I was starting to wonder how someone could be this cute, yet dumb. This wasn't the right time to think about his beauty, but seriously, he was handsome. His sapphire blue eyes, pointed nose, and small lips, they all caught my attention. His full eyebrows quirked at me, which made me realize that I had been staring at him for a while.  "I asked a question." My voice held so much huskiness, anger, and a bit of shame. I was embarrassed. "Do you need something? Holding your maid's hand is crazy." "Oh. Sorry." He released my hand. Of course, his apology was filled with so much sarcasm.  I glared a little. "Thank you. So, can I take my leave now?" "So much confidence, woman." He put his hands behind him, fixing his gaze at me. "Hope you know I'm the boss? This isn't the way to speak with one's boss." I scoffed. "Sorry, sir. And, one's boss shouldn't hold his maid that way."

"Will you be visiting Mom and Dad tonight?" Vicki asked, as she put some carrots into the tall and large fridge in James' kitchen.  I sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Seriously, no matter how I try not to feel bad for not always visiting them, it just doesn't work." "You shouldn't feel bad." She closed the door of the fridge, picked up a napkin, and began cleaning the counters. "At least, all we're doing is to work. If Mom and Dad were conscious, they'd completely understand this." "Uh. Guess so." I nodded. I took a napkin as well, assisting her to clean the counters. For some reason, she was staring at me so much. It felt like she was being hesitant to say something.  "What?" I raised an eyebrow at her.  She shrugged. "Donno. I just feel like something's up with you. Is there something you need to tell me?" I blinked as if I was confu

Terror raced through me as the doctor stated the results from Dad's scan test. I clinged to my seat as if I had lost control of my movements, my feet and hands shivering. The way my heart raced fast, made it seem like I would pass out soon, or even pass on. I hadn't ever felt this terrible.  "H-How would we pay for this?" Vicki flattered. "In a month, I'll be granted five hundred thousand dollars from the government, as a result of the connection from my fiance. Five hundred is the limit they can offer for support. Now that my dad's suffering from this, what'll happen?" The doctor furrowed her eyebrows. She seemed worried and confused. "In a month? Oh, wait. Haven't I told you that this is urgent? One month is really too far." "Uh, okay." Tears left Vicki's eyes as she kept speaking. She was trying to be confident, but it just wasn't working. "I-I've asked for donations. What about two weeks? That should do, right?"

"Mrs. Harper, please, calm down. I'm trying my best," I pleaded with my parents' doctor over the phone.  "My dear…" Her breath was shaky, and she sounded so tired. "I understand this. It's just that this is quite disturbing. Once again, she suffered a cardiac arrest. This time around, it really, really felt like it would kill her." I raked my fingers into my hair, trying to hold back my tears. "Please, I need you to understand that I'm trying my best. In forty eight hours, I'll settle the bills. She'll be fine, I promise." "Okay." She sighed again. "Hope so. Anyway, take care of yourself. Bye for now." "Bye," I added, and swiped my finger past my phone screen to hang up the call. Keeping the phone in my pocket, I turned to Vicki who had her back on me, as she stared at her reflection through the rectangular shaped mirror that was hung on the wall. "Are you really going to say nothing?" I

In less than twenty four hours, my marriage with James would be finalized. My name would change to Serene Robert. Anytime I felt bad about it, I convinced myself that things would eventually work out fine. After all, my parents would survive. They would be alive to see their grandchildren. Of course, I wasn't planning to let James touch me yet. However, I had to make some plans, whether or not they were good ones.  "Your dress will arrive by ten." Sherri pressed the tip of her pen against her lip, sucking her teeth, as she glued her eyes to the to-do list in her hand. She sighed, staring up at me. "Will go and get the cake ready. In the meantime, you can do whatever you wanna. You can take a nap or something." A weak smile formed on my lips. Smiling was all I could do for now. I was tired of crying. "Sherri," I called, my voice low and scattered. "Will you be able to take care of Ryan? How'd you help him get rid of the heartbreak? Are y