"You're crazy," Anna said as she sat in the seat.Yes, you read right. Anna dan Dave did their impromptu idea after just stopping by to buy lunch and dinner as stocks. Also, snacks and, most importantly, sweets. This time, she bought brownies.Dave laughed next to her after placing their luggage above, except for the lunch they were about to eat. But what else did they bring besides food?"But you agreed. So who's crazier?" Dave said casually."We're crazy," she concluded. She and Dave were no different. They were crazy to agree to such an impromptu idea."See? We're crazy," he confirmed. Then he opened the package and took out the contents. It was burgers and fries and also colas. "Here. Have your lunch." He gave hers."Don't blame me if you're tired when you get to New York," she said as she took food from him. Dave had to go back to New York on Sunday night. Meaning that he only had a little rest time before his flight. Sure, after they got back to Los Angeles."Don't worry about m
"What did I say? You must be tired," Anna snapped when she saw him yawn. She also saw the sleepiness in his eyes. It must be the effect of a long journey. "I'm not.""Liar," she sneered. Anyone could see it was a lie.Dave couldn't help but chuckle at her accusation. She was right about being tired. His body was crushed. And his eyes felt heavy even though he had slept on the train.Apparently, he wasn't fit for this kind of trip. It was exhausting his entire body."No next time about this," she said, sounding more like an order. Or rather, a ban. This journey was not for everyone."Why? That was fun," he said. Although he was tired, he could feel the peace written on her face. It helped him clear his mind. It also brought them closer because they were together throughout the journey. "But maybe we need to find a hotel to get proper sleep," he suggested. At least one night to get rid of a little tired of traveling.Anna gave a firm shake. No was no. "No, Dave. You've been traveling a
"So you ended up coming?""I have no choice."It was a conversation between Anna and Dave on a regular call. Of course, she told him about Rebecca's invitation and the possibility that Jeff was there. It was something she couldn't hide if she was determined to keep her promise."You know you could refuse."Anna turned the wheel to the right, into the street leading to Matt's house. Houses lined the right and left of the road. But it was pretty quiet considering it was not in the downtown area, like her apartment."Then she'll come to my apartment." She said the most likely scenario happened. "I know her well." Therefore, she knew it was bound to happen. Rebecca couldn't have given up so quickly. Rebecca would try it in various ways until she got sick of it."You can move to the Byrne Hotel. I'll talk to the staff."It started again. Dave's tempting offer in Byrne. Who was not interested?"Thank you very much, my dear husband. But I'm fine now. I'll let you know if I need your help."E
"You know, Jeff. Anna can't cook."Anna turned to Rebecca as soon as she heard that. Her brows furrowed, confused why Rebecca suddenly brought it up. "She's been crushing fish while frying and adding too much water to the ramen. She's also been forgetting salt and black pepper when grilling steaks, and more," Rebecca continued by mentioning several examples before Anna could say anything.Well, Anna admitted that her cooking skills were so so. And yes, she had done everything Rebecca said. She wasn't used to working with fish, so she didn't know the correct timing to flip it over. As a result, she did so too quickly that it crumbled. For the ramen, she just added a little more water. It wasn't too bad, other than the taste of becoming blander.Last, about the steak, it was her fault. She remembered having to season it while grilling. But somehow, she forgot about it and realized it after she presented it to her.Did that really show her lack of cooking skills?Jeff chuckled, then re
Anna stood behind the crew with her arms crossed. She looked straight ahead, to be exact, at Kate posing in a white polka dot midi dress. It was a photo shoot for a magazine as well as an interview. "Kate, can you jump with a cheerful face?" asked the woman near Anna. She was the stylist of the magazine.Kate nodded, then resumed the session. She followed her lead by jumping several times while smiling and laughing. This time, the theme was cheerful. That was why the polka-dot dress was also colorful.Then the stylist ordered someone to bring a chair. So next, Kate must find great poses using that.It went on several times until the session ended. It was time for Kate to change clothes for the next session."We'll take a thirty-minute break," the woman told the entire crew. "Kate, you need to be ready in thirty minutes, okay?" She aimed it only at Kate."Sure," Kate replied without forgetting her smile. Oh, it was starting. Her friendly image.Helen and Ben immediately approached Kat
Anna walked behind Kate, Ben, and Helen and watched them enter the hotel lobby. They were there for lunch.It was Kate's request, of course. She suddenly wanted to have lunch at the Byrne hotel. It caused her heart to beat rapidly from the sudden nervousness that hit her. What if someone recognized her?"Kate, the restaurant is on the right," Helen said, as Kate was still going straight even though they needed to turn right to reach the restaurant.But Kate ignored her. She continued walking straight towards the reception desk. It forced the three people with her to follow her in confusion.Her heartbeat was getting wilder. Anna looked nervously at the staff five meters in front of them. She hoped no one recognized her.But who was she to be recognized?"Is David Byrne staying here?" Kate asked the man behind the desk.Hearing that instantly took away her nervousness. Why did Kate ask about Dave?"I can't answer that, Miss," replied the friendly receptionist.Of course, the staff woul
Anna must be crazy to have put forward the idea. Yes, what else? She had already brought Chelsy and Dave on Rebecca's proposed double date.At first, she only invited Chelsy. It was so that she would be freed from Rebecca's persuasion and not stuck with Jeff. She was determined to stick with her all the time.But it turned out to be the worst idea. Chelsy insisted on taking Dave. She even picked him up from New York. She was crazy!No. It wasn't Chelsy who was crazy but her. How did she handle the situation?"So these are my friends that I told you about before. This is Chelsy, and next to her is Dave." Anna introduced the two people she had brought with her to the three others waiting for her at the restaurant for lunch.If Anna thought about it, what Dave and Chelsy said was right. It was time for her to introduce him. Luckily, they agreed not to reveal all the truth at once."Hi," Chelsy greeted simply. She showed her bright smile, just like her cheerful personality."Hi, I'm Rebec
Finally, she said it. Even though it wasn't the truth, Anna told him about Dave. And she almost exploded from her nervousness."Matt?" she called when she didn't get a reply from him.But he didn't budge and kept doing what he was doing. Watching Dave. Oh, his eyes looked like they were going to pop out at how seriously he looked at him."Matt," she called again. This time a little louder while pulling his arm to return his attention to her."Is he kind?" It was the first sentence out of his lips since her confession. After that, he looked at her intensely, asking her to be honest."So far, he is good. He helps me a lot."Wrong! She shouldn't have answered him that way. He would ask..."Help you with what?"Yes, he would ask that. He knew Anna was an independent woman and wouldn't ask for help quickly."An unexpected situation happened to me."Matt squinted at her suspiciously. He was between doubting and believing her words. But then, a sigh was released. "Okay. I trust you. If he he
Anna peered through the common bathroom door on the first floor before stepping out casually as if nothing had happened. She walked past Dave, who was sitting on the couch in their living room and reading a report on his tablet, with Zach crawling on the floor."Zach, baby, come here." She called for Zach's attention, which was never hard to get. "Let's play outside."And his reaction was predictable. He was running toward his mother excitedly. His smile was so big that it was going to explode.Being a child seemed fun, didn't it?She followed him, running out of the house to their yard barefoot. She couldn't help her own smile from forming on her face at seeing him and another happiness she had just found out about today.She was pregnant with their second child.But be quiet. Anna wanted to make a surprise for her husband.Oh, she couldn't wait to see his reaction!"Zach, come here. Mommy wants to say something to you."Zach halted his running to look at his mother with an indescrib
Three years later.She watched everything. Their every move, laugh, giggle, scream, and more. She couldn't help but grace a wide smile over that. It was too good to be true. But it was what that was as it was the reality.Baby Zach was now three years old and in his active days. He had run on every corner of the house and was always excited to run outside.Although it tired their body from following him around, she didn't complain, especially Dave. He always had the energy to play with him and never ran out of ideas. He raised their child with all his heart.She shook her head to force herself back to her place. She couldn't only observe them all the time, as she needed to finish the cookie dough.Zach had the exact liking as hers for sweets. So she tried to be the best mom by baking them instead of buying them outside or ordering chefs to make them. It was cheaper and could adjust to her family preferences, which she wanted, not too much sugar.As Dave said, sugar was a killer.She
"Hi, baby boy. I'm happy you're awake, and I can hold you. Your mother must feel the same way. But she's resting now, so let's not disturb her and play with me instead." His voice was laced with happiness as his eyes flitted the same feeling. There was nothing happier than this moment when he finally held baby Zach. And the fact that he was born healthy was wonderful. It could be perfect if his wife's recovery went well.Baby Zach wriggled his tiny hands and managed to capture Dave's finger. He gripped it though his eyes were still closed. Baby Zach might sense familiar and safe, so baby Zach didn't cry, which made Dave's heart swell with pride and warmth. Only his touch could do that, and he couldn't be more proud of that."What do you think about this world? It's amazing, isn't it? You have me, your mother, and your entire family by your side. And in the future, you will find your own friends."Baby Zach was just quiet, and if his grip was not still on his finger, Dave might have th
A few months later.Anna was closing drawers after checking what was inside was still inside.It might be confusing. The point was Anna had just finished looking at their baby’s needs, such as clothes, diapers, socks, blanket, and more. She wanted to make sure everything was ready when the time came, which was soon. Her due date should be this week, and she couldn’t be more excited to finally welcome their baby.She moved to the only bed in the room. It was big and had four wooden walls on four sides to protect the baby from falling. And it was the one Dave said could accommodate her body while breastfeeding their baby. She even could sleep on it too.Her hand touched the doll on the nearby side and placed it neatly between another doll and the pillow. She had some, mainly cute animal characters, to accompany him while he was sleeping.Yes, him. Their baby was a boy.“Do you like it, honey? It’s nice, right? Your father prepared them for you.” She spoke as her hand caressed her so big
"I saw everything, Anna. I know what you hide behind your back." His eyebrows raised as if waiting for her to reveal it by herself. There was no point in hiding it anyway since it was why he approached her. He already saw her enjoying the ice cream!"What do you mean?"So she was going to play with him. Unfortunately, he didn't want to pretend that he did not see that. "The bowl. Ice cream."And she could only force a grin."Come here." His hand reached out to invite her to come near him."No. You will scold me.""That means you know you were doing wrong. How many bowls have you had?""Hmm. Five?""Count it correctly, honey.""Okay. Okay. Nine." She raised both her hands in the air and surrendered herself."No, honey. The bowl in your back is the eleventh."He actually didn't have a problem with her enjoying the ice cream. But Anna liked overeating, and she might have more if he didn't watch her."Good job Dave. She needs to be more careful with her health." Rebecca, standing beside h
Finally, the day they had been waiting for came. It was hectic but also fun. Their friends and families gathered together to celebrate the happy day. What was more pleasing than that?The vow went well. Although Anna felt more nervous, everything was perfect this time compared to the real one. Her father led her to the altar and handed her to Dave, which generally did at a wedding ceremony. And she and his husband stated their vow again and became husband and wife one more time.And to make it perfect, he sealed their vow with a kiss on her lips. Then cheers and applauses filled the hall.It was indeed a favorable moment. And it lasted until night."It's a pleasure to finally meet the newest Mrs. Byrne." Alexander greeted Anna and took her hand to land a quick kiss, like how a gentleman met a lady for the first time. "My name is Alexander Green.""Oh!" Anna couldn't help but show her surprise. She heard a lot about him from Dave, but this was the first time they met in person."Based
She felt warm on her skin. Also, a soft and warm breeze brushed over her neck, bringing a shiver to her body. A second later, she sensed warmth moving on her swollen belly, rubbing it so gently as if fearing to wake her up."Hmm." She stirred from her sleep, the result of those doings. Only then did she realize hands wrapped around her, and she knew whose those were. "Dave." Her voice came throatily from sleep."I'm sorry I woke you up." He mumbled against the nook of her neck.She heard it but didn't want to answer him as her voice was stuck in her throat. But she couldn't do it anymore when her eyes fluttered open and dark welcomed her through a glass wall which gave a view of the dark sky. "It's still dark.""Yes.""What time is it?""It's past midnight.""Why aren't you sleeping?"Instead of replying, he tightened his arms and dug his face deeper into her neck. His hand slipped inside her nightdress and caressed her tummy. "I can't sleep.""Why?" She wriggled her body to turn arou
"The preparation is doing good, right?" Dave asked Eddie, General Manager of The Byrne Hotel in Los Angeles, as they took a look at the hall designated for his event to take place. It was still filled with other decorations, as it would be occupied for someone's event for tonight."Yes. We have everything that we need ready. Gifts also have arrived, and we're working to put them into goodie bags."Dave nodded his head in understanding. "Pack them nicely and make sure those are right for each occasion. Don't get confused." He gave further orders.As planned, they would split the event into two, the vow and the party. And because of that, they would use a separate hall, decorations, gifts for guests, food, and more. They had different preparation for each occasion."Sure. We have a lot of experience with these things. I assure you everything will be in expert hands. You can enjoy your time with your bride.""Okay. I trust you with this.""Yes."Then they walked together for a few minute
"I'm like a dolphin already!" Her voice echoed throughout the room. She was standing in front of the mirror, checking her appearance from the reflection. She wore an A-line midi dress in black, which fell nicely on her body. But it also made her baby bump visible."Says who?" Dave was walking toward her while buttoning his shirt."Me." She still focused on her own reflection, as if looking for something to satisfy her."Then you're wrong. You don't look like one at all." He slipped his arms around her waist. "Instead, you look sexier." He landed a kiss on her neck and began to stroke her stomach gently. It was almost six months, and the bump was pretty big."Don't lie to me, Dave. Look at me. Everything in my body is swollen now. Even my cheeks are full.""That's what makes you sexy, honey. I like how your body changes."She narrowed her eyes at his reflection. "Liar.""I'm not. I'm being honest with you.""I don't believe you."There was a sound of a sigh before he planted the last k