LOGIN“Dexter El Camino is here.”My entire body went cold. For a second, I honestly thought I had imagined it.But the loud applause around me said otherwise.People were still clapping and cheering. Everyone in that venue looked pleased to see him…Except me.Slowly…Almost against my own will…My eyes drifted toward the VIP section.Then I saw him.He stood from his seat, dressed in one of his perfectly tailored black suits.One hand rested casually inside his pocket while the other lifted in a polite wave toward the audience.The applause somehow became even louder.I couldn’t breathe.“Oh my God…” I whispered under my breath.“No…What is he doing here?”I swallowed hard in fear.Without thinking, I grabbed Blake’s arm so tightly my fingers almost dug into his skin.“Blake…” My voice shook. “This is bad.”He held my hands “Athena—”“This is really bad,” I cut in.“Calm down, Athena,” Blake whispered to me.“How can I be calm when Dexter is here? Why is he here of all the places on earth?”B
Blake wasn’t lying when he said it was a long drive.We’d already been driving for close to two hours.I rolled down the window and stuck my head outside, staring at the beautiful trees we drove past.The road wasn't busy, it just had a few cars and cyclists passing by now and then.I hummed along to one of my favorite songs playing through the speakers.Then it suddenly hit me.Blake had been playing almost all my favorite songs from back then.“Blake.”I pulled my head back inside the car.“How do you still have this playlist? Every one of my favorite songs is on here.”He smiled without taking his eyes off the road.“I just figured it would make the trip more fun if you listened to some of your favorite songs.”A big smile appeared on my face.“I’m jealous of your future wife already. She’ll be one lucky woman because you are such a gentleman.”“Who knows?”He finally glanced at me before looking back at the road.“You might be the one.”I burst into laughter.“You and your funny jokes
The alarm on my phone hadn’t even gone off before my eyes opened.A huge smile appeared on my face as I stretched lazily on the bed.It’s the twins’ entrance ceremony today. I’ll finally see my babies today.I threw the blanket aside and got out of bed excited.The time on the wall clock was just 6 a.m.I’d woken up three hours earlier to prepare the food and refreshments before going back to sleep. Looking back now, I was glad I did because there was no way I would’ve had enough time this morning.I walked into the kitchen where everything I’d prepared was neatly arranged.The fried rice had already cooled.I opened the refrigerator to check on the salad and drinks.Everything was still in place.What else was I forgetting? I tapped my chin thoughtfully.Then it clicked.“The grilled chicken.”I quickly opened the oven and carefully pulled it out.“Ouch…”I laughed, quickly switching it to my other hand.“It’s still hot.”I waited a few seconds before packing it properly into one of
The twins had a lot to say on the call. This was our first proper video call after they left. Work and their new schedules had made it hard for us to stay on the phone for long.“Athena,” July called out with a mischievous grin. “You won’t believe June already has a crush.”“You snitch!” She turned to her sister. “Why would you snitch?”“No secrets, remember?” July reminded her with a shrug.I laughed.“June, I’m not against you having a boyfriend. I just want you to be careful.”“I know, Sissy.” She nodded. “Trust me, it’s just a crush. Nothing serious.”“Alright.” I smiled. “I trust you, girls.”Just then, a knock sounded from their end.All three of us looked toward the door.“I’ll get it.”June stood up and disappeared from the screen.A few seconds later, she returned carrying two large shopping bags.My brows immediately pulled together.“Wait…” I pointed at the screen. “Are those shopping bags?”The twins exchanged excited looks.“Yes!”“Who gave you girls money to go shopping?”
“Sir…”I stopped again,Why was telling him no so hard for me to say?Not like I was scared of him, but you never knew what to expect from Dexter.He could just snap at me for refusing to come.I stood there for exactly three seconds, staring at Dexter.There had to be another way.My mind raced desperately for a solution without making him suspicious.If I outright refused, he would definitely ask questions.And if there was one thing I had learned these past few weeks Dexter hated excuses.Then suddenly…An idea popped into my head.A terrible idea but desperate times called for desperate measures.“Mia, you’ve been standing there the past few seconds staring at me like you’ve seen a zombie. I’ll take your silence as a yes.”I lowered my head slightly.“Sir…”I coughed.A fake cough, it sounded horrible.Dexter slowly looked up from the file in front of him.His brows pulled together.“Yes?”I coughed again. This time even louder.That was my idea to pretend I was sick.“I… don’t think…”
I hurried inside and took the fastest shower of my life.Twenty minutes later, I was already dressed in my usual corporate outfit.I wore a black pencil skirt and a blue long-sleeved blouse then did my makeup and took one last glance at myself in the mirror arranging my wig.Today was supposed to be my day off.Instead…I looked like I was heading into another Monday morning.I grabbed my handbag, looked longingly toward the kitchen where the fresh tomatoes still sat inside the basket, and sighed.“I’ll be back.”I wasn’t sure whether I was talking to myself or the tomatoes.***********The drive to the company was unusually peaceful. Weekend traffic was almost nonexistent.By the time I arrived at the company, it looked almost abandoned.Only a few security officers stood outside. One of them recognized me immediately.“Good morning, Miss Mia.”“Morning.”I smiled politely before walking inside.The lobby that was usually filled with employees rushing from one department to another was
There was absolutely nothing little about what he did to me.I stared at him in disbelief.Dexter looked away briefly before meeting my gaze again.“I don’t think humiliating me the way you did that day is little, sir. You called me names. I pleaded for a second chance, but you refused.”I said tryi
Did he just greet me?Dexter had always had this nasty habit of not responding to greetings. For the few days I had worked here, he had never once replied.Dexter’s eyes remained on me for a few seconds before he pointed at the chair.“Sit.”I sat down carefully, crossing my legs.Dexter returned h
I could barely sleep.Every time I closed my eyes, Dexter’s angry face appeared in my head.Honestly, I didn’t know what was going on.Was it the fear of the unknown?Or the fact that I had heard from Dexter again?I just kept rolling around on the bed, restless, wondering if morning was ever going
“Athena.”June waved her hand in front of my face.I lowered the phone and looked at them. They had walked back to where I was.“Yes?” I managed to say.“What happened?” June frowned. “One minute we were laughing and the next you’re looking like you’ve seen a ghost.”“It’s nothing. Let’s go.” I tri







