~Aoife~Xander and I arrived at the office building, where he seemed eager to discuss my personal matters.“Can we be friends?” I stopped in my tracks and looked at him, knowing how peculiar this request would sound. But I had to go along with it.“Sure,” I replied, though I was still upset with Alex for his inappropriate question. How could he ask Xander something like that? Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to blame Alex entirely.“Can we go for lunch?” Xander asked, seeking some form of connection.I needed clarification on what he wanted from me. Why did he come last night and ask all those questions? However, I reminded myself that he would be leaving the city in a month.“Xander, I have some work to do, so...” I trailed off, implying that I couldn’t join him for lunch. He understood my response and let it go before he walked towards his new office. I went to meet Brandon, who was waiting for me.“How are you, Aoife? I’m so sorry I couldn’t come to meet you earlier. I got caught up
~Aoife~That evening, while Alex played, my mind was consumed by thoughts of Katherine and Xander’s planned intimate meeting. Restlessness gripped me as I imagined him in her arms, and a surge of anxiety coursed through my veins.“Alex, could you give me my phone?” His concerned gaze met mine as he handed me the device, sensing something was amiss. I managed a forced smile, trying to hide the turmoil churning inside me.What should I do? How could I ask for his address without revealing my true intentions? Fingers trembling with anticipation, I typed a message, hoping to find a way to intervene.“Are you in your hotel room?” I pressed send, my heart pounding in my chest as I fixated on the screen, awaiting his reply.“Yes,” came the response, further fueling my unease.“Great, I need to collect some documents from you. Can I come by?” I typed hurriedly, my fingers betraying my eagerness.Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity, as I anxiously waited for Xander’s reply. Impat
~Aoife~It was Alex’s birthday, and my heart overflowed with joy. Morning wishes poured in, and calls from all his friends filled the air. We were preparing for the birthday party, and as I looked at Alex in his black tuxedo and sky-blue shirt, a mirror image of his dad, my heart swelled with love. His brown glossy eyes and thick curls reminded me so much of his father.“You look just like your dad,” I whispered, planting a tender kiss on his cheek as tears welled up in my eyes.“But Mommy, I will never leave you, not even for Ariana,” he reassured me, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace.A mix of tears and laughter escaped my lips as I discovered a rival for my son’s affections.“So, did you invite Ariana to your party?” I raised an eyebrow, curious to know.“Yes, Mom, I invited her, and she was excited,” he replied, giving himself one last look in the mirror.Crossing my arms over my chest, I watched my little boy with amusement. “You’ve inherited your dad’s charm when it
~Xander~Gabriel and I left the party, seeking refuge at the hotel bar. As we settled in, the weight of my anger towards Aoife lingered, unresolved. We ordered a whiskey, hoping it would calm my racing thoughts.“Gabriel, tell me why she did this to me.” I nodded to the bartender who slid over a glass, and I downed my first drink.“Xander, we met when she was pregnant. She was seeking help from a psychiatrist.” “Why?” “Let’s start with the day she witnessed your engagement with Zareena. Right after she left your house, she received the news from the hospital. She was pregnant,” Gabriel revealed, causing shock to ripple through me.“What?” I exclaimed, unable to comprehend the magnitude of the revelation.“Yes, she was already hurting at that time. On the very same day, she lost her best friend, Matt. He had proposed to her, but she had chosen you over him. However, seeing you with Zareena shattered all her hopes. And then came the overwhelming news of her pregnancy. It broke her comp
~Xander~Happiness comes in waves in my life. One moment I was angry. Another moment, I was enjoying my new reality. I met my son. This thought didn’t allow me to sleep. How could I forget Aoife? She loved me so much that she gave birth to our child. And now, all I wanted was to have them in my life.While scrolling through my social media, a thought popped out of my head. “When you touch her, don’t touch her with hesitation. Touch her as you own her. Trust me, she will know the difference.” A smirk played on my face as the devil surfaced in my mind.“I asked, and you refused. Now I will get what’s mine, Aoife,” I promised myself.I prepared myself with a white t-shirt covered with a loose denim shirt and dark jeans with tennis shoes and went to Aoife’s house without informing her.She was busy with her morning chores, running after Alex to get him ready for school.“I am getting late, and I don’t know who would be here at this early hour,” she grumbled.Holding an apple in her mouth
~Aoife~“What?” I screamed with shock. Xander arched his brow at my reaction.“Don’t worry. I’m taking you to a strip club where men strip for women.” Xander chuckled.I rolled my eyes at the thought. Xander was clearly teasing me. “There’s no such club where men strip for women, around here.” Xander smiled cunningly, making me even more confused.“Seriously? So, what will you do there among all the women?” “You never know.” He smirked. We reached the place, and it was booming with loud music and waves of women’s laughter.“Are you sure about this?” I had never been to such places before. He told me to go inside and look for a table. I followed his instructions, feeling a bit hesitant before a lady greeted me with a broad smile.“Table for two, please.” “Where is your friend?” “Oh, he’s coming.” The lady smiled and showed me the way. I settled myself at the table, and the server brought nachos and a glass of beer, complimentary.“Can I get a glass of water?” I asked over the boo
~Xander~I stepped onto the stage, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepared to perform. Bowing before the crowd, I couldn’t help but notice the eager anticipation in their eyes. The ladies in the audience seemed captivated, ready to enjoy every moment of my presence. Singing, dancing, and making them happy was my aim for the night.As the real stripping show began, I shared the gifts I received from the ladies with the other male performers, embracing a sense of camaraderie. “Enjoy, brothers.” The energy was electric, and for a while, it felt like a euphoric escape from reality.Making my way towards Aoife, I noticed her engrossed in her phone, seemingly disconnected from the vibrant atmosphere around us. “Did you enjoy the show?”Her response took me aback as she rolled her eyes with clear disapproval. “Oh, the nude show? No, I don’t.” Her words stung, and I suddenly realized how thoughtless I had been. I had assumed she would find entertainment in the strip show, obli
~Xander~It was morning when I opened my eyes. I beheld the sight of my beautiful Aoife peacefully sleeping beside me. Her hand rested gently on my shoulder, and her leg draped over mine. I couldn’t help but reminisce about how she used to sleep like royalty, effortlessly making anyone feel like her pillow.Strands of her long hair covered her cheeks, prompting me to delicately tuck them behind her ears. I gazed at her face, savoring every detail of her exquisite features. Deep down, I knew she loved me, but she wasn’t one to readily confess her emotions. Seeking to awaken her senses, I softly captured her lower lip between mine.In response, she shifted her body, nestling her head against my chest. As she opened her eyes, I closed mine, relishing the sensation of her lashes fluttering against my neck. Pretending to be asleep, I felt her withdraw her hand and leg from my body. Silently, she caressed my face, her finger tracing along my cheekbone and lingering on my tattoo.“No wonder o
Hello Folks, Thanks for joining in,I am super excited to tell you I am ready with another amazing story.Here is the blurb."When the act of saving reveals a world of secrets, the journey ahead becomes a collision of hearts and hidden truths."Dr. Hazel Colton, a kind-hearted woman dreaming of love and family, never expected to encounter Wyatt Romano, an alpha known for his cold and ruthless nature. Their lives collide one dark night when Hazel saves Wyatt’s life, only to uncover a world of wolf secrets she never imagined.Now, Hazel is bound to keep his secret, but it comes at a cost. She’s compelled to become his mistress, living under his mercy—a human in a wolves' world.However, Wyatt soon realizes that the woman he’s keeping close harbors secrets of her own—secrets that could potentially destroy his pack. An unknown enemy lurks in disguise.Will Wyatt be able to trust Hazel? Or will unrevealed mysteries alter the trajectory of their entwined fates?Was it destiny, or was ther
~Aoife~I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as I prepared for my wedding day. The room was filled with love and happiness, and Neeral was helping fix my perfect bun, adjusting my veil. I finally looked at myself in the mirror, and tears welled up in my eyes.“It feels like I’m dreaming,” I breathed, my voice filled with emotion.“No, you’re not. This is what you’ve always wanted,” a familiar voice came from the corner of the room. I turned and saw Gabriel and Angel walking towards me.“Congratulations,” Angel said, hugging me tightly.“Thank you.” Gabriel cupped my face and gently kissed the top of my head. “I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen now.” “What do you mean?” “You’re pregnant.” Confusion furrowed my brow. “That means Xander should be prepared to get his ass kicked by you.” He chuckled. We all laughed, enjoying the lighthearted moment.“No, I’ve done this before, and I know how to compose myself.” “No, you don’t know how to comp
~Aoife~My eyes welled up with tears as I listened to Matt and Neeral’s story, realizing the depth of their love and the challenges they had faced. Even Xander, sitting beside me, seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on them. Matt, seated next to Neeral, gently caressed her belly and planted a tender kiss on her head, a gesture filled with love and anticipation.“This is our story,” he said, a smile gracing his face as he glanced towards us, his friends. The room fell into an awkward silence as the weight of their emotional journey settled upon us. Unable to contain my emotions, I stood up and embraced Neeral tightly, feeling gratitude for the strength and love she had shown even when Matt was filled with hatred.“Thank you for loving him when he hated you,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. Then I turned to Matt and hugged him as well. “And thank you for loving her when she lost all hope in you.”Xander nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the profound impact
~Neeral~Eight Months Later…It had been eight long months since I last laid eyes on Matt, yet my heart still ached from the moment I left him. When he unexpectedly showed up in Seattle, seeking my forgiveness, I foolishly allowed a glimmer of hope to flicker within me. But I soon realized that it was nothing more than a gesture of a gentleman asking for forgiveness, devoid of any deeper feelings. In an attempt to distance myself, I cut off all social contacts and disappeared from social media, keeping a low profile.I didn’t know if I was hiding from Matt or simply afraid of what might transpire if he discovered I was now residing in Austin. I had started a new job at a local publication house, which paid enough for me to survive. I rented a house with new friends, and everything seemed to be going well. However, every weekend served as a reminder of my solitude, as my friends would retreat to their families’ or boyfriends’ houses. To fool my longing heart, I sometimes found myself s
~Neeral~Despite having crushed Taylor’s heart, he selflessly requested that I stay and help him finish the work in Seattle before I left for Austin. I agreed, feeling a sense of responsibility towards him. He didn’t complain or question me about the person responsible for his heartbreak. His kindness and understanding only intensified my guilt.Taylor had planned a farewell dinner for me, but he had to leave abruptly due to his father’s illness. He apologized and asked me to stay in Seattle for another week to assist him. As he departed, I found myself alone in the chilly city, fully engrossed in completing the pending work before my departure.Returning to my cottage, I was greeted by John and his wife, who had been taking care of the place. They had prepared a delicious meal for me, and I thanked them with a smile. However, the atmosphere took a sudden turn when John informed me that someone had come looking for me earlier but refused to provide his name.Confused, I frowned and ca
~Matt~Mending a broken heart felt like an impossible task, akin to building a sandcastle in a perpetually wet place. No matter how hard I tried, a wave would inevitably crash upon me, obliterating everything I had painstakingly constructed. How foolish was I to find myself in the same situation again?I had developed a special connection with Neeral, only to witness her accepting Taylor’s ring. Falling in love once more required effort, but I failed to nurture it. Our story seemed to leap to its climax before it even had a chance to begin.When Taylor proposed to her, I struggled to understand how I should react. Should I direct my anger toward him or at myself? I didn’t dare express my feelings to her, and she didn’t wait for me either. We shared a bond, but my confusion persisted. Was it friendship or something more? An unsettling fear crawled beneath my skin.What if I told her how I felt, and she left me like Aoife did? What if I asked her to wait, allowing me to discern if my em
~Neeral~After my heartfelt conversation with Taylor, I returned home. He had expressed his love for me with such joy, but Matt’s reaction to my proposal left me astounded. Why did he act like such a jerk? He had never seen me as anything more than a friend, so why did it seem like he was unhappy?With a stack of files in my hands, I struggled to open the door to my house. It was already 8 o’clock, and Matt wasn’t home. I called him, but he didn’t answer. I sent him a message, and I saw the three dots indicating that he was typing, but no reply came.Feeling a mix of worry and frustration, I decided to take a quick shower, prepare dinner, and keep myself busy with work. I waited for him at the dinner table for a long time, but he never showed up.My eyes wandered to the ring Taylor had given me. It was beautiful, and it brought a faint smile to my face. Perhaps one day, I would be able to love Taylor as deeply as I had loved Matt.Lost in my thoughts, my phone chimed. It was Taylor on
~Neeral~It had been two weeks since that horrible incident happened to me, and a strange feeling of suffocation took hold of my heart. I thought I could survive as Matt’s friend, but the closer we got, the more I felt myself drowning in pain. I couldn’t see myself as just his friend anymore. This realization reached its peak when he referred to me as his close friend in front of his family.Last weekend, we went to meet his parents. They welcomed me with open arms. It felt nice because I missed my mom so much. Matt told them about Aoife and Xander, and it surprised his parents to hear about those incidents. They were happy that I stood by Matt’s side, but I cursed myself for creating so much pain for myself. I was foolish to let him enter my heart, and now it was enough. I needed to move on.I created profiles on dating apps, hoping to find someone who would help me forget about Matt. However, my bad luck struck again when he saw an email notification from a dating app on my laptop.“
“Matt!” I screamed, desperation and fear filling my voice.Suddenly, someone forcibly pulled him away from me, and all I could hear was Victor’s agonized scream before I heard his feet on the floor as he rushed out of the house. Matt came barging back into the room, and as my senses slowly returned, I scrambled to cover my nakedness.Shivering and bleeding from my lips, I looked up at Matt, hoping for his protection and salvation. He scratched my face and body, leaving visible marks of his assault, and all I wanted was to be safe in Matt’s arms. “Hey, are you okay?” Matt’s voice trembled with concern as he hurried to my side. He grabbed a bedsheet and gently wrapped it around me, shielding me from the world’s harshness. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn’t help but feel disgusted when I looked at myself.“It’s all my fault... I am worthless,” I whimpered, my voice filled with self-loathing.Matt’s eyes widened with disbelief, and he reached out to touch my trembling shoulder.