My Favourite Widow

She had been craving something rich and decadent, something that would melt in her mouth lik

hrough her thoughts, br

ld you li

him, her eyes flash

she snapped. "Can't

ke a decision for your dinner?" Gavin

el said with a shrug, drumming her

Raquel, his expression unreadable. Finally, he

to drink?" he asked, hi

ds tightly, lips pres

ely want something chocolate

of boiling water. "Stop beating around the b

the five-year-old

or a moment and then co

ooting up like a traffic sign to summon the waiter. The waiter, as i

from them. His face was as handsome as a Greek god's

on to look so much like his mother, but Damian was the spitting image of Gavin's ex-wife. His eyes we

es darted to Raquel, his

s Dad's frien

e down her back. She scratched her

at," she replied,

n surprise as he looked

friends," he said, his vo

d his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Gavin whispered something in his ear, and Dami

reen, her heart sinking at the sight of Nina's name followed by a triple-digit number in bold. Jon

quel's phone from her hand. His eyes f

way if you're wit

into a snarl as she

o do that at all," s

His gaze bore down on Raquel like a heavy weight, threatening to crush

had never seen Gavin so angry before. It wa

asked, his voice

that Gavin was capable of grea

a whip as she said, "D

es darting between them like a ping pong ball. The onl

ng food into her mouth like a machine. Her eyes

He cut his food into small pieces and savored each bite

rivate moment. He wanted to say something, to br

like he was suffocating. He wanted to get up and leave, but he

iftly departed the restaurant,

d Gavin exited the restaurant. They stepped out into the cool n

to be towards Emma's house, bringing a sense of relief

like twin knives. Raquel watched as the familiar landmarks whizzed by outside her window.

llowed close behind to attend to his needs. Meanwhile, an uncomfortable silence fell over the car where Gavin and Raq

blur of motion caught his eye. Damian was sprinting towards them, his face f

evealing her elegant and poised

brown cat no bigger than his palm. Raquel's brow furrowed as she peered down at the detailed figurine, its painted green eyes pee

igurine," Gavin commen

heart pounding in her chest. "Um... if this is his

he like

front of Emma's house. She bolted out of the door without waiting for Gavin to open it for her

de," she mumbled, her

crossed over his chest. He watched he

s arranged marriage," he said, his v

ounding in her chest. She knew she had to tell

y blurted out. "And he might find

eyes n

snotty brat so m

s welled up

she corrected. "And h

p teeth gleaming like d

your dad to find another alliance that cou

curled back in a snarl as she spat out, "You'

will continue. It doesn't matter who you love or who loves you." Gavin

*

e couldn't stop crying. Her eyes were red and swoll

"Raquel, honey, you need to stop cr

mpled in despair. Without hesitation, she swooped in and en

ce a balm to her friend's wounded soul. "Ca

like a lead weight a

Aunty. I'm going to marry s

d-up lake, and her eyes were as

tained face. "Everything will be fine, sweethea

took a deep breath, tr

I'm so scared, Emma. What if

ound Raquel's shoulder

ave you," she whisp

with tears. Her sadness was a storm cloud that hung o

he guests have arrived," she said gently. "Let'

She knew that Emma was right. She couldn't l

ught in his throat. His daughter, in her

you are, walking towards your future husband on our joined arms. I'm filled with love and pride watching you start this new chapter of your life. You've become a stron

um blond locks, smoothing out any wrinkles with a maternal

ffair, with only immediate family and a few close friends present. Pablo, Gavin's dad, found this strange. He wanted a big, boisterous wedding, with all the bells and whis

her thesis because everyone knew that Raquel was the

hand tightly clasped in Marvin's. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the s

ed together. The priest began his prayer, and Raquel felt her tears

t sparkled like diamonds in the morning sun. After the blessing ceremony, a tiny flower girl with rosy cheeks like blushing roses and

quel's love blossomed in the twilight. But Raquel's heart fluttered like a ne

the side, her eyes droop

ome water?" Ni

Ain't nobody gonna find out the truth about you and Gavin, you feel me

er eyes closed and her face pale. Nina let out a piercing sc

Emily worriedly asked about

ried frown. "She seemed exhausted all day.

unced a new presence. Gavin had slipped into the

sturdy arms. Her small form looked frail against his broad chest. "You

iftly as he'd come, cradli

orry. Emma and Emily also trailed behind them, concerned for Raquel's well-being. Meanwhil

*

ly cried, clutching Raquel's hand like a

her vitals. "Is she getting enough rest with her busy schedul

"She does t

ressors can trigger situations like fainting. The good news is with some rest and balancing her workload

our limits. A little self-care goes a long way. Try not to wor

hing we can do to help her recover?" Nina asked, the panic cl

n't eat all day," he explained to the others present. "As long as she ea

s a fever or gets s

e gets some nutrition after waking, there's no cause for concern abo

as so nervous. This is the most important da

her condition. "I hope she doesn't experience any other

en quietly listening to their talk, watching Mom pace back and forth

n twisting her tissue in her ha

scared. But she's tough, and the doc said she'll pull through. Why don't

e, like a corpse waiting to rise. What will you tell ever

orry weighing h

Don't be dramatic. A few mi

t her." Nina folded he

s expression dismissive. "What's all the fuss abo

y dear, shall I call your driver t

Thank you aunt, but I intend

errupted, his voice rising in anger. "

nd anything about R

hands in her own, the chill re

s," she urged gently yet firmly. Nina, exhaus

to the family doctor with polite smiles and curtsies. Jacque

Safe travels to you!" Jacquelin calle

avin reviewed letters by the fire, a s

rging from the gloom, opening his arms wide in welcome. Gavin rose with a smil

t?" Damian inquired with a gleam of hope in his eye, having spent hours pouring over p

itments had pulled him away from family celebrations at the last minute. He saw the disappointment in Damian's eyes both times, an

hing. "I'm trying my best so that we can go to Paris,

can't believe we're going to Paris! I've always dreamed of visiting the Eiffel To

ited too. But we still have a few weeks to wait, so why don't you try to re