SHAWNA“Good morning, ma'am." My new assistant, Cara said to me as I got to the floor. She smiled professionally at me, walking into the office with me.I've changed everything around here, to the extent of changing the office room design, it's just like this is a brand new building once again."Good morning, Cara. What do you have for me this morning?” I asked her, returning the smile and energy she gave me.“Nothing much, you don't have any physical meetings today, they're all just physical meetings." She replied, going over the iPad she had in her hand.I settled on my seat and looked up at her. I rested against the chair, turning around a bit. I changed every bit of equipment in this office.I don't know, but it feels like using the same things she used when she was still here made it feel like I'm doing the wrong thing.Even if the assistant has been changed, there's just no way I'll let that girl work with me again. I just had to let her go while I employed another person.And i
SHAWNAI couldn't stay at the prison for long. Eugene wasn't even willing to talk to me again. I left with the promise of visiting her more often, that didn't sit well with her, of course.Just as I got out of the station, my phone started ringing. When I saw that it was Damien, a smile came up on my face. My entire face was warm.“Is someone missing me?” I teased as I answered the call."I think so, and we can meet right now if you'll meet me at our favorite spot,” he said."Really? Are you there right now?” I asked him, pausing by my car.“Yes, I'm waiting for you, come over." He said.He doesn't even have to say that twice. I was already thinking of what to do for the rest of the day since I've closed for the day, I'm done with all I have to do already.“I'll be with you shortly, stay right there," I told him.“I'll always wait for you." He said, his face very calm and soft.“Okay then, I guess I'll see you soon," I said then ended the call.I got into my car and drove towards the
SHAWNADamien looked back at the voice, he stood up immediately he saw the person who called his name. I didn't see his face very well, but it looked like was smiling.“Stacey, it's been years!" He exclaimed. They both hugged and laughed like they'd been away for years and they were just reconciling, which they were.“It has been years indeed. I didn't know I'd see you here though, I just knew that voice and the back view looked familiar." She giggled.I badly wanted to butt in there, she didn't look like someone who didn't know he was here when she was coming here, she walked straight to him without an iota of doubt in her.“Really? What are you doing here though? Both in the country and this place, you traveled out years ago." He asked her.I just sat down on the blanket while they talked away. It felt like I wasn't even there at all.“I did travel out to relocate. But I'm back here finally now, I made some mistakes years ago that I'm back to correct and start life all over again."
SHAWNAIs she mentally deranged or what? Because I can't just seem to understand why she'd say something like that. Damien is not a kid or toy that should be claimed that way.The fact that she walked away before I could give her a response was even more annoying, I was too stunned to say anything to her.Since we were almost at my car before she said that, I just got in. I drove off with my head filled with different thoughts. I didn't want to think too much about what just happened, I didn't want to be sad so soon already.I just started getting happy, there's no way I'll let anyone soil my happiness with her delusions. Damien doesn't have anything to do with her again, right? She just came out of her hiding ten years ago.I drove home, playing my favorite song on the car's speaker. I'm trying so hard to not let anything make me sad at all. She's not just enough to bring up that emotion in me.On getting home, I saw only my mom up. The kids and their grandfather were fast asleep, th
SHAWNAThe excited look on my face dimmed when I saw that it was a necklace, what was I even expecting? Why was I that happy? My heart dipped a lot when I saw what happened to be in the box.“I just thought I'd give you an apology gift, I owe you one." He said as he stretched out the gift towards me. I just kept staring at the shining object dangling in his hand.“I don't think I understand you, why are you giving me a necklace?" I asked even though he just clearly stated the reason he got it for me.“It's an apology gift. I'm sorry that I had the picnic ruined that way, and that's why I'm offering this as an apology.” He rephrased the sentence he said before.I stared at the necklace, he was still stretching it out to me. I honestly just don't know if the reason I'm mad is because I mistook the content of that box being something else.I eventually took the necklace from him but I was still mad, I didn't want to be so rude that I didn't take the gift from him. But what I had in mind
EUGENEI scratched my hair, the scalp was itching me so hard that I just wanted to pull it out or something. I can't remember the last time I had it washed.And the fact that the kind of heat that's around this side is just too much, there's almost no form of ventilation in the room. I was placed in the worst room around this side.“Hey, liar. Come over here.” One of those ladies that I fought with that day catcalled me. I just ignored them like I've been doing.I just want to be on my own but these ladies don't seem to understand that. Lillian was about to walk closer to me, definitely about to start trouble with me.Before she could get to me, a warder interrupted us."Eugene Brown, someone is here to see you,” he said, turning around almost immediately.I walked after him, knowing that those ladies would come after me if I didn't go now. I wonder who's waiting outside for me, I have an inkling that it's my mother though.She has been the one visiting me since I've been here. My fat
EUGENEI stopped and stared at the policewoman to make sure I heard her correctly. There's just no way I heard her right, did she just ask me if I want to get out of here?That felt like set up or something, “Sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly." I told her, a frown etched into my face. To think of it, I don't think I've ever told her about running away one-on-one.But on a normal note, everyone held up here would want to get out through any means. No one would want to stay here forever, especially me.I've never liked life as rough as this before, I grew up with luxury, and a life like this isn't just fitting at all. And the thought of being constricted to a place doesn't just sit well with me.“I can get you out of here if you want." She repeated.What does she even mean by that? She's like the toughest policewoman here, it's just very shocking to hear such questions from her.It's a setup, I just know there's no way she's being real right now. It's just better if I wave her
SHAWNA“We've come to the end of the shareholder's meeting, I look forward to actively working with you all. Have a nice day and week." I rounded up the meeting.As I made the final remarks, they all started mumbling within themselves, just greeting each other and smiling warmly at each other.I have a feeling that working with these people will be so easy. Well, that's excluding Stacey. She left minutes into the meeting with the excuse of having something important to do.She did that dramatically too, she made sure everyone knew she was leaving so I wouldn't be able to say anything. I didn't even respond to her till she left.Seeing as people were leaving already, I turned to Cara, my assistant.“Since when did Stacey become a shareholder here, and how am I just starting to know about this?" I asked her, I thought I had the name of everyone who just bought shares from the company directly.I'd have known if I saw her name, I know her very well and the name would have surely rang her
PHOEBEAs soon as Mom told Billy and Jasper that Ramon was the special guest for dinner and they should be nice, I could’ve hugged her right there and then. My heart was pounding in my chest, but she gave me this calm, reassuring smile like everything would be okay.“Thanks, Mom,” I said, my voice a bit shaky as I held Ramon’s hand tighter and walked past Billy into the house.She smiled at me, then looked over at Ramon. “You better come in before these boys start a war at the front door,” she said playfully.Ramon nodded politely. “Thank you, ma’am.”“Oh, none of that ma’am stuff,” Mom said with a warm laugh. “ Relax, dear. You’re not being marched into battle.”He smiled faintly, though I could feel how tense he still was.“Come on, dinner’s almost ready,” Mom said as she started walking toward the dining room. “And I’ve been dying to talk to you.”Ramon glanced at me, eyes wide. I mouthed it’s okay and gave his arm a small squeeze.“You remember that day Phoebe was robbed, right?”
PHOEBEAs soon as we got to the house, my heart started racing a little. I glanced at Ramon beside me, who looked like he was walking into a haunted mansion instead of my childhood home. His hand was a little clammy in mine, and I gave it a small squeeze to remind him I was right there.“It’ll be fine,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure I fully believed it myself.He gave a tight nod. “I’m trusting you.”I nodded back, smiled to reassure him, and stepped up to the door. My stomach twisted as I rang the bell. Every second that passed felt like it stretched on forever. Ramon shifted beside me, pulling at his sleeve, clearly nervous. I could practically feel his thoughts buzzing just under his skin.Then, with a soft creak, the door opened.And there he was, Billy.He stood like a statue, tall and square-shouldered, with that usual unreadable look on his face. His eyes scanned me, softening just a little, and then he gave me that familiar, half-hearted smile.“Hey, Phoebs,” he said, voic
PHOEBERamon’s face was frozen like he’d seen a ghost.I couldn’t hold it in, I burst out laughing. “Oh my God, Ramon! You should see your face!”He blinked a few times, like he was trying to wake himself up from a dream. “Phoebe. This is not funny.”I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, still giggling. “It is a little bit funny.”“No, it’s terrifying,” he said, wide-eyed. “Your parents hate me. Your siblings ignore me. I don’t even think your dog likes me.”I placed my hand gently on his arm. “Ramon, come on. It’s not that bad.”“It’s worse.” He looked serious now. “You’ve seen it. Your mom glares at me like I stole her favorite necklace. Your dad won’t even shake my hand properly. And your brothers, they act like I’m invisible.”“They’ve promised they’ll try,” I said softly, squeezing his arm. “They told me they’re going to make an effort. And I believe them.”He raised an eyebrow. “And we’re just supposed to walk in there like nothing’s happened?”“Yes,” I said, nodding. “We’r
SHAWNAI met up with Damien later that evening, just after the sun had started to dip below the trees. The sky was painted in soft oranges and purples, the kind of calming colors that made you want to slow down and breathe. The air was cooler now, the heat of the day finally giving way to a gentle breeze that brushed against my skin. I pulled my cardigan tighter around me as I walked toward the little park near our house. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a few benches, a narrow path, and a small patch of grass, but it was our place. Whenever things felt too loud or too heavy inside the house, this was where we came to talk.Damien was already there, sitting on one of the wooden benches under a tall oak tree. His head was bent over his phone, his fingers scrolling slowly. His expression was calm, focused, the soft glow of the screen lighting up his face.“Hey,” I called softly as I got closer.He looked up immediately, and when our eyes met, he smiled, that easy, warm smile that always m
SHAWNAI sat there in the kitchen, my fingers wrapped around the coffee mug, the warmth of it doing little to ease the cold feeling in my chest. I had been trying to push away the gnawing jealousy I felt, but it wasn’t easy. Phoebe had been so open with my mother, telling her everything, while I was left feeling on the outside. I couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d run to my mom whenever she had something on her mind. What about me? Why didn’t she come to me?I was frustrated, unsure of how to even approach the situation. Phoebe was my daughter, yet it felt like I was losing her bit by bit. I knew she was growing up, and I didn’t have any control over that. But it still stung.I stared out the window, the feeling of being left out creeping up on me again, until I heard the soft footsteps coming down the hall. I didn’t need to look up to know it was my mom. She’d always been able to sense when something was bothering me, even when I tried to hide it.“Shawna, you okay?” she asked, s
PHOEBEI couldn’t stop smiling.Mom actually said it. She said she’d give Ramon a chance. I didn’t even know what to say. I just hugged her, tighter than I ever had.“Thank you,” I whispered. “You have no idea what this means to me.”She smiled, but her eyes still looked cautious. “Don’t make me regret it, Phoebe.”“You won’t,” I promised, still holding onto her like I never wanted to let go.It felt like the air had shifted in our house lighter, warmer. All that tension between us, all the arguing and silence and stares, it felt like it cracked open into something soft again. Something hopeful.The first person I thought about next was Granny. I needed to tell her. She always understood me more than anyone. Not just listened, but understood, like she could feel what I felt without me even saying much. I had to tell her. I needed to see her face when she heard it.I grabbed my bag and headed straight to her place. As soon as I walked in, she was already at the door, like she knew.“Ba
SHAWNAI sighed and wrapped my hands around the warm mug, even though I wasn’t cold. "I know. I do. But this feels different, Damien. She's not picking up her phone. She's not even replying to texts. That’s not like her."Damien reached over and gently placed his hand over mine. "You have to breathe, Shawna. She's not a little girl anymore.""That's the problem," I said softly. "She’s growing up and pulling away, and I don’t know if I’m handling it right. What if we pushed too hard this time?"He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "Maybe we did. But maybe... that’s what she needed to figure things out.""I don’t want her figuring things out in the arms of that boy," I muttered, staring into my tea like it would give me answers."That boy has a name. Ramon," he said gently. "And I don’t know much about him yet, but Phoebe’s not stupid. She sees something in him."I pressed my lips together, shaking my head. "But does she see it clearly? Or is she just rebelling against us? Agai
RAMONShe looked at me like I’d just ripped her world open. Those wide eyes, full of confusion and hurt, made something twist deep in my chest. And I hated myself for it, hated that I was the one who put that look on her face.But then she stepped closer.Soft. Careful. Like I was something fragile for once.“Ramon,” she whispered, voice barely there, “just shut up.”I barely had time to breathe before her hands were on my chest, sliding up to my neck, and her lips pressed against mine.God.It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t slow.It was everything I’d been holding back.Her mouth was soft, warm, but urgent. Like she needed this. Like she needed me.And I couldn’t stop myself.My hands gripped her waist, pulled her flush against me. I kissed her back harder, deeper, groaning into her mouth as all the tension from before snapped and turned into something else, something hotter, something real.Her fingers tangled in my hair. I pressed her back gently until her legs hit the edge of the bed. I
PHOEBEI stared at him, my heart pounding so hard it almost hurt. “So that’s it? You’re just going to ask me to leave? Just like that?”Ramon looked away, his jaw tight. “I didn’t ask you to leave. I said you could. If you wanted to.”My chest tightened. That stung more than I expected. “Wow,” I breathed, shaking my head slowly. “So cold. So distant. I thought… I thought you’d fight for me, Ramon. I thought you cared.”He turned his head back to me, eyes flashing. “Phoebe, what do you want me to do?” he snapped, his voice louder now. “You just said you might go. What am I supposed to say to that?”“Anything but that!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “You could’ve said, ‘stay.’ You could’ve said you need me. That you care. That you…”I stared at him, everything inside me going still. “That I love you?” he cut in, voice low and raw like he didn’t mean to say it, like it hurt just saying it out loud.I froze.The air felt heavy, like the moment had just changed everything. My heart thudded