Chapter fifty eightAlice stood there, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions as she processed the exchange with Leo. The butler's firm stance and words echoed in her mind as she considered the implications of returning the portrait. Despite her reluctance, she knew that once a decision had been made, there was no turning back."I am sorry, but as much as I already brought it here, you aren't permitted to return it. And if you do, I am sure the boss will be very angry, so just take it," the butler stated, his voice carrying a sense of finality as he took a deep breath, signaling the end of their conversation.As Leo turned to depart without any further words, Alice was left alone with her thoughts and the portrait in hand. Making her way to her truck, she carefully inspected the artwork, her fingers tracing the delicate lines and colors that adorned its surface. A soft smile graced her features, a mix of gratitude and contemplation lingering in her expression as she reflected on th
Chapter fifty NineAs they lay on the bed, Michael observed Fiona closely, noting the silence that enveloped them after about 15 minutes. Her sudden stillness caught his attention, and when she finally spoke, her words carried a weight of confession and vulnerability.Fiona's admission left Michael stunned, his eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and understanding. She revealed that she was a victim of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, explaining the complexities of her condition and how it affected her intimate relationships. Despite his initial disbelief, Michael chose to listen with empathy, recognizing the courage it took for Fiona to open up to him in such a raw and honest way."I am sorry. I don't get tired quickly, and I can hardly control myself when I am aroused. That's why I haven't been able to open up to any guy. I love you, and that's why I was able to do this with you," Fiona confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and fear of judgment. Michael's heart soften
Charlie sat at his cluttered desk in his dimly lit office, the soft hum of the air conditioner providing the only background noise. Suddenly, a hesitant knock echoed through the room, disrupting the stillness. Startled, he called out, “Come in.”The door creaked open, revealing Alice standing in the doorway. Charlie's heart skipped a beat as he registered her presence, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. What was she doing here? He couldn't deny feeling a rush of emotions at the unexpected sight of her. “What are you doing here?” His voice betrayed a mix of surprise and unease as he observed her from across the room, an evident tension hanging in the air between them.As she approached him, a mischievous smirk danced across her lips, her confidence evident in every step she took. Charlie felt a mix of surprise and apprehension at her boldness. “I know how amazed you are to see me here. But you don't have to fidget, can I at least take a seat?” Her voice held a teasing tone as she i
Sixty oneCharlie took a deep, contemplative breath as he lifted his gaze to meet Alice’s eyes, his expression a mix of conflicting emotions. His eyes lingered on her from head to toe, searching for something, perhaps lost memories or remnants of the past. The way her hair fell in waves around her face, the traces of weariness etched into her features, and the subtle tension in her posture told a story he was familiar with but had long tried to forget."Why did you think I did those things so you could come to apologize?" His voice was tinged with a hint of bitterness, a simmering frustration barely contained under a facade of indifference. "I did all that because I was being human." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the stifling air between them before continuing, "You are my ex-wife. I was just trying to make sure you are fine, and didn't choose the wrong man."The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths and unresolved emotions. Alice felt a surge of
Sixty TwoAs Charlie's accusing words hung in the air, punctuated by the simmering tension between them, Alice felt a surge of anger rising within her. The hurt and frustration of being misunderstood and dismissed boiled beneath the surface, threatening to spill over in a torrent of emotions she struggled to contain. Despite her best efforts to remain composed, the sting of his words cut deep, pushing her to the brink of a breaking point she had long avoided.In the face of his relentless skepticism and the implied accusation of her motives, Alice found herself grappling with a mix of emotions - anger at being unjustly judged, frustration at being denied the chance to be heard, and a deeper sense of hurt at the fractured trust between them. The realization that her attempts to protect her sister had been misconstrued as meddling only added fuel to the fire of her indignation, fueling a righteous anger that threatened to consume her fragile composure.As she braced herself for a respon
Chapter Sixty ThreeAlice was speechless, her eyes filled with unspoken remorse as she realized how deeply he resented her. Regardless of their turbulent history, they both understood the urgency of setting their differences aside and moving forward."I am not saying you should trust me, but we have to do this together. I can assure you I am telling the truth; he's using your sister," she emphasized, her conviction unwavering."You really need to leave my office right now, I don't want to hear it," he demanded firmly, hoping to convey his urgency. However, the woman standing before him remained unmoved by his request."I'm not going anywhere until I finish what I came here to do. I acknowledge that my actions may have triggered this strong reaction from you, but I believe it's because I know this situation involves someone you truly care about. My reluctance to leave is a testament to how serious I am about addressing this matter," she explained, her voice tinged with a mix of determi
After about an hour, everyone was already at the dinning, but Fiona was yet to arrive. His impatience grew as he kept asking his mum questions. She told him to calm down as she would soon be here.“Why did you look worried, why are you so impatient, can you patiently wait for her arrival?” She said, and Charlie took a deep breath. “I just wanted her to be here already, I have a lot of things to ask her” He replied, and they heard the horn of the car. Which they assumed was her. Charlie decided to call his nerves, and waited Patiently for her. And immediately she got into the living room, Charlie went to hug her. “Are you okay?” He asked, sincere evidence on her face.“Of course, why did you ask? You seem worried, "She said, concerned about her brother's mood. He lied that it was nothing, and said she should come to sit down. “Didn't you say you have a lot of things to ask her?” She asked, and Charlie scoffed. “Is she right, did you want to ask me something?” She asked, and he sm
They entered the dimly lit bar, its walls adorned with vintage beer signs and the comforting aroma of hops and malt wafting through the air. The bartender greeted them with a friendly nod as they took their seats at the worn wooden counter. They placed their order, a couple of cold beers, and settled in to wait.The waitress appeared with their drinks after a brief wait, the condensation on the glasses glistening in the dim light. With a practiced hand, the bartender and the butler poured the frothy brew into two sturdy pint glasses. Each man picked up a glass, the coolness of the glass sending a pleasant shiver through their fingers.As they raised their glasses in a silent toast, their eyes met in a shared moment of camaraderie. The first sip was smooth and satisfying, the bitter bite of the beer offset by the warmth of the alcohol. They clinked their glasses together in a simultaneous gesture of celebration before taking another sip.The beer flowed freely as they chatted and laugh