Ixora cried on Cherry's shoulder for several minutes until it became uncomfortable for her leaning on the bed. Although Cherry didn't hug her back, she also didn't push her away, for which Ixora was grateful."I shouldn't have cried all over you like that, I'm sorry, Cher. It's just that I don't know how to help you deal with the past. I feel so helpless," Ixora said, her voice filled with pain.Cherry glanced at Ixora's tear-streaked face. "There's nothing to deal with in the past, Xora. So stop crying; it's making me uncomfortable. Jeez, you've got emotions flying all the time. I shudder to think how much worse it'll get if you ever get pregnant," she remarked with a hint of humor.Ixora managed a smile through her tears, appreciating the attempt to lighten the mood. "I'll be awesome, even pregnant," she replied, tongue-in-cheek.As the night pressed on, Ixora silently wished it would never end because she dreaded facing her usual, emotionally distant twin in the morning. Now that t

"Hey, Berezira... wake up, dear," Jerald gently touched the girl's leg, hoping to rouse her from her tormenting nightmare. Her reaction was immediate – she shot up from the bed like a startled deer, her eyes filled with wild confusion and fear."It's me," Jerald assured her, his voice laced with calm and kindness. As her dazed gaze slowly focused on his face, he saw her small shoulders relax slightly. "I'm sorry, Good Master," she whispered, still shaken.Jerald contemplated correcting her and reminding her that he was now addressed as 'father,' but with her recent nightmare likely bringing back painful memories, he decided against it. "You've got nothing to apologize for, Berezira," he reassured her. He then got up from the bed, extending a hand to the girl. "Come, there's something I want to give you."Without hesitation, Berezira placed her trust in him, slipping her hand into his. Jerald marveled at how this young girl, who had every reason to distrust men, had come to trust him s

Ixora exhaled and nodded, "Can you go to her father's place and tell him I'll be late today, Cher?" she hurriedly requested.Cherry scowled, "Just call him."Ixora shook her head, "He doesn't have a phone."Cherry scowled harder, "A guy paying you that much to cook doesn't own a cellphone? Where's he from, the jungle?"Ixora shrugged, looking apologetically at Zira, who observed without speaking. "Please, Cher? Pretty please?""You two really look alike," Berezira's soft voice interrupted. "Must be like looking in a mirror for both of you.""Unfortunately," the twins chimed simultaneously.Cherry turned from Zira and glared at her twin, "You owe me."Ixora smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Cher." She didn't expect her twin to agree, but she was glad she did.Ixora mentally thanked Jake for the subtle change in her twin's behavior and left the room, leaving Zira and Cherry alone.After Ixora's door slammed shut, Cherry emerged from her room, dressed up.She glanced at the girl, "Looks lik

"Jake?" Cherry whispered as she approached the man chopping wood.So, thinking about him conjured him up, huh? Her mind sure had a way of playing tricks on her.Cherry inwardly scoffed at herself. My mind is quite something, she thought.When Jerald turned around and looked at her, thinking she was Ixora, he said, "Oh, you're here, Ixora? I was starting to wonder if you were going to come toda...wait, what did you call me?" He hadn't heard the name clearly at first.As he turned to face her properly, Cherry realized that it wasn't Jake. "Never mind, what were you saying?" she stammered.She was momentarily speechless, staring at this man who turned out to be Jerald. No wonder her twin had a nervous breakdown in front of him; he looked like a Greek god, perfectly built and incredibly handsome.Cherry waited for her usual excitement to kick in, the typical giddiness that overwhelmed her when she saw any of God's perfectly masculine creations. However, she felt nothing for this beautiful

Still perched on the counter, Ixora silently cursed as she realized that Cherry had worked her magic, leaving Jerald visibly tense and furious."Jerald? What did my sister tell you?" she inquired softly."She spilled the beans about your mysterious boyfriend, the one you gave your virginity to," he grumbled angrily."Mike?" Ixora's confusion deepened. What did Mike have to do with this?Jerald shot her a withering glare, silencing her. He still had her pinned against the counter, seething with anger. With a stern gaze, he began lifting her blouse.Ixora's cheeks turned as red as tomato paste, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she averted her eyes to the floor. As Jerald raised her blouse, her white lacy bra was revealed. She was nearly eye level with him on the counter. He bent slightly and captured her tentative lips in a deep kiss.While kissing her passionately, he reached behind her and unclasped her bra. Breaking the kiss gently, he trailed a line of kisses down her neck, contin