Lisa smiled at me, her expression brightening in a way that caught me off guard. "I’m so glad to see you two working things out again," she said, her tone light and cheerful as if we were old friends reconnecting.I stared at her in disbelief, my mind racing. Did she really think that? Did she not see how frail the threads of our past were, how easily they could snap? “You really think this is ‘working things out’?” I replied, incredulous. “When you’re done screwing Carlos, you can call me to continue the conversation.”Carlos shifted beside me, his jaw tightening. “Stop,” he said, his voice low and commanding.I raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “Stop what, exactly? Being honest? Or are you saying I should stop calling out your bullshit?”Lisa shifted uncomfortably, her confident smile faltering as she glanced between us. The atmosphere was charged with tension, her earlier joy dissolving into a thin veneer of awkwardness. “Maybe I should just- -”Pachi stepped out from the back
As I sat on the edge of the bed with Nathan, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light over us, my phone buzzed. I glanced down and saw a message from Pachi."Don Chappo wants to see me," I said, breaking the comfortable silence.Nathan looked up from his tablet, his expression calm yet attentive. "He’s probably very pleased with how you handled the situation with the Stones." He paused, studying my face as if reading the mix of emotions there. "You can go see him in the morning. No need to rush."I nodded, relieved that Nathan didn’t seem alarmed by the message. But there was something else weighing on my mind, something I knew I needed to tell him before the night went on. I shifted, pulling my legs up beneath me, facing him fully.“There’s something else I need to talk to you about,” I said quietly.Nathan raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in my tone. He set his tablet aside and gave me his full attention. “What is it?”I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I had an inci
Walking into Don Chappo’s office, I could feel the tension in the air, though I kept my expression neutral. Nathan had insisted I bring bodyguards, and they were waiting just outside. But, as always, Don Chappo preferred private discussions, and I found myself standing in the dimly lit room with just him.The Don sat behind his massive oak desk, leaning back in his chair with a half-smile as I entered. "You’re becoming quite the force to be reckoned with," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an underlying edge. "Nathan’s lucky to have you on his side."I didn’t respond immediately, taking a seat across from him. His eyes followed my movements, assessing, calculating. "What did you want to discuss, Don Chappo?" I asked, cutting through the pleasantries.He chuckled, the sound deep and unsettling. "Straight to business. I like that." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I’m having... difficulties with a few of my bankers. They’re being more difficult than usual about s
As I headed back to the office, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing down, I saw a message from Don Chappo. My stomach tightened as I opened it, wondering what more he could want after that tense meeting.The message was short but loaded with weight: "Look after Nathan. His family wants him dead."I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Why hadn’t he told me this in person, when I was right there with him? Why drop something this heavy over a text? It didn’t make sense, unless there was more going on behind the scenes, more than I realized. This was the second time he had said this.The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Nathan’s family… wanting him dead? It is not as if I have not heard it before, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around it fully, because the gravity of the situation hit me like a punch to the gut or I would say I am not fully involved.The car sped down the highway, but my thoughts moved even faster. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was coming, somethin
As I walked into the room, my mind was racing with the weight of the information Pachi had shared. I had to tell Nathan everything and make him understand that danger was lurking closer than he realized. But when I tried to speak, the words seemed to fall flat. Nathan, leaning casually against the wall, didn’t seem alarmed. His calmness in the face of everything was both infuriating and disarming.“Nathan, I’m serious,” I said, trying to emphasize the urgency. “You’re in danger. Your family, Don Chappo, the Stones, everyone’s playing their hand, and it’s all pointing at you.”He walked over to me slowly, his eyes studying me, but not with concern. There was something deeper and more intimate. Before I could say another word, his hands gently moved to the buttons of my shirt, unfas
Nathan’s hand was warm on my back as we weaved through the dancing crowd. The music pulsed around us, lights flashing, but our mission held a weight all its own. He wanted to see Steve with his own eyes, confirm the shadows of suspicion lingering around us.“Stay close,” he whispered, his voice smooth but sharp, as though he were already preparing for whatever game Steve might be playing. We cut through the crowd toward the central floor, weaving between dancers and bodies swaying in time to the heavy bass. Then, suddenly, there they were, right in front of us like the universe had orchestrated some twisted meeting.Carlos and Lisa.Lisa’s smile was unmistakable, that smug look she wore whenever she thought she held the upper hand. Carlos turned, and his face flashed with surprise, then satisfaction. They had seen us, just as we’d stumbled upon them. And they weren’t going anywhere.“Well, look who’s slumming it on the dance floor,” Lisa sneered, her voice slicing through the heavy mu
Nathan and I stepped out of the club, the chilly night air a welcome relief from the thick tension we’d left behind. He pulled out his phone, dialling swiftly. His expression was all business as he waited for the line to connect.“Don Chappo,” Nathan said when he finally answered, his voice low but firm. “I need to know…is everything still under wraps? No one should know about our business.”A pause stretched on the line as Don Chappo’s gruff voice finally cut through. “It’s tight, Nathan. Not a word outside of our circle. What’s going on?”Nathan’s grip tightened around the phone as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder, scanning the street. “We were at the club. Ran into some…unexpected faces. They’re circling, Don, and someone just hinted they might know more than they should.”The Don’s voice shifted, taking on a sharp edge. “Who are we talking about?”“Steve and Carlos,” Nathan replied, his gaze darkening. “And Steve insinuated he knew something. But you’re certain, no leaks?”
The hotel room did not look as accommodating as it used to be because of Nathan’s mood. It felt heavy as I stepped inside. He stood by the window, his back to me, gazing into the night as if it held answers he couldn’t find. I knew the weight he was carrying, but seeing him this quiet, so distant and removed, was unsettling.I took a step closer, hesitating. “Nathan,” I murmured softly, “come to bed. You need rest.”He didn’t respond, his body tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. I waited, sensing his need for space, but as the minutes passed, my worry grew. Finally, I took a breath and broke the silence. “Talk to me,” I urged, stepping beside him. “Please.”He exhaled, a long, weary sigh, and when he finally looked at me, his face was lined with frustration, shadows etched deeply in his eyes. “I just… wish I didn’t have so much on my plate,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sometimes, I wonder if it’s worth it. If all of this is worth the price.”I placed
Everything had settled into place like the final pieces of a grand puzzle. What once felt like an insurmountable storm had passed, leaving behind a new world, one where Nathan remained the undisputed king, but this time, with order and stability.I had been called back to school, a sign that my life was finally returning to normal, or at least something close to it. The weight of uncertainty that had once loomed over me had lifted, replaced by a newfound sense of freedom and direction. Katrina had received 30% of all the clubs and hotels I owned as per the agreement, securing her future and allowing her to walk away from the chaos without regrets.Nathan, ever the strategist, had made swift work of tying up loose ends. With Don Chappo’s assistance, he had not only removed every trace of the gang that had threatened our lives but had also found a way to put Carlos to good use. Carlos had been given a fresh start—an actual career, a legitimate one—working under Nathan and Don Chappo’s g
The boardroom was thick with tension. Every eye was on Nathan, Alex Sommer, Steve, and Uncle Jesse as the battle for control of Cain Corporation reached its climax.Alex Sommer, ever the smooth talker, stood up, adjusting his perfectly tailored suit with an air of confidence. He glanced around the room and smirked, his voice dripping with condescension."None of this matters," he declared, his eyes locking on Nathan. "You can throw all the accusations you want, but it's not enough to stop the change of leadership. The majority of the shares are in my control now. That is all that matters."Blake, Nathan’s sharp and calculating lawyer, was quick to respond. He stood with an easy grace, his expression unreadable."Tell me, Alex," Blake began, "is fraud, not enough grounds to stop another fraud?"Alex narrowed his eyes, shifting his weight slightly."What are you implying?"Blake’s gaze swept the room, ensuring that every board member was listening before he continued."The very people w
The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The air was thick with silent power plays, unspoken accusations, and the weight of the decision that would determine the fate of Cain Corporation. Nathan sat at the head of the table, his posture calm but commanding, his piercing eyes scanning the room. He wasn’t here to beg, he was here to remind them exactly who he was.My only fear was that I hoped he knew the game he was playing. A lot of things don’t favour him at the moment, but I think he can appeal to the Board members so that they can stand by him. A lot of them worshipped him, yet this was a tough call.Uncle Jesse cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table. He clasped his hands together in a gesture of authority before addressing the board members."Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice smooth and practised, "we have gathered here today for an important matter, one that affects the very future of this company." He took a moment t
As we stepped into the office, a hushed tension blanketed the room. It was as if everyone had already caught wind of the chaos unfolding behind closed doors. Employees who normally went about their business were suddenly stealing glances at us, some filled with curiosity, others with thinly veiled concern.Nathan walked beside me, his expression unreadable, his steps measured and confident. I, on the other hand, could feel the weight of every stare pressing into my back. This wasn’t just another board meeting. This was a battle. A battle for control, for power, for survival.Blake was the first to greet us, standing just outside the boardroom with an air of quiet authority. He gave us a tight-lipped smile, his eyes scanning Nathan’s face for any signs of hesitation.“They’re waiting for you,” he said in a low voice. “Uncle Jesse, Steve, Alex… they’re all inside. They’ve wasted no time.”Nathan let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “Of course they haven’t.”Blake’s expression hard
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Nathan’s penthouse, casting long golden streaks across the room. I stirred beneath the silk sheets, the warmth of last night’s intimacy still lingering on my skin. For the first time in what felt like forever, I had slept soundly, wrapped in Nathan’s arms. But as I opened my eyes, the weight of reality crashed back onto my shoulders.Nathan was already up, standing by the window with his phone pressed to his ear. His posture was tense, his back rigid as he listened intently to whoever was on the other end of the line. I could only catch snippets of the conversation.“…Yes. Make sure it’s all filed before the meeting… No, I don’t care what Alex Sommer thinks he’s planning,” He paused, exhaling sharply before adding, “Just do it.”I sat up slowly, watching him as he ended the call and turned around. His piercing eyes met mine, but they weren’t filled with the warmth I had seen last night. Instead, they were sharp and calculating. H
As the warm water cascaded over my body, I let out a deep sigh, letting the steam wrap around me like a comforting embrace. The tension of the past days had been suffocating, and for the first time in a while, I allowed myself to relax.I ran my hands through my hair, washing out the last traces of soap, my eyes closed as I let the water cleanse not just my body, but my mind as well. When I finally opened them, my breath hitched.Nathan stood before me.He was completely bare, his chiselled form illuminated by the dim, misty light of the bathroom. Droplets of water clung to his skin, accentuating every curve of his muscles. His deep blue eyes held mine, dark with something I couldn’t quite name, something raw, something undeniable.For a moment, neither of us moved. The sound of the water filled the space between us, the steam creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. My heart pounded in my chest, my skin prickling with awareness.Then, he stepped forward.His fingers trailed up my arm,
As we stepped into Nathan’s penthouse, the tension from the boardroom still lingered in the air. Nathan’s jaw was set, his mind clearly working through everything that had just happened. I had barely settled onto the couch when the doorbell rang.Nathan didn’t even need to guess who it was. He strode to the door, exhaled deeply, and pulled it open.Katrina stood there, her sharp gaze moving between the two of us before she stepped inside as if she owned the place. She was still dressed in the same impeccable blazer from the board meeting, her posture poised, but there was a flicker of unease in her expression.Nathan shut the door and turned to face her. “Alright, Katrina. Let’s cut to it. What deal did she offer you?”Katrina tilted her head slightly, then smirked. “You seem impatient.”“I don’t have time for your games,” Nathan replied, crossing his arms. “Tell me.”Katrina’s gaze flickered toward me as if debating whether to say it out loud. But then she shrugged and leaned against
As Nathan and I stepped into the conference room, an unmistakable tension filled the air. Every board member was present, their eyes shifting between one another, some avoiding Nathan’s piercing gaze, others openly hostile. But what caught me off guard the most was the sight of Katrina seated confidently among them. She was dressed in a sleek black blazer, her expression unreadable, but there was something steely in her gaze as she met Nathan’s eyes.Nathan’s posture stiffened. He scanned the room, his piercing eyes locking onto each individual before settling on Katrina for a moment. Then, in a voice dripping with restrained fury, he asked, “What is going on here? Who gave the authority to call a board meeting in the middle of the night?”A slow, deliberate chuckle broke the silence.It was Uncle Jesse. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table, and clasped his hands together as if he had all the time in the world. His smug expression made my stomach twist
The revelation that Steve, Uncle Jesse, and Alex Sommer had called for an emergency board meeting sent a chill through me. This wasn’t just a power move, it was a calculated strike, and if Nathan didn’t act fast, he could lose everything.We grabbed our things but instead of moving towards the door, we stood there looking at each other. I wondered how we got here, to the point where we are almost losing everything we hold dear. Our love, my school, and Nathan’s empire seemed to be crashing down with n solution.I turned to him, my voice firm despite the panic bubbling inside me. “Nathan, if they’ve called a board meeting without you, it’s not a good omen. You know what this means.”Nathan clenched his jaw, running a hand through his dark hair as he exhaled heavily. “I know,” he said, his voice laced with frustration. “But what do you want me to do? Sit here and watch everything I built get handed over to Alex Sommer on a platter of gold?” His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, a sto