VIVIENNE“What’s up, guys?” Ezekiel arrived a little later, arms full of food—pizza, fries, and pints of ice cream in different flavors. The kids’ eyes lit up as soon as they saw him. Ezekiel and I exchanged smiles. "Dad brought pizza!" Vera cheered, jumping up and down.Vince grinned, trying to act cool, but I could see how happy he was too. "What flavors did you bring?" he asked, eyeing the ice cream."Let’s see," Ezekiel said, placing everything on the kitchen counter. "We’ve got chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Everyone’s favorites."The kids immediately started grabbing plates and bowls, excited to dig in. I glanced at Ezekiel, and our eyes met for a brief moment. There was something unspoken between us as if we both knew that what we were doing now was just... casual. Just flings, as I had said. Even though we didn’t say anything, I knew we were both thinking the same thing.As the kids settled down with their food, we all moved to the theater room to watch a movie. Vince
EZEKIEL“What are we going to watch?” Vivienne asked as soon as we entered their theater room. I noticed that she even locked the door. I tried so hard not to smirk and just shook my head. “Let’s pick something.”We settled onto the couch, and Vivienne handed me the remote. “Your choice,” she said, leaning back and getting comfortable.I started scrolling through the movie options, trying to find something that felt right for the fire that I’ve been feeling right now. Eventually, I landed on an old favorite we both knew well. It was an R-21 film with lots of nasty scenes. When Vivienne noticed what I did, she eyed me meaningfully as she tried to hide her smile as well. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said. I raised an eyebrow, trying to look innocent. “Really? Would you mind telling me?” I asked mischievously. She just shook her head as she tried to focus on the leftover food. As the movie began, we sat in silence, each of us wrapped up in our own thoughts. Every now and t
VIVIENNE“I’ve been working on this office for you. I think you’re really going to like it,” Ezekiel said as we drove to his company. “It’s right next to mine, so we can work closely on the collaboration.”The city passed by in a blur, and Ezekiel was talking excitedly about the office he had prepared for me.We were now heading to Harrington Luxe here in New York. He wanted to show me my own office in his company in preparation for our collaboration. Yes. We would still collaborate for a collection but not with Alex anymore. I couldn’t work with that bitch after she hurt my son. And since Vince was also Ezekiel’s son, he felt the same way. “That sounds... great, Ezekiel. I’m sure it’ll be perfect.” I nodded, trying to focus on what he was saying. But my mind kept drifting to the last time I had walked into his company. The memory of that day was sharp, clear, and painful. I had gone there to catch him cheating with Alex, and the way the staff treated me—like I didn’t belong, like
EZEKIEL“Gosh! I’m glad I finally see you again!” Caroline said as soon as we left Vivienne’s office. She hadn’t changed much—still the same bright smile, the same energy. We hadn’t seen each other in years, but it felt like no time had passed at all.“Me too. How’s your life?” I asked, more laid back than her. “Still the same. I divorced my husband last year,” she told me. “How about you? Still single after your divorce too?”I had a hard time answering her question. Well, how am I supposed to explain that I’m chasing my ex-wife again, right?So, instead of telling more, I chose to answer the easiest response.“Yeah. I guess so.” “You know, our parents were convinced we’d end up together someday. They practically planned our wedding before we even hit high school,” Caroline recalled as her smile faded just a little while she looked at me. I nodded. “Yeah, I remember that too.”Caroline sighed, a wistful look in her eyes. “It’s funny to think about now. Back then, I guess I didn’t
VIVIENNE COULDN’T HELP but smile at how Ezekiel acted. The bitterness she felt when a gorgeous woman tried to talk to him faded away completely. “How’s your catch up with Caroline?” she asked after Ezekiel came back. But instead of answering her question, Ezekiel just stared at her meaningfully, as if telling her to behave. “What?” Vivienne asked again as she tried to act innocently. Ezekiel let out a breath, trying to calm himself. “Nothing,” he said more calmly. “I just noticed my employees were being a bit too... helpful earlier.”Vivienne felt the urge to smile foolishly but she restrained herself.“They were just being polite,” she just said while secretly liking how Ezekiel was acting.Ezekiel settled down to the chair in front of her. “Polite is one thing. Hovering around you like that is another,” he replied, crossing his arms. “I don’t want them bothering you while you’re working.”She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slight smile. “Are you jealous, Ezekiel?”
THAT’S RIGHT, MA’AM ALEX,” an unknown caller confirmed.Just as Alex sat in the dark room, her fingers tightened around the glass of whiskey. The bitter taste matched her mood as she listened to the person on the other end of the call. “So, Vivienne went to Harrington Luxe?” Alex asked using her sharp voice.“Yes, and it looks like she and Ezekiel are planning to continue their collaboration,” the caller confirmed.With that, she couldn’t help but clenched her jaw. “Without me? I should have seen this coming,” she muttered. Bitterness was evident in her tone. Her anger bubbled up by that realization. She tightened her grip on the glass.“Anything else?” she asked.“No, that’s all I’ve got for now. I’ll keep you updated, Ma’am Alex,” the caller replied before hanging up.Alex set the glass down on the table a bit too forcefully. The sound echoed in the quiet room as she almost broke it. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the memories started flooding back.It had
VINCE AND VERA were at the playground, together with other kids in their exclusive subdivision.“Vera, don’t wander off,” Vince warned his twin sister.Children were running around, laughing and shouting and playing with her sister, but Vince wasn’t interested. He stood off to the side, his hands stuffed into his pockets, watching the others enjoy while he was there, being bored. He could see their maids sitting on a nearby bench, both of them glued to their phones, completely oblivious to what the kids were doing.Vince couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Typical. They were supposed to be watching over them, but instead, they were more interested in their screens. He let out a small sigh, turning his attention back to his sister.Vera, who was busy twirling in circles on the grass, nodded quickly at what her brother said. “I won’t, Vince!” she promised, flashing him a big smile before going back to her spinning.Satisfied with her answer, Vince pulled a book out of his bag and sat do
VIVIENNEI thought, my first day in Harrington Luxe would be chill just like what Ezekiel and I did earlier but then I was wrong. Right after the nasty thing we did in the comfort room, my phone rang. It was one of the maids and my forehead wrinkled as I answered the call. “M-Ma’am Vivienne?” her voice trembled when she spoke.“Yes? What’s the matter?” “Ma’am… someone took the kids,” she said, fear evident in her tone.“Huh?!” My heart dropped. “What do you mean someone took the kids?” “Who is it?” Ezekiel asked when he noticed my reaction. But I wasn’t able to answer him right away. I panicked and grabbed my bag right away, heading for the door.Ezekiel must have seen the look on my face because his expression changed immediately. He ran over and followed me without a word.“They were playing at the playground, and then—then they were gone. A man... he took them.”I didn’t hear the rest. I was out of the office and in the elevator, my hands shaking as I pushed the lower ground f