speci

x of excitement and annoyance as my parents teased

ift for you. So be it. I am not going to show you what I

r already what we have for her." Mom supp

Lyn?" Dad winked at Mom

ckyard. Without removing the blindfold, Dad handed me som

front of me was a beautiful black Audi R8, my all-time favorite car. I had always

gleaming before me, with 'Iris' written in bold on the number

" Dad asked, his eyes f

forward and engulfed Dad in a tight hug, f

est! I love you," I chimed, my voice filled with grat

plied, his voice filled with affecti

o suggested the idea to get this as a birthday gift,

getting you," Dad reassured he

ith my own money. You guys have spoiled me way too much

our only daughter?" They said it in unison

_ _ _ _ _ _

d. Yet, paradoxically, these are also the moments I cherish the most. My parents left behind everything

ave me with was their presence, the one thing I long for the most. They did everything for me and taught me everyth

wly. However, they both departed simultaneously, leaving me entirely on my own. I didn't realize how long

dged face, I step into my car and begin my journey to work. After

deter me from achieving that. There's no way I will stop.

_ _ _ _ _

ted Stacey standing at the entrance

ing gaze at the car that I rarely had the chance to drive as a journalist. Despite the atten

nytime. I wouldn't mind," I respon

bicycle to save my life," she chuckled,

, her tone conveying a sense of urgency. With that, I made my way inside the office, curious about what this gr

_ _ _ _ _ _

said he has something important to discuss

Mr. Finn's office was situated in the farthest corner of the floo

de. I entered to find Mr. Finn seated at his desk, engrossed in some files. He had a gr

However, I had a feeling that there was more to him than met the ey

for my presence,

seat," he gestured towards t

wn, I turned to f

work going, Sabr

d some pictures related to the ne

thought. It seemed like he was trying t

t rally, but you asked me to come here. Is everything

e for you like my own da

odd

m. But this time, I can't be greedy and put your life at risk,"

n. Could you please be a lit

have caused a lot of issues for you as well as th

ed, trying to compre

re taking a toll on my firm. It has reached a point where di

aren't you?" I asked, a sense

orted, which have put a target on your back, all I'm requesting is for

't quit until two years have passed, and it's only been one year and three months

, you'll be on paid leave. In the meantime, we'll search for a place that will provide you wit

here, right? I can't leave Chicago," I said

k, but not here," he replied."As you know, we have

th, "I guess I don't hav

e of Mr. Finn's assistant. She informed him that ther

we can find a way out of this," he said. I no

_ _ _ _

Person

Finn answered his phone call,

e person on the other

an. She'll be leaving very soon, and

will be deli

arm my firm

stays away, yo

e to arrange a new place

the place, completely unaware of his true intentions, and began contemplating how she would

that the person she once regarded as a fat

_ _ _ _ _ _ _