# 64(A Week Later)The encoded text message buzzed on Tiana’s wrist communicator, a tight knot forming in her stomach. "Cafe Antoinette, 14:00. Urgent. Guevara connection confirmed." It was short, concise, and sent by Sparrow, her most reliable informant.Cafe Antoinette was a place for clandestine meetings, whispered conversations, and the kind of discreet observations Tiana excelled at.She spotted Sparrow in a shadowy corner booth, his face obscured by a worn fedora.Tiana slid into the booth, her movements fluid and controlled. "Sparrow," she greeted, her voice low and even. "What have you got?"Sparrow nodded, his gaze darting around the cafe. "Guevara. I dug deep, Tiana. Deeper than I ever wanted to go.""Just give me the facts," she pressed, her patience thinning.He leaned forward, his voice a raspy whisper. "Leonard Guevara. He wasn't always the polished philanthropist the city sees.“"Get to the point, Sparrow," she urged.He took a deep breath, the air rattling in his ches
(Following Day)The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the winding streets of Maplewood. A slight breeze rustled through the trees lining the road as Camille sat in her car, fingers tapping nervously against the steering wheel. Her heart felt as if it were performing a delicate ballet, pirouetting between anxiety and overwhelming joy. Nothing was going to stop it today, “I’m going to tell him we are having a baby,” Camille mumbled as she run her stomach sweetly.Camille’s mind raced as she replayed the conversations she had rehearsed in her head. The way she’s going to bring the news to him.Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and turned the key in the ignition. The engine purred to life and zoomed out of her house, she felt joy bubbling forth in her chest as she drove toward his house, taking the winding roads lined with endless trees, her heart as light as the fading dusk..**Xavier wore his usual apron and flip the cooking pan like a pro he w
Camille rushed out of Xavier’s house, the lingering warmth of their conversation still buzzing in her veins.Her car tires screeched making an abrupt stop at the driveway of their building, She came down from the car and went inside, tears still in her eyes.“Dad!” Camille called as she burst through the front door, her voice echoing through the empty home. She hurried down the hallway, her footsteps quick and determined.Leonard, was in his study, surrounded by sketches and blueprints. He looked up as she entered, his brow furrowed with concentration before melting into a warm smile. “Camille! You’re home early, didn’t you say you will be back by noon? ” he said, setting aside a roll of parchment.“Dad, I need to talk to you.” She snapped ignoring his concerns. Leonard leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “I see…Judging by the way your forehead streams out sweat, is it something serious?”Camille paced the small room, “It’s about Xavier’s parents! Are you by any chance involv
# 67Diego drag his feet into the house…his face swollen due to the nonstop tears after Shania has been cremated.He stared at the urn, the smooth ceramic surface reflecting his own hollow face. Grief threatened to drown him, a suffocating wave pulling him under. But he wouldn't let it. Not yet. Grief was a luxury he couldn't afford. Not until he found Tiana.‘Tiana.’ He growl under his breathe. If only he knew that name would be a curse, he would have never allowed her into this house. Diego stood still in the house, his eyes ran to Tiana’s room.He marched there, in a fit of rage, he kicked the door open, “Fuck it! That sly bitch run off!” That was the word that came out of his mouth when he noticed Tiana is gone, all of her belongings has been wiped out.He walked out of the room, a mournful sound echoed the emptiness in the house. His mother's absence was a tangible thing, a silence that had settled over the familiar rooms.The house felt smaller now, colder. No one is coming t
# 68The Following Day. [Guevara’s Villa]Camille glanced across her wristwatch, “He should be there already,” She muttered softly then licked her lips before unlocking her car which beeped miles away.Getting into the car, she drove out of the Guevara’s premises.Her heels clicked on the wooden floors of the restaurant, St Lou, is just a mile away from the house. Her eyes did a quick search before she finally saw Xavier.She walked towards him, Xavier lifted his head immediately she arrived, “Oh. I’m glad you came,” Xavier muttered while Camille stiffed a smile and sat opposite him.She had sent him a message earlier this morning saying they should meet up. Xavier quickly flipped through the menu, “What should I get you? Should I get you your usuals? I—““I didn’t call you to eat. I want to talk about us, I realize I need to finalize what’s going on between us especially when I acted like that last night,” Camille addressed. Xavier waved it off, “Oh, there’s no need. I’m sure you w
# 69(A WEEK LATER)-Queensway Company.Camille was just strolling out to her office when Emily met her on the way, “ There you’re, I’ve been trying to reach you,” Camille asked “I’m sorry ma’am, I’ve been adjusting to the new location the new investors sent,” Emily announced, Camille raised an eyebrow.“They’ve changed the location? Where now?” Camille asked. “HV Lounge. It’s a five minute walk down the street. Mr Alan said he wants to survey that lounge and he’s meeting someone there as well,”Emily explained while Camille folded her hand into a fist.“Shit!” She cursed while Emily looked at her with concern. “Everything okay ma’am?” She asked but Camille shook her head.“Nothing. It won’t be nice if we delay our investors on our first meeting,” With that Camille walked off, Emily trails off behind her.Camille and Emily arrived at the HV, a modern building that housed the architecture museum, Her heart raced as she entered the lobby, taking in the polished marble floors and th
# 70(Guevara’s Villa)Camille came down from the stairs with a suit case, her father whose face glued to the morning news turned to her, “Oh, you’re set for your trip?” Leonard asked and Camille nod.Leonard stood up from the couch, ascending to her give her a peck, “I hope you have nice trip, eat good food okay,” He retorted and Camille nod in agreement. Camille descended to the driveway, the driver was already waiting for her, “I will drive myself, Mavis. You can go,” She instructed the driver.The driver obliged and handed the keys to her, “Have a nice trip,” With that he left, Camille got into the car and zoomed out of the Guevara’s premises.She had told her father, with a sincerity that almost felt real, that she was on a business trip—but should she call that a lie?In just about four hours, the car stopped at a small hospital away from the city and hopefully she wouldn’t find anyone around here.She had booked a week of appointments with Dr. Metzger, her obstetrician.After
FEW DAYS LATER- RUN Wedding GownsCamille inhaled deeply as she stepped into the boutique, she looked around at the wedding gown displayed and her heart leaped, “Beautiful,” She mumbled touching one of the dress.“Do you want that? We can get it for you,” Sean's voice broke through her reverie, filled with eager enthusiasm.The smile he wore was infectious, but Camille’s heart remained a stone. “No. Anyone is fine by me, it doesn’t really matter,” She denied and walked into the fitting room.Maybe what she said was a lie. She wanted to wear that pretty gown but not with Sean.They were guided through rows of dazzling gowns, each more extravagant than the last. As they reached the fitting area, the seamstress—a petite woman with a twinkle in her eye—beckoned Camille toward a shimmering ivory dress. It was magnificent, a visual feast of lace and silk that shimmered with minimal embellishment.“Wait until you see how it looks on you,” Sean beamed, his gaze fixed on the gown. “I bet you’l
FEW DAYS LATER- RUN Wedding GownsCamille inhaled deeply as she stepped into the boutique, she looked around at the wedding gown displayed and her heart leaped, “Beautiful,” She mumbled touching one of the dress.“Do you want that? We can get it for you,” Sean's voice broke through her reverie, filled with eager enthusiasm.The smile he wore was infectious, but Camille’s heart remained a stone. “No. Anyone is fine by me, it doesn’t really matter,” She denied and walked into the fitting room.Maybe what she said was a lie. She wanted to wear that pretty gown but not with Sean.They were guided through rows of dazzling gowns, each more extravagant than the last. As they reached the fitting area, the seamstress—a petite woman with a twinkle in her eye—beckoned Camille toward a shimmering ivory dress. It was magnificent, a visual feast of lace and silk that shimmered with minimal embellishment.“Wait until you see how it looks on you,” Sean beamed, his gaze fixed on the gown. “I bet you’l
# 70(Guevara’s Villa)Camille came down from the stairs with a suit case, her father whose face glued to the morning news turned to her, “Oh, you’re set for your trip?” Leonard asked and Camille nod.Leonard stood up from the couch, ascending to her give her a peck, “I hope you have nice trip, eat good food okay,” He retorted and Camille nod in agreement. Camille descended to the driveway, the driver was already waiting for her, “I will drive myself, Mavis. You can go,” She instructed the driver.The driver obliged and handed the keys to her, “Have a nice trip,” With that he left, Camille got into the car and zoomed out of the Guevara’s premises.She had told her father, with a sincerity that almost felt real, that she was on a business trip—but should she call that a lie?In just about four hours, the car stopped at a small hospital away from the city and hopefully she wouldn’t find anyone around here.She had booked a week of appointments with Dr. Metzger, her obstetrician.After
# 69(A WEEK LATER)-Queensway Company.Camille was just strolling out to her office when Emily met her on the way, “ There you’re, I’ve been trying to reach you,” Camille asked “I’m sorry ma’am, I’ve been adjusting to the new location the new investors sent,” Emily announced, Camille raised an eyebrow.“They’ve changed the location? Where now?” Camille asked. “HV Lounge. It’s a five minute walk down the street. Mr Alan said he wants to survey that lounge and he’s meeting someone there as well,”Emily explained while Camille folded her hand into a fist.“Shit!” She cursed while Emily looked at her with concern. “Everything okay ma’am?” She asked but Camille shook her head.“Nothing. It won’t be nice if we delay our investors on our first meeting,” With that Camille walked off, Emily trails off behind her.Camille and Emily arrived at the HV, a modern building that housed the architecture museum, Her heart raced as she entered the lobby, taking in the polished marble floors and th
# 68The Following Day. [Guevara’s Villa]Camille glanced across her wristwatch, “He should be there already,” She muttered softly then licked her lips before unlocking her car which beeped miles away.Getting into the car, she drove out of the Guevara’s premises.Her heels clicked on the wooden floors of the restaurant, St Lou, is just a mile away from the house. Her eyes did a quick search before she finally saw Xavier.She walked towards him, Xavier lifted his head immediately she arrived, “Oh. I’m glad you came,” Xavier muttered while Camille stiffed a smile and sat opposite him.She had sent him a message earlier this morning saying they should meet up. Xavier quickly flipped through the menu, “What should I get you? Should I get you your usuals? I—““I didn’t call you to eat. I want to talk about us, I realize I need to finalize what’s going on between us especially when I acted like that last night,” Camille addressed. Xavier waved it off, “Oh, there’s no need. I’m sure you w
# 67Diego drag his feet into the house…his face swollen due to the nonstop tears after Shania has been cremated.He stared at the urn, the smooth ceramic surface reflecting his own hollow face. Grief threatened to drown him, a suffocating wave pulling him under. But he wouldn't let it. Not yet. Grief was a luxury he couldn't afford. Not until he found Tiana.‘Tiana.’ He growl under his breathe. If only he knew that name would be a curse, he would have never allowed her into this house. Diego stood still in the house, his eyes ran to Tiana’s room.He marched there, in a fit of rage, he kicked the door open, “Fuck it! That sly bitch run off!” That was the word that came out of his mouth when he noticed Tiana is gone, all of her belongings has been wiped out.He walked out of the room, a mournful sound echoed the emptiness in the house. His mother's absence was a tangible thing, a silence that had settled over the familiar rooms.The house felt smaller now, colder. No one is coming t
Camille rushed out of Xavier’s house, the lingering warmth of their conversation still buzzing in her veins.Her car tires screeched making an abrupt stop at the driveway of their building, She came down from the car and went inside, tears still in her eyes.“Dad!” Camille called as she burst through the front door, her voice echoing through the empty home. She hurried down the hallway, her footsteps quick and determined.Leonard, was in his study, surrounded by sketches and blueprints. He looked up as she entered, his brow furrowed with concentration before melting into a warm smile. “Camille! You’re home early, didn’t you say you will be back by noon? ” he said, setting aside a roll of parchment.“Dad, I need to talk to you.” She snapped ignoring his concerns. Leonard leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “I see…Judging by the way your forehead streams out sweat, is it something serious?”Camille paced the small room, “It’s about Xavier’s parents! Are you by any chance involv
(Following Day)The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the winding streets of Maplewood. A slight breeze rustled through the trees lining the road as Camille sat in her car, fingers tapping nervously against the steering wheel. Her heart felt as if it were performing a delicate ballet, pirouetting between anxiety and overwhelming joy. Nothing was going to stop it today, “I’m going to tell him we are having a baby,” Camille mumbled as she run her stomach sweetly.Camille’s mind raced as she replayed the conversations she had rehearsed in her head. The way she’s going to bring the news to him.Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and turned the key in the ignition. The engine purred to life and zoomed out of her house, she felt joy bubbling forth in her chest as she drove toward his house, taking the winding roads lined with endless trees, her heart as light as the fading dusk..**Xavier wore his usual apron and flip the cooking pan like a pro he w
# 64(A Week Later)The encoded text message buzzed on Tiana’s wrist communicator, a tight knot forming in her stomach. "Cafe Antoinette, 14:00. Urgent. Guevara connection confirmed." It was short, concise, and sent by Sparrow, her most reliable informant.Cafe Antoinette was a place for clandestine meetings, whispered conversations, and the kind of discreet observations Tiana excelled at.She spotted Sparrow in a shadowy corner booth, his face obscured by a worn fedora.Tiana slid into the booth, her movements fluid and controlled. "Sparrow," she greeted, her voice low and even. "What have you got?"Sparrow nodded, his gaze darting around the cafe. "Guevara. I dug deep, Tiana. Deeper than I ever wanted to go.""Just give me the facts," she pressed, her patience thinning.He leaned forward, his voice a raspy whisper. "Leonard Guevara. He wasn't always the polished philanthropist the city sees.“"Get to the point, Sparrow," she urged.He took a deep breath, the air rattling in his ches
Camille stood outside Xavier's house, her heart racing with anticipation. She had been thinking about him nonstop since she found out she was pregnant, and she couldn't wait to share the news with him. She had been looking forward to this moment all day, imagining the look of joy and surprise on his face when she told him.As she stepped out of her car and onto the driveway, she felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. She had been to Xavier's house many times before, but this time felt different. This time, she was carrying a secret that would change everything.She walked up to the door and rang the bell, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the sound of footsteps approaching, and then the door swung open."Good evening, ma'am," the housekeeper said, a warm smile on her face. "Welcome to Mr. Xavier's house."Camille's smile faltered for a moment as she realized that Xavier wasn't home. "Oh, hi," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. "Is Xavier in?"The housekeep