As the evening settled down, I was sitting on the couch beside Robbin. The cozy warmth of the home wrapped around us, and I couldn’t help but think how much my life had changed in these five years. The quiet moments like this, with Ethan laughing in the background and Aunt Linda bustling about, felt almost surreal.
Robbin turned to me, his expression softening. "You’ve been quiet tonight. Everything okay?" I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I’m just... thinking. About how different things are now, how far we’ve come." He nodded thoughtfully. "You've built a great life here, Tasha. You and Ethan are thriving. You should be proud of yourself." I gave him a small smile. "I couldn’t have done it without you, Robbin. You’ve been there every step of the way." Just then, Ethan came running back into the room, his new iPod in hand, grinning from ear tAs Robbin left, I took a deep breath. Now it was my turn to prepare for work, and I had less than three hours before my meeting with a client. Just as I was mentally listing all the tasks I had to complete, Aunt Linda's voice called from the kitchen. "Why aren't you ready for work?" she asked, her hands full with ingredients for breakfast. "Hurry now, go get yourself ready, and I'll make something quick to eat." "Thanks, Auntie," I replied, grateful as always. I rushed upstairs and quickly took my bath then changed into a pair of fitted trousers and a jacket I'd designed myself. When I returned to the dining room, Ethan was already at the table, looking as lively as ever despite just waking up. "Good morning, Mommy!" he chirped, his little British accent making the words sound so endearing. "Good morning, sweetheart," I replied, kissing the top of his head as I sat down. "Did you sleep well?" "Yeah," he nodded enthusiastically. "But... where's Uncle Robbin? He promised to
Tasha's POV I nodded, acknowledging his confidence in me. As I left Mr. Belvoir's office, my mind was already racing with plans and strategies for the upcoming fashion contest. Normally the New York fashion scene was notoriously competitive, and this event was crucial. It was more than just a chance to showcase our designs; it was an opportunity to cement Belvoir Couture's position as a leader in the industry. I made my way back to my office, where my assistant, Claire, was already waiting with a stack of papers and a look of concern. "Everything okay, Ms. Taylor?" she asked, handing me the documents. "Just a change of plans," I said, glancing through the papers. "Mr. Belvoir canceled my meeting with Vivienne Steele. We need to focus on the fashion contest in New York." Claire nodded, her fingers flying over her keyboard as she started organizing th
"Okay, umm..." I began, glancing at Ethan and Aunt Linda before looking back at Robbin. "So, the company is sending me to New York for a fashion contest and also a project. It's a really big opportunity. The project could take almost a year to complete." "Really?" Robbin asked, his eyes wide with surprise. "That's... that's huge, Tash. I'm so proud of you." Aunt Linda beamed. "This is a wonderful opportunity for you, love. You’ve worked so hard for this." "Well," Robbin said, a hint of a smile on his lips, "I guess we'll be heading in the same direction, but at different times." I looked at him, curious. "What do you mean?" He took a breath. "I’ve got some news of my own. I've been offered a chance to expand my business to New York as well. It's not immediate, but it’s in the works."
Daniel's POV I stared out of the window of my office, watching as the city moved around me, a blur of motion that I couldn't quite bring myself to focus on. The skyline of New York City was supposed to represent everything I had worked so hard to achieve—power, success, the pinnacle of my career. But as the days passed, it felt more like a prison, a constant reminder of what I'd lost. I rubbed my temples, trying to push away the memories that threatened to overwhelm me. Memories of her. Tasha. Even thinking her name sent a wave of pain through me. It had been five years, but the wound felt as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. I never thought I would miss someone this much. Suddenly, my phone buzzed, pulling me back to the present. I glanced at the screen Vanessa's name flashed up, along with her message. "My love, don't forget the designer shoes I told you about. They're a must-have!"
Daniel's POV I sighed, leaning back in my chair. Stanley and I used to hang out all the time, grabbing drinks, catching a game, or just shooting the breeze about life. But ever since the divorce with Tasha, he had been angry with me, not that he'd ever say it outright. It was in the way he looked at me, the way his voice got tight whenever her name came up. He blamed me for it, I knew. Hell, I blamed myself too, most days. But none of us were prepared for what happened after. After Tasha left, it was like she vanished off the face of the earth. Every line of contact we had for her was disabled. No phone number, no email, nothing. I had my people try to track her down, but she was always... not found, leaving no trace behind. Stanley and I even tried some old friends, mutual acquaintances, but no one knew. It was like she didn’t want to be found. And maybe that was for the best. She deserved her freedom, her space
Tasha's POV As the plane began its descent, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The flight attendant's voice came over the intercom, a calming and professional tone that broke through my thoughts. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent into New York City. We hope you’ve had a pleasant flight with us today. Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened and your seats are in the upright position as we prepare for landing. The local time is approximately 3 PM, and the weather in New York is clear and pleasant. We hope you’ve enjoyed your flight and have a great time in the city." I looked out of the window as the skyline of New York began to come into view. The city's iconic landmarks and bustling streets were spread out below. Ethan, sitting beside me, looked out the window with wide eyes. “Mum, is that New York?” he asked, his exciteme
Panic surged through me as i rushed to the elevator, my hands trembling as i pressed the button. The elevator seemed to take forever, each second stretching into an eternity. when the doors finally opened, i bolted out and ran to the building’s security desk. "Excuse me, please," i panted, barely able to catch my breath. "my son, he's missing. did you see a five-year-old boy come through here?" The security guard looked up, his face calm but serious. "no, ma'am. we haven't had any children come through today." My heart sank, and i fought to keep my voice steady. "are you sure? he’s only five, dark hair..." The guard nodded, checking the logs. "i’m sorry, but no one matching that description has been seen leaving or entering the building." My vision blurred with tears as i turned to leave, desperately trying to calm myself. i neede
Daniel's POVI woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand. My head throbbed from last night’s drinks, but it wasn’t the hangover that had me feeling uneasy. It was the fact that I’d completely forgotten to pick up the designer shoes Venessa had asked for. My eyes drifted over to her sleeping form beside me, her back turned toward me. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath. Venessa had been talking about those shoes for weeks, reminding me at every possible opportunity. And yet, here I was, waking up next to her with empty hands. I knew I was in for it. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I needed to fix this before she woke up and realized. Maybe I could get them first thing Monday morning, or maybe I could find a way to make it up to her right now. Carefully, I slid out of bed and made my way around to her side. She was still asleep, her hair fanned out over the pillow. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. "V