Second Option Novels & Stories

“What do you think?” “It’s beautiful,” I said admiring it. “I think first instincts are the best,” he said watching and admiring me. The chinese man broke in, “I have bigger ones.” “No, I love this one,” I smiled to Jason. Jason asked him, “It’s a little big on her, how long will it take you to size it?” “Three days,” he said. “No, I told you we have to have it today,” he took out his credit card. “You put whatever you need to on there to make it happen tonight.”

Noah whispered, “…This feels wrong.” Lila didn’t respond. Because this— was the only move left. — The individual hesitated. Time slowed. The system calculated probabilities. Option A: 72% likelihood. Option B: 28% likelihood. The second intelligence predicted outcome A. The unknown adjusted expectation toward outcome A. Because statistically— it made the most sense. — And then… The choice was made. Option B. Silence. Because that— should not have happened. The system recalculated instantly. ERROR.

“Bella, remember this.” “Once you leave me, not every road will lead back.” I pressed the button for the ground floor. “Good.” “I’m not planning to come back.”

I devoted myself wholeheartedly to the pack. Thanks to the memories from my previous life, I knew exactly why we had lost the southern territory. I presented the Alpha with a solution. With my help, it took less than a year for us to expand our borders farther south. My achievements earned the Alpha's full approval, and he entrusted me with authority over the pack's core decision-making. That same year, Lydia held my coming-of-age ceremony. I awakened my wolf spirit. Oscar graduated from the academy as well.

There were only a few items for now, but that should suffice as she wasn’t even sure if the items were achievable. [ ] tell Jing Yue of my feelings [ ] initiate kiss with Jing Yue [ ] spend the night with Jing Yue [ ] ask Jing Yue out on a date [ ] start relationship with Jing Yue She blushed as she imagined being intimate with the man of her dreams. But what if the rumours were true, and Jing Yue was indeed a homosexual? She immediately crossed out the last item. However, his orientation shouldn’t interfere with her spending the night or dating him. Well, he had even kissed her, so she supposed kissing was not a problem. She had seen so many couples kissing in the streets.

“Berry, nude or matte blue?” Audrey squinted closer to her computer screen where Jessica was holding three nail polishes and Kathie was shifting in her enormous couch. “Nude.” Since two out of three has had hassles going to places, they resorted to video calls. “Yeah, nude.” Kathie nods, pausing to fluff a throw pillow. “Boring. I think I’ll choose matte blue.” She glances briefly at them, then snort laughed.

Lunch. Chelsea: Still not convinced. Jax: I’m trying to see if you’re always this difficult or if I just got lucky. Chelsea laughed quietly to herself. Before she could reply, another message appeared. Jax: There’s a place near your office. Twenty minutes. If you hate it, I’ll accept that I made a terrible suggestion and disappear. She considered ignoring him. That probably would have been the sensible thing. Instead, she typed: Chelsea: Thirty minutes. Jax: Negotiating already?

The words stab my throat the second they leave my mouth. After the call ends, I return to the couch. The laptop’s still glowing, but I don’t see anything. I stare at my own reflection in the glass. Tara Anasthassia De Carrillo, 25. Architect. Math minor. Independent woman with her own apartment and a decent enough portfolio to pitch to Singapore next year. And still....can’t let go of a man who was never even hers. I set the laptop on the table. Grab the wine. Take another sip.

Or recognition. Or both.

it's not late yet, I can still fix it. I have to fix this and this time, I wouldn't fail.