Facade

I was awakened from my slumber when the sunbeam fell directly on my eyes. I let out a groan of annoyance. My right hand shot up in an endeavor to block the light from penetrating my orbs. I had almost fallen back to dreamless unconsciousness when my eyelids unrolled and my body shot up into the sitting position.I took a note of the room. Sunlight was already entering the room from the blinds. My brows pinched and my features vaguely contorted in confusion. How is that possible?Bending to the edge of the bed, I grabbed my almost broken phone from the nightstand before straightening up in my previous position. I unlocked the screen. I tried to read the time but I couldn't decipher any alphabet or numeric as my vision was befogged by the lack of rest.Rubbing my worn-out and drowsy eyes until my field of vision merged into the clarity. My eyes enlarged and anxiety built inside the pit of my stomach when I saw that it was already six twenty in the morning. How did this happen? I palpabl

"Dad, do you need anything?" I queried, seeing his almost empty plate.He turned to me before shaking his head vigorously before giving me a small smile. "No, I'm full," I gave him a small nod in response."So, Hope, what are you going to wear for tomorrow?" He asked out of the blue. My features instantly morphed into confusion.What is dad talking about?"Tomorrow?" I asked, voicing my curiosity."Yes, for tomorrow's party?-" There's a party? "-You are going with Xavier, right?" This time dad's tone was laced with uncertainty.Going with Xavier?I had no idea there would be a party tomorrow. He didn't even feel the need to mention the party, let alone invite me to accompany him. My heartache at the thought.When?When are you going to accept me, Xavier?"Actua-" I trailed off, trying to come off with an excuse, but dad swiftly cut me off."You didn't know?" Judging by dad's tone, I knew it wasn't a question. He just wanted to hear the truth from me....pain and simple."I knew I was j

I hastened my lagging steps and the breath escaped my lungs in a quick sigh of relief as the market came into my line of vision.Finally...I headed towards the entrance but before I could enter, I crashed into a body. I stumbled a bit but balanced myself before I could fall straight on my butt.I craned up to gaze at the person who almost made me fall. My eyelids stretched wide seeing an otherworldly creature with full lips, large luminous eyes.Even the way she wore her hair, with those braids wrapped around the top of her head like a crown and long shiny red curls falling around her shoulders and her back.Her slender form was enhanced by the tight black dress. She looked painfully beautiful."Are you blind," She said in her shrill, harsh voice. Bitterness slithered through her as she pinned me with her sharp glaze."I'm sorry," I was quick to apologize. "Are you okay," I took a few steps towards her just to make sure she wasn't hurt.Before I could reach her, she retreated a coupl

Hope...The words have great significance in my life.First, it's my name.Second, because it is the only thing I have been doing for two years. HopeThe hope of getting my husband's love. Hope to have normal relationships with my in-lawsI always used to think, why my mom kept my name hope when I am hopeless. Maybe she saw me as her hope for new life and a better future, but I wasn't her hope, I was destruction. My mom lost everything she had when she got pregnant with me.Her dreams, her family, her happiness. Everything. I wasn't planning. It was a mistake that my mom made. But she didn't let me ever fall. She never complained about anything. Not once. And I'm very grateful for that.But it's not the same with Xavier though. He is bold, upfront, and blunt. He has always been a person who doesn't hesitate to vocalize what's on his mind. A part of me admires him for that, but another part doesn't, because sometimes he can be too straightforward and honest.I know I'm being selfish; I

My eyes traveled to the man before, who was supposedly my husband. I'm surprised to see him out here. This is the first time in these two years he has entered my room. I never thought this day would come.Similar to before, there was no remorse in his face, and my throat tightened. Looks like he's incapable of empathy or remorse.I watched as his wandering gaze traveled down to my chest and the light of lust flared in his gaze. Realization crossed upon me about my half nudity. I instantly crossed my arms, making an attempt to conceal my nakedness from his two sets of shape gaze staring at me.Upon my action, his gaze shifted momentarily back to my face and his gaze met mine with the same lust-filled eyes that made my heart flutter.On the other hand, seeing him here unleashed the dark memories of Xavier and of that woman rapidly and clearly, which lingered like smoke after a fire as I couldn't stem the image of them flooding my mind. I felt the wound of Xavier's betrayal reopened wide