I stumbled down the drenched streets of LA, my clothes clinging to me, heavy and soaked from the rain. Although the downpour had stopped, a bitter chill remained, and each raindrop that lingered felt like an icy needle pressing into my skin.
Wrapping my arms tightly around myself, I shivered as a cold wind sliced through the empty streets. As I dragged my heavy feet forward, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a foggy storefront window and for a moment, I froze, staring at the massive figure staring back at me. My eyes roamed over my face, my chest, then to my entire body, and a weary, hollow expression grace onto my face. As I looked at my own reflection, for the first time in my life, I hated what I saw. I hated myself. I hated the way I looked and the way I felt, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Growing up, I’d been teased mercilessly by family members and even mates for my plus-size figure, but I’d found solace in the belief that there were at least three people who didn’t care about how I looked—my parents and my best friend, Kingsley. But I used to think they were just trying not to make me feel bad but when I met Lance…everything changed. He also claimed he loved me for who I was and I believed him. I….I really thought he saw me beyond appearances, that he loved me for who I was, not for some shallow ideal of beauty. But the harsh truth in his words earlier tonight had shattered that illusion. He cared, after all….and he was just like all of them. And hearing him admit it…it hurt more than I could have ever imagined. I closed my eyes, trying to drown out his voice echoing in my head, but the questions gnawed at me, tearing through the silence like knives. “What if I were different? What if I looked like Ashley, slender and model-like? Would he have treated me any better? Would he have looked only at me and no one else? Would we have had a different ending and live happily?” The questions lingered, twisting inside me with answers I didn’t have. Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the figure stumbling toward me until he was almost upon me. A foul stench of alcohol filled the air, sharp and nauseating, and I looked up, only to find a man with bloodshot eyes staring down at me, swaying unsteadily. He seemed to be in his mid-fifties, tall, broad-shouldered, with a balding head that gleamed under the city lights. "Hey there, pretty lady," he slurred towards my side, his words dripping with sweetness as he swayed on his feet. In one staggering motion, he yanked my hand, pulling me closer to him. A gasp escaped my lip and my heart thudded widely against my chest. I had never felt this kind of terror before, not even when I was asked to sign the divorce papers or when I was thrown out of the house by my in-laws with nothing. But being in the grip of a drunken stranger who reeked of danger and had a crazed glint in his eyes—left me frozen, my breath caught in my throat. I glanced around, hoping someone would step in, but the few passersby who noticed only spared quick, disinterested glances, probably assuming we were a couple having a heated arguement. Frustration boiled within me as I looked back at this leering stranger, furious that I was trapped, furious at him, at myself, at this entire miserable night. why was he like this to me? “ Let go of me,” I spat, trying to wrench my arm from his grip but he only tightened his hold on me with his arm curling around my waist and his dirty fingers digging into my skin which brought nothing but irritation to me. “ Aw, don't be like that,” he mouthed a kiss at me and I could feel his hot and foul breath against my face. “ Just trying to keep you company, sweetheart and I promise I will give you a very good rewards for your time.” What the heck! I couldn't believe what exactly was happening. I think I must have unloads a pack of misfortune boxes today as bad things just keep happening to me and to even makes it worst…it.. it's now a drunkard that is trying to harassed me now. My stomach was twisted with fear and even disgust at the sound of his words: “ I will give you a very good rewards for your time.” What did he think of me? A prostitute? I pulled harder, trying to free myself. "I said let go of me," but he refused to let go. Panic surged through me like a wild fire and without a second thought, I balled my fist, swung it at him and gave him a very hard punch in his face. I watched him as he let me go Immediately and he began to staggered backwards, clutching his nose as he hit the ground. “Ow! You crazy…” he writhed in a pain amd for a second I felt a little bad as I saw blood running out of his nose but what brought me back to my senses was when he held his stomach, then to another prt of his body, screaming in pain as o If I had hit him in multiple places. Wow, this dude was a real actor….. But I didn't really have much for his drama, so I decided to leave him but my consciousness would not let me. I retracted my steps to ask him if he was alright but the approaching sound of sirens make me stop at me track and before I knew what was happening, two police officers rushed towards us, as they thought something big happened. "What's going on here?" one of them demanded, looking between me and the drunkard on the ground. But before I could say any word, that drunkard beat me to it. "Officer, thank God you’re here! She attacked me!" he whined, still groaning in pain. "She punched me out of nowhere….oh God...I think.. I think she broke my ribs!" He groaned as he pointed a shaky finger at me. Like seriously…. My eyes widened in disbelief as I could not believe that he could tell such a lie when he was the one that tried to molest me. “Broke your ribs? What the hell are you saying? I barely touched you and I only hit your face for crying out loud.” Turning back the the officers. “No, that's not true! He tried to harass me. I was just defending myself!" The officers exchanged glances, clearly skeptical about what I said. "Sir, are you hurt?" one of them asked the drunkard as he approached him and bend to his level. He nodded, still clutching his stomach. "Yes, she hit me hard. I can bareIy breath, so please I need a doctor." I was beyond shocked as I watched the live drama that was happening before me and before I knew what was happening…. "Ma'am, you're under arrest for assault," the other officer said, stepping towards me and while I retracted my step in fear, but he quickly grabbed my arm. "But I didn't do anything wrong! He was the one who…….." My protests were cut short as the officer suddenly pulled my arms behind my back and cuffed my wrists. "You have the right to remain silent," the other one added, his was voice cold and detached. I felt hot tears streaming down my face as I had been wrongly accused of what I didn't do. This couldn't be happening to me right now again. It was all a terrible mistake. I tried to tell them about what really happened but they didn't even listen to my side of story as they were fixated on the man who claimed to be injured. One of them led me to the police car while the other one called an ambulance. As I was pushed into the back seat, I looked out at the dark, empty street and remembered how my life had fallen apart in a matter of hours. Now, I was being taken to a place I never imagined I'd be.I sat on the hard chair of the dimly lit police station with my hands trembling. I had never been to this place and what scared me most about this place was the the loud voices of thugs and criminals. And yet, here I was, caught between regret and humiliation, surrounded by strangers and criminals. I swallowed hard, trying to remind myself that not everyone here was guilty of being here. After all, I wasn’t either. One of the cops from earlier returned and sat across from me, holding a clipboard. His stare was unyielding as he tapped his pen against the paper, a hint of impatience lining his face. “Alright, miss. You need to call someone,” he said, his tone brusque. “You’re facing assault charges.” “ Assault charges?” I repeated and my heart sank as I had no one to call but I couldn't really think of anyone to call…no one except for the family that threw me out and the husband that abandoned me. And only a person without self respect or pride will even think of doing such and tho
After four long years of endurance, endless nights of tears, and the quiet, gnawing ache of one-sided love, here I was—divorced, broken, but not defeated. Eight months ago, I had thought my marriage to Lance left me with nothing but scars and regrets. Yet, as I cradled my daughter Bella, watching her tiny face as she slept, I realized she was my unexpected miracle, my blessing born from pain. Bella yawned softly, her pink, toothless mouth stretching as her tiny hand instinctively reached up, gripping my finger. My heart swelled at the sight of it, remembering the intensity of her birth. The labor pain was like fire coursing through my veins, far more excruciating than anything my mother had described when I wasn still pregnant. But holding Bella now, I felt every ounce of that pain was worth it. I'm now back to my parents house, it was a difficult journey but I'm still trying to reclaim my life back, especially when my parents had lied to everyone that their daughter was studying in
I looked at my father and for a moment I was speechless, disbelief freezing my words. I also glanced at Mom, hoping—no, pleading—for a sign that this was some twisted misunderstanding. But her face mirrored Dad’s expression: as if I was demanding for a child I never have…as I I was crazy, that was how they are looking at me. My body trembled as I now realize what my parents are demanding from me. Yes, I knew that I must pay a price for returning leaving them and then return back….but not this…not with my own daughter. I made the decision to come back home because of her, not to lose her. “No,” I breathed, shaking my head. My lips trembled as I struggled to form words. “Dad… please… tell me this is some kind of horrible joke. Bella… she’s my daughter. She's also your own granddaughter!” Dad’s gaze hardened. “No, she is not! And.. will never be a Roderigo.” He thundered. “ You have humiliated me far enough and now you will abide by my own decisions. That ‘child,’ as you call her, will
****LANCE'S POV**** I stood at the edge of the terrace of my mansion, overlooking the everywhere bathed in evening lights. The skyline stretched endlessly before me, a concrete jungle of success and power that I’d conquered, bit by bit. Six years ago, I was already at the rock bottom, at the edge of losing it all but now I have acquired it back, not all but I'm now stable. In one hand, I held a glass of wine; the other rested in my pocket as I leaned forward, but the taste felt as hollow as the accomplishments that filled my life. I had it all back now or so they said. The fame I wanted, the wealth that I never wanted to exhaust and the Influence with more powerful people across the world. But still, there was something missing that not even the finest champagne or most lavish parties could not replace. And I knew exactly what was missing in my life: it nothing but a pair of honey-brown eyes that once lit up my mornings, a warm smile that washed away my worries whenever I looked at
*****MAYA'S POV**** I took a deep breath as I leaned back in the plush seat of the limousine, my gaze settling on my own reflection in the dark, tinted window. For a brief moment, I almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. It seemed like I was looking at a completely different person. I hadn’t undergone any plastic surgery or liposuction; I earned this look and my toned body through hard work, sweat and dieting. Betsy and Mia were there to support me every time I felt like giving up, especially on days when I couldn't resist the urge to eat. And of course…our little Bella whose smile alone was worth every sacrifice. I had also changed my name from Maya to Ariel. Just wanted to leave everything behind. My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my reverie and a smile graced my face as it was no other than Betsy. “Hey, I just arrived,” I said softly, a smile already forming. “Finally! I’m already missing you like crazy, even though you just left!” Betsy’s voice was a comforti
“ I don't think so.” I replied almost immediately, not turning to her and continuing splashing water on my hands. “ Really? But I ….” Ashley was cut short by another voice that chimed in and I released the breath that I didn't know I was holding in. “Right, Ashley! Why didn’t you and your husband arrive together?” the woman asked, her tone both casual and probing. I could feel her gaze shifted back to the mirror as she continued her business. With a dismissive chuckle, she replied, “I had a late shoot and couldn’t make it home in time, so I told him to go ahead. I’ll catch up, as I always do.” Her smile was a practiced mask, perfectly concealing whatever emotions lay beneath. “Oh, I see,” the woman replied, nodding knowingly. “To be honest, I thought something might have happened between the two of you. You know...there are rumors you two might be getting di….” But before she could finish the sentence, another woman beside her gently elbowed her, trying to signal her to stop, bu
****LANCE POV**** "I'm very sorry, but i’ve changed my mind. I won't settle for anything less than 80%." I said, after finding out that the contract has been finalized with Marcus Roderigo. It was true that he recommended me for the contract but demanding for fifty percent was a bit much and since I have me own plan back then, I decided to agree with him but now that everything had been sorted out, I changed my mind. He leaned forward, eyes darkening as he hissed under his breath."What?! You…" he started, his voice sharp and heated. But he quickly lower his volume when he remembers that was are in public setting. "Are you trying to be ungrateful right now?" His tone was a low, dangerous growl. "Don’t forget Lance, you wouldn’t even have the chance if it weren't for me. I pulled the strings, I opened the doors for you. And this is how you repay me? Demanding 80%?” He growl. I forced myself to remain calm, hiding the anger simmering within. This is exactly why I hate accepting favor
Everyone looked at me, confused. “Is something wrong?”My wife asked but I'm struggling to form anywords, my thoughts was a chaotic mess. Wait, did he just say that Maya… no Ariel Roderigo… my ex-wife? Is going to be the one in charge now? If she was the new representative for A&R, that meant our entire contract was in her hands. The very woman I’d walked away from was now the gatekeeper to my company’s future. But how could I explain any of this to anyone? How could I admit that the poised, powerful woman on stage was once my wife whom I abandoned for their daughter? No matters how i put it, I think it will be a letting insane. I managed to stammer, “No, it’s… it’s nothing.” I turned back to Henry, desperation lacing my voice. “This isn’t confirmed, right? I mean, Marcus… he can’t really be putting her in charge of everything.”Henry gave me a look that was both grave and resigned. “It’s already a done deal. Marcus approved it himself, so there is nothing for her to do about it