The toy..After taking a break from work, I spent most of my time with her, occasionally stretching my back on the bed. To keep her company, I brought my laptop, and we watched movies together. I also bought a deck of cards, and we played games. She wasn’t like the woman in the diary; though I could see some traces of her former self, she had changed. Coma does actually change one. It gives you enough time to reflect on your actions.Whenever I forgot I was Aria, I enjoyed her company. But when I remembered how she felt about me, my heart sank. So, I did what I was very good at—locking it all up.She asked me to buy her a novel, a romance about two people from different worlds with different powers who were never meant to be. She said it had hooked her before she entered the coma, and she wanted to finish it. It hurt me that she seemed to remember everything except that I survived.After hours of reading, the sun had been replaced by the moon, its warm air by a cold breeze.“How doe
The CEO..Zach swayed around in his swivel chair, chair, having a conversation with his mother. Mother. From his smile, smile, II could tell it was a nice conversation that made me feel like mothers were actually better.I suddenly disagreed when Lucy’s mother came to mind. . making me pity Lucy, Lucy, who was putting putting up with, her, but it wasn’t deep since I knew what she wanted and what her mother wanted weren’t far apart."Alright, talk to you later," Zach said. He dropped his phone on his cluttered desk, the screen dimming as it landed atop a stack of paperwork. Zach leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.He turned to face me, his brow furrowed. "Why do you think your father said no?" he asked.I rubbed my chin, my fingers tapping lightly against his desk. “Maybe it's because Zeetech hasn’t gotten enough recognition," I said as I sat up, leaning forward. "My father is a kleptomaniac for power. Maybe it’s not just about profits."I had pondered for two days straigh
The CEO..My eyes flickered slowly as I caught a whiff of a beautiful food aroma. My eyes sprang open, realizing I was at home—there was no way Lucy could have made something that smelled this nice.I scurried to the kitchen, still in my pajamas. My eyes were greeted by the sight of various dishes that looked as good as they smelled.“What are we celebrating?” I questioned her as soon as Lucy walked in, her smile brighter than her blonde hair.“Our new beginning,” she replied, helping me settle into a dining seat and then sitting down next to me. “I hired the chef back,” she added.The news gladdened my heart. Finally, I could have a nice meal at home.I poured the chicken sauce onto the rice before scooping it into my mouth. Its beautiful taste melted on my tongue.Lucy stared at me like something was stuck in her throat.“What is it?” I questioned. If she kept looking at me like that, I was going to choke sooner or later.“About last night,” she began. “Did you really mean what yo
The toy...Jessie took a leave from work, stating that she was unwell. I decided to visit her and properly package some broth for her. Then I went to her house.I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. I waited for a while before Jessie came and opened up. Her pale face greeted me. "Why do you look like a lifeless pillow?" I teased.She forced a smile and leaned on the door. I raised the bag in my hand and said with a smile, "I made some broth.""Thank you," she said with a feeble voice as she collected the bag from me.We both went inside, the warmth of her home replacing the chill from the cool air outside. I sank into the couch in the living room, its cushions soft and welcoming, while Jessie slowly walked to the kitchen to put the broth away.She walked to the living room and joined me on the couch. "How are you feeling?" I asked her."Well, I'm not dead," she said with a faint chuckle.Her hand, seemingly unconsciously, kept twisting her hair. I could tell that something
The toy...I dashed through the hospital doors, my heart pounding in my chest. The world around me- people, sound -all a blur. I gasped for breath, the air thick with something too dreadful to discern. I rushed towards the reception desk."My mother, Ms. Smith," I spoke out, my voice trembling. "Where is she?" I questioned, wishing the call was an imagination; no doctor called me, and my mother was still lying on the hospital bed--reading her novel.The nurse behind the desk looked up, her eyes filled with a sorrow that made my stomach drop. "I'm so sorry," she said softly. "Your mother... she didn't make it."Her words hit me like a punch. Despite the light, everything seemed dark. My legs failed me, and I collapsed onto the cold, hard floor. "No," I whispered, my voice breaking. "No." A throat-ripping scream escaped my throat, but that didn’t even ease a bit of the pain.Tears streamed down my face as sobs wracked my body. The pain was unbearable—a raw agony that tore through me.
The CEO..The news shook the media, with every headline announcing we had welcomed a new shareholder, attributing to me and Lucy’s marriage. Many assumed this meant our marriage was drawing nearer. I dropped my tablet on the desk and leaned back on my chair. Frustration welled up beneath every inch of my skin, leaving no space for comfort. This wasn’t the right time for Binky to see this—not like there was ever a right time.The door opened, my attention shifting to Zach, who casually strode in. He sank into the other swivel chair across my desk.“You’ve made it to headlines again,” Zach commented, the corner of his lips rising. “At least we have made progress. We have thirty-five percent now. All we need is the remaining twenty percent. Lucy would be mortified when you took control.” He added.I have had no interest in seizing people’s company. But I really had to punish Lucy and her mother for disgracing my Binky. And lately, I can’t help but wonder if something is suspicious. “
The CEO..The tension in the lounge grew almost thicker as Mr. Greyford and I locked eyes, each of us unwilling to look away. His gaze was searing with intense hatred. My eyes were cloaked with irritation and defiance at the escalating confrontation. The music that filled the lounge faded.“Tracy told me about your scheming to take your father down,” Mr. Greyford said, taking a sip from his drink. “But I’m not buying any of that nonsense.”A glance at his bottle made me raise my brows; it was the same as my mom’s favorite. I couldn’t understand how he was able to enjoy a drink with such a harsh, unbearable taste.“You want to know why?” He asked, his eyes fixed on me.“From my perspective, you’re just like your father,” he continued, his gaze stern. “All of this is just a ploy to obtain more and more power for the Wesley family.”Tracy chuckled, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. Her smile seemed forced, revealing her unease despite the lighthearted sound of her laug
The toy ..I flung the diary halfway across my room, my chest heaving with pain and anger. I didn’t even know what to trust anymore. In my diary, my mother was the villain, and in her words, I deserved everything I get.I glared at the letter on my bed. I hadn’t opened it—I had no courage to open it. Probably about how she adored Ariel—how only Ariel suffered. And for me, as usual, nothing. I deserve nothing.Jessie entered the room with a tray of food in her hands. Her eyes fell on the book before shifting to me, reflecting concern. “I made breakfast for you to eat.” She dropped on the bed next to me.Although my stomach yearned for food, my mouth protested. I stared at the food blankly; it looked good, but I still had no appetite. “I’m not hungry,” I rubbed my heavy sleep-deprived eyes. Anytime I closed them, my mother’s words and the things in the diary haunted my mind.Jessie sat beside me. “I know you are mourning, but you need strength to mourn.” Concern is thinning her voice