To the outside world, affection between a married couple had been transformed into a tantalizing tale, juicy enough for the office grapevine.As Yaslyn looked around, she saw gleams of amusement in her colleagues' eyes, a sight so mortifying that she wished for the ground to swallow her whole.Enter Wade, her savior in this moment of crisis."Yaslyn," he said, suddenly by her side, "we need to discuss something."Yaslyn shot a quick, mirthless smile at the gossiping horde. "Alright, enough idle chatter. Get back to work, or risk losing a month's pay," she warned, voice carrying a serious edge.The mere mention of losing money was like a switch. The gossip mill halted, and heads lowered back to work.She promptly dismissed the colleague who started the whole ruckus and followed Wade to his office. No sooner had she settled into a chair that Wade slid a contract across the desk."This is the contract we had with the Sachwell Group about an internet celebrity company. They want to
"Mr. Sachwell, you must be quite surprised. Wondering where I got these documents from?"Yaslyn dangled the contract before him with a mocking smile, delighting in his shock. "Don't look so terrified. It's not as if I'm going to eat you alive."Panic welled up in Jaxon. "Where did you get that contract?"Suddenly, he realized he might have exposed his true intentions when he opened his mouth. Hastily, he added, "That contract is a sham. I don't know where you dug it up from, but you can't use it to frame me."Yaslyn clicked her tongue in fake disbelief. "Fake? Why don't we have a look together?"Uncertain, Jaxon snatched the contract from her, his eyes scanning the document rapidly. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, dripping like a broken faucet. To his dread, there it was—his signature!Though just a photocopy, his name was clearly written, sealing the deal."This... This can't be mine!"He clung to denial as if it was his last lifeline, believing that as long as he denied
It was undoubtedly twisted logic. Anyone could see through it. However, Jaxon could not voice a single word of dissent."So, Mr. Sachwell, give it a thought. It's just one little request."'Just this one request?'Tyler emotionlessly added, "If you're not inclined to negotiate privately, we could always resort to legal means. However, once that happens, you might find yourself in the comfort of a prison cell."The message was painfully clear. Concede to their demands or face imprisonment.Jaxon tried to be positive, but inside, he was seething. 'The audacity of these two youngins! Threatening me like this… The nerve!'Jaxon was a man in his late fifties. If he ended up behind bars, he might never see the outside world again. His empire would crumble to dust.Taking a deep breath, Jaxon desperately asked, "How much of the stake are you demanding?"Blowing on her nails in a theatrical gesture, Yaslyn answered with a smirk, "I'm thinking fifteen percent.""That's ridiculous! I on
"Stay still. Let me hold you for a moment."His voice was muffled, face buried into the crook of her neck, behaving with the needy tenderness of a child. Yaslyn felt the intimacy of the moment, and she felt a whirlwind of emotions."Quinn, not like this," Yaslyn whispered, leaving no room for argument.Hearing the unmistakable rejection in her tone, Quinn released her, his expression disheartened. However, the darkness of the night and the dim ambiance of the bar hid his face, making his feelings unreadable."You're drunk. Maybe drink some water to sober up," Yaslyn murmured, finding herself uncomfortable under his intense gaze."I'm not drunk, I'm fine," Quinn tried to protest, but Yaslyn cut him off sharply."No, you're clearly intoxicated."Reading between the lines, Quinn realized she was using it as an excuse to distance herself from the emotions he revealed."Haha! Yeah, maybe I did have a bit too much. So much that I ended up embracing the wrong person."As he spoke, wi
With tears in her eyes, Josie whispered, "Thank you for everything you've done, Yaslyn. I'll never forget."Yaslyn pulled Josie into a warm embrace, her hand patting Josie's back soothingly. "Don't mention it. You're my sister, so it's my duty to protect you."Once their conversation ended, Yaslyn guided Josie back to where she had found her, leaving her in Quinn's care.Yaslyn warned sharply, "Take care of my sister, or you'll have to answer to me."Quinn raised an eyebrow defiantly. "Of course. She's like a sister to me too."Josie paused, a twinge of pain hitting her. The term 'sister' from Quinn felt like an icy, disheartening weight.Yaslyn ordered, "You'd better head home. Quit drinking at the bar, and don't let Josie pick you up. This isn't a place for her."Quinn nodded impatiently, agreeing half-heartedly. Without another word, he took Josie's hand, and they left the bar. Once outside, his joyful facade fell.Josie noticed the shift immediately. "What's wrong? You see
Yaslyn approached the entrance of her office building at sunrise. To her surprise, a familiar figure from her past waited at the doorway.She went closer and realized it was Wrenley, someone she had not seen in a long time. Time seemed to have taken its toll on Wrenley. Her chin, once sharp, now looked chillingly gaunt, making her look like a ghost haunting the entrance."Well, Ms. Jurado, it's been a while."If she could not avoid the confrontation, Yaslyn figured she might as well face it head-on. After all, what storm could Wrenley possibly stir up?"I have a few questions for you," Wrenley stated, her tone surprisingly restrained.Gone was the aggression Yaslyn remembered, replaced by a calm demeanor. However, a storm of emotions swirled beneath her calmness."Ask away. Just remember, I'm on a tight schedule."Yaslyn did not really have the patience for a prolonged exchange with her."Is it you? The one Xoan announced he's marrying on social media?" Wrenley's voice trembled
Wrenley froze in place with her head bowed. She appeared to tremble ever so slightly, tears seemingly streaming down. However, Yaslyn did not feel a pang of sympathy.Tears from trusting another's words too easily seldom won any compassion. Yaslyn's icy and unyielding gaze passed over Wrenley, and she continued into the company building.At ten in the morning, amidst a flurry of paperwork, Yaslyn's phone buzzed with an incoming call. The familiar name flashing on the screen gave her a brief headache, but she picked up."Yaslyn, are you busy? There's something I'd like to discuss," Hendrix's voice was calm.He did not bring up Wrenley immediately, but Yaslyn had an inkling that it would surface."I'm tied up at the moment. How about we chat after work?"She held a baseline of respect for Hendrix. After all, he had taught her so much, standing in as a mentor."Alright. I'll send a car for you this evening."Yaslyn hesitated briefly, but Hendrix sensed her reluctance. He reassured
Could it be that Hendrix knew the secrets about her mother? Yaslyn's mind raced with dread and anticipation."Mr. Hendrix Jurado, what do you know?" she pressed, her voice wavering slightly.Hendrix chuckled softly. "There's no rush. I'm hesitant to discuss what I know without knowing if Xoan is aware of it all."Yaslyn's heart skipped a beat. It was territory Xoan had not stumbled upon. However, Xoan responded calmly, "I am her husband. Is there something I shouldn't know?"Hendrix leaned forward, his voice grave. "Today, I wanted to discuss matters concerning Yaslyn's mother—"Xoan swiftly interjected, concern evident on his face, "Her mother has passed away. Let's not bring up painful memories."Believing Yaslyn was reeling from the topic, Xoan hoped to shelter her from more anguish. However, Yaslyn knew better. She had sensed that the conversation was inevitable.Hendrix corrected gently, "No, her mother is not dead."Xoan frowned, his patience thinning. "What do you mean?"
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi