ANNAI’ve barely had time to sip my tea when my phone rings, Lola’s name flashing on the screen. Perfect timing. I settle onto the couch and pick up, eager to pour out everything that’s been happening.“Finally!” Lola's voice chirps. “I was starting to think you’d fallen off the face of the earth.”I laugh, a bit too quickly. “Not quite, but close enough. There’s so much I need to tell you. I don’t even know where to start.”“Well, I’m all ears. Spill it!” Her voice is giddy like she’s buckling in for a ride.I take a deep breath, wondering where to begin. “Okay, so you know how everything’s been a bit…awkward with Damien?”“Uh-huh, understatement of the year, Lola teases. “Go on.”“Well,” I continue, “he’s…different lately. There’s this new side of him. This morning, he…he kissed me, Lola.” The memory still feels surreal, leaving me warm and flustered.I can practically hear her jaw drop. “Hold up! You’re saying he kissed you, like, actually kissed you?”“Yes! And it felt…nice,” I ad
DAMIENI’m in my office, staring at the computer screen, as the numbers scroll by in a mocking parade of red and zeroes. This is a nightmare—one technical glitch, and suddenly I’m haemorrhaging money by the second. I clench my fists, willing myself to stay calm, but it’s like everything is slipping out of my control. My phone buzzes in my hand again, and I barely recognize the voice on the other end as mine when I bark a greeting.“James, where are we on this? I don’t want excuses. I need solutions!”The voice on the other line stammers, going on about server errors, and backup delays, but I can’t even process the words anymore. I grit my teeth, my patience unravelling like a thread.“Enough!” I snap, my voice colder than I intended. “I don’t care what you have to do—get it fixed. Now.”I hung up before he could respond and immediately called the finance team. They’re scrambling too, I know, but I don’t care. This is my responsibility, my reputation is on the line, and it feels like t
DAMIENIt’s only been a few days since that night in my office, but I can’t shake the memory of Anna—the feel of her lips, the softness of her touch, the way she held me like I was something more than a broken mess wrapped up in business suits and deadlines. I can still feel her presence, lingering like a shadow in my office, in my home, in every quiet moment that used to be reserved for the mental noise I’ve cultivated over the years. Work has only become more complicated since then, and I try to distract myself with calls and files. Yet, the harder I throw myself into my work, the more I crave her company. I keep replaying that kiss, wondering if it meant as much to her as it did to me—or if I just read too much into it like I always do. I glance at my watch. It's nearly midnight, and I’ve been hunched over my desk for hours. Numbers, data, endless calls to suppliers and disgruntled clients—it all blurs together, a wash of monotony that would usually lull me into a numb state of f
ANNAI wake up slowly, the soft light filtering through the curtains, casting gentle shadows on the room. The warmth of Damien beside me is comforting, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. I turn my head to look at him, and my heart does a little flutter. He’s asleep peaceful, relaxed, looking nothing like the stressed-out, intense man I’ve seen the past few days. His face is softened, his jaw no longer tight with tension. He’s so beautiful when he’s not worried when the weight of the world isn’t on his shoulders.I can’t help but admire him, the way his hair falls across his forehead and how his lips are slightly parted as he sleeps. He’s so different when he’s at peace. I want to memorize this moment, this quiet, intimate space we’re sharing. I run my fingers lightly along his arm, tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.I stay like that for a few minutes, just watching him, and I realize how much I want to see him happy, to
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
DAMIENLosing my father 3 months ago to a cardiac arrest was something I did not see coming. I clearly remember when I had the call from Miss Rosie our cook about my father’s attack while away on a business trip in New York, I stopped everything and headed back to Seattle within a matter of hours. Fortunately, he was still alive although on oxygen at the St.Louis Hospital I had the chance to have a conversation with him not knowing that was the last time.I arrived at the hospital in a rush immediately I landed in Seattle. I went straight to my father’s private hospital room only to find my father hooked on lots of medical equipment. My father looked very pale and weary.“Father”, I said the moment I sat next to him.He gave me a tired smile and said “My boy you came. I thought you wouldn’t be able to come see me because of your business trip.”“Dad you know you’re the most important person and the only surviving family I have. So what makes you think I won’t come see you after I got
DAMIEN“Dear Damien, I trust you’re doing very well now. I know the day you read this I will be gone to be with my beloved wife your mother. My son I am writing this letter to you to tell you how much I love you and how I want you to be happy even in my absence. Damien, I know you’ll be missing me daily as the day goes by without me by your side. But hey son do not worry I am always with you in spirit.The main reason for this letter to you is to request you to fulfil the promise you made to me during my last days on earth.My son, I want you to continue to manage the company very well to make the legacy of Donovan Media still stand tall in the whole of the United States of America, not just Seattle. I believe so much in your abilities to run the company and other businesses so please do not disappoint me.Most importantly the reason for this letter is to require you to get married to Miss Anna Smith the daughter of our driver Mr Smith who happens to be my good friend as well. Son my