BETTER LIFE 14

? Views, Released on March 18, 2025

Chapter 14

Sahar’s Pov

After one week

Getting up, I sat on my bed. Life has changed so much. I am 24 today.

“Happy Birthday, Sarah Rose.” I wished myself a smile and got down to get ready for the office.

After getting ready, I look at myself. A grey knee–length dress with matching shoes and some minimal makeup looks nice today.

With time and mostly because of Sam, my dressing has changed a lot. Now I do not hide my curves. My height, 5.7 slim body with good curves in the right place, and long hair make me more confident.

I went down and heard the most annoying voice of my life.

SAM

I am still cursing the day I met her. And she has stuck with me like a leech since then.

Happy Birthday, My Pumpkin!

She came running and engulfed me in a tight hug. “Let me breathe, Sam,” before she moves. I felt one

more hug.

Wow, god, are you calling me? Is this my last birthday? I thought, rolling my eyes.

“Guys, leave me. I cannot breathe.” I shout.

They both finally broke the hug and grinned at me.

“What?” I said, looking at them.

They both rolled their eyes together, and Sam said,

“Sarah, at least be happy someday. Why are you always grumpy?” Sam huffs dramatically.

“What is so special today?” I asked while taking the newspaper.

“It is your birthday today. What else do you want?” Nathan spoke.

“I do not like my birthday, and you know it, so please let us not start again, and if you guys are done with

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breakfast, let us leave. We are getting late for the office.” I said, still keeping my eyes on the business news.

They roll their eyes, but then Sam gives me a gift box.

“Sam, you know I do not like all this; then why do you do it every year? Tell me. Do you like to annoy me?” I asked, getting irritated.

Ok, sorry, next year I will not; now open it.” She got excited about her gift like a baby.

Shaking my head, I opened the box and froze in my place.

“What happened? You did not like it?” She asked me with hopeful eyes.

I looked up and said, “No, I like it. I mean, it is… it is beautiful.” I stutter, looking at her.

I look back to a beautiful infinity pendant that does not have a circle; it has a beautiful bird flying in the

end.

It is a symbol of freedom.

I gave the same pendant to someone 5 years ago.

But this is a little different. This one has a diamond on it and looks expensive.

I again looked at her and asked, narrowing my eyes.

“This looks expensive. How much do you waste on this?”

“That is none of you. Look out. Now, give. Me. Let me make you wear it; it will go well with your dress.”

“And yes, one more thing takes this as well.” Saying she gives one more packet.

And then their eyes shine like stars.

White chocolate. My first love

I happily took it and started opening the wrapper.

I do not know why you always give me two gifts, but trust me, this one is the best.

“Ok, now it’s my turn,” Nathan said, giving me the box. I opened it and saw a beautiful Rolex watch.

I smiled at him. “Thank you. I loved it, Nathan. But you know you do not have to do this, right?”

He nods. Smiling, I know, but I like to.”

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They both always know how to cheer me up.

“Now let us go, guys; we have a very important meeting today.” I spoke, keeping gifts aside.

“What about your breakfast?” Sam said.

“I will eat something in the office. Now let us go.” I spoke.

I and Sam took one car, and Nathan took it as well. Sometimes we all have different times to get free due

to work pressure, and we all are workaholics.

Today I was happy to remember good days with my grandparents.

We reached the office, and I was informed about the meeting at 12.30. So finish my other work before the meeting gets started.

Sam informed me they had reached So I finished my work and started walking towards the conference room. I entered the conference room and saw Nathan sitting with a few gentlemen. He nodded towards me, saying to sit near him.

I went and sat, kept my phone on the table, and looked up.

So, gentlemen, she is our MD, Sarah Rose.

Smiling, I gave everyone a fast look and froze on one face.

A face So I wanted to forget.

A face I left behind

I have been running away.

A face I never wanted to see again

Sean Hudson

His blue eyes stare at me as if he can see through my soul.

Why is he looking at me like this?

And why am I getting nervous under his stare?

I was trying to read his eyes, but I was bad at it. I cannot understand emotions very well.

Does he suddenly start looking handsome, or was he the one? I thought.

Well, how can I know? I have indy seen him for times in my life.

i guess i de years rider than me? So, he must be 31 or 327 His muscles are popping out of his blue fined blazer, which shows he is a fitness freak

ite is aging like serdeti

Let us not deny that he’s hot.

Our staring contest got on hold when I heard someone clearing their throat, maybe Nathan’s

1 composed myself instantly, as I know how to control my emotions. I am a pro at it. Loneliness has taught me many lessons, and this is one of them.

“So, gentlemen, how can we help you?” Nathan spoke, staring at the conversation.

1 was avoiding his eyes, but I could feel his constant gaze on me.

But why?

Now, what does he want?

Divorce?

Well, yes, it must be that, and I will live happily

h Rose Hudson

Sarah Rose Hudson

The other gentleman, Mr. Eric Johnson, was talking to

Nathan and I were listening.

I cannot understand why he is repeating the same thing.

We have already said no to them for this work.

After he finishes, he looks toward me, and so does Nathan.

Ok So now I must speak. Having no choice, I cleared my throat. I do not know why it got dry.

“Well, Mr. Johnson, we appreciate your offer, but I do not like to beat around the bush. So let me come straight to the point. You have been trying to get my appointment for the past few months for the same

16 JATthout You

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thing we discussed. If I am not wrong, we have already informed you that we would like to work on our creativity rather than correcting others‘ work.

Moreover, as per my knowledge, if you have a full–proof security system, then what is the need to upgrade the system?” I asked while taking a hand rest on my table.

“How do you know we have a full–proof, secure system?” The first time Mr. Hudson spoke in his husky

voice

Does he have this beautiful voice all this time? Why can’t I remember this? Oh, again, 5 years. People

forget the faces in 5 years. I am just forgetting the voice. I laugh internally at my thoughts.

Well, as far as I know, they are all waiting for my response. So I composed myself, looked towards him, and spoke.

“First, I have my ways; second, you know where you are sitting, and for a company like us, it is easy to get information about any other company; I like to do my homework properly, sir.” I empathize with SIR

with no emotion on my face.

‘Well, I was the one who secured your system, dear Mr. Hudson.‘ Oh, how I want to say this on his face. But well, I do not want to disclose anything to him.

“Well, our system has been tampered with once, and it might get tampered with again in the future. So we do not want to take a risk; hence, we want the best security system possible, Miss Sarah Rose.” Mr. Johnson finishes this while smiling.

Well, then, you must change the entire system, and we will create the whole new software for your company. Would it be ok with you, Mr. Johnson?” I asked, looking at him.

He looked toward Mr. Hudson, looked back towards me, and said, Well, that will not be any problem with

us, mam“.

I looked at Nathan, and he was looking pleased to be working with such a big company, and I rolled my eyes internally.

I looked back and said, “Okay, then we shall get back to you with details soon.“.

He smiled politely and said, “We will wait for Miss Sarah Rose.”

“By the way, do you mind me asking something?”

No, not; please go ahead.”

Why, Sarah Rose? I mean, I guess Rose must be your middle name.”

“Well, Rose is my grandmother’s name, and I like to use her name with me.” I reply politely.

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“Why are you not using your surname?” He asked one more question.

“I want to make my name. I want people to know me by Sarah; hence, I do not want to use any other identity.” I know someone is noticing my every answer. But well, I am not lying.

“Oh, that is a wonderful thought. I still would like to know your surname, Miss or Mrs., if you do not mind telling me.”

He looked at my finger. “As I can see, the ring on your finger, and sadly, that broke my heart for not meeting you earlier than this. He tried to flirt with me.

“No, not all. It is Hudson, Sarah Rose Hudson, as far as I remember.” I try to make a joke.

“And sorry to break your heart, but yes, so far I am married because I have not received the divorce papers as yet, but as soon as I get them in the future, I know where to find you.” I said it again with a

small smile.

Mr. Johnson laughed and said, “Absolutely, but I like this ring in your hand, so let us wish that day never

comes.”

I looked at my hand. “Yes, it is indeed beautiful.” It has many memories and is the reason I am who I am today. I again lost myself in my past, looking at the ring.

“Oh, my, it seems there is a deep love story behind this ring.” He tries to joke again.

“Well, I do not know about love, but the story definitely is.” I said it with a smug smile.

Well, you know that my dear friend” pointing towards Mr. Hudson” shares the same surname as you. I hope you both are not related to each other,” he laughs at his joke.

“If meeting a person once in your life made you his or her relative, then I might be, or else I do not remember, related to anyone in this room.” I spoke, keeping a straight face with no emotion.

Why is suddenly this all hurting me? Let us not run away from reality, Sarah; he is only related to papers and nothing else.

No string is attached.

Ok, then, it was great meeting you guys. We shall now take your leave.” Mr. Johnson spoke whil up from his seat.

We nodded and got up.

ting

Mr. Sean Hudson came toward me after shaking hands with Nathan, but his eyes never left mine, and my heartbeat rose.

Better Life Without You

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Why the hell is he looking at me like this? As far as I remember, I have nothing of his, even though I must return his card without using it. Now, what does he want?

“Mrs. Hudson” nods towards me, giving his hand to shake.

“Sarah is fine.” I shake my hand. I could feel his hot palm on my cold one, and he pressed a little. God, what is this tingling in my stomach?

I saw from the corner of my eye that everyone was leaving the room.

He came too close to my liking and spoke or whispered in my ear, No, I LIKE MRS. HUDSON,” saying he kissed my neck, and I felt his one hand holding my waist and another touch my necklace. This closeness was making me dizzy, and my body shivered at his touch, which I am sure he must have felt too.