Maria lodged into a hotel that night and slept like a baby. She was very tired after the long night. She woke up around mid-morning and called room service to bring her breakfast. After having a hefty breakfast, she goes out in search of an apartment to rent, at least till she decides on the kind of house to buy.
She makes the necessary inquiries online, checks the prices, and decides to stay in the hotel for a week before making the payment and moving into her apartment. She enjoyed the hotel services. She made appointments and went to view some apartments and when she got back to the hotel after a long day of viewing various apartments, she slept and woke up around 8 pm.
She couldn't sleep again and began feeling lonely. All she wanted was freedom but she never thought about the lonely component of liberation. She remembered how nice it was for Romeo to be checking on her, making sure she had eaten, and being there when she needed someone to talk to. Was she miss
Mia stood up and yanked Maria, first to her closet, where she made her choose one of her dresses to wear. Then left her to shower. Maria came out rocking Mia's dress. She was very comfortable in the simple knee-length black dress."You look great. It looks like this dress is made for you." Mia remarked with a wide smile, displaying her even white teeth. Maria felt flattered by Mia's words and gave a weak smile.They headed straight to Mia's car and Maria realized Mia hadn't picked anything in terms of accessories."Ain't you going to pick anything? Handbag, purse? Maria asked with worry."Nope. I have them in the car already." Mia responded, opening the boot of her car to show shoes, purse, handbag, makeup, and even snacks. She usually leaves some of her things in her car so she always doesn't have to look for them when she is in a hurry. Her car is like an emergency dressing room for her."We can start by getting your things from the hotel, back to the
Romeo could not believe he was seeing Maria sitting beside Grandma's bed and chatting with her like that. Grandma was a very wonderful but strict woman. She was also a great judge of character. He couldn't believe Grandma approved easily of Maria. She was very skeptical when it comes to the girls around him.But what surprised him more was seeing Maria in person after she made it clear that she wanted her freedom. He prayed that she will come back but he never thought it will be this fast. He wanted to go and search for her when Grandma recovers and beg her again to marry him but she seems to have saved him the trouble.The day she left, he couldn't do anything. Food suddenly tasted bitter in his mouth and the mansion full of maids and guards turned to be empty without her. He tried to sleep but couldn't do so and left for the club.He couldn't believe the emptiness will still follow him to the club. As he got there, everywhere seemed empty. He decided to get
Maria's expression changed from cheerful to sad. She did not hold herself and responded blatantly,"Yes, you are right. You have girls all around you and you even have people who are not family, who love you so much. That's why it was easy for you to move on. I came to tell you that, I am very sorry for being selfish, and choosing myself instead of fighting for us. Life is never the same without you and I regret the day I walked out on you. It's barely three days and yet, I feel that I will die if I don't see you." But now that I have seen you, I think I was wrong. You never loved me in the first place. You just felt pity and wanted to help me." She wept.What Romeo thought was a prank had hurt Maria so bad. Tears were running down her cheeks before she even noticed. Romeo regretted putting that joke on the table. At least he got what he wanted. He understood that she needed him as much as he needed her. But he couldn't decipher whether she loved him or was just attracte
Maria realized an instant gloomy expression on Romeo's face when she threw the question at him, which only made her even more interested in knowing his reason for not wanting to talk about his parents. Since Romeo didn't give her the easy way out, making her let out all her secret without hiding anything, and since she also didn't want to keep anything from him, it was his turn to trust her and let out everything he holds a secret.Romeo took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "It's getting cold here. Do you think we should talk at home or? You must be hungry too." He said with genuine concern but Maria was in no mood for food and the suspense was killing her.Despite the cold weather and the grumbling in her stomach, she wanted to know everything before they leave the beach. She didn't want to leave any room for delay concerning this particular subject. "No. I have your jacket and I am sitting close to you so I feel warm. Besides, whatever you want to say is more im
Maria looked into his eyes and for the first time in her life, she knew she had met the right person. She has found the one her soul loved. But she didn't have words to explain her feelings and deep emotions for him. She has been through a lot and he hasn't had a life as easy as she thought. This was the time to finalize everything. She looked into his loving eyes. She could see the genuineness in his eyes, pleading with her to give him a chance. She knew she wanted it too but just as she opened her mouth to speak, she stammered and before they knew it, the wind was blowing and the rain started pouring in.Romeo looked around and saw a summer but, a few meters away. he stood up and pulling Maria to her feet, they headed towards the summer hut. They got there breathing heavily with the clothes soaking wet, thanks to the rain.The aura in the hut looked deserted. Romeo looked for some wood to make fire but unfortunately, there was none. The workers at the bar, usually clos
Romeo looked intently at Granda Selina when he made that request. Grandma used to live with him in the mansion but when he took over his father's businesses, he hardly made time for her, making her more and more lonely. She relocated to Seychelles since then.Even though she lived in Seychelles alone before Romeo sent Lizzy to take care of her, she never felt lonely as compared to when she lived in the mansion.In the mansion, she had the maids and guards but there was always a feeling of emptiness in her. In Seychelles, she had nature itself. The natural way of things gave her a lot a satisfofction. Hence, she didn't feel deserted. The birds chirped, the sea roared, and even the trees whispered. These sounds gave her hope fulfillment. It was always as if they were communicating with her. She always felt happy and connected with nature.The last time she was in the mansion was when they were preparing for Charlotte and Romeo's wedding.Grandma's demeano
The next morning, Maria woke up wrapped in Romeo's strong arms. She admired him sleeping like a baby and started placing soft kisses on his forehead, eyes, and nose. Just when she planted a kiss on his lips, he opened his mouth and deepened the kiss like a hungry lion.Maria pulled away slowly and whispered, you better go to your room before Grandma finds you here. Romeo sat up instantly. He had forgotten that Grandma lived with them now and doesn't accept pre-marital sex. Worse of all, he knew she will insist they got married in the church.She was quite old fashioned, yet, he loved and respected her anyway. He dashes into his room comes back in a few minutes, asking Maria to close her eyes. She does so reluctantly, and he slips a ring on her finger, before telling her to open her eyes. Maria looks at the most beautiful diamond ring she has ever seen in her life, shining brightly on the finger."It's so beautiful, thank you," Maria says, as she tiptoes and k
Maria felt her blood boil at the sound of her name. She wasn't expecting to ever see her in her life again. The spark on her face was immediately replaced with pain and bitterness. Romeo knew that this visitor was up to no good. Without allowing Maria to utter a word, she knelt to her feet."I searched everywhere for you. I wanted to apologize for what I did to you but you always almost disappeared by the time I found out where you lived. Please I am sorry. Please forgive me. I betrayed your trust and I regret it each passing day. I realized that no one can take what belongs to you." She held Maria's feet but let go when Maria quickly shifted backward. Sensing that Maria wasn't moved to forgive her. She breaks into tears."You don't know how much I have had to carry this guilt. I never had peace in life. Please, Maria. Just as I was your only friend, you were also my only friend and after everything that happened, I have always been lonely." When Maria heard t
A/N:Dear Reader,This chapter is not in any way related to the plot of this story. It's a little gift to add to your Christmas happiness. Please don't pay for this chapter. It's free (Free-To-Read)"Merry Christmas, Maria," Romeo exclaims, his voice waking the sleepy Maria."Merry Christmas, Romeo, and thanks for stealing my sleep," she cackles. She sits up and sees Romeo holding a small cheesecake with a big candle in the middle."That's weird, cakes that size, do not come with candles this big," she observed. Romeo beamed. "Of course, this candle is special and if I say special, I mean, it grants Christmas wishes," He giggled. Maria narrows her brows."What kind of wish are you talking about Romeo?" She asks quizzically, focusing her gaze on the cake."Any kind, so just make a wish," He snickered."Okay." Maria opens her mouth to make her wish and is unexpectedly stopped by Romeo."Wait!" He walks closel
their YEARS LATERRomeo went on a short trip to his yacht with Maria. They admired the sea and watched as some dolphins danced on the surface. Within this period, most of their time was spent with their kids. They wanted to lavish them with all the love and attention they lacked.With all the sleepless nights waking up to the cry of babies and running their businesses, it wasn't easy but Grandma and Lizzy were of great help to them.They decided to take this opportunity, to have some alone time together, now that the kids were five years old. They wanted to be together more often and alone, to make their bond stronger."Darling, did I ever apologize for pouring the drinks in your hair?" Maria asked, remembering their first-time encounter."No, but am glad you did. That unpleasant situation brought me back to my senses," he smiled."But I am still sorry, by the way," Maria said genuinely. Being with Romeo these years, she feels bad when she r
Maria woke up with butterflies fluttering in her stomach. If she didn't have Mia by her side, reminding her every time, she would have said everything was a dream. She remembers vividly the first time she met Romeo in the club and how jerky he was. They have so much bonded in love and now, their bond is going to be official. Yes. She is getting married to the only man she has ever loved.Romeo came a few times to speak to her the night before the wedding but she only spoke to him behind the door. It took everything in her to suppress her desire of staring into those blue eyes and kissing him tenderly on the lips but she was true to her word. She never gave in. But Romeo never runs out of ways of making it more difficult for her.This morning was no exception. They heard a knock on the door and Mia went to get it, only to find a giant bouquet of fresh roses for Maria. The note read. 'You don't know how much you've punished me by not seeing me but I will only continue to l
Olivia woke up with confusion written all over her face. She felt the bed beneath her too hard for her comfort. She wanted to get up but felt something cold on her wrists and ankle, pulling her down. She slowly opens her eyes to see Maria sitting comfortably beside her.Gradually, everything from a couple of hours began playing in her mind. She remembers darkness covering her eyes when she saw James but why is she chained? The realization hit her that James must have pressed charges against her. She was filled with guilt and regret but above all, she felt guilty."You can ask me any question on your mind," Maria said gently, bringing her out of her thoughts. "You know, I should have been a bitch to mock you the way you did to me after setting me up, but here I am feeling all pity for you?" Maria said slowly. Her eyes not leaving Olivia's.Olivia breaks down crying but Maria wasn't moved by her tears. She was indifferent to Olivia's tears, knowing it was fake. Even
"My, my, my. Who is shedding tears now? Hmm. Loverboy Romeo couldn't save you this time? Ohh, you trust him too much," she mocked pouting. "He can't and won't give up on you right?" She paused, What happened now? Unfortunately, I heard your phone conversation. Why? Are you surprised that I tapped your line?...hahahahaha? Olivia went on and on with her mockery, not giving Maria a chance to speak, or maybe, she lacked the right words to respond to her."Just stay away from me," Maria mumbled."Yes, I will stay away from you. But not before I let you know, that I don't envy you anymore. I thought you had it all. Everyman at your beck and call." She snapped her fingers in unison. "But look at how my single little plan will send you to jail for a long time, if not for the rest of your pathetic life? Turn around, look yourself in the mirror. You look pathetic." Olivia laughed."Excuse me," Maria said walking out but was pulled back by Olivia. "I am not done with you." She said sternly. "You
So it's true. He was alive and it's his voice he heard on the phone. He should be over the moon with joy but the fact that Maria was in FBI custody because of him made him angry. He wasted no time with pleasantries."Can you tell me what happened?" He growled when James was a few meters away."I had nothing to do with it," James says, innocently, raising his hand in surrender. "I was merely a victim too," he confirmed."Tell me about everything the happened and don't leave out even the slightest detail," Romeo warned."I will tell you, but you should sit," He said. Romeo sat directly opposite to James, whiles his dad sat adjacent to James. He knew his son was still angry with him so he didn't want to anger him any further by sitting close to him. James began to speak without any hesitation.""The day we had the agreement, I paid off my immediate workers and left the business in the hands of my managers, confirming my decision to leave this country. I could still control everything from
James has been poisoned and Maria's fingerprints on the drinking glass? Romeo's imagination had gone wild. How did Olivia manage to get Maria's fingerprints on that drinking glass? He felt the need to speak with Maria right away but He had to take her to the station himself. He won't allow these agents to take her. He can't trust them and besides, he wants to be with her through everything."Okay. I promise to bring her to the headquarters myself," Romeo assured the FBI Agents. Under the strict regulations under which they were operating, they never would have allowed it but for Romeo's sake, they left. Romeo went back to the office and saw Maria. She was as confused as he was, but a half-smile finds it's way to her face when she sees him."How did it go, Romeo? Do I have to go with them?" She asked with fear and responsibility. She didn't want to go to jail but she also knew the right thing had to be done. She noticed when Romeo's face becomes saddened at her question.
Maria's words kept echoing in Romeo's mind. This is the only thing he has ever wanted from her. Her love, and trust. Now that he has it, it seems like a dream. Relief washed over him like rain. He was too numb to utter a word."And just so you know, I love you so much," Maria said, kissing him softly on the forehead. When Romeo spoke, it was like ice mixed with fire. He got so emotional but Maria knew why, and she didn't mind. She knew it was time to let him know how she felt about him, especially when they were going to get married."You have no idea, what it means, hearing these words from you after you just proved your love and trust for me. I promise you, that nothing and no one, will ever come between us, and anytime, any day, I will always choose you above everyone in my life," He said embracing her. The hug lasted for almost ten minutes, each in their world, where nothing else matters until Maria tried to pull from the hug."You are running late
Laying on Romeo's bed in a pant and bra, smiling mischievously, is Olivia. Initially, Romeo thought he was dreaming. It can't be real. No one dares to come to his room except Pluto and of course, Maria. Grandma doesn't even attempt to come. It's not as if she's not allowed but it doesn't interest her to.The sight of the person grinning in front of him made his blood boil with anger. He only had a towel wrapped around his waist, and she was wearing a black thong and a black balconette bra. Her brown wavy hair was let loose, glistening her brown eyes. Anyone who comes in at this moment will read negative meaning into this.Romeo was angry in that, a thin vein appeared on his forehead. He speaks with gritted teeth."Get out!""Not after I have a piece of you," Olivia says seductively, rolling to her stomach and lifting her head to look Romeo straight in the eye. The first intention Romeo had was to drag her out but how will he explain if Maria or grandma sees h