****"Richard!" Emilia's voice echoed with urgency as she frantically scanned everywhere, her heart racing with anxiety. His unanswered phone calls only ignited her worry, prompting her to fear he might have hastily departed the party with Ana."Excuse me," Emilia's voice trembled with concern as she approached the guard stationed outside the hotel entrance. "Have you seen my fiancé, Richard Hill?"The guard glanced at her with a neutral expression before shaking his head. "No, ma'am. No guest has left the hotel yet. Perhaps he's in the bathroom or enjoying the lawn on the other side."Emilia's heart raced, "Thank you," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper, before hurrying off in search of Richard, her mind plagued with worry.Emilia swiftly pivoted away from the venue, her heels clicking against the pavement as she headed towards the lawn. She had already checked the men's washroom with no sign of Richard."Richard!" Emilia's voice echoed urgently from a nearby pillar as she
******Ana breezed into the washroom, swiftly adjusting her hair, only to find her lipstick absent as she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror."Well, looks like I need a lipstick," Ana quipped to herself, a playful glint in her eye. "I bet after tonight's escapade, I'll be on the fast track to hell," she continued with a chuckle before a soft smile spread across her lips as she reminisced. "Who knew I'd be having such a blast? This feeling is pure bliss," Ana mused aloud, accepting the rush of emotions with open arms, her cheeks tinged with a shy yet satisfied warmth."Easy there, Ana, no need to channel your inner teenager," Ana chuckled to herself, giving her cheeks a gentle pat before heading out. As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom she collided with Kendall, who regarded her with a quizzical expression."When did you come to the washroom?" Kendall inquired, her eyebrows arching in suspension as she took in Ana's appearance."Long!" Ana answered with a casual shrug
*****"Anastasia, come here!" Emilia's sudden shout echoed through the venue, causing heads to turn in surprise. Ana caught off guard, wore a confused expression, unaware of when her relationship with Emilia had blossomed into a close friendship."I am fine here, Emilia, cut the cake!" Ana said, her confusion escalating as Emilia's unexpected closeness seemed increasingly suspicious. There had to be a reason behind Emilia's sudden friendliness, and Ana was determined to uncover it."No, you are one of the guests I've been eagerly anticipating. I'd be over the moon to have you beside me while I'm cutting the cake. Surely, that's not too big an ask, is it?" Emilia's words dripped with honeyed deception as she spoke with a sweet pout. Ana's unease grew like a storm cloud as she stole a glance at Richard, whose expression was as clear as day – he was not on board. Seeking help from him would be like looking for a needle in a haystack."Go Ana, before your best friend ends up swimming in a
*****Ana's heart pounded in her chest as she dashed forward on her stiletto heels, the polished floor threatening to betray her balance with every step. Frustration mounting, she kicked off her heels, her fingers tensing with urgency. Yet, even as she fled, the ominous footsteps of the two men echoed behind her, a chilling reminder of the danger lurking close behind."Bitch! If you do not stop, we will suck you dry once we lay our hands on you," one of the thugs said, continuing to rush after Ana, who paid no attention because all she could think about was finding someone to save her.She dashed toward a vacant corridor. Her breathing was getting labored from running, so she ducked behind a wall and attempted to catch it.She quickly put her hand in her bag grabbed her phone out and straight dialled Richard. On the flip side, Richard hurried back to the bar where he had abandoned his phone earlier. His anger had driven him to leave it behind in his rush to confront Ana."Sir, your ph
****As Richard arrived at the main gate, the guard, mid-stroll, quickly pivoted towards him, his pace picking up. "Sir, is there anything I can assist you with?" he asked, his tone had patience."Where's the emergency exit?!" Richard demanded, his expression deadly serious, yet his piercing gaze added an intimidating edge to his inquiry, leaving no room for hesitation.The guard's throat tightened with nerves, feeling the palpable intensity emanating from the man before him as if a mere delay in response could trigger dire consequences. Stepping back slightly, he mustered his courage and replied, "The emergency exit is just around the corner, sir," his voice dwindled slightly under the weight of Richard's formidable presence.""But alas, at this hour of the day, it remains firmly locked," the guard admitted."I need you to open it immediately," Richard commanded the guard, urgency blazing in his eyes as he conveyed the gravity of the situation."It's not possible," the guard fumbled,
****"Why do you keep ogling at me like that? Have you never seen a beautiful woman before?" Ana teased with a giggle, her face turning a bright cherry red, which only fuelled Richard's curiosity to sneak more glances at her."Your girlfriend is pretty, no doubt, but I must say, I'm prettier," Ana remarked with a sly smile, casting a soft gaze at Richard. Despite being behind the wheel, he found himself momentarily distracted by her every word."Whatever you say," Richard replied, his voice steady as he fought against the temptation to gaze at the woman beside him, who seemed to exude an irresistible allure."Your voice lacks sincerity," Ana remarked, her hand gently resting on his shoulder before trailing down to his thigh as she leaned forward with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes."What are you doing? Go back to your seat and put your seatbelt on!" Richard hastily exclaimed, his heart pounding as he felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach, their intensity increasing with every t
As the dress cascaded down her body, her heart quickened with anticipation, fueling the intensity of their kiss. His fingers traced a path along her back with a fluidity that seemed to melt away any remaining barriers between them. With each passing moment, the heat between them intensified, like butter slowly melting under a warm touch.Richard pulled away his lips, then delicately twirled Ana around, his lips finding solace on her shoulder, igniting a tender melody of pleasure from her lips. Ana, swept up in the moment, extended her hand, gracefully resting it on the edge of the small desk, a silent invitation for more enchantment."Ooo...umm!" Ana moaned, pressing her lips together as she relished the sensation of his lips gliding on her back, his touches igniting a spark of longing within her. Then, with a swift motion, the hook of her bra yielded to his skillful fingers, eliciting a grasp of desire from her parted mouth."Why did you come to me so late in my life?" Richard whispe
"Tell me, which one makes you drool more?" Ana's voice dripped with seduction, her words laced with a playful yet intoxicating allure. With a subtle tilt of her chin and a smoldering gaze, she exuded confidence, embracing her newfound role as the temptress. Ana deliberately spread her legs apart so Richard could see her soaking wet cooze.It was more than enough for Richard to go berserk, so he did. He got down on his knees, grasping her legs and pulling her to him, both of her legs over his shoulders, with his face halting directly in front of her cooze, his breath smashing in it quietly, sending blissful jolts to Ana's core, making her bite her lower lip."I never imagined the sight would be so delicate and beautiful," Richard's voice escaped him in a soft groan as he beheld her butterfly, his heart stirred by its ethereal presence. With a moment of reverence, he tenderly pressed his lips against it.Ana's body rose off the bed as she allowed her moan to escape her lips and her legs
Thank you for reading. Regarding the letters from Mr. Warner: I previously mentioned Richard confiding in Ana about the clot in his brain, revealing that he doesn’t have much time left. Richard's father was aware of this as well. Moreover, he didn’t want to tarnish his mother’s image in Richard’s mind, which is why he wrote those letters and kept them hidden, setting certain conditions. Ana received a letter where her father explained why he accepted the marriage proposal from Richard's father. After being betrayed by Richard's mother, Richard's father feared that if Selena gained control, disaster could befall Richard. To protect his son, Richard's father chose Ana to be Richard’s wife when they were children and conveyed this wish to Richard's grandmother. I didn’t mention the letter Ana received from her father because she never asked Richard for it. She placed complete trust in him and her father's decision for her to marry Richard. She believed that if anything serious were me
****** Ana spotted her mother in the crowd, her heart clenching with a mix of emotions. Despite the hurt and anger she felt towards her mother and those who had wronged her in the past, there was a part of Ana that longed for reconciliation, for a chance to mend the broken relationships. "You're late, the party started long ago," Ana said, her tone tinged with a hint of reproach. Her mother turned to her, her eyes filled with warmth and regret. "I know, Ana, and I'm sorry. But seeing you now, looking so beautiful and radiant, I couldn't help but be filled with pride and joy. You're glowing like a new bride, my dear. I want to give you all my blessings and wishes, and I pray that God, if there is one, will shower you with happiness for the rest of your life." Ana felt a lump form in her throat as her mother enveloped her in a warm embrace. It had been so long since they had shared such a moment, since Ana had felt the comforting embrace of her mother's arms and the familiar scent th
***** The party began with a flurry of guests and media personnel, all abuzz with the shocking revelation that Richard Hill had been secretly married for years. The news was a stark contrast to his highly publicized engagement with Miss Emilia, which turned out to be a complete hoax. "Mr. Hill, this is quite the surprise!" a reporter exclaimed, approaching Richard, who stood among his friends, holding a glass of whiskey. He looked every bit the charismatic figure, exuding an almost godlike presence. Richard smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I suppose I’ve always had a knack for surprises." The reporter leaned in, eager for more details. "I believe there will be many wedding photos you would love to share with us. How did you manage to keep your marriage a secret for so long?" Richard chuckled softly. "It wasn't easy, I assure you. But sometimes, the most important things in life are worth the extra effort to keep private. My wife and I valued our privacy above all
*****One month later; There was a grand celebration at Hill Mansion, where Richard used to live. Grandmother had already arranged the event for Richard and Ana, so they couldn't cancel the party despite their initial plans. Richard had been bedridden for a month, resting. When he finally decided to take a vacation, Grandmother's request delayed their departure by a couple of days."Ana, what is taking you so long to pick a dress for the party?" Phoebe asked, clearly stressed. Ana's indifference and laid-back attitude about the event were getting on her nerves."This dress makes me feel like a billionaire," Ana grumbled, flopping onto the bed. "It's too much. I prefer a low-profile look."Phoebe sighed, exasperated. "Ana, this isn't just any party. Grandmother has called the media to announce your marriage. Can't you make an exception just this once?"Ana looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "I know, Phoebe. I just don't want to stand out too much. But for Richard, I'll
****** "Are you alright?" Sonia asked Mason, who had just undergone surgery to remove a bullet from his arm. Despite his critical condition, no one had come to visit him except for Selena. "I don’t need your sympathy," Mason replied coldly. "Knowing about my health won’t gain you anything. You can leave." Sonia frowned, feeling hurt by his harsh words. "Mason, I’m not here to gain anything. I was with you the entire time, talking to the doctors and making sure you were okay." Mason’s expression softened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a scowl. "Why would you do that? I didn’t ask for your help." Sonia took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "You didn’t have to ask. I care about you, Mason. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing while you were fighting for your life." Mason looked away, his jaw tightening. "You shouldn’t care. It only makes things more complicated." Sonia stepped closer, her eyes filled with determination. "Why? Why does it have to be complicat
******Ana blushed further, like a young girl who had just felt her heart flutter upon hearing the truth from the man she had taken a liking to."Then who was that girl with you, and why did you let her touch you?" Ana asked, her brow furrowed in displeasure."She was Mr. Warner's daughter," Richard explained gently. "I met with her to discuss the letters from our fathers. Her touching me was accidental. I quickly moved away, worried my body might react again. It wasn't the right time to fall ill," he added with a soft smile."The blood clot in your brain was the reason for this unusual reaction in your body. It was never your disease," Ana revealed the truth to Richard.Richard smiled lightly, causing Ana to raise her eyebrows in confusion. "What’s so funny about what I said?" she asked."Are you hiding something from me?" Ana probed, her voice tinged with concern."No, I'm not hiding anything," Richard replied, his smile fading into a more serious expression. "When I read the letter
******It had been two long days since Richard was staying to the emergency room. Following the surgery, Ana had instructed everyone that he needed ample time to rest and recover, so they had purposefully kept him sedated to aid his healing process.On the morning of the third day, Richard's fingers twitched, signaling the first signs of awakening. Slowly, he opened his eyes, the room coming into soft focus around him. As his vision cleared, he noticed an abundance of flowers surrounding his bed, their vibrant colors filling the room.He sat up with a cold expression, immediately sensing something was amiss. Reaching up, his hand brushed the side of his head, where he discovered a significant chunk of hair missing. Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to piece together what had happened.Just then, a nurse entered the room, her cheerful demeanor contrasting with his bewilderment. "Sir, you're awake! We've been expecting this. How are you feeling?" she asked with a bright smile."Wha
*****"Ana," Phoebe called softly, tugging lightly at Ana's hand as she stepped out in her surgical gown."Are you really sure about this?" Phoebe's voice trembled with concern. "What if Richard doesn't even remember you? Do you want to go through with it so hastily?" Her eyes were filled with worry, her brow furrowed as she stared at Ana's face for reassurance."His life means everything to me," Ana said, taking a deep breath. "Right now, it doesn't matter to me whether he recognizes me when he wakes up or not. I'll accept whatever fate has in store for us."Phoebe looked at her friend, noticing the cold, almost clinical expression on Ana's face. It was a look she'd seen before—one Ana wore whenever she prepared for a major work. Ana believed that feelings and emotions had no place in critical moments, and today was no exception."But Ana," Phoebe pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation, "how can you be so detached about this? This isn't just any operation. This is Richard. Your R
"I had very carefully put Ana to bed last night," Sonia said with confidence. "I'm sure whatever happened must have occurred this morning. At the same time, I messaged Jackson and asked him to send you home," she explained, her voice steady. She had left Ana safely in another room before heading over to Mason's room. However, when she returned to Ana's room in the morning, she didn't find her there, which made her think Ana might have left for home. Phoebe looked puzzled. "So, you're saying Ana was fine when you left her?" "Yes," Sonia confirmed. "I made sure she was safe and asleep. I wouldn't have left her otherwise." Phoebe's voice quivered as she spoke, "I'm sorry if I sound judgmental, but I can't shake this feeling that I should have been more careful last night." Tears welled up in her eyes as she fretted over what could have happened to Ana while she was safe at home. Sonia responded with empathy, "I understand. Right now, all we can do is hope and pray for the best." She r