Jane burst into my office with an intense energy, as if pursued by unseen forces. Yet, her radiant expression reveals a joy that could rival a lottery victory."Give me all the juicy details, right this instant!" she commands with authority, gracefully seating herself in one of the chairs across from my desk. "Spill it!"I chuckle. "Calm down, Jane. It's not as dramatic as you think. Besides, I already shared everything with you.""No, you haven't. Start from the very beginning—when you unexpectedly ran into him at the restaurant, and then... the kiss. How did it happen? Who initiated it? Why would you even kiss someone you've never met before? Am I missing something important here? Tell me, Sandy, what haven't you revealed yet?"Her enthusiasm for the revitalization of my love life brings a smile to my face. Jane and I share many similarities, which is why I find myself drawn to her more than anyone else. I believe she'll be the one to truly understand my current predicament.I clear
Since it's Friday night, I decided to extend the girls' bedtime and have them join me for a late-night comedy movie. It has become a cherished tradition for our family, except for when their dad has prior engagements.As we settled in to watch the movie, my focus shifted when I heard the familiar sound of a message notification on my phone. Although the number was unfamiliar, the content instantly revealed the sender's identity."Hello, Cassandra . Would you like me to pick you up around noon tomorrow for lunch at Circa? Or is there another restaurant you'd prefer? -EN."A smile formed on my face as I swiftly composed a reply. "I won't inquire about how you obtained my contact details or my home address, but I must admit it's giving off a rather unsettling vibe. Circa works for me. I'll be at my store."I send the text, desperately trying to divert my attention to the source of my girls' uproarious laughter. Despite my efforts, I find myself unable to fully engage with the movie playi
When I'm filled with excitement, having some sleep becomes quite challenging. It comes as no surprise that I had a restless night and found myself alert and wide awake even before the break of dawn. To ensure I don't disturb the twins, I tread softly past their bedroom on my way downstairs. With the intention of soothing my restless nerves, I leisurely make my way to the kitchen to prepare a steaming cup of mint tea.By 9 a.m., Mrs. P arrives to resume her duties while I prepare a delightful breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried sausages, and toast for my awakened daughters who joined me in the kitchen. Mrs. P had already entered our apartment earlier using the spare key she possesses, as she has practically become a cherished member of our family."Good morning, Mrs.P," I greeted her with a cheerful tone."You arrived just in time. Breakfast is prepared!""Good morning, Cassandra . Hello, girls," she warmly greeted us with her characteristic smile."Good morning, Nanny P!" The girls res
Before reaching my store, Jane called me multiple times, eagerly inquiring about Noah's call. I responded negatively, explaining that he had arranged for a car to pick me up at the store. Upon finally arriving at the store, Joe and other workers greeted me with excitement and admiration, preventing me from entering my office until they had the chance to capture photographs of me in my stunning dress.Once settled in my office, my phone incessantly chimed with messages from my other friends, curious to know all the details about my lunch date, as Jane had already filled them in. I decided to share some of the pictures taken by my PA, which resulted in a barrage of voice notes from my friends, expressing their enthusiasm and affirming how incredible I looked. Any lingering apprehension I had earlier quickly dissipated as my friends reassured me that I deserved this captivating interlude in my life.Time seems to effortlessly slip away as I find myself engrossed in my work, when suddenly
As Noah leads me through the house towards the dining room, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. I had secretly harbored hopes that he would guide me to his bedroom instead, where he would sensually undress me, and we would engage in a passionate encounter akin to those portrayed in romantic movies. We would lose ourselves in each other's embrace, passionately making love and eventually drifting off to sleep, entwined in each other's arms.However, reality paints a different picture. We find ourselves standing before the dining room, adorned with a grand table and regal chairs. It's evident that a sumptuous meal, skillfully prepared by a professional chef, awaits us."Please, have a seat," Noah courteously offers, pulling out one of the chairs, elegantly embellished with gold accents, for me to occupy."Thank you," I respond, mustering a small smile to express my appreciation.At that moment, a young man dressed as a waiter enters the dining room through a nearby door,
With a firm grip, Noah guides me out of the dining room, akin to an experienced adult leading a child on a thrilling escapade. Anticipation fills me, tinged with a hint of apprehension. The wine I've consumed has managed to loosen my inhibitions, fueling my eagerness to discover what awaits us in the coming minutes.Ascending one of the grand, winding staircases that stretches towards the uppermost level of the house, I can't help but be taken aback by the sheer number of steps. "This staircase seems to stretch on endlessly," I comment as we continue our ascent.Noah chuckles briefly in response. "You'll grow accustomed to it," he reassures me.Though uncertain of his meaning, I deem it inappropriate to ask trivial questions at this moment. My sole desire is to witness if the upstairs area possesses the same breathtaking beauty as the ground floor. Upon reaching the top, an astonishing sight unfolds before my eyes—an exquisitely adorned living room, the epitome of opulence. It surpas
When I arrived home around 4 p.m., the girls were just waking up from their nap. Mrs. P seemed surprised to see me back home "so early," as she put it. The encounter with Noah had left an awkward atmosphere, so we returned to the dining room to have our meal.Our conversation consisted of forced small talk, which made the situation even more uncomfortable. Thankfully, having food in front of me gave me something to focus on when we ran out of things to say. We both knew it was best to avoid personal topics such as family, as it would only add to the awkwardness.I couldn't help but blame myself for how the lunch date turned sour, but there's no use dwelling on it now. Noah didn't mention anything about a second date or visiting my store again, which indicates that our connection has come to an end. It's difficult to admit, but I feel a sense of sadness knowing that our moment together ended so abruptly.Anna observes my somber mood and comments, "It doesn't seem like you had a good t
I could hear Najite take a deep breath before she began to explain. "Well, it seems that some paparazzi managed to capture pictures of you and Noah together at his place. They're referring to you as 'the mystery woman'. Although your face isn't clearly visible in the images, anyone familiar with you would recognize you instantly. These pictures have gone viral. Every blog out there has posted them on their websites. Darling, you've become famous!"My head starts spinning abruptly, as if I've been caught in a whirlwind that's swirling me around at an incredible speed. Someone managed to capture photos of me and Noah together, and now they've leaked them to gossip blogs. Who could have done such a thing, and what could be their motive?"Oh my goodness, Clara, please tell me this is just a joke," I urgently pleaded into the phone, hoping for some reassurance."No, I'm serious. You should check out the FameFamous Blog on Instagram. It's all over there. The pictures have also made their wa
As soon as news of our engagement spread through the media, it quickly became the talk of the town across various news platforms in Seattle. True to form, there were a handful of envious individuals who seized the opportunity to launch a barrage of insults at me, resorting to all kinds of derogatory names. Some even went as far as suggesting that I must have employed supernatural means to captivate Noah's affections, questioning how a prosperous and youthful man could possibly be enamored by someone like me. Fortunately, my loyal friends emerged as my staunch defenders, taking on the trolls and even granting interviews on Instagram live streams to clear my tarnished reputation.Both Noah and I have consistently turned down interview requests, including those from reputable media outlets. His stance was that our relationship is not open for public scrutiny, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In accordance with our mutual decision, we have chosen to have a destination wedding at a ser
After precisely two months of reconciling with Noah , I made the decision to organize a surprise birthday celebration for him. With his 33rd birthday approaching, my aim was to create an intimate and elegant party to honor him. To bring this event to life, I sought the assistance of his closest friends, Fredrick and Jamiu, as well as his parents. They were all eager to contribute and help organize the occasion. Today, his family will be traveling from Spain to Seattle to attend the party, which will take place at the lavish residence of their family friend, Mr. Matthew Dawnson, a billionaire tycoon.Marilyn, who suggested the venue, assured me that Matthew's house in Seattle was the ideal location for the type of party I have envisioned. As it turns out, she was absolutely correct. The mansion occupied a vast expanse of land that seemed to extend infinitely, bordered by the tranquil waterfront of Kirkland lagoon.It felt as though we've stepped into a breathtaking Caribbean paradise r
Acting on a tip from Marilyn, I decided to visit one of Noah's clubs where an artist signed to his record label was performing tonight. Noah was unaware of my surprise visit, although he knew his mother had come to see me earlier. She had asked if she should inform him about my desire to meet up, but I declined, as I was the one who had cut ties with him and explicitly forbade him from contacting me again.As I approached the entrance, the bouncers inquired if my name was on the guest list. For the first time, doubts crept into my mind, questioning the wisdom of my impromptu visit. A sense of déjà vu washed over me, reminiscent of the day months ago when I went to Noah's residence for an unexpected meet up. That particular evening marked the beginning of our relationship and held the significance of our first intimate encounter. The memory brought a smile to my face, instilling in me the confidence to proceed with my purpose for the night.Approaching one of the colossal bouncers, I
The children and I didn't make it downstairs until slightly past 10 a.m. It had been an incredible night, courtesy of my unexpected visit from my cousin, Samuel , who asked if he could spend the weekend with us. I was delighted to have his company, and thanks to him, we stayed up later than usual, engaging in enjoyable games, a family karaoke session, and indulging in the junk food he had brought along.Luckily, today was Saturday, so there was no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare for school and work. Samuel was still asleep on the couch in the living room where we had left him the previous night. I signaled to the girls to be quiet as we stealthily made our way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast."What are we having for breakfast?" Anna inquired eagerly. "I'm famished!""Shh! Let's not wake up Uncle Samuel ," Bella admonished her sister in a hushed tone."I agree," I responded softly. "After entertaining us so well last night, he deserves to rest.""Can we have eggs
As the new school year approached, my enthusiasm surpassed even that of my children. They often wondered what made me so cheerful. I was genuinely delighted to embrace the return of a structured routine. Each day held a sense of purpose: escorting my daughters to school, proceeding to work after bidding them farewell, accomplishing our weekly grocery shopping, enjoying quality time with my girlfriends every other weekend, and sporadically receiving visits from my siblings. These engagements filled my days with various activities, diverting my attention from ruminating about Noah and whether he and Reina managed to establish a connection after that dreadful morning four and a half months ago. It's astonishing how swiftly time has flown by!Interrupting my thoughts, Joe jovially exclaimed, "Knock, knock! Who's there?"I found myself seated in my office, experiencing a rather uneventful day in terms of business. Impatience consumed me as I eagerly anticipated the moment when I must pick
This morning's breakfast was a delightful and uncomplicated affair. I indulged in fried bean cakes, accompanied by corn pudding generously adorned with milk and sugar, and a serving of freshly baked bread. As I savored each bite, a rush of nostalgia envelopped me, transporting me back to my cherished childhood. It was during those Saturday mornings that my mother would skillfully prepare this delightful combination, her dedication evident after hours of meticulously cleaning the house and its surroundings. Ah, the fond memories of those days gone by.Noah, observing me intently with an inquisitive smile, playfully remarked, "Seems like our chef deserves a raise, considering the immense joy on your face. I never knew you were such an ardent fan of bean cakes. Or perhaps it's the velvety-smooth pudding that has brought about such happiness?"A gentle chuckle escaped my lips as I responded, "Not exactly. Although this food has undeniably transported me back to my childhood, it was my mot
The atmosphere in the car was heavy with silence as Noah and I made our way back to his house. The palpable tension reflected Noah's evident annoyance and embarrassment over the deplorable treatment I received from his parents during my inaugural visit to their home. While my family may not be affluent, I am certain that they would never exhibit such overt rudeness towards someone they were meeting for the first time. Age should not be a point of contention, and there is certainly nothing inherently terrible about having children. Yet, they made me feel as if I were afflicted with a contagious disease. Why did Marilyn, in particular, direct such venomous hostility towards me from the moment she laid eyes on me? And as for Reina , what is her ulterior motive? As we pulled up to Noah's house, his sour mood still hung in the air. I am torn about whether I should offer an apology to him, even though it was I who should feel offended, not him. With determined strides, he ascended the sta
As we reached the backyard, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Noah's father didn't match the image I had in my mind. Unlike what I expected, the elderly Taylor was tall, slender, and attractive, with hair that's gracefully greying. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel annoyed when I saw Reina , who looked like she was part of the family. She was wearing tiny shorts that barely covered her buttocks, paired with a cropped knit top that showcased her extremely flat stomach. Her short hair was styled into shiny finger curls, complemented by sleek baby hairs at the front. She was also sporting a pair of Gucci slides, partially concealing her feet. As soon as she spotted me, she casted a deliberate, slow glance from my head to my toes, making it abundantly clear that she didn't welcome my presence. "Hello, Father!" Noah enthusiastically greeted his dad, extricating himself from his mother and approaching his father. "Hey, son!" Exclaimed the older Taylor , stepping forward t
Over the next three days, Noah and I immersed ourselves in exploring Spain to its fullest extent. We made it a point to visit various tourist attractions and indulge in sightseeing activities. To ensure my daughters were part of the experience, I diligently recorded each outing and shared the videos with them via my cousin's WhatsApp. Alternatively, I would connect with them through Skype during our trips, allowing them to witness our joyous outdoor adventures in real-time.On the fourth day of our stay in Spain, we were abruptly awakened at 7 a.m. by the persistent ringing of Noah's phone. Our sleep schedule had been adjusted since arriving in Spain, causing this unexpected phone call to catch us off guard."Darn it, I should have turned off my phone last night," Noah grumbled into his pillow. "Who in the world could be calling at this hour?""Please answer the darn phone so I can get some more sleep!" I replied drowsily, feeling increasingly annoyed by the incessant ringing that w