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
SCARLET A few years ago…Dianna called at three in the morning after she’d been missing for three days. She had been absent from school too, and our professors asked us where she was. We were all worried about her.It all started with this guy I met in a club. I introduced her to him. He became her boyfriend, Raoul Velazquez. A Mexican businessman who owned the club. If I only knew he was a bastard, I wouldn’t have introduced them to each otherShe and Kath were the most important people in my life. What happened to her was something I couldn’t take. And it was all my fault.“He… he told me that he wanted you. He never loved me. He wanted you, Scar! Can you imagine that!? This is all your fault. He’s going to kill me, Scar. He’s crazy,” she sobbed hard.“What did he want?”“You! He fucking wants you, and he’s not going to stop! He’s going to kill me. He kidnapped me, and you have to come here. You have until dawn, or he’s going to kill me. He wants you and you alone.”“Is he next to y
SCARLET It was after lunch when Nate arrived. I introduced him again to Mom, but she needed to go since Thomas was waiting for her outside. I heard they were going to attend a wedding, and they were going to be home late. Undoubtedly, they were the busiest couple in the world. We started setting up our computer on the balcony. Nate brought his laptop with him. We were going to test the new MMORPG game we started developing last year. The project was also included in our thesis. I was thrilled Nate came; he was going to save me from another day of misery. “Are we going to start at the beginning of the game?” “Yes. We should. I need to add more skills. I wanted to find out what’s missing.” His eyes focused on the screen. It was what I liked about Nate. When it came to programming, he always wanted perfection and wouldn’t stop. “Sure.” Honestly, building a new character was the most exciting part. “I’m going to choose Mage.” “Boo! That choice is for babies.” “You created this baby.
When Mom and Thomas were back home, I asked them to gather in the living room. I sat with my hands over my knees. On my right side was Luke wearing an impassive face. His arms folded across his chest. Fortunately, Nate agreed to stay, who was now at my left. He was a bit confused by the sudden family meeting. He didn’t ask any more questions. I cleared my throat. “Well.” I licked my lips. “I just wanted you to know that, um… I need to…” I glanced up at Luke’s face, still emotionless. He noticed me looking at him, then raised an eyebrow. I looked away quickly. “Sweetheart, what’s going on?” my mother frowned in confusion. Thomas seemed to have kept his usual calmness next to Mom, but he looked bothered. “I think I need to—” Luke rolled his eyes. “She’s coming with me tomorrow.” “What?!” Nate reacted. The world seemed to have stopped for everyone, followed by a moment of awkward silence. Finally, Thomas spoke, “What is this all about? This is too sudden. Scarlet agreed to stay her
SCARLETIf he was going to set up his own rules, I was setting up mine too. Two months was still long, but I wouldn’t discuss it tonight—not in our parents’ house.“How about we discuss this tomorrow?”“I don’t like suspense.”“For your information, we’re in your father’s house. And I’m setting my rules, too!”His mouth curved in a playful grin. “Finally, a part of Ericka I remember. Let’s see what rules you’ve got, witch.”God, his smile was to die for; I almost gave in.I shook my head, then crossed my arms. “One of my rules: Don’t ever call me witch again.”I strolled back to the pool and stood by the edge. Luke had barely called me by my first name, and he had called me a witch several times. I didn’t know if it was because I looked like a witch to him. I wasn’t his type.Luke walked next to me but kept a short distance this time. He slid his hands into his pocket. “Alright, I won’t.”Silence.I gazed up at him. His face was calmer now, and he was staring at the water. “Luke?”He
SCARLETFlying with a private jet was so convenient; our flight turned smoothly. Luke wasn’t much of a talker as usual. He didn’t bother me for the whole hour and a half, which I preferred. I wouldn’t know what I would say to him either. All he did was stare at his iPad. I took it as a hint that he shouldn’t be bothered.A sleek blue Ferrari F60 was waiting for us at the airfield when we landed. The man standing next to it handed him the keys, and Luke shoved our suitcases in the compartment, then we pulled out.Still not talking, Luke maneuvered every turn in the roads I’d known for six years. Luke and the sports car were absolutely something else. I’d never thought driving could be sexy. He handled the steering wheel with control and maintained an even speed.He then finally spoke, “What?”“Nothing.”“Something on my face?”I probably kept staring at his handsome face, and he had noticed me. I shrugged. “You’re a bit different than the way I thought you were.”“Like how?” he asked,
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