The early morning light streamed into the office as Leah sat across from Jeremy in the boardroom. Her hands rested on the smooth table, fingers gently drumming a rhythm born out of thought, not nerves. Papers were neatly stacked in front of them, along with two cups of untouched coffee.They hadn’t had the time to have this conversation for weeks—maybe even months. But now that the chaos had calmed and the storm had passed, it was time.Leah was the first to speak.“So,” she said softly, not sure how else to begin. “What happens now?”Jeremy leaned back in his chair, his eyes calm but attentive. “With what?”“Our companies,” she said. “They were merged for a reason. That reason no longer exists. Do you… do you have plans to separate them?”Jeremy didn’t answer immediately. He looked at her, really looked at her, as though trying to see past the question into what she was truly asking. When he finally spoke, his voice was measured and thoughtful.“Is it necessary?” he asked.Leah blink
"You're fired, Leah! I don't want to ever see you here again.” Her boss' words struck her like lightning. She had just lost the only job that fed her and her family. Hot tears threatened to leave her eyes as she stood in front of Mr. Michael, trembling. “Please, sir. I- this is my only source of income. You know how it is ever since my dad-” “Enough, Leah! You should have just continued to be the obedient girl that you were.” He cut her off, his voice sending a chill down her spine, as she glanced around to see people staring at her. All she did was refuse the advances an annoying customer had made toward her. Her boss had queried her because of the several reports he had gotten from their top customers on how she snapped at them. He said she was being rude to their big customers and was likely pushing them away to their competitors. He urged her to just play along when they flirted with her. “You don't have to go to their houses and get in their beds, Leah. Just play along h
“Mr. Harper,” Leah called out steadily.Jeremy turned around swiftly and Leah saw him face to face for the first time. Yes, people had described him to be very wealthy and commanding and good looking, but no one ever described how he looked perfectly. Pictures of him on billboards didn't even do justice. This man was dripping in finesse.“How can one man be this good-looking?” Leah wondered.“Leo, is it?” Jeremy asked, his piercing blue eyes scanning her from head to toe. He was a very classic man.Leah swallowed her nerves, deepened her voice and answered, “yes, sir.”“You start tomorrow,” he said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.Leah almost skipped out of the mansion. She'd done it. The job was hers.On reaching home, she saw that her mother had been discharged, and it was Noah who had taken care of the hospital bills. Her mother had been in a myasthenic crisis but was doing better after receiving treatment at the hospital. She only had to keep taking her medication, avoid
“Ugh! My head aches so bad. Leo! Leo!” Jeremy called out, gripping his head and groaning.“Yes, sir,” Leah rushed in as if she had been waiting to be summoned. She barely had enough sleep the previous night, wondering if Jeremy had found her out or not. She was uneasy.Jeremy just looked at her and mumbled, “lousy man.”“Make me some lime juice, for my headache. I'm having a hangover from last night.”“What? Last night?” She asked even though she had heard him clearly. She was terrified. She had been careless last night and she could've sworn that he heard her. Oh God! She prayed silently in her heart.“Are you deaf? You better hurry!” “Yes, sir!” She hurried out and came back with a glass of the lime juice.“Sir, I have arranged the clothes you'll wear. Will you have breakfast downstairs or should I bring it here?” Leah asked.“You aren't my babysitter, are you? I'll let you know when I need something. Get lost!” He snapped at her. Leah couldn't understand why he was so difficult t
Jeremy seemed to be watching Leah closely after the previous night and Leah could feel it. She became extremely careful. She had told herself that whether she was alone or not, as long as she was in the mansion, she was “Leo.”She did her work swiftly and avoided him like a plague. She couldn't risk getting caught. Her life depended on retaining that job and getting her monthly salary.Thankfully, a month flew by, and payday arrived.She received her salary and got a bonus too. Her boss wasn't so bad, after all.Her once-a-month weekend leave had arrived, and she was eager to go home and be herself again.“Mama, how have you been?” She greeted her mother, kissing her cheeks.Her siblings, Keira and Ivan, welcomed her warmly, arguing over who would carry the groceries she brought. Their playful bickering made Leah and their mother laugh.Leah cooked Noah's favorite dish, porridge, and invited him over. “Noah, I appreciate all that you do for me. You're more like a brother to me than a
Jeremy looked dashing in his navy-blue suit, polished shoes, gold wristwatch, and the faint scent of designer cologne. Stepping out in style, he was driven to the office, where his arrival created a buzz akin to a presidential visit. As the company’s president, his presence commanded respect. Everyone welcomed him with warm smiles. He shook hands with a few colleagues, and wheeled his chair to his office. It felt good to be back. Everything was in place. His secretary walked in to brief him on the things that had been going prior to his resumption. She expressed how happy she was that he survived the accident, and said that she was optimistic that he would walk again. He cut her short. He didn't like talking about the possibility of walking again. Having high hopes and expectations cut short wasn't something he was ready for. Jeremy, however, quickly changed the subject. He wasn’t ready to entertain false hope. Thanking her for holding the fort, he instructed her to prepare the
Jeremy made arrangements for Leah to go shopping and get classy dresses befitting of her new status as his wife.It was all mixed feelings for Leah. She was anxious and excited. This was a good offer. At the end of the six month contract, she'd have saved enough to change her family's story for good. She hadn't even told anyone about the new development. She would surely tell her mom and her best buddy, Noah.The car pulled up to a luxurious spa, where Leah was treated to a full-body massage, facial treatments, and even a manicure. Afterward, the driver drove them to a high-end beauty salon where her hair was styled into soft waves that cascaded down her back. By the time they reached the boutique, Leah barely recognized herself in the mirror.She tried on several dresses, each more elegant than the last. Jeremy, seated in his wheelchair, watched silently, his eyes narrowing with every outfit she modeled. His gaze wasn't one of criticism but of astonishment. Leah, in all her understa
“Leah?” Jeremy called out softly. Leah swallowed hard. He had said ‘no strings attached,’ so what did he want? She wasn't a cheap girl and he had to know that. Jeremy wheeled his chair closer to her instead. “Leah, look at me. Come close.” Leah froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She bent to face him, feeling vulnerable and helpless. She breathed heavily and Jeremy could hear her heart beat faster. He raked his fingers through her hair and Leah closed her eyes, motioned to receive a kiss, as Jeremy's move hinted at her. “Are you trying to seduce me?” Jeremy’s question broke the spell, his voice low but teasing. Leah quickly opened her eyes, her cheeks flushing with heat. “Seduce you? Excuse me?” she retorted, her tone defensive. “I’m not trying to do anything of the sort!” Jeremy curled his lips. “Then, the incident at the boutique…and right now, you're wearing a transparent robe in my room. What are you up to?” “Oh, God. It's not what you think at all. Why would I
The early morning light streamed into the office as Leah sat across from Jeremy in the boardroom. Her hands rested on the smooth table, fingers gently drumming a rhythm born out of thought, not nerves. Papers were neatly stacked in front of them, along with two cups of untouched coffee.They hadn’t had the time to have this conversation for weeks—maybe even months. But now that the chaos had calmed and the storm had passed, it was time.Leah was the first to speak.“So,” she said softly, not sure how else to begin. “What happens now?”Jeremy leaned back in his chair, his eyes calm but attentive. “With what?”“Our companies,” she said. “They were merged for a reason. That reason no longer exists. Do you… do you have plans to separate them?”Jeremy didn’t answer immediately. He looked at her, really looked at her, as though trying to see past the question into what she was truly asking. When he finally spoke, his voice was measured and thoughtful.“Is it necessary?” he asked.Leah blink
Maggie stepped out of the car, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. The afternoon sun shone brightly. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her purse.Alfred stepped out of the car after her, noticing the anxiety etched across her face. He gently reached for her hand and held it firmly. "Do you want me to go in with you?"Maggie hesitated. "No, Alfred. You should probably go back home. It’s nothing I can't handle, I’m sure."But Alfred wasn’t having it. He squeezed her hand with gentle reassurance. "I insist. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together."That melted her resolve. She smiled faintly and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."Together, hand in hand, they walked up to the door. Maggie inhaled deeply and pressed the bell. After a second, she turned the knob and pushed the door open.The aroma of delicious food instantly filled their nostrils. It smelled like fresh spices, grilled chicken, and something sweet baking in the oven. For a moment, Maggie forgot her anxiety."Hello
The atmosphere seemed to have changed for good. It felt like joy had finally taken root and was blooming beautifully. After so many years of tears, pain, betrayal, and heartbreak, Maggie was finally getting her fairy tale. And the man holding her heart? None other than Alfred, the same man she’d loved deeply in the past, the one who’d made her cry, and now, the one making her smile again.A wedding was being planned.Yay!It wasn’t just any wedding. It was Maggie and Alfred’s wedding. And it was going to be beautiful.Everyone was excited and anticipating the D day.The two lovebirds were like teenagers, always whispering sweet things into each other’s ears. Sometimes, they'd sneak out of the house just to take long walks or go on simple dinner dates, even though everyone already knew they were deeply in love.They were always on the phone with each other. Alfred could just drop Maggie off and still call to check on her.Maggie would blush whenever Alfred told her she looked beautifu
Noah zipped up the side of his black duffel bag and tossed in one last folded shirt. His room felt empty, but not in a peaceful way. The walls were still the same soft cream color. The picture of him and Elizabeth still stood on the bedside table, staring back at him like a ghost of laughter and lost love. But everything else had been stripped down. Clothes packed, shelves cleared, shoes lined up by the door like soldiers ready for one final march.He was done pretending.The air was still and heavy, like it was holding its breath. Then came a soft knock on the door. He froze for a second, eyes closing briefly, already knowing who it would be.The door creaked open, and Leah stepped in.Her face was tired. There were shadows under her eyes, and her shoulders were tense. But she still carried that air of quiet strength, even though it seemed to be slipping through the cracks today.“You’re really leaving?” she asked, her voice low.Noah didn’t look at her at first. He folded another s
The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky as Noah parked his scooter outside Cassandra’s new house. The house was simple but cozy. Neat hedges and bright flowers swayed gently in the breeze. In one hand, he carried a brown bag filled with fresh fruits. This was something he brought every time he visited. Cassandra and Leah had always liked it. It was his small way of saying “thank you” and showing love. Today, it felt like the only strength he had left to give.He walked up to the door and knocked softly. Cassandra opened the door a few minutes later. She looked radiant, her hair tied back. She smiled warmly when she saw him.“Noah,” she said softly.“Good afternoon, Mama Bear,” he greeted, forcing a weak smile.He handed her the brown bag.She opened it and her eyes lit up just a little. “Watermelons! Thank you, my dear boy. You always remember.”He nodded slowly. “I know they’re your favorite.”She took a closer look at him then, her smile fading as concern filled her gaze. His eye
Noah sat still, his eyes staring blankly at the sky above. Leah was beside him , but she wasn't speaking. She just let him be. He couldn’t think clearly. He couldn’t breathe properly either.The atmosphere felt too small, too dark, too full of pain.His heart was heavy. Too heavy to carry.She was gone.Elizabeth.The love of his life.The woman who showed him that love wasn’t supposed to hurt, wasn’t supposed to be a battle of pride or pain. She made him feel like a man, like someone worthy of being loved. She healed parts of him that he didn’t even know were broken. She lit up the corners of his soul that had been dark for too long.He leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees, and buried his face in his hands.It wasn’t supposed to end like this.He closed his eyes and let the memories take him.— — —He remembered the first day they met, like it had just happened. It was at one of Jeremy’s casual in-house parties—nothing too loud, just a few friends, drinks, music, laughter,
Noah couldn’t sleep.The wind wasn’t soft and peaceful anymore. It had turned bitter and cold, like something had changed in the air. He sat on the edge of his bed, still fully dressed. His phone was in his hand, his thumb hovering over Elizabeth’s number again.He had already called three times tonight.Still no answer.Still switched off.Something was off. Deep down, he knew it. And the more he tried to shake it off, the stronger the feeling grew. It was like trying to ignore smoke in a room. It kept stinging his eyes and choking his lungs.He stood up and walked around the room, his fingers running through his hair. “If Elizabeth had travelled, Leah would’ve told me,” he said out loud to himself. “She would’ve said something.”Noah hated this feeling. This strange silence. The way no one was saying anything clear. It felt like being tossed around in the dark, no clue where to turn.He stopped pacing and looked at the phone again.He didn’t want to believe anything bad had happened
Most people had gone. The event hall had begun to empty. Waiters moved about clearing plates, the tables that were occupied and busy now mostly bare. Only a few people remained—close friends, staff, and some family still exchanging last laughs and hugs before leaving.Noah finally found the chance to really catch up with Leah's mom.He’d been trying to get a moment alone with her since he arrived, but she seemed too occupied, being pulled here and there as the event planner. But now, finally, she stood by herself, sipping orange juice and looking really happy.He walked up to her with a boyish smile. “Mama Bear, you look so different.”Cassandra turned to him, her eyes lighting up. “Different good, different bad?”He chuckled. “Good, of course. You're glowing, and you look very happy and even younger.”Cassandra placed a hand on her chest like the compliment had hit home. “I know, right. Thank you, my boy. You don't look bad yourself.”Noah scratched his head, slightly shy. “The trai
The music had slowed, now playing something softer, gentle instrumentals that swayed like a whisper. It filled the background as guests settled into a more relaxed rhythm, sitting at tables, clinking glasses, sharing quiet laughter. The earlier excitement of the proposal had mellowed into warm joy, like a comforting hug that held the night together.Maggie sat beside Alfred, tears still forming every now and then as more guests stopped by to offer their congratulations. Alfred held her hand and kissed her temple gently now and then. He looked younger somehow, not in his face, but in the way his eyes danced. He looked like a man who had found peace again, like someone who had been through the fire and come out stronger.Cassandra hadn’t left Maggie’s side for too long either. She leaned close, teasing, “You better let me pick your wedding gown. I already have ideas.”Maggie laughed, still shy. “You’ll go for something dramatic. I know you.”“And why not?” Cassandra grinned. “This love