DAMIENI storm out of the room, slamming the door harder than I mean to. My heart’s racing, and every step I take feels heavy with anger. The ocean breeze hits me as I walk out onto the balcony, but it does nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest. How could she? How could she stand there, so calm, so innocent, with that guy, and act like I’m the one overreacting?I fish my phone out of my pocket, my hands shaking as I scroll through my contacts. I need to talk to someone. Someone who’ll understand. Evans. He’s always been my sounding board, the one person who’s seen me through everything. I dial his number, pacing the length of the balcony as it rings.“Damien, my man!” Evans’s voice comes through the phone, full of energy as usual. “How’s the Maldives treating you? Are you guys living it up in paradise or what?”I hesitate, staring out at the ocean. The view is breathtaking, the kind of postcard-perfect scene people dream about. But it feels like a lie. “It’s not exactly what I
ANNAI sit on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands, my mind spinning. The argument with Damien earlier today feels like a lifetime ago, but the anger still lingers, heavy and raw. I feel hurt and stupid not just because of what he said, but because of what it all means.The door creaks open, and I glance up to see Damien standing there, his shoulders slumped, his face a mix of exhaustion and something else. Something I haven’t seen in him before—vulnerability. He doesn’t look angry anymore. Just... lost.“Hey,” he says softly, closing the door behind him. His voice is tentative like he’s unsure if I’ll even respond.“Hey,” I reply, just as softly. There’s a long pause as we stare at each other, the silence heavy between us.He steps closer, running a hand through his hair, the familiar gesture calming me somehow. “Can we talk?”I nod, though my stomach knots up at the thought of what’s coming next. We’ve been arguing or fighting, for what feels like forever, but nothing seems to g
DAMIENThe way she kisses me is like nothing I’ve ever felt. It’s intense, desperate like we’re both trying to drown in each other. And I’m drowning. Completely. I pull her closer, my fingers tangled in her hair, and I can’t get enough. Every soft moan from her, every shift of her body against mine—it’s driving me insane. When we finally break apart, I’m panting, struggling to catch my breath, but I don’t let go. My forehead rests against hers, my eyes still half-closed as I try to steady myself. Her lips are swollen, her face flushed, and I can feel her heart racing against my chest. “Anna...” I breathe, my voice raw. “Is this your first kiss?.” She doesn’t say anything. Her fingers curl into my shirt, her grip tightening like she’s holding onto me for dear life. I feel it too—the fear that if we stop now, something will change and break. I tilt her chin up, forcing her to look at me, and the way her eyes meet mine—wide, vulnerable, full of something I don’t even know how to name
NEW EMOTIONSANNAThe morning light filters through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. I wake up slowly, feeling a warmth beside me that’s unfamiliar, but not unwelcome. My heart skips a beat when I realize it’s Damien. His arm is draped over my waist, his body still pressed against mine from the night before. This is the first time we’ve slept together—not just in the same bed, but really slept, side by side, without any of the walls or tension between us since we arrived.I don’t want to move. There’s something about this moment that feels too fragile to break. His breathing is steady and soft, and I can feel the rise and fall of his chest against my back. It’s intimate, far more intimate than I ever expected to feel with him, and it sends a confusing wave of emotions through me.I should be happy, right? This is what I wanted. But now that we’re here, lying together like this, it feels different—like something is shifting inside me, something I can’t control.Slow
DAMIENI step onto the balcony, my phone clutched in my hand as I try to steady my racing thoughts. The Maldives are stunning—the perfect paradise. The sun is beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, but I can’t appreciate it. Not now.Vanessa’s name flashes on the screen, and my stomach churns. I know I shouldn’t answer, but I can’t seem to ignore her either. I move farther away from the room, glancing over my shoulder to ensure Anna isn’t nearby. I don’t want her to overhear this. Not now.“Vanessa,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Hey.”“Damien,” she says softly, but her tone has a sharp edge. “It’s been days. You said you’d call. Where are you?”I can feel the pressure building behind my eyes. “I’ve been busy… it’s complicated.”“Busy? You’re on your honeymoon with “her, " right?” Vanessa’s voice breaks, the hurt spilling through, and I immediately regret answering the call. “Why are you even with her, Damien? Why didn’t you just tell me the t
DAMIENThe restaurant is dimly lit, with the soft flicker of candles casting warm shadows across the table. It’s our first real dinner together since the honeymoon began, and something about tonight feels different. As soon as Anna steps out of the hotel room, I feel my breath catch in my throat.She’s wearing a sleek, fitted dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, the fabric shimmering under the restaurant’s lighting. The deep green colour makes her dark skin glow, and her hair is swept to one side, cascading down her shoulders in waves. I’ve never seen her like this—so effortlessly beautiful, so radiant.I feel a strange, undeniable pull toward her for the first time. My chest tightens, and I find myself staring a second too long, my eyes trailing the curve of her waist, the gentle sway of her hips as she walks toward me. The way the dress clings to her body… I can’t help it. Desire creeps into my thoughts, something I haven’t allowed myself to feel for her until now."D
ANNA.“Am I speaking with Miss Anna ?” a voice across my phone asked.“Yes. Who am I speaking with, please?“I am Attorney Luis Davis from A and A Law Consult Seattle.” My heart skipped a beat since I had no association with a law firm so I am wondering why the call.“Hello?”“Erm, yeah I am. What’s the issue, please? Have I done anything wrong? I am quite confused that’s all.”“Miss.Anna you have nothing to worry about. I am calling to have an important conversation with you,” he said.“Alright, what’s it about?”I ask, sounding a bit curious now.“Well, Mr Williams Donovan requested that I have a meeting with you to discuss something very important with you. He mentioned that you should visit my office with your father who was his driver for this meeting.”“Okay but can I know what exactly this meeting is about?”, I asked.“ I am sorry Miss Anna this is very confidential information which can not be discussed over the phone and without the presence of your father.”Mr Luis replied war
ANNAAt exactly 10:00 AM, my father and I are seated in the office of Attorney Luis Davis.Although the office is spacious, it is packed with shelves holding law books that run from the length of the walls, from floor to ceiling. The office desk is very luxurious that is well-organized with an iMac and a family photo placed at the center.“Good morning Miss Anna and Mr.Smith.Glad to have you two here and thank you for honouring Mr.William Donovan of the blessed memory request.”Mr.Luis said.“You’re welcome, Mr. Luis. May we get to the reason why we’re all present here as I do not have a lot of time to spare.”My father replied calmly.“Alright let’s get straight to business then. Mr.Williams Donovan instructed me before his untimely death to meet up with you Mr.Smith and your daughter before going ahead to read out his last will.”My father looks as confused as I am but nods to whatever the attorney says. He pulls out a brown envelope and begins to read out what would be the greatest s