LOGINLove a self-aware king !
REINA“She always liked to suck her dirty, little thumb! We were so done with her. We all took turns trying different methods to get her to stop.” Gramma spills to everyone on the table, leaving me blushing with embarrassment and my face in my hands, while Alan and the rest laugh at everything she says.Our family picture album lies on the table, open for all to see. This particular page had me on a bed, my eyes droopy as I ducked on my thumb.“Gramma, you really don’t have to say all that.” I groan. She ignores me, turning over to the next page of the album. This time, it’s Tee on the page, but he’s looking really dope to say anything but. I suck it in as we keep flipping the pages, getting a laugh or two, adoring the rest.Eventually, we finish the album and Tee flicks on the TV with a bright smile still etched on his face.“Let’s watch some Christmas classics!” He calls back at us. Alan and I’s eyes meet across the room and after a brief, heated stare at each other, we try to focus
REINAThere’s a Christmas tree in front of our house.A big ass Christmas tree with shining lights and expensive ornaments, and there’s also a huge snowman by its side. A group of children stand at a corner, watching the Christmas lights on our door. I have one question—how?I rush towards the house after paying the Uber driver, my mind racing with different ideas. The children call out my name on my way inside.“Hey Reina!”“It’s Reina! Will you give us treats, Reina?”“Can I come eat, Reina?”I stop completely at the last request, turning to the little girl who hides behind her older brother—who has a protective stance on. He has cuts all over his arms and even a few on his face. The girl has few wounds on her face too, and she looks severely malnourished with sullen eyes.Maliya… that’s her name. The last time I talked to her, she said she’s three… I guess.“You can come eat at our place whenever you want, Maliya. Come. I’ll give you some snacks.” I hold out my hand and she takes i
REINAThe door swings open, then shut, just as I’m heading towards my room. Alan stands in front of it, looking confused.“I thought you’d be home by now.” He says, advancing towards me. He checks his watch. It should be almost 12 by now. He looks a bit drunk, and James passed by us with several shopping bags in his hands.“I was supposed to be.” I tell him with a sigh, “But I just couldn’t leave Ethan alone.”The expression on his face screams, ‘Of course.’He gets in front of me and slips my hair behind my ear, staring down at me from his intimidating height.“You should have been with him today, it’s Christmas Eve. You had work?” I ask calmly.He shakes his head no. “Not really, had a few things to handle. I’ll make it up to him tomorrow.”He pulls me to his chest and I lean into him without hesitation, shutting my eyes as we hold each other.“Its true what Ethan said.” I start. “You’ve been smiling a whole lot lately.”He cups my cheeks, gently pulling me away. He has a bright smi
ALANA DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS“I’m sorry I couldn’t meet with you yesterday as agreed, Norman. I had an emergency.” I usher Judge Norman to a seat across my desk. It’s the morning of Saturday—the day before Christmas.He lowers himself onto the chair while I sit on mine and says, “It’s no problem, Mr King. I hope you have it handled now?”“Yeah, it’s all being worked on.” I say, then swiftly drive to the point, “Someone harassed an employee of mine and wants to get away with it. I want you to handle the case directly.”He nods. “Of course Sir, as you wish. Can I know the details of this case? Is there evidence? Something I can go through?”“Of course. She had some evidence recorded.”I take out my phone and get him to watch everything Reina managed to record. I see his face get tighter by the second, and at the end of the meeting he’d as determined to bring Jeff to his knees as I am.“I’ll see to it that this Jeff faces the full consequences of his crimes. I assure you.” Judge Norman tel
REINA“Ethan barely even listened to me say goodbye. His eyes were on his iPad until I left.” I sigh, pulling the car’s seatbelt over my body. I catch Alan’s frown from the corner of my eye.“I need to cut down his screen time, get him out more. He’s been getting too attached to that iPad.” He says. I chew on my bottom lip, feeling a twinge of pity for Ethan. I guess this is best for him, though, so I don’t say anything else.I keep my eyes out the window for almost the full duration of the drive, soaking in the Christmas cheer out here. The houses are a blur of twinkling lights and festive wreaths as we drive by. I watch the neighborhoods glow with holiday spirit. Everything looks so bright and cheerful, and the sounds of the season are everywhere.I eventually start to sing along with the choirs who sing carols on the street corners, their voices lifting over the chatter of the crowds.We pass by the Christmas market too, and the sound of laughter, the upbeat clinking of mugs bring
REINA“Oh.” I mouth, turning back to the ward with awe I’m sure he clearly saw on my face.“She’ll be okay.” He assures me. I wrap my arms around myself and nod stiffly. Seeing Gramma for the first time in there, I can still remember the moment my heart completely stopped beating and I lost awareness, not even knowing how I got in front of her and knelt.She felt cold, sweat covering her body, but she opened her eyes along the line and she touched my face. Tears rolled down Gramma’s eyes, and she had hold me,“I wanted to speak to you for the last time. Where were you, Ray? I’m dying…”I suddenly developed strength I’d never felt before, and instead of offering her an answer, I picked her off the ground and managed to drag her outside.I’m trying to calm my racing heart now. Be positive. Gramma would come out of this alive. She has to.“I’m really sorry about your side mirrors. I know the guy who did it, and I already texted Tee. He’ll handle it.” I finally shake off my thoughts, fac
REINA“Your bikini will be here in a few minutes. Please wait here, I’ll be back!”Alan clears his throat. “Thank you.”She waves a hand at him. “Oh it’s nothing. I heard she’s the nanny. She’s taking care of your child. She deserves some fun.”I hear the hidden meaning under her tone, “Ethan’s a h
REINAI try to extract my hand from the man’s hold. I think Alan called him Santi. He should be married, right? Why’s he asking if I’d like a drink later? ‘Go drink that stuff with your wife.’ That’s exactly what I would have yelled at him if I had enough balls.I turn to Alan for help but his gaze
ALAN“He’s doing a good job, that Taylor Summers.”Jeff finally tears his gaze off the corner of my living room that heads to the hallway. Every time this man is in my house, I try my possible best to hold back from strangling the shit out of him. He’s looking for Reina. I’ve asked Thelma to inform
REINAThere’s a crazy storm outside. Thunder cracks loudly every two to three minutes, and I can practically hear the rain hit the ground. Ethan snuggles to my side, his eyes tightly squeezed shut, even if he’s slept off minutes ago. Maybe over an hour now. He ran into my room as soon as the rain s







