It was lunchtime at school, and as always, Kaiden insisted on buying Kailani lunch. She hardly came to the cafeteria, but now she did, and she usually shared a table with him."You haven’t given me your number yet. I noticed you weren’t using your laptop like everyone else. What’s going on?" Kaiden asked.Kailani met his gaze briefly. "I don’t have one," she replied simply.Kaiden found the reply amusing and laughed. "Is that supposed to be a joke?""You don’t know there are people who don’t own electronic gadgets?" she tilted her head, wondering where in the world he was from.Kaiden shrugged. He was raised by a wealthy mother and attended a private high school in Gisborne with only rich kids. He wasn’t used to the other side of the world. "This is my first time," he admitted. "How come you don’t have a gadget? Everyone in our class does. Did you break yours?""It’s a complicated story, Kaiden. Can we not talk about it?""If you’re uncomfortable talking
Kailani stood by the window of her room, staring up at the sky. Her expression was downcast, her eyes puffy from crying. She had just endured another beating from Delilah, who claimed the tea Kailani prepared wasn’t tasty. Her back was on fire, yet she managed to maintain a calm appearance. Since her father died, her life had spiraled into a nightmare, one she desperately wanted to wake up from. She thought leaving her deranged mother would make things easier, but now her life only seemed more complicated.She winced as her clothes brushed against the bruises on her back. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked them away.“I wish you were here, Dad. The world is so cruel to me. Why didn’t you take me along? I would have been fine with you up there,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.“I’m here, Kay.”Raymond’s voice startled her, and she turned to look at him.“Good evening, sir,” she greeted, quickly wiping her tears.“Good evening, dear. Why are you crying?” Raymond a
Eureka sat behind her large office desk, her eyes fixed on her laptop as she reviewed the collections sent by her lead designer. The telephone rang, distracting her. As she picked up the call, her secretary’s voice came through.“I don’t need visitors, Ruth. What is it?” Eureka snapped. “When I give instructions, I expect you to follow them.”“I’m deeply sorry, Ma’am. He’s insisting on seeing you,” Ruth said.“And who the hell is that?”“Mr. Blackwood, Ma’am.”Eureka’s stomach twisted at the mention of the name. She sat in silence, pondering what to do.“Are you there, Ma’am?”“Send him in,” she finally said and ended the call. She took a deep breath, brushed her hair back with her hands, sat upright, and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. “Now you’re being self-conscious,” she muttered, recalling her words to Kaiden, prompting a small smile.“Come in,” she responded to the soft knock on the door.“Hello, Miss Bennett,” Raymond greeted, walk
Kailani waited at her usual spot for Kaiden. He had promised to meet her there during lunchtime. As she was engrossed in her chemistry textbook, jotting down some compound names, Aveline and her two minions marched up to her, seized her book, and tossed it into a nearby trash can."What was that for?" Kailani snapped, though her soft voice didn’t make her sound irritated."How many times do I have to warn you to stay away from Kaiden?" Aveline groaned, arms akimbo. "You’re too daft to listen, aren’t you?""I don’t know what you’re talking about," Kailani denied, standing up to retrieve her book when Aveline yanked her hair, dragging her back in front of her."You don’t dare walk out while I’m still talking!" Aveline’s harsh voice echoed."Let go of me, you’re hurting me!" Kailani cried as Aveline’s grip tightened."Girls, take her to the female restroom," Aveline ordered her minions. "I need to teach this bitch a lesson.""I didn’t do anything to you. Let
Kaiden was in the principal’s office when Eureka rushed in. The principal had insisted that his mother be present before giving his verdict.“Son, what did you do?” Eureka asked.“You should have called me. You didn’t have to hurry,” Kaiden said nonchalantly, reclining on the visitor’s chair like he was the vice principal.“Good day, sir,” Eureka greeted the principal.“Good day, Miss Bennett. Please, have a seat,” the principal offered, and Eureka sat beside Kaiden, glancing at him to see if he was hurt.“Are you okay, son?” she asked, just to be sure.“I’m okay,” he replied.Aveline was sent for, and she returned with her arm strapped after visiting the school’s infirmary.“Look at what your son did to my daughter a couple of minutes ago,” the principal began, pointing at Aveline, who took a seat as her legs buckled.Eureka gasped. “What? Kaiden, why would you do that?”“He should be happy she’s not comatose,” Kaiden said as he glanced at Av
❗How would you feel if your husband invited his mistress over on your honeymoon?❗ ~~~~~~~~ The grand hall doors swung open, revealing the most beautiful bride of the year standing at the entrance with her father. Her expression was blurred by the piercing rays of the sun. She hesitated, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life—if only the marriage was for love, and not some damn business arrangement. "Compose yourself, Eureka," her father whispered, tightening his grip on her trembling hand. "You know what will happen if you mess things up. We will be doomed forever." His tone was laced with both anger and fear. This marriage was their last hope, and if Eureka messed up, only God could define their fate. "Let’s keep going. Don’t get the crowd suspicious," he added, pulling Eureka along, though her steps faltered. She had dreaded this day for weeks, ever since her father announced her marriage to Raymond Blackwood, a man she bar
She couldn’t unsee what she had just seen. Her supposed groom was in the dressing room, kissing Cassandra hungrily as if his life depended on it.“You are all I’ve ever wanted, Cassy,” Raymond’s words were soft, almost inaudible as he pulled away from the kiss.“Then why did you have to choose her?” Cassandra’s voice was faint, almost choking on her words. “If you love me, why did you have to marry that slut?”Each word pierced Eureka’s heart like a sharp knife.“I’ve told you about it. My father forced this union, and that opportunist is taking advantage,” Raymond spat, his tone laced with disgust. It tore Eureka apart from where she stood. “If it were up to me, I’d choose you over and over again. I just can’t wait for this façade to end. We’ll be together again, trust me,” he assured Cassandra, his words a soothing balm against her troubled expression.And to think Cassandra was Eureka’s best friend made it all the more painful. Raymond had been rumored to have a girlfriend he loved
This was her moment; she had to enjoy it to the fullest. Even though she didn’t want this union, it was still her wedding, and she couldn’t let Raymond’s foolishness ruin it for her. “Let’s take pictures,” Eureka told him, her smile unwavering as the photographer stepped forward. “I have important things to do,” Raymond said, walking away from her. She felt a pang in her chest as she watched him exchange pleasantries with his business partners who had just arrived. Marriage was supposed to be a lifetime commitment. How was she supposed to manage it? She excused herself and went into the dressing room. The moment she took a seat in front of the vanity table, wiping the tears that slid down her face, her mother appeared behind her. Eureka felt a deep relief, hoping her mother would take the pain away. “What do you think you’re doing, Eureka?” her mother’s sharp tone shattered every hope Eureka had for comfort. “What if someone else had walked in here to see you like this? Do yo
Kaiden was in the principal’s office when Eureka rushed in. The principal had insisted that his mother be present before giving his verdict.“Son, what did you do?” Eureka asked.“You should have called me. You didn’t have to hurry,” Kaiden said nonchalantly, reclining on the visitor’s chair like he was the vice principal.“Good day, sir,” Eureka greeted the principal.“Good day, Miss Bennett. Please, have a seat,” the principal offered, and Eureka sat beside Kaiden, glancing at him to see if he was hurt.“Are you okay, son?” she asked, just to be sure.“I’m okay,” he replied.Aveline was sent for, and she returned with her arm strapped after visiting the school’s infirmary.“Look at what your son did to my daughter a couple of minutes ago,” the principal began, pointing at Aveline, who took a seat as her legs buckled.Eureka gasped. “What? Kaiden, why would you do that?”“He should be happy she’s not comatose,” Kaiden said as he glanced at Av
Kailani waited at her usual spot for Kaiden. He had promised to meet her there during lunchtime. As she was engrossed in her chemistry textbook, jotting down some compound names, Aveline and her two minions marched up to her, seized her book, and tossed it into a nearby trash can."What was that for?" Kailani snapped, though her soft voice didn’t make her sound irritated."How many times do I have to warn you to stay away from Kaiden?" Aveline groaned, arms akimbo. "You’re too daft to listen, aren’t you?""I don’t know what you’re talking about," Kailani denied, standing up to retrieve her book when Aveline yanked her hair, dragging her back in front of her."You don’t dare walk out while I’m still talking!" Aveline’s harsh voice echoed."Let go of me, you’re hurting me!" Kailani cried as Aveline’s grip tightened."Girls, take her to the female restroom," Aveline ordered her minions. "I need to teach this bitch a lesson.""I didn’t do anything to you. Let
Eureka sat behind her large office desk, her eyes fixed on her laptop as she reviewed the collections sent by her lead designer. The telephone rang, distracting her. As she picked up the call, her secretary’s voice came through.“I don’t need visitors, Ruth. What is it?” Eureka snapped. “When I give instructions, I expect you to follow them.”“I’m deeply sorry, Ma’am. He’s insisting on seeing you,” Ruth said.“And who the hell is that?”“Mr. Blackwood, Ma’am.”Eureka’s stomach twisted at the mention of the name. She sat in silence, pondering what to do.“Are you there, Ma’am?”“Send him in,” she finally said and ended the call. She took a deep breath, brushed her hair back with her hands, sat upright, and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. “Now you’re being self-conscious,” she muttered, recalling her words to Kaiden, prompting a small smile.“Come in,” she responded to the soft knock on the door.“Hello, Miss Bennett,” Raymond greeted, walk
Kailani stood by the window of her room, staring up at the sky. Her expression was downcast, her eyes puffy from crying. She had just endured another beating from Delilah, who claimed the tea Kailani prepared wasn’t tasty. Her back was on fire, yet she managed to maintain a calm appearance. Since her father died, her life had spiraled into a nightmare, one she desperately wanted to wake up from. She thought leaving her deranged mother would make things easier, but now her life only seemed more complicated.She winced as her clothes brushed against the bruises on her back. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked them away.“I wish you were here, Dad. The world is so cruel to me. Why didn’t you take me along? I would have been fine with you up there,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.“I’m here, Kay.”Raymond’s voice startled her, and she turned to look at him.“Good evening, sir,” she greeted, quickly wiping her tears.“Good evening, dear. Why are you crying?” Raymond a
It was lunchtime at school, and as always, Kaiden insisted on buying Kailani lunch. She hardly came to the cafeteria, but now she did, and she usually shared a table with him."You haven’t given me your number yet. I noticed you weren’t using your laptop like everyone else. What’s going on?" Kaiden asked.Kailani met his gaze briefly. "I don’t have one," she replied simply.Kaiden found the reply amusing and laughed. "Is that supposed to be a joke?""You don’t know there are people who don’t own electronic gadgets?" she tilted her head, wondering where in the world he was from.Kaiden shrugged. He was raised by a wealthy mother and attended a private high school in Gisborne with only rich kids. He wasn’t used to the other side of the world. "This is my first time," he admitted. "How come you don’t have a gadget? Everyone in our class does. Did you break yours?""It’s a complicated story, Kaiden. Can we not talk about it?""If you’re uncomfortable talking
Eureka sat on her bed, her back leaning against the headboard as she scrolled through her social media pages. She would have preferred her assistant to do it, but since she was on leave, she had to handle it herself. A faint knock landed on the door.“Miss Bennett?” she heard Mildred call.“Come in,” Eureka permitted. The doorknob turned, and the woman walked in, closing it gently behind her. Eureka stared at her until she settled down, clasping her hands behind her back.“Um, Miss Bennett, you have a visitor,” Mildred announced.“Who is it?”“He said his name is Raymond Blackwood.”The name rang a bell, but Eureka didn’t remember where she had heard it. Mildred waited patiently, unsure of Eureka’s silence.“Do I know him? What does he want?”“I’m not sure. Should I tell him to leave?” Mildred replied, lowering her gaze to the floor.“No, I’ll meet him. Tell him I’ll join him shortly.”Some minutes later, Eureka descended the stairs, dressed in a casual red short gown, her hair swept
“Mom, what kind of school is that?” Kaiden whined, dumping his backpack on the couch. Eureka was sketching in the living room when he returned. “It was so annoying. The students kept crowding around me, trying to be my friends. They don’t respect boundaries! I’m not going back to that school. Get me a home tutor instead,” he complained, dropping beside her.“You’ve only spent one day in your new school, Kaiden. You’ll get used to it in time. You’re an influencer. You don’t expect them to ignore you, do you?” Eureka said, turning her attention to him.“I don’t like that. Does being an influencer mean they can touch me? Who knows where those hands have been? I need to sanitize myself!”“I understand how you feel. I’ll talk to the principal about keeping some distance between you and your classmates. But you should also make it clear that you don’t like being touched. If they persist, report them or remind them you’re a Bennett,” she told him.“You’re right, Mom. Why di
The ballroom sparkled under the golden glow of chandeliers, buzzing with the voices of fashion elites, celebrities, and business tycoons. Glasses clinked, laughter rang out, and photographers darted through the crowd, capturing the grandeur of the night. At the far end of the hall, Kaiden stood near a floral backdrop, selfie stick in hand, adjusting the camera angle just right.“Yo, what’s up, guys! We’re live at my mom’s launch party!” he grinned, tilting his face to catch the best lighting. His Instagram flooded with comments almost immediately.“Looking sharp, Kaiden!”“Your mom is a legend!”“Show us the outfits!”Chuckling, he took a few selfies before refocusing on his audience. As he spoke, he didn’t notice the man approaching until a deep voice cut through the noise.“Excuse me.”Kaiden lowered his phone and turned. Standing before him was a tall man in an expensive, perfectly tailored suit. Golden-brown hair, piercing gray-blue eyes, a strong jawline. There was something oddl
The soft hum of a jazz playlist filled Raymond’s office, blending with the quiet tapping of his fingers against his desk. The floor-to-ceiling windows of his corporate tower overlooked the Los Angeles skyline, but his mind wasn’t on the view.His assistant, Logan, stood by the doorway, a tablet in his hand, shifting uneasily. Raymond barely glanced up. “If it’s about the board meeting, push it to tomorrow. I don’t have the patience for their nonsense today.”“It’s not about the meeting, sir,” Logan said, taking a step forward. “It’s about… Miss Bennett.”“And who the hell is Miss Bennett?” Raymond snapped. The past few days had been unbearable for him. He thought he had overcome his anger issues, but lately, everything was resurfacing. Small things irritated him, he snapped at everyone, and he preferred to be left alone. Coming to the office felt like a burden he had to endure daily. If the company weren’t his, he would have disappeared by now.“Have you lost yo