Even though I had figured out that Devin's family was wealthy, I was not prepared for the estate that we pulled into. The stone mansion was massive and gorgeous, with clean lines and a classic look. The house paled in comparison to the grounds, though.The perfectly manicured yard had the feel of an English garden with an abundance of comfortable sitting areas, bright flowers, and quirky fountains. I laughed in surprise as we walked down the brick path to the backyard and a charming, winking baby elephant statue sprayed a mist of water on us.Devin shook his head, "My mother enjoys searching for the most whimsical oddities.""We should introduce her to my grandma, Kris" I answered. "She's the most whimsical person I've ever met. They would probably get along famously."It seemed like Devin was about to disagree with that when he opened the gate to the backyard, which caused me to completely forget about our conversation. It was the most breathtaking setup I had ever seen. From the ama
The brunch was going well after our hysterics calmed down from Lisa's scandalous and outlandish comment. She and Devon were seated at the far end of the table from Devin and I, so I pointedly ignored them. I am a girls' girl, but this chick had seriously crossed the line.The conversation became boisterous as the twins got into a competition of one-upmanship. For each story that Devin told, Devon told one that was a little bigger and better. They both looked so handsome as they tried to top each other with their tall tales. We all laughed as the tone of the game switched and they started telling stories on each other.We heard about the time in high school when Devon yanked down Devin’s shorts and shoved him in the girls’ locker room.“yeah jokes on you,” Devin taunted him, “because seeing me naked is just like seeing you naked.” I shifted in my chair, trying not to think about that.“It must not be exactly the same, or I wouldn’t bag all of the hottest babes,” Devon quipped, making L
It was still early afternoon when we left the party. I had a few hours before girls’ night with Kim, so I wanted to spend that time with Devin. I’d been dying to see the pole barn where he builds his boats, so I asked him to take me there.He seemed surprised, but delighted by the request. We drove there in silence, holding hands. Devin would occasionally look over and smile at me, and I would grin back at him, perfectly content.The building was even bigger than it had looked from Devin’s camper. I don’t know what I had been expecting to see, but it wasn’t what I found when we entered the huge structure.The enormous wooden boat in the center of the room was breathtaking. I stared at it in awe that Devin was able to build something so impressive. I had imagined that he made canoe-like boats, not anything as grand as this behemoth.The building was pristine, with a freshly swept floor and each tool in its spot. It was clear from looking around that Devin took great care and pride in h
“How could I have said something so stupid?” I asked, plunking my head down on the table for the umpteenth time.“Telling someone that you love them isn’t stupid.” Kim defended me, as she always did.“It sure feels that way. What if I scared him off? What if he doesn’t want to see me again?” I moaned as I checked my phone again, sighing at its blank face staring back at me.“If those three little words scared him off, then he doesn’t deserve you, anyway.” Kim grabbed my hand and continued. “Stop worrying. He’ll call. You just took him by surprise. That’s all.”Biggie stopped by the table with our tacos, and I suddenly wondered why he always waited on us, rather than having one of the waitresses serve our table. Maybe there was something to this Kim and Biggie idea that Devin had suggested.I decided that thinking about the possibility of the two of them hooking up would help keep my mind off Devin for a while, so I dipped my toe in the water. “Biggie looks especially hot tonight.” I w
It was Thursday, and I went to check up on my grandma Kris to know how she is keeping up. I still haven’t heard from Devin since letting the dreaded three-word salute fly on Sunday. I checked my cell phone again. Nothing.I had started to text him more times than I could count. I had pulled him up in my contacts to call him numerous times, as well. Each time I chickened out, wondering why he hadn’t contacted me.I pulled my phone out again, and then I put it back in my pocket with a sigh. “Oh for God’s sake,” Kris shook her head, “just text him.”I had been around Kris so much that I barely noticed anymore how she butchered idioms. She looked like she was completely exasperated with me. “Give me the phone,” she glowered, holding out her hand.I tried ignoring her, but she shook her hand, indicating she meant business. I tentatively moved it towards her. She snatched it up and quickly typed a message. “There, let the chocolate chips fall where they may,” she said handing the phone back
I showered and dressed up to look presentable when it was time to go meet Kim at Biggie’s place for girls’ night, and I had transformed from being desperately sad to totally pissed. How could he not at least give me some closure??Being angry was probably overkill because Kim was mad enough for both of us. “What an ass!” she grouched as soon as I joined her at our booth. “Give me your phone. I’m going to call and give him a piece of my mind.”I tucked my phone deeper into my purse, determined to guard it from her reach. “I’ll call him later,” I promised her. “I deserve better than being ignored.”“Hell, yeah!” she agreed. “If he wants to stop seeing you, then he needs to at least have the balls to say so.”“Talking balls tonight, ladies?” Neither of us had heard Biggie approach the table. He seemed to have a knack for sneaking up on us and hearing key phrases.“Yes, we are, and I’d like to have a pair on a platter.” Kim crossed her arms angrily as Biggie visibly winced and took an exa
Suddenly, it began to run towards me. Fear took my breath away until it got closer, and I could see that its tail was wagging. A dog? This huge monster is a dog? Relief flooded over me, but I almost couldn’t believe it because I had never seen a dog of this magnitude. It appeared to be some sort of black lab on steroids.By the time it reached me, I could tell by its body language that it was friendly. It plopped its big butt down right next to me and began licking my face. “Stop that!” I turned away, but the silly animal was adamant.I laughed and started scratching its ears and chest. We were getting along quite well, until I saw the figure of the man standing at the edge of the lake looking at us. By now the rain and wind had kicked up enough that I was having trouble deciphering if he had a friendly stance.At this point, he was my only option, so I lifted a hand to wave. He didn’t wave back. Instead, he started walking towards us. I wondered briefly if the dog would protect me fr
He used a foot to flick the lid closed and plopped me down on the water system. “I don’t really need to have my bath now,” I told him as he continued ignoring me and started the tap on the biggest sunken garden tub I had ever seen. He went to a cabinet and retrieved a giant bottle of bubble bath and a couple of fluffy, light blue towels. I enjoyed watching him move. He was sleek and graceful, and I wondered what he was up to. He took one of the towels and placed it at the back of the tub for a headrest. Then he went back to the tap to test the stream of water and adjusted the temperature before dumping a generous dollop of bubbles into the water. He used a long, tan hand to swirl the concoction around. The scent of the bubble bath was heavenly. Once he was satisfied, he turned and caught me staring. I looked away quickly and saw that the dog was sitting nearby watching his every move, as well. “Do you need help getting undressed and into the tub?” he asked me. All of this was for
Kylie's pov:It was a small comfort to know that my death had brought them back together, even if it was too late for me to see it.The news of my accident spread like wildfire through Daze Glam Beauty & Cosmetics, the company my parents had built from the ground up. I could almost hear the gasps of shock, the whispers of disbelief as my employees tried to come to terms with the fact that I was gone.I had always prided myself on being a strong and capable leader, someone who inspired loyalty and dedication in my team. Now, as I watched from afar, I saw the impact of my absence on the company. There was confusion, uncertainty, and a sense of loss that mirrored my own.But amidst the chaos, there were glimmers of hope. I saw how my team rallied together, how they supported each other in the face of tragedy. I saw the determination in their eyes, the resolve to carry on my legacy and keep the company running smoothly.Of course, there were those who saw my accident as an opportunity. I
The news of my death spread quickly. Devin, was devastated. Losing me and our unborn child was more than he could bear. When he received the call from Kim, my best friend, he collapsed in shock. I could only imagine the anguish in her voice as she broke the news to him.He was not just going to lose just me, but also our future together, our dreams, our plans. The grief was overwhelming, a tidal wave that consumed him. He was inconsolable, his heart shattered into a million pieces.Devon, Devin's identical twin brother, took the news just as hard. Despite our complicated history our brief affair and the love he still harbored for me, he was heartbroken. The rivalry and bitterness between the brothers, fueled by their love for me, seemed insignificant in the face of such tragedy.Devin's pov:The phone call shattered my world. Kim's voice cracked as she uttered the words, "Kylie... she's gone." I couldn't process it. How could she be gone? Just moments ago, she was vibrant, full of lif
It was a gloomy afternoon as I drove to the cemetery to visit my parents' graves. The sky was overcast, matching the heaviness in my heart. Running Daze Glam Beauty & Cosmetics, a multi-million dollar company, was a dream come true, but today, I felt a profound loneliness. As the CEO, my life was always busy, filled with meetings, travel, and constant decision-making, but visiting my parents’ resting place grounded me, reminding me of where I came from and what I had lost.I got out of my car and walked slowly to their graves, the crunch of the gravel under my feet the only sound in the silence. I stood there for a long time, talking to them in my mind, updating them on my life and telling them about their future grandchild. I was four months pregnant, and though I was excited, I was also terrified. My boyfriend, Devin, was thrilled about the baby. He was supportive, loving, and everything I could ask for. But there was always a shadow looming over us – his identical twin brother, De
As Stacy continued to gather evidence, Kris and I worked on crafting a comprehensive PR plan. We knew we had to be strategic, to anticipate the moves of those trying to undermine us."We'll need a strong statement," Kris said one afternoon as we sat in the conference room, drafting our plan. "Something that addresses the issues head-on but also reassures our clients and partners that we're taking decisive action."I nodded, jotting down notes. "We should also highlight the steps we're taking to ensure this doesn't happen again. Show that we're committed to transparency and integrity."Kris smiled, her eyes twinkling with pride. "That's the spirit. We'll turn this around, Kylie. I have no doubt."As we worked late into the night, I felt a sense of purpose and drive that I hadn't felt in a long time. This company was more than just a business to me; it was a part of my family's legacy, and I was determined to protect it.The day of the press conference arrived, and I stood in front of t
A knock on the door interrupted us, and my grandmother Kris walked in, her presence commanding and reassuring. "I heard all that has being going on and it's very clever of you have Kora over, that's a huge step, keep it up" she said, closing the door behind her. "And I think I might have a few ideas that might help in the company issues."I smiled, feeling a flicker of hope. "Grandma, I could use all the help I can get."She sat down beside Stacy, her eyes sharp and focused. "Your parents built this company from the ground up, and we're not going to let a bunch of opportunists tear it down. We need to gather evidence, expose the people behind these scandals, and launch a campaign to restore Daze Glam Beauty and Cosmetics's image."Stacy nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I can start digging around, see what I can find. We need to know who we're dealing with.""And I'll work on a PR strategy," Kris added. "We'll need to be transparent with the public, show them that we're t
The special guest room buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with the kind of excitement that only comes before a major launch. I glanced at my watch, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement. Today was the day Kora Bradson, the breathtakingly beautiful and wildly popular celebrity model, would be walking through the doors of Daze Glam Beauty and Cosmetics. She was set to model our latest product, the Daze Beauty Super Easy Makeup Remover.As the founder and CEO of Daze Glam, I’ve had my fair share of high-stakes meetings, but there was something uniquely electrifying about today. Kora Bradson wasn’t just any model. She was an icon, a vision of beauty that captivated millions. Her endorsement could take our product from a promising innovation to an overnight sensation.I took a deep breath and adjusted my blazer, smoothing down a few stray hairs. Presentation was everything, especially in this business. My assistant, Stacy, popped her head in, a look of barely contained e
Taking the responsibility of running "Daze Glam Beauty and Cosmetics" was a dream I had cherished for years, a way to pay tribute to my parents' enduring legacy and ensure their memory lived on. But as I stood in my office, staring out at the cityscape, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Between my complicated personal life and the mounting scandals threatening to destroy everything my parents had built, I was stretched to my breaking point.Just then, the soft sound of my office door opening broke through my reverie. I turned to find Stacy, my trusted personal assistant and confidante, entering with a determined air about her."Kylie, we need to have a discussion,"she stated, her voice laced with gravity.I nodded in agreement, motioning for her to take a seat. "I am aware. "I know. Things are getting out of control."Stacy sat down across from me, her expression one of concern. "I've been hearing rumors, and it's not good. There are people in the company
Kim stood up, her expression resolute. "I'll keep an eye on Devon. Make sure he's okay. He needs time, but he'll come around.""Thank you," I said again, my voice thick with gratitude.After Kim left, Devin and I sat in silence for a while, the weight of the day's events pressing down on us. I leaned my head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his steady presence."I'm scared, Devin," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "I'm scared of what this means for all of us."He wrapped his arm around me, holding me close. "I know. But we'll get through this. One step at a time."As the evening wore on, I found myself thinking about everything that had led to this moment. The whirlwind romance with Devin, the unexpected and complicated affair with Devon, and the heart-wrenching decision I had to make. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Love wasn't supposed to hurt this much.The next day, I decided to check on Devon myself. I needed to make sure he was truly okay, to face the pain I had cau
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Devin took a step closer to me, his hand reaching out to rest on my shoulder, a gesture that was meant to be comforting but only seemed to intensify the tension in the room."Devon, we need to talk about this rationally," Devin said, his voice calm and measured, though I could hear the underlying tremor of uncertainty."Rationally?" Devon's eyes blazed with anger. "There's nothing rational about this! You always get everything, Devin. Everything!"I felt tears sting my eyes, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Please, Devon, I never wanted to hurt you."Devon shook his head, his fists clenched at his sides. "I can't do this. I need to get out of here."Before I could say another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the restaurant, the door slamming shut behind him with a resounding thud that echoed through the silence. I sat there, frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to process what had just happened."Ky