“She threatened to sue me. Her family was rich, and I could have ended up in jail were it not for my parent’s intervention. They paid quite a lot for the family’s seclusion. And that is where the greatest rift between us broke out. They called me a rapist. A disgrace. A bad son. And I embraced it all.” He explained."And the woman, this Lina, you said that you had made advances. Were you in love?” She asked.“I believed so, and she was the first person who had made me feel some affection. We were actually somehow close for a few days prior, and I thought she noticed what I felt. But I was wrong, and I could not take it,” he said.Ayana heaved out a huge sigh. What a revelation! “I will go take a shower. I think…”Adam held her hand, stopping her. “Say anything. Something, please,” he pleaded. “Just don’t walk away like this.”“What do you want me to say, Adam?” She asked with a tinge of hurt in her voice, but she tried masking the pain and the shock. “I never expected this from you. A
Ayana's heart was a battleground of conflicting emotions as she stood there, enveloped in Adam's embrace. His words, heavy with remorse and pleading, echoed in her mind, stirring up a whirlwind of feelings that threatened to consume her.On one hand, there was the love she felt for Adam, the deep connection that had bound them together through laughter and tears, through the highs and lows of life. She couldn't ignore the countless moments they had shared and the memories they had woven together like a tapestry of their love. Despite the hurt and betrayal, a part of her longed to hold onto that love and believe that it was strong enough to weather any storm.But alongside that love lurked the shadow of Adam's betrayal, a darkness that threatened to engulf her in a sea of pain and doubt. The image of him forcing himself on another woman and the knowledge of his past actions cast a pall over their relationship, tarnishing the golden memories they had once shared. Could she truly forgive
As Ayana navigated the bustling streets of the city, her mind buzzed with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Today was the day she had been waiting for—the chance to exhibit her paintings in a small, but prestigious gallery downtown. It was a dream come true, a chance to share her art with the world and hopefully make a name for herself in the competitive art scene.As she reached the gallery, a rush of excitement surged through her veins, mingling with the nervous flutter of anticipation in her stomach. She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves as she stepped inside, her eyes widening in awe at the sight before her.The gallery was filled with an eclectic mix of artwork, each piece more breathtaking than the last. Vibrant colors danced across the canvases, capturing the essence of life in all its beauty and complexity. Ayana couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swell within her as she gazed at the paintings, her own creations among them.“Beautiful, right?” A male voice echoed a
As Ayana gazed out the window, watching the hustle and bustle of the city unfold before her, she felt a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. The streets were alive with activity, each passerby a potential admirer of her art, and each storefront a potential venue for her next exhibition. The city was a canvas, waiting to be explored and transformed by her creativity, and she couldn't wait to dive in headfirst.But amidst the excitement, there was a sense of calm that settled over her—a quiet confidence born from knowing that she wasn't alone in this journey. Beside her sat Adam, his presence a steady anchor in the swirling sea of possibilities. He had been with her every step of the way, offering unwavering support and encouragement when she needed it most. He had believed in her when she doubted herself, lifting her up with his words of affirmation and love.As she stole a glance at him, Ayana couldn't help but marvel at the depth of their connection. Adam wasn't just her p
As the day of the exhibition drew nearer, Ayana's excitement and determination reached new heights. She spent countless hours in her studio, losing herself in the creative process as she brought her vision to life on the canvas. With each brushstroke, she poured her heart and soul into her work, channeling her emotions into vibrant bursts of color and texture.Finally, the day arrived, and Ayana found herself standing on the busy street corner, her paintings displayed proudly for all to see. The city buzzed with energy around her, with the sounds of traffic and chatter providing a lively backdrop to the exhibition.With a sense of nervous anticipation, Ayana watched as the crowds began to gather, their curiosity piqued by the colorful display before them. She held her breath as they approached her paintings, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for their reactions.To her delight and relief, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Spectators paused to admire her work, their
Ayana counted in shock and confusion. Was she that poor charging that the woman had to overpay?“1200$ for these,” the woman spoke, and Ayana looked at her. “And 800$ as a down payment for the order that I will give you. Our house is a bungalow, and we want it filled with more of these.Ayana felt like screaming her lungs out, thanking the heavens for favoring her that way. “I don’t know what to say, ma'am. Thank you so much for trusting in me. I promise to do a good job for you.” She said.“You don’t need to promise anything. Your good and hardworks is speaking for yourself. So, can I have your card for communication purposes? I might also need to describe what I need next to blend with these. I hope you can work according to my needs. And I am not saying I don’t like what you have made. I could buy them all if I could. Just that…”“It is okay, ma'am! I make whatever you like. I understand what you mean, honestly. As for the card, I can only give you my number for now. But next time,
As Grace approached with a disdainful expression, Ayana felt a pang of anger deep within her chest. After months of being away, the hate Grace had for her was palpable. And it was not like Ayana’s own had faded too.Grace's disbelief in Ayana's artistic pursuits had always been a source of tension between them. While Ayana poured her heart and soul into her paintings, Grace often scoffed at her dreams, dismissing them as impractical and unrealistic. She had never understood Ayana's passion for art, viewing it as a mere hobby rather than a legitimate career path.As Grace drew closer, the bitterness in her eyes was palpable, casting a shadow over the joyous atmosphere that had enveloped Ayana and Adam. Ayana braced herself for the inevitable confrontation, knowing that her sister's disapproval would only serve to dampen her spirits. She expected no less from Grace, especially since Ayana had chosen to leave home rather than help them in the time of difficulty. But who had a right to bl
That night, Adam and Ayana settled in bed after seeing Lyana go to bed as usual. They were practically living together in Adam’s luxurious home. Her house was still there, and they could sometimes go there together and spend time there. But most of the time, they were at his house. The nights were much sweeter and more tranquil in his house. Since none of them had any complaints, his house had served as a beacon every night. They lay side by side in the dark, waiting for a nap or a spark. But the night seemed to be on the run, and the spark was nowhere near them. Each was lost in the events that had folded into the exhibition, wondering what the morning would bring for them. Did the world already know of Adam’s secret? Was the world already judging him? Judging them? How far had the news gone? Was it something that would rip them apart? “Can’t sleep?” Adam asked, flipping Ayana over to him. He could sense it. She was as troubled as he was. The most mesmerizing thing was that none of