Penelope raced inside her room, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. She slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it, pressing a trembling hand to her lips. Her heart pounded wildly against her chest as the memory of Brayden’s kiss replayed in her mind.“He kissed me,” she whispered, her fingers tracing her lips in disbelief. “My boss… kissed me.”She shook her head, trying to convince herself it was all in her imagination. Maybe she was just tired, maybe it was a dream. To test her theory, she pinched her arm—hard.“Ouch!” she yelped, rubbing the spot she had pinched. “No… it’s real,” she mumbled with a deep sigh.Sliding down against the door, she buried her face in her hands. “What is happening?” she muttered. “I shouldn’t have gone there looking like that… what was I thinking?”Her thoughts swirled in a mess of confusion and embarrassment until she suddenly remembered the reason she had left her room in the first place.“I was thirsty,” she mumbled, suddenly
The next morning, Brayden sat in his study room, flipping through a stack of files.He needed to review some important files before Luca arrived to drive him to the office.His brows were furrowed in concentration as he reviewed the documents, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. The room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of papers and the ticking of the large grandfather clock in the corner.Just then, the door creaked open, and a small voice broke the silence.“Daddy?”Brayden’s serious expression immediately softened as he looked up to see Anya standing at the doorway, her school bag slung over one shoulder. A warm smile spread across his face.“Anya,” he said, motioning for her to come in. “Good morning, sweetheart. How was your night?”Anya walked over to him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I slept really well, Daddy!” she said cheerfully. “I had a dream about a big castle, and I was a princess!”Brayden chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “A princess,
At Brayden’s company, the atmosphere was professional as usual. Employees moved swiftly, carrying out their tasks, while the air buzzed with the low hum of conversations and ringing phones. Inside the large, glass-walled conference room, Brayden sat at the head of the long, polished table, waiting for his guest to arrive. His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he reviewed the documents before him. Luca stood nearby, a tablet in hand, ready to assist when needed.A soft knock on the door interrupted the silence."Come in," Brayden called, his tone neutral.The door opened, and a tall, elegantly dressed woman strutted inside. She wore a fitted Sky-blue business suit, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached. Her dark brown hair was styled in perfect waves, and she carried herself with confidence."Mr. Giovanni," she greeted with a charming smile, extending her hand. "It’s a p
At Anya’s school, she was bubbling with excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell Liam about what her daddy had said—that they would be visiting her grandparents next week. As soon as the bell rang, signaling the lunch break, she ran toward the playground where she and Liam usually met.Liam was already there, sitting on one of the swings, kicking his legs back and forth absentmindedly. When he saw Anya approaching, he smiled and waved at her.“Oh Liam! Guess what?” Anya said excitedly, plopping down on the swing next to him and began swinging herself back and forth.Liam tilted his head, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “What is it? Did your daddy give you some new cool stuff? I’m so happy when I’m gifted by my parents.”Anya grinned. “I guess this is more than being gifted. My daddy said we’re going to visit my grandparents next week! Isn’t that so cool? It’s been so long I’ve seen them.”Liam’s eyes widened. “Really? Where do they live?”“In another city. It’s far away, so we have t
The sound of the front door opening made Penelope pause. She had been stirring a pot of soup in the kitchen, preparing Anya’s meal, when she heard the familiar creak of the heavy doors. Wiping her hands on a towel, she hurried toward the living room.Anya stood there, still in her school uniform, her face lighting up as soon as she spotted Penelope. “Miss Penny! I missed you so much…” she squealed and ran toward her.Penelope smiled warmly, bending down just in time to catch the little girl in her arms. “I missed you too, darling. Welcome home, sweetheart. How was school today? Hope you wrote well and got everyone’s butt kicked?”Before Anya could respond, Penelope felt the weight of a burning glare on her. She lifted her gaze slightly to see Darla, Anya’s personal bodyguard, staring daggers at her. Her eyes were so dark that Penelope thought she could literally see through her.Penelope swallowed hard. Darla had never hidden her dislike for her, but today, her glare felt e
Inez stepped into the mansion, her sharp eyes sweeping across the living room. Her gaze softened slightly when she spotted Anya curled up against Penelope on the couch, watching a movie. The little girl looked peaceful, her small hands clutching a stuffed bunny.Anya immediately noticed her and sat up. “Ma’am Inez! Where were you?” she pouted.Inez chuckled as she walked closer. “I had to step out for a bit, little one. Did you miss me that much?”Anya crossed her arms dramatically. “I was looking everywhere for you!”Inez smirked. “I’m here now, aren’t I?” She ruffled Anya’s hair, then straightened. “I should go prepare your daddy’s dinner before he arrives.”“Okay!” Anya chirped, then leaned against Penelope again, her focus returning to the screen.“Inez, hope you’re good? I never knew you’d take so long at where you went.” Penelope finally spoke up, staring at Inez.“Oh yeah. I never knew I’d take so long too, but everything went well. I had actually gone out to see my younger
The soft glow of morning sunlight seeped through the thin gap between Penelope’s curtains, casting long, golden streaks across her bedroom floor. The warmth of the light gently caressed her face, stirring her from a restless sleep filled with fragmented dreams and lingering thoughts of the night Brayden said those words to her.Her eyes fluttered open, squinting slightly as she adjusted to the brightness.She sat up slowly, the cool morning air brushing against her skin, sending a slight shiver down her spine. Her heart felt heavy—a mixture of nerves and emotions tangled deep within her chest. The memory of Brayden’s intense gaze, the heat of his words, and Darla’s piercing glare clung to her like shadows she couldn’t shake off.Penelope rubbed her face, trying to push the thoughts away. It’s just another day, she told herself, standing up and slipping into her slippers. She pulled her robe tighter around her body as she stepped into the hallway, her footsteps soft against the po
The drive to the mall was smooth, with Anya bouncing excitedly in her seat, her little hands pressed against the tinted window as she watched the city pass by.“I love going out!” she chirped, turning to Penelope with bright eyes. “It’s been so long since Daddy let me go to the mall! Did you know I used to go a lot when I was little? But, daddy suddenly changed and stopped taking me to the mall.”Penelope smiled, adjusting Anya’s hair that had fallen into her face. “Really? I guess daddy was just too busy, sweetheart. What did you love buying the most?”“I love buying, Dolls!” Anya chirped and giggled. “And dresses! But I also liked candy and teddy bears. Daddy always let me have whatever I wanted. He always says money isn’t the issue because I’m a princess. His one and only princess!”From the front seat, Darla let out a small scoff, rolling her eyes as she stared ahead.Penelope ignored her and nodded at Anya. “Daddy is correct, Anya. You truly are a princess. You are not just hi
The room was suffocatingly dim, the only source of light coming from the flickering candles placed at the center of the worn wooden table. Shadows danced along the cracked walls, making the two cloaked figures sitting across from each other appear even more ominous.They had been waiting for the arrival of their third partner.The silence was thick, tense. Neither of them spoke, but the rhythmic tapping of one’s fingers against the wooden surface echoed softly in the space.Then, the heavy metal door groaned open, indicating someone was coming in.A figure stepped inside, dressed in a crisp black suit. Unlike the cloaked men, he wore no hood to conceal his identity, but his features remained shadowed in the dim lighting.His polished shoes barely made a sound as he strode forward, his movements exuding quiet confidence. He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek tablet, placing it in front of them before sliding it across the table.One of
Brayden’s piercing gray eyes swept over the group standing before him, his expression dark and unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight. His fingers tapped against the side of his expensive watch as he exhaled sharply. “What happened?” His voice was quiet, but the dangerous edge beneath it sent a chill down Penelope’s spine. Darla stepped forward immediately, her posture straight and composed. “Don Giovanni, it was reckless on Penelope’s part,” she said smoothly, her tone carrying just the right amount of concern and authority. “She insisted that we step back and let Anya play freely, despite my objections. I warned her that it wasn’t safe, but she refused to listen. That’s how we lost sight of Anya.” Penelope’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s not true!” she blurted out, stepping forward. “I never ignored any warnings. I only—” Brayden lifted a hand, cutting her
Penelope’s heart pounded violently against her ribs as she sprinted through the park, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her voice was hoarse from screaming.“Anya!” she called, desperation clawing at her chest. “Anya, where are you?”The afternoon sun bathed the park in warm light, but to Penelope, everything felt cold and suffocating. Parents strolled with their children, unaware of the panic gripping her. Some cast curious glances, sensing the distress in her voice, but no one had seen a little girl wandering alone.Behind her, Darla and the other guards moved swiftly, searching every bench, every slide, every hidden corner.“Spread out!” Darla barked at the men, her sharp eyes scanning the playground. “Check near the fountain and behind the bushes. Someone had to see something!”Penelope’s hands trembled as she gripped her phone, hesitating for a moment before shoving it back into her pocket. Calling Brayden now wouldn’t do any good. She had to find Anya firs
Penelope sighed as she pulled the soft blanket over Anya’s small body, brushing a few strands of hair away from her peaceful face. The little girl had dozed off mid-sentence, exhausted from the morning’s activities. Penelope smiled faintly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead before straightening up.She walked quietly out of the room, careful not to wake her, and stepped into the hallway where Darla stood, already waiting.“She’s ready for school,” Penelope said softly.Darla gave a curt nod and opened the door wider. Anya stirred, blinking sleepily as she saw the bodyguard. “Darla…” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.“It’s time to go, princess,” Darla said, her tone softer than usual.Anya yawned and stretched her little arms before slipping off the bed. Penelope helped her into her coat and adjusted the straps of her pink backpack.“I’ll see you when you get back, okay?” Penelope said, crouching to Anya’s level.Anya nodded before wrap
The morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of the dining room, casting a warm glow over the space. The sound of clinking cutlery and soft footsteps filled the air as the household staff moved about, ensuring that everything was in place for breakfast.Brayden sat at the head of the table, dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable as he scrolled through his phone while sipping his coffee. His plate was mostly untouched, the food before him barely registering in his mind. He had a long day ahead, and his thoughts were already occupied with business matters.The sound of small, hurried footsteps caught his attention. Looking up, he saw Anya running toward the dining area, her face bright with excitement. Behind her, Penelope followed at a more measured pace, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She wore a simple dress, her features neutral as she realized who was seated at the table.Brayden’s eyes flickered to Penelope brief
Brayden stepped into his villa, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. The evening had been unnecessarily draining, filled with public appearances, staged moments, and the suffocating presence of Victoria Monroe. He had tolerated it all with his usual indifference, knowing full well what she was playing at, but he couldn’t let his irritation cloud his judgment.He loosened his tie as he walked through the quiet hallways, his footsteps silent against the polished marble floor. The house was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the security fixtures along the walls. He made his way toward Anya’s bedroom, his body instinctively guiding him there despite the late hour.Pushing the door open slightly, he peeked inside. The warm glow of the nightlight illuminated the room, casting soft shadows along the walls. His daughter lay curled up on her bed, her small body wrapped in the blankets, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. But
The evening had played out exactly the way Victoria planned.From the moment they arrived at the high-end restaurant, everything had been carefully arranged. The paparazzi had been stationed at strategic angles, capturing shots of them walking in together, exchanging subtle glances, and sharing what appeared to be a pleasant dinner. Every element screamed elegance and power—just as she wanted.The moment they stepped out of the restaurant, the flashing lights returned in full force. Reporters and photographers called out to them, asking questions about their relationship, speculating on the nature of their bond. Victoria smiled, clutching Brayden’s arm with just the right amount of intimacy.Brayden, however, remained impassive. His face betrayed no emotion as he led her through the chaos. He was used to this. His presence alone was enough to stir media frenzy, but tonight, the focus wasn’t just on him. It was on them.As they reached his car
Penelope woke up the next morning feeling drained. She had barely slept the night before, tossing and turning as thoughts of Brayden and Victoria clouded her mind. Even now, as she forced herself out of bed and went to freshen up, the memory of the news report still played in her head. The images of Brayden and Victoria looking so comfortable together, so intimate, were burned into her mind. But today, she wasn’t going to let it affect her. She had a job to do, and that was all that mattered. Taking a deep breath, she pulled on a simple but neat outfit and stepped out of her room. She was expecting Brayden to have already left for work by now, which would make it easier for her to avoid him. But when she descended the stairs and stepped into the dining area, her feet almost stopped in their tracks. He was there. Brayden sat at the dining table, dressed sharply as always in a crisp dark suit. He had a newspaper spread open in front of him, his focus on the articles as h
Brayden leaned back in his chair, watching as Victoria Monroe crossed her legs, a confident smirk on her lips. Their discussion had gone smoothly, and she had been particularly pleased with the outcome. She always knew what she wanted, and from the way she kept staring at him, it was obvious he was included in that list. “Well, I’d say this has been a productive meeting,” Victoria said, tilting her head. “I’m glad we could finally sit down and discuss things properly.” Brayden didn’t respond right away. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair, his expression unreadable. Victoria leaned forward slightly, placing her elbows on the desk as she gazed at him with amusement. “You know, Brayden, I have to admit, I was surprised when you reached out to me. I thought you weren’t interested in… anything other than business with me.” His sharp blue eyes met hers. “Business comes before personal matters,” he said smoot