The night passed in restless waves for Daniel. Sleep evaded him, his mind replaying every moment of the gala, the argument with Venessa, and most of all, Tasha. She was so close, below him, in the same building. He couldn’t shake the gnawing need to see her again, to make sense of the emotions he was caught in.
The clock read 6:30 AM when he finally gave up trying to rest. The soft hum of the city waking up outside the window barely registered as he got up, throwing on a shirt and jeans. He paced the room for a few minutes, debating whether this was the right thing to do, but his feet moved on their own. Before he knew it, Daniel was standing in front of Tasha’s door on the floor below. His hand hovered over the doorbell for a moment. What was he even going to say? But the pull was too strong. He pressed the button, and after a few beats, the door opened. To his surprise, it wasn’t Tasha who stood on the other side but RBack in his apartment, Daniel couldn’t shake the thoughts that swirled in his mind. Robbin... Are they really married? he wondered, pacing the floor. Has Tasha really moved on? The image of Ethan calling Robbin "Dad" played over and over in his head. But then, at another moment, the boy had called him "Uncle Robbin." Daniel couldn’t piece it together. Was Robbin just a close friend? Or had Tasha truly built a new life without him? He clenched his fists, feeling a tightness in his chest. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but he wasn’t ready to face the truth just yet. Daniel leaned against the window, staring blankly at the city below, lost in thought. The idea of Tasha moving on, building a new life with Robbin, felt like a weight he couldn't shake off. He ran his hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. Ethan called him Dad... but also Uncle Robbin. Daniel’s mind spun, trying to figure out their relationship. His heart wanted to believe Tasha hadn’t moved on, but
The pressure was mounting as the fashion contest drew closer. Tasha could feel it in every thread, every fabric she touched. Her designs were more than just garments, they were her life, her future. But there was one complication she couldn’t afford: Daniel. When Mr. Belvoir had assigned them to work together, Tasha had no choice but to keep things strictly professional. She had already spent enough time trying to bury the past. Now, she was determined to focus on what really mattered, her career, her son, and this contest. The studio was buzzing with activity as Tasha stepped inside, her eyes sweeping over the organized chaos. Models were getting ready for their fittings, and assistants hurried around her, making adjustments. She quickly glanced at her watch. The meeting with Mr. Belvoir was set to begin soon, and yet there was no sign of Daniel. Of course, she thought bitterly, he would be late for something this important. But she pushed the thought aside. She didn’t care, not a
Her heart raced as she stared at the message, confusion swirling in her mind. She knew it was late, and this couldn’t be just anyone. Only a few people had her number, Robbin being one of them. Her thumb hovered over the reply button, unsure of what to do. Could it be him? And if it was, why at the rooftop? Why now, in the middle of the night? She glanced at the clock: 11:45 p.m. The rooftop was just few floors above her apartment. Something told her not to go. But before she could stop herself, she grabbed a sweater, slipping quietly out the door. As she took the elevator, her pulse quickened with every second. When she reached the rooftop, she scanned the dimly lit space, the cold night air biting at her skin. And then she saw him. Daniel stood near the edge, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. His back was to her, and for a moment, she debate
The day of the fashion contest finally arrived, and the energy was electric. Tasha had been working tirelessly alongside her team to make sure everything was perfect. This was her moment, her chance to prove herself, and she couldn’t afford anything to go wrong. As the models were getting dressed backstage, Tasha made her rounds, ensuring every detail was flawless the makeup, the hair, the fittings. Robbin had come by earlier to wish her luck, and even though Daniel hadn’t shown his face yet, she tried not to let her thoughts drift to him. This was strictly business. Everything was running smoothly until one of the assistants rushed over, her face pale with panic. “Tasha,” the assistant stammered, “there’s been an accident. Julia, the main model, she... she broke her heel and fell. I think it’s her leg. She’s saying she can’t walk.” Tasha’s heart dropped. Julia was their centerpiece model, the one wearing the highlight of t
The lights dimmed dramatically, and the gentle hum of the music, casting an air of anticipation over the crowd. The models began their procession down the runway, each one displaying stunning designs that spoke of craftsmanship and innovation. The audience, filled with high-profile guests, including investors and fashion critics, watched with focused eyes. Every step, every glance, every turn of the models was scrutinized, but beneath the surface, there was an electric tension in the air. The murmurs of appreciation grew louder with each design, but despite the applause, there was still an undercurrent of expectancy. Everyone knew the centerpiece, the crowning jewel of the collection, was still to come. And that’s what they were waiting for. Backstage, chaos had erupted. Julia, the intended centerpiece model, sat in distress, holding her ankle, which was visibly swollen from Venessa’s sabotage. The team was in a panic, rushing to find a solu
Just as Daniel was about to approach Tasha, Robbin emerged from the side, wrapping his arms around her in a supportive embrace. “You were incredible out there!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Tasha smiled, a mix of relief and excitement flooding through her. Before she could respond, Robbin leaned in, planting a quick kiss on her cheek, a gesture of encouragement and camaraderie. Daniel paused, his heart sinking slightly at the sight. He was just a few steps away, but now he felt like an outsider looking in. The warmth of their connection, the ease with which they interacted, ignited a flicker of jealousy within him. “Robbin,” Tasha said, turning her head slightly to look at Daniel, her eyes betraying a hint of unknown. “I couldn’t have done it without your support.” “Of course! You were the star of the show,” Robbin replied, his tone playful yet sincere. He turned, catching sight of Daniel for the first time. “Hey, man. Good to see you again.” Dan
Daniel paced his apartment after the short conversation with Robbin, thoughts racing. He had to talk to Venessa, clear things up once and for all. The situation with Tasha, the fashion contest, everything was going out of control, and he knew Venessa had a hand in it. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to Venessa. Come over. Now. It didn’t take long before there was a knock at the door. When Daniel opened it, Venessa stood there, looking as confident as ever, a smirk playing on her lips. "What’s this about, Daniel?" she asked, stepping inside without being invited. Daniel’s jaw tightened as he closed the door. "You know exactly what this is about." Venessa raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is it about Tasha again? I told you she's nothing but a distraction." Daniel’s eyes darkened, stepping closer to her. "I don’t care what you think. You’ve been playing games for too long. You tried to sabotaged the fashion show, didn’t you? Julia’s accident, the missing clothes... a
Ethan's face lit up with excitement as he looked up at Daniel, his voice eager. "Can you come over for dinner? Mom’s a great cook, and she promised to make pasta and roasted chicken. Will you come, please?" Daniel hesitated, glancing at Tasha, who stood behind Ethan with her arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. He could feel her tension, but he couldn’t bear to say no to the hopeful look in Ethan’s eyes. “I’m sorry, buddy, I’ve got a lot to do tonight,” Daniel lied, trying to gently let the boy down. But before he could say more, Ethan's eyes began to well up, his lip quivering. Tasha quickly stepped in, her voice soft but firm. “Oh, sweetheart, of course, he’ll be there, won’t you, Daniel?” Daniel looked back at her, realizing she wasn’t just protecting Ethan's feelings, she was challenging him. The tension between them hung in the air, but Daniel couldn’t bring himself to disappoint Ethan again. He crouched down to Ethan’s level, offering a small smile. “I guess I can
Tasha straightened, maintaining her composure as Venessa's gaze settled on her. Claire, sensing the tension, glanced between them, choosing her words carefully. “Good morning, Venessa,” Tasha said with a polite smile, her voice calm yet assertive. “Anything urgent on your desk today?” Venessa raised an eyebrow, her smile more of a smirk. “Just making sure all the loose ends are tied up. It’s easy for things to slip through when people are… away from the office.” Tasha noted the implication, but she remained unfazed. “Well, it’s good to know things stayed on track. Let’s keep up that momentum, shall we?” Claire stifled a laugh, caught between amusement and nervousness. Venessa’s expression hardened, as if looking for something in Tasha that would crack. But when nothing came, she finally turned on her heel. “By the way,” Venessa said, pausing, “I hope you’re aware of the upcoming presentation. There’s a lot riding on it. Wouldn’t want anyone underprepared.” With that, she st
"Ethan wants to hang out with you," Tasha said, glancing at Daniel with a gentle but hopeful expression, her eyes searching his. Daniel's face softened as he looked at Ethan, who was practically bouncing in anticipation. "Yes, Dad, can we?" Ethan asked eagerly, his face lighting up. Tasha, noticing the moment, quickly added, "But if you’re too busy, we can just..." "No, it's fine. I'm all free," Daniel cut in, giving Stanley a side-eye as he added, "Stanley was just leaving." Stanley raised his hands in a mock surrender, grinning. "Alright, alright. I can take a hint." He turned to Tasha with a warm smile. "Guess we’ll all head out together." As they walked toward the door, Stanley leaned closer to Tasha. "Oh, before I forget," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice, "I wanted to let you know... well, I’m getting married!" Tasha’s face lit up. “That’s amazing, Stanley! Congratulations!” “Thanks! And I expect you both to be there,” he added, nudging her playfully. “N
Tasha read Daniel's message one more time, feeling somewhat okay with it but choosing not to reply just yet. She slipped her phone into her bag and continued with her day, balancing meetings and planning sessions with Claire. The work felt steady and purposeful, grounding her as she set her sights on her future here. Later, back at her apartment, Tasha was setting dishes on the table for herself and Ethan. The warm aroma of the meal filled the cozy space as she plated the food and called Ethan over. He hopped up onto his chair with a big grin, digging in eagerly. As they ate, she looked at him with a soft smile. "Sweetheart, would you like to see your dad tomorrow?" Ethan's eyes lit up. “I get to see Dad?” he asked, a bit of surprise mixed with excitement in his voice. “Of course,” Tasha replied gently. “He misses you, and I thought it might be nice for the two of you to spend some time together.” Ethan nodded enthusiastically, “I miss him too, Mom! Can we go somewhere fun?”
Claire, holding back a smirk, shrugged. “I guess you’ll find out soon enough.” Venessa rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “I just hope they don’t waste everyone’s time with the whole pomp and circumstance thing. Anyway,” she added, turning her gaze toward Tasha, “Well Tasha. Try to keep up, The current Belvoir Couture, it’s not for everyone.” Tasha nodded politely. “Thanks Venessa. I’ll do my best.” Venessa gave a brief nod and continued on, entirely unaware. Tasha exchanged an amused glance with Claire, who gave a subtle thumbs-up. Once Venessa was out of earshot, Tasha chuckled. “Looks like it’s going to be an interesting first day.” Claire laughed. “You don’t even know the half of it. Let’s get you settled in.” As they settled into the
The next evening, Tasha dressed simply yet elegantly for the dinner with Vivienne. She was both curious and cautious about meeting Vivienne, woman who had such close ties to Mr. Belvoir and, as she recently learned, to Venessa as well. Would this dinner bring an ally or another layer of complexity? “Mom, do you think Aunt Vivienne will like me?” Ethan asked, adjusting his small tie in the mirror. Tasha knelt beside him, smiling. “She’s going to love you sweetheart. Just be good, okay?” Ethan nodded, but there was a little sign of nervousness in his eyes. He was still adjusting to all these new faces and places, and the dinner added a layer of importance that even he could sense. As they arrived at the upscale restaurant, Vivienne was already waiting at a cozy corner table. Her presence was commanding, and she gave Tasha and Ethan a warm smil
“Hey, Claire, I need you to set up an apartment for me,” Tasha said, her tone low. There was a pause on the other end before Claire replied, “Alright, but… you really don’t want to be here?” Tasha sighed, glancing at Ethan, who was happily playing with his toy. “No, I don’t want to be there, Claire.” “Is it because of…?” “He owns the building,” Tasha replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Claire took a breath, choosing her words carefully. “Well, why not stay in one of the Belvoir estates here? It’d be private, and there are plenty of security options.” But Tasha shook her head, even though Claire couldn’t see her. “I don’t need attention, not yet. I need everything off the media in the best way I can. It’s what’s best for Ethan,” she said firmly. “I don’t want his life disrupted more than it already has been.” Claire was quiet for a moment. “Alright. I’ll set something up. A nice, quiet place. Low profile.” “Thank you, Claire,” Tasha replied, relief flooding her v
After the Visit to Mr Belvoir's house, Tasha relaxed in her room as her phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Claire’s name flashing on the screen. She smiled, picking up as she walked back inside. “Hey, Tasha!” Claire greeted, her face filling the screen with a warm smile. “I’ve missed you! How are things over there in London?” Tasha relaxed, her smile widening. “It’s been a lot, Claire. But good, I think. Mr. Belvoir, 'Daddd' wants me to step into this big role in his company. Can you believe it?” Claire's eyebrows shot up. “Belvoir Couture’s queen in the making, makes total sense to me! You’ll handle it beautifully.” Tasha laughed softly, shaking her head. “I don’t know, Claire. It’s a lot. But hey, how’s New York treating you?” “Oh, New York is... well, it’s never dull, that’s for sure.” Claire hesitated, her tone shifting. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about. It’s… odd.” “Odd?” Tasha’s curiosity piqued. “Go on.” Claire leaned closer to the
Tasha's phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Robbin’s name on the screen. She hadn’t heard from him in so long especially with everything that had happened lately, his absence had been puzzling. She stepped aside, answering with a cautious “Hello?” “Tasha, hey… it’s been a while.” “Robbin,” she replied, her tone mixed with relief and curiosity. “Where are you? I thought you’d be in London by now, you said you’d be here last week.” A slight hesitation filled the line before he spoke. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve been tied up with some… kinda family issues in Paris. Something came up last minute, and I couldn’t get away like I’d planned.” “Family?” Tasha questioned, surprised. “You’ve never mentioned any family in Paris.” Robbin’s voice s
Tasha stepped onto the balcony of her London apartment, dialing Claire’s number. She needed to hear her friend’s voice, to process everything that had happened with Mr. Belvoir. After a couple of rings, Claire’s familiar voice answered on the other end. “Tasha! How’s it going over there?” Claire asked cheerfully. Tasha sighed, her eyes drifting to the bustling city below. “Well… it’s been a whirlwind. I met him... I met Mr. Belvoir, Claire. Turns out his my father. He’s—” She hesitated, struggling to find the words. “He’s not what I expected.” There was a pause, and then Claire’s gentle tone filled the silence. “Tasha, that’s huge. I can’t imagine what that must feel like. Woah, Mr Belvoir? How are you holding up?” “It’s surreal. He’s saying all the right things, you know? That he wants to know me, that he regrets not being in my life. I mean, maybe I've been searching for this my entire life, and now he’s here,” Tasha admi