I gently approached my mom after what seemed like hours. “You should go home and try to get some rest,” I suggested. “You have been through so much already.My mom shook her head adamantly. “I can’t leave. Not until we know Celine is fine.”I persisted. “But you will be no good to anyone if you’re exhausted. “I’ll stay here and they can update me on any developments. Reluctantly, my mom finally agreed. “Alright, but you have to promise to call the second you hear any news.”“Of course, Mom. I swear it,” I assured her giving her a hug. “Now please, go home and at least try to sleep for a couple hours.”I watched as my mom dragged her feet and made her way to the hospital exit. Now alone in the hospital waiting area, I tried to stay awake and alert for any updates. But my head began nodding despite my best efforts, jet-lagged from the emotional whiplash. I jerked awake with a start each time, silently cursing myself for succumbing to exhaustion.I didn't even realize when a new figu
It was almost time to head into the office, so I had to drag myself away from the hospital to go home and get ready. I was completely drained - my whole body screaming from not getting any real sleep, but I didn’t have a choiceWhen I got in the shower, I caught myself nodding off while just standing there. It took everything I had to shake myself awake and quickly wash up. I threw on some clothes in a daze, then went downstairs where Mom was tidying up the kitchen while Dawson had finished his breakfast."Morning, honey. You look like you could sleep for a week straight," Mom said sympathetically."Tell me about it," I mumbled, forcing down a few bites since I was running late.As I was about to leave, I kissed Dawson goodbye, but Mom stopped me. "Oh, you'll need to take him to school today. I've got to get back to the hospital to be with Celine.""Sure thing. Why would I forget about my kid?" I said with a tired smile, stretching out my hand. "Come on, baby, let's get going."The us
Time just kept dragging by painfully slow as I couldn't concentrate on anything. Not knowing what was going to happen to me was making me crazy. My eyes were fixed on the entrance, jumping to my feet every time I heard a sound, and totally wishing he would finally show up.As closing time was approaching and he still wasn't there, I felt completely torn - should I just go home and risk looking like I didn't care at all, or stick around despite my rising anxiety levels? After battling with myself, I ultimately decided waiting was the smartest choice.At exactly 8 pm I received a call from him asking me to come drive him home so I hurried there. When I got there I couldn’t find him right away so I began searching the bar and calling his number until his ringtone led me to where he was. He was completely wasted"Alex?" I said cautiously as I approached where he sat all slumped over."Well if it isn't daughter of Eve herself. What are you doing here?” he slurred, swatting my hand away whe
The next day was still a regular workday, so as usual, I went to Alex's house. I was hoping and praying he didn't remember how I had fallen asleep and missed those important meetings yesterday.When I arrived, I unexpectedly found Alex in the living room - a first since starting this job."Did you see something startling?" He asked upon noticing my surprised reaction."Good morning, Mr. Hernandez," I greeted, choosing to ignore his remark."Do I have anything important on my schedule today?""No sir, just a dinner meeting with the Cox family scheduled," I replied after checking my notes."Cancel that engagement."I paused, a bit taken aback. "I should...cancel the Cox dinner?""Did I stutter or speak in another language?" He said bluntly."No sir, I'll cancel it right away," I confirmed."Then that means I have an open schedule for the full day, correct?""Yes, that's correct.""We'll be leaving the house in 30 minutes then," he said before going to his bedroom. As I waited, I became
Alex finally came out, giving me a nod to indicate we were leaving. I hurried behind him, and we boarded our boat. I stole sidelong glances at him, trying to read his inscrutable expression, but he refused to meet my inquisitive looks - no doubt aware of the questions burning in my mind that he didn't want to address.We hadn't gone far when the skies opened up in a furious downpour, the waters becoming dangerously choppy as powerful gusts of wind lashed the small boat. I thought I was going to die, so I began saying silent prayers, making my peace in case the worst happened. When I managed to lift my eyes, I saw Alex looking remarkably composed. How could he not feel any fear? Did he have such little regard for his own life?"We're gonna have to pull in somewhere and wait this one out!" the boat captain yelled over the roar of the tempest. "There's a little village up ahead - best chance we've got!"Sure enough, we soon arrived at a rundown, isolated village miles away from any city.
THE PAST Alex arranged a little date for just the two of us in his car; we were sharing a kiss and spending time with each other. The music was simply in my soul, and his spontaneity had just caught me off guard. "I have a surprise for you, something exciting," he uttered.What is it this time, babe?" I asked, teasing him a little."It’s a surprise, and I can only show, not tell," he replied playfully."Don't you ever run out of surprises?" I asked with a laugh."Nope, never," he said, reaching back to grab a blindfold."What's this for?" I asked."Cover your eyes, sunshine," he said smiling."I can't, I'm too curious! I'll go crazy not knowing!" I protested."Do you trust me though?" He asked in a softer voice."Of course I do," I told him, looking right into his eyes."Then please," he said, offering me the blindfold.So I turned around and let him gently put it on. "Too tight?" he checked."No, it's just right," I said, getting excited and curious.I swear I must have asked a mil
That steamy dream started fading away as a voice pulled me back to reality, shattering those vivid memories of me and Alex. My eyelids felt heavy as I gradually surfaced from that deep, peaceful sleep“You hear me?” The voice prodded again more urgently this time I blinked rapidly, trying to hold onto the mental images of Alex's chiseled features and solid chest under my hand. But those sensual visions dissipated like smoke as my actual surroundings slowly came into view. Instead of being wrapped in Alex's strong arms, I found myself nestled in this dingy little bed, the lingering smell of that potent home brew still hanging in the air.As much as I didn't want to leave that intimate moment of us behind, I turned to see the elderly woman hunched over me. Sunlight peeked through the curtain - a new day dawning in this village."The storm has cleared up. Your...employer is waiting for you outside," She said I managed to sit up, shielding my eyes from the bright light and feeling abso
Those four words just hung there in the air, leaving me totally stunned. Move in? Here? With him? A million thoughts and questions flooded my brain all at once."Move in?" I managed to ask, trying to wrap my head around it. "I can't do that.""Sophie, we'll be working super long hours on this project, day and night. If you move in here, it eliminates all that wasted time going back and forth, and ensures we're working side-by-side the whole way through," Alex explained.I understood where he was coming from, but staying under the same roof as him would make it extremely hard for me to control my feelings. What if his parents saw me there? Oh goodness, that would be so awkward and uncomfortable."You'll be paid extra for the time you stay here working on it," he added, noticing I was deep in thought, considering it carefully.The extra money would be nice, but could I find a way to avoid getting caught up in past feelings? Hmm, Sophie. If I insist on not moving in, what would happen? A