MAISIEThe next day, I went to work as usual, though my mood remained subdued.I had considered staying home until the situation with Jared was resolved. However, that would make Don suspicious. The best solution was for Don to attend school as normal, where he would remain under watchful eyes.After purchasing a Gucci coat for Nathan's birthday celebration tonight, I remembered my scheduled meeting.I gathered the folder containing the papers I had prepared and left my office, heading toward the meeting room. As I walked, I checked the documents to ensure nothing was missing, so absorbed in my task that I didn't notice the person in front of me until I collided with a solid chest.Thankfully, I managed to keep hold of the papers, preventing them from scattering across the floor.I looked up at the person I'd bumped into, curious and ready to apologize—only for my mouth to fall open in shock.A familiar face I hadn't seen in years stood before me, bringing back a rush of memories."
MAISIE....I arrived home early that afternoon, exhausted but relieved.Klay had left immediately after our morning meeting concluded, which allowed me to finish my remaining tasks quickly and head out before the usual rush hour traffic. After the tension-filled evening at the party last night, I desperately needed this small reprieve.The house felt unusually quiet as I settled on the sofa at half past five. I glanced at the clock again, anxiously waiting for the delivery of Nathan's birthday gift so I could start wrapping it before tonight's celebration.I picked up my phone and called Miriam to update her about Klay's attendance."He's definitely coming to the party tonight," I told her, twirling a strand of hair around my finger nervously. After last night's encounter with Jason, I was grateful to have something else to focus on—Nathan's birthday would be the perfect distraction."Perfect timing," Miriam replied with excitement. "Don is helping me prepare a special surprise for N
MAISIEMy heart pounded against my ribs as I followed them. I knew what was coming: violence, pain, and more fuel for the cycle of hatred that seemed inescapable between these brothers.I hurried down the path to Jason's house, my footsteps quick but hesitant. The front door stood open, swinging slightly in the evening breeze, and I could hear crashes coming from inside. Furniture being overturned, glass breaking.I paused at the threshold with my hand gripping the doorframe. Did I really want to witness this?A particularly loud shatter from the living room made my decision for me. I stepped inside, drawn by concern despite my better judgment.The scene that greeted me was chaos. Jason stood in the center of his once-pristine living room, unwinding his silk tie from around his bloodied knuckles. His breathing was measured but heavy, like a predator conserving energy between attacks.The white shirt beneath his suit jacket was now spattered with crimson droplets."All my troubles bega
MAISIEJason didn't follow—perhaps he knew better than to try.I tried to concentrate on wrapping Nathan's present that had finally arrived, but my hands were shaking too much to fold neatly or tie the right ribbons.The sound of an ambulance arriving next door kept drawing my attention away from my task. The sirens wailed, cutting through the evening quiet like a harsh reminder of what had just transpired.I'm not saying Jared didn't deserve consequences for his actions. He had caused immeasurable pain with his interference in our lives yet did he deserve to be injured badly enough to need emergency medical attention?The question troubled me, even as I struggled with ribbon and tape that refused to cooperate with my shaking fingers."Stop giving people second chances they don't deserve, Maisie. It's maturity to accept that no good can come from some people!" Jason's words echoed in my mind.Perhaps he was right. Perhaps no good could ever come from Jared. However, the violence I'd w
MAISIEJason stopped briefly to get a bottle of wine on the way to Nathan's place. I was astonished by the label when he came back to the car and gave it to me."You didn't have to!" I exclaimed, examining the expensive bottle."It's not in my nature to arrive empty-handed, butterfly."When we arrived at Nathan's place, I carefully balanced both gifts in my arms as we got out of the car. Even from outside, I could hear Miriam's voice through speakers singing the birthday song.She had mentioned planning something special, but knowing Miriam, I expected something much wilder than whatever was happening here.We made our way directly to the back garden, where the celebration was taking place. As soon as Miriam spotted us, she set down her microphone on the table where Nathan sat and jogged over to greet us.She looked stunning in a modern black dress that showed off her legs with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.The garden around us was beautifully decorated in white, creating an atm
MAISIEI stopped at the door of Nathan's office when I got there. I peered in and saw Jason deeply absorbed in going over some papers, his face furrowed.I knocked softly on the doorframe and adopted a playfully formal tone. "Will you let me in, Principal Harding?" I teased, referencing his serious demeanor.He looked up with his expression immediately softening into a smile. "Come in."I stepped inside before closing the door behind me with a gentle click.Making my way across the room, I settled into the chair across from him while he returned his attention to the papers in his hands."I got you a surprise!" I announced, holding up the plate with a flourish."Surprise, is it a piece of cake?" he replied without looking up, though I could detect a hint of amusement in his voice.I raised my index finger dramatically as if making an important point. "Wrong, it's not just any cake... it's chocolate cake!"His eyes remained fixed on the documents before him. "No, thank you."Disappointm
MAISIEThe atmosphere between the two tables instantly chilled.Klay stood up, his posture rigid with barely contained anger."Follow me!" he commanded Dame:But Dame merely smiled provocatively. "Why?"Her defiance visibly increased his anger. He fixed her with a penetrating stare and said through clenched teeth, "Why?...""Should I care about your anger?" she challenged, lifting her chin.I swallowed nervously, watching the tension escalate between them. I'd never seen this side of their relationship before."Shut your fucking mouth and stand up fast!" Klay growled. His usual composure was completely shattered.Dame matched his intensity with a withering glare. "Stop cursing! You're not the only one who can do that, you ugly motherfucker!"Professor Hunt placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Wait, Dame... calm down."Klay's gaze zeroed in on the professor's hand like a laser sight. "Get your hand off her!"I looked at Miriam nervously, and she returned the same anxious glance.The
MAISIE"What about Don?" Jason quirked an eyebrow, sliding his hands into his pockets elegantly.The realization hit me. Don! How could I forget?I slumped back into my seat dramatically, resting my forehead on the cool surface of the table."I really wanted to go with you," I mumbled, frustration evident in my voice. Something inside me yearned to be near him, like a magnetic pull I couldn't explain or resist.Miriam's gentle hand patted my head. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you get what you want?"I lifted my head, confusion written across my face. "What do you mean?""The audio equipment is rented for today only," Miriam explained, leaning closer with a conspiratorial gleam. "I need to return everything before ten tonight. I'll tell Don he needs to help me because Nathan has a headache. We'll take our time, maybe drive around a bit before I drop him off. You just need to be back before we return.""I don't have a headache!" Nathan protested.Miriam shot him a wa
MAISIE"I’ve learned to control myself even more when you're with me," Jason murmured, turning his chair to face the computer.His fingers resumed their effortless dance across the keyboard, yet his thoughts were nowhere near the screen. "It feels like my soul is constantly on the verge of escaping, rushing toward you. No matter how much I look at you, it never feels like enough. I memorize the way you move, the way you sit in stillness. Every little detail of you pulls me in, and my heart beats in sync with your smile."He exhaled softly. "I love you so deeply, so fiercely, that I have to hold myself back. Because if I don’t… I might lose myself entirely."If I had to name what we shared, I'd call it a safe relationship. I'd found myself in the hands of a man who saw beyond my physical form, who cherished the essence of who I was.In this era dominated by cravings and instant gratification, the worst thing that could happen would be surrendering to those shallow expectations and beco
MAISIEJason propped his chin in one hand while his fingers danced across the keyboard."Outrageously beautiful!" He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.I placed my foot on one arm of his chair and pulled my hair back with deliberate slowness. The silky strands slipped through my fingers as I held his gaze."Doesn't my outrageous beauty make you feel anything?" My voice came out huskier than intended, betraying my nervousness."Something like what?" He threw his weight on the back of his chair and placed his warm hand on my leg.His touch sent electricity through my skin, making it difficult to maintain my composure.I bit my lower lip, hesitating for several seconds while gathering my courage. The office suddenly felt too warm, too intimate."Jason... do I not excite you?" The words tumbled out before I could reconsider.His eyebrows rose slightly as he began stroking my leg with gentle, circular motions.My heart hammered against my ribs, and confusion clouded my thoughts."Do
MAISIE"What about Don?" Jason quirked an eyebrow, sliding his hands into his pockets elegantly.The realization hit me. Don! How could I forget?I slumped back into my seat dramatically, resting my forehead on the cool surface of the table."I really wanted to go with you," I mumbled, frustration evident in my voice. Something inside me yearned to be near him, like a magnetic pull I couldn't explain or resist.Miriam's gentle hand patted my head. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you get what you want?"I lifted my head, confusion written across my face. "What do you mean?""The audio equipment is rented for today only," Miriam explained, leaning closer with a conspiratorial gleam. "I need to return everything before ten tonight. I'll tell Don he needs to help me because Nathan has a headache. We'll take our time, maybe drive around a bit before I drop him off. You just need to be back before we return.""I don't have a headache!" Nathan protested.Miriam shot him a wa
MAISIEThe atmosphere between the two tables instantly chilled.Klay stood up, his posture rigid with barely contained anger."Follow me!" he commanded Dame:But Dame merely smiled provocatively. "Why?"Her defiance visibly increased his anger. He fixed her with a penetrating stare and said through clenched teeth, "Why?...""Should I care about your anger?" she challenged, lifting her chin.I swallowed nervously, watching the tension escalate between them. I'd never seen this side of their relationship before."Shut your fucking mouth and stand up fast!" Klay growled. His usual composure was completely shattered.Dame matched his intensity with a withering glare. "Stop cursing! You're not the only one who can do that, you ugly motherfucker!"Professor Hunt placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Wait, Dame... calm down."Klay's gaze zeroed in on the professor's hand like a laser sight. "Get your hand off her!"I looked at Miriam nervously, and she returned the same anxious glance.The
MAISIEI stopped at the door of Nathan's office when I got there. I peered in and saw Jason deeply absorbed in going over some papers, his face furrowed.I knocked softly on the doorframe and adopted a playfully formal tone. "Will you let me in, Principal Harding?" I teased, referencing his serious demeanor.He looked up with his expression immediately softening into a smile. "Come in."I stepped inside before closing the door behind me with a gentle click.Making my way across the room, I settled into the chair across from him while he returned his attention to the papers in his hands."I got you a surprise!" I announced, holding up the plate with a flourish."Surprise, is it a piece of cake?" he replied without looking up, though I could detect a hint of amusement in his voice.I raised my index finger dramatically as if making an important point. "Wrong, it's not just any cake... it's chocolate cake!"His eyes remained fixed on the documents before him. "No, thank you."Disappointm
MAISIEJason stopped briefly to get a bottle of wine on the way to Nathan's place. I was astonished by the label when he came back to the car and gave it to me."You didn't have to!" I exclaimed, examining the expensive bottle."It's not in my nature to arrive empty-handed, butterfly."When we arrived at Nathan's place, I carefully balanced both gifts in my arms as we got out of the car. Even from outside, I could hear Miriam's voice through speakers singing the birthday song.She had mentioned planning something special, but knowing Miriam, I expected something much wilder than whatever was happening here.We made our way directly to the back garden, where the celebration was taking place. As soon as Miriam spotted us, she set down her microphone on the table where Nathan sat and jogged over to greet us.She looked stunning in a modern black dress that showed off her legs with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.The garden around us was beautifully decorated in white, creating an atm
MAISIEJason didn't follow—perhaps he knew better than to try.I tried to concentrate on wrapping Nathan's present that had finally arrived, but my hands were shaking too much to fold neatly or tie the right ribbons.The sound of an ambulance arriving next door kept drawing my attention away from my task. The sirens wailed, cutting through the evening quiet like a harsh reminder of what had just transpired.I'm not saying Jared didn't deserve consequences for his actions. He had caused immeasurable pain with his interference in our lives yet did he deserve to be injured badly enough to need emergency medical attention?The question troubled me, even as I struggled with ribbon and tape that refused to cooperate with my shaking fingers."Stop giving people second chances they don't deserve, Maisie. It's maturity to accept that no good can come from some people!" Jason's words echoed in my mind.Perhaps he was right. Perhaps no good could ever come from Jared. However, the violence I'd w
MAISIEMy heart pounded against my ribs as I followed them. I knew what was coming: violence, pain, and more fuel for the cycle of hatred that seemed inescapable between these brothers.I hurried down the path to Jason's house, my footsteps quick but hesitant. The front door stood open, swinging slightly in the evening breeze, and I could hear crashes coming from inside. Furniture being overturned, glass breaking.I paused at the threshold with my hand gripping the doorframe. Did I really want to witness this?A particularly loud shatter from the living room made my decision for me. I stepped inside, drawn by concern despite my better judgment.The scene that greeted me was chaos. Jason stood in the center of his once-pristine living room, unwinding his silk tie from around his bloodied knuckles. His breathing was measured but heavy, like a predator conserving energy between attacks.The white shirt beneath his suit jacket was now spattered with crimson droplets."All my troubles bega
MAISIE....I arrived home early that afternoon, exhausted but relieved.Klay had left immediately after our morning meeting concluded, which allowed me to finish my remaining tasks quickly and head out before the usual rush hour traffic. After the tension-filled evening at the party last night, I desperately needed this small reprieve.The house felt unusually quiet as I settled on the sofa at half past five. I glanced at the clock again, anxiously waiting for the delivery of Nathan's birthday gift so I could start wrapping it before tonight's celebration.I picked up my phone and called Miriam to update her about Klay's attendance."He's definitely coming to the party tonight," I told her, twirling a strand of hair around my finger nervously. After last night's encounter with Jason, I was grateful to have something else to focus on—Nathan's birthday would be the perfect distraction."Perfect timing," Miriam replied with excitement. "Don is helping me prepare a special surprise for N