LOGINARIELLA I exhaled. “Okay.” “I’ll see you later,” he said. “Don’t be late for dinner,” I responded. “I want a promise.” A small smile slipped into his voice. “Okay. I promise.” “I love you.” I couldn't help myself. “I love you too.” The call ended and I stayed there for a moment longer, star
ARIELLA The truth was… maybe I did. Maybe I had seen them before. Maybe I had grown up around them. But I didn’t actually know who had died. “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “Maybe.” Leon frowned again. “Then why didn’t you go to the funeral?” I hesitated. “I guess I should have,” I admitted
ARIELLA After breakfast, I tried to keep the morning as normal as possible. For Leon, and most importantly…For myself. “Mom,” Leon said, looking up at me, “should we go and prepare my study room? You told me that I could help.” “Of course,” I said. But before we walked out, I turned toward Marg
ARIELLA I held his gaze. “I can’t survive without you,” I said again. “You won’t have to,” he replied quietly. “I’m going to be okay. I’ll come back. I have to. You and Leon are waiting for me. I won’t break that promise.” He lifted my chin gently so I had no choice but to look at him. “I just
ARIELLA I woke up to feel light kisses on my face. I opened my eyes to find Asher hovering over me, pressing soft kisses against my skin. I let out a small laugh as he brushed his lips against mine before straightening. He was already dressed. Tie in place. Hair perfectly styled. Everything about
ARIELLA When Asher is finally, fully seated inside me, the bed groans beneath our combined weight. He pulls back out just as slowly, and the friction is enough to make my head swim. He’s doing this on purpose; I can see the intent in his eyes. He’s paying me back for every stolen glance and silen
I was still in disbelief as I stepped out the front door, heels clicking against the pavement. The air felt different, free. My heart pounded in my chest with every step I took down the driveway, closer to the sleek black car waiting for me. I couldn’t believe I was actually being allowed to leave.
When we left for Zanzibar, it was just for five days. This time, I had prepared myself. I told Maria I’d call every day. I promised to video call Leon, to check in. And Asher, he promised everything would be fine. That security would be tight. That nothing would go wrong. Just five days, he said. J
I felt a warm blush crawl up my face. “Are you… are you going to work in that?” I asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. He glanced down at himself, white t-shirt, and grey sweatpants and shrugged. “That’s what I’m wearing.” I bit my lip, smirking. “Well, you’re going to leave a l
Ariella. "Do you really want to know why?" Asher asked slowly, his voice eerily calm as he began walking toward me. And just like that, my body reacted before my mind could catch up, I stepped back, retreating until the backs of my legs met the bed. There was something in his calmness that wasn’t







