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2024-10-29 19:42:56Alex snatched the phone from Sam’s hand and as the live stream flickered on the phone, he tightened his grip, trying to comprehend what he had just seen.
“The audacity!” Sam yelled.
It was a big shock to all of them. It has just been a year into his marriage with Olivia and everything was not as it seemed.
As the celebrity host prompted them to introduce themselves, Alex’ heart pounded in his chest.
He glanced at Olivia, his wife, who was sitting beside a man whose face was not revealed yet.
“I’m Olivia and this is my boyfriend, Owen. We were together for two years but lost contact for about a year. We just met again a month ago and we decided to rekindle the love we once shared” Olivia said with a loving smile.
The camera quickly turned to reveal the mysterious boyfriend of Alex’s wife and as his revelation unfolded like a scripted drama, the appearance sent a shiver down Alex’s spine.
For some minutes, he lost his balance and everywhere looked blurry.
“Alex! Alex! Easy, man! Are you alright?” his friend Sam called out.
Two years abroad, lost contact and a sudden reunion last month that resurrected their connection; the pieces of the puzzle clicked in Alex’s mind.
This was too much for him to bear.
“Sam, I was just a replacement for this punk, isn’t it?” he looked anxiously at his friend and hoped for a different answer.
“Man…” Sam was speechless.
Olivia had married him because Owen had dumped her and now that he was back, it seemed she would return to him.
“No… this can’t be!” Alex shrieked.
“She never loved you, mate.” Isaac said as he tried to comfort his friend.
The weight of betrayal sank in and Alex couldn’t bear to watch the live stream any longer.
He handed the phone back to Sam, his closest friend with a wry smile.
“Alex…” Sam could sense the distress his friend was going through.
He knew how much he loved Olivia.
“Man, I know this is rough. Are you okay?”
Alex, still processing the shock, shook his head with a heavy sigh.
“I can’t believe she kept this from me, Sam. I feel like everything from the beginning has been a lie.”
Sam placed a reassuring hand on Alex’s shoulder, “I know it’s hard to believe and I know it hurts. But you are not alone, Mate. We’ll get through it.”
“I thought we were happy. I thought she loved me. How could she do this!?” Alex let out a sigh.
“People aren’t to be trusted, right? It’s not a reflection of your worth and, you deserve better.”
Alex, looking downcast, nodded in acknowledgement of Sam’s words but he was still full of emotions and wished to be left alone.
“Mate, guys, thank you so much for tonight. But, I think I need to be alone for now. I’d catch up with you soon. Thanks.” he said in a low voice.
Deep in his thoughts, he absent-mindedly took a cab to his home and sank into the couch with the lights off.
He sobbed silently and wished for all this to be a long nightmare from which he would soon awaken.
“Olivia… I love you” he whispered in his mind.
As hours passed like a slow descent into despair and each tick of the clock amplifying the heavy pain he was feeling in his heart, he drifted off to sleep.
The door creaked open, breaking his peaceful sleep.
Olivia entered, flipping on the lights.
“Oh my goodness!” a scream escaped her lips.
“Alex!?” she whispered as she realized it was her husband, not an intruder.
The room fell into an awkward silence.
She looked at his puffy eyes and wondered if he had cried because she didn’t attend his lousy anniversary party.
“Have you lost your mind, Alex!? What are you doing sitting in the dark like a ghost!?” she accused him.
“And why does your eyes look so red and puffy!? Don’t tell me you sat down here alone crying like a child because I didn’t attend some lousy party you planned.”
“Lousy!?” Alex asked with a wry smile.
“I used all my savings and salary to plan that surprise you just called lousy, Olivia.”
“Well…” she stammered.
“I told you I was busy! And who asked you to plan a surprise, anyway. You could have saved the money!”
Alex looked at her. His eyes filled with disappointment and betrayal.
“What’s with that look!? Have I said anything wrong now?” Olivia asked with an indifferent tone.
The tension in the room escalated, the air heavy with unspoken truths.
Alex finally took a deep breath.
His voice, strained but firm, cut through the room.
He uttered the words that had been lingering in the shadows of his mind,
“Olivia, I want a divorce.”
Olivia’s anger transformed into a mix of shock and realization.
“What!?” she exclaimed.
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(Some people are going to leave, but that’s not the end of your story. It’s the end of their part in your story.)Olivia sneered and refused to believe Alex was being serious, “You must be out of your mind, Alex. You want to break up our marriage because I didn’t attend the anniversary party? Ridiculous!”Alex was at the brink of tears now, “This is not my Olivia.” he thought to himself.He took a deep breath and looked at her straight in the eye, “I saw it!”“Saw what?” Olivia asked with a sarcastic smile.“I saw the livestream you did with your boyfriend, Owen. The man you truly love!”Olivia was too stunned to speak. She just lowered her head.“What!? Cat got your tongue!? Olivia you lied to me and you betrayed this marriage.”“Alex, I…” Olivia tried to say something.“Now, tell me! Who broke this marriage!? Do you still think it’s me!?”“Alex… chill! You are mistaken. It’s not what it seems.”“Really? Then be honest with me. What exactly is going on?” Alex asked.“Yeah, of course!
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Alex and Charles pulled up to the company in a Rolls Royce, a choice made on a whim. As they approached the entrance, the receptionist stopped them, “Alex? What are you doing here? The manager told me he fired you already and that you are not allowed into the company’s building anymore.” she said indifferently.“Miranda, did you really have to stop me like this at the entrance? Let me in so I can explain things to Mr. Reynolds.” he pleaded.“I don’t understand you. Who do you think you are that Mr. Reynolds would listen to? He gave me strict instructions. I cannot let you in. please leave or I’ll have to call the security to escort you out. To be candid, you are not even worthy to be an employee in this company. I’m sure you just got lucky cause honestly, you don’t fit in here.” she said rudely.“Miranda…” Alex was about to say something else when Mr. Charles cut in, “Young Master, please give me few minutes.” he said as he gave the receptionist one final look before he took out his
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Dr. Thorne's gaze was locked on the artifact, its otherworldly glow illuminating the room with an eerie light. The silence stretched, thick and almost palpable, as the significance of the moment settled over them. Alex, Sarah, and Jason exchanged tense glances, each acutely aware of the weight of their discovery."This... this is extraordinary," Dr. Thorne finally managed, her voice a whisper of awe. "Where did you find it? How did you come across something like this?"Alex cleared his throat, stepping forward. "It was found in an ancient excavation site, deep in a forgotten chamber. The journal led us to it, but we still don't fully understand its origins or capabilities."Dr. Thorne nodded, her eyes never leaving the artifact. "Have you conducted any tests? Any initial analyses?""We've been cautious," Sarah interjected, her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "We didn't want to risk damaging it, but we've observed some energy signatures and minor react
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The silence in Sarah's apartment was a living thing, a suffocating entity that pressed down on them with every tick of the clock. Their eyes darted between their laptops and each other, a silent plea for a notification, a response from Dr. Thorne. Hours stretched into an eternity, punctuated only by the nervous clearing of throats and the rustle of shifting bodies."Think she got it?" Jason finally broke the tense silence, his voice barely a whisper.Sarah forced a smile, though it felt hollow on her lips. "She has to have," she replied, more to herself than to him. "That connection with the astronomical event, it's too strong to ignore."Alex, ever the voice of reason, chimed in, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Dr. Thorne might be intrigued, but that doesn't mean she's convinced. We need to be patient."His words offered little comfort. The weight of their decision hung heavy in the air. Their email, a carefully crafted message outlining the link between the journal's description
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The adrenaline from their meeting with Dr. Thorne had faded, replaced by the sobering realization of the challenges that lay ahead. Back in Sarah's apartment, the team huddled around the coffee table, the weight of their encounter settling upon them like a tangible force."So, how do you think it went?" Jason asked, his voice laced with nervous anticipation.Sarah, replaying the conversation in her mind, let out a shaky breath. "She was definitely intrigued. I could see the wheels turning in her head."Alex, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, "Intrigued is one thing, convinced is another. We barely scratched the surface with her. Remember, discretion is paramount. We can't afford to reveal everything at once.""But how much is enough?" Jason countered, frustration creeping into his voice. "We need resources to move forward, to unlock the secrets of the artifact. We can't just sit here analyzing the journal for another year."A tense silence descended upon them. The weight of Alex's cauti
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The silence in Sarah's apartment was thick with the weight of their discovery. The artifact, once a source of fear and adrenaline, now represented a responsibility that felt like a mountain on their shoulders. Spread across the coffee table were maps, books, and Sarah's laptop, each item a testament to the weeks they'd spent deciphering the scholar's journal."We can't keep this a secret forever," Alex said, finally breaking the quiet. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, a gesture that usually accompanied his moments of deep contemplation. "The potential benefits are too vast to ignore."Sarah glanced at him, a flicker of worry in her eyes. "But what if it falls into the wrong hands, Alex? Imagine the power this thing could unleash in the wrong grasp."Jason, ever the optimist, leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his face. "Come on, Sarah, don't be so pessimistic. Think about the good this could do! Imagine advancements in energy, medicine, heck, maybe even space tr
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The roar of the airplane engines was a dull hum compared to the cacophony of thoughts swirling in Sarah's head. Glancing across the aisle, she saw Alex staring out the window, his face etched with a contemplative frown. Jason, beside her, was lost in a book, but Sarah knew the haunted look in his eyes that mirrored her own. Cambodia. The hidden temple complex. The Keepers. The artifact. It all felt like a fever dream, a bizarre adventure ripped from the pages of a fantastical novel."We did it," Sarah finally said, her voice barely a whisper.Alex turned towards her, a flicker of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, we did. Crazy, huh?""Crazy doesn't even begin to describe it," Sarah replied, letting out a shaky breath. "I never thought I'd be fighting rogue monks over an ancient artifact that opens portals to other dimensions."Jason chuckled a humorless sound. "Neither did I. Though, to be fair, getting kidnapped by said monks wasn't exactly on my travel itinerary eith
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Sarah and Alex decided to investigate further. With Anya's reluctant help, they started discreetly exploring the temple complex, searching for hidden chambers or clues that might shed light on the Keepers' true goals.Their exploration led them to a forgotten library, its shelves stacked with ancient tomes and dusty scrolls. As they sifted through the forgotten knowledge, a hidden compartment revealed a weathered scroll with disturbing illustrations.The scroll depicted a ritual, a ceremony involving the activation of the artifact. The illustrations showed cloaked figures channeling the artifact's energy, their faces contorted in a mix of pain and exhilaration. But the most unsettling detail was the image of a portal, a swirling vortex leading to an unknown dimension.The scroll confirmed their worst fears. The Keepers weren't just using the artifact for research; they intended to activate it, to open the gateway to the lost world. The potential consequences were terrifying. What horr
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The oppressive Cambodian heat hung heavy in the air, even within the cool confines of the hidden temple complex that served as the Keepers' base of operations. Sarah and Alex, their bodies still aching from the recent ordeal, sank gratefully onto cushions laid out around a low table. Jason, his face pale and drawn, sat opposite them, a hesitant smile playing on his lips."You guys look like you've been through a war," Jason remarked, his voice raspy from disuse.Sarah chuckled, a sound tinged with exhaustion. "We could say the same about you."Alex reached across the table, squeezing Jason's shoulder. "Glad you're okay, man."Jason's smile faltered slightly. "I... I owe you both an apology. I should have told you everything."Sarah reached out and clasped his hand. "It's okay," she said gently. "Right now, all that matters is you're safe."They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of their recent experiences settling in. They had faced danger, forged an unlikely allianc
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Packing their meager belongings, they said goodbye to the tribesmen, their gratitude heavy in the air. With Rith as their guide, they embarked on a new journey, this time towards the bustling, chaotic world hidden within the heart of the Cambodian wilderness. The journey was arduous, filled with scorching sun, relentless mosquitos, and the ever-present fear of unseen dangers lurking in the dense undergrowth. Yet, they persevered, fueled by the unwavering determination to find Jason. After days of grueling travel, they reached the outskirts of a sprawling town. The air buzzed with activity as vendors hawked their wares, children darted between bustling crowds, and a cacophony of languages filled the air. Rith led them through labyrinthine alleyways, past ramshackle buildings adorned with peeling paint and overflowing with exotic goods. Finally, they arrived at a discreet tavern, its entrance marked by a faded lantern swinging gently in the breeze. Inside, a motley crew of individual
