"So what is this appointment you are going to?" Joan asked after hopping on to Cole's car.
"Meeting with the California Yacht Club president. They are planning to re-market the club and Monica wants me to be the next model for their upcoming ads," said Cole while turning on the ignition of his Jaguar.
"It's going to be a party that we will attend to so, get ready to flaunt your assets," he said with his usual killer grin.
It was no wonder he had a stylist work on her attire. Joan was wearing new shoes, on top of her new dress, and had put on light makeup for his appointment. He was also dressed up for the part.
Seeing the reluctancy on her face, Cole asked, "What? No backing out now. I just spent thousands of dollars on you today."
She rolled her eyes and said, "Fine. I don't want to go home, anyway."
For a second, she took a peek inside her purse and saw that her phone's battery had died. She sighed, thinking it was
"Joan, dear. What are you thinking?" Her mother, Jessica Belle, asked as they were having lunch at the Cafe Teragram.After attending a morning service nearby, they went straight for lunch."Nothing, mom," Joan said and decided to start with her salad.She was still in deep thought about what Cole suggested. He told her that getting the contract with the Yacht Club would be a way for her to catch Christopher's attention, but right now, she wasn't sure what she wanted.Joan hasn't gotten back to Cole for two days.Just as she was in deep thought, another prominent family arrived at the Cafe and Alexander Belle, Joan's father, easily invited them to their table.They had used up an entire ten-seater long table, just the way her mother always liked it.When she looked up to find out who it was, she paled. It was the Hales. Worst, the singer starlet was with them!"Oh, Jessica, it's good to
Cole wrapped Joan in a towel after his security handed it to him.She was sitting on one bench, utterly soaked."What in the world were you thinking, Joan?" Cole Asked as he kneeled down to level with Joan, drying her hair.Joan was taken aback. He was treating her like a wet puppy. 'Or a girlfriend,' she thought.For seconds, Joan found herself distracted by his athletic frame. She could not help but appreciate how well molded his abdomen was. She had never seen a man who had such a slender waist!"Joan?" He asked again, quickly shifting her gaze to his small and manly face.Yes, Cole had a slender face, but they were well-shaped, perfectly athletic looking, and it went well with his military haircut."Are you... gawking at me?" He asked. At that point, she awoke from her stupefied moment."What?! Gawking?! No! I'm - I'm just hurt." She slightly shook before telling, "I met up with the Hales e
Dance music could be heard from across the huge area of the LX Nightclub, an exclusive venue for famous people to party and have a good time without being followed around by paparazzi.The DJ was manning his Console, playing back a record, and mixing it with another famous song."Y'all, let's hear some back to back Justin Bieber and dance to it!" Announced the DJ, swaying his hands in the air.In one corner, Joan was hiding her face with her long blonde hair, utterly ashamed for having arrived with Cole at the club later that night.From the Los Angeles Athletic Club, they had a late lunch and spent some time discussing the benefits of accepting the Yacht Club contract. They had dinner and after which; she was practically dragged to the LX Nightclub.They had been resting for half an hour and had two drinks all in all. Yup, like always, she was bad with alcohol and she was feeling herself getting warm.While run
"Wow! I'm so full. I never thought I could finish an entire bowl of Ramen!" Remarked Joan after practically drinking the soup from the bowl.Cole had shown her earlier the ways and means to drink from a large ramen bowl as if it were a glass. It was technically the most unladylike she had ever done, but Cole's encouragement allowed her to do it."What did I tell you? The best ramen in the city!" Exclaimed Cole."Touché!" Said Joan with a smile.Uncle Ben then came to their table, offering green tea. He said, "Here, to help with the feeling of being so full.""Thank you, um..." Joan was thinking about how to call the old man."Uncle Ben is fine, Joan. Any good friend of Cole is like my own child," said the old man. "Drink up."With a sweet smile, Joan nodded and said, "Thank you, Uncle Ben."An hour passed, and Joan found herself staring from inside Cole's car. They were parked right outside
Sweat formed on Cole's forehead as he had coffee with Alexander Belle from their mansion's patio.Cole let out a heavy sigh before wiping the wetness on his face with his hand.When Joan told him about her father, wanting to see him, he felt utterly nervous. He did not understand why he had to be called to the Belle's estate, but he came either way."What are you trying to do, boy," asked Joan's father before sipping on his coffee. "Are you playing Robinhood again?"Cole gulped at that. He cleared his throat and said, "I - I don't understand - ""Oh, come on! Don't think I did not know you were suspended at school for beating the boys who bullied Joan?" Said, Alexander."Or what about the time you took a snake bite for my daughter during the school camp?" Added Joan's father."The stupidest thing you have ever done was to buy all her cupcakes at the bake sale when they did not even taste any good!"C
"Chris, do you love Shantal?" Joan asked without looking into Christopher's eyes.He had to admit it. The question stunned Christopher. He ended up loosening his tie while answering, "Love? I don't know, but I am enjoying her company. I'm - I'm taking that chance with her."When Joan went to Christopher's office and caught them having sex, she meant to confess her feelings to him. For some reason, she thought it would be a good chance; him being right in front of her.Yet, hearing him say that he could take the chance with Shantal seemingly tied her tongue altogether.Joan could not understand it. Rather, she could not accept it. She asked silently, 'Why take a chance with her and not with me?'When Joan did not answer, Christopher called her attention. He asked, "Joan?""Chris, what's wrong with me?" She finally spoke. A tear fell down her cheek when she added, "Surely by now you know how I felt about you since high school
From the grand estate of the Hales, Christopher had been staring at his windowpane. From his room was an insignificant view of where Joan's room was in the mansion. He thought, 'Her lights are still off. She hasn't come home.'Christopher looked down at his phone, showing the number of Joan. He had been thinking of calling her since he arrived. "Where are you, Joan?""You should have just said something!" He muttered to himself, thinking about their conversation back at Joan's office, but how could he? He was in an obvious relationship with Shantal Lin! Moreover, he had his reasons for not taking that chance with Joan Belle.It was already passed nine when he finally saw the lights in Joan's room turned on. Only then did he rest for the evening.Before he closed his eyes that night, Christopher asked himself, "Am I doing the right thing? I hope so. I don't ever want to regret it." Turning off his bedside lamp, he said, "I'm sorry, Joan. I real
"Oh, my God! Christopher is calling me," Joan said, widening her eyes as she looked at her phone. "I wonder why? He hasn't asked about me since he went to the office."She was settled in the front seat of Cole's car, gawking at the sight of her mobile."Let him call the second time around and then answer it," instructed Cole. He parked his car at the side of the road and said, "Whatever you do, don't say my name."Seeing Christopher call again, he repeated, "Go ahead and take the call!"With a frown, Joan answered the call reluctantly, "H - hello? Chris?""Um, Joan. Where are you at?" Christopher asked on the other line.Bewildered by his probing, she answered, "Just had dinner with a - " She stopped herself, seeing Cole's eyes widening and giving her instructions."Date. Say date," Cole softly said, trying not to reveal himself."I'm - I'm on a date, Chris. Why - Ahhh! What are you doing?" Joan's attent
A month after Joan gave birth. On a day without a caregiver, Cole alternately gave Robin and Mason a bath while Joan was resting after breastfeeding throughout the night. Cole came out from the bathroom with Mason, drying him on his crib. "Hey, buddy! You look so handsome! So much like me!" Remarked Cole. Seeing how Mason was stretching out his hands and turning red, he added, "Don't strain yourself, buddy. I know taking a bath feels so good." He put on Mason's diaper and changed him into his blue overalls before giving his little guy a kiss on the head. After looking at Mason with a grin on his face, feeling triumphant with being able to bathe and change his twins on his own, he suddenly heard a loud fart. The familiar and distinct smell filled his nostrils. "Damn." The smile on his face easily disappeared when he realized that Mason had pooped right after taking a bath and putting on a new diaper and clothes.&
Five years passed.On the sunny side of life; the Maldives and from inside a huge family beach villa, the JOLE couple was still sleeping soundly after pulling out an all-nighter, making love."Mommy! Daddy! Wake up! I want to swim at the beach!" Robin called, entering the room of Cole and Joan."No! I want to swim at the pool!" Objected Mason while following behind his sister.They both jumped on top of the bed, bouncing their bodies against in between their parents. The kid's way of waking their parents was very effective, as Joan had already awoken."Oh, guys! We are on vacation. Why can't you sleep some more? It's still seven in the morning!" Joan complained while still yawning.When Mason and Robin saw that their mother was up, they all went at it, waking up Cole."Wake up, Daddy! Wake up!" Urged Robin. "I want to make sandcastles and catch a mermaid!""Let's go swim with Kent, Katie, and
Eight months passed.From inside one studio of ANN network, Carie Umber was smiling from ear to ear in front of her audience. "Hello, ladies!""Aahhhh! We want Daddy Cole!""I'll just have baby, Mason!""Christopher Hale! Ahhh!"Screams of delight efficiently filled the space, knowing who was Carie's special guests for that day.Carie laughed at the crowd before telling, "Yes! that's right! Today, as a special celebration of father's day, we welcome two!" Carie signaled with her fingers before adding, "Two of the hottest Daddies in the city!"Shrieks once again echoed throughout the studio before Carie revealed, "And they happen to be best of friends!""Ladies, mind you... This is an exclusive interview... that will only happen on... An Afternoon with Carie!" Clapping her hands, she announced, "Let's give it up to the Superstar Model, a loving husband and now a father of two, Cole Adams!"The hoots and cheers
"Damn, Chris. You look terrible," remarked Cole during Christopher and Olivia's visit.It was Joan's third day at the hospital and she was due to leave the following day. The twins, however, had to remain as they still needed to stimulate their sucking reflex and gain weight before getting discharged.Olivia and Christopher determined to pay a visit while Joan still had her hospital room.It was on the sofas where the men were catching up with each other."I look terrible?" Christopher sarcastically asked. He pointed a finger at Cole and said, "Just wait till your babies get home. I have one baby and you... you have two."With a frown, Cole leaned back and inquired, "What's that supposed to mean?"Narrowing his eyes at his best friend, Christopher revealed, "Even if you have hired a caregiver... I tell you, Joan, being a mother would prefer to personally look after the babies... And I could say the same thing for you.
Three days passed.Just when Joan and Cole were expecting to deliver their babies at 36 weeks, the doctor announced in front of them, "your cervix is really dilating faster. I think... you will give birth tomorrow or anytime tonight."That made Joan frowned. She looked down at her belly and caressed it with concern written all over her face.Looking up to the doctor, she asked, "Will that be okay?""To be honest, we don't know for sure until they are out. Technically, they are still 34 weeks," responded the doctor. "In any case, we have already given your babies steroids to help mature their lungs. We hope that was enough intervention to make them breathe on their own."Joan felt teary-eyed, worried for her babies' condition. She asked, "What - what happens if they don't breathe on their own?""They will be put into a ventilator and given treatment to help them breathe, but let's hope that we have helped them enough, given the type of
A month after Olivia gave birth, Joan was admitted to the hospital and had been since.She and Cole left for a regular consultation with her doctor, but she was advised to remain in the hospital for complete hospital management of her pregnancy.The doctor found out that her cervix was thinning faster than expected and back then, her babies were still 32 weeks old. There was a risk of her giving birth prematurely, and Joan needed more frequent monitoring.Now, at 34 weeks in the pregnancy, and after staying in the hospital for two full weeks, Joan was feeling completely emotional.She still had fourteen days to go, but she was feeling disgusted about herself. She hated her back pains and the strain on her hips!Everything was so uncomfortable, yet, she could not even get up to take a bath, have proper waste disposal and go to the loo!She was already on complete bed rest before she was admitted to the hospital and thus; she
From inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel's grand ballroom, many guests, dressed in formal attire, could be seen walking in the direction of the Hale Industries' anniversary party.Several cocktail tables were spread across the hall, allowing the employees to group into their own familiar party. All of them were enjoying a glass of wine and several canapes as they engaged in joyous conversations.Olivia and Christopher were mingling with the other executives in the front-most part of the venue, exchanging pleasantries with one another.Everyone was especially giving their best wishes to Olivia since she was already on her 37th week of pregnancy."I'm sure, your mother is very excited," remarked one of Christopher's directors."Yes, very much," said Christopher before putting a hand behind Olivia's back. He leaned over and whispered, "Are you okay, darling?"Dressed in a long royal-blue maternity gown, Olivia smiled at her hu
"Babe, I have good news for you," said Cole, right after they came from their monthly visit with the doctor.Joan's belly had turned six months old and her doctor's appointment has been weekly, due to the fact that carrying twins was a high risk.While Joan was getting settled in the car, she asked with twinkling eyes, "What is it, babe? Are we going to eat... ice cream?""Ah, we could stop by the shop that offers... protein ice cream," said Cole before forcing a smile."Oooh... That should still be yummy, right?" Joan probed."Absolutely," acknowledged Cole. He helped buckle the seatbelt of his wife before going to the driver's seat and closing the car.After turning on the engine, he revealed, "Anyway, my surprise for you... I don't have any projects for a week! I refused any TV guesting, and I have my new assistant take care of any urgent matters for the apparel company! So, I am free for a week! We could spe
Getting home from their dinner with Cole, Olivia and Christopher first put Katie to sleep in her own room.Since they were now married, Katie rested with her nanny in the other room of Christopher's penthouse.The entire shower time, Christopher had to accompany his wife, worried that she would slip on the floor with her eight-month belly. He helped her get dressed, especially the part where she puts on her underwear.He smirked and said, "It's like taking care of a baby."Olivia laughed and said, "Oh, you have no idea how it is to take care of a baby, darling. I'm telling you...Putting on panties? This does not even compare." She shrugged and added, "Just because I find it hard to bend does not make me a baby!""Stop scaring me." Christopher aided in putting on her sleeping dress and said, "Now... let me prepare our bed.""Okay, darling. Let me just get some water," said Olivia before walking out the door.Whi