EVERYTHING was already settled. Michelle still could not believe that Ethan made a lot of adjustments just for her to be able to work all over again.He hired a nanny, whose name was Anna Peterson, who came from a reputable agency that delivers high-quality child care in the United States. He also talked to his mom, and asked for a favour about letting Marsha stay with them during the mornings, just until Michelle clocked out in the afternoon.And today would be her first day in the office. In the Steinfields’ residence, Michelle kissed her daughter. She had already explained the situation to Marsha, and she didn’t expect their daughter to be so happy. She may be so young, but she supports her so much."Behave while I’m at work, alright?" she reminded Marsha.Her daughter nodded with a smile. "When I grow up, I'd like to work in an office as well!"Michelle chuckled. "Of course you can do that when the time comes, baby."She then looked at Anna, who then gave her a polite smile."Plea
MICHELLE was shocked to see the man giving him a friendly smile. There’s no way she would have never recognized him; it was his good-boy-next-door charismatic aura and friendly vibe that made every woman in their university turn their heads towards him. The ever-so-sleek Eionn Jackson, who used to be her classmate at college!"Eionn, is that really you? Oh my gosh!" Michelle exclaimed as she walked toward the man.Eionn chuckled, and it brought her ease. Still amazed to see an old friend, Michelle could not help but look at him from head to toe. The man has definitely changed. His entire build and features screamed power and professionalism, and it seemed to be that he had finally achieved a lot of success in life. Wearing an all-black suit, Eionn was a head tuner. Even the employees coming in and out of the company building glanced over their way."I’m glad it’s really you. It’s nice to see you again, Michelle." Eionn smiled at her, and his deep dimples became visible."Likewise," Mi
"IS THAT true? Eionn’s having a project with your husband?"Michelle rode a cab going to Ethan’s parents’ house to pick up Marsha and her nanny, Anna. On her way, she called Megan to tell her the great news: that Eionn Jackson was one of Ethan’s clients."Yes, it’s true. I’m shocked to see him after seven years." Michelle chuckled as she gazed through the car window next to her. "He’s changed. I mean, he looks definitely like a bachelor now.""Oh, my God! Isn’t he the one you had a crush on before?"Michelle fought the urge to roll her eyes at what her best friend beamed at her. Sure, she really had a crush on him in the past. Eionn was a nice guy and she wasn’t like some sort of stone to not feel anything for him, especially when they were practically "college buddies." But that’s all there is. He used to be her crush, a one-fleeting admiration that was long gone. Still, she wanted him to be her friend."Don’t you dare mention it in front of Ethan. I swear I’m going to kill you," she
"GOOD MORNING," Eionn said as she paused at the door to Ethan's office, looking over at Michelle, who was brewing coffee in the pantry.The door of the pantry was opened, and Michelle was standing on the door frame waiting for the coffee to be ready. She spun on Eionn, and was surprised to see him."Good morning, Eionn," she greeted him back. "You have a meeting with Ethan?"Eionn nodded, pocketed his hand as he walked to the pantry with a smile on his face."Ethan is in the conference room discussing the budget approval with the finance team." She then checked her wrist watch. "It might take another thirty minutes. Would you like a coffee while you wait?""Of course, and a good company, please.""Well, my desk is inside his office, anyway. So, I can get you accompanied." Michelle smiled at Eionn."Sounds like you’ve gotten yourself a territorial husband, huh?""No," Michelle said, shaking her head. "My old desk was removed outside his office due to a major renovation, so he decided t
THE NEXT few days passed like a blur. His suspicion towards Eionn continued to grow even more, making him feel such unwanted feelings that engulfed not just his mind, but especially his chest.Eionn and Michelle were practically friends. Even though Ethan was trying to distance Michelle by giving her tasks outside his office, he just couldn’t stop the two from talking whenever they had a chance. Sure, it was nothing but pure friendship for Michelle, but the way he observed Eionn, he was convinced that the man didn’t just see her as a friend back in college. That, more than any other, angered him secretly.The worst part was, he could not call Michelle out. She wasn’t doing anything bad. Her intention—which was friendship—was so pure and he could see it clearly.And so he decided to confront the real problem.Eionn Jackson..."I don’t like the way you stare at my wife, Mr. Jackson," he said straight over lunch in a nearby restaurant.Eionn, who was about to taste his pasta, stopped mid
"WHAT THE HELL, Mich?"Ethan had finally stopped the car. The rain was still pouring hard, and he could not figure out why Michelle acted so weird only because he chose not to answer her question.Sure, he was damn jealous...extremely jealous of the fact that Eionn Jackson could make her smile without any sweat. He could not help but compare himself to an old friend of hers who could make her eyes spark whenever they reminisced about great memories in the past. He was damned jealous of the fact that Eionn could get her attention whenever he talked.And yet, when it came to him, Michelle remained distant, could only offer him a thin smile, and paid him little attention...Ethan knew he did not have any told you to feel that way. Apart from being a contract husband, he was never a kind man towards Michelle. But now that there was a man who came from her past, and was deeply in love with her, Ethan felt suddenly possessive of his wife.Surely, he would have told that. But he couldn’t fin
THE PAIN in Michelle’s heart was excruciating. Her outburst was unexpected, humiliating, but she could no longer take it all back.Amidst of walking, and crying under the rain, a warm hand held her hand, squeezing her palm. Her lips quivered as she came to a halt, turned around only to see Ethan once again. It became even more painful, seeing the soft expression on his face.“I told you to go,” Michelle said coldly.Ethan shook his head, and that made her even more miserable. Her entire being ached so much. She gasped when he pulled her closer, engulfing her in an unexpected hug. He wrapped his arm around her so tight, as if he was afraid to let her go.Michelle was not able to move. They stayed in that position for a while, and all she could hear was the loud beating of her heart inside... no, there was another heartbeat. Was it his?Insane, she told herself. Absolutely insane. There was no way Ethan’s heart would react that way over a mere hug. She tried to push him, but he hugged h
IT FELT surreal...Michelle’s mind was still haywire. She could not believe that Ethan confess that he loved her.After all those years of hoping that her feelings would be returned, it seemed that fate had finally listened to her. It felt like a dream for Michelle. To hear those precious words of assurance from Ethan was something that completed her life, not just as a woman but as a mother for Marsha.And now that their feelings for each other were clear as the blue sky, Michelle would do everything to protect her family; not just Marsha. This time, Ethan too.“Dry your hair,” Michelle said, holding a towel on her hand and giving it to Ethan who sat down on the edge of their bed. “You are going to be sick.”“No, my immune system is good,” he responded, glancing up at her with a smile.They were both done taking a shower after picking up Marsha from Ethan’s parents. Their daughter even wondered why were they soaking wet, and if it was fun to play under the rain. Michelle could not he