JamesNo. That’s my only answer.I refuse to let Mr. Corleone's words sway me. I’m sticking to my decision, and I won’t let what he wants happen.I’ll fight to get my family back.“Too bad,” I say, my voice cold. “What you’re saying means nothing to me.” He stops walking. I’m sure his hands, still in his pockets, are clenched into fists.I stroll over to him casually, and once I’m close, I lean toward his ear and whisper, “If you think you can have her, keep dreaming, sir. She’s mine. Remember that.”I start walking away, but he speaks up again.“All right, if that’s what you want,” he says, his tone sharp and solid as steel. “You’re declaring war, and I’ll gladly accept it.”A small smirk pulls at my lips.“Good. At least I know my rival isn’t a coward. You’re a worthy opponent.”And with that, I keep walking.“Well, this is going to be an interesting fight. But I don’t lose.”***Renata kept calling, so I decided not to go home. Now, I’m at the airport, ready to head back to my fath
KatnissI opened the drawer in my bedroom, the one where I kept pieces of my past locked away. I hadn't touched it in ages because every time I did, tears would come. A longing that I couldn't express, a kind of heartache that only tears could understand.Inside, I pulled out an old photo album, my hands trembling as I shut the drawer again. With a slow breath, I opened the first page, and there she was—the beautiful face I’d almost forgotten. She had the same hazel eyes as mine, full of warmth, and her long, slightly wavy brown hair framed her smile. She held me on her lap, and I was beaming, the joyful grin of a three-year-old who knew nothing but happiness.Those were the days. My childhood was truly beautiful. “Why did something so perfect have to end so soon, God?” The question echoed in my mind, knowing there was no way to turn back time.“Mama, I miss you. I really, really miss you.” That was my mother’s face in the photo, and these pages held so many memories of us together. Th
KatnissWith hands still wet from tears, I turned page after page. The photos seemed alive, pulling me back to the moments when Mom was still here. It was as if I could feel her beside me, even though reality kept hitting me hard.When I finally closed the album, exhaustion washed over me. Sadness had drained my energy, and the tears wouldn’t stop. Falling asleep with a head full of memories, I could no longer tell what was real and what was just a dream.Unconsciously, I lay down on the bed, the photo album resting beside me. My eyes slowly closed, and just before sleep completely claimed me, I felt a faint glimmer of hope in my heart. Maybe, in my dreams, I’d see Mom again, hear her voice, feel the warmth of her embrace that always made me feel safe.In a half-awake state, a soft voice echoed in my dream, "Katniss, my love. Don’t be sad; I am always here, in your heart." Her words felt like a promise, soothing me even though the sorrow still lingered.Finally, I drifted off, wrapped
---“What do you want? Do you know how much you're bothering me right now?” Katniss asked, her voice as sharp as always."I'm not in L.A. at the moment," I replied, ignoring her cutting tone."I don’t care," she shot back, unmoved."Soon, Katniss. Very soon," I answered cryptically, knowing it would only leave her in the dark.“What are you even talking about?” she asked, clearly confused.I wasn’t ready to explain yet, so I simply said, “The truth will come out, Katniss. You won’t be blamed anymore.”Then I ended the call, expecting her to be furious. I lay back and closed my eyes. Tomorrow, I would start searching for that truth.The next morning, the atmosphere at home felt heavier than usual. I got out of bed with a steely resolve. After that talk with Dad and my brother, I knew I couldn't just stand by. I needed to dig deeper into my mom's past and her connection with Katniss's mom.I decided to speak with the head maid, a woman who had worked in this house since before I was bor
James “Do not worry,” I tried to pacify her after that. You can count on me to defend the members of your family. Regardless of what occurs, I assure you no one out there will ever cause you any harm.Then Miss Mary turned to me and looked, as if she became frightened by my oath. “James, you have really grown up."I remember telling them that you would end up being an extraordinary individual. I'm proud of you. But James, really, this… to tell you; this isn’t something one can say casually.""There’s no cause for concern," I said with authority. "You can trust me. I need to know the truth. This is about my mother."At last cooling down, which did not take a long time, the woman, Miss Mary, opened her mouth as if she wanted to tell the greatest secret. “Okay,” she said smiling, “But you have to swear that you won’t tell anyone, especially Emma,” she whispered."I promise," I replied, my heart pounding."Miss Mary, what do you know?" I asked, waiting with bated breath."In the past, I o
After several weeks of tension, I finally returned to the office. That morning felt brighter than usual, but my heart was still heavy thinking about everything that had happened. I wanted to focus on my work and ongoing projects, but the name James kept echoing in my mind, overshadowing every corner of my room. Had he found the information he was looking for? Had he gotten proof to confront Emma?As I stepped into the conference room, I found my coworkers gathered around a large table with serious faces. Ms. Caroline, our project manager, sat at the head of the table. She turned to me and gave a warm smile.“Katniss, welcome! We’ve been waiting for you,” she said, nodding in my direction. “We have some important discussions today.”“I’m sorry for being late,” I replied, trying to act relaxed. I worked hard to push all thoughts of James aside and focus on the task at hand.“No problem. Let’s get started,” Caroline said, opening the meeting with the prepared agenda. “We need to discuss o
KatnissThe day went on with laughter and play, but deep down, I felt uneasy. There was something about Renata that didn’t feel right. I had to find out what was going on. Even though I enjoyed the day with Giselle and Scarlett, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I knew my search wasn’t over. If there was something wrong with Renata, I would find out.As we neared the edge of the park, where Renata and the man were standing, my heart started to race. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I wasn’t going to like it. The air felt thick, like there was tension between us and them. Renata’s smile, usually warm and inviting, now seemed forced, like she was trying too hard.This time, Scarlett noticed because I kept staring in one direction. She followed my gaze. “Renata?” she whispered.“You’ve been watching them all this time?” Scarlett asked, finally understanding why I couldn’t focus.I nodded.“Why didn’t you say anything?” Scarlett said, a little annoyed, as she s
JamesKnock… Knock… Knock…I was working on the laptop when there was a knock on the door. Frustrated I rise from my seat and opened it to find Emma standing right in front of me. There was a certain look of concern painted on her face, like there was something she was bothered by.“What do you want?” I asked, not friendly at all and my voice showed how much I disliked having to deal with her.She hesitated for a moment, then she said in a soft disgusting voice, “There is something that I have to tell you.”“Is it important?” I shot back. “Because if it’s not, I don’t want to hear it. Get out of my room,”I continued.I didn’t mind being abrasive and coming across as being rude at that point. I had no patience for her.“It’s important. Very important,” she repeated, her voice quivering a little.“Then make it quick. I don’t have all day,” I said, interrupting her.Stunned by my reply, Emma tried to hide it but was clearly offended, that is, she tried to but failed to hide it completely.
Katniss “You don’t have to answer me now,” said Mr. Corleone realizing how hard I was struggling to be able to respond to his kind offer.“I know it’s not an easy choice Katniss.” Still, there was a soft note to his voice as he said, "Well then, do take your time—however long it requires.”"But..." He looked at me and stopped to speak, and I was just gulping for air waiting for more information. It’s like you know the longer you wait to address it, the worse it will only become. "That’s all I wanted to say,” he said with a calm but pointed tone.He glanced at the clock. "Work hours will start soon. If you would like to go home first or if you would like to come with me, that is your decision.”Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of his office, leaving me alone with my tangled thoughts. The weight of his proposal pressed heavily on my mind. Marrying him... It was something I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams.There was no way I could discuss this with James. Even though
Katniss This was no longer a personal matter. It had grown into something much more serious than that and it involved Mr. Corleone and the whole company into my problems. The weight of my choices continued to bear down on me like a heavy weight on my chest and back. Now there was nothing I could do about it – I had to pay the price whatever the state I was in. The investor had departed, and he had taken all his employees with him. The once very active meeting room was very silent, and it was only me and Mr. Corleone. He sat still; his back straight as he made a sharp breath. Sitting back in the chair, he tilted his head up to the ceiling with his eyes closed as if searching for solace in the midst of the storm I have stirred. “I deeply apologize, sir,” I began, my voice trembling. “You prepared everything so meticulously for this investor, but because of my carelessness—” “Do you think apologies will fix this, Katniss?” His voice cut through my words like a blade. He didn’t ev
Katniss "You don’t have to answer me now," said Mr. Corleone, sensing how difficult it was for me to respond to his offer of help."I understand it’s a tough decision, Katniss. So, take your time—however much you need," he added gently."But..." He paused, leaving me breathless, waiting for him to finish. "You know the longer you wait, the bigger the problem will grow. That’s all I wanted to say," he said with a calm but pointed tone.He glanced at the clock. "Work hours will start soon. Whether you go home first or come with me, it’s your choice."Then, he stood and offered, "We could have breakfast together."Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of his office, leaving me alone with my tangled thoughts. The weight of his proposal pressed heavily on my mind. Marrying him... It was something I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams.There was no way I could discuss this with James. Even though this might seem like a good idea, I was certain he’d reject it outright and do everyt
Katniss “Sit, please,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge of authority. I hesitated, my instincts warning me that nothing good would come from this conversation. The air around us felt suffocating, heavy with unspoken tension. “If you think you can fix this mess, then sit and listen carefully. I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but this is the price you must pay for what you’ve done,” he said, his tone sharp yet steady. The weight of his words made my chest tighten. Slowly, I sat on the sofa, feeling the cold leather beneath my hands. He returned to his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, watching me like a hawk. “What should I do, sir?” I asked, my voice low but firm, masking the storm inside me. He tilted his head slightly, studying me with a faint smirk. “Why are you so desperate, Katniss? You’ve already agreed without even knowing the cost.” Mr. Corleone picked up his coffee cup, steam rising from the dark liquid, but his piercing gaze didn’t wave
Katniss"Stay in bed with her. Make sure she does not watch TV or sit to play on her phone or do anything with her social media account. Do you understand?" I said, my voice rising an octave, my stare daring her, looking directly into Nanny’s eyes.She agreed without any further questions. "Yes, ma’am,” she responded.I quietly smiled and nodded somewhat in agreement."I’m leaving now," I said, not waiting for her response.I was ready to go, though I hadn’t showered—just changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. Mr. Corleone had insisted on this meeting at his house, and though I didn’t understand what will he said, I couldn’t risk defying him. He said it was important, and I couldn’t afford to refuse.Before heading out, I quickly sent a message to the maid. I didn’t want Giselle to wake up to any bad news about her parents, especially anything negative about herself.The drive was long, but eventually, I found myself in front of the grand mansion, its towering struc
JamesSpit it out already! You know his name, don’t you? You know who that man is!” I demanded, my voice sharp and unyielding.Beads of sweat poured down his forehead, his face pale and trembling. Who could terrify him to this extent? Just how powerful was the person he was so afraid of?“I-I don’t know, sir,” he stammered.“Don’t give me that!” My voice thundered, drawing the attention of those nearby. Their heads turned in my direction, their curiosity evident, but one icy glare from me sent them scrambling to mind their own business.He flinched, his shoulders hunching further as he struggled to find the words.“T-They… I can’t say much, sir,” he mumbled, his voice shaking. “They… they threatened me.”I frowned, confusion briefly cutting through my rising anger. “Threatened you?” I asked, my tone low and dangerous.“Yes,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “They kidnapped me… took me to some place. They said if I didn’t give them the evidence, they’d…” He trailed off, swallowi
James “James!”Katniss tugged at my shirt, her urgency pulling me back from the brink of confrontation. Her voice trembled, carrying the weight of her fear.“I-I swear I didn’t see him leave, sir. B-But when he came in, I noticed him. He hasn’t exited yet,” the security guard stammered, his words tumbling out as his gaze darted nervously between us.I felt my patience snap. “Why didn’t you say that from the start?!” My voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy air. “Instead, you claimed you hadn’t seen anything! Be clear—give me proper answers!”“I’m sorry, sir,” he muttered, his head hanging low in shame.I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to rein in my temper. “Listen closely,” I said firmly, each word deliberate. “If you spot the man with the description Katniss gave, you detain him immediately. Do you understand me?”“Yes, sir,” he replied, his head nodding rapidly in nervous compliance.I turned to Katniss, whose face was a mixture of worry and determination. “That means he’s sti
Katniss"I don’t know how she found out, but she will let everyone believe whatever she wants. She’s trying to make it look like she’s the innocent one, like we’re the ones to blame for the divorce,” he explained.I don’t even want to say anything. The words catch in my throat."Uncle?" Giselle’s voice cuts through the thick silence, and without warning, our attention shifts to her. James stands up quickly, wiping away the hardness in his eyes. His expression softens, like he doesn’t want to worry her—doesn’t want her to see the cracks in his armor."Giselle!"She walks toward him and wraps her arms around him. She must’ve been holding it together for too long. For a moment, James freezes, then his arms close around her, tightly, as though he’s desperate for her warmth to steady him."Ah, Giselle. Thank you for hugging me," he mutters, his voice thick with something raw, something I’m not sure I want to understand.I can’t wait any longer. "Giselle, go to your room. There’s something
Katniss Just before James arrived at my house, my phone rang. It was a colleague.“Katniss, you’re the hot topic at work right now. Do you even realize what’s going on?”“I know,” I answered, trying to stay calm. “I’ve heard people whispering, but I still don’t understand what new rumor could be spreading now. I don’t know why I keep getting dragged into these scandals.” My voice betrayed the exhaustion I felt.“Katniss, it’s serious. This might turn into one of the biggest scandals of the year! The whole business world is buzzing!”My heart dropped. His words hit like a punch, leaving me breathless. Could it really be that bad?“What are you talking about? Please, just tell me,” I managed to say, my throat tight with anxiety.Ding…The doorbell rang, and I hurried to check who it was.“I’m sending you the article now,” my coworker said. I nodded, nerves knotting in my stomach as I went to open the door.I saw James on the monitor, looking shaken. His hair was disheveled, his eyes wi