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
Diego stopped by Freya's place after work, his sole intention to shed light on the adoption process, revealing how his lawyer had finalized the necessary documents and the significant role he would assume as Noah's father once the paperwork was officially processed.However, he was aware that Freya might feel betrayed and angry. So he decided to take it easy and not explain everything at once.In the living room, Freya and Diego settled into the couch together, watching TV. Diego wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close while Freya snuggled into his chest, laughing at the sitcom on TV.Just as the show reached its climax, Noah's hearty chuckles echoed from the next room, followed by the sound of toys crashing. The noise diverted their attention from the TV show and they exchanged uncertain glances.“Sounds like someone needs attention”, Diego said to Freya, smiling warmly.“Yeah, typical Noah. Let me go check up on him”, Freya said with a chuckle, starting to rise.“No,
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