"Understood," Alex responded with a nod."Can you both please lend me a hand instead of being uncooperative?" I pleaded, my voice filled with desperation."Well, why not just express your feelings to her?" Kenny suggested in a nonchalant manner."Is that all?" I asked incredulously."Absolutely, straightforwardness is appreciated by level-headed people like Cassandra," Alex affirmed, nodding in agreement."Great, should I go and tell her right now?" I asked, feeling eager."No way, you fool," Kenny laughed. "Wait until tomorrow when we're out of here!""Be alert," Kenny interrupted abruptly, and all of us directed our attention towards the kitchen where Cassandra had just entered."Hey Kenny, let's change the subject," said Kenny in a swift attempt to shift Cassandra's focus. "Any plans for tonight? Maybe we can catch a movie?"But Cassandra had other ideas. With a mischievous grin on her face, she skipped over to the group and announced, "Nope, we're going to swap ghost stories!"This
Cassandra inquired with a curious tone, "What are you up to?""I am searching for the pillows to construct the wall, as promised," I clarified.Cassandra's response was light-hearted, "No need to worry, I trust you." Her playful demeanor was infectious, and I couldn't help but dance a little in the dimly lit room. Her trust was reassuring and filled me with relief.In a teasing tone, Cassandra added, "Just so you know, I am well-versed in kickboxing. If you were to try anything, you've been warned." Her words elicited a laugh from me, and I climbed into bed next to her, enfolding my arm around her waist. She did not resist, and I felt a sense of serenity settle over me."Goodnight, pretend husband," whispered Cassandra."Goodnight, pretend wife," I responded with a smile. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt grateful for the connection we had shared and the moment we had just experienced together.Alex's POV:As Kenny and I basked in the cozy comfort of our shared space, I felt a deep sen
I nodded in agreement, observing as he took a bite of his meal and grimaced. "It's tasteless," he pronounced, and I erupted into laughter.I quickly reached for the ketchup and dunked the French toast in it. "Now it's delicious," I declared, proud of my spur-of-the-moment culinary invention.He smiled warmly at me, expressing gratitude through his eyes as he surveyed the array of roast chicken and poached tomatoes before him. The milkshake he had requested was blended to perfection, and he took a sip before gathering the courage to speak."Cassandra, I need to tell you something," he said, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness.Curious, I lifted an eyebrow. "What's up?"He stumbled over his words, his eyes glued to my hair. "I, um, really like your hair," he blurted out, blushing furiously.I looked at him perplexed, uncertain how to react to such an unforeseen compliment. "Err, thanks, I suppose," I replied, attempting to conceal my confusion.Jasper's jaw clenched, and he loc
"I don't think she'll be willing to talk to me right now," I expressed, feeling disheartened."She will," Alex assured me, offering a consoling pat on my back.As I gazed at the rose I had picked up from the bed, I mustered up my determination and approached Cassandra, who was sitting nearby. Surprisingly, I didn't feel awkward or cliché as I knelt in front of her and held out the rose."Would you like to go out with me?" I asked, my heart racing in my chest.She looked at me for what felt like an eternity, and then finally said, "Yes," accepting the rose from me.Kenny and Alex erupted into joyful cheers, giving me encouraging fist bumps.I stood up and sat next to Cassandra, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. "Okay, where would you like to go?" I inquired."You decide. Plan the date and surprise me," Cassandra replied with a smile.My mind raced as I wondered what to do. I felt both nervous and thrilled at the same time, determined to make this date unforgettable and show Cassa
Enthralled by Cassandra's heartfelt words about her mother, I couldn't help but be captivated. "She sounds like an incredible person," I remarked, beaming with a smile.Cassandra blushed with pride, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue. "Yes, she truly is," she replied warmly."Well, I need to run some errands. Why don't you get dressed so we can pay your mother a quick visit before our date?" I said with a wink, eliciting a giggle from Cassandra."Sure, come back soon," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement."Oh, will you miss me?" I teased, feeling a rush of fondness towards her."Maybe," she replied playfully, catching me off guard with her response.Grinning from ear to ear, I left to make the necessary arrangements for our outing, eager to see Cassandra again and create more cherished memories with her and her remarkable mother.Cassandra's POV With a spring in my step, I practically skipped to my room, humming a tune and feeling giddy with anticipation. Carefully selecting a
As she carefully unwrapped each gift, her excitement began to build. Inside were no less than twelve romance novels and painting books, along with an impressive set of paints and a variety of paintbrushes in different sizes. In addition, there were pencils, erasers, and sharpeners, as well as embroidery books and a selection of threads and needles, accompanied by cloths in a variety of colors.My mother was over the moon and could not contain her gratitude. "This is just wonderful! Oh my goodness, it's absolutely lovely! Thank you so much, Jasper!" she exclaimed, embracing him tightly and planting a kiss on his forehead. The sheer joy on her face was priceless, and I felt my heart swell with love and appreciation for both Jasper and my mother.With a beaming smile, he replied, "You're welcome, Mom!" My heart swelled with joy when he called my mother "Mom." At that moment, I longed to grab him and shower him with kisses for making my heart race. While my mom and he discussed our weddin
As I was mesmerized by Aladdin and Jasmine's magical carpet ride, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway interrupted me. My heart raced with excitement as I quickly composed myself and waited for Jasper's arrival.With bated breath, I watched the screen, savoring the duet of Aladdin and Jasmine while reminding myself to play it cool. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and I turned to see Jasper, who looked absolutely stunning. It was evident that he had gone the extra mile for me, shopping and dressing up in his best attire.He wore a sky-blue shirt that complemented the baby blue hue of his eyes, along with a black linen jacket and dark blue jeans. His hair had that effortlessly sexy "just out of bed" look, and he had even taken the time to shave and wear a subtle yet alluring perfume that filled the room with its scent. I couldn't help but admire his attention to detail, and my heart skipped a beat as I took in his captivating presence.As he came closer, his piercing blue eyes
Suddenly, a sweet melody reached my ears, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if the fishes were singing. But soon enough, I recognized the familiar tune - "Grateful Hearts," a song I adored. Its lyrics resonated in my head, accompanying the music.As we wrapped up our dinner, Jasper extended his hand in a wordless invitation. Excitedly, I took his hand, and we began to sway to the music. Jasper held me close, and I nestled my head on his shoulder, feeling secure and cherished. It was an idyllic moment, as if time had ceased to exist.As the song drew to a close, I gazed up at Jasper, beaming. "This has been the best date ever," I exclaimed gratefully.With a smile, he replied, "You're welcome," as he gazed back at me."Will you forgive me now?" he asked, his lips slightly pouted.I chuckled and responded, "Almost." However, his charm proved irresistible, and I added, "Yes, I forgive you."Jasper checked his watch and groaned. "We'll have to leave soon. I only had permission for th
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