Desires Die Hard

Anya returned to her desk and shoved the thick stack of drafts away. She threw herself into work and began correcting them. She kept working as the hands of the clock on the wall kept moving steadily.

When she looked up from her work and stared at the clock, it was half past ten.

Her kids must be asleep now.

The thought of her precious darlings made Anya’s heart twinge painfully. She was working now and she foresaw many late nights in the office. She wasn’t going to have as much time to spend with her kids anymore.

On the bright side, she was done with these drafts. Anya tidied up the pile of papers and set them in a neat stack on her desk. She was ready to knock off work.

It was then that Jake emerged from his office with his briefcase.

He caught Anya tidying her desk and headed towards her. “Anya, let’s go. I’ll give you a ride home.”

Anya eyed the clock, then glanced at the window. It was dark outside.

Finally, she nodded and accepted Jake’s offer to drive her home. They chatted casually as they made their way to the carpark.

Jake drove a white Audi Q5. They got into the car. Jake asked Anya for her address and then started the car. Soon, they were on their way to Ellie’s apartment.

Within minutes, the car arrived at Anya’s apartment building.

Anya unfastened her seatbelt and thanked Jake for the ride. “Thanks, Jake, for sending me home.” “You’re welcome. You’re my staff. As your boss, I’m charged with making sure you get back home safely. Don’t you agree?” Jake said while he leaned one hand against the steering wheel.

“Well, good night, Jake.” Anya gave Jake a smile and got out of the car. She waved goodbye at the man.

“Good night. See you tomorrow!” Jake nodded and then watched as Anya walked away and vanished into the night.

A thoughtful look gradually settled on his face.

The apartment building looked rather shabby. Perhaps her family wasn’t doing very well.

He, on the other hand, was doing quite well for himself. He might have a chance if he started pursuing Anya.

Jake mulled about the idea for a moment. Then, he was slamming his foot into the gas pedal, speeding down the street and heading back home. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Anya headed up the apartment block with her bag.

She rummaged her bag for her keys, found them and unlocked the door quietly. She didn’t want to wake her kids. The young woman slipped out of her shoes and into indoor slippers after stepping into the apartment.

Ellie was sitting in the living room. She got to her feet when she heard Anya. “Are you hungry, Anya? There’s soup in the fridge.”

Anya placed her bag on the floor and whispered. “Are the kids asleep?”

“They are,” Ellie said with a smile. “I tucked them in.”

“I’ll go take a look at them,” Anya said before tiptoeing into the children’s bedroom.

Her aunt trailed after her, her voice a soft murmur behind her. “Would you like some soup? I can warm it up for you.”

“Yes, please. I’m feeling a little hungry,” Ellie said quietly. “Oh, Ellie, I pumped some more milk while I was at work. I’ve got another two bags. They’re in my tote bag. You can take them out and store them in the fridge. Warm the milk up and feed the kids tomorrow.”

“Sure,” Ellie said before heading back to the living room. She put away Anya’s milk and warmed up some soup for her niece.

Anya crept towards the bed in the room. Her eyes fell on her two precious darlings. In the bedroom, her two beautiful children are sleeping soundly in their small cot. The lights from the corridor spilled into the room. A faint warm glow enveloped the kids as they slept quietly. They looked like utter angels. Anya’s heart melted at the sight before her.

It didn’t matter how hard life was or how tough work was. All she needed was a single look at her children. They were worth the hardship she was suffering.

The young woman reached out and combed her fingers through Nathaniel’s and Eudora’s hair gently. Then, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to their cheeks. Her voice was a loving whisper. “Good night, my darlings.” She turned away and quietly walked out of the room.

When Anya stepped into the dining room again, Ellie had a bowl of warm soup ready for her. “Anya, your soup’s ready.” “Thanks,” Anya said before making her way to the dining table.

“Before I forget, here’s a name card. You should have it.” Ellie placed the bowl of soup down and pulled a name card out of her pocket. It was a lawyer’s name card. She handed it to Ellie. “It’s about your mother’s inheritance. We can talk to her. She can help us.”

Anya took the name card and stared at it. There was a photo printed on the name card. The lawyer was a young woman. Ms. Sanders. “Is she a friend of yours, Ellie?”

“No. A friend gave me that name card. She told me that Ms. Sanders is a good lawyer. I think she can help us.”

Anya nodded. She would take every chance she got.

It was late. Darkness gradually enveloped the city as its residents turned their lights off and went to bed.

Somewhere in the city, Evan was in a fancy nightclub “IDO” that was located in a five–star hotel. He had accepted an invitation for drinks from Dan Baker. Dan Baker, his counterpart in the Nordenic Quartet, a similarly handsome young man and his friend.

The lights cast a dizzying array of neon colors in the club while music, laughter and conversation filled the establishment.

Evan sat quietly in his seat, swirling the glass of wine gently in his hand. What was clearly vintage red wine swirled slowly in the glass. The dark liquid sloshed in the glass. Evan didn’t seem like he was going to take a sip of it any time soon.

Dan couldn’t stop himself from teasing his friend. “Hey, Mr. Welton, are you not having fun? Or perhaps you’re distracted… tell me. Which lady has caught your eye?”