"My God!" Tim walked to her. "You are breathtaking!""Thank you, Tim," She smiled, despite the rioting storm she was within herself. This was the one place her acting skills helped. She took in a deep breath, ready to perform for a lifetime."Sweetheart, you look gorgeous! Doesn't she Mark?" Tina came in with Alonso squealed."Mark?" Lorena thought, almost rolling her eyes."She does," Markris cleared his throat. "Shall we begin now?" It took a lot of effort to tear his eyes away from her—even more, effort to act nonchalant. Still, no matter where he set his gaze, her scent lingered in his brain. The picture she presented swirled around his head, tormenting him. He had been with enough women, but no one ever had this unexplainable effect on him. He just wanted to get everything over with because he was this close to embarrassing himself."Are you okay, baby?" Alonso asked, a worried expression crossing his face. She nodded and smiled."It's time." Her treacherous voice whispered."Sti

Lorena found herself on her bedroom floor the following day, wrapped in a blanket. It took a few minutes before she could remember how she ended up there in the first place. She remembered leaving the bathroom and just wanting to sleep. The bed had been uncomfortable, so she sat on the floor momentarily. She must have slept off after that. But the duvet? She didn't remember wrapping herself with that. A knock sounded on her door. She stretched and yawned lazily. Her tummy grumbled, but she felt more relaxed than she had been."Well, don't just stand there. Come in." She said, getting up.The door pushed open, and Tanika came in, followed closely by Roselina. Lorena frowned when she saw the duo together. Tanika was way too sweet to be hanging out with Roselina. But then again, maybe Tanika did need a Rose to be more confident in herself."My lady." Roselina did a mocking bow with a smirk on her face. Tanika's eyes bulged, taken aback by her audacity."Good morning, my lady." Tanika bo

Markris was on a business call with Jorginho when he heard a soft knock on his door. He closed his laptop and sat straight. Judging from the lack of force, his father was not standing outside."Tell the clients to come around tomorrow. I should be in the office.""Yes, sir." Jorginho laughed."And Jorgi?""Yes, boss.""I'm talking to you as a friend now and not your boss. Drop the sarcastic formalities."Jorginho laughed loudly, never in a bad mood to piss off his friend. "Okay, talk to me.""I need you to look into someone for me. I'll send you the details shortly.""Will do. I need to run now. I have a meeting.""Yeah, right." Markis rolled his eyes and ended the call.The only meeting Jorginho had, was on the sheets of a woman's bed. He shook his head, always amused by his friend's stamina when handling women. He had lost some of his interest. He couldn't remember the last time he had been with a woman. Scratch that. He could remember but was too ashamed to admit it. All he knew wa

Markris strode into his company, keeping a straight face. He had substituted his usual business attire for a more business-casual one. The sleeves on his white shirt were rolled up a bit to give more room for his hands to stay in his pants pockets as he walked freely. He ignored the greetings from everyone around, not in the greatest of moods today. Some had worked in the office for over five years but still managed to be fascinated by him. His look was a blessing, but on his worst days, it was his curse. As soon as he stepped into his private elevator, Jorginho forced his way inside before it closed."Stalking me now, are we?" He said, without so much as an expression on his face."I wish I was that obsessed with you." Jorginho pouted, then smirked."Why are you in such a hurry?""So you saw me gesturing for you to wait, and you ignored me," Jorginho said, his mouth falling open. Just then, the elevator stopped.Markris shrugged and stepped out of it. Yes, he had seen Jorginho runni

Her day started the same way every other day did. Her mother looked down on her with her unique smile, which deepened her dimples. Her hazel eyes reflected love. Her soft hands stroked her hair gently. Her sonorous voice hums a song repeatedly. On that day, something was slightly different. Her mother's voice had sadness to it. She was only a child, so how could she have sensed it? But looking back through the lens of an adult's eye, she could tell. You can almost guess the exact period even the strongest person you know gives up. It could be the way their eyes shine brighter than usual. It could be them telling joke after joke. The way their mood switches when they think they're alone. Everyone has a breaking point, and that day was her mother's.She lost the only parental love that came from a real place, and not because of greed that day. She would never know what it felt like to embrace the womb your life sprung from again. The day her mother died was the day Lorena Cicero's desti