AUDREYThe night was alive when we arrived at the grand porte-cochere of the Camelot Arts Exhibit. Gabriel said that even if he wasn’t going to meet the Italian designer, he was still invited to the opening.The driveway was already packed with luxury cars when I stepped out of the vehicle. When we reached the enormous grand hall, I felt confident when I caught sight of the guests. Thanks to Veronica Park, I wouldn’t look out of place. Everyone was in their fancy dresses and suits. We continued walking inside, and Stark first extended his greetings to the people he knew. I stood back and gave the best smile I could. Stark introduced me as an executive assistant, which made it more official.“Yes, Rickman. We will be launching a brand-new collection for the upcoming fashion show in Las Vegas. I don’t want to spoil anything, but we’re bringing something new.” Stark gulped a shot of his drink.“Then my daughter will have something new to look forward to,” Rickman Perez, a CEO of Foretec
AUDREYWe first strolled the landscape paintings. I have always had huge respect for the arts. When my father was still rational, he always hung paintings on our walls. One of my favorites was the pine tree in the winter land in our living room. I didn’t know if it was still there because Anton sold some of the portraits for his whims. Then, we walked around the walls, which displayed hyper-realistic paintings, and one of the pictures got my attention. It was a half-naked woman floating in the air that flaunted her breasts and her nipples. Her face was beautiful. Her lips were as red as a rose and slightly opened, but then I noticed her eyes had tears. The painting had a dramatic shade of dark and green shadows, making the art more alluring and inviting. I shut my eyes, imagining myself as if I was the woman. I was in the same position as her a few years ago in front of a man I barely knew. I was young, naïve, and so willing. My body was exposed, beckoning the man that haunted my dr
AUDREYI was going to speak again, but I was saved by the bell by a short-haired young woman who approached Mr. Stark. There was no way I would win a one-on-one debate with him.“Maya,” he said gruffly.She grinned so wide it almost tore her lips. The girl sweetly kissed her brother’s cheek. I could see a lot of admiration in her eyes. “Hey, Gabe. We haven’t spoken for a week, and that’s how you’re going to greet me?”According to the records, Maya Stark was twenty-two years old. She had a Master’s degree and had accomplished so much in the family business at a young age. She helped their father run the Stark Group as the COO.Gabriel rolled his eyes. “We usually run into each other at a gathering like this, Maya, and I don’t think we should meet often. I’m swamped.”“You were never free, anyway!” She sighed. “I’m just here because Mom is asking about you. How about you come with us tonight and have dinner at home?” Her eyes gleamed at the anticipation her brother would accept using h
GABRIELAfter a few minutes of silence, Elazar spoke again. “By the way, Gabriel, Coulson. It’s only a week until your company’s sports fest, right?”Coulson wiped his mouth. “Yep, what of it?”“The Exclusive magazine called my office today, and they wanted to feature both of you on their front page and some pages, I think.” Elazar ate another forkful of this food.“But don’t they only cover celebrities?” Helen asked. “Do they target businessmen now?”“Exactly, we are not. And don’t you know? Exclusive has a reputation for publishing biased information. I wouldn’t want my face plastered on their magazine.” I sighed and put my utensils down. “They already called us last week, and I had their calls blocked in our system.”“Have you spoken to them?” Elazar queried.“No.”“Well, they reached my assistant’s direct line,” he informed. “And they had been bugging Wallace for days. However, what they offered seemed promising, to be honest. I actually considered letting them cover our estate in
AUDREYThe royal blue, sleek brand-new car shone brightly before my eyes the night I arrived at the apartment, and the valet made sure to let me know it was taken good care of at the parking lot. I’d never accepted something as valuable as this. It was too much, and Chelsea was fine sharing her Chevrolet with me. I didn’t know if Stark just wanted to flaunt his money by giving me a car and asking me to pose for him in a painting in exchange for one million dollars or if that was just the way he was. I walked to the bathroom for a quick shower.As I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone suddenly rang. I hurriedly picked it up from my mirror table and checked the caller ID. It was from an unknown number. I never answer an unsaved number, though. I ignored the call and put my phone down.I slipped into my pajamas, and then I sat in front of the mirror. I squeezed the bottle of my moisturizer and applied some to my face. Then my phone buzzed again. I heaved out a sharp breath as I pi
GABRIELI had broken many rules in my life, so I learned to set the ‘right’ rules for myself to not lose again. I once tried to trust again, but another mistake made me realize I shouldn’t keep my guard open.For now, I only have one goal. It was to keep Audrey next to me. I figured out how I would bring her down and then her family. She was going to fall for it, and after she’s head over heels, I’m going to throw her way—just as she threw me away. Cruel? That’s how the world is, mate. I would make sure I’d enjoy every moment of how I was going to destroy her life. I was going to watch her struggle and beg me to stop. At the same time, I would make sure that she was thoroughly fucked. I’m going to fuck her so senselessly that she’d forget her own name. She had been teasing me for three months. I’d always chastise myself, waiting for the right moment. I’d stopped fucking anyone since. It’s ridiculous to admit that for everything I’d been through, I could see Audrey as the lady who
AUDREYAs soon as I saw Anton in front of the manor house—the only thing my mother left me that was almost gone, I threw my arms around our old nanny Mila and cried on her shoulders endlessly. Not only did I miss the woman who actually raised me, but the death of Samuel also hit my guts the moment I stepped down the car.She cupped my face. She was older than the last time. Time flew so fast. “How are you, my child?”I forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mila. I missed you.” I hugged her again.“I’ve missed you too.”Later on, Mila led us inside the house, and only a few people were present. Most of them were Samuel’s friends. Anton and his wife approached us and then ushered Chelsea and me to Sam’s cremated remains placed in a ceramic jar filled with white flowers around it. I cried even more. I never got to see his face one last time. I should’ve come home and visited him. But I let my pride get in the way, ending up leaving him alone.I found Dad sitting next to his side, almost lifeless.
AUDREY“It was a disaster,” answered Chelsea when Stark asked about our day. He now sat in front of us in a five-star restaurant in the Waldorf hotel. There was no point in insisting that we were fine staying at the hotel. Knowing my boss, when he said something, it meant he wanted everyone around him to obey.Stark frowned at my best friend’s answer. “Why so?”“Her father—ugh!” she grunted. “It’s not my place to speak.” Chelsea held my hand.“My father…” I sighed. “He’s just like always. We don’t get along, that’s all,” I answered as simply as I could. There’s no way I would tell my boss how pathetic my life was. Especially now, with him in person. It was usual for Stark to have a sudden business that was not in his schedule. I literally just told him about this emergency trip this morning, and here it was.Stark picked up the cup of his coffee and took a sip. “So, you just decided to stay somewhere else, is that it?”Chelsea and I exchanged the same look, then I nodded.“Well.” He p
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