As I gazed into her eyes, my heart surged with a torrent of emotions. "I've always believed that we were meant to be together," I finally confessed.A sad smile graced her lips as she replied, "Me too. But you're set to marry Cassandra in just a month."A knot twisted in my stomach, and I struggled to understand her point. "What's wrong with that?" I asked, my confusion evident.Julie let out a bitter laugh, gesturing between us as we danced. "Jasper, you can't go through with it.""Why not?" I demanded, feeling lost."Look at us," she said, sweeping her hand towards our embrace. "You're supposed to be marrying Cassandra in a month, and yet you're holding me in your arms."Her words struck me like a heavy blow, and I abruptly pulled away from her. Without a word, I turned and walked away, my thoughts swirling in chaos."Wait, Jasper," Julie called out to me, her voice filled with desperation.I turned around, my expression unfriendly. "What?" I snarled."We can still make this work, Ja
I looked up at him, my heart pounding with panic. How could he have found out? Did Jasper betray me? No, that couldn't be possible. He would have given me a heads-up, wouldn't he?"What the hell is happening?" a voice growled nearby, interrupting my thoughts. I turned to see Jasper, standing there with a furious expression."Where were you?" I asked, staring at him in confusion. He had disappeared during our engagement party, and now he was livid with us?Jasper stormed over to us, whispering angrily, "Do you even realize how you two appear from a distance?"I glanced down and realized that Alex's hand was still gripping my arm tightly, and we were standing uncomfortably close to each other. He let go of me suddenly and spoke up, "My apologies, Jasper. She tripped and I caught her in time."I was taken aback by how effortlessly Alex lied. Jasper scoffed and replied, "Yeah, right!"Alex lowered his voice and continued, "Well, alright then. I was just telling Cassandra that I'm aware of
"Please, come in," I gestured, intrigued to see who was at my door. Alex strolled in, a warm grin spreading across his face as he leaned against the doorframe, taking in my natural appearance."Well, well, well, look at you! You're just as stunning without makeup," he complimented, making my cheeks flush with embarrassment.Alex settled down next to me, his expression turning serious as he asked about my mother's health. "Kenny told me about your mom. I'm so sorry, Cassandra."I nodded gratefully, touched by his empathy. "If it ever becomes too much, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'll be there for you," Alex offered, his smile filled with unspoken compassion. In that moment, I realized that Alex was truly kind-hearted, a friend whom I cherished.A daring thought emerged within me, suggesting that our relationship could potentially blossom into something more intimate. But I quickly quashed it, not wanting to entertain such notions. However, overcome by a sudden impulse, I reached
"Why would he?" A nagging voice in my mind incessantly questioned, as if taunting me. I longed to silence it once and for all, as it gnawed at my peace of mind. My appetite had vanished, and in my growing unease, I decided to reach out to Cassandra for answers. However, to my astonishment, my call was disconnected abruptly. Why would she do that?My concern heightened as I wondered what could have kept them so preoccupied. I dialed Alex's number in a desperate attempt to get in touch, but there was no response. It had been over half an hour since they had left for the Lake, and they hadn't returned yet. Worrisome thoughts raced through my head, and I felt a sense of urgency to investigate. What if they were in danger? I chided my inner voice for its paranoid speculations.Without a moment's hesitation, I rushed to my car and sped towards their last known location. Disregarding the speed limit, I drove recklessly, consumed by worry, until I reached the familiar clearing. As I hastily ma
A lump began to form in my throat as she spoke the truth. I had been so focused on my own happiness that I had failed to realize the harm and turmoil that my actions had caused. I tried to reassure her, promising to take the blame for everything and to prevent any further hurt to her.As I reached out to ruffle her hair, I made a silent promise to myself. I would do whatever it took to make things right. Not only for Cassandra and her "Mom" but also for my own family. It was time to stop taking everything for granted and start appreciating the gifts that life had given me.Cassandra leaned back in her seat, giving me a smile before drifting off to sleep. While I drove, I couldn't help but steal glances at her, admiring her even as she slept. A strand of hair fell across her face, causing her to furrow her brow. With a gentle touch, I tucked it behind her ear, causing her face to relax into a smile that could melt anyone's heart, including mine. It was then that I realized that she had
Cassandra's POV"I'm sure the tickets will sell out fast. We're all eager to see the movie," I chuckled, acknowledging the excitement in the air.Despite my amusement, I couldn't help but feel frustrated with my friend's insensitivity. He refused to admit that the horror movie we were about to watch terrified him to the core. He had only watched it once, and since then, he had been plagued by the feeling of ghosts lurking in every corner. Even going near his bed filled him with dread, as he was convinced something was waiting to grab him from underneath. He knew it was irrational, but he couldn't shake off the fear, even after all these years.I knew he would never confide in me about his fear, as I would never let him forget it. He was older now, and he believed that the movie wouldn't have the same effect on him. However, he was wrong, and I knew it."Jasper!" I called out."I'm working on it, I'm in the process of booking the tickets," he responded with urgency as his fingers clicke
Cassandra inquired, "What's wrong?" upon noticing my pallid complexion and perspiration on my forehead.I paused before confessing, "I need to use the restroom, but I'm feeling apprehensive."Cassandra erupted into a fit of laughter, causing me to glare at her. After calming down, she proposed, "I would have accompanied you, but the washroom is for boys," which made her burst into laughter once again.Once she regained her composure, she suggested a compromise, "Why don't you give me a call on my phone, and I'll keep you company while you take care of business?"With a nod of agreement, I hurriedly made my way to the bathroom. However, upon my return to the theater, I found that the movie had already resumed, leaving me stranded in a deserted theater. Feeling unnerved, I dialed Cassandra's number, hoping that her soothing voice would ease my nerves."Hello?" she answered, her tone laced with amusement."Please just keep talking," I begged, attempting to distract myself from the eerie s
The doctor informed them that the symptoms were currently mild and prescribed an antibiotic injection and medication. However, if the condition did not improve, hospitalization and IV fluids might be necessary. They hoped it would not come to that. Cassandra acknowledged the doctor's instructions with a smile while I moaned, feeling frail and exhausted. I stumbled to the washroom, overcome by the urge to vomit, and Cassandra supported me as I retched. After rinsing my mouth, I went back to bed, dozing off intermittently throughout the night.Cassandra never left my side, always attending to me whenever I stirred. She'd gently push back strands of hair that clung to my forehead while using a damp cloth to ease my fever. My mind was in a frenzy, plagued with terrifying visions of demonic entities from "The Conjuring." Yet each time I opened my eyes, Cassandra was there, providing comfort and assuring me that everything would be alright.Eventually, I woke up, and the clock on the wall
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