“Your life is what you make of it.”….~ Alyssa ~I wish the conversation between Austin and me later that night had never occurred. I wish I could turn back time, and try my possible best to prevent it from ever occurring… but I couldn’t.Words that have been said can’t be taken back, regardless of how much one tries to do so. It was my birthday night, and I turned twenty-three. An age I have always been so excited about… but now I dread it. I was meant to be celebrating now, but here I am… bawling my eyes out like there was no tomorrow.It was weird, crying so hard… this much on my birthday. I checked my phone for the umpteenth time. Peter was calling, yet again… but I couldn’t answer. I know he’ll be worried by my lack of response… but I couldn’t pick. What would I say? He’d detect the edge in my tone, and ask what’s going on… lying would have been easier if he wasn’t first my best friend before becoming my brother. And saying the truth? It would be worse… Peter loved me, and
“Remember, you were created for a purpose.”…..~ Austin ~There should definitely be an organization celebrating fathers and daughters. That was the first thing that came into my mind as I got woken up by Keren, who was constantly pinching my face. We spent the entire day together yesterday… bonding far more than I had been able to do in the last few years. Lydia had once mentioned that I had become so caught up in my grief, that I had neglected my daughter. I had always denied her claim, stating I hired a personal nanny for that reason. But I didn’t get what she meant until now.“Good morning, Princess.” I smiled at her. Her hair was all the way down her back, not ponytail styled as it always had been, and I had a hunch that she’d gotten herself ready instead. But why?“Morning, Dad!” Her voice sounded a little more enthusiastic than I hoped it would. “Do you know today’s Mom's birthday?”“You mean Alyssa?” I responded, shocked. “Yes, Mom Aly.”“How did you even know that?”“Big P
“And I really hope you get to focus on what truly matters.”…~ Alyssa ~“I didn’t expect you to be married so young,” Ashley commented at the festive dinner later. The grand hall had now been converted into a dining banquet, with an array of mouth watering cuisines on display.“I didn’t think I would either,” I replied, and she nodded, not asking any more questions. It was as if she sensed my hesitance to continue the conversation. The banquet was followed by a get to know each other session. I remained seated while others, including Ashley, mingled with the other winners. I had just pulled out my phone when a voice brought me out of my thoughts. Looking up, I was stunned to find one of the judges already seated in front of me, and smiling.“Is it Miss Stewart or Mrs Stewart?” I felt warm, knowing someone finally detected the difference. “It’s Mrs Hook.” For some reason, I felt my little secret was safe with him. Though I hadn’t anticipated the shock that would corrode his face
“And I hope you know that your mindset is everything, as it not only shapes the way you think, act and show up in the world. But your outcomes, too.”….~ Alyssa ~The interviews and getting to know one other sessions soon began. I noticed that everyone present somehow regarded me as more important than the other. And it gave me this sense of weirdness… I know I should be overwhelmed with a sense of superiority and pride at being chosen above the others. But I wasn’t. I believed everyone deserved to be seen, loved and cared about for who they were… and not the accolades, titles or awards they have garnered.I listened attentively as the organizers of the meetup introduced themselves and gave us a brief intro into what today’s program would be all about.Then, the winners began to step on stage to introduce themselves, starting from the third runner-up. I was impressed at how impartial the competition was. The winners were not only chosen from Europe, but also from Africa and Asia, so
“And I really hope that when you are dressing up, you do it for yourself, not to impress others or be noticed by them.”…~ Alyssa ~I didn’t believe it… I just didn’t. It didn’t feel so real to me until I was in the Grand Palais, one of the most beautiful museums in Paris, with reporters trooping around. There were other people around, all dressed in expensive dresses. But instead of dressing to the nineties, as might have been expected of me, I decided to deck up in what suited me best.“You’re Alyssa Stewart, aren’t you?” A young lady about my age approached me. She wore an off-shouldered purple crop top and baggy pants. The smile on her face was beautiful and inviting.“Yes, I am.”“Oh wow… You look more beautiful in person.” I chuckled at her words. I have always known technology didn’t do much justice to people’s physical beauty. But I didn’t think that would apply to me until now. “Thank you.”“I’m Ashley Brownie.”“The first runner up?”“Yup.” She replied proudly. “Your p
“I wonder if anyone asks the question, ‘What’s the point?’ As often as I do.”….~ Austin ~I shifted to the side, as I often do before my eyes fully open… but unexpectedly… my side wasn’t bare as my body clashed with another .With a beating heart and pounding head, my eyes snapped open, and I was stunned to find Alyssa beside me. I watched her figure, buried under the sheets, as memories of what had happened yesterday flooded my head. I hadn’t anticipated that my body would react so much as it did to hers. But it did. I looked down on myself and let out a relieved sigh when I realized that I was fully clothed in my pajamas. I just didn’t want to think of what would have happened otherwise. But then, how had we gotten here from the sitting room? The last thing I remembered was her moaning into my lips, and I blanked out. “Austin?” Her hoarse voice, which was filled with urgency, interrupted my thoughts. “Hi.” I greeted, bringing my gaze to face her. She was rubbing her eyes now, a