Juliet stared at him with surprise etched on her facial features."Why?" Her voice was barely above a whisper as she asked, staring up at him.He Straightened up, his face going back to being cold. "Because you're the perfect candidate." He stated, taking two steps away from her bed side."What makes you think that I am?" She raised an eyebrow."You're not here to question me, Are you?" He asked, his gaze piercing hers."I'll think about it." Juliet muttered.He smirked darkly. "You should take you're time." He said then paused.Juliet breathed out in relief but his next words caught her off guard."Outside the hospital.""What? Are you so Ruthless." She scoffed, the fact that she needed help didn't even seem to bother him."That's my nature." He shrugged, nonchalant as usual.Juliet slowly threw her legs to the ground, she stood from her bed, trying to keep her legs balanced. She took a step forward, but she fell and hit her head on the nightstand beside her bed."Ouch." She groaned
Juliet's eyes snapped open, and she gasped for air, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe. Her heart racing, she tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the pillow. Panic set in as she found it extremely hard to breathe, her fingers trembled.Just as she thought she couldn't take it anymore, the door swung open, and a nurse rushed in, concern etched on her face. "Juliet, oh my goodness, what's happening?" she exclaimed, hurrying to the bedside.Juliet's lips moved, but no words came out. She pointed to at her IV tube, her eyes pleading for help. The nurse quickly disconnected it from her hand."I'll get the doctor, hang on!" the nurse shouted, already turning to sprint out of the room.Juliet's vision began to blur, and she felt herself being pulled under. She tried to call out, but her voice was barely a whisper. The nurse's footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing fainter as Juliet's world darkened.Soon, she felt something warm pour
LUMINA LUXE COSMETICSLeila sat in her office dressed in a black pants and suit, she left her hair to fall behind her shoulders, and she looked stunning with her light makeup.Different files were scattered across her table. She had a lot of pending jobs to take care of. Her Business was still new in the market, so she had to work extremely hard to be able to deliver the best.She wanted her Products to be Great and refreshing for her customers who would purchase it.After signing her signatures and uploading some files, she also had to go to the production department to see how things were going.She suddenly remembered what Lucas said about securing a deal with V&V ENTERPRISES. She quickly picked up the landline and dialed the receptionist number which Lucas had given to her."Hello.""Good Afternoon, this is Leila from Lumina Luxe Cosmetics," she introduced."How can I help you?" The receptionist asked."I want to book an appointment with Ms. Rodriguez.""I'm Sorry, Ms. Rodrigu
Vanessa's heart skipped a beat as she opened the door to find Riccardo standing there, holding her kids' hands. She felt a flutter in her chest, but quickly pushed it aside. She didn't want to show him how he still affected her. She stood up straight, trying to look calm, and forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.Vanessa's hands gripped the door handle tightly, hiding her trembling. She didn't want to let him see how nervous he made her.For a moment, she thought that her eyes were playing a trick on her."Mummy!" But hearing her kids giggling voices, convinced her that it was real.She ignored Riccardo and crouched down to their level."Babies, What have I told you about talking to strangers?" She asked, removing their hands from Riccardo's."Mommy... He's not a stranger, he's our Da...""Shh. Baby, he's a stranger." Vanessa said, cutting Ethan off before he could finish his statement."How was school today?" Vanessa asked, smiling slowly."It was great, Mommy! We made new frien
ST. MARTINS HOSPITAL Romeo sat in front of the surgery room, patiently waiting for when the surgery would be over. He had been sitting there for more than an hour, and still, the doctor had not yet come out. It felt weird to see himself waiting at the hospital for his worker. This was so unlike him. He was supposed to be engrossed in his work by now, but here he was hoping that his new secretary doesn't die just after a week she started to work for him. After what felt like hours, the doctor finally stepped out with the nurses behind him. Romeo immediately rose from his seat. "How is she?" He asked, staring at the doctor, he could still perceive the smell of blood and drugs on him. "She's currently out of danger. Can we talk more in my office?" The doctor asked, gesturing in a particular direction. "Yes. Sure." Romeo replied, quickly following behind the doctor with his hands tucked into his pants pocket.Romeo wore a navy blue suit that fit him well. His white shirt and black
"Yes, why not?" Juliet winced, trying to sit up on the bed. "Don't! I'll go get the doctor." Romeo said, urging her not to sit up. Juliet did as he said, while studying his movements. "Thank you for staying here." She said she was grateful that she had someone beside her during such situations. "It's nothing." He muttered. "How about the file for Mr....?" "OMG, the deal? It's in my room." Juliet gasped lowly as she suddenly remembered. Romeo stared at her in surprise. "Why? What's wrong? What did the doctor say?"Juliet asked, noticing his unusual demeanor. "He said that there's a possibility that you might lose your memory." Juliet sunk into the bed as her expression turned sad; she turned away from him. "Hey... I didn't mean to dampen your mood." He said, taking a step closer towards her bedside. "It's not your fault..." Romeo's eyes darted around the room. "Where do you stay?" He asked suddenly."345 West 14th Street, Apt. B." She muttered, still not looking his way.
Just then, a nurse walked into the room, carrying a tray with several medications. "Time for your meds," she said, smiling at Juliet.Romeo took this as his cue to leave. He pushed the door open, and stepped out into the hallway. The nurse and Juliet were now alone in the room.Outside, Romeo's chauffeur was waiting for him, standing beside the sleek black car. As Romeo approached, the chauffeur quickly opened the door for him. Romeo settled into the soft leather seat, feeling the familiar comfort of his luxury vehicle.The chauffeur closed the door behind him and walked around to the driver's side. He got in, adjusted his mirror, and glanced at Romeo through the rearview window. "Where to, sir?" he asked.Romeo thought for a moment before responding. "Take me to the office," he said finally.The chauffeur nodded and put the car in gear. They glided smoothly away from the hospital, heading towards Romeo's company headquarters.***VANESSA'S APARTMENTVanessa sat at her vanity table, f
"You're welcome." Riccardo whispered.Vanessa took a deep breath as she heard her name again. "You should go now," he said. She glanced at Riccardo one last time, then opened the curtain and walked onto the stage.The crowd was huge, and Vanessa saw Lily and Diego smiling at her. She smiled back and stepped forward to take the microphone and her award."Congratulations, Ms. Rodriguez," The female host said with a big smile, handing her the glass award. "Thank you so much," Vanessa said, taking it from her.The host nodded and gestured for Vanessa to give a speech. Vanessa held the microphone and looked out at the crowd. She felt a little nervous, but happy. She began to speak, her voice clear and strong."Thank you so much for this award. I'm truly honored. I want to thank my team for their hard work and dedication. You guys are the best!To my family, thank you for always supporting me. I love you all.And to everyone here, I'm grateful to be part of a community that values hard w
A NEW CHAPTER Three years later. Ethan and Emma were running around, playing tag with Riccardo, who pretended to struggle to keep up with their speed.“Daddy, you’re too slow!” Emma giggled, darting away as Riccardo reached out to catch her.“Oh, I’ll get you!” Riccardo teased, his playful growl making both kids squeal with delight.Vanessa leaned against the doorframe, cradling her six-month old daughter in her arms. The baby cooed softly, her tiny hands grasping at the edge of Vanessa’s blouse.“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Sofia?” Vanessa whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s soft hair.The past three years had been a journey of hope, love, and healing. Vanessa’s diagnosis had been a heavy weight, but with Riccardo’s unwavering support, they’d found the best doctors and treatments. Through hard work and a little luck, her. condition had stabilized.“Mommy, come play!” Ethan called, his dark curls bouncing as he ran toward her.Vanessa smiled, walking over with Sofia in
TWO DAYS LATER Vanessa’s heels echoed on the marble floor of her office as she paced back and forth, her phone pressed to her ear. Her movements were sharp, her mind racing. For weeks, she had been gathering evidence against Alexander Grey.He had done too much harm, kidnapping Ethan and Emma, orchestrating the failed attempt on her life, and lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again. But she wouldn’t let him win.Her phone call ended with a click, and she stared out of the large window overlooking the city. The evidence was solid. It wasn’t just a small victory, it was the beginning of the end for Alexander Grey. She took a deep breath, her hands clenching at her sides.“Ms. Rodriguez?” Diego’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He stepped into the office.She turned to him, her voice calm but firm. “It’s time, Diego. I’ve sent everything to the authorities. The files, the recordings, everything. We’re moving forward.”Diego nodded, his respect for Vanessa clear in his eyes. “They’
ONE MONTH LATERThe sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light through the windows of Vanessa’s office. She sat at her desk, focused on reviewing a stack of reports. The past month had been hectic. Riccardo had recovered, Lucas had been relentless in tightening security, and life was slowly falling back into its usual rhythm. But today felt... different.Vanessa glanced at the calendar on her desk. It was her birthday, but she had no plans to celebrate. Birthdays had never been a big deal for her, especially not now when there was so much work to do. She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she reached for her pen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, expecting Lily or Diego with an update.The door opened, and Emily poked her head in. “Ms. Rodriguez, sorry to bother you, but can I steal you for a moment? There’s a small problem with Ethan and Emma.”Vanessa frowned, setting her pen down. “What’s wrong? When did they get back?"
The warm sunlight streamed into Juliet’s room, touching her skin and making her stir. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking at the brightness filling the space. For a moment, she stayed still, letting the peace of the morning calm her. Then it hit her, like a storm rolling in.She remembered.Her heart began to race as memories came rushing back. She could hear her stepmother’s cold voice, the cruel words that had shattered her world. Juliet had overheard her stepmother plotting to kill her, all for her father’s money and property. The betrayal still burned deep in her chest.Her breathing quickened as more came back to her. The fear. The panic. She could see herself running, her steps fast and desperate as she tried to escape. She had been so scared that she hadn’t noticed the car. She remembered the blinding headlights, the screech of the tires, and the sharp pain when she hit the ground.And then... Romeo.He had been the one to save her. She saw his face in her mind, calm and stro
The quiet hum of the machines filled the room as Vanessa sat by Riccardo’s side, her fingers gently brushing against his cool hand. Each second felt like an eternity as she waited for Lucas. The sound of hurried footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Vanessa glanced up just as the door opened, and Lucas stepped in. His tall frame filled the doorway, his dark eyes scanning the room until they landed on Riccardo. His face, usually composed, twisted with worry and anger.“Vanessa,” Lucas said, his voice low but steady. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, his gaze fixed on Riccardo. “How bad is it?”Vanessa stood, smoothing her hands down her blazer as if it would steady her nerves. “The doctor said he’s stable,” she began, her voice quiet but firm. “The bullet missed his vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood. He hasn’t woken up yet.”Lucas nodded, his jaw tightening. He pulled a chair beside Riccardo’s bed, his hands curling into fists on his lap as he stared at his unconsci
Vanessa paced outside the operating room, her heels clicking softly against the sterile tile floor. She kept her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of her blazer like it was the only thing keeping her together. Lily and Emily sat on the nearby bench, their faces pale and somber. Diego stood close by as he watched the hall for any sign of the doctor."I can’t believe this is happening," Vanessa muttered under her breath, her voice thick with emotion. She stopped pacing and turned toward the small group. "He took a bullet meant for me.""Ms. Rodriguez," Lily said gently, her voice trembling. "It’s not your fault."Vanessa shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "How can it not be? If he hadn’t been there..." Her voice broke, and she quickly looked away, blinking back tears.Emily, sitting with her hands folded tightly in her lap, glanced up. "He’ll pull through," she said, though her voice lacked confidence. "He’s strong, isn’t he?"Vanessa n
The faint sound of the ambulance’s siren echoed in the distance, fading as it disappeared around the corner. Vanessa’s heart raced, a knot forming in her stomach as she turned sharply to face Diego. Her voice came out in a breathless whisper, a mixture of fear and urgency."What hospital is the ambulance heading to?"Diego hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her before he quickly checked his phone. The seconds stretched painfully. He didn’t need to ask why. Vanessa’s face was pale, her eyes wide with worry, and she was already halfway to her car."The nearest hospital," Diego finally replied, his voice calm but urgent. "Saint Anthony’s.""Let’s follow them." Vanessa’s voice was steady, though the tightness in her chest made her words feel like they were being dragged from her.Before Diego could protest, she was already inside her car, the engine roaring to life as she slammed the door shut. The sleek black vehicle peeled out of the parking lot, its tires screeching against
The workday finally came to a close, and the sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over the city. Vanessa stood in her office, the final task of the day weighing on her mind. Emily and Lily had just walked into the room, the slight shuffle of their shoes breaking the silence.Vanessa smiled as she looked at Emily. "Emily, dear. You did well today."Emily blinked in surprise, a soft smile crossing her face. "Really? Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. I’m happy to help with whatever I can."Vanessa’s eyes softened. "I appreciate it, truly."Lily cleared her throat, her expression eager. "Are you ready? Let’s go."Vanessa nodded, the last-minute decision still fresh in her mind. "We won’t be using the same car today," she said, her voice firm but calm.Lily raised an eyebrow, and Emily’s face faltered for just a moment, but they both said nothing."I’ve already told Diego. He’s brought another car for me," Vanessa added.As they made their way to the parking lot, the evening air wra
Vanessa paced her office, the tension in her chest growing heavier with every second. She couldn’t let this drag on. The mole had to be identified before the end of the day. Picking up her phone, she called Damien.“Vanessa,” Damien’s voice was brisk.“Get to my office now,” she said without preamble. “We have a serious problem.” She added.“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he replied and hung up immediately.Few minutes later,“What’s going on?” Damien asked, shutting the door behind him. “We have a mole,” Vanessa said bluntly. “Someone leaked the designs for our new product to Grey Enterprises. They launched it ahead of us this morning.”Damien’s jaw tightened. “Do we have any leads?”“Not yet,” Vanessa admitted. “But we don’t have time to play detective. I want this person caught before the day ends.”Damien nodded. “Alright. Let’s start with the basics."He pulled out his laptop and placed it on Vanessa’s desk. “We’ll need to narrow it down. Vanessa, do you know exactly which files