ARIES I took care of him!The sheriff had sent for me. My heart skipped a beat when the message arrived, the urgency in his tone clear through the scribbled note. I’d never been one for unfounded panic, but something about this felt different. Adrien sensed it too.“Do you know why he sent for you?” Adrien asked, leaning against the kitchen counter with a concerned expression.“No idea,” I replied, trying to downplay the tension knotting in my stomach. “But I’ve got a bad feeling.” It wasn’t just the urgency of Sheriff Reynolds’ message; it was the weight of our business—the world of guns we operated in, shadowy but lucrative, fraught with danger at every turn.Adrien’s brow furrowed deeper. “I suspect it’s about our gun business. Just… be careful, Aries.”I rolled my eyes but didn’t dismiss his worries outright. “I don’t need a reminder on how to play my cards, Adrien. I’ve dealt with Reynolds before. If he tries anything that threatens our business, he won’t have to worry abou
ROCHELLE A sinking ship!I was just scrolling through F******k on my phone, mindlessly tapping the screen, expecting the usual mix of memes, vacation photos, and celebrity gossip. But then, I stumbled upon something that made my heart sink. There were pictures of my ex-boyfriend, Fred, and Amber, my ex-best friend. My stomach twisted in knots as I looked at their smiling faces on my screen.The photos showed Fred and Amber looking like the perfect couple, wrapped up in each other. In one snapshot, they were holding hands at a park, both of them beaming with happiness. Fred had that charming smile, the one he always used to flash at me when he thought he was being particularly funny. In another picture, they were sitting at a restaurant, leaning in closely, whispering secrets and laughing like there was no one else in the world. It felt like a punch to my gut. They were making the rest of the world envious, and honestly, looking at them made me feel sick.I couldn’t he
FRED Not for love!Gina was talking and laughing with her friend, Ashley, when I walked in. I saw them from the entrance of the office, their heads close together, sharing some inside joke. The sound of Gina’s laughter echoed in the high-ceilinged room, and for a moment, it made me smile. Even though she was a flirt, she had a light that could brighten even the dullest office day. But as I moved closer, the smile on my face faded.I needed to talk to her. I needed to apologize for how I tried to pay her back for cheating on me with that guy. Flirting with Amber was my stupid way of getting back at her, but all it did was push her further away. After she found out, everything changed. She had cut me off from access to her properties, including her expensive cars. It was as if I was no longer a partner in her life but just another staff member in her big company. We couldn’t even share the same bedroom anymore, and that felt like the sharpest twist of the knife.“Hey
A Frustrating DayI was already on my way for another one of those fruitless job hunts when my phone buzzed in my pocket. At that moment, I was trudging along the busy street, swallowing my disappointment as I thought of all the rejections I had already received. I paused and pulled my phone out reluctantly, and my heart sank as I saw Adrien’s name flashing on the screen.I didn’t want to pick up. I knew exactly why he was calling. He had asked me to write a presentation for a meeting with some new partners, but I had let it slide. I felt bad about it, but I had bigger things to focus on—like finding a job. I was tired of working for Aries and Adrien, and wanted to at least have a chance at something else, especially after hearing about new openings at a startup downtown.As Adrien kept calling, I rolled my eyes, a mix of annoyance and guilt swirling inside me. Here I was, trying to turn my life around, and he was making it harder. I took a deep breath and ended the call, quickly texti
FRED Those two oranges…I was about to leave the house for the gym when Gina’s friend, Ashley, walked in. I didn’t think much of it at first. I had seen her a handful of times before. But this time was different. She was wearing a fitted red dress that clung to her body like it was designed just for her. I tried to keep my eyes on her face, but it was impossible not to notice how the dress emphasized her curves. Her chest seemed to command attention, and I hated myself for staring longer than I should. You can't blame me when she displayed them boldly before me.I quickly gathered my composure. “Hey, Ashley. What brings you here? Gina’s not around—she traveled yesterday.”She smiled, a slow, deliberate smile, and my stomach did a strange flip. “I know,” she said, her voice smooth, almost like honey. “I didn’t come to see Gina.”Her words caught me off guard. “Oh? Then who—”Before I could finish, she stepped closer, too close. Her perfume hit me—a mix of vanilla and something f
ROCHELLE Thank me in bed!The next day, I woke up earlier than usual, my mind buzzing as I remembered the job I was about to face, the same job that had eluded me just a day before. Today, I was determined to get it, no matter the queue. As I rolled out of bed, I pushed aside the lingering doubts that had haunted me since I had learned I would be heading back to the same company that had not attended to me. I stood in front of the mirror, running my fingers through my messy hair. I had to look polished and confident. After splashing some water on my face, I rummaged through my closet, finally settling on a simple yet elegant blouse and a pair of tailored trousers. Once I was dressed, I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to start the day with something more than just a quick cereal.Cooking was something I hadn’t really done since I moved into Aries’ and Adrien’s house. They had mostly taken care of meals during my stay, relying heavily on quick
ROCHELLE Too good to be……….Walking through the lobby, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I approached the receptionist, forcing myself to keep my cool. “Hello, my name is Rochelle. I came in for an interview yesterday but wasn’t attended to,” I explained.The receptionist looked back at me, her face impassive. “I’m sorry, but there are no more vacancies. Every position was filled yesterday,” she said flatly.My heart sank into my stomach, frustration bubbling to the surface. “But I was told there were still openings!” I argued, but she simply shook her head.“No, I’m afraid not. I’m very sorry,” she stated, turning her
GINA I just had to…..I could tell that Fred was really sorry when he asked me to forgive him. His eyes were earnest, and he spoke with a softness that made my heart ache. But I still needed proof; I wanted to be sure he was not just sorry because he missed the luxuries I gave him, both in bed and out of it.It wasn't easy to forget that he had cheated on me with his ex-girlfriend's best friend. That betrayal still stung, like a fresh wound that refused to heal. Sure, he had caught me first, but he should never have thought of paying me back like that.In moments when I looked at him, I couldn't shake the feeling that beneath his apologies lay a desire to maintain his comfortable life. He grew up too sheltered, and I worried I had become just another luxury that he was willing to lose. The thoughts made my stomach churn, pushing me to make a drastic decision.I reached out to my best friend, Ashley, hoping she could help me put Fred to the tes
ROCHELLE Chaos Unleashed!“What did you just say?” I asked Amber, my voice trembling slightly against the heavy silence in my office.Her eyes burned with a mixture of anger and accusation. “You heard me, Rochelle! Are you really pretending to be innocent here? Everyone at the office knows you’re trying to steal Ben away from me! Oh, you must have thought I won't find out,” she chuckled. “Fred left you because you couldn't give him what he wanted in bed, and now, you're screwing my man, you loser!”I couldn’t believe this was happening. I knew I heard her, but I had to pretend like I didn’t. Accusations like that would tear apart years of friendship, especially when I couldn’t understand why Amber would accuse me of sleeping with Ben. We had been through so much together, and now she was throwing around wild claims?“Amber, that’s ridiculous!” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart raced, not from fear, but from the rising anger that simmered dangerously clo
ROCHELLE What guts!It was Ben.“Rochelle,” his voice came through. “Can you bring those files to my office now?”“I’m on my way, sir,” I said, trying to keep my tone even despite the bitterness I felt.I picked up the files, my mind still swirling with confusion as I walked towards his office. Dread filled me, but it was mixed with a stubborn resolve. I would not let this man affect my sense of self-worth. I was more than just a rebound, more than a friend who was there to fill a gap.When I knocked on his door, he called me in, and as I stepped over the threshold, I felt like a dam had broken within me—messed up emotions surged forward like a flood. I handed him the files, trying to keep my composure.But to my shock, sitting in his office was none other than Amber. She sat casually in a chair, one leg crossed over the other, flipping through some papers as if she belonged there.“Hey there! Rochelle, right?” Amber said, her tone dripping with false warmth.“Amber
ROCHELLE I feel like an idiot right now!I couldn't tell why, but I had a feeling that something was going to go off at work that day. It was a sensation that clung to me like a shadow, lingering just at the back of my mind. Maybe it was the storm clouds gathering outside, or perhaps it was the uneasy feeling in my stomach. Whatever it was, I could sense that the day ahead would not be normal.Before I left for work that morning, Aries walked into my bedroom just as I was getting dressed. His presence filled the room with warmth, and he reached out to caress my shoulder as I pulled my blouse over my head.“Hey, beautiful,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss against my neck. The gesture was meant to be comforting, and I wished I could lean into it fully. But instead, I felt distance creeping in, an invisible barrier formed by the worry that churned inside me.As I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down my blouse, I caught Aries’ reflection. His brow furrowed as he noticed
FRED What if she did?I was really worried about Gina. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one echoing louder than the last, while my fingers tapped nervously on the glass surface of the table. It was getting really late, and she still had not returned from work. My heart sank a little as I thought about it. I had missed her call earlier, and that made my worry deepen. What could be taking her so long?Gina was dedicated to her job, but she was not the type to stay after hours unless something was seriously wrong. I picked up my phone, staring at it like it was going to magically give me answers. Nothing happened. I cursed myself for missing her call. What if she needed me? What if something had gone wrong? I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of worry inside me.“Just call her,” I whispered to myself. I retrieved my phone from the table, my thumb hovered over her name in my contacts list, but then an idea knotted my
ARIES Fantasy night!“You’re probably going to think I’m ridiculous,” she said with a charming smile, “but I really like him. We had this amazing conversation, and he kind of gets me.” “Kind of?” I echoed, my voice lighting with skepticism. She rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. A lot! He’s really brilliant, and he can talk about everything from finance to art. I’ve never met anyone like him before.” I tried to mask my irritation. “And that’s why you like him?” “That’s just part of it! Plus, he’s funny!” she added, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Rochelle, I just really want you to be careful,” I said, my tone shifting almost protective again. “Yes, mama bear!” she shot back, folding her arms in mock seriousness, but I could see her playfulness was waning. “Okay, okay. I’ll ease up,” I relented, feeling a little defeated. “But please keep us in the loop, alright?” “Sure!” she grinned, but deep down, her smile felt like someone pulling away. I could see the
ARIES Jealousy or…?Rochelle had returned from work less than two hours after she left, looking very excited. It wasn’t exactly like her to rush home, especially when her duties at the office always seemed to stretch longer than expected. But today, she walked through the door with a bright smile on her face, the kind of smile that lit up any room. Her hair bounced lightly with each step she took, and the sway of her hips was almost hypnotic.I had been sitting on the couch, scrolling through my phone absentmindedly, but that smile pulled me away from the screen. It looked so out of place in our apartment, which was usually quiet and fairly serious. I couldn’t help b
ROCHELLE That kiss…..As we made our way down to his sleek black car, he opened the door for me, an effortless gesture that made me feel special. I slid into the leather seat, and he closed the door behind me before striding around to the driver’s side. Every little thing he did made me feel like a queen, a feeling I was not used to.The drive to the restaurant was accompanied by light chatter, which gradually eased my nerves. We talked about everything and nothing, laughing at silly anecdotes and sharing bits about our lives. I discovered that he had a secret passion for cooking, which surprised me. A man like him, a billionaire business mogul, cooking? It didn’t fit the profile I had imagined.“Maybe you’ll have to cook for me sometime,” I te
ROCHELLE A Day Off with Mr. BenMr. Ben had surprisingly given me the day off from work. "But on one condition," he said, while I was still trying to wrap my head around it. It was such a sudden turn of events. I had not done anything special to deserve this kind of treatment. In fact, my mind was racing with thoughts about the projects I had to finish and the clients I needed to call on his behalf. I looked at him with a mix of confusion and curiosity.“What condition, sir?” I asked, tilting my head slightly to the side. Ben, with his usual confident demeanor, suddenly had a twinkle in his eye that made me even more intrigued. He reached into his sleek designer bag and pulled out something wrapped in black silk. He placed it gently on the table between us.“Open it,” he said, his smile widening as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying this moment.“I should open it?” I asked, feeling the excitement bubbling inside me. This was all so unexpected. I
FRED She's a tsunami!I fell right into Ashley's trap. The moment I did, I knew there was no getting out of it, no matter how much I tried to. The situation was a complete mess, one I created with my own hands. Or rather, with my own careless thumbs. I’ve never been more frustrated with myself.It all started with what should have been a romantic evening. Gina, my girlfriend, was everything I wanted in a woman—kind, smart, funny, and absolutely stunning. I wanted to surprise her with a special night to celebrate our anniversary. I had planned everything down to the last detail. The bed was made with fresh sheets, soft music was ready to play, and I had scattered petals across the floor. It was cheesy, sure, but Gina loved that kind of thing.To add a little spice to the night, I decided to text her something bold. I wasn’t the type to send daring messages, but this time, I wanted to push the boundaries. So, I took a deep breath, snapped a pic