เข้าสู่ระบบ~~Sebastian~~I turn my phone on.And the first notification that comes in it's from Michael Kings, my father.‘It’s your mother's memorial this weekend and Ruthie and I thought to remind you,”I stare at the text for a tad bit long.My chest tightening.You'd think I hate my father, I don't.But I'm angry, so angry it always gets the better of me.His marriage to Ruthie was the problem, still is.And Ruthie always clamouring for acceptance always ticks me off.She's just Dad's wife, not my mother, never will.Riley might've been too young to understand when it happened.But realizing that Dad never loved mom was a hard pill to swallow.It was a marriage of convenience, neither of them were ever truly happy.After mom's demise, he married Ruthie, someone I got to realize was his first love.They've been married for five years, and I've never seen Dad this happy.That was an even bigger blow.Perhaps she isn't the problem, accepting her was.I take a deep breath to get my thoughts toge
~~Hazel~~I know what it's required of me.To get tested.But honestly, as easy as it sounds it scares me.What if.. I'm not pregnant?I mean, there should be symptoms right?It's been a little over a month and I've been stalling.It didn't stop Fiona's messages from pouring in, day after day.Jordan said it's just a test, it doesn't matter whether I'm pregnant or not.But it does.Right?There's a million dollar price on it.One that could change my life and that of Jason.Ugh.I'm not even showing signs. I don't throw up, I'm just…me.I stare at the strip, and toss it back into my bag.I've been avoiding taking the pregnancy tests. It has staying up late thinking about it.Deep down, there's a tiny voice in my head screaming loudly, ‘what if?’I didn't want to go through the disappointment and worry again, so I just put it off for as long as I could.Not tonight though.It has to be tonight.And that's all the more reason why I'm standing right outside of Melanie's door.I have told
~~Melanie~~My eyes stays stuck on him.There's this look in his eyes, like he's worried or perhaps…. it's just pity.“You're safe,” he mutters, eyes locked on mine.I try not to notice how his words dulls my fear, how ticklish his breath is, how it raises goosebumps along my neck.There's just something soothing about Sebastian.Just then, the light comes up and my brain jogs with it.Quickly I detangle his arms around me and step away.“I…uhm– I need to go,” my voice trembles a bit.“Why are you still at work at this time?” I hear him cut in.I push a stray strand to the back of my ear and straighten. “I uhm…forget it,”His face crumples.“It's your work load too much? I can talk to…”“Don't,” I let out, voice firm.It's hard enough dealing with Mr Daniel's narrative of me.Sebastian talking to him about me will just escalate things. I don't want trouble.“I can handle my tasks. Just stay out of it…sir,” my voice lowers at the last word.He all but rolls his eyes. “Sir?”“Aren't you
~~Melanie~~I stall at the reception, eyes scanning the entire place for him.Sebastian.The thought of bumping into him had kept me awake all night.And yet I'm not backing out of this job. I just need to stay off him and it'll be alright.Ugh.Even that feels like a weak consolation.It's Tian.But still…I walk in slowly, eyes flickering across the room. I give the brunette at the front desk a faint smile.And then a hand over my shoulder startles me.I whirl around, heart thudding.But it's not Sebastian.It's Jade.I let out a breath. “You…. It's you,” I mutter with a nervous chuckle. “Hi, Jade.”But her gaze doesn't shift. Her eyes furrows.“Are you okay?” Jade asks.I squint. “Me?”“You seem to be so checked out. I've been calling you, and you didn't even hear me.”“Oh, I uhm…everything's fine, Jade. I'm just thinking about how to face Mr. Daniels,” I laugh.My words seems to do it's work because Jade exhales, at least I'd like to think she bought that.She takes another step to
~~Hazel~~I don't blink, not once.Melanie is all dressed, looking like she was either on a date or…My eyes widens…it's like muscle memory.Can't really blame myself for worrying so much.Ever since Melanie came back into our lives.Tamara and I have always wondered how's she truly coping.It's not that easy to erase over a decade of memory. Mental and physical abuse.And the constant fear of her disappearing again.She doesn't say much, but I can't help but see a broken woman.I spoke to Tammy about it and we're hoping to sign up with a therapist, just soon enough, that's if she's willing.For now, we'd have to keep an eye and just let her settle in on her own terms.I trail behind her as she unlocks the door.Of course she sees the dozen of questions written all over my face.She turns to me.“I went out with my boss,”My brows lifts.“Your boss?” I let out, unable to stop myself.I scan her, there's something about her posture that tells me there's more to it.She's being suspiciou
~~Melanie~~“It's just dinner with Sebastian, nothing more,” I remind myself, trying to play it cool.Even though I tell myself it's just a night out, the nerves I feel say otherwise.Fate can be complicated sometimes.Tian, the man who saved me, the one I've been trying to forget is my new boss.And I can't help but consider it as trouble.Even though he's up there and I'm down floor, it doesn't make working under the same roof as him easy.I know Sebastian.I'd like to think I do even though it was for a short time.He doesn't look like he's going to let me be.And this dinner? And a welcome gift to staffs? That's a horseshit.Ugh.I should quit. I should step back.But that'd require me running again.That'd mean ghosting Tamara and Hazel again, and I swore to never leave them again.Plus, I need this job. I want to keep it.So, figuring out how to co-exist with Sebastian will do me the word good.And that's all the more reason why I need to show up to this dinner.I consider a mid







