Anne and Nicholas sat in the car after the visit. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken thoughts. She had been silent for most of the drive as her mind was elsewhere. Nicholas glanced at her, sensing her emotional exhaustion. He understood what she would be going through after the meeting with her father. He wanted to lift her spirits even if just a little but he ended up getting failed. “Shall I stop by the café? Would you like to say hello to your employees?” he asked gently, hoping the suggestion might brighten her mood. Usually, a visit to the café brought her some joy. She liked going to her cafe and watching it bustle with people, loving everything about her cafe. She shook her head as her voice soft. “I just want to go home.” Nicholas nodded in understanding. He didn’t push further. Actually, he understood her. After a while, the car came to a stop and Anne looked at him, quite confused. Nicholas smiled slightly and gestured for her to wait for him. The driver knocked on th
Trying to distract her, he asked, "What’s this show?"Anne looked at him, surprised. "You’ve never watched Friends?"He shook his head.With a small grin, she explained, "It is a classic. This show was shot in New York in the '90s and early 2000s. It is one of my comfort shows."As they continued watching together, Nicholas pointed at the screen and asked, "What’s wrong with this girl?""Which one?" Anne asked, confused."The tall blonde one," Nicholas clarified, furrowing his brows.Anne laughed. "Phoebe? She’s the quirkiest of them all!"Nicholas, still frowning, said, "Lord, she says the most random things."Anne giggled, "That’s her specialty."Out of nowhere, Nicholas remarked, "Anne, you are like this brunette."Anne looked at him, raising her eyebrows. "Who, Monica?"He nodded.She protested, "No, I’m not!"Nicholas gave her a teasing look. "You totally are. You are a perfectionist and you care for everyone like she does."Anne rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. “You a
Jacob was released from jail. This time, he had accepted Nicholas’s help. Outside the jail, Anne and Nicholas were waiting for him. He hadn’t expected to see Anne there. As soon as he was released, she rushed to hug him with her face beaming with happiness.He felt a rush of emotions seeing Anne and he held her hand throughout the ride. He didn’t know where they were taking him. It had been a month since Anne had urged him to accept Nicholas’s help. When the car finally stopped, he noticed the familiar surroundings and was not very surprised to see that Anne had brought him to their old house. He stayed quiet while letting his daughter and son-in-law lead him inside.Everything looked just as he remembered. The house was clean and well-maintained. It was as if someone had been taking care of it all this time. Then, the old housekeeper who used to take care of the house came out to greet him. Seeing her made his eyes well up. He learned that she and her granddaughter had been living the
A small and genuine smile curved Jacob’s lips. He looked around as if expecting someone and his brows knitted together. “Where is Nicholas?” he asked.“He went home,” Anne replied. “The kids were blasting his phone.” She chuckled. She could see the hesitancy in her father's smile when she mentioned her children. There was an awkwardness in his demeanour and probably a reluctance that came from the uncertainty of meeting them. Anne understood that it was a big step that couldn’t be rushed. She knew her father needed time and she was willing to give him that.Anne asked, “Dad, shall we cook together like old times?”Jacob’s expression softened at her words “Yes, why not?” After a brief pause, he glanced at her curiously. “Will Nicholas come to pick you up?”Anne shook her head,. “Nope. I told him I wanted to stay with my father for a few days.”For a moment, Jacob looked at her in surprise, as his eyes widened at the news. Then, slowly, his expression transformed and his eyes shone wi
When Nicholas woke up early in the morning, he felt as if Anne had been with him in his dreams. Still half asleep, he looked at the phone and saw the call was still ongoing with her face displayed softly on the screen. He smiled and a sense of warmth spreading through him. So, it wasn't just a dream. It was a reality and her presence there with him even if through the tiny screen.He got up quietly, not wanting to wake her as it was still far too early for her. He took the phone with him and carried her with him like she was in his pocket. With Anne still peacefully sleeping on the screen, Nicholas went about his morning routine. He worked out in his home gym, took a shower, and had a meal, all the while looking down at his phone occasionally. There was something deeply comforting about her presence and her face that was relaxed in sleep which never fails to bring a smile to his lips whenever he looked at the phone screen.Hours later, when Anne woke up, the first thing she saw was Ni
Leon furrowed his brow at the confusion etched on Jacob's face. He turned to Coco, a knowing look passing between them. “We should have thought of an easier title for him. Look, he didn’t even get it.”Coco pouted, her little brows knitting together in disappointment. “He came late in our life. Grandpa and Gramps are already taken by our other grandfathers. We both liked Baba the most.”Nicholas sighed softly behind them, “Shall we move inside?” he suggested. Leon and Coco looked expectantly at Jacob, waiting for him to invite them inside. It suddenly struck Jacob how he was standing in the doorway, feeling like an outsider in his own home. He quickly regained his composure. “Please come inside,” he said, stepping aside to let them pass.Coco glanced back, her voice laced with sad emotion. “Baba, you don’t like us?” she asked, her big eyes searching his face for reassurance. She looked like a sad and lost puppy who was not accepted despite acting all cute and precious. Jacob’s heart
Anne said, “I have an idea! We are trying soilless farming at the café. Maybe you will like it. Sia knows a lot about it. You can also bring her there. Moreover, it is a lively place. You can visit it more often.” Thankfully, he agreed to the plan and the very next day, he visited the café. He enjoyed it so much that he asked Anne if he could work there in any capacity. Anne was delighted to hear this. She explained that she was busy with her pregnancy and soon would have to care for the babies. She encouraged him to help her manage the café with her. In the following seven days, Anne supported her father as he settled into this new routine and he quickly found a purpose in life. He threw himself into his work at the café, helping with everything from customer service to organizing the fresh produce, decorating the cafe and took the project of having a garden around the cafe that uses vertical, soiless method. His joy was evident to everyone and seeing the smile on his face brought
Later that night, Anne was lying in bed as she was trying to get some sleep. But suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her that woke her up. She twisted and turned, hoping to find a comfortable position but nothing worked. Tears started to roll down her cheeks as the pain grew worse with each passing moment.Feeling scared, she turned to Nicholas who was still asleep beside her. She shook him gently at first but then more urgently. “Nicholas! Take me to the hospital! Please! I can’t stand this pain. I’ve never felt anything like this before,” she cried, her voice shaking with fear. She was so scared for her babies. Nicholas woke up quickly, his heart racing when he saw Anne's pained expression. Without thinking, he scooped her up in his arms while holding her tightly against him. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. We are going now,” he said softly, trying to calm her.He called out to the maid, “Get the car ready! And tell my parents I’m taking Anne to the hospital!” He moved quickly, feeling