AT THE COFFEE SHOP, Fatima was busy serving customers with their orders. More and more people are coming in for lunch so she got extra busy with work. As she was serving a table, the telephone started ringing. She finished serving the table before going behind the counter and answering the call. “Hello?” she asked as she put her hair in a bun.
“Hey, how’s it going there?” Grian’s voice was heard on the other side of the phone. Fatima raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Oh, I’m sorry. Are you perhaps the owner?” she joked with a sassy tone and he chuckled.
“No, but I’m his secretary,” he answered and she laughed.
“I’m busy serving and preparing their orders, just call again later,” she explained as she looked at the people eating.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, the sky is dull and dark as the rain poured down the city. Near the cemetery, a man wearing black clothes with an umbrella walked up to a grave and looked at it with grieving eyes. He sighed heavily as he tried not to let his tears fall once more for how many times today and the other days. He clenched his hand that was holding the bouquet of flowers before looking away, having a hard time controlling his emotion.He deeply sighed before looking at the grave again and bending down to put the flowers down. He closed his eyes as his heart tightened. (Forgive me. It was all my fault why... why she ended up like this.) He clenched his jaw as he looked at the tombstone of Fatima’s father.After spending thirty minutes talking to the grave, he went back to his car and wiped the rain that dropped on his shoulders. He rubbed his eyes with one hand before looking at the mirror inside his car. His former mesmerizing eyes look tired, with
GRIAN LEFT THE OFFICE when Christopher arrived. He told Grian to check on the coffee shop while he works in the company. He noticed that Chris was acting strange and not himself. He tried confronting his friend but to no avail. Christopher just won't open up to what’s going on with him, even to his closest friend. Since he was being stubborn, Grian decided to ask him another time.While he was walking to his car, he bumped into Hannah who was about to enter the building. Hannah’s face lit up as she clung to him. He removed her grasp and pushed her away. “Hey, Grian. Where’s your boss?” she asked in an excited tone and he furrowed his eyebrows.“You mean Chris? He’s in his office,” he answered and sighed.She smiled and twinkled her eyes before walking inside the building like a model as she maneuvered her way to the elevator. She clicked the floor where Christopher is in. She cleared her throat an
As the night continued, her worry grew even more. All of them are just in the living room in silence as they wait for something to happen. They’re trying to figure out where Philippe could’ve gone at this time of the night. She knows her brother wouldn’t just not go home, he has nowhere else to go. Something is really wrong here.“Can you rest?” Christopher asked her as he handed her a cup of water. She looked at him tiredly before looking down again. He grabbed her hand and put the drink there. “Here,” he said before pulling out a pill from his pocket and handing it to her as well.“What’s that?”“For sleep,” he explained calmly as he opened the container.“But my broth-“ She tried to argue with him but he insisted. He grabbed her other arm and placed the pill on her palm. “We’ll take care of it for you. Just get some rest tonight,” he
Fatima left the coffee shop and followed behind the man who called her. She breathed heavily as she followed him. She looked around, trying to figure out a plan. She looked up and saw CCTV cameras. She stares directly at them as she walks and once she passes them one by one, she looks back and stares at them again before turning around and following the man.She felt like the world is moving so slow while her heart is beating rapidly. They turned to a corner and noticed a car waiting for them. The man opened the passenger’s seat for her as she walked slowly to the car while holding her arm. She silently entered the car and the man closed the door. It feels as if she is being escorted to the afterlife, or at least where it will end for her.Once she entered, there was another person in the driver’s seat. The other man who she followed went to the seat beside the driver and shut the door. She heard the lock turn on and she gulped in nervousness. T
The explosion caught everyone off guard, it was chaos for a quick moment till the smoke was gone. The police looked around and found no one hurt by the explosion. Fatima breathed heavily as she calmed down. She looked at Grian with a smile but it quickly fell. “Grian!” she exclaimed as her hands were freed by Cristopher, she immediately held Grian who’s in pain, and held his side.Fatima’s face filled with terror as she looked at his side torso bleeding out. She held his side as well. Christopher realized what happened and called the ambulance in. “Grian..” she whispered in a panic and he looked at her with a smile.“If I die, delete the secret file in my laptop,” he whispered with a grin and she furrowed her eyebrows. “Not the time to joke around!” she irritatedly screamed.“I’m glad you’re safe,” he said before he slowly passed out. The medical team then held
A couple of days later, Philippe got released from the hospital and in the meantime, they were escorted to a new home so it’s a lot safer and it’s sponsored by Christopher. Fatima was skeptical to accept it but for the sake of her brothers, she accepted it. He’s being kind to her which feels nice but it’s still a bit strange since a couple of days ago, his mother was ready to fight her because of how the company image got damaged.She breathed heavily as she and her brother prepared lunch. “Wow, this place is amazing,” he said. This is the first day of them moving here and it’s closer to Grian’s house and the company. He was also transferred to different schools and so did Nikki for their safety. Timothy was also granted the opportunity to study since he’s ready for school but Fatima didn’t have money to let her brother study. With both the help of Christopher and Grian, it was possible for them to live
CHRISTOPHER WHO SEEM LIKE madness consumed him, walked into their mansion where his mother is currently in while his sister is sent away to hang out with Philippe in the meantime so that she wouldn’t hear what they’ll be arguing about. He went directly to her office and opened the door and found his mother sitting down on her chair while typing on her laptop. She walked towards her and stopped in front of the desk.“What is it this time, Christopher?” she asked while she continued typing, not looking at her son.“Did you pay Fatima’s mother or not?” he directly questioned but she didn’t even bat an eye. She continued typing before he uttered again, “Did you?” She sighed, knowing he’ll just keep pushing her buttons.“I paid a lot of people, I’m not sure,” she answered before looking at the paperwork on her desk. His jaw clenched and he slammed his hands on her ta
[Dream Starts]Fatima felt like her eyes were heavy as hell as she was driving their old car. She looked around the car and as she turned to the side and saw her father sitting next to her with his seatbelt on. She looked at him with furrowed eyebrows and he smiled. “Learning how to drive now, I see?” he asked and she nodded but was having a hard time keeping her eyes open because it’s heavy and the surroundings looked awfully bright.“I need to learn how to drive since I’ll be taking care of my brothers, don’t I?” He smiled and nodded before leaning back on the seat.“When are you coming home?” she asked and he frowned.“I don’t know sweetie, maybe never?” he answered and she looked at him with confusion. “What?” She was about to stop the car when the surroundings suddenly changed. The car was flipped over as the
GRIAN'S POINT OF VIEW [FLASHBACK START] I was walking by the library when I saw a familiar small figure trying to reach a book. I smiled while I watched her struggle and admired her beauty. I've been friends with Fatima for a while now and I'm afraid I've gained feelings for her. It's terrifying yet exciting. She climbed up a ladder as she frustratedly reached for the book which she still struggles to get. I stood up from my seat and approached her. My body towered over her as I easily reached the book and she turned around and pouted. I chuckled and gave it to her as she stood on the ladder. "You're cute," I said as I looked down at her face and she rolled her eyes.
A FEW MORE MONTHS went by and it seemed like a blast for the couple. Not only that, Philippe and Nikki seem to be developing a relationship as well. Hannah on the other hand is busy with work and modeling making her have zero time for any dating. She tried to get along with people she’s attracted to but nothing ever works out between them. Christopher might not be seeing her but he’s still in her heart.Fatima has been busy with the coffee shop as well and she’s decided to continue her education despite it looking like she’s too old for school now. However, she only needs to finish about 2 more years of college.“I feel kind of sick,” she said before drinking some water and sitting down on a chair.While she was resting, she saw the door open and Grian ran inside while panting, looking for her. Once he saw her, he ran to her and bent down. “What’s wrong?&r
A MONTH LATER, THE two are celebrating their first month together. They decided to stay at home to enjoy a relaxing day because it's been hectic with the company that makes him very busy and exhausted every day. Fatima suggested that they take the day off and she'll cook them their food to celebrate.Of course, the family can't be left out."I can't believe Grian got my sister so easily. I hate this!" Hannah complained dramatically and Fatima laughed. Grian isn't here in the living room but is rather sleeping in Fatima's room to get some rest first. She's still cooking so he can get some rest before they eat at the dining table."You were the one suggesting to trip me so he'll catch me and we'll fall in love," Fatima said while squinting her eyebrows. Hannah crossed her arms and frowned."I didn't expect it to be so soon," Hannah said before rolling her eyes and everyone chuckled except Nikki, of course. She still doesn’t like Hann
FATIMA DROPPED OFF TIMOTHY in his school first. He started crying and asking for her so they stayed there for a few more minutes and reassured him. After that, they went to Philippe’s school and dropped him off as well. “Be careful and don’t do anything stupid, alright?” Fatima reminded him and he nodded.Philippe started walking to his school and was looking around to find Nikki but couldn’t. He walked to his classroom and as he was about to go inside, he saw Nikki walking to hers. He walked faster until he reached her and tapped her shoulder. She turned around and once she saw his face, she smiled. He waved his hand.“Good morning. Let’s eat lunch together later?” he asked and she nodded happily.“Sure!” she answered with a giggle. He nodded while smiling before going to his own classroom further away from hers. He walked down the halls and r
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Fatima woke up early, feeling fantastic. The night before, she kissed Grian and it kept her awake all night because of how flustered she was. She only slept a couple of hours before waking up early in the morning to prepare breakfast.Philippe is going to school today since every other time that he was supposed to go, things get chaotic so he couldn't go to school. Nonetheless, the teachers in his school understood the situation.After she was done cooking, she looked at the clock and noticed it was 6:30 in the morning already. She was about to call Philippe to get ready but he soon came out of his room while yawning."Isn't it too early for you to get up?" he asked while rubbing his eyes and she shrugged."You need to get ready for school, now go," she ordered and he groaned."Do I really have to? I'm still so tired," he compl
Grian led Fatima to the middle of the ballroom. It feels like the world around them stopped as if it’s just the two of them there. It’s like a dream come true for Grian, the woman he’s been longing for is standing right in front of him in a beautiful red dress, ready for a dance. It feels surreal but it’s finally happening.When the music started, the people around them started dancing while they stood still and looked each other in the eyes. “You look so beautiful tonight, Fatima,” he said in a low tone and she smiled while blushing. Good thing it’s not that noticeable because of the blush from the makeup she’s wearing.“You’re looking fine as well,” she said while looking down. He held her chin and lifted it so she could see his face. “My eyes are up here,” he said with a smirk and she wrinkled her nose.“Everyone else
AFTER FATIMA, GRIAN, AND her youngest brother got in the car, they started driving to the venue. She was in the backseat with her brother while Grian was the one driving them. Her heart was pounding and felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. Nonetheless, she tried hiding how anxious she was. She noticed how Grian was glancing at her in the mirror inside the car.“What is it?” she asked and he blinked a couple of times before looking back at the road. He cleared his throat and she furrowed her eyebrows.“Nothing, just admiring a beautiful girl,” he smoothly answered and she scoffed but deep inside, she felt her heart flutter.Once they arrived at the venue, reporters were waiting at the entrance. Both of them breathed heavily before one of them smiled. “Don’t be nervous,” Grian said with a smile before looking at her and she eyed him. 
THE FOLLOWING DAY WAS the celebration of the beginning of the company that was newly owned by Grian. Not a lot of people were invited since it’s exclusive but they agreed for some reporters to join the event so everything can be broadcast on television. The event will be surrounded by guards so it will be high security. Grian is worried that something might happen to Fatima so he enhances the security of the place.Fatima and her siblings are getting ready for the occasion and they put on their clothes that were bought by Hannah. She insisted on buying everyone’s clothes and Fatima couldn’t refuse since her sister was persistent in doing so.Hannah is also getting ready with them and also brought a makeup artist with her and a hairstylist. “A bit excessive,” Fatima said as she looked at Hannah who was getting her hair and makeup done.“What? This is normal, get used t
GRIAN WALKED IN THE COMPANY and then got ready for the interview. It was announced that the new company owner will introduce himself on this day. Employees in the company know but outside of that, no one knows. Now that it was publicly announced that the CEO will be introduced, the news made their way to schedule an interview with him.He breathed heavily as he waited behind the stage. Everyone is waiting in anticipation as the clock ticks by. The room was noisy from everyone talking to each other including guests, investors, and partners of the company. Of course, they already know who the new owner is, but are still here for the new beginning of the company.A few more minutes went by and he was ready to go in front and say his speech. He fixed his tie and stood up from his seat. He drank some water before clearing his throat and checking the speech he made again. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.He wal