"Wren, thank you very much. It was really amazing. The ice cream is very soft and delicious.”
“I told you that you won't regret going there. Are you happy? You're not bored anymore?"
"I am very happy. I am very satisfied and full.”
Lexie burst out laughing while patting her stomach. They walked up the stairs in front of the main door of Rafe's mansion. When getting out of Wren's car, Lexie saw Amora's flashy pink car still parked in the car port. She was curious about the business they were talking about in Rafe's study. She and Wren had even been gone for about two hours, and the business between Rafe and Amora wasn't over yet.
"I think I'm going home. Tonight I have a night shift schedule at the hospital.”
"Don't work too much. Take more frequent breaks so that you recover fully.”
“I've recovered, Lexie. See you again."
Lexie froze when Wren suddenly kissed the corner of her lips. Her eyes bulged open, while Wren seemed to en
The night was really quiet and still in the house. Lexie sat on her bed fully clothed. A high-necked sweeter, tight jeans and boots. All of them are attributes to protect her body from the cold air at night. This week she is in late fall. Next week she will have a winter with more extreme weather and colder air piercing her skin. She better get out of this house right now, before she won't be able to move anywhere anymore because of the weather and her growing pregnancy. Now she doesn't have a baby bump yet. The baby is safely hidden under a warm oversized sweeter. But she added a parka jacket for extra warmth. And now she was really ready for an escape. Lexie got out of bed. The sheet she had found in her closet had turned into a backpack. She had studied the trick of tying cloth in art class in high school. And luckily it became useful for her current escape. She had tied the ends of the sheets in a dead knot. Put in a few pieces of clothing she needs, then tie the top aga
“I paid you a lot, bitch! You should be able to serve me well.” Rafe grabbed the woman's auburn hair so hard that her head tilted upwards. The woman whimpered in pain, begging to be released from Rafe's rough grip. But Rafe didn't seem content with throwing the harshest curses at her and kept hurting her until the man next to him tried to help the poor woman. "Let her go, Rafe. You've crossed the line." "Don't cross your line, Wren. This woman really needs to be punished for robbing my money for such a terrible service.” "She has tried his best. You who are never satisfied with all the things they do to you.” Wren sighed heavily and pulled Rafe's hand away. He motioned for the poor woman to leave their room immediately because Rafe could have had a worse tantrum. "She's not the first woman you've treated like that. Every day you always feel dissatisfied with every woman who tries to serve you well. It's as if you're taking all your ang
“Hey Lexie, have done last week's homework from Mr. Kirkey?" “Essays about cases of violence against children? I've been working on it since last week. Today Mr. Kirkey asked me to do a presentation in front of the class.” "Oh shit. You're a smart girl who's too diligent. I wanted to borrow your homework." Harley groaned in annoyance as she threw her ass on the chair. She looked at Lexie pitifully while observing her friends who were busy making impromptu essays. Half of the students in this class have at least copied the essays of the other half of the class. One essay for two students, it's still quite reasonable. Mr. Kirkey will not be suspicious if he finds an essay that is almost similar. But it also makes it even harder for Harley to get cheats from good-natured friends. Her only hope was Lexie. And it seems that now she has no hope and has to surrender if this semester she will get a C or worst an E from Mr. Kirkey. “I… happened to be free last
"Today I have a day off, you can take my car to campus and don't need to take the bus." Kaella ate a piece of bacon off her plate while looking at Lexie who was drinking her milk. They were all gathered at the dining table for a breakfast ritual that was not to be missed. Even the little Archer was there now. He was sitting in his chair, eating scrambled eggs and avocado. "Wow, thanks Kaella. You are so kind. I might soon buy a used car for my mobility while on campus. The longer I do the more tasks. Sometimes I have to go to the bookstore or do case studies at the hospital. So I really need a car for my increasingly congested mobility.” "I'm sorry that I can't lend you a car often. Since I was appointed assistant branch manager, I have to go around the store checking our outlets to out of town.” "It's ok. I know how busy you are at the store. Besides, now I have enough savings to buy a used car. I'm also going to buy a new car seat for Archer so I ca
Rafe lowered his window, staring at the simple minimalist-style two-story house painted in light brown. There is a small yard in front of the house overgrown with summer flowers. The courtyard had a low wooden fence separating it from the sidewalk in front of it. But beside the house, Rafe could see a closed courtyard which was wide enough to just relax and enjoy the warm summer sun. Rafe could imagine Lexie sitting on a chaise longue, basking in the sun for an exotic tan. She would be completely naked, without clothes, and only pale skin scorched by the sun. Incredibly sexy! When someone came out of the house with a cell phone slung over her shoulder, Rafe rolled up his car window and smirked. Lexie just got into her car. A silver mazda that is very fitting for a woman like her. So Lexie had been living well these three years in South Carolina? Lexie left him with all the anger and so much frustration, while she's having fun here with her new life? Rafe snorted sarc
His cute voice and slightly slurred accent shook Rafe's heart. This is his son. His biological son. Rafe couldn't stop repeating those words in his heart. He stood rooted outside the fence, his lips suddenly pursed to say something. And the boy was still looking at him curiously. “Grandpa is going to church.” Grandpa? Rafe thought for a moment before he understood where this boy was talking. He was talking about Lexie's father. "Are you looking for mommy?" "No." Rafe's voice was flat. He didn't even understand why he could be this cold when he was face to face with the kid he had longed for all along. "Are you looking for aunt Ella?" It must be because the name Kaella is so difficult to pronounce with his slurred tongue, he has made it easier to pronounce the name Kaella to Ella. Rafe crouched in front of him, level with his petite body. The two of them were only separated by a wooden fence that was almost the same hei
Justin's Range Rover had just roared loudly past Lexie's house. Rafe didn't speak or move as long as Justin wasn't completely out of his way. He wanted this conversation to be private just between him and Lexie. "What do you want, Rafe?" "Where are you taking him?" Rafe made a gesture to point at Archer who was jumping on every checkered tile in the living room. "I'll take him to day care. No one to look after him at home today" "Then let's take him to day care before we talk. Do you have a car seat for him?” "I'll get it inside." For a moment Lexie hesitated to leave Rafe with Archer. But seeing Rafe's reaction, which was calmer than she expected, made Lexie decide to trust Rafe to look after Archer for a while while she took his car seat. “Hey kiddo, why are you jumping around like a bunny?” "Because I like it. Mommy forbade me to jump up and down. Especially when jumping from a high place to a lower place. Though I l
Lexie had just arrived at campus after getting off the bus. She saw several students staring at her scornfully. She didn't have any bad feelings and just continued walking towards her class. Sometimes some students do look at her cynically because she is close to Justin. She didn't mind it at all because so far they had never hurt her. Maybe it's just some cheap gossip that's spread all over the campus about her. But it is always quickly forgotten when new, hotter gossips come to replace the old ones. Lexie continued walking towards her class without any inkling. She filled her mind with more positive vibes today because now she has nothing to worry about anymore. Rafe had agreed to let Archer be with her. She would not feel anxious anymore if Rafe's men came to look for her. Last night for the first time they went for a walk to the shopping center. Lexie, Rafe and Archer. They seem like a sweet harmonious family. Rafe carried an Archer who was fussy about this and t
Lexie watched Rafe leave in silence. Guilt gripped her heart because Rafe saw her with Justin. Although it is unlikely that anything will happen between her and Justin, but Rafe seems quite jealous of their closeness. She was just grateful that Xena was sleeping soundly now. She couldn't imagine what would have happened if it had been Xena. "Come on Lexie. We have to hurry because we have wasted quite a bit of time.” Justin led her to the elevator. His arms were still slung over her shoulders and he pressed the lobby button for both of them after the elevator doors closed. "Is he still rude?" "What?" Lexie asked looking up. "Your husband. I used to see you cry because of that man. Is he still as rude as before?” "Sometimes." Lexie answered half dreamily. No marriage is absolutely flawless. There are always fights and arguments in every marriage relationship. Even she couldn't keep herself away from all domestic troubles. Rafe or Xena h
"Dance with me, lady?"Lexie looked up, left her cherry juice and smiled gently at the man who had just reached out in front of her. She didn't waste the opportunity to dance with this handsome man and took his outstretched hand in front of her face."Of course. It's an amazing party and I can't miss dancing with a guy like you." Lexie smiled gently.The man led her to the center of the ballroom, joining another couple who had already started their dance. His wide palm gripped Lexie's tiny palm which was so soft. He smiled widely at everyone, as if he was celebrating his success in persuading a princess to dance with him."Beautiful music. Thank you for asking me to dance."Lexie pressed herself against the man, holding on to his sturdy shoulders and they began to move in sync with the melodious classical music. The soft violins play beautiful notes with the rest of the orchestra. Lexie closed her eyes while following every movement made by her dan
Tonight was really fun for Rafe because he was in the midst of a harmonious complete family. There is a father-in-law who is so kind to him, a lover or a future wife or maybe his wife and an adorable son. They had dinner together happily at the dining table. There were loud laughter from his father-in-law and spoiled whimpers from Archer if Lexie started forbidding him to do this and that. Everything seemed so good to Rafe that he was reluctant to return to his miserable life in New York. If he could, he wanted to be in the midst of this family forever. And in order to make his wish come true, he needed to improve the conditions between himself and Lexie. He needed to make it clear to Lexie that he wanted a complete family and didn't want to live apart like he used to. “Archer is asleep?” Rafe deliberately waited for Lexie in front of her bedroom. Tonight he was supposed to sleep in Kaella's room, but he hadn't been in Kaella’s room since then and had just stood by t
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at Lexie's beautiful two-story house filled with various kinds of plants in the front yard. Rafe was almost surprised to see so much change in the house. The last time he came here, the house had no woody trees. But now the front of Lexie's house was filled with giant pots filled with woody trees that were struggling to grow into giant-sturdy trees. The flowers that were once only planted in two small pots, have grown into a bunch of colorful flowers that have been transplanted into the ground. "There have been a lot of changes in this house." “My father used the garden next to the house as a garage because it wasn't safe to park the car just on the side of the road. Sometimes there are naughty children who scribble on the car body with spray paint. Some time ago our neighbor was screaming hysterically because his Mercedes Benz had been scribbled with a series of obscene swear words.” “Your father has done the right thing as
Rafe stepped off the plane and was greeted by a light drizzle in late summer. The soothing scent of wet earth relaxes him for a moment. A little man who will be his driver today to go to Lexie's house has just opened an umbrella near the plane steps, getting ready to umbrella him. Rafe actually had absolutely no problem walking in the rain. This is really refreshing and can wash away a little bit of his anxiety that is thickening more and more. "Thank you. Before we go to Lexie's house, I will pick up my son at his day care. He'll be home in thirty minutes." The man nodded after handing the umbrella handle to him. Rafe walked slowly behind the man to his car which was parked near the hangar. He inhaled strongly the scent of summer which was about to fade and be replaced by the cold, gray scent of autumn. Time flies so fast, and he hasn't been able to summon Xena back so he can surface like he used to. "Please come in, sir." The man grabbed the handle
Lexie stepped aside for a moment from the commotion of the bridal shower which was really noisy and excited. Tomorrow morning Kaella will marry her lover, and today will be her last day as a single. So everyone was excited to have a party in one of the finest suits at a five-star hotel in Charleston. Her cell phone has been ringing loudly ever since. She had ignored the call because she was pinning the crown for the bride-to-be and taking pictures with the rest of Kaella's friends. Now she would pick up Rafe's call and talk to him because Rafe must have called her for something important. “Hi Honey, sorry for not picking up your call. I was at Kaella's bridal shower. It's very noisy in here. Tomorrow you will come to her wedding right?” Lexie finally found a comfortable and quiet place to talk to Rafe. While everyone was partying like crazy in Kaella's suit room. She has a balcony which is very quiet and with a beautiful view of the city of Charleston. Folly Beach wa
Xena looked to the side, at the statue of the cross that soared up to the church ceiling. He imagined the look on his face that looked ridiculous as he said those bullshit words. There is no love in his heart. It should be like that. But strangely he felt love when he was with Lexie. At first he felt loved, and more and more he felt like loving. It was the most complicated reciprocal relationship he had ever experienced. His week-long trip to Chicago wasn't strictly business. He purposely distanced himself from Lexie to reflect on all this. Does he really love Lexie? Did he really want to be with Lexie forever? And after a week of excruciating contemplation, he finally came to the one answer that he wanted all of that. He wanted to love Lexie, he wanted to be with Lexie, and he wanted to make Lexie happy. Unfortunately this body does not belong to him. He couldn't be selfish by removing Rafe forever from this body. And he had to do something to fix all of this."Xena... are y
There are so many things that it can sometimes be confusing to the point of misleading. Some of them sometimes appear in the form of secrets that are difficult to understand. Like Xena and Rafe who are very elusive. Even though they live in the same body, they have two separate elements. Had they come together, the two of them would probably have been a formidable fusion of two elements. It would create a man with the perfect personality. It should be like that. But in reality it is not easy to unite two elements that are already separated.Lexie stood on the balcony alone looking up at the starry night sky. Tonight the air is very warm, suddenly she couldn't sleep because she was thinking about many things. First she thought of Xena who suddenly disappeared without a word. The rest of the day she spent thinking about the man's whereabouts now and the possibility if Xena and Rafe fused into one unified element. It would definitely be great if they could unite to occupy their
"Wren! I can't believe it's you." Lexie hugged Wren very tightly after she opened the front door wide and told Wren to come in. It's really an unexpected surprise that she can meet Wren who is now super busy. After a week of living in New York, Lexie finally got to meet Wren. "Long time no see and you are getting more beautiful and sexy." Wren chuckled as he patted Lexie's shoulder a few times. God only knows how badly he missed this woman. He had lost track of Lexie ever since Lexie disappeared and Rafe gave him a stern warning not to try to get someone to track her down. "You say I'm sexy? No way. I got fatter after giving birth. Come in." "But you actually look sexier. You used to be so skinny, you know. I prefer your new look." Wren studied Lexie's body from head to toe. Her long hair has now been cut shorter with a very beautiful wavy style at the ends. Lexie gained weight of course because her arms and curves were now more beautiful than