IN THE STREETS Jamie laughed softly, and took her fingers in his. “That’s an interesting choice of words.”She shrugged. “It’s an honest one.”Jamie looked at her for a while and didn't utter a word further, they both just focused on the movie.Later that night, as Jamie brushed his teeth, he caught his reflection wearing the new watch and Ivana stood in the doorway behind him, leaning casually against the frame.“It fits,” she said.“Yeah,” he replied. “It does.”She tilted her head. “You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want to.”“I do,” he said quickly. Then paused. “I mean, thank you.”Ivana walked away towards the room and then laid on the bed waiting for Jamie. Soon, Jamie came in and laid on the bed as well. She turned off the lamp and lay on her side, facing away from him.Jamie stared at the ceiling, his thoughts tangled. After a long moment, he shifted, his hand brushing hers by accident, but she didn't pull away. Then he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to

SECRETS THAT HOLD DEEP “Are you alright?!” Manuel said, moving closer to Laura who seemed to be having a bad dream and jerking a bit. Immediately, Laura raised her head and checked the whole room and then she looked at Dave who still laid peacefully. At that moment, she knew she was dreaming and she was thankful it was just a dream. “I'm fine..” she said, placing her two arms under her jaw, watching Dave closely as though she was scared of her dream coming to reality.Manuel stood away from her, watching her closely. He placed his hands in his pocket, “did the doctor say anything else?” He asked, not taking his eyes off Laura.Christopher watched him, he watched the way he was looking at her before responding, “it's still the same old news. Nothing else.” Manuel nodded as he saw how Laura brushed Dave’s hair back from his forehead carefully. Her jaw was clenched, her lips pressed together so tightly they’d gone pale and Manuel refused to remove his gaze from her. Just then, Christ

THE OUTBURST Mrs. Stone sat alone in the living room with her legs crossed neatly on the couch. Her reading glasses were low on her nose and the television was on, but it was muted and showing just headlines that she wasn't really paying attention to.The last few weeks has been a bit overwhelming for her, especially with her plans falling to have effect and also Mira’s kidnap, which brought her the shock she never expected.She took up her phone and lowered her glass even more, a message had popped up from one of her socials, but it wasn't what she was expecting. Just then, something flashed in her mind. She looked around for a while, as though looking for what was lost. “I thought I left my dairy here..” She said, “oh, it should be in the room.”She always record most transactions with her diary, especially her dealings with Orland. She had wanted to verify one of her recent dealings with Orland, but the diary wasn't close by. Suddenly, the front door burst open, and Lisa came f

A NEW HOBBY Mrs. Stone inhaled sharply. The sensation startled her, not because it was unfamiliar, but because it reminded her of something she had almost forgotten. How it felt to be held by a man and her body reacted before she could correct it.“You look very attractive,” Orland murmured. “I might make you mine instead of your daughter.”The words should have angered her, instead, they made her pulse quicken. She lifted her chin, meeting his eyes. “I might consider you,” she said slowly, “if you satisfy me well.”Something in his expression shifted and Orland loosened his grip on her as he took his seat first.Mrs. Stone lowered herself into the chair, she felt something she couldn't tell and a kind of longing settle into her bones. Orland reached for a folder on his desk and slid it toward her. “Review this,” he said calmly. “These are Manuel&r

A HOT NIGHT AT ORLAND’S She stepped inside, scanning the whole place as though she had come for inspection. But something about being there unsettled her in a way she couldn’t name.Suddenly, she turned when she heard movement behind her. Orland stood in the doorway and for a moment they didn't speak to each other.He looked surprised, but not offended. His hair was still damp, tying just his towel around his waist. “You came this night,” he said finally, not knowing why she visited late.“Yes, I came to see you,” she replied, then realized how that sounded.He smiled faintly. “I didn’t know you were waiting,” he said.“I didn’t know I was either,” she answered honestly. There was silence between them for a moment as Orland stepped inside fully and closed the door behind him.He looked at her, a brow slightly raised.Mrs. Stone fe