KIERA'S POVThe kiss left me breathless, stirring up emotions I didn’t want to confront, and I wished it would never end.When we finally pulled away, my heart thudded mercilessly in my chest, drowning out his explanations as they went in one ear and out the other.As I watched his lips move, all I could think about was feeling them against mine again.“Do you want to get out of here?” He asked, his voice low and inviting, and without knowing, I nodded.He headed to the counter, slipped a few notes to the bartender, and came back holding two bottles of vodka.“Let’s go.”****As we drove past the hotel, I glanced out the window, watching the city lights blur past, my mind running as I wondered where we were headed. After a few minutes' drive, Gabriel took a turn, exposing us to the stunning view of the beach.“This will do,” he said, finding a spot to park.We kicked off our footwear, and Gabriel picked up the vodka bottles as we strolled along the coast.The rhythmic sound of waves c
KIERA’S POVThe night was still young, and the vodka was flowing like it was going out of style. Gabriel kept pouring himself another shot, and I couldn’t help but tease him.“Are you trying to become the world’s first human vodka balloon?” I joked, nudging his arm. “I mean, at this rate, you’ll float away.”He chuckled lightly, “You underestimate my ability to handle my liquor. I’m practically a professional.”“Oh sure, because we all know that getting hammered at the beach is a sign of high-class behavior,” I shot back, rolling my eyes.“Hey, I’m making memories here!” He exclaimed, waving his arms dramatically. “Life’s too short not to enjoy a little chaos.”“Right, and what kind of memories? The kind that involves you face-planting into the sand?” I laughed, but part of me loved this carefree side of him.With each shot, I watched as his usually sharp gaze softened and his laughter grew louder. There was something infectious about his buzz, and I felt myself getting swept up in it
KIERA’S POVI had finished packing my luggage and was ready to leave, just waiting for the green light from Almighty Gabriel. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of frustration over his delays. Still seething about what happened earlier, I didn’t want to talk to him, so I sat quietly, scrolling through my phone and checking the time.After about five minutes, I decided to go and check on him. I got to his door and it was slightly ajar. Peeping in, I saw his valise already packed on the bed, and I peered further only to find him on a call, his back turned toward me.Curiosity kills the cat, but since I’m not a cat, a little eavesdropping wouldn’t kill me, right?Leaning in, my ears raced faster than my heart as I tried to piece together his conversation.“I hate to be questioned,” he roared.Whoever he was talking to wasn’t getting an easy ride, that I was sure of.“There’s nothing going on between Kiera and I. She’s just a friend, nothing more. Whatever you think is going on between she
KIERA’S POVThe private jet felt like a prison. I sat as far from Gabriel as possible, my eyes glued on my phone as I pretended to be engrossed in it. I just wanted him out of my sight completely.His phone rang nonstop, each tone sending a jolt through me. I sighed heavily, wishing I could vanish. It had to be the woman he spoke with earlier because the way he kept glancing at the screen and then staring back at me felt suspicious.The ringing eventually ceased, and about five minutes later, his phone rang again. Pardon me if I felt a strong urge to grab the goddamn phone and toss it out the window because it was becoming irritating.This time, he answered the call, and I caught the mention of Lewis’s name. From his tone, it was clear Lewis was discussing Mark’s case. I lifted my eyes slightly and noticed his brows furrow.“Abuela wants to meet with you again?” He asked, his tone sharp.After he hung up, he got on his feet and strolled towards me. I pinned my eyes to my phone still f
ELISE’S POVThe door creaked open, and Miguel stepped into the room, his mood as damp as the clouds outside. He looked like a storm ready to burst. I put down the book I wasn’t really reading, suddenly aware of the tension hanging in the air.“Where have you been the past few days?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light, though a thread of genuine curiosity wove through my words.He shrugged, a dismissive gesture that felt like ice against my skin, “That’s none of your business, Elise.”I blinked, taken aback. My heart dropped a little, but I quickly masked it with a smile. The last thing I wanted was for him to see how his words stung. Instead, I feigned nonchalance, picking up the book again.“Have you heard about Kiera?” He asked, his voice heavy with grief.I pressed my lips together, pretending to be clueless, “No... What about her?”“She’s gone,” he said, staring at the floor.“What do you mean by that?” I asked, my brows knitting together.“Kiera’s dead,” he said flatly, his ja
GABRIEL’S POVI felt horrible because I remembered everything. The memories of last night clawed at my mind like a relentless beast. The warmth of her body against mine, the comfort I felt when she rested her head on my chest—every single detail was etched into my soul.When I said I didn’t want to forget that moment, I was dead serious.I couldn’t tell if I was protecting her heart or mine by pretending not to remember anything. The truth is, I don’t know if I was capable of giving her what she truly deserves.My actions hurt her deeply, and I could feel it even from a distance.For a fact, I feel an undeniable pull toward her, and I can’t disregard the way my heart thumps harder, every time she’s near me. But admitting that I felt that way? That’s a different story.Her anger radiated like heat from a fire, palpable and intense, from the moment she stormed out of my room until we reached home. The silence loomed between us, thick and suffocating, wrapping around us like a shroud. Sh
KIERA’S POVI woke up feeling surprisingly rejuvenated. Apparently, a solid night’s sleep does wonders for the soul. The anger I was nursing over Gabriel had dulled to a mild irritation, like a mosquito bite.I decided right then, no more expectations. I’d step up as the fake fiancé he needed—no strings, no complications. But then there was Damien. His confession lingered like a sweet poison in my mind, his desires, pulling me like a tide. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t drawn to him, but allowing myself to trust his words and open my heart to him? That would take more than just words, especially after what he did.Just as I finished up in the bathroom, my phone buzzed, and a message from Gabriel flashed on the screen.[Please get dressed. Marco's waiting to bring you to the office]Oh, great! He still thinks I’m fuming. Why else would he send Marco instead of picking me up himself? Classic Gabriel, always dodging the bullet. I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I dropped my phone.I
GABRIEL’S POVSure, I told myself Damien could have Kiera. But damn, I didn’t realize how much that would eat at me. Something about it drove me crazy—jealousy, maybe? I was fuming at Kiera, and deep down, I knew I was being unfair. I’d drawn the line and made it crystal clear that nothing could ever happen between us.I spent the whole night wrestling with my thoughts, sleep evading me like a ghost. When the clock finally struck 6 am, I tore myself out of bed, hit the shower, and headed to the office.I craved solitude. I didn’t want anyone bothering me, especially Kiera. So, I decided to give her a space of her own.Part of me longed to have her close, while another part screamed for her to stay far away because there was still an ache in my heart that couldn’t die down no matter how hard I tried. The thought of her with Damien was stinging asf.I needed a distraction desperately. Something to take my mind off everything. So, I went for the perfect one, Linda. I thought perhaps f*ck
GABRIEL’S POVThe morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bed. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the soft golden glow. The first thing I saw was her—Kiera, lying beside me, her face serene in sleep. In that moment, I was struck by her beauty. She was stunning in a way that made my chest tighten. Her hair tumbled in soft waves around her face, and her lips, slightly parted, looked so inviting. Watching the rise and fall of her chest was hypnotic, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.For so long, I had held back my feelings for her, but the incident with Linda had pushed me over the edge. I had confessed my feelings without thinking, and ever since, Kiera had been acting a bit awkward around me.I knew she wouldn’t be thrilled about sharing a room, but I craved the closeness, the intimacy of just being in the same space. When Abuela suggested it, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I pretended to argue against the idea, but deep down, I knew there was
DAMIEN’S POVI tossed and turned, the sheets twisting around me like a noose. Kiera’s face haunted me—her laughter, her touch, the way her eyes sparkled, her smile. But that wasn’t what kept me awake all night. No, it was the thought of her with Gabriel.I couldn’t shake the image of them together. The way he looks at her makes it seem like she is the last drop of whiskey in a dry bar. What if something happened between them last night? Did she look at him the way she looks at me? Did she touch him? The mere thought made my stomach burn.I flung the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Do I trust Kiera? The two of them in the same room felt like dangling cheese in front of a mouse—an invitation to disaster, too tempting, too dangerous. Even if Kiera held her ground, I knew that smooth-talking bastard Gabriel could charm the skin off an apple.Just as I was about to drown in my thoughts, a knock echoed through the room.I barely had time to collect my thoughts when Be
KIERA’S POVAfter dinner, the room felt like a chamber in hell, simmering with unspoken words. Gabriel and I barely spoke to each other, and I could tell she sensed the tension in the air, but she said nothing, her silence almost deafening.Gabriel eventually retreated to his room, leaving me across from Abuela, who was diligently knitting a scarf, her needles clicking like a clock.“Mrs. Vanessa?” I finally ventured, my voice almost swallowed by the silence.“Oh, come on, dear. We’re past the formalities, aren’t we? You’ll soon be my daughter-in-law, so you might as well start calling me Abuela,” she replied, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.I forced a smile back, the warmth barely reaching my eyes, “Okay, Abuela. Thank you for the amazing meal. It’s been a long day, so I think I’ll call it a night.”Her gaze lifted, eyes sparkling with mischief that sent a shiver down my spine, “Rest well, my dear.”As I nodded, my heart raced with a flutter of anxiety.Upon our ar
ELISE’S POVI blinked rapidly, trying to process Hannah's words, “What did you just say?” I leaned in closer, my brows knitting together like two angry caterpillars.“Umm… Miss… Miss Freya is here,” Hannah stuttered, her confidence crumbling under my glare.“Are you stupid?” I bit out, my voice climbing an octave as I raised my hand, nearly striking her across the face. She flinched, stepping back as if I were a live wire and I halted mid-motion, catching myself just in time.I took a deep breath, my lips tightening into a thin line as I let my hand drop, “Where is she?” I demanded.“She’s, um… she…” Hannah cleared her throat, her finger awkwardly pointing toward the stairs as she scratched her neck, a nervous gesture that made my irritation flare.“Speak up already, you moron!” I snapped, my impatience palpable.Her eyes widened in fear, and she blurted, “She’s in the living room!”I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, my nails digging into my skin as I fought to keep my composure
ELISE’S POVI lay sprawled across the bed, feeling like a marionette whose strings had been cut, my body still throbbing from the wild, brutal passion of the previous night.The clock on the nightstand read 10 a.m., but the weight of my exhaustion kept me anchored to the sheets. Miguel had transformed me into his sex toy, exploring his dirtiest darkest fantasies. I knew I desperately wanted to be fucked, and touched by him, but I never signed up for this.Last night, he had bound all my limbs to the bedposts. The ball gag he used stifled my cries, rendering my protests useless. He fucked me till I almost passed out.When he was done, I tried to voice my discomfort, but he simply asked, “Are you tired of being in this marriage?” I didn’t need an encyclopedia to decipher what he meant. I realized then that I had only two choices: accept this new reality or contemplate the unthinkable—leaving him. But escape wasn’t an option I could entertain; I had too much to lose. So, I buried my feel
ABUELA’S POV“Catherine, would you be kind as to fetch my phone?” I called out from the backyard, the relentless ringing grating against my peaceful mid-morning.I took a deep breath and sipped my mango juice, feeling its coolness wash over me while I waited for her to arrive.“Here you go, ma’am,” she said, her voice warm as she handed me the phone.To my surprise, it wasn’t Gabriel’s name lighting up the screen but Rafael’s.A smile blossomed on my face, genuine and bright. I glanced at Catherine, a conspiratorial grin breaking free as I mouthed, “It’s Rafael,” followed by a soft giggle.“Hi, Mom,” he said, his voice like a soothing melody that instantly warmed my heart.“If I didn’t know you better, I’d swear you’ve forgotten all about your mother,” I teased, though my heart ached a bit as I said it.“Mom, that’s not fair! I’ve been swamped!” He replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone.“Swamped, indeed, but surely not too busy to give your mother a call? It’s been o
KIERA’S POVThe next thing that followed was a chortle of laughter, uncontainable until I was practically doubled over.Gabriel squinted in confusion, clearly thrown off as I continued to laugh maniacally, clutching my stomach.“O… OmG… that..” I gasped, still pointing at him as if he were the punch line to a joke.“That’s the most… the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard.”But as my laughter began to fade, I noticed the serious look on his face, and suddenly my giggles felt inappropriate like I was laughing at a funeral. An awkward silence settled between us, and I was left fidgeting with my hair, my lips pressing together as I cleared my throat, avoiding his piercing gaze.“You.. umm.. you’re not joking?” I finally managed to ask, my eyes flitting around like a trapped bird looking for a way out.“Why would I want to joke with something as delicate as this?” He replied, his voice steady, almost too steady.My heart tumbled into my stomach, it was as if he’d thrown a grenade into my
KIERA’S POVI sat in the car scrolling absentmindedly through my phone yet my, fingers drummed nervously against my thigh, each tap a countdown to my rising anxiety.Every few moments, I shot a glance at the entrance, hoping to catch sight of Gabriel, but time seemed to stretch endlessly. What could possibly be taking so long? Was Linda okay? Or worse, was Gabriel in trouble? My stomach twisted, and I shifted restlessly in my seat, feeling like a lion trapped in a cage.Just then, my phone buzzed, jolting me from my spiraling thoughts. I looked down to see a message from Damien.[Hey]I replied almost instantly, my heart racing.[Hey][Are you okay?]His concern dripped through the screen, and I typed back rapidly, desperate for the connection.[Kinda][If it’s about what I said earlier, I’m sorry for catching you off guard, but I’m not sorry for telling you how I feel about you.]A smile broke through my worry, warming my heart. I could almost picture him, those charming eyes glintin
GABRIEL’S POV“Are you kidding me? You want us to tell her we met at a club? What would she think about me?” Kiera asked, her eyes wide, a mixture of disbelief etched across her face. “Or maybe we could say we bumped into each other at a coffee shop and you spilled coffee on me,” I suggested.“Abuela must know that you never get your own coffees! Besides, why must it be me who spills coffee on you? What happened to you spilling coffee on me?” Her tone was a dramatic cocktail of sincerity and jest.“Fine, let’s toss that idea. How about we tell her I was in some sort of trouble and you saved me?” she countered, trying to keep the tone light.“Abuela would want details, and we wouldn’t want to give her the slightest hint about how we really met,” I shot back, noticing her brow knitting together as she pondered.I sighed heavily, resting my head against the car seat. My thoughts were a chaotic storm.“Wait, what if we say we met on a dating site? It seems realistic and doesn’t raise any