~Amanda~“I'm here to pick up Amanda.”Gabriel answered as though it was something obvious.“There is no way in hell I'm going to allow you to take Amanda anywhere!”Andrew's anger escalated.He grabbed my hand and pulled me to himself,as though he was trying to protect me from Gabriel.I know how much he hated him.I know…My biological parents hated him too,so much because he hurt their daughter five years ago.It's a good thing that Mom and Dad didn't know his face or name and I was grateful for that.“Can you wait for me in the car, Gabriel?”I asked and he nodded, then got inside the car without any protest.I turned to look at Andrew and I saw the confusion on his face.He let my hand  and I took a sharp breath.I know Andrew was confused because he was trying to save me from Gabriel but here I was, willing to go with him wherever without any protest.“You're agreeing to go with him?''He asked and I could feel the anger and hate that he harboured for G

~Amanda~ There was a knock on my office door and Andrew walked in with papers in his hands.“Here are some documents that need your signature,”He said, placing the papers on the vintage table carefully, then his lips curved into a small smile.That is not Andrew that I’m used too.He was giving me a cold shoulder and I didn't need a prophetess to tell me the reason why.“Andrew,”I called when he was about to turn around and walk away,”Can we talk over lunch break?I don't like it when we are like this.”I looked at him with puppy eyes.He heaved a deep sigh,”Okay.”He then turned around and walked away.I looked at the door when he was gone and blew a heavy breath, collapsing on the highly backed chair.I worked on the papers that Andrew brought in my office.I got lost in work and forgot about all my problems for a while.I turned my head to check at the time on the wall clock and that is when I realised that it was already lunch time.I closed all the book sk

~Amanda~“Andrew…”Gab turned to look at me and just then,the bell rang.“I will go to check,”My mother said with a smile then headed to the door,”Andrew!”I heard my mother say in happiness.They hugged so tightly,as though they had not seen each other for years.“Lucia!Long time no see.You look more beautiful than the last time I saw you!”My mother and Lucia hugged as well.“You look beautiful too,aunt.”Lucia looked at my mother intently,”I was expecting you to look older than the last time I saw you because it has been five years!”Lucia joked like she has always done and I couldn't help but smile.“Uncle Andrew!”My daughter shouted in excitement, Gabriel lowered her to the ground and she ran to him.Andrew smiled broadly and scooped her into his arms,”I missed you so much, uncle.”Aria wrapped her tiny hands around Andrew.“And I missed you too, Ariana.”He planted kisses all over her face and she couldn't stop giggling.Everyone was quiet as we wa

~Lucia~“I think I should get going…”Amanda said as she looked in the opposite direction and I couldn't help it but follow her eyes and that's when I read in between the lines.“Hey Amanda we are still talking here!”I whisper-yelled but she winked at me.“I need to change Ariana's clothes because she's sweaty.I will be back in a few.”I rolled my eyes because that was a lame excuse she was giving me.“Amanda…”She turned around and walked away,never looking back at me and I felt betrayed.How dare she leave me just like that?Best friends are supposed to support each other no matter what, right?I was not that dumb for heaven's sake!I know she walked away on purpose so that I could face my past.I felt my heart thumping so hard against my ribcage and for a split second,I was afraid that it would explode.I thought that I was prepared mentally to face my past head on but here I was,a nervous wreck and I felt like running away at the moment.I heaved a deep

~Gabriel~Amanda was quiet when she heard my words.After Andrew told me whatever she went through,I felt so horrible with myself.I know “sorry” was not enough but I felt the need to apologise.If Amanda was able to go through all that and now she's doing alright,I can say that she's such a strong woman.Amanda heaved a deep sigh then turned to look at me,”I don't want to talk about the past, Gabriel.”She said and I nodded in understanding.“Thank you for the jacket,”She handed me the jacket,”Please excuse me,I will go to check on Ariana.”She forced a smile on her lips then turned around and walked away.I watched Amanda as she walked away.She didn't bother to turn back to look at me and for some unknown reason,my heart ached inside my chest.I wished I could hold her hand so that she wouldn't walk away from me.However,I didn't know how to do it because I knew we would end up fighting.I still looked in the direction whe