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"
LUCIANO Eloise ls was absent again at dinner, but since I didn’t want to worry to the kids I told them she was at the office, working late again.. I still haven't adjusted to suddenly moving from bachelorhood to fatherhood. Not just to one or two but three kids.. My trust issue made me send their nanny away and now I even have to drive them back from school! "Why is mom very busy this days, Dad?" "Dad" I had to be touched to realize I was the dad they are calling. I would have laughed at the reality but I had to be an adult.. "She's preparing uhhh...for her best friends birthday" I stuttered at the Triplets with the same night wear. I could barely differentiate who Giana was from Kiara. " But mommy doesn't have any friends. only her sister visits her" " Right... She made new friend. You won't want your mom to bed lonely right?" "She has you now or do you plan to abandon us again? " "Nooo... Nope. I won't do that " I stuttered. At least not jus
LUCIANOThe sound of the triplets' laughter faded into the background as I scrubbed at the dishes, they should take their time to fall asleep . Trying to force them to bed would only turn the table round and they'd force me to read a bedtime story ...it has happened not just once. I might not be that bad at parenting. Or maybe I'm just too lovable that the triplets had already gotten attached to me in few days. Sadly,I still couldn't get my mind off with thoughts of Eloise. This tension between us—it was suffocating. It's been awkward since the past few days after we signed the wedding contract agreement. It became even worst two days ago that she'd barely come home untill late at night. But what could I do? Push her? Force her to tell me what was wrong? That would only push her further away.As I stacked the plates, my phone buzzed again. A sense of unease gripped me as I wiped my hands and picked it up. This time, it wasn’t Eloise that texted. It was James.. He
LUCIANO The post, the comments, the damn picture—it was all a slap in the face. I wasn't just angry; I was hurt. It was a cruel reminder of how little control I might have had in this situation. I needed her to stay with me untill I settled everything and get exactly everything I wanted from grandfather. I grabbed my phone and dialed Eloise. It rang once, twice, and then went to voicemail. "Hey, it's me. Call me back. We need to talk," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but the anger seeped through anyway. I hung up and threw the phone on the counter. A part of me wanted to storm out of the house and find her, demand answers. But the kids were upstairs, probably still awake, waiting for their mom to come home. I couldn’t leave them. Instead, I stood there, staring at the phone like it might give me the answers I needed. I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until I heard the soft patter of footsteps on the stairs. "Daddy?" I turned to see Nicole peeki
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
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