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
Suddenly, Alex's demeanor changed, and he became alert and playful. With a sly look in his eyes, he called out to me, "Cassandra, come here!"I was curious about what he wanted, so I approached him and asked, "What's going on?"Without giving me any details, Alex commanded, "Don't ask questions, just come over here!"I walked up to him, and he was perched on the kitchen counter. I placed my hands on my hips and inquired with a hint of humor, "What's the matter?"He held out his finger, covered in chocolate, and instructed, "Taste this."At first, I hesitated, feeling uneasy about what he was asking me to do. "This feels so wrong in many ways," I murmured, expressing my apprehension.Alex rolled his eyes and urged me on, saying, "Come on, do it quickly!"I reached for the bowl of chocolate, intending to taste it myself rather than having to lick it off Alex's finger. But before I could indulge, Alex quickly snatched my hand and licked my finger instead. I tried to pull away, but he hel
"I understand your perspective," Julie said, her tone laced with condescension, "but sometimes we must make tough choices for the greater good. I'm not imposing my will on anyone; I'm just searching for a solution that benefits everyone."I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "That's utter nonsense, Julie. You're just attempting to manipulate everyone into doing what suits you. You don't care about anyone's emotions or opinions, as long as you get what you desire."Julie's grin wavered for a moment, and I experienced a brief sense of satisfaction. Perhaps I had finally made an impact on her. But then she regained her composure and resumed speaking, her words now dripping with venom.If my suggestions don't meet your expectations, perhaps you can propose a better one instead of merely criticizing. It would be more beneficial for everyone if we could work towards a solution together, instead of arguing and pointing fingers.As I approached her, I could feel my frustration building up inside.
As I halted the car, I pivoted towards Cassandra and spoke up. "Cassandra, you possess some of the most mesmerizing qualities I have ever seen. Your beauty, intelligence, and sense of humor are unparalleled, and your culinary skills are simply incredible. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life."But Cassandra appeared dubious. "Jasper doesn't seem to think so.""He's just being a jerk," I soothed her. "I'm positive he'll come around soon enough."She expressed her anxiety, "What if he never shows up? What if it's too late?"I attempted to sound confident, "That's not going to happen." Her countenance illuminated, and she faced me. "Could you drop me off at Jane's? I don't want to be alone right now."""I think we should give her a call first," I suggested."Sure, that's a good idea," she agreed, and reached for her phone to dial her friend's number as I got behind the wheel.Her friend's voice crackled through the speaker when she picked up the phone. Cassandra launched into a
As we lay together beneath the twinkling stars, a wave of gratitude washed over me. Despite the chill in the air, we were snuggled up beneath the cozy blankets, and the gentle glow of the celestial bodies above filled me with a sense of awe and wonder.In an unexpected moment, Cassandra broke the stillness with her angelic voice, singing with a sweet, melodic tone. Mesmerized, I listened with rapt attention, fully absorbed in the beauty of the moment. For a brief period, all the troubles and pressures of the world faded away, replaced by an overwhelming feeling of happiness and satisfaction.As I stole a glance at Cassandra, I couldn't help but notice the tear stains on her cheeks. "Don't worry, Sandy," I offered her words of reassurance. "He'll come around."Cassandra responded with a tinge of doubt in her voice, "One can only hope, right?""I absolutely agree," I replied, attempting to mask my lack of confidence with assertiveness.As we lay there, gazing up at the expanse of the sky
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