“Oh I see…” Monica chuckled, I could already imagine her satisfied expression as she spoke. “You've gone silent because you realize you've lost, haven't you?”My brows furrowed, “You think this is a competition? You think this is something to be prideful about?” I scoffed, “You should be advising your daughter as her mother to not throw herself into a married man's lap, much less a man like Yaakov,” I shook my head, feeling immense disappointment at the woman on the other end. “But then again,” My voice turned dark, “Why am I surprised when you did the same thing to my mother?” I stated the obvious. Like mother, like daughter as they say. Monica probably didn't see anything wrong with what Bertha did because she saw it as nothing. And yet my mother is the one they call a whore.“You fucking bitch!” She screeched, “You're only mad because my Bertha has surpassed you…time and time again she has continued to surpass you in everything. What use is the son when we have the father? The
When I woke up, the world reassembled itself in soft, sterile white and cream. The familiar antiseptic smell. The rhythmic, almost musical beeping of medical equipment creating a strange symphony that sobered me up completely. I was in a hospital, a rather spacious room from what I could see. My entire body felt like it didn't belong to me, except for my eyes that took in every detail of my surroundings. And Roman.He looked tired. Beyond exhaustion.There were dark circles beneath his eyes and an unusual slump of his shoulders. His blue eyes looked dull, pain filled as he stared down at his hand. His hair was disheveled, as though he had been running his fingers through it repeatedly.His hand was wrapped around mine. Not just holding. Clutching. As though I might disappear if he were to let go.Seeing him in that state made my heart ache. How long had he been by my side? How long have I been here? "Roman," I rasped, my voice was hoarse, like I'd swallowed a fucking frog.His r
Jessica's eyes darted between Roman and me, her gaze sharp and calculating. She was dressed in her coat, she looked like she'd just run over without any prior preparation, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. I looked between her and Roman, mirroring her actions as I wondered if he was the person who called her here or if she found out on her own that I was in here. She was fuming, hands crossed over her chest and a deadly glare being sent in Roman's direction. "Do you both have any idea how serious this is?" Her voice was a controlled explosion, each word measured but heavy with enough emotion to make the hospital room thick with tension. She wasn't just here as a friend, from the looks of things she was here as a doctor as well. Roman immediately looked chastened, his shoulders dropping several inches. I'd never seen him look so vulnerable, so stripped of his usual commanding presence. Today he looked that way and even worse.I was beginning to feel bad, thinking up words
AMELIAThe hospital room seemed deathly quiet yet at the same time a certain kind of tension rose slowly as Jessica finally left the room, leaving only Roman and me. I watched as he fiddled, with the image from the scan and then sometimes my fingers, looking he intended to say something but yet kept deciding against it. I studied him carefully. The past hours had etched themselves into his face – deep lines around his eyes that hadn't existed before, a slight tremor in his usually rock-steady hands, the way his shoulders carried an invisible weight that seemed to press down on him with relentless gravity. He looked both familiar and foreign – my husband, yet someone I was still struggling to completely understand.He had a past. An entire life that I knew nothing about and I knew he intended to keep it that way because he feared what my reaction would be… I got a bit of an idea of what his life would've been like. Lonely. A child sent by a parent to assume a responsibility he was
I was in the hospital for a few more days, under strict observation as the doctor wanted to make sure my blood pressure would be back normal and wouldn't become a complication. In those three days I stayed in the hospital, Roman tried as much as possible to spend his nights by my side while also juggling his work and mine. Colson still hadnt returned from his leave and when I asked Roman about it, he admitted that he hadn't heard from him in a while. Roman was exhausted, being stretched out to think and despite how well he hid his tiredness I could see right through his facade. We spent the evenings speaking about his past, or at least, the little parts he would tell me. The PG rated version of everything he'd experienced…and done. And even that in its own way was all shades of messed up. Still. He wasn't that person anymore… Though sometimes he spoke like…he missed it? "Tell me about your relationship with Alexander," I said, my tone deliberately neutral. I'd learned over ye
MARCUSWhat is a man without a craft? Without a passion? Without a purpose? I spent the first half of my life roaming endlessly, doing what was expected of me, doing everything a good son would do for parents as expectant as mine.A diploma, a degree, a doctorate, a phd, whatever the fuck i could achieve just to get them satisfied. It was never enough, they always wanted more, always thought I was capable of more.Then they died and i realized…fuck them!And the rest of the world thinks they can dictate the fate of a man like me. One capable of everything and so much…On the day i put those two fuckers in the ground, that was when i met her…Amelia Grayson.She didn't know who I was before she approached me, offering an umbrella I didn't even need at the time. I was enjoying the rain soaking me thoroughly but the second she offered, I realized that was the first time someone had offered something to me without asking for something else in return.Just plain kindness.I was enraptu
AMELIAI once used to think that I wasn't meant to find happiness or deserve to be loved by anyone. Because my father and Monica stopped at nothing to remind me. My father's beatings and Monica's verbal abuses were enough to bring down my self esteem or rather burn it to ashes. Despite how much I claimed I stood up for myself, I was exactly what they said I was because I believed it. And now? “What are you thinking about?” Roman asked, his deep voice pulling me out from my thoughts. I looked down at the man and found his blue eyes staring back, alight with a familiar hunger I knew all too well, even as he helped place the bag of ice on my swollen ankle. “Does it hurt?” He asked softly, lowering his lips to plant a brief kiss on my right knee. His lips were warm and his kiss made my stomach flutters, especially when his intense gaze held mine in a magnetic stare. I couldn't bring myself to look away. I had thought I knew what love was. Until I accepted what I felt for Roman and
The warmth of Roman's lips lingered on mine as he finally decided to leave. His fingers traced the curve of my cheek, his touch so gentle it almost felt like a whisper against my skin. I watched him, my heart swelling with a mixture of love and that inexplicable fear that I couldn't quite shake.Everything else had faded into nothingness yet at the same time so much was at stake. "I've become more romantic these days, haven't I?" he said, a playful glint dancing in his blue eyes. The morning sunlight cascaded through our living room windows, casting a soft golden hue across his chiseled features.I couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, bubbling sound that surprised even myself. "More romantic? You've always been romantic, Roman. Just with a different... intensity." I replied with a chuckle, reaching for his stray strands and smoothing them over. He threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and deep, filling our spacious living room. "Different intensity? What does that even mean
AMELIA“We should make her Jessica, after her beloved godmother,” Jessica argued on the other line, annoying me like she usually did. “Why would I name my child, Jessica?” I snorted, “Last thing I want is for my baby to look like you,”Jessica scoffed rather dramatically and I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard Alexander's laughter in the background. “Hey! What's wrong with how I look?! I'm a fucking angel!”“I agree,” Alexander chipped in and I rolled my eyes. Of course he does. “I don't have the time to argue with you two, I need my beauty rest,” I laughed, taking a bite of the cookie in front of me. “Alright, alright…” Jessica sighed, her tone turning more serious, “You better be resting properly,” She added in a stern tone. I nodded though I knew she couldn't see me. “Don't worry, I'll be careful,”She let out an exasperated breath and I could hear her pacing. “I don't like this Amelia, do you have to go back to work? You should just take a pregnancy leave or something,
ROMANI laughed. I couldn't help myself. Bertha's words were by far the best punch-line to a joke I'd heard in a while. I shook my head, meeting her eyes for a split second before I burst out laughing again. By the time I had called, her face was red, from both embarrassment and anger. The corners of my lips twitched. What the hell was I doing here with her when I had a pregnant wife at home I couldn't wait to get back to. “you're a fucking joke!” I chuckled, then I held up a hand, stopping her from saying whatever it was she intended to, “This is my fault, I shouldn't have given you the time of day…” I sighed, “What a fucking waste of my lunch,” I rose from the leather seats and righted the lapels of my jacket. She stood as well, her blue eyes darkening with hurt and rage. “I am not lying, Roman,” She urged. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised a brow, “Really?” Sarcasm seeped into the question. “We've been broken up for almost four months now, I haven't touched you f
ROMANMy father and I haven't spoken since I received the invitation to his wedding. Now, I wasn't claiming to be perfect. I was also unfaithful to my wife and hurt her in ways I would continue to regret for the rest of my life but him? He was making a decision that wouldn't benefit him in any way. He was going to lose the support of my mother's family and eventually be left with nothing. Just as my grandfather had predicted years ago. And out of all the women in the world, why did it have to be her? What was in it for Bertha? I watched with a narrowed gaze as she fiddled with the coffee mug in her grasp, her once blond hair was now shoulder length and her eyes were lowered, a small, seemingly content smile stretching her lips. Bertha. I wasn't sure what her reason for interrupting my lunch was but as much as I wanted to dismiss her presence, I also had questions of my own. We were in the coffee shop not too far from Wellington Corp. She had spotted me unfortunately and now
ROMAN“We've been unable to trace the number, sir.” Came the second disappointing reply for the day, from the one hacker Dimitri trusted enough to get the job done. My grip on my phone tightened as I struggled to rein in my emotions, my frustration almost spilling over. I was sick and tired of not getting fucking results. Of sitting behind a desk and waiting rather than taking every fucking action myself! Yet. I inhaled sharply and nodded though I knew the hacker couldn't see me. “Keep trying, Mr Fred,” I pressed, “If you succeed, I will triple whatever it was Dimitri offered to pay you,” I assured confidently. Money was not the problem, getting the location of that number was what was important. “Are you sure? My fees are quite high,” The man on the other line said, yet I could hear his resolve wavering. He was willing to do it, that much I knew. “Don't worry about that and just do what you're being paid to do,” Then I ended the call and resisted the urge to slam the phone h
AMELIAVincent's movements seemed sluggish, almost mechanical.As more time passed, his usually vibrant energy seemed to have dulled, replaced by a weariness that hung around him like an invisible cloak. I watched him carefully, my instincts picking up on the subtle and yet obvious signs of exhaustion."Are you okay?" I asked, my voice soft with genuine concern. Despite how reluctant I was to ask from the beginning, Vincent was my friend and if something was bothering him then I needed to know…and maybe help. Maybe I was being too paranoid, thinking up shit that probably wasn't there. He laughed, but the sound was different this time. Hollow. Sad. A laugh that didn't reach his eyes, which seemed distant, lost in some internal landscape I couldn't see.“Well, I could tell you I'm fine and this conversation will probably need with you giving me that look you usually do when you hear a lie,”I raised a brow and he burst out laughing, “Yes, that exact look!” He pointed out humorously le
The warmth of Roman's lips lingered on mine as he finally decided to leave. His fingers traced the curve of my cheek, his touch so gentle it almost felt like a whisper against my skin. I watched him, my heart swelling with a mixture of love and that inexplicable fear that I couldn't quite shake.Everything else had faded into nothingness yet at the same time so much was at stake. "I've become more romantic these days, haven't I?" he said, a playful glint dancing in his blue eyes. The morning sunlight cascaded through our living room windows, casting a soft golden hue across his chiseled features.I couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, bubbling sound that surprised even myself. "More romantic? You've always been romantic, Roman. Just with a different... intensity." I replied with a chuckle, reaching for his stray strands and smoothing them over. He threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and deep, filling our spacious living room. "Different intensity? What does that even mean
AMELIAI once used to think that I wasn't meant to find happiness or deserve to be loved by anyone. Because my father and Monica stopped at nothing to remind me. My father's beatings and Monica's verbal abuses were enough to bring down my self esteem or rather burn it to ashes. Despite how much I claimed I stood up for myself, I was exactly what they said I was because I believed it. And now? “What are you thinking about?” Roman asked, his deep voice pulling me out from my thoughts. I looked down at the man and found his blue eyes staring back, alight with a familiar hunger I knew all too well, even as he helped place the bag of ice on my swollen ankle. “Does it hurt?” He asked softly, lowering his lips to plant a brief kiss on my right knee. His lips were warm and his kiss made my stomach flutters, especially when his intense gaze held mine in a magnetic stare. I couldn't bring myself to look away. I had thought I knew what love was. Until I accepted what I felt for Roman and
MARCUSWhat is a man without a craft? Without a passion? Without a purpose? I spent the first half of my life roaming endlessly, doing what was expected of me, doing everything a good son would do for parents as expectant as mine.A diploma, a degree, a doctorate, a phd, whatever the fuck i could achieve just to get them satisfied. It was never enough, they always wanted more, always thought I was capable of more.Then they died and i realized…fuck them!And the rest of the world thinks they can dictate the fate of a man like me. One capable of everything and so much…On the day i put those two fuckers in the ground, that was when i met her…Amelia Grayson.She didn't know who I was before she approached me, offering an umbrella I didn't even need at the time. I was enjoying the rain soaking me thoroughly but the second she offered, I realized that was the first time someone had offered something to me without asking for something else in return.Just plain kindness.I was enraptu
I was in the hospital for a few more days, under strict observation as the doctor wanted to make sure my blood pressure would be back normal and wouldn't become a complication. In those three days I stayed in the hospital, Roman tried as much as possible to spend his nights by my side while also juggling his work and mine. Colson still hadnt returned from his leave and when I asked Roman about it, he admitted that he hadn't heard from him in a while. Roman was exhausted, being stretched out to think and despite how well he hid his tiredness I could see right through his facade. We spent the evenings speaking about his past, or at least, the little parts he would tell me. The PG rated version of everything he'd experienced…and done. And even that in its own way was all shades of messed up. Still. He wasn't that person anymore… Though sometimes he spoke like…he missed it? "Tell me about your relationship with Alexander," I said, my tone deliberately neutral. I'd learned over ye