Thirty minutes later, as Kristen had finally stabilized in her room and allowed visitors, Vivian and Otis walked in. Seeing Kristen lying on the hospital bed, her spirit seemingly lifted despite her red, blotchy face, and both breathed a sigh of relief. Kristen welcomed them with a weak smile, her face flushed red. "I'm so glad you guys are here." Vivian approached the bed and gently hugged Kristen, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as she saw her friend's spirits improving. "Are you okay?" Her voice held a tinge of emotion. Kristen chuckled softly. "I'm fine, really... Let me introduce you. This is Otis Evans, my boyfriend. I'm guessing this is your first time meeting, right?" Vivian hesitated momentarily before responding, "I've met Otis before. We used to work together." Otis glanced at her and nodded. "Yeah, we've met. It's been a while." Vivian's heart raced, hoping her response sounded natural. She didn't want to reveal Otis Evans' true identity, especially not to Kr
Vivian strode into work the following day with an unmistakable spring in her step. The reverberation of last night's concert infused her mood with a lingering excitement. Balancing a folder of documents and blueprints in her arms, she approached Louis's office. A gentle smile played on her lips, but her anticipation met an unexpected chill in his gaze. Though she had been adamant about keeping matters of the heart separate from the workplace, something prompted her to break her rule. She summoned her courage and asked, "Is something bothering you, boss?" Louis, absorbed in his task of reviewing contracts, didn't spare her a glance. His response was curt, "Nothing." Vivian's intuition told her that this wasn't just another ordinary day. Something had clearly thrown him off balance. Her smile wavered for a moment, and she nodded, conceding. She turned to leave, her mind swirling with thoughts. It wasn't the right moment to push for answers. As Vivian stepped out of the office, she fe
Vivian woke up to find herself nestled beside Louis. A gentle smile crept onto her lips as she traced her fingers lightly over his peacefully slumbering face.The contrast between the passionate and vulnerable man she had encountered the previous night and the tranquil figure beside her now left her astounded. His features were relaxed, and his defenses seemed to have diminished in his sleep. It was in moments like these that Vivian could genuinely feel the presence of this man beside her as a comforting reality.Louis's eyes slowly fluttered open, and a warm, lazy smile formed on his lips as he met Vivian's gaze. His voice, tinged with a hint of morning huskiness, greeted her, "Good morning, bae."But before she could respond, he deftly turned toward her, pinning her beneath him. His lips gently met hers, and his large frame enveloped her. The echoes of last night lingered in his mind, making restraint impossible.Her hand snaked to rest on his shoulder as she teased, "Don't you ever
Vivian faced her stepfather, her eyes red and swollen from tears. She knew that any resistance now could lead to undesirable consequences. While fear gripped her heart, she was determined to stay calm."Stepfather," Vivian said, her voice unwavering. "We can talk about everything without resorting to these terrifying methods."Her stepfather, John, let out a chilling laugh, a far cry from his former self. "Vivian, you're living in your own world with those delusions. You should listen to me, young lady."Vivian struggled to breathe evenly to control her emotions. "Stepfather, I don't understand why you and Mom are doing this. We can talk, discuss everything, and find a way to resolve this."John approached Vivian, holding the syringe. "Vivian, if you keep talking, I'll shoot you instead of injecting drugs into you!"Vivian's heart pounded as she continued to stall, hoping for the moment she had been waiting for. Just as her hope seemed to be fading, when her stepfather cornered her ag
The next morning, Vivian stirred from a dream, ensconced within the warmth of Louis's arms. Opening her eyes, she found his gaze already on her, a sleepy softness still evident. Her heart swelled with emotion, memories of the previous day flooding back — the perilous moment when she had almost lost him forever.With clarity, she understood the depth of her feelings for Louis and cherished the protective comfort of his embrace.Noticing the glint of tears in her eyes, Louis delicately brushed them away with his thumb, murmuring, "It's okay now. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."Hearing those words, Vivian's heart fluttered. She recalled the obstacles they had overcome to be together.Louis gently cradled Vivian's face, drawing her closer. Their lips met in a whisper of a kiss, teasing and tender. Breaking away, she let out a soft laugh, standing and wrapping herself in a blanket. She threw a playful glance towards the bed, where Louis lay exposed."Seems you're feeling quite free
Vivian and Louis flew back to the city the next day. Her life returned to its usual, peaceful rhythm.Louis sat in silent contemplation in the car on the way to work, occasionally adjusting the steering wheel. "Do you want to meet my parents?" he asked, breaking the silence with a glance towards Vivian.Vivian was taken aback by Louis' suggestion. It felt like a tempest was raging inside her, consuming her entire being. She was plagued by anxiety, uncertainty, and the looming fear of encountering potential prejudices against her. At the same time, she yearned to take on this challenge.She paused for a moment, swallowed the knot in her throat, and replied, "Yes, I would like to meet them."Louis looked at Vivian and gently placed his hand on hers. "Don't be concerned. "You'll be fine."Her worries, however, remained deep within her. Vivian realized she was about to enter a battle surrounded by the elite, where she would be the only unarmed combatant.Louis's family mansion was hidden
Vivian remained silent and contemplative as Louis drove away from the grand mansion and onto the winding roads. Her introspection had been heightened by the unexpected meeting at the mansion.Louis finally broke the silence after what seemed like an eternity. "Vivian," he started cautiously.She turned to face him, her gaze drawn to the expression on his face. "What's on your mind, Louis?"He took a deep breath and said. "You see, Amanda Evans is very close to my mother, almost as if she were her daughter. I hadn't expected to see both of them today."Vivian blinked in surprise, then teased, "You afraid I'd get mad, bae?"Louis looked her in the eyes with tenderness. "I just wanted to protect you.""I believe that if I chose to be with you, I'd have to face those who wish me harm," she said firmly. I'm no longer afraid because you're by my side."Vivian tightened her grip on his hand in response. Whatever the future held for them, they would face it together.When Louis's car pulled u
Amanda had consumed far too much, and her usual poised demeanor had now crumbled into a state of disarray. "There, it's going to be all right," Emma reassured, her voice a gentle whisper. Amanda raised her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Brian... he treats me so terribly," she choked out, her voice quivering. "He still loves Vivian." I can feel it. I'm just... not enough for him. I want to get back at him." "And Vivian, too," Emma sneered. She must have reconnected with Brian. She's always been that way." "But I adore him, Emma." I really do. "How can I be so stupid?" Amanda muttered, her voice nearly drowned out by the din of the bar. "And as for Vivian, she's now Louis Morris' girlfriend," Amanda continued, taking another sip of her drink. I'll find any way I can to tell his mother and tear them apart. Vivian doesn't deserve such good fortune!" Emma's eyes flashed with rage when she heard the name Louis Morris, a wave of jealousy engulfing her mind. "She's a harl