When they reached the resort, Celine could not prevent the inevitable. They ended up staying-in the whole afternoon and when they finished, she could not move a muscle.A lot of things have happened between them in the past few weeks, but it seemed none of it mattered when their bodies had a language on its own.They were in synched as soon as the doors were closed, and no words were needed to be spoken.Their bodies knew what they needed, and the mind just indulged in the pleasure.“D”“Shhhhhh” Daniel immediately cut her off.“Let’s not think of anything right now” he pulled her closer and just closed their eyes.For the first time in his years of existence, he felt free.Free of obligations.Free from being a Stevenson.Free from being Roland Yates’ apprentice.He just wants to be a man who longed to be with his woman.And the serenity that encapsulates them was so overwhelming he didn’t notice a drop of tear escaped from his eyes.And as soon as he realized it’s enormity, it was g
“I thought you want me to be happy?” Daniel asked innocently.“I do. But you won’t be happy with an arranged marriage. You should pick your own wife. I can help you with that. I can filter out those who are incompatible with you” she reasoned-out.“You sound like a jealous wife. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re in love with me and want to keep me to yourself” Daniel smirked then winked at her.“Oh wait, you insisted on divorcing me so I’m sure that’s not the case”She squinted her eyes in annoyance.How dare he expose her like that without regards for her feelings?“You’re so annoying” she just rolled her eyes to finish their discussion.She continued working on her laptop, but she couldn’t maintain her focus.Tack! Tack! Tack!Her keystrokes are so powerful it loosened-up all the gunk in her keyboard.After some time, she noticed Daniel went to the bathroom and came back smiling.“I’ve prepared your bath, you look like a dragon about to blow fire” he pointed to his n
The next day, she woke up before Daniel and her smile slowly crept up her face. There are times when she looks at him, as if she’s seeing him for the first time, and her heart would skip a beat. But most of the times, she sees him as a familiar face that gives comfort and warmth to her heart. She always thought she had to choose between the Daniel who sweeps her off her feet and the Daniel who would always catch her when she falls. But she knew in her heart, she needed both. She’s lucky Daniel is everything she ever needed in every stage of her life.“Are you sure you’re not in love with me?” she saw Daniel opened his eyes with a soft smile.“I was about to wake you up, you overslept. You promised to go to the cave” she demanded expressing her usual attitude.She turned around to hide her blush and let a gentle smile register across her face.Daniel did not waste any second and before she knew it, they were already trekking the inside of the jungle towards the secret cave.“Daniel, I
“You don’t like it?” Daniel asked.“I like it. This is mine, yes?” she confirmed without emotion.She thought she could escape the inevitable.She thought having Daniel all to herself in a faraway location would make her fantasy a reality.It seems he has moved on.No matter how many times they would share a bed, he would still belong to someone else when the time comes.When they went back to the resort, she suggested to go back to the city. Since she also wanted to visit Linda and the baby, Daniel did not suspect anything.“I can design a new ring if you don’t like it” Daniel has been observing her since he showed her the rest of the ring.Her reaction was not what he has envisioned for the longest time.He was expecting her to be moved and appreciative of his efforts but instead she just dismissed everything.“I’m just used to having one broken ring. Now that it’s complete, it just feels…unfamiliar” she replied honestly.“I think I will keep the two rings in my vault and just retai
Daniel is at his wit’s end.It’s been two hours since he dispatched ten of his bodyguards to search five possible locations but not one has found her. He was sure she was at the university, but the bodyguard said no trace of her. The waiting lasted for hours and hours and Daniel found himself staring at their blow-up photo in the living room. Based on Aaron’s warning, she has consumed a lot of alcohol. That is enough reason for him to be agitated. Add that to the threats Minerva and Clint have been sending ever since the reading of the second part of the will.He could not believe he couldn’t find her.Not wanting to leave her safety at the hands of his bodyguards, he drove to the university himself. He could risk accepting Celine’s outbursts as long as he could ensure her safety. He could think of other ways to find her should she really makes good with her threat.Having ordered Oscar to meet him at the university, his frown grew deeper looking at the old man flashing his light “H
“What was that about?” Celine asked as soon as the car drove away from the Yates Mansion.Her annoyance witnessing the transaction between Minerva and Daniel was enough to tone down her hung-over.Daniel took a deep breath before looking at the woman beside him. Not really knowing what to reply, he decided to avert his gaze from her. Knowing that Daniel is mad at her, Celine decided to get the information from the old man in front of the car.“Oscar, tell me. What was that deal about? Don’t tell me you will agree to whatever demands they’re asking?” she saw the disappointed look on Oscar but she still had to speak her mind.Before Oscar could reply, Daniel’s voice was heard inside the car. It was casual but devoid of emotion.“Prepare the announcement to cancel the wedding ceremony” it was Daniel’s order.Both Oscar and Celine were shocked at this.“Daniel, as your adviser and old friend, I suggest you sleep on it first. Don’t decide now. Otherwise, we will be climbing seven mountains
“What did you do?” Daniel asked lazily while leaning against the bedroom door frame.Celine looked at his state and knew he was drunk. She approached him but kept a safe distance between them.“You’re drunk. Let’s talk once you’ve sobered up” she said calmly.There’s nothing wrong with what she did so she doesn’t feel guilty at all. She did all that to help him.Daniel’s lips slowly curled up into a seductive smile then he started unbuttoning his shirt.“You’re right, I’m drunk. Would you help me to sober up?” he slowly reached for her hand then caught her in his embrace.Feeling his hot breath on her ears, Celine could feel her whole body warming up against his. She closed her eyes trying to focus on more important things than to indulge in Daniel’s burning touch.“Your wedding has to push through. It’s the only way” she said then collected her courage to remove his hands on her waist and created a distance between them.“Really?” he asked lazily as he pulled her back closer to him a
For the rest of the afternoon, Celine submitted her QA findings to Oscar then busied herself around the house.Since she has decided to be the ‘best wife’ for Daniel, she decided to cook for their dinner for the whole month.When Daniel came back from the office, he was greeted by the food spread on the dining table.“Are we having guests?” he asked in confusion.Celine greeted him with a gentle kiss and a soft smile which really troubled him. He really wanted to investigate her complete turnaround but decided to wait for a few more days to observe.“No. I just thought it’s healthier for you to eat home-cooked meals and I’m practicing your favourites” she said then led him to the table.Their dinner was spent in silence with only their utensils making the sound. Daniel observed how Celine is behaving like a proper lady during meal time and it’s killing him to see her like that.“What are you doing?” finally he asked after Celine slowly put a slice of his favourite lemon sponge cake in
The wedding was finished in an instant followed by a sumptuous dinner. The guests all stayed for the weekend at the resort and soon it was time for the guests to leave.“Enjoy your honeymoon. But you’ll have to decide how the company will move forward given that Minerva’s position will be vacant” Linda reminded both Celine and Daniel.The mother superior could not be any happier for the two of them now. Now she only wanted for Celine to have babies so she can guide her through motherhood.“Still work, Linda?” Daniel teased.“Actually, no. I want her to enjoy her motherhood so she has to sign the formalities as soon as possible” Linda objected.“Pbbft. Motherhood will only come once she’s ready. Maybe after two years if we’re lucky” Daniel defended his wife.Linda gave Celine a knowing look and she saw Celine shrink back. Clearly, she hasn’t told Daniel about it. Anyway, it’s not her business she just have to wait for her to be ready.When all the guests have left, Daniel decided to br
The eve of the wedding ceremony arrived and Helene’s resort was livelier than usual.Although the staffs were initially told that it was a small celebration, they still decided to close it down when they found out it was Ms. Yates’ wedding. Although the resort is closed for the next few days, all the staffs were present assisting the guests making sure everyone is comfortable and enjoying their stay.The Bloom family was immediately impressed as soon as they stepped foot on the resort.They had never imagined they would see the white beach and turquoise waters that Helene fell in love with during her final days.Grandma Bloom’s eyes were teary seeing the blooming flowers.Those were Helene’s favourites.It’s feels as though Helene would appear anytime in these flower beds.Celine was observing the old couple and decided to give them a back story.“My parents fell in love in this place and this is where I was conceived as a result of their love. This holds a great deal to my mom and I
The old man was really grumpy.And why wouldn’t he?Celine said that the ceremony will only involve a few guests. And it would be a simple celebration. However, as soon as she started setting up her decorations, he knew it wasn’t as simple as she claimed it to be.Since he could not convince them to stop, he left the farm as soon as they started putting up the tent and only came back when he received the message that the farm is back to its previous order.He could already see their eco-friendly rating dropping from the charts. He still needed to submit reports to explain that the event did not pollute the environment.So, he is really grumpy right now. He has a lot of work to do.If the spoiled owner wanted to discuss business he needed to calm down for a day before he would be willing to negotiate.To be honest, he’s beginning to have second thoughts on selling the property to Celine. Who could guess what she’s planning to do next time?If only there’s a way to contact his master’s
Everyone kept their silence when they saw Celine followed by Daniel.If looks could kill, Daniel would have been dead by now based from the glaring stares he’s getting. Even Aaron who adored him looks at him disappointingly now.He knew he made a mistake but he can explain himself if he will be given a chance. All that matters to him now is that Celine agreed to be his wife for real. The rest will follow later on.“Let’s have dinner now. Celine is hungry” Daniel said to break the deathly glares directed at him.The rest of the group snapped out of their own worlds when they heard Celine was hungry.Sylvia immediately went to the kitchen to check on the food while Aunt Marge prepared the dining table.Celine wanted to help but everyone wanted her to rest.She thought about what happened in the afternoon and they must have felt pity for her.Her heart warms up at the special treatment she’s receiving.“Uhhmm. Daniel and I talked about what will happen tomorrow. Since we originally plann
Daniel tried to swallow hard to remove the lump building in his throat.Suddenly, it was very difficult to breathe after realizing what happened.He let the elders scold him so he could punish himself but Sylvia’s silence was more than he could take.No one said another word anymore. No matter what they wanted to say, it’s all useless now.They were at this stand still when the Blooms arrived.“Ah, Daniel you came. Celine would be relieved” Dr. Bloom was filled with vigour.He never expected the wedding atmosphere to lift Grandma Bloom’s spirits.They just came from the make-shift tent where she inspected the final decorations and her eyes were dreamy.“Let’s get married again tomorrow, dear” she joked as she gave instructions to the wedding planning team.“Grandma” Daniel greeted.Grandma Bloom acknowledged his presence but turned her attention to the la
Their reactions were not like as she has expected.“What if Daniel doesn’t want to get married?” Aunt Marge suddenly asked.She was worried that Daniel would have to give in to Celine again.For the Stevensons, they place a high value to marriage and family. Since their businesses could easily attract those unscrupulous characters, they needed the kind of security that only blood and family could provide.“Of course, Daniel will marry Celine. There’s no way that Daniel will object” Sylvia defended Celine from the Stevensons.“I understand all your concern. Of course, Daniel will have to agree this time. Anyway, I prepared the ceremony thinking that Daniel has really found a wife. It turns out, it’s only a ruse to throw off the Solomons.” Celine explained.“Daniel has already said that he will only get married because of love. I guess later I will know if he sees me as his potential
She could hear Britney’s sobs in the background. Daniel must have put their call on speaker mode. Isn’t she really thick-skinned? If it were Celine, she would have definitely dug herself out of that room. But then again, she’s Britney Smith, only she can do what she does and only she can accept this kind of embarrassment.“Britney, just cross Daniel’s name on your list. He’s not used to dealing with emotions so you will really lose out. He’s also not romantic so you will be really bored. Aren’t you embarrassed if you have to set an appointment with me if you want to have intimate nights with him? Even if you managed to marry him, he will not acknowledge your marriage in public so no one will really know that he’s your husband. Trust me on this one, he’s been married for seven years now and yet no one knows about his wife. If you want to receive flowers, you will either have to plant it yourself or order it online to
She felt an inexplicable excitement hearing his deep and powerful voice. But her excitement was quelled when she heard Daniel speak.“I thought I told you to call my secretary for appointment?” Daniel asked without any emotion.“Well, I cannot reach Celine and your office suddenly went into company holiday. So, I thought I can call you again since you’re divorced now” Britney said sheepishly.Daniel heaved a deep breath to calm the rage he felt before replying again.“Ms. Smith, news of my divorce may have circulated but it doesn’t mean anyone can just call me for dates. I’m not that desperate.” he replied in a stern voice.“That’s not what I meant, Daniel. I just got back to the country and I have a project proposal. Knowing your work ethics, you wouldn’t let a good opportunity pass. I mentioned your divorce because I think your ex-wife will not be jealous anymore if we went f
When Daniel came back to their house, he received a call from his family.“Finally, you managed to subdue the Solomons” Aaron called him excitedly.“Yeah” he replied lightly.“Let’s have a drink” he invited.Living with the Stevensons for a while has greatly improved their relationship all thanks to Celine.“Bro, I’m sorry but I have to pass. Mom is feeling under the weather so Tiff is accompanying her for now” Aaron felt cold sweats appearing on his forehead. Never had he imagine that he will blatantly lie to Daniel one day.“Oh” was all Daniel could reply then ended their call.In that case, it’s best to rest early so he can reach Celine before lunch.He decided to leave some reminders to Oscar regarding the company’s affairs.“I’ll leave you in-charge, Oscar. I’ll be gone in a few days. Call me in case of emergency, O