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NINETEEN (2): Simply Lunch
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2024-10-19 16:45:37As she came closer, Dominic glanced up and smiled, his face lighting up in a way that made her pulse quicken. He stood, pulling out a chair for her, and Lila couldn’t help but notice how close he stood to her, the heat of his body just inches away.
“You’re right on time,” Dominic said, his voice gentle. “Winnie’s been asking about you all morning.”Lila smiled, her gaze flickering over to the little girl, who looked up from her coloring and beamed. “Hi, Lila!” Winnie chirped, her excitement contagious.“Hi, sweetheart,” Lila replied, leaning down to give the girl a soft hug. Aaron, less vocal but still smiling shyly, waved at her, and Lila waved back.She settled into her seat, trying to shake off the growing nervousness that was bubbling in her chest. It was just lunch, after all. Nothing more.But the way Dominic’s knee brushed hers under the table, the way his fingers briefly grazed her hand as he passed her the menu, reminded her that there was something moreRelated chapters
Tangled Destinies NINETEEN (3): Simply Lunch
But before he could continue, Winnie tugged on his hand. “Daddy, can we go see the beach now? Please?”Dominic hesitated, his eyes meeting Lila’s for a fleeting moment. Then, with a sigh and a smile, he turned to his daughter. “Sure, sweetheart.”Lila let out a small breath, relieved and disappointed in equal measure. Whatever he had been about to say, she wasn’t ready to hear it. Not yet.As they headed towards the beach, the laughter of the children echoing around them, Lila felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She was walking a dangerous line, one where her heart was already far too involved.But as Dominic’s arm brushed against hers once more, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.And then, just as they reached the dunes, her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her abruptly back to reality. She glanced at the screen and froze.It was another unknown number.Lila’s breath caught as s
Last Updated : 2024-10-20Tangled Destinies NINETEEN (4): Simply Lunch
The way he looked at her, the way his presence grounded her in a way she hadn’t felt in years—it was impossible to ignore. She could feel the pull between them growing stronger with each passing moment.She glanced out at the water, trying to distract herself. “They really adore you, you know,” she said, gesturing towards Aaron and Winnie.Dominic chuckled again, though this time there was a hint of something bittersweet in it. “I try my best. It hasn’t been easy... after their mother left.”Lila’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She knew what it felt like to be abandoned by someone who was supposed to care for you.“You’re doing a great job,” Lila said softly. “They’re lucky to have you.”Dominic smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t always feel that way, but... thank you.”They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore filling the space between them. Lila could feel the air thickening with
Last Updated : 2024-10-21Tangled Destinies TWENTY (1): Tracking Andre
True to her word, Annabelle refused to be discouraged by the unyielding secretary’s frosty demeanor. For the past several days, she had bombarded Andre Winters' office with calls, her heart sinking a little each time the reply came back the same: “Mr. Winters is too busy to speak with you.” The sixth time she heard that clipped tone, her patience wore thin, and she threw her phone onto the couch in frustration.With determination etched across her features, Annabelle stood up and smoothed the fabric of her skirt. No way was she letting James’s blunder slip away so easily. If she needed to track down Andre Winters, then she would go to him herself. It was time to shift tactics.After a quick shower, she dressed in her most expensive activewear—a sleek black sports bra and matching leggings that hugged her figure perfectly. The material felt soft against her skin, the brand name printed across her chest a symbol of exclusivity that might help
Last Updated : 2024-10-22Tangled Destinies TWENTY (2): Tracking Andre
Andre turned, his gaze flickering from surprise to recognition. “Annabelle,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “Annabelle Robinson. What a surprise to see you here.”“I had to see what all the fuss was about this place,” she replied, deliberately making her tone casual. “And I thought it was the perfect time to catch up.” The two men beside him exchanged glances, and Annabelle felt a rush of adrenaline; she was standing before one of the most influential men in the city, and she needed to make her pitch.“Busy, as always,” Andre said, glancing at his watch. “But I could spare a few minutes. Care for a quick game?”“Actually, I’d love to talk business.” Annabelle cut in, her heart pounding. “It’s about your contract with my brother. I think there’s a way we can work this out without you taking your business elsewhere.”Andre raised an eyebrow
Last Updated : 2024-10-23Tangled Destinies TWENTY (3): Tracking Andre
Annabelle stared at him, her mind racing. He was playing games with her, she knew it. This was his way of putting her in her place, of brushing her off just like his secretary had done so many times before. The realization filled her with irritation, and before she could stop herself, the words flew from her mouth.“Is this another way of dismissing me?” she snapped, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You think I won’t go through with it? Or are you planning to block me from seeing you again, just like you’ve been doing these past few days?”Andre stopped mid-step, turning to face her with a raised eyebrow. For a moment, they stood in a tense silence, his eyes locked on hers. Then, to her surprise, he laughed softly, the sound low and rumbling. It wasn’t a mocking laugh, but it wasn’t kind either.“Dismiss you?” he repeated, his gaze flickering with amusement. “No, Annabelle. I don’t plan on dismissing you at all. In fact, I’m making you a promise right now.” He too
Last Updated : 2024-10-24Tangled Destinies TWENTY (4): Tracking Andre
Annabelle stormed through the office hallways, her sneakers squeaking on the polished floor, but she paid no attention to the surprised looks from the staff. She was still dressed in her expensive sportswear, the tailored outfit clinging perfectly to her figure, and yet, despite the whispers that surely followed her, she was beyond caring. Her focus was singular, laser-sharp: Get the Winters contract.When James’s secretary tried to block her path, warning that her brother was in a meeting, Annabelle didn’t even pause. No meeting—nothing—was more important than the mess James had created and her need to fix it before it exploded beyond repair. Without hesitation, she threw open the door to James’s office, ignoring the secretary’s protests. What she found inside made her lips lift in distaste.The "meeting" was nothing more than James and Rachel entangled in each other’s arms, Rachel perched on his lap like some queen on her thr
Last Updated : 2024-10-25Tangled Destinies TWENTY (5): Tracking Andre
David’s presence filled the room instantly, his tall, broad frame making the spindly secretary look even more insignificant. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his posture and the tight set of his jaw were unmistakable. James shot up from his seat the moment he saw their father, knocking into Rachel in his hurry, and ignoring her surprised yelp. She scrambled to stand, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but David didn’t even spare her a glance. His sharp, dark eyes were locked onto Annabelle.“What did you learn from Andre Winters?” David asked in a low, authoritative tone, his voice carrying the weight of years of command. There was no greeting, no pleasantries, just the demand for answers.Annabelle rose slowly from the couch, meeting her father’s gaze with the same steely resolve she’d inherited from him. “He wouldn’t give me the details outright,” she began, her tone calm and measured, “but he
Last Updated : 2024-10-26Tangled Destinies TWENTY-ONE (1): Helping Out
Lila hadn’t seen Dominic for days. After their lunch together with Aaron and Winnie, he’d disappeared like mist in the early morning sun, leaving behind only the odd flutter in her chest whenever she thought about him, and an unexpected ache she couldn’t quite understand. Sea’s Edge was small enough that bumping into someone frequently was inevitable, but somehow, Dominic had vanished from her daily life. The one constant was Aaron and Winnie. Every day, like clockwork, Marcus would show up at the bookstore with the children in tow. He had started babysitting them more frequently, and every day after school, he would bring them by the shop before taking them home. Idly, Lila wondered if this was related to how little she saw of DominicWhenever school ended, Marcus brought Aaron and Winnie to the bookstore before taking them home, lingering just long enough for the kids to burn off some of their energy, but not long enough for Lila to ask about Dominic
Last Updated : 2024-10-27
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Tangled Destinies THIRTY-THREE: Hard Questions (2)
The name hit Lila like a thunderclap. Her breath caught in her throat, and her body went rigid. The color drained from her face, leaving her as pale as the moonlight streaming through the kitchen window.Annabelle didn’t miss the way Lila’s hand trembled in hers or the wide-eyed look of fear and shock that overtook her expression. It was as if the very mention of Andre’s name had opened a floodgate of emotions that Lila had fought to keep buried.“Lila?” Annabelle pressed gently, though her own heart twisted at the reaction she’d gotten out of Lila.Lila swallowed hard, her hands clutching the edge of the marble island. “Why are you asking about him?”Annabelle hesitated for a beat, as if carefully choosing her words. Then, her voice dropped to a soothing tone, as if Lila was a scared child she was trying to comfort. “Because I need to know, Lila. He’s involved with the family. I think you
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-THREE: Hard Questions (1)
Dominic froze mid-step, visibly wincing as a faint blush crept up his neck. He forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head. “I thought we retired that one.”“Oh, never,” Annabelle said, thoroughly enjoying his discomfort. She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “How’s Marcus, by the way? I haven’t seen him in forever.”“He’s fine,” Dominic replied, regaining some of his composure. “He’ll be delighted to see you, I’m sure.”Annabelle’s grin widened as she leaned closer, her tone reflecting the mischief in her smile. “Not as delighted as when I tell him I found you in Lila’s bed.”Dominic’s faint blush deepened into a vibrant shade of red as he chuckled nervously. “You wouldn’t.”“Oh, wouldn’t I?” Annabelle said, her expression wickedly playful.Lila, who had been
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-TWO: Excuses, Excuses (3)
The scent of garlic and curry leaves wafted through the small kitchen as Lila flipped slices of zucchini in a sizzling pan. Annabelle sat at the counter, nibbling on a piece of bread Lila had handed her earlier, her gaze flicking between her ex-sister-in-law and the hot pan she was expertly handling.“I can’t imagine how much Winnie and Aaron must have grown by now,” Annabelle said, her tone touched with wonder. “The last time I saw them, Winnie was still toddling around with that stuffed rabbit, and Aaron couldn’t sit still to save his life.”Lila smiled as she stirred the vegetables, the soft clatter of the wooden spoon filling the pause. “Winnie still has that rabbit, you know. It’s hanging by a thread, but she refuses to part with it. And Aaron... well, he’s finally calmed down a bit, but he’s as sharp as ever. He beats me at board games more often than I’d like to admit.”Annabelle chuc
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-TWO: Excuses, Excuses (2)
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together.“You make it impossible to stay away,” Dominic said, his voice rough with emotion.Lila smiled, her fingers trailing along the collar of his shirt. “Maybe I don’t want you to.”He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.Dominic glanced over her shoulder, his nose twitching slightly. “So, these cookies you’re baking,” he said, his tone teasing. “Are they really for the kids, or was that just an excuse to see me?”Lila laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. “I haven’t decided yet,” she admitted, her eyes sparkling.“Well,” Dominic said, his thumb brushing against her hip, “if they’re half as sweet as you, I’m sure they’ll love them.”The compliment was simple, but it made Lila’s heart flutter all the same. She stepped back, her hand slipping into his as she led him inside. “Come on,” she said. “They’ll be out of the oven in ten minutes.”Dominic followed
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-TWO: Excuses, Excuses (1)
The sugary scent of cookie dough filled the kitchen as Lila slid the tray into the oven, her fingers still slightly from the dough even though she’d washed them twice. A small hum escaped her lips. It was a song whose lyrics she couldn’t even remember properly, but with how lighthearted she was, she didn’t really care. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this carefree. It had been an ordinary day at the shop until Marcus had decided to close early. The unexpected freedom had left her with free time she didn’t know what to do with.Her first instinct had been to text Dominic. Her hand had hovered over her phone, already composing a message in her mind. Something simple—playful, maybe. But doubts crept in before she even unlocked the screen. Would she seem too clingy? Desperate for his attention?“It’s been too long since I’ve done this,” she had muttered to herself, shaking her head as she shov
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-ONE: What Margaret Hid (3)
Margaret’s face twisted with regret, her hand trembling as she reached for Annabelle. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I took James that night because I knew it would cut your father the deepest. He always saw James as his heir, even if he never said it out loud.”Annabelle’s head snapped up, her chest tightening at her mother’s words. “His heir?” Her tone was sharp, laced with a bitterness she couldn’t suppress. So what was she? The spare?Margaret flushed, rushing to clarify. “Oh, darling, don’t misunderstand. Your father loves you too. Of course, he does—”“Stop.” Annabelle’s voice cracked like a whip, her words slicing through the air. She felt the sting of those words in her chest, the unspoken truth they carried. “I didn’t ask you to justify him. I asked you what happened that night.”
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-ONE: What Margaret Hid (2)
Annabelle blinked, the words hitting her like a well-aimed punch. She stared at her mother, her mouth slightly open in shock. Of all the things she had expected, this wasn’t one of them."Rachel’s affair?" Annabelle repeated slowly, her voice laced with disbelief.Margaret nodded miserably, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.Annabelle shook her head, trying to make sense of it. "Mother, how could you possibly know about Rachel’s affair? How long have you known?"Margaret pressed her hands to her face again, as though trying to block out Annabelle’s questions. "I didn’t mean for it to get this far," she whispered, her voice muffled. "I didn’t mean for it to spiral like this."Annabelle’s chest tightened, a cold dread creeping over her. "Mother," she said carefully, "what are you talking about? What do you mean you didn’t mean for it to spiral?"Margaret lowered her hands, her eyes bloodshot a
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-ONE: What Margaret Hid (1)
Annabelle was halfway up the stairs, her mind still buzzing with the revelation she’d gotten from her conversation, when she felt a hand grab hers, sharp nails digging painfully into her skin. She gasped and turned around, expecting to see Rachel had come after her to take their fight to a physical level. But the face she saw wasn’t Rachel’s—it was her mother, Margaret’s.Her irritation flared for a moment, ready to scold her mother for sneaking up on her like that. But the harsh words froze on her tongue the moment she saw Margaret’s face. Her mother looked almost unrecognizable from the elegant beauty Annabelle was used to seeing. Her skin was deathly pale from so many days of shutting herself up in the house instead of going out into the sun. Her usually soft, pleasant features were twisted with panic, her wide eyes darting around like a frightened animal. Her thin frame seemed even smaller beneath the loose, stylish robe she wore.
Tangled Destinies THIRTY (2): Truths at the Table
Rachel’s silence was all the confirmation Annabelle needed. Her pale face and trembling hands told a story louder than any words ever could.Annabelle tilted her head, her smile turning razor-sharp. "You played your cards well," she admitted. "Using that baby to manipulate James into throwing Lila out of the house? It was a bold move when it wasn’t even his. But here’s the thing about lies, Rachel—they have a way of catching up to you." She leaned forward, her smile fading as she fixed Rachel with a cold stare. "You lied," she said quietly, the words cutting through the air like a blade. "You lied to James, to my family, and you ruined Lila’s life for nothing. All because of your selfish, disgusting games."Rachel’s breathing grew uneven, her hands trembling as she gripped the edge of the table. "You... you don’t have proof," she said weakly, though her voice lacked conviction.Annabelle laughed softly, a sound devoid of
