NATASHAI felt as if I had been working out at the gym for three days straight without any warm-up. My muscles were screaming, my limbs felt like lead, and every inch of me ached.Mike had done exactly what I had asked of him, and I had no regrets.When I awoke, I found myself in his house. I must have collapsed from exhaustion, too worn out to care about anything else. I had no idea how I ended up in his bed.Groaning, I snuggled into the blanket, letting it envelop me in Mike's scent.His warmth still lingered beside me. Where was he?My question was answered when the door opened, revealing Mike in fresh clothes, tiptoeing into the room with a tray of food in his hands.I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.He must have heard me because his eyes immediately met mine, relaxing when he realized I was awake."I thought you were still asleep," he said, making his way over to me. He placed the tray on the bedside table before sitting on the edge of the bed to lean in for a kiss. "I g

NATASHA"Wow! The beach. Oh, how I love the beach!" Doris exclaimed, jumping around in the sand. Her belly fat waves like the ocean whenever she moves.Wearing just a yellow one-piece bikini that barely keeps her covered, she walks along the shoreline, trying to keep her hat on top of her head as the wind keeps blowing it off."This place is a dream! I can't believe I'm here. I never imagined myself stepping my feet in this sand." She spins like a ballerina and almost loses her balance, but Garry quickly catches her hand before she falls face-first into the sand."Watch it, Doris. We're only invited here. So, behave," Garry reminds her, scolding her like a child."But Tasha told us to live free, be happy, and enjoy the day!" Doris places her free hand on her hip while the other struggles to keep her hat in place. "Unlike you, old man, I'm not a killjoy. I'm a woman who deserves this kind of joy."I chuckle as Garry scratches the back of his head and watches Doris run into the water, s

NATASHANight has fallen, yet Michael is nowhere to be seen. He promised to meet me at the bar, but I've been sitting here long enough for the stool to practically swallow me whole, and still, there's no sign of him."Are you sure you don't want us to wait with you?" Doris asked, dabbing her lips with a tissue."No, don't worry about it. You guys look exhausted. You need some rest," I responded, managing a smile.I idly twirled my finger around the rim of the milk glass in front of me."Mike mentioned he booked a boat for some island hopping," I added, causing Doris' eyes to widen as she squealed and tugged on Garry's arm."Oh, I can't wait! Garry, you're going to have to give me a back massage tonight so I'm ready for a fantastic day tomorrow," she commanded, and Garry simply nodded in agreement, finishing his pint of beer."Or perhaps we could have some fun tonight before another great day tomorrow?" He suggested, waggling his eyebrows at her, causing Doris to giggle like a schoolgi

NATASHAAll night long, Michael held me in his arms while I stayed wide awake until three in the morning.My mind kept replaying what had just happened.My dad, Pierce Kaufman, wasn't my biological father? And the man from the bar..."You're so quiet," Michael noticed. He glanced at me for a second before returning his focus on the road. "I know something's bothering you. Maybe I can help."Diverting my gaze from looking outside the window, I reached for his ear and played with it using my fingers. "What do you think about... family?" I suddenly asked."Family?" He repeated with a hint of a chuckle. "The basic unit of society? That's too general, baby. Can you be more specific?"I shook my head. If I ask something about what I just figured out, it'll be too obvious. "Are you happy?" Changing the topic, I waited for his answer. "With me, I mean.""It would be an understatement if I say that I am happy with you," he replied and caught my hand, resting it on his thigh, just an inch away

NATASHAWhenever something bothers me, Michael feels it too. Yet another thing we share, neither of us wants to share these burdens with the other.Trust. We're supposed to have that. But should I risk mine?There's something bothering me, and I know that he has his own problems. But something is holding us up not to spill what's overflowing from the inside.Should I be bothered?I found myself sitting in his living room. The TV was on, but I couldn't focus on the show playing.My hands fumbled with the bowl of popcorn in my lap as I waited for him to join me, just as he had promised.Glancing out the window, I saw him talking to someone on the phone. He seemed frustrated, even furious. His body language didn't betray what was going on in his mind, but his facial expressions did.His jaw was clenched, and his eyes seemed to gaze into the distance."What's going on with him?" I found myself murmuring the question as I stared at his broad back.He was now dressed in a fresh white shirt a