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Christian's POV"So it's done?" I ask Gwen over the phone as I sit in my home office."Yes, Mr.Callahan. The contract is signed on a three-year lease and they will be moving in tomorrow." She says and it's a good thing I'm alone because the smile on my face must look ridiculous. But it didn't matter, I did it for her, for Love. "Great Gwen. I'll wire you the difference you knocked out the rent and your commission. Thank you for this favor." I lean back in my chair, my fingers drumming lightly on the armrest, a surge of satisfaction filling my chest. I did it. Love would never have asked for this, but I couldn't stand the thought of her struggling, not when I could help. A part of me wonders if she’ll even notice, or if she’ll simply think it’s just a coincidence, a stroke of luck."You're welcome, Mr. Callahan," Gwen replies, "I’ll have everything processed on my end by the end of the day. You don’t need to worry about a thing.""Good," I say. "Make sure they’re settled in, and let me
"Your brother is right, you should drop that boss thing, and the friendship charade... just find a way to stand in front of her and tell her you want her. It shouldn't be this hard to get a woman." Aiden says as he twirls the glass of whisky in his arms, the eyes sliding from one side of the glass to the other. He is right, it shouldn't be this hard to get a woman, but Love wasn't just any woman... she was different. She was Love for God's sake."You think so?" I ask, not sure if I’m seeking validation or just looking for an excuse to avoid what he’s pushing me toward.I lean forward, my fingers tapping the edge of my own glass, deep in thought. "You don’t get it, Aiden. She’s not like anyone else. She's... different." I sound like a broken record player.Aiden raises an eyebrow, the faintest smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. "Different how? You tell me there is a woman out there who would want to become Christian Callahan's girlfriend and get the world in the palm of her hand
So here I am standing at her door, an orchid in my hands hesitant to knock as I hear movement around the place. Aidens words stuck in my head... You are Christian Callahan and that means anything to me in this moment. But he was right about one thing, I needed to be determined, I needed to be sure of myself... that is the only way Love could be sure about my feelings. I need to prove that to her. So I knock on the door and the inside suddenly goes quiet, I stand there for a moment, waiting, heart racing in my chest. The sound of Charlie barking only adds to the tension building in my veins. It's almost like the dog knows I'm standing outside.I have to say... learning that Charlie was a dog was a huge relief, I hated the thought of a man being close to her, close to something I have in some way already claimed as mine.A second passes, maybe two, and then the door creaks open."Yes." She’s there, standing in front of me, looking as effortlessly beautiful as ever. Love's face seemed fr
"Then why are you here?" She asks, using the kitchen island as a barrier between us. I wanted to see you, it's as simple as that. "I wanted to say thank you... for Sebastian. He told me he accepted to see the doctor again, thanks to you." She leans slightly against the counter, crossing her arms, but it doesn’t feel closed off. "You dont need to thank me, that's why I'm there, after all, to help him." Is that really all you are after? Is there anything else that you may desire along the way? "I should be thanking you." Love says and my eyebrow shoots up in suprise. "Why?" I ask. "Please, Christian. I know you did something to help us get this apartment." My heart skips a beat at her words. I wasn’t sure how she knew about my involvement, but the realization that she does make everything feel... exposed. I take a slow breath, steadying myself before speaking. "I dont need you to acknowledge it or anything... I just wanted to say thank you and that you will be lowering my payche
Love's POV"What did we just walk into? Were you... was he about to kiss you?" Tamara asks, still frozen in the same spot as she was standing when Christian left."That is exactly what we walked into," Mira says as she walks towards the kitchen, leaning on the island she looks at the orchid. "So are you... what are you doing?" Tamara asks confused. "I thought you said.." "It's complicated." I cut her off, forcing myself to meet her eyes. "It getting harder and harder to resist him, but it's also getting harder to lie, to avoid his eyes... Everything is just a mess." Tamara’s eyes narrow slightly, trying to make sense of what I’ve said, but she doesn’t press me for more, not yet. She crosses her arms, a protective stance."Any idea on how you plan to get out of this mess... or at least when you plan to get out?" Tamara asks as Mira smirks and I look at her, eyebrows raised."Sorry... it's just... The only way out, where there is for good or bad... is the truth. Otherwise, he is not l
I had no idea how was I going to face Christian today after what happened... well what almost happened yesterday. He was so close to kissing me, and I was so close to letting him. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies that were wreaking havoc in my stomach. The way he had looked at me yesterday, with his gaze intense, his touch was inviting, scent intoxicating... I had many weak spots but he was without a doubt the most sensible of them all. And now? Now, I was faced with the daunting prospect of seeing him again and trying to act like nothing had changed, even though I knew everything had. I now knew that I had no more willpower to resist him and that my time was running out... I won't be able to pretend for much longer. Yesterday was a silent confirmation in itself. "Miss Bennett?" The driver pulled me out of my thoughts at the same time as the fresh breeze caressed my cheek while he held the door open for me. "We are here." "Yes, sorry," I say as I slowly get out of
"Actually Carlos, take us to "Quake" first. I suddenly have a desire for their pear dessert." Grace says, her tone light yet her posture seems ten. This sudden detour seems odd to say the least. "I thought you needed to pick up your dress," I ask as an uneasy feeling sets in my chest. Something was happening, I just didn't know what. "We will, you just need to try one of Summers' desserts, it's difficult to catch her in the kitchen after she gave birth to her son so an opportunity like this one can't be missed. Her husband is the grandson of an old family friend, Anthony, a great chef." I've heard of "Quake" before, it wasn't soon after it opened that it became the place to eat yet I've never managed to get a reservation. A Callahan however didn't have that problem. The tension in the car is palpable, though Grace’s casual demeanor does nothing to alleviate it. She’s still looking out the window, fingers tapping lightly against her knee. "Grace..." I start, unsure of how to voice
The air around me seems to thicken, every word she speaks driving deeper into the pit of my stomach. I want to react, to defend myself, but the weight of her knowledge keeps me frozen in place. The fact that she already knows everything about my past, about my deception feels like a crushing blow. "I was in a tight spot, I had everything to lose, and when the opportunity came... I took it. So yes, I admit it... I used you... but I also helped. Everything that I did... I did with the intention of helping Sebastian, not once did I mean to hurt him or you." My heart races as I try to hold her gaze, bracing myself for whatever comes next. Grace leans back in her chair as she looks at me. Her expression softens slightly, but there’s still that underlying steel in her gaze. "I know, Love. Amongst all the things I've learned about you I know that you are a good person, otherwise, I would have never let you stay with my family, and I would have never hidden the things I found out about you
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!Everyone cheered at the time of saying goodbye to the old year and welcomed the new while watching the spectacular fireworks. I smiled, hugged my friends, and then turned to Christian, whose eyes sparkled with something deeper than just the reflection of the fireworks. The energy in the room was electric, everyone buzzing with the excitement of a fresh start.This was my new start. Ours.I felt his arms wrap around me as he pulled me close, his breath warm against my ear. "Happy New Year, Angel," he whispered, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. "Happy New Year," I replied softly, my fingers grazing his jawline as I lifted my face to meet his tho I was still scared of meeting his eyes. I feared that if we connected he would know that his Angel was a liar. I put all of my faith in Grace and that she had a way of getting me out of this even if this lie hung over my head for the rest of my life."I thin
Love's POVIt was so easy to be happy.It was easy not to think about anything else that wasn't Christian, to allow myself to be fully consumed by him and everything that he is. His smile and the look in his eyes were all too much, and yet, they were everything I ever wanted. I could lose myself in him and not mind it at all.His touch became everything I craved and I knew that soon enough I would be addicted to him, in the best... and worst way possible."It seems everyone abandoned our table," Christian says as we walk back into the ballroom, hand in hand, fingers interlocked, and I can’t help but smile, the warmth of his hand grounding me."They must be close by." I say as I see Tam approaching with Mira right behind her. They seemed tense, well Tam seemed tense Mira had that posture she did when she pretended everything was fine when it wasn't."Ohh here come your friends... do you mind if I leave you just for a second, I promised Seb I would save him from Mother's friends and I k
My mind races as I stare at the message on my phone Until we meet again. I can feel my pulse quicken, the earlier adrenaline rush settling into a simmering confusion and anger. How could he have gotten my number? And why do I feel like I’ve just been played, even though I’m supposed to be the one in control here?I glance around the room, as though expecting him to reappear from the crowd, his sharp eyes locking onto mine once again, but there’s nothing. No sign of him. Not even his men. It’s like they were never here at all, as if they melted into the shadows, vanishing without a trace."Can we go now?" Tamara asks as she reapers behind my back."What?" I ask before I can read the angry face that event that beautiful mask couldn't hide. "It's not New Year yet, there is still an hour until midnight.""I lost my good mood." She says."Why? Who called you?" I ask."My TO." Uhh no. "Your new friend must have done something.""First of all he is not my friend, tell me what happened." She
"You think I would be willing to put myself in the hands of a criminal?" I ask and Tamara’s expression doesn’t flicker. She meets my gaze with a calm, almost bored like she’s been expecting this question."It's about layers Mira. You might not fall for the criminal part... but what about the handsome part or the generous part..." She says as she glances at the necklace. "Perhaps you would fall for the part where he makes donations to hospitals, or funds the schools, cleans the streets, and builds workplaces... You Mira could fall for the gentleman part of him to the point that the criminal thing wouldn't bother you so much... because that is who you are Mira, you put things on a scale and pick the lesser evil, even when you dont want to admit it." Her words settle like a stone in my stomach. Damn her for knowing me so well."But if you already know all of this about him, about the people that work for him... why did you want to come to this party then?" I ask Tamara. She called me car
Mira's POVLove and Christian left the table and from the corner of my eye, I could see them disappear from the public eye while I was left at the table feeling like a sitting duck while everyone's eyes rested on me. More specifically on the thing hanging around my neck. Why did he do that? Who in their right mind gives away such a valuable thing to a stranger?"Girls will you excuse us for a moment, I know it's a bit rude to leave you in an unknown aviromant but Sebastian and I have some hoseting to do. I'm sure you understand." Grace says as she gets up and walks over to her son. I'm still trying to read her, from what Love has told me about her she seems a good person... with things to hide. People who tend to help others keep secrets are usually the ones who are the best at hiding their own. I would know.There’s a certain air of mystery around Grace, the way she holds herself it’s almost as if she’s always thinking two steps ahead, anticipating the reactions of everyone around he
The cool night air hits my skin as Christian leads me out onto the balcony, the sounds of the ballroom fading into the distance. I shiver slightly, but it's not from the cold it's because of him."Where were we? I thought we were still at the party. Or did you transport me to another planet?" My nerves make my mouth says the worst joke if one could even call it that."Uhh that would be a great power to have but for now I'll have to be happy with that I can whisk you away even if it's just a simple balcony..." He says as he touches my cheek so elegantly, so tenderly that it almost feels like being grazed by a feather. "Any place, any time is more special with you." I let my face fall into his palms as his words made my knees weak."Do you want me to melt?" I ask, my eyes closed, simply enjoying having him so close. Christian chuckles softly, the sound deep and warm, vibrating through me like a pleasant hum. His touch is steady, grounding me as his hands gently cradle my face. "If I wan
Love's POVI laugh at Christian stories about the wealthy society and the secrets they hide between them, who knew they were as mortal as the rest of us when he saw Mira walk back into the ballroom and he had to give up his seat?"Took you long enough, the final piece is here," Tamara says to Mira as she comes back to the table and sits down."Yeah well, I just had an encounter with your favorite criminal," Mira whispers as she glances at the table where Mr.DeLuca is taking a seat himself. Between the conversation with Grace and Christian, I didn't even notice his absence."What? Why would he talk to you?" Tamara asks surprised."Perhaps because I am an extremely beautiful woman," Mira says ironically as Grace and Christan watch as the last jewel is brought into the room, covered with a red, silky sheet. "I dont know why, Tam. He was just there when I left the restroom. I have to say, up close and even with that mask he is quite striking." She whispered. I could see the curiosity in h
Mira's POVI swear one could live in one of these restrooms, it's almost, almost the size of my last crapy apartment we luckily dont have to stay in anymore. The real luck is never seeing the landlord's face again because otherwise I would get highly motivated to use my medical practice for the wrong reasons. So thank you, Christian.I took off my mask and studied my reflection in the mirror, eyes running over the familiar face, but something felt different tonight I barely recognized the person looking back. Especially not in this dress that came straight out of a movie... God how good it would be to live like this every day... they say money doesn't buy happiness but boy does it help.I couldn’t help but laugh softly at the irony of it all. Just a few months ago, I was counting pennies, hoping I’d make it through the next day. And now I’m standing in a room full of people who are the pennies, the ones with the power, the money, the history that means something. They weren't like me,
The atmosphere between us shifts immediately like a switch being flipped. Christian’s voice, low and steady, holds an undeniable weight. He holds me closer, his arms wrapping around me in a way that feels protective, almost possessive. I take a deep breath, feeling the gentle sway of the dance floor beneath us, the music filling the spaces between us, and my mind races. Christian’s eyes remain steady, his expression full of hope... even more so he seems sure that my answer is going to be positive."Christian... ye..." "Good evening ladies and gentlemen." A woman's voice suddenly interrupts us as the music suddenly ends and everyone turns. "We oh so hope that you are having a wonderful time at the gala yet I'm here to ask you to return to your seats as the fundraiser auction is about to start. I would also like to remind you all that all the funds collected here will be distributed to countless medical research facilities and in the names of those who will shortly have better health c