(Tara's POV)
“Pizza, everyone!” Samantha came inside with two large boxes of pizza. She tiptoed going to the living room, trying not to wake up her son, and carefully placed the boxes in the middle of the table. Eric tossed the fifth toy he wrapped on the side and lay down on the floor.
“This is insane,” He groaned, watching Matthew and Blake as they continued gift wrapping.
I pursed my lips as I watched the two as they seriously wrapped the toys. Matthew tilted his head and smiled smugly at Blake. He seemed to be enjoying the task, while Blake cursed every time Matthew finished one.
I have no idea what Matthew is up to or what he is trying to prove to me. He had completed ten, and Blake had wrapped just nine. Eric was the one who usually competes with him, and he now got frustrated for being slow.
Samantha opened the box and took one slice, and she winked at me. I stood up
(Tara's POV)A smile curved my lips before I opened my eyes. I covered my face with my hands, and I giggled as I felt the heat in my face. We have shared a perfect and wonderful night. I placed my hands in my belly, smiling sweetly and dreamily for my little Blake. His... or her, I giggled again, well his life will be perfect. My baby has the best dad in the world. I slowly opened my eyes and got up in bed. I sighed and then chuckled as I stared at the nightwear that I never got the chance to wear. The smartphone Samantha said was also there. I was all-smiling as I stood up, walked naked in his room, and went to the bathroom.The good thing about having photographic memory is remembering every detail of our lovemaking last night. Even after the shower, my face is still red, and I feel hot, wanting to see him again, loving the idea of having him inside me, claiming me as his.But first things
(Tara's POV)“My God, Tara,” It was Samantha who ran to me when she saw the blood trickling through my palm to the cream-colored carpet. “I told you not to use the cutter,” She said, crying. I was unsure, though, what her tears were for.When I realized the blood was coming from the cut in my hand, I closed my eyes and exhaled a sigh of relief. I fidgeted for a moment, wanting to burst out laughing. I was convinced for a second that I had lost my little Blake. It would have been unbearable.I must have gripped the cutter hard that I did not notice it wounded me in my palm. She went to me and helped me get up. Her tears kept rolling in her cheeks, and she held my hurt hand as she led me to the stairs.It was funny to think that I could not even feel the pain from the cut in my palm. A bitter smile curved my lips as I stopped. I turned my gaze at Samantha. Her eyes were puffy from cr
(Blake's POV)I look at the giant Christmas tree in front of me. Here at home, mom made sure she had her interior designer set the yearly decorations at home, including this tree. Last night, as Tara stood in front of the penthouse's Christmas tree, she excitedly shared with me how they decorate their Christmas tree at home. I swallowed hard, remembering her. How I loved watching her tell me the story, sitting beautifully near the tree as she arranged the gifts under it, and suddenly I wanted to put ornaments in this tree with our happy memories, too.It was then that I realized that it was supposed to be a perfect moment you have with your family, setting up the tree and decorating it while you talk of your happy times together. I took a deep breath, sipping on the glass of wine Mom gave me. If I were given a choice, I would need something strong to make me forget now. After meeting Tara, I r
(Blake's POV)How do you fake a smile? How do you show everyone that you are okay?The weather was perfect, soft clouds were moving in the blue sky, and the temperature was just right. It was not hot, but not chilly. This was a good time for walking on the shore, snorkeling, or my favorite, scuba diving.Matthew and Eric didn’t need an explanation of what had happened. They did not need to ask where Tara was. Showing up with Sadie today could spell out what happened to us like you have to analyze and conclude everything by yourself. Or maybe Samantha had already filled them up with what had transpired yesterday.She was so mad at me, and it was all my fault. She allowed me to go to Australia alone, hoping I would have the guts to break up with Sadie, to break our engagement.“What kind of woman would ask you not to contact her for three long years just because you will be a distraction?
(Blake's POV)“Are you sure you have no other plan except work?” Sadie asked as we all walked to the parking lot.Matthew takes a look at his wristwatch before nodding. “It’s only four,” He answered as he followed Eric.“Matthew, no car?” Samantha called when she noticed his car was not there.“Can’t you see it, Samantha? It’s invisible,” He joked, laughed at her, and then he shook his head. Samantha sneered at him, then focused on looking for her car key. “I didn’t bring a car because I was hoping to visit Nana Shea, but something came up,”She nodded and then tossed her keys at him. “Drive my car, then.”I raised my eyebrows. “How will you go back home?”She frowned at me. “Key,” When I furrowed my forehead, her lips pouted as she pointed to the key I was hol
(Blake's POV)“What’s this, Blake?” Sadie’s eyes were wide, and they glinted with anger. “First, in the car, and now she’s telling me to sleep in this room and not yours?” She hissed at me. “I know she doesn’t like me, but-”I held the doorknob and twisted it to open. “I’m sorry, Sadie, but Samantha’s just following my orders,” I said, walking inside the room. “Look at the bright side, Sadie. This room is way better than spending the night in the hotel,”She rolled her eyes, then looked at the bedroom. She closed the door. “I can’t understand her... nor you...” She tugged my arm to sit in the bed, and I did, thinking she would sit beside me. Sadie stood in front of me, taking off her clothes.“No work for you today, Blake,” She said, unclasping her bra and tossing it on the floor.
(Blake's POV)As soon as I stepped foot in the airport, I could feel the weight in my heart. It has been six months since I left the country, pretending to everyone, to Sadie, that my business trips were unavoidable. I was well aware that I was unjust to her, but it would be even more unfair if I claimed to be in love when I was no longer sure.The bright morning sun shone happily in the sky. Its sunlight shimmered on the crowd, bathed the surroundings, and its warm light promised excellent weather for any occasions ahead, but my heart seemed to have been overcast with dark clouds, and it had never stopped crying for months. Now that my heart is quiet and calm, I think I could face Sadie without comparing her to Tara. It was like I developed my mantra that my brain had to remind my heart every day that Sadie was my first love, my forever love.Matthew greeted me at the airport, but we were quiet until we reached
(Blake's POV)It has been half an hour, and all I did was stare at the pieces of paper on my table. They usually have guides when you buy puzzles, but these were torn into pieces, crumpled, and two papers mixed. I could imagine her anger when she saw Tara’s things in my bedroom.I took a deep breath, thinking about how I could possibly put them together.My head raised when the glass door opened. “I told you, Sam, I don’t want anyone disturbing me today... and that includes you!” I snarled, almost banging the table with my fist. But Samantha is Samantha. She never listened to me at times, especially in this situation. “We know you’re a puzzle expert, Blake, but this isn’t your ordinary puzzle,” Samantha explained as she wiped her tears. “There’s a nice story behind these drawings.” She said, taking half of the papers and walking to t