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
Daniel let out a small, stressful smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “How’s Tasha?” he asked, his voice strained but steady. Mr. Belvoir stepped closer, his hands clasped behind his back. “We haven’t seen her yet,” he admitted. “She’s still under observation. Dr. Ahmed said the next 48 hours are critical.” Daniel’s expression tightened briefly before he exhaled and leaned back against the pillows. “She’s strong,” he said quietly, more to himself than to Mr. Belvoir. “She’ll pull through.” Mr. Belvoir regarded him carefully, noting the weariness etched into Daniel’s features. “What you did for her…” he began, his voice trailing off for a moment. “It’s more than anyone could have expected.” Daniel shook his head faintly. “It wasn’t a choice. Not for me.” Mr. Belvoir gave a slight nod, a flicker of respect in his gaze. “Rest now. She’ll need you when she wakes up.” Daniel closed his eyes again, the faint tension in his body easing slightly. Mr. Belvoir stood quie
The ride was long, and Robbin’s mind raced with worry as he finally arrived at the hospital. The bright lights and faint scent of antiseptic did little to soothe his nerves. He made his way straight to the nurses’ station. “Tasha Belvoir?” he asked, his voice strained. “She’s in surgery right now along with Mr. Sterling,” one of the nurses responded, her tone calm and professional. She gestured down the hall. “You can wait in the family area through those doors.” Robbin nodded tightly and followed her directions. When he entered the waiting room, he immediately noticed the man sitting there, his posture composed but tense. Mr. Belvoir looked up as Robbin entered. “Robbin, right?” he asked, rising to his feet. Robbin paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Yeah.” Mr. Belvoir extended his hand, his voice steady but with a hint of warmth. “Tasha and Ethan have said much about you.” Robbin hesitated for only a moment before shaking the man’s hand firmly. “I hope it was all g
The door to Tasha’s room swung open, and a nurse stepped out. "We’re ready to transport her," she said, her voice professional yet gentle. Daniel and Robbin exchanged a brief glance, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. "I’ll follow in my car," Robbin said, stepping back. Daniel nodded, then followed the nurse inside. Tasha lay on the bed, her complexion pale but her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. He leaned over, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "Tasha, you’re going to be okay. Just hold on for a little longer." The medical team moved efficiently, transferring Tasha to a stretcher. Daniel stayed close, his hand briefly brushing against hers as they secured her. Outside, the hospital staff guided the stretcher toward the waiting helicopter. The wind from the spinning blades whipped at Daniel’s suit, but his focus remained on Tasha. Robbin stood a few steps behind, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. As the stretcher was loaded in
They stood in silence for a while, the unspoken tension still thick between them. But when a nurse called Daniel back for the next phase of testing, Robbin stayed behind, leaning against the wall and staring at the floor. The final tests were completed, and Doctor Harris entered the room where Daniel and Robbin waited. His expression was serious but composed. “We’ve confirmed the results,” Doctor Harris said, setting a file down on the table. “Daniel is a perfect match. We can move forward with the transplant as soon as possible.” Robbin exhaled sharply, tension visibly leaving his shoulders for a moment. “Thank God.” He glanced at Daniel. “I’ll let Mr Belvoir know.” Daniel remained quiet, his face calm, though his mind raced. He looked to the doctor. “How soon can we proceed?” Doctor Harris adjusted his glasses. “We’ll need a bit
The doctor raised a brow, clearly taken aback by Daniel’s sudden resolve. "We appreciate your willingness, but this isn't a simple process, Mr...?" "Sterling. Daniel Sterling." he replied curtly, his gaze unwavering. "How soon can you run the tests?" The doctor nodded, flipping through the chart. "We’ll start with blood type compatibility and proceed with the necessary tests. It’ll take some time, but every second counts.” Before the doctor could leave, Robbin stepped forward. “Hold on,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “You should test me first. I’ve known Tasha for years, and if anyone’s going to be of help, it’ll be me.” Daniel’s jaw tightened as he turned to Robbin. "This isn’t about who’s known her longer. It’s about who can actually help her." Robbin stepped closer, his expression unwavering. "Exactly. And I’m sure I can." The doctor glanced between them, clearly caught in the tension. "We can test both of you. The more options we have, the better." “I’m not leavin
Ethan’s small sneakers squeaked against the hospital floor as Claire led him into the room. His wide, brown eyes darted to the bed where his mother lay, pale and hooked up to monitors. He hesitated for a moment, gripping Claire’s hand tightly. “Mom?” His voice was small, hesitant, and it broke Tasha’s heart. She managed a weak smile, her voice soft but steady. “Hey, baby. Come here.” Ethan didn’t need to be told twice. He bolted to her bedside, wrapping his small hands around hers. “You look tired. Are you okay?” Claire hovered near the doorway, her face a mixture of worry and relief. Robbin stood on the other side of the room, his arms folded tightly, watching everything. “I’m okay, sweetheart. I just need some rest,” Tasha assured him, brushing a hand over his cheek. She caught Claire’s eye, nodding her thanks for bringing Ethan. E
Daniel’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t argue. The tension in the room was palpable as the doctor waited for someone to take the lead. Due to the tension in the room, the doctor awkwardly stepped aside, sensing the weight of unspoken words. Robbin hesitated for a moment before looking at Tasha, his eyes filled with worry. He glanced at the doctor, then at Tasha again. "I'll go with the doctor to sort things out," he said softly, leaning down to brush a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Rest, Tash. I’ll take care of it.” Tasha nodded weakly, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Robbin followed the doctor out, his shoulders stiff with protective energy. As the door clicked shut behind them, Daniel moved closer to Tasha’s bedside. He stood there for a moment, watching her. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow but steady. The sight of her like thi
“Help!” Robbin shouted, dropping to his knees and cradling her limp form. “Someone call for help!” A nearby security guard rushed over, already reaching for his radio. “What’s going on here?” “She fainted,” Robbin said, his voice trembling as he brushed the hair from Tasha’s face. “She needs medical attention now!” The guard nodded, quickly calling for backup. A crowd started to form, whispers filling the air, but before the situation could escalate further, Daniel appeared, his sharp, commanding presence cutting through the chaos. “What the hell is going on?” Daniel demanded, his eyes narrowing as he saw Tasha unconscious in Robbin’s arms. “She collapsed,” Robbin replied, his voice taut with worry. “We need to get her to the hospital.” Daniel’s gaze darted to the growing crowd. “Not here,” he muttered, already stepping forward. “I’ll drive. Help me get her to the car.” Robbin hesitated, glancing at Daniel before nodding. Together, they carefully lifted Tasha, her arms draped
The morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows of Tasha’s office, highlighting the faint bags under her eyes as she sifted through the mountain of paperwork in front of her. She took a deep breath, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to ease the dull ache that had been building since she woke up. Claire, popped her head into the room, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a small pastry. “Morning, boss. You look like you need this more than I do.” Tasha looked up, offering a tired smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Claire.” “Flattery gets you nowhere,” Claire teased, setting the tray on the desk. “But seriously, you’ve been here since six. Did you even eat breakfast?” Tasha waved her off. “I’m fine. There’s too much to do to worry about food right now and besides, I don't even have the appetite for food right now.” Claire folded her arms, unimpressed. “Tasha, skipping meals isn’t heroic; it’s stupid. At least eat this pastry while it’s still