(ARIELLE’S POV)I felt my face heat up in embarrassment, and when I looked at Dwayne, he was already watching me, amusement dancing in his emerald eyes. His smile was slow, almost teasing, as if he enjoyed how flustered I’d become.“Um,” I stammered, regaining a bit of composure. “Maverick, baby, ca
(JARED'S POV) "Come on Sofia, we'll be late," I called out. It was a Sunday evening, and we were preparing to leave for my mum's place for dinner. Since the return of Sofia's parents, Mum had made it a ritual that we all had dinner with the Golds at her place every Sunday. As much as I would rat
(ARIELLE’S POV) "Can we talk?" Dwayne's deep voice came through the phone. I paused for a moment, before responding, "Sure." "I don't mean at your place. At a restaurant or somewhere outdoors." "That's fine," I responded. "Alright, I'll come pick you up in two hours." "Alright," I said, and th
(Arielle’s POV) I was genuinely touched by his kind words, and tears welled up in my eyes in gratitude. Before I could stop myself, I was up on my feet, hugging him." "Dwayne," I whispered, my voice trembling. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close. " You don't have to thank me. These are w
(JARED’S POV) "The greatest pain of love is the pain of its loss, and the greatest loss is the loss of self." I sighed and tore my gaze from the quote in the book I have been forcing myself to read for minutes now. It's funny how it resonates so well with my current state of life. Sighing aga
(JARED'S POV) After Sofia left, I managed to get hold of my phone and went online, my eyes scanning the numerous headlines. "Billionaire caught drunk at a local bar," "High society's latest scandal." And with each headline, a picture of me half stumbling was attached. My chest twisted in growing a
(SOFIA'S POV) After storming out of the room in anger, I grabbed my car keys from the coffee table downstairs and drove out, my destination clear in mind–my parents’ place. I needed someone to talk to, and my mother was that someone. The argument with Jared had shaken me to my core. The emotion
(ARIELLE’S POV) In the following days, things kept falling into place. My new life was taking a new shape soon, and I couldn't be more excited. The house, the restaurant, everything was coming together for food. Just as Maverick and I were building towers with his blocks, my phone buzzed. “Girl!
He took deep breath, and slowly knelt down on one knee. He let go of my hand momentarily and the other arm which he’d had behind him the entire time produced a velvet box. He gently opened it and nestled right inside the box, sitting on a black velvet pad, was a diamond ring, resplendent and breatht
(ARIELLE’S POV.) The air in the kitchen was calm and peaceful. Ashley stepped out of the kitchen at some point, so I was now all by myself, still drowning in the euphoria of my new joy. I wanted to eat and taste everything in the kitchen and yet at the same time, I was a little too overwhelmed to d
The possibility of getting to cook again filled me with strength. “Let’s make a stop at a grocery shop,” I said to Ashley. “Of course. We’d also pick up something for you to eat as well. You haven’t..” “No!” I said more sharply than intended. “Please. I’ll eat when I’m done cooking,” I maintained
(ARIELLE’S POV.) It felt like stepping out of a dream. A long one. The world was a blur around me, full of bright colors swirling into each other in a dizzying dance in the corners of my eyes. Slowly, my vision settled and the colors faded into the fluorescent bulb hanging down from the ceiling. I
(JARED’S POV) The next day, I pulled out of the hotel's driveway, Arielle and Ashley chatting away in the backseat. The atmosphere was lively, with Arielle's infectious laughter and Ashley’s bright smile. I was glad to see Arielle so carefree, even on a day like today. Ashley's presence was a bless
“Okay, how about… the bartender from that rooftop dinner we went to?” “Arielle!” Ashley exclaimed, feigning offense. “Seriously? A random bartender?” I shrugged. “Hey, you never know. Besides, you said it yourself that he was your type.” She rolled her eyes and didn't say a word. I continued the
(ARIELLE’S POV) I halted, my mind going blank. Pregnant? Ashley? It felt unbelievable. The Ashley I know would never let a man knock her up without marriage, she was that uptight. My eyes darted from her beaming face to the hand she was now placing on her stomach. “Pregnant?” The word escaped my l
(ARIELLE'S POV) “Surprise!” She exclaimed, her face beaming with smiles as she stepped fully into the room, pulling a small suitcase behind her. My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. She looked tired from her trip, but her radiant smile masked it well. “Ashley, what are you doing here?” I asked, st
(ARIELLE'S POV) Back in my room at the hotel, I sat in front of my phone that was placed on the bed’s dashboard, waiting for my mom to answer the phone. Excitement coursed through my system like an unending river, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with my loved ones, my mom topping the cha