Lucy and I were sitting on a bench in the garden, enjoying the rare sunshine. We had managed to get done with our routine that morning before the other maids. But we knew we had only a few minutes before we would be summoned back to our duties by the ever demanding Puertelas, who never gets satisfied, even if we had to work our socks off. “How has your relationship with Ava been?,” Lucy asked me, her ears and eyes fixed on ke, as if I had called for a press meeting.“It's just like every other, nothing specia,” I said.“I know she still has eyes on you.”“I don't really give a fuck if she does, for I have no business with her brother. They can both have him for all I care,” I just said. I was already tired of always having to talk about Leonard every time Lucy and I had a conversation.“But I thought you…”“Please can we talk about something else, Lucy?,” I pleaded with her.“If you insist,” she said, sounding resigned.We were so engrossed in our conversation that I did not notic

She tried on the dresses one at a time, with each one more captivating than the previous one. The gentle materials hugged my body's natural contours, as intricate elements shimmered in the light, producing a stunning exhibition. I spun around and looked at myself in the mirror, wishing to see a hint of love in Leonard 's gaze. However, his calm facial expression stayed unchanged as he stood just outside the fitting room, serving as a constant indication of his emotional disconnection.I put on a different dress and gazed at myself in the mirror once more. While fixing my appearance, I noticed Leonard 's gaze in the mirror. His eyes held a gentleness, showing a hint of kindness that was previously absent. The teasing and coldness had become gentler, giving way to a more tender emotion.Leonard spoke at last, his voice lacking any enthusiasm as he commented, "You appear pleasant." "Perhaps this one is overly glittery," he said, pointing to a dress decorated with detailed beadwork

I was frozen in shock, speechless, as Richard 's words lingered in the air like a thick mist. For years, we have been close friends, sharing jokes, secrets, and even playful flirting. However, his unexpected question left me speechless and confused. Is it impossible for him to ever have me? His question's consequences made me shudder.I felt a swirl of confusion in my head while attempting to understand his abrupt question. Before I had a chance to collect my thoughts and reply, Richard appeared to dismiss it, as though he hadn't just posed such a deep question to me. He proposed finishing the day by having ice cream at his house, trying to shift the conversation to a more cheerful subject.Declining his offer politely, I managed to force a faint smile and replied, "Thank you, Richard , but I believe I should leave."He nodded, a brief flicker of disappointment appearing on his face. Noticing the discomfort between us, he proposed to accompany me to the entrance of the amusement park

Four months went by since that fateful evening, and Richard 's iciness had become even more noticeable. The unbearable emotional gap between us led me to detach from our dying relationship's toxic hold gradually. I kept track of the days until the contract would end. He already possessed the inheritance and the agreements. Our partnership was supposed to be over by now, but it isn't able to.In the meantime, Leonard and I had become even closer, reigniting the strong connection we had maintained since we were kids. We dedicated numerous hours to each other, reflecting on past memories and creating new ones.Melissa came back from her journey overseas, infusing our group of friends with a sense of excitement and joy.In celebration of Melissa 's hard-earned diploma, we opted to meet at a quaint bar located on the edge of the city. I quickly freshened up and then hurried to the bar. I was running behind because I was assisting Richard with organizing his documents."Melissa !" she

They'd been able to not only beat Broadway Enterprise's weakness but also strengthen theirs. "To say the least, I'm quite impressed with this proposal, and so is everyone here today, as such, we wouldn't have any other company partnering with us other than F and A. Congratulations, Richard and Matilda , your intelligence is meritorious. I see why you're a couple now," he added with a smile. "I'll have my lawyer get the agreement ready for you for your signature in the next 48 hours. Congratulations again."With that, Leonard left, and a few others commented about Matilda 's intelligence, and how lucky Richard was to have her by his side, one of whom was Ryan Porter."From the day I saw you at the party, I knew you were one intelligent woman. Congratulations, Matilda . Richard also, you got yourself a gem. If she weren't hooked with you, I might have stolen her away. Good luck with the project." Richard 's jaw hardened at Ryan's words. His heart sank also. R