Vanessa stood in front of her mirror, brushing her black hair. She looked at her face and saw her big, dark eyes. Her eyelashes were thick and pretty. Her nose was small and slightly turned up, making her look gentle.Her lips were full and pink. Her skin was smooth and had a warm glow. As she brushed her hair, her eyes looked deep in thought. She seemed lost in her own world.Her mind suddenly drifted back to her kids. She wondered if she had done well in convincing them to leave Riccardo and whoever they wanted to search for as their Dad.Her kids were growing up fast now. They've never once asked her about their them, but as they grow older they seemed to have gotten more curious.She wondered if they grew up and asked her about their Dad, what she was going to tell them.That they dirvoced? That he's Dead? Or that they are better off without him?Those questions swirled in her mind, but no answer came. After brushing her hair, she wore a blue Pants, white vest inner-wear and a bl
"What?" Tiffany asked in surprise"Why? Don't you understand English?" Vanessa retorted."But, This has nothing to do with my choice of outfit." Tiffany said, her brows pulled together in a frown."If you say that, then I guess you still have a lot to learn." Vanessa replied, adjusting her jacket."I'm Busy. We'll schedule this meeting for another day." She added, walking off.Tiffany huffed in frustration. Vanessa stopped in her tracks and turned to face her."Don't waste my time next time." She said, then walked off without turning to look back again. Lily and Diego followed behind her, leaving Tiffany alone in the lobby.She stared at Vanessa's retreating figure, and a wave of embrassmemt washed over her. She also couldn't deny the fact that Vanessa had changed so much, unlike before.With a sigh, she picked up her handbag and the file she came with, before walking off. Her father would be mad at her if he finds out that her way of dressing disrupted the deal.Vanessa walked into h
"When is the party?" Vanessa asked."Tomorrow by Six PM." Lily informed."What's the time. I want to pick my kids up from school today.""We still have two more hours before their closing time." Lily said."Let's visit one of the best Restaurants in town.""Then after that, we'll go to the grocery store to get more baking ingredients.""What is tomorrow's date?" Vanessa asked."16th. Why?" "It's Mr. Gonzalez's birthday tomorrow." She clapped her hands, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes."How do you know that?" Lily raised her browsVanessa shrugged."I'll give him a gift that he'll never forget." She smirked."Okay. Now, I'm getting scared." Lily whispered to Diego who shrugged in response, his eyes still focused on the road before him.***Riccardo walked into Lucas's office and met him staring out of his window."Lucas." He called, settling down on the couch in the office."Riccardo, you're here." Lucas muttered, turning away from the window.He went ahead to sit beside him."
Vanessa quickly stood straight, she then pushed Ethan and Emma behind her, as if trying to hide them from Riccardo's gaze.The anger she had been trying to subside seemed to be rising, and she balled her hands into a tight fist. She stared up at him with a death glare."What are you doing with my kids?" She asked, her voice rising higher than she intended. "Mommy! We got lost, and he helped us find you." Ethan explained, tugging at Vanessa's dress. She spared him a glance before turning back to meet Riccardo's gaze. There was a look in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher."So, you're their mother?" He asked slowly, his eyes remained on her kids, before he slowly moved his gaze back to her."Your kids said alot about you. Obviously, they are very proud of having you as their mother." He stated, his gaze expressionless.Vanessa knew her kids well. They don't normally talk to strangers, not to talk of having a conversation such as this one.Grabbing their both hands, she turned ar
"Are you okay, Bro?" Lucas asked, pulling Riccardo away from the box of gifts and leading him towards the couch in his office."Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He replied, still in a daze.Lucas quickly went to get the first aid kit. He knelt down in front of Riccardo and began treating his finger injury. After putting some medications on it, he put a finger bandage on it."Do you think I deserve this? It's been years already." Riccardo asked lowly, a wave of sorrow washing over him. Lucas shrugged in reply."Words." Riccardo said."Yes, you do." Lucas said. Riccardo quickly stared up at him, a hint of surprise dancing across his eyes."You hurt her so badly, so you should allow her have her fun now." "Fun? You call this fun?" Riccardo raised a brow in a questioning manner."Yeah. This is one of the most iconic birthday gifts ever." Lucas muttered with a smile, walking back to Riccardo's table.He took out his phone from his pocket and took a picture of the gift."Why are you taking a pictur
She quickly snapped out of her trance and approached him slowly. Just then, the worker Riccardo was speaking with left."Hey, Riccardo." She called, now standing behind him.He turned around. "What are you doing here?" She asked lowly.The calm look on Riccardo's face had already dissipated and it was now replaced with a cold Icy one."I didn't realize that you were now keeping tabs on me." He stated."I'm not. I just happened to pass by." She explained."Better. I'll take my leave now." He said, turning around to leave but Tiffany held his arms.He stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at her, his Icy Gaze boring holes into her body. She shuddered as she let go of his arm."What are you doing here?" She managed to ask, a hint of anticipation in her voice."That's none of your business. And what are you doing here?" He asked with a hint of amusement dancing around his eyes.Tiffany took a step back in embarrassment as she finally understood his words. So, he was also here just for
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
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