YVONNE"How have you been?" Dr. Linda asked, a ready smile on her face."Uhm, just fine," I muttered.She checked the results of the tests I had undergone. They all came out normal. She told me I have no hormonal imbalance whatsoever."Would you mind if I ask about your relationship with your husband?" she asked.I chewed on my bottom lip. I think it's a bad idea to have the same therapist for us. Why haven't I thought of that before? Now I'm afraid to tell her anything without thinking it might reach Vladimir."Uhm, it's... okay?" I answered hesitantly for the lack of things to say. Should I tell her about our contract marriage? Am I allowed to do that?"Can you tell me more about it? How's your sex life?" she asked.My cheeks heated up profusely as memories of our last bout rushed inside my perverted mind. It almost instantaneously racked my body temperature up."Uhm, what about it?" I asked, trying so hard to dodge the question but she wouldn't let me off the hook, would she?"How
YVONNEI felt exhausted when I got home. The session only lasted for an hour and a half, but I felt like it drained the living crap out of me. It was both mentally and emotionally taxing.I slumped on the couch in the living room, kicking my heels off my feet. I didn't think I had enough energy to make it to my bedroom, so I stayed there for a while, just staring into nothingness.The rumbling of my stomach woke me to a start. I blinked. It took a while before I realized that I had fallen asleep on the couch. I stretched and tilted my head from side to side. My neck felt a little stiff from the uncomfortable sleeping position.It was already dark outside. I can see the city lights from the glass wall of the penthouse. It would have been pitch dark inside if not for the automatic lighting system in Vladimir's unit.I went to the kitchen to eat. Cora usually prepares dinner before she leaves. I just have to reheat them in the microwave. I glanced at the watch while waiting for the food.
YVONNE"Why don't you join me instead?" I asked in my rehearsed, sultry voice.A seductive smile was painted on my lips as I stood proud in front of him. I have long forgotten about the cold. His piercing gaze on me was enough to pull my body temperature up. Now my skin felt burning under his scrutinizing gaze.I slowly walked to where he was standing. He remained there, watching me as I approached him. I stopped just a few inches away from him."Come on, Vlad," I muttered. "Let's take a dip. The water's nice.""Bullshit," he whispered which made me burst out in laughter. I think the effect of the wine still lingers in my body."Let me turn on the heater, then," I said, still chuckling."Sure," he lazily drawled, his eyes never leaving mine.I pouted. I didn't miss the sarcasm in his voice. Why though? How long does it take to heat an entire pool? Does it take hours? Ugh.I was already imagining how nice it would be to cuddle with him in the water under the clear night sky. I sighed.
VLADIMIRHow many times does she have to remind me of my impotence?Just looking at her fills me with this unbearable need. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to wake my buddy up.I wanted to laugh at how she was miserably failing to pretend like the cold wasn't bothering her. I can see how her lips turned blue. The water must be freezing cold but it must be what I needed right now after seeing her almost naked.Fuck. What is she trying to do?Who in their right mind will swim outside in the middle of fall? And she's only wearing her goddamn panties!Well, I guess it makes two of us since I agreed to swim with her. After the long day that I had, perhaps a swim will ease the tension in my body. I didn't stop until my limbs felt numb.I leaned at the edge of the pool while catching my breath. Then I decided to join her in the hot tub.Her eyes burned with desire as she stared me down. Damn this woman! Does she know what she's doing to me? I grabbed our drinks before deciding to join her.
YVONNE"Who are you, then?" I slurred.Damn. I'm drunk. I can feel my head spinning. The way he suddenly grabbed me only made it worse. Ugh. I almost finished the whole bottle!"I'm no hero," he coldly stated, bringing me back to the present."You are my hero!" I insisted."I am not a good man, Yvonne," he slowly stated, as if he wanted to reiterate what he meant to my thick skull.But I didn't understand. Or maybe I just didn't care. All I know is how I suddenly liked being called by that name. I love how the syllables roll on his tongue."You are," I nodded to convince him otherwise. "You just don't know it. No, you're trying to hide it, but deep inside," I pointed at his chest.Damn, it's hard. I was suddenly tempted to caress it. Shit, Yvonne. Stop it. I shook my head."Deep inside, you are a good man," I murmured. My thoughts are already heading elsewhere. I slowly slid my index finger down his pec.He grabbed my finger, pulling it away from his chest."You don't know what you're
YVONNE"It happened five years ago," he said.Five years ago?! My whole body was alerted when I heard what he said. Five years ago...Does that mean the death of his wife was connected to his erectile dysfunction? Was it the root cause of it?I gulped, bracing myself for what he was about to say.He kept quiet but I waited for him to say something. I didn't want to rush him. I could only guess how hard this must be for him. I could just imagine the trauma of accidentally killing someone you loved."I used to live the BDSM lifestyle," he began after a long stretch of silence between us.What does BDSM have anything to do with his wife's death? I wanted to ask but I decided to just listen to him."I discovered it when I was younger," he stated while staring into the dark horizon. "Some people that I used to work with introduced me to the community.""I was hesitant at first. It was something out of the norm," he paused. "But I felt compelled to attend to attend private parties due to wo
VLADIMIRRiva...The thought of her instantly awakened emotions I thought I had buried a long time ago. I'd buried it with her. Or so I thought. My jaw clenched repeatedly."Who is she?" I heard Yvonne gently ask.I glanced at her. She was looking at me as if she could find the answers written on my face. I looked away. I couldn't bear the weight of her stares. It felt like she could see right through my nonexistent soul. It's making me feel uncomfortable.I heaved out a long sigh."She's my late wife," I confirmed her suspicion. I knew what she was thinking. Her face mirrors what was inside her mind. She's that transparent."Oh," she nodded. Finally, she seemed to have run out of things to say.I leaned my head back on the edge of the tub. I closed my eyes and Riva's face instantly flashed behind my closed lids. In my mind, she was smiling at me. I can still remember her vividly.Her beauty was exceptional. From her beautifully tanned skin to her long brown hair that seemed to dance
"I fucking killed her!" That's all I fucking know!I felt Yvonne flinch but instead of retreating away from me, she even moved closer to hold me, trying to comfort me."I must have pulled too hard on her collar. I don't know! I don't know!" I pulled my hair in frustration.Oklahoma. That was her safe word. It was where we first met. She was the one who chose it.I never heard her say that word, not in any of our sessions. Not even during that night. But how would I know?I was way too consumed by lust. I cared about nothing but reaching my climax!I didn't even bother to check on her while we were at it. I just kept pounding on her as hard as I could while holding her waist and hands to keep her from falling. I was too busy chasing for my release.Even if she did say her safe word, how would I hear it when she had a gag strapped to her mouth? There was no way I would even notice it.All I could hear was the animalistic groan coming out of my throat when I finally reached my orgasm."W
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