A few days after the incident, I held a meeting with the new scriptwriters under my guidance. Despite my efforts to focus on the task at hand, the gossip among the team grew increasingly loud and distracting. It makes me annoyed.
"Guys, is there something that interests you more than what I'm about to explain to you?" I said in a cold voice. "Or... Would it be better if we postpone this meeting until you really make up your mind to study?"
Some people looked a little embarrassed to hear my reprimand and quickly sat up straight in their chairs, trying to focus.
However, I knew that in their heads, what had made them so noisy earlier was still spinning around in their brains.
"Alright, instead of listening to my explanation, but not having any material stick in your brains, tell me now, what made you so noisy?" I asked, finally.
One of the scriptwriters, namely Maya, unable to contain her curiosity, approached me with a famous magazine in hand.
"Ms. Loreine, have you seen this?" she asked, pointing to an exclusive interview page.
I glanced at the page and my heart skipping a beat. There, staring back at me, were two familiar faces: my father, Alexander, and my ex-fiancé, Jared.
"It just came out last night and I think the special edition has sold out all the major magazines in the world in the last three years," said Maya again.
"That's right," another writer, Nerna, chimed in excitedly. "My friend works in the layout department there and she said they sold out of the 10,000 copies they printed in an hour! That's fantastic."
"It's all because of this amazing exclusive interview," she added enthusiastically, pointing to a specific page her friend had opened earlier.
D*mn! They were posing in such an intimate pose. Jared was on Alexander's lap and they were looking at each other passionately. Anyone could see that their eyes were radiating love.
I picked up the magazine and quickly read the blurb in the exclusive interview
The headline read, "Confessions of Love: A Courageous Admission, Nothing Gonna Change Our Love."
In the interview, both men revealed to the public that they were gay and in a relationship.
"...it just happened naturally. I had no idea that our relationship would turn out this way. The feeling was undeniable. I fell in love with his warmth and masculinity. He was my idol and I felt like I couldn't be away from him," Jared said.
"I guess, at my age, all I could hope for is honest happiness and comfort. I found everything I could hope for in a relationship when I was with Jared. It was amazing, because he was so much younger than me and what we were before. But, I did love him and more than that, I felt comfortable with him," Alexander said.
Suddenly I felt nauseous. I quickly closed the magazine and staggered. Leah was shocked and quickly grabbed my hand, preventing me from falling.
"Ms. Loreine, are you okay? Why did you suddenly turn so pale?" she asked worriedly.
"Uh, I think my blood pressure has dropped again," I mumbled. I heard my voice crack and I felt like I couldn't continue this meeting. I couldn't.
"Sorry, it looks like we have to postpone this meeting," I said. "I just suddenly felt uncomfortable."
"Oh, it's okay, Ms. Loreine. Forgive us if we upset you earlier," Nerna said quickly. "We will wait for your time to gather again and listen to your briefing when you are well."
I nodded and quickly left the meeting room. The buzz of conversation about the interview of the two handsome men who broke the hearts of many women because they were in a relationship, continued again.
I entered my office and immediately plopped down on the chair behind my desk, grabbed a water bottle filled with mineral water and took a big gulp, in order to calm myself down.
Shock and pain surged through me. I felt my heart break all over again. The men who had caused me so much pain were now being celebrated for their bravery.
"Lien, do you have Heart magazine, the latest one?" I asked the administrative staff who usually took care of office documents through the intercom between the rooms. "There's something that interests me."
"Oh, sure, Ms. Lou, I'm reading it now. I'll bring it to your room now," Lien said enthusiastically.
Within five minutes Lien had given me the magazine I asked for and I could see that she seemed to want to talk about something, but my serious attitude must have made her feel awkward, so she quickly left again.
I read further, my eyes narrowing at their words in the magazine.
One paragraph caught my attention. The interviewer asked if their relationship was the cause of my breakup with Jared and if it was because I found out about their relationship that I left and never came back.
Alexander and Jared denied any connection between their relationship and my disappearance. They claimed that they only realized their feelings for each other long after I had gone.
"We were all grieving a loss," Alexander said. "We also didn't understand why our beloved princess was suddenly gone. We searched for her and I comforted Jared who was frustrated about the wedding that had been canceled."
"It was the same feelings that brought us closer together and as we comforted each other, I realized that my feelings for Alexander had changed and I couldn't help it," Jared added.
I anger flared. I knew they were lying, continuing their facade even now. To me, it seemed like they were simply seeking attention and had no real remorse for the pain they caused me.
What a b*stard!
I closed the magazine and threw it into the corner of the room. I was too disgusted to see the series of sentences composed by the writer of the exclusive interview, which described how beautiful the intimacy that the two damn men showed.
She even praised their courage and admired their consistency in taking care of and strengthening each other in the difficult situation they faced regarding the confession, because they were both important figures known to the world.
That evening after work, while having dinner with my bestfriend, I couldn't hold back my frustration. I recounted the interview to her. It turned out my voice shaking with anger.
"I can't believe them," I said. My eyes feel so hot and I want to cry. "They hurt me so deeply, and now they're pretending like they did nothing wrong."
"Even after they admitted the relationship, they still covered up the truth and acted like saints! D*mn it! How can they put on such an innocent face and the whole world admires them? Sh*t!"
Alana nodded, her expression mirroring my anger. "No. I don't admire them at all. It's disgusting. What they did to you then and now. They should have been honest with you from the start."
I sighed. "I've never had a problem with someone's sexuality, especially if it's someone I love. But they lied to me, betrayed me, and used me to cover up their relationship. Jared insisted on staying married to me just to hide his affair with my father. It's insulting."
"I'm sure they planned your wedding so that behind the wedding, they could still have a free relationship without anyone suspecting anything. Eww..., that's so disgusting."
"And I can't even imagine what's going on with the Harts and The Golden Triangle family since their confession," I said, my voice catching in my throat. "They're amazing, aren't they?"
"I think there's going to be more news about them, I mean, Alexander and Jared, and The Golden Triangle family," Alana agreed. "And I can assure you, it won't be good news. Unless they quell all the side stories that come out after that."
As we talked, I saw Erika, the mother of a child whom the twin had once helped, approached our table.
"Hello, Ms. Lauren, didn't expect to see you here," Erika greeted politely. She extended her hand, inviting me to shake hands.
I stood up and took her outstretched hand. "Oh, please, don't be so formal. Just call me Loreine. Lauren is my pen name as a writer. This is my best friend, Alana. Alana, this is Ms. Erika, the mother of the twins' friend at school."
Alana also extended her hand and was warmly welcomed by Erika. I invited Erika to sit in a chair that happened to be empty at the table I was occupying with Alana.
"Then you should also just call me Erika. I don't like anything too formal," Erika said cheerfully.
Erika is a sociable woman who laughs easily. Alana and I didn't feel awkward with her at all. We immediately got lost in a pleasant conversation.
"Ah, that's my husband," Erika said, pointing to a man standing in front of the restaurant, looking in through the window. "I thought he would be longer."
"Oh, you guys promised to meet here?" asked Alana. "Even though our conversation was just getting started."
"I'm sorry," Erika said with a regretful tone. She touched my hand gently. "It seems like you're sad, even though you're laughing. Your laughter doesn't reach your eyes at all. I want to comfort you, but my husband is not someone who likes to wait. I hope you don't hesitate to call me if you need someone to talk to."
I saw the man Erika had pointed out as her husband, looking at us and for some reason, I felt like I had seen him somewhere before, but I didn't know where or who he was.
The man looked at me and his eyes widened, surprising me. Alana touched my hand and made me realize.
I smiled. "It's okay, Erika. I'm just glad we could meet here with you."
"I hope everything's okay," she said with a smile, though her eyes showed a hint of concern. "And don't forget, I'm waiting for you to feel free to come and have dinner at my house. You too, Alana."
I forced a smile. "I'm sure it is. Thank you, Erika. I'll call you soon."
I watched as Erika came out of the restaurant and approached her husband, the man looked at me again and I thought his eyes looked strange. He said something to Erika, and the woman turned, then waved at me, before nodding to her husband.
"Loreine, let's go home. I still have an online meeting with an advertising agency," Alana said.
Alana and I parted ways in front of the restaurant, because I wanted to go to the supermarket first to buy some fruits.
While I was choosing fruits, I suddenly felt my heart become lighter. Meeting Erika must have been just a coincidence, but I was quite happy because out of all the annoying things that happened today, at least there were two people who could lighten my annoyance today.
I knew that I had a long way to go in healing my hurting heart, but I also knew I wasn't alone in my journey.
This morning, as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, I went through my usual routine.Despite all the thoughts, I had a pretty good sleep last night and woke up before my alarm went off. I felt fresh and my body was in good shape in the morning.I went into the bathroom and did my personal routine while thinking about what I needed to do today.After thatI walked out of the room, walking slowly so as not to wake my children. They would wake up in about an hour.I brewed a pot of coffee and slipped into my favorite chair by the window, my daily ritual of solitude before the chaos of the day began.The coffee I brewed was delicious, but there was something else that made me not really enjoy the aroma and taste of the coffee this morning.With a sigh, I went to front garden of my house dan gathered the courage to tackle the mailbox—a task I often avoided until the last possible moment.As I opened the small, metal door, a single envelope stood out among the usual pile
David PoV"You always don't have time for me!"I stared at the woman in front of me, who was now pacing back and forth with a pouting face and her lips muttering incoherent grumbling. I had a headache and felt the need to get her out of here immediately before my patience, which was as thin as a tissue paper, ran out."Go away, Hailey, I really can't go today," I said in a tone that I deliberately made as flat as possible.I am a good actor. If only I could choose to pursue a career in that path, I would have been famous by now, as an actor I mean.I can play anything. A stingy boyfriend, a generous boss, a dutiful son, even a man who loves secretly, very well and fittingly.However, right now I am not acting. The flat tone that I used to chase Hailey out of my room was purely a reflection of my bland feelings."When do you have time for me?" Hailey protested for the umpteenth time. "We're engaged, David. I'm embarrassed because I'm always alone at events where my friends are in coup
I sat in my apartment, my heart pounding as I replayed the conversation with Jake in my mind.Jake had recently moved to Italy with his wife, Erika, and their son, Dylan, to lead the new branch of our family company there.Dylan's heart condition required treatment from a renowned cardiologist based in Italy, making the move both a business and personal necessity for Jake.I think my little brother's family feels comfortable living there, and the company led by Jake is also growing rapidly. His busyness and my work, make me rarely communicate with him lately.Just a few days ago, Jake had seen Erika talking to a woman who seemed familiar.With a shock of recognition, Jake realized she was Loreine Hart, the missing daughter of the prominent Hart family."Are you sure it's Loreine? Not just someone who looks like her?" I asked with my chest pounding like a storm was raging inside."Brother, when I saw her talking to Erika at the restaurant, I wasn't sure either because I only saw her th
I always thought that my life for the past six years was fine. I had a good job, a decent income, a pair of adorable twins, and a loyal friend.It wasn’t the life I had imagined for myself back when I was living in Los Angeles, but it was steady and predictable.Everything here was safe and comfortable. The children had their routine, I had my job, and we had a small but cozy home where laughter filled the rooms.Florence is the most comfortable place for me now and I have never regretted buying a one-way ticket to Italy at that time.I made a promise to myself when I left my house, that I would never return. And for the longest time, I kept that promise.But then, out of nowhere, my grandfather found me. Despite my efforts to disappear, to erase any trace of my past, he managed to track me down.And with a casual nonchalance as if nothing had ever happened within the Hart family since I left, he sent me a formal, handwritten invitation to his birthday party. It was impossible to refu
I knew that my reaction was all David needed to answer his question.He looked at me with a strange look in his eyes. Oh God, this is the end. This is the moment where I should apologize to him for not telling him about the twins.David has every right to them, I know that well. But what I have always been worried about is probably about to happen.He doesn't like that I gave birth to the twins and will probably demand an answer as to why I didn't abort them in the first place, instead of giving birth and raising them in the first place."David, I'm sorry, but the twins are my business and you don't have to--""Can we talk somewhere more private?"David cut me off and this time I saw his attitude stiffen, his tone also sounded cold and sharp.I think he's angry.Since I was little I've always been clingy to David and he's never once shown anything like that. He is a warm, friendly, gentle, and pleasant person. I've never once seen him upset or angry, at least not with me.However, I k
I thought, after what I had experienced and gone through, there would be nothing that could make me feel shocked.Just imagine. I had seen my own lover, making love to my father. Isn't that something that should have made a woman like me have a heart attack.They stood leaning against the wall of the dimly lit stable, touching and kissing each other, accompanied by erotic moans and disgusting vulgar words, on the night I was supposed to exchange rings with a man who was moaning in pleasure under the domination of another man who was none other than my own father.Then, even though meeting David and surrendering myself to him was my own desire, but then when I found out that my carelessness and impulsive attitude at that time resulted in two fetuses living and developing in my womb, that was another shock that made me shocked.However, what David had just said was on another level. I stared at him in confusion, wondering if someone could have hearing problems or become stupid suddenly.
Shane and Shery stared at each other, then, before I realized anything, Shery ran straight to David and hugged his legs.David was very tall, and Shery could only hug his thighs. She looked up and I saw the twinkle in her eyes that were similar to David's, sharp and deep, with dark blue pupils."Daddy, are you coming to accompany us to the festival for Dad's day at school?"Shery's question made me gasp. I turned my head slowly to David, worried about David's reaction to Shery.David glanced at me with a faint smile on his lips, then he crouched down and took Shery into his arms."Of course, little lady. I've been waiting for the right time to visit you guys and it seems like this is the time, right?"Shane walked closer with hesitant steps, but when he was only about three steps away from David who was hugging Shery, David reached out to him."Don't you want to hug me too, little champ?"Shane smiled shyly, then joined the group hug.David kissed them, then looked up at me. "Mommy, d
David PoVThe moment I saw Loreine again, a flood of nostalgia hit me and made me feel like I was choking on my own saliva.There was no day or night where I didn't miss Loreine, not only when she left six years ago, but long before that when I was still with her, even though it was only like a sister and brother.I was fascinated. She had become much more beautiful now, with an aura of maturity and independence dominating her appearance. Her body looked fuller when she stood, behind the blouse and cargo pants she was wearing.Her face turned red when I spontaneously called her baby. I wanted to hug and kiss her right then and there, so she knew how much I missed her.However, the situation really didn't allow it and unexpectedly she invited me to her house to talk, because the twins were not at home so we could talk more freely.I asked her to go first because I knew she brought her own car. Meanwhile, I immediately went to the mall and entered the largest department store in the ma
"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.
"So that's it," I said, after hearing everything Liam and Jared said, which I heard from the recording David took after meeting Liam at the Destiny club."How ridiculous," I said again, feeling sad. "I always felt proud to be born as a Hart. We were very rich and well-known, I had everything that other girls my age dreamed of, easily. I loved by everyone, spoiled, and always obeyed. However, as I grew up, I began to realize that there were many things that were actually inappropriate that my family did."I took David's hand and held it tightly. He smiled and patted the back of my hand gently then kissed the palm of my hand gently."I started to compare. Hart, Reiner, and Arshen, because it just so happened that these were the only three families I knew the most closely. There was a lot of goodness in Hart and Reiner, but only in Arshen I saw hard work and honesty. Regardless of whatever your father did to your mother, the men in the Arshen family were honest and hard workers," I said
David PoVLiam chose my club, Destiny. Jack, the bartender, pointed to the booth at the very back, which is where I usually sit when I invite my friends over for drinks.I haven't been to this club for almost two months, after I found Loreine and left for Italy.Jack is the general manager now, but he still serves as the bartender because everyone who frequents the club loves his drinks and always looks for him when they come over. So, I doubled his salary and he's happy to do his job."It's been a long time since I've seen Mr. Liam come by," Jack said as he handed me a bottle of champagne that I had ordered earlier. "He's been in a few times and asked about you, talking about how hard you are to get a hold of."I laughed. "I've been with him my whole life, he's like my conjoined twin."Jack laughed out loud at my joke. I walked over to the booth and saw Liam sitting with a scantily clad woman who was almost sitting on his lap.My eyebrows furrowed spontaneously."My Davey!" Liam sai