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
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
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
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
VLADIMIRI wanted to be with her. Today, a press conference will be held to address the issue of Yvonne's past and real identity. It had been a hot topic in the business world and started to affect the value of our stocks in the market.Yvonne wanted to speak the truth about the issue. I was advised by the company's public relations director against it, but I still went on with my decision. I know this is a big deal for her and I wanted to be by her side.Unfortunately, I couldn't.Blaze just called me. They already knew where Leon Vitelli was hiding. We needed to quickly devise a plan to take him down. I have to be there to ensure he will be caught."He was spotted going into a warehouse near the bay this afternoon," Blaze pointed at the large map on the screen."We already planted a mole inside," he added."Good," I calmly nodded even though the gears in my head were turning rapidly.We talked about how we were going to capture Leon and his son, Raoul. I clenched my teeth when Riva's
YVONNEI covered my ears with my hands. I can feel the car shaking with the force of the gunshots coming from high-caliber guns. I know Vladimir's cars were all bulletproofed. But would it really last from this kind of attack? It felt like the glass was being hammered by the raining bullets. "What's happening?!" I asked no one in particular. My voice trembled with fear. Aside from Matias who sits with me on the backseat, we have a driver and another member of the security team riding shotgun.It didn't do anything to make me feel safer though. I know they are all capable and well-trained but this scene seemed to be straight out of a damn action movie!"We're getting ambushed," Matias hissed.I tried to peek outside despite the paralyzing fear taking over my body. I immediately saw three black vans parked in front of us, blocking us from driving forward! Most of the shots were coming from them.I shrieked and ducked when a louder noise came up. Shit! I feel like the windshield is goin
YVONNEI breathe heavily, taking in a lungful of air hoping it would somehow calm the brewing storm inside me. I am sitting backstage waiting for my cue to come out.I fidgeted my fingers on my lap. My palms were cold and sweating. I had taken a peek earlier and saw how many people were eagerly waiting outside. I took another breath."You can do this," I whispered.Vladimir agreed to my request. The company's PR team arranged a press conference to address the issue. I am given a chance to tell my side of the story. I can speak out my truth.I don't know how it would turn out in the end, but that doesn't matter now. This is me taking back the reins of my life. This is me taking the first step to get my freedom back.I know not everyone will understand. Speaking up will not magically turn the situation around. I know that. I have prepared myself for that. ,q1My heart thumped wildly inside my chest. This is gonna cause too much trouble. Vlad might hand me the divorce papers after this.
YVONNE I love you... The realization hit me like a bullet train. Damn it! The euphoric feeling from the mind-blowing orgasm he gave me quickly dissipated into the air.You're so stupid, Yvonne! I bit my tongue as I cursed myself internally. I almost said it out loud at the height of my emotions. I am still gasping for air while he gently rolled off me.He put his arm under my head, then pulled me closer. I looked at him. His eyes were closed while catching his breath. There were beads of sweat on his forehead due to the strenuous activity we just finished. He must be running for the hills now if he heard me say those words.I wouldn't blame him if that happened. Even I find it ridiculous! I wanted to laugh even though I didn't find it funny. But do I mean it? Do I really love him? I thought while staring at him.Love. It sounded foreign. I didn't know it was part of my dictionary until now. I don't think I ever felt it. Nobody ever loved me. I never loved anyone either. Love was
YVONNE"What the hell are you doing?" I muttered bitterly while watching her spout nonsense helplessly."Yes, the rumors are true," she confidently said with her head held high. "She's nothing but a gold-digging slut!"My hand trembled. I wanted to yell at her. Where did she get the audacity to say all these things? Why is she doing this?Why do I have to ask? Of course, she's doing it for money. Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. She sold me, her flesh and blood, for a few thousand bucks. What's stopping her from giving an interview in exchange for cash?"She's an ungrateful bitch who forgot about her own mother! Me!" she cried. "I raised her-"The sound was cut off when someone suddenly grabbed the phone from my hand."What are you doing?" I heard Cora exclaim. "You should be resting!" she gently scolded me.I didn't say anything. I still haven't recovered from what I've seen."Hey, don't worry," she said as she gently squeezed my hand. "I'm sure Vladimir will take care of
YVONNEMy heart immediately sank when I woke up alone. I really thought Vlad had come home and slept beside me."Where is he?" I asked myself while staring at the empty space beside me.It didn't look like someone slept on it last night. I must have been dreaming when I thought that he was here. I sighed as I felt my heart twitch painfully.I forced myself to get out of bed after checking the time. It's still early in the morning. He must still be here! I walked out and hurried to his bedroom. Damn, I miss him so much, I feel like I will die if I don't see him soon. I slammed the door open only to be greeted with silence. His bed was made.Didn't he come home last night?"Vlad?" I gently called, even though, deep down inside me, I knew he wasn't there.With a heavy weight on my heart, I got out and tried to look for him all over the unit. But my hope died a little every time I didn't see him in each room I checked. Why am I even wasting my time?He's not here.I heaved out a long sigh