"Don't try me," he warned her, adopting a tone he had never used with her before. Maya was stunned, heartbroken. "What's wrong with you?" Maya retorted, not able to understand why he was being such a jerk to her. Dante let out an exasperated sigh. "Just apologize to Eviana," he said. "I won't," Maya refused outrightly. Dante clenched his jaw. "It's okay. I don't want any apology. Just don't fight on my account," Eviana interrupted. "She has slapped you. It's not a trivial matter. The least you deserve is an apology," Katty asserted, giving dirty eye to Maya. Dante took an angry stride towards her, his huge frame dwarfing hers. "Don't push it, Maya. Just do as I say," he gritted out. He loved her but he wouldn't support her where she was wrong. She needed to take responsibility for her mistakes. "Watch your tone with me," Maya seethed, not backing out. "And you want her to run this house with you. She is immature, who can't take responsibility for her own actions," Katty punct
"You okay?" Miguel questioned after noticing her dour mood. "I am good," Maya answered flatly. Her lips pursed by suppressed fury. "Alright. Get up. We have somewhere to be," Miguel prompted her. Maya frowned. "Where to? You didn't say anything about going anywhere" she asked"It was last minute," he stated. Maya drew a sigh before getting to her feet. He hadn't stopped calling and messaging her since morning. But her anger hadn't eased a bit. Actually, she was more hurt than angry. She cut yet another call and followed Miguel out. She was determined to not forgive him this easily. He pulled over in front of a restaurant. They took their seat at the table in the corner. "Who are we meeting?" Maya questioned, drawing out her tab from the bag to jot down notes. "They'll be here any minute," Miguel said, taking a quick glance at his watch. Maya nodded while Miguel beckoned a waiter."Two drinks for us," he ordered. Maya didn't object. She was also craving something strong to fo
"What's wrong with her?" Katty had written below the pictures she had shared with Dante over the chatting app.It was pictures of Maya and a man whose face wasn't clear. The photos were taken from behind the man, with only Maya’s face visible as he carried her in his arms. Dante burned with jealousy. His eyes burned holes through the screen as he struggled to suppress his rage. He didn't respond to Katty, instead, he called Maya. She didn't answer, further fueling his anger.Seething, he stormed out of his office and drove to hers. .......Maya was surprised to learn that Dante had come to see her. Despite her craving to see him, she told her P.A to not let him in. The bruise he had inflicted on her ego was still fresh and hurting. Despite her clear instruction, the door of her room flew open a few moments later, startling her. She looked up to find him stalking toward her. His face- a mask of pure rage. She got to her feet, feeling intimidated by the oppressive aura he exuded. "Wh
Dante stood taller, his piercing eyes firmly locked on her as she descended the stairs. "Come home with me," his silent command rang clearly in the air, his stare unwavering."I am staying here tonight," she answered, her voice cold. Dante's jaw tightened in strong disapproval. "Why?" he gritted out, his voice low and dangerous. "This is her home. She doesn't need your permission to stay here," Mr. Diaz cut in. "This is not her home," Dante asserted, gaze still locked with her. Maya looked away, breaking their eye contact. "You better leave now. I will not come with you," she refused, folding her arms over her chest as if protecting herself. Though her voice was persistent, the furrow in her brows betrayed the conflict brewing beneath her calm facade. She avoided eye contact with him, afraid she might give in to his demand if she did. "Stop acting like a child and come with me," Dante insisted, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Don't make me call guards, Dante," Mr. Diaz war
Eviana bristled as she saw them together, walking in through the door, hand in hand. Her fists clenched, jealousy burning through her veins.For a brief moment, her eyes met Maya's. The frown on Eviana's mouth quickly curved into a smile, but Maya responded with cold indifference. She wasn't going to get fooled by her fakeness any longer."I am so happy you came back," Eviana approached them, speaking in a sickly sweet voice. "This is my home. Of course, I was coming back," Maya responded curtly, not buying her lies. From today on, she was going to trust her instincts. Eviana's smile hardened. "Of course, of course. The way you left, I thought you wouldn't come back until Dante had ground his nose to your feet," she joked before coming to a stop in front of her and continuing, "Please, forget about everything that happened. I can understand how embarrassed you must have felt while apologizing to me. In honesty, I also didn't like Dante's forci." She stopped to gauge her reaction. "
IntroductionDante had a suspicion that he was being overcharged for the flowers but he wasn’t entirely sure. After all, it was the first time he had ever bought a bouquet in his life. However, he let his doubts slide for these flowers were meant for someone precious. The blood-red blooms brimming the bouquet he clenched, overflowed with charm and youth- just like his fiancée, Maya Diaz.His love.The first time he had seen her was in their engagement announcement and to say he was entranced would be an understatement. Attired in a coral gown, she had appeared before him like a divine dream, captivating his heart in an instant. The fabric clung to her body like a second skin, accentuating her delicate curves. It was love at first sight. Just a first glance at her, and he knew he wanted her and only her to be his life partner. He vividly remembered their first encounter, as her dad introduced her to him. She stood in front of him with her gaze downcast, her brown curls cascading down he
Their wedding was fixed a day later, set for next month. They went on three dates in total after that. On their first date, he gifted her a million-dollar designer watch in a silent pledge to give all his time to her. Of course, he didn’t verbalize his intent and hoped she would understand his unspoken promise. On their second date, he gifted her a private jet so she wouldn’t have to depend on her parents to go wherever she wanted and on their third, he had gifted her a red diamond rose, symbolizing eternal love. His every gift held a meaning.However, these dates couldn’t bring them much close as he had hoped. The girl kept to herself at most and Dante who already found it difficult to socialize was even more discouraged by her reserved nature. They would barely talk on their dates. The conversation was limited to her college and his work life. However, the more they met, the further his feelings deepened for her. She had an air of innocence around her, untouched by malice or arrogan
“What do you mean?” he asked, hoping against hope that he had misconstrued her words. She took a breath as if preparing herself to say more. Her eyes held fear and doubt. “I can’t marry you. I love someone else,” she disclosed with hesitation. Dante was thrown off by her confession at first but as he made sense of her confession, he couldn't help but feel hurt.Maya explained further with tears streaming down her cheeks, “My dad forced me into the agreement. I never wanted this from the beginning. I am sorry if I’ve hurt you but I..I can’t do this. I love someone else and he would kill himself if I married you,” she implored with him, hopeless. She believed they were not a good match anyway. They were completely opposite like the two poles. His cold demeanor could never go with her bubbly, chirpy nature. He was a workaholic and she wanted to explore the world. Whereas he clearly lacked emotions, she was an emotional fool. She didn't want to marry a statue. A solemn expression took
Eviana bristled as she saw them together, walking in through the door, hand in hand. Her fists clenched, jealousy burning through her veins.For a brief moment, her eyes met Maya's. The frown on Eviana's mouth quickly curved into a smile, but Maya responded with cold indifference. She wasn't going to get fooled by her fakeness any longer."I am so happy you came back," Eviana approached them, speaking in a sickly sweet voice. "This is my home. Of course, I was coming back," Maya responded curtly, not buying her lies. From today on, she was going to trust her instincts. Eviana's smile hardened. "Of course, of course. The way you left, I thought you wouldn't come back until Dante had ground his nose to your feet," she joked before coming to a stop in front of her and continuing, "Please, forget about everything that happened. I can understand how embarrassed you must have felt while apologizing to me. In honesty, I also didn't like Dante's forci." She stopped to gauge her reaction. "
Dante stood taller, his piercing eyes firmly locked on her as she descended the stairs. "Come home with me," his silent command rang clearly in the air, his stare unwavering."I am staying here tonight," she answered, her voice cold. Dante's jaw tightened in strong disapproval. "Why?" he gritted out, his voice low and dangerous. "This is her home. She doesn't need your permission to stay here," Mr. Diaz cut in. "This is not her home," Dante asserted, gaze still locked with her. Maya looked away, breaking their eye contact. "You better leave now. I will not come with you," she refused, folding her arms over her chest as if protecting herself. Though her voice was persistent, the furrow in her brows betrayed the conflict brewing beneath her calm facade. She avoided eye contact with him, afraid she might give in to his demand if she did. "Stop acting like a child and come with me," Dante insisted, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Don't make me call guards, Dante," Mr. Diaz war
"What's wrong with her?" Katty had written below the pictures she had shared with Dante over the chatting app.It was pictures of Maya and a man whose face wasn't clear. The photos were taken from behind the man, with only Maya’s face visible as he carried her in his arms. Dante burned with jealousy. His eyes burned holes through the screen as he struggled to suppress his rage. He didn't respond to Katty, instead, he called Maya. She didn't answer, further fueling his anger.Seething, he stormed out of his office and drove to hers. .......Maya was surprised to learn that Dante had come to see her. Despite her craving to see him, she told her P.A to not let him in. The bruise he had inflicted on her ego was still fresh and hurting. Despite her clear instruction, the door of her room flew open a few moments later, startling her. She looked up to find him stalking toward her. His face- a mask of pure rage. She got to her feet, feeling intimidated by the oppressive aura he exuded. "Wh
"You okay?" Miguel questioned after noticing her dour mood. "I am good," Maya answered flatly. Her lips pursed by suppressed fury. "Alright. Get up. We have somewhere to be," Miguel prompted her. Maya frowned. "Where to? You didn't say anything about going anywhere" she asked"It was last minute," he stated. Maya drew a sigh before getting to her feet. He hadn't stopped calling and messaging her since morning. But her anger hadn't eased a bit. Actually, she was more hurt than angry. She cut yet another call and followed Miguel out. She was determined to not forgive him this easily. He pulled over in front of a restaurant. They took their seat at the table in the corner. "Who are we meeting?" Maya questioned, drawing out her tab from the bag to jot down notes. "They'll be here any minute," Miguel said, taking a quick glance at his watch. Maya nodded while Miguel beckoned a waiter."Two drinks for us," he ordered. Maya didn't object. She was also craving something strong to fo
"Don't try me," he warned her, adopting a tone he had never used with her before. Maya was stunned, heartbroken. "What's wrong with you?" Maya retorted, not able to understand why he was being such a jerk to her. Dante let out an exasperated sigh. "Just apologize to Eviana," he said. "I won't," Maya refused outrightly. Dante clenched his jaw. "It's okay. I don't want any apology. Just don't fight on my account," Eviana interrupted. "She has slapped you. It's not a trivial matter. The least you deserve is an apology," Katty asserted, giving dirty eye to Maya. Dante took an angry stride towards her, his huge frame dwarfing hers. "Don't push it, Maya. Just do as I say," he gritted out. He loved her but he wouldn't support her where she was wrong. She needed to take responsibility for her mistakes. "Watch your tone with me," Maya seethed, not backing out. "And you want her to run this house with you. She is immature, who can't take responsibility for her own actions," Katty punct
"Come in," she answered, her tone tinged with mild annoyance at the interruption. A man came in, carrying a large bouquet of roses. She got up from her chair, confused. The man extended the bouquet towards her. She stared at the bouquet, hesitant to take it."This is for you," he clarified, noticing her hesitation. "For me?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. She took the bouquet and began searching for a note. There it was nestled among the crimson blossoms. A knowing smile spread across her face as she realized who the sender was. "I'll take my leave," the man said. She nodded absently, her entire focus centered on the card. She opened the note, and her smile grew into a full-blown grin as she read it: "I Love You," in all caps. She gently brushed her fingers over the letters, her heart blooming like those flowers. You are my heaven. It is a simple sentence but deep enough to stir butterflies in her stomach. She couldn't stop smiling as she read and reread his confession. Bringi
"He was seen around your office a few times," Peter dropped the bomb. Maya gulped. She could sense that freak was onto something. He wanted to exact revenge for hurting him. "Where is he now?" Maya demanded, slowly losing her patience. She had to nab him before he did something horrible. "You were right in your assumption. Someone is protecting him. There have been no transactions in his accounts for months which means he has another account. Someone is aiding him financially," Peter revealed. Maya nodded, taking in details."He is also being protected. Someone is making sure his locations remain hidden," Peter discussed, standing in front of him, he asked, "Could it be someone from your family?" "Huh?" Maya responded, not expecting the question. "I was wondering if someone from your family is using him to harm you. Your family is rich too," Peter explained. "No," Maya answered, without missing a beat. Her parents hated Paulo. They would never do something like that. Peter nodded
"You are mad at me?" he questioned, walking into the room. She turned away without uttering a word. Dante drew a heavy sigh and sauntered towards her. He came to stand beside his woman and gazed down at his son. The boy rewarded him with a bright smile, melting his heart."Hi there," he cooed, leaning closer to him. The boy sneezed, his tiny body shaking with the motion. A spray of spit landed on Dante's face."Very good," Dante sighed, leaning away. Maya's mouth curved into an approving smile."My smart boy," Maya praised her son, happy to see how he avenged her. Dante scowled. "So I am the enemy now," he stated, looking at her with slightly narrowed eyes. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. She didn't respond and kept swaying Vincent. Her silent treatment and ignoring games were her worst torture methods. "I didn't know she would do something like that," he shared with a sigh. She stopped in her movements and raised her gaze to his. "Sometimes she forgets she is just a
No matter how much they wanted to stay here- away from the world, in their own little bubble- they had to return home. Vincent must be waiting for them. "I am certain I had closed the tent," Maya ascertained. She knew she would never compromise with Vincent's safety, even in a haze. His safety and protection were her topmost priority. "There's a chance he opened it himself," Dante guessed. "Are you serious? He is just a child. He cannot possibly reach that high," Maya argued, her voice edged with disbelief. She didn't know how it happened. She would have called it a conspiracy but who in the world could harbor animosity towards Vincent? He was just a little, innocent kid. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled the moment. A paralyzing fear had seized her the moment she learned about his disappearance. In that moment she raised just how much Vincent meant to her. "Why are you crying?" Dante asked, frowning. "The thought of something happening to him..........I'd neve