AUDREYNOW“That’s how Liam brought me back. He had to… and we did. But as soon as we arrived back home, there was nothing more left of his house, and his parents were gone. People didn’t know the cause, but I know.” I nodded. The tears couldn’t stop rushing to my cheeks. “I knew because it’s my fault.”“Why do you think it’s your fault, Audrey?” Gabriel’s expression was enigmatic. I couldn’t tell if it was rage, sadness, or pain. Probably it was because he didn’t expect me to be part of something so horrendous.“My father. My father happened.” I swallowed my throat dry. “He was really an evil man. I didn’t know if it was him, nor could I prove that he was to blame, but who else could do that, right? It’s not enough that he had Austin Miller murdered. He probably had killed other people. I stopped looking at my father as the hero I thought he was. Every bit of pain and misery I went through was because of him because he hated me. I don’t know why he hates me.”Gabriel shot up an eyebr
GABRIELAudrey had fallen asleep in my bed shortly after she lay next to me. Her arm was over my chest, her leg curled around mine, and her face grazed at my side. She was sleeping soundlessly, and her beautiful face serene. But for me, it was another sleepless night. But there’s one thing that finally had closure.Audrey was a victim, as I was. A victim of her father’s own scheme.However, she certainly didn’t know her father at all. Edward Hopkins wasn’t utterly broke. He was a very disturbed man. Not only did he neglect his own family, but Edward had also been dealing with illegal gambling, prostitution, and drugs for years. He sold all the Hopkins fortune, including Georgina Rossi, Audrey’s mother’s mansion, to sustain his underground businesses, including his partnership with the deceased Benjamin Scott. I was looking at his son’s background, and if Charles Scott was ever involved, I’d make sure he won’t get near Audrey again.What’s left were the reason behind Samuel’s horrid d
AUDREYSurprisingly, my Audi was available when we stepped out of Gabriel’s penthouse, and as planned, he drove his car by himself but insisted that I should have Jones drive for me.Like the normal days, I settled behind my computer and filled in some of the duties I neglected yesterday because my boss snatched me out of the office. I emailed Gabriel everything necessary, diverted important calls, and arranged his meeting schedules. Also, got his coffee, had his extra suit ready because he usually wore two different outfits a day, and answered endless calls from suppliers. I also remember we had a meeting with the creative department after lunch.“Mr. Stark’s office. How can I help you?” The call was from the lobby.“Miss Hopkins, Carla Garner is here again. She’s a manager from Exclusive Magazine, and she wants to see Mr. Stark.”“I’m sorry, Jennifer. I don’t see Carla Garner or the Exclusive Magazine in Mr. Stark’s schedule.”“I’m afraid she’s insisting. She won’t leave until she s
GABRIELThe woman in front of me was a complete eyesore. Carla wasn’t just a liar, but a fucking cheater. She sent herself to hell from the moment she betrayed me, but it seems even the devils were sick of her too.After my groundbreaking success with Stark Apparel, I tried to trust someone again, but she betrayed me when she let another cock fill her pussy. I was fucking tired of looking at her face.“I came here last week when you told me you agreed to talk to me, but you aren’t in the office. You stood me up, Gabriel.”“I didn’t stand you up because I didn’t want to talk to you anyway. What else do you want from me, Carla?”“I wanted no one else.” She shook her head.“And when you let Aaron fuck you in his office, you never thought of that?”Her expression looked tormented, just like how she had faked it all those years. “How can I make you believe Aaron set me up?”“Oh?” I raised my eyebrow. “My ex-business partner set you up when I saw him fucking you on his desk?”She clenched h
AUDREYI froze. I wasn’t expecting that. Gabriel had a fiancée? Had he ever planned on telling me?“It’s not really my place to say this, but you should just talk to Gabriel more about this matter. But you and him?” He chuckled. “Start talking.”“Well.” I cleared my throat. I was still dazed at the bomb Coulson Stark tossed to me. Why didn’t Gabriel tell me? “I’m sorry about this morning, Mr. Stark, and I’m sorry because I know he’s the boss. I don’t want it to look like—”“It’s fine, Audrey,” he cut me off. “I just want to hear it from you.”“I guess.” I looked down at my lap.“Don’t be bothered with Carla. She’s just a past case Gabriel was trying to get rid of,” he assured.“I was just surprised, that’s all.”“You have every right to be surprised, but hey, why won’t you just come with us for dinner tonight? Our parents want to see him, and it’s their anniversary today. Didn’t he tell you?”Oh, I guess that’s why he’s coming home. “Maybe I shouldn’t, Mr. Stark—”“Just Coulson.”“Cou
AUDREYGabriel stared back at me in surprise. I traced my fingers on the bumps of his chest, down the lines of his chiseled abs, to his navel, without breaking eye contact, then I lowered myself and began kissing his bare torso. Little by little, and slowly savored the taste of his skin with my lips. It still wasn’t enough. I ran my tongue over his stomach and continued the tease with a mouthful of deep kisses and licks. Even the taste of his skin was delicious.“Audrey…” his voice tensed.Promptly, I sat up again and caught the buckle of his belt, and he grasped my wrist too.He scowled. “What are you doing?”I bit my lower lip. “I want to.”He raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”I nodded. “With your permission?”“Audrey.” His expression darkened. “You don’t need my permission. I’m just surprised.”The anticipation made me smile. I’d always wondered what it’d look like. I unbuckled his belt, then unbuttoned his trousers slowly, but it seemed he was intolerant. He helped me undo it.“A
AUDREYGabriel was outside the entire afternoon, and after the meeting with the designers, my desk was full of paperwork. It was pretty exhausting, in a good sense. It meant I was officially the CEO’s assistant, the employees trusted me, and I was in charge whenever he was not in the office.Jacey stopped by my desk five minutes before I shut my computer down. I was only waiting for Gabriel now to return to fetch me for dinner. I hadn’t told him about Coulson’s invitation yet.“I’m really sorry, Audrey, but your signature is just as important as Mr. Stark’s, and I might need you to sign this really fast.” She placed the documents in front of me. It was the HR’s file for the upcoming sports fest on Saturday, as they were primarily in charge of arranging it, and they needed my approval.Honestly, my eyeballs felt like they were falling off their socket from staring at too many numbers, designs, and documents the entire day. “Is this urgent?”“Collins needs it tomorrow at nine.”I nodde
AUDREYThe Stark’s mansion in the Hamptons was a three-story private residence on an oceanfront. The house was obviously new, as the landscape was appealingly modern. The surfaces were white with graphite walls, had a garden and a pool, and anyone could see into the house from a distance, and the party didn’t seem to be simple as I was told as I could see many people inside. We headed towards the main door, and the guests instantly greeted Coulson while I jammed myself at his side, completely out of place and intimidated. My eyes were wandering around, looking for Gabriel instead, but I couldn’t find him anywhere.“Where’s Gabriel?” I asked in a whisper.“He was supposed to be here first,” Coulson whispered back. “I guess he’s just around or in his old room upstairs. If you like, I can find him for you.”“No, no. Don’t leave me alone.” I caught his arm and brought him close to me. “I’m not accustomed to being around too many people I didn’t know. I’ll call him.”I picked up my phone
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