LUKESix years agoI knocked on the door twice before I entered my father’s room.“Dad?” It was his wedding day, and the ceremony was about to start. The guests had gathered in the hall.I had to admit, I hadn’t seen him so happy in years—not since my mother passed away. I opposed the wedding at first, but I eventually understood him. I didn’t want him to marry again because I didn’t want a stranger in the family. But Gene was different than any woman Dad had dated before. She cared.I found Dad in front of the mirror, fixing his tie. “Hey, son. Come here.”“What are you doing here? Where’s Gene?”“You didn’t see her?” He frowned. “She stepped out to look for you.”I scratched my temple. “Why?”“Darling!” Gene suddenly appeared behind me, her voice soft and high-pitched. I moved out of the doorway.I flashed a smile. “Gene! You were looking for me?”She briefly cupped my cheeks, “Oh yes, there’s something your father and I wanted to tell you.”“Sounds serious. You even looked for me o
LUKENOWThis was more complicated than I’d thought. I told myself I should not involve myself too much with Scarlet, but all I could think about now was how to make her stop crying. All I wanted was a senseless fuck, but here I was, dealing with some serious matters I couldn’t avoid.She was a mystery with unfathomable issues. I couldn’t figure her out, which was unnerving. After being away from her mother for six years, her life had changed into some rollercoaster shit she kept to herself. And being the only person to find out about it was such huge accountability.“I’m sorry for doing this. I don’t know what’s gotten into me,” I said.She had stopped crying. “You forced me. This is not healthy, Luke.”“I know.” I sighed. “I should’ve been more understanding. I just thought I could help.” I took her hand and brought it to my lips. “For now, let’s get you something to eat.”We stopped by a restaurant, but before she could step out, I cupped her face, and without hesitation, I kissed
SCARLETThe sound of the devil’s name alone made my stomach twist. How much more has an unfortunate past with him? If only I could change the past, I would have. There was no way I would love a man like Raoul. He was pure evil.I begged him. I even got down on my knees when I did it. He locked me up in his house for almost a month. I was unable to go to school. I always had bruises. He was hurting me. He only allowed me to use my phone, so people would not expect anything. I lied to my friends. I lied to Mom. It was only Nate who began to suspect what was going on with me. Katherine thought I was in love, but Nate thought I was out of my mind when I told him I was going to marry Raoul.Everyone thought I was in love, but I wasn’t. How could I love a man like that?“I never loved that devil, Luke. I just don’t want you to meet him.” I stared back at Luke.His eyes narrowed. “Then why can’t you tell us what happened?” he asked.I clenched my fist. Why was everyone so interested in the s
SCARLETI fell asleep in the car. It was an exhausting day. I met two people I was afraid to face in my life. They all brought up the past I was trying to bury, to forget. Luke woke me up with a kiss on my lips. I opened my eyes and found we were in front of his apartment building.“We’re here,” he whispered.“I’m aware.”He chuckled softly. “I can’t wait to have you alone.”“Our parents are still in your apartment, Luke.”“Dad isn’t home right now. I was told that he was in the office. I’m sure Gene won’t bother us in the shower.” Luke unbuckled his seatbelt and then stepped out of the car. He turned to the other side to open the door for me.I stepped out; he caught my waist immediately. Our chest adhered.“Join me,” he whispered in a low tone.Damn, his flirting. My sex clenched. A cold bath would suffice to bank the heat I was feeling, but not today.“Mom will suspect if she sees me coming into your room, Luke. Don’t you have work to do?”He scratched his temple with his index fin
SCARLETI knocked on Katherine’s door twice, but there was no answer.“Katherine, open up.”Still no answer. I tried moving the doorknob, but it’s locked.“Is she inside?” I asked Nate. “She’s probably sleeping.”“She didn’t tell me she was going to leave the apartment. Do you have your key?”“Oh, of course.” Hurriedly, I unlocked the door using my duplicate key. I pushed the door open, but the lights were off, and she wasn’t inside.“She’s not here.” I turned on the lights and went to my bedroom.“I’ll call her,” Nate said. I nodded. He remained standing in the living room. I needed to get a few clothes and sleepwear. I was running out of clothes. I needed my laptop and other books as well. I opened the wardrobe to pick some.“Did she answer yet?” I asked Nate. I don’t want to talk to him, but I don’t have a choice.“She’s not picking up,” Nate said. He was now standing at my door, his hand in his pocket.I threw the clothes over onto my bed. “Did you tell her what happened?”He shoo
SCARLETI didn’t notice I fell asleep on Luke’s bed. I just felt the bed move and his presence next to me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against him.“You look sexy in these clothes.” He whispered in my ear, which made me shiver. I wore a blue silk nightie I had taken from the apartment earlier.“Luke…” I whispered. “What time is it?”“It’s past one.”“And you just came back? What happened?” I tried to turn around to see him, but he did not let me.“Stay like this,” he said. His arm tightened around my waist. But I wanted to see his face. I lazily opened my eyes. I jumped out of bed to turn on the lights.“Oh my God!” I gasped for air as I came back to the bed. Luke’s lip was bleeding, and his cheeks were purplish red. His left eye was swollen. I crawled back to bed immediately.“What happened to you?” He looked badly hurt. “Did Thomas hurt you?”He smirked. He just looked at me with the same affection. “This is nothing.”“It’s not! How could he hurt you?” I caught m
SCARLETLuke went out of the door and then came back with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He sat on the bedside table and filled the glasses. He handed me one.“So, shall we start?”“How about you ask the questions?” I suggested.“Hmm.” He nodded, then gulped the liquor straight. “All right.”I took a deep breath, getting ready for the possible questions he might ask. I must remember, too, that Luke had possessive tendencies.“Where did you meet the guy?”Okay. Not harmful as the first question.“I met him at a club.”He frowned. “What the hell are you doing in a club?”“I came with friends. Girls’ night.”“Okay. So, you met him there, asked for a drink, got to know each other, and then you became close.” He gulped another shot of his drink. “So typical. You fell in love, and then you married him. Why didn’t you know he’s married?”My mouth dropped open. “Whoa! That’s a heavy conclusion. That’s not what happened.” I stared at him, surprised. “Are you writing a movie script?”He
SCARLETLuke wasn’t on his side of the bed when I woke up. I checked the desk clock and found that it was only six-fifty. I stepped out of bed and then went straight to the bathroom.After a cold shower, I couldn’t stop thinking about my dream. Luke was with me, Mom and Thomas, and they knew about our relationship. We’re all happy. In reality, I knew that it would be impossible.When I came downstairs, Mom was already preparing breakfast. Thomas was in the living room, reading a newspaper. I couldn’t even look at him. He knew about my past, and I wasn’t expecting him to treat me the same.I greeted Mom first. She was settling the food on the tables, then Luke’s face appeared as he closed the fridge. His wounds weren’t swollen anymore as it was last night.“Darling, sit there,” Mom instructed. “It’s good to fill up your stomach before school.”I sat in the middle part, and Luke sat across from me. He put a plate in front of me and the other utensils.“Did you sleep well?”“Yes.”“Darli
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