LUCIANOI can't possibly impose on a poor international student, and besides, you shouldn't be bringing strangers into your home," I said once we got to Eloise's house. She'd offered to house me until the next day."That should be a thank you, right? Besides, how do you know I'm not from here?"I scoffed. "Your Italian accent is still there. Somehow though."She smacked her lips. "I thought I worked on that already."Once she pushed the door open, three adorably looking children ran out in our direction, and freaking hell, they skipped Eloise to come hug me."Daddy!"I crouched down to my feet. "How come you all look so adorable? Oh my goodness. But too bad, I'm not your daddy." I ran my hand across their heads and hugged them tightly.I felt different. Like starting home wouldn't be entirely bad."You didn't tell me you take care of young children as well, Eloise. You must be working really hard to earn a living," I said once the children gave me a little space."Those are my—""I'm
ELOISE"Of course, Mommy. We will go anywhere you go. And since we would see our Daddy in Italy, we won't hesitate but jump on this offer. But Mommy, did we do something wrong? You seem to be holding in many tears," Nicole said in front of his sisters.I breathed in deeply, trying my best not to show how broken I had become after hearing the news about my father's sudden demise.He was hale and healthy a few hours ago, and now he's no more? I couldn't believe it, but after I dialed his number for the fifth time and got no response, I knew immediately that something was up. Father has never not answered my call.My triplets are the only family I have left now."Mommy is not crying, my babies. My mascara found its way inside my eyes, and it itches a little. Now go pack your bags; we are leaving first thing tomorrow morning.""Yes, Mommy!" They chorused, giving a firm nod before they ran towards their room.Early the next morning at the airport, I wheeled the luggage cart forward with my
Luciano "How can a private investigator struggle to find one girl? Is she invisible or what? I paid him handsomely!" "Its not that easy to find someone without a face. I'd tell him to hurry things up" my secretary said.. I still couldn't get Eloise off my head. Wondering what exactly I did wrong that night. Was i such a bad kisser that she had me thrown out of her house late at night while crying. I just couldn't wrap my head around everything. But I still had to find the girl from five years ago. Atleast I owe her an apology. "Call the private investigator again. Tell him that the sooner he finds her the more like he is to get ten times of what I initially offered" "Ten times? That'd be twenty million sir" "I need him to see how much I am willing to pay for him to get this done, that way he will take it seriously " I leaned back in the chair and rested my hand on the table. "I really have an important question to ask about this" James ran his hand
ELOISE"So what's going to happen to our museum? The economy is tough, and how did we not have even the slightest idea that the director took so much loan?" Felicia said in a low tone."No one is even offering to buy it. This means it would close down soon, right?" Mathew said."We have a wonderful heiress. I heard she was doing very much wonderfully in art abroad.""I doubt she would want the museum. She'd probably go back to live her perfect quiet life in peace.""Then should we look for another job? Mr. Josh should know what will happen. He was the director's nephew.""Oh, please. You know he has never been up to any good," Felicia snorted."However, it's still a surprise how the director suddenly passed away. He was hale and healthy. Except that he recently started overworking himself.""Why was he overworking? Did anything unusual happen?" I asked after waiting outside the staff quarter for almost thirty minutes."...Are you?""Yes. I'm the director's daughter. Sorry I didn't int
ELOISEThe evening sky was heavy, and soon after I left the office, it began to drizzle. The street looked bleak under the hazy, misting rain, making the streetlights seem dimmer.I sat in the driver’s seat, one hand on the wheel, the other propped up beside the window.It was fair enough that the restaurant for the blind date wasn’t far from the museum.I pulled into the parking spot of Octopus Restaurant and stepped out, walking with even, graceful strides. My eyes roamed over the restaurant, and I couldn’t help but wonder why on earth he chose an octopus restaurant of all places.“I don’t eat octopus; I’m allergic to it,” I reminded myself again, mentally rehearsing what I’d say if he ordered something that didn’t sit well with me.Something like an octopus. I haven’t been to Italy for a while, but I never imagined octopus would still be sold in the twenty-first century. I can’t wrap my head around it.I quickened my pace as my eyes settled on a corner table where a man was waiting
ELOISEMy heart was heavy as I grabbed the business card from her trembling hands, my fingers shaking slightly as I held it up to the light. His name stared back at me, bold and indifferent: Damon Huxley. CEO of GED.My world felt like it was spinning; my mind went back to the argument, the painful memory, the lie, and his betrayal.He had no right to take them—no right at all. I swallowed hard, feeling a rage rise within me.“How could you let him take my children without calling me first?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, the panic making it hard to soften my tone.The nanny’s face crumpled. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. He... he said he was their father, and he seemed so calm. I didn’t think…”I barely heard her explanation. How the hell did she believe that? My mind was already three steps ahead. I grabbed my phone, dialing his number with a desperation I couldn’t control. It rang endlessly without an answer.The room felt colder, my frustration increasing with every second of s
LUCIANO "Boss, your date was perfectly ruined. I could see from her facial expression that she won't want anything to do with halmart again" "James! Don't tell me you are serious right now?" I gritted my teeth..I forgot to ask him not to go on the date since she happened to be Eloise. "You asked me to do that ! By the way, her gallery was beautiful. I enjoyed every single painting I saw there and I bet you, that ticket didn't go to waste. " " Don't be ridiculous! I barely saw any paint on the paper. I didn't understand any single thing. Gosh" I snorted. "You are not supposed to understand art, Luciano. Wait, are we having this conversation as friends or as your employee? I don't want to risk being fired for the 60th time this year" I ignored him and poured myself a glass of whisky inside a glass cup filled halfway with blocks of ice. "I guess it's the former since you are drinking whiskey in front of your employee which is definitely against the work c
Five years was enough to find someone. Maybe James was right. I'd have to let the woman at that billionaire's party go. And whenever she decides to show up, I would compensate her with enough money. "Have you seen how adorable those kids are? You won't hesitate to love them once you set your eyes on them. I wonder which idiot left her to care for the children alone. " Obviously her ex- husband. But grandfather's excitement made me think this was some sort of buy one and get three free kind of deal. He might not have been aware that Eloise was once married. Grandfather finally allowed me to go, and I drove down the lonely route to my house. I slowed down the moment I sighted Eloise walking sluggishly as if she could collapse at any moment. She should be able to handle enough pressure as a director. I drove closer the the pedestrian walk and whine down my window before popping my head out a little. " I see you have made my money seeing how early you are leaving work"
ELOISEI moved slowly away from Luciano to answer my phone and his eyes kept fixed on my mouth like he was going read every single word I say.. "I was worried when I heard the news so I came right over" "Alex? Where are you?" I stuttered. "You had another guest so I was waiting. I guess I din't need to worry" he said like he was a little disappointed. "No. You can come Alex.." "Hey, pookie, what can I do for you? You want me to ruin that newscaster's career or shut down the news channel?" Now this sounded more like the old Alex I knew. The one who would do every thing possible within his mean to pay an eye for an eye ." I will take care of it Alex. besides I'm not s baby any more do you need not to worry about me" I assured.. "Fine" he grunted " I will make sure to catch the asshole they did this to you and trust me, he won't live to what I will do to him "I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on the phone. Alex’s protectiveness was something I’d grown us
LUCIANO "After the sudden death of Mr. Martin Harrington, the gallery has been I'm a sudden financial rut . It has even caused loan sharks to create a scene aswell and now the gallery has defused to pay it's workers well enough " I scoffed silently as I watched the news . The Media really have no better talent in minding Thier business.. "The problem isn't actually the gallery, the incompetence of the new director who failed to recognize and provide a solution is the problem " "She hid her assets and focused on shopping more luxury items" I'd suggest that this press would be given Eloise's position in a year let see if they could achieve what she was able to in few months. That is, it they won't give in to pressure and it off. I was fucking pissed and almost turned off the television but they decided to go more specific. I was also curious about her yesterday. "Yesterday around 7-8pm while she was returning from one of her shopping spree, she was robbed and transporte
LUCIANO "After the sudden death of Mr. Martin Harrington, the gallery has been I'm a sudden financial rut . It has even caused loan sharks to create a scene aswell and now the gallery has defused to pay it's workers well enough " I scoffed silently as I watched the news . The Media really have no better talent in minding Thier business.. "The problem isn't actually the gallery, the incompetence of the new director who failed to recognize and provide a solution is the problem " "She hid her assets and focused on shopping more luxury items" I'd suggest that this press would be given Eloise's position in a year let see if they could achieve what she was able to in few months. That is, it they won't give in to pressure and it off. I was fucking pissed and almost turned off the television but they decided to go more specific. I was also curious about her yesterday. "Yesterday around 7-8pm while she was returning from one of her shopping spree, she was robbed
ELOISE "What's wrong with you Eloise. Are you okay" Luciano questioned the moment he saw me put ony shade" Nothing. Can't I go to work in style?" I lied walking hurriedly outside. ,,He gave me a furrowed gaze like he could swear l esse lying. " El. Ummm ... I ... Well you look good in it I'm just curious that you came back tired yesterday, ignored every damn person and went ahead to sleep_" "Mmm... About that. I was just really exhausted. I'm sorry I got you worried. " ,"Worried my ass " he muttered, I feel like the last thing Luciano would ever admit to was caring for me. He might not really love me though but right from the moment we met. He cared. He worried. "Hey Eloise" Luciano's dark eyes stared to my soul. I would have loved to get rid of my shade to see his beautiful eyes more clearly and naturally but he was damn going to freak out if he sees the bruise I had in my eyes. "What happened Mr. Luciano " his face frowned and he shifted like he was slig
ELOISEDamon hadn't called, texted or bugged me. He finally probably understand everything now. That it was all over between us. Now I have to figure it how to get my house back. I'd use my period as an excuse for not Cooking..I only managed to wash the kids up while Luciano did all the cooking and tidying up.. he hated take out and I have noticed that he loves making food himself.. Like it was some destressing exercise. "Your number was not going through and we were all really worried that something has happened to you" Felicia said the moment I sat in my officeTwo days of being away from reality was absolutely Worth it. " I had other things to sort out" I replied and continued staring at the file that has picked my interest. There wasn't even the slightest increase in the earnings. I stayed until 6pm so I could pick my things that Yanet had sent from the states. The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time I loaded the last box into my tr
ELOISEI squinted at the bedside clock. 12:00 PM? Seriously?A thick fog of grogginess clung to me as I tried to move, but something—no, someone's arm was pressing against my waist. I froze, confusion clouding my thoughts. I couldn’t remember the last time I woke up with a guy in my bed. Actually, I could. It was five years ago. But this was different.The arm around me was solid, warm, and strangely comforting, as if it could shield me from whatever danger I could encounter . He smelled... incredible. A soft sigh slipped from my lips as I snuggled closer to the warm body, not quite ready to face reality. I kept my eyes closed, curling into the warmth. The arm tightened around me, pulling me closer still until back pressed flush against a solid haired chest, and I could feel his breath stir the hairs on my neck. I melted, but then—Wait.Who was this? What happened last night?I could barely get my brain to work, my thoughts sluggish and hazy. I shifted a little, touching somet
LUCIANOI've known Eloise for months and this is the first time I've seen her this weak and vulnerable. I excused myself and returned about thirty minutes later to still find her in the same curled up position.. “Feel better?” The words came out strangely for me because she wasn't looking like she was. “Mmhmm.” she nodded and at the same time winced and clutched her pillow closer to her abdomen, her face screwed with pain. Fuck it. Even the medicine hasn't reduced the cramps. I literally have no idea how Katherine managed her cramps or Laura. Or it probably isn't the same for all women.. Looking at Eloise, it was obvious she was going though terrible Pains and I wouldn't totally mind her passing it to me or sharing it with her if that was possible I walked around the room and scanned the amenities lined up on the marble counter , I could’ve sworn I saw—aha. I picked up the tiny bottle of olive oil and returned to Eloise side. She had kept it in a co
ELOISE .I couldn't pretend anymore that I wasn't disturbed by the groaning sound of pain coming from Eloise's room. it was also almost as if she was muffling a cry silently, like she was suppressing it enough for anyone not to notice. I waited another beat before I opened the door with a quiet creak. I flicked the corridor light on The sound didn't go away. I thought about it but I don't remember saying anything to hurt her feelings .was I too cold towards her? I stopped outside her room and rapped my knuckles against the door in case Eloise was indecent. But I got no answer. I hesitated for a moment, my hand resting on the doorframe. “Eloise?” I called softly, careful not to alarm her. Still, no answer.Pushing the door open a fraction wider, I stepped inside. I've never entered there since she moved in.. The room was bathed in the soft amber glow of her bedside lamp. Apart from the furnitures that I'd fixed on the room, there was a library or I could jus
ELOISE"That was a whole lot of lie" Luciano said as he drove back to the house. " I'm glad you didn't overthink it" I replied I wasn't exactly sure how I'd apologize to my kids for being away from them in a while . It was really awkward for me with Luciano. He'd already thought I got back together with Damon but that would be over my rich hot dead body . "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.. were you worried about me?" Luciano's scoffed with a sigh " why would I be worried about you? " " Because you are married to me?" I said calmly but got no response which left me wondering whether he actually even cared a bit.. However once he packed the car at the packing space, he furrowed his brows at me. " Eloise, In as much as whatever we have together is fake, shouldn't assume I care about you the way a husband would," he finished, his tone colder than I anticipated. I flinched slightly at his words but managed to keep my composure. "Noted," I replied, m