Jake found himself yearning for the impossible, wishing that the very ground beneath him would obligingly part and swallow him whole.In the depths of his mind, he was cursing his misfortune with every fiber of his being. Life had certainly dealt him a cruel hand on this particular day. Who would have ever predicted that he would find himself repeatedly outmaneuvered by Travis, of all people?Now, there was no conceivable escape route for him. With the revelation that the painting was not only genuine but valued at over two hundred thousand, his earlier brazen proclamation hung over him like a looming storm cloud. Could he truly carry out the ludicrous act of eating the table as he had so audaciously declared? The prospect seemed utterly preposterous.When his cherished car had been reduced to cinders, he could ultimately afford to replace it, but munching on a solid wooden table? That was an entirely different, and frankly, unimaginable endeavor.If he eats it, isn't it another w
The celebrations had drawn to a close, and Travis wasted no time making his way through the venue toward his car, ready to head home. Amidst the farewells and the bustling crowd, he exchanged a quick goodbye with Parker, who was preoccupied with the demands of the evening, and then strolled away with Joanna at his side.However, as he was exiting the venue, a voice called out his name. "Hey! Hey, Travis. Hi!" Turning in response to the familiar voice, Travis and Joanna saw Olivia approaching with a wide smile gracing her features. She had hurried over to them with an air of warmth and sincerity."Hey, Travis, I noticed Parker didn't get a chance to properly say goodbye," Olivia began, her smile unwavering. "He's been swamped with everything going on tonight, so don't hold it against him."Travis, still somewhat puzzled by the unexpected encounter, nodded appreciatively. "I don't harbor any ill feelings about that at all. In fact, I completely understand the situation."Olivia's smile
Upon returning home and tucking Maya into bed, Travis and Joanna went about their bedtime routine. As Travis made his way out of the room, Joanna paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. She couldn't help but address a matter that had been lingering in her mind."Travis," she began, her voice filled with genuine curiosity, "don't you find the couch uncomfortable?"Travis turned to face her, his brows slightly furrowed as he considered her question. He didn't want to feign ignorance or play games, fully understanding the implications behind her inquiry.With a nod, he admitted, "You know, Joanna, it really is uncomfortable. Lately, I've been feeling like I'm slowly developing neck and... well, other joint issues. It's becoming quite unbearable."Joanna smiled, acknowledging his honesty. "If it's causing you discomfort, Travis, you're more than welcome to join me in the bed."Travis’s gaze shifted from the bed to Joanna, his expression a mix of playfulness and desire. H
Just a cursory glance at the man’s luxurious suit was enough for Travis to deduce that he hailed from a wealthy, privileged background. As for the woman accompanying him — well, her attire was a mixture of prestigious brands, with meticulously applied makeup, but the brows and eyes were full of arrogant colors and the clothing, albeit expensive, was pleasingly distasteful, and her posture, whoa, you can tell she's a bitch.The woman, Joanna knew her all too well. She was Cora, Joanna’s former college roommate. Despite sharing a dormitory, their relationship had been nothing more than ordinary, for they weren’t even classmates. They were just sleeping together in one room and nothing else.Their coexistence within the same room was marked by a lack of genuine friendship.This is primarily due to Cora’s pretentious airs and she has a very envious personality.Cora’s social calendar was packed with entanglements with various young men, which meant she was rarely present in the dormitory
Cora appeared blissfully unconcerned about the potential distress her words could cause Joanna. With a conceited chuckle, she presented the man by her side with an air of pride. “Allow me to introduce you to my husband, Jim Carter. He happens to be the eldest child of the illustrious Carter family right here in Grove City, and the fortunate heir to a family fortune worth hundreds of millions!” Joanna let out a sigh and nodded. “Typical.”“What?” Cora said with a frown.Quickly, Joanna backtracked, her response tinged with feigned enthusiasm. “I meant to say, congratulations. I’m genuinely happy for you, Cora. Really.”Meanwhile, Travis, growing increasingly impatient, checked his watch, acutely aware that the annoying presence of Cora was sapping their precious time that should have been devoted to enjoying a pleasant day.Travis cleared his throat, a sly grin playing on his lips as he decided to partake in the bragging game. "Well, if we're talking about accomplished spouses, my wif
Cora was growing increasingly uncomfortable with Joanna's insinuations. "Joanna, what are you trying to suggest?"Joanna maintained her confident smile and responded, "Feeling a little uneasy, Cora? Maybe concerned that some of your past secrets might see the light of day?"Cora's breath quickened, and she shot Joanna a fierce glare. Her mind raced with the possibility that Joanna knew about her past, but she tried to convince herself that Joanna could only know fragments, nothing that could truly harm her. There's nothing Joanna can do to ruin her!She forced a nervous chuckle and glanced at her husband, then back at Joanna. "We all have our histories, don't we? You're underestimating me if you think you can use my past against me, Joanna. You don't know the whole story."Travis couldn't help but be intrigued by the unfolding drama between Joanna and Cora. It was clear that Cora had a fascinating past, and Joanna appeared to be struggling to maintain the upper hand.Intrigued, Travi
Cora’s face had drained of all color, and her fear was palpable as she trembled with apprehension. The ongoing conversation had already begun to indicate the ruination of her carefully constructed facade. Desperation welled up within her, and she felt an urgent need to halt the relentless revelation that threatened to expose her.In a voice fraught with anxiety, she implored Travis, “Please, I’m begging you, stop talking! Travis, I beg you, that’s enough. Just cease speaking, please!”A cynical smirk tugged at the corner of Travis’s lips, and he retorted, “Now you’re requesting me to halt the conversation, huh? It seems you women can be quite perplexing, demanding one thing and then another. I assumed you wanted me to speak.”Joanna observed the unfolding situation with a raised eyebrow and a trace of annoyance, realizing that Travis had indirectly involved her in the exchange.Summoning a measure of resolve, Cora shot back, her irritation evident, “Well, that's enough, okay? I don’
As Jim wrestled with the staggering revelations, he experienced a sensation akin to the weight of an expansive prairie resting atop his head, pressing down on him with an overwhelming force.When the pressure became too much for him to bear, his response was instinctive. He grasped Cora’s hair and unleashed a torrent of slaps upon her, an eruption of pent-up rage that left a painful spectacle for all to witness. The unfolding drama had not gone unnoticed, and it quickly drew the attention of onlookers.A gathering crowd from the regular floor congregated around the unfolding commotion, their collective gaze fixed on the heart-wrenching scene. Judgments flowed like an unyielding tide, many of them passing their own verdicts upon the woman at the center of the problem.“I mean, I can’t believe this! She should have repented and never deceived her husband like this! What a disgrace!” exclaimed a woman from the crowd, her voice laden with disapproval.To her words, a man chimed in, “She