The Present Year

or what I am about to tell you. But

eling the cold air scraping the insides of my nose and lungs. After a few minutes, my eyes surveyed my quiet surroundings. Moonlight from the balcony was peeking through the sheer curtains, barely illuminating the modern furnitures in the bedroom. In

e from the closet. Since I couldn't fall back asleep again, I decided to head downstairs to make myself a meal. I quietly tippy toed down towards the kitchen to avoid waking Cynthia. She has been cleaning the house all day, so I wanted her to get s

chicken tenders, I heard a sweet voice behind me, "

g a red duster dress indicating she was about to go to bed. Her hands were on her waist. Her soft brown eyes and w

ch a trifle little thing. I do apologise for the noise." I gave her a

bserving what I was cooking. She glanced around, grabbed a knife and chopping board, and started chopping the vegetables sitting on top of the island. "Thought I t

else. Cynthia did not seem to hear me, as she was focused on cutting the vegetables. I was relieved. I finished up frying the tenders and

o make one f

abbed some apple juice from the fridge. She poured me a glass and I gave her my thanks. She was quietly observing me. After some time, she gently m

g another wrap. She could tell that I didn't want to talk about the b

ow and she's ready to pop! I

grandmother, so her excitement is clearly palpable. I gushed with her as she showed me pictures of b

adorable to look at! Has Emi

't even want to know if she's having a boy or a girl. She wants to find out

stubbornness came from Cynthia. "I won

oost in height and hair. Still don't know how that d

nth

me more mellow now, but you would call me crazy i

gashing her chest. Witnesses on the scene called for the police and emergency. When the police and ambulance came, Emilia was scolding her mother for being a stubborn old lady who recklessly put her life in danger. Cynthia ignored her, saying that she could have whooped their ass back in her days. Andre was treating Cynthia's wound and was amused by what was transpi

ilia, it's such a sweet story to the start of th

arched one of her eyebrow. "You di

d, but she quickly recollected herself, "

ted at the front door to greet her husband. Several feelings began to churn inside of her, the most prominent were relief and excitement. But they could not quell the budding, inexplicable anxiety that she feels in her heart. The front door opens and a dark-hai

home, m

ndifference. He placed in her hands the hat and coat he was wearing. And started to head upstairs without giving her another glance. After disappointingly putti

r to his room, signalling for

l family. They specialised in real estates and commercial buildings. On the other hand, the Yorks are nouveau rich. Their recent breakthrough in medical technologies earned them a spot in the higher echelons of society. The Lowes wanted to diversify their profile, while the Yorks wanted to expand their network. Five years ago, the heads of each family mutually made a decision to wed their future heirs to secure their alliance. Being the only child

as she pleases. He would not interfere with her life, as long as she doesn't interfere with his. They would appear - and need to appear- like a couple to the outside world, but outside of prying eyes, they were like complete stran

il that fai

etite, she stored her half-eaten wrap and the other wrap in the fridge. Cynth

doing ther

And neither is he. I think

ime ago. Sighing heavily, Cynthia nodded and started shooing her to g

he would be annoyed at her for interfering with his affairs. So, she quietly went back to her room and beelined to the bathroom. She didn't turn on the lights as she didn't want to see her reflection in the mirror, so

could feel the making of a word. A name to be more precise. There was a swelling pain in her chest after seeing the ring. A few tears escaped her eyes and she covered her mouth with her hand

offended faces when Maxwell slid the ring on her finger. Her father-in-law looked embarrassed, while her mother-in-law looked vindicated. On the other hand, Elizabeth didn't care, as she was taking her marriage seriously and was happy to marry Maxwell. She vaguely remembered her parents second gu

her marriage was doom from the start, maybe even before it. She c

made her wi