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
Bella and Aaron stared at Lisa with curious anticipation, their eyes fixed on her, waiting for her next words. The room was filled with an air of suspense, and mother and son couldn't help but feel the need for answers. Lisa, however, seemed lost in thought, struggling to articulate her thoughts. Feeling the impatience mounting, Bella let out an annoyed breath and playfully poked Lisa's arm, hoping to prompt her to speak. Lisa's frown deepened, realizing she was keeping them in suspense unintentionally. "Stop keeping us in suspense," Bella insisted, her frustration evident. Aaron chimed in, reminding Lisa of her previous statement. "But could it be what?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Lisa paused, feeling the weight of their expectations. She struggled to find the right words, her mind racing to make sense of her thoughts. Bella pressed on, "You were trying to say…" "Nothing. I'm sorry," Lisa interjected, her voice tinged with disappointment. It was c
As Duncan spoke those words, he was clearly issuing a challenge to Lisa. His confident tone hinted at a determination to prove himself as the better player. With that, Duncan cast a final glance at Lisa's room door before continuing his walk down the hallway. As he whistled, he suddenly halted in his tracks upon reaching Zinnia's room. Intrigued, he stood by the side of the door and peeped in through the partly-opened door. Inside, he saw Zinnia in tears, her distress evident on her face. Observing the scene, Duncan couldn't help but smile, finding some satisfaction in witnessing Zinnia's vulnerability. Zinnia's mother, Laila, noticing her daughter's tears, moved to comfort her. She approached the tissue box and took a tissue, urging Zinnia to stop crying. Her words carried a gentle tone, reflecting her motherly concern and desire to soothe Zinnia's emotions which went down the drain."My dear, stop crying," Laila encouraged, her voice filled with compassion. Duncan's joy