I got home after a long day, and my parents were waiting for me in the living room."Catherine, sit down. We need to talk," my father said, looking quite agitated."What's going on, Dad?" I asked tiredly. I had worked all day, gone to college at night, and upon getting home, all I wanted was to take a shower and crash into bed. But that wasn't possible."Catherine, your cousin's wedding invitation has arrived," my mother said."That little tramp is not my cousin!" I snapped, already getting angry."Catherine, she is your cousin," my mother insisted. "You need to stop this childish behavior. Melissa already hit her and caused a scene here at home. Enough! She's my sister's daughter, which makes her your cousin.""I'm sorry, Mom, but she means nothing to me," I tried to stay calm. "She slept with my boyfriend in my bed. That's not something she should do."I had been dating Claude for four years; he was my first boyfriend, and I found him in my bed, in my room, having sex with Kelly, my
There was no way out - my friend dragged me to the ball. As soon as we got in, Mel pulled us to the bar and whispered in my ear:"It's an open bar tonight, so you're going to drink until all that sadness washes away!" Mel handed me two tequila shots while holding two more in her hands. "Let's down these!" We knocked back the tequila, and Fred was already handing each of us a cosmopolitan.Melissa dragged me to the dance floor, and I was actually having fun. When a slow song started playing, Fred and Mel began slow dancing together. I took that as my cue to head to the buffet, but I didn't make it there. I felt someone grab my hand, and when I turned around, there was a man in a black mask smiling at me - and what a smile! He kissed my hand and pulled me close, whispering in my ear with a husky voice:"Surely the most beautiful woman in the room won't deny me a dance, will she?""And why not? Let's dance," I smiled back at him.It was impossible to resist that seductive husky voice and
On Monday during lunch, I met Mel. She handed me a small bag from a fancy store, and I looked at her, confused."My mom asked me to give this to you. She said it's perfect for you and doesn't suit her," Mel said with a big smile.I opened the bag, and inside was the perfume I had worn to the ball. A huge smile spread across my face. I loved that perfume, and it was part of the best night of my life. I just hoped that my best night hadn't left me with an STD as a souvenir. With that thought, I thanked Mel and told her I'd call her mom later, then mentioned I wanted to call the lab to schedule some tests.I called the laboratory and was informed that I needed a doctor's prescription to get the tests covered by health insurance. Thank God the company provided health insurance for employees because otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. My salary wasn't high, and what little was left after covering college expenses went to helping at home, since my mom didn't work outside the house and my
When I graduated, Peter was already two years old. By then, he was walking everywhere, always clinging to grandma - which was his first word. He was a beautiful boy with straight black hair, fair skin, a cute little upturned nose, and those huge violet eyes that made me sigh. He was my sunshine! And now I would have more time for him.After graduation, my boss called me in for a chat. He was an excellent boss and said he was very happy with my work at the company, but he knew I deserved to go far, so I should look for a job in my field, and he would understand. He assured me that my job at the construction company would be mine for as long as I wanted, and if I left and things didn't work out, I would always have a place to come back to. However, he advised that I should seek something in my field of study to provide a better future for my son. I was very touched by this and accepted his good advice.I told Melissa, and she immediately said she would talk to her father about reaching o
I showed up at the company at 8:00 a.m. Mrs. Taylor gave me a warm welcome and introduced me to everyone, and they were all very kind. The boss wasn't there - he was traveling and would return at the end of the week. The office was beautiful, very modern, decorated in white with stainless steel and green accents, managing to be both professional and welcoming. It was elegant, and I really liked it. I was particularly glad I had chosen to wear a black suit with a dark green silk blouse underneath and black heels. I would need to dress elegantly every day now, after all, I would be working directly with the company president.Mid-morning, I received a message from Mel saying she had managed to schedule an appointment with the director of the daycare near our apartment during lunch hour. I explained the situation to Mrs. Taylor and asked if it would be possible to leave during that time, assuring her I would be back on schedule."So you have a child. How old is he?" she asked with a smile
Alexander’s POV In his New York hotel room, a persistent thought occupied Alexander Miller's mind - what would his new assistant be like?That voice seemed to have taken residence in my head. When I called the office today, I just wanted to tell Mariana that I had closed the deal I came to negotiate here in the United States, but when I heard that voice, something inside me completely stirred. It was such a melodious voice, so calm, I don't know why it irritated me so much.Now here I was, sitting in my hotel room with a glass of whiskey in hand, looking out at Central Park through the window and wondering about the owner of that voice. It completely threw me off the details I needed to confirm, and I got pissed off for not knowing what to say and having such scattered thoughts. I ended up yelling like a madman at the woman on the other end of the line. I probably scared her. Maybe she wouldn't even be there anymore when I got back, and Mariana would kill me. She didn't want to delay
As Mrs. Taylor was explaining everything to me, I carefully noted down all the important information. We had established a good work rhythm, and the afternoon was flying by. She told me she needed to make a personal call and left the room, mentioning that someone from the IT Department would bring me a company phone that should be kept on at all times.Soon after, a tall, skinny guy with a nerdy look entered the room and was startled when he saw me:"Wow! Um... sorry, who are you?"I stood up to greet him:"Catherine Vergara, Mr. Miller's new assistant." - He looked me up and down as if sizing me up."Miss Catherine Vergara?"I nodded with a professional smile. He grinned and said:"This is actually for you." - he extended his hand and gave me a brand-new phone and a tablet. "This is your company phone. The boss already had your number, and his number was saved in the contacts. It's also set up with your work email. The tablet was configured with the company system, Mr. Miller's schedu
After work, Mel was waiting for me at the door, with Peter settled in his car seat in the back. We had planned to go to the mall to buy the things he would need for daycare."Bestie! How was your first day? Tell me everything!" She said cheerfully with a huge smile."Mel, I think I'll have to call your uncle and ask for my job back," I said somewhat sadly. She looked at me in shock. "But first, tell me about your interview.""No way, Catherine! Did you manage to get fired on your first day? Tell me everything, then I'll talk about my interview."I smiled and told her everything. By the time she turned off the truck in the mall parking lot, she was laughing hysterically at my situation."Cat, only you could get into an argument like that with the boss. You know he's super young, right?!"I looked at her like I'd just seen a unicorn and asked:"What do you mean young?""Oh Cat, didn't you research your boss on the internet?""No, Mel, I went on the company website and read everything, bu
Samantha’s POVAfter all the stress from Enzo's birthday party, Hebe insisted we should go to her beach house the following weekend. She wanted to get excited about the wedding preparations right away, and she was genuinely thrilled about it.That weekend, off we went - friends, family, and dogs included. I invited Ivy and Luna, thinking it would be good for both of them to take their minds off things. Their parents were happy to see them so cheerful after Ivy's difficult week. Her mother told me she had been having nightmares and becoming very anxious.Henry, to my surprise, was very excited about the beach wedding. He kept talking about how beautiful Hebe's house was, but I wasn't prepared for what I saw. Hebe really had a taste for luxury and enormous houses. I'd say it was more of a beachfront mansion.The house was two stories high, built in an L-shape, with numerous glass walls - another thing Hebe loved because it allowed natural light to flood in. It also had a large infinity p
Henry’s POVThe situation with Reynold had gone completely out of control. He went too far by trying to assault the girl at his own grandson's birthday party. That was the last straw for Edward. Edward was furious and rightfully so, just like my nephew. As for my sister, she was deeply shaken that this had happened in her home, and the next day she called the landscaper to demolish the hidden garden and rebuild it completely open.The day after the party, we visited Ivy's family, trying to apologize for all of Reynold's mess. Fortunately, they were a very upstanding family with exceptional kindness. They were very grateful to Sam and Vince for looking for and taking care of Ivy, preventing the worst from happening.Ivy was very brave and filed a detailed police report, and Edward handed over the security camera footage. Luckily, Ivy's father was a judge's brother and knew the judge handling the case against Reynold. Given this and all the evidence we gathered, including the attack on S
Samantha’s POVGradually, Ivy began to calm down, embraced by Vince who hadn't let go of her since we found her. It was clear that Vince was more than upset about what had happened to her."Ivy, how are you? Do you want to talk about what happened?" Vince asked gently, since Ivy had stopped crying."Vince, I went to the bathroom, and when I came out, Enzo's grandfather cornered me," Ivy began. "Enzo had already warned my sister and me to stay away from him, saying he was a bad person. But he grabbed me by force, covered my mouth, and dragged me out through the back. I couldn't break free.""That criminal! We won't let this slide!" I said, filled with anger."Here, sweetheart, drink this tea. It'll make you feel better." Vince took the teacup and offered it to Ivy, but she was shaking badly and wouldn't let go of her torn dress, which would expose her chest if she released it. I went to her and held the dress so she could take the cup."Thank you! Both of you. The security guard told me
Samantha’s POV"I don't like this, Vince," I commented, looking around and seeing no sign of Ivy. "Why would Ivy leave the party? This feels really weird to me.""I don't get it either, Sam, but I don't want to alarm anyone. It shouldn't be this hard to find a woman wearing lime green," Vince remarked."Let's check around the area, maybe she just stepped out for some fresh air," I suggested, though I wasn't very convinced. Like Vince, I didn't want to cause unnecessary panic."I hope that's all it is," Vince seemed very worried and even distressed."What's wrong, Vince?" I asked, concerned about his behavior."I don't know, Sam..." He put his hand on the back of his neck. "Do you think she's running away from me?""And why would she run away from you?" I found that strange."Why wouldn't she? Maybe I scare women away. My ex-fiancée broke up with me a month before our wedding." Vince was afraid of being rejected again. That witch really did a number on his heart."Vincent, should I call
Samantha’s POVThe rest of the week flew by so quickly that I forgot to tell Henry that Nicole had been at the office. That day, Henry and I went shopping for Enzo's birthday present - his birthday party was on Saturday, and he'd been ecstatic all week, calling me multiple times to talk about the party preparations, which I found quite amusing.Saturday came quickly, and I was feeling pretty relaxed, especially since changing my phone number had stopped the calls, and I was sleeping much better after that."Nightingale, are you ready?" Henry walked into the closet and picked up one of his watches, putting it on his wrist."Almost, handsome," I replied while finishing my makeup."Enzo won't stop calling me. What an anxious kid!""He's excited about this party." I found it funny because Enzo had been talking about nothing else for days."He gets excited about any party," Henry laughed. "I'll wait for you in the living room."I finished my makeup, put on my dress, and looked in the mirror
Samantha’s POVAfter having coffee with Manu, I went back to work and ended up being surprised. I wasn't expecting the visit I received at the company late that day. I was finishing up a report when my phone rang on my desk - it was the receptionist informing me that someone in the building lobby was insisting on speaking with me.I found myself wondering what I had done to deserve so many pests in my life. It would be better to get rid of this one right away, before it turned into a weed that keeps sprouting in the yard no matter how many times you pull it out. I told the receptionist I'd go down to meet my visitor, but that she wasn't authorized to enter the building. And that was what I did.I arrived at the lobby and saw the woman sitting in one of the armchairs in a corner away from the reception desk. She was one of those women who you can tell from a mile away was nothing but an opportunistic gold digger. She was wearing a white dress made of thin fabric that was slightly see-th
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