Trence and I started eating when I got back from the bathroom. The dish served on the table is different. Maybe Trence has changed the food. My mouth watered when I saw the beautiful caramelized steak on my plate, perfectly seared to a juicy medium-rare. The aroma of garlic and herbs infused in the meat made my stomach growl in anticipation. I couldn't wait to cut into the steak and savor every bite, knowing it would be satisfying. The sight and smell of the dish were enough to make my taste buds dance with excitement. As I picked up my knife and fork, I could practically taste the savory flavors that awaited me. The steak glistened under the light, promising a culinary experience that would be unforgettable. It melts in my mouth. The meat was cooked to perfection, tender, and flavorful, leaving me craving more with each bite. The combination of seasonings and cooking techniques truly elevated the dish to a new level of deliciousness. "I'm glad you like it," Trence spoke with a smile
"Fine, I'll go there," he said, ending the call. The conversation on the phone was not pleasant, but I decided to give Trence some space before asking about it. As he returned his attention to me, I could see a hint of concern in his eyes, signaling that our conversation might take a different turn. "Are you done eating your dessert?" he asked. I nodded, feeling curious and apprehensive about what Trence wanted to discuss. The atmosphere between us had shifted, and I braced myself for whatever was coming next. "Come with me," he added, grabbing my hand and leading me to the restaurant's other side. I couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind as we silently walked together. He is holding my freaking hand. His hand is a lot bigger than mine. When our skin touched, I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me. The tension between us was palpable, and I couldn't ignore the fluttering in my stomach. Where will Trence bring me? I'm unfamiliar with this restaurant, so I must find out
I'm unsure if they heard it, but I can't be mistaken; I heard he said that I'm his girlfriend. I want to protest. I couldn't bring myself to pull away from his grasp, even though I wanted to. My body seemed to be moving independently, following his lead as we walked away from the room. As we continued down the hallway, I couldn't shake the unease in my stomach. My mind was racing with conflicting thoughts about what had just happened. Trence's silent support was comforting and confusing, leaving me torn between wanting to confront him and simply escape the situation altogether. He did not let go of my hands until we reached the restaurant entrance. Once outside, the cool night air helped clear my head as I finally found the courage to speak up and address our tension. Trence's eyes met mine, silently urging me to voice my thoughts. I finally dare to let go of his hand and step back, needing space to gather my thoughts before saying anything that could make the situation worse. Trence
"D-Drenver," I blurted out nervously. He put his arm around me. I should not feel this fear in my chest. As his touch lingered, I couldn't shake the unease within me. The bus ride suddenly felt much longer than anticipated. "Drenver?" he repeated, his voice low and upset. I felt a sense of anxiety wash over me as he held me close; the tension developed with each passing moment. The man's grip tightened slightly, and I could feel his eyes boring into me. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, his tone tinged with suspicion. My heart raced as I struggled to develop a convincing response, the unease growing stronger by the second. "I mean, B-Babe," I stutter. I felt his face close to the side of my face and his breath warm against my skin. "Why do you look nervous? Did you do something wrong?" I could feel the panic rising in my chest, my mind racing to escape this situation. The fear of what he might do next only intensified my anxiety. The fear in his voice sent a shiver down my sp
Tears streamed down my face as I clung to the stranger, finally feeling safe. Please, whoever you are, help me. I love Drenver, but I can't be with him tonight. The stranger grabbed me by the shoulder. He lifted my head. The stranger looked at me with concern. As our eyes met, he quickly analyzed what happened and said, "Call the police, Missy, and run to my car." I quickly nodded. I did not expect him to be here. I left him hanging earlier. He shouldn't be in here. I shook my head as I realized that the person who rang our doorbell was my boss. I turned around before I reached the man's car. I ran back to the house. "No!" I shouted to stop them. I was stunned by what I found in the living room. Trence's arm was already around Drenver's neck. Drenver's face was red, and he was struggling to break free. He couldn't breathe; I knew I had to act fast before things escalated further, and he was trying to escape Trence's grip. "Trence, let him go!" I yelled as I rushed to intervene. The
As the doctors and nurses bustled around me, checking my vitals and asking questions, I felt a newfound sense of empowerment and determination. Trence stood by my side, holding my hand tightly and encouraging me. I couldn't hear the sound of the monitor or the people around me; at that moment, all I could hear was the beating of my heart, strong and steady. And as I looked into his eyes, I was filled with care and concern. Trence's genuine care and concern were like a beacon of light amid chaos. I clung to his words of encouragement like a lifeline, feeling reassured and strengthened by his presence. I should not feel this with Trence. My mind counters the feelings I am having right now. I am just hurt, and my mind is not in the right place to be developing feelings for someone. But no matter how hard I tried to deny it, Trence's presence brought comfort and solace in a way no one else could. His kindness and understanding penetrated through the walls I had built around myself, caus
"What do you mean I will live with you? I asked him, confused. "I mean, I can keep you safe here until we figure out a plan," he replied, his voice gentle yet firm. Looking into his eyes, I saw a glimmer of sincerity that made me believe he truly meant what he said. "Trust me, please." I hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to trust my boss. But something in his demeanor made me feel like I had no choice. "Okay," I finally whispered, hoping my decision wouldn't haunt me. "But I can sleep at my best friend's house," I said when I remembered I had a friend I could call. "I understand, but it's not safe for you there right now," he said, concern evident in his eyes. "He can come back to you and hurt you again," Trence said. I felt a chill run down my spine at the thought of my boyfriend coming back to harm me. Trence was right—staying at my best friend's house wasn't a good idea. Deep down, I knew I needed to trust Trence and his offer to keep me safe. With a heavy heart, I agre
"Hey, wake up!" Someone shook me awake, and I opened my eyes to find myself safe in my bed, realizing it was all just a terrifying dream. The fear lingered, but I took a deep breath, grateful it was over. As I lay there, trying to calm my racing heart, I couldn't shake the feeling of his icy touch on my skin. The nightmare may have ended, but its impact lingered long after I woke up. I sat up in bed, feeling a shiver run down my spine as I tried to shake off the residual fear. The image of the man in my dream—his cold eyes and menacing smile—haunted me. I knew I needed to push the nightmare out of my mind and focus on the reality of the new day ahead. I took another deep breath, determined to start fresh and not let the lingering fear hold me back. "Are you alright?" Trence asked, concern evident in his voice as he reached out to touch my hand. I nodded. "You are having a nightmare," he stated, his eyes searching mine for confirmation. I smiled weakly. "I'm okay now; it's just a ba
We all thought that after meeting someone who would cherish us, love us, respect us, and protect us, it'd all have a happy ending, but I learned that sometimes people come into our lives to teach us valuable lessons and help us grow, even if they are not meant to stay forever.I was sitting on the edge of my bed, absentmindedly tracing the patterns on my quilt. The room was so quiet that I could hear the distant hum of traffic outside my window. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sharp ring of my phone. Glancing at the screen, I saw my attorney's name. My heart skipped a beat as I answered."Friah," his voice came through the line, heavy with gravity. "I have some news. Drenver has been found guilty of murder. The jury has sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of Julia."I felt like I couldn't breathe. Even though I'd been bracing myself for this moment, the reality of it hit me like a tidal wave. "I... I don't know what to say," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"I take Maxine Marviz to be my daughter." His eyes were filled with tears as he looked at her. He slowly turned to me.Our world was finally at peace. I was standing here in front of him, trying not to ruin my makeup behind this facade of calmness. His words were a balm to my soul, bringing closure to years of uncertainty and fear."As I finally marry her mother, who captured my heart through the years—the woman who makes me go crazy, loves me, and changes me to be a better person—together, we will create a new chapter in our lives filled with love, happiness, and unity. Our family is now complete with Maxine as our daughter, bound by love and commitment." His voice cracked with emotion as he reached out to hold my hand. As I looked into his eyes, I knew that all of the challenges we had faced together had led us to this moment of pure happiness and love.With tears in my eyes, I whispered, "I love you," and felt his grip on my hand tighten, solidifying our bond forever."Thank you fo
"I want my daughter back, Friah," Drenver said with a determined edge to his voice, his eyes flickering with mixed emotions. We were alone in the kitchen. I told Trence I could talk and face Drenver because I knew he was just in the house if something happened. "Whose daughter are you talking about?" I asked without leaving his stare. "You have no daughter here." Drenver was leaning on the sink. "I know you already know what I'm talking about. Trence was not the father of Maxine," he said. He slowly walked towards me. I stepped back as he went near me. "I am," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "And I'll do whatever it takes to get her.""No, I would never let you take her away from us," I said firmly, my heart racing with fear and anger. Drenver's eyes darkened as he reached out to grab me, but I quickly dodged his touch. "Get out of my house," I firmly said. Drenver's face twisted into a sinister grin as he backed away, his eyes never leaving mine. "You can try to stop me,
Days went by, and the doctors told me that I could already be discharged from the hospital. I was relieved to finally be able to go home and see my daughter, whom I missed dearly during my time in the hospital. I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms and make up for lost time."Are you sure you are okay already?" Trence asked concern etched on his face. I assured him that I was feeling much better and couldn't wait to get back to our normal routine with our daughter by our side.I nodded. He guided me towards the wheelchair. Trence wheeled me out of the room; the tension in the air was palpable, overshadowing the relief of finally leaving the hospital. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the urgent call from the doctor, the words "code red" sending a shiver down my spine. They were running towards the ICU.I exchanged a worried glance with Trence, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on both of us. Could it be? Julia? The thought sent a wave of mixed emotions crashing over me.
I'm holding my son's hand while we are walking the path filled with roses. The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on the vibrant flowers. I couldn't help but smile as I watched my son's eyes light up with wonder at the beauty surrounding us. The sweet scent of the roses filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere as we strolled together. At that moment, I felt grateful for this simple yet precious moment with my son."'Mommy, it's time," Max said. "Maxine was waiting for you." I knelt to hug my son, feeling a mix of pride and sadness as he prepared to let go of my hand. With a bittersweet smile, I whispered, "I love you, Max.""I love you, Mom," he whispered back.He let go of me and started running away from me. As I watched him go, all I could think was that he would run like that with Maxine by his side. He left me in the middle of the field. I stood there, not knowing where to go next, feeling a sense of emptiness. The sun began to set, casting a warm glow o
"I already talked to the security. He can't go near you again." Trence said. He laid me down on the bed, leaning on his chest. I could feel his heartbeat against my back—steady and reassuring. Trence gently ran his fingers through my hair, soothing me with his touch. I closed my eyes, feeling safe and protected in his arms."He said something," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Trence paused, his fingers stilling in my hair as he waited for me to continue. "He said that he was Maxine's father."Trence's grip on my waist slightly tightened, his expression turning serious. "Maxine's father?" he repeated, his voice laced with concern. I nodded."We never did it, even when we were in a relationship. I don't know how this could have happened." Trence pulled me closer, his embrace providing comfort and support."Should I believe him?" I could feel his heart beating against mine, a steady rhythm that reassured me. "I don't know," Trence finally said, his voice soft but firm."Maybe he's
Our moment was interrupted by a sudden call, but neither of us wanted to let go. "Ignore it," he mumbled against my lips, his hands moving with urgency. I couldn't resist him any longer, giving in completely to the passion that consumed us both.The call wouldn't stop ringing, and eventually, we had to reluctantly pull away, both of us breathless and wanting more. "We'll continue this later," he promised, his eyes filled with desire as he finally answered the call.As he spoke on the phone, his facial expression changed from desire to annoyance, clearly irritated by someone he was talking to."What do you mean, he was out?" Trence exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. His body tensed as he listened to the response, and I could see the anger building in his eyes.I could tell he was struggling to keep his composure; his jaw clenched tightly as he tried to maintain control. After hanging up the phone, he turned to me with a forced smile, but I could see the tension still lingering
I run, trying to find my daughter, my heart pounding in my chest. Panic set in as I called out her name, the fear of the unknown creeping up on me. I asked her nanny where she was, but when she pointed out where Maxine was, she was not there.I felt my breath quicken as I frantically searched every corner of the room, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. The realization that my daughter was missing sent a wave of pure terror through me, causing me to break out in a cold sweat."Why did you leave your sight with her?" I demanded, my voice shaking with a mixture of anger and fear. The nanny's apologetic expression only fueled my panic further, as I struggled to keep my emotions in check while desperately trying to think of where she could have gone.Trence walked towards me. "What's happening?" he asked when he saw the look of distress on my face."I can't find my daughter." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as I anxiously explained the situation to him, my heart pounding in
We picked a restaurant and decided to eat there. Maxine was the one to pick it up, and she decided to go to a place where my favorite foods were. The last time I ate here was when I ate with Drenver. The place never changed, but the memories flooded back as we sat down at our table. Maxine looked up at me with a small smile and a silent apology in her eyes. I reached out and squeezed her hand. Trence smiled warmly at her."Mommy, this was your favorite, right?" She showed me the burger the same size as her face. She used both of her hands to pick it up.She knows because when I was unpacking some of my things, she saw different pictures; one of them was of this restaurant while I was eating with Drenver. The guy she said that she talked to was Drenver, but it was not true; maybe it was just her imagination.I smiled and nodded. Her nanny took the burger and sliced it into smaller pieces so she could eat it. The table was silent as we all enjoyed our meal. My daughter's eyes lit up wit