VLADIMIR"Which of your wives are you looking for?" he smirked. The daunting smile on his crooked lips told me he knew something I didn't."What the hell are you talking about?" I grunted impatiently. I looked around, hoping to see Yvonne, but she was not anywhere in sight. What is he planning to do to her?"Oh," he clutched his chest as if he was in pain. "Have you already forgotten about my daughter? You're hurting my feelings, Vladimir," he chuckled.I frowned. Why is he acting like this? Is he taking his daughter's death lightly or is he mocking me?Fuck him."Let Yvonne go," I growled. "She should be out of this. Whatever happened in the past has nothing to do with her!""Do you think I didn't know that?" he chuckled humorlessly. "But you are in no position to give me orders. You are in my territory. I can get you killed in a snap of a finger."Well, that's what he thinks."Tell me, did you really forget about my precious daughter?" he asked. "Don't you think it's insulting that
YVONNEWhat the hell is going on?!I tried to call for help but the car made a sharp turn, causing my head to hit on the door.Damn it! I groaned in pain as I felt the car going faster. The speed and the hit on my head made me a little dizzy. Despite that, I still tried to look outside to see where we were heading but couldn't see anything clearly.It was dark and we were going so fast. I grabbed onto the door handle when the man suddenly hit the brake. I almost slammed into the back of the shotgun seat. "Where are we going?" I asked while looking at the man who had taken me. He was wearing a ski mask, making it impossible for me to recognize him.Is this Raoul, Riva's brother?"Who are you? Why are you doing this?!" I cried but he didn't bother to respond. He just kept on driving as if he were in a race.Memories from the last time I was kidnapped replayed in my head like a broken record. No. I won't let it happen again. I looked for something I could use in the backseat. My eyes wi
YVONNEHow is this even possible? Am I hallucinating?I know I've only seen her in pictures, but...I glanced at Vladimir. Looking at his shocked and pained expression, I knew I was right. It was Riva standing behind the second-floor railing."Dad, stop this! What else do you want?" she cried, weakly sliding onto the floor. I don't think she noticed Vladimir yet."Hush, mia cara," her father cooed before turning to Vlad who still hadn't recovered from his shock.I couldn't blame him. Even I was left gaping at the scene unfolding right before my very eyes."Did you miss Riva?" her father taunted him.A loud gasp echoed. I looked up to see Riva staring back at Vlad. My heart clenched painfully when I saw the longing in her eyes, which mirrored the same expression in Vlad's. The more I stare at them, the more real it gets. She's alive. Riva is alive. I felt an inexplicable stabbing pain in my chest."V-vlad," she called, her voice sounded pleading.Her father gestured something and the
YVONNEI was beyond dumbfounded. I didn't even realize we had already arrived at the hospital. I can't believe I was kidnapped twice in just a short matter of time."We're here," the driver said.Two men escorted me to the emergency room. I told them I was okay and there was really no need to go here but then I remembered how I was bashed in the head with a gun. That part of my head was still throbbing but the crazy events of the night made me numb.The nurses immediately checked if I had wounds. The area where I was hit was tender and sore but it didn't have an open wound."We still need to check. You could have internal bleeding or concussion," the attending physician said when I told them I wanted to go home already.That sounded over dramatic. I wanted to insist on being discharged, but then I remembered I may not have a house to return to anymore.Riva is back. The thought brought a bitter taste to my tongue. She is Vladimir's real wife. Where will that leave me?"Okay," I weakl
YVONNE I took a deep breath while the elevator moved up. We were heading to the penthouse. I didn't know what to expect. The anticipation is fucking killing me. What if I just volunteer to leave? I'm sure Vladimir wouldn't mind. I chewed on my bottom lip. He would probably appreciate it. Should I? I gasped when the elevator pinged, signaling we reached the right floor. We're here. I heaved another lungful of air before stepping out of the elevator. The short ride felt suffocating. The bodyguards walked me to the unit. I scanned my index finger and sighed in relief when I realized I still had access to the front door. He's not kicking me out. At least, not just yet. If I thought he would kick me out when my identity was uncovered, now that Riva turned out alive, it felt all too real. I was kind of expecting to see them in the living room, waiting for me, probably with my luggage and the divorce papers in hand. But the unit was too quiet when I stepped in. It was empty.
VLADIMIR "What the fuck?!" Leon yelled when he looked around and saw his men falling down one by one. The remaining surrounded him in an attempt to protect him. But no. I will not let anyone get in the way between us. Not after what he did. He just admitted to planning everything. I don't exactly know how he was able to pull it off, but I will find out soon enough. He started running away but I took my sweet time hunting him down. The whole building is already surrounded by my men so I'm not worried about him getting away. He will end up in my hands no matter what. I grabbed the rifle handed to me. I aimed it at one of Leon's bodyguards while I was stalking them. I shot one in the shoulder and the other one at the back of his knee. I shot them down one by one, making sure they were all injured but alive. Slowly taking them out of the picture. Until it was only Leon left in the running. "Fuck you, Vladimir!" he yelled when I intentionally missed his head, only letting the bullet
VLADIMIRIt still felt surreal. I couldn't help but stare at her as she sat beside me."Where to, boss?" my driver asked.I was about to mention the penthouse but I stopped myself just in time. I ordered Matias to take Yvonne to the hospital but she will soon be discharged and brought back to the penthouse. I also wanted Riva to get checked but she was adamant about it. She insisted she was fine although she didn't look like it. She looked so frail and weak but I didn't want to argue with her.Perhaps I can convince her to undergo an executive checkup at a later time. Other things are bothering me right now.I don't know how to deal with the situation yet. I feel so overwhelmed and confused as fuck. First, how can I tell Riva about Yvonne? Does she already know that I remarried? Probably.The wedding was all over the news and the internet. Besides, I'm sure Leon wouldn't pass up such a good opportunity. I can just imagine the myriad of lies he must have told Riva while keeping us apa
VLADIMIRNo.I can't kick Yvonne out of my life just like that. That was the first thought that came to mind when I woke up the next morning.She's been in danger ever since I married her. Leon is dead, but the list of people who want me to fail or die is endless. She'd been kidnapped and almost died twice in a row.The least I could do was ensure her safety after we parted ways. I still haven't found her mother, and I'm not sure whether Leon was the one who was using her against me. I need to get her out of Yvonne's way. I need to make up for dragging her into my mess.Once I'm sure she'd be safe on her own, perhaps I'd be relieved to let her go."Good morning," Cora greeted me when he saw me emerging into the dining room.Yvonne who was sitting at the dining table seemed to freeze when she sensed my presence. I swear I saw her almost jump out of her seat when she heard my footsteps."Morning," I grumbled. And that's when she slowly turned her head to look at me."H-hi," she mumbled,
YVONNE"Ahh..." I couldn't stop my moans. It's hard to admit it, but I missed this. I missed him. So bad...I clung onto his nape to pull him even closer. I kissed him back with the same intensity. And it seems like he has no plans on stopping soon.And I have no plan to fight him either...I felt Vlad taking steps away from the wall while still carrying me. The next thing I knew, he had already made me sit on top of my wooden desk. One swipe and I heard the papers rustling as they fell onto the floor. It all happened without having to break the kiss we were sharing.He pressed his hips onto mine, making me aware of his heavy arousal. I couldn't help but moan again. He pushed me down the table until my upper body was already lying on its cold surface. My legs are still wrapped around his hips. His kisses moved down to my jaw, then further down to my neck."Uhh!" I moaned when his tongue darted out and started laving on the sensitive skin of
YVONNETime stood still as I watched him walk towards me. My breathing hitched. I was torn between fleeing and running toward him."You are late," he muttered when he stopped right in front of me.He only said three words. Three words that were enough to turn my world upside down. I found myself staring into his eyes once again and I just knew it.Yesterday may have been a coincidence, but this one is certainly not.Why is he here? I know the shelter is under his foundation but he rarely goes there! I'd been working in the LGC Foundation for a few months, but the only times he had been there was because of me!Was it wrong to assume that he was here for... Me?But why?Did he suddenly realize that he missed me when he saw me yesterday? Did he wake up this morning and finally acknowledge he wanted me back?Tss. Stop dreaming. I quietly told myself."Good morning, Vladimir," I heard Dr. Phil.I took a deep breath before taking a glance at him. I must have completely forgotten about his
YVONNEI woke up to find Selene cooking breakfast. The mouthwatering scent of whatever she was making woke me up from my dreamless slumber."I'm sorry I rummaged through your kitchen," she said unapologetically."It's fine," I muttered my mind still dazed with sleep. I wanted to stay in bed but unfortunately, I can't.It's Monday and I needed to go to work. I groaned while pushing myself to get up. I barely got any sleep last night. Vladimir occupied my thoughts until the wee hours of the morning. At this rate, he should seriously pay me rent. Damn it."You look like shit," Selene chuckled."Tss, tell me about it," I scoffed."You can use some coffee. Do you want me to make some for you?" she asked."Don't bother. I'll do it," I said.I made a cup for both of us. We ate together in silence. It was the kind of silence that felt welcoming though. "Will you go to the shelter today?" I asked her."Later," she replied. "I have a therapy session with Dr. Gomez."We have a few therapists in
YVONNEI missed him. God, I missed him.I am so close to jumping on him. My whole body ached for him. I wanted to hug him. Kiss him. But I can't...Riva is just outside, waiting on their table..."If you have nothing else to say, I'd like to leave, please," I told him before I changed my mind.Thankfully, he didn't argue anymore. I have to muster all my strength to force myself to walk away from him. My heart felt like breaking at each step I took.I gasped. My eyes widened when I realized who was in front of me. As if it wasn't torture enough, here comes Riva who must be going to the washroom. This is the first time I'd be seeing her up close.I clenched my jaw to keep a straight face as we walked past each other. I couldn't help but glance at her face.She looked better now than the first time I saw her. Of course, she's with Vladimir now!My heart was beating so fast, I think it could jump out of my ribcage! My knees were buckling when I got back to our table. I drew a long breath,
VLADIMIRTime seemed to stop as I watched her in slow motion. It's as if the whole world ceased to exist. All I could see was her.What the hell is she doing here?!I mean, I know this place is near the shelter but I never thought I would bump into her, let alone eat in the same restaurant!And why the hell is that man's hands all over her? Why is she letting him touch her?!My fingers tightened around the utensils in my hands as I watched him gently guide her in as if she couldn't walk on her own!What is the meaning of this? I glanced at their table where Dave and the other woman sat. Are they out on a double date? Who is the man she's with? Does Dave know him?My jaw clenched as I watch the asshole pull out a chair for Yvonne. How long has it been since the divorce was finalized? One week? Two weeks?It doesn't matter. The point is, it hasn't been long. But she's already here going out on a date looking so fucking beautiful!Fuck. Wait. Did I just compliment her?I scanned her from
YVONNEI was beyond shocked. Who would have thought that I would see him here out of all the places we could have bumped into each other?Every day when I go to work, I always imagine what I would do if he suddenly showed up. I created different scenarios inside my head. I was planning how I would react if ever I saw him again.Damn it. Why can't I remember anything now? I swear I've already prepared myself for this moment. But everything seemed to vanish now that he was here. And with Riva nonetheless.I took in a sharp intake of breath. It's none of my business anymore. I shouldn't let myself get affected by their presence. I should not show it at least."Here!" Selene's voice seemed to echo inside the quiet restaurant.My gosh! I suddenly wanted to tape her mouth or something! Can't she behave for once?!"There they are," Dr. Phil said as if I didn't hear Selene loud enough.We went to our table. I sat beside Selene while Dr. Phil took the remaining seat between me and Dave."This
VLADIMIRI watched Riva as she walked down the stairs. She's wearing a beautiful dress that hugged her body in all the right places. The smooth fabric seemed to move with her in every step.My jaw clenched while staring at her as she came closer. Fuck. Something was amiss, but I tried to brush it off. This night is for her. This is the first time I will take her out for a date after she returned. And it's been more than a month already.I smiled when she stopped in front of me. I held out my arm to her which she happily hooked hers. She looked up and grinned at me excitedly."Where are we going?" she asked."You're still impatient, huh?" I chuckled. She's been asking me that since last night."I already told you it's a surprise," I muttered while looking straight into her eyes."Fine," she smiled. "It doesn't matter anyway. As long as we're together, I don't care even if you take me to the end of the world."Once again, I felt the stupid twisting pain in my chest upon hearing her word
YVONNE"Well, what do we think?" Selene excitedly asked behind me.We were both looking into my reflection in the mirror. She had just finished doing my hair and make-up. I can do it, but she insisted on it. Looking at the result now, I think I made the right decision to leave it in her hands."I like it," I muttered after staring at my face."What? That's it?" she groaned as if she was in pain. What else does she want me to say?"You look so freaking hot! Can't you see?!" she exclaimed.I think she was exaggerating, but yeah. I look good.She turned my new hairdo into messy waves, which added volume and perfectly framed my face. The barely there makeup surprisingly made me look so...Innocent.I never thought I could use the word innocent to describe me. The black dress only complemented the impeccable look. The top has a modest V-neckline and fitted to my body while the flowy skirt seemed to dance with every movement."Dr. Phil's jaw will drop when he sees you," she gushed. "I can b
VLADIMIR"Good morning," Riva chirped when I got into the dining room.I woke up alone in the room but I already guessed I'd find her here so I proceeded to get ready for work.She smiled at me before resuming making coffee in the espresso machine."Why are you doing that?" I asked. "You could have just asked our house helpers."I looked at the food laid on the table. There was French toast, bacon, eggs, and hash browns. I frowned."Did you prepare all of this?" I grumpily asked."Don't worry, Agnes helped me with those," she gestured at the food.Agnes?"Where's Cora?" I asked. She's the one who usually cooks for us."She's busy doing the laundry," Riva shrugged.I guess it's alright. Cora stayed with Yvonne in the penthouse. I don't want her to mention anything to Riva. I knew I could trust her to keep her mouth shut, but her tongue might accidentally slip. As much as possible, I don't want Riva to know any details about my marriage with Yvonne.It's enough that she knew about it. S