LOGINASHLEY I frown, confusion laced in my features as I look at Jeremías. He can't be serious; only except he is serious. His tone is firm and without a crack, leaving no room for doubt. His expression is also neutral, and there's a flicker of remorse, but it quickly disappears.I search his eyes for a hint of a facade, but there's none. He's dead beat serious.I had asked him this question before, back when we were just friends with nothing real, and he had blantly refused. I thought it was because we weren't in a relationship yet. But now? We're more than that. And he's still maintaining his answer. “No? Really, no?” I ask, my tone laced with a mix of disbelief and confusion. “Why? It's not too far away if that's an issue.”It's roughly eight hours in total, but he can manage. “I might still have matches to play, then,” he replies, his tone still firm on his refusal.“What about when you're on a break? Surely, you guys can be on a break. You have off-seasons and recovery weeks, rig
JEREMÍAS I descend the stairs, stepping back into the living room. The house feels strangely quiet, a soft padding of slippers against the floor the only audible sound I hear. Then, I notice it. A small cloud of smoke is in the air, coming from the kitchen. I hurry into the kitchen, my brows furrowing.My eyes scan every corner of the kitchen, from the counter to the sink. The kitchen is as clean as it was, except this time, there's a frying pan sitting in the sink. Steam is rising from its surface, fading into the air. Something happened here; a cooking battle that just ended minutes ago. How long have I been gone? I'm certain it hasn't been so long that I would come out to see my house smoking. I move towards the dining room, my eyes instantly dropping down to the table. Resting by the edge of the table is a thick, misshapen food?... possibly. It is golden brown in some spots, dark in others, and somewhat dense. Ashley appears beside me before I can find her. I look up at her
JEREMÍAS The doctor’s gaze moves down to my hand again and lingers there for minutes, watching the way my fingers twitch against his desk. He finally lifts his head, moving his gaze back to me. His expression is laced with pity—an emotion I genuinely hate. It always feels like I'm helpless when I'm absolutely not. But there's nothing I can do. Doctor Henry has been my personal doctor since I was seventeen years old. Then, I only had minor issues, but now it's gotten worse and he's the only one I can go to for help. He doesn't look at me like a man who is tired of always having to see me; he looks at me like I'm someone he's trying desperately to help to let go of a wreckage I'm not willing to let go of. “The sessions can be okay,” he begins, his voice calm. “But I don't think that's what you still need. You've been trying it for years, Jeremías, and it hasn't worked completely. I think it's time you considered my other option. It can fully help you.”I inhale sharply, then releas
JEREMÍAS The atmosphere is thick with tension, irritation and everything bad. My father's gaze hovers over me, his expression filled with pure loathe. It's equal on both my side and his. “The rehabilitation centres were clearly a waste for you,” he says, disappointment etched in his tone. “You haven't changed at all.” A small, stiff smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth. It's a reflex born of pure spite. “Then why don't you lead by example. Why don't you start by telling your darling wife how you ruined her life before? Redeem yourself by telling her about how you killed her husband because of a loan.” My tone is sharp and clear. His body tenses, his eyes unsteady as he maintains his eye contact with me. “I didn't kill him. Watch your words.” “It's no different from sending people to do the job for you,” I shoot back, my voice dangerously steady. “You still killed him.” His reaction is instant. He strikes me twice, a fast blow across both my cheeks that stings. I don't rea
JEREMÍAS The squeaking of my sneakers against the polished hardwood is the only sound I like right now. My hair drops near my eyes as I run, threatening to distract me. But I don't push it away. Mark is already in front of me, his sneakers squeaking as he tries to dribble past me while protecting the ball he's bouncing.His elbow brushes against my ribs as he runs towards the hoop. He tries to pass the ball to his teammates, but my teammates are already guarded, blocking every aim. Just as he sees no ray of hope, he jumps, his hand gripping the ball, then tosses it towards the net. His aim isn't even good. I saw the hesitation in his body movements as he threw the ball. He still plays like a rookie and I'm not sure if he'll be able to replace Carl, the injured player. I lunge, my hands snapping out, and slap the ball away easily before it can reach the net. I don't wait for him to run after me. I'm already moving, bouncing the ball and dribbling past opponents, making my way for
ASHLEY My mother meets my gaze, her eyes softening. She sighs. “Tell me the truth, dear. Are you in a relationship with Jeremías?” I do respect immediately. I pause, just looking at her. It's not been up to one week since it happened, yet they know. But I don't go far with my thoughts. I already know. I already know it's Caleb that told them. Obviously Caleb. He can't stand the idea of me having a life that he doesn't approve of, or one that he isn't inside. But I don't deny it. There's no reason I should. It's Jeremías and they know him. “Yes, I am.” “Since when? When did it start?” That night flashes in my mind briefly. I didn't know what I was thinking by asking him. I just wanted to and I did. Then, it was mainly because I was worried he took antidepressants, but now, it's more than that. “It's not been up to a week.” “What were you thinking before agreeing to be his girlfriend?” she presses, a hint of unapproval etched in her tone. I frown. It's a wrong question.
ASHLEY “Caleb!” What the hell? After all the ‘thinking about it’ and needing just closure, I find him inside a pool, tongue in tongue with a Spanish that ghosts him. I wish he doesn't know how to swim. I can just push them far apart and watch him struggle to get to her. He jerks his head arou
JEREMÍAS I surely didn't expect Caleb to bring anyone with him as he was coming, and especially not her. I knew they were best friends but I didn't know she was far different from how Caleb had described her the last time he visited alone. But she? She's pretty and delicate, in a way that make
ASHLEY The paintbrush slips from my hand, hitting the floor and splattering paint across the polished floor. I jerk my head around to face her. My mum and my dad are standing a few metres away from me, staring and smiling. I know that expression all too well. It is the same ‘smiling with just
ASHLEY “Boring right?” A young out-of-shape man says, leaning into my space. He holds up a bottle with the name “VODKA” boldly written on it, a greasy smile plastered on his face. “How about we go over to my place and I show you what real fun looks like?” “Fuck off, sicko,” I snap, the irritati





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