𝙰𝚝 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚂𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖎𝖝𝖙𝖊𝖊𝖓

Several days have passed since my encounter with the lawyer. The thought of retaining custody of Katara did not trouble me as much as the potential repercussions from "He" for my departure.

Before I embarked on my journey to Jersey in search of a fresh start, I resided in North Carolina, a place that holds a special place in my heart and where most of my family resides. "He" used to mean the world to me before I left.

Despite my efforts, he couldn't shake off the jealousy that consumed him whenever I had a close relationship with Maxon. The situation reached such an unbearable point that I had to make the difficult decision to leave, especially as my due date approached rapidly.

I had invited Maxon to our home so that he could attend the baby shower. However, on the day of the event, "He" somehow discovered this and erupted into a fit of rage in front of everyone.

Without giving me a chance to explain, he aggressively grabbed hold of me. The next thing I remember is Maxon and my uncles restraining "Him" and defending me with all their might.

As "He" rose to leave, there was a malicious glimmer in his eyes that made it seem as though he desired nothing more than my demise.

"Lon, are you even listening?" I glanced at Sage, who sat beside me, also getting her nails done. "Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. What were saying?" She peered at me, trying to decipher my inner musings.

"Are you truly okay?" I summoned a smile, trying to mask my true emotions. "I'm fine, just dealing with some work-related stress. Maxon wanted to do something special for me." I couldn't help but roll my eyes playfully at her.

Anticipating her impending curiosity regarding Maxon's actions, I swiftly diverted the conversation. We continued chatting about various topics until we finished with our nails.

Walking out, we made the spontaneous decision to explore the mall for a bit until it was time for me to return home and prepare for my date with Maxon. I didn't have to worry about Kat because she was with Maxon, who kindly agreed to drop her off at Sage's house.

Stepping into the shower, the air around me was infused with the delightful scent of Iced Lemon Pound Cake body wash, reminiscent of petals floating on a gentle breeze. With intentional movements, I gently applied the luxurious Strawberry Sugar body exfoliator to my skin, relishing in the indulgent sensation as it enveloped me in a fragrant, velvety embrace.

As the water washed away the remnants of the day, I emerged from the shower wrapped in a fluffy towel, cocooned in its comforting softness. The time had come to pamper my delicate skin, to bestow upon it the care it truly deserved. Making my way to the closet, I selected an outfit that struck the perfect balance between comfort and style, knowing that Maxon was taking me to the movies for the evening.

After finishing my beauty routine, I decided to apply a touch of Cantù to my hair, allowing it to breathe and embrace its natural beauty. Just as I completed my preparations, my phone buzzed, signaling Maxon's arrival.

Grasping my purse, I walked outside and locked the door, eagerly anticipating the moment when I would meet Maxon at the base of the porch steps. "Hey, Max," I greeted him warmly, wrapping my arms around his neck for an affectionate hug.

Feeling his hands glide down below my waistline gave me an exhilarating sensation in the pit of my stomach. As we reluctantly separated, he gently took hold of my hand and admired my manicured nails. "Your nails are absolutely stunning, my love," he whispered as he tenderly placed a kiss on my hand.

He courteously opened the car door for me before making his way to the driver's seat, and off we went. During the journey, I absentmindedly scrolled through my Instagram feed until I felt a firm grip on my thigh. I discreetly maintained my composure, refusing to betray the fluttering butterflies within.

After approximately twenty minutes, we arrived at a charming drive-in movie theater. I couldn't help but exude joy at the sight, reminiscing about my childhood dreams of visiting such a place. "How did you know?" I asked, beaming at him with genuine affection. With a mischievous wink, he responded, "You have a sister for a reason!" before stepping out of the car.

Startled by the sound of the trunk opening, I reflexively turned around, and a look of awe adorned my face. He had prepared blankets, pillows, and an assortment of delightful snacks, all meticulously arranged.

Stepping out of the vehicle, I graciously accepted his assistance and gingerly climbed into the back, followed by his graceful entrance. Nestling comfortably beside him, we eagerly settled in just as the movie commenced.
...

So the movie marathon wrapped up and we started to pack away, when Cassius got a buzz on his phone. One look at his mug and you could tell he wasn't jazzed about picking up. "Gotta take this, be right back," he mumbled, and I just nodded, busy with the blanket-folding gig.

I didn't even have to eavesdrop to know who was yapping on the other end. And okay, I admit, I get this annoying twinge of the green-eyed monster whenever he's chatting up some rando. It just gets under my skin.

Decided to be a tiny bit of a drama queen and zip my lips for the rest of the night. Wanted to give him a taste of how it feels when those calls come in at the worst times, like during our hangouts. He helped me into the car, me keeping my grumps to myself. But on the ride back, he must've caught on that I was off, 'cause when he tried to go for a leg pat, I just scooched away.