CHAPTER TWO
"Daddy is really angry isn't he?" Cassandra looked at the adorable little girl who looked every bit like a princess even with her arm in a cast. Those intense dark eyes that were just like her father's were filled with emotion as she gazed up at Cassandra.
Cassandra wasn't surprised at all that Joan knew exactly how her father's mood was today so she tried to think of a better way to respond as she helped the girl sit up being careful not to aggravate her injured arm."Does it hurt a lot?""Only a little. Daddy got angry at you because of me." Joan said tearfully."No my dear it's not your fault at all what happened was an accident." Cassandra assured her."I didn't mean to make him so angry, I just wanted daddy to come home more often and spend time with me." Cassandra was appalled at the girl's admission."What did you say? You did this to yourself on purpose?" Cassandra couldn't it. She was boiling with rage she thought she might eCHAPTER THREEWhat was she thinking saying all that to him he was her boss for goodness sake? Sure he might not get the daddy of the year award but who was she to judge him or question how he chose to live his life, he was single and good looking as well as extremely wealthy there's got to be a lot of women after him, and there were a lot it's only fair that he helped himself to some of those beauties. Cassandra must admit that she'd been furious at him last night partly because he'd had so many gorgeous women on his arm yet he'd never once looked her way no matter how much she tried to get his attention.She waited at the foot of the stairs as he descended down it, her breath caught in her throat at his fresh looks and she felt her heart doing a somersault across her chest. Marcus plunged his hands into his pants pocket as he got to the landing below where she stood."About last night," she started, looking down at her toes. "I'm sorry for what I
CHAPTER FOURJoan's squeal of delight was music to Cassandra's ears. They'd checked into the Victoria Crown Hotel and resort yesterday afternoon, the weather was spectacular and the view of the ocean was absolutely breathtaking. Cassandra had also fantasised about a day on the beach with warm sand beneath her bare feet and feel the warm breeze on her face as she gazed out across the vast atlantic ocean it's nice to be part of this little adventure. It was close to holiday time and Cassandra could see different people checking into the hotel; newlyweds, couples obviously coming to celebrate their wedding anniversaries, by this time tomorrow she knew the beach would be crowded if not later today but it was nice to be surrounded by so much happiness for once and Joan seemed really pleased with the outdoors, her arm was healing nicely thanks to the pain killers and fuzzy feelings of love from her daddy. Cassandra had never seen the little girl so happy before she smiled fee
CHAPTER FIVE"You're really good at this." Marcus commented. They were playing a game of Ludo that evening in their suite and Cassandra had won three times in a row. "Why do I get the feeling that you want me drunk huh?" he said as he reached for the bottle of beer and poured himself a shot."The loser get to take a shot, that's what we agreed on and I won fair and square. I don't have any ulterior motive." Cassandra wiggled her brows at him.The game began to be more intense and Cassandra swallowed her first shot grimacing when the insipid tepid liquid burned her throat whoever made this didn't have the sense to make it less distasteful. She blinked rapidly as her eyes watered."Um I was thinking that we should talk about what happened earlier today...with Joan." Cassandra licked her dried lips. For a moment she thought he wasn't say anything, he had a far away look on his face."You know, when Natasha died in that awful terror attack I felt like a
CHAPTER SIXCassandra must’ve been living in a fairy-tale for when she'd exploded with bliss in Marcus' arms she'd thought she'd found her happily ever after at last but reality was far from it. She'd noticed how Marcus tried to keep his distance as they got back from the resort reverting back to the enigmatic and aloof boss she knew so well until three days ago. She thought what happened between them meant something to him or had she imagined it all? She thought she'd finally made a place for herself in his heart after the tender way he made love to her but all that seemed to have disappeared like the puff of a smoke. Sometimes the burn of his rejection threatened to make her cry but she busied herself with doing what she was paid to do which is taking care of Joan. Nothing ever came from having emotional attachment to one's boss especially one so accustomed to gorgeous women every week, these past few days just proved that.When Cassandra decided that she'd had e
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REVENGEBlurbCan love triumph over revenge?The ice princess won't know what hit her by the time he's done with her.Alex Erison had promised to give Anastasia Magnus a dose of her own medicine, he's even had everything planned out to the tee, but one look at Anastasia Magnus again will have his foolproof plans collapsing like a sand castle.CHAPTER ONE"Sir your car is ready." "Thank you Benjie."Alex Erison said with a brief glance behind him at his driver. He threw a glance at his dressing mirror, he only intended a fleeting look but he found himself taking more time than he intended.What was wrong with him? He was only having dinner with Anastasia Magnus, the snobbish and spoilt daughter of chief Magnus Okeke. He loathed the fact that whenever he thought about this dinner with her, his confidence would slip.Alex didn’t spend all these years planning his sweet revenge only to f
CHAPTER TWOAlex looked down at his wrist then leaned forward resting his elbow on the table, he reached for his half full glass of champagne and took a huge gulp this time. He had been nursing the one glass for over an hour now, Alex wasn’t a lightweight, no he could have ten glasses and still be able to handle himself.What he couldn’t handle however, was being stood up. A phone call would've sufficed but no, the great Anastasia Magnus couldn’t even afford him that. This was to be expected, she must still believe that he was beneath her. The thought made him tighten his jaw until it began to ache, Alex was already tethering on the hinges of irritation."Are you ready to order sir?"Alex glared at the waiter so hard the young man almost lost his balance and he spluttered an apology, offering to come back later. He hated how this situation was so much like it had been years ago...No, he wouldn't let the memory of the past aff
CHAPTER THREEWhen Alex called about dinner on Tuesday afternoon Ana felt the knots on her shoulders tighten and her gut felt like it would spill it's contents anytime soon. It's been a while since any man was able to make her weak in the knees.She was dressed that evening in a halter top flower-print dress and skirt.Alex came to pick her up himself and they drove to one of those high end restaurants in the city. They sat on the terrace overlooking the vast Atlantic ocean with its frothing waves. Below, Ana could see passers-by, as well as families and lovers frolicking in the waters, it wasn't a holiday or anything but she was humbled to see them having so much fun like no one else existed in the world.Ana's smile was bittersweet as she remembered all the fun she and her mom used to have, they both loved the waves in the Ocean and they would go often. But the last time they went their fun ended in a tragedy. "What?" she snapped out of her thoughts, re
CHAPTER FOURAna was a bundle of nerves as she waited in the back of the limo which had driven her to the quaint little church where she'll be getting married to Alexander Erison. A smile made its way to her face as she thought about how he’d proposed.They'd come out of the cinema after watching a romantic movie, they went for a walk on the beach and that’s when a street performer serenade them and then to Ana's surprise, Alex went on his knees and he asked her to marry him.The guests were starting to get restless and Ana could sense that something wasn’t right."Clara, do you know if Alex has arrived yet?" she turned to her maid of honour Clara Wilson, her eyes wide and pleading."I don't but I can go and check." "Please do."As Clara climbed out of the limo, Ana called Alex's cell phone but he wasn't answering.Worry paralysed her.The door of the limo opened and Alice, Alex's childhood friend sat beside her. Ana
CHAPTER FIVEA Year Ago...Claire was two hours earlier than she'd hoped to be but no matter, she'd just wait it out. She adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag just as the lift opened at the second floor."Claire you're late." Charity's tone was reproving but Claire rolled her eyes and ignored her."Please, i'm two hours early." Charity was her friend and room mate."And why are you hanging out here? Shouldn't you be working?"Charity pointedly ignored her but then her eyes lit up suddenly and that meant she's got mischief up her sleeve."No I don't wanna hear it.""Come on, I've got this awesome dress I would like you to try on.""Try it on yourself.""I wish." She sighed wistfully. The thing charity was worried about the most was her size, she fretted over the fact that she couldn't fit into all the cute little dresses and jeans she's always wanted.Claire ran her fingers on the silky-smooth fabric. The dress wa
CHAPTER FOURThat tiny feeling of doubt lingered through the next morning, it suffocated her to the point that she thought she couldn't breathe. As she slipped back into her uniform, work was the last thing on her mind right now. She could feel Dimitri's heated gaze boring into her skin and knew he was awake. "You plan on sneaking away like a coward?" he drawled.Claire wasn't sure she'd wanted to sneak away. God she had no idea what she wants right now, her feelings were all over the place. Must be PMS or something. When she swivelled around, she sucked in a sharp breath as she saw his member proudly jutting up and she felt hot all over. Sex right now would mess up her already messed up mind so she forced her gaze to his face. Right now, she couldn't decipher what he was feeling at the moment. he wore the mask of indifference perfectly."I wasn’t actually...""Don't feed me that Crap about what happened between us last night being a mis
CHAPTER THREEThey were quiet, each lost in his own personal reflection. Claire just wants to lie down somewhere and forget this day but Dimitri won't let her, he's persistent and she couldn't decide whether she like that or not. "Do you remember the first time we met?" How could she forget?"I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the ball room. You took my breath away then, and you take my breath away standing in that cute little uniform." he caught her face in his palms and stared deep into her eyes.Claire couldn't tear her gaze away even if she wanted to. His feelings were so intense it ignited a fire deep within her very soul. "I feel the same way about you as I did when I first met you and there's nothing you can say or do that'll make me feel otherwise." Claire swallowed hard and in one breath said, "even though I was once an escort?"Dimitri shook his head. "No one is perfect darling, your past doesn't define the woman yo
CHAPTER TWOSix months ago..."Is my hair okay?""The just-had-sex hair suits you perfectly agapi mou, every man out there will be envious of me." Claire punched his arm playfully."I'm serious Dimitri! I'd die if anyone knew what we just did.""It's not something to hide, we're getting married in a month." he kissed her slow and sweet, pulling her even close until she could feel him against her.She giggled as she pulled back. "We should get to the party before it ends.""You can’t blame me I can't get enough of you."She can't get enough of him too. God how much she loved this man who makes her more happy than she'd ever been in her life. Tonight, Dimitri's going to announce to everyone that they're going to get married.Dimitri took her hand in his as he led them both to the garden at the Stavros mansion in Athens, Greece the guests mingled together while servers went around with snacks and drink. A buffet table stood a
A STAVROS PASSIONTHE STAVROS BOOK 1 MARICRUZ ROSALESA STAVROS PASSIONFirst editionCopyright © 2019 by Maricruz Rosales All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or here after invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. All incidents are pure invention.CHAPTER ONE"Welcome to New York Mr Stavros." the bright-eyed, round-faced chauffeur said cheerily as he
CHAPTER SIX "Why didn't you tell us about it?"Dominic looked away from the window of his water front apartment to his mother, she was holding a brown envelope."I don't want to talk about it. " she was holding the envelope that confirmed his biggest fears, he couldn’t have children of his own.It was a boating accident seven years ago and Dominic was never the same ever since."Your father and I are worried about you. At least come spend some time with us and let us keep you company. " "I'm fine mom, there's nothing to worry about. " She wasn't convinced though. He had bags under his eyes as if he hadn’t been sleeping and there were a couple of empty cans of beer littered on the table. Dominic was stubborn and nothing either of them could do to make him change his mind.These past three weeks were the most miserable weeks of his life. Clara's betrayal had cut deep. There were times in these past three weeks that he'd thought of running to her and
CHAPTER FIVE"You look even more beautiful than I did on my wedding day." Anastasia Magnus gushed as she did the finishing touches on Clara's make up.Clara smiled. "Now you're just buttering me up.""Dominic is doing enough of that already." Anastasia wagged her brows at her friend." I didn't think this day would ever come." "Yeah, well it is here so put that glum look away. You will not get the same drama as my wedding day. " "I know. I'm just being silly. Am glad you're here Ana.""It is time!" Clara's mother ambled into the room with a dazzling smile on her face. "You're glowing my dear.""Thank you mom." her mother allowed herself a good cry before they finally left the room.Clara was being escorted to the limo which will take her to the church where she'll be getting married when a taxi suddenly pulled over in front of the Contas' house and none other than Mark, her ex boyfriend came out of it."You have cheated me Clara.
CHAPTER FOURThe past few days had been hectic, what with all the preparations for the wedding that they didn't have time to see each other. Today was her first ultrasound and Dominic was coming to pick her up himself. She saw his car round the corner which led to his parents' house and stopped in front of her. He got out of the car and came to where she was standing and kissed her full on the mouth. "You look lovely. " "In this?" Clara was wearing one of her mother’s old dresses which she'd mended the other day. It was old and unappealing, how could he possibly think that she looked anything but a homeless person."You look beautiful in anything."He opened the car door for her and she got in before hopped in the driver’s seat. "Make yourself comfortable, the doctor will be with you shortly." the nurse informed them before exiting the room."Do you want a boy or a girl?" Clara asked.Dominic kissed her knuckles as
CHAPTER THREE"Dominic! we were just talking about you" his mother cried as soon they stepped into the room. "Mom, dad, this is Clara Wilson... my wife. " The table went silent and the only sound heard was the clatter of fork slipping from the table to the ground. "Since when?" his dad asked."My dear son, come up stairs will you?" his mother spoke after a long silence. Clara felt so exposed under their scrutiny. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable, i'll be right back." Dominic gave her hand a reassuring squeeze."What is this I hear about you being married to that girl Dominic?"His mother was the first to demand."I hope you know what you’re doing son." his father said."I know that I should've told you all sooner but I couldn't wait.""Marriage is not some game you can play anytime you feel like it." His mother said."There's only one reason why he could possibly want to get married, and so out o