HIS CALM IN CHAOS “Move!” Laura shouted. Her voice came out rough, almost breaking, but she didn’t wait. “Move!” she shouted again, louder this time, like she was trying to force the sound into him, Manuel didn’t hear her.That one second did something to her. It went deep, deeper than she could explain. It wasn’t fear nor panic. It was something stronger than both, something that didn’t stop to think. Her body just moved on its own. She rushed forward and grabbed his arm hard and she pulled him sideways with everything she had, dragging him out of the way.The bullet passed them, but it didn't leave without a mark. It grazed her neck and it felt like fire running through her skin. Laura gasped, her body reacting, but she didn’t stop. Her hand went straight to her neck and she noticed that it was wet with blood. Even though it looked like a scratch, it did something to her. The gun wasn't ordinary, Tommy had kept it

HE BROKE ME Ivana stood there for a moment, still trying to understand what just happened.Her arms were still half raised from when she tried to hold Jamie. “Babe…?” she called after him. Her voice was softer than it was when he came in, but there was no answer.She turned quickly toward the stairs. “Jamie!” she called again, louder this time, but he already went inside and wasn't answering her.The sound of his door upstairs shutting echoed faintly and that was it. He was gone.Ivana stood still for a few seconds, trying to figure out why Jamie acted the way he did, but she couldn't.Then she started pacing again, back and forth. Her heels were hitting the floor sharply as she moved about, whispering to herself.Her hands moved through her hair, then dropped and then crossed over her chest. She didn’t even know what to do with herself.“This is not happening… this is not happening…” she muttered under her breath, her breathing was uneven and her chest tight.It was all over the new

PLAYING WITH FIREManuel carried Laura into the room and placed her gently on the bed. The mattress sank a little under her weight and for a moment, she didn’t say anything, she just stared at him.There was something different in her eyes, something he wasn’t used to seeing.“Wait here,” Manuel said quietly. “I’m coming.”Laura watched him as he turned and walked out. The door closed behind him, leaving the room quiet again. She let out a slow breath, her fingers lightly touching her neck where the bullet had grazed. It stung, but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. Still, the way he reacted earlier stayed in her mind.A few minutes later, the door opened again and Manuel walked in, holding a first aid kit.He didn’t say much. He just walked straight to her and sat beside her on the bed. He opened the kit and brought out what he needed. “Sit still,” he said.Laura didn’t argue this time, she stayed quiet as he leaned closer.His fingers were careful, more careful than she expe

TEMPTED BY YOU“Are you serious right now?” Lisa snapped as her voice broke.She didn’t think twice as her hand moved.She hit the phone hard against the table.Mira flinched a little and she leaned forward quickly. “Lisa.” she said softly, reaching out to tap her arm.“Calm down, okay? Maybe…”“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Lisa snapped immediately, jerking her arm away. Her eyes were already red.Mira paused. She hadn’t expected that reaction.Lisa stood up suddenly as the chair behind her shifted slightly.“He’s not picking my calls,” Lisa said, her voice shaking now, but still filled with anger. “After everything, he’s just ignoring me?”“Maybe he’s just…” Mira started again.“I said don’t!” Lisa cut in again, louder this time, her hands were trembling now.Without saying anything else, Lisa grabbed her bag, she had forgotten to take it upstairs.“I’m out of here,” she

THE BAR PROPOSAL Megan struggled hard. “Let go of me!” she shouted, trying to pull her hand free.Her heels scraped against the floor as she resisted, her body twisting slightly. “You can’t do this!” she continued, her voice loud.“Manuel! Tell them to stop!”But Manuel didn’t look at her and didn't ask them to stop either.“Fine!” she snapped, her voice breaking slightly now. “You’ll regret this!”The guards didn’t slow down. They dragged her out of the office, her voice fading as the door closed behind them.The room went quiet for a moment, then Manuel turned and walked back toward his office like nothing happened.Laura stood there for a second, watching him, then she moved toward him slowly.“Your meeting is in a few minutes,” she said calmly, not even bringing the incidence up.Manuel nodded. Laura turned to leave, but before she could take more than two steps, Manuel moved quickly and c