Diana's white sedan came to an abrupt halt in front of Anastasia.
She had spent the entire night looking for Anastasia. She was worried and scared. She watched the club's footage and saw Anastasia approach a man who took her away in his car, but she could not make out the man's face because of how far away they were. Left with no other choice, she had to call Harold and tell him about what happened. Harold tried to keep her calm on the phone and told her he would take the next available flight and come, but Diana wasn't calm; she could sense the worry in Harold's voice. 'Would he be angry with her for taking Anastasia to the club?' The thought made her heart skip a beat. She was only relieved when Anastasia called and asked her to come get her, but seeing Anastasia's haggard appearance now, all her worries resurfaced. âAnna! Oh, dear, what happened to you?â Diana exclaimed worriedly, getting out of the car and rushing towards her best friend, who looked like she had been tortured mercilessly. There were tiny bruises on her neck, shoulders, thighs, and even her cleavage; her short hair was messy too. âI'm fine; I'm just tired and need to rest,â Anastasia said, but added, âI will tell you everything later,â when she saw Diana was holding back from questioning her. Diana nodded and opened the car door for Anastasia and said, âOkay, rest now; I will wake you once we arrive home.â Anastasia nodded and closed her eyes. ~~~ In the penthouse, Adrian groaned, pulling the pillow in his arms to him. âYou smell nice and soft, Simona,â he whispered, but his eyes shot open at the realization he was holding a pillow. Simona had left. âFuck, Simona?!â he cursed angrily, sitting up, as memories of the previous night filled his mind. Fuck, he doesn't remember the last time he enjoyed sex like he did yesterday. But damn, it shouldn't have happened. And he was too excited; he came inside her countless times. 'What if she tries something silly again? Knowing the number of times she tried to seduce him into sleeping with her when they were married,â he thought, pulling the blanket off to get off the bed, but his eyes fell on the bloodstains on the bed. âWhat the hell? Is this one of Simona's tricks?â he said, looking at the dry blood patches. âThere is no way she was a virgin, right? Yes, she was very tight, and the way she bit him hard on the shoulder when he penetrated her? Damn it. She was still a virgin. At 25,â Adrian said in astonishment, his fingers gently stroking the spot that had a big patch of bloodstain. âSo I was her first,â he murmured and smirked happily at the revelation, but then his smile ceased. âWhat am I even thinking? Even though it was her first, it was a mistake. I need to find her before she does something stupid.â Adrian got out of bed and went to the bathroom to shower after calling his assistant and asking him to bring him a change of clothes. He had stopped coming to his penthouse for years now, since Helena left to study abroad. He never brought anyone there except Helena, but yesterday he brought Simona there. ~ A-LINE CORPORATIONS ~ A black Rolls Royce came to a screeching halt in front of the majestic building of A-line corporations. One of the security men opened the door for the CEO, who exited the car surrounded by his usual cold aura and walked into the building in long strides. Michael, Adrian's assistant, who was doubling as his chauffeur today, got out of the car and tossed the car key to the security man after getting his boss' items in the back seat and fast-walked to him, and they both got on the private elevator. âWelcome, sir,â Linda, Adrian's secretary, greeted him when the elevator arrived on the CEO floor, and he walked out. Adrian nodded and headed for his office, followed by Michael and Linda. The moment Adrian sat on his chair, the memory of him kneeling down in front of a naked Simona and kissing her on her pussy flashed in his mind. âFuck!â he cursed hoarsely, loosening his tie as he was feeling hot all of a sudden, and damn, he was fucking hard. Michael and Linda shared a quick glance at their boss's attitude. Their boss was someone who put his appearance first, so seeing him loosening his tie was new to them. âSir, is there something I should get you? Or maybe increase the volume of the air conditioner?â Michael asked on seeing beads of sweat forming on his boss's forehead. Both he and Linda look at Adrian's face, anticipating his answer. Adrian looked at the two faces in front of him, their heads almost crashing as they looked at him. How did he end up with these two idiots?' But he wouldn't deny they were good at their work. âI'm okay. Linda, I want you to get me the address of my wife,â Adrian demanded. He had remembered back at the hotel he didn't know where Simona lived. âYou mean your ex-wife, sir?â Linda asked, and if looks could kill? Linda herself knew where she would be right then, judging by her boss' dark expression directed at her. She nodded her head vigorously and said. âYour ex-wife it is,â and turn to leave the office. However, Adrian sat there, his heart and mind fighting. Linda's words, "ex-wife,â the term didn't sit well with him at all, but it was the truth. She was now his ex-wife. He sighed and instructed Michael. âTerminate Sophia's contract and make sure she doesn't even get to work as a maid, and all the assets the company provided for her are to be seized.â âYes, sir,â Michael responded and made his way to leave, and Linda entered the office with an espresso in one hand and piles of folders in the other. âYour espresso, sir,â she said, placing the mug of espresso in front of Adrian. She arranged the piles of folders at the side and took out a brown folder, which she handed to him. âThis is the madam's resume; it contains all her details." She stated and continued, "About your schedules today, you have three appointments with the..." Linda had not finished speaking when Adrian waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for her to leave the office. She nodded and walked out. Adrian looked at Simona's picture in the folder on opening it and remembered the first time he saw her; she walked into his office in a white skirt suit that ended at her knee. She had long hair back then and black heels. As professionally as Simona was dressed that day, he had found her tempting for some reason. But then he happened to see her diary by chance, that she had come to the company to seduce him. Since then, he hated her, and like the saying goes, keep your friend close but enemies closer. He kept her by his side for three years. He made things difficult for her; he always found problems with everything she did. He wanted to break her, but she never did. She was determined; she didn't even notice he had purposely been making things hard for her. There was a time he assigned one of the company IT to hack into her computer and delete the draft of a presentation that was due in an hour and the team had worked on for three weeks. He was surprised when Simona told him she had memorized it and could jot down everything in forty minutes, and she did it in 35 minutes. He purposely leaked a line of fashion designs and blamed her since she was the only one who had access to it. But she was able to prove it was an imitation, a knockoff, and not the original copy. So when his grandfather was stressing him about marriage and knowing Helena won't be back in the next two years, he decided to use her since she was the best candidate. But being called Mrs. Adams must have gotten to her head, so after failing to trap him into having sex with her, she told him she loved him; she must not remember since she was running a high fever then and he had to take care of her. He wanted to use that as the opportunity to finally break her and also get rid of her. And it worked, or so he thought? However, he enjoyed the few minutes she begged for a second chance, but he didn't spare her a glance. But that woman surprised him by proving she lied about her feelings for him and was only after his money like all the other women. He was also surprised when he returned home in the morning and found out she had already left. He heard it had started raining after he left, and she walked to the bus station in the cold rain. âCouldn't she at least wait until the rain stopped?â He didn't care, so why was he thinking about her? What he has to do now is find her and make sure she takes the needed medication. Simona is cunning and can use the fact that he slept with her to her advantage. He stood up and made his way out of his office.Annastasia's stomach grumbled, and she looked up at Simona, who was seated beside her explaining a cosmetic line to attach to their upcoming fashion week, feeling embarrassed. âLet's end today's meeting here.â Simona announced, and all eyes around the long circular table moved to Anna. After all, Anna was their CEO, and they only listened to her words. Not her lousy secretary, who somehow believes she magically becomes the boss since she is the CEO's secretary. A few of the females rolled their eyes discreetly when they fixed on Simona's face briefly. Anna nodded, smiling. Everyone got up and left. After everyone was out, Simona said, âUmm. Let go, madam. I will treat you to lunch.â âNo, you don't have to do that. Let go, I will treat you.â Anna rejected Simona's offer politely. âI insist. Please consider it as a thank you for the hefty bonus you gave me a few days ago.â Simona insisted, her lips pulled into a pout. She didn't intend to let off the topic if Anna does
Patrick smiled, his eyes shining with mockery.â5 billion?â he repeated with a disbelieving expression. âIs that what my boss is worth in your eyes? You can do better than that.ââOkay, fine, I will double it, 10 billion. That's my final offer.â Helena stated. Patrick smirked, reaching for his briefcase. He stood up and said to Helena,âCall me once you're willing to offer more,ââWhat?â Helena exclaimed in disbelief, standing up. âAre you telling me 10 billion dollars isn't enough? That's a life-changing offer. Don't be avaricious.â Helena muttered, her voice degrading.Patrick finally took off his mask and laughed at her words.âIf someone among us is greedy, then that's you. I thought you were sensible enough to understand why I rejected your offer; I didn't expect you to go ahead and chastise me. I believe you need that more than I do.â Patrick explained politely and turned, walking away, but paused at the door and added in a threatening tone.âI recorded our conversation today. I
Inside Aiden's dining room, Aiden looked at the face of the woman seated opposite him for the umpteenth time and sighed deeply, putting his spoon down and focusing all his attention on her. Anna, who had her head lowered as she ate, sensing Aiden's intense and piercing gaze on her, quickly reached for the glass of chilled orange juice she had requested from one of the maids to take a sip to calm down her souring nerves when Aiden spoke. âAnna, are you alright?â Startled by Aiden's voice, Anna's grip around the glass loosened, causing the juice to pour on her, and the glass dropped to the floor, breaking. âAnna!â Aiden exclaimed, getting up and rushing to Anna's side. She also abruptly stood up, embarrassed by her clumsiness, and took a step backwards, but she was scratched by a shard of glass and groaned painfully. âAnna, what is wrong with you! Can't you watch where you're going?!â Aiden snapped coldly, lifting her off the ground. Tears flooded Anna's eyes as she muttered dejecte
âWhat, no!â Anna blurted quickly, âAm I that gullible in your eyes?â she asked, disbelief etched on her face. âNo. But you love the man, and I witnessed how you two kissed the other day; had I not been thereâŠâ Diana explained, trying to redeem herself, but Anna interjected firmly. âHad you not been there, I would have been able to stop it like I did last night, Diana.â âWow, something almost happened between you two last night?â Diana asked, her curiosity piqued. âAlmost did, and I stopped it in time, but I can't take the guilt even now as I speak of it,â Anna confessed with a remorseful expression. âWhy allow it to happen in the first place?â âBecause I was horny!â Anna cried, âI was too sensitive after an encounter with Adrian in the washroom earlier. I wasn't thinking straight. I bet Aiden now sees me as some loose woman,â Anna said, her voice trembling as hot tears began to stream down her cheeks. âAnna, dear, are you crying?â Diana asked gently, concern etched across her fe
Anna dried her body and blow-dried her hair after slipping on one of the robes inside the bathroom. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself, she walked out and saw Aiden seated on the edge of the bed. She smiled at him when he turned to look at her. âLet me get you a dress.â Aiden said, getting up and walking into his closet, which was filled with clothes he had bought for Anna. He retrieved a nightgown and walked back into the room. As he emerged, he caught sight of how Annaâs gaze lingered on the dress. A mixture of curiosity and unspoken words reflected in her eyes, yet she remained silent. He passed it to her and informed her, âI instructed the maids to prepare a room for you, opposite mine, so I can keep tabs on you. Get change.â Anna nodded, forcing a smile as she met Aiden's gaze briefly and muttered. âThank you.â âIâm going to shower quickly. What do you want to eat?â At the mention of food, Anna heard her stomach grumble. "Oatmeal, I think,â Anna answered curtly, not
âNo, Aiden, don't come near me! I need my own room!â Anna yelled with determination in her voice. âAnna, is there something I should know?â Aiden couldn't help but ask, seeing Anna's pale expression. "Nothing; I just need a separate room,â Anna said, and Aiden approached her. Stopping in front of her, he gently cupped her cheek and said, âIf you are worried I will have sex with you, do not worry, I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with.â But Anna shook her head, her eyes moistening as she cried out. âI'm not worried about you; it's myself I'm scared of. I'm horny, Aiden!â Anna's hand shot to her mouth, realizing what she had just said. Aiden, on the other hand, smirked, crossing his strong arms over his chest. They flexed, drawing Anna's eyes, as he questioned, âWhat's wrong with that?â âEverything is. I'm not sure what I feel towards you; I'm confused, and I don't want to do something I will later regret,â Anna confessed. âWould you allow Adrian to have sex with you if he