Anika's P.O.V I was at Laura's place, and we were engaged in a lengthy conversation since it was only us in the house. Lim and Maddy were at school, while Laura's parents were toiling away at their workplaces. "That person is very cold," I expressed to her as we sat on her bed. "Yes, and the most painful part was him lying to his father about the whole situation," she replied. "And his father believed him?" I asked. "Who wouldn't believe their son over a total stranger? and besides he looks like he is spoiled rotten in his house so his father does everything his darling son wants," she retorted, prompting a sigh from me. 'Oh, the endless drama of guys. I'm grateful to escape from it.' I thought. "Let's do something fun," she interrupted my thoughts. "It's been a long time since we last spent time together," she remarked. "What should we do, what do you suggest?" I asked. "How about we go shopping?" she suggested. "Is that necessary?" I groaned as I wasn't excited about the i
Laura's P.O.V OMG, Steve was kissing me! I never thought it would happen in a million years, but it did. My heart raced as I stood there, frozen, with Steve's hands on my waist and his lips on mine. They were so soft and warm, and I couldn't bring myself to push him away. Eventually, I managed to pull away from the kiss and collect my thoughts. I wanted to ask him why he did it, to scream at him, but my brain froze, and I chickened out at the last moment. "I'm going now," I said hurriedly and walked quickly to my room without looking back at him. Once inside my room, I couldn't face anyone. I felt confused and frustrated with myself for not reacting strongly, like slapping him or yelling. Leaving without doing anything felt unreal. Back in my room, my friends Anika, Lim, and Madison tried to talk to me, but I ignored them. I shut the door, locked it, and screamed into my pillow. 'Why did Steve kiss me?' I thought. I didn't understand my feelings anymore. All my anger seemed to v
Anika's P.O.V I stared at Richard in astonishment and disbelief. What was he doing at my office and how could he have the audacity to approach me after all the terrible things he put me through? I felt deeply hurt and betrayed as if my heart had been shattered into pieces. Though a part of me wanted to lash out and unleash my anger on him, I managed to remain composed. Why did he choose to come here? I was finally starting to move on from the pain he caused, but his mere presence reignited the memories of our past together. It reminded me of the false love he once portrayed, and how I had been deceived by this monster. After an awkward silence, I finally found the courage to speak. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice trembling as a tear streamed down my cheek. "Anika," he began, attempting to get closer. "Don't," I whispered, halting him in his tracks. "Don't you dare come any closer to me," I seethed. "I'm sorry," Richard's voice cracked. I wiped away my tears. I needed
Anika's P.O.V "Really?" Richard's voice was filled with happiness over the phone. "Yes, after much thinking and consideration, I realized that I was just being selfish not to give you a second chance. Moreover, everyone deserves a second chance in life," I stated, and I meant every word. "So, you'll forget everything I did to you and accept me back?" he asked. "Yeah," I smiled. "I still can't believe this," he said, and I smiled. "You better believe it." After talking for a while and catching up on things, he hung up, promising to make it up to me and treat me right. I exhaled, still in disbelief that I was back with the love of my life. I was so happy that the guy I once loved and still love was talking to me again. It felt like a dream come true for me. My Richie is back for real, and I didn't see anything breaking us up this time. We were perfect and cute together. I was glad Richard had changed for real, and I was sure he would never break my heart again. I sighed and sm
Laura's P.O.V I removed my face from the mirror and continued singing and dancing from happiness and excitement. I went to my wardrobe and opened it wide. I saw a plethora of dresses there and felt confused because of the many choices. After much contemplation and checking, I finally decided which one to wear. I opted for a short yellow romper with a white jacket. I went to my bathroom and retrieved my toothbrush from the cabinet. I also got the toothpaste and applied a generous amount to my brush while humming Boulevard by Rema. I scooped some water from the tap into my mouth and rinsed. Grabbing a nearby towel, I wiped my mouth. As I undressed, I kept humming tunes that seemed unfamiliar but still kept coming to mind. I then turned on the faucet and let the water trail over my body. Ah! so refreshing. *** Fortunately, only my Mom and Dad were eating breakfast. I was happy because it was the first time I managed to get to dinner early. "Morning," I greeted as I sat down on th
Kelvin's P.O.V "Seriously, Mom?" I asked as she placed a white towel on my burning head. "Wow," I whimpered as I felt the cold towel on my head. I tried to take it off, but her glare made me stop. "Don't try to take that off. That's what you get for getting so drunk and getting a fever," she scolded. She brought out a thermometer from the first aid box and shoved it into my mouth. "Wow, that hurt. You should have gently reminded me. I'm not feeling good," I mumbled, the thermometer causing some discomfort. "Just shut up and let the thermometer do its work." After a few minutes, she finally took the thermometer away from my mouth. "Your temperature is high," she said, looking at the thermometer and then back at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. To be honest, I felt so sick, and my headache was intense. Who told me to get drunk, especially drinking vodka? What was I thinking? "Are you ready to tell me why you got drunk and puked like a zillion times after wa
Kelvin's P.O.V I look like a creep at the moment, but I don't care. I stand still, observing them as they shower each other with attention. They fed each other and shared kisses occasionally. Anika seemed to be the happiest, dragging her boyfriend to the middle of the restaurant dance floor, where they swayed together along with the others. They captured the attention of people around them, who applauded their performance. Nika, in particular, stole the show with her sweet dance moves and after the dance, they returned to their seats, Nika still holding hands with her boyfriend. As the chilly wind brushed against my skin, I sighed and stole one last glance before heading back home. I scolded myself for being foolish. Instead of fixating on a girl who doesn't care about me, I should be taking care of my health and well-being instead of thinking. I walked slowly towards my house, although it felt like hours, in reality, it had only been a few minutes. Suddenly, I noticed a car app
Kelvin's P.O.V "So, as my friend, would you like to have lunch together and talk about ourselves so we can get to know each other better?" she asked after our handshake. "Sure, why not," I replied, slipping my hands into my jacket pocket. We decided to head to her office since it was quiet and there weren't many people around. As we walked, I wanted to strike up a conversation, so I asked, "Why weren't you around yesterday?" "I woke up late, and I felt bad coming here after I once scolded you for being late," she explained with a soft chuckle. "That's understandable," I replied, nodding in agreement. Arriving at her office, I complimented her sweater, hoping to keep the conversation going. "I like your sweater." "Thank you! My mom gave it to me," she beamed. "It's so pretty. I'd love to meet her someday," I said, trying to be friendly. "You can't. She's dead, and my dad too," she shared, suddenly looking sad. The mood shifted as we entered her office. "Oh, I'm sorry for askin
Anika's P.O.V I exited my car and made my way to the restaurant where Kelvin had asked me to meet him. It was the same place where we had our first date, although it had changed significantly. The restaurant had grown larger, more spacious, and more beautiful than I remembered, but the name and location helped me recognize it. It struck me as somewhat strange that Kelvin had chosen this particular spot. We had been on numerous dates over the past three months, yet he had never brought me here before. I couldn't help but wonder why he had chosen it for this occasion. Upon entering, I greeted the waitress with a simple "Birtch." She nodded and guided me to the same table where Kelvin and I had shared our first date. This place now held special memories for me, and I will cherish them forever. Our table was positioned in the middle of the restaurant, offering a lovely view of the city's night sky and the glowing street lights outside. As I approached the table, Kelvin stood up to
Anika's P.O.V I was happy and excited about following my heart and pursuing what I truly desired. But, to be honest, I was also deeply scared. I feared how Kelvin would react when I revealed everything – my feelings, and the fact that I was carrying his child. He patiently waited for me, for nearly six years, hoping that I would eventually return his love. He did everything within his power to make me happy. He became my source of solace during my darkest hours. He risked his life for mine, shielding me from Richard's threat. He detested seeing me in tears and always went above and beyond to bring a smile to my face. I was blinded by my fear of love, unable to recognize that Kelvin's love for me was unwavering. I used to think all men were unfaithful, given the pain my exes had caused me. But everything changed when I met Kelvin. I can vividly recall our first encounter at my office, during the interview process. At first, I was captivated by his handsomeness, but I quickly d
Anika's P.O.V A week had passed since everything happened. Cherry had finally returned to her country, clearing up the rumors about her and Kelvin, stating that they were just friends and business partners with nothing more, emphasizing that they wouldn't become a couple since there was someone else in both of their lives. It had caused quite a stir among their fans, and I knew this because I had been stalking her on social media, as well as Kelvin. Since our encounter at the event, I hadn't seen or spoken to Kelvin. I sighed as I glanced at the calendar on my phone. Today was the day he had given me to decide what he meant to me, or else he would leave. The truth was, I didn't know the answer. Ever since that event, I hadn't been myself, and we hadn't exchanged a word. It was tearing me apart. I couldn't bring myself to accept that I loved him, even though deep down, I had known it for the past five years. Discovering that truth had blindsided me. Kelvin had sent me a message
Anika's P.O.V I stared at my reflection in awe as the makeup artist put the finishing touches on my look. Had I described myself as looking "hot" earlier? If I did, then I needed a new word to describe how I looked right now. It was what I had been talking about; I always knew I was beautiful. So, what on earth did Jordan see in Cherry, or whatever her name was? "Wow, you look stunning. Can I take your picture and post it on my I*******m?" a makeup artist asked, and I nodded. "Of course," I posed for a few photos, and I could see the smile on her face as she uploaded the picture to her social media. "Are you ready now... woah. Is that an angel or what?" Kathy exclaimed when she saw me. I chuckled. "You wound me, Kathy. I'm way hotter than an angel, so you better correct yourself," I playfully scolded her, using her last name. "Okay, Your Majesty, is that someone hotter than an angel or what?" She replied, bowing. I laughed. "Thanks for the compliment. Can we get going now?" I a
Anika's P.O.V "Anika! Look!" I snapped out of my thoughts when Kathy barged in, shoving her iPad practically in my face. "What?" I asked, and she gestured toward the tablet. "Check out what the article says inside," she suggested, and I reluctantly complied. I felt a wave of nausea as I came across the headline and the picture within. It was Kelvin, his arms wrapped around some woman as they exited a hotel. He looked genuinely happy around her, even smiling at the camera. The woman was undeniably attractive, but in that moment, all I wanted was to see her radiant smile turn to sadness because she was clinging to Kelvin's arm like he was her boyfriend. My fury intensified when I read the headline: "Did the town's most handsome and eligible bachelor have a one-night stand with last year's Miss Beauty and a Victoria's Secret model?" accompanied by two wide-eyed emojis. I pushed the tablet away from my face, seething with anger. How dare he do this after taking me on a date and
Anika's P.O.V I closed my eyes and sighed, tightly clutching my pillow. Why was I feeling this way? I should be happy that he was leaving. I mean, I wanted him to leave, so why was I sad about him leaving? I remembered the look he gave me after our kiss. It felt like we would never see each other again, and I felt heartbroken. I was surprised that I kissed him back. It was as if I was already used to him. During that kiss, I felt a spark inside me, and my heart raced so fast, it felt like it might explode. I was so confused about my feelings, and it was incredibly frustrating. He was leaving the next day, and I might never see him again. I felt devastated when he left five years ago, and now that I finally saw him again, it turned out he was leaving soon. I didn't know what to do anymore; I didn't understand myself. *** My eyes fluttered open as the sun's rays slowly invaded my room, earning a groan from me. Why does morning have to come so soon? Couldn't the hours be a bit
Anika's P.O.V "So, what can I get you?" the irritating manager inquired, although it seemed like she was directing the question solely to Kelvin. She flashed him that annoying smile, oozing with fake charm. "I'd rather not deal with you. Have someone else attend to us," I retorted, not hiding my displeasure. The woman's gaze turned to me, her brows knitting into a frown. "With all due respect, ma'am, I'm here to assist, whether you like it or not. It's not your call to decide who serves you. You should consider yourself fortunate to be in a place like this," she spat back, surprising me with her audacity. I hadn't anticipated her responding so rudely. "Just because I didn't react when you insulted me earlier doesn't mean I'm unintelligent. Why am I being treated this way? Is this how you treat all your customers?" I seethed, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "No, just the less privileged ones," she sneered, her smirk infuriating. "How dare you? Do you have any idea who I a
Anika's P.O.V I gazed at him for a moment before bursting into laughter in my seat. He regarded me with a bemused expression, but I couldn't have cared less. Was he asking me out on a date? Seriously? I thought he intended to fight for me, not to confess crazy things. After Kelvin gave me an odd look for a while, I gradually composed myself and wiped away the tears caused by my hearty laughter. He must be wondering why I found it amusing that he was inviting me on a date. I mean, he hadn't stopped giving me that "you're being silly" look. "So, is that a yes?" he asked with a grin. "No," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "Alright then, I'll just keep coming here for no reason." "No!" I exclaimed, and he couldn't help but smirk. "So, you agree?" he grinned. I let out a sigh. It's either I reluctantly agree to this silly date with him or endure his constant pestering and teasing about that night. His presence was a distraction that made it hard for me to focus. "Fine," I said, rolli
Anika's P.O.V I sank onto the couch, my hands covering my face as I stifled the urge to let tears escape. I refuse to cry over Kelvin anymore. Who does he think he is, toying with my emotions as if I'm some sort of plaything? I had never understood him since he returned after disappearing for five years. He used to act as if he hated me, avoiding me at all costs. I even begged him at one point, but he slammed the door in my face. And now he was attempting to mend things between us when I had long lost interest in anything to do with him. He was beyond belief. He even claimed he's staying to fight for our love. Right... He was delusional. Maybe he was still intoxicated from last night, the alcohol lingering in his system, clouding his judgment. *** Day one (1) "Mr. Jordan is in your office, he arrived before I did," Kathy rushed to inform me as soon as I entered the company. I halted in my steps and faced her, taken aback. "Why is he here?" I questioned, surprised. "I'm not s