Karla blinked uncontrollably, her eyes widening with disbelief and confusion, as she confirmed that Duncan was indeed standing there before her. The weight of the moment seemed to hang in the air, as if time had momentarily paused. "Hi," Duncan said, breaking the silence, his voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and longing. He vaguely waved at her, a small gesture that conveyed both a greeting and a desire to connect. As Karla processed Duncan's presence, Samuel and Ciara appeared a few feet away from her at the doorway, their concern and worry etched on their faces. The sound of her father's voice calling out to her snapped her attention away from Duncan, and she turned to meet his gaze. "Karla, my dear?" Samuel's voice carried a mixture of love and concern, his words laced with a father's worry. Karla's eyes shifted from her father to Ciara, briefly assessing the emotions reflected in her eyes. Without hesitating, Karla swiftly turned back towards the door and fumbled to r
Duncan was taken aback by her words, his surprise evident in his response. "Really?"Karla nodded, the memories of their past encounters vivid in her mind. "Yeah. You saved me from that thief that time, and then from that jerk in front of the hospital." Duncan's recollection quickly caught up with him, and he remembered the incidents she mentioned. The realization brought a small smile to his face. "Oh, Aaron?" Karla nodded once again, acknowledging his correct identification. Then she went on."Then at the company, Marcus could have caught me after I gave him a roundhouse kick.""He deserved it," Duncan commented and both laughed."Now, you unexpectedly came here. Why do you have perfect timings?" Duncan boasted as he arrogantly lifted his shoulders. "It's because I'm Duncan Walton. I'm smart and I'm a genius.""What a narcissist.""Yeah, I'm sure you still admire me too," he playfully uttered and chuckled.But Karla smiled sheepishly as she looked away."Maybe." she muttered to
Karla was taken aback by Duncan's unexpected display of concern and affection. It surprised her, and for a moment, she couldn't help but wonder if there was something extraordinary about him that she had overlooked. However, as she looked deep into his eyes, she could see the genuine sincerity reflected in them. It was evident that he genuinely cared about her well-being. Feeling a surge of gratitude, Karla couldn't help but appreciate Duncan's support. It was a stark contrast to the image she had previously held of him as a conceited jerk she was attracted to. Now, she realized there was so much more to him than she had ever known. He had shown a compassionate side she hadn't expected, and it made her reassess her perception of him. As Karla glanced at Duncan's hand on her shoulder, she noticed his slight awkwardness. Sensing his discomfort, she didn't want to make him feel uneasy, so she gave him a small smile. Understanding his unspoken cue, she appreciated his gesture and s
Duncan's hand hovered over the car door handle, ready to pull it open, when Karla's sudden movement caught him off guard. The door swung open swiftly, and before he could react, Karla stumbled forward, her body leaning into his. Instinctively, Duncan's arm shot out, wrapping around her waist to steady her and prevent her from falling. "Oh, s...sorry," Karla stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she quickly regained her balance. She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that revealed a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Breathing a little unevenly, Duncan managed to find his voice amidst the unexpected closeness. "It's...f...fine," he stumbled over his words, his own cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. Both of their gazes shifted momentarily to his arm that remained wrapped around her waist, a silent acknowledgment of the intimate contact. Sensing the electric current that seemed to pass between them, Duncan quickly withdrew his hand, his movements sl
Aaaghhhrrr! Peterson, fueled by anger and frustration, groaned loudly, expressing his intense emotions. In a fit of rage, he impulsively kicked one of the cushions in his living room, seeking an outlet for his pent-up feelings. However, his action quickly backfired as a sharp pain shot through his foot, causing him to wince and hop in discomfort. Feeling the throbbing pain subside, Peterson slumped onto the couch, his anger gradually giving way to contemplation. As he mulled over his current situation, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. The name "Duncan" echoed in his mind, bringing forth memories of their recent conversation and Duncan's peculiar behavior that morning. With a mix of curiosity and suspicion, Peterson began to connect the dots. Recollecting the details of their earlier interaction, he wondered why Duncan hadn't denied his accusations when confronted. The pieces of the puzzle started falling into place, and a startling thought emerged in P
Zinnia's words hung heavily in the air, a declaration of her resilience and determination to rise above the challenges she faced. While Duncan's smile remained unfazed by Zinnia's insult, almost as if her words didn't affect him at all. He brushed off her remark, fully confident in his own superiority."Ignorant fool," Zinnia muttered under her breath, her teeth gnashing with frustration. Despite her anger, she couldn't help but fulfill her duty(which she had unwillingly bestowed on herself) and inform Duncan that dinner was ready. Reluctantly, she shared the information, acknowledging that it was her grandmother, Ma'am Luna's, instruction. Duncan's response was laced with sarcasm and mockery. "Oh, I can't wait to taste the delicacy you've made," he exclaimed, his voice dripping with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I'm sure it's Aweeeee-some." His laughter erupted once again, echoing through the room. Zinnia groaned in exasperation, feeling the weight of the situation pressing upon h
Zinnia clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white as she defiantly declared, "I won't serve you." Her jaw tightened, emphasizing her determination and resolve. Bella and Lisa exchanged quick glances, trying their best to conceal their amusement at the unfolding confrontation. Duncan, taken aback by Zinnia's unexpected defiance, attempted to reason with her, saying, "You can't say that. We had a deal..." Zinnia interrupted him, her voice filled with fury, "To hell with the deal, and you better listen to me clearly. I'm not going to serve a riffraff like you!" Laila couldn't contain her anger any longer. Her eyes blazed with fury as she snapped at Duncan, "You worthless man! Get up and make room for my daughter to sit. How dare you suggest she serves you? She's not a househelp!" The shock of Laila's outburst resonated in the room, causing Duncan to momentarily freeze. He pretended to be taken aback by the strength of Laila's reaction while knowing too well she was
As Duncan resumed eating, he couldn't help but notice Ma'am Luna's reaction—or rather, lack thereof—to his dismissive and rude behavior on the phone. Surprisingly, she seemed to overlook his unacceptable action, choosing not to react or reprimand him. Duncan's keen observation allowed him to discern the reason behind Ma'am Luna's unusual response. He noticed that her attention was focused on Zinnia, who was visibly seething with anger and frustration. Ma'am Luna's satisfaction at witnessing Zinnia's distress was apparent. The hurt she still harbored due to Zinnia's loss and the emotional distance between them had clouded her judgment and caused her to align herself with Duncan, even if it meant taking his side over her own granddaughter. Deep down, Ma'am Luna knew that her actions were misguided. She had always loved Zinnia and had never intended to uphold Duncan in front of her. However, her unresolved pain and resentment had fueled a temporary alliance with Duncan, blinding he