River nodded, feeling awkward. "Yeah, it was urgent, that's why.""I've noticed this before, it's like you always have something urgent going on. On our first date, you were on a call when I approached you and you couldn't stop looking at your phone all through the little time we spent together. It was as though you were expecting a call or something. And today at the cinema, you seemed lost in your thoughts. It's like you have a lot of calculations going on in your head," Derek observed.River felt a surge of frustration. "Goodnight, Derek. I would have invited you in, but it's too late now. My parents must be asleep. Goodbye," she said abruptly, opening the car door and stepping out, already feeling upset.River quietly ascended the stairs on her way to her room. As she passed her parents' room, the door suddenly swung open, revealing her father's curious expression as he emerged."How was the movie date with Derek?" he inquired, still holding onto the door handle."It went really w
"Oh, trust me, it is," August countered."So what are we talking about here, millions or billions?" She continued"He hails from a wealthy family and is affluent himself, perhaps boasting billions. Trust me, I couldn't care less," River replied"So, is this gamer guy some kind of legendary gamer or does he own a gaming company?""He owns an arcade downtown," River replied."Seriously?" August sounded incredulous. "Your problem is choosing a scooter over a Bentley. Honey, you need relationship therapy ASAP.""I don't know why I thought you could be useful. Goodnight," River said, ending the call abruptly and switching off her phone to avoid any further disruptions. She lay back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.It was past 11:00 in the morning, and River was just getting up. She quickly brushed her teeth and took a shower before slipping into a pair of shorts and a white top. Rushing downstairs on her way to the kitchen, she noticed
Aiden sat in front of the television in his modest apartment, where a female newscaster reported the latest business news."On business news tonight, AD Innovations has acquired yet another enterprise," the newscaster announced. "Yesterday, it was reported that Twilight Incorporated had suddenly gone bankrupt. A few hours ago, it was confirmed that AD Innovations successfully negotiated the purchase of Twilight Incorporated. The company will soon proceed with rebranding."Aiden smirked mischievously as he switched off the TV. He dialed a private number on his cell phone, which surprisingly went through. "Good work," he said before ending the call.Putting on his jacket and grabbing his helmet, he made his way to the Arcade for its grand opening.River stood in front of Aiden's bustling arcade, a sign proclaiming "Grand Opening" greeted visitors at the entrance. Customers bustled about, attendants diligently catered to their needs.Suddenly, the roar of an approaching motorbike caught
"Hey." River said as she made her way to Derek.Derek turned to face her with a weird look in his eyes."Is there a problem? You look annoyed." River asked."Well, that's because I am annoyed." Derek answered."What got you annoyed, is the arcade not to your liking? Should we go somewhere else?" River inquired."You know I don't understand what your problem is, you're the one who wanted us to come here when we got here you were acting all weird and suddenly you're all happy." Derek said."Is your problem the fact that I'm happy or is there something else?""My problem is that you ran off to meet some dude all upset and annoyed, and now you are all happy. If you had a man in your life, why insist on making things work.""I only said that he looked like someone I knew. I don't recall mentioning that he was once a man in my life. Tell me what's your problem exactly?""My problem is that the young man walked up to me saying that you had denied ever knowing me." Derek answered.River: “...
In a rusty apartment in a less glamorous part of town. Li Ping stood before an apartment’s door and knocked on it impatiently. He didn't care about the noise he made or the possibility of the door falling apart, he just kept on knocking.Until the door was pushed open revealing George standing not too far from him.“Are you insane, were you trying to break down my door?” George asked rhetorically.“Are you not going to invite me to Georgie?” Li Ping asked not caring about the angry look on George's face.George took a deep breath in an attempt to control his anger. “Did Aiden send you here?”“Let me in and I will tell you who sent me.” Li Ping said with a sheepish smile.George stared daggers at him then moved aside, gesturing for Li Ping to Walk in.George's apartment was filled with high-tech gadgets, maps, and surveillance equipment.Li Ping stared around for a while before sitting down on the couch.“Do you really live here?” Li Ping asked while staring at a pile of take outs at t
River's POV:The next three days I had the same routine: wake up, have an awkward breakfast with my mom and dad, plan my outfit for a date with Derek, go on a date with Derek, come back from my date with Derek, give the full details to August over the phone and fall asleep during our conversation.Today was the long awaited day, Derek's parents, himself and his sister would be arriving for dinner. The whole house has been busy from installing new house decorations to brewing crazy recipes in the kitchen. Mom and Lola have been in the kitchen all day supervising the chefs. I can't believe they paid chefs to prepare dinner for The Milton's.Dad has been on the phone placing calls to different wine brands to get the latest and most expensive wine.Then there is me, the trophy of the event. Sitted on the couch staring back and forth at the people pacing up and down, working relentlessly on making this dinner a success. This whole scene kept on adding to my already exiting nerves, and if
River's POV:The black dress my dad bought for me to wear to the dinner was strapless, above the knee, and a bit too tight. I could barely breathe in it, and I had no idea what material it's made of, but it felt almost as strong as plastic. It really cinched my waist and accentuated my curves perfectly.I paired it up with ankle strap heels, a pearl necklace, earrings and bangles. I made sure I put on light makeup. I didn't want to come out as desperate.After glancing at myself at the mirror for a third time I took a deep breath, picked up my phone and made my way downstairs.The dining table was already set, my dad was seated on the head of the table as usual, my mom was nowhere to be seen. I looked around and realized that the Milton's were yet to arrive.I glanced at the time on the top of my phone screen and I saw that it was forty minutes past nine. The agreed time for the dinner was nine so they were forty minutes late.Suddenly, Lola ran into the dining hall, “The Milton's are
River's POV:We were done with the appetizer in no time, we moved to the main course which we had Beef Wellington and Lobster Tail. Then for the side dish we had Truffle Mashed Potatoes and a White Rice Pilaf. Finally for dessert we had Tiramisu (an Italian dessert) and Chocolates Fondant.We were currently seated at the dining table sipping champagne from a fancy new glass.When Michelle decided to break the silence. “So River, I heard that you studied History, is that true?”‘Oh boy here we go again. What is it with these people and my choice of study.’“Well yes I did. In Fact, I work as a manager of one of the greatest Museums in England.” I added to lessen her criticisms but it seemed to only fuel it the more.“So you are in it for the money?” She asked rhetorically.“Same question I wanted to ask the other time we met.” Natalie (Derek's aunt) chimned in.“Well, no I am not in it for the money, I am in it for the passion.” I replied.“So what about your father's business, do you
River's POV:We were done with the appetizer in no time, we moved to the main course which we had Beef Wellington and Lobster Tail. Then for the side dish we had Truffle Mashed Potatoes and a White Rice Pilaf. Finally for dessert we had Tiramisu (an Italian dessert) and Chocolates Fondant.We were currently seated at the dining table sipping champagne from a fancy new glass.When Michelle decided to break the silence. “So River, I heard that you studied History, is that true?”‘Oh boy here we go again. What is it with these people and my choice of study.’“Well yes I did. In Fact, I work as a manager of one of the greatest Museums in England.” I added to lessen her criticisms but it seemed to only fuel it the more.“So you are in it for the money?” She asked rhetorically.“Same question I wanted to ask the other time we met.” Natalie (Derek's aunt) chimned in.“Well, no I am not in it for the money, I am in it for the passion.” I replied.“So what about your father's business, do you
River's POV:We were done with the appetizer in no time, we moved to the main course which we had Beef Wellington and Lobster Tail. Then for the side dish we had Truffle Mashed Potatoes and a White Rice Pilaf. Finally for dessert we had Tiramisu (an Italian dessert) and Chocolates Fondant.We were currently seated at the dining table sipping champagne from a fancy new glass.When Michelle decided to break the silence. “So River, I heard that you studied History, is that true?”‘Oh boy here we go again. What is it with these people and my choice of study.’“Well yes I did. In Fact, I work as a manager of one of the greatest Museums in England.” I added to lessen her criticisms but it seemed to only fuel it the more.“So you are in it for the money?” She asked rhetorically.“Same question I wanted to ask the other time we met.” Natalie (Derek's aunt) chimned in.“Well, no I am not in it for the money, I am in it for the passion.” I replied.“So what about your father's business, do you
River's POV:The black dress my dad bought for me to wear to the dinner was strapless, above the knee, and a bit too tight. I could barely breathe in it, and I had no idea what material it's made of, but it felt almost as strong as plastic. It really cinched my waist and accentuated my curves perfectly.I paired it up with ankle strap heels, a pearl necklace, earrings and bangles. I made sure I put on light makeup. I didn't want to come out as desperate.After glancing at myself at the mirror for a third time I took a deep breath, picked up my phone and made my way downstairs.The dining table was already set, my dad was seated on the head of the table as usual, my mom was nowhere to be seen. I looked around and realized that the Milton's were yet to arrive.I glanced at the time on the top of my phone screen and I saw that it was forty minutes past nine. The agreed time for the dinner was nine so they were forty minutes late.Suddenly, Lola ran into the dining hall, “The Milton's are
River's POV:The next three days I had the same routine: wake up, have an awkward breakfast with my mom and dad, plan my outfit for a date with Derek, go on a date with Derek, come back from my date with Derek, give the full details to August over the phone and fall asleep during our conversation.Today was the long awaited day, Derek's parents, himself and his sister would be arriving for dinner. The whole house has been busy from installing new house decorations to brewing crazy recipes in the kitchen. Mom and Lola have been in the kitchen all day supervising the chefs. I can't believe they paid chefs to prepare dinner for The Milton's.Dad has been on the phone placing calls to different wine brands to get the latest and most expensive wine.Then there is me, the trophy of the event. Sitted on the couch staring back and forth at the people pacing up and down, working relentlessly on making this dinner a success. This whole scene kept on adding to my already exiting nerves, and if
In a rusty apartment in a less glamorous part of town. Li Ping stood before an apartment’s door and knocked on it impatiently. He didn't care about the noise he made or the possibility of the door falling apart, he just kept on knocking.Until the door was pushed open revealing George standing not too far from him.“Are you insane, were you trying to break down my door?” George asked rhetorically.“Are you not going to invite me to Georgie?” Li Ping asked not caring about the angry look on George's face.George took a deep breath in an attempt to control his anger. “Did Aiden send you here?”“Let me in and I will tell you who sent me.” Li Ping said with a sheepish smile.George stared daggers at him then moved aside, gesturing for Li Ping to Walk in.George's apartment was filled with high-tech gadgets, maps, and surveillance equipment.Li Ping stared around for a while before sitting down on the couch.“Do you really live here?” Li Ping asked while staring at a pile of take outs at t
"Hey." River said as she made her way to Derek.Derek turned to face her with a weird look in his eyes."Is there a problem? You look annoyed." River asked."Well, that's because I am annoyed." Derek answered."What got you annoyed, is the arcade not to your liking? Should we go somewhere else?" River inquired."You know I don't understand what your problem is, you're the one who wanted us to come here when we got here you were acting all weird and suddenly you're all happy." Derek said."Is your problem the fact that I'm happy or is there something else?""My problem is that you ran off to meet some dude all upset and annoyed, and now you are all happy. If you had a man in your life, why insist on making things work.""I only said that he looked like someone I knew. I don't recall mentioning that he was once a man in my life. Tell me what's your problem exactly?""My problem is that the young man walked up to me saying that you had denied ever knowing me." Derek answered.River: “...
Aiden sat in front of the television in his modest apartment, where a female newscaster reported the latest business news."On business news tonight, AD Innovations has acquired yet another enterprise," the newscaster announced. "Yesterday, it was reported that Twilight Incorporated had suddenly gone bankrupt. A few hours ago, it was confirmed that AD Innovations successfully negotiated the purchase of Twilight Incorporated. The company will soon proceed with rebranding."Aiden smirked mischievously as he switched off the TV. He dialed a private number on his cell phone, which surprisingly went through. "Good work," he said before ending the call.Putting on his jacket and grabbing his helmet, he made his way to the Arcade for its grand opening.River stood in front of Aiden's bustling arcade, a sign proclaiming "Grand Opening" greeted visitors at the entrance. Customers bustled about, attendants diligently catered to their needs.Suddenly, the roar of an approaching motorbike caught
"Oh, trust me, it is," August countered."So what are we talking about here, millions or billions?" She continued"He hails from a wealthy family and is affluent himself, perhaps boasting billions. Trust me, I couldn't care less," River replied"So, is this gamer guy some kind of legendary gamer or does he own a gaming company?""He owns an arcade downtown," River replied."Seriously?" August sounded incredulous. "Your problem is choosing a scooter over a Bentley. Honey, you need relationship therapy ASAP.""I don't know why I thought you could be useful. Goodnight," River said, ending the call abruptly and switching off her phone to avoid any further disruptions. She lay back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.It was past 11:00 in the morning, and River was just getting up. She quickly brushed her teeth and took a shower before slipping into a pair of shorts and a white top. Rushing downstairs on her way to the kitchen, she noticed
River nodded, feeling awkward. "Yeah, it was urgent, that's why.""I've noticed this before, it's like you always have something urgent going on. On our first date, you were on a call when I approached you and you couldn't stop looking at your phone all through the little time we spent together. It was as though you were expecting a call or something. And today at the cinema, you seemed lost in your thoughts. It's like you have a lot of calculations going on in your head," Derek observed.River felt a surge of frustration. "Goodnight, Derek. I would have invited you in, but it's too late now. My parents must be asleep. Goodbye," she said abruptly, opening the car door and stepping out, already feeling upset.River quietly ascended the stairs on her way to her room. As she passed her parents' room, the door suddenly swung open, revealing her father's curious expression as he emerged."How was the movie date with Derek?" he inquired, still holding onto the door handle."It went really w