across his features, highlighting the deep creases on his forehead and the resolute set of his jaw. His face screamed action.As he stepped majestically onto the sidewalk with a cool, calm and collected demeanor, a swarm of paparazzi rushed at him like vultures, their cameras and microphones thrust forward like weapons, with frenzied urgency.Their unified chants, “Diego! Diego!” utterly disturbed and irritated Diego as his bodyguards fought hard to disperse the crowd. Their voices were simply upsetting noises of urgency.In swift response, his bodyguards sprang into action, forming a human shield around Diego. They pushed against the paparazzi, yet the photographers and reporters resisted, shoving back with equal force, their feet scraping against the pa
Desmond slumped on his luxurious couch in his dimly lit living room, his eyes fixed on the large screen TV in keen anticipation as the news anchor's voice filled the room.He stuffed his face with a handful of popcorn, chewing in relish, his cheeks moving comically. "...CEO Diego Hunter apologized for his actions but refused to renounce his relationship with Freya, Desmond July's estranged wife."Desmond's mouth fell open as he froze, a handful of popcorn suspended mid-air, his hand halted just inches from his lips. Then after a while of being stunned, he burst out into an intense fit of laughter, his body vibrating ridiculously.He chuckled hard, accidentally spilling some popcorn on the floor, his eyes crinkling at the corners.“Diego! How smart of you!” He exclaimed in between chuckles.The TV showed footage of Diego's press conference where Diego spoke confidently, surrounded by the media frenzy.Desmond carefully observed Diego's expression as he delivered his speech. He could s
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
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