All Chapters of That Problematic Ring: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30
81 Chapters
Flashback X
• Freya •I dragged Ben out of the grocery store where he worked in the mornings. It was his morning job. "What are you doing here this early?" He gave his signature smile.My heart melted. I realized how much I had missed him. Instead of saying anything, I wrapped my arms around him and hid my face in his chest. He returned the hug. I felt his palm at the back of my head.My restless body got some solace and I let out a few, silent sighs. "I can bet you haven't had your breakfast yet. Do you want me to feed you some food?"I moved back my face a little and looked up to stare into his eyes, "No. I just want to stay with you."His lips curved up a little as he leaned forward and planted a kiss on my mouth, "Okay. Let me tell you a good news."I untangled myself from him, "Go on."I didn't want to go back home and endure my parents' insanity. I wish I could just stay near Benjamin and act like nothing was wrong, act like the world didn't exist around me."I met with an eminent artist fr
Read more
Flashback XI
• Rafe •I was being a ball of pure fury as I kept recalling the moment when Fay so carelessly said my name in a damn public place. I mean, man what was she thinking? I always ignored when her parents called her childish and heedless and thought it was just her way of living differently, but after Kaysha's party, I wanted to change my opinion.She had taken an irreversible step. She didn't only put me and herself at risk, but our businesses' prestige as well. The whole construction world was right now chanting our wedding songs. That night, that moment when she said it was me who gave her that cheap piece of jewel, I felt like grabbing her shoulders and shaking the life out of her to awake her sleeping senses.She couldn't just lie around about me. She couldn't use me or my name without my permission. If she was this embarrassed about saying her worthless boyfriend's name in public, she shouldn't have dated him. Why I had to pay the price? And I couldn't believe she even honoured me by
Read more
12| Freya
I lift up my brows, dumbfounded. Rafe pulls me close gently through my waist, wrapping his both arms around me. I snake my arms around his shoulders in reciprocation. Our feet are touching. I hear the audience applaud in the background as they see us posing for dancing. "Loosen up your body to me. Do not force your back to move. Let me do it." He instructs me in my ear, "Stay close to me. I'll help as much as I can. Just bear it for five minutes then we'll stop."I barely nod. He found out. He understood I'm in pain. Of course, I was obvious and he noticed. I get it, that's why he offered me his arm and held me earlier. I can't tell if he knows or not the reasons behind my pains. He saw me that day at the apartment with a mop brush and bucket, but that didn't explain that I was doing housekeeping for a week and more. That thought lessens my embarrassment. No one has to know what I do to release my stresses. I bring my attention to the dance again and listen to what Rafe said. I ti
Read more
Last Flashback
• Freya •I spent a few days, mourning and kept myself away from the real world. I remained in my own bubble of grief, in my own room. Ben's hostile behavior and his immediate judgement about me aghasted me. He didn't even hesitate to break our engagement as if he was eagerly waiting to find some excuse to do that. All this time, I protected him from feeling low about himself in any way by not telling him how much stress I was enduring only because I was dating him and that's how he decided to repay me?When time came, when he had to show his trust in me, when we had to prove how strong we were or our love, he just kicked me out, accusing me of cheating I never thought of doing. I even sacrificed my friendship with Rafe for him.I gained nothing from lying to my family, from loving Ben when it was prohibited. I whimpered silently as water flowed from my eyes. I was trying to be angry at Ben, call him names like he did, but I was unable to do that. Instead I was hurt and melancholy. I
Read more
13| Freya
°•Three months later•°"Matteo, don't bother preparing breakfast for me today. I'm getting late." I quickly instruct him and grab my Gucci bag."I'll prepare something within five minutes." Matteo insists, appearing in front of me. "I don't have a minute to waste. I overslept." I frame my face through my straight hairs on both of my shoulders."Mom would get another reason to bug me." I whisper to myself. "I'm leaving. Do not forget to properly lock the doors if you go out for daily grocery shopping." I say and rush out.My month as an intern is almost over at the office. Today I'll get some real tasks to supervise and I'm already late.I sit in my car and drive straight to Howard's Constructions while praying that I won't get stuck in traffic jams. ...It takes me half an hour to reach my destination. Yes exactly, half an hour. I am late now.I should be here an hour ago and mark my attendance at the reception. My efforts of not marking myself 'late' have gone in vain.I took five
Read more
14| Rafe
I avoided Freya as much as possible to come back to my normal self and routine. I used my new responsibility at my own office to help me and it did more than I expected.I have been going really busy for the past few months. Taking care of the entire company as a CEO is not a piece of cake. I understood that.I'm swamped in tons of work everyday; meetings, endless phone calls, clients and new projects. It's hectic.I hardly get any leisure time so that helps forgetting disturbing thoughts that includes the marriage that was forced upon me, Freya and my parents as well.Unlocking my office room, I step inside and turn on the lights. It's only 7 in the morning and I'm in the office even prior to my staff. I have developed a habit of starting my day early so I can take care of more tasks in less time. Observing the pile of files and papers on my desk, I figure that Garrett had made my table ready before going home last night. I smile in contentment and settle down on my chair.I feel bad
Read more
15| Rafe
Within the next few days, I wrap up my stuff and prepare to leave for an important project for my company. Tomorrow I'll be leaving. I don't know whether Freya is coming or not or what her plans are. I didn't contact her or see her. I just found out that Father has talked to her Dad about the project and he said he would talk to Freya. Whatever it is. It's not my headache. I'm already controlling my anger so much and acting civil only because I want to keep my business and personal life separate. I want to stay professional.I have convinced my angry-self that I will only stay silent till the end of this project and after that I won't care if my parents or her parents find out about the grim truth of our marriage. "When will you be back?" Mona's voice breaks my chain of thoughts. She wraps her arms around my waist and places her head on my chest. "Can't be sure. But it will take a month or more." I bring back my attention on her, giving her a light squeeze with my arm. I've come
Read more
16| Freya
The car halts stop in front of the villa Mom talked about. I come out and assess the place and the neighbourhood. It's quiet and green.Aligned private bungalows are separated with green spaces that are filled with different sizes of plants and trees. The driver pulls out my two-wheel suitcase from the car and puts it near me. "You move the car from here. I'll take the suitcase inside by myself. It's not heavy." I instruct him, pulling up the suitcase's handle. "Yes sure, Ma'am." He responds politely and walks towards the driving seat.I look at the villa again. This is my new house in Seattle where I've just arrived due to my unplanned and sudden business trip. Thanks to Mom and Dad. Dad's most trusted man Abraham arranged the car and driver for me who picked me up from the airport and brought me here. I've heard that this house and the office space are arranged by Nicholas Eastmond, Rafe's father. It's a relief though that I won't have to worry about my accommodation till I've t
Read more
17| Freya
Twenty minutes later, I reach the office; a new, small temporary office that will be solely under my supervision. Dad's assistant has already arranged staff for me who will help me here. The place is nice, has few rooms and an impressive lobby. Seeing the office staff going here and there, engaged in their own activities doesn't make it look like it has opened only a few days ago."Hello, Ms. Howard...I mean Mrs. Eastmond." A hesitant, female voice calls me in the hallway. I turn around with a frown. A woman, younger than me standing before me, looks nervous. "Sorry. I didn't know how to address you." She scratches the back of her head. I don't say anything, just quirk up my brow. She takes the hint, "Sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm appointed as your secretary. Mr. Abraham Willson sent me."Great. A secretary is just what I needed. "Okay.""It's an honor to work for you. Howard is a big name. I'm looking forward to learn from you and become a successful woman someday just
Read more
18| Rafe
New place, but same old routine. However, it's now tougher to manage two offices at the same time. I've been attending continuous calls since morning and sorting out day-to-day issues. I came to the office early in the morning, following my habit here as well, also because I couldn't properly sleep last night. Enduring Freya's presence in the same house as my wife was not an easy task for me. If I haven't had the fear of being caught by my father that I'm not living in a house that he has rented for me instead living in some hotel, I would've never agreed to stay this near to that woman. Besides, I thought my ways are giving her the bliss of living in a deluxe apartment alone and comfortably while I was bearing the hassles of being homeless and staying in hotels. So why should I suffer while she enjoys the peace of home? That made me at least enjoy the same peace till I'm staying in Seattle. I won't have to worry about where I'll crash at night. I deserve that. But my decision will
Read more
PREV
123456
...
9
DMCA.com Protection Status