LeonelSeeing Miracle made me feel overjoyed but I knew something was off. She wasn't supposed to be back until the weekend. I led her to the dining table and we ate in silence, enjoying the grilled salmon, lemon, and herb marinade served with roasted vegetables and wild rice pilaf.Her face shone under the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and as we ate, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She seemed distant as if she was carrying a heavy weight on her shoulders."Is everything okay?" I asked, reaching across the table to touch her hand.She smiled weakly, but I could tell it was forced. "I'm fine, just tired from the long flight.""How is your family?" I asked, looking at her intently as I took a sip of my red wine. She hesitated for a moment, staring down at her plate, before finally sighing heavily."My aunt didn't know about the contract and when I told her yesterday, she disagreed with it vehemently," she explained, twirling her fork in her food. I leaned b
Breakfast the next morning was super awkward. I tried talking to Aunt Suzanne but she ignored me like I didn't exist. Her attitude made it clear that she didn't want me here. Even the toast felt like paper in my mouth and I'd lost my appetite.Uncle Abraham felt the tension in the air but because he couldn't speak and couldn't use sign language for fear of aunt Suzanne's wrath, he remained quiet. I could see the sadness in his eyes as he watched his wife and me feuding. The twins also noticed the tension but there was nothing they could do about it. The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence broken by the sound of forks against plates. After clearing the table, my cousins and I went straight to my bedroom and collapsed on the bed. "Miracle, what's going on?" Arielle asked. "I noticed mum is acting funny towards you and don't even lie to me.""Don't worry about it, "I tried to brush it up but she persisted. Arianna walked in and sat on my bed holding a book and trying not to
Aunt Suzanne turned and walked out of the room. My frustration grew as I watched her leave. I sat on the bed feeling trapped and alone. I love my aunt and she was the only family member I had, but I also needed the money to help her.This was so unfair. I was doing everything in my power to provide for my aunt and give her a better life, and yet she was judging me for it. The thought of her disapproval made me feel like a failure and the weight of her judgement was crushing. I felt like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, unable to move forward without her support and unable to win her over no matter what I did. It made me feel angry and frustrated, but at the same time, I was sad because I didn't want to lose her. I remained in my room, lying on the twin bed, staring at the ceiling. The walls around me felt like they were closing in and I couldn't escape the feelings of guilt and confusion. I didn't want to leave the room, to confront Aunt Suzanne or anyone else.The door c
Miracle's POVAunt Suzanne walked into the room, her feet padding against the carpeted floor. The room fell silent as Arianna and Arielle excused themselves, leaving me alone with their mother."So how's your new job?" She asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice"It's great, not too stressful at all," I said trying to keep my voice today but inside I felt guilty for lying to her.Aunt Suzanne sat opposite me on one of the twin beds and my feet crossed on the worn carpet on the floor. The house was a sharp contrast to Leonel's and I felt guilty for getting a little carried away by wealth.My aunt always told us that vanity was a sin, and yet basked in the luxury and comfort of Leonel's home. Not that I was blaming myself, because I'd known anything like it. But I knew it was wrong. I should be grateful for what I have, instead, I'd become so caught up in this fake world and drawn to the finer things in life, like a moth to a flame. It was like a drug, and I couldn't get enough of
Miracle's POVI went upstairs to my bedroom panting and flushing after the kiss with Leo. I sat down on my bed, still feeling the warmth of his lips on mine. A delicious shudder shot through me at the thought of him. Every inch of me lit up with the burning, urgent need to possess him. My heart raced and the butterflies in my stomach intensified as I replayed the kiss over and over again in my mind.I got up from the bed and went to the bathroom, feeling the need to strip off my clothes and run a bath. As I sank into the tub, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, letting the water soak into my skin, feeling Leo's soft lips against mine and imagining his tongue lashing inside me, working me open, driving me wild. I let out a sigh and leaned back in the bathtub, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew that I needed to stop these thoughts, but I just couldn't help myself. Leo was so different from anyone I had ever met before, and the chemistry between us was undeniable.After what
The airport bustled activity as travelers rushed from one place to another, dragging their luggage behind them. Leo and I stood in front of the arrival gate, waiting for Arielle. The sound of the announcement system echoed through the vast terminal as passengers arrived one after the other. The anticipation of seeing Arielle was almost palpable and I fidgeted with excitement.We waited for what felt like an eternity, but finally, she appeared at the end of the corridor, and she was a sight to behold. Her hair was styled in big bouncy curls, and she was dressed in a bright red dress and looked like a Hollywood starlet in cheap clothes. She spotted us and started running in our direction, her heels clicking against the airport floor."Look at you!" I shouted and ran to her, hugging her tight as she arrived. "What's with all the makeup?""Sis, I'm in California. I have to act the part," she said with a batting of her eyelashes. I laughed and pulled her hand, "Come and meet Leo. He's wait
Leonel's POVMiracle and I were swaying to the soft melodies of the music, the perfect background for the intimate moment we were sharing. The DJ had selected an array of slow, romantic songs, and the atmosphere was electric with love and excitement. I gazed into her eyes and she smiled back at me. Her hand was resting on my shoulder and her other hand clasped mine, as we danced in perfect sync with each other. Couples of all ages were twirling and swaying, lost in their world. Some were kissing and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears, while others simply held each other close and took in the beauty of the moment.Then I noticed a look of concern on Miracle's face. "What is it?"She pointed over my shoulder and I turned to see my brother Lenny talking and laughing with Arielle. "What the hell is he doing?"Miracle tried to calm me down, "Relax, it may not be anything serious."But I couldn't shake the feeling that Lenny was up to something. "He has to stay away from her.
Miracle's POVI could see the frustration written all over Arielle's face as we sat at the edge of the dance floor, watching the guests twirl and sway to the beat. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she kept shifting in her seat, unable to fully relax."I don't get it," she grumbled, taking a sip from her glass of wine. "I'm eighteen, not five."I sighed and turned to face her. "I don't care about your age. I'm your cousin and I know what's best for you. That guy, Leonel's brother, is not good."Arielle rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah? And how do you know that? Why don't you just let me find out for myself?""You'd better behave," I warned her, frowning. "I don't want any trouble at this party."She huffed and took another sip of her wine. "I hate being treated like a baby. That's one of the reasons I always have issues with Mom, and now you're doing it too, even though you know how much I hate it. Besides, he's Leonel's brother. Your boyfriend's brother." She emphasized the last par