I was jealous, Sergio. Despite how hard I tried to get those words from Nicole out of my head, I couldn't. They kept repeating themselves like a mantra. I heaved a sigh of exasperation and shut down my laptop. I couldn't even have any work done. I reclined against the chair, the image of Nicole's disappointed face flashing in my mind and my heart tightening against my chest. "Stop!" I gently slapped my face. "Are you out of your mind, Sergio? What the heck!" "Talking to yourself?" Scarlett's voice instantly sent a wave of guilt over me. She was my fiancee, yet I was preoccupied with the thoughts of another woman. I felt even trashier when I recalled the times Nicole and I kissed. It felt like I didn't only cheat on her physically, but emotionally as well. Scarlett was the sweetest person I had ever come across, and that was the reason we could maintain how relationship for so long. Betraying her was the one thing I never saw myself doing. She always put up with my workaholic
I felt shivers run down my spine as his lips moved against mine softly at first, then, his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to his body and evoking sensations that I never knew I was capable of feeling before. My arms instantly wrapped around his neck, savoring the taste of his plump lips. I was kissing him back with the same passion. Then, he stopped, and stepped back. In his eyes, I could see a mix of regret and satisfaction? "I'm sorry," he started, breathing deeply. "I shouldn't have..." I scoffed, taking a few steps away from him. It was my turn to give him a dose of his own medicine. "Then leave, Sergio." "Are you okay though?" he asked, closing the gap between them. "I just want to make sure." "I am," I answered, wiping nonexistent tears from my eyes. "I'll be okay." "Nicole..." Sergio began to speak but the rest of his words died on his lips. "We shouldn't—" I rolled my eyes, annoyed at his indecisiveness. One minute, he was saying someth
Last night was like a dream. Waking up the next morning, the remnant of his cologne on my nightie filled my nostrils. I still couldn't believe Sergio was in my room, his lips meeting mine in a desperate and undeniably passionate kiss. A kiss that defied his pleas, his warnings about not jeopardizing his long term relationship with Scarlett. Now, who was the traitor? My reflection in the bathroom mirror barely registered as I splashed cold water on my face. The events of last night couldn't stop playing over and over again in my mind. For a fact, I knew Sergio had feelings for me. It was pretty glaring, the lingering gazes said it all — I was also certain that even Diego could tell. I had seen the way he looked at us whenever Sergio and I were in the same space, Interacting. It was always almost as if he had something to say to us, but always kept it to himself. Or at least always tried to keep it to himself — but I didn't know he was going to act up on it. I had always been a
Rosa's squeal sent a jolt through me as she crushed me in a bear hug. "Oh my God, Nicole! Where have you been? Do you know how worried I was? I've missed you so much!" My arms snaked around Rosa's back, returning her hug briefly before I pulled away, a smile tugging at my lips. "I've missed you too." Rosa's eyes scanned me from head to toe, particularly my outfit. "You look different, Nicole! What's the secret? Tell me you've hooked a rich billionaire, babe!" I rolled my eyes. Rosa would always be Rosa. A golddigger through and through. I loved her though. She had been a good friend to me from the first time I started working at the coffee shop with her. Her heart was as big as her dreams. Her eyes widened in excitement. "It's true, isn't it?" I chuckled. "You could say that." She gasped, her eyes sparking with excitement. "You're lying!" "Of course I am," I playfully pushed her away. "Do these things even happen in real life? I have told you before to stop watchi
SERGIO'S POV Nestled in Scarlett's arms, I couldn't help but remember the illicit thrill I had experienced with Nicole last night while Scarlett was busy sleeping. Last night's kiss with Nicole had been a betrayal of everything I claimed to be, yet the memory lingered. I felt extremely guilty, but I couldn't stop myself. The thought of doing it again wasn't repulsive. In fact, just thinking about it made me suck my bottom lip involuntarily. This wasn't me. I wasn't a cheat. But there was something about Nicole that I couldn't put my finger on. Something alluring. I wanted to stay away, but the more I tried, the more I became drawn to her. It was as if I was trapped in a magnetic pull towards her. Scarlett's voice, soft and soothing, broke into my reverie. "Babe, I've been talking to you. Where has your mind traveled to?" The question was innocent, but it felt like she'd seen through me. I leaned in, my heart pounding a guilty rhythm as I placed a quick kiss on her lips. How
"I don't know what you're talking about, Diego," I insisted. Diego shook his head, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I'm your brother, Sergio. I know you better than anyone else. Besides, I saw you leaving the room." Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to remain calm. I couldn't afford to be caught. Not now or ever. "I went there," I began, my voice steady. "because like she said, she had a breakdown and I went there to comfort. That was it." "I believe you," Diego said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You'd never do anything to jeopardize your relationship with Scarlett. You're also not that kind of person to cheat on anyone, let alone Scarlett. It's Nicole that I don't trust." His words sent a pang to my heart. Despite being guilty, I couldn't fathom Diego harboring such thought about Nicole, especially after she'd risked her life for our father. "Why don't you trust her?" I asked, anger creeping into my voice. "She saved Dad's life!" "I'm sorry to say t
A sly smile spread across my lips as Sergio sat beside me. I loved the fact that he sounded so angry. "What did he say to you?" I wiped away the nonexistent tears from my face and shook my head. "He didn't say anything." "Nicole!" Sergio's voice was firm. "Look at me. Talk to me! Tell me exactly what he said to you!" That was my chance. I averted my gaze to him, making sure to fixate my gaze in his. Air fanned my eyes making tears instantly well up in them. "I don't know why Diego dislikes me this much. I thought we were getting along. I thought he liked me, but I've been wrong. This isn't even the first time he's treating me like I'm a nobody," I swallowed. "I know I'm not, but it still hurts when he reminds me of that all the time. He always finds ways to make sneaky remarks about me. Why? What's my offence? I didn't want to take your card but you insisted I do, I went shopping to get a few essential things I needed, and I end up being called a golddigger and a socia
Juliana's point of view Wow! Staring at the transcript of my result, I couldn't believe I passed. I did! OMG! I really did! Dad would be elated to hear of the good news - I smiled, reminiscing how hard I studied to be able to get a scholarship. My hard work did not go to waste after all. It paid off. I giggled to myself and gazed at the results again for the umpteenth time. I just couldn't stop myself from repeating the process. It seemed so... Surreal, even to my own eyes. Dad; he worked so hard just to make sure I succeeded. I could wait no longer to get home and present my results to him. Indisputably, he would be astonished and overjoyed at the same time. Frankly speaking, he was the reason behind my zeal to get a scholarship so badly. I wanted nothing more than to be able to take us out of the poverty I grew up in. To be able to give him a better life. A life he actually deserved. Ever since I was just a kid, the way loan sharks harassed him had never gone unnoticed by me.