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
Why didn't we use this instead?I prefer this design. It looked more elegant. I thought as I stared at the rings stacked on my finger. Mine was just a simple band with a single diamond embedded in the middle. Vladimir's is the same simple design without the diamond.I held my hand up to have a closer look. I like the other ring's intricate design. It looked so elegant and feminine. Is it because of the wrong size? It would have been better if he got the right size in the same design instead of getting a completely different set.Unless...My trail of thoughts stopped when I heard movements in Vladimir's bedroom. Is he home? Shit.Shit!I quickly pulled out the ring from my finger but to my dismay, it wouldn't budge. Damn it! It got stuck!"Come on!" I was already panicking.I tried to pull harder but I couldn't get it past my knuckle! I gasped when I heard approaching footsteps. He's here! Without thinking, I quickly shoved the box back to where I found it. Then I quickly closed the
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
VLADIMIR"She rejected everything," my lawyer said as he handed me the finalized divorce papers. "I tried to insist on the money as you ordered, but she was adamant about it."I took it, crumpling the edges when my hands fisted on it. My jaw clenched as I stared at it. That's it. We are no longer bound by a contract. It's over.Why would she refuse to accept the penthouse and the money though? Where the hell does she think she can go? What is she trying to do?I don't understand.I was just trying to put her life on set before I... Before we part ways. It's not like I was asking for anything from her in return. Yes, the penthouse costs a lot, but I can't see myself living there anymore. Especially now that I live with Riva. It feels wrong to bring her there.I can sell it, but..."Didn't she have any demand?" I asked. Perhaps she didn't want to live in the penthouse. Does she like that property in the countryside instead? But that is literally in the middle of nowhere."No," he shook
YVONNEI stared at my reflection in the mirror. My long hair was chopped into a blunt bob that reached just below my chin. "Oh gosh! It suits you!" Selene gasped."Thanks," I muttered. That's what I thought too. "You don't look bad yourself."Her hair is now back to its natural blonde color. Its striking contrast with her blue eyes really complemented her. It also looked more vibrant after the rejuvenating treatment she availed."What should we do next?" she giggled while letting her fingers run through the smooth strands of her hair.Honestly, the massage worked wonders in my body. It soothed my aching limbs and muscles. But I don't think I'm up for something else."Actually, I... want to go home," I said."What?!" her eyes widened as she stared at me as if I'd grown two heads. "How about we go shopping for a while before we go?"I frowned. Shopping? I wanted to ask how she got money to afford these, but I didn't want to offend her. I paid for my haircut and massage though so she mu
YVONNEI gasped and jolted upright from bed. Loud, incessant knocks on the door startled me from my deep sleep. I frowned, my hazy mind still processing what was going on.What the hell is happening?I tried to pry my eyes open to check for the time. It's only eight o'clock in the morning. I glanced at the door when the knocking continued. It even got louder.What in the world?! Did they get the wrong unit? I wasn't expecting anybody. Who would visit me this early in the day?"Ugh," I groaned as I pulled myself to get up.I dragged my feet to the door. My whole body is aching, probably from pushing furniture and cleaning almost the whole day yesterday. I could have used a few more hours of sleep if not for the person trying so hard to disturb me.I swear, I could yell at whoever is trying to knock my door down!"Who's there?""Good morning!" a cheery voice greeted me as soon as I pulled the door open. It took me a few seconds to realize what was going on.Selene was standing right out