MasukFirst, I must apologize for the delay in uploading chapters. My new role is now quite demanding and I am still trying to navigate through it. But I promise to maintain a better update schedule. Thank you for your patience.
The storm had settled finally. Martin was prosecuted and fined.He had demanded to see me to apologize and make things right, but I refused to grant his wish.Sometimes, the out of sight, out of mind rule that was placed seemed necessary now, and I was unaware of what I was capable of doing seeing him in such close range. However, one thing was sure: he wasn’t going home with all his body parts complete.So, I chose to remain on the sideline, reluctant to step back into my world. I didn't realize how suffocating and toxic it was until I was forced away from it. And now, the more I stayed in this peace and quiet, the more my reluctance grew.My schedule was practically clear for another two weeks, so there was no rush. Especially now that I didn’t have a phone and spent most of my days with Raina and Nana.But things had to start changing.“Raina?” I called gently from outside her room, waiting to hear her, but the silence that came was baffling. It wasn’t time for her beauty nap, so s
And the storm did subside, although it took way longer than it should.Jamie had been furious about my decision to suddenly leave the face of the earth, his exact words, and so were the numerous emails he had sent until I finally shut the MacBook.But he couldn’t fault me; I would be useless to them there, so it was better this way.It was nice though, staying in the house with Raina and Nana, and this time, they tried to do everything to ensure I was well and ready for whatever.For one, Raina didn’t try to bore me with fasting, nor did she bother me with eating veggies, an action I was thankful for. Nana had also decided to treat me to her rare special meals.I was resting in my room, catching up to the series of America's Next Top Model, when a soft knock was heard.“Kim, are you asleep?” Raina’s soft voice passed through the openings of the door, reaching me, and I immediately straightened.“No. Come in.” I waited as she twisted the knob, wondering what could have brought her ins
Tears poured from my eyes at a very alarming rate, my chest rising and falling so rapidly, like I had run a marathon. But this was no marathon, or maybe it was.I knew I had asked him to take his call, basically giving him the leverage to leave, but I wish he had insisted. I wish he had hugged me. I wish…The only rational being spoke in my head, blaring her alarm so loud I shrunk further into the floor.‘Don’t you dare. He abandoned us.’ Her voice drowned whatever longing I was feeling because it was the truth.Yeah, he did.He had ghosted me for weeks now. I could understand if he had mentioned he was busy then, but I entered into this mess that was threatening to tear me apart, and not even when the issue was in the heat of the moment did he come to at least support me. Now he claimed he had so many things to do, and as time went on, it was impossible to reach out.Did he take me to be a fool?The anger I had thought fizzled out swelled inside me, feeding every reason why I should
Kim’s POVI had never understood people who took long breaks on social media, the so-called ‘social media detox.' I never understood it when they claimed they wanted nothing of the internet but still needed information from others about things going on the damn net.It was why I could never understand Raina when she had moved to a seemingly quiet state and decided to go off-grid.But I do now. I understood better than anyone the need to leave everything and just be by myself.It was necessary, after I found out the internet was too toxic for me, that after every scroll, I was hyperventilating and having panic attacks.I couldn’t let something I bought with my money—actually it was a gift—ruin me, so I smashed the phone to the floor, gaining a little satisfaction when I saw it shattered to pieces.And now, I was in peace, blissfully unaware of whatever the fuck was going on. The world could be burning and I would be in my living room, swaying to the rhythm of my favorite artist.Yes.I
Aaron’s POVParis was a dream, one I wished to relive every day, but fashion week was over, and I was thrown into my life again. Work wasn’t just hectic; it was suffocating.I had meetings stacked on meetings, deals slipping through my fingers, and somewhere in the middle of it all was Kim.I promised it wasn’t my fault; I would never try to push Kim away, but I had a strict code when it comes to work: never let emotions interfere with business.But Kim wasn’t just interfering anymore. She was becoming the reason I checked my phone every five minutes.So I did the only thing I knew how to do.I pulled away.It was cowardice, ignoring her after the wonderful time we had in Paris, but I had promised once I was through with the contact, I would reach out to her. But the gap had only widened; seeking her was a task so daunting it made me relent.But I was justified.The success of Fashion Week had catapulted her to new heights, and she was everywhere. Kim was on every channel, every scree
Touching down in New York was a quiet affair, but I wasn’t ready to face anyone. I was high, a front I used to bury my emotions in, and thankfully for that.Even though I could feel Jamie’s disappointed gaze, I had failed to care. Instead, I inhaled the pungent air so peculiar to New York, and I exhaled, a little snake on my lips.It was good to be back home.I was whisked into the car before I could even get a bit of fresh air, and the car began to move towards the direction I hoped was my house.“Kim?” Jamie called, his face set in a perpetual state of disappointment. It was becoming annoying now, but I had pretended it was his neutral face, and I was going to go with that.“What?” I snapped, rolling my eyes. Yes, it had happened. Yes, I fucked up, but can they give me a fucking break?I was only human; I was bound to make mistakes.“We are going to need a formal statement so we can begin the process of clearing your name, so I will be calling the lawyer. I would give you some momen
Anna’s POVThe world was dulled all around me, like I was submerged inside a pool of water with no way of escape.It was a weird, otherworldly feeling, like my body was detached from my soul and I remained suspended in this strange state of limbo.Time ceased to exist here, and I roamed about, at a
Davy’s POVThere were so many ways I had imagined today would turn out to be. It had been peaceful; we had discharged most of our patients, and only a few remained, and right now, I wanted nothing more than a much-needed rest.I was prepared to retire to the call room or even the office when I pass
“Rules?” His brows quirked up, and he stared at me, confusion swirling in his eyes, but his resolve pushed through, and he nodded. “Alright, let me hear it.”“Don’t push me.” I snapped annoyedly, and he gave me a sheepish smile.Sorry.”I sat up fully, gathering the sheets around me as I thought of
Anna’s POVI hated crying. It was an unnecessary expression of emotions that had no business showing itself there. It took so much energy, leaving you with a runny nose and even a headache.Yet it was one of my favorite forms of expression, but not by choice. And right now, I sobbed, pounding on Da







