Ten minutes later, “Oh hell, I'm so full,” he groaned and looked at the remaining goodies on the small table between an old lampshade and small vanity. Their breakfast was soft pancakes and berries, as warm as they would be in the sun, with maple syrup threaded on top. “I didn't tell you to eat all the pancakes.” Catherine smiled, licking the rest of the syrup on her finger. "Yeah, but it remains my favourite breakfast, yet it has nothing at all to do with the food, if you know what I mean," he smirked. “I loved it because you were with me, because you and I were in the same room." It was odd how they transfer emotions that way, as if they couldn't quite accept how quickly they fell in love. “Oh my God, boss, my playboy boss—” “I'm your husband,” She rolled her eyes, grinning. “My playboy boss, my husband is romantic. This is really new! I can't even believe this. I've been working my ass off for two years, and I've never heard you lovie dovie with your girlfriend before.” He brigh
An hour later, the couple had finished their early morning sex and breakfast. To say that Catherine was satiated was an understatement as she finished her bacon, pancakes and eggs. Shawn padded across the room on the balls of his feet. His footfalls didn’t make a sound. He’d even learned the creaks of every plank covering the floor for just such an occurrence. Again, old habits. He reached the doorway and looked around the corner. The inn's corridor was empty, devoid of life or movement of any kind. The musty, bleached smell of the hallway had evaporated recently, but still, Shawn’s nose went deaf to the scent of old stone, wood, upholstery, and books, cheap soap, antibacterial tissues, and c
Chelsea slipped on a blue button-up short-sleeve blouse and looked at the wall. She had a copy of every fashion show poster for every gig she’d ever been to. At the moment, there were thirty-seven, and each one had brought her hundreds of thousands, if not millions. Her net worth at the time was over seventy-five million dollars and was going up every day thanks to her ingenious investing procedures and continuous searching for more investment endeavors. Chelsea Lim earned a reputation for herself, amassed a fortune, and established a legacy. Almost, anyway. There was only one thing for her to do: run her own business under her own name. 'C.Clean Fashion' Her ideas flitted around the beautiful skies in her head like leaves in a thoughtful autumn breeze. She plucked one from a long time ago when she was just starting in the fashion business. Back then, she was nothing more than a wealthy half-Asian and half-British pampered brat. Then, with the assistance of her mother's friend, som
Scotland"Fuck... Anthony must have hidden it somewhere else," the old man, Alfonso Richmond III, muttered after he ended the call from his daughter, Chelsea. He scratched his chin slowly, staring out at the rest of the men in the room with fiery eyes. He told his daughter that he was in the Philippines, but the truth was he was in Scotland.Somehow, he knew their conversation was bugged and someone was monitoring his daughter's activities. He sighed, thinking about
Shawn roused from a deep sleep as the form next to him shifted under the arm that enfolded her. They found his old vacation cottage near the highway, fifteen miles away from the inn, and they stopped and waited for the blizzard to pass. It had been years since he had visited this isolated place. He bought this five years ago when he and his grandfather had their first-ever deer hunting trip, and since then, the cabin was empty and only visited by the caretaker once a month. Short but smooth hair that smelt like vanilla strawberry, which he knew was dark golden blonde, brushed his chin. Catherine was nuzzled tightly against his bare chest, with her arms wrapped against her bare breasts. Her face pressed into the crook of his shoulder and neck while the wooden chimney still gave them wa
An hour later, the couple were done with their heartfelt breakfast and were enjoying their second cup of coffee on the balcony. Shawn stepped away from the window and crossed his arms. His face scrunched into a frown. "Shawn... you don’t have any idea who could be behind us or why they’d want to kill us, right?" Catherine asked after he told her everything about the key and the treasure left by his grandfather. He even let her decipher the cryptic message of the old man, but with no avail to knowing what exactly the old man wanted to tell them. He shook his head. "I know some of my grandad's associates, former fellow hunters,
Watching the snow that accumulated outside the cottage, Catherine spent the next several minutes gathering things, papers, and pens, and brought a small notebook in one hand and a cup of coffee to the living room, "What are you doing, wifey?" Shawn asked, took the cup of coffee from her hands and watched her write something. After she donned a pair of socks and a winter blanket, he then offered his arm to assist her. Let's decipher Grandpa’s note from his diary. We are stuck here anyway." "I think you're right," she said and told Shawn to rekindle the chimney for more wood because the gas had run out earlier. On seeing the fire, she made a dash for it. As she sat akimbo in front of it rubbing her hands, he asked if she would like coffee again and smiled at her contented manner, to which she replied by saying that she loved hers with sugar and cream. While the water was heating, he ran upstairs to get quilts to wrap her in, which she gratefully accepted. While making the hot drinks, h
Long before they finished their meal, they went to the living room and discussed more of their situation as Catherine marveled at the idea of Shawn knowing how to sketch and paint. He explained that he had become interested in art as a boy scout after earning the Art merit badge. Since his parents' passing, he had taken up recreation as a way of healing. Chuckling Shawn shared that he had become quite good at caricature drawing and had made a small number of admirers, especially the girls he had dated since God knows when. Catherine commented that she would love to see his work and asked if he wouldn't mind drawing her. "Hell, it'll give us something to do," as she glimpsed over her shoulder, to imply the snow was still plummeting with wrath outside. After she finished her research, Shawn grabbed a
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