As they ventured deeper into the park's nature trails, Ayana and Adam took turns holding Lyana's hand as they walked. They marveled at the vibrant array of wildflowers that lined the paths, their colors painting a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the verdant forest. Lyana skipped ahead, her laughter echoing through the trees as she chased after a butterfly, her excitement contagious.The peaceful serenity of the park enveloped them as they continued their journey, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional chirp of a bird. Ayana paused to point out interesting plants and wildlife to Lyana, teaching her about the wonders of nature with each new discovery. Adam snapped photos along the way, capturing the beauty of their adventure to cherish for years to come.As they reached a clearing in the forest, they stumbled upon a babbling brook, its crystal-clear waters meandering through the moss-covered rocks. Lyana squealed with delight and imm
In the days that followed, Ayana and Adam continued to spend time together, their friendship blossoming with each passing day. They embarked on new adventures, exploring the city's hidden gems and trying out different activities together. From visiting museums to attending local events, they found joy in each other's company and in the experiences they shared.As Ayana adjusted to life with Lyana attending her new school, she found comfort in Adam's presence. He was there to lend a listening ear when she needed to talk, offering words of encouragement and support during the transition. And as Lyana settled into her new routine, Ayana couldn't help but feel grateful for the positive impact Adam had on their lives.Their relationship flourished, built on a foundation of trust, understanding, and mutual respect. They laughed together, shared secrets, and leaned on each other during times of need. Ayana found herself opening up to Adam in ways she never thought possible, grateful for his
Despite Adam's reputation as a carefree and somewhat enigmatic figure, his actions often spoke louder than any rumors or hearsay. Ayana had initially approached their burgeoning friendship with caution, unsure of how he would fit into her life and whether his intentions were genuine. However, as they spent more time together, Ayana began to see a different side of Adam—one characterized by genuine concern and unwavering support.Ayana couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise mingled with gratitude as she reflected on Adam's unwavering loyalty. Despite his reputation as someone who effortlessly charmed his way into the hearts of many, he had chosen to stay by her side, offering his support and companionship without hesitation.As they spent more time together, Ayana couldn't shake the lingering question in her mind: why her? Why had Adam chosen to invest his time and energy into their friendship when he could have easily pursued other women who might have seemed more glamorous or exc
Ayana's concentration was absolute as she meticulously painted; her focus was honed in on capturing every nuance of Adam's features. She delved into the details of his face, studying the curve of his jawline, the angle of his nose, and the contours of his lips with an artist's precision.With each stroke of her brush, Ayana infused the canvas with Adam's essence, striving to convey the warmth and kindness that radiated from his every gesture. She painted his eyes with care, blending shades of brown and gold to capture the depth of emotion she often saw reflected in them. They were eyes that sparkled with wisdom and compassion, windows to a soul that had touched her own in countless ways.As Ayana worked, she couldn't help but lose herself in the memory of the moments they had shared together. She recalled the laughter they had shared, the conversations that had lasted late into the night, and the quiet moments of companionship that had brought them closer together. Each stroke of her
Ayana's heart fluttered with excitement as she carefully wrapped the portrait of Adam, her hands trembling slightly with anticipation. She couldn't wait to surprise him with her gift and to see the look of joy and appreciation on his face when he saw the masterpiece she had created.As she made her way to Adam's house, Ayana couldn't shake the feeling of nervous excitement that bubbled up inside her. She couldn't wait to share her creation with him, to show him just how much he meant to her and how grateful she was for his friendship.With each step, Ayana's excitement grew, her anticipation mounting with every passing moment. She couldn't wait to see Adam's reaction—to witness the joy and surprise in his eyes as he unwrapped the portrait she had poured her heart and soul into.Finally, she reached Adam's doorstep, her heart pounding with anticipation as she raised her hand to knock. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Ayana knocked on the door, her pulse racing with excitement a
As Adam enveloped Ayana in his arms, a sense of warmth and comfort washed over her. She melted into his embrace, feeling the weight of their shared history and the depth of their connection in that moment.With tears streaming down her cheeks, Ayana felt a sense of relief wash over her. The wounds of the past seemed to fade into insignificance as she clung to Adam, knowing that they had both grown and changed since those dark days.Their embrace was a testament to the power of forgiveness and redemption, a symbol of the love and acceptance that had blossomed between them despite the challenges they had faced.As they stood together, wrapped in each other's arms, Ayana felt a sense of peace settle over her. In Adam's embrace, she found solace and strength, knowing that no matter what the future held, they would face it together.And as they held each other close, Ayana knew that their love would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day. With Adam by her side, she felt ready
"Ayana Salma De’Mario? What is this? Is this a joke or something? Or am I dreaming?" The woman finally spoke again, her voice tinged with disbelief as they inched closer to Ayana.Ayana nodded slowly, her throat tight with nerves. "Yes, madam, it is me," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Then she held her head high, looking at the woman with unwavering glances. “But I would appreciate it if you dropped the sir name for me—just Ayana Salma, please!”The man stepped forward, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as he studied Ayana's face. "Forget all that nonsense and explain what on earth you are doing here, Ms. De’Mario?" he demanded, his tone accusatory.“Miss Ayana Salma!” she corrected the man."Will you cut us some crap? We know who you are, and running from your family does not mean their blood stopped running through your veins,” the lady said with malevolence to Ayana.Before Ayana could respond, Adam intervened, his expression tense with concern. "Mom, Dad, cut Ayana
As the tension in the room thickened, Adam took a deep breath, trying to steady his frayed nerves. He knew that he needed to tread carefully and choose his words wisely in order to navigate this delicate situation.“Dad, Mom, I understand that you are upset and confused, even if you have no absolute right to, because this is my life, but there is a lot you don’t know about what’s been going on in my life. What do you know about my life anyway?” Adam began, his voice calm but firm. “Ayana and I may have had our differences in the past, but we have moved past that. We have become friends, confidants, even. Now, if that is a crime, let us know.”His parents exchanged skeptical glances, their expressions still clouded with suspicion. Ayana could feel their doubt weighing heavily upon her, a silent reminder of the barriers that stood between her and Adam’s family.“Adam, you expect us to believe that you are just friends with this woman after everything that’s happened? You? Friends with t
“Hey! “ Lian spoke with her signature smile, of course. “Why don’t we first stop by calling it a sin? Let us just say that it was casual sex done for the wrong reasons and at the wrong place. But all in all, we were adults, and we both proved a point that day. Of course, it hurts, just a little, because you did not offer exactly what I wanted. But if anything, Adam, I want you to know that I wouldn’t waste a chance with you even now if I had it. I am not ashamed to be on the list of, you know, all of those you have been with.” She then looked at me. “I am sorry to say this too, but at least I got to taste the famous Adam Stone De’Leon!” She smiles, and I think I am beginning to love her smile now. Eyes roll! “You are lucky, Ayana. You both are lucky to have each other. And this is where I wanted to be—to have you look at me the way you are looking at her, with so much love and adoration. Your eyes speak submission every minute they brush her. Even a fool can tell you love her so much.
“What, son?” His father asks.“The merger that you seek with the De’Marios will happen.” Excuse me, what? I snap at him, and I was just to give him a piece of my mind, but a gentle squeaaze of my hand sealed my lips, opting to trust him, hoping that he knows that these bunch of heartless fools do not deserve to benefit even just one bit from me. “But not on the grounds of my marriage to Ayana!”Fantastic! Bingo! God, I so love this man!Eyes flickered on each other for a long moment of screaming silence, until my father had to break the lull. Desperate old man! “What are you talking about, son? You know you are really growing desperate by the day here. And now, we have damages to pay to the Adrianos for what Grace did. Things are weighing down on us, Adam! So, what do you suggest? Anything that will help at all. We will abide!”So, Adriano, are you asking for compensation for the damage that Grace’s actions caused? Well, they seem to be the experts in not letting any opportunity slide
After a long, unnerving moment, the door opens again and freezes on our spot as our house is swamped with people.Yeah!People!And I am not talking about two or three people here, no! This weird woman is the weirdest of all because, how did she pull all these?And yeah, before I forget, I am not talking about just any other people. Not some ordinary people. Naah!We are talking of the De’Leons, Adam’s father and mother; the De’Marios, my parents; and this skinny witch who used to be my sister. And these other people, whom I presume are Lina’s parents,.Forget everyone. Lina and her parents have a score to settle with Adam, and so do the De'Leons, who have the right to be in their son’s house. But these black souls, these people that God gave me as a family? How dare they have the guts to set their feet here, huh? The nerve! The temerity! I mean, after all they have done to me? And this little brat of a witch, after insulting Adam like he was the greatest sinner the world has ever had
“You got my information from my parents? How? When? Why?” I ask.She steadies herself. “It wasn’t intentional. It just so happened that you both were the reason why some dark secret that was kept in the dark for years was leaked out. Our families, the Adrianos, the De’Leons, and the De’Marios had to meet because that was a breach of contract!” She speaks.I get everything about the dark secret and the urgency for the two families to meet, and I can also understand that tabgle. But breach of contract? What was all about that?“Breach…” I throw Adam a glare to ask for clarity, but he seems clueless and lost like I am, so I decide to ease both our curiosities. “Breach of contract? What contract?”“Yes,” she says, throwing Adam a glance, and she speaks, looking at him as if the words were only meant for him. Wasn’t I the one who asked the damn question here? “Our families, the De’Leon’s and the Adriano’s, after settling for compensation and agreeing to bury all that had happened, signed a
“Hey! I am harmless, you know!” The lady, Lina, speaks, and she even has the bravery to smile at me while my hand freely retreats from the mission of shaking her hand.She had no choice but to drop hers in letdown.She is harmless.The woman that supposedly Adam raped years ago is smiling right in my face, and I should not be worried. She is harmless. Harmless, huh?What is this?Why did she come here?“I know who you are,” I murmur, hoping that we don’t have a problem here, but how stupid of me to think, no, to actually hope for that? Why would he come here if there wasn’t fire in the mountain? “Wha…what are you doing here?” I ask.As Adam composes himself and approaches, his trembling hand clasping my waist reveals the struggle within him. It's not merely a physical tremor, but a manifestation of the turmoil in his soul. I sense the weight of his past bearing down on him, an unwelcome guest crashing into the delicate balance he's been striving to maintain.In his touch, I feel the e
The chirping of the early morning birds calls me out of my peaceful sleep. I peel my eyes, and they almost impair with a striking, sharp pain as they collide with the savage rays of the morning sun. I shut them for a minute, but when I don’t feel those strong arms around me, I peel them open in a flash, turning around. Empty space! That explains why the widow's curtains are open, permeating the savage sunrays. He woke up before me. That has never been him. I always wake up enveloped in his arms every single day of the six months that we have been together. What changed? Is it because of that question from last night? This marriage issue? After he asked me that, and after I failed to come up with a straight answer, I just laid my head on his chest and snuggled into his warm embrace. He understood the memo, which meant I was not ready for that kind of conversation. And he respected it, just like he has always done. He pulled me closer and tighter, and we drifted off to sleep. Did I
“Goodnight, mommy,” Angel says after I tuck her to bed, or rather, we tuck her to bed. Me and Adam. She turns to him and says disrespectfully, "Goodnight, Uncle Adam. You two are the best." Some“Alright. Goodnight princess. Have sweet dreams, and your mommy and I love you so very much,” Adam says, kissing her on the forehead before standing up as the sweet little girl closes her eyes.My sweet little angel. My gift is straight from heaven. What can I give God to thank him for bringing her into my life? She is my pride! My joy.“Shall we?” Adam asks, holding my hand, and I don’t waste time. I follow him behind, leaving Lyana’s room as we stroll across to his master's room. Or just simply, our room. This has become our room, just as his house has become my house. We are better off being called a family. A married couple. Because this is what all this depicts. I forgot about my house a long time ago. All that is left is for me to pick up my belongings and settle here for good. Yes, here
Ayana's anger flared, fueled by the woman's bitter accusations. "What I meant was," she retorted, her voice trembling with fury, "I did not know that Robert had a wife. And no, I have never entertained this fool ever since he came back from nowhere, and I never will. For me, he is nothing but some fresh vomit that I can never take back, no matter what."Her words cut through the tension like a knife, carrying a raw honesty that left no room for doubt. Ayana's resolve was unwavering as she stood her ground, refusing to let the woman's scornful words diminish her self-worth."And as you said," Ayana continued, her voice rising with conviction, "I am with my man. A man worth being called a man, and not some trash!"With each word, Ayana reclaimed her power, asserting her worth and dignity in the face of adversity. She refused to be defined by the actions of others, standing tall in her truth and righteousness.Robert's once confident demeanor faltered as Ayana's words pierced through his
All eyes turned towards the unexpected newcomer, a tired and heavily pregnant woman standing before them. Ayana's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight—the woman's weary expression, the telltale swell of her abdomen—indicating she was carrying a child.As confusion clouded Ayana's mind, she searched for answers in the woman's gaze. There was a sense of familiarity—a haunting resemblance to Robert—that sent a chill down Ayana's spine. Could this woman be Robert's wife?What puzzled her was why Robert had suddenly reappeared after six years, pursuing her and their daughter, especially if he had a wife—a pregnant wife, no less.The revelation left Ayana grappling with a myriad of emotions—bewilderment, frustration, and a gnawing sense of unease. She couldn't comprehend why Robert would resurface after all this time, stirring up chaos and turmoil in their lives.The realization hit Ayana like a ton of bricks, her mind reeling at the implications. If this woman was indeed Robert's