KIRA I was glad I wasn’t pregnant. I would have condemned another little soul to a life without a father. Very irresponsible of me. When I walked through the company’s door, things were different. Alana was waiting for me with one corner of her mouth raised. I didn’t know if it was out of sheer joy at seeing me, or something intrigued her . “Hi Alana! Is Gabriel in the office?” I asked half-heartedly, holding my breath. “He’s been here for about an hour and he’s waiting for you.” “Oh yeah, the project. I’d forgotten. God, how I wish I could get over it.” “What’s the project about?” Alana asked. “Is that what we talked about yesterday?” “That indeed. It’s an enormous project, but I just don’t think it’s a good fit for me” “Oh, come on, Kira! You’re one of the most experienced people on the team. You’re the perfect candidate for the job. Gabriel didn’t choose you for nothing. You will be fine,” Alana encouraged me, but it was like too late for that. I was going to spend the e
GABRIELI was feeling an acute lack of energy like never before. Especially after Kira left the office. She was very good at what she did, but that’s not what interested me. That was not why I took her on this project. I just wanted to see her more.“You what?” asked John, dumbfounded about my decision. “You know how I feel about her, so I took her on a project just so I could see her more often. I don’t think it is a crime, is it?” “That’s a bit unprofessional, Gabriel. You shouldn’t let your personal feelings get in the way of work,” he stated, concerned. “I know, I know. But I can’t help it. I just can’t get her out of my head and you know that. You know she would accept none of my invitations if it is not about the job,” I defended myself.“Well, you have to be careful. This could negatively impact the dynamics of the company and lead to a hostile work environment. Not to mention the project you are working on,” John advised me. “I understand your concerns, John. I’ll try to k
KIRAI never thought this day would come. How was I supposed to come to terms with it? How?And never had Hollow Peak seemed so sad and depressing. I always associated it with Christmas and the holidays and the place where I came to find refuge and feel loved. In the warmth of my family. Now that family was no longer whole. Everyone was sad and barely talking to each other. My brother’s face was drawn, and the tears seemed to be uncontrollable. “Mom, I can’t believe that grandma is gone. I keep thinking that I will wake up and this will all have been a bad dream,” I said to my Mom who was in the kitchen doing nothing. I was worried about her. “I know, sweetheart. It’s a difficult time for all of us, but we have to remember the good times we shared with her and cherish those memories,” she answered me back with a strength I never thought she had. It was her mother that died. “But I’ll never be able to see her again, or hear her voice. It feels like a part of me is missing” “I unde
KIRASomehow, she found the balance and strength to speak one last time about the one who gave her life. “Mom, where do I even begin? You were my rock, my best friend, my everything. I never thought I would have to say goodbye to you so soon. The pain is unbearable, and the thought of living without you is too much to bear.No matter what life threw your way, you always had a smile on your face. You taught me to be strong, to never give up, and to always follow my dreams. You showed me what true love is, and I will always be grateful for the way you loved me unconditionally.Why did you have to leave me so soon? It feels like yesterday when you were here, making me breakfast and tucking me into bed at night. Now, all I have are memories, and they just aren’t enough.I miss your laugh, the way you used to light up a room with your smile. I miss your hugs, the way you used to make everything feel better with just a squeeze. I miss your advice, the way you always knew what to say to mak
GABRIELI heard nothing else but that the little girl was impossible to find. Then Kira’s despair. “What do you mean you can’t find her? She was just here a minute ago… how could she…” Kira mumbled, but never got the chance to finish as her feet became weak and almost fell.“Easy there, Kira!” I said, catching her in my arms. I had forgotten what it was like to hold her, but now really wasn’t the time. I lifted her easily and laid her on the living room couch. More people had gathered around us, and Kira was becoming increasingly agitated.“Please keep your distance! Kira needs to breathe!” I shouted and to my surprise Kira’s mother immediately jumped to my help. “This young man is right! I will ask you politely to return to your homes. We have buried my mother, so...” she said without needing to continue. People were already retreating. I looked at her gratefully and turned my gaze to Kira’s brother.“Joe, please get me some vinegar from the kitchen.” As soon as I passed the vin
KIRAI could hardly contain my tears when I saw Kira in Gabriel’s arms. The image of them was like a blow to the back of my head. They were so father and daughter. I rushed over to him.“Gabriel, oh my goodness! Is that Maddie?” I screamed, stretching my arms towards her. She did the same. “Yes, Kira. I found her safe and sound”“Oh, my baby! Thank you so much, Gabriel. I was so worried,” I cried, caressing her and stroking her hair. But she was all smiles. “It was no problem at all. I’m just glad I could help,” Gabriel added humbly, but only I knew how concerned I had been. “How did you find her? Where was she?” “I remembered the day you took me to see the old church and somehow I thought she might be there,” he explained. “She looked a little lost, so I went over to talk to her, and when I found out she was your daughter, I knew I had to bring her back to you” “Thank you so much, Gabriel. You don’t know how much this means to me,” I said, tears streaming down my cheeks. I pla
GABRIELIt had been a week since the day Maddie was lost and found and my life came back to the way it was. Even now, I didn’t understand this strange bond that had grown between us. I didn’t quite know how to describe this feeling. It was like a bond, a connection that I never knew existed until now. When I found Maddie wandering near the old church, scared and alone, my first instinct was to comfort her, to make her feel safe. And as I held her tiny hand in mine, I felt this overwhelming sense of protectiveness, as if she were my own daughter? This thought scared me, but I always felt there was something more to it. Ever since I answered the phone when Kira was in the hospital in Glasgow. Her voice stirred something in me.I knew it might sound strange, given that I’ve only known Maddie for a short while, but there was something about her that just tugged at my heartstrings. Maybe it was the way she looked at me with those big, innocent eyes, or the sound of her little voice as sh
GABRIELThe first thing I did when Kira walked out of the office, was call the only friend I had at the most discreet genetics lab in London. “Hi Christian, how are you? This is Gabriel,” I said.“Hi Gabe. I’m good, thanks. How about you? Is everything ok?” he asked in surprise because I hadn’t called him in a long time. “I’m doing okay, thanks. Listen, I was hoping I could ask you a favor,” I said getting straight to the point.“Sure, what do you need?”“Well, I need to get a DNA test done, but I want to be as discreet as possible” “I see. What kind of DNA test do you need?” “Just a simple paternity test. It’s a personal matter and I don’t want anyone else to know about it.” I told him with a heavy weight on my heart.“I understand. And you want me to help you with this?” he asked again just to be sure. “Yes, you work at a genetics laboratory, right? I was hoping you could do the test for me and keep it confidential.” I said on a slightly amusing note.“Yes, I do work at a genet