SCARLETShortly after, I came downstairs, straight to the dining room. I was a bit afraid to find Luke, but fortunately, he wasn’t there.“Good morning, Thomas.” I pulled out a chair and settled by his side. One of the housemaids instantly served me a plate and a glass of milk. I muttered thanks, but she didn’t seem to hear and left. I wasn’t used to having people serving me as if I were royalty.“Good morning, dear,” he greeted back. “I’m glad you decided to join us. Luke preferred eating alone, as usual.”“He probably just likes to eat with the outdoor view, honey,” Mom said. “He’s on the veranda,” she added with a wink, though I wasn’t asking.“That kid. No wonder he likes you more than me.” Thomas shook his head in disbelief. “Anyway, I’ll make sure your daughter will like me.”I grinned. “Oh, I like you, Thomas.” I leaned over and whispered, “Mom nags me all the time.”He let out a rich laugh. “Does she?”Mom glared at us. “I heard that you know?”I giggled. “Love you, mommy.”“S
SCARLETThis wasn’t a vacation. It was a week of torture. It had only been three freaking days, and I’d gone crazy.Just like yesterday, I didn’t do anything at all. I had no energy to go out. Mom and Thomas didn’t seem to care that I was in the room all day, and it was already afternoon! To entertain myself, I checked my inbox to see if there were any new messages, but Jax seemed busy. There were only three people in the world I could talk to, my roommate Katherine, her boyfriend Nate, and Jax. But they would be busy with their own lives.Jax would be having a meeting today, and I hadn’t heard his voice lately. Katherine had gone home with Nate, so they were surely busy.Almost after dinner, I found Mom and Thomas in the living room, watching some TV.“Hi. Can we talk?”“Darling, of course.” Thomas tensed up. He picked up the remote control and shut the TV off.I sat on the seat across from them. “First, I want to apologize for being rude yesterday.”“It’s okay, sweetheart. We unders
SCARLETI thought we would just have dessert, but it wasn’t the case. They had prepared a full meal course with different dishes that would feed at least ten people. The Barbie doll must be so important that Thomas made a feast.I quietly listened as they exchanged talk about matters I couldn’t understand. I remained looking at the food on my plate.I rolled my eyes and then blew out a deep, silent breath. Luke wasn’t talking as usual. Thomas discussed something and followed some legality, but it wasn’t about my transfer papers. I wasn’t naïve enough to not understand what was going on.Mom was exchanging ideas and suggestions, too, since she was a lawyer herself. I wished I could give my input, but I knew nothing about their topic. I only knew how to create a program—if they asked me about JavaScript or Python, I would be glad to answer them.I secretly watched Luke sitting in front of me, slicing his steak. He still hadn’t taken a bite. Luke lifted her plate while Miss Universe was
LUKE I received a message from Ericka saying she would meet with Nate. Nate? Who the fuck was Nate? I clearly told her not to meet with any man before we met. I wanted her to taste me without interruption. It would be too much of a chore to fuck a woman who was committed. Then she replied, telling me it was a friend who proposed to her roommate. Katherine was one of the only names she mentioned in three months of our charade. If only she had told me her full name, I could track this Katherine, then I would know which apartment in Cambridge she was living in. She was good at hiding her tracks. I couldn’t find any potential female I could fuck for the last three weeks because I was always fucking dealing with something. The first week, I found a potential date to fuck from another dating app, but she lied about her profile picture. It was her friend’s. It means she was another fucking liar. The second week was supposed to be last Saturday. A witch showed up, and she was supposed to
SCARLETAfter dinner, everyone gathered back in the living room with Miss Universe. She sat like a queen next to Luke, who couldn’t stop glaring at me. Why couldn’t he just tell me he didn’t want to transfer his property and kill me?“Alright, shall we begin?” Miss Universe announced as she opened the folder with the ‘Transfer of Rights’ title.“Wait,” Luke suddenly interrupted. He held Miss Universe’s wrist, preventing her from opening the file.“Luke, what is it?” she asked with a frown.“Read the one with the Transfer of Stocks. I’m taking this folder.” His jaw ticked. He forcibly took the folder from Miss Universe, which made her jolt in surprise.“What’s going on, Lucas?” Thomas’s voice was tight.“I think I need more time,” he uttered, his voice glacial. “I don’t think this is right.”“Luke, you already signed these papers,” Miss Universe reminded, her voice still calm and light. “It’s already valid, and I registered this in the court.”“Which document is that?” Thomas asked her
SCARLETA few weeks agoI saved all the information Jax sent me and used all the programming codes as a reference. I’d had a problem solving the bug with the RPG I’d been developing for almost nine weeks, and I hadn’t figured it out, but with Jax’s help, I’d finally found a way to remove it.I called him to let him know.“Good evening, Ericka,” he answered.Ugh, his voice. I loved the sound of him. It was only a greeting, and I was already turned on.“Umm…”“You called me so I could hear you breathe? Tell me about the code.”“Oh.” I cleared my throat. “It worked. You’re a genius.” I closed my laptop and then lay down on my back.He laughed softly. “Are you sure you finished your major?”I chuckled nervously as I felt the guilt pinch my chest. “Of course, I wouldn’t be able to register in the app if I hadn’t, right? But thank you, Jax. You’ve been very helpful to me.”“Know your expertise. If this kind of program doesn’t suit you, then you should stick with building a website.”“It’s n
SCARLET“So, this is the home of the great Alejandro Technologies, huh? I still can’t believe my best friend is the owner’s daughter. Well, at least I won’t get lost tomorrow when I come here,” Nate stated, in clear admiration of Thomas’s massive house in front of him. It was already afternoon when he accompanied me to my parents’ house.“As if your house isn’t as big as this one.”Nate slipped his hands into his pocket. “But it was never like this. Your stepfather is a well-known businessman. I’m excited to see what’s inside tomorrow. Someday I’ll be successful like them.”I grinned at his positivity. Nate had always been a hard worker, a master game programmer, and never too selfish to share his knowledge. Katherine was a hacker—great with program manipulation. They’re the best tandem ever. I was glad to be part of their group. Only sometimes do I need to give them space since they were a couple.“Then, you will be. You’re good in this field.”“Not as good as your stepbrother,” he w
SCARLETNo, no. If I said yes, he would do anything he wanted with me. I was dependent on his father. He paid for my college tuition, gave me allowances, clothed me, and provided everything I needed. He took care of Mom. I couldn’t betray Thomas. I finally had the chance to taste the life of having a father. I would never ruin it over meaningless sexual tension… intense sexual tension.I stood up; I couldn’t stay near Luke anymore. I should’ve avoided him. I had to accept that Jax was gone and would never come back. He was gone when he became Luke. I would not risk a simple and quiet life in exchange for two months of pleasure. It may sound good—no, perfect, but if I accepted his offer, it also meant betraying Mom.“No.” I shook my head. “I may already have made some bad choices, but I’ll never add this one to all of it.” I had been in a scandalous, abusive relationship. I didn’t want all of it to happen again just because I wanted the man so much.“I’m not done. Sit down,” he ordered
JULIA I came to Le Grandi at exactly seven as Henry instructed. I was already guessing that he and his brother were up to something—and this beautiful lilac dress Adam sent to my apartment was the indication. This was going to be our first official date. We had been fighting all our lives because of endless misunderstandings after all. I realized that Adam and I were always in a situation neither of us could stop. This time, fate brought us back together.Excited and nervous as well, I proceeded to the main entrance. The door attendant greeted me with a wide meaningful grin as if he was expecting my arrival. The lights abruptly shut off the moment I stepped inside, then a single spotlight flashed on.My palms caught my mouth instantly when I found Adam standing next to an elegantly arranged table with candlelight, a floral centerpiece, and linen drapes. He was dressed in an impeccable navy-blue tuxedo, holding a bouquet of white roses. Two violinists stood behind him, playing a soft r
He kissed me as he continued to pound inside me. He looked at me as if I was the most desirable woman he’d ever seen. There was no one else I could want this bad—only him.It was already nine o'clock in the morning when I woke up, and Adam's arms were still wrapped around my waist. Though incredibly exhausted and sore, I felt great for the first time in years. His face buried in my hair. We were having sex nonstop, and if it weren't for my exhaustion, he probably wouldn’t stop.“What time is it?” Adam whispered, finally awake.“It's nine.”“Then, I'm late.” He gave me a tender kiss on my forehead, then swiftly stepped out of the bed. Still undressed, he walked straight to the bathroom, letting the blanket fall on the floor, revealing his round, full butt I’d been gripping with my palms all night. He was ridiculously sexy. I couldn’t get enough of him. My insides were beginning to flare up again.He disappeared into the bathroom for several minutes, and then he came back dressed in a t
ADAMI have to tell Bianca now.Damn it. It wasn't that hard. I could just let them take my site in Thailand, ask her parents to sign the transfer papers, and it’s all done. I just couldn't find the right time because I didn’t want to make a scene. I knew Bianca too well, and I knew that it wasn’t going to end well.I had to, though. Immediately. I couldn’t wait to get Julia back, especially with my possessiveness issue. I was always jealous. I wanted to keep her by my side and shove all those men away, even if it's my brother who was now dragging Julia to the dance floor.I clenched my fists.“Don't you want to dance?” Bianca said. She fucking couldn’t stop holding me in public. “Or do you want to get back to the suite?”“Bianca, please...” I moved her hands away from my neck. “Don't.”She sighed and drank another shot of red wine.“When are you going to stop making this harder for us? Hmm? Or maybe I could just tell Dad to let us get married right away? Isn't that what you wanted fo
I let the running water flow continuously as I washed my hands, letting myself cool. I looked up and then looked at my reflection.What are you doing, Julia? Haven’t you had enough of this? Why did I have to be caught up in this situation all the time? I shook my head, then took a handful of water and wet my face.“You're marrying him?” a deep, dangerous voice abruptly spoke behind me. I looked back in the mirror and found Adam’s perilous stare. He was seething.“Do I need to get your permission?” I asked as I continued to dampen my cheeks.“Is that true what he said out there?”“Why does it matter to you?”“It does matter to me,” he said tightly. “You said you wanted me, but when I didn’t answer, you’re already running to Henry?”I dried my face with a napkin, then I faced him. “Then what is your answer, Adam? No matter what we do, we can’t be together.”“But you can't marry him.” He grasped my shoulders, shaking his head.“What made you think that I will? Now, please leave me alone
JULIALouis ushered me to his table, and since I was already aware that Adam will be right next to us, I prepared myself not to look surprised when I see him with his ex-wife-slashed-fiancée. Why was our world so close? Why did I have to see him in every corner of the world?His answer to me last night was clearer than diamonds. He was not going to choose me. He would not break up with Bianca because they had a deal. There was no way he was going to cut their deal because his company was at stake. I was getting pissed with myself already. Should I talk about it with Henry?As expected, Adam and Bianca were there—only a few feet away from our table. Damn it, and she was wearing the same shade of dress as I was, but her hair coordinated more with her dress than mine.I almost wanted to scream. I tried not to look at them, but damn, I couldn’t help it. Adam was wearing a matching suit, and he was fine-looking as always. Unfortunately, they looked so good together. I did not want to appea
JULIAI didn’t go to the site with Luke the next day. I stayed in my room, and fortunately, I needed to make gazillion calls and check the paperwork for the new hotel. I had breakfast and then ate lunch by myself. Luke and Adam would be working together at the site until the next day. My boss did not call, so I guessed it was fine.It was five o'clock when I finished the paperwork. I was suffering from a backache, but I still needed to prepare for the awards night in the evening. Henry hadn’t called yet, but I was preparing for the event anyway.I opened my suitcase and unfurled the only dress I could bring. It was a strapped, long, crimson-red dress. The neckline was a low V cut. I only wore it once, when Claire celebrated her twenty-first birthday. I would match it with my nude heels.I did not care if I look pretty in front of Henry, unlike before. However, he deserved a friend to be with him, and I didn’t want to embarrass him. He might be expecting an award, and I would be walkin
JULIAThe meeting began in the afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton—the hotel we had checked into along with the staff. Adam came, and fortunately, his fiancée didn’t. I was so nervous since he didn’t even reply to my message.What if ignoring it was his answer?Luke enlightened us about the contract, and then we were now officially in business with Cavendish Enterprises. They both signed the deal and sealed it for legalization. Adam’s company was going to be our contractor for the establishment of the new Hotel B in Los Angeles.As stated in the contract, they would be in charge of the resources, workers, and structural design. Adam initially showed Luke the plan for the new hotel, but we were still going to discuss it precisely with the whole team. My new boss still needed to meet Adam’s architects and designers when we return to New York.“It’s a great pleasure working with you, Mr. Cavendish.”“It’s mine as well. Thank you, Mr. Alejandro.” Adam shook his hand, and then the members of our
The door attendant took her cashmere-made cardigan as she and Adam entered the restaurant. She whispered something in his ear while she was slipping her hands on his arm. Adam smiled slightly at her. My heart suddenly felt like a bomb that was going to explode at any moment.“Cavendish said he was traveling alone,” Luke spoke, “but he brought the blonde. This is interesting.”I rolled my eyes at Luke, heaving out a sharp breath. “Really now?”He chuckled, noticing my boredom. “No, seriously. You're so defensive. Who wouldn't notice her long legs?”“What is wrong with you?” I slapped his shoulders unintentionally.“Aw...” He grabbed his shoulders. “What? I was only joking.”“It’s not a good joke. Er… sorry about that. I almost forgot that you're my boss.”“I'm just so glad Jake isn't here. Sit next to me, Julia,” he instructed.“Why?”“Just do it. Cavendish’s fiancée's with him. Sitting next to me would look like you're my date.”“You are clearly having fun with this.”He laughed. “Why
JULIAThese are the important documents we need for our trip to LA. Have you tried calling—” A knock from the glass door interrupted Luke from finishing his sentence. His secretary was standing at the meeting room door.“Excuse me, Mr. Alejandro. There's a visitor in the lobby, and he said it’s important. It's actually for Ms. Taylor, sir,” Ms. Craig informed.“For me?”Luke frowned as he gazed at me. “Expecting someone?”I shook my head. “Did he say his name?”“Oh, his name is Henry.”Henry. How did he know where to find me? “What did you say to him?” I queried. “We’re in a meeting.”“Ms. Craig, we're about to finish here,” Luke prompted. “Tell him to wait five minutes.”“Yes, sir.” She left.“It's okay, Luke. I could just meet him outside.”“Julia, it's eleven fifty-five. Take a break. Come to my office when you get back. And oh! Please contact Cavendish. I’ve got to tell him something about this project.” Luke grabbed the binders and stood up. He held the door open. “Julia?”“Oh, t