Let. "We should've gone with white roses after all. I know Jasmines are Lydia's favorite, but maybe if we had mixed the two it would have worked better, don't you think? Oh! and the drapes! Where's the-" "Mom." I injected, cutting short mom's rambling episode. We stood in the centre of the pristine banquet hall in one of Jayden's family's hotels, "everything is perfect, it's only half an hour until guests start coming in so you're not changing anything." She was looking around, not listening to a word I said. I sent a pleading look to dad. When mom was nervous, she rambled non stop. Dad gave me a slight
Irene."Milk?" Jim asked with furrowed brows.Nodding, I pointed to 'milk' on the grocery list again and shooed him away. We were in the supermarket down the corner from our apartment. I had waited for him to come back from school to help me with the groceries since one of my wrists was still useless, it had only been two week since the accident.He came back with milk right as the young clerk started ringing our groceries. Jim helped put everything in bags. I paid while he carried as much as he could, leaving me with a lighter bag."When are you going back to work?" Jim asked when we sat on a bench outside the supermarket, eating some ice cream. His nose and sunken cheeks were red from the cold. He had lost so muc
Irene 'Feel free to look around, I'll just send something quickly from my office.' 4 I nodded, and Leo rushed down a hallway, disappearing into a door while I tried to keep my jaw from meeting the ground. When he had said he lived in an apartment, I wasn't expecting a huge two story penthouse in one of the highest buildings in the city. But then again, for a person who was worth millions, living in a place like this did make sense. And I really shouldn't have been surprised since his parents literally liv
Irene. The next morning, my mood plummeted to the ground. It was as if life had decided that I wasn't worthy of being happy for an extended period of time. I woke up early to make breakfast for Jim since he had school. When he didn't wake up by the time he had to, I knocked on his door. When he didn't open the door, I walked straight in. The curtains were drawn, basking his small room in different shades of gray. I drew back the curtains then turned to his sleeping form on the bed. His comforter was pulled all the way up, covering his head. "Jim, you're gonna be late. Wake up."
Irene. The next morning, my mood plummeted to the ground. It was as if life had decided that I wasn't worthy of being happy for an extended period of time. I woke up early to make breakfast for Jim since he had school. When he didn't wake up by the time he had to, I knocked on his door. When he didn't open the door, I walked straight in. The curtains were drawn, basking his small room in different shades of gray. I drew back the curtains then turned to his sleeping form on the bed. His comforter was pulled all the way up, covering his head. "Jim, you're gonna be late. W
Irene'Feel free to look around, I'll just send something quickly from my office.'4I nodded, and Leo rushed down a hallway, disappearing into a door while I tried to keep my jaw from meeting the ground. When he had said he lived in an apartment, I wasn't expecting a huge two story penthouse in one of the highest buildings in the city.But then again, for a person who was worth millions, living in a place like this did make sense. And I really shouldn't have been surprised since his parents literally live in a mansion.So, taking his invitation, I let my eyes slowly take in everything, from the ridiculously high ceilings, the polished marble f
LeoThe private jet landed after an agonizing eight hours flight. The weather in London was colder than back home. The gray sky greeted us from the moment we landed."What's the schedule, Brandon?" I asked my assistant as we walked inside a special section of the airport."A meeting with the board here in London at two thirty. Then a tour in the new resort at five o'clock. You're free after that for the rest of the day until the Foxwell's anniversary event at eight PM.""Good," I said nodding in thanks to the man who opened the car door and stepped inside, "let's go grab lunch first.""I made a reservation for three in the hotel's restaurant," Brandon said, tapping on his tablet as he sat down in
LeoIrene cried for what seemed like an eternity. Her cries slowly subsided and her sobs quieted down until only hiccups and low gasps escaped her lips.1I pulled away and looked down at her. What I saw made me wish she would go back to crying her emotions out.Fear, guilt and self-blame filled her eyes. They turned hollow, empty.I framed her face with my hands, brushing away the tears. I knew whatever I said wouldn't matter. At least not now."I'll call the doctor, okay? She needs to look at you."She nodded, then winced when I helped her lay back. I raised the head of the bed, then pushed the nurse call button.A nurse ca
Fine, fine!" he rubbed his face, "whatever you want, just... don't do it." "Don't get involved in my life, and I will not get involved in yours." **** **** After Matt was dealt with, I felt much lighter. The next day was a Saturday. I woke up first, like usual. On most days, Irene slept in. She had admitted to me that for years, she could rarely afford to sleep in the mornings with the kind of work that she did. Now that she could work on her own time, she took full advantage of it. Thoughsleeping inwas a relative term. She would never stay in bed past eight thirty. I would make breakfast, and we'd have it together before joining our family in the tennis club. 2
I see." I stepped closer until I could whisper in his ear, "I don't give a fuck about your excuses, Matt. We both know what's really happening here. But I'm not dealing with you tonight."I pushed past him towards Irene. I would deal with Matt properly, and by the time I was done with him, he would come begging for mercy.1Irene smiled and rose when I reached her. The interpreter looked more than relieved to be spared signing the two women's words. What kind of crap had they been spouting?The two women looked at me with wide eyes. They scrambled to their feet."Oh, Leo! I didn't know you were coming?" one of them said, her name was Elizabeth or Isabella or something like that.I gave her a look and wrapped Irene in a short hug. She might look calm and unaffected, but I knew her enough to read the anger in her face and body. She wa
Leo"So, what do you think?" Lydia asked me as soon as I picked up my phone."About what?" I replied, motioning for Brandon to take the documents I just signed. He nodded and left the office, closing the door behind him. I turned my chair to look through the ground to ceiling glass behind my desk. The city below was busy.4"Ugh! I sent you a video of the venue five minutes ago!" Lydia said.I closed my eyes. "Lydia. You know neither Irene nor I care about the venue. We just want to get married.""You are going to be the death of me! I can't wait for Irene to come back!" she screamed and hung up.I sighed and checked the message she'd sent me. It was a video of yet another wedding venue. This one was outdoors, in what looked like a lush garden. Irene would like it.Except that, unlike
Nathaniel held on for about a year, respecting Irene's mother's wishes to leave them alone. But then he started looking for them again. It was about the time his company faced difficulties. So Eve made him the offer to pull his company off the ground if he would drop all efforts of looking for his daughter. Nathaniel did. And that was why I would never get along with him. He had chosen his company over his child. I didn't care about his excuses. Nothing in the world would keep me from my child. 3 The man hadn't even had the guts to tell Irene the whole truth back when she asked why he didn't look for her. Nathaniel was a selfish bastard. 1 Sure, he was now present in Irene's life, trying to be a father to a daughter who'd been through more than he could imagine. I didn't care
LeoWe were having dinner in mom's house. Everyone was in attendance. The Allens, Julianna, her husband Ethan, and the twins, Nathaniel and Vincent.The living room was buzzing with activity. Irene was sitting with the twins on a couch, engrossed in what seemed like a senseless conversation with the two toddlers. She was so good with them, it was no wonder Julianna worshipped the ground Irene walked on. Well, pretty much everyone did, really, not just Julianna.1Jayden, Grayson and I were standing by the french doors of the living room leading out to the garden. The weather was nice enough to keep them open."So, I heard Megan stopped by the exhibit," Jayden said. I made a face. Irene must have t
IreneIt was only minutes later that Nathaniel Braxton called Leo.'It's Nathaniel,' Leo signed, after checking his phone. I fisted my necklace. 'He'll probably want to see you.'I didn't know whether I wanted to see him now or not. But I had decided I would get my life together, and the first step in doing that would be to face my past.I took a deep breath and nodded, "yes, I'll meet him."Leo hesitated for a moment. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back and took the call. I looked away, not wanting to read his lips. I really didn't want to meet Nathaniel right now. There were so many questions that onlyhecould answer, and asking those questions meant digging de
I had lunch with Julianna, then headed to the library. The coffee shop was only a ten minute walk from the center, so I walked there. It gave me time to think. What did I want to do with my life?The answer came immediately. I loved painting. If I could paint for the rest of my life, I would be the happiest person alive. But I also knew that it wasn't easy to make your name known enough in the art industry in order to make a living out of it. I did want to try, however.Which meant that I had to find a job to support myself, while at the same time working on getting my paintings out there.A job? Most well paying jobs require a college degree. With Julianna's payment for the mural and what Sophia paid me for the painting she commissioned, my bank account was no longer suffering.3When I reached the library, I went online, did some research, then some calc
She grinned and propped her chin on her hand, "you're not going to tell me it's too dangerous."I rolled my eyes with a smile, 'now you're just being mean.'She laughed. The waiter arrived with menus and left. Irene wrinkled her nose at her menu."I have no idea what half these dishes are," she said. There was humor in her eyes. I relaxed.'What are you in the mood for?' I signed.She pondered over it for a moment, "I'm craving seafood."I scanned the menu, then signed, 'trust me?'She pretended to think about it with a deep sigh, "Maybe. But youarea good cook, so I'll just have to take my chances.""Alright, smarty pants," I said with a smile. Her sense of humor had gotten more... unrestricted recently. But only with me, and I loved it.Food arrived.
Leo's eyes landed on Mrs. Braxton, he stopped beside me. I was now surrounded by three giant, over protective and angry men. I felt sorry for the hotel staff.8Two guards took a few steps back and stood behind the young employee. The poor guy spoke with a bobbing throat to Jayden, while Mrs. Braxton stood her ground. Her stubborn chin raised, but her features had gone from contemptuous to cordial when Leo and Jayden joined us.The only time I had seen Leo this mad was at Lydia's birthday party, when he punched that man, Matt. And just when I thought things had gotten blown way out of proportions, life proved me wrong. Nathaniel Braxton and his son, Vincent, walked up to us with matching frowns.Of course! Join the party! This is the most dramatic bathroom trip ever...I should've just held it in!47I fumbled with the lotus at my n