“Here, take this.” He handed it to me, and I mumbled my thanks as I drank the water. “The nurse said it will work in five or six minutes.”With a heavy sigh, I returned the cup to him once I had finished drinking. “I really hope that's the truth, but even I am not a stranger to pain relievers. I'd wager the next half hour.Donald shook his head smugly. “Oh, no. I specially requested that one. Had to tell the nurse why its fast effectiveness was needed.”I was starting to get the picture. My eyes widened in horror. “Please don't tell me that you told the nurse why the patient needed it.” I covered my eyes with my hands. “Please don't tell me you aired my dirty laundry that way.”“Honey, I told the nurse that you were fucked within an inch of your life.” He confirmed my fears so smugly. “After all, you have to state the medical problem before you get a diagnosis and prescription, isn't it?”“Not for painkillers, you dumbhead!” I threw another pillow at him while he laughed and dodged ou

In Moscow, Jason opened the door to allow Marde inside the house that had become his when he wasn’t spending time in a hotel room...or deep inside a woman.“This place is nice, man,” Marde said as he looked around, walking deeper into the house.“Thanks,” Jason answered lazily, walking to the couch to make himself at home. “I know you didn’t just suddenly decide to visit me. What brings you to Moscow, Marde?”His friend shook his short wavy blond hair. “I haven’t been able to sleep so well lately,” he admitted.Jason didn’t even pretend that he didn’t know why. “Because of Rosianna?” he asked.“Not really Rosianna. Because of Santos.” Marde shook his head. “You know San-man as much as I do, Jase. You and I know that he’ll never let it go if he finds out what happened six years ago.”“And he never will, Marde. You are just worrying yourself unnecessarily. You and I know that Rosy will never have the guts to spill the beans. Not with her sex tape right in our hands,” Jason reminded his

ROSIANNATwo days later, I was attending a luncheon and was out with a few business friends when my cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” I said as I got up from the round table with my ringing phone. I walked out of the vicinity before I stared at the screen. Automatically, a smile came to my face as I saw the caller. I placed the phone on my ear. “Hello, darling.”“Baby. How is your day going?” Santos's deep voice filled my ear.“Fine. Not so hectic. How is your day?” I stared at my feet, noticing how the red polish on my toenails seemed almost faded.“Very good. How do you feel today?” he asked automatically. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face. It had been seven days since he travelled, and every day he asks the same question. Every day I give him the same answer.“I feel great. Spectacular.” And it wasn’t a lie. I’d not felt so great in a long time. When he told me two days ago that the business was delayed and would keep him a few more days, I panicked. But I quickly conso

My hands trembled as I tried to use the ignitor, and at the same time, I tried to talk to myself.“I’ll be fine. There’s no reason to panic, Rosy.” As I spoke, I tried to believe my own words. I almost did, but another contraction started deep in my womb. I cried out from the pain.Mr. Donovan came out of the bar then, his eyes searching. When his eyes found me in the car, trying to start it, he smiled appreciatively and started for me.“Pretty lady, you having car troubles?” he drawled as he got closer.“I-I’m alright.” I was so riled up I was even stuttering. Inhaling deeply, I tried to bring my emotions back under control.He eyed me suspiciously. Then he pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to me. “Here’s my card. Call me anytime.”I was about to pick up the card that landed on my lap and hand it back to him, but he had already turned and started on his way. I picked up the card and threw it into the backseat without much thought. Thankfully, when I started the car again,

Fiona Sandass paid off the taxi that drove her to the front door of her boss’s house. She stared at her time and grimaced visibly.It was well past 3 in the afternoon. She was supposed to bring those documents by 1 pm, but she had been running errands for her grandma, who was sick.Fiona adjusted her eyeglasses, clutched the files to her chest, and started for the long lane into the gate of Ma’am Rosy’s place. Her boss was a wonderful person and had never raised her voice at Fiona whenever she was late for work or when she didn’t run her errands right when her mind became occupied and she turned clumsy. Ma’am Rosy would only smile at her in encouragement, and because of that, Fiona always tried to do her best.As she stepped into the gate of her boss, Fiona’s eyes automatically went across the lane to stare at Ma’am Rosy’s neighbor’s house. Her cheeks pinkened when she saw Donald at his property mowing his lane. As he rode the loud mowing machine through the grass, the grasses cut an