LOGINARIELLA Sia smiled at us briefly, then turned her attention back towards Leon. Maria was already setting the table, moving quietly, but her eyes lifted to me for just a second. Leon was still talking. Still laughing, completely happy and at ease with everything. “Mom, sit here,” he said, pulling
ARIELLA I walked in. Leon was still at the desk, though now he was writing, his tongue slightly peeking out the side of his mouth in concentration. Sia sat across from him, watching, not interrupting. Just… there. Present. “Mom,” Leon said without looking up, “I’m writing now, you shouldn't inter
ARIELLA We went quiet for a moment, neither of us saying anything. The air seemed to shift, less playful, more real. Asher leaned back slightly in his chair, watching me like he was trying to read something I hadn’t said out loud. “You’re quiet,” he noted. “I’m thinking.” “About what?” “About
ARIELLA When I finally walked out of Leon’s study, I felt a lot better about the decision I had made. So I decided to go into Asher’s office. I lightly knocked, even though the door was partially open, and peeked inside. Asher was on the phone And the moment he saw me, he smiled and motioned for
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
I am underneath Asher's weight. He's on top of me, and he's heavy, and the sound of gunshots makes me want to scream, but Asher places his hand in front of my mouth. Just a second later, the girl we were with started running while screaming aloud, and the sound of gunshots followed her as she ran a
"No, she's not!" I snapped, and then I realized my mistake, seeing the look in my dad's eye. "I'm sorry, Dad. But Asher Wouldn't do that to me... he loves me." My dad looks at me. His eyes are filled with pity and sympathy. He ignores my outburst and says, "Since Asher's not picking you up today,
Pop! pop! Suddenly there was the sound of gunshots in the air and I just froze. I don't know what happened as I sat there on the bed, frozen, but then suddenly Asher was in my face, talking to me. He was already dressed, he had never taken anything off, so he was fully dressed. I was the one naked
I don’t know where I got the courage to answer him, but I did. "If I know why you’re here,” I said, “you also know why. We both know why I wasn’t picking up calls, and we both know why you’re here. There, case solved.” “You think you’re smart like that, huh?” I smiled, even though I was nervous a







