As soon as the figure passed by, Leila walked out from her hiding spot, her heart still pounding from the shock of the encounter. If her eyes weren't deceiving her, she had just seen the person who had shot her, their physique, their gait, everything about them seemed eerily familiar.She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, before steeling resolve and continuing down the hallway towards Hayley's room.Upon reaching the room, Leila found a nurse already inside. "Good Morning." Leila greeted softly as she entered.The female nurse looked up, a smile gracing her lips."Morning. It's a good thing you're here. I was just about to leave." She said.Leila nodded gratefully. "Thank you for staying here."The Nurse waved off her thanks with a casual gesture."You're welcome. All you have to do is go to the doctor for her last prescription."She reached into her pocket and pulled out a key, handing it over to Leila. "A driver will be waiting for you outside," she explained.Leila a
"Have a seat." Juliet heard his cold voice say.She glanced around his workers seating beside him, before slowly taking a seat opposite where he sat. She was oddly calm for someone who had seen him hiding a dead body. Was it because he had threatened her? She didn't know. But she felt that it was none of her business. She had a lot of things to take care of in New York. She was yet to start carrying out her plan, so She didn't want to get into someone else's business.Obviously, the person wasn't an important Figure, if not, she'd have heard it on the news. Taking a seat, she took a deep breath, before raising her head to meet his cold gaze."Good Morning." She greeted, breaking the eye contact. She glanced at the other workers and muttered a greeting to them. They responded, but he didn't. Juliet didn't have the fibre to look into his Icy Gaze again. She had never met someone so Cold and unyielding.Even from all the novels she has read, she wasn't sure that any Male characters had s
Just then, a worker stood in front of Tiffany, she was saying something to her, which made Tiffany divert her gaze from Vanessa.It seemed like she always patronized this boutique most of the times.Tiffany glanced at Vanessa one more time before following the worker into another section of the boutique.Vanessa scoffed before walking out of the Boutique. After all the shopping bags were placed in the boot of her car, she thanked the worker who had assisted her before settling down inside her car.Diego drove out of the Area. In a few minutes, they reached Vanessa's house.She pushed her door open and walked in. She met Ethan and Emma watching paw patrol on the television."Babies! Momma's home." She announced, happiness coloring her words.They both turned their head swiftly to face her. Jumping down from the couch, they ran into her arms."Momma!" They both yelled excitedly. Vanessa crouched down towards their level and engulfed them in a tight hug."My babies. I've missed you both
VANESSA'S APARTMENT: EVENING Vanessa glanced at her kids one more time before shutting the door behind her. After looking through all she had gotten for them, she coaxed them into going to bed early.As she left the room, her mind suddenly wandered to Riccardo's Grandfather. She stood at the end of the hallway that led to her living room.She sighed tiredly. Why was she suddenly thinking about the old man. Her mind had been at peace ever since. So why now? Was it because of how he took care of her in the past? All the questions swirled in her mind, but no answers came.She suddenly had the urge to go visit him at his house."Oh, Vanessa. You must be going crazy." She mentally faced palmed herself.Was it stupid of her to want to see her Ex-husband's Grandfather. She felt like she wasn't thinking clearly. She needed someone to talk to. But who could she talk to?"Right! Lily is still around." She muttered to herself, as she made her way out of the hallway and into the living room. Sh
Vanessa tried to compose herself, wiping her tears away before turning to face the person who had called her name. It was the house keeper. She could still remember his face. "Yes, it's me." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. The middle aged man's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you here to see old Mr. Gonzalez?" He asked. "Yes. I am." Vanessa gave a slight nod. "This way." The house keeper led her back to his room. He knocked on the door and ushered Vanessa in. "Vanessa, my dear. Is that you?" Old Mr. Gonzalez asked as Vanessa made her way into the room fully. "Yes. It's me." The old man's eyes widened in surprise, and he struggled to sit up straighter in his bed. "Vanessa, my dear... I didn't know you were here." Riccardo appeared behind him, a look of shock and guilt on his face. He was speechless. He never expected her presence here. Vanessa forced a smile, trying to hide her hurt. "I just wanted to visit," she said, her voice cracking. "I didn't mean to intrude.
Lucas stilled in Leila's embrace for a moment, his arms wrapping around her in a comforting hold.After a few minutes, they both disengaged from the hug, a sense of warmth lingering in the air. Leila couldn't contain her smile, her heart brimming with gratitude."It's late already, we can do it tomorrow." Leila suggested, her voice filled with contentment. Lucas nodded in agreement."I'll see you tomorrow then," he muttered, his voice soft with affection."Goodnight," Leila waved, a smile lighting up her face as she walked out of Lucas' room, closing the door behind her.As soon as she left, Lucas smile widened. He made his way into the bathroom, thoughts swirling with anticipation for the days ahead.Meanwhile, inside her room, Leila dialed Hayley's number, eager to share the good news with her best friend. As she recounted the events of the evening, she couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness at Hayley's enthusiastic response.Their conversation was filled with laughter and exc
"Start the car." Leila instructed the driver, tearing her gaze away from the woman who was now alighting from her car.The driver gave a slight nod, acknowledging her words as he complied, smoothly driving the car out of the parking lot and onto the busy streets."Where are we heading to?" Hayley inquired, her curiosity piqued as she glanced out of the window.Leila's gaze remained fixed ahead as she replied, "To the market. I want to get the ingredients for my products."Hayley nodded in understanding. "Got it," she replied.It didn't take much time before they reached the market. Hayley and Leila swiftly moved through the busy aisles, gathering all the required ingredients and other necessities for their products.Once they were done shopping, Leila pulled out her phone and dialed Lucas's number. "Hello," she greeted warmly as soon as he picked up."How are you doing?" Lucas's voice came through the line, filled with a genuine concern."I'm great, and you?" Leila replied, her smil
Vanessa settled down on the seat opposite where they sat. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed at Louis, who sat confidently on the chair. "What brings you here, Louis?" she asked, her tone neutral. Louis flashed his charming smile. "I'm here to extend an exclusive invitation to you, Vanessa. Our company, Lumina Luxe Cosmetics, is launching a new product, and we're hosting an unveiling ceremony. We'd be honored if you could join us." Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'm interested, Louis?" Louis chuckled. "Let's just say I've done my research. Your impeccable style and beauty makes you the perfect fit for our brand. Plus, I think you'll find our products quite... enlightening." Vanessa leaned back in her chair, intrigued despite herself. "Go on." "The ceremony will take place at Luxury Hotel next Friday evening. It'll be a night of glamour, innovation, and revelation. Trust me, Vanessa, you won't want to miss it." Vanessa studied Louis, his enthusiasm and con
Diego brought the car to a gentle stop in front of the company building. Vanessa stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. Lily followed closely behind, carrying a tablet and a folder, while Emily trailed them with an eager smile. Diego nodded and drove off to park the car in the designated lot.The glass facade of the building gleamed under the morning sunlight, and Emily tilted her head up to admire it.“This place is stunning,” Emily said quietly, taking in the sleek design and bustling energy of the entrance. It was her third visit here, but she still felt a sense of awe.Vanessa smiled at her enthusiasm. “Ready to get to work?” she asked as they walked through the rotating glass doors.Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity. Employees moved with purpose, their voices mingling with the faint hum of computers and phones.Vanessa glanced at Lily as they headed for the elevator. “Lily, what’s my schedule for today?”Before Lily could respond, Emily piped
Vanessa woke to the warm rays of sunlight streaming across her bed. She blinked a few times, her vision clearing as the golden light bathed the room in a soft glow. Stretching her arms over her head, she let out a long sigh and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.Padding across the cool wooden floor, she made her way to the large window. She pulled the curtains open fully, letting the sunlight flood in. The view of the busy city stretched out below, alive with the early morning hum of cars and distant chatter. Vanessa stood for a moment, taking it in, before turning toward the bathroom to start her day.The scent of lavender soap filled the air as she finished her shower. She wrapped herself in a soft towel and stepped out, her skin still damp and cool from the water. Dressing in comfortable jeans and a light sweater, she tied her hair into a loose bun before heading to the kitchen.The kitchen smelled faintly of coffee from the day before, and Vanessa immediately set to work. Th
Vanessa adjusted her coat as she walked out of the hotel room. Emily followed closely, her steps quick to match Vanessa's pace, while Lily and Diego trailed behind. The morning air was crisp, and the sound of their shoes echoed in the quiet hallway.Emily had been staying with them ever since her school closed for the year. Her parents were constantly traveling, leaving her alone in their large house. So, when Vanessa suggested Emily come along to her company, she jumped at the chance.Outside, Diego opened the door to a sleek black van parked in front of the hotel. Vanessa helped Emily climb in before settling into her seat. Lily slid in beside her, while Diego took the driver’s seat. The van purred to life as Diego drove out of the parking lot, blending into the light traffic of the morning.Emily turned to Vanessa, her voice hesitant. “Ms. Rodriguez, are you sure this is a good idea?”Vanessa glanced at her and smiled softly. “Trust me, it won’t be bad at all,” she said reassuringl
Vanessa pushed her chair back slightly and turned to her kids. “Emma, Ethan, how’s the food?”Ethan, with his mouth full of bread, gave her a thumbs up, while Emma nodded enthusiastically. “Grandma’s food is the best!” she declared, grinning at their grandmother, who beamed with pride.Vanessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. The warmth in the room was almost enough to make her forget her troubles. Almost.Her mother sat down, smoothing her apron as she did. “Vanessa, are you staying long this time?”Vanessa hesitated, her fork hovering over her plate. “No. I have a lot things to take care of." She replied with a small sigh.Her mother studied her for a moment, her sharp eyes catching the tension in her daughter’s posture. “If there’s anything you need to talk about, you know I’m here,” she said gently.Vanessa forced a smile, nodding. “I know, Mom Thank you for being here."Ethan piped up, breaking the somber moment. “Can we go to the beach tomorrow, Mommy? Please?”Vanessa ruffled
The flight felt never ending, but Vanessa let out a sigh of relief as the plane finally touched down in Spain. She adjusted her grip on her children, Emma and Ethan, as they descended the stairs. The warm Spanish sun kissed her skin, a welcome change from the chill of America. Lily had already disappeared to fetch their bags, and Diego excused himself to retrieve the car they would be using.Vanessa’s feet felt heavy against the tarmac, exhaustion creeping into her every move. Her twins clung to her sides, their little hands gripping hers tightly. “We’re finally here,” she murmured, offering them a small smile. The kids, though weary, perked up at her words, their excitement bubbling beneath the surface.A few moments later, Lily returned, with their luggage, her cheeks were flushed from the effort, but her grin didn’t waver. Not long after, the smooth hum of an approaching engine drew their attention. A sleek black Lamborghini Urus rolled up to the curb, its glossy exterior catchin
TWO WEEKS LATER Vanessa sat quietly in the back of the sleek black van, her twins, Ethan and Emma, nestled on either side of her. The hum of the engine filled the air as Diego focused on the road ahead, his hands steady on the wheel. Lily sat in the passenger seat, flipping through her phone, occasionally glancing at the GPS. The van glided down the highway, and the gentle rhythm of the tires on the pavement seemed to mirror the steady thud of Vanessa’s heart.Emma leaned against her mother, her little fingers dancing across the screen of her tablet. "Mommy," she asked without looking up, "are you just dropping us off at the airport?"Vanessa reached out, smoothing Emma’s soft curls. "No, baby," she said gently. "We’re going to Grandma’s house first. I’ll take you and Ethan all the way there. I want to make sure you’re safe with her."Ethan, sitting on her other side, looked up from the book he was pretending to read. His lips pressed into a small pout. "Does that mean we won’t see y
Dressed in a blue floral gown, Juliet stood on the balcony, letting the morning breeze brush against her face. The scent of blooming flowers mixed with the faint aroma of fresh coffee from the kitchen below. She leaned on the railing, her fingers tracing its cold, smooth surface as she gazed at the quiet street below. The world seemed peaceful, yet her thoughts were far from calm.A soft noise behind her made her turn slightly, but before she could react, a light tap on her shoulder made her jump. She spun around, her hand flying to her chest. Romeo was dressed in a cooperate outfit, obviously getting ready for the day's job."Oh my gosh, Romeo! Stop sneaking up on me like that!" she exclaimed, her voice breathy from the scare.Romeo smirked, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. "You should have gotten used to it by now," he said, crossing his arms casually.Juliet rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed groan. "Whatever," she muttered, brushing her hair out of her face. She straig
Thirty minutes later, Leila sat on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV. A light comedy show played in the background, but she wasn’t really paying attention. Her mind kept wandering to Lucas and how his day might have gone. She glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering when he’d get home.Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up, smoothing down her top and brushing invisible dust off her pants. She wanted to look put together when he walked in, even though she knew Lucas didn’t care much about appearances.As the familiar sound of the car door shutting reached her ears, Leila moved to the front door. She opened it just as Lucas approached, his steps steady and his suit jacket draped over one arm.“Good evening,” she greeted him warmly, her smile lighting up her face.“Evening, Leila,” Lucas replied with a soft smile of his own, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to he
Vanessa decided to step out of her hotel room after ensuring her tasks for the day were completed. She took a deep breath, smoothing down the hem of her blouse as she walked toward the door. It was quiet in the hallway, the faint hum of the hotel’s central air conditioning the only sound. Vanessa twisted the doorknob and opened the door, only to find Diego standing there, his tall figure a calm but imposing presence.“Diego,” she said softly, her voice steady. She wasn’t surprised to see him; his unwavering dedication to her safety had become a comforting constant.“Ma’am,” Diego acknowledged, giving her a small nod. His sharp eyes scanned the hallway even as he stood still, his stance radiating readiness.“Thank you,” Vanessa said, her words carrying more weight than she let on. She knew Diego wouldn’t take any chances after everything that had happened. His vigilance meant more to her than she could express.Diego’s lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile. “Just doing my job.”