A sense of foolishness engulfed me as I let out a deep sigh. Once again, I had committed the same mistake. The weight of regret hit me like a tidal wave, and I was consumed with an insatiable desire to rectify the situation. However, approaching her in her current state would only make things worse, and I cursed myself for my stupidity. If only I could turn back time.As I exited, Alex's look of disbelief and Kenny's avoidance of eye contact made it evident that my mistake was transparent. With a quick "see you tonight," I departed, hoping that time would heal the wounds I had caused.On my way back to the office, I couldn't shake off the feeling of having crossed a boundary. The "employed your services" line was completely out of line, and I acknowledged it. Nevertheless, I stood by my decision not to make any promises I couldn't keep. I longed for the day to pass quickly so that I could apologize to Cassandra and make things right.As the day progressed, I became acutely aware of how
As soon as Cassandra saw us, a wide smile formed on her face, and before we knew it, she had pulled us into a tight embrace. However, it quickly became too intense, and I found myself struggling to breathe. "Ouch! Cassandra, please let go," I gasped, and she immediately released us.After catching her breath, Cassandra's eagerness took over, and she asked us, "So, how do we make Jasper fall for me?" I was ready to offer my help, so I replied with a grin, "Don't worry, we'll start working on it right away, beginning with your appearance."Alex chimed in, adopting a gentle but assertive tone, "Although your casual style with Converse and worn-out t-shirts is cool, it's time to step it up a notch. Jasper has provided us with some amazing clothes, and it's time to showcase them." Cassandra's expression shifted from excitement to unease.Alex reassured Cassandra, "Please don't misunderstand me, I adore you just the way you are. Actually, if you weren't engaged to Jasper, I might have consid
Kenny leaned in, flashing a wide grin. "Hey guys," he exclaimed, catching their attention.Alex couldn't help but exclaim in awe, "O-M-G, Cassandra, you look amazing!"Feeling a bit unsure of herself, Cassandra asked, "Do I look nice?"But Alex's response was less than tactful. "Nice? My thoughts are far from nice!" A sharp punch from Kenny landed on Alex's shoulder, and he quickly backtracked, "How crass! Cassandra, you make me want to go straight!"Trying to lighten the mood, Cassandra joked, "Don't you think something's missing?" They both looked her up and down, which made her feel a bit self-conscious.After a moment of thought, Kenny spoke up. "I know what it is. You need a clutch to carry your makeup and phone. A backpack won't do." Cassandra nodded in agreement, appreciating Kenny's practical suggestion."Thank you for reminding me," I said with a sense of relief. "I knew it!"Alex chimed in, "No problem, we can grab one on the way, but it has to be quick."Feeling overwhelmed
I inquired, maintaining my composure despite my seething rage. "What else did you require?" "You had a gentleman who would have covered all of your expenses, taken you to the most exquisite restaurants and exclusive holiday destinations. And then I showed up and ruined everything?"Julie reacted negatively to my words, but I gestured with my hand to stop her from retaliating. "Do not even think of laying a hand on me," I cautioned her. "If you touch me, you'll lose that arm. You know where I come from."Julie stared me down with a challenge in her gaze and issued me an ultimatum. "You have one month to persuade Jasper about me," she said, grinning wickedly. "I'm willing to bet that I can make him forget about you and this phony marriage."With a firm clench of my jaw, I felt a surge of determination course through me. "I'm ready," I replied resolutely, turning to distance myself from her toxic presence.As I made my way back to the table, Jasper inquired if everything was alright. Thou
After dropping the subject, Kenny couldn't resist asking, "Who do you think did this?"With frustration audible in my voice, I replied, "I have no clue."Suddenly, I sat upright with determination and declared, "I want to bring her down."Perplexed, Kenny inquired, "Who?""Julie. I must ensure that she loses. I won't allow Jasper to marry her. I don't care if he doesn't love me, but I won't let him marry her."Alex interjected, his voice soothing, "Hold on, Cassandra. I understand your emotions, but don't let him drag you down. You are worth more than that. You deserve better. We will help you bring him down, but first, we need to devise a plan."With tears in her eyes, Cassandra gazed up at Alex and whispered, "I know, Alex. But I can't help it. I genuinely care about him, and I don't want to see him suffer again." Alex and Kenny shared a meaningful glance. Having witnessed Cassandra's painful past relationships, they too wanted to shield her from further heartbreak."You're right, Ca
"I'm sorry, Jasper, but I don't want to deal with unnecessary drama," I said firmly when he brought up an idea. He tried to interject, but I cut him off again. He threw his hands up in frustration and gave in with an "Alright."Then, to my surprise, Jasper made a request that caught me off guard. "I want you to come back home," he said, turning to me. Julie gasped in shock, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.Julie attempted to intervene, but Jasper silenced her with a gesture. I maintained my composure and calmly responded, "Jasper, I don't think that's a good idea."Jasper informed Sandy that his parents were planning to stay with them for a few days. He mentioned that his parents were aware that they were living together and would be concerned if Sandy was not present. Although Jasper could cover for a day or two, he feared that any longer would lead to suspicion.This news left Sandy feeling disappointed, but she took comfort in the fact that Julie was equally upset. "Alright," s
Cassandra 's POVAs I sat there contemplating the intricate task of exposing Julie's ulterior motives to Jasper, without causing him irreparable harm, I was acutely aware of the delicate nature of the situation. It was imperative that I prevent him from being deceived by Julie's superficial intentions, but I also knew that I had to approach the situation with finesse, as any misstep could have grave consequences. If he were to continue his relationship with Julie, it would be extremely challenging to undo any damage that had already been done.As I lost myself in my thoughts, my brow furrowed in frustration. Suddenly, Jane returned with a lighthearted comment, "Whoa! You're going to get wrinkles from that!"Despite my worries, her humor managed to elicit a smile from me. "Ha-ha, you're funny," I responded, attempting to brush off my concerns.Jane, however, remained unconvinced. "Nope, I'm just stating a fact. What's on your mind?" she inquired, her concern apparent.I hesitated before
Jasper frowned disapprovingly as he spoke to Julie, "Please don't act silly." Jasper was raised with traditional values, where he believed in paying for dates and taking care of his partner. Julie smirked at him, seeming to claim victory in their exchange.Feeling frustrated, but determined not to let Julie's comment get to her, the protagonist suddenly had an idea. "I know!" she exclaimed. "I need to buy some shampoo and body lotion. Let's go to the store!" Alex took her hand, and Kenny walked by her side as they headed towards the Body Shop. Jasper followed behind.Once inside the store, the group spent a lot of time admiring the different products, with Kenny and the protagonist enthusiastically exclaiming over them. Alex stood back, amused. The protagonist was thrilled to be able to buy her favorite Strawberry body butter, Banana shampoo and conditioner, and even a body mist. These were once considered luxuries, but she was now able to afford them.Kenny's excitement was palpable 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