“Congratulations!” The dean of their college greeted Leigh when she received her diploma amid the applause of her batchmates and the school board. Then, she faced the crowd to meet the eyes of the man who attended her graduation with her. This same man greeted her when she got down the stage with an exuberant embrace. “Congratulations.” He hugged her and kissed her on the cheeks. Leigh smiled. “Thank you. I thought you wouldn’t come.” She elbowed him on the ribs, earning her a boisterous laugh. "And miss this important event in your life? Of course, not." He told her arrogantly, but when she hit him with her elbows, he stopped and massaged the spot she hit. “Can’t you take a joke?” He told her before he slung his arm around her. “Mommy!” A child ran to her. His small face looked stormy when they landed on the arms resting on his other's shoulders. He glared at Adam Fowler, forcibly pulling his mother away from him. “She’s mine! Don’t hug my mommy like that. Only I get
“No, dad!” Leigh grabbed the edge of her seat, tension gripping her arms when she argued, telling her father she was not the least bit enthusiastic about the idea. Adam Michaels watched his daughter, saw her pale face, and almost took pity on her. Almost being the operative word because when he shook his head, it was as if the indecision did not happen. “Our main branch is in Somerset. You are aware that after you get your degree, you will take on the company just like what you wanted.” He sprung the idea in an enticing way that would make Leigh snap it up in seconds, but the reaction he expected following his announcement. was not forthcoming Adam Micheals still has something up his sleeve. He was not a ruthless businessman for nothing. He looked his daughter in the eye, daring her. “Or,” He dangled the word in suspense before continuing, “... Are you perhaps afraid to come back?” Adam knew his daughter well for him to challenge her this way. Leigh would not back down
Aboard their family van, Leigh watched as the familiar landscape of Somerset rolled through her eyes. The scene felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. It had been years since she had been her last - after senior high- to be exact. “So many changes.” Leigh could not help the gasp that came out her lips when she saw a billboard of a familiar man on the road and nudged her friend.“Adam Fowler, you purposely omitted to tell me I am hobnobbing with a celebrity!” Eyes grew wide as saucers, Leigh’s pleasure spread all over her face at this news. Adam laughed and opened his arms wide like it was no feat to achieve such a status. From a basketball varsity player drafted into the NBA, he was now making history on the professional court. “I am still your old friend, Adam. Nothing changed.” He told her. At the same time, they both heard a snort from the back. It was Sam. “You have any problem back there, Sam?” Adam asked cheekily, knowing how Sam tried to cut him off when h
At his office, Rocky was surprised when a flying newspaper landed unannounced on his messy table filled with proposals and documents he needed to sign. He shoved the newspaper aside, opting to concentrate on the more pressing business matters. Then, his eyes landed accidentally on the front page of the newspaper, and his jaw automatically clenched.Printed on the banner photo was the face of Adam Fowler and Rocky’s ex-wife Leigh Michaels Bolton. Something akin to pain pricked his chest. His eyes took in Leigh’s appearance. Gone was the girl who liked to wear ordinary clothes to fit in the usual crowd, replaced by an elegantly-dressed woman who looked more beautiful than the last time he saw her.Rocky looked at her face and studied every feature, taking on the changes that time brought in her. Like land in drought, he lapped up the image, trying to quench his thirst for the sight of her.Then, his eye
Leigh shook her head. Rocky was part of her past that she had to get used to. Sooner or later, their lives will cross again because of Axel. As early as now, she needed to adjust and get accustomed to his presence.She’s stronger. She has changed a lot.“I was just surprised, but it’s alright.” She assured a concerned Adam.Adam does not look convinced. He studied her face in scrutiny, making her uncomfortable at the scrutiny because of the distance separating their heads.She pushed his head away playfully. “You’re taking advantage.” She snorted, but none of the sting. To anyone, it sounded more like she was making fun of him.She knew Adam for years, and he never took advantage of her. Not even once. Well, except for the casual arm-slinging or hugging, he didn't venture beyond the line of friendship.Adam grabbed her
Leigh sat on the passenger seat with a huge scowl on her face. “What do you want?” She demanded without looking at Rocky, crossing her arms over her chest, unmasking annoyance at being dragged from her date.Rocky made sure they were well out of the establishment before he replied. “Can’t I have a small chat with my ex-wife?” He asked casually.This time, Leigh turned her head to the side and was presented with a view of Rocky's profile.“We have nothing to talk about. We were divorced.” She reminded him before pulling her gaze away from him and back to her front.The night is still young. It was way past the rush hour, and traffic flowed smoothly. The sidewalks were filled with people. Some walked in droves, smiling or chatting.Palm trees lined the center island of the avenue. “You don’t have to remind me, Tiny.”
“Have you heard from her?” Adam asked for what seemed like a hundred times already, Sam's ears were starting to get burned with irritation at his constant checking when she could not provide him with the answer he wanted to hear.“Why don’t you just drink and not think about her?” Sam asked irritably.She invited Adam out for a drink to comfort him. She did not trust his state earlier and was worried about him, but it appeared the alcohol would not do the trick. Even for a moment, he could not forget about Leigh. He kept harping about her whereabouts and safety that she was slowly losing her patience with him.Adam looked at her weirdly, his right hand holding the beer can stopped in mid-air.“Isn’t Leigh your best friend? Why aren’t you worried about her?” He pressed, snorting when she had no forthcoming answer. Adam thinks she does not care enough
Adam woke up groggily. He opened his eyes but immediately closed them again from the sunlight’s glare. He closed his eyes again before opening them once more. This time, slowly as he tried to focus on his surroundings.He knew he was in his own bed. He remembered Sam got him there and helped him undress. He also remembered how she ran a wet cloth over his body to relieve some of the stench caused by the alcohol and the remembrance of it made him smile to himself.Her gentle ministrations made quite an impression on him. Adam could never recall a time or a place when someone who was not his mother tended to him tenderly like that. He felt cared for and...He shook his head trying to shake off the last trace of sleep. He was fully aware of everything that happened after that. Warmth surging through him, Adam turned to his side, bracing his head with his hand, elbows propped on the bed to fix a