VE

r. How could I be so stupid and trust those people with a year of my life?

t ring, but it felt wrong when the truth was I was legally ma

rs older than me, and I didn't know anything about that guy besides

does

ing to myself." I looked at her

ure you're

ypertensive heart disease five years ago. So she had to visit her doctor every th

sn't mind," she

he's my

g, it was finally our turn. Dr. Webbs gave her a th

y short of brea

lie,

?" she said

will know, Nana Augustine. You will continue yo

scribe me a pill with all

thing as that,"

l like I'm getti

ns or God." I helped her to he

in a fe

y. Can we go home now? Are you su

even know I was crashing at Rocco's couches for weeks

ly the school and Bazz were closer to the house, I might stay with her instead of renting an apartment. That way

y! I can take care of myself,"

use the vacuum I

nstairs, put her clothes in the washing

get that robot, or I will throw it

d. "Fine. I'll be

Ricky. Come and s

ipped my tea. "Are you sure

ying the electric bills. Where's your b

the anger in my chest

you. You deserve a man

, Nana. He just told me I

p. Where do you stay now? You can come back once you fini

nt with a nice roommate. S

should ma

g those rings? That's the big rock you got there, Ricky. Is there something you wanna te

t ready to tell her the truth and

he cushion-cut diamond looked like around 3 carats with two small side stones. And the

could see in her green eye

e me a ring if I don't

ld go. Do you h

but I have ass

go a

ill have g

out and ha

her on the cheek. "I love you, Na

ed where I should go- to my apartment or hi

it was meant to happen like we were in love or a real couple

rang in my bag. It

I'm off today. W

Wins

ry, Owen. I thought you were my boss. Please call

orry,

r. How can I h

eck up on you. He's stil

ack from my grandmother. I w

the penthouse. He has

ani

verything

this? Getting in co

much,

you tell m

nterrupting

going to the penthouse if you d

you the addre

ne of the tallest residential towers in Manhattan. The Central Tower stood tall before me, and I di

s. It was a valet asking me to move away. T

a parking space when I almost

ctive and young. "Are you trying to run me over?" He got in the

idn't know what I was thinking and

ll be

s is not the first time your bos

tes, but he turned them a

s da

. They hooked up, no strings attached, and

man. Despite our clear arrangement, and we both agreed to be in an open relationship whil

ng together as long as it was consensual, and th

should have belonged in the junk shop. "He

, but he nev

ay terrible things ag

d me to the private elevator door, w

ic played. This was an advanced elevator,

urprise how massive the penthouse was. It was welcoming, with high ceiling walls m

rcase at the corner to the upper level, but what caught my attention was the neutral color of

color, but Lake just