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
Four Years LaterMaya was washing the clothes. Her hands had begun to ache but she didn’t have the privilege to stop. She sighed at the sight of a heap of clothes waiting for her attention and resumed her work. The pangs of hunger assaulted her stomach. She hadn’t eaten anything since last night. Marrying Pablo had turned out to be her worst nightmare. Now that she had become mature and the rose-tinted glasses were finally off, she could see what a horrible beast Pablo was. He started showing his color soon after their wedding. He was immensely disappointed to know that Maya had brought nothing from her home. He was just using her for her money. His disappointment slowly grew into hatred and now he didn’t even hesitate from beating her. He didn’t even let her continue her studies claiming it to be an unnecessary expense. The only reason he was keeping her was his greed for her father’s property. As Maya was her parents’ only child, he was planning to claim her right on the property on
“Dante Martinez,” she whispered in disbelief, her eyes as wide as saucers.He had become even more handsome than before. Manlier. The raw energy emanating from him was palpable, reaching her even from a distance with remarkable strength. With his striking appearance, he could easily give even the Gods a run for their money. His straight nose and sharp jawline gave his face a regal air. His bearing bespoke of confidence and class. She gaped at him as he buttoned up his suit, every movement exuding elegance. With an effortless grace, he proceeded towards the building, his imposing figure surrounded by his bodyguards who kept the crowd from invading his space. The reporters threw questions his way but he didn’t bother to even glance at them, let alone answer. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him until he disappeared inside the building.Would he recognize her? Would he help her?The thought suddenly struck her. She was desperate to get out of the dark pit she was curren
She picked a sundress with bright prints and proceeded towards the bathroom. Stripping from her dirty clothes, she stepped into the shower stall. A relieved sigh escaped her mouth as the first droplet of water hit her skin. Soon, she was wet down to her toes. Her knotted muscles worked loose. This all had felt like a distant dream at one point. Her heart ached deeply as she recalled how much she had craved serene moments like this. As the burden of grief grew heavier within her, her legs gave away. Slumping to the floor, she broke down into tears. She had lost her hope of ever finding peace again. That beast used every opportunity to unleash his brutality on her. She had stopped looking into the matter long back. Her reflection in the mirror was a ghost of who she once was- eyes dull, spirits broken, body marred with scars. She had come to hate the way she looked. Even though, most of the scars had fainted the fresh ones were still very visible. That's the reason she chose a dress th
She was called downstairs for dinner sometimes later. A maid showed up to escort her towards the dining hall. As they walked through the hall, the memories of her last visit flooded back. The last time she was here, she had come to ask him to cancel their wedding.She stepped into the dining hall and her heartbeat faltered at the sight of him seated behind the large table. Just then he glanced up from his phone and their eyes met. Maya felt an electric sensation coursing through her. His piercing gaze brought a wave of heat across her cheeks and she lowered her eyes. She chose a spot two seats away from him and sat down.Silence hung in the air as the maids served them dinner. While he was busy reading something on his phone, she couldn’t help but steal occasional glances at him from under her dark, long lashes. The maids retreated into the kitchen after serving the food, leaving her alone with him. Maya struggled to suppress her nerves as she found herself alone with him. She waited
She tossed and turned in her bed, worrying her lower lip. Tomorrow, she would have to leave. But where would she go? No one would take her in. Paul had made sure she lost touch with all her friends so that she wouldn’t have anywhere to go. That was partly the reason why she endured his torture.The dreaded morning eventually came and yet she wasn’t prepared to face the harshness of the world. With a heavy heart and even heavier legs, she got down from her bed and proceeded towards the bathroom. She decided to take a bath before leaving. Who knows when she will get to bath again?Taking off her clothes, she descended into the bathtub. She sighed at the feel of cold water enveloping her feet. Back in her dad’s home, she used to bathe multiple times in a day as she loved bathing. Her lips curved into a serene smile as she sat down in the tub. Stretching out her legs, she leaned against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes.After bathing to her satisfaction, she stepped out of the tub
"So will you come?" Dante asked, his eyes fixed on her as her fingers danced across her phone's screen. "Maya?" he called her after receiving no response. "huh?" Maya glanced up, confused, clearly having missed whatever he’d said. "I was asking if you would be coming to picnic?" he repeated patiently. "When?" she asked. "Tomorrow," he answered. She responded with a thoughtful nod. "Is it only us?" she questioned. "I just told you, my whole family will be there including Carlos, Eviana, and Rosemary," he told her, slightly annoyed by her lack of attention. She chewed on her lips as she pondered over the information. "I don't think your family would want me to join," she shared her concern. "Their will doesn't matter. I want you to.." a sharp ping interrupted him, her gaze darted down, and in an instant, her attention was pulled away. She was again typing. He watched her, his mouth curving into a frown as she shifted her entire focus to her phone. "I'll go and sleep,"
"Stop. Anyone can come in," she stopped his hand that was about to slip into her skirt.Pulling her closer by her waist, he pecked her lips and murmured seductively against her soft lips, "No one's coming in until I am done with you." She had stopped by his office to give him his lunch but instead of focusing on food, he was planning to feast on her.The prey was caged between the desk and his solid body. "I've to go. I am already running late," she twisted in his arms to get free but his grip was as firm as of Iron."Not until I get what I want," asserting that, he freed his hand and cupped her warm core. She responded with a resigned sigh. He wasn't going to free her until he got what he wanted from her. "Do you never get tired of it?" she asked as he shoved his fingers into her panties. He smirked devilishly and pressed his thumb against her clit. "Can someone get tired of breathing?" he whispered against her lips, rolling the sensitive bud between his thumb and finger. She mo
Maya splashed icy water across her face, the sudden chill searing her skin. Closing her eyes, she leaned over the countertop, breathing heavily. His monstrous face flashed suddenly, sending a shiver down her spine. Her eyes snapped open, quivering with dread. With his face, rushed back all those horrifying memories that still haunted her nights. There were higher chances of that being a co-incident. Paulo was a common name. But still, she couldn't help but feel on edge. Only his name was enough to set her off into a whirl of terror.After spending a few moments in the bathroom, she came out and locked eyes with Miguel who was waiting for her. "You okay?" he questioned in concern as he noticed her paled face. She nodded in response while walking back to her seat. "Do you need something?" she asked, lifting the glass of water from the table. "Umm.... my friend's wedding is coming up and I am not sure what to gift her. She is a woman and you are a woman too. I thought I could ask you
She gave long, deliberate licks from top to bottom, hardening him even more. After teasing the head for a few moments, her wet, warm mouth closed around his gland, and just like that, the world fell away for him. His head tipping back, eyes closing on their own and his Adam's apple bobbing with a suppressed sigh. Lightly squeezing his ballsacks, she swallowed more of him, causing the man to tremble uncontrollably. On impulse, he grabbed the back of her head and thrusted it into her mouth. A satisfied sigh tore through his chest as he felt the back of her throat pressed against his cock. She was just the right kind of warm. Hell broke loose when she began deepthroating him. Up and down, her saliva thickly coated his shaft, dripping off its end. She then licked the base of his cock, her tongue teasing him ruthlessly. She let out a lustful moan that vibrated through his cock, making him unravel without warning. Her mouth flooded with his cum as he climaxed inside her mouth. She swallowe
"I believe her," he declared. His powerful voice cutting through the clamor. Maya's eyes moistened with gratitude and relief. A heavy silence settled over the air until Rosemary expressed her disapproval. "On what basis? We have evidence against her," Rosemary asserted. Dante turned his face towards her, his tall stature casting a formidable shadow, his steely gaze threatening to cut through the petite old woman. "Anyone can hide the bottle inside her room. That's not an evidence," he countered. "Why would anyone do that?" she argued, making it sound as if his explanation was utter nonsense. Dante's eyes darkened with calculated malice. "Exactly. Why would anyone do that?" he threw her words back on her, his tone suspicious as he advanced a step towards her. Rosemary backed away in response. She let out a sigh of resignation. "You are not getting it, child. No one has a problem with her but she has a problem with Eviana. She is jealous of her. You yourself heard her telling
"You do realize what you are saying?" Dante seethed, sounding enraged. The maid nervously clasped her hands together."I told you what I saw, sir," she murmured meekly, eyes locked on the floor. "I..I went to the kitchen. But I didn't do anything," Maya explained, eyes slightly tearing up. "Explain why you went to the kitchen then?" Rosemary enquired Maya, adopting an accusatory tone. Her glare unnerving. "No one will question her," Dante thundered, fixing Rosemary with an icy glare. Rosemary was taken off guard by his tone. "She can go wherever the hell she wants. I will not have you or anyone question her," Dante made it clear in strict terms. Maya had warm tears running down her cheeks. The way he came to her defense despite the accusation had moved something inside her deeply. "The maid has explained everything," Rosemary countered, clearly displeased by his rudeness."She said she was the last person to enter the kitchen. It explains nothing," he snapped. Rosemary's featur
"What happened?" Maya questioned, her gaze lingering on him—he looked like he was lost in thought, preoccupied with something."Someone poisoned her in our house. It had never happened before," he shared his concern. Maya was just as bothered by the revelation. She was utterly shocked to see Eviana lying out and cold on the floor. Her body had begun to turn blue, leaving no doubt about the virulence of the poison. "Who could have done it?" she wondered out loud. Every servant had a fondness for Eviana; she had noticed it herself. If there was anyone they didn't like, it was her. Poisoning Eviana didn't make sense. "I don't know but. But I have to figure it out somehow before something worse happens," he responded with a clenched jaw. He had to catch the perpetrator at any cost. "Maybe someone put them to the task," she guessed. There must have been a reason. Servants wouldn't dare take such a step without support. "Could be," he agreed before meeting her eyes and cradling her fac
"Mr. Diaz is here to see you," his PA told him, making him frown in confusion. There was no mention of his visit in his schedule. "Escort him in," he instructed the PA. The PA disappeared promptly and a moment later, Mr. Diaz showed up at his doorway. Their eyes met, exchanging silent acknowledgments. He rose to his feet out of respect and moved forward to greet him. Shaking hands, he uttered, "I wasn't expecting you but it's great to see you, Mr. Diaz." "I hope I haven't interrupted your schedule," Pablo responded solemnly. "Of course, not. Please, have a seat," he replied, gesturing towards the chair. Mr. Diaz murmured a thank you and lowered himself in the chair. Even though the older man carried a solemn demeanor, Dante knew just how fun-loving and exuberant he was. His daughter had fondly shared tales of his fun-loving side. Who could have guessed this stoic man once willingly fell into a pit only to spare his daughter the embarrassment of having slipped in first? "I learne
Maya paled as she met his seething eyes. He was mad. She remained frozen like a statue as he closed the distance between them and seized her hand in an ironclad grip. While Miguel struggled to recover from the blow, Dante pulled Maya away, dragging her out of the place. She teared up, realizing he had misunderstood the situation. "What you're thinking isn't right," she explained, her voice slightly trembling. He didn't respond and that fueled her already growing anxiety."Nothing happened between us. I was about to push him away, I swear," she swore as they entered her room. "Say something," she pleaded in desperation. His indifference was cutting through her like a sharp dagger. Her breath broke out in a gasp as he pushed her against the wall. His face surged forward filling her vision, a storm of emotions passing through his eyes. And the next thing she knew, his mouth was on hers devouring her vigorously.She didn't dare deny him access as his tongue prodded the seam of her li