"Why do you want to be my mother now? Why should I call you mother, when you're not there for me or for Hodja, why?" Bitterness filled Vivian's heart. "I don't even know you. Jaime has considered you his biological mother for half his life, more so than Hodja and I. So how do I call you mother?"Vivian's eyebrows furrowed as she looked toward her mother for an answer, but she said nothing. Breathing out a light breath, Vivian turned away to wipe away her tears."If you were there when Hodja almost died twice, I would have knelt and admitted my mistake." Vivian declared. "But you weren't there. Others can proudly say that their mothers raised them well, but Hodja and I couldn't have that happiness. I raised him in your place. I also support myself. We never lived like other people. Waking up to my mother's breakfast, we never had that breakfast.""If I could go back in time, I want to experience that once. I missed that so much that when I finally ate your food, it just made me angry a
Vivian stayed at Hodja's house, hiding there for a few days until she calmed down and thought things through, but she felt like she was causing trouble for his small family. They are happy. She couldn't go to Jerry's house, so her brother's house was the last thing on her mind.First thing in the morning, Aiden called to let her know she didn't have to go to Jaime's office anymore, and instead she could work with Jerry.The past few days, burying herself in work had helped take other thoughts from her mind, but returning to the solace of Hodja's apartment was completely different. The room was very quiet.She lay on the cold bed and couldn't sleep. When she has nothing to do, she often walks around the apartment, stopping to look out the window.For a week, she let her mind wander and her heart rest for a while. Personal space helps clear any blockages in her mind. The fog began to gradually dissipate, and she could almost breathe normally again. Her chest is not too heavy.All that w
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Vivian sobbed and pulled her mother close as if if she loosened her grip, she might lose her again.It's been a long time since she touched her mother's hair, smelled her scent, or hugged her tightly. All the regrets and pain shattered in that moment, nothing was more important than this moment. "Mom."Their reunion was spent crying and apologizing. Tears fell from all the hurt they had carried over the years. Each tear carries a different story every time it falls.There hasn't been a day since their father passed away that their small family of three has felt so complete."Look at you two." Her mother cried, stroking both of her children. The fact that they survived without their mother's warm hands, she said in a hoarse voice. "You two have grown up very well. My children.""I brought my daughter. Do you want to meet her?" Hodja asked. Picking up baby Esther from the ground, he gave the baby to Mrs. Maggie. "Esther, this is your grandmother. It's your gra
"Wait." Jaime quickly pulled Vivian back as soon as she opened the bedroom door.The bags hanging from her arms collided with each other. She asked with irritation. "What's up?""Close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you to."Vivian snorted. "Is this some trick from that stupid book Clinton lent you?"His eyes became warm. "Of course not." Even though that's a lie. This was a cliché idea he read from a chapter in a book Clinton gave him: How to Surprise a Woman.Vivian closed her eyes.“Did you close your eyes?” He leaned forward to check."Yes." She nodded. Grabbing her shoulder, he led her into the room, gently closing the door behind him. Turning on the light, he led her toward the bathroom and stopped right in the doorway."OK, you can open your eyes." He said and smiled with satisfaction when Vivian saw rose petals floating on the bathtub. The scent of lavender and rosemary flows from lit candles placed around the rim of the tub.Vivian smiled impressed. "Are you serious?
5 months later...The road she traveled over the years was full of rocks. Vivian doesn't understand why small things turn into such great things. Life is a circle, she ran a big circle and finally returned to the starting point.She learned that with perseverance, one can go further and that weightless dreams can take flight one day. When the road is long and dark, it means the end is near, there will be light at the end of the road.All we need to do is put in effort and courage, no one can get out of their dark path without scars.That's difficult. Her heart is small and scared but the fear is less now than before.Vivian finds it funny how dramatic and difficult situations have happened to her and Jaime. However, in the end, they somehow remained together hand in hand.She couldn't know if they were soul mates in existence, but she believed that deep down, they had built an eternal bond somewhere from the beginning. That bond remains even after two years apart.She was happy that J
Vivian ran and panted across the large campus of University X, holding a large, hot box of pizza in her hand. The old tennis shoes on her feet were fortunately sturdy, so she ran so fast."Sorry," Vivian asked a random student, breathing heavily. "Do you know where the economics department is located?""Over there." The skinny male student pointed to the North - where she had just passed by. "Corridor of row A.""Thank." She nodded to the other person and quickly walked towards area A.It was Thursday afternoon, and a group of students from the economics club called the Domino's Pizza store - where she was working - to place an order. She was chosen to deliver the goods. Within half an hour, she ran through busy, traffic-filled streets. She finally arrived but got lost on campus."It's strange, I've run back and forth to this place five times but still can't see it. Probably because I wasn't paying attention." She muttered as she rushed up the two stairs before reaching the arched doo
Jaime knew the company would belong to him as well as assets worth millions. His duty now as head of the family is to take care of his nephew and stepmother. Jaime doesn't think he's mentally prepared to take on the responsibility. Honestly, it was a burden for him.Pushing open the door, Jaime entered and saw the old doctor beside his father. His stepmother, Mrs. Maggie, sitting in a chair, her face full of fatigue and worry. She was the first to notice him, immediately getting up.Twelve years before he was eleven years old, his father remarried, and Mrs. Maggie became his stepmother. It was an awkward start but the woman was kind and very patient with him. Over time, Jaime gives in to her sincerity and starts calling her mom.Up until now, she had been nice to him, but that sad look in her eyes always made him wonder about her previous life, which he knew absolutely nothing about.She has a short stature, gradually becoming pale and fragile over the years. After a period of depress
Vivian raised her eyebrows and turned her head to look behind her. Then she turned back to Amity, asking. "Which of them is he?"Amity lifted her finger and pointed. "The guy in the green shirt. He's sitting with his back to you."Turning around again, Vivian squinted her eyes at her muscular back and light brown hair."Who's that?" Jaime felt someone looking at him so he turned around. He saw a girl quickly turn away from him. He frowned and said to his close friend Clinton. "There's some girl.""I think she's looking at me." His friend smiled shyly, resting his chin on his hand. "She kept looking over here."Jaime laughed. "What do you think? Why don't you go talk to her? You said she participated in the economics club's charity fundraising event, right?""Should I?" Clinton raised her eyebrows then put her fork down. "I bet you I can get her phone number along with her name and address.""I'll give you fifty dollars if she lets you take her home," Jaime said."Ok. Don't forget what