Pulling over, I saw Henry waving at us through the windshield. He was holding brown bags. Nathan hastily hopped out to meet him.“Are you not freezing out here? How long have you been here?” I walked towards him. He was smiling so broadly as snow covered his entire trench coat.“I thought we could have lunch together to celebrate Nathan's first day at school.” He smiled.“Yayyyyy!” Nathan cheered, trying to collect one of the brown bags.“It's quite heavy,” Henry informed him.“I can hold it.” He insisted, and Henry gave one to him. He clutched his to his chest, his eyes beaming with joy.“Let's go in. Come on,” I urged.With chicken burrito and rice and beans, Chicken Caesar pasta salad for appetizer, and S'mores for dessert, it was a feast. Nathan was so happy we prepared so much food just for him and yeah, he wouldn't sit still at the dining table.“You love it?” I asked him.“Yes!” He chirped and munched on his chicken to his heart's content.“It's all thanks to Uncle Henry, all r

Layla“I bumped into Chloe…" Hannah was saying when Sofia returned from seeing Eugene off. She slumped on the sofa close to me.“Where?” Though the mention of both Ethan and Chloe irked me, I never stopped being so curious about them. I was still awaiting news from Mr. Varny but during the weekend I planned to fly to NY to meet both Amanda and William Gould, whom I had booked an appointment with a few days back, using Laynat.“At a mall. I think she's pregnant.” Hannah didn't hesitate to say, and it came as a surprise to me. I thought it should, that was precisely how you should feel when you heard that your ex-best friend was carrying the child of your ex-husband. I felt a mixed tinge of bitterness and jealousy within me.“There was a feeling,” she added.“Good for her,” I muttered.“But I doubt Ethan's the father…" This statement came as some sort of shock and succor to me. I didn't like the fact that Chloe might be carrying the baby I didn't have with Ethan during my years of endur

“A minute.” I thought I should say hi to her.“Sure,” Kimberly said with eyes not unfixed to the painting. I crossed the room.“Mr. Cooper?” Amanda saw me before I could even reach her.“How are you doing? I was over there, and I didn't expect to see you here.” I shook hands with her with a warm smile on my face.“Oh, my…I came here with a friend. She left just a while ago.” She smiled.“That's great.”“This is Jackson…another friend.” She introduced the hefty man to me.“Jackson. I'm Leo.” And then we exchanged pleasantries before Kimberly walked up to the stage to make an announcement.“For every purchase made in the gallery, there is a thirty percent discount!”The crowd cheered.“... I'm sure everyone wants to buy something now.” She smiled just as Celine appeared.“You have a call, sir.” She informed.“Who's it?” I asked, moving close to her.“It's from President Xi.” She responded.“Hold on. I'll return the call. Let me see Kimberly. We are leaving.” I said and made my way towa

Now that I had control over Ethan, it began to feel like I was committing some sort of felony. A part of me suggested I withdraw from my revenge plan, but another part of me had this kind of vengeance that could not be sated until I brought Ethan down. I fidgeted with the seemingly harmless-looking device that Mr. Varny had delivered to me. Unknown to Ethan, his movements and actions are now under my watch. It was normal to feel so elated having possessed a great weapon against a great enemy, but I wasn't elated, I just wanted to put him in his place, that was all, and particularly get back what was mine.“What is your next plan?” I heard Henry's voice behind me. He went around the sofa and sat next to me.“I'm awaiting Mr. Gould's response. Meanwhile, I will keep a record of Ethan's every movement, particularly his mysterious lover. I doubt Chloe knows about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if she knew…they are birds of a feather.” I reclined on the chair. He was staring into my fac

LaylaBeads of sweat were gathering on Georgina's forehead, despite the chill brought by the AC. I had never seen her so tense before. I was tense, too. Sofia was missing. She had been missing since lunch at school. No one had seen signs of her since then. I could see Charlene's grave face from the driver's mirror. She must be feeling guilty.“Are you sure we are going in the right direction?” I asked her.“Yes, she's probably there.” Her voice shook as I sped on. It was late, and we all hoped to find Sofia soon. I hoped she was fine and not hurt in any way. Hannah kept on calling to find out if we had found her. She wanted to involve the police, but I reminded her of the law that was stated as regards a missing person. Literally, everyone was trying not to show their anxiety and fears.“It's going to be fine,” I assured Georgina. She gave a slight nod. Even if an assurance, I couldn't bear the thought of something bad happening to Sofia.Georgina's silence, I knew, meant more than it