HAWK:My body was screaming in pain, especially my jaw and the lower part of my body. I had a hard time reaching my room. Plus my head. It felt like it would split open. Removing my clothes and leaving only my boxer shorts, I fell on the bed. I stared at the ceiling and smirked, reminiscing about what happened at the bar. This was the first time in a long time I had fought like that and it was one of the best feelings. Hearing the bones crack and their cries of pain was like a drug to my ears. My hands, although hurting, were itching to fight again. I smirked as memories of my teenage life resurfaced. Just like the old time. It was all worth it. If no one stopped me, I would have killed them by now, especially if I brought with me my gun. If Miss Winter was not around, she always forbade me from bringing my gun saying she was worried that I might kill my enemies. No harm will befall them as long as nothing happens to them if they won't hurt the strands of Miss Winter's hair. No
WINTER:This was supposed to be a family photo shoot, but the atmosphere was heavy. It was difficult to smile in front of the camera seeing how your Dad's body shivered because of the pain. His weight dropped even more. And even Liam could sense that his grandfather was sick.“Eyes on the camera, please,” the photographer ordered. “This is tiring, Winter,” Dad declared, trying to show his smile.Putting my hand on Liam's shoulder, I retorted, “This will be quick before you know it, Dad. Please hold on.”For the first photo, we wore a white sleeve paired with jeans. It was only with Dad, Liam, and me. The next shoot was with Cali, Dad, Liam, and me and we wore neutral colors. The makeup stylists had done a great job of covering the bruises that started to show on Cali and Hawk's bodies. Hawk was already part of the third photoshoot.“Are we good now?” I asked, seeing the tiredness in Dad’s eyes. He was only forcing himself to attend this photoshoot for me and Liam.“Yes, Miss Winter.
WINTER:Fuck. I mentally scolded myself.What did I just say? How could I give in like that despite knowing the consequences of my decision? It was already too late to take back my words, didn't I? Why did I even say them?Cali pulled me into a tight embrace and thanked me endlessly. I could not take back my words, right even if I wanted to take them back? But seeing the pure happiness on his face, I could not fathom removing his joy. "You won't regret it, Pumpkin. I will be the best housemate that you could have. I could even cook for you."I laughed. “You will cook? Do you know who's our cook? It's Hawk. He knows the taste that we like even if he is not our chef.”Besides, back then, he was not that good. Most of the time, the foods that he cooked tasted bland or even tasted like seawater for being too salty. You have to admit you had a good time back then. You liked his presence. You loved the bond you made. “Hawk. He liked to cook, huh?”“Yes. He asked me if I wanted to eat
WINTER:My heart hammered against my chest. I was not good at confrontations and if I had the chance, I always avoided it. Just like what was happening now. “What do you mean by that?” I asked even if I already knew what it was. A lot has been going on lately that I forgot some people in my life. I admit there were times when my focus was on Calcifer. “You don't know, Miss Winter?”“Y-you can enlighten me, Hawk.”He smiled sadly. "Is it just me, Miss Winter or you already forgot that I am still your bodyguard? Because right now, I don't feel it. I already feel that I am useless in our life. Guarding you. Protecting you is the only thing that I am good at, but when your ex-husband enters the equation in your life, I no longer feel that I am important.""Of course, you're still my bodyguard, Hawk. You're the best bodyguard I could ever have. I will always want your protection. I want you to work with me until Liam is capable of protecting himself.""Am I?""Yes, you are.”My heart br
WINTER: Next month? “T-That soon?” I asked. Why so soon? Why was he in a hurry as if someone was after his life in this mansion? What else? He did not want to see you and Calcifer being happy together. It hurt him so much.“Hawk…is it something about…” Calcifer? Are you jealous? What do you want me to do? I did not want to ruin whatever we have right now, Hawk. It hurt so much. He shook his head multiple times, giving much emphasis to his words. “It’s not, Miss Winter. Free yourself of any burden,” he said. “It’s not about him. There is another reason for this resignation. It’s not about you.”Liar! I screamed inside my head. How could it be not Cali’s fault and mine? He was only making this easier for the three of us. He was sacrificing his happiness for me. Think about it, Winter. If you choose this man, will you be happy? Will Liam be happy, too? The happiness that a father would bring to his son was much different from what Hawk could offer to Liam. If I choose Calcifer, Haw
WINTER:I was staring at the empty wall when Hawk stepped out of the room. My heart continued to bleed like crazy. He was still here, but the pain was tremendous. Where was Cali? I hoped he was here so that my mind would divert into something else. After Hawk’s visit, I lost the energy to go out to have a family dinner. A couple of minutes passed when another knock resounded. Finally. I was certain it was Cali. When I opened the door, I was already expecting that it was him. However, I still could not help but smile seeing how smoking hot he looked. He looked so dashing wearing his polo and trousers. He smelt good, too. He smelt expensive. Seeing his face made me temporarily forget my worries about Hawk. “Calcifer. You looked good. You should be thankful that you’re this handsome. If not, I would be scolding you right now for being late.” His eyes widened upon seeing me. Dang it. “Pumpkin.”I shifted my weight from foot to foot. Did he see my puffy eyes? I should have checked
WINTER:The room full of people suddenly went silent. If a needle would drop, all of us could hear us. The deafening silence felt like there was an ongoing funeral.They gawked at us as if we were complete individuals who trespassed their houses. I clenched my fist and put them in the back. This felt like meeting his parents for the first time. I had already forgotten their names as well as some of their faces. I was right. I should have never come to this house. Cali grabbed my hand and squeezed them tight as if giving me assurance that he would never leave me. That he was at my back, willing to back me up. Open your mouth, Winter. Say something. Don't look like a fool there.Why would I be the first one to talk? Am I the one who was at fault in the past? It was not me. It was their son who left me. When their son divorced me, they did not say anything at all. But now that I am here, they should talk now. Why are you bringing the past again?Why not?For all these years, I kept
WINTER:My blood was boiling as we left the dining room. I could still remember how their eyes widened when I just left like that. Huh. They did not know that I could be rude to people I don't even like. I mean why would I stay in the same place with people who did not even know me to begin with?And let's not start with Calcifer. How dare he lie to me? He put me in a tight situation. It was a wise decision that I did not prepare that much. Or else, I would be a laughing stock in that family. "Mommy, why did we leave early?" Liam asked right away. "We haven't said our goodbyes to them, yet."What I was thankful for right now was Liam was oblivious. "I'm sorry, Liam. It's just that I am not feeling well right now."Liam stopped, went to my front and stared at me with wide eyes. "Let's ask for medicine, Mommy. Why is Daddy not with us?""He is talking to his family, first." I hoped he would take his time talking to his family. I was also mad at him. “He will be with us in a minute