I woke up in the morning to Alexander kissing my body, after we had barely slept at all. After making love again in bed and once more in the shower, we went downstairs for breakfast. I called home and Mel assured me everything was fine. After breakfast, we returned to the documents, and by the time we finished, it was already mid-afternoon."Cat, we need to talk," Alexander said seriously, capturing my full attention. "I just want to make sure we're on the same page. What happened between us is serious. I want you for myself, in my bed and in my life, and I want to be in your life and Peter's life. So I want to make sure you understand that we're dating."I smiled at his words. He was so handsome and sweet. I got up and went to him, saying:"Well, since we're dating, I can do this." I sat on his lap, straddling him with one leg on each side of his hips. "And I can do this." I leaned in and kissed his mouth with a slow, passionate kiss.When our lips parted, his eyes were sparkling, and
I looked at my phone and saw a message alert - it was Alexander letting me know he was already waiting for me at the door. I grabbed my purse and floated downstairs on a cloud of happiness."Good morning, beautiful! Did you sleep well?" Alexander said after pulling me into his embrace and giving me a deliciously slow kiss on my lips."I slept divinely well, dreaming about my handsome and incredibly hot boyfriend," I replied with a silly smile after our kiss."I think that would be me," he said with a gorgeous smile. "And where's the little man? Aren't we dropping him off at daycare?"My heart soared seeing him ask about my son with such enthusiasm."No, Mel already took him. She's the most doting godmother in the world.""I think she'll have to learn to share that young man's attention with me because I think we became friends. He liked me, didn't he?" He said, looking at me anxiously for confirmation."Yes, he loved you!" I smiled and gave him a quick peck. I was so happy!When we arr
Two hours after leaving, Alexander returned looking disturbed. He passed by me, looking as if he'd seen the devil himself, and growled:"In my office, now, Catherine!"I froze at his tone. Patrick and Mariana were following him, and I heard them asking him to calm down. But Alexander ignored them. Confused, I got up and entered his office, with the other two following behind me and closing the door.I stopped when I saw his angry gaze fall on me, his furious voice saying things I couldn't even understand."How could you, Catherine! You came here like an innocent lamb, but you're nothing more than a wolf! You betrayed my trust in a way no one ever has. And after everything that happened between us. You're the biggest disappointment of my life!" he shouted at me, rage exuding from every pore."Alexander, what's going on? What are you talking about?" I asked, already feeling my throat tighten as tears started streaming down my face."Don't play innocent with me, not anymore!" he paced bac
I fell asleep and didn't even see Lygia arrive with Peter. I only woke up when Mel was sitting beside me on the bed, watching me. I opened my eyes and saw only one lamp lit. I sat up in bed and looked at my friend, feeling a deep sadness."What happened, honey? Lygia said you were lying down when she arrived with Peter. She came to see you, but you were sleeping, and she noticed you'd been crying. What's wrong? Had your first fight with Alexander? It'll pass," my friend spoke in such a calm voice that it made me feel peaceful."It won't pass, Mel. What happened was horrible!" I told her with tears in my eyes."Well, tell me about it, and we'll decide together if it was horrible. And if it was, I'll send Fred over there to kick Miller's ass," she said, trying to lighten the conversation."I'll tell you. But where's Peter?" I asked, realizing what time it was - he should have been home ages ago."Don't worry, Lygia's staying over tonight, and they're having a great time in the living roo
Alexander’s POV I sat in a dark room in my apartment. I couldn't look at my bed without remembering the incredible night I had with Catherine, feeling despair take over me knowing it had all been a huge lie. How could she do this to me? I was consumed by the pain of that woman's betrayal.Since that party years ago, the day my parents died, I hadn't gotten involved with anyone, saying I wouldn't fall in love after being abandoned by that woman. But then I let Catherine into my life so quickly. Actually, I didn't let her in, she simply arrived and occupied all the space. And she was the snake that struck and completely destroyed me.I was in heaven today and suddenly got dragged to hell. When the hacker called saying that only Patrick, Mari, and I should go because he already knew where the information had leaked from, I couldn't imagine it had been her, the woman I was falling in love with.When I read those emails, I felt like I'd been run over by a steamroller. The first one I could
Johnson’s POVI leaned back on the bed and lit a cigarette, blowing the smoke and watching it disappear. I smiled and said to the woman beside me:"Congratulations, darling, you were excellent, once again. I'll transfer some money to your account so you can buy something nice." I smiled, thinking about her husband who believed she was a saint. "I just don't know how your idiot husband doesn't suspect where your money comes from?"I looked at my mistress lying naked beside me. It wasn't the first time she had passed information and done little favors for me; we'd been lovers for years, and no one had ever suspected. She was deceitful, and I liked that about her. She laughed when I asked about her husband, and taking the cigarette from my hand, she took a drag and said:"My husband really is an idiot. He thinks everything I buy is fake and that I wear costume jewelry. He's as stupid as Miller, who can't see what's happening right under his nose. But I don't understand how such an idiot c
I feel completely lost, not knowing what to do. Mel left early, insisted on taking Peter to daycare, and Lygia insisted on spending the day with me. I thought it was great, she's a wonderful person who gave me lots of advice and told me that no hardship lasts forever.Mel left in the morning and told me not to do anything, saying she would talk to her father and we would decide what to do tonight. But I was uncomfortable with this, I was already imposing too much on the Larsons.Lygia and I had lunch together, and she told me about her children and grandchildren, none of whom lived in Paradise Port - they all lived too far away for her to see them every week. She told me how happy she was to be able to take care of Peter.In the afternoon, she went to the market and said she would pick up Peter afterward, telling me to rest, but I took the opportunity to call my parents. I was going to tell them what had happened and that I would be coming home.The intercom rang, and the doorman infor
The next day, we left early. When we arrived at the office, Mr. Martin called us into his room."Catherine, how are you? I spoke with Patrick, and he's worried. He filled me in on what happened, didn't go into details, but it seems Alexander was being an idiot.""Mr. Martin, I'm not sure if he was being an idiot, but I didn't do what I'm being accused of," I replied, already imagining he had changed his mind about hiring me."I'm sure you didn't, Catherine. I've known the Larsons for very long time, they wouldn't vouch for you if they weren't certain of your integrity! And if Oliver Larson thinks you're the most honest person on Earth, I'm certain you are." Henry Martin said, giving me a warm smile. "Unfortunately, I can't offer you a position as good as the one you had, but I need another person in the sales department. The salary is good, and you'll handle the work easily, so if you want it, the job is yours."I gave him a genuine smile, accepted the job, and thanked him for the oppo
Samantha’s POVI saw Henry get out of bed, pick up the phone from the floor, and try to speak, but the call had already ended. He came to me and hugged me."Sam, what did you hear?" Henry asked softly."H-he, he laughed." I was trembling and crying."Who, Sam? Do you know who it was?""It was R-Romulus." I looked at him feeling panic tightening my throat."Sam, what did he say?" I noticed the concern in Henry's voice."Nothing. It was like always, the breathing, but then he laughed and I know his laugh. It's Romulus, Henry.""Calm down. I'm going to turn off your phone. Tomorrow I'll tell Flavian about this. Sam, I think we should change your number.""Yeah, you're right, that's better." I agreed, as I didn't want to hear from Romulus anymore."Good, I'll take care of it first thing tomorrow. Now, I'm going to put you to bed and make you some tea."Henry tucked me into bed, covered me, and gave me a kiss on the forehead. When he returned to the bedroom, he brought a tray with tea and b
Samantha’s POV"My goddess, I'm so glad you're here! I've been missing you like crazy," Henry said between kisses."I missed you too!" I nestled into his lap."How was your girls' night?""It was fantastic! We're planning to spend a weekend at Hebe's beach house.""We're going... just you girls or...?""All of us, handsome. I'm not spending the whole weekend away from you.""Hmm, I like that! So, are we getting married this weekend?""It's in a month, Henry.""Alright. But until then, how about we practice for the honeymoon?" Henry traced his nose along my neck. "I'm desperately missing losing myself in you.""Are you reading my mind?" He smiled."Come here, future wife. I'm taking you to bed." He helped me up and looked at Cinnamon. "Buddy, you're staying downstairs tonight." The dog looked at him as if he understood and let out a whimper. The scene made me laugh."I need to take a shower," I said when we reached the bedroom."Ah yes, a shower is an excellent idea." Henry sat me on th
Samantha’s POVThe weekend at my grandmother's house was more than perfect. I wasn't expecting Henry to propose, and he made the most beautiful proposal in the world. I confessed I was never the type of woman who dreamed about marriage, wedding dresses, and all those things, but now that I'm engaged, I was excited and eager."Oh my God, I'm engaged!" I said to myself in the closet, looking at the ring and band on my hand."Yes, Nightingale, we're engaged, and I want to set a date for our wedding." Henry hugged me from behind, making me lean back against his chest as he kissed the top of my head.I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't even noticed him coming in. He was ready for work, looking handsome in that charcoal suit that made his emerald green eyes stand out even more. I was so distracted that I was still in my robe."My handsome, how about a month from now?""Too far away," he complained, kissing my neck."I don't want to rush into things like what happened with Catherine. A
Hebe’s POVI would like to know what goes through my brother's mind, because sometimes Henry completely lost focus and went downhill. I gave precise instructions - one dog, just one small dog - then I came back from a wonderful trip and got my kids back with two dogs, and Clara's dog was almost as big as her. I felt like sending both the dogs and the kids back to his house.Of course, he had a ready-made speech when I called him furiously questioning the two dogs. The worst part is that he convinced me - he always did, ever since we were kids it was like that, I did everything he wanted. However, my kids were two little troublemakers and I knew it. They were two little rascals who manipulated their uncle however they wanted, and inevitably, I felt manipulated by extension, because after Henry gave in to their wishes, he made me give in to his own desire to please his niece and nephew.I had no choice but to take the little troublemakers back with two dogs. To my surprise, the small one
Henry’s POVI coordinated with Clara to keep Sam away from the backyard, keeping her busy with knitting alongside her and her grandmother. I asked Enzo to help with the plans I'd made with Pearl and Joaquin for Samantha's surprise. We would set up the dinner table in the backyard, which was full of flowers and beautifully maintained.The hours flew by, and we managed to get everything ready. Pearl told me that when Sam was a child, she used to play a lot in this backyard and always loved it here, so it was perfect for what I wanted to do.I talked with Elenice, since I was in her house, and she became emotional about what I wanted to do. She secretly called me to her room and gave me something very special to add to my surprise. Her gesture touched me deeply.That evening, dinner was served in the backyard. Elenice had two housekeepers who had put great effort into everything, and they were excellent cooks. We had dinner amid lively conversation and laughter. Then, before dessert, I pr
Henry’s POVAfter what happened at the mall with Enzo, I scheduled a meeting with my mother and Hebe. I needed to let them both know about the situation before traveling. Of course, Hebe was furious - she's a lioness mother, and after discovering Reynold's true colors, she didn't want him anywhere near the children.I took the opportunity to tell them about the surprise I was preparing for Samantha. I was anxious and worried. My mother and Hebe tried to calm me down, saying that Sam would love it.The rest of the week flew by, and early Saturday morning, we traveled to Sam's grandmother's house in the countryside, a bit far from our city. Samantha was excited and very animated. We arrived at her grandmother's house at lunchtime. Sam went in like a child, running through the house until she found her grandmother in the kitchen and wrapped her in a long hug."Grandmaaa!" Samantha was overjoyed."Sassy, my dear, I've missed you so much!" The petite lady with gentle eyes hugged Samantha."
Enzo’s POV"Sweetie, are you really going to spend the weekend away from me?" Luna was hugging my waist with a sad face."Baby doll, it's just one weekend. Besides, your parents are taking you to the farm. I'm just going to meet aunt Sam's grandmother and I'll be back quickly," I explained to Luna once again."Oh my god, you two are so mushy!" Ivy made a face at us."That's because we're in love, sis," Luna told her sister."Oh, sure!" Ivy smiled.We were at the mall waiting for aunt Sam and uncle Henry. I invited Luna to come with me since we wouldn't see each other over the weekend, and Ivy tagged along because she wanted to talk to aunt Sam."Ivy, what do you want to talk to aunt Sam about?" I was curious about that."I'm not telling you. I know your big mouth, Enzo!" As if I needed this - my Clara also pointing out my little flaws. "I haven't forgotten that you told my mom about Vincent.""In my defense, I didn't know it was a secret. Besides, your mom just asked if you had met any
Henry’s POVI was extremely stressed out. Samantha had gone through a horrible situation yesterday just because she left the security guard outside the store. Reynold had crossed the line, and I wasn't going to let that slide.I called Flavian, who suggested that Sam should file a complaint, but she was very shaken up, barely slept, and insisted on going to work, making me even more worried.I arrived at the office in a terrible mood. I needed to deal with this thorn in my side that was Reynold. Once again, he dared to lay hands on Samantha, but this wouldn't go unpunished.My thoughts were completely focused on Samantha, and I was already too stressed and worried. I grabbed my jacket and left the office.I reached the garage, and as I approached my car, I couldn't believe the nerve of the person waiting for me. She was wearing an extremely short and vulgar dress."Nicole, get off my car. I'm in a hurry," I said immediately, as I wasn't in the mood to hear anything from this wretched w
Samantha’s POVFor the past week, I was woken up every night in the middle of the night by my phone ringing, and when I answered, no one would say anything on the other end. The only thing I could hear was heavy breathing, as if the person on the other end was panting, and it left me distressed.This was getting on my nerves. I was anxious, nervous, and wasn't sleeping well. I already had horrible dark circles under my eyes and was exhausted."Sam... Sam!" Henry's voice snapped me out of my thoughts."Huh?! What is it, honey?" I sighed."Sam, you need to sleep." Henry was visibly upset. "We should change your phone number.""That's not necessary. This will stop." I didn't want to change the number I'd had for so long."Then start turning off your phone at night. If anyone needs to reach you, they can call me.""That's a good idea. I'll do that. But now, I need to get to work." I stood up as I spoke."Stay home today and rest. I'm sure Alexander won't mind.""Henry, I want to go to work