LOGINThe following day, a gentle breeze filled with the fragrance of fresh roses wafted through the air, as if the universe itself recognized the significance of the Wood family's special day.
Early in the morning, Mr. Wood had risen to prepare a loving breakfast for his wife, declining the assistance of the maids, even though they insisted on helping. With a playful grin, he quipped, "I used to be quite the chef back in the day."He carefully arranged the tray of food on their bed, creating a delightful spread. The breakfast tray held a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, slices of perfectly toasted bread, crispy bacon and sausage, a selection of cheeses, and a juicy grapefruit, each element meticulously prepared………………………………..Gently, he kissed his still-sleeping wife and began to rub her back, coaxing her to wake. She stirred, and as she opened her eyes, he leaned closer and whispered, "Happy sixth anniversary, my love." He planted a tender kiss on her forehead, to which she responded same with a loving smile and a hug."Please sit down, I've prepared breakfast for you," he said, gesturing towards the tray laden with food.She looked at the breakfast spread and said, "You really didn't have to, Richard," her voice filled with gratitude and affection.Richard watched his wife with a fond smile. "I wanted to start this special day with something meaningful," he explained. "After all, we've shared six wonderful years together."Natalie's eyes softened, and she reached out to take his hand. "You always know how to make the simplest moments unforgettable," she said, her heart warmed by his gesture.As they sat side by side on the bed, they began to enjoy their breakfast. The flavors and aromas filled the room, mingling with the love and cherished memories that had brought them to this beautiful anniversary morning."I've already bought a whole new cloths for our Hawaiian getaway, all in the island style," he shared with a grin. "You won't need to worry about packing a thing; everything is ready and waiting for us. Don't even think about asking if I know your size or style, as that would be quite embarrassing after all this time together."Natalie chuckled, appreciating his thoughtfulness. "Alright, I'll let you handle the wardrobe. I'll go about my preparations," she said with a smile, and they both shared a warm, knowing look that spoke of the deep connection they had built over the years.The morning was filled with anticipation as Richard and Natalie got ready for their Hawaiian adventure. The sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow over their bedroom. Richard stood before the walk-in closet, carefully selecting the vibrant Hawaiian shirts and flowing sundresses that would fill their suitcases.He couldn't help but chuckle as he surveyed the clothes he had chosen. "We're going to look like we've just stepped out of a postcard," he remarked.Natalie, in the bathroom applying a light touch of makeup, grinned in response. "That's the idea," she said. "We're going all-in on this Hawaiian experience."They took their time, savoring each moment, before they eventually gathered their packed bags and made their way to the airportAs they arrived at the airport, the sight of the private plane waiting for them filled Natalie with awe. Mr. Wood's connections and share in the airport agency had made it possible to book an entire plane for their vacation. Guided by a team of guards and security personnel, they entered the airport terminal with an air of exclusivity.The process was seamless, and they were swiftly escorted to the private jet. Inside, plush leather seats and luxurious amenities awaited them, creating a cocoon of comfort for the journey ahead. Their Hawaiian adventure was off to an impeccable start, filled with the promise of tranquility, romance, and cherished moments together.They arrived in Hawaii in the evening, greeted by the gentle sea breeze and the promise of a relaxing vacation. A chauffeured car was ready to whisk them away to their luxurious villa. Upon reaching the Super A1 Hotel, renowned as one of the finest in Hawaii, Mrs. Wood was awestruck by the elegance and opulence of their room.The spacious room featured a plush king-sized bed adorned with crisp white sheets, and a special decoration had been arranged on the bed, offering warm wishes for their anniversary. Mrs. Wood was touched by the thoughtful surprise and expressed her gratitude to her husband.In the serene ambiance of the hotel room, they spent quality time together, basking in the joy of their shared journey and looking forward to creating more beautiful memories during their Hawaiian getaway.Amidst the serene ambiance of their private villa, Mr. Wood lounged by the pool, a glass of wine within easy reach. Mrs. Wood approached him with a box of beautifully wrapped packages, her smile lighting up her face.Curious, Mr. Wood asked, "What do you have in your hands, my dear?"With a gleeful smile, Mrs. Wood responded, "This is for you," and extended the box towards him. He rose from the pool to receive it, his face beaming with appreciation.As he examined the package, he playfully asked, "Which one should I open first?"Mrs. Wood replied with a grin, "Any of them, but save this one for last," indicating the flat, sizable package that held a special surprise.With a warm smile, Mr. Wood decided to open one of the gifts. Inside, he discovered a customized watch designed to track weight and monitor various health metrics. "Oh, I really needed one of these," he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with gratitude. He leaned over and planted a loving kiss on his wife's cheek. It was clear how much he appreciated her thoughtful gift, especially given his passion for working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Moving on to the second gift, he was met with a Rocket-ship pen and a new diamond wedding ring. As he gazed at the ring, a flicker of tension crossed his face. He stammered slightly, "A new wedding ring..."His wife smiled warmly and reassured him, "Yes, yes, my love. Since you lost your old one, I decided to get you a new one." Her eyes sparkled with affection………..As Mr. Wood unwrapped the last gift, he revealed a framed portrait. He turned it to see the image, and for a moment, he was left speechless. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he struggled to find his voice as emotions overwhelmed him.Unable to contain his feelings, he pulled his wife into a heartfelt embrace, both of them deeply moved by the significance of the gift. In a trembling voice, she said, "I know how much your late brother meant to you, Richard."With a nod and continued tears in his eyes, Mr. Wood gently kissed his late brother's forehead in the portrait, a silent tribute to the beloved family member he had lost. His voice quivered with emotion as he turned to his wife and said, "Thank you, thank you."The poignant gift had opened a window to the past, allowing Mr. Wood to remember and honor his brother's memory, even though he was no longer with them. It was a touching and heartfelt moment that spoke volumes about the depth of their bond and the strength of their love, even in the face of loss.The next morning, Natalie arrived at the school as early as possible.She walked Isabella to her classroom and gently told her to calm down. She assured her that she was going to speak with the principal. Isabella didn’t resist. She only nodded quietly before going inside.After that, Natalie went straight to the front office and sat in the waiting area, patiently waiting for Principal Putnam.Principal Putnam wasn’t heading into her office at first. But the moment she stepped into the hallway and saw Natalie seated directly in front of her office, she paused.She was clearly taken aback.“Good morning, Miss Natalie,” the principal greeted.Natalie barely acknowledged her. That was not why she was there.They both entered the office. Natalie stood quietly and waited for Principal Putnam to take her seat. When the principal gestured for her to sit as well, Natalie only nodded.“I’m fine standing,” she said calmly.“Principal Putnam,” Natalie began, her voice steady, “I want to understa
Aditi stood in the house, shaking so much. Seeing Natalie face-to-face had forced her to unmask the fear she had hidden from everyone all these years. What she thought was buried was slowly coming back to light, and she didn’t know how to handle it anymore.She had quickly deposited Mr. Torres’s first deposit for the deal, buying herself time for what to do next. Walking back and forth in the living area, her phone hung loosely in her hand when a call came in. She picked it up immediately.“Thank God, Gab. I’ve been trying to reach you since this afternoon,” Aditi muttered without hesitation.“Oh… yeah, Lawyer Aditi,” Gabriella replied. “I had a brief meeting with a senior associate regarding a filing deadline. That’s why I couldn’t call you back on time.”Aditi nodded even though she was alone. “That’s fine,” she said quickly. “Let’s get straight to why I called.”She paused only for a second. “About client Natalie Sam’s issue…I want you to keep her calm for now. Make her believe eve
Natalie had made it to the hospital with her worker. She brought the car to a stop in the parking lot with the engine humming softly before she turned it off. “Here we are,” the gentleman said, unbuckling his seat belt. He turned toward her, noticing how she was peeking through the side mirror towards the hospital entrance..“I’m really grateful you dropped me off, ma’am,” he said sincerely. Natalie turned to him with a small, tight smile. As he stepped out, thanking her over and over, he paused and turned back.“Ma’am, would you like to come inside to see my uncle?” he asked. Natalie hesitated, but he insisted, saying his uncle would be honored to meet his boss. With a soft sigh, she finally got down from the car, still feeling anxious and a little overwhelmed after how the first court hearing had gone earlier that day.Walking just behind him, Natalie followed as they entered the hospital. She glanced around, her eyes wide, as if it were her first time stepping into one.A nurse s
He scanned the surroundings, a deep scowl etched across his face. “Sir, are you sure we’ll find her here?” the man beside him asked nervously, his eyes darting over the disturbed stretch of seashore. “What do you think?” Mr. Whimper replied, his expression still one of distaste.. He cast one last glance at the fiery horizon where the waves crashed against the rocks, then turned away. The man hurried after him, struggling to keep pace in the soft, sinking sand. They pushed through the crowd, weaving past people who fought viciously over seashells. Men and women in ragged clothes shoved and clawed, each determined to claim even one shell for survival. “Do people really make a living from this?” the man muttered in disbelief. “Enough to fight for it,” Whimper said curtly. Soon, the seashore gave way to the slums. The deeper they walked, the heavier the air grew, thick with rot and smoke. The man gagged and pressed a hand to his nose. “God, this stench… I won’t last more than
Mrs Torres' eyes were still widened, frozen in the moment “Now you’re talking… now you’re damn well talking,” she muttered, swinging the door open all the way. A sly smile crept across her face as she looked Aditi up and down, this time with interest instead of disgust. “What’s the take?” she asked, stepping aside. “When should I drop my account number?” “I’ll send it as soon as we finalize the agreement,” Aditi replied smoothly. “I’m down for everything,” Mrs. Torres grinned, “as long as I’m getting my cake and eating it too.” Mrs. Torres stepped aside, letting Aditi in. The door clicked shut behind them. “Sit,” the older woman gestured toward a worn-out couch, then crossed her arms. “Now talk. Ten times the offer,and I still keep the land? You better not be bluffing.” Aditi placed her bag down carefully and met her eyes. “I never bluff, ma’am. But it comes with conditions.” Mrs. Torres narrowed her eyes. “Figures. What kind of conditions?” “You delay the court. Don’t s
Aditi had been sitting behind her home laptop for hours, yet barely anything moved on the screen. Her eyes weren’t truly reading anymore, they were just staring.. On her desk lay the same land case file she had picked up earlier in the afternoon, the edges already soft from how often she’d flipped through the pages. She reached for it again, her fingers brushed over the bold titles and highlighted clauses as if hoping they’d somehow read differently this time. Her gaze shifted back to the land deed scanned on her screen. She tilted her head slightly, narrowed her eyes and sighed. As if she were caught doing something she shouldn't, the soft sound of approaching footsteps made her jolt. In one swift move, she changed the tab on her laptop and hurriedly gathered the documents, shoving them under another file. A knock followed. Then Liam stepped inside. “Oh… I thought you were asleep. I saw the light on and came to check,” he said, eyeing her curiously. Aditi looked up, clearly star







