Arwena’s eyes fluttered closed as she was drawn into Tandre’s intoxicating kiss. Her mind screamed for her to pull away, but her body betrayed her. Her hands gripped the back of Tandre’s neck, holding him closer, though she couldn’t bring herself to return the kiss.She felt the shift in his movements, the way his hand slid down her back, tracing each curve with a gentleness that only made the moment harder to resist. Slowly, the zipper of her dress was eased down.“T-Tandre…” Arwena murmured as if waking from a trance. Her breath was shallow, her heart pounding.Her eyes opened, locking with his. But she couldn’t do anything more than look into those intense eyes, searching for the sincerity in his touch, even as her body betrayed her.She didn’t want this to stop. She didn’t want him to stop, but she knew deep down it wasn’t right. The flood of desire, the heat that burned between them, was overwhelming, but she knew she couldn’t let herself be swept away, not again.She was sober no
"Sir Tan?" Ted's voice came again through the line.Tandre didn't respond immediately. His mind was a mess, confusion swirling in his thoughts. Not only was he trying to figure out what Ted was trying to convey, but he was also battling with the decision of whether he should leave Arwena or not."Tandre, please, just go," Arwena spoke up, sensing his dilemma. Her voice was soft but clear, and it seemed like she could read the confusion on his face.At the sound of her voice, Ted cleared his throat loudly, and Arwena immediately understood the gravity of the situation."Mr. Tandre, I’m sorry to interrupt your time with Ms. Arwena, but you really need to come here before things escalate further, and we won’t be able to carry on with the important matters you and Ms. Arwena are handling. It can’t wait," Ted said firmly, his voice unyielding.Arwena could sense the urgency in Ted's tone and knew that whatever was happening, it was important. And when Ted's calls kept coming through, she un
A cheeky smile spread across Farah’s face as she turned to Janica. Despite the pain of losing Jake, a strange surge of excitement coursed through her. It felt as though she'd finally found someone who could help her take control of the situation. She wasn’t alone anymore. She had clung to the idea of having a future with Jake, only for it all to be ripped away by Arwena’s interference. The rage that had consumed her finally sparked a fire within her—she could no longer allow herself to live in the shadows of her broken heart. She would make them pay. All of them.“They will pay for all the pain they’ve caused us!” Farah said fiercely, her voice laced with determination.The anger and pain had awakened something deep inside her. She realized she couldn’t leave this world without avenging Jake. She had to cling to life, even if it meant dragging herself out of the pit of despair.Days blurred together as Farah wandered the streets like a lost soul, with no place to call home and no one t
"Wena, let it go. That guy is in a hurry. You know Tandre; when his people mess up, he reprimands them immediately. Ted is just afraid of facing his anger."Archie gently held Arwena back, stopping her from rushing after Ted, who had hastily exited the room.Amid the chaos, Arwena’s mind spiraled into dark thoughts. She feared that the arrangements Ted had mentioned involved Nathan’s custody, and she cursed herself for signing the document without reading it first.She rubbed her neck, glancing over at Nathan, who was comfortably seated, engrossed in his favorite show, blissfully unaware of the tension brewing between his parents.As she watched Nathan laugh and enjoy the moment, Arwena felt a deep sadness take root in her chest. It stung to realize that the joy Nathan was feeling now might not last. She feared that their family, despite all the hope she’d pinned on it, might not remain whole for much longer.It felt like they were deceiving Nathan, leading him to believe that everythi
"Oww, my head hurts,” Arwena groaned as the throbbing pain in her head woke her. But she quickly clamped a hand over her mouth as last night’s events came rushing back. The memory of Tandre’s fiery kiss, which she had responded to without hesitation, flooded her mind.She touched her lips, and soon, her hand instinctively moved to her chest. Her heart was pounding so fiercely that it felt as though it wanted to leap out.But soon, she pressed her temples as the weight of her actions hit her. Last night, she realized she was indeed in love with Tandre. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. It hurt her; she was jealous knowing he was involved with someone else.Letting out a suppressed sigh, she muttered, “What have you done, Arwena?” She lightly smacked her forehead and slowly moved, trying to check if Tandre was still beside her.“Oh my God!” she whispered under her breath when her eyes landed on his exposed body. Her heart raced even faster, like wild horses galloping in her chest. Sh
“Oh, Tandre...” Arwena moaned softly, unable to hold back as his lips trailed down to her chest.She closed her eyes and tilted her head back as Tandre gently kneaded and squeezed her breasts, each touch sending waves of pleasure through her. His tongue flicked over the sensitive peak, his kisses and lingering pulls in sync with their heavy breaths.Arwena was consumed by the pleasure Tandre sparked within her, each caress igniting a fervent fire through her body, leaving her breathless and yearning for more.“Wena, I’ll make sure you’ll never regret this; you’ll be my queen, my muse,” Tandre whispered breathlessly, just as Nathan’s lively voice echoed outside the room.Tandre immediately stopped. Arwena glanced at the door.“Shit,” they muttered together as the door handle turned.Unlike Arwena, who froze in panic, Tandre reacted quickly, pulling her into Nathan’s luxurious bathroom. Just as they stepped in and barely closed the door, they heard the bedroom door open. Tandre quickly t
“Tandre, let go of me!” Arwena said, struggling to escape his grip.She fought to break free from Tandre’s tight embrace, never expecting him to outsmart her again.“Wena, please just hear me out,” Tandre pleaded, tightening his hold even more to keep her from escaping. The fear of receiving another blow weighed heavily on him, and he was determined to evade the sharp sting of her painful slap.Earlier, breaking free from his grasp, Arwena had slapped him out of frustration and anger. She refused to listen to his explanation, her anger consuming her.Tandre knew he deserved it. He understood why Arwena was furious—she had every right to be. In his mind, it was the only way neither she nor Nathan slipped away from him again.“We’re just going in circles, Tandre! You’re infuriating!” Arwena exclaimed in frustration.She couldn’t help but feel annoyed; Tandre seemed intent on taking advantage of the situation.“Wena, please don’t be mad. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to handle our marriage thi
"Daddy, Archie!” Nathan shouted excitedly."N-Nathan...” Archie stammered, immediately turning to face his nephew. With open arms, he welcomed the boy warmly but subtly gestured toward Tandre and Arwena, signaling for them to hide.Understanding the urgency, the couple quickly slipped into the walk-in closet.Meanwhile, Archie kept Nathan entertained, skillfully preventing him from entering the bedroom and accidentally discovering his parents in a compromising position. From the closet, Tandre and Arwena could hear Nathan’s laughter echoing down the hallway as Archie led him away, most likely using tickles to distract him.As the sounds faded, Arwena placed a hand over her chest, exhaling deeply in relief. She shot a sharp glance at Tandre, who responded with a sheepish smile, though the nervousness still lingered on his face from the close call.Both of them understood how much Nathan would delight in knowing his parents were back together. But they wanted to share the news with him p
After Arche and Louie's wedding, Tandre and Arwena quickly returned to the country, knowing that in just a few months, their little bundle of joy would arrive. The excitement and anticipation of meeting their baby girl filled their days.Finally, the long-awaited day had come—the day Baby Natalia would be born.Inside the hospital, the family gathered outside the labor room. The atmosphere was tense with excitement, worry, and impatience. Everyone was eager to see Baby Natalia and to make sure Arwena was safe.Tandre, however, was the most restless of them all. He paced back and forth in the hallway, running his hands through his hair and glancing at the labor room door every few seconds. His heart raced with joy and worry, unsure of what to expect.Minutes felt like hours as they waited. Tandre tried to calm himself, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. “Will Arwena be okay? What if something goes wrong?” he thought, his palms sweaty and his breathing uneven. He wanted to be str
Four months after Tandre and Arwena's wedding, Archie and Louie decided to get married. Despite being family-centered and private, their wedding day was filled with deep emotion and beauty, but it was not without its challenges and moments of tension. Although it is a joyous celebration for them, it comes with society's judgment and harsh opinions that, at times, overshadow the happiness they are trying to embrace.Archie and Louie have been together for months, sharing a bond so strong that no amount of prejudice or criticism can tear them apart. But, like any same-sex couple in a world that isn't always accepting, their love is met with judgment from the people around them. From family members to strangers, their relationships face obstacles that are impossible to ignore.For Louie, the pressure was too much. Growing up in a family that still held traditional values, he heard whispers and hurtful words. Some family members, including some distant relatives, could not understand why
Two months after Tandre’s romantic proposal at the gazebo of Hotel Denovan—a place that once bore witness to one of the saddest chapters in Danreve’s life when Arwena rejected his marriage proposal—things took a different turn.Danreve had knelt, holding a ring in his hand, as the sky lit up with fireworks he had prepared for the woman he cherished most. He had promised himself to replace all of Arwena’s painful memories with joy.The proposal fulfilled one of Arwena’s long-held dreams. Danreve put in great effort to decorate the gazebo with small lights that look like fireflies, along with red and white roses, symbolizing pure and genuine love.Arwena’s heart overflowed with happiness at Danreve’s grand gesture. She hadn’t expected him to go to such lengths. Although she once resented him for forcing her to sign a marriage contract, that was in the past. Danreve had kept all his promises to her, never falling short as a husband and a father to Nathan and the baby in her womb.For Arw
Archie sighed repeatedly, his gaze following Louie as he retrieved an umbrella from the car. His heart stirred with a mixture of longing and frustration. He liked Louie, deeply, but he had learned to keep his feelings at bay. He had stopped flirting with him, knowing full well where it would lead—only to heartache.Louie was a real man, strong and genuine. Even though Archie couldn't help but notice the small signs that Louie might feel something for him too, he was afraid to take the risk. He knew that someday, Louie would find a woman who could give him the love he truly deserved, a woman who could fulfill the needs he had as a man.And so, Archie had learned to keep his emotions in check. Every time Louie came into his presence, his heart would thunder in his chest, but he had forced himself to accept that Louie was nothing more than his assistant and friend. Nothing more."Sir Archie..." Louie called out, his voice snapping Archie from his thoughts as Louie ran toward him, umbrell
"My queen," Tandre whispered as he wrapped his arms around her, his lips pressing a soft kiss to the back of her neck. His voice was tender and full of affection, and his touch made her heart skip a beat.She had been on the verge of drifting off to sleep, the peaceful lull of the night calling to her, but how could she refuse her husband, who had just returned from work and seemed determined to work his magic on her?“You smell so good, my queen,” he murmured, his voice warm and inviting, just as she turned to face him.His gaze was intense and inviting, and he bit his lower lip, his eyes dark with desire.Without thinking, her hands instinctively found their way to the back of his neck, drawing him closer. His eyes sparkled even brighter, and his smile deepened in response.She couldn’t help but feel as though she was being drawn in by the way he looked at her. His eyes spoke volumes of his love for her, conveying that she was the most beautiful woman in the world—his world.“You’re
"My queen," Tandre softly called to his wife, a gentle affection in his voice. Arwena immediately smiled, her heart warming at the sound of his words. He had been watching her for a while, patiently waiting for her to finish what she was doing. And now, with her task finally completed, he couldn't resist approaching her. Arwena shook her head with a knowing smile, fully aware of the silent longing that had been building in her husband. She knew he was eager to be close to her. He wanted to embrace her, to kiss her, but because of the warning she'd given him—that she wouldn’t join the Denovan Jewelry launch—he had held back. "Are you done?" he asked softly, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, caressing it with tenderness. Arwena responded with a sweet smile and a playful sparkle in her eyes. How could she not smile? Tandre's intentions were as clear as day. He wanted something more. He wanted to kiss her, and she could see it in the way he bit his lower lip, his gaze never le
After a deafening gunshot that made Arwena squeeze her eyes shut tightly, a series of explosions reverberated through the conference room, causing her breath to catch in her chest. Time seemed to slow as the violent sounds echoed in her ears. She was crying, but no sound came out—her mouth was open, but her voice had abandoned her. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and her lips quivered as her body shook with the shock. Tandre, on the other hand, held her firmly, pressing her against him as if to shield her from the chaos. He held his breath too, certain that it was the end for them. He had accepted that it was their last day together. They remained locked in that embrace, a tense silence stretching between them, until the frantic shouting of police officers and the bomb squad’s urgent commands filled the conference room. The sharp contrast between the quiet aftermath of the explosions and the chaos of the responders was disorienting. Farah, caught completely off guard by th
“No, Wena! Don’t go in—” Tandre shouted, his voice desperate, but his plea was abruptly cut off when the cold barrel of a gun was shoved against his forehead.“Shut up!” Farah snapped, her voice trembling with rage as her finger twitched dangerously on the trigger. “You’ve been pushing me too far, Tandre! I’ve had enough of you!”“Don’t do this, Farah, please!” Tandre pleaded, his tone raw with sincerity, his eyes locking onto hers. “I’m begging you. I’ll do anything—just leave Arwena out of this.”Even as he faced the weapon aimed at him, not once did Tandre fear for his own life. His only concern was for Arwena. The mere thought of her being harmed made his chest tighten with a suffocating pain.Janica clenched her fists at his words, the weight of them stabbing into her like a cruel dagger. Hearing the man she loved beg for another woman crushed her heart, each word twisting the knife deeper.“I said shut up!” Farah’s eyes blazed with fury, her voice rising. “No amount of begging wi
“F-Farah!” Janica exclaimed, her voice trembling as though she had been jolted awake from a deep sleep by the gunshot that echoed in the room. Her lips quivered, and her wide, panicked eyes fell on the man lying lifeless and bloodied on the floor. “What the…” Her voice trailed off as she clamped her hands over her ears, trying to block out the deafening chaos. Her gaze darted around the room, searching for an explanation. Her breath hitched as her eyes landed on Tandre, crouched on the floor, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The veins in his arms bulged, a silent testament to his barely contained fury. She wanted to scream, to lash out at Farah for her brutality. The man Farah had mercilessly shot was innocent, unrelated to their petty grievances and unending hatred. “How…?” Janica’s voice cracked as the words faltered. Shaking her head in disbelief, her eyes welled with tears. Her gaze lingered on the bloodstained hole in Tandre’s suit, and her trembl