VLADIMIR"These are all the footage we got, boss," Blaze reported when I got to my office.I called him last night to get CCTV footage around the area of the gala venue. I had a bad feeling after Yvonne told me she saw her mother. I don't think that's a coincidence."I've played this part numerous times. There's nowhere else for her to go aside from this vehicle," he pointed at the screen.A black van passed the area, covering the woman standing by the street. She vanished at the same time the van drove away. But the van didn't stop to pick her up."Did you check other CCTV's?" I asked, still doubtful of the angle he's been getting at."Yes, boss," he nodded. "She wasn't caught by any other CCTV around the area.""Are you telling me, the van dropped her at the same spot where it picked her up?" I frowned."That's the only plausible explanation we could come up with," he said. "We checked earlier footage, the same unidentified black van passed by the area two hours before, but there we
YVONNEI woke up alone on the bed. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep again. The last thing I could remember was being cuddled in Vladimir's arms, feeling safe and secure.Only to wake up feeling cold and empty on my huge bed.Where did he go? Did he go back to his room?I got up to take a quick shower. And then I went outside. I don't know why I was so giddy while finding my way to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly made pancakes hit my nostrils before I even got there.I was grinning from ear to ear, but the smile on my face instantly dropped when I saw Cora preparing the table. I looked around, hoping to see Vladimir but he wasn't there.What am I even thinking? Why would he be in the kitchen? Do I really expect him to prepare breakfast for us? For... me?Well, kind of... I must have been losing my mind. I could feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "Good morning!" Cora chirped when she saw me. "How was the party?""Uhm, it's fine," I forced myself to smile. "Where's Vladim
VLADIMIRI went home, still stressed about what happened this morning. The hour-long session with my therapist did nothing to pacify me. I wasn't cured. I am still impotent!I'm still the same wreck I was this morning.And the scene that I came home to didn't help at all!I found Yvonne and Dave on the balcony, sitting very close to each other. They were alone in the penthouse. Cora must have already left.Yvonne seemed to be looking at something on his iPad. I know they must be working on the presentation, but why do they need to be so close to each other? Can't they work while on opposite sides of the table?Damn it. What am I even thinking?I shook my head, hoping it would clear up if I did so."We're looking at different locations that can be suitable for the shelter," Yvonne said after recovering from the initial shock of seeing me."Sir, I am showing her the donated lands owned by the foundation," Dave added. "I see," I nodded, finally recalling the project she told me about.S
YVONNEI was so excited, I could barely sleep. I kept tossing and turning in bed, trying to get myself to sleep. That was the last thing I remember before I heard loud banging on the door."What the-" I jumped up and looked around. The room was already bright with the sun's rays coming in from the glass windows.I heard the sound of keys before the door was pushed open, revealing Vladimir who looked like he was about to breathe fire!Oh shit. What time is it?"Good morning," I smiled so wide, then ran to the bathroom before he could say anything."Yvonne!" he growled behind me."I'll be quick!" I yelled back.Damn it. It's a good thing I already prepared everything last night, from the things I would bring to the clothes I would wear. I just quickly freshened up. I was out in less than ten minutes."I'm so sorry," I tried to smile when I saw Vladimir, but it came out lopsided. He looked scary."I thought I made myself clear when I said we would leave early," he gruffed while we were o
YVONNE"This was yours?!" I exclaimed.He didn't say anything. He just headed to the cabin and opened it with the keys he took from his pocket. From the outside, I noticed it was made out of logs with huge glass windows. I couldn't wait to see how it looked inside. I wanted to ask Vladimir why he would donate something like this but I decided against it. I didn't want to pry. Besides, if he hadn't donated this, I wouldn't even be able to consider it for the shelter.I eagerly stepped inside as soon as he unlocked the door. I looked around excitedly. It was amazing, just as I had expected.I couldn't help but gasp when I finally got to see the inside. It looked warm and cozy!"Woah!" I exclaimed like a kid who got a new toy.I ran inside and marveled at the interior. The place surprisingly looked well-kept. I slumped on the comfortable-looking couch across the rustic stone fireplace. The air smelled clean and there was not a bit of dust in sight."Is there anyone living here?" I asked
VLADIMIRI watched Yvonne whirl about the cabin. She looked like a kid who had been on the playground for the first time, and I was honestly surprised by her reaction. I never thought of her as the kind of woman who would want to settle in a place like this.The land was far from all the convenience the city had to offer. It doesn't even have an internet connection. But here she was, expressing how she would want to live here. I've never seen her smile so genuinely.An image of another woman suddenly popped into my head.Riva...She loved this place. This cabin was built for her. Just like Yvonne, she fell in love with it at first sight.The sound of my phone ringing thankfully pulled me out of my thoughts. I shook my head a little to drive her memories away. I stared at the screen but it took a while before the number flashing on it registered in my brain.It was from an unknown number. A burner phone."I need to take this call," I told Yvonne before heading out of the cabin."Who's
YVONNEWhat the hell is he talking about? Is he saying the caretaker isn't coming to cook for us?Of course, I knew how to cook. I've been basically my mother's slave when I was young. But the last time I touched something in the kitchen was ages ago. Well, I do help Cora from time to time, but I usually just watch her.The most I'd done to help was to prepare ingredients."The kitchen is fully stocked," he added. "Feel free to use anything you need."He resumed ignoring me after that. I couldn't help but wince as I watched him greedily gulp the alcohol down his throat.It's only lunchtime yet here he was, already drowning himself in alcohol. Did something happen? Who called him? He suddenly changed after that call.What was that all about? Was it about business?I wanted to ask but I don't think he'd appreciate that. I sighed and turned my laptop off. It was useless by the way, since I realized there was no internet connection here.I begrudgingly went to the kitchen to see what I co
YVONNE"Vladimir?!" I hissed after pulling his hand away from my mouth.It's him! I let out a sigh of relief.My nerves instantly calmed down when I realized it was him. I failed to recognize him sooner. Perhaps because his familiar scent was overwhelmed by the stink of the alcohol he drank. My senses were also still laced with slumber.But now I am fully awake!"What are you doing here?" I asked when I recovered from the shock. I thought he was going to use the other bedroom.My whole body stiffened when he suddenly wrapped his arms around me instead of answering my question. I could feel his weight on me but I didn't mind it.His face nuzzled into the crook of my neck. I could feel his warm breath fanning my skin. I couldn't stop myself from moaning when the rough ends of the stubble on his chin grazed my sensitive skin.I know he's saying something against my neck. Something I failed to understand. My mind ceased to comprehend. "Ssh," he whispered, making me squirm beneath him."M