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Chapter 20: A Wonderful Night
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2024-06-14 04:25:29Related chapters
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 21: Foolish Part One
“Who wants margaritas?!” Irina cheers from the kitchen.Áine and I look over as Irina expertly picks up all three glasses at once and carries them to the living room, distributing them like a professional. I guess working at a club taught her a few tricks over the years.“Thank you.” I take my glass, take a sip and lick the salt from the rim off my lips.“Thanks a million,” Áine says graciously as she takes her glass.Irina sits down among the cushions, joining us on her living room floor. I am not a jealous person by nature, but I have to admit that whenever I see Irina’s loft, I get a little envious. I don’t know how she is able to afford such a beautiful loft in West Hollywood, but she figured it out. It’s so big you could fit my studio apartment in here four times and still have space left over.“When was the last time the three of us were able to get together like this?” Irina quizzes, taking a sip of her drink and leaning back against the couch. “Just us girls, getting together,
Last Updated : 2024-06-15Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 22: Foolish Part Two
I laugh into my drink only to stop short when something on the television grabs my attention.“Wait, go back a couple channels.”Irina goes back a couple channels and stops on E! News. I feel frozen to the spot, my hands going cold and my face burning up as my heart races and nausea swirls around in my gut.“That’s right folks, it looks like the latest Hollywood Heart-throb, Julian Easton is off the market. Easton was photographed coming out of club Lux in New York City with the vampire slayer herself, Holly Carlisle. Sources reported the two were very close all evening, sharing several dances, having left and arrived together, and based on these pictures, the two are looking very cozy. It looks like hearts are going to be breaking across the country as the notorious bachelor takes himself off the market.”My heart sinks deeper and deeper with every word the presenter speaks, the pictures flashing on the screen of Julian and Holly making me feel like my soul has left my body. Could I
Last Updated : 2024-06-16Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 23: Explanation
Have you ever been so drunk your limbs don’t even feel like they belong to you? Because that’s the state I’m in right now as I zig-zag my way to my apartment. I thought I was doing a pretty decent job at walking a straight line, but the suddenly ending up falling into a potted plant proved me very wrong.I get up, poking my tongue at the rude plant for jumping out at me like that and make my way inside. As I turn down my hallway, I walk right into the wall, but it’s not so bad because I realise this mighty fine structure made from plaster is good at holding me up. I slide my way across the wall, stopping when I get to my door and fish my keys out of my purse. As I manage to retrieve them I notice a bouquet of yellow roses in front of my door. I hold onto the doorknob as I reach down and pick them up.“Nice try Mr Hollywood,” I scoff.I try several times to fit my key into the lock, but finally, I find success! As I walk in, I toss the flowers and my purse over onto the kitchenette and
Last Updated : 2024-06-17Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 24: Sleep Over
Julian walks over and squats down in front of me. “Lani, I’m a fuck up, okay? I seem to fuck up everything I touch no matter how hard I try. I told you that I lose everyone I get close to, and so I try not to get close, but you’re the first person in a long time I’ve wanted to get close to. When I’m around you I feel…I feel human again. I love the way you look at me and how you just treat me like a regular person with none of that bullshit. I love how sweet, and caring you are and how you appreciate simplicity. I don’t feel like I have to put on an act with you. I know I’m coming on strong, I can hear it, but I want to be honest with you. I enjoy your company and I’m not ready to lose it when I just found it.”I look down into his sapphire eyes, their depths gleaming with tortured sadness as they plead for acceptance. There’s that vulnerability again. He’s right, he’s coming on strong, but knowing what I know, it makes sense. He’s been rejected in life where he needed it the most, so
Last Updated : 2024-06-18Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 25: Ladie's Choice
I pull up to Julian’s apartment building with one minute to spare. I’m so glad I made the smart decision to leave a bit earlier than I had originally planned because the gridlock I encountered on the drive here was absolutely insane. Days like today I completely understand why some people get road rage. I used to think road rage was just something they put in Hollywood movies for dramatic effect until I came to the US. Traffic like this is just not a thing where I’m from.I jump out of the car while I text Julian to let him know I’m outside, leaning against the hood of my car. I take a breath and do the usual once over to make sure I don’t have stains, or anything stuck to my butt. I want this date to be fun and casual so we can enjoy each other’s company without Julian feeling like he needs to impress me. Fortunately, the weather is perfect today, so I’ve dressed in high-waisted baby-blue cotton shorts with a matching oversized elbow-length button-down, left open showing my mini, whit
Last Updated : 2024-06-19Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 26: Strike
Soon enough I reach our destination and, by some miracle, find a parking spot. So I feel like we’re off to a good start. As we get out of the car, Julian looks around in confusion.“Are you sure you’re not abducting me?”“In public? That would make me a very stupid criminal. Plus I don’t need ICE on my back.” I hold my hand out for him and feel like a giggly schoolgirl when he takes it. “It’s just around the corner,” I promise as we start walking.“It’s not an escape room is it?” he asks with disapproval.“Why would I take you to an escape room?” I counter in bewilderment.He shrugs. “I feel like people talk about escape rooms a lot these days.”“Stop trying to guess.” I give him a playful hip bump and keep walking around the corner until the large, flashing, neon sign of our destination takes up our field of view. “Surprise!” I cheer.He stares in wide-eyed disbelief. “We’re going bowling?”“Yup. I thought it would be fun. So come on.”I pull him by the hand into the bowling alley, t
Last Updated : 2024-06-20Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 27: Whirlwind
For five years my life felt stagnant; stuck in a routine, too afraid and guilty to step out from my day-to-day. Now I’ve been swept up in a romantic whirlwind and I’ve never been happier.These past few weeks have been the most exhilarating of my life. Julian took me to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which I thought I’d hate or find boring, but I actually loved it! I walked a red carpet – it’s something the museum offers visitors – held an Oscar and delivered an acceptance speech that made Julian emotional. I learned the history of moviemaking and found the entire experience fascinating. It also allowed me to see Julian’s passion for the art form he has chosen as a career. I even got to see the real shark from Jaws! Who is apparently named Bruce. That was new information. I don’t think I’ll ever watch Jaws the same way now.At my suggestion, we went to Echo Park Lake and rode on those swan paddle things, and on another date, we had a day of fun at the Santa Monica Pier. Just th
Last Updated : 2024-06-21Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 28: Setting Sail
I’m pulled from my inquisitive thoughts when I notice the limo pulling up to a marina. I sit up attentively, looking out the window at the lines of docked boats, but it’s as the limo comes to a stop that I see it’s stopped next to a long black carpet. Edward is out and opening the door, holding his hand out to me, which I eagerly take as I get out of the car, smiling in gratitude when I see how excited he seems to be for my date. I look down the length of the carpet to see Julian waiting at the other end, standing tall and dashing with a look of awe on his face.I breathe the sea air into my lungs, pull my shoulders back and walk down the length of the carpet. The closer I get to Julian the more jaw-droppingly handsome he looks. His hair is styled with gel, leaving it motionless in the breeze, a black, long-sleeve button-down shirt left partially open with a pristine white suit jacket over the top with a black handkerchief poking out from the breast pocket. His muscular legs are showc
Last Updated : 2024-06-22
Latest chapter
Treasured Yet Discarded EPILOGUE
Three years LaterI continue to stir the pot on the stove while studying the textbook I have propped up on the counter like a recipe book. Next week is the week I go for my teaching license, and I am a bundle of nerves. I thought when I moved to the US I had to give up my dreams of being a teacher and that all my hard work and education were wasted, but since moving back to the Dominican Republic I’ve spent the last few years diving back into my studies and working hard to get my teaching license and get enough teaching experience to get a job as an educator.Ideally, I would love to teach children under the age of 9, but just being able to get a job anywhere as a teacher would be a dream come true. I thought Julian was insane when he suggested me moving back home, but when he said he wanted to move with me I was sure he’d lost his mind.I feared Julian would struggle to adjust to life here, but he’s taken to Dominican life like a fish to water and he is exceptionally good at the langu
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 64: Starting Over
I burst into applause, cheering like an over-enthusiastic groupie as Irina finishes debuting the first song from her very first album. My cheeks hurt from smiling as she takes her bow and throws an excited wave our way that I eagerly return.“I knew she’d make it here,” Áine declares, cheering beside me.I smile and nod in agreement, clapping with all the other guests. I quickly glance around, realising Áine is now standing alone.“Where did your guy vanish off to?” I query.“Bathroom,” she answers, getting that same adorable flush in her freckled cheeks whenever I call her boyfriend ‘her guy’.I can’t believe how much has changed in a year.My life has improved in ways I never expected. I absolutely love my job and as it turns out, I am really good at baking. I always liked to dabble, but it was never something I did outside of a sweet craving or wanting to do something for someone’s birthday. In the past year, I’ve gone from working front of house at the bakery to being one of the b
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 63: Progress Pt 2
I’ve been debating on this next question but avoiding it won’t do any good so it’s best to just rip the band-aid off.“Have you heard from Carter?” I ask apprehensively.His body tenses and I see him take in a deep breath through his nose.“I’ve not heard from him, but someone else reached out recently…” he responds evasively.The evidence against Carter was overwhelming, especially when police searched his home and found the evidence that he had been stalking me for months, including all the items he’d stolen from my apartment that I was completely unaware of. I’ve switched perfumes for that very reason. He was looking at up to thirty years in prison for a long list of charges from stalking to aggravated assault, attempting murder, sexual assault, holding someone against their will, animal cruelty, burglary and breaking and entering. He ended up pleading guilty - much to my relief - because it meant we didn’t have to go to trial. The only downside was that he agreed to a guilty plea
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 62: Progress Pt 1
I sit patiently waiting, nursing my cup of coffee as I watch the pedestrians passing along the sidewalk going about their day. I glance down at my watch seeing it’s now 12:10 pm, making him ten minutes late. I take a slow sip of my coffee deciding to give it another five minutes, which was the right decision because a minute later, Julian rushes over.“I’m so sorry I’m late, the traffic is insane today,” he pants.I stand up, giving him a kind smile. “It happens, but you’re here now.”He relaxes and goes in to hug me. As I move in to return the gesture we freeze awkwardly with our arms raised in the same position. We each go to switch our positioning, resulting in the same problem. We let out an awkward chuckle at our miscommunication as Julian runs his fingers through his hair.“This used to be easier,” he muses.I take the opportunity and move in, wrapping my arms around him in a hug. I feel his body relax as he wraps his arms around me, giving me a comforting squeeze.“It’s good to
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 62: Wake Up Call Pt 2
“Miss? Miss?” a voice gently whispers. I open my eyes and see the nurse from earlier hovering over me. “Mr Easton is out of surgery and recovering nicely. I thought you’d like to know,” she says kindly.I spring up, immediately feeling my head spin and throb. “Where is he? Can I see him?” I ask in a rush.“He’s in recovery, but yes, you can go and see him.”I throw back the covers and jump out of bed, instantly regretting it when my knees give way. Thankfully the nurse has quick reflexes and catches me, helping me back onto the bed.“You’re not going to see anyone like that.”“Please, I have to see him. I have to know he’s okay,” I stress, starting to panic.“Breathe or you’ll end up passing out,” she warns. “Now stay put while I grab a wheelchair and then I’ll take you up to see him.”I let out a deep breath. “Thank you so much,” I say appreciatively.“Your boyfriend is very lucky to have such a concerned girlfriend,” she teases.I frown, suddenly feeling awkward. “Actually, he’s my
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 61: Wake Up Call Pt 1
“I’m sorry if this hurts,” the nurse gently apologises as she cleans and dresses my head wound.I mumble a reply, my eyes fixed on my hands in my lap. The nurse did her best to clean me up, but I can still see the dried blood embedded around my nails and cuticles. I pick at it, trying desperately to get rid of it but it won’t go away.When I was admitted, the nurses took photos of my injuries. They did that the last time I was attacked too but this time it felt so much worse; so much more invasive. They took photos of my head, face, hands, wrists, ankles and chest. I guess there were marks there too but I don’t want to think about it. They did so many other things, but I just tried to tune it all out, even though they were being so kind and gentle the entire time and always asking if I was okay to continue. I wasn’t, but I just wanted to get it over with.“Excuse me, we were hoping to have a word with Miss Contreras,” announces a masculine voice.I look up to see a male and female off
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 60: Hold On
Suddenly I hear a knock at the door and my tears stop dead in their tracks. Hope floods my system when I realise someone might be able to save me from this hell.Carter is quickly up on his feet, retrieving the knife and pressing it to my throat as he leans in and whispers in my ears, “Not a fucking sound, do you understand me?”I stare at the door, hope and panic rolling through me. Help is just on the other side of the door and yet it’s never felt further away. Another couple knocks rap on the door, followed by a voice I never wanted to hear again but now couldn’t be more grateful for.“Nalani? It’s me, Julian,” sounds his sorrowful voice. “I really hope you’re in there. I’ve been trying for days to reach you. I know you don’t ever want to see me again, I just…I just need you to know how sorry I am,” he sighs.Carter fists the back of my hair painfully and as I look up I see the rage filling his eyes. If I don’t do something, he’s likely to kill me out of anger and I am not ready to
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 59: Lifting The Mask
[TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter depicts mild moments of SA. This may be disturbing or triggering for some readers, for those people, please proceed to the following chapter. To those who choose to read on, please proceed with caution]As I start to wake up I feel a horrible and familiar throbbing ache in my head and the skin on the side of my face feels tight and crusty, like something has begun to set there. I try to open my eyes, but my vision is blurry. I blink a few times and with each action, my vision starts to clear a little more. I immediately realise I’m in my apartment but I don’t remember coming inside. The courtyard lights shine through my window allowing me to see my room. I go to move but feel a sharp tug that makes me wince.Confusion and panic flood my system when I glance down and see that I’m sitting in one of my kitchen chairs with duct tape binding my wrists and ankles to the arms and legs of the chair. My breath starts coming in fast bursts as I try to yank and pul
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 58: Empty Pt 2
Immediately I feel dread wash over me and those unpleasant gut bubbles rising in my stomach. The urge to check behind me starts to creep in and quickly my head begins to spin.“You couldn’t have phrased that another way?” Áine chastises Irina.“Nothing terrible has happened,” Irina quickly assures me, only easing my dread by a fraction.“Then why did you sound all foreboding like that?” I prod, breathing through my anxiety as Áine rubs soothing circles on my back.“Okay, so that’s on me. I was just going to say…Julian’s been calling me. He’s shown up to my place and left voicemails and text messages, all of him looking for you. I haven’t told him where you are because it’s none of his fucking business. I just thought you should know he’s clearly desperate to talk to you,” she informs me.Just hearing his name causes a pang in my chest. Since I left the penthouse I blocked and deleted his number. He came to the diner a couple times but each time someone covered for me and told him I was
