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
Amidst the sizzle and aromas of Bayside Bistro's kitchen, Freya's focused chopping was interrupted by a sudden call from the CEO's office; CEO Neil Gomez wanted to see her.The thought of meeting the CEO one-on-one sent a shiver down her spine, a thrill of uncertainty she had never experienced before.As she walked up the stairs heading to the CEO's office, her mind raced with several questions about what outcome the meeting would bring. A sense of nervousness crept through her and she began to imagine worse case scenarios.A jumbled mix of emotions welled up within her as she stood outside the CEO's office. Taking a deep breath, she regained her composure and smoothed her dress. Then slowly, she pushed the door open and went inside.To her surprise, her mentor, the former head chef, was present, seated beside the CEO. She wondered what they had discussed concerning her.That was when she had a slight clue. It had been two months since she got the job at Bayside Bistro and became the
Freya exited the taxi, a stone's throw from her home. With broad smiles spread across her face, she walked into the driveway, heading towards the front door. She wrapped up work early to tackle her food truck responsibilities. Since Noah's school day wasn't over, she headed home first, planning to pick him up later.As she walked towards the front door, her gaze fell upon Diego who leaned on a sleek, glossy sports car. Its vibrant, crimson-red color gleamed in the sunlight, drawing her attention.She froze momentarily, stunned by the sight of him as he hadn't informed her of his visit beforehand.Diego, sensing her surprise, let out a short silent chuckle, his eyes lit up with joy. He stood up straight and dipped his hands in his pockets, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Hey, beautiful”, he called out, his voice laced with excitement.With uncertainty etched on her face, Freya approached him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a warm embrace. Flashing a warm smile at
Noah and his friends at school had fun in the playground, agilely running around in excitement. The school playground vibrated with energy, children's laughter echoing off the swings and slides. Noah, his messy golden hair ruffling in the wind, chased after his friends in a heated game of tag, their sneakers squeaking on the vibrant rubber surface. Just as he sprinted towards the swings, his gaze suddenly fell upon a figure standing near the fence, partially hidden by the shade of a tall oak tree. His frame and body structure seemed eerily familiar and he couldn't help but take a few steps forward to take a closer look.Just then, his footsteps faltered, and his cheerful grin vanished. It was Desmond.Desmond stood with his arms crossed, watching him with an intense gaze as he leaned on the oak tree. His gaze held a hint of friendliness, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.Noah's feet rooted to the spot, his heart racing with mixed emotions. His friends continued playing, obliviou
Desmond was gone, and he took a huge chunk of Noah's peace of mind with him. The rest of Noah's day at school was ruined, leaving him scared and uneasy.Recess was still ongoing and Noah's friends invited him to play soccer, but he declined, faking a stomach ache. As he sat alone on a bench, his eyes scanned the playground, half-expecting his monstrous father to come back again.The threat lingered, poisoning every moment. Noah felt trapped, unsure who to trust or confide in. Desmond's warning echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine.His anxiety lingered for days, and he was unable to tell Freya or anyone. Freya seemed stressed. To Noah, it seemed she was mentioned on the news alongside Diego. That was when Noah remembered Desmond's words about putting Diego in a mess of scandals. He didn't want to bother any of them. Besides, he didn't want to put them in trouble as Desmond had threatened to hurt them.Days went by and Noah's anxiety grew, manifesting in restless sleep, dim
Diego leaned back in his plush black leather swivel chair, his eyes fixed on the framed photo of Noah and Freya on his polished mahogany desk. With a deep sigh, he opened his laptop and logged in. His fingers frantically flew across the keyboard, his laptop screen glowing with search results. He sat hunched over his desk, his eyes scanning the screen with laser focus as he scrolled through adoption laws, paternity cases, and custody battles.With uncertainty etched on his face, he glanced through the few promising results which were too feeble to defend his resolve or console him.Files and papers cluttered his desk as well as Post-It notes scribbled with key points and questions. Diego's eyes scanned the information, his analytical mind absorbing each detail, searching for loopholes and strategies.He was fully aware of the consequences of his actions and how delicate the matter was. He could be saving a child's life or causing more harm than good. It had to be one. And he hoped it
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