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Flashback VIII
Last Updated:
2022-11-05 02:29:39Related chapters
That Problematic Ring Flashback IX
• Freya •Just what had gotten into me that I placed Ben's ring in my purse instead of the drawer? At least my secret was safe there. Now it was dislosed to the world with a misunderstanding. Rafe's father gave a long speech. As it ended, spotlights turned to me and Rafe. My eyes narrowed to slits. I put my hand in front of them to stop flashlights of cameras, directed to me, reporters however continued clicking our pictures.I felt Rafe had been pushed to stand beside me. My knees became weak. I kept clutching the ring inside my fist."Mom, Dad listen to me." I begged them. They were standing at some distance posing in front of cameras. I face palmed myself, "Please. Let's go home."Mom faced me, put her palms on my jaws, pressed them, "Freya. My Freya, you made me proud of you today. Don't worry, the wedding will be soon." I grunted. It was not an appropriate time to think about this, but I was surprised at her adoration for me. It was the first time in ages, she appreciated me for
Last Updated : 2022-11-06That Problematic Ring 9| Rafe
"Please, walk slowly." Freya's grip on my arm tightens. My preplexity increases when I observe sweat on her forehead and light pink tint on her whole face. She avoids my gaze and turns straight. I do as she says and start moving forward slowly. She keeps herself close to me, holding my arm with her both hands. As much as it angers me, I still let her do it. With her acting, she can easily fool the crowd that we are happy newly-weds. It makes me surprised, her behavior. She's acting as a married woman so sincerely that it is making me confused. I know she's hating this forced, sudden marriage as much as I am, but still she seems willing to accept it. She's not showing rebellion or getting annoyed at our grim situation. I guess it's because it is easy for her to lie. Actually I've learned about her that she is good at lying...she loves lying. We enter the party's venue and join the crowd. The familiar, unfamiliar faces draw a circle around us. I decorate a welcoming smile on my lips
Last Updated : 2022-11-17That Problematic Ring 10| Rafe
Another man around my age appears in front of us minutes later and we again disguise our unease with fake smiles."Rafael, congratulations. I have heard you're now a CEO of Eastmond Builders. That's outstanding, man.""Mr. Salvatore, thank you." I shake my hand with his, "I didn't know you would be here too." "Please call me Luke and yes. I came for some work and then I heard about this event. You're the one who is taking care of the construction of our commercial building so I wouldn't have missed it." He explains. I muse, "Right. We'll start work some time in March." His eyes shift to Freya, "Is she your wife, Freya Howard?" "Y-yes." I slur, clearing my throat.I turn to Freya. She looks now more worn out and weak. Her posture has dropped down. She struggles to smile and looks at Luke. Luke offers his hand to her, "Howard is partnered with my project and you're the one who is going to represent Howard, right?"She gets confused, but tries her best to conceal that she doesn't kno
Last Updated : 2022-11-20That Problematic Ring 11| Freya
It's the shoes fault. It's my heel's fault. It's not my fault nor can I accuse those house-cleaning strenuous tasks. If I hadn't worn cruel heels, my back ache and my legs wouldn't have gone this severe and I wouldn't have embarrassed myself in front of people. I hate taking Rafe's help. I decide to take a break from Mom and Dad's endless guests and give rest to my sore parts. Even my jaws are hurting due to constant stretching of my lips. I've been smiling for hours literally and this party is still nowhere near the end. Sitting at the empty table, I throw my head on it and heave a sigh of relief, relaxing my burning lungs. Apart from pains, something else is troubling me too. I'm missing Benjamin. No matter how much I convince myself to hate him, that he doesn't deserve to be remembered, still I am imagining myself with him here today. What if I had married to him? Then he would be here, standing side by side with me. We would be welcoming guests of our wedding reception. Neit
Last Updated : 2022-12-10That Problematic Ring Flashback X
• Freya •I dragged Ben out of the grocery store where he worked in the mornings. It was his morning job. "What are you doing here this early?" He gave his signature smile.My heart melted. I realized how much I had missed him. Instead of saying anything, I wrapped my arms around him and hid my face in his chest. He returned the hug. I felt his palm at the back of my head.My restless body got some solace and I let out a few, silent sighs. "I can bet you haven't had your breakfast yet. Do you want me to feed you some food?"I moved back my face a little and looked up to stare into his eyes, "No. I just want to stay with you."His lips curved up a little as he leaned forward and planted a kiss on my mouth, "Okay. Let me tell you a good news."I untangled myself from him, "Go on."I didn't want to go back home and endure my parents' insanity. I wish I could just stay near Benjamin and act like nothing was wrong, act like the world didn't exist around me."I met with an eminent artist fr
Last Updated : 2022-12-12That Problematic Ring Flashback XI
• Rafe •I was being a ball of pure fury as I kept recalling the moment when Fay so carelessly said my name in a damn public place. I mean, man what was she thinking? I always ignored when her parents called her childish and heedless and thought it was just her way of living differently, but after Kaysha's party, I wanted to change my opinion.She had taken an irreversible step. She didn't only put me and herself at risk, but our businesses' prestige as well. The whole construction world was right now chanting our wedding songs. That night, that moment when she said it was me who gave her that cheap piece of jewel, I felt like grabbing her shoulders and shaking the life out of her to awake her sleeping senses.She couldn't just lie around about me. She couldn't use me or my name without my permission. If she was this embarrassed about saying her worthless boyfriend's name in public, she shouldn't have dated him. Why I had to pay the price? And I couldn't believe she even honoured me by
Last Updated : 2022-12-12That Problematic Ring 12| Freya
I lift up my brows, dumbfounded. Rafe pulls me close gently through my waist, wrapping his both arms around me. I snake my arms around his shoulders in reciprocation. Our feet are touching. I hear the audience applaud in the background as they see us posing for dancing. "Loosen up your body to me. Do not force your back to move. Let me do it." He instructs me in my ear, "Stay close to me. I'll help as much as I can. Just bear it for five minutes then we'll stop."I barely nod. He found out. He understood I'm in pain. Of course, I was obvious and he noticed. I get it, that's why he offered me his arm and held me earlier. I can't tell if he knows or not the reasons behind my pains. He saw me that day at the apartment with a mop brush and bucket, but that didn't explain that I was doing housekeeping for a week and more. That thought lessens my embarrassment. No one has to know what I do to release my stresses. I bring my attention to the dance again and listen to what Rafe said. I ti
Last Updated : 2022-12-13That Problematic Ring Last Flashback
• Freya •I spent a few days, mourning and kept myself away from the real world. I remained in my own bubble of grief, in my own room. Ben's hostile behavior and his immediate judgement about me aghasted me. He didn't even hesitate to break our engagement as if he was eagerly waiting to find some excuse to do that. All this time, I protected him from feeling low about himself in any way by not telling him how much stress I was enduring only because I was dating him and that's how he decided to repay me?When time came, when he had to show his trust in me, when we had to prove how strong we were or our love, he just kicked me out, accusing me of cheating I never thought of doing. I even sacrificed my friendship with Rafe for him.I gained nothing from lying to my family, from loving Ben when it was prohibited. I whimpered silently as water flowed from my eyes. I was trying to be angry at Ben, call him names like he did, but I was unable to do that. Instead I was hurt and melancholy. I
Last Updated : 2022-12-13
Latest chapter
That Problematic Ring Epilogue (Continue...)
"It's confirmed now." I hear him sigh on the phone, "that you'll work there and I'll work here. We have to work now at separate places.""Hmm. Indeed." I enter my room and look around, remembering how my office here looked like. It's weird, indeed. To be back at my old workplace. So much has changed within me and in my life.I visited Howard's main building a few times in past weeks, but didn't get a chance to see my office. "But I was used to seeing you around me, Fay. It was good working with you and getting to see you whenever I wanted. It will be difficult to be habitual with this new setting." He becomes downhearted. I smile as I understand what he meant."Yes. It was a good time. But that's how our situation is now." Rafe and I have different responsibilities. He's the CEO of his own company and I'm the CFO here at my family business. Life is going to be very busy from now."I'm not liking the situation." Me too.I say in my head. But I don't tell him that, thinking, he would
That Problematic Ring Epilogue (Freya)
Few weeks later*Coming out of my car, I slip up my sunglasses at the top of my head and look up at the Howard's Constructions' main building. I close the door and lock my car.Walking through the main doors, I make my way to the elevators. The employees who know me greet me. I respond to them with a wave and smile. Then I reach the designated floor and go to Dad's office room. I've decided to see them after rejecting their umpteen number of calls. I knock once and enter in it. Mom is there too as per my expectations. "What now? Why have you been pestering me with continuous phone calls?" I remove the glasses from the top of my head and hold them in my hand, "And why did you call me here?"Dad comes to me, "How have you been? I've heard you've cancelled your divorce with Rafael. That's a relief."I roll my eyes, clenching my jaws. "Answer your Dad, Freya. That's not how I taught you." Mom interferes, "We've been worried for you since you've broken your contact with us. I understand
That Problematic Ring 64| Freya
Rafe strolls out of the bathroom after a few minutes and begins making up the bed. I stand still on my spot, nervous. I look through the large window of the room and see the downpour of the rain. If it has stopped raining, I could've escaped this awkward moment. I can't tell if Rafe is feeling the same discomfort or not. It would be surprising if he's not because it is literally the first time we'll sleep together. I again bring my eyes on him and observe that he smoothens the bed covers of both the sides. He sets the pillows and then the single comforter. I become more uneasy. He is making it certain that I'm spending a night in this hotel room with him. Once he's done, he sits on the bed and looks at me, "Aren't you in mood to sleep? Why are you standing?""Umm." I move my gaze around, "I should first freshen up myself." "Okay." He unfolds the comforter.I stride to the bathroom and lock the door. Sighing aloud, I see myself in the mirror in front. I'm blushing. The pink tint is
That Problematic Ring 63| Freya
With a smile on my face, I bend and pick up the ring box from the floor and turn to Rafe again. He looks at me confusingly. My smile turns coy. His love confession to me before our kiss is still ringing in my ears. I can't believe he actually said that to me. I go to him."Here. Give this to me." I move the ring box in front of him. I raise my head high, faking arrogance, "Do it as you planned on my birthday."He arches his brows while giving me a playful smile, "Are you sure?""Yes." I nod firmly."Okay." He takes the box from me and inspects it, "I was not going to offer it right away. I was going to see your reaction first after telling you how I feel about you. If you would've said that you like me back then I showed you this. So I should skip that part now."I press my lips together to stop my smile."I was going to do it like this." He moves the box behind his back, "Fay, I've brought something for you. I don't know how you would react to it, but I just wanted to do this." He bri
That Problematic Ring Rafe's Spin-off (Cont...)
As she remains quiet, I remain confused about whether I should say something or not and if so, what should I say to her. "There is something you should know." She begins speaking again. I hear her sniffle. That gives me a hunch that she's still in tears. "I...love you, Rafe. You should know it was not one-sided." This causes my mind to be boggled. My body freezes. "The care and sincerity you always showed to me made me fall for you." She says it again, "Any woman at my place would be fond of you. It hurt me to see you with her. I didn't know you were feeling the same. And I didn't want to act selfishly this time. I wanted to do something to ease your love life so you could be happy with the person you liked." I can't believe my ears. So it means she applied for the divorce because she was thinking I wanted to be with Mona and not her? She was actually ready to sacrifice her love? Seriously, Fay. She again becomes quiet and cries. I start getting restless. It's not making sense
That Problematic Ring Rafe's Spin-off (of chap 61-62)
*I've written this Rafe's POV because I felt like it won't be fair to the character if I do not show how he felt when he listened to Freya's reasons and her confession and why he agreed to give her a chance. You can skip it if you want, but I advise you not to do that ;)*-------++++++--------"Excuse me, Mr. Eastmond." As I walk through the reception of the hotel, one of the hotel's clerks calls my name. I stop and turn around."There is a message for our guests that it is raining outside and the forecast's predictions say that it can turn into a bad thunderstorm so guests are advised to stay cautious for tonight. Please do not go anywhere far or call someone here that lives far from the hotel. We just want to protect you from any incident." "Alright. Thanks for the information." I nod slowly, "But don't worry I'm not expecting a visitor nor I'm leaving anywhere." Who can come here... No one knows where I am. "Thank you, sir. Have a nice evening." He smiles then turns to his way.I
That Problematic Ring 62| Freya
After some seconds, I move my hand down from my mouth and say the words that ached my heart everyday, "There is something you should know....I...love you, Rafe. You should know it was not one-sided." "The care and sincerity you always showed to me made me fall for you. Any woman at my place would be fond of you. It hurt me to see you with her. I didn't know you were feeling the same. And I didn't want to act selfishly this time. I wanted to do something to ease your love life so you could be happy with the person you liked." I whimper, losing control on my tears. The pain that I was hiding inside me is coming on the surface and making me vulnerable. Rafe stands in the same position. I'm unable to know if my words are affecting him or not. Maybe I should really accept that I've lost him. It is not going to work. He's too angry to forgive me."And you said that I should have talked with you before applying. I did talk about ending our marriage once or twice. It was not a direct conve
That Problematic Ring 61| Freya
By the time I reach the hotel, raining starts all of a sudden. It took me around an hour and half to reach the hotel where Rafe is probably staying. And in the midway, the rain started. I didn't check today's weather forecast, but I knew that it is not the time of monsoon season in New York. This rain is unexpected. I stay inside the car, hesitant to come out because I've not brought the umbrella with me. The rain will drench my clothes. I stay inside for some minutes. Rain seems like a good excuse to delay facing Rafe. My mind is turning blank. Now I'm here and near him, I'm losing my confidence. My body has turned quite heavy for some reason although I haven't eaten anything since morning. I know it is happening because of the strong emotions that are stirring inside my stomach. I'm scared to face him. I'm scared of his reaction and his rejection. I won't be able to handle it without dissolving into tears in front of him. After almost sitting in the car for twenty minutes, I step
That Problematic Ring 60| Freya
As I landed to New York, I decided to go straight to the Eastmond Enterprise to meet Rafe's father. He's a resourceful man. He certainly must have done something to find his son. If not, then I can even rely on his instincts. He's someone who can help me to start my search in this city. I winded up my work at Seattle once I made sure that Rafe is not in Seattle. I took the earliest flight to New York. I waited for a whole day and did everything in my power to search for him, but when I became hopeless, I decided to follow Mia's suggestion. There is a chance that he went back to New York.I sent my luggage to my New York's apartment with the help of my driver. He took my car too. So I took a taxi and headed to the Eastmond building with a hope that I get to see Rafe's father. He has to see me too and do not deny my arrival. I wish I had some supernatural power that would help me find Rafe. That could help me tell him this very moment that I like him too, that I like him more than him,
