"Well, Loreine, how about you put them in a daycare? Just temporarily, until things get back to normal," Wendy said after thinking for a while."A daycare?" I asked, wincing. I hadn't thought about it at all."Yes. I have a friend who runs a daycare. Her house is not too far from yours and she's experienced. If you want, I can contact her," Wendy said.She looked at the couch, where Shery and Shane were sleeping on opposite sides of each other so their legs were tangled together. Their position looked very uncomfortable."Poor thing," Wendy muttered. "When they wake up, their bodies will be sore."I sighed. It had been three days since I brought Shane and Shery to the office with me because there was no one to look after them at home after Petra went back to Italy.On their first day, they were excited to get out of the house and get a new atmosphere. They explored the office and were excited to see everything. The staff and employees also welcomed them happily.The second day they ha
"Damian and Petra had to go back to Italy because their father was shot and in critical condition. I had to handle the whole situation by myself. I had to keep working, with double the workload that I had to complete and also take care of the children so that they were not alone at home. What else do you think I could do besides taking them to the office?"I almost screamed when I said that, when David protested me taking the children to the office."You can ask Mom to take care of them," David replied."You asked me to drive in the morning to your mother's house, then go to the office? In the afternoon I drive there again to pick them up? Do you think my time will not be wasted on the road and I will be even more bothered with all the back and forth trips? Do you think your mother's house is close?" I snapped in annoyance.David seemed at a loss for words to argue with me again. He just kept quiet and wrung his hands with a tight face. I didn't like this attitude of his. A side that
"What happened?" asked Abigail, after Shery and I arrived home. "Why did she get sick like that?Abigail seemed to have heard that Shery was sick from David. She rushed to the house, two hours after Shery came home.Meanwhile David had gone back to the office straight from the hospital, because his secretary kept calling him."It's okay, Aunty," I said while serving her hot tea. "According to the doctor, she caught a cold and her stomach was shocked, after eating late, then being crammed with a lot of food at once.""Oh? It's not usual for her to be late to eat?" asked Abigail in surprise."I had a client come in and we talked a lot because he was interested in working with my company. I was late ordering dinner for the kids," I explained."Ordering? Usually, no matter how busy you are, you always make time to cook for them, even if it's just sausages and eggs. Could it be that Shery has a stomachache because the food you ordered wasn't clean enough?""Actually, I've been taking them
"His name is Jansen Wang," David said. "He was one of my juniors in college and he happened to be working as an assistant for my Japanese client. So, we met and thanks to Jansen, I was able to approach my client and get his approval for our project."I looked at the man in front of me, who was wearing only a t-shirt and shorts, with his hair all over the place from sleeping on the living room couch.Jansen smiled and held out his hand. "Hi, Loreine, I actually got to know you through David. He always talked about you and your two kids. You guys are a really nice couple. Sweet marriage.""David and I do have kids together, but we're not married and not husband and wife," I replied flatly. I looked at the couch. "Please tidy up your bed and get dressed properly. The kids will be up soon."Jansen looked surprised by my cold attitude, as did David. I didn't care.David is the owner of this house, but is it appropriate for him to bring home a male friend while I am in this house and there
David PoVF*ck!I don't know how to act in front of Loreine anymore. Her yelling this morning still rings in my ears and her angry face really shocked me.As far as I can remember, when she was a child until she was a young adult before she disappeared, until when we met again after almost seven years, she had never been angry to the point of saying rude things like this morning.Loreine tends to speak in a flat and cold tone when she feels disturbed or there is something she doesn't like. She never raises her voice and always keeps her expression emotionless.However, this morning, for the first time I saw her explode. Jansen even took a step back when she yelled at me after throwing the nougat candy wrapper at me."You're crazy, David!" Jansen snapped, after Loreine left while leading The twin to the car. "You almost made me the murderer of your children."I pulled my own hair in frustration. How could I forget about the twin who was allergic to nuts? Oh, it must be because I was s
"Mommy, why are we bringing so many things?" Shery asked while looking behind her.In the back of my car, the back seat was folded so that I could put a suitcase filled with the twins' clothes and toys, which I had prepared beforehand so that I wouldn't have to carry them back and forth every time I went to the office.I also brought a thick folding mattress that I had bought on purpose, a blanket, and a pillow, so that the twins could sleep comfortably in my office."In the suitcase are your clothes as well as toys and books. Anyway, I still don't know how long it will be until Aunty Petra comes back, so it seems like I have to find a more effective way so that you don't get bored every day in my office."This morning after arguing with David, I immediately went to the office with the twins and asked Wendy to help me find an apartment that was not too far away and also a good daycare.Wendy's friend's daycare was a bit far from the office and it was a bit inconvenient in my current s
I admired Wendy's house. It was about an hour from the office, because it was located a bit on the outskirts of town, but it was worth it for the tranquility and comfort that felt dominant.It was a beautiful house, a typical American dream house, with a white fence, a fairly large front and back yard, a front porch where a rattan swing was placed, and a clean neighborhood with neighbors who knew each other well, but didn't interfere with each other."My mother bought this house for cheap from someone who was in gambling debt. She fixed it up little by little and after I started working and earning money, then got married, my husband helped renovate the whole thing," Wendy said as she turned off the engine of the car, which was parked in front of the driveway."Is the neighborhood here safe?" I asked. "There are a lot of cars parked outside.""Yes, it's very safe. It's a neighborhood where most of the old people have been around since their grandparents' time. There are security guard
"I'm so sorry, Damian," I said wholeheartedly. "And give my love to Petra. Lucas is on his way there, so don't worry. You can take care of your father's problems until they are resolved and let Lucas take care of Petra. She must be very sad, right?"Damian laughed. "Actually, it was only for a moment. She tended to feel relieved, because after our father died, our lives could be freer than when he was around."I couldn't help but laugh, even though I felt the irony of Damian's statement."Why do we always have problems with fathers," I muttered."Maybe, that's why I don't want to be one. I can't imagine raising a child, only to have to fight with me when their grows up," Damian replied.We laughed together and I ended the call with my colleague after once again expressing my condolences.Damian and Petra's father finally passed away after being critical and in a coma for three weeks. I took a deep breath as I calculated how much longer I would be in this troublesome situation.Althoug
"Too busy with the pattern.""The material is hot and stiff.""Ugh, the color makes me look pale like a living corpse.""Ooh... I don't like the model, it's too revealing."Petra, Marisa, and Erika, sighed together. They slumped on the sofa and leaned against each other. I glanced and grinned at them.I was still choosing a dress from the many wedding dresses hanging, with a frown and pursed lips. I started to feel annoyed because none of the dresses felt right for me.A very pale light blue dress, tucked between several white lace dresses caught my eye. I pulled the dress off the hanger and immediately fell in love.The dress had a cheongsam-like style, with a high collar, sleeveless, heel-length, and a high slit to mid-thigh.The beautiful silver peacock motif on the smooth pale blue satin material, would sparkle when the wearer moved."I want this dress," I said, to the three exhausted women on the couch, my future in-laws.Marisa stood up quickly. "Loreine, honey, it's too plain."
"Oh my God, this is really amazing," Wendy said with tears in her eyes. "I've been anxious for days. I don't know what I'm going to do if you guys go back to Italy and I have to work with new people."I laughed and hugged Wendy tightly. Damian patted her shoulder gently. The results of the assessment from the head office had been announced. Damian and I were asked to continue leading the Los Angeles branch because we were considered to have achieved a lot. Several big clients who worked with us, were proven to increase the company's turnover with a fairly profitable value.There was a debate, seeing our good work, Damian and I, several higher-ups at the head office wanted us to be transferred to the London branch to fix the chaotic situation there.However, more people opposed the idea and thought that the London branch might be fixed if Damian and I were sent there, but the risk of the Los Angeles branch experiencing a decline in performance if it was not handled by Damian and I worr
I felt restless. Since morning my mood had been messed up and I couldn't focus on anything."Calm down, baby, I'm sure you'll get through it just fine. You've worked hard all this time and the results you've gotten are also amazing," David said, trying to calm me down with his gentle words and his hand stroking my hair.I took a deep breath, convincing myself that what he said was true. But, I still felt nervous.The assessors from the head office had arrived last night and today they would assess me and Damian after lunch.I took a deep breath several times before getting out of the car in front of the office. David smiled and squeezed my hand gently."Dave, you want to pray for me today, right?" I asked while looking at him."Of course, baby, I always pray for you without you asking me to," David replied softly.I reached out and hugged his neck tightly, trying to absorb all the good energy and enthusiasm from David to face the examiners from the head office soon.Damian greeted me
"Here's the plan," Abigail said, pushing a light blue folder in front of me and David. "Everything is written down in detail, complete with a cost breakdown and a backup plan.""But don't mind the numbers, because we've got it all covered. This is just to let you know that this is what we're trying to do for your wedding," my mother said quickly."I don't think we should have included any numbers at all," Abigail muttered."I told you before," snapped my mom.I nudged David's arm and he took the folder and opened it. I leaned in to read the contents.David held his breath and looked at me, then turned to my mother and his mother who were sitting side by side in front of us, waiting for our reactions."Mom, this is too... Uh, grand?" David said hesitantly."Of course not!" my mother quickly denied. "It was the simplest concept I could have chosen among the many other luxurious wedding options your mother offered, David. You'd be surprised if you saw the other options she offered me bef
"We're going home, mom, to my apartment," I said while combing my mother's hair which had grown longer than before, when I first visited her.At first the doctor was optimistic that my mother could go home sooner because of the progress she had made during the treatment.But, it seemed that the divorce process between her and Alexander had a big impact, even though it was what she wanted, so her condition worsened again.Now, after being tested several times, the doctor said she was ready to go home. I've talked to David, I picked her up myself and took her shopping before going back to my apartment."Why to the apartment?" David asked last night before going home. "You guys should go back home, your mom too. Just leave the apartment. My home is your home, baby."I smiled and reached out, brushing away the hair that had fallen onto David's forehead."I'll take the kids and my mom there, but after we get married. I need to be sure first," I said softly."You're still mad at me," David
Hailey's funeral procession was solemn. Quite a lot of mourners came, including grandpa Jameson, Alexander, and Liam.The Arshen family, not only Abigail and Gregory, but also several other relatives. The Reiner family, Jared was not there, all gathered in the hall of the Adam family's house, to release Hailey together.David and I brought the twins to attend the funeral. They looked a little confused but enthusiastic, seeing the process and atmosphere of the funeral. This was something new for them."Mom, does everyone here know each other?" Shery asked in a whisper.I shook my head. "I don't think so. I don't know some of the women in the corner over there, but all of these people are connected by one thing in common.""Hm? What is that?" Shery asked seriously."They all know Hailey and gathered together to release her to her final place," I answered.Shery nodded and then she whispered to Shane who seemed to be listening seriously. I turned to David, who was looking at me with a ra
"I remember everything."David, Leroy, and I exchanged glances. Hailey's voice was soft and slow, but we could hear her clearly and what she said surprised us all."W-what do you remember, honey?" Leroy asked nervously.David held Leroy's shoulder. "Leroy, you should call a doctor first, to check Hailey's condition. Loreine and I will guard here."Leroy looked nervous and confused after Hailey opened her eyes. He looked like he could go hysterical at any moment, so David tried to take control.However, after hearing David's words, Hailey pressed my hand which she had still been holding since she opened her eyes five minutes ago."No, don't call a doctor," Hailey said in a hoarse voice. "I don't need a doctor. I want you guys to just listen to me for a moment."I rubbed Hailey's hand. "You need to be checked, Hailey."Hailey shook her head stubbornly. "No need. Loreine, David, I just need to apologize to you for what I've done to you all this time. I know that you two will never be apa
"I don't like him," David grumbled for the umpteenth time. "He looks like a playboy."I sighed, for the umpteenth time too. David continued to nag about Warren even after the man and Dwight had left and we were on our way to the hospital.Leroy Adam had let me visit Hailey at the hospital and David had come to pick me up when he bumped into Warren who was about to come back into my room after coming back from the bathroom.They bumped into each other in front of my room door and got suspicious of each other until they argued. Dwight and I could only shake our heads at their behavior."David, you're being unreasonable," I said in a tone of annoyance that I deliberately made audible. "Warren and I just met today. When you bumped into him at the door, he had only been in for about ten minutes and asked to go to the bathroom. He was with my client, Dwight.""He seemed very attentive to you, for only being in for ten minutes," David said. His voice was a little softer. Maybe because he sen
"Can I visit her?"David looked at me. He seemed hesitant. I, myself, said that spontaneously, responding to David's story about Hailey being treated in the hospital because her condition suddenly declined, last night."I'll ask Leroy, I mean, Hailey's father. I have no right to decide because it's not my authority," David replied after a while."You didn't get enough sleep," I said while wiping under David's eyes with my thumb."Yes. Leroy doesn't want me to leave. He said he wasn't sure he could support himself if something happened to Hailey. I stayed with him until this morning," David responded in a tired tone. "I could only leave after I said I had to attend a meeting with a client."I adjusted my sitting position and turned David's body so that his back was to me and then started massaging his shoulders.David groaned softly, as I touched his stiff muscles. "Oh God, I really want all of this to end soon," David said. "But, do you know, baby, that kind of thinking makes me feel