ANMELDENSerena Voices from the television cut through open space like a blade, striking at my aching chest.“The report this morning shows an altercation between the wife of the Ecoplus Company and the manager of Nebulus-XR…”My stomach churn, slowly pushing down its content out of my body.“The two women have been believed to have…”And that is it, the screen suddenly goes black.Lifting my head and turning immediately, I see it is my mother who turned it off as the remote is still in her hand. He lips pressing into a thin line and she exhales.“You shouldn’t be seeing that nonsense.” She tosses the remote onto the table. “Look at how that pig embarrassed you out there, feeding all those hungry bloggers with fresh headlines.”I just draw my eyes, head tilting backwards as I shake off the fatigue hanging in me, I’m staring at my reflection in the dark TV screen—my hair slightly out of place, my lipstick worn off at the edges.“I feel so pathetic right now.” I cradle my face in my hands My m
ElodieDressed in my purple fitted gown, my hands glide down the yellow jacket hanging on my shoulder as I stretch it before stepping into my heels.Then I reach for a matching handbag to compliment it, stopping in front of my dressing mirror to catch a quick glance at myself. “A touch of gloss.” I mumble as I reapply it, then smack. After that I reach for my Boadicea The Victorious Hanuman perfume, spraying lightly at my neck and another at my wrist.“No way I look anything like someone who was just discharged from the hospital yesterday." I smile, hand gliding softly over the top rail of the glass balustrade.Liam giggles waves past me before I get to the major exit door. “Daddy, it’s too tight on my neck…”“It’s not tight,” Travis mutters, crouching in front of him, adjusting the collar. “You just like complaining.”“And where are you going?” he asks without looking up as I approach.“Work, of course.” He pauses, scanning me from my toes up to my head. “You’re not meant to do any
ElodieWithout thinking, my eyelids collide, hands flying to my mouth as I stagger back. “No, this can't be. You're lying.” My head shakes on its own in disagreement like if I deny it hard enough it will dissolve.“I’m not,” his voice comes quietly. “But I wish I am.” He steps forward, hand hovering in the space between us but I quickly hold up my index finger and cut in.“So you’re telling me now that my ex-husband is your brother? And you also found out recently, what happened at that hotel too?”“Yes.” He nods.A loud chuckle just escapes from my lips. “This is insane.” I can't believe I'm still spinning around Harlow's family circle.” How did the man I thought was my saviour turn out to be related to those monsters? And the worst part is, he even tried to hide it from me.In a split second, sweat starts to surge up through my pores. I feel suffocated despite the air-conditioning, actively cooling the atmosphere.I press my palm against my forehead and fan myself weakly, feeling
Elodie When I told my body earlier that I’d give it a treat after we flew back home, I thought I meant it.But it turns out, that was just another petty lie I sold to myself at a convincing rate. The warm air pats my tender skin as I walk across the dusty terrain, boots crunching over gravel. I sweep my eyes at the sprawling fifty floors complex that'll soon be the city's newest luxury hotel. “How many of our new products are ready now?” I say into the phone pressed to my ear, jotting the numbers on a small note.“Just about one ton for now,” the project manager replies. “There were delays with the custom fixtures…”“One ton? That’s nowhere near enough,” I cut in too quickly, slowing my pace, brows pulling together. “I know about the delays but what's the solution now?” I inquire, pressing down the exhaustion clinging in. Then I pause, lifting my gaze to the busy workers installing glass windows in the surrounding air filled with the scents of concrete and raw smells.Suddenly, a
ElodieBy my second month as manager, the office has already begin to breathe differently.Deadlines once treated like polite suggestions are now met with quiet urgency and carefulness.I reshuffle teams, and cut out inefficiencies with a steady hand. Reports now come in cleaner. Some people call it structure but behind me, a few like Ms Mara, criticise it.“Like I’m saying,” Travis’s voice carries across, smooth, “we’ll be leaving this morning. I trust everyone here to maintain standard operations until I’m back.”He pauses, scanning faces before continuing.“You may all go now.”Soon chairs start to scrape gently as the hurdle comes to an end, conversations start to rise in hush tones.I remain still for a second, gathering my notes, when a shoulder slams into mine and I look up.Mara doesn’t even bother pretending it was an accident. Her lips twitch like she wants to smile but won’t want it to be obvious, probably because of Travis.“Excuse you,” I say, calmly.But she doesn’t resp
Elodie Shoulder squaring and chin slightly lifted as I stride in a composed pace with the HR closely beside me, he guides me to my new office, our steps moving in precision like we're been summoned by some cosmic force.I catch a glimpse of myself in the glass wall, the emerald blazer I had chosen hangs perfectly on my curves, my hair carefully styled.“I’m Daniel,” he repeats for the second time, like he didn't already say that two minutes ago. “So as the General Manager,” he continues, clasping his hands behind his back, “you’ll be overseeing the coordinations of things, we all expect efficiency, but…” he glances at me, “after that presentation, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”“In fact, we're fortunate to have you work with us.”I smile faintly and nod. “I’ll do my best.” Soon, we pass a row of offices with glass panels and heads turn in curiosity, some are impressed but I know it's not all of them.Daniel nudges me slightly, lowering his voice. “You’ll get used to the atten
Travis Without knocking, I slide the glass door open. My eyes, hoping to meet Liam and his Nanny but surprisely, it falls on Elodie.My pace instantly slows. I don't expect to see her here. She leans forward near the bedstand, watching nurse Jamelia as she dresses her son with a gauze bandage.Wh
Elodie“But I didn't do anything,” she tilts her head, raising a palm. “I was only trying to lighten things up. It's was too quiet.” “Lighten where?” I arch a brow. “For someone who just welcomed you into his house the first time?” I whisper.She doesn't respond. Just breathe out air and continue
Travis I groan, blindly reaching under my pillow until my fingers find my phone, then I silence the call.But the insistent ringing comes again.I pick the phone up and swipe to answer, still groggy without checking the caller ID.“Hello.” I mutter, in a sleepy voice.“Travis, what is the whole ne
TravisI enter the ward and there she is, chatting and feeding her son while she giggles. Her friend is there too.Suddenly, her expression shifts instantly the moment our eyes meet.“Hi ladies, good evening.” I greet them with a wave.“Hi Travis,” she springs up at once and walks over with a wide







