Novel & Cerita Nine Ties

Davis knelt next to her, his hand hovering uncertainly before he laid it softly on her shoulder. Quiet ly, he murmured, "This isn't over," determination shining in his eyes. "We'll handle this”.

111

Perhaps God was showing them He did things the way He wants to. I resumed early. Tanner was just opening. “Hey, kid. You’re pretty early,” he said which surprised me. “ And make more deep coffee today.” “Yeah, yeah whatever boss,” I replied and took the shaker. I added extra caffeine and then shook it violently. That morning's work was fun because I danced as I shake, hearing words like: “A trio.” “A couple.” “A dozen!” And I replied, “Right up.” Or “Coming up.” As usual, girls came over to the counter to look at my face. There was a lady; a blonde who came by 7:30 rushing to the counter. I was backing the counter when she came.

Glasses raised in the air. 5……. 4……. 3…… Ryan placed his hand on my waist, his eyes fixed on mine. 2…… 1…… “Happy New Year!!” everyone shouted. Fireworks began to explode above us, painting the sky with colors. Couples kissed under the fireworks. Some cheered while others danced to the music playing in the background. I turned my face away from Ryan, unsure of what to say or do. We weren’t a couple and though my heart wanted to lean into Ryan, my mind pulled me back.

he called after me, laughing. I was in the kitchen getting breakfast started when Nicholas video-called. I picked up smiling, then laughed outright at what filled the screen, a dozen ties laid out across his bed. "Typical. You're so indecisive." "Big meeting today. I need to look the part." He held one tie up to the camera, then another. "Help me narrow it down." "Give me your top three." He picked through the pile and held up three. I had him knot the first one. Wrong. The second. Also wrong. Then the black one.

It slows right in front of me, and for a second, I think it’s going to stop. Maybe hitchhiking is a better idea than waiting for a cab. I step toward the street—and then it accelerates. The tire sinks into a puddle, and a mix of water and mud explodes straight at me, ruining my immaculate skirt. “Damn idiot! Are you blind or what?” I shout, furious, trying to see the jerk hiding behind the tinted window. The window rolls down slowly. Shamelessly. A long arm appears first. The sleeve of a black suit fits it perfectly, revealing a small but impossible-to-ignore tattoo on his wrist: a Roman numeral five.

I had received messages from my family, Brandon, and several of my friends. I opened my friend's messages first. She must have been very angry because I had nearly 80 texts from her, all of them cursing out Brandon and Nina. I glanced at a photo she had sent. It was a screenshot of a family picture Nina had posted on social media. My parents, Adrian, Nina, and even Brandon were all in it. Brandon stood right next to Nina, gazing at her lovingly. He looked like her knight in shining armor. Nina's caption read, "With the family I love the most."

But as long as they continue talking to each other they knew that they were going to make it in a way that most people didn't have the opportunity to. “well here's to the ties that bind us.” Jonathan said as he kissed her again, “you never have to fear telling me that you're pregnant with our children. Whether it be one or nine it really doesn't matter not to me at least. Because they are everything that will bind you to me and me to you for the rest of our lives and beyond though. I'm extremely lucky to have found you when I did. I wouldn't change anything in our lives and that I love you more than anything else could possibly be.” “to the ties that bind us forever and eternity.”

“We’re unstoppable. Breathless… unbreakable… ours.” The bond throbbed between them—alive, eternal, undeniable—its fire settling deep in their bones, promising that this was only the beginning. ---

“We have thirty minutes before the automated drop executes. After that, even if the system goes down, the files will already be in the hands of every major outlet in the country.” Jackson looked up at the dangling junction box. “I can climb it.” Cole shook his head. “No. The ladder won’t support your weight. It might hold Savannah ” “Absolutely not,” Jackson cut in instantly. Savannah’s pulse stumbled. “Wait Cole, what are you saying?”