We stepped outside, the humid air doing little to ease my agitation. As I approached my car, a sleek black SUV pulled up across the lot. A man stepped out and our eyes locked. My breath caught. He looked different—sharper, more polished. A tailored tuxedo clung to his frame, the Italian fabric catching the light. I recognized him instantly.“Alex?” I called, my voice softer than I intended.He froze for a moment, then broke into a warm smile as he crossed the lot toward me. “Hi, princess.”I couldn’t help but smile back, despite the chaos of the day. “What are you doing here? And in a suit, no less. You clean up nice.”He chuckled, adjusting his cufflinks. “Thanks. Maya, meet Adrian, my friend.” He gestured to a tall, impeccably dressed man beside him, exuding easy confidence.Adrian extended a hand, his smile genuine. “Hello, Maya. Nice to finally meet you.”“Nice to meet you too,” I said, shaking his hand, though my mind was still reeling from the hotel fiasco.“What are you doing
The sun glared down as I stepped out of my car, the heat clinging to my skin like an unwanted embrace. My heels clicked sharply against the pavement, each step echoing the weight of my unresolved burdens, Which should I tackle first? The question gnawed at me, relentless, as I made my way into the office, my assistant Blessing trailing close behind. “Good morning, ma,” Blessing said the moment I crossed the threshold, her voice bright but tinged with caution, as if she sensed my mood. I nodded absently, sinking into the worn leather chair behind my desk. The office smelled of stale coffee and printer ink, a familiar anchor amidst the chaos in my mind. "What’s on the schedule today?” I asked, arranging my laptop in front of me, forcing myself to focus on the day’s demands. Blessing consulted her tablet, her fingers swift. “The photo shoot for Priscilla is this morning. She’ll be here soon. Maxwell is also stopping by later.” “Alright,” I murmured, my fingers hovering over the key
The names hit me like a punch to the chest. Marcus—my father. I reread the certificate, my mind struggling to process the words. My hands began to shake, and I turned the paper over, finding a handwritten note in my father’s familiar scrawl: "I know I haven’t been the best father, but please find your sister. With love, Dad.” I looked up at Mr. George, my vision blurring with tears. “What… what is this?” He sighed, his face heavy with the weight of the truth. “Your father was trying to find her for the last three years. He wanted to reunite the family.” “Does Mom know?” I asked, my voice trembling as I tried to steady myself. “Yes,” he said gently. “Your mother knew about her.” I shook my head, disbelief coursing through me. “How did I not know? How could they keep this from me?” Mr. George leaned forward, his voice calm but deliberate. “Her name was Elizabeth. She worked as a maid for yo
**Alex’s POV** “Dude, how the hell did it happen?” Adrian was sprawled across the couch in my apartment, his grin so wide it practically split his face. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, like a kid waiting for the best part of a story. I couldn’t help but smile, the memories of last night flooding back—Maya’s laughter, the way her eyes softened when she looked at me, the way her body fit against mine. “It just… happened,” I said, shrugging, though the warmth in my chest betrayed how much it meant. “Congrats, man,” Adrian said, reaching out for a handshake. “You’re officially off the market.” I gave him a skeptical look, shaking his hand anyway. “Thanks, I guess.” He sobered, his expression shifting to something more serious. “So, when are you gonna tell her?” I took a deep breath, the weight of his question settling over me. “Soon.” “How soon, Alex?” Adrian press
**Maya’s POV** The soft brush of lips against my cheek stirred me from sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and there he was—Alex, lying beside me, his face lit with a warm, boyish grin that made my heart skip. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across his features, highlighting the sharp angle of his jaw and the tousled mess of his dark hair. “Good morning, princess,” he said, his voice low and teasing, carrying that familiar warmth that always seemed to wrap around me like a blanket. I smiled, leaning in to return the kiss, my lips grazing his cheek. The moment felt soft, intimate, like a quiet promise we hadn’t yet spoken aloud. For a second, I let myself linger in it, forgetting the weight of the world outside this room. “I could stay like this forever, you know—holding you in my arms,” Alex said, his tone playful but with a hint of sincerity that made my chest tighten. “But
It had been three weeks since Dad's burial and two months since his death. I was back in Mafer now with Christi; I couldn't possibly leave her behind since she had known only my family all her life. The investigation was ongoing, but it seemed to be stalled. There were no CCTV recordings of anyone entering or exiting Dad’s room—the killer had vanished into thin air. The hospital had agreed to take full responsibility for the incident and offered a settlement, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I needed to find the killer. Sitting at my desk, I felt helpless. Business hadn't been good because I had been away. I had thrown myself into work to keep my mind off my parents. "Hey, Maya," Christi said as she walked into my office. I looked up from my laptop. "Sup?" I replied, forcing a smile. "It's time to go; Kate is waiting for us," she said. "It's fine. you can go without me," I replied.