Mag-log in~~ FIDELIA ~~ Soft hues of light seeped through the narrow gap of the slightly ajar door. My fingers were stiff around the door knob. All the alarms in my head were going off, warning me to run. Run. Because once I got in there, the last thread of whatever I've been trying to keep together would snap and ruin everything. “Shut the door if you're not ready to come in.” He said. I took a deep breath, slowing my palpitating heartbeat. I could handle this. Whatever it was. I had done this a couple of times in the past. Living and breathing the same air as an abuser did that to someone. Made them thick skinned God, why did I think of him now of all times? Bad timing. I pushed the door open and stepped in. He was seated behind his desk, his eyes focused on his screen, an unreadable expression in them. He straightened up slightly without sparing me a glance as I shut the door behind me. “Are you ready to tell me the truth, or do I do it for you?” His voice was lethally c
~~ FIDELIA ~~“What?”She must have read the shock on my face, and she gave a smug smile…“Like I said, words get around here. Fast. So watch your back.”She said before pulling back and strutting away.Heat spread across my skin, cold heat...I reached for the first two buttons of my house, popping them open as I stared blankly at my screen.Now, it was just Hannah.Very soon the whole office would be talking about it.Trust her to spread the word.Could I handle office gossip? Yes.Vincent’s distance? No.I needed to act fast.I picked up my phone and quickly dialed Evans's number.“Hello.”“Look who's calling. It's about time.” He laughed, his tone sinister.“How about we strike a deal?”“What?”“A deal. I'll give you anything you want. Just stop getting involved with Vincent or his family, especially Sylvia.”“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”I paused. Of course, how could I forget?He was a control freak and never compromised.Then we'll do this the other way.The ki
~~ FIDELIA ~~ Soft hues of light seeped through the narrow gap of the slightly ajar door. My fingers were stiff around the door knob. All the alarms in my head were going off, warning me to run. Run. Because once I got in there, the last thread of whatever I've been trying to keep together would snap and ruin everything. “Shut the door if you're not ready to come in.” He said. I took a deep breath, slowing my palpitating heartbeat. I could handle this. Whatever it was. I had done this a couple of times in the past. Living and breathing the same air as an abuser did that to someone. Made them thick skinned God, why did I think of him now of all times? Bad timing. I pushed the door open and stepped in. He was seated behind his desk, his eyes focused on his screen, an unreadable expression in them. He straightened up slightly without sparing me a glance as I shut the door behind me. “Are you ready to tell me the truth, or do I do it for you?” His voice was lethally ca
~~ FIDELIA ~~ I blinked my eyes open, stretching. I yawned, rolling on my back. The smell of breakfast, waffles and fresh coffee seeped into my nose. His cologne lingered in the space next to me. One he'd left behind from wrapping me in his arms all night. I smiled, feeling like today was going to be exceptionally good. While I'd love to wake up with him by my side, I knew he had an early bed and hardly slept in. Unlike me, I could sleep the whole day. “Vincent!” I called as I sat up. From the aroma emanating from the kitchen, I could tell he woke up early to make breakfast. My stomach rumbled and I smiled. Thank goodness he was such a good cook. I stepped my feet down on the bed and got into my flip-flops. Then I sauntered towards the kitchen, scanning around for him. Where the hell was he? I caught a note stuck on the fridge. I moved closer and realized they were two. I ripped them off, reading them. *Breakfast is in the microwave.* *If you need to get anything.
~~ VINCENT ~~ That would be as hard as hell. “How’s that going to help?” "A lot. But at least we'd know the source of the problem. Her health is very fragile, so take good care of her.” With that, I walked him out, and he left. The more I tried to solve that puzzle, the more other layers kept appearing. Over the weekend, we worked together. Mostly on our proposal against the annual conference. We spent quality time together, and I made sure I eased most of her burden by not complaining about her work. On a normal day, I made her rework documents to perfection. But the doctor had warned me about stressing her out. Surely I could afford to leave my ethics out the door for once so they'd both be safe. She and our baby were starting to become a greater part of my life. Just as we sat next to each other on the couch, eating chips and dipping them in sauce, a comedy playing on the TV right across from us, I pulled her in. Over the last few hours I realized she was
~~ VINCENT ~~ “What about us?” "Henry's going on some trip next week. Can you come to the house?” “For what reasons exactly.” “To see your niece. All she talks about is you. She misses you.” “I bet she misses her dad more than she'd ever miss me. I'm busy right now. We'll talk later.” I tried ending the call when she started. “I get it." “What?” “You found her again, and no one else matters. What we had—" “Was a mistake. It should never have happened. While I'm wondering why you're bringing it up out of nowhere, I need to get back to work.” “Um. Okay. I'm sorry for bringing it up at all.” “It's just when I saw you two that day. Her first day at the house. It brought flashbacks. I tried to get it out of my head, but I mean, I walked in on you guys.” “What exactly is your point, Tilda? I thought we were past this already.” She sighed… “I know, right? I thought I was too. You're slightly bigger than Henry. You know how to use it too. There's just a lot of you







