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
The toy ..My hands rested on my thighs, and my eyes fixed on the diary. Every muscle on my face twitched. I couldn’t even bring myself to finish a page. The buzz of the door echoed through the house, followed by the sound of his footsteps. With each step, my heart pounded harder.“Hey—“ He swallowed his remaining words as his eyes fell on the diary and the picture on the center table.I couldn’t face him; I couldn’t let this weak heart of mine plead on his behalf. Damon settled in the seat across me, rubbing his hands together. “I can explain,” he muttered, averting his gaze to the floor.“There is no need for that. I finally understand it now. All this while, I thought you couldn’t use warm words.” My eyes—red and pained—pierced through him. “It’s just that I didn’t deserve it.” My words came out strained as a crushing pain gripped my vocal cords.“It was Ariel. It has always been Ariel, and it will always be Ariel.” I stared blankly at Damon. My chest was on fire as I faced my
The CEO..I slipped into the car, my body trembling. I had ruined it all. The pain I saw in her eyes still terrorized me. I wanted to slam the dashboard, but I couldn’t. I wanted to go back, hold her, and call her name, but I couldn’t.My phone buzzed, and I saw her message: “I’m going; you won’t have to be reminded of Ariel.”My heart raced, and my pulse quickened. Images of her holding a knife to her wrist flooded my mind. I had seen something like that.I bolted out of the car, fear pushing me towards the house. I keyed in the password, and the door was unlocked. “Binky!” I yelled, my eyes frantically darting around the apartment as I searched for her.I headed to the kitchen. The sight of pills scattered across the slab and the opening of the bottle of alcohol made my heart race—each beat pounding panic into my bloodstream.Haunting thoughts gnawed at my mind as I made my way to her room. Each step—urgent and desperate.My eyes fell on the bed—she wasn’t there—then at the bat
Lucy ..Laying on my bed, tossing and turning, sleep seemed like a faraway dream. Damon's words echoed in my head repeatedly, making it impossible to find any peace. Every time I tried to close my eyes, his voice returned, louder and more insistent. The room felt stifling, the silence cramping down on me. I found myself chewing sweets through the night in order to ease the excruciating ache in my neck. The sugary treats were a small comfort, a brief distraction from the relentless discomfort and the restless storm of my thoughts. The night felt endless.My jaws were sore, but his dark promises kept echoing in my mind. The look in his eyes still haunted me. I got up from the bed, whispering to myself, “How did everything go so wrong? It was finally coming together.” I bit my fingers, pacing around my room.I grabbed my phone and dialed a number. After ringing a few times, a voice answered, “Hello, ma’am. We’re on it, keeping a close watch.”“Forget that. Stop the surveillance for no
The toy...It's been two days since I left the hospital. The house, once a haven of warmth and laughter, now felt cloaked in sadness. Each room seemed to echo with an oppressive silence, amplifying the void left by recent events. The kitchen, usually a bustling heart of activity, stood eerily still, devoid of the comforting aromas of home-cooked meals.In the living room, the sunlight that filtered through the windows felt weak and distant, unable to penetrate the heavy gloom that had settled. The photographs on the mantel, once vibrant reminders of joy, now seemed like relics from a different life, their smiles frozen in time. Every step I took felt heavy as if the house itself was drowning in sorrows alongside me. Jessie was out of town and had recommended I stay at her house, hoping a change of scenery might provide some relief. I sank myself into my bed, knowing the futility of it all. It wasn’t the house that was cursed; it was me. The sadness emanated from within, an unshaka
The CEO . . Mr. Brian's eyes brightened, and he leaned forward, his fingers tapping continuously on the desk. "So you want me to sell the five percent share of Beckham Construction that I own to you?" he asked, a striking energy in his voice. He seemed to have more to gain than me."Yes," I said firmly, my lips tightening and my eyes narrowing slightly. "And what do I get in return?" he asked with a wide, mischievous smile. That made my skin crawl, and I couldn’t help but hate it "10 percent of Twinkle Company. Twinkle is the biggest jewelry brand in the country, pulling in higher revenue than Beckham Construction. I’m also offering a larger share. I think that’s a pretty good deal," I said, hardly masking the eye roll and the tightness in my jaw as I spoke Mr. Brian waved off the offer with a heedless manner. With a cold, measured glare, I said to Mr. Brian, “It would be wise to rethink my offer.” I tapped my hand against the table. “Or perhaps you can come up with something b
The toy...My eyes widened as I stared at his beautiful face, partially lit by the disco lights. His eyes bored into mine, quickening my heart. For maybe three seconds—maybe more—we stood staring at each other as though it were a contest—the first to look away fails. The bright lights, and the loud music around me—all quickly disappeared into oblivion. And as usual, my weak heart disappointed me, and I averted my gaze.Damon gripped my hand, and my pulse rate hiked. Warmth, one I needed not to feel, traveled from my point of contact to my heart, offering delusional comfort. I struggled to release myself from his grip, but his grip tightened, and he pulled me closer, our bodies mere inches apart. I breathe in his cologne.His warmth.Damon yelled, “Follow me.” He turned around and pulled me, paving the way among the crowd with his tall, broad physique.Leading me into a private room. The silence relieved me from the raging sound from the previous spot. The neon light that decorate