CHASE COLES I walk down the stairs, holding my tie in my hand for my mother to make a knot for me. I reach the last staircase where I meet her and she immediately possesses the tie in her hands before she hangs it around my neck and make a fine knot, but not as perfect as Ariel’s knot. “You don’t look like a married man anymore, Chase,” My mother announces. “I’m divorced, remember,” I remind her. “But still, you do not look like you have a girlfriend. You do not look neat. The way you are dressing lately just seems out of place,” I think my mother is exaggerating. This is how I dressed before I got married to Ariel. “There is nothing wrong with how I wear,” “Well, I am just saying that Ariel knew how to dress you, and I can feel her absence now,” I sigh. “Mom, did she seem weird to you the last time she was here?” I ask. I am unable to shake off the feeling that something was offish with her when I last saw her. The words she even said to me are still lingering in my head, a
Pregnant!?” Chase exclaimed, unable to fathom the news. He wasn’t happy nor angry. He was caught by surprise, and his reaction caused a frown on Monica’s face. “You are not happy about it, are you?” She sadly noted.“No… I mean, I am just surprised. We just never spoke about having kids, so I am not sure how to take the news, but I can assure you, I am not angry or disappointed. I got you pregnant, so I will take responsibility. I will do everything right.” Chase pulled Monica into his chest and embraced her. Monica exhaled and smiled happily. “How far are you?” Chase asked. “Uh, just a couple of weeks,” Monica quickly dismissed the question, not wanting to dwell on it too much. Monica knows how far exactly she is, but wouldn’t want to jeopardise her relationship with Chase because if Chase realises that the weeks of her pregnancy and the time they started sleeping together do not collide, she might lose him for good this time. Chase never slept with Monica until the divorce wa
Love can be hard to find, but when it comes to you, you can either accept it or ignore it. For some reasons, some people are courageous enough to confront it, while others cowardice behind their past. Chase had no reason to get angry at Ariel for being pregnant with another man’s baby, and definitely had no right to tell her to terminate it. Ariel wanted to correct herself to him and admit that he made her pregnant, but after realising that Chase was happy she said no, she felt defeat and lost for words. Hearing the man she loved say all those mean things to her made her hate the man standing in front of her. She was unable to stand him, so she threw things at him to make him leave her sight. As soon as Chase left, she cried herself to sleep, but was later woken up by the doorbell which she intended to ignore, but her phone rang, causing her to go down and quickly open the door before it was broken down. “Dad!” She exclaimed at her father who barged into her home like a cop search
Chase stood tall and proud, his broad shoulders giving him an imposing presence. His features were strong and sharp, with deep-set eyes that rarely smiled. His jaw was square and firm, his lips set in a straight line. His demeanour was serious and focused, giving the impression that he was always in control. He was the type of man who commanded respect, and rarely gave it in return. His nose was straight and narrow, with a slight bump at the bridge. His eyebrows were thick and dark, adding to his intense gaze. His skin was tanned and weathered, with a small scar at the end of his brow that gave him a rugged look. His hands were large and calloused, with short, blunt nails. He was a man who was not afraid to get his hands dirty, and it showed in every aspect of his appearance. As Chase punched the heavy bag at the gym, he thought about Ariel’s betrayal. He couldn’t believe that she could do this to him. He had given her everything, well, except for love and the treatment she deserved,
MONICA SANTINO I’m sitting in the kitchen, fiddling with my cup of tea, when I hear the door open and footsteps approaching. I know it’s Caleb before he even enters the room because I am in his secret apartment, what used to be our safe spot. I can feel my stomach churning, my palms start to sweat, and I feel like I might throw up. I take a deep breath as he walks in, trying to steel myself for what’s about to come. “I can’t believe you did this to me,” he says, his voice low and menacing. “What the hell were you thinking?” "I was thinking that we were in love," I say, my voice trembling. "I was thinking that you wanted this as much as I did. I was thinking that we could have a future together." Caleb stares at me, his eyes cold and hard. "You knew I was seeing other people," he says. "You knew I wasn't looking for anything serious, especially from you!" I shake my head. "I thought that was just a front because your brother was not even sure about me," I say. "I thought you wer
Chase was in his office at the mansion, catching up with his work when grandfather interrupted him by entering the office, setting down on the couch, and demanding to speak with him. Chase couldn’t make any excuses even if he wanted to because he knew how persistent his grandfather was, so if he wanted to get rid of him fast, he would have to listen to whatever he had to say to him. “Your father tended to do the opposite of whatever thing I told him. Throughout every man in this family that held this company was ever forced to marry who they had no relationship with,” Grandfather started. “I wasn’t forced!” Chase quickly disputed. “Whatever that was, the point is, you still got married, Chase, and on top of what I was saying, we never divorced,” “Grandfather, you and grandmother are divorced, so what is your point?” “My point is h loved her for many years and we had kids together. Your father was amongst them, may his soul rest in peace. Your grandmother took both your aunt and
Chase was finally home, and he had a little too much to drink. He looked at both Monica and Caleb, who are startled by his presence. Monica quickly ran up to Chase and hugged him, deeply anxious and hoping that he wasn’t standing there for too long to have heard her conversation with Caleb. “Chase, where have you been? I was so worried about you!” Monica whined as she laid her head on his chest. Chase could not stand straight for more than ten seconds, so he staggered back as Monica’s weight felt heavy on him. “Whoa, Chase! Have you been drinking?” She asked, but Chase giggled. “Where have you been? Have you been drinking?” Chase mimicked Monica and laughed again. “Not even my wife had ever asked me that. You are a funny one,” “Your ex-wife, and I am not her!” Monica retorted furiously. “You will never be her. She brought me peace, at least,” Chase said as he started staggering towards the stairs. “How dare you compare me to that fat pig?” “Monica, let him be. He might not ha
ARIEL It is a cold morning in London, and I am still in Chase’s grandmother’s house. I am still in the guestroom, not ready to face her, but I am deeply hoping that she has changed her mind about me staying her. I just want her to at least believe me and convince Chase that these are his babies. Yes, he divorced me, but I do not want him to neglect his kids. His mother and grandmother already turned their backs on me. His grandmother was my only hope, but now, if she also turns against me, then I’ll be doomed. I’ll have no choice but to face everything alone. The knock on the door causes me to jerk out of my thoughts. I get up from the bed to get the door. It is the servant by the name Elizabeth whom I met yesterday when I arrived. “Good morning, Ariel. I was asked to come and see if you are awake. Breakfast is ready, and you will be joining the family as they expect you to come and eat with them,” She explains. The family, she says. The only time I have ever seen this family was