ELOISEI rolled my eyes in both annoyance and disbelief. "I have nothing to do with Damon again. I shall have nothing to do with him so whether I love him or not isn't gonna change anything" After eating, the children came back to the sitting room with colorful outfits " mommy are we still going to the amusement park?" I blinked repeatedly with a smirk " uhhh ..Yes. I will go freshen up. All of you should sit quietly on the couch. Emphasis on the quietly especially you Giana. If you run around recklessly, I might not take you with me" Giana's face furrowed as she quietly went to sit alone at a couch. Giana was the most stubborn of the triplet. I use to think it would be my boy but surprisingly Nicole has been supportive as if he knew I was doing this alone. He obeys every single word I say and make sure his sister's does the same since probably because he's the oldest. Or feel that he is the man. Kiara was the least troublesome. When she was still little,
LUCIANO The list of things I'd rather do besides arguing with my father and his wife about why exactly the museum must be sold and why they were interested in acquiring the lands around included but not limited to eating fried maggots or watching a cartoon until my eyes bugs out. I've asked my secretary to check out what was really going on. The sindaci was involved. The ministro aswell other top company holders except GED. I couldn't understand exactly why he wasn't involved. Don't tell me it's because he wasn't involved or had no information. I don't know because my family must have not wanted me to know. Or he declined to give in the greediness because he still loves Eloise. That asshole! "Sir we are here" James said as he stopped in front of the amusement park. I decided to conduct an incognito study of user behavior, as the company is developing an AI that personalizes guest experiences. We are observing how people interact with park technology to refine their algo
ELOISE Having the same birth mark doesn't necessarily mean that Luciano was the father of my kids . I mean I've never met him except when the kids were five already. That birth mark could be tattooed. I just don't want to think about it when I got home. And even after few days at home I couldn't still successful shove the thought out of my head. He said the same. That birthmark doesn't really mean he was the father. it's still puzzling to me what a grown ass man is doing in an amusement park. I got to the museum to see all my employees assembled Infront of a boiling tempered man. Luciano was really scolding grown men and women? I hurriedly rushed to the scene and furrowed my brows in anger. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" I questioned with a clenched fist.. "What does it look like Eloise? I should center my blame on you right now . How the hell are you running this place? I'm sorry if I'm crossing the line but excuse me? You don't make
ELOISE"Am I late?" I said two hours later of deliberately making Damon wait " No. It's ... fine. I arrived early, I was nearby remember?" Luciano then arrived. I almost thought he won't show up" Damon rolled his eyes " You came with him?"; He muttered in annoyance. " I honestly hope you don't mind?. He insisted to follow me around" I laughed gently Luciano smiled at me and pecked my cheeks . Now that I think about it, this was far way childish than I thought. He looked up at the waitress across and signalled, ," you can bring the food now to him" "I'm sorry, I ordered on my own . I hope that's alright, besides, I already know your favorite" The waiter dropped two servings of abundant seafood, with grilled fish, fried calamari, and spaghetti alle vongoleIt was actually once at the top list of my favorites. Damon's intentions were quiet clear this was the exact meal I always order at every of our anniversary. " You can fix something for
ELOISE As I stepped into the spacious, dimly lit office, my eyes fell on Mr. Luciano. He stood with a smug smile, his gaze unwavering as he watched me approach. There was something cold and calculated in his demeanor, the same sense of entitlement that seemed to surround him since the beginning. Even though I was very much aware of the fact that Mr.Luciano is a money grubber, I still wasn't expecting that level of betrayal.. "Gosh ! I'm so stupid" I smacked my forehead..I probably shouldn't believe Damon who was ready to do anything out of jealousy.. I took a deep breath, clutching the stack of documents in my hand, and tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t help but wonder if Damon had been right all along. His warnings about Mr. Luciano echoed in my mind, and while Damon’s jealousy often clouded his judgment, maybe this time he had been onto something. For the past few days, I hadn't realized that he was the one offering to buy my father's mansion thr
ELOISE "Marrying you would do no good to me..don't use the museum as an excuse. Your grandfather has be all over me and my children since we arrived Italy..But trust me, even though I do not know the father of my children, It couldn't have been you" His eyes suddenly lit up " Damon is not the father?" "I will take my leave now Luciano. Don't mistake my desperateness for brokenness.. I was very comfortable before all of this and a husband is not close to what I need now" "Just a year. Think about Eloise..That been said, I've vowed to protect you and the kids with my life just like your mother did " I rolled my eyes to him. " My mother?" I quivered.. I've been so annoyed at nature for it took away my mom few months after my birth.. " I'm really sorry for what I'm about to say Eloise.. few years ago, your mom had jumped into the fire at the kitchen restaurant to save me and my mom who suddenly passed out while cooking according to autopsy " I held my breath knowing fully
LUCIANO I watched my late wife's grandfather walk round the sleek silver range coover I had just had delivered. A supercar, it was the ultimate boy-toy, for only ten would ever be built. The older man’s excitement was rare. I already know how much he adores new rides so I got it as a bribe sort of "A car that costs almost a half of a million.’ grandpa said, he stood tall and straight in spite of his seventy-five years, "Luci, It does my heart good to see you taking an interest in such things again! Did you fall In love recently? I smirked but said nothing in response to that leading comment. "I wouldn't be surprised if you have dear... Gossip columnists regularly referred to the billionaire head of the halmart software company as beautiful. " I hated the press..but loved how good they praised me. I sure have that lean, bronzed features which might have a breathtaking symmetry that turned female heads wherever I
ELOISE "we are not getting paid on time?" Matthew asked with a very bewildered look.."that can't happen. I have a loan interest..I have to pay for my kid's academy and they are even preparing for their first camp. I can't let my kids miss their first camping. Why are you all not saying anything? " The other workers either stood or paced around in anger "Felicia say something. You have your mother's hospital bill to take care of. Infact you even need it worst than I do. So why are not bothered?" I decided to step in. It's been two weeks since their salary was due. " I'm sorry for all this time," I apologized"Dl you really not have money?".Ann asked.with a sassy tone.. "Excuse me?" "It's just unbelievable to understand that the best curator I'm U.S is fucking broke! That designer bag you have took me six months to save up . If you sell everything you are wearing now including your jewelries, it could pay us for four months and you'd have some money left"
LUCIANOST. AUGUSTINE HOSPITAL –11:47 PMThe night smelled like damp asphalt and cigarettes. A light drizzle coated the streets, the neon glow from the hospital sign flickering in the reflection of the pavement. Nicholas parked the van two blocks away, just outside the hospital’s blind spot—an alley between an old pharmacy and a construction site. It was a quiet night, except for the occasional honk of a passing cab. Inside the van, I checked my watch. 11:47 PM"Alright," I muttered, glancing around at the crew. "We go in, get her, and get out. No noise, no mess." Nicholas smirked. "You say that like Laura could ever get in and out without a mess." Laura rolled her eyes. "That’s because you have the subtlety of a goddamn sledgehammer." Alex ignored them both, adjusting the earpiece we’d synced to our comms. "Security shift change is in thirteen minutes. That’s our best shot. After that, the next patrol comes through, and it’s a shitshow." I nodded. "Positions?" "Laura
ELOISEFor the next few hours, a nurse had bustled into my room, given me a quick sponge bath, and straightened the sheets. I'd just breezed out the door when my family arrived in mass. Smiles, hugs, kisses that seemed strained were rained upon me by strangers. All strangers. I forced a grin that I didn’t feel and tried like crazy to remember these people, only to fail. Only their voices had seemed less foreign to me, their faces sparked no memory whatsoever.“It’s so good to see you awake and have you back with us,” my mother-in-law said, dabbing at her eyes with the corner of a handkerchief.She's A petite woman with grey-shaded hair and small even teeth, she wore high heels that matched her purse, a gray wool suit, pearl-colored silk blouse and a print scarf in tones of red and gold.“Thanks.” I stuttered. Carolina cleared her throat. “That big old house has been empty without you.”My heart melted and I smiled. Three adorable children of almost same age stood staring
LUCIANO“A hell of a homecoming, isn’t it?” Alex said to someone I just met for the first time but it seems they've known each other for long. Re guy looked rough with tattoos. . “Eloise in the hospital, another woman dead, a trucker burned and dead and her family business in trouble.”He offered him a smile that was somewhere between tenderness and crafty calculation. “Whatever the reason, it’s good to have you back, Nicholas.”I took a sip of his drink. The smoky Scotch slid down his throat as easily as water, an acquired taste he’d been told, but one he seemed to have been born with."Who is here?" I asked. I hated the fact that without asking my permission, Alex had invited a fourth party yeah together with Laura to my hotel room. Of all the buildings we are own. Why would my suite be our secret operation room or was it hideout? His answer was that because no one would suspect that and when they find out. They'd ask the same question I just did.." He's a colleague, a buddy
ELOISEI opened one eye a crack but the shaft of piercing light forced me to shut it again. My headache was a low throb, and the pain in my jaw more pronounced.“Mrs. Kate?” a soft female voice said.That name again. Oh, God, why did it seem wrong? My eyelids fluttered open and I winced against the blaze of light, then realized the light has been turned down low, the blinds drawn, the room is now semidark.“Do you know where you are?”I nodded. seeing the ECG and the pungent smell I'm perceiving the IV and all. I couldn't be in a full body spa section receiving a body massage. My mouth tasted terrible, my skin itched from lying in bed and my hair felt stringy, my scalp gritty. Slowly, the blur that was the nurse’s face came into focus.“This is The Hospital, and I’m Jessica” The name tag on her pale blue jacket verified the information with an RN tacked on. Tall and blonde with crystal blue eyes, she offered a smile of straight white teeth. “Glad to have you with us.”I swa
LUCIANOYep, it was quite a place. If you liked a house that seemed to have no soul.The front door opened and Alex strode inside... He dropped his briefcase on the lowest step of the staircase. Yanking off his gloves, he glared through the archway at his brother.“You said Eloise was awake,” he accused, his gray eyes harsh and disbelieving.“I said she woke up and stared at me, said a few words and fell asleep or whatever you want to call it again. Then and her eyes opened she couldn't speak . Just for a splitting seconds” I explained“Well, she never so much as moved while I was there and I stayed over an hour.” Alex unbuttoned his coat. “The doctor told me waiting around was futile. They’ll call if there’s any change.” Tossing his coat over the banister, he walked into the sitting room. “Hell of a thing, isn’t it?” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarette. “After over three months of nothing, not one solitary sign of life, Eloise opens her eyes, speak
LUCIANO“I’m telling you she woke up, stared me straight in the eye and asked me who I was,” I said, still unnerved. Leaning against the window casement in the sitting room of the hundred-year-old mansion where I'd grown up, I yanked at the collar of my shirt and glanced at my little sister. . “Well, thank goodness she’s had a breakthrough,” Laura said from her favorite high-backed chair. “I’ve been so worried, you don’t know. This has been a nightmare, Luci, an absolute nightmare.”“It’s not over yet.”“Oh, I know.” She shook her head and not one strand of brown hair moved.The phone jangled in another part of the house, but Laura didn’t budge, she just glanced toward me like she was expecting me to pick up the phone when she's even more closer to it and younger than me . What sort of disrespect is that?.I sighed and ignored her. The phone jangled sharply again, then became silent. “Why won't you pick it up Laura? ” I said, clenching my fist so tightly that they were almost
LUCIANO My chest ached as I stayed crouched by her bedside, my eyes fixed on her bruised face, her fragile body nearly swallowed by the sterile white sheets. She was too still, too pale. I didn’t realize my vision had blurred until a tear slipped free, trailing down my cheek. I blinked hard, swiping at my face with the back of my hand, only to feel the pressure build again. “Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, glancing away, ashamed of my weakness. The tears caught me off guard. They blurred my vision until the hospital room turned into a watery haze. I didn’t even notice them fall until one hit the back of my hand. I swiped at it quickly, frustrated with myself. But as I looked at her, I saw them—thin, glistening streaks slipping down her temples from her closed eyes. I froze. My throat tightened painfully. “Eloise,” I whispered, leaning closer. “Eloise no, don’t…” My hand trembled as I reached out, brushing her tears away gently with the pads of my fingers. Her skin w
LUCIANO“Damn it, Eloise, what the hell happened?” I gasped. Shaking my head in disbelief. it was as if her situation got worst or maybe because she hadn't got surgery done when I saw her last. No matter how wretched she looked right now, in a drab cotton gown that she would have disdained as a rag, I had to remember the woman within. “How the hell did you end up here?” I whispered but I got no response. Behind her lids, her eyes moved. Wasn’t she supposed to be in a coma? The hairs on the back of my neck rose. “Eloise?” I whispered, his throat nearly closing on her name. “El?”Slowly, as if with all the effort in the world, her eyes opened a crack and then wider. She stared straight at me. My heart jolted.She squinted, blinked, but continued to keep me in her line of vision.“I thought you . . . I’d better call a nurse or a doctor.” my knuckles turned white as I gripped her bedShe lifted a hand to touch mine and struggled to speak, but her lips moved over teeth that were lac
LUCIANO“Breaking news this morning,” the anchor began, her tone perfect “A video has surfaced showing Damon , the CEO of GED . Today, exactly five years ago, the grand inauguration of GED, the largest construction company in Italy took an unexpected turn when a dramatic altercation unfolded before cameras. What should have been a celebration of corporate achievement became a scandal that has left the media abuzz.As the ceremony began in GED’s grand event hall, an uninvited woman pushed her way through security, claiming to be the CEO’s wife. Witnesses say the woman, later identified as Eloise Huxley, was visibly distraught and holding what appeared to be important documents. Her arrival caused a stir among the distinguished guests, all of whom were gathered to honor the new ownership of the company.However, what happened next shocked everyone. The CEO, Mr. Damon publicly denied any connection to her, addressing her as his ex-wife and accusing her of clinging to an ‘illusion.’ In a