“Oh, God,” Jason sighed as he arrived at the table and then looked away from the woman whom he had vowed to stay away from no matter what.“Hi, greetings to you,” he greeted the people whom he assumed to be couples instead and the woman greeted him back, smiling widely.But, the man didn’t smile.He did not even look like he was pleased to see him.And that was weird because they were literally meeting for the first time.“I hope you are enjoying your meals?”“Yes, of course. Thank you,” the woman answered again.“Jason,” the lady said again, scooting closer to him.“Please, respect yourself. I am attending to customers.”“Customers? This is my brother and his wife,” she shrugged her shoulders off.“Regardless, they are my customers, and you will respect yourself.”“No. I will not. I have come to you today to give you a new proposal.”“Proposal?”By this time, the man who was said to be her brother had leaned in his seat and his hands were folded across his chest while he paid his att
By the time Leilani and Lorenzo returned to the car, Mia was resting against their car, frowning and hitting her foot on the ground.“Mia,” Leilani moved away from where she was behind Lorenzo’s back and then took her hand.“Leila!” The lady exclaimed and then pulled her into a tight hug.“Chill, you’re suffocating—” Leilani coughed and broke the hug.Mia looked like she had cried already. Her eyes were red. In fact, her whole face, but at the moment, all she had on was a frown.“Brother,” she whimpered, holding Leilani’s hand tight.“What?” Lorenzo raised a brow.“I need a favor from you,” she sniffed“I am not helping you talk to anyone, clock that.”“I need you to… lend me your wife.”“What?” He snapped his brows together.“Please. Let her be with me for a while. She is my only friend and you know that. I will bring her home by myself. I promise. Lorenzo, his face fully frowned, dropped his eyes on Leilani who squinted her eyes and nodded her head gently at him.“But… she is not e
“You are the best sister-in-law in the whole World! God!” Mia cried as Leilani helped her to the car.“You have said that like a hundred times today.”“I could go on and on. You are my best friend and confidant. I love you.”“Good, I love you too,” Leilani groaned, as she finally settled the woman in the car.She turned around, entered, and then adjusted her head on her thighs.“Let’s go,” she said to the driver.“I am going to pay you back, Jason…” she moaned as she closed her eyes.Leilani shook her head as the lady had finally slept up and then removed her phone from her bag.Lorenzo had called a couple of times and she had missed them.She dialed his number again and he picked up almost immediately, like he was waiting for her call.“Lani.”“I’m so sorry I missed your call. I didn’t know it was ringing.”“It’s alright. Are you on your way now?”“Yes. But the thing is, Mia is drunk. So so drunk that we had to hire a chauffeur to drive.”“You should have told me this earlier. I woul
Leilani’s head felt hazy as she could already feel the alcohol working its way up her system but instead of trying to put a stop to what was happening, she deepened the kiss and leaned into his tall frame.Her hands went around his shoulders as she grabbed onto them tighter holding herself up in his arms.The kiss soon became frantic and she felt the hardening bulge in his pants, she wanted him more than ever.“You taste so sweet,” Lorenzo said, lapping at her bottom lip, her moans filling his ears and he couldn’t wait to hear her cry out his name.Directing her quickly towards the bed he grabbed her butt lifting her from the ground and placing her gently on the bed.“No, no I want you” Leilani protested when the man got up, the low rumble of his chuckle against her skin made her close her thighs together rubbing it for friction.“Are you certain you wanna do this because I might actually not stop when I start,” the man said and she smiled, while he took off his clothes she hurriedly
Leilani groaned gently in her sleep and then tried to pull away as the pressure around her neck was too much and she could actually choke to death.She coughed gently and then opened her eyes.She was wrapped in Lorenzo’s embrace, and she wished for nothing more than to remain there.However, the incident of the previous night rushed her, and she closed her eyes again.She was fully aware and conscious of what they had done. Even when the man had asked her if she was sure she wanted it, she had urged him to continue.All this while, it had been taking everything in her to not succumb to the craving she was feeling for the man and yesterday, it had taken nothing but his scent to make her lose control.She opened her eyes again, and then gently raised her head to look at the man who slept peacefully and she sighed.This might actually be the first time she would see him sleeping so soundly as he was always waking before her.She glanced at his long lashes, and then dropped her eyes on h
“Are you okay?” He asked as she stood upright and then adjusted her clothes.“H… hi,” she stuttered.Lorenzo dropped his head to look at the woman whose face was totally red and she was trying hard to not meet with his gaze.He shook his head and then said. “Good morning.”“Yeah… morning,” she nodded her head.“Actually…” she sniffed, staring at the fingers that she was picking on.“I was going to remind you that Mia is still around so you should not come out till… she has left. You understand, right?”“Okay.”“Yeah,” she nodded her head.“So?” “Yeah, she is having hangover soup downstairs. Martha made it for her,” she said as the man had asked.“Okay.”“Yes.”“Good.”“Exactly,” she nodded her head and then whirled around.“Oh, just stay calm, woman,” he dropped his hands on her shoulder and then shook her gently.“What?”“Why are you reckless?”She finally looked up to meet with his eyes, pouted her lips, and then shook her head.“Nothing,” She shook her head and answered in a whisp
The room was unusually silent and Lorenzo wouldn’t stop stealing glances at the woman who sat across him, her face fully buried in her food.She didn’t even raise her head to look around or anything.He shook his head and resumed eating.After a while, Martha slammed her hands on the table gently and then breathed out.“What is going on? Do you two talk it out?”“What?” He asked.“The atmosphere between you two right now? You don’t wanna get me started. I know how it is usually cozy in the dining room here. So, tell me, is anything bothering you.”“No.”“Yes.”Leilani and Lorenzo Cho rushed respectively.“There is nothing, Martha,” Leilani glanced at the woman, and then Lorenzo.“There is, Martha. She is avoiding me.”“Oh, is she?”“Yes. First, look at where she sat. She’s not even talking at all, or looking at me or something.”“Did you do anything to her?”Leilani raised her head and their eyes met. She bit her lower lips and then shook her head at the man.“No,” he shook his head.
They both sat in silence for a few seconds, almost a few minutes in fact before Lorenzo asked, “So, you regret it?”“W… what? No!” she sprang up and waved her hands at him.Lorenzo leaned back comfortably at the confused woman and then shook his head. “So?”“Of everything, I do not regret it. I mean it!” she exclaimed when he would not stop nodding his head.“So?”She shook her head, exhaled, and then returned to her seat. “C…can we not talk about this, please?”“Lani?”“As much as I enjoyed it and do not regret it, it still does not change the fact that it should not have happened. I let my l… lust take the better of me.”Lorenzo tore his eyes from her and shook his head. It was never his intention to rush things with her.Even if it would take him several years, he didn’t mind, as long as she stayed with him.Seeing the woman beat herself up because of what happened almost made him blame himself too.But, he couldn’t.The previous night was fun.She was perfect, and every moment he
“No, no, no, this is not possible. This cannot be possible,” she shook her head, taking multiple steps back.“Where is she going?” Mia rushed over to her and took her hands in hers.“What is wrong?”“I can’t… I can’t take this. I can’t… no, no,” she sniffed, yanked her hand gently from Mia’s, and then wiped her tears with the back of her hand.“This is too much. I can’t…” “You know what, guys,” Martha clasped her hands together.“Let’s leave the two of them for a while. We will return to celebrate with them,” she ushered them out and then turned to leave too.After they were out of sight, with the door closed, Lorenzo stood up from where he sat, covered the space between them and then pulled her into a hug without saying anything.“I know this is going to overwhelm you. I know it does,” he said, as he patted her back.“Lorenzo, you can’t do this… again. No, please.”“Why?” He bore his eyes on her as he broke the hug.“I don’t… I don’t deserve this.”“How? In what way? Talk to me.”“
“I can't find Lorenzo in the room. Did he go somewhere?” Leilani asked Martha as she descended the stairs.“Enzo? I think he’s somewhere in the perimeter. Do you wanna go to him?”“Yes. Could you tell me where he is?”It’s been three days since she resumed her class and so far, it was better and together with Anna, they had been staying back at the academy for two more hours just to practice as the competition was fast approaching.If it was up to Anna, she really doesn’t need to be staying back as she could do all the practice that she needed at her space. Unlike her.“Let me take you to him,” Martha stood from where she sat and took her hand in hers.“You do not need to bother yourself, Martha. Just tell me where he is.”“Come with me, really. We could have a little chit-chat while we walk also, don’t you think?”She nodded her head and chuckled gently, “I agree.”Together, they exited the living room and then started to walk slowly around the house.“How has it been? At the Academ
Mia glanced at their grip that was both on the bottle of apple cider, looked up at the man again, and then snatched it from him.“Thank you,” she raised the bottle gently, and then dropped it in the basket in her hand.She turned around and moved away from him to continue with her shopping, but then, she felt his movement behind her.“Mia…”She ignored it and kept trailing her fingers on the goods on the rack.“It has been… a while.”“What?” She turned around swiftly and beaded her brows.“I mean…” he swallowed and smiled.“I haven’t seen you in a while.”She looked at him from head to toe, chuckled dryly, and then shook her head. “Oh, please.”With that, she walked away from where he was and moved fully to another compartment.Jason stood still in his position for almost a full minute before he exhaled and shook his head.He had just been disappointed.He had expected that the woman would flash him her usual wide smile and then call his name the way she used to.But, he was wrong.Sh
“Setting it up? A new workspace?” She raised her brows.“She needs somewhere to practice and paint. I know she is not gonna ask after what happened to the previous one, but it needs to be done.”“Aww, brother,” she sniffed.“You’re gonna keep it a secret from her till it’s ready. Can I trust you on that?”“Of course! I would be so glad to be part of this with you.”“Good. Since you’re in on this too, all you have to do is meet with Martha. I have talked to her too so you both should get started.”“Okay. And… Thank you for this.”“Okay.”“I really appreciate this, Enzo. You have no idea how much…”“Can we leave the cringe part and get back to business, please?”“Ah, you’re a killer joy!” She exclaimed and then he laughed out unconsciously.===Leilani kept walking awkwardly till she arrived at her space, settled on it, and then buried her head on her table.They wouldn’t stop looking at her with pity in their eyes and that was one of the things she hated the most.Anna was not around y
“Oh, come on. It’s been two weeks already,” Leilani shook her head gently and groaned.“You’re not completely healed,” he said.She was sitting on the bed, and he knelt behind her, her bare back facing him.Leilani tightened her grip on the blanket that she used to cover her chest while the man applied the ointment to her wound.This had been their normal routine every morning and night since they had removed the bandage on the wound.At first, Leilani had insisted that Mia would be doing it for her but the man had disagreed, telling her that it would seem weird if she did that for her while she had him around.Still, she had tried to prove stubborn before she eventually agreed that he did it for her.And so far, it was okay.It was as if that simple ritual was making them closer as the two of them always had something to talk about while he applied the ointment and massaged the area of the wound.“I truly believe this is gonna heal so fast and won’t leave a scar,” he smiled softly, s
“Hi, guys! I'm home!”Mia exclaimed as she entered the living room, her handbag hanging loosely on her shoulder.Leilani sprang up from where she sat beside Lorenzo and then gasped.“Sister in law!”“She truly came,” Lorenzo mumbled under his breath and then pulled his laptop closer to himself.The two women hugged so tightly like their life depended on it and after a while, Leilani pulled back and grinned.“You really came!”“Told ya!” They both moved to the side as the men entered with her boxes.“Greetings to you too, brother,” she moved over to Lorenzo.Lorenzo glanced at her, rolled his eyes, and then returned his attention to his laptop.“I know you’re not pleased that I am here, but let me tell you two something.”“What?” Leilani raised her brows.“With me here, you don’t need to visit any marriage counselor or whatever. I am here to give advice and my listening ears whenever you need.”“Since when have we announced to you that we need an adviser?” Lorenzo hissed.“You might n
“W… what is this? What are you doing?”Agnes widened her eyes as she ran down the stairs after her daughter.“What do you mean?”“Where are you going?”She asked.The men who were in the living room preparing to leave the house stopped on their track and then turned to look at the women.“What is going on?” Aaron asked.“I am moving out,” she announced.They all fell silent for a while and then Agnes chuckled dryly.“Is this a joke?”“Oh, come on. Does this look like a joke?”Agnes glanced at the two big bags that the lady had dropped outside.“Mia?”Mia clasped her hands together and then gasped, “I still have more bags up there!”She turned around swiftly and they all watched as she ascended the stairs.“Who knew about this?” Agnes looked around.Shane raised his hands and Arthur shook his head. “No one?” Aaron asked.“Where is she moving to?” Agnes asked again.“I guess we’ll have to ask her,” Arthur nodded his head at the lady who struggled down the stairs with two big bags again.
“Who do you say is moving in with us?”Leilani choked on the smoothie she was drinking and then raised her head.“Take it easy,” he sighed, moved over to her, and dabbed the corner of her mouth with the handkerchief.Frowning gently at him, she pushed his hand away gently and then asked again.“Mia is truly moving in?”“I hadn’t even agreed before she ended the call, thanking me. But I think she is going to move in. We can just tell her…”“Yippee!” Leilani cut him short with an exclamation and stood up.“You are not excited, are you?” he beaded his brows.“Should I not be?”“No, you should not be. I was hoping that you would be opposed to it and then I can just tell her that, ‘no, my wife is not in support of this,” he demonstrated, shaking his head.“Why would you want to use me to lie like that?”“Lie? Come on. Let's just tell her that.”“No! Let her move in. at least, i can finally stop sleeping in your room and stay with her instead.”After she said that, she dropped the straw in
Shane raised his brows as the door to his room pushed open and Arthur barged in.Sitting on the couch, he leaned in, crossed his legs, and then tilted his head.“Ah, you have finally come to see me.”“Why? Have you been expecting me?” Arthur walked fully into the room.“I know you, Arthur. I know when you know something. Or, when you have something to say.”“Oh…” Arthur nodded his head and then folded his arms tightly across his chest.“Spill.”“Why don’t you start?”“Why should I? You came in here because you have something to say to me, is that not it?”“Regardless, I would like you to speak first,” Arthur shook his head.“Welcome to the staring competition, then.”“Tch, you asshole,” Arthur smacked his tongue.“What?”He covered the space between them and without saying another word, he pulled Shane up with his collar and then shoved him to the side.“Why?!”“Do you know what kind of pickle you put in?” He pointed his index finger at him.“Me? Pickle? Speak straight, brother,” he f