~Nella~The bouquet slipped from my fingers, petals scattering across the ground. Slowly, I turned, my feet moving without thought, carrying me toward the door. As I stepped outside the museum, I heard Gray’s hurried footsteps behind me. “Hey, wait up! What’s going on? Why did you just leave?” His voice echoed with confusion and concern.I took a shaky breath, halting just outside. I turned to face him, although that was thing I wanted to do. “Gray, we’re done.” My voice was quieter than I intended, but the words felt heavy. “This—this relationship—it’s over.”He looked at me, his face a mixture of hurt and disbelief. “What? Nella, what did I do wrong? I thought you’d like it. You didn’t even react,” he said, his voice cracking slightly.“You think I’d like that?” I choked out, my voice trembling. “You think that was a gift? That humiliation? Really?” My hands were shaking as I waved down a taxi, desperately trying to hold myself together, but Gray grabbed my wrists, stopping me.“I d
~Nella~After I finished my bath, I grabbed my phone to check my messages. First, I opened Gray’s texts, which were filled with apologies. I exhaled deeply but didn’t feel like responding. Next, I read Ashley’s message: “Call me when you can pick up. Guess you’re having a great time with Gray.” Then I opened Ethan’s message: “Hope you love your dress. I’ll see you tomorrow.” After that, I found a text from an unknown number that simply said, “Happy Birthday.” I stared at the number for a moment, unsure who it was from.I took off the towel from my hair and started blow-drying it. Then, I dialed Ashley’s number and put it on speaker."Hey, babe," she answered immediately."Hey, sugar, how are you doing?" I asked."I'm doing pretty well. I should be asking you that," she replied."I'm good too. Got lots of presents to unbox," I said, trying to sound upbeat."Ooh, birthday girl! So, tell me, how was your night with Gray? What did he get you?" she asked, excitement in her voice."Well...
~Nella~The weekend passed quietly. Same Saturday evening, my mom had fallen ill, and Payson had volunteered to take her to the doctor on Monday. Lauren had also shared with us that her exam was coming up in a few days, which added to the mix of thoughts swirling in my mind. As for me, I had already typed up my resignation letter, and now I was just waiting for Monday to come. I couldn’t help but wonder how Roy would react when I handed it in. I was ready for a fresh start, away from both Gray and the stress of the office.Sunday night, as I lay awake, sleep seemed distant. My mind kept replaying the idea of quitting, and before I knew it, the alarm rang, pulling me from my thoughts. It was as if I had already been awake even before it went off. I quickly jumped into my routine, rushing through a quick shower and dressing in record time. Before I left, I checked in on my mom. She still had a fever, but I reassured myself that Payson would make sure she was well taken care of.I arrive
~Nella~I was back in my room, feeling the weight of everything crashing down around me. The walls seemed to close in as I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my mind unable to grasp anything. It was like the ground beneath me had turned to sand, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hold on.I had already handed in my resignation letter, ended things with Gray, received a notice from the landlord to vacate the apartment, and found out that Lauren's tuition fee was over $5,000. If she didn’t get a scholarship to Eclipse School of Art, we’d have to fund it ourselves—over $25,000, which we had promised to cover, we didn’t want her to feel left out and make sure her dream comes true. And then, to top it all off, my mom had just been diagnosed with stage 1 cancer. I felt completely powerless, adrift in a sea of obligations and heartbreak.The night stretched on, endless and suffocating. As the minutes passed, my mind went eerily blank, no solutions, no answers. Only a deafening silenc
~Nella~The office that morning was nothing like it had been before. Victoria’s influence had transformed every inch of the space, imbuing it with an energy that was both fresh and electrifying. What was once a plain entrance now had a beautiful, elegant foyer.The air seemed charged with possibility, as if the building itself had been reborn. Outside, a towering digital screen flashed vibrant 3D advertisements for Elevé’s latest cosmetic line, its vivid hues of pink and lilac dominating the screen like a piece of moving art. Inside, the transformation was just as striking. Everywhere I looked, there were bursts of color — soft pinks, delicate lilacs, and pure whites — blending seamlessly with floral arrangements that breathed life into the space. The walls themselves seemed alive with artistry, adorned with dynamic 3D depictions of the cosmetics that had given the brand its name.It was almost unbelievable that such a dramatic overhaul could happen over a single weekend. The entire of
~Nella~I turned to excuse myself from Victoria, offering a quick smile. “Sorry, maybe next time,” I said, trying to keep things light.“It’s okay,” she replied, her voice laced with a quiet understanding. As she got into her car, she waved before driving off, her tires screeching slightly as she sped away. I watched for a moment, feeling the lingering weight of the day, then turned and calmly walked to Gray’s car.The drive was long and unnervingly quiet. I glanced over at him every so often, but he seemed lost in thought, eyes on the road, his grip tight on the wheel. It wasn’t until I noticed we were veering off my usual route that I spoke up, breaking the heavy silence.“Hey, I thought you were taking me home,” I said, my voice betraying a hint of confusion.He glanced at me for a moment, his lips curling into a faint, almost unreadable smile. “Come on, babe, just trust me. Let’s talk privately, okay?”I didn’t respond, but my stomach twisted as he continued driving. When we final
~Nella~The morning sun was barely peeking over the horizon as I took a cab to work. I had a lot on my mind, but I knew I needed to call Ashley—just to give her a heads-up. I didn’t want her to be caught off guard when she found out I was seriously considering giving Gray a second chance.I hit "call" and waited, tapping my fingers nervously on the steering wheel. When she picked up, her voice was thick with sleep.“Hey babe,” I said, my tone lighter than I felt.“Mmm, hey sugar," she murmured, sounding half awake. "What’s going on?”I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Still in bed?”“Yeah... well, I was. Until your call,” she replied, a long yawn slipping through the line.“Ah, sorry. I thought you'd be getting ready for work by now,” I said, surprised.“Nope, off today. I’ve only got a private session with a VIP later,” she answered, sounding more alert now. “So, what’s up? You up early for a chat.”I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Well... it’s about Gray.”Ashle
~Nella~I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say or how to react. “Uh… I was actually supposed to meet Victoria—your sister, I mean—here. I didn’t realize you’d be here,” I stammered, still processing the unexpected encounter.He smiled, a little amused, but didn’t respond right away. Before I could speak again, Victoria appeared, her presence immediately lightening the air. She was holding three wine glasses, a wide smile on her face.“Sorry for keeping you both waiting,” she said, handing Roy and me each a glass before attempting to pop open the bottle of wine. The soft sound of the cork releasing filled the space as she poured the rich red liquid into our glasses.“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice softer than I intended as I accepted the glass. “Cheers to my return,” Victoria said, holding up her glass with a smile. Roy and I exchanged a glance and smiled back, both of us taking a sip of the wine.“I couldn’t wait to finish my MBA in Paris so I could come back and finally
~Nella~“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended, but I didn’t take it back. He needed to feel it — the sting of his presence. The audacity. The ache he left behind.Gray stood there, unshaken, hands buried deep in his coat pockets like the cold had nothing on him. His eyes — those same stormy eyes that once looked at me like I was his whole world — locked onto mine.“Why are you doing this, babe?” he said softly, like we were still standing in the kitchen last month, laughing over burnt toast and morning kisses. Like he hadn’t shattered me.I flinched. “Please, Gray. Don’t call me that.” My voice leveled into ice. “It’s too late. So again — why are you here?”Before he could speak, Payson’s voice floated from behind. “Who is it? Why are you taking so long?”Her steps neared, quick and light. Then she appeared at the doorway, her eyes widening when she saw him.“Oh. Gray,” she said, confused but polite.Behind her, I heard Mom’s voice — clear, alert. “Is th
~Nella~“Gray, please,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just want to go home.”He looked down at me, his jaw tightened. “Why are you acting like this?”“Why?” I echoed bitterly. “You bent me over and used me like I was nothing. That wasn’t love. That wasn’t even us.”“You didn’t stop me.”I stared at him in disbelief. “I begged you. That wasn’t consent, Gray. That was fear.”He took a step back like my words slapped him harder than I ever could. For the first time, his eyes faltered.“I— I didn’t mean to hurt you.”“It’s too late for that,” I whispered, brushing past him. He didn’t stop me this time.I walked out the door, the night breeze slapping my face like reality. My ride was waiting, the driver leaning casually against the car door, phone in hand. He opened the door when he saw me.I slid into the backseat, heart pounding. Just as we were about to pull away, the passenger door opened. Gray slid in beside the driver, eyes locked on mine through the rearview mirror.“
~Nella~I heard the front door click, then the soft creak of his shoes against the hardwood. Gray was home.My heart thumped wildly, even though I’d rehearsed what I’d say a dozen times. I had already changed into my dress, packed my things, and stood near the doorway like a woman on the edge—because that’s exactly what I was.He walked in, a little too casually for someone who’d lit my world on fire and left the ashes blowing in the wind.His smile faltered when he saw my bag. “What’s happening? Where are you going?”I didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m leaving, Gray.”He blinked. “Leaving?” His voice dipped lower. “Why?”I stepped past him, determined not to cry—but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back with enough force that I stumbled slightly into his chest.“What the hell are you doing, Gray?” I snapped, jerking my hand.“What does it look like I’m doing? Answer me, Nella!” His voice cracked, like he wasn’t angry—just… breaking.My throat tightened. “What else do you want from me?” I ask
~Nella~How could I have forgotten about the lingerie?I had carefully picked it out from the popular Diva store, lured in by the red satin set that promised seduction and elegance all in one. I wanted everything about this weekend to be unforgettable—perfect. Not just because it had been long overdue, but because I needed the space and mood to talk about something more… something deeper. Like us. Like marriage.Sex was Gray’s language of love. He didn’t play around with it—ever.He walked out of the bedroom into the living room, carrying two wine glasses, each filled halfway with deep red wine that shimmered under the dim lights.“Here, babe,” he said, handing me a glass and settling beside me on the couch. I smiled as I accepted it, and we both took a quiet sip.Then, he leaned in and kissed me—slow, sweet, tasting of wine and warmth.“Hmmm… you actually taste better, you know,” he teased with a grin that made me giggle.Just when I was sinking into the comfort of that moment, he lo
~Nella~The rest of the ride to Gray’s apartment was light and easy. We chatted about our week, gossiped about our friends, and debated over the best late-night movies to binge. He joked about my obsession with spicy noodles, and I teased him for always ordering the same boring coffee. We laughed so much, I barely noticed we’d arrived until the car slowed in front of his building.Stepping into his apartment felt like walking into a surprise. The fridge was packed, the air smelled faintly of cinnamon, and on the kitchen counter sat a tiny basket filled with scented candles, satin scrunchies, and my favorite snacks.I laughed, unable to hold it in. “Oh my God, how long have you been preparing for this?”Gray looked proud of himself. “I’ve really missed you. What did you expect? There’s no way I was letting this weekend be a normal one. I planned everything down to the last pillow.”I shook my head, heart fluttering. “Okay… I’m here for all of it,” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss on h
~Nella~“But what if Roy’s actually serious about all of this?” Ash said, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling. “And now there’s Gray… you’re not seeing how messy this could get?”I lay still, watching the slow spin of the fan blades above. “There’s no mess, Ash. Gray’s my boyfriend. I have nothing going on with Roy.”She turned her head slowly, giving me a look that was somewhere between amused and skeptical.“I’m serious,” I added. “I love Gray. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”“Yeah, yeah. But Gray’s been kind of… a bit too much lately and I want you to make the right decision when you’re still single,” Ash said. “And don’t act like you didn’t talk about Roy more than you should’ve after that night. One night stands don’t usually linger in conversation like that.”I shifted, cutting her off. I’m going to see Gray tomorrow anyway — spend the weekend with him. Just… drop it, Ash.”She nodded, quiet for once, and I turned over with a sigh. I closed my eyes, hoping f
~Nella~“Come on, babe, you know I have no idea what’s going on,” I said, grabbing a plate and serving myself breakfast. “Yeah, he said something about loving me, but I figured it was just another one of his games—like what he does with every other girl.”I walked over to the couch and sank into it while Ashley perched on the edge of the bed with her own plate.“But this doesn’t feel like some casual game,” she started, her tone thoughtful.“Ash,” I cut her off, looking at her pointedly. “Roy is filthy rich. Dropping cash like this is nothing to him. If wasting thousands is all it takes to mess with a girl’s head, then yeah, he’s probably done it a hundred times.”She opened her mouth to protest, but I didn’t give her the chance.“I have a boyfriend,” I said, more to myself than to her. “Let’s just drop it. He helped, fine—but I don’t want to be late for Lauren.”I stood and headed for the bathroom, trying to shut down the entire conversation.“Well,” she called out with a teasing lil
~Nella~I couldn’t quite make sense of what I was saying—I could barely understand myself. The words tumbled from my lips like water slipping through cupped hands. Then everything faded. My eyelids drooped, the room spun gently, and darkness wrapped itself around me like a blanket.When I opened my eyes, I gasped.I shot up with a start, my heart hammering in my chest. My head pounded like someone was playing drums inside it. I turned to see Ashley fast asleep beside me, her hair a mess, her mouth slightly open, snoring softly. Panic surged through me.Wait… this wasn’t my bedroom. And it sure as hell wasn’t hers either.“Ashley,” I whispered, giving her a gentle nudge. She groaned and turned to the other side, trying to get more comfortable.I tapped her harder. “C’mon girl, wake up.”“Oh no… please,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.“Ash, seriously. Where are we?” I asked, sitting up straighter and scanning the unfamiliar room. Plush sheets, clean white walls, expensive curt
~Nella~Roy was the last person I expected to see.I blinked hard, trying to shake off the haze clouding my vision. The alcohol had already settled deep in my system, and everything felt just a bit too loud, too bright. I turned slowly, confusion written all over my face as my eyes finally focused on him."Why are you here?" I asked, my voice slightly slurred but laced with curiosity.He gave a half-smile, his voice smooth and annoyingly charming. "Because I knew you'd be here... and I wanted to see your face outside of work.""What?" I blinked again, trying to focus, then hiccuped. My eyelids drooped despite my efforts to keep them open."I'm just kidding," he said, flashing a quick, boyish grin that made my stomach flutter for reasons I couldn’t explain. Another hiccup escaped me."Here," the bartender said, sliding a glass of mixed wine toward me."Thank you," I mumbled, taking a sip and letting the sweet burn coat my tongue.I turned back to Roy, squinting at him like he was a puz