Jacob wasn't his usual enthusiastic self. There was a melancholic gloom settled on his face as he approached me.“Serenity. Today is not a good day.” He said as he played his with utility belt as usual which his pot belly never failed to purr after.I intertwine my hands behind me. “I am disheartened. The technical team just informed me that Max Brennet’s baby didn't make it.”“Sadly, it didn't. There's just something about these babies. It’ll be put to shame when its mother took in again and birth an even cuter baby.” He scoffed a chunk of spit out of his mouth.That was how optimistic Jacob was. Trust him to find the good even in the most dire circumstances. I tried to smile. “Oh, Jacob. How much does it cost to be you?” I stared straight in front of me but my eyes caught nothing actually.“It doesn't cost anything. All it takes is to hold healing in your heart and know it well. To exhale toxicity and make peace with what is and what isn't. You’ll find that things aren't as hard as
SHAWN DONNELLY~~He had messed around a lot. Had varieties of girls; slim, thick, black, white— name it.However, only a few had felt so close. Felt so good and right in such a way that he’d want to do it again. Serenity, despite her inexperience happened to fall in this category.What was even more appalling was how she was able to drive him crazy with pleasure when he was the one who had to do the most. He liked his girls wild and experienced. Serenity was none of those.Yet, he felt like the sex with her was the best he’s had so far. Moreover, he knew she was too uptight for romance but never thought that she’d be so tight below.Damn, she was a box of surprises. That made him want to fuck with her the more. To take her seriously—to bargain and see if she was the one he’d been waiting for. After all, she had a reputable job, she was smart, sexy, and beautiful. What more could he possibly be waiting for?Calista…A voice in his head whispered that to him. Yes, Calista was why he wa
“M—Mr. Donnelly.” Gina began, unease barely hard to miss, etched upon her face. “Your office, it was…” She suddenly decided that her toes were the only element worthy of her gaze.Shawn walked down to his office, ignoring Gina’s fret. She scurried after him immediately. Shawn didn't have the chills for Gina’s jitteries. If she was going to fill him in on what went wrong, she’d better do it already.If not, he’d rather go find out himself than wait and let Gina goof around. All the apprehension welled up inside of him, the door paid for it. He barged it open way too loudly, brows furrowed in anticipation of what was wrong with his office.His lids dropped and his eyes dimmed by the sight in front of him. His office, Gina had squealed like something was wrong with it. She’d made him fret for no reason at all.His office was in good shape. It was just as he’d met it every morning when he came back; sparkling clean and in orderliness.“Why have you chosen to be dramatic today, Gina?” Shaw
Gina's eyes probably widened as Shawn uttered his request. "Cancel all my plans for tomorrow," he'd said, his voice flat and devoid of its usual confident tone."But Mr. Donnelly," she stammered, obviously taken aback. “You have that crucial meeting with the investors from Silicon Valley..."He cut her off with a wave of his hand. Not that she’d see it anyway. "Adjourn it, Gina. Reschedule everything. I need tomorrow free."He knew it was out of the blue but Gina didn't know. She didn't know at all.Gina knew better than to argue. “As you wish, Mr. Donnelly. All your plans for tomorrow will be rescheduled.” “Thank you, Gina.” Shawn heaved into the phone and hung up.He spent the rest of the day in a state of restless meditation. His office where he had grown accustomed to felt suffocating. He considered calling Serenity.Her vibrant energy had become a light to his troubled soul, surprisingly. He never knew a woman whom he had barely known could stir something that had been in slumber
As Shawn tossed in bed, he resorted to calling Serenity. He just needed a reprieve. He might find it in Serenity. She had proved capable of that so far.He got up and dialed her line. He was redirected to the voicemail. It was her voice. “Hey, just drop your message. Prolly busy. Might call you back.”He smiled. Even her voicemail didn't escape her grimness. What woman could manage to be so cold?Something must have made her icy.He tried again and again but the voicemail was the only response that graced his ears. As much as he’d find it provoking that he couldn't reach her, he didn't stop because he’d still hear her voice through the voicemail.“I must be going mad.” He scoffed at himself, the phone still gripped close to his ears. “How on earth am I so happy about a silly voicemail? I don't even usually like them. Yet, this one…” He couldn't finish his external monologue.What had Serenity done to him? What witch potion had she used on him to get him this enchanted?He was never thi
CALISTA [SERENITY]~~I slammed on the brakes with my heart leaping into my throat as the car jolted. I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white, and my mind racing with a thousand possibilities of what just happened.Jacob's voice broke through the silence, "Serenity?" His voice was tight and laced with concern.I turned with widening eyes. The workers were already stepping out of the car. Through the windshield, I saw a woman running towards them. I immediately felt my heart pounding in my chest with every step she took.As the woman reached the car I could see her grief contorted in her face. I knew it then. I knew I had killed someone.She pointed a trembling finger at the front of the vehicle. "My baby! You killed my baby!" she cried at the highest pitch of her voice.It wasn't until my vision blurred that I realized that tears were beginning to sting my eyes. The thought of having struck a child sent a wave of nausea through me.“Ms. Fairchild," Alejandro’s voice came as he
Max Brennet's eyes widened in surprise as we entered his modest bungalow. His mouth formed an 'o' and he was speechless for a moment before a welcoming smile spread across his face.“What a pleasant surprise!” He clapped as he ushered us in. I stood behind the others, so he didn't see me initially. However, “Ms. Fairchild?!” He exclaimed, jaw slacking in disbelief when he eventually glimpsed me. "I wasn't expecting the boss herself to grace my humble home with her presence!”I smiled warmly at him. He needed all the positivity that he could get. “I came for one of my best team leaders!” I tried to force vitality into my tone.He ushered us inside, apologizing for the state of the house. “Please, forgive the mess.” He said as he hauled a pizza pack out of the way.The air was still filled with the lingering scent of disinfectant and baby powder. We followed him through a sparsely furnished living room, our footsteps making rhymeless musical sounds on the bare tiles.“Please, do have yo
I hurried to Alice. The sight of her waiting there, alone in the late-night darkness sent a pang of guilt through me. I shouldn't have kept her waiting, especially not in her condition. I should have returned her calls albeit, the busy day.I could not believe that I got too carried away.“Snugglebug!” her voice cut through the night air, edged with a love-laced annoyance. "Where have you been? I've been calling you for hours!"The guilt intensified. I should have called, at least to let her know I was alright. But the day's events had been emotionally draining, and the thought of explaining everything had felt insurmountable.“I’m so sorry, Alice. There was — a situation," I started, the words catching in my throat as Max's grief-stricken face flashed in my mind.Alice's eyes narrowed. "A situation?" she repeated, worry creeping in. “Take a deep breath and tell me what happened.”I touched Alice’s shoulder and turned her to the door. We had no business standing outside the house so l