As the glass doors swung open, revealing the opulent hall adorned with cascading flowers and ambient lighting, Bambi couldn't help but be captivated. "So it's like this? Wow," she whispered, her eyes wandering across the elegantly arranged tables and the dance floor beyond. Alex, pleased with her reaction, grinned and extended his arm. "Shall we?" he proposed, guiding her through the lively crowd towards their designated seats, adorned with name tags.Bambi settled into her seat, her gaze still lingering on the lavish surroundings. "So, whose event is this?" she inquired. "It's the Harringtons," Alex replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "They've been family friends for a really long time, even before my father passed. I used to date their daughter in my school days, before I met my ex-wife."Bambi's eyebrows lifted in surprise, "So we're at your ex's wedding or pre-wedding?" Alex chuckled, "Oh no, she got married many years ago, with kids now." "Oh... plot twist," Bambi mused, p
Amidst the lively atmosphere of the pre-wedding celebration, Alex skillfully navigated the sea of guests until he spotted Mr. Harrington and his wife engaged in conversation. Mr. Harrington, catching sight of Alex, greeted him with a playful remark, "Oh, look who the cat dragged in, if it isn't the prodigal son himself."Alex chuckled warmly, "Good evening, Rich and Tonia. Beautiful event." Tonia, with a smile that echoed the years of their acquaintance, said, "Hey, Alex. How are you? It's been ages." "I know," Alex replied, "It's good to see you too." Tonia, ever inquisitive, leaned in a bit, "How's Grace? How's she holding up? I can see she's not here."Rich interjected with a hearty laugh, "Oh, if she was here, this party would be noisy." They all shared a moment of laughter before Alex reassured them, "My mother is fine, and she said she called you guys that I'll be coming instead." Rich nodded, "Right, right. Umm... come with me to my office, let's go." "Okay," Alex agreed. They
As Alex attempted to return to his seat, Tonia, Rich's wife, caught his eye and waved him over. "Alex, come here. I want you to meet Grace's friends at the table," she beckoned with a warm smile. Alex obliged and made his way to the table where Tonia was seated with his mother's friends. Tonia gestured to the group of ladies and said, "Ladies, meet Grace's son, Alex."The reception among the ladies varied. Some greeted him with genuine warmth, offering congratulations and expressing delight at meeting Grace's son. However, there were a few who couldn't resist making snide comments. One of them, a woman with a judgmental expression, muttered under her breath, "Well, I hope he's more responsible than his father."Another, with a tone dripping with sarcasm, said, "Oh, how nice of you to join us. Grace's son, right? We've heard so much about you." Undeterred by the less-than-warm reception, Alex maintained his composure and greeted everyone with a polite nod and a charming smile. "It's a
The car hummed along the quiet streets, the rhythmic sounds of tires against asphalt filling the awkward silence between Alex and Bambi. The streetlights cast fleeting shadows across their faces as they navigated the dimly lit roads.Bambi broke the silence, her voice carrying a mix of confusion and disbelief, "What was that? That was awkward as fuck!"Alex sighed, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I'm really sorry about all of that, Bambi."Bambi leaned back in her seat, eyes fixed on the passing scenery. "I just need to know, who was that Layla woman, and why is she weird around Isabella?"Alex hesitated, then confessed, "You know Isabella?"Bambi nodded, "Yeah, she was nice to me, and she's kinda popular, so I know her.""Right," Alex muttered, "Well, that was my ex-wife."Bambi's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Isabella? You're kidding, right?""I'm telling the truth," Alex replied, his eyes focused on the road ahead.Bambi processed the revelation, her thoughts racing
As the night at the event unfolded, Isabella and Ruben found themselves preparing to make their exit. Ruben turned to Layla and Elvin, offering a polite excuse, "Well, we better go."Isabella nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, we should."Layla, wearing a sly smile, intercepted their departure with a question, "Oh, you are leaving too?"Ruben, maintaining his composure, replied, "I'm afraid we have to, ma'am. I'm sorry."Elvin, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, chimed in, "So, we should reschedule another meeting then. I'll give you a call."Ruben nodded graciously, "You should. Thanks. And beautiful event."Isabella exchanged pleasantries with Layla, "Thank you."With that, Isabella and Ruben gracefully exited the scene, leaving Layla and Elvin standing amidst the remnants of the event's glamour.Curiosity tinged Elvin's voice, "What was that about?"Layla, her eyes glinting with a knowing spark, responded cryptically, "Oh, my dear, that was everything I need to know. I'll give you
The morning sun painted a warm glow across Alex's luxurious home as he wandered through the spacious rooms. Something felt amiss. He called out for Zac, but there was no response. Puzzled, he made his way to the kitchen, hoping for answers and a comforting breakfast.The chef greeted him with a peculiar look. Alex raised an eyebrow, "Is there something going on I should know about? And where is my mum?"The chef hesitated before responding, "She'll be here soon, but sir, you should check your face. You're breaking out in hives."Alex's hand instinctively went to his face, and horror swept over him as he gazed into the mirror. Hives adorned his skin, an unwelcome and unexpected addition to his morning routine. "What in the world is this? Is there a nut in the food I ate yesterday morning?"The chef shook his head vigorously, "Not at all, sir. Your mother specifically told me about your allergies, and I made sure there isn't a nut around the house. Perhaps you ate something you shouldn'
On his way out, Alex encountered Lisa, resplendent in her trainer attire and exuding an air of effortless elegance. He greeted her with a friendly smile, "Hey, we were just talking about you."Lisa acknowledged him with a nod, "Morning, sir. What about me?""Mum mentioned something about yoga," Alex replied, curious about the new addition to their morning routine.Lisa smiled, "I was only telling her about the effects, and she took a liking to it.""Right... I like the new light on her," Alex remarked, acknowledging the positive influence Lisa seemed to have on his mother.Lisa maintained a professional demeanor, saying, "I'm just doing my job, sir.""Well, you're doing very well," Alex complimented, appreciating Lisa's dedication.Concern etched on her face, Lisa observed, "Are you okay, though? You look like you could use some rest.""Oh, I'm fine," Alex assured her. "I just need to get to the hospital to get rid of these hives. I'm allergic to nuts."Understanding the urgency, Lisa
The morning sunlight filtered through Isabella's bedroom window, signaling the start of a new day. She rose from her bed, the events of the previous night still fresh in her mind. As she prepared for work, her phone buzzed incessantly with missed calls.Curiosity piqued, Isabella retrieved her phone, scrolling through the list of missed calls. The screen revealed a mosaic of names and numbers, including Jessica's persistent attempts to reach her. Isabella, not in the mood for immediate engagement, stowed her phone in her bag, opting to deal with it later.Avoiding the main entrance to her house, Isabella slipped out through the back door. The quiet escape allowed her to sidestep any potential encounters with her mother or brother. The solitude of the morning air enveloped her as she made her way to the car parked nearby.As the engine roared to life, Isabella navigated the familiar streets, the city awakening to the hustle and bustle of another workday. Her mind, however, lingered on