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Putting The Dirty Laundries On Tea Table

Author: Pen Seal
last update publish date: 2026-02-23 20:58:38

Malibu

The restaurant terrace sat on a cliffside, white linen tables arranged beneath oversized ivory umbrellas. Bougainvillea trailed along the stone walls, and the faint scent of sea salt mixed with imported jasmine tea.

The women of Crestline Circle had claimed the best table. They always did, it was a table for five.

Diana Russo arrived in cream silk and oversized sunglasses, her posture straight, her walk deliberate. Even in quiet grief, she carried herself like someone who had something t
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  • The Christmas Contract    You're Not The Father

    The airport was surprisingly very busy today as people moved in every direction, announcements echoing overhead, suitcases rolling across polished floors. She parked, turned off the engine, and just sat there for a second, gripping the steering wheel like she needed it to stay grounded.Her eyes were still slightly swollen from crying. Her chest still felt tight, she didn't know if it was the pregnancy hormones that were kicking. She's been crying a lot lately, she cries about literally everything and anything.She exhaled slowly. “Get it together,” she muttered, then she stepped out. The moment she walked toward the arrival area, she saw her. Tara was wearing grey sweatpants and black body con top. And before Melody could even call her name, Tara had already spotted her.“Melody!” Tara started running toward her immediately, not even caring about the people in the way. Melody blinked in surprise for a second before she moved too, meeting her halfway. They collided into a tight hug.T

  • The Christmas Contract    Generosity At The Farmer's Market

    Melody adjusted the woven basket on her arm as she walked through the farmers’ market, her boots crunching lightly against the gravel path. The sun was coming up but the breeze that was blowing helped to reduce its impact. She had come out for fresh berries.Strawberries, blueberries… maybe raspberries if she found good ones. She wanted to make jam for her doughnut fillings. Her fingers brushed over a tray of strawberries at one stall before she moved on. She kept walking, the familiar wooden stalls, the scent of fresh bread, herbs, and fruits it all wrapped around her. They had malls in SnowBrook but she would rather get her fruits, spices and herbs from the farmers market.She got everything she needed and headed for Mrs. Donnelly's store to get the berries. As she got there she noticed Mrs. Donnelly wasn't there, it was her husband.“Mr. Donnelly?”The older man looked up immediately, his face lighting up like someone had just handed him a gift. “My dearest girl!” he exclaimed, s

  • The Christmas Contract    Why Is He Here?

    The moment Melody saw Brandon standing there, leaning casually against the wall just outside the restroom, her steps faltered for half a second.Of course it was him.A flicker of irritation crossed her face before she could stop it. Her brows pulled together slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line as one question echoed in her head. Why is he here?“Hey,” Brandon said, straightening up immediately when he saw her turn.Melody blinked once, forcing her expression into something neutral. “Hey.”“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he added quickly, rubbing the back of his neck like he suddenly felt awkward standing there. “I just… I needed to use the restroom too, but I’ll wait.”She stared at him for a second, not entirely convinced, not entirely interested either. “It’s fine.” Without waiting for anything else, she pushed the door open and stepped into the female restroom, letting it close behind her with a soft click.The silence inside was a relief. For a moment, she just stood there

  • The Christmas Contract    Bringing A Plus One

    SnowBrook Valley The smell of cinnamon and sugar filled the kitchen, warm and comforting, wrapping around Melody. She stood by the counter, carefully sliding the last batch of cinnamon rolls onto a cooling rack, her fingers moving with quiet precision.For a moment, she just stood there, staring at them. Golden brown and perfectly glazed, she loved it here in the kitchen. A small smile tugged at her lips, but it didn’t last long. Her chest felt heavy again.It had been a week since the death of her father and three days since he was laid to rest. The thought alone made something twist painfully inside her. She would never get to see him, hug him and kiss me ever again. He'll never get the chance to walk her down the aisle on her big day or even see his grandchild.The thought broke her, and she cries everyday and some nights when she can't sleep, she can hear her mum cry herself to sleep. It was a really hard time for her family and her one escape was baking.She inhaled slowly, pre

  • The Christmas Contract    Yes To Forever

    The room was a mess of dresses, heels, makeup brushes, and half-open boxes, but neither of them cared. Tara stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of her dress while Melody sat on the bed, staring down at the two options in her hands like her life depended on it.“I don’t know,” Melody muttered, lifting one up. “This one feels like I’m going to church.” Tara laughed but didn’t even turn. “Girl the blue one is better, why are you even holding that big ass dress in the first place?”“Because I think it's pretty, and it's giving the boss chick vibe.”“No,” Tara said, finally glancing at her through the mirror. “It’s not giving a boss chick, it's giving, I just married the pastor.”Melody rolled her eyes. “I don't think you have any idea of what a pastor's wife looks like.”“You bet I do and I don't want you walking into a restaurant looking like you just got back from church.” Tara shot back.That pulled a laugh out of Melody. “Okay, that’s rude,” she said, tossing one dress

  • The Christmas Contract    Take Your Lying Ass Away

    Logan woke up to the instant feeling of regret. For a few seconds, he didn’t move. His eyes stayed closed, his body still, as fragments of the night before flickered through his mind. Last night he got carried away and Hanni, who knew he couldn't resist her, took advantage of him. He hated himself for being so weak and gullible.Then he turned slightly, the other side of the bed was empty as he opened his eyes.He stared at the space for a moment, he remembered she said she had a shot early this morning, his best guess was that she left early, not wanting to wake him up. He almost did the happy dance because he just couldn't face her, not after all the dirty things they did together last night.He exhaled sharply and sat up, running a hand through his hair. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath. He needed to get ready for work because he'll be meeting with the members of the board today. They haven't really sat down to have a meeting since his father's death.He got out of bed and head

  • The Christmas Contract    The Pregnancy News

    Melody stirred under the heavy weight of her blankets, her body still aching from last night’s exhaustion. She didn’t want to open her eyes. Not yet. Not because she didn’t want to face the day, but because she simply needed more time, more warmth, more silence. The sunlight crept lazily through t

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-20
  • The Christmas Contract    Wine And Good Cheer

    The living room smelled like cinnamon, pine, and freshly baked sugar. Melody stepped back slowly, tilting her head as she examined the Christmas tree standing proudly in the corner of the room. It was tall, almost brushing the ceiling and drenched in warm fairy lights that glowed softly against th

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-19
  • The Christmas Contract    It's That Time Of The Year Mama!

    By the time Melody finished helping Miss Penelope in the kitchen, the house had settled into that gentle post dinner calm, the kind that only came with good food, full hearts, and soft Christmas music humming quietly through the walls.The last of the plates were stacked neatly, the counters wiped

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-19
  • The Christmas Contract    Don't Be A Grinch

    By the time Melody zipped up her coat, she could feel it deep in her chest, the kind of excitement that had nothing to do with noise or crowds and everything to do with memory. The kind that warmed you from the inside even when the weather tried its hardest to freeze you out.Tara was already pacin

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-19
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