Williams Herringbone had never been so confused in his entire life. No, never had he been both irked and excited by anyone to this extent. This strange woman was doing exactly that. Celine, the Natasha lookalike of all people. He had kissed her. He had moved towards her as if being controlled by an invisible force and given in to that primal urge to know what her full red lips felt like…what her sharp tongue tasted like. He wanted to kiss her again. Dear God, he wanted to kiss every inch of her pale skin. Suck on her delicate neck and run his fingers down the center of her chest. Sitting beside her on the bed in such a secluded room had sent the wrong message to his groin, making him go hard. That was why he had fled the room the moment he made the call. But why? Why did she make him feel this way? He knew nothing about who she truly was. He didn’t even know she existed until yesterday morning. What could be making him loose control in front of her? She simply looked like his first
Celine felt helpless. Not for the first time in her life, she hated the turn her fate was taking but had no way to change or control it. It was five years ago happening all over again. Five years ago, she had had to flee and hide herself for a crime she never committed because everyone kept pointing the accusing finger at her without a thought about her own wellbeing.They…those she called friends and family had wanted nothing to do with her and abandoned her when she needed then most. Granted, she had made some mistakes and terrible choices. But she was also human. Humans deserved some compassion no matter the situation because they were fickle creatures. No one had ever thought twice before hurting her with their words and actions. From her mother, to her brother and down to her best friends.Now here she was, in a strange man’s tinted glassed range rover, driving away from Frostone City, the place she had called home for the past five years. She was tucked into the back seat, hidde
Celine had lived a wealthy and privileged life before things went bad after the accident. She had worn the best clothes, gone to the most expensive schools and visited exquisite resorts for holidays. Yes, she came from a wealthy background. But compared to the Herringbones, she might as well had been nothing.That was the cause of her anxiety. What would they think of her? Williams had not had time to inform them about her arrival at the house, so she didn’t know what kind of reception she was going to receive. The Herringbones were in for a surprise, that was for sure.Sticking close to Williams, she had to keep her lips tight together to prevent herself from gawking at the things she saw. From the golden statues flanking the sides of the vast hallway to the priceless paintings on the wall. Old money, she had to remind herself. Williams grandfather had been one of the pioneers of the country and had founded the Diamond Empire that his grandson inherited. Nothing was beyond the reach
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Williams? You’ve been all over the news since last night and you only just show up now? That’s not good press for the company.” Ferdinand thundered the moment Williams took a seat at the table.It was a small oak table that could sit five, and presently all the seats were taken. Champagne flutes were already filled with rich wine, meaning that the meeting had already been going on for a while.Williams took this all in quietly, his eyes passing from one face to another. None of them looked particularly happy to see him.“I’m talking to you, young man. You can’t just disappear like that and show up without an explanation. That is incompetent behavior the company would not—”“It is my company.” Williams stated.Ferdinand gave him a look of unbelief. “What did you say?”“The company belongs to me, father. I of all people know the worth of the Diamond Empire and will never do anything to jeopardize it.”Ferdinand let out a breath and glanced to the person
“Uhmm…we are not going up the stairs, are we?” Celine had to ask. The twin marble stairs rose up before her like an endless rise to places she would never reach. Intimidating was the word to describe them.Ricco gave her an amused look. “Sure we are. That’s where Sir Williams’s wing of the estate is.”Unease settled into Celine’s stomach. She’d felt anxious ever since her encounter with Alicia, Williams’s fiancé and the queen of the castle in her own right.Ricco observed her face before understanding dawned over his own.“You must’ve met Alicia Darlings already.”Celine blushed. “I didn’t mean to go snooping around. I was simply looking for you after Williams dismissed me. Speaking of Alicia, she didn’t seem particularly happy to see me, and I understand that. I don’t want any other confrontation between us.”“Relax, Miss Celine. You are a guest of Sir Williams and you have as much right to be here as anyone else.”“It’s just that I don’t want to cause any misunderstanding between th
Williams made it all the way up the stairs to his wing of the estate before he stopped.Celine was somewhere up there, and he couldn’t face her in such a vulnerable state. The last time he had let his emotions get the better of him, he had planted a kiss on her lips. A kiss he couldn’t forget. He also couldn’t stop thinking of the way she’d felt between his body and the wall. Perfect. Alluring. Dangerous.He needed to keep a clear head around her. No love or lust something was needed. No emotions required except the desire to know her secret, to unravel her. He knew she was hiding something. The look on her face when he had asked her about her true identity was proof enough. He also had to know what her relationship was with Natasha.That was the chief reason why he had brought her to this estate. Nothing more or less. It wasn’t because he felt sorry for her. Certainly not because of the heat she ignited in his body whenever he saw her. He needed her safe until he had dug up everythin
Alicia stared away from his face as she tried to compose herself. Tried to regain her confidence, but Williams was not letting her off easy. “I’ve known you for almost a year now and we’ve been engaged for a couple of months. In all this time we have had no intimacy of any kind. We never spoke about being exclusive during our courtship but having sex with my older half brother is something I can’t tolerate.” Alicia shrugged. “It was just that one time—” “That one time at the hotels, his house, the estate, the club, the beach house…those one time?” “Did you pay someone to follow me and keep tabs of my actions?” “No, I didn’t have to do that. The two of you were not so secretive about your affair. People saw you together. People talk about such things.” Her face hardened. “Alright, we have been sleeping together for some time. And so what? It was just sex between us. Nothing emotional or deep.” “His wife and daughter would disagree to that, Alicia.” “I never seduced him. He appro
Back at the restaurant, Alicia Darlings was livid. So angry she was that her breath came out in hot wafts from her lungs.How could he do this to her? Who did he think he was? Yes, he was the most richest and handsome man in the country, but so what? She was rich too. She was beyond beautiful. How dare him reject her like that?Alicia stared down at the diamond ring on her finger. Her engagement ring that she never failed to flaunt with pride whenever she went out with the girls. They all knew who her man was, and they were all jealous of her. Williams Herringbone was the perfect Alpha male of them all.She could remember the day he proposed. Yes, she had known it was all a contract marriage for business purpose, but him popping the ‘will you marry me?’ question had brought tears to her eyes. Alright, truth he told, she had had an interest in Williams before he even came into the picture. That was why she had suggested that her father make marriage to her a term of the contract.Many
When the car pulled into underground VVIP parking lot of the hundred floor Diamond Corps tower of steel, chrome and cheer architectural miracle, Celine got down on shaky legs.She was feeling nervous for an obvious reason. It wasn’t everyday that she got to enter such a place, one where the very air she breathed smelled too expensive, the floor beneath her feet glistened like glass and with cars that each cost more than a fortune gracing the lot.William didn’t even bother to glance at her before setting a brisk pace towards the entryway. He was certainly used to all the glamor, what with being born and bred in such a life.Celine took in a deep breath that did nothing to calm her before hurrying to keep up with him.He presented her with his briefcase as she fell into step beside him, her pace quicker to compensate for her relatively shorter legs.She raised an eyebrow. “What?”Williams came to an abrupt stop, forcing her to do the same. There was a cold set to his face that ignited
But Dr. Hammond said they have to watch you for another day.”“I’m totally fine. Seriously, the young man worries too much.” An airy voice argued fondly. “Even still, you can’t just discharge yourself. Williams won’t like it.”The airy voice chuckled. “He’s my son. Trust me, he can’t get angry with me. All I have to do is cajole him a little, add his favorite meal for good measure and he’ll be nodding at whatever I want.”“I heard that, mom.” Williams ambled into the hospital room, with Celine close behind.The room was easily bigger than her apartment and would’ve passed for the penthouse of a five star hotel if not for the medical equipment in the room.A woman, only a few inches taller than Celine, smiled in mischief before hurrying over to pull Williams into a hug, wrapping her slender arms around him.“I miss your baby stomach whenever I hug you.” She rubbed his midriff. “Everything is like a wall now. Do you even eat proper food?”Celine tried to stifle a laugh at the r
Cold shivers travelled down her shoulders, warming up her heart as his voice vibrated through her senses.“What?” She could only gasp. He was just too close, assaulting her with his mere presence, his velvety voice and…him. Her knees were weak, and it was only sheer willpower keeping her upright.His warm breath lingered over the nape of her neck for a torturous heartbeat before he pulled away.“You shouldn’t be late for work on your first day.” He said casually. “As the president of the company, I should be reprimanding you.”And before she could regain her composure to offered a befitting resort, he sauntered away, leaving her hurrying over her heels to keep up with his long stride.“Work?” She couldn’t make sense of that. “What do you mean by that?”“Did you expect to be freely accommodated?” His voice was bone dry, as if he couldn’t fathom how naïve she was.Her mouth opened but no words could find their way out through her blocked windpipe.“But…”Williams slipped into t
Umm…miss Celine?Celine rolled unto her back and yawned. Goodness, she wasn’t going to ever get over how soft and comfortable and appeasing the bed was. She would’ve probably drifted off to sleep again, maybe for another hour or two, if not for a gentle probing on her shoulder.“Miss Celine? You have to wake up now.”“What? Why?” She recognized Nessa’s voice immediately, but her eyes remained shut.“Sir Williams is waiting for you downstairs.”She snuggled into the duvet to hide her face under a pillow. “Why is he waiting for me? Doesn’t he has to go to work or something?”“Yes, that’s why he’s waiting for you. He said I should get you ready to come with him.”Celine’s eyes flew open the moment the meaning of Nessa’s words registered in her groggy head. Oh, right. Their unfinished conversation last night. Williams had not given her any opportunity to argue about it last night, and right now he was offering her no choices either.“Rich people and their arrogant authority comple
Chapter 22)Where could he be at this time of the night?Celine glanced at the antique grandfather clock beside the fireplace of the living room. It was a few minutes after eleven, and the estate was as quiet as could possibly be. It would’ve been dead silent if not for the hooting beetles and fireflies in the gardens outside.She wrapped her hands around her shoulders and snuggled deeper into the couch. Williams had not returned ever since he left abruptly in the afternoon, supposedly following after his brother. His equally handsome but creepy brother. Celine couldn’t get the strange look Kellan had given her out of her mind. It had spooked her beyond words. Even though she was yet to meet him and know him personally, she couldn’t say she liked him. She also didn’t like the way Williams had gone off after him. If her instincts were right, there was a great pool of bad blood between the two brothers.Goodness, she was so bored in here. Yes, there was a library full of books she
Wake up, sleepy head.Gary had the strangest sensation that he was at the bottom of a very deep pool. A murky pool that made it hard for him to swim out. He tried to move his arms but couldn’t. His legs were as hard as lead and equally numb.I’m not going to ask again. I have many ways to pull you out of sleep. You are not going to like any of them.It was that deep voice…the same voice he had heard before passing out. The voice was cold and emotionless, like the monotone of an AI robot.Gary cracked his eyes open and knives pierced through his head causing him to gasp in pain. His head throbbed. Everywhere throbbed as if he had been run over by a car.Through his blurry vision, he found out that he was sitting on a chair at the center of his apartment. His arms were tied painfully behind his back and his legs…he couldn’t feel them anymore because of lack of blood flow to them.The carpet had been rolled away to reveal the wood paneling of the floor. About four burning black can
That night, in a two story apartment building on a gloomy street in the more industrial part of the city, Cracked-teeth was on high alert.His real name was Gary Montez, and he had been friends with Vaughn since their childhood days on the streets of a tiny village in Spain. Together they’d done it all: from street fights, to petty theft, drift racing and the likes. When Vaughn had chosen Snowville as his next base, Gary had tagged along. Why not? Vaughn was the only family he knew.Gary clutched the grip of the shotgun tightly, fighting the urge to shed tears like a baby. Vaughn was dead. Gary didn’t want to believe it, but it was all over the news. It was all the bloody newscasters would talk about for days. The police had found his lifeless body in the alley….Gary couldn’t remember much about what had happened in the alley last night. Ok, backtrack to the restaurant. The puny pretty girl had made Vaughn angry. He had then suggested that they ambush her on her way back from work
Williams stared into Celine’s face. She looked both flushed and unnerved at the same time.“What is it?” He fisted his arms at his sides. This was all he could do to prevent himself from touching her. He had a strange urge to return the strands of hair in front of her face back to the nook behind her ear. He wanted to rub her shoulders gently as he did only a few hours ago when she had been asleep. The want-to-do list was too long for comfort.She didn’t reply. Rather she glanced at the balcony railing before looking away from his face, her cheeks going red again.Williams moved close to the railings and stared down. He knew what must’ve spooked her immediately. All he saw was the tail end of a white Lamborghini as it inched down the long driveway out of the compound, but it was enough.“Now I know why he looked a little familiar.” Celine joined him at the railings. “He is your brother.”“Kellan is my half brother.”Celine smiled wryly. “Sounds the same to me.” She sighed dramat
Celine yawned widely and snuggled deeper into the bed. She turned around to face the high canopy of the bed before opening her eyes.“Now, that’s what you call a nap.” She announced with a satisfied smile on her face.Other times, she normally woke up from sleep screaming because of the nightmares that plagued her. Almost every time she closed her eyes, the memories and recollections of horrible things came pouring into her mind like a broken dam releasing torrents of dirty water.The constant nightmares had started immediately after the accident. The dream was always the same one but with little changes sometimes. That was why Celine only allowed herself to sleep when tired. Naps were a no go area for her. The demons of her past allowed her no respite at all.She yawned again, and sat up to look outside. The evening sky was clear and cloudless, with the sun just lowering below the trees of the horizon. It would soon be dark. Her first night at Castle-lake estate was almost upon her.