We are finishing up our breakfast, all bundled and ready to go to Rita's house in a few days, and I am so enthusiastic to see her again. Angel, too, can't stop telling us how much they're going to play with Alyssa. She has even loaded her toys into her bag. She is super excited, and I am happy for her too. Poor kid! Her father's disconnection from people made her grow up isolated, just like him. The only time she gets to fiddle with other kids is when she is at school and some rare times, like today. I sympathise with her. She is too young and innocent now, but what will happen in a few years? Will she still want to stay caged in this cage with her father? I hope when that comes and she wants to break out of this cage, Andy will let her. What I still can't stop mulling over is what literally transpired between Andy and his wife. And his family—why couldn't they love him, even his mother? Is there a particular side of him that I am still unaware of that drove people away from him? It'

They say love is an incredibly beautiful thing, but it doesn't come that easily. In my case, I would say that not everybody is fortunate to have that chance to love or be loved. I had renounced that chance since birth, when I knew absolutely nothing about life. I was conceived by mistake, according to the tales I was told, and my mother got rid of this mistake one year after giving birth to it, leaving me with her mother, my grandma, since my father denied me the moment he learned of my existence as just a seed in my mother's womb. I have no memories of my so-called mother. I don't even remember my so-called mother, because she never came back home or inquired about me after she left. The moment I learned to distinguish between right and wrong, my grandma took every opportunity she got to tell me how my mother did not want me and how she wished my mother had taken me with her because I was a burden to her. As little as I was, I don't think I deserved to know all that shit, but it beca

"It's one thing for me to say all the dirt I fucking want, but it's another thing for you to go all dirty on me. You get that?" Everything stands still—the clock stops ticking, all the fury I was feeling a while ago for this guy fades away, and the stars in the sky align to witness this beautiful and peaceful domineering moment. I feel like I have been born again in his sweet, strong arms. I feel so warm despite the coldness surrounding us. He leans in closer to my face, sealing the gap between our faces and feeding me his rich-scented pheromones. Despite the heat burning my face, I force my eyes to gawk into his dark brown ones, seductively staring at my lips. I swallow hard as my lips part willingly with desire—the desire for this man.The sensation of his hand taking a slow, soothing stroll up and down my back is like a seducing lullaby, and I give in to its irresistible magic. As he leans closer, brushing his tempting sugar lips on my trembling, destitute ones, I shut my eyes, su

He gives me a quick glance, then he looks away, staring into space for a couple of minutes before dropping his hand on top of the duvet. I take his hand into mine and put my other hand on top of it, soothing him. "Some other time, please?" He looks at me, his eyes pleading with me not to insist, and I understand him. It must still hurt to talk about his life, or maybe he doesn't trust me with his secrets. That time will surely come, Andy, and I will be here waiting to listen to all your worries and fears, because I know those are the things holding you back from trusting again. "Okay. Forget everything else. Can you tell me how you became a filthy billionaire? You should be so proud of everything you have accomplished in life. Everybody in the world would want to be where you are." I smile at him, and he smiles back, brightening up a little. "Filthy, huh?" He asks with the most genuine smile I have ever seen on him. "This is all about God plus my handwork. I have built the AA empire

We are in the foyer, at around four thirty in the evening, with glasses of juice in our hands, waiting for Andy to come and give his vote of thanks so that we can call it a day. The day has been a joyous one. We had incredible fun with the kids. Gosh! I can't even recall the last time I fiddled with children the way I did today. I engaged with them in almost every recreation, including hide and seek, which was the most incredibly fantastic because Andy deliberately called me from my hiding place so that his daughter could win. He will pay for that later, I swear. All the same, I think that was the highlight of the fun. Thereupon, I assembled all the children and disseminated the cupcakes, and Andy notified me later that someone paid a generous amount for them, which will be part of the donation. I did not have that kind of idea when I was making the cupcakes. All I wanted was to gift kids with something, but nevertheless, I am so delighted that I somehow helped boost funds for the ki