Kimberly stepped into her lovely home, exhausted from her three-week vacation. The warm glow of the setting sun streamed through the windows, illuminating the familiar space.
"Mommy's back! Mommy's back!" Jasmine and Samuel, her 22-year-old twins, squealed in unison, rushing to hug her.
Chris, her supportive husband, smiled, relief etched on his face.
"Welcome back, sweetheart. We've missed you."
Kimberly's eyes sparkled.
"I've missed you all too."
As they caught up, Kimberly's gaze wandered.
"Where's Giselle?" she asked, her tone casual.
Jasmine's face lit up.
"Giselle got a new job! She's a designer now!"
Kimberly's smile faltered for an instant.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" she exclaimed, forcing enthusiasm.
Inside, a pang of jealousy stirred.
Why was Giselle, her step-daughter, surpassing her own children?
Kimberly pushed aside the unwelcome emotion.
"That's amazing, sweetie. I'm so proud of her."
Chris noticed Kimberly's fleeting unease.
"Hey, you okay?" he whispered.
Kimberly nodded.
"Just tired from the trip."
Resentment simmered beneath the surface.
Kimberly's jealousy boiled over.
"Excuse me," she said abruptly, standing up.
"I need some fresh air."
Chris exchanged worried glances with the twins.
"Let me go talk to her," he said.
Outside, Chris found Kimberly pacing in the garden.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked gently.
Kimberly halted, taking a deep breath.
"Just stressed from the long trip, that's all."
Chris approached her.
"You need rest, that's all. You've been traveling for weeks."
Kimberly nodded, feeling guilty.
Chris wrapped his arms around her.
"Everything will be fine, Kim. Just relax."
Together, they gazed up at the star-filled sky.
"Remember our first date?" Chris asked.
Kimberly smiled.
"How could I forget?"
They chuckled, lost in memories.
As they stargazed, their conversation flowed effortlessly.
"Look, the constellation Orion," Chris pointed out.
Kimberly's eyes followed his finger.
"Beautiful," she whispered.
Their silence was comfortable, filled with crickets' gentle chirping.
Chris squeezed her hand.
"I'm glad you're home."
Kimberly's heart swelled.
"Me too."
In this peaceful moment, Kimberly's secrets remained hidden.
Giselle was exhausted and needed to rest she went home and wasn't surprised to meet her step mom who she knew he'd no good intentions towards her. As soon as her presence was noticed, everyone welcomed her eager to hear about her first day except one. She say for dinner as she was so hungry. She didn't greet or even look at Kimberly again, she just wanted to focus on her dinner and perhaps share her first day to her best friend; Jasmine.
Dinner was a warm, lively affair.
Chris asked, "Giselle, how was your first day?"
Giselle smiled.
"Amazing, Dad. I loved it."
Kimberly's gaze lingered, but Giselle ignored it.
After dinner, Jasmine followed Giselle to her room.
"Spill the tea, sis!" Jasmine exclaimed.
Giselle laughed.
"Okay, okay. I had someone who believed in me, and I learned so much."
Jasmine's eyes sparkled.
"Tell me everything!"
Giselle recounted her day, from designing to meeting colleagues.
Jasmine listened, captivated.
"And...?" Jasmine asked, grinning mischievously.
"Did you meet any hot guys?"
Giselle rolled her eyes.
"What rubbish! I'm there for work, not romance."
Jasmine teased.
"Come on, sis, you can't tell me you didn't notice anyone."
Giselle's face hardened.
"No one, Jasmine. Focus on my success, not my love life."
Jasmine chuckled.
"Fine, fine. But I know you'll find someone."
Giselle smiled.
"Maybe someday. But work comes first."
Their laughter filled the room.
Julian sipped his whiskey, eyes locked on Roderick.
"Five years since we left London. Feels good to be back."
Roderick nodded, his gaze drifting to the city skyline.
"Blackwood Industries needs my focus."
Julian leaned back.
"Your first day, and you're already making waves."
Roderick's expression remained stoic.
"Expected."
Julian's curiosity got the better of him.
" Heard you met the new designer, Giselle."
Roderick's eyes narrowed.
"What about her?"
Julian shrugged.
"Nothing. Just wondering if she's caught your attention."
Roderick's tone turned glacial.
"She's an employee. That's all."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"You're not intrigued?"
Roderick's silence was answer enough.
Julian pressed on.
"Know anything about her background?"
Roderick shook his head.
"None of my concern."
Julian's eyes sparkled.
"Come on, Rod. You're curious."
Roderick's gaze hardened.
"Don't play matchmaker, Julian."
Julian chuckled.
"Someone has to. Your parents are worried."
Roderick's jaw clenched.
"They need to focus on the business."
Julian's tone softened.
"They want you happy, Rod."
Roderick's eyes flashed.
"I am happy. Leave it."
The conversation was closed.
Julian and Roderick's bond began in childhood.
Roderick's parents, had found Julian as a baby in an orphanage.
They raised him alongside Roderick, and the two became inseparable.
Julian was more than a friend – he was a brother.
Roderick trusted Julian implicitly.
Their contrasting personalities complemented each other:
Julian: lively, cheerful, and charismatic, with a radiant smile.
Roderick: reserved, cool, and calculated, with few words.
Julian's warmth balanced Roderick's aloofness.
Despite their differences, their friendship remained unbreakable.
Julian knew Roderick's depths better than anyone.
He saw beyond Roderick's icy facade.
Roderick, in turn, valued Julian's unwavering loyalty.
Together, they navigated life's challenges.
Now, as adults, Julian worked alongside Roderick at Blackwood Industries.
Their friendship remained a constant.
Olivia lay on the examination table, Astrid holding her hand.
The doctor explained the procedure, reassuring Olivia.
"Astrid can stay with you the whole time," the doctor said.
Olivia nodded, grateful.
The procedure began, and Olivia squeezed Astrid's hand.
Astrid whispered encouragement.
"It's almost over."
The doctor completed the procedure.
Olivia felt relief wash over her.
Astrid helped her sit up.
"You're strong," Astrid whispered.
The recovery room nurse greeted them.
"We'll take care of you," she said.
Olivia rested, Astrid by her side.
After recovery, Astrid drove Olivia home.
Olivia leaned on Astrid, exhausted.
At home, Astrid cared for Olivia.
"You're not alone," Astrid reassured.
Olivia smiled weakly.
"Thanks, Astrid."
EARLIER
"Mom, Dad, we want to discuss something," Olivia said, her voice confident.
Astrid smiled warmly.
"Olivia and I have been inseparable since freshman year. We've accomplished our education goals."
Olivia's mother nodded.
"You both made us proud."
Astrid continued.
"Now, we'd like to take some time to recharge and bond as friends. A week-long getaway, just us."
Olivia's father raised an eyebrow.
"What's the purpose of this trip?"
Astrid's persuasive tone kicked in.
"We want to relax, reflect on our future plans, and enjoy each other's company."
Olivia added.
"We've been cooped up at home for too long. A break will refresh us."
Olivia's mother hesitated.
"I'm not sure...You're both young women with responsibilities."
Astrid reassured.
"We'll stay at my family's private villa. Safety guaranteed."
Olivia's parents exchanged skeptical glances.
Astrid pressed on.
"Trust us, we'll return refreshed and focused. Ready to take on our family legacies."
Olivia's father nodded slowly.
"Alright, but conditions apply."
Astrid smiled.
"Name them."
"Daily check-ins, and return within a week," he stipulated.
Astrid grinned.
"Deal."
Olivia's parents nodded, convinced.
Astrid and Olivia exchanged triumphant glances.
Their secret remained hidden.