"Baby?"David's beautiful eyes widened as I stood in front of the door of the VIP room he had rented. He was wearing a light blue shirt with a maroon tie. His hair was neat and his face was clean after shaving.However, he was wearing black knee-length cargo pants and casual hotel sandals.I immediately laughed. "Dave, you said you were going to talk about an online conference?" I asked, covering my mouth because I realized I might have laughed too loudly.David pulled my hand inside and closed the door. He laughed too. "Yes, I did. I just finished getting ready and I still have about an hour.""But, why are you wearing shorts and sandals?" I asked, pointing underneath him."Hm? Why? It won't be seen because I'm going to sit down during the conference," David said casually.He took my hand and led me to the couch. "How did you get here? Shouldn't you be at the office? Our kids are already at school, right?"I liked the way he referred to our kids as the twins. "Yeah. I met Erika and
"... as soon as possible. I have ordered a wedding dress from the most famous wedding dress designer in France, a wedding cake from Moon And Lilac Cake, which has won many awards for making the most delicious and beautiful wedding cakes. My lover is currently settling some business overseas, so he asked me to handle all the wedding affairs according to my wishes and when he comes back, our extended family will meet to make sure everything is ready."I closed the magazine with a sad feeling. The article I read was the same as what I saw on the news portal on Alana's iPad that she showed me this afternoon.Hailey Adam is the only child of the Adam family. Both of her parents are famous fashion designers and Hailey has also been a model since she was a teenager.Hailey's name became famous in the world after winning several awards in modeling competitions, plus the support of both of her parents too.David said that the idea for the engagement came from their parents and he didn't know a
"This is crazy, Dave!" I said loudly. I looked over to where the twins were, outside my office with Alana.I had asked them to come up to my office when the twins came with David to pick me up. There were a few things I needed to talk to David about before we went to dinner at Jake's, his brother's."I didn't know she was coming either, baby, not even Jake!" David said. There was a hint of panic in his voice. "Jake told me twenty minutes before I called.""Why did she come? You said no one knew you were here to see me."I knew it was unfair to ask David that. He had done a lot of hard work and a lot of effort to find me, and I was sure he was honest that he didn't know how his mother suddenly showed up without any warning at all.David didn't answer me. I was sure he himself was confused about how to answer my question, because he also hadn't met his mother who was now waiting at Jake's place."Dave, I'm sorry, but I think it's better for me and the kids not to come to Jake's place fo
The twins hesitated, but they smiled shyly and approached Abigail, who, to my surprise, pulled them into a tight hug."Granny, you smell like fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies," Shery said, nuzzling Abigail's hair."Shery!" I said worriedly.David reached for my hand and squeezed it gently.Abigail laughed at Shery's words and kissed my daughter on the tip of her nose."What kind of cookies do you like? I'll make some for you later, when we meet again. Do you want some?"Shery nodded with a sweet smile. Abigail turned to Shane who was just staring at her. Abigail's eyes filled with tears as she stroked Shane's cheek."You look just like your father when he was your age."A thick awkwardness hung in the air. I squeezed David's hand and dared to approach Abigail who was still on her knees hugging the twins.I stood in front of Abigail. "Aunty Aby, how are you?"Abigail looked up and slowly stood up. She had time to bend down and whisper something to them and they returned to the dining tabl
David PoV"W-what, Mom?"The sentence uttered by my mother, with a smile still plastered on her face that still looked beautiful even though she had entered her age of more than half a century, made all of us in the room freeze."Why?" Jake asked, his voice filled with protest.This was a big surprise for me and my youngest brother. My parents had always been fine and harmonious all this time. We never saw them fight, or ignore each other, or anything that showed that they didn't get along.In fact, when my father told me about my engagement to Hailey, my mother also helped persuade me.That's why, I felt a little worried when I heard my mother was at Jake's house when we were going to have dinner here.No one knew about Loreine and the twins, except Jake and Dwyane, in my family. And I'm sure, the Hart family is still keeping the secret that they have found Loreine, from other members of the extended family.I only heard the news from Liam and his attitude at that time also sounded a
I've started to clean up. Alana helps me with work and the twins' school. David returned to Los Angeles with Abigail. He couldn't keep leaving his job because it was his responsibility.Every day we made video call, usually before going to bed, and exchange messages. I feel like a teenager who has just fallen in love with a man she has had a crush on for a long time.However, I still convince my heart not to expect too much of anything and also not to give David too much hope, even though with what happened to Abigail, I'm sure he will defend me if something happens to me because of David.I no longer believe in the institution of marriage, after what my father and Jared did, especially after hearing Abigail's story, the distrust in my heart grew even greater.I choose to stay single, rather than have a partner but continue to be hurt or the marriage is only used as a cover to form an image in the eyes of others."Loreine, don't forget you have to meet Mr. Damian, in half an hour," sa
I never answered Hailey's calls or messages. I didn't know her and I had nothing to do with her. Whatever happened between her and David, it was not my responsibility to know."Mom, tomorrow the event will start at nine in the morning," Shery said after school. "But I don't want to join it anymore."I looked at my daughter, who took off her shoes and socks listlessly and without a smile on her face.Today the twins only went to school for half a day because the teachers at school needed time to decorate the school for tomorrow's festival.I also deliberately took a day off from the office because my work was almost finished, although I was a little anxious because there might be a problem with Damian who would accompany me to Los Angeles.However, I didn't want to think too much about it. Let it be the management's decision. I can adjust to working with anyone later.I picked up the twins from school before lunch and noticed Shery's gloomy attitude.Usually every time she came home fr
There was a feeling of annoyance bubbling inside me right now, even though my lips were still smiling and my voice still sounded cheerful.David hadn't told me at all and it was only an hour before the twins performed on stage to play the drama."Mom, has Daddy come?" Shery asked for the umpteenth time. She looked around at the group of parents in the school yard.I stroked her hair that curled beautifully around her plump cheeks."If he really doesn't come, will you play the drama badly?" I asked softly.Shery stared at me for a moment, then smiled and shook her head."No, Mom, I will still play my role well. Daddy must have a reason why he can't come, so I won't be fussy," Shery said with a serious expression.I kissed the top of her head and patted her shoulder gently. "That's Mommy's girl. Go join your friends and spend time with them as much as you like today, because tomorrow you won't see them again."Shery ran back to her friends who were showing off their costumes. Shane was
David PoVI stared at the man in front of me, sitting upright and arms crossed in front of my chest. I didn't want to give him a friendly attitude, let alone a friendly one.Since we met by chance at the club, when Liam invited me to have a drink together, he had tried to contact me several times and I had declined all his calls. I didn't want to have any contact with him at all.This morning, I received a message from him. Short, but it made me think."We should meet, before Mr. Jameson's birthday. It's about Loreine"Then, as if he was sure that I would accept his invitation, he sent a map of the meeting location, at a restaurant."I'm glad you finally agreed to meet me, David," Jared said with a smile.I could see that he was being careful and studying my body language carefully."You've been refusing my calls all this time.""What do you want? I feel like we have no business talking about anything. You know, you and
Jared PoV"Loreine? She's back?"I felt my blood flow stopped suddenly. My body felt cold and my vision became a little blurry.My mother suddenly came to the company and came to me in the work room, past my secretary who tried to stop me because I was busy dealing with a mountain of documents that had to be signed immediately.Then, my mother burst into a tirade that to me only sounded like a series of machine gun shots, mixed with crying.Then, I heard Loreine's name called and the words that she had returned, making me understand what my mother was babbling about."She insulted me, insulted you, said inappropriate harsh words," my mother snapped. She sank down on the sofa, closed his eyes, and massaged his forehead.I came out from behind the work desk and sat next to her. What I heard from my mother was truly surprising.Loreine disappeared two days before she and I got married and after that she was never
"Oh, they're so adorable," Wendy said. Her eyes sparkled and her hands moved, caressing the glass of the frame. "Very much like their father, but the smile is definitely yours, Ms. Loreine.""Umm, Wendy, could you just call me Loreine? You're older than me and I don't really like too much formality," I said, giving her a small smile to reassure her.Wendy's face lit up. "Of course, Loreine, I'd love to.""Sometime, you should bring your daughter to meet and play with the twins. They'll be so happy," I said as I handed her two sheets of paper that I had prepared earlier.Wendy took the paper and read it carefully. I saw her reading it over and over again while memorizing and marking some parts that she might think were important."Okay, Loreine, I understand and I'll try to do my best," Wendy said after a while. "But, please, tell me when I'm wrong or lacking in doing something.""Deal," I said, extending my hand.She took my hand with a big smile and I felt confident that my relations
She kept crying and I was worried that her health would be affected if she did this."Mom, please, don't cry anymore," I begged. The shirt I was wearing was already wet on the shoulders and chest from her tears. "You'll get sick."My mother lifted her face from my shoulder and looked at me with her swollen eyes. She was so thin and pale. My heart ached so much.She bowed to me when I entered her room. She knelt at my feet and held my feet while crying and saying "I'm sorry" over and over again.When I hugged her, she burst into tears, and so did I. We hugged each other while sitting on the hospital floor, until I coaxed her to stand up and we sat hugging on her bed."Will you forgive me, Loreine?" my mother asked in a hoarse voice from crying too much. "Will you forgive your evil mother?"I stroked her tangled hair and wiped away her tears that seemed like they couldn't stop flowing."I've forgiven you, Mom. I hope you forgive me for making you face everything alone," I said softly.M
St. Benedict's Mental Hospital is a large two-story building located in the Agoura Hills area.The building is in the middle of a very large field, which has been transformed into a beautiful and comfortable like city park.I don't really know the history of St. Benedict's, but as far as I can remember, the mental hospital has received awards several times as the best mental health facility in the world."Ten years ago, this hospital was in financial trouble and almost closed," David said when we arrived. "However, my grandfather decided to invest secretly to save this hospital and handed over its management to my mother and her two cousins from my grandmother's side. Since then, this hospital has been operating well until now.""Hm? Why did your grandfather hand over its management to your mother and not your father?" I asked confusedly."That matter is still a mystery to all of us. Even my father was angry and questioned it before my grandfather died, but my grandfather did not gi
They entered a hotel in the suburbs. I got goosebumps and unconsciously squeezed David's hand that was holding mine, while his other hand was holding his phone to record.From getting out of the car to entering the elevator after registering at the reception, they didn't distance themselves at all.Jared's hand was always on the other man's waist. Sometimes the man leaned his head on Jared's shoulder, sniffed his neck, or kissed his cheek affectionately. Likewise, Jared would kiss the side of the man's head, squeeze his butt, or tidy up his hair."They're a couple," I murmured. "Those are things we often do together, right, honey? Because we're a couple, so we show it as a form of expression of affection."David stopped the recording after Jared and the man entered the elevator. He led me out of the hotel lobby and back to the car."So, Jared has another boyfriend besides my father," I said while looking at David with a raised eyebrow. "Love triangle?""Hm. That's for sure," David sai
I walked around the building where I would be working with a sense of satisfaction. Just like what Lea said before I left, that all the facilities were available in this three-story building, even the cafeteria area.However, it turned out that I really had to organize everything from scratch. Starting from staff placement to job description arrangements. This was really a challenge for me.Just imagine, I am a scriptwriter, usually only working on scripts according to client requests, starting from concept scripts for television shows, soap operas, advertisements, or sometimes short films. I do my work simply with a laptop, mostly I do it at home, although sometimes I also come to the office to do some training for new writers, but not like this.This makes me have to deal with many people, staff and writers for sure. I also have to organize them so that office activities can run.Luckily Damian is with me. Even though his real function is a lawyer, for now, he also understands that
"No, no, just call me Petra. I feel awkward, besides I'm not a teacher anymore. No need to be formal."I smiled at the twins' former teacher. The woman in front of me was now blushing and she looked awkward."You guys might be sisters-in-law soon," Lucas said with a laugh. He grabbed Petra's hand and squeezed it gently.Everyone in the room laughed and clapped. Abigail called the waiter and asked them to serve dessert immediately. A cheerful atmosphere filled the lunch room.I looked at everyone present at the dining table. Me, David, the twins, Lucas, Petra and Damian. Erika and Dylan had returned to Italy because Jake didn't like being separated from his wife and children for too long."Mom, do you think it's safe to bring Loreine and the twins to my house?" David asked Abigail while enjoying coffee after lunch.Now everyone was gathered near the swimming pool, enjoying coffee and small cakes, and watching Petra and the twins swim.Abigail's brow furrowed, then she shook her head. "
I don't remember much about it romantically. We may have only been three years apart in age, but our relationship felt like it was ten or even fifteen years apart.We rarely talked, in fact we rarely saw each other, even though we lived in the same house.Lucas, standing in front of me, stiff and clearly shocked. I, standing in front of Lucas, confused and worried.Ms. Petra touched Lucas' arm carefully, as if she was worried about startling the stunned man."Honey, do you... Know Ms. Lauren?" Ms. Petra asked softly.Lucas turned to her slowly. "Ms. Lauren?""Hm," Ms. Petra nodded. "Didn't I say I would take you to meet Ms. Lauren Lou? She helped me out on my way here because Damian still had some things to take care of in Italy. Damian also happens to be Ms. Lauren's work partner and the twins, are her children, who are also my students, and Mr. David, is Ms. Lauren's husband."We locked eyes again and my hands were about to reach out, but Lucas was faster, scooping me into his arms.