When Catherine woke up, her eyes fluttered open, blinking against the soft morning light from the glass window, blinding her eyes as she squinted. She glimpsed around and noticed that she was wrapped in a black satin sheet. She was confused about where she was. Her hair was as wild as the jungle, untamable and unruly. Her once remarkable golden blond ringlets now vaguely resembled a bird's nest, and any bows or clips that had once held them in place were long gone.
Then, a sudden rush of dizziness and headaches hammered her head. But all those nauseating feelings halted when Mr. Ten Years with his heavenly broad shoulders was on her side of the queen-sized bed, stirred up and went back to sleep.
Present Time"Bloody hell, Catherine... Are you fucking someone?" Chelsea grumbled under her breath."What? Of course not... What made you-""Then where the hell have you gone yesterday? I called you many times and you did not answer your phone.""I… I was at a meeting... Yes, I'm in a meeting... w-with my ex boss, h-he wanted me back. I have signed a c-contract." Catherine replied as her friend ordered something from the waiter. They were here in their favorite coffee shop after their morning gym class."Really? I thought you hated your playboy-whore of a boss?" Chelsea raised her eyebrows at her, ordered her coffee and winked at the waiter."I need a job, girl, and this pandemic is... well, I need money, and he offered me my old job.""Christ! You did, didn't you?""Who me? Of course not! Wait, what do you mean?""You fuck him? didn't you?""Of course not, Chelsea. I am not crazy!"Chelsea smiled wickedly at Catherine. Having turned up for gym class the next day in the same clothes a
After a day of fussing, Shawn's grandfather was declared out of danger by his doctors, who stated that he wouldn't be able to speak to anyone else until he was out of the ICU. After a day of worrying, he drove Catherine home but was too tired to drive back to the hospital, so he decided to rest at her small apartment. The next morning Knock. Knock. The last pound on the door jolts Catherine upright. She squinted and shielded her eyes from the beams of light streaking across the room. What the hell? It’s daylight now. Her mouth was parched; a cold taste was thick on her tongue. She didn't remember falling asleep. On a yawn, she stretched her limbs, feeling the muscles release. Then another sound stopped her heart. Snoring. The fuck? Shawn Richmond? Sprawled out on his stomach, her secret husband lies shirtless and in only his boxers. "Hey! Catherine, open the door! This is my room!" Dave, her brother, screamed. More knocking. Pounding. Shit. Dave’s home. "Mr. Richmond, get up."
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale... Catherine groaned deeply as she felt herself stretching so well right there on the floor. Yes, this was what being stretched felt like—warmth. And watching those mind-shattering white shorts of their yoga instructor made her sweat even more. Yesterday, after her yoga class with Jane, she came home, and instead of resting and perhaps daydreaming, there was a knock on her door, and she just stood there, in shock, and was simply speechless. Her secret husband was back, along with his demanding self. He was standing at the door, the man-whore of a boss. The most attractive and demanding boss on this bloody planet, not that Catherine was complaining; the man was nothing but sweet and gentlemanly, but not to her; besides, she was just his boring, prim, and proper secretary, and Catherine wondered if he even knew her real name. After all, she was nothing but Miss Brown to him. Shawn had the nerve to woo her after what he did. He slept beside her and did
The next morning, Catherine went to Mr. Richmond's office to get all the things that needed to be taken care of before going to his mansion. After all, he told her that the COVID-19 lockdown would start next week, and by then she needed to sort things out and bring all her stuff to the mansion. To say that she was not excited was an understatement because, in reality, she was thrilled. Half an hour later, Mr. Richmond's gaze pierced right through Catherine as he reappeared in the hallway. Her chest squeezed, and the discomfort between her shoulder blades hissed. Call her stupid, but she had a boredom breakdown yesterday and so she cleaned her and Dave's rooms for hours, and the heavy lifting was making its way to her shoulder now. However, she had less than two days to get herself sorted, plenty of time befor
"I know it's too hard to say no to my grandfather, but you’re a business woman, right?" Shawn explained. Catherine nodded, afraid of where this discussion was headed. "Then you won’t mind a small confidential proposition from me." She caressed her arms to ward off goosebumps. "Make your point and get it over with, Mr. Richmond." "Miss Brown, my point is, my grandfather likes you, and he wants to see you all the time," he said coolly. "I’m here to negot
She tried calling him, but he was out of reach. What trouble are you in now, Dave?A shot of sorrow impaled her. A temporary luxury of self-sympathy pulled her through. If she’d known she would have ended up broke anyway, she should’ve stopped cleaning her own room years ago and employed assistance. Dammit! This was way worse than she thought. Two years ago, her own life savings had been cleaned out by Jason, and now, her own brother? What the hell was happening in her life? A girl could dream big, but really? She would have used it for her decent future and now had nothing. She was broke and could not even pay her bill.Or better yet, she should’ve spent extravagantly on parties, clothing, make-up, and expensive shoes. She should’ve taken holidays to some warm, exotic places like Dubai, or whatever. She heard
It would only take two days to change Catherine's life forever. An unnoticed tremor began in her heart and rose in her mind. It happened so quickly that she had the courage to ask Hugh, her yoga instructor, to assist her with his problem with Shawn, and they pretended to be a couple madly in love with each other when Shawn came to visit her apartment last night. Yes, it was uneventful because his boss, er, husband, vanished after Hugh opened the door wearing only a towel. Yes, it was that hot... Those bulges were to die for. However, it was entirely Catherine's idea. After all, what could possibly go wrong? Hugh was gay. And guess what else? He never confided in anyone but her, and she couldn't blame him; she ended up pouring her heart out to him before he did to her; it was a win-win situation; Hugh would help her, and she would help him. To p
"Mr. Richmond, these are my problems and my family. You don't have any right to get yourself tangled up with my own concerns.""How naive can you get, Miss Brown?""Please stay away from my problems. I'm keeping things going. You have a company to worry about. This COVID-19 will take a toll in the hotel industry. We must get ready." came out in a sigh. The muscles between her shoulder blades pulled taut.His expression loosened up as he stared at her. "How are you really? You looked tense." Shawn thought he knew Miss Brown was anxious about her brother, a lucky bastard. Shawn never had someone like her to worry about him. Aside from his grandfather, his many cousins and relatives were nothing but leeches and parasites. In his 30 years of existence, he and his relatives had lived a privileged, wealthy life, but he lacked security and love. For them, he was nothing but an ATM. However, Shawn's upbringing has been one of constant power games and betrayals. He now runs his family’s fortune
Another rising moan. Chelsea chanted his name. Soft. A whimper. She threw her head back again, her soft hair sliding over his arms, her face flushed with arousal. Dave loved her like that. That perfect moment before her body clamped down like a vise on his, drawing out his hot release. Her unknowing song, her heat. The look on her face. It all combined to give him a fierce, primitive satisfaction and added to the wicked pleasure swamping his own body. The first wave hit her hard, consuming her. He drove deep, his shaft stretching her tight channel. A ripple went through her, from her womb to her belly and up to her breasts. He actually felt it. Another loud moan and her entire body locked around him, a vise that clamped down so hard for a moment that he couldn’t separate pain from pleasure. She shuddered again as another wave built. He felt the contraction move through her, through him, swelling like the tide, a shock wave jolting outward from her feminine sheath, surrounding him, vib
Over the next few weeks, I take Jane and Catherine’s advice and try to turn off my brain. Dave and I started going out together as a couple. Nothing explicit is said. We don’t wear little badges, but our interactions make it obvious. Jane and I were planning to finish the design of her gown, and I started going out with them. While Dave had started his own business, Christie and her son occupied our old apartment while I went to Dave's apartment in the city.When we’re out, Dave always touches me, but not in a way that makes me feel like he’s trying to mark his territory or show off. He’s just super physical. If I’m near him, his hand is somewhere on my body. Usually his palm is glued to the top of my ass, but sometimes he brushes my hair back or dangles his fingers over my shoulder. He kisses my temples and cheeks. Not once do I feel like he’s holding me back.The most important thing is that we’re happy—way happier than I’ve felt in a long time. Which is fucking mind-boggling. If so
40The trailer is damp and dark. Two solemn-looking officers sat on a table piled high with walkie-talkies, badges, and cold cups of coffee, facing a giant monitor. The fan in the corner does little to cool things down, and the whole place is wired shut like a prison cell, with no windows and thus no connection to the outside world. It's much smaller than I expected from the outside, and I find myself frozen in place for a few moments after entering."Chelsea," Christie says behind me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart. The orphanage will not suffer, and Dave will be alright." She appears nervous but still manages to calm me down. That is my sister, brave as ever."They’re in!" shouts one of the agents. Christie and I shuffled our way around the table. We stare earnestly at the big screen, focusing on each movement while holding our breath. Inside the building, the two actors pretending to be investors are dressed to look the part perfectly. Thei
Dave encourages me not to worry on the way back to the flat, but it is difficult. No matter how many times he assures me that we will stop Sebastian, I have my doubts. I knew Sebastian was a horrible person, but I never dreamed he was capable of such atrocities, especially after Dave showed him the photographs of the community and the orphans. What will become of my darling children?! I push back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. As we carefully ascend the stairs to the apartment, my fingers begin to tremble.Dave walks quietly beside me and grips my hand tightly, silently reassuring me that everything will be okay."Chelsea," he whispers as we stand face-to-face at my door. "Chelsea, look at me..." He slips a finger under my chin and lifts my head to gaze into his eyes. I finally let the tears flow, the gravity of the situation too strong to overcome.Chelsea, we're going to fight this. Trust me..." I sniffle and gaze into his piercing blue eyes that offer some comfort.
"Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels.The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue."Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that’s okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning."Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11? ""Sounds good.""Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea.""Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face-to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scar
Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. "I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don't think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian's harsh tone toward you. I can't claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.""He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya." The animosity in my voice is clear. "Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry." He turns away from Christie and looks back at me. "But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I'm not as involved in it as you think. I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me.
The space is considerably more apparent now that I am alone. Christie and I don't have any furniture, food, or money. And neither of us is employed. It will take months to restore this property to its previous glitzy splendour. I have no idea how to get us back on our feet, and I am quite frightened about starting the process. Christie, I'm sure, is as well. In that case, where are they?I get up from the floor mattress and walk to the bathroom. I let the water run over my fair skin and blond hair.Despite the heat, I find the water really calming.As it rushes over my body, the water represents my freedom. It envelops me, drop by drop, freeing my confined senses and conflicting emotions. It reminds me that I have returned home and am no longer burdened by the dreadful life I had at the mansion.I hurriedly exit the shower and grab my towel. I walk on tiptoe across the white tiles, around the empty flat, to my bag in the corner. I pull on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my
"Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying." I feel Dave’s strong hands around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently against the wall."Don’t you touch me!" I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to Christie. "Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!""I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.""So you’re choosing a man over your own sister?" I stared at her in shock."Chelsea, please don’t do this," Christie cries, her tears running wild down her face.Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever."Chelsea, wait! Please do not leave! "Just as I reach the large white double doors, I drop my suitcases and turn to face her again."Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’
I do not recognise my voice. It is thick with animosity. My hands are shaky and tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. Appearing to realise the seriousness of the situation, Dave turns to his colleagues. "Gentleman, please excuse me for a moment?"He gets up and strides over to me, gripping my forearm as he gently pulls me out of the room. We walk down a short corridor and into an empty office. Dave shuts the door and glares at me, anger fueling his eyes. "What the hell was that, Chelsea?!" he states, his tone biting."Explain this to me!" I half-shout, flinging the documents into his hands. "You lied about what the company is doing in Kenya. You have plans to use children? and exploit the people in an area that is too damn close to the orphanage I volunteered at. And you plan to pay the workers practically nothing!"He begins to scan the papers, his eyes darting back and forth hastily."How did you get this?!" he asks, puzzled yet still furious."What does it matter? It’s out i