It's the day. Today is the scheduled meeting with the client, and I am freaking rushing inside my room as I prepared for the meeting that will happen later. As I busily prepared, a gentle knock disrupted the chaos of my bedroom. I looked up to find my mother peering in, a wide grin adorning her face."Morning, sweetheart! How's the prep going?" Her voice carried an contagious enthusiasm, momentarily diverting my attention from the scattered documents on my desk."Good morning, Mom," I replied, glancing back at the papers. "It's a bit hectic, but I'll manage."Her eyes glimmered with excitement. "Can I come in?""Of course, mother." They just went back from their vacation yesterday, and I haven't seen her the whole week. Her eyes just had this sparkle within them that was telling me she had a really good time with dad."Your father and I had the most incredible time on our vacation! The beach was just breathtaking."A faint smile played on my lips. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mom."Five
As I settled into the car, the familiar hum of the engine enveloped me while I dialed my secretary's number. "Hi, it's me. Any updates on the client?"My secretary's voice crackled through the phone. "Yes, I've gathered information about Mr. Kho. But oddly, there are no photos in the database.""No pictures at all?" I replied, a tinge of unease creeping into my tone. It was an unusual situation, one that stirred a hint of discomfort within me.I took a sharp intake of air as I pondered what was going on. Normally, it would be an easy thing to find a data about a person or even huge companies. It's my forte, after all. However, it was a wonder why my team was unable to hack into this person's personally information. What the fuck?"None," she confirmed. "It's all just text-based information—business history, achievements, but no visuals."The absence of any visual reference left me feeling oddly unsettled. In a world where information was readily available, the absence of a photo felt
I stormed into my office, frustration and pain brewing inside me. As I slumped down into my swivel chair, I massaged my temples, the events from the meeting and the haunting conversation with him replaying in my mind like a broken record. An inexplicable ache gripped my heart, and I resented the turmoil it caused.Just as I tried to collect my thoughts, my phone rang. It was Ustin, my cousin, back in the country after a long time. "Rosey! I'm back! Meet me at the airport, would ya?" his voice burst through the line with enthusiasm.All of a sudden, my headache vanished as if it was never there at all. A rush of excitement flooded me, replacing the sadness in my soul. "Of course, Ustin. I'll be there." I replied eagerly, my mood lifting.Hurrying out, I hopped into my car, my thoughts buzzing with anticipation. The day was still long and it was still morning. It wouldn't be a bad idea to spend my noon and lunch with him. Besides, I missed that bitch a lot.I swear to God, his call lift
"How are you, Rosey?"As I entered the familiar corridors of our home, my father, Xavier, met me with a stern yet concerned gaze. His imposing figure, though intimidating, couldn't conceal the subtle worry etched on his face. Without a word, I closed the distance and enveloped him in a tight hug, feeling his strong presence comforting me in ways words couldn't express."I'm fine, Dad," I murmured, even though my fatigue weighed heavily on me. The encounter with Khein had drained me, but I couldn't bring myself to disclose that to my father. "Just tired and in need of rest.""Do not pressure yourself too much, sweetheart, hmm?"I smiled at his thoughtfulness and couldn't help but to melt. His fatherly love never failed to catch my fragile and soft heart."Yes, dad," I answered sweetly.He ruffled my hair.Curious about my mother's whereabouts, I asked, "Where's Mom?" His gesture directed me to the garden where I found her, tending to the vibrant blooms with her characteristic grace.
I was lost in my thoughts when a gentle touch interrupted my reverie. Looking down, I met the innocent gaze of Phiel, Mavi's lovely daughter, who was reaching up to touch my face."Why are you sad, Auntie?" she asked, curiosity was etched on her innocent and angelic face.Her question caught me off guard, but before I could respond, she added, "Don't worry, the fairy will make it better. She will take away your worries!'Her words were so simple yet unexpectedly soothing. They sparked a smile on my face."Oh, Phiel..." I uttered. I lifted her up on my lap as I kissed her cheeks. I always have a soft spot on children, specially with my siblings' children. I treat and I see them as my own, and my love for them will never change even if I will have a child on my own in the future. I may be their aunt, but I am also their mother. "Are you okay now, Auntie Rose?" she asked, her blue eyes blinking as she looked at me with her soft gaze.I nodded my head, my smile widening. "Yes, Phiel. Aunt
I stood in the kitchen, gripping the handle of the coffee mug tightly, my fingers shaking as I mixed it.The tension in the air was almost palpable, suffocating me with its weight. How could I have allowed him inside? My mind raced with self-criticism, regretting the hasty decision I'd made moments ago.With each stir, I cursed myself for being so impulsive. This was a mistake—a grave one, at that. Yet, no amount of regret could undo my actions now.I just allowed him in. Fuck it.Inhaling deeply, I fought to compose myself. Erasing any trace of emotion from my face, I managed a neutral expression as I poured the coffee into the mug. It's too late to regret my impulsive decision. I had already embarrassed myself too much.Approaching him, I handed the steaming cup, careful to maintain an air of collected composure. My heart was pounding in my chest that I could literally hear it in my own ears.I silently cleared my throat.Sitting opposite him in the living room, I tried to exude an
I stood there, the charged silence almost crackling with the weight of our unspoken thoughts. His brown eyes bore into mine, an unspoken question lingering between us. Why had he chosen to unravel the carefully crafted peace I had built around me for the last 5 years? His sudden appearance felt less like a twist of fate and more like a deliberate disruption, reopening old wounds.My glare seemed to have little impact; he remained unaffected, almost impervious to my confrontational gaze.He cleared his throat, a subtle movement that drew my attention. Fingers tracing across his hair, a gesture that held a sense of composure and deliberation. Leaning forward, he addressed me with a calm demeanor that contradicted the turmoil within me."Ms. Ivanov, my intention wasn't to stir any misinterpretations. It was perhaps inappropriate to initiate a casual conversation in this manner," he responded, his expression still devoid of any visible emotion, sidestepping my question once again.Ha. Go
Sitting quietly beside Khein, I gazed out the window, feeling torn as we headed toward the airport. Leaving without explaining properly to my parents felt like a tough call, but I needed to go and didn't want to burden them with my reasons. Maybe Dad saw through my excuse about a week-long meeting, but thankfully, he didn't protest my leaving.As I sat there beside Khein, my emotions were all jumbled up. I felt nervous, a bit happy, a little sad, and a whole lot of confusion. I couldn't make sense of it all, so I decided to just keep quiet.I had so many thoughts in my head, running around like a squirrel running through a spin without any specific destination to go to.I was just thinking...Some people may think that it is overacting of me to react such way for a mere cat. But they can never understand this pain in me.Joni, the cat that I adopted, helped me in so many ways I couldn't imagine. He was there during the darkest moments of my life. He was there when I felt the happiest
Emma left the room to give us some space and privacy. I clenched my fist as the tension between us thicken. I didn’t expect him to be back all of a sudden. Perhaps, it is a good thing as well."I don't want to stay here anymore," I declared with a steely gaze, my determination to leave this house firm in my mind. The sense of betrayal had eroded my trust in everyone around me, leaving me with a deep-seated desire to escape. "I will leave this house," I added, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within.His eyes sharpened, and the tension in the room heightened as he gritted his teeth. My heart raced, but I maintained a composed exterior, unwilling to let him perceive any vulnerability. "Leave, you say? Ophelia, this is our house," he retorted after a brief pause, his voice laced with controlled intensity as if he were suppressing an inner turmoil. "You cannot leave."“Why not?” I hissed, my gaze narrowing into slits as I gritted my teeth. “Why can’t I leave?”“Because I don’
Emma left the room to give us some space and privacy. I clenched my fist as the tension between us thicken. I didn’t expect him to be back all of a sudden. Perhaps, it is a good thing as well."I don't want to stay here anymore," I declared with a steely gaze, my determination to leave this house firm in my mind. The sense of betrayal had eroded my trust in everyone around me, leaving me with a deep-seated desire to escape. "I will leave this house," I added, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within.His eyes sharpened, and the tension in the room heightened as he gritted his teeth. My heart raced, but I maintained a composed exterior, unwilling to let him perceive any vulnerability. "Leave, you say? Ophelia, this is our house," he retorted after a brief pause, his voice laced with controlled intensity as if he were suppressing an inner turmoil. "You cannot leave."“Why not?” I hissed, my gaze narrowing into slits as I gritted my teeth. “Why can’t I leave?”“Because I don’
I've already made up my mind. I'll leave this place. I don't think there was a reason to stay. They were all lying to me, blatantly telling me lies that were obvious. They were deceiving me.Staying became increasingly challenging, especially since my husband, the supposed anchor for my presence here, was consistently absent. Despite their claims of my marriage, their inability to provide any evidence, not even a picture from my own wedding, added to my growing sense of disillusionment.I hung around for a while, hopeful that they'd eventually come clean. Unfortunately, that never happened – not even a bit.It became disheartening and hard to trust anyone.Disappointment settled in, directed at every individual under this roof.Leaving now feels not just necessary but also freeing. Staying doesn't do anything for me anymore. The lies have unraveled, showing a truth that lines up with what I've been feeling.I waited until everyone in the mansion was sound asleep before putting my esca
“Ma’am, your husband has already left,” Emma said, her tone cautious as she addressed me. These days, I wasn't in the best of moods, not because of any lingering sickness, but due to the nagging feeling that something was being kept from me. “He has left for work, and he’ll probably be back a week from now or so.” I nodded silently, then took a sip of the tea she had prepared for me. The revelation that my husband had left bothered me, but I chose not to show it. Why should I care or worry? After all, he didn’t even come to bid farewell himself, so why should I react as if I were genuinely disappointed. “Tell me, Emma,” I uttered, my tone seeking answers. “What were we like as a married couple before I lost my memories?” Caught off guard, Emma hesitated, her usually composed demeanor faltering for a moment. I closed my eyes briefly, taking a deep breath to steady myself before opening them again to face her. “I-I really didn’t know much, ma’am," she admitted, her words coming out
I was back to square one. My husband appeared to be keeping something from me, and I couldn't shake that feeling.When I inquired if he was worried, he didn't respond. Instead, he abruptly left the room, seemingly ignoring my question completely. I felt bewildered and offended. Is he truly my husband? Why isn't he behaving like one?Following that incident, he didn't visit or contact me to check on my well-being. I felt disappointed.But then again, it couldn't be helped.Days passed, and the absence of my husband weighed on me. The unanswered questions and the growing void in our interactions left me grappling with a sense of isolation. I yearned for some connection, for reassurance, but he remained elusive."He hasn't visited or even checked on me. Is this how a husband should act?" I questioned, my voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and sadness.Emma, always composed, offered a reassuring smile. "People cope with difficult situations in different ways, Miss Ophelia. Perhaps
I took a deep breath as I followed him into his office. The man, who claimed to be my husband, seated himself at the desk with casual ease. I stood there, feeling like a fool, waiting for his next command. His expression soured when he saw me hesitating. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his jaws clenching in annoyance. I blinked, my mind still trying to process the overwhelming information he had just laid upon me. I was shocked and utterly disoriented, unable to pull myself together and act with a rational mind. I felt like a leaf, caught in the unpredictable currents of this surreal situation. "What?" he snapped. "Come here." I slowly and reluctantly walked over to his side, my thoughts still swirling with the revelations. When I was close enough, my husband extended his arms towards me. I hesitated, glancing at his outstretched arm. "I won't hurt you, okay? So come here now," he said, annoyance evident in his voice. Biting my lower lip, cheeks burning with embarrassment, I g
Staring into his stunning blue eyes, which revealed no emotion, I couldn't help but notice his tall, masculine figure—undeniably handsome and attractive. Despite his physical perfection, I hesitated to accept him as my husband. In my dreams, the man who claimed that role held me with warmth and tenderness, his gaze filled with affection. The contrast between those dreams and the current reality was stark.The man in front of me felt distant, his demeanor cold and uninviting. An invisible barrier seemed to separate us, making it hard for me to connect the dream figure with the person standing before me. The discrepancy between the dream's warmth and the real-world chill heightened my confusion and left me questioning the authenticity of this man's claim to be my husband.I must have stood there like an idiot for what felt like an eternity. My gaze was fixed on him, my lips parting and closing like a gaping fish. Describing my state as surprised would be a severe understatement—I was ut
It felt as though the world had turned upside down, my head throbbing painfully as I attempted to recall the events that transpired during my time in a coma. The last tangible memory I could grasp was being in... a dark room.And beyond that point, my recollections became an impenetrable fog, leaving me grappling with the disorienting void that stretched between the past and my current state of consciousness.I gazed at the coffee cradled in my hands, its warmth and the sweet aroma wafting up, stirring a nostalgic feeling within me. Yet, my mind struggled to unravel the threads of memory, unable to pinpoint when or where I had last experienced this sensation. Was this scenario familiar, or was it a moment my consciousness had yet to encounter?“It’s time for your medicine now, ma’am,” Emma said as she handed me the pills that I have been taking for a month. Yes, it has been a month, and up until now I was still pondering what really happened, who am I, and where the hell I am. The onl
I jolted awake, gasping for breath, my eyes fluttering open to the harsh reality of my bedroom. Sweat trickled down from my forehead, soaking through the sheets as I grappled with the remnants of a haunting dream—a nightmare that lingered in my waking mind. As I lay there, heart racing and senses on high alert, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease that the dream left in its wake. The echo of a distant scream, the shadows that danced malevolently in the corners of my mind—everything felt vivid and disconcerting. I took a deep breath, attempting to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. Yet, the tendrils of fear still clung stubbornly, leaving me with an unsettling awareness that the boundary between dreams and reality was thinner than I had ever imagined. "Good morning," a voice suddenly exclaimed, prompting me to turn my gaze towards its source. There stood a woman in her mid-twenties, adorned in what appeared to be a maid's uniform. A tray laden with breakfast delicacies res