CHAPTER 80 : His Ex. Natalia's heart ached in pain seeing the poor little girl. She hated to see innocent little children living a hard life without option.She was selling a bunch of flowers and held out a pretty rose to Jake. The princess was more hurt because she had nothing on her except her phone. It was then she realized the reason for Elva's fussing to always take some cash whenever she went out. "Your flowers are really pretty. I'll take the whole bunch, please." Jake spared her a kind smile and paid. The girl brightened up like the sun and ran off screaming 'thank you' repeatedly at the top of her lungs! "Funny enough, you were just trimming a whole garden of those." Natalia chuckled. "I know, right? But they looked more pretty in her hands." He added and smiled. Gardening was his favourite hobby. "You're a romantic, aren't you?" She teased and he shrugged, not bothering to argue with her knowing he'ld never win. "Now what am I gonna do with these?" He
CHAPTER 81 : Call On Me. "Nicky Winterfield..." Nicky gave off a confident aura and shook hands with her boyfriend's ex. "...Jeffrey's girlfriend." She smiled.A part of Jeffrey was tensed not knowing what to expect. He had past relationships. He wasn't a playboy but he loved keeping his private life....you know, private. Ashley raised a brow at the both of them. "Wow, Jeff." She muttered almost sarcastically. "You moved on faster like the racer you are." Jeffrey bit his lip hoping Nicky wouldn't take offense. Ashley Dan had always been like that. Too witty to a point of annoyance. "Of course! After all, he found the perfect one for him.'' Nicky beamed and intimately entwined their arms. "Right sweetie?" She sweetly smiled up at him. The blondie looked owlishly at the two ladies next to him, feeling left out of something huge.What were they playing at?? "Mhm." He pushed the thought away and smiled at her, wondering if he imagined a scowl under
CHAPTER 82 : Just The Two Of Us. Natalia bulged her eyes and jerked away from the horny demigod hovering above her. She straightened her armless top and tried to arrange her tangled hair but it only tousled it the more. Gosh! What was she thinking?! The naive princess had purchased the couch so it'ld be a distraction from what could've happened on her bed...and not work the other way around! She mentally smacked herself and fumbled with a couch pillow, concealing a blush.Scratch that. Her entire face was a red hot color which spread to the rest of her slowly-corrupted body like a virus! She almost had sex with Arian? No, no. She would've given herself to him so cheaply??'Spoilt, rotten girl!! What in the world is wrong with you?!' She screamed in her head and unconsciously covered her body well. "I'm sorry." She heard Arian whisper beside her. Natalia glanced at him and nodded, noticing that the burning look in his eyes was replaced with an apologetic one. "It
CHAPTER 83 : Is It True? "Um...Hey Sam." Natalia smiled politely and sat upright. Sam was the sales guy who had tried to flirt with her at the minimart where Natalia bought some groceries to make an apologetic meal for Arian when he was at the hospital. Natalia suddenly felt awkward as she remembered her threat;~~ ...I said he wasn't my boyfriend but didn't say I was searching. Trust me when I say that whether or not you remain efficient at this counter in an hour depends on my silence. I'm sure the name De' Argent rings a bell... ~~ Sam awkwardly smiled as well and walked a bit closer. "How are you? Are you here alone?" "I'm fine, thanks. Actually, I'm not alone. You?'' His face heated up as he smiled more freely this time. ''I came with a girl i'm currently courting.'' ''Oh.'' Natalia breathed. She was grateful he'd changed from being an open flirt. "Hey, i'm sorry for...you know, being the idiot I was? Thanks for not screwing me." He apologized and she c
CHAPTER 84 : In A Tight Spot..."Why would you?!" He yelled and she flinched in fear. "Why would you?" He continued on a softer tone. "Natalia, I...I thought....thought I had a chance with you. I thought you liked me as much as I like you. Everything we did together, I... i've tried to show you how much I love you....b...but didn't they mean anything to you? Was it out of sympathy? W...was I that pathetic that you had to agree to every date out of pity?" Natalia hastily stood up, huge tears threatening to pour out. "Leo, i'm sorry. I'm so sorry for being selfish and not considering your feelings. I didn't know. I like you, Leo. But it's only as a friend." "But I don't want you to like me only as a friend! I've always had to deal with my pains alone but this one... This one hurts so much! Natalia, I'm in love with you. Don't you get it? I can't let go!'' He half yelled and raked his hair.Natalia wiped her tears. "Leonardo, I am sorry...but I can't be more to you." She wh
CHAPTER 85 : Let's Go Away Together.Arian was stunned looking at the man he was taught to call father. But the sudden coarse laughter he gave threw the girl before him off guard. "Disinherit? Go ahead like I give a shit! Disown??.... I dare you! You can threaten me all you want but remember that without me, your contract is nothing but a cluster of papers and ink." "I might not be able to have your love Arian, but just know you won't be happy with her either!" Selena vowed and wiped her tears as he turned to leave. "Screw you both!" He spat and slammed the door. Arian took a few breaths to control his anger but it only flamed up the more. "Do you dummies wanna get fired?!" He barked at the moping maids. They scurried away in a flash. He stormed into his bedroom and threw away his bag pack. "Who the hell does he think he is?!'' He yelled and smashed a vase against a wall. "How dare he think he can sign off my happiness however he wants!" The pager co
CHAPTER 86 : Future Mrs De' Argent..."Damn it, Natalia! I've seen the way you act around him and it's no different from the way you act around other guys. Him falling for you isn't your fault! IT JUST HAPPENED! Stop blaming yourself for situations that are beyond your control!" "Keep your voice down." They were being a bit loud. "I'm just worried." She confessed. "I know but I'll be fine..." "Woah! Don't tell me you're going alone." "I have to. It's between the both of us. So i'm going alone." She concluded. "Going where alone?" Arian asked as the three top hotties of B.H.A each sat next to them. Natalia forced a bright smile. "It's just something I have to do." He lowered his mint green eyes to her level. "What thing?" And she almost groaned! She playfully pulled his jacket and gave him a short smooch. Thankfully, that distracted him. "I want a big one." He grinned and she rolled her eyes before dropping
CHAPTER 87 : Jinxed."You made me want to try again, to feel like something special to someone. I'ld be a freaking liar to say everything's gonna go back to the way it was. 'Cause heck! Nothing's gonna be the same again. So please don't stress about me and leave before your paranoid boyfriend comes after me again." He concluded and walked to the glass walls.Natalia wanted to say something, do something but nothing came out. Her heart was hurting losing her friend. "Leo..." "Forgive me but it's gonna be this way for a while." He cut her off. Natalia picked up her side bag and hesitated before slowly walking towards the door. Halfway there, she stopped and turned around with a determined look on her face. "Leonardo De Luca!" She snapped and he flinched her way. "Don't think you're getting rid of me that easily. You might wanna play grown up, but I don't want to. Just you wait! You'll be back to how you were when I'm done with you!" She yapped and
CHAPTER 185 : Final Epilogue. ( Beverly Hills, California. ) "What are you doing?!" She bulged her eyes and moved away. "What?" Arian sheepishly groaned. "Don't 'what' me! You know what I mean!" She stated, playing their usual nightly 'what' game.....which usually followed the same pattern. Arian seductively wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "We have the rest of the night to ourselves." He deliciously bit his lips and swept down to capture hers.But Natalia stepped away. "I need to check if the twins have yanked their heads off already." She tried to escape but Arian blocked her. "You're just coming from the nursery." He sexily pouted and Natalia almost gave in. She shook her head to reject the temptation. "I think it's time for Adrian's milk." She tried again but Arian easily caught her. "Adrian's asleep and his milk isn't until midnight. So..." He kissed her and slowly
CHAPTER 184 : Epilogue (2). ( Beverly Hills, California. ) "By the way, where is Jake?" Elva curiously asked. "He had some work to do and promised to be here this evening." Naomi answered. Natalia had set up a special committee of her most trusted ministers to hold the Empire for a few days. Jake was among the members so he had a little delay. "I really admire you." Naomi continued, taking the attention away from herself. "Being an Empress, a wife, a mother, a philanthropist and also a role model, all in one package!" She dramatised. "It's no wonder you haven't changed much with three kids! On the contrary, it made you hotter. I'm just expecting my second child but I feel like a granny!" Nicky joked and fondly rubbed her huge baby bump. "No! You're not a granny. You're my mommy." Louisa raised her head and pouted.The girls giggled when Nicky blushed. "It's no wonder you don't miss Jeffrey whenever he goes away on b
CHAPTER 183 : Epilogue. ( Beverly Hills, California. ) "How was your night?" Arian kissed Natalia as Adrian rubbed baby drool all over his face. Natalia stretched lazily and closed her eyes. "Stressful." She pouted. "I know, right? This champ is quite a handful at night.'' He tickled Adrian who hung on his neck like King kong. "Da-da! Da-da!!" He squealed happily which echoed arouund the room. "As if you weren't a handful yourself." She scoffed and turned away, pulling the duvet closer around her. It made Natalia a little jealous that Adrian hadn't yet learnt to call her mama. In fact, Dada was the only word he knew! Arian noticed it and chuckled, pulling her back to face him. As usual, he was shirtless wearing only sweatpants. Some habits were just so hard to break! Not that Natalia was complaining though. It made her husband look uncontrollably sexy! Adrian grinned down at his mama in his diapers. Fa
CHAPTER 182 : The Seal Of Their Love. ( Astheria, Australia. ) Still sitting on the floor, Naomi slowly arranged her things inside a cardboard box. She shivered a bit because she was still wearing her clothes. But Naomi didn't care. There was more important things to be done than caring if she had gotten a cold by wearing her wet clothes for so long that it'd dried still on her. A knock sounded on the door. "Please go away. I'm a little busy." Her hoarse voice sounded. Naomi knew the visitor wasn't on an official business. If the Empress or the royal assistant needed her, they'ld have easily sent an email. And so far, they hadn't. Naomi couldn't blame them though. She felt embarrassed and hated her family's history. And after everything they had done to the Santianas, she couldn't bare to look at anyone anymore. After a while, the knock sounded again and this time, the person walked in without consent. Naomi didn't bother to l
CHAPTER 181 : Where's Naomi? ( Astheria, Somewhere in continent Australia. ) ( Hours Later. ) "She's not in danger but I still recommend a lot of rest. You can see her. Just make it as quick as possible." The aged doctor whispered and walked away. Elva Thompson and Jake Buniz nodded before walking into the Royal study. They found Natalia leaning on her desk, gently running her fingers over her grandmother's diary. Louis had kept it safe like he'd promised. "You should be resting. Doctor's orders." Elva let out a small frown in displeasure. "I'm fine." Natalia curtly said and stood up. The thick sweats she was wearing matched with her pale skin. She returned the diary to one of the drawers and faced them back. "Tell me. The casualty report?" She ordered. "We lost a good number of our men while the rest are being taken care of." Jake reported. "And Max?" Jake lowered his cold eyes in hes
CHAPTER 180 : The Battleground (3). ( In The Carribean Ocean.) The Mob boss snickered which sounded like something made in hell and back hugged Natalia, erotically pulling her closer. Arian fought the impulse to take a step and lunge at him! He was purposely riling him up to draw him into the sensors! "Tsk! Don't make her feel bad!" He clicked his tongue. "You were smart, my love. But sentimentality was all I needed to sneak into your lives.... And you gave it to me." He nuzzled her hair and possessively trailed kisses down her neck. Arian's insides cringed feeling his control slowly snap while Natalia's self hate increased each passing second. "Let her go!" Arian snarled, running out of patience and clenched his fists. "And you expect me to ask 'Or what?'." Leonardo cocked a cocky brow. "Look around you, fool! We ain't in some shitty movie. This is my turf! I run this freaking game!" He viciously barked. "What do you want?" A
CHAPTER 179 : The Battleground (2). ( In The Carribean Ocean.) Meanwhile, the automatic doors trapping Arian De' Argent in the hallway reopened after the lights had suddenly turned off and returned after five seconds. Arian turned to continue the search for his love but stopped when Naomi froze....and then fainted. He hastily caught her before she could crash land. "Hey, hey!" He called seeing her drowsy eyes. "What..." The French heir froze on his interrogation when he saw four darts pierced into her pretty brochette and a fifth one stuck on the skin of her neck. Naomi had thrown herself in front of Arian when she noticed the danger he was in without thinking. Arian pulled them out and tapped her lightly. "Hey, stay with me, okay?" The timid spy tried to nod but the snake venom was working tremendously fast, already at the second stage of the symptoms which was total paralysis. "Hey!" Arian yelled. "What?!" Max yelle
CHAPTER 178 : The battleground (1). ( In The Carribean Ocean.) "Who do you want to go first?" He casually, but deviously asked. The gunshots continued more fiercely and through the cameras, Natalia and the few in the room could see the gory battle going on. As observers seeing the whole battle ground, anyone could bet that Astheria had an upper hand! "The only game we'll be playing is the one you'll be losing." She seethed in confidence. Leonardo coldly smirked which gave her goosebumps for some reason before placing his hand on a screen which scanned his fingerprints. "Good evening, Master. How may I be of service?" The voice of an artificial intelligence echoed from thin air. "Ava, place the fortress on lockdown." He ordered. "As you wish, Master." A moment later, metal doors sprung up trapped everyone in. Those who were fighting outside couldn't get in and those who were in couldn't get out. Natalia's heart skipped a be
CHAPTER 177 : Let's Play A Game, Shall We?... ( In The Carribean.) "Something is wrong." Jake Buniz stated, pacing restlessly around the communication tent. The geniuses among the little battle squad was in the same tent, doing what they did best with the gadgets and devices in there. They were all dressed the same with silent and serious features. "She should've made contact by now." The Captain of the army continued. "Let's think more positively. It could be that Naomi hasn't yet located the Empress.... Even though it's not really a positive thought. However, you above everyone else knows how shady these Kelions are. There's still a few hours till midnight. We should give her a little more time." Max offered, more relaxed than his superior as as he typed away on a computer. "I trust my instincts. And right now, something doesn't feel right." Jake stopped behind him and leaned over with a hand on his chair and the other on the table.