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
YVONNEHe's hard!What the hell? Is this for real?He pushed his jean-clad arousal against my swollen folds. The rough material of his clothes made me squirm."Vlad... Uh, Are you-" I couldn't finish because he kept distracting me with the full blast of his masculinity.My eyes rolled back behind my head when he thrust harder against my core. There are still a few layers of fabric between us but I can clearly feel his erection.Damn. He's big.Is this really happening? Or am I in the middle of a dream? Maybe."I want you..." he whispered huskily against my ear. His moist lips touched my sensitive skin. I swear I could come with just this.But no. I need more...With trembling hands, I grasped the hem of his shirt and tugged it upwards. He stopped kissing me when he felt what I wanted to do. He took off his shirt in one pull and carelessly tossed it on the floor.He then stood up while unzipping his pants. I watched him eagerly as he pulled down his pants in front of me. I licked my lip
YVONNEBefore I could react, he already grabbed my waist and turned me over, switching our positions. Now I am pinned underneath him. My back was pressed into the soft mattress.I felt his hot breath on my neck when he pulled me closer to him. My skin burned as our bodies molded against each other. A thousand bolts crawled into my veins, making the hairs at the back of my neck stand to their ends."V-vlad," I whimpered helplessly. I was already blinded with utter desire.My cheeks burned when I felt him hard against my thigh. My core clenched. I think I would come right then and there.He showered me with wet, languid kisses. I was writhing and whimpering beneath him, lost in the sea of sensations he was making me feel."Ahh, shit," I immediately covered my mouth with my palm, trying to muffle my scandalous moans when I felt him playing with my core.He eased his fingers in and out in a slow, tempting rhythm. He was slowly driving me to insanity. But it still wasn't enough. I need mor
YVONNEI felt his body limp against mine. I glanced back just to find that he had already fallen asleep. His weight nearly crushed me but I couldn't feel the pain.All I could feel was the gaping emptiness left inside my chest after hearing him call her name.Riva. I clenched my teeth, hoping to stop the pain that seemed to be ripping me from the inside out. I chuckled humorlessly before moving to push him off me. He fell to my side with a soft thud.I rolled over to look at him. His eyes are closed and his lips parted. A soft snore came out of his mouth. I wanted to punch him but didn't have the strength to do so.How could he do this to me?I wanted to cry and lash out. Instead, I stared at the ceiling after pulling the blanket to cover my nakedness. I let myself wallow in pain until it slowly turned into numbness."Who do you think you are?" I muttered to myself.Did I really think I was the reason behind his arousal? How could I make myself believe that I am his cure?I felt like
VLADIMIRI woke up with a start. My head was pounding. I groaned and pushed myself up but froze when I realized there were limbs draped over me.I looked beside me and found Yvonne fast asleep. Slowly, I untangled her from me as fragmented memories from last night popped into my head.I frowned while staring at her. I tilted my head, trying to jog up my brain. Did it really happen?My nakedness seemed to confirm it. My now placid cock felt sticky with the evidence of what ensued between us.I don't know how to feel about it. I was frustrated because of my condition. I thought I wanted to be fixed. But now that it has happened, I felt torn.Immense guilt washed over me. I felt like I was cheating. But she's long gone..."Fuck this!" I grabbed and pulled my hair when my head throbbed.I called Mike. He's my head of security. He's the one I always bring with me together with his best men. I asked for hangover pills to be brought to my room.It took a while before I heard a soft knock on
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
YVONNEI don't know how I ended up in my unit with Selene after work. She insisted on coming with me, and now we share a bottle of tequila.What's even worse is as we both progressively got drunk, I found myself telling her everything from the beginning Everything. I told her how Vlad bought me from the ring, how he turned me into a completely different person and made me his wife."But our marriage wasn't real," I muttered bitterly after drinking from my glass."It was just a marriage for convenience. I was his contract wife," I added while pouring myself another glassful of tequila."And that woman we saw with him in the restaurant," I scoffed while motioning my hand in the air. "That was his real wife.""Real wife?" Selene frowned. She stared at me with disbelief written all over her face. "Are you drunk?" she snapped."Not yet!" I growled. "I'm not drunk! That's his real wife! She came back from the dead after years!"I stopped talking to drink."I thought we already shared somet
VLADIMIR"I can't..." I didn't realize I said it out loud until it was too late. I felt Riva freeze. She stared at me as if I had done something despicable.But her expression was quickly replaced by that of hurt and betrayal. A wave of guilt washed over me, but this was out of my control.I glanced at my damned useless cock which remained flaccid all this time despite Riva's attempts to rouse my desire."W-what's wrong?" her broken voice interrupted my trail of thoughts. "Don't you want me anymore?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper."No!" I hurriedly exclaimed. "It's not like that."She stared at me confusedly while I couldn't meet her piercing gaze."Then why?" she sniffed. "Why do I feel like you haven't missed me after all those years?!""Vlad, I fought for this," she stood up and walked in front of me.I picked up her clothes but she just brushed me off when I tried to cover her up."I never gave up. I held onto the hopes that we would be together again after everything," h