(ARIELLE'S POV) "Italy?" Ashley repeated, her eyes wide with surprise. "Yes, the founders of the scholarship have their academy in Italy," I responded, excitement sparking inside of me. "What scholarship?" Ashley asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "The one Mr Stone, my manager, told me abou
(ARIELLE'S POV) The waiting period before my departure felt like a time bomb, ticking away with each passing minute. A few days before I left, I decided to visit my mother and inform her about my departure. After having a careful deliberation, I decided it would be a great injustice to leave her in
(JARED'S POV) It was a Saturday, and I walked out of the gym room after a strenuous workout. I was stunned to see Sofia slouched on the couch, flipping through TV channels. Wait, wasn't she supposed to be preparing for the Charity event? "Hey, aren't you supposed to be leaving for the charity even
(JARED'S POV) I instantly stepped on the brake pedal, reversing the car, and speeding off in the direction of the restaurant. On arrival, true to the reporter's words, the restaurant had been in a fire accident. My heart continued to thud as I approached the crowd of people compromising the fire d
(JARED'S POV) "What do you think your mother wants to talk to us about?" Sofia asked, breaking the silence in the car. We were on the way to my mother's place for dinner the next day, and Sofia wouldn't stop worrying about the motive behind the invitation. I shrugged. "I don't know." "I hope it'
(ARIELLE'S POV) I had arrived in Italy and settled in, although the first week was a maze of orientation and waiting for students who had delays in arrival, to arrive. The academy provided accommodations, but I chose to stay outside campus due to my pregnant state. I got a decent apartment and s
"What made you take on the scholarship? I mean, it's thousands of miles away from your country of residence," I asked, genuinely interested. His eyes lit up. "The food, the culture, the passion - Italy has it all. And I wanted to learn from the best." I smiled; we had a lot in common. "Same here
(JARED'S POV)Eight months—it’s been eight months, but it feels like an eternity. My life has spiraled in ways I never anticipated, and not for the better. Sofia and I... we were never meant to be. I see that now.What started as an escape—maybe from my own demons—has become another prison, one I bu
(JARED'S POV) I left the hospital hesitantly, my mind hazy with worry. I was tired myself. I sat behind the wheel and looked into the rearview mirror. I let out a sigh and steered the car onto the road. I struggled to maintain my concentration as I drove. I resorted to driving slower than usual, a
(JARED’S POV) For the rest of the evening, I couldn’t help but feel guilty about forgetting Maverick’s birthday. It beat my imagination how I’d forgotten something as important as that. I never forgot important dates, especially not my son’s birthday. I smiled through the call and even instructed
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