LUKE“Rebecca?” I phoned her the next morning. “Please find any properties under the name Raoul Velazquez,” I requested.“Did you find a lead?”“He owns a club. Find the name and send it to me asap.”“Sure. Anything else?”“Nothing. Thank you, Rebecca.”“You’re welcome.” I ended the call.I hadn’t expected that this would become an endless road. I couldn’t afford to get tired. I did not expect that the fucker would be hard to find. I had tracked down people before, even those who were already dead. I was good at it. The next time I speak to Rebecca, I’m expecting to find a precise result. I already came this far. I should not give up.I had lost track of time. It was already ten-thirty, and I still hadn’t received a message from Scarlet. Was she planning to stay in her apartment? I told her that I would pick her up.I stared at the files on my desk blankly. Besides having unending things to do at Hotel B, I still had to deal with AT clients tomorrow. I pressed my temples with my two f
SCARLETThe four of us sat across from each other awkwardly. Nate narrowed his eyes at me, and Katherine’s eyes were staring intently at the emotionless man next to me. Luke’s arms folded over his chest. It was such a bad idea to ask him to stay with us. And what’s more surprising, he agreed.“I asked him to stay here.” I cleared my throat. “He’ll sleep on the couch.”When I shifted my head to his side, Luke looked at me. “I’d rather sleep with you.”Nate scowled.“Luke.” I shook my head.“What? You said they know about us,” he stated.“No problem here, Mister,” Katherine assured me with a grin. “You can stay here anyway or anywhere you want.”I could see now that Luke had an effect like this on women, and Katherine wasn’t an exception. It’s a sure thing.“Don’t you think letting a man sleep in the house with two girls is inappropriate?” Nate commented. I knew he would not approve.“You are a man too!” Katherine pressed. “Alright, I’ll decide. Since I share this room with Scar and you
LUKERebecca called me as soon as I received her email in the morning. I was busy with the expansion of Hotel B in Seoul, but she insisted that she had to speak to me. What she sent me was a film about the fucker, Raoul Velazquez.“What are these?” I asked, scrolling through the email.“That are the details about the club he owned. It’s called The Hightower Club. It’s an elite club. Most guests were VIPs, celebrities, and even politicians. It has a good reputation, surprisingly.”“He’s not an ordinary man to run a club like this. I know this club. What else?”“He’s a wealthy man, Luke. Hightower Club has a branch in London. It’s bigger than the one in Boston.”I gritted through my teeth. This man was something. I scrolled to the next page. It was the list of his VIP guests in London. I found tons of celebrities on the list.“Do you think he may be in London?” I queried.“He’s currently in London.”I clenched my fist. “Wait. Do we have a lead now? Did you confirm?”“Yes. The informatio
LUKE I remained seated on the couch and watched them come out of the door until Stacy came into my office in a wheelchair. “Your assistant isn’t very polite in treating a guest.” A smirk played on her lip. “She didn’t ask me if I wanted coffee. You know how I love coffee.” She was still the same woman a few years ago. Despite her situation, she always seemed arrogant. “It’s because I told her you are not a guest, Stacy. What do you want?” “You don’t want to see me, so I came all the way here despite my situation just to see you.” “Don’t be so proud. I didn’t want to see you.” She chuckled. “You wouldn’t be able to resist after I say this to you. Whether you like it or not.” “Just tell me what you want, and don’t come here again. I don’t want the people to see you in this building.” “Then, do you prefer your daughter?” “Stop fucking with me, Stacy. You know you can’t bring her here.” “I know, but I brought Bella with me. She’s waiting for you in the car with her nanny.” She di
SCARLETThat woman was Stacy? No, no. She could be another Stacy, but why was my heart throbbing, sending me a feeling that she was the Stacy that Luke didn’t want me to know?Everything fits the harder I think about it. She was the exact definition of Luke’s type, except for the wheelchair part.I didn’t have the right to ask her who she was, so I didn’t say anything further. But I don’t have a good feeling about her. Should I just leave?“Excuse me, how can I help you?” The woman in the lobby appeared in front of us.“I’m looking for Luke,” Stacy answered first.“I’m Mr. Alejandro’s assistant. He’s currently in a meeting.”“Are you new here? Don’t you know who I am?” She eyed the assistant coldly.“Do you know what time the meeting will end?” I asked the receptionist nicely instead.“No, Ma’am. I’m very sorry. Do you have a message I can relay to him?” she asked.“Miss, I did not come all the way here just to get kicked out by a mere employee,” the woman ranted. “Are you blind, or y
SCARLETIt’d been a week since Mom and Thomas returned to Manhattan, and it’d been eight days since I last saw Luke. Every day, my stomach felt tight, and my chest felt heavy. I tested myself; how long could I endure, and to what extent could I hold back?The food didn’t taste right. My classes felt like a burden. I couldn’t sleep well for the past few days. In the last two days, I checked my phone to see if I had a message, hoping to hurt myself more if I saw his name. But I realized that it hurt even more when I found nothing.I was sleepless. I had no appetite, and I felt that I had lost weight. I already lost it. Still, I was so proud of myself. I didn’t beg for him, make a scene, or stalk him, not like I did before.My ninth day made no difference. Same routine. I was getting up in the morning bored, going to school only to gawk, and going to the cafeteria only to stare at the food. It’s the same pasta I loved, but it’s just food in red for me. Nothing more. Not even appetizing.
SCARLETLast night, I slept very well. Thanks to Katherine and the sweet live acoustic music. For the time being, I forgot how lonely I was—until the moment I opened my eyes in the morning. Luke’s face flashed back into my mind. I expected my day to be the same for the past nine days.Katherine and Nate told me why Luke and I should not be together. I did not disagree because they were right about everything.First, he was my stepbrother, and that was the biggest deal. Second, we may have had a relationship, but it was only temporary. With Luke, there will be no happy endings. Third, he had issues, and they were as serious as mine. He had a secret woman; he was keeping this whole secret life. Lastly, they had a child together. They were a family. Who was I to get in the way?Every fact was right in front of me. I had the evidence. He didn’t deny it or even explain himself. Staying away was the right thing to do. But why couldn’t I stop loving him?I kept forcing my mind not to think a
SCARLETI stared at myself in the mirror before I went out on stage. I had never experienced standing in front of a crowd. I didn’t exactly understand why I wanted to sing live in an acoustic bar. I also had no experience. All I knew was I had to move on. I had to divert my attention and do something new.“Hey, newbie! We’re about to start.” An Asian man in a baseball cap appeared behind me.“Yes, of course. Thank you.” I smiled at him.“I’m Scott. I play percussion. You are Scarlet, right?” he asked.“Oh, yes. Hi, Scott.” I reached out my hand to him.“Pleasure.” He shook my hand.Scott smiled. He was pretty charming, and he looked younger than me. He had black hair under his cap, covering his forehead.“If you don’t mind me asking, are you… Japanese?” I guessed, trying to be friendly and making small talk.“I’m actually Korean,” he corrected, then grinned.“Oh, sorry!” I covered my mouth, embarrassed.He chuckled. “You ready? I heard you have a good voice.”“I’m not a professional,
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