"Hello?" Alex greeted the phone call."Hi Alex, it's Cassandra.""Hey! How are you?""I was wondering if we could catch up sometime.""Sure, do you want me to come over? The three of us - you, Jasper, and I - could have dinner together.""Well, about Jasper... he's not home," I said softly."Oh, where is he?""Alex, could you please pick me up quickly?" I asked urgently, my voice trembling slightly."Absolutely, I'll be there in a jiffy," he assured me with a calming tone as we ended the call. As I scrambled to get dressed, I found myself reflecting on the drastic changes in my life. Gone were the days of early mornings, job hunting, and late nights. My schedule was now filled with a myriad of activities and social outings, but amidst the hustle and bustle, I couldn't shake off the yearning for the structure and purpose that work once provided.Interrupting my pensive thoughts, the doorbell chimed, and I eagerly swung open the door to be greeted by Alex, looking dapper in his maroon sh
Julie hesitated, her gaze faltering as she struggled to find the words. "I discovered that he was cheating on me," she finally admitted, her voice cracking. Her eyes filled with tears, and she apologized, her remorse palpable."It was a mistake," she pleaded, desperation lacing her voice. "I don't even remember how it happened, but I'm truly sorry." As I looked at her, I saw a glimmer of the girl I had once fallen in love with. Maybe, just maybe, there was a sliver of hope for us.Cassandra's POV:I inquired with a hint of doubt, my eyes fixed on Alex. "Do you genuinely believe this plan will work?""Without a doubt," Alex responded, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.I sought reassurance from Kenny, turning to him. "What do you think? Is this really a good idea?""Absolutely!" Kenny exclaimed, nodding his head vigorously in agreement.I remained hesitant, crossing my arms. "Okay, but I'm not even sure how we're supposed to go about it."Alex's grin widened. "Why don't you give Jasper a
After taking a few sips of my drink, I strolled back into the living room only to discover Jasper seated with his arms crossed, refusing to speak to me. This behavior irritated me. Feeling frustrated, I decided to call Jane and express my annoyance. However, she didn't answer, probably asleep. I decided to call her in the morning, ended the call, and immediately got a text message from Alex."Alex: Is the storm brewing yet?"I grinned and replied, "He's giving me the silent treatment."Alex responded with a boisterous laugh, "Seriously? That's great news!"I was confused and furrowed my brows. "How is that considered good?"Alex's response surprised me. "He's actually jealous.""What? No way!" I argued. "He just went on a date with Julie tonight.""Instead of texting, we could call and discuss this," Alex suggested.Feeling a bit foolish, I agreed, and just as I was about to pick up the phone, I accidentally hit myself in the head with it and chuckled as Alex's voice filled my ear."He
As I released a sigh, I began to explain the contents of the papers spread out before me. "This is everything I know about my new client," I said.My father had called earlier that day, urging me to take on this project. I knew I couldn't continue to spend my time partying and wasting away, so I had accepted the task of designing a new mall."Well, that's quite exciting!" she exclaimed. "No wonder you seem so upbeat this morning."I chuckled in response. "I'm always in good spirits," I replied."Ah, there's the sulky you," she teased, jokingly.I rolled my eyes and retreated to my room to change my clothes. Upon my return, I discovered her on the phone, animatedly conversing with someone. "Jane, you absolutely have to meet him! He's absolutely charming!" she gushed.As I was putting on my shoes, I became intrigued by Cassandra's conversation and attempted to eavesdrop. She expressed disappointment but also insisted on meeting the person soon. Her voice took on a melancholic tone as she
As Alex and I conversed, I nodded in agreement while taking in his appearance. His jeans and white shirt, coupled with his trademark messy hair and Ray-Ban aviators, made him look particularly good.Interrupting my thoughts, Alex addressed me, "Cassandra?"I turned to him, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. "Yes?""Take a picture, it lasts longer!" he quipped, causing me to look away, feeling flustered.Shortly thereafter, we arrived at the nursing home, and I stepped out while Alex went to park the car. Once inside, I asked to speak with the matron and exchanged pleasantries with her."How is my mom doing?" I inquired, hopeful for some positive news.Her response was, "She's doing fine."However, I wanted to know if she had been coherent lately, so I pressed further, "Has she been lucid at all?"The matron replied, "Cassandra, I would have contacted you if she had been." Although I appreciated the thought, I was still curious and requested more information. "What has she been d
"Let's wrap up our lunch and head out," said Alex with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm taking you to the mall and getting you a new jacket.""Absolutely not," I objected."Oh yes," he insisted. "Cassandra, we're going to the mall, and you're getting a jacket. No more discussion." And without further ado, we made our way to the mall nearby.I felt a little disheartened, annoyed by my two cousins who always seemed to get their way. Their relentless pursuit of their desires was getting on my nerves."You know, you look adorable when you pout," remarked Alex, to which I vehemently denied, but I couldn't help but crack a slight smile.I proposed that we fetch my old jacket instead of purchasing a new one in an effort to shift the conversation, but Alex was adamant about finding the ideal jacket and annoying Jasper.Their juvenile behavior caused me to roll my eyes, yet I couldn't help but feel pleased by Alex's eagerness.While browsing through United Colors of Beneficta, I had diffic
With adoration in his eyes, Alex begged, "Please marry me!"I chuckled at his playful proposal and retorted, "Seems like I'm going to get a lot of those, huh?"Once we purchased all the necessary ingredients, we returned home. Upon entering the living room, I removed my shoes and placed them on the rack, a habit that Alex also shared.Although I tried to suppress it, I groaned inwardly as Alex imitated my actions. He reminded me so much of my ex-boyfriend, Brian, yet he was still so different. After placing the ice cream in the freezer, Alex quietly positioned his shoes on the rack."Shall we get started?" I asked, eager to begin cooking.Alex responded with enthusiasm, "I'm excited to help! And maybe we'll make Jasper a little jealous when he sees us in action."I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples, anticipating the potential drama that Alex's remark could bring."Let's just focus on having a good time in the kitchen," I suggested, hoping to steer the conversation away from any pote
"How are you?" I inquired, hoping to start a conversation."I'm not doing well, to be honest," she responded, her voice low."I'm sorry to hear that. What's going on?""I just ended things with Nick," she confided."Oh no, I'm sorry. What happened?" I inquired, concerned."I finally had enough of his infidelity," she admitted.I was taken aback. Was she really going to preach about cheating? However, I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and hoped this was a sign that she was making better decisions."Jasper, may I ask you something personal? Are you still planning on marrying Cassandra?" she asked."I would love to discuss it over lunch tomorrow. I have a lot to explain," I replied."Would you like to have dinner tonight instead?" I asked, considering the opportunity to introduce Cassandra to my acquaintance and reconcile any misunderstandings."Sure, that sounds like a good idea. Should I come to your place at 8?" she responded."Absolutely. See you then," I replied, feeling a
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