HeatherThe morning sun streamed in through my bedroom window as I slowly blinked awake. I lie down there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, the memories, it makes me feel nostalgia. As I take in the familiar surroundings. It had been two months since I returned to my adopted family's home in Ferris in Loaka city, and this cozy bedroom makes me feel at home again. I let a deep sigh, before hauling out of bed and got ready to face the day. Splashing cold water on my face helped wash away the last cobwebs of sleep. As I patted my wet face, I caught my reflection in the mirror. The dark circles under my eyes betrayed many restless nights. Ever since coming back, readjusting to this life had not been easy.After dressing, I headed downstairs. The smell of freshly brewed coffee drew me to the kitchen. My adopted brother's wife was bustling about making breakfast, a deep frown on her usually cheerful face. Our relationship was still strained, but I hoped with time we'd find our rhyth
IanAnother week gone by with no trace of Heather no matter the resources I poured into finding her. My brother Tyler chattered away in the passenger seat, still hung up on some mystery woman he'd briefly crossed paths with. Meanwhile Heather continued to haunt my every thought.We were driving through yet another idyllic small town, eyes peeled for any hint of Heather. Just then a woman wandered absently into the road ahead. I slammed the brakes, tires screeching as our eyes met with a jolt of recognition - Heather!She stood frozen, staring dumbly as if unable to comprehend my sudden appearance. My heartbeat quickened, but irritation followed close behind. I hated when women gawked at me only because of my wealth and notoriety, as if I were a shiny object to possess. A crowd started gathering, their focus on me rather than the woman I'd nearly run down. With an impatient sigh, I sent her off in an ambulance and paid a generous compensation to avoid a scene. These small towns loved
IanNo, this is not happening!I stood up and approach the door want to go to her thank goodness she can't run this time I'll go to her cafe.Or her home. Just then I saw he grumbling like a little girl. As her friend pushed her out of the car. I feel my heart gets calm and start beating fast. It was as if a teenager seeing his first love.She was in a classy outfit that clung to her body and sexy as fuck. ...Heather"That's it, we're going shopping!" Aria declared, dragging me from the cafe the moment Ian left. "What? Why?" I protested even as she hustled me to her car."To find you a killer outfit for your date tonight!" Aria said matter-of-factly. "If Mr. Billionaire is willing to stalk you across the state, we need to make an impression."I sighed but couldn't suppress a smile at her determination. We closed the cafe early and hit the shops. Aria was merciless, shoving outfit after outfit into my arms. "Too frumpy...makes you look like a nun...oh that's cute!"After what felt
TylerI drummed my fingers impatiently on the armrest as Ian drove us through yet another quaint village. My thoughts kept drifting back to the beautiful mystery woman I'd glimpsed earlier. When Ian had nearly hit that pedestrian, I’d been distracted by the alluring brunette who rushed to help. Our eyes met for a brief electric moment before Ian whisked us away. While my brother obsessed over some Heather woman from his past, I was captivated by this fiery angel who’d burst into my humdrum life. Ian insisted we were here tracking down his lost love or whatever, but I had an ulterior motive - finding that enchanting girl who’d left me utterly smitten.As we pulled into a cozy cafe, I perked up. Maybe I’d catch another glimpse of my enthralling stranger here. But as Ian stiffened, I realized this was no chance stop. “Well, if it isn’t the woman who’s been haunting my thoughts, Heather my dear,” Ian purred to the pretty barista. His lost love, apparently. She was cute, but had nothing
AriaI slipped into the driver's seat, heart still fluttering from my encounter with Tyler. Beside me, Heather was grinning ear to ear. "Sooo, looks like you and Playboy really hit it off," she said, eyebrows raised suggestively.I rolled my eyes, backing the car out of the lot. "Oh please, I still think he's an arrogant billionaire like the rest." But even I didn't fully believe that anymore."Mhmm, sure," Heather said skeptically. "Is that why you're blushing and can't stop smiling?" I scowled, feeling my cheeks flush deeper. "Am not! I'm just laughing at his cheesy attempts to flirt." I tried my best to seem nonchalant. Heather wasn't buying it. "Don't try to deny it, I saw how charming and sweet he was with you all evening." She grinned knowingly. "He's quite the charmer when he wants to be."I gripped the steering wheel, flustered. "Alright fine, he was...not as insufferable as I expected." I thought back to our lively debates about books and movies. "I guess he's kind of funn
AlexUgh, morning came way too early. I blinked groggily at my alarm before dragging myself out of bed. Just another day at boring old school. After getting ready for school, I shuffled into the kitchen where Mom was cooking breakfast. "Morning sweetie!" she said cheerfully. "Want some eggs and toast?""Sure, thanks," I mumbled, still not fully awake. I sat at the table and Mom slid a plate in front of me. We ate, and she started chatting excitedly about her dinner last night with the Ian guy. I nodded along, only half listening as she gushed about how charming and persistent he was to track her down."Isn't it just romantic?" Mom sighed dreamily. "He must really care to go through so much effort to find me."I suppressed an eye roll. Grown-up romance stuff wasn't really my thing. But Mom seemed happier than she'd been in a while, so I was glad for her. "So you really like this Ian guy then?" I asked.Mom blushed slightly. "I mean, I'm still being cautious, but he's definitely mad
MariaI woke up to the usual sounds of arguing downstairs. Dad was yelling at Ella again over something minor. He always found an excuse to lash out at us most especially when he's drunk. "Get me another bottle, if you want to go to school." I overheard him him yelling at her.With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed, bracing for another miserable day.In the kitchen, Dad didn't even look up from his newspaper as I quietly made some toast for us to had breakfast.He hadn't directly addressed me in weeks. Ever since for a long time now, it was like I ceased to exist in his eyes. My sister Ella shot me an apologetic glance as she hurried to grab her school bag so we can leave. Mouthing a "Don't let him get you you." I smiled at her bravery. She's so matured for a 13yr old. Well in this house she has to. At 13 years old, she was already gorgeous - tall, slim, with perfect hair and skin. Dad doted on her constantly, pride shining in his eyes whenever he looked her way.Meanwhile I was
Archer"Fuck.""Fuck! Fucking fuck!!" I shouted punching the air as I ran a hand in my hair."No...no this isn't happening again." I yelled as I kept on running.My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I sped away into the night. What the hell did I just do? That wasn't supposed to happen. I had only meant to scare Maria, not actually stab someone. When her friend Alex jumped in front of my knife, it was too late to pull back. I'll never forget his agonized scream or the blood gushing over my hands. And Maria's wrenching sobs as she pleaded for him to hold on.I gritted my teeth, hitting the steering wheel angrily. This was bound to make things worse with my father. He already hated me over that boy's death years ago that I got blamed for. But I never touched him! The truth didn't matter though. Once my father decided I was guilty, that was it.He sent me away because I "shamed" the family name. Nevermind that he was the one cheating on my mom right under her nose. No, in his mind I was th