LOGINEMILY I've lived 38 years, have witnessed and achieved good success numerous times, yet nothing has ever topped the joy of seeing my children chase their dreams. My heart throbs with pride and joy overflows from my eyes. It's such a blessing that they have found what lights them up-and are sharing it with the world. Our resilient, creative Doreen, a blossoming painter, turning every wall into vibrant works of art, our enthusiastic Gabriel excels in sports, always sprinting and scoring goals, while our little scholar George's always reading and asking brilliant questions, and finally our cheerful Mia, the queen of hearts of the family, always aspiring to become as many awesome profession as she can-when they eventually come to mind, that is. We're so proud of all our kids. They always makes every moment priceless. As we stepped inside the library, it had been transformed into a vibrant, multi-purpose event space. I almost thought we lost our way. The moveable shelves were re
EMILY "Darling I think we should call a plumber," I said to my husband, who was currently on his knees trying but failing to unclog the toilet. He's been at it for thirty minutes now, but won't give up. "What? So he can come and see how big my dump is?" he mumbled. "No, because he's a person who's knowledgeable on this than you are. It's kind of his job," I teased, poking at his competitive side. "I know who a plumber is, " he gritted out in annoyance. I chuckled, leaned down and kissed his cheek. "You're so adorable. Come on big guy," I helped him up by the arm, "you've done the best that you can do, now let's go get ready before the kids get here." They tagged along with Doreen to the foundation. "I'm not adorable, I'm a man." he grumbled as I led him away. "Whatever, you're adorable to me, so deal with it." I moved towards the closet but he grabbed me back to his body and nuzzled my neck, his graying hair fell over his smoky grey eyes, tickling my neck. "No
EMILY I limped--walked towards the train station with a broken stiletto. A little spark of happiness lit up within me when I spotted an empty bench. After a long walk, I needed to sit. And I missed my train. The station was scanty with only travelers for 3am walking to and fro. I spotted a woman afar, eating a sandwich and my mouth watered. That's the first thing I'll do when I get home. I'll soak my sour feet in warm water, eat lots of ice-cream and turn in early. I was stranded, alone, cold hungry with a dead phone and no money to book a room in a motel. If I knew it was this cold at the side of town I wouldn't have come straight from the office for an assignment in only a black pencil skirt, a white blouse and stiletto with no armor. Assignments like this were a specialty crafted for the rejected in Sunshine by Sebastian himself. I mean, I've accepted that he disliked me but how could he not send a car after me? After all, the deal went well and I was well o
THEODORE There were series of events that occurred in my lifetime that I could never forget or erase. I never believed in cliches like 'Love is Blind' or 'No one prepares you for falling in love' because I was an extremely intentional person, never impulsive, critically choosing my words before I speak. However, I grew up in a home where promises were never kept, people didn't matter and love was never a factor. I think that egged me to be intentional about my decisions. My father was extremely aggressive but he never laid a finger on my mother or me--but of course he didn't have to, his abusive words made up for it. And my mother was never affectionate because she never received affection. There I was, a ten year old constantly walking on eggshells with my family as though I lived with strangers. I had to work to be worth it, I believed that the entirety of human is to work hard so you'd be relevant so that you won't be tossed away. My Father's start up publishing compa
EMILY I winced as I examined my swollen ankle, it had already turned into a nasty dark color. I poked at it then winced again. I'll have to soak my feet in warm water again tonight. "I'll have to consider handing over the company to Sebastian, evidently you're more suitable for the job," Robert Crest said with a small smile as he approached me. I quickly stood up from my seated position. The wrinkles at the side of his eyes were the only feature Sebastian didn't inherit, an evidence he laughed a lot. I was at the Crest backyard, where we've decided the new book launch venue will be after the rain had ruined our venue last night. I had been on my feet all day with Sebastian's hard stare on the back of my head. Like a hawk keeping watch on it's prey, he didn't move an inch. No one could move an inch since dawn till dusk. Now I was the last woman standing after Sebastian fled out of the house as though he had fire on his heels when he got a call from the office. I was left
EPILOGUE Doreen's eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration, her lip jutted out as she patted the sand on the flower seed she had just buried. Sebastian and his four-year-old daughter were on their knees planting flowers beside his father's grave. "Daddy, do you think it will grow and make Grandpa happy?" She turned to her father. "Everything grows when you give it a little love and care, I also know that Grandpa would love it more because you did it for him.” "You think so?" she asked with a smile. She looked up at him with her big brown eyes that were a replica of his, though she was a replica of Emily in every way, her button nose, and plump lip. But she had Sebastian's relentless trait. "Yes sweetheart," he replied with a smile. "Now let's bury it and remember to–" "Water it and give it more sunlight!" she leaped from her kneeling position. He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Smart girl!' "Come in, you two; Aunt Sophia and Uncle Theo are here!" Emily yell
CHAPTER 56 Emily We stopped in front of a large building with a green flashy light showcasing "VERDANT." in block letters. "Why are we stopping?" I frowned. "I thought the meeting was at Coral?" "You said you were starving." "You should have taken that as a hint to cook chicken pasta for
CHAPTER - 55Emily"Did you hear Sophia come in last night?" Celine asked, frowning as she took her seat at the dining table."I couldn't come down because I had a splitting migraine," Kate replied, massaging her forehead as she spoke."Me too," I said, "I was beat yesterday," I could still feel a
CHAPTER 54 Theodore "Get off her!" I growled in a low menacing voice. Sophia was throwing herself at some lanky guy. They sprang apart at my voice despite the loud music. The dim green, red, and blue lights in the club made it difficult to discern the guy's features. Sophia blinked rapidly, a
CHAPTER 53 Emily "When was the last time you took a nice walk out like this?" I asked, glancing at him as we strolled down to the garden. "Hmm… not since I was in high school," he replied, his voice light, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Let me guess," I tapped my chin in mock thought, "t







