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
VLADIMIR "Is this the latest model?" I asked my assistant. "Yes Sir," he nodded. "It isn't released to the public yet." "Good," I dismissed him after that. I bought a new cellphone for Yvonne. She was using Cora's phone when I got home the other day, so I thought of giving her one. I haven't thought about it before simply because she could use it to devise an escape plan. Just a few taps and she could call an emergency hotline. I have high-ranking officials under my paycheck. They could do something about it but if I could avoid complicated situations beforehand, I would. Lately, though, I realized that she wouldn't do that. She had plenty of chances to escape if she truly wanted to. Not that I wouldn't find her, though. But she never tried after her first failed attempt.When we were on our honeymoon, she could pretty much do anything, including trying to run away but she didn't. When took her to the auction gala, she was left alone most of the time but she never even attempted
YVONNEHe was married.I still don't know how to react to that. It was a long time ago. And it wasn't surprising at all, considering his age.It shouldn't concern me at all. It was in the past. He may have been divorced long before he married me. Not that I am his real wife anyway. Our marriage is just on paper, for fuck's sake!Why the hell do I feel like I was cheated on?!"Ugh!" I groaned my frustration.I slumped on the bed, my mind still in chaos when I noticed something bounce as I moved. I frowned while looking at a small, pink box on top of the sheets."What's this?" I mumbled while reaching out to get it.A gift...Is this for me? Who else could it be for? It's obvious. It's in my bedroom. On my bed...I chewed on my bottom lip as I felt my guilt intensify.This wasn't here earlier. Vladimir must have brought it when he got home. Only to find me snooping around his closet.Gosh. I feel so bad."Why do you have to be so stupid?" I quietly hissed to myself while staring at the
VLADIMIR"Go on then, punish me as you see fit," she whispered, her voice hoarse and her eyes suddenly filled with desire and lust.Huh! Does she know what she's talking about? She'd probably back out on her offer if she knew all the sinful things I wanted to do to her. I gritted my teeth. I was trying so hard to keep myself together. I didn't want a replay of what happened in the play room but she's making it hard for me.My hands gripped her neck tighter, thinking it would terrify her but she just moaned, even leaning her head back as if offering herself to me.Fuck. She's really pushing me to my limits, making me forget everything that bothered me just a few minutes ago!"Vlad," she mewled. I can feel her shivering with immense need. Her skin felt burning to the touch.The tiny strand holding my patience finally snapped. The next thing I knew, I was already tasting her. I stuck my tongue out to play with her earlobe. She moaned so loud when I vulgarly ran my tongue from the base of
YVONNEI felt like a goddess. With the vast city below me, I felt like I was on top of the world. Especially when Vladimir kneeled behind me, pleasuring me. He worshipped my pussy like it was a holy grail."Ooh!" a scandalous moan escaped when I reached the precipice once again.At first, I was scared to fall. There were at least thirty floors below us. Just looking down makes my head spin in fear. I was also scared someone might see us. I was naked as I gripped onto the balcony's railing. My bits were out for all the world to see.But all my fears and worries dissipated into the wind when Vladimir started sucking the life out of me. Damn, his tongue can do wonders that are out of this world. Whatever his cock can't do, his tongue really made up for it.My legs felt like jello after that orgasm. He sure drained my strength along with my juices. If he didn't catch me on time, I would have ended up sprawled on the balcony floor."We're just getting started," he stated, his voice seeming
VLADIMIRNo. This can't be right.I glanced at Blaze who was looking at me apologetically."I know it's hard to believe, but everything points to her," he said.I harshly wiped my face with my palm. It's unbelievable. I can't imagine how she was able to orchestrate something like this.Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I thought bitterly.I squeezed my eyes shut before looking at the files Blaze had given me when I arrived. I scanned them again, making sure I wasn't seeing things. I gritted my teeth while reading.They were complete with bank transactions, emails, and phone calls. I don't know how he got all of this but it doesn't matter now, does it?Everything was traced back to Riva. Riva!My seemingly innocent wife. Her sweet smile flashed at the back of my mind. How could she do this to me? I never once suspected her. Even now, with everything my men found against her, I still find it hard to believe.How could she do this to me?How? Why? Some of the bank transacti
YVONNEMy head is reeling. I stood behind the closed door, replaying everything that happened inside my head. To say I was dumbfounded is an understatement.I'm in love with you.I can still hear his husky voice and feel his warm breath fanning against the sensitive skin on my neck. Speechless after he said those words, I didn't even try to look at him, even though I could feel his glances while driving back to my unit.I don't know how to process it. It seemed unrealistic. Did he really say those words? Was I dreaming?I pinched my arm so hard to prove that I am awake. I groaned when pain hit me.Shit. It was real!"Aah!" I screamed so loud that I must have woken up the entire building!Damn it! I jumped into the daybed and pushed my face against a pillow, trying to muffle my screams against it.I'm losing my mind!How can he be in love with me? I can't believe this. He must be playing with me! But why would he lie about it?I rolled to my back and stared at the ceiling as if his fac
VLADIMIR"I promise I'll make it right."Her whole body became rigid in my arms when I held her. I know this sounds like an empty promise, but I meant it."I..." I took a deep breath. I turned her around to look at her. I wanted to see her face. I wanted her to see how genuine my feelings were."I'm in love with you," I told her while staring deep into her eyes. Her lips parted in shock. I had the strongest urge to ravish those lips, but this wasn't the time for that."Do you understand?" I asked when she didn't even blink.I cupped her face, pressing my forehead against her. I can hear her ragged breaths as if she was on the verge of a panic attack."I love you," I whispered. "But I need to make things right this time. I need to... end things with Riva so we can start on a clean slate."She remained dumbfounded. She was just staring at me as if I'd grown another head."Yvonne," I gently called her name. "Did you hear me?"She only nodded but still didn't say anything. I guess it was
YVONNE"Leave," even I was surprised at how my voice turned out full of conviction. I stared at the darkness in front of us.We were still in the middle of the road when he suddenly stopped the car.He chuckled humorlessly, probably from my audacity to give him an order like that. But I don't care anymore. I just need to do what I have to protect my heart from further breaking into pieces. Because if not me, nobody will."Stop playing with me," I said."I don't know what kind of game you are playing right now," I told him, my voice dripping with raw emotions. I didn't even try to hide how I really felt.I am confused and devastated. His mere presence is enough to fuck me in the head. Every time I see him around, it gives me a glimpse of hope. I don't want to. God knows I don't want to, but my stupid heart couldn't help but assume.Assume that he was here for me. Assume that he missed me. The more I see him, the more I expect him to talk to me and tell me he wants me back.It was pathe
VLADIMIR What was I thinking? I thought, staring at her as she obviously checked out everything in the room except me. How could I become so impulsive around her? I shouldn't have dragged her here in the pretense that I wanted to talk. I just wanted to be with her for a little longer and that's the only thing I could come up with when it seemed like she couldn't wait to get away from me. "What do we need to talk about?" she asked impatiently. I badly wanted to pull her closer, to wrap her in my arms and inhale her intoxicating scent to calm my shit down. But I stopped myself. As much as I wanted to confess to her, I wanted to settle everything first. I wanted to do it right this time. I should end things with Riva, before even thinking of taking her back. I owe it to both of them. What should I tell her though? My mind was blank. Fuck it. "What?" she muttered while looking at me with a puzzled expression on her face. It felt like I was saved by the bell when I heard a knock
YVONNEI chose a semi-formal emerald green dress. I took it from the rack and held it in front of me, imagining how I would look if I wore it."It suits you."I gasped audibly when I heard his voice behind me. I turned to look just to find him standing at the closet's entrance. I gulped when I caught his gaze lingering on my body.My cheeks heated up profusely. I can feel the temperature around us suddenly rising. I couldn't help but glance at the air conditioning unit in the room. It's turned off. It's definitely the reason why it's getting hotter here.I'm sure it had nothing to do with Vladimir leaning languidly against the doorframe, looking so damn... Fine..."Uhm, thanks," I murmured, fighting the urge to bite my lip. "I'll take this for the opening ceremony. I hope you won't mind."He looked around the closet. I noticed his jaw ticked when he must have realized that everything was still there."I don't care," he looked back at me. This time, he stared into my eyes intently. "Yo
YVONNE The silence that greeted me in the apartment was deafening. I suddenly wished I let Selene come with me again. I sighed as I plopped myself into the daybed. I stared at the ceiling as if it was interesting. I felt so exhausted after another day of pretending I was fine. I'm not. I even think I am on the brink of insanity. I'm barely holding on by a thread so as not to fall on the other side. I don't know what I want anymore. I want him gone when he's around, but my heart screams for him when he's not. Damn it. If that's not insane, then I don't know what else is! "Ugh!" I groaned loudly. I should seriously stop thinking about him! I harshly get out of bed to find something else to do to occupy my mind. I winced when I realized there was no food left. I was quite hungry because I had not eaten anything while in the shelter. I sighed. I had no choice but to go out. I can also drop by the store to buy some stocks. I just gathered my hair up into a messy bun, then grabbed
VLADIMIRI woke up with a heavy feeling on my chest. I pried my lids open just to find Riva sleeping soundly. Half of her body is almost draped on my chest. Her arms were tightly wrapped around me as if she was afraid to let me go.I sighed. I guess she has the right to feel this way. It's my fault. I haven't done anything to give her the assurance she needed.I can't even if I wanted to. Not after finally accepting how I truly felt.I let out a long sigh before gently untangling her from me. I was careful not to wake her up. I don't want another confrontation. Not after last night.I still feel emotionally drained from our conversation. Today, I just want to breathe without the emotional baggage that's been weighing down my shoulders for a while now."Is there any update?" I asked as soon as I arrived at the warehouse.Our operation is back on track, although I refused to deal with clients who turned their backs on me in exchange for a few dollars in savings."We still haven't found
YVONNEThe next morning, I woke up with a terrible headache. I already forgot most of what happened after finishing the bottle of tequila."Ugh," I grunted as I rolled out of bed. I barely slept last night but I still needed to wake up early to go to work. Dragging my feet to the bathroom, I went under the cold shower to wake my senses up.Selene was still sleeping soundly when I finished. I went to the kitchen in just my bathrobe to whip up a quick breakfast for us. To my dismay, my refrigerator was almost empty. I needed to go to the supermarket later. Luckily, I found a few strips of bacon in the freezer and still a few pieces of eggs left.I popped some bread into the toaster while I fry the bacon and eggs. I checked the pantry, waiting for the bacon to cook to take note of things I needed to restock.After I was done cooking, I set everything on the table and then proceeded to change into my work clothes. I pulled up a pair of stretchable pinstriped dress pants. Then I put on a s