“Love, I’ll be home late. Don’t wait for me.”“Okay.”Jack raised his eyebrow. Not believing a word that Hyacinth just said. There has been more than one occasion where he would go home late and Hyacinth would be waiting in the living room, sleeping while waiting for him. “I’m serious, hun. I have no idea when I will be home. So, you better be sleeping soundly in the bedroom when I get back, okay?”Hyacinth wears her feelings on her sleeves and Jack can easily see the protest that is running in her mind. Clingy, she may be and it would show on her face but she’s considerate enough to not stop other plans for her sake. She pouted and hugged Jack. “I can’t help it. I can’t sleep on an empty bed.”“I know… which is also why I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you next time, I promise.” Jack kissed the side of Hyacinth’s head. “I’ll go to work now. Have fun with work.”“You too. Love you.” She said, feeling the need to remind herself too.There was a slight pause in his part that Hyacinth didn
Nikolai was assured that everything was going well according to plan. He already checked the venue and spoke with the emcee for the event.He wanted to wake up and surprise Liam with a small birthday cake, but the child was already awake. He was all smiles while observing the fish in his aquarium.“I see. Thank you.” His lips quivered as he ended the call he was just in.“Daddy!” Liam screamed with a bit of icing from his cupcake on his lips.He’s all that Liam has. He would regret it immensely if he would succumb to that feeling of falling into an endless pit.Not now, Nikolai. Get your shit together.“Shall we go pre
What am I doing? With all the strength she had, Hyacinth pushed Nikolai hard. Her weakness became only evident when a single push was not enough to make him back off. Anyone would melt with that stare of longing. It felt so wrong to know that that wasn’t for her. The kiss was for someone who looked like her. The longing, the love, all those emotion… it was all not for her. He kissed her, or was she the one who kissed him? Never mind. It didn’t matter. She let that happen, that was the only thing that counts. Including the shameful fact that she kissed him back. She did a series of things no sane married woman who is in love with her husband would do. It was simply unforgivable no matter how stupid or unexplainable the situation was. The best thing to do was to stay away from Nikolai as far as possible. Whatever he had to say, she didn’t need to hear it. For the second time that day, she walked away. “Elias, let’s go.” She whispered at her son who was already forming his little gr
Her world crumbled right before her eyes. She immediately imagined herself pulling that woman’s hair and strangling her neck. She wanted to confront her and ask her why she would do that to her husband. Ask her where did she find the audacity to steal a married man. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs and cry like no one was around.In reality, her self-worth was gone even when she remained composed.She wanted to put all the blame on the woman when her husband seemed to equally enjoy the ass that was on his lap. She could not even bring herself to defend Jack. He willingly kissed and did even more with another woman.“Mommy, are you okay?” Elias asked.“Sweetie,” She sighed. “Mommy will make a quick call, okay?”
“Uncle Preston!” Liam’s face was painted with excitement. Preston made eye contact with everyone at the table where Nikolai was seated with Claudia and Liam. What a coincidence. His instinct was telling him to pretend he saw nothing, go straight to the bar, or go straight to the door. None of which was an option for a graceful exit.“Hey, Uncle Preston,” Liam called again. This time, it was impossible to pretend he didn’t hear. The kid was excitedly waving in his direction.“Hey, kiddo. Hi, everyone.”Claudia’s eyes lingered on the red wine. That was enough warning to walk away. If possible, run away.“Come join us, Preston.” Claudia invited before he could even think of an excuse.What’s going on inside that head of hers?“Nah, my workmates are arriving soon.”“Yeah, join us while you’re waiting for them.” Nikolai invited.He was lying when he said that they would arrive soon. He wanted to eat his lunch alone and drink a glass or two of wine. Since he saw the woman who looked so muc
20 missed calls and 50 text messages. Almost all were from Jack. She didn’t have to read each one to know what was the content of those.She couldn’t sleep. Her head is somewhere wondering about everyone and everything all at once. She was even doubting herself.She wished she had more time to think about her next actions… or even enough time to process things. She had the right to sulk and get angry. In this situation, though, it isn’t her place to keep Elias away from his father. “Where the hell have you been, Hyacinth? I’ve been calling you all night long.”Everything he said was immediately translated into betrayal. That’s what happens when people cheat. Things might get fixed, but it will never be the same. Betrayal costs trust. All the trust that took months to earn was gone instantaneously.“I’m with Elias. He is safe with me.”“Why did you not come home yesterday, honey? Everything alright?”“No.” Her voice started to break. “Things are not alright. My head is a mess right n
Preston had to be present at Nikolai’s company to negotiate a new acquisition agreement with the executives. He did well in the meeting. As always, Nikolai was impressed. He had proven himself in the corporate world. He earned even the top-level executive’s trust with just a month of working with Laurent AeroGlobal Enterprises. Having that on Preston’s work profile was enough boost for him to be known in their career circle. Nikolai and Preston’s partnership is certainly a win-win.Preston is a beast that fears nothing at work. When he’s no longer worried about financial records and contractual obligations, he’s left with his worries.What is he supposed to do now? This isn’t even a question anymore. Belle or as she prefers to be called, Hyacinth, came to him and trusted him with the truth. As a lawyer, he is obligated to represent her. As her brother, Preston wants to do more. He’s already studying her case and thinking of passing it to Lace. Family law is not something he’s great at
8 years ago…Nikolai was busy analyzing a case for a moot court competition.… will argue that the city breached its duty of care by…And now, he has to go back to reading the first part. Seems like legible, but hard-to-understand letters.This won't do. He can spend the whole night reading the case details and arguments but if he doesn't keep his shit together, this will be the mark of his downfall. All those words he said to his parents, to prove that studying Law for him would be put to waste. All because he loved a girl.It was getting counterproductive. The mild headache was a cry for a distraction and that was when he decided to go to the nearest bar. After all, he has mastered the art of drinking just the right amount of alcohol to be dizzy and not suffer through a damned hang-over the next day.After a few glasses, he could see doubles of everything. He found solace in an empty park and sat on the swing.“Nikolai.”That was probably too much drink. Even with his imagination,