flashbackIt's my birthday.I'm finally eighteen.I'm finally an adult. An adult who can make decisions on her own. An adult who can move out of her parents' house. An adult who can finally live with her boyfriend. An adult who can pursue whatever career she wants. An adult who can do whatever the fùck she wants.My parents can't punish me anymore. Or ground me. Or try to discipline me. Or make decisions for me. Or stop me from being with Brandon. This is the first taste of freedom - True Freedom - and it tastes better than chicken.I stay in bed for a while, smiling at the ceiling. I love everything today. I love this bed. And this beach house. And the big windows. And the shining sun. This is the first time that I'm actually excited about my birthday. Not as excited as my mom, but still excited.We drove over here last night to celebrate my birthday in the beach house. I can hear my mom downstairs, moving around and making arrangements. A few guests are going to join us tonight for
flashbackLike I said, it's my big day.And I'm not going to let anything mess with my mood. Not even this shocking revelation. So I look up at Andrew and smile the most cynical smile."This is great news!" I say. "I've recently discovered my passion for medicine and how heroic the profession is. But you know why I really wanted this? To give dad a doctor that he's actually proud of. You clearly can't do that."Andrew has been failing his exams lately. And so has Natalie. My dad is obviously not too happy about that. Especially because he can't brag to his friends about his doctor kids.Andrew moves closer, rage filled in his eyes. He's dad's little puppet so I just hurt his little feelings. He raises his hand to slap me but I threaten him with the lipstick in my hand."What are you going to do with that stupid lipstick?" He scoffs. "Stab me.""No." I smirk. "I'm going to stain that white shirt. I know it's your favourite.""I can afford another one." He rolls his eyes. "So that's a p
present dayDamienThis was supposed to be the best birthday gift ever.This was supposed to make Dani happy. It's something I've been thinking about doing for the past few weeks. Why? Because I'm her boyfriend. And boyfriends are supposed to move mountains to make you happy. I thought this was moving a mountain but clearly it sprinkled some salt into an old wound...On our honeymoon, I remember her saying how much she misses her family. How she would love to see them again. At the time, I didn't know I would do something crazy like this. But after seeing how she constantly checks their social media, I thought that this is definitely what she wanted! I've caught her on several occasions, scrolling down the Fàcebook pages of her mother and sister. When I saw the name "Susan Fox", I knew that was definitely her mother.So I reached out to her parents. They were so wonderful and friendly on the call. I met up with them before leaving for Paris. We did a little coffee date in a little c
DANIMom smiles as she sets a steak on my plate. She has changed a lot. She's still the most striking woman I know but she looks a little older now and she's lost a lot of weight. She looks so skinny but stunning in that white pantsuit.Mom is the complete opposite of Dad. He's added some weight and that black tuxedo fits him perfectly. Just like mom, he has some silver strands on his hair and some creases on his face when he smiles. Old age looks great on him. And he looks so much like my brother, Andrew.Andrew is strangely quiet today. When he was younger, he always had something to say. But now, he just stays silent and stares. Which is strange. Unlike Natalie, he's not married or in a relationship. Despite being a dashing doctor. Or maybe he's gay."Your husband told us chicken is still your favorite." Mom says. "You are still our little girl.""He did?" I turn to look at Damien. "When?""Before you two went to Paris." Mom smiles. "We had a date. And he told us everything about
This will go down as one of my best birthdays.It's midnight.Sitting in the back of the car with Damien. Windows rolled down. Cake between us. Glass of wine in his hand. Bottle of wine in my hand. Both of us tipsy. It feels like a little dream.We are laughing and talking shìt about our parents. He tells me about feeling trapped by his own mother. I tell him about my mom forcing Nat to have an abortion."What!" Damien gasps. "What kind of a mother does that to their daughter.""My mom." I chuckle. "Guess that's her love language. Killing her grandbabies.""Lucky for her Brandon killed one of them.""Dark." I burst into a laugh. "Real dark."I take a gulp of the wine, still giggling. I turn to look at Damien. His little laugh fades when he realises that I've switched to a serious face."Am I a bad person?""Why?""Because I was a little relieved about the miscarriage." I sigh. "Well, it wasn't a miscarriage but you know what I mean. I'm relieved that Brandon did what he did. Am I an a
Damien drove like a maniac.In less than thirty minutes, we're back in town and storming into the huge hospital. We rush to the reception area and ask for Sophia Hunt.Vanessa comes crying and throws herself onto Damien. He wraps his arms around her, looking up at the ceiling to keep his tears at bay."Where were you?" She cries. "I've been trying to reach you!""I'm here now." He mutters. "That's what matters. How is she?""Still in the woods." She rubs the tears away. "We still don't know if she'll make it. The doctors are doing their best.""Can I see her?""You can't." She's quick to say. "Doctor's orders. They'll inform us when it's time to see her. The only thing we can do now is wait."Vanessa turns to look at me and gives me a hug. She pulls away and looks me up and down."You look gorgeous." She smiles a small smile. "Love the black dress."Vanessa looks gorgeous too. She's wearing a black coat and a red dress and some silver heels. From the shiny hair and tonnes of makeup, s
It's been the longest night.A long flight. A shocking birthday surprise. A family reunion turned into a nightmare. Sophia's overdose. Sophia kicking me out of her room. I was embarrassed and disappointed when she kicked me out. But deep down, I was actually relieved. Thanks to Sophia, I'm inside this jacuzzi with a glass of wine in my hand and a platter of cake on the floor. Happy birthday to me!As I sip slowly on my wine, I can't help but think about last year. Life is full of surprises. A time like this last year, I was broken by Brandon's betrayal. My heart was shattered. My dreams were crashed. And my life had crumbled right infront of my eyes. Didn't know where to start. Didn't know if I would even be able to gather the strength to start. I was so lost.And then Damien happened. My dream man. He's been nothing but a big blessing. This huge house. This jacuzzi. This expensive wine. The School of Fashion. A trip to Paris. Everything I have is because of him. Everything!Can't b
It's been one week since I was kicked out of my husband's house by Sophia.I've been living with Lana for the meantime. I'm still waiting for Sophia to get better. After the treatment, I can go back to the house.I miss living with Damien. I miss sleeping next to him. I miss cooking for him. I miss him cooking for me. But distance makes the heart grow fonder, right? He misses me just as badly. He promised that once Sophia gets better, he's checking her into rehab. She will be so mad about it but that's the best thing for her. Atleast in rehab, there won't be many temptations.Damien still makes time for me. Last night, we went on a dinner date. The night before that, we went to the movies. Today, we're going for a coffee date. I'm getting ready. Short dress, trench coat and leather boots is my outfit of the day. Damien should be here any minute.My phone pings on the coffee table.I pick up quickly. It's Damien."Sorry I have to cancel." He says. "Sophia is really sick. She needs me