Jake’s POVI left the apartment early to ensure an early start to my day. After attending the morning meeting, I met with Mr. Walkers, and we finalized our deal. Officially, his company belonged to me, though the name would remain.Back at the office, I had Jeff work on it. He kept me updated on my meetings afterward, for which I was grateful. Returning to my office, I tried to commit faces to memory. I also had images on my phone to assist me. The medication from my doctor wasn't much help; I would be meeting him after this session. We had a lot to discuss. Why wasn't I improving?"Do you need anything for the meeting?" Jeff asked as we sat in the car, with Logan driving."No, I don't think so," I replied."This being the first meeting, I'm surprised she granted it," I remarked."You should have left it for the advertisement team," Jeff suggested."They're facing some difficulties dealing with you. You know this. She wouldn't meet with them.""I think she's been rejecting them just so
Selena's POVI struggled to calm my racing heart. What on earth was he doing here of all places he could be? Did he know? He couldn’t, right? My doctor does not know who I am, or was she pretending back then? Did she call him here?When my heart was under control, I opened the door and stepped out. I guess my body was not under control yet, as my legs gave out on me. I fell forward, and Jake caught me, making me rest on my open door.We were standing just too close, and my hormones were running wild at the moment. A moan escaped my lips as I felt his hand on my bare skin. "Selena! Get yourself under control!" I scolded myself. He must have heard me because he pulled back without letting go.He seemed unsure about how balanced I was on my feet. "Are you okay? Why are you here?" he asked.I blinked several times and refocused on the situation. How could I tell him I was going back to demand an abortion from my doctor? "I... I brought someone here?" I said, but it came out like a questio
Jake's POVI sat in my office, going through my emails, unable to shake off thoughts of the conversation I had earlier with my doctor. The looks he gave me, as if I were a lost case, fueled a mix of fury and worry within me.“Mr. Marino, things do not really look good,” he said, staring at the chart on his computer and then back at me.“What do you mean?” I asked.“Are you taking your drugs regularly?”The answer was no. “I try to keep up taking the drugs,” most times I don't even remember, as I am always occupied with something else.“You should have paid more attention to this, Mr. Marino. Instead of improving, you are... well, rather getting worse, I mean your illness,” he said.“So, what are you saying?”“I will prescribe another drug for you, and I want you to be constant in taking them for a month. We will run another test then,” he said.“Mr. Robert, if I am not getting better, don't you think it is the drugs that are not working?” I asked.Looking at the screen of his computer
Rose’s POVThe restaurant I entered for our reunion buzzed with activity. Back in high school, our class only had 30 students, so booking a larger space was necessary."Over here!" A friend waved me to their table. After greeting people at other tables, I scanned the room, noticing some missing faces."How are you?" Hope, one of my good friends from back then, inquired."I'm good, it's great to see everyone," I replied to the table at large. There were at least five people: two women and three guys, all close friends with Jake back in school. One of them, the one who kept in touch with him during our relationship, was now absent."Do you think Jake will make it?" Justin asked. "I was surprised to hear he married someone else."I forced a smile. "Well, things didn't work out at the last minute," I lied. I couldn't bear the thought of them knowing Jake dumped me for someone I once considered a friend. As I looked around, I saw no sign of her. Did she even receive the invitation? Would s
Selena’s POVStanding in front of those who once ostracized me, regret gnawed at me. I shouldn't have listened to Hillary. Right now, I should be in bed, lost in dreams, or facing my own problems, not this. And at the heart of it all was Rose.When Dan, our old class representative, approached to confirm my presence, I should've turned and fled. It was unbelievable that none of them recognized me, except for Rose. Her smirk and glare were a strange mix of defiance and amusement. How did she maintain such composure?"I must be in the wrong room," I stammered, wanting nothing more than to escape this humiliating situation. I pivoted on my heel, but a voice stopped me."Are you sure?" Rose asked, her voice laced with something I couldn't decipher.I turned back to the table, facing a battery of curious stares. They scrutinized me as though recognition hinged on a deeper inspection of my face. Rose seemed prepared for any reaction. Did she not realize that if my secret were to be exposed,
Jake’s POVI wasn't sure if I should be happy I came to the reunion or furious. Here I was, discovering I'd been lied to. Why? It floored me to learn Selena attended the same high school, even befriending Rose – we were all classmates!The way they were talking to her – "thief," "cheat" – sent chills down my spine. Could she have been the girl the girls always complained about back then when Rose was absent? How could I have missed it? Back then, I was laser-focused on studying, obsessed with being top of the class.Why hadn't Selena said anything? She must have known who I was from day one, yet she kept it a secret. Why? Did she think I was a fool? Or was this all some elaborate plan – running into me, agreeing to marry me so suddenly?She must have gotten a kick out of toying with me, laughing behind my back. The guys tried to reason with the girls, but Rose had them on her side. They were relentless. Finally, I stepped in, pulling Selena away when she seemed frozen. I let them know
Selena's POVAfter a restless night, I woke up early, showered, and decided to go back to bed for a few more hours. However, my grumbling stomach had other plans.And what was that noise from the living room? I tiptoed out of my room and peeked into the living room, only to be confronted by a furious Mrs. Marino. She marched towards me, and I genuinely thought she was going to attack.Jake must have thought the same thing because he rushed to his mother's side, trying to restrain her in case she did have plans of assaulting me. "What are you doing here so early in the morning?" I sputtered. "You look...dressed for battle."She must have planned this overnight, but what on earth was going on? Mrs. Marino yanked open her bag and dramatically pulled out a magazine, which she flung at my face. It landed with a thud at my feet."Is this what you've been hiding?" Mrs. Marino snapped angrily, her face flushed with rage.I bent down to pick up the items. There was a newspaper and a magazine.
Jake's POVI waited for Selena's response, but she remained silent for a while. She worried her lips, her face etched with sadness and tear stains. Finally, she met my gaze."Funny, I don't even know where my family is," she said softly.What? What did she mean? Did she lose them somehow? "But you have an aunt," I pointed out."I do," she murmured. "She took care of me, but she never tells me anything about my family." She looked genuinely downcast. If she was telling the truth, I couldn't imagine the pain of not knowing your family's whereabouts.Was it possible her family didn't care about her? "Why not ask your aunt for information?" I suggested. "Where is she?"Selena shrugged. Suddenly, her phone in her jeans pocket rang, startling her. She calmed herself enough to take it out and glance at the screen before looking back at me with trepidation.Her hand holding the phone dropped limply to her side. "Why aren't you picking up?" I asked, concerned."I... I can't talk right now," sh