YVONNEI was hell-bent on avoiding Vladimir.But as it turns out, I didn't have to. He seems to be the one avoiding me. I haven't seen him in days. He leaves early and then comes back so late at night. There was even a time when he didn't go home at all.I sighed. I should be grateful that I didn't have to face him but...I kind of miss him..."Ugh," I groaned. Now I'm confused. I usually spend the rest of my days overthinking."Is there anything wrong?" Cora asked.Shoot. I forgot that she's still here. If it weren't for her, I would've gone nuts. Sure, Vladimir's penthouse is huge, but I can only do so much."Nothing," I sighed. "I'm just bored.""Well, you can watch movies," she suggested.There's a theater room in the unit. It has a massive collection of movies and series. Cora also told me about streaming services. Vladimir has a few subscriptions that I can choose from. But I am not in the mood to watch anything."Or read books," she added when I didn't respond.I winced. I'm no
VLADIMIR "Huh?" she confusedly asks. "Why would I go to therapy?" "Why won't you?" I muttered. "Aren't you supposed to be the one to go through therapy?!" she exclaimed after a while. What the hell is she talking about?! "Are you kidding me?!" I snapped. I'm trying to fucking help her and this is how she would react? "I'm not," she insisted. She looked and sounded serious. Why on earth would she think I needed therapy? "Whatever," I hissed. "I'm not asking you. I have already booked an appointment for you tomorrow morning." "What?!" her eyes widened. "But why?!" Seriously? I stared at her. Do I really have to explain it? I facepalmed while heaving a deep breath to stop myself from breathing fire on her. I keep reminding myself to go easy on her but she makes it so hard for me to do so! When I saw her having a panic attack that night, I was already sure that she needed therapy. She was like a puzzle that I suddenly figured out. Even the way she was lusting over me and kept i
VLADIMIRThe more I read, the harder my blood boils. I could just imagine how a girl would feel in a place like that. It would have been comparable to an angel banished into the darkest pits of hell.She was immediately thrown into the wolves the first night she got there. The ring was eager to get their money's worth, which is par for the course. I should know that.Why do I suddenly question how things work in my world?After a year, she tried to escape. She was auctioned that night. The winning bidder could take her home for a couple of days. She took her chances but it didn't go well.She was caught.Victor Rodriguez. That is the name of the man who won the bid.After the ring severely punished her after being caught, they returned her to that man. My jaw clenched.How my private investigator knew the details of how she was punished was impressive. But the severity of the torture she went through made me see red."Fuck them," I hissed.My hands weren't clean. They were also staine
YVONNEWe were arguing.But how did we end up like this again?Ah, I remember. I must have provoked him too well.I was just trying to help him but he had the audacity to insult me. I retaliated, thinking I should hit him where it hurt the most. If I had to crush his precious ego just to make him do what he needed to, then so be it.He harshly grabbed my face. Then, his tongue plundered harshly inside my mouth. Instead of pushing him away, I closed my eyes and let him ravish my lips.My head spun due to the sudden waves of sensations that hit me when his kisses turned even bolder, fiercer. I suddenly felt light-headed.I fell back with the intensity of his blustering kisses. A loud thud echoed in the room as my back slammed to the wall but none of us cared.Thoughts about the doctor's appointment vanished into thin air. All I could care about was the sensations he was giving me.I gladly accepted him and responded to his kisses with the same intense passion. I even parted my lips wide
"Where is it?!" I snapped.He had a bored expression on his face but it quickly changed when he looked at me. He stared at me with a heated gaze, making me realize that I was still naked.Damn it. How could I forget?I went to his walk-in closet, ignoring him as he yelled behind me."Get out before I drag your ass out of here!"I just shrugged. I grabbed one of his shirts and quickly put it on. I can't go back to my room."Sorry, but I think I'm the one who will drag you out," I told him while carrying the first aid kit I found in his bathroom."You won't give up, would you?" he snorted."Oh, I won't," I smirked at him before plopping on his bed, in front of him. "Now, let me see."He tried to pull his hand away but I quickly caught it. I glared at him before checking his wound. It looked nasty. Who in their right mind will make a punching bag out of a concrete wall?But oh well, at least he never thought of punching me instead. I was right in front of him!I laid his hand on my lap.
I don't know how I can share my life with someone. I never once talked about it. Not even with the girls I was with in the ring. It was depressing to tell and hear stories similar to mine.She's a doctor. A professional. She does this for a living. She's practically a stranger. Would it be easier to tell her about my dark past? "How about you tell me something about yourself first?" the doctor, Linda Chapin, gently prodded.I gulped."Relax. There are no right or wrong answers. You can tell me what you're comfortable with," she added.I took a deep breath. I leaned my back on the chair, trying to calm myself down. I will just talk to her. That's no big deal."I'm Yvonne Hechtman," I stated in a low voice.My name alone evokes so many emotions inside me. I blinked rapidly to stop the tears already forming behind my lids. A hard lump seemed to form in my throat, making it harder for me to speak.I gulped in a lungful of air to clear my restricted airway. I can do this, I kept chanting i
YVONNE "I want you to stay here," he repeats then turns to the doctor. "It's okay, isn't it?" he asked but his tone suggested otherwise. It sounded like the doctor didn't have a choice but to obey him. "Of course," Dr. Linda motioned to the couch. "Take a seat."She didn't look intimidated by Vladimir. Or maybe she was just an expert in concealing her emotions. After all, that's her specialization.Vladimir pulled me with him. He kept holding my hand even while we were sitting in front of the doctor. I shifted in my seat. Why do I even feel more anxious when it is his turn now? I bit my lip. I was the adamant one he took this session. But why do I feel like I didn't have the guts to stay and listen to whatever it is he is about to say? Why does he even want me here?! Vladimir frowned at me. I smiled sheepishly and tried to stay still beside him, leaving enough space between us but he pulled me until our bodies collided. I can see a ghost of a smile on the doctor's lips while wa
YVONNEI am so disappointed.I thought I won when I finally convinced him to have therapy with me but it turned out to be futile. Well, what else do I expect from a stubborn man like him?If anything, at least I knew he wasn't born with that condition. He said it began sometime four or five years ago. What could have happened to him during that time?Did he get into an accident? Surely it will be all over the news, right? I would have read about it when I researched about him on the internet. Unless he intentionally removed it.He's rich and powerful. I'm sure that is something he could easily do."Cora," I called my assistant."Yes?" she turned to look at me. I stared at her for a while, thinking how I could ask without her thinking I was weird."Uhm, do you know Vladimir's hobbies?" I asked. I decided to beat around the bush."Hobbies?" she echoed."Yeah, you know," I shrugged. "Maybe a sport or something. I know he likes diving but I want something we can bond over.""Why don't you
VLADIMIRThe next morning, I found myself driving to the shelter. When I realized what I was doing, I wanted to curse myself.Fuck. What is happening to me?After hitting the brake, I slammed my hand into the steering wheel. I massaged the bridge of my nose frustratedly while taking a harsh breath.Why am I making it a big deal? LGC Foundation is under my company. It's only normal to know what was going on with its projects, right?Right. That makes sense...With those thoughts, I headed to the shelter only to find Yvonne still wasn't there. I glanced at my wristwatch. It's only a few minutes before eight in the morning. She must be on her way so I decided to return to my car and wait.My jaw clenched when I saw her come out of that man's car. I went out to confront her. I was almost blinded with rage but I tried to keep myself together. It's okay. She's single now. She can go out with anyone she wants.Bitter bile drenched my tongue."If you have nothing else to say, I still have a l
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