Vanessa stood by the door, not knowing what to say."What the hell was Riccardo doing in front of her door?"No. That's not supposed to be the question. She mentally faced palmed herself."How did he know my house?" Vanessa's grip tightened around her doorknob. She was happy that Emily wasn't around and that her kids were asleep.She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. Why was Riccardo always popping up in front of her? She's trying her best to stay away from him, yet he just keeps showing up. "What are you doing here?" She managed to ask as she steadied her voice. He was about to reply, but she waved her hands in front of his face, willing him to stop."How did you know where I live?" She asked, now standing akimbo. Her eyes are not leaving his."I came to see you." He replied, his gaze fixed on Vanessa. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants. Not cooperate, just simple. It fit his stunning Raven Black hair, which was gelled backwards."How did you know where I
VANESSA'S OFFICE Vanessa sat at her desk, lost in thought. The day had been long, and she could feel the weight of it pressing down on her. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound in the room. Her fingers absently traced the edge of a document, but her mind was elsewhere.The door creaked open slightly, and Lily stepped in. She held a folder in her hands. Vanessa looked up, meeting Lily’s eyes. “Ms. Rodriguez." Lily started, her voice gentle but firm, “There’s something we need to discuss.”Vanessa leaned back in her chair, nodding for Lily to continue. She could sense that whatever Lily was about to say wasn’t going to be easy.Lily took a deep breath, then walked over to the desk, placing the folder in front of Vanessa. “Mr. Gonzalez suggested another deal." She informed and Vanessa's eyes widened."I'll forward you the summary of it all.""We were also given another deal to secure within a month." Vanessa groaned inwardly, why couldn't Damien just let her be
Riccardo watched as Vanessa walked out of the Hall. He didn't know why she just walked out like that. There was the impulse to chase after her and find out what was wrong. But he just let her go, knowing that she needed some time alone on her own.Turning back, he faced the party and his business associates who came to speak with him. He tried to focus on the task at hand, but couldn't. His thoughts kept drifting back to Vanessa.Was he doing the right thing? Would she ever forgive him? What if she had really moved on like his grandfather said?But he came to the conclusion that it was better for him to try rather than jump into baseless conclusions.He didn't want to make the same silly mistakes he made years ago, by making decisions for someone else."Mr. Gonzalez. Are you listening?" The man who had been speaking all these while asked.Riccardo snapped out of his reverie."Of course. I am." He gave a slight nod. Deciding to focus on what he had to do now, he replied."Yes. But we'l
VANESSA'S OFFICEVanessa was busy with her work as usual, but this time, she wasn't focused. Her mind kept wandering back to the party the previous night.And the silly part of her mind couldn't help but wonder why Riccardo had not shown up today.She knew that she wasn't supposed to be thinking about him. But her brain wasn't letting her do anything else."Aarrrgh." She yelled angrily, ruffling her hair."What the hell is wrong with me?" She thought.Rising from her chair, she walked into her changing room. She stared at her face, as she stood in front of the floor length mirror."You're such a beautiful woman." She complimented, with a small smile plastered across her face."Don't repeat the same Mistake again." She whispered to reflection."Focus on what you have to do. He is not worth this." She reassured herself.She let out a sigh, walking out of the changing room, she decided to focus on her work. She started by reading the pending mails she had, and soon, she was now engrossed
"Come, I'll take you to your room," Lucss offered, extending his palm to Leila. She nodded, gently placing her hands on his and following closely behind him as they ascended the staircase that led to her soon to be room.As they reached the top of the stairs, Leila's eyes widened at the sight of the long hallway adorned with different doors on each side. Riccardo led her to the second room, stopping in front of it before turning the handle and pushing it open."Here's your room," he announced, gesturing for her to enter. Leila stepped inside, and her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her."Wow," she gasped, her eyes scanning the room in disbelief. It was a sanctuary of luxury, from the pristine white walls to the elegant ash colored curtains that framed the floor to ceiling windows. A vanity table in one corner, while a spacious walk in closet.Leila wandered around the room, her hands trailing over the smooth surfaces as she took in every details. When she finally stepp
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 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.”
Vanessa walked down the hallway, her hand lightly brushing against the wall as she made her way to Ethan and Emma’s room. The house was calm, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner breaking the silence.Stopping at their door, she pushed it open carefully, making sure not to make much noise. The soft morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, lighting up the room in a warm glow. Ethan was already sitting up in bed, his hair messy, while Emma was still asleep, clutching her stuffed bunny close.“Morning, Mommy,” Ethan mumbled, rubbing his eyes and yawning.“Good morning, sweetheart,” Vanessa whispered as she stepped inside. She reached over to smooth his hair down, her fingers running gently through the tangles. “Did you sleep okay?”He nodded with another yawn. “Yeah. Is it time for breakfast?”“Almost,” Vanessa said with a smile. She glanced over at Emma, who stirred a little under the covers but stayed asleep. “Why don’t you get dressed first? I made something special.”
Vanessa rubbed her temples as she walked down the hallway towards her bedroom. The week's exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. It wasn’t just work or the endless tasks waiting for her, it felt like the universe was piling one problem on top of another, daring her to collapse. But she refused to let it win. Not tonight. She would push through, like she has always done.Once inside her room, she kicked off her shoes and sank onto the edge of her bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light on the familiar space. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over Riccardo’s name in her messages. They’d already discussed the case earlier, but something gnawed at her. She needed to be sure he was on it.Taking a deep breath, she typed out a short message.'Just checking in on the case. Have there been any updates?' She typed.Her finger tapped send before she could second-guess herself. Th