I could barely put on my jeans but strived anyways. Pain or no pain, I would have to put on my clothes eventually. I limped to the mirror to brush my hair, but the chime from my phone interrupted me. I glanced at the caller ID and sighed, refusing to pick up the call. It was Helen; she was definitely calling to scold me for getting drunk and ruining her plans. My phone continued ringing incessantly, getting on my nerves. I reluctantly answered, getting straight to my warning. "Don't you dare scold me, Helen; I'm not in the..." I trailed off when I heard her sobbing on the phone. "Helen, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" My exasperated tone turned to one of concern as I pondered. Helen had hardly cried since high school; she always had the notion of a perfect life with no problems. She had no care in the world, always doing as she pleased with all joy. I was quite taken aback when I heard her voice breaking with sobs. "Sarah... can you please... come over?" "Of course, I
The night cold wind seeped into my exposed skin, sending trails of goosebumps all over me. I looked far off in the distance, constantly checking to see if a black or grey car was approaching, but none I recognized passed by. Sulking in my breath, I tried dialing his number again, but there was no answer, which only got me exasperated. I huffed, kicking the ground with my feet, but a shrill of pain surged through me, my knee throbbing from the abrupt pressure. I groaned silently, berating myself for getting out of control and hurting myself in the process. "Is he angry at me to the extent that he wants to abandon me?" I murmured, my heart slowly racing in desperation and an immense urge to shield myself from the harsh weather. I got back into the car, leaning on the headrest, my vision almost betraying me to sleep, but I snapped awake. Sleeping in the middle of the room was a sensible thing to do, especially at nighttime. I barely registered how the time flew by, but I was certain
Erin's strange behaviour got me reeling; earlier she was drowning in sorrow, but now, hiding behind Mr. Clinton's embrace, she turned into a sly fox. What is she up to? What is her agenda by feigning tears and giving me that smug look? No matter how hard I thought about it, I still couldn't wrap my head around her true intentions. I stared at her, my face contorted in disgust as her eyes were fixed on me, her smile never faltering. After what seemed like forever in their embrace, Mr. Clinton pulled away, his hand rubbing her shoulders. "Now let's get you home. On our way, you can explain what happened..." he said, his face filled with compassion. She nodded, sniveling, placing her gaze on the ground. I rolled my eyes at her in disdain as I suppressed the urge to tear off her mask. What annoyed me the most was Mr. Clinton's obliviousness. I wouldn't blame him though; if she hadn't revealed her true colours, I would have also fallen for her facade. Mr. Clinton helped her get on h
Since everyone else had called it a night, I figured I'd hang out with Mr. Clinton and make the most of our time together. I brought in two mugs of steaming hot milk tea, along with my usual snack, which I would probably be eating alone... I found him relaxing on the couch situated at the veranda, his head leaning against the headrest with his legs crossed. I stood a fair distance away, watching him in silence; his eyes were closed, and his lips were impeccably defined. He seemed to be enjoying the night breeze, which I found very chilling. I had a blanket cozily wrapped around me; my long baggy pants shielded my legs from the harsh cold. I sat beside him, placing the mugs down on the table. I saw one of his eyes peek open, only to close again when he realized it was me. "What do you want?" His voice was stern, almost a whisper. I sighed at his unwelcoming tone. Resting in the headrest like him, I gazed out at the dark view of the night through the balcony... "Mr. Clinton,
A pleased smile spread on my lips, my eyes sparkling with anticipation. All I heard was the kiss and nothing else. The remaining part of the sentence was buried inside the abyss...With permission given, I jumped at my desire, one I had had for a long time. Instantly wrapping my hands around him, my lips crashed onto his. Every fiber of my body leaped for joy as I relished the savory taste of his mouth.He responded fairly quickly, pushing his tongue inside my depth while I explored every sweetness. I felt an unfamiliar sensation at the pit of my stomach, every inch of my body spasming in reaction to the kiss.Pushing my mouth deeper into his depth, my grip on his hair tightened, my fingers clinging to the silky texture as I felt a moistness dangling in between my thighs.In desperation, driven by sheer lust, I slumped my body into him, making him fall onto his back, his body slamming onto the couch.Now that I was on top of him, I decided to make the most of it by grinding my hips ag
XAVIER'S POVThe fleeting moment of passion got me reeling; I found myself drowned in the kiss. My body shivered with wants I just couldn't pull myself out of her desperate desire. Every trail left by her body spoke volumes of the hunger that ravaged her—the soft whispers of her skin, the gentle caress of her fingers, and the tender touch of her lips all screamed of a longing that had been suppressed for far too long.It spoke the story of a desire that could no longer be denied.Although I didn't initiate the kiss, I triggered her by suggesting we have it, despite my being against her proposed relationship. I didn't know what came over me; all of a sudden, I was just too exasperated by her constant nagging, her seduction, and her mischievous behavior. She had me spinning in my own resolve to never condone such an awkward relationship.Yet again, I felt the same stimulation that had been buried for far too long—one I thought I would never feel again. But surprisingly, I didn't resist.
SARAH'S POV I woke up with a sharp pain surging through me, my feet arching; the pain was unbearable, and I pressed my lips tightly to avoid screaming. Attempting to lift my foot, a silent gasp escaped my lips, my face grimacing in agony. I still hadn't recovered from my knee sprain, and now another injury had been added to the collection. "Does it still hurt?" "A lot," I said before my eyes widened in alarm as I registered the familiar voice. There by the door was Mr. Clinton, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, his face filled with concern. He strode towards my bed and sat beside me, his eyes locking on mine, and for a split second, my pain turned to insignificance. My eyes wandered over him as I fully checked him out. His dark brown eyes had a warm glow under the dim light, and his shirt was hardly done, revealing his chiseled, muscular chest. My eyes trailed to his lips, and that's when I quickly stopped myself from drooling over him. He waved his hands over my
"And how will I regret not taking your help?" I interjected, my face scrunched in annoyance. "Erin, what's your problem with me? I don't understand; you have been strange." She just scoffed, rolling her eyes annoyingly. "I only gave you a piece of advice, nothing more," she said, her eyes still rolling. She then came closer and whispered in my ear, "I know the tension going on between the two of you, and I know how to calm it, only if you accept my help." I pulled away from her, my brow furrowing. How did she know that? Then it occurred to me she had been spying on us ever since... What could she possibly gain by doing that? "Erin, I don't need your advice. Just do what you're paid to do," I said sternly, nodding in the direction of my bathroom. I didn't want to be rude, but I couldn't help it. Her shoulder rose in a careless shrug, a menacing glint in her eyes. "No problem." She stood and left to prepare my bath. While I sat, my mind unraveled, paranoia kicking in. The sound o
A month had passed since we left Paris. Our little family had settled into a cozy villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Well, we moved in for the wedding, actually. Now, standing in front of the mirror, I smoothed out my lace wedding gown. My heart fluttered as I thought of Xavier waiting for me at the altar. "Sarah, you look stunning," my maid of honor said, adjusting my veil. Who else would it be? It's my best friend, Helen. I smiled, feeling like a princess. The ceremony was intimate, with only close friends and family attending. "Hey, kiddo." A voice interrupted my thoughts, bringing a smile to my face. "The guests are waiting. Are you just gonna sit there and admire yourself?" Juniper appeared at the door, crossing her arms and wearing a feigned frown on her face. Juniper had helped out with the wedding planning; she even brought her kids along. Although I was grateful for her expertise, her planning ways exceeded Xavier's budget, but he didn't complain. "Juniper, you'
SARAH'S POV "About what!" I snapped, my eyes blazing. Xavier held my shoulders to placate me, but I was beyond reasoning. My baby was at risk because of him, and he was lucky nothing happened to him or her. If something had happened, I would have... I stopped and forced myself to stay calm when I noticed my father's soft gaze.He leaned against the wall without speaking, letting me pour out my anger. Only when I was done did he finally speak. "I meant to say..." He hesitated, glancing at Xavier. "I'm... sorry."It was as if he forced those words right out of his mouth.I looked away, breaking eye contact, and Xavier gently stroked my shoulder again."Sarah, calm down. Don't stress yourself out, okay?"Yeah, I'm pregnant. I shouldn't stress myself out.I flashed him a soft smile and leaned on his shoulders, making sure to avoid eye contact with my father."Sarah, I'm happy for you," my father continued, despite my bad attitude. "Now that there's nothing else I can do, you're free to l
My eyes widened in shock as I found Sarah lying on the bed, pale and motionless. In an instant, my heart sank, and my world crumbled around me."Sarah?" I whispered, approaching her cautiously.My legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot, but I forced myself to move closer. William's presence faded into the background, irrelevant to the only thing that mattered – Sarah.I gently sat beside her, my hand reaching out to brush away the strands of hair clinging to her forehead. Her skin felt cold and clammy."Sarah," I whispered, my voice trembling.Her eyelids fluttered open, and our gazes met. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of recognition, a spark of life.But it was fleeting.Her eyes, once bright and full of laughter, now seemed dull and lifeless."Sarah, please," I begged, my voice cracking. "Talk to me.""Sarah!" William, who had finally broken out of his stupor, rushed over to her side, shaking her gently, completely disregarding my presence.Then he froze, staring at Sarah, as the
XAVIER'S POV"Daddy, when is Sarah coming back?" Elizabeth had asked after I had watched as William's car disappeared, taking Sarah away from me. My heart felt like it had been ripped out. I couldn't believe I had to let her go.But I knew it was necessary. William's anger and determination to keep us apart were palpable.I crouched down to meet Elizabeth's height, her big brown eyes filled with concern. "Soon, sweetie. Sarah needs to go for now." I offered a reassuring smile."Where's William, her dad?" Harper chimed in, her brow furrowing. "Did the two of them leave?"I glanced up at Harper, who stood beside Hayden, his expression serious as if they were interrogating me.I let out a sigh and tried to simplify the truth. "Like I said, they're gone, but—" I was interrupted by Elizabeth whining. Her face scrunched up. "Why did Sarah leave without telling us? This is so unlike her."I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Sometimes, grown-ups need to figure things out. She
With my curiosity piqued, I got off the bed and made my way to the door. Walking down the hallway, the sound of heels clinking on the floor grew louder, making me even more curious about who had come to visit. Ever since I moved in, we’ve never had visitors, and that thought only fueled my curiosity.I entered the living room only to find a woman and my father walking from the door. My father’s gentle smile was a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the air moments before.Seriously? So I am the only downer here who won't get what she wants. I scoffed and quietly strode towards them.My eyes remained fixed on the lady, and I couldn’t help but keep my mouth wide open as I saw her intimate with my father. Her lips were pressed against my father's, and he responded with equal fervor, completely oblivious to my presence.So he has a girlfriend in Paris, huh?Way to go, Father; only you deserve happiness.I felt a mix of disgust and betrayal surging through me. I’ve learned to use
"Welcome to my humble abode. Don't you like the view?" My father's cheerful voice cut through my thoughts. Again. He kept interrupting my moping with his unnecessary small talk and fake enthusiasm. Can't he see I'm still reeling from the pain he's caused?I forced a glance around the luxurious penthouse apartment, trying to appear unimpressed. To be honest, it was quite breathtaking, but I wouldn't say it."It's nice, Father," I said flatly, my voice devoid of enthusiasm.My father's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered."I'm glad you like it. You'll be comfortable—""Cut the small talk,I wasn't done talking." I spat, cutting him off. I chuckled, still glancing around. "It's just that it's missing something."My father, sensing my fake enthusiasm, leaned close with a smile. "What do you think is missing?"A mischievous grin spread across my face as I replied, "My happiness."My father's smile froze, his eyes widening, caught off guard by my true intention."Sarah, co
I turned and walked away, leaving Xavier behind. My father's suffocating grip on my arm guided me toward the car. I felt numb, my heart heavy. As we drove away, I glanced back at the duplex, the building fading away. There wasn't any sight of Xavier, and it hurt to sense he was giving up. Or isn't he? I really don’t know. I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to the girls; they would be devastated when they wake up without me beside them. This can't be happening. "We're going to Paris, Sarah. You'll be safe there. We're better off without him." My father's voice cut through my thoughts. His words felt like acid in my throat. I turned to him, my face twisted in a mix of anger and desperation. "Safe from what, Father?" I demanded. My father's expression remained unyielding. "From Xavier. From his influence on you." I felt a surge of indignation. "You don't even know him," I spat. "And you claim he is your best friend." My father's grip on the steering wheel tighte
SARAH'S POV"Father, what are you doing!" I rushed over to Xavier's side and cupped his cheek, blood trickling out of his nose. My eyes locked onto my father's scrunched-up face, his eyes blazing with fury."Get away from him, Sarah!" he growled.But I stood firm, my heart racing. "You're hurting him!" I pleaded, my eyes welling up. "How could you do this, Father?"Xavier's eyes fluttered open, and he winced."Sarah, I'm fine," he whispered.My father's face twisted in disgust."Don't talk to her, Xavier. You've done enough damage."I felt a surge of anger. I never expected this kind of reaction from him."That's not true! I did the damage!" I said, my voice firm as I walked towards him. "It was me who fell for him first, so if you're angry, then pour it on me."My father's gaze snapped back to me, and I could see the disappointment and hurt in his eyes."Sarah, I didn't expect this from... both of you," he said, his voice soft with a layer of pain and betrayal. "I trusted him."I sto
WILLIAM'S POVI didn't know what was taking Xavier so long to open the door after telling me he would open it in a minute. A minute had turned into an eternity."Xavier!" I called again, attempting to knock on the door again, but it opened, revealing Xavier's wry smile."Hey," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Why are you here?"My brow furrowed. "Didn't you hear what I said? I said I need help. That's why I came. Now will you let me come in?" I said and gently pushed him out of the way, letting myself in.I tossed the towel I was holding onto his bed and turned to meet his surprised, perhaps shocked, expression."Why are you here with the towel?" he asked, chuckling."Sorry for disturbing you. I wanted to take a late-night bath, but my water system isn't working," I explained, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, despite the curiosity brewing inside me."Water system's out? Figured I'd use yours. Hope that's okay."Xavier's raised eyebrow and amused smile hinted that h