Novels by breathejoan

“Hey,” I woke up when I felt a soft touch on my cheek. “Good morning, pretty.” “What time is it?” I asked.“6 o’clock. I’m sorry I went inside. I’m going to work now, I cooked breakfast.” Mark said. I only nodded and yawned. He smiled at me as he got up and left my room. I stared at the ceiling for a moment as I remembered our conversation last night. I am really wondering what’s happening between them but it is not my place to meddle in their business, right? I guess, I’ll just let them because for sure Mark will tell me, eventually, what’s their…story. I let out a loud sigh before I decided to get up. I saw bacon and eggs at the table, the breakfast he prepared for me. The rest of the day, I busied myself with my upcoming birthday, well, I don’t know if it’s really my birthday or a social gathering of…some…powerful people in the business world. After I finished talking to the organizers, I decided to go to the final fit checking. Nikki opened the door for me and I said thanks b

I ran when the elevator was about to close. “I’m sorry!” I said as I entered the elevator. When I look at who I am inside with, my lips form a smile. “Hi,” I greeted.“Katherine,” He greeted. Tiredness was evident on my face, but it lit up when our eyes met. He smiled as he opened his arms and welcomed me, but he was just… asking for a hug. I shook my head and smiled as I moved towards him and hugged him. It feels like home. Him. His hug. I am… finally home. He held my hand as we both went out in the elevator. “I’m going to stay in your place.” He said. “I’ll just take a shower, and I’ll be back.” He gave me a small smile before he went to his place. “What’s the matter, Mark?” I asked as I handed him a can of beer. He was sitting on the couch while watching the news. His hair was still messy and wet from the shower, and he wore a pair of pajamas. He looks so comfy. I sat beside him as I dried my hair using a towel. “Nothing. I just want to stay here with you.” He said. He stood u

Then, he sighed. “Okay, then. I’ll tell them to cancel the dinner.” With that, I immediately looked at him. “What?” “I’ll cancel the dinner, Katherine. We both know that it is not just a dinner. We- no, They are planning our wedding.” He smiled a little after he said those. Yeah, we are both aware that it is not just a regular dinner. “Don’t do what you don’t want to do. Please do what you want to do without caring about what they will say about your decisions. That is your life, Katherine.” He stood up. I remained sitting as I looked at him. Then, he smiled at me, put his hand above my head, and caressed my hair gently. “After all, we are all just people who want freedom, not a chain, right?” I felt a hot liquid forming in the corner of my eyes. He kneeled in front of me as he continued caressing my hair. He is tall, so when he kneeled, our gazes were just equal. “I know you went here to get your freedom. I don’t want to be the reason, and my family, why can’t you get that?

I went back to my senses when my phone rang. Mom’s calling. When I answered it and listened to my Mom, my brows furrowed as I went to my room and looked at my calendar. “What? Really, Mom?” I sarcastically said because I can’t believe what I am hearing now. “Mom, my birthday is coming… why…” I sighed heavily and closed my eyes for a second. My head is aching because of this sudden news. “You should at least ask me, Mom,” I said. Then, she explained so many things that I couldn’t understand because I can’t still process everything. After the call, I remained staring at the floor. And then I realized that reality started to hit me. “Wow… just wow,” I uttered. I looked at my phone when I received a text from my mother. From: Mom I’m sorry, darling. They wanted to have your wedding as soon as possible. Then, another message came. Both of you can still prepare. Your wedding is two months away from your birthday. It is a private wedding anyway. I didn’t text back after I r

It was like visiting and entering that orphanage will make the wall Mark built collapse. In the following days, I remained in my place. Since the majority of my friends are abroad, I don’t have any friends to hang out with except Lanie. But she was busy with her life so I decided not to bother her. I entertained myself by watching series and sometimes, reading the files that Nikki sent me about Mark. I looked at the door when I heard the doorbell ring. I am not expecting any visitors right now. When I opened the door, my lips parted when I saw who was standing in front of me. He was wearing a plain white shirt, black shorts, and white shoes. In his right hand, he was holding a paper bag. He looked at me casually. I tilted my head as I looked at him again from head to toe. “Glad to see you alive,” Mark said. “What?” “You’re not going out for the past few days. I’m just checking if you are still breathing there.” He said before he stole a glance inside my place and then, looked a

I went inside my room, jumped in my bed, and buried my face in the pillow, as I felt embarrassed about how I acted in front of him. Did I make it too obvious that I was worried about him? Oh, gosh! Minutes later, my phone beeped. When I checked it, my eyes widened and I almost threw my phone. Mark replied! To: Mark Nextdoor I’m fine. “Shit!” I cursed. Just two words and I am already losing it. I didn’t reply. I just stared at his message. Even though he said he’s fine, why do I feel like he is not? His eyes… When I stared at those eyes, I saw sadness lurking in those mysterious eyes. Or am I the only one who sees that? I sighed before I decided to call my mother. “Hey, Mom.” I greeted. “Hello, darling! Why did you call?” I bit my lower lip. “Uhm, Mom, about Mark…” I stood up and went near the window. “What about him?” Mom’s voice became serious now. I sighed again before I said what I wanted to say. “Don’t touch him. I’ll handle him.” I said. There was a long pa