“Calista?” Anthony stood up, chasing after her. It was okay if she didn’t want to be there, but what he didn’t understand was her reaction to the news. “Did I offend you with what I said?”“Anthony, I need to work.” She continued walking, not sparing him a glance.“Are you saying I said absolutely nothing that hurt your feelings? You are suddenly cold and all.”She shrugged, walking to the counter. “Absolutely nothing. I’m just not coming with you to Texas.”“Why?”“Nothing... I bet I have every right to want and not want something.”“That doesn’t sound like nothing.” He pressed further, giving in to his curiosity.She sighed and turned after picking up a book to take a customer order. “Nothing is wrong, Tony. I just can’t leave my business to go to some functions with you that won’t even fetch me money. Don’t think I’ll jump to anything you suggest because we’re friends.”That wasn’t what she intended to say, because he was stunned at her abrupt rejection. He chuckled lightly. “Fine
“Anthony!” Mrs. MacQuoid shouted as Calista walked down the staircase, ready for work. “My goodness, you look like someone who was up all night.”“Good morning, Mrs. MacQuoid,” Anthony greeted, walking towards her in the garden, where she was picking ripe tomatoes. “Your hands are blessed, ma’am. Look how delicious and red this is,” he flattered, smiling.“Thank you, my dear,” she beamed, picking another tomato while he helped with the basket. “You shouldn’t bother. I can handle this. Besides, you’ve just returned from work.”“I’m not too tired for this.”“Calista said you had lots of work to do,” she pressed, moving to another stem full of ripe tomatoes. “Go in and take your shower. I’ll make yummy pasta with these.”Anthony smiled, glancing at Calista as she walked down the steps to her car. “Good morning, Anthony.”“Calista.” He smiled before turning to face her mother.“You’re up, young lady?” her mother called, stopping her. “Did you eat breakfast at all?”“Mum, I’ll have somethi
“Calista?” Anthony narrowed his eyes, expecting an explanation as they both cleared the table. Vincent, after Calista had rejected going to Harvard with him, had been quiet throughout lunch. He must have taken it to heart.“You’ve never called my name in such a manner, Anthony,” Calista replied, turning her gaze fully towards him. “Well, let’s just say that’s my way of apologizing for being harsh the other day at my place.”“If you weren’t willing to go with me, you just had to say so. You didn’t need to reject that poor young man.”“Would you have had me go with a total stranger to a place I’d never been before?” she asked, pushing the dishes into the dishwasher. “Certainly not.”“Calista, you get to know people in a day. And you couldn’t go to Texas when you practically didn’t want to go.”“I didn’t want to go.”“Then don’t.”“But I couldn’t... not after I had already said I would go with you,” she lamented, raising her hands above her head. “I can’t fool my mom; you know that.”Ant
“Are you giving up already?” Damian asked, seated across from Ranya, watching him type on his laptop.“Nope,” Ranya replied absentmindedly. “I’m finding her, and that’s final.”“It’s been months, Ranya,” Damian persisted. “We’ve checked everywhere we can think of. Besides, you’re getting married; maybe it’s time to stop.”“Why are you here?” Ranya asked, tearing his eyes away from the laptop.“What?” Damian looked baffled.“You have an election tomorrow, don’t you? Get your ass off my seat and go,” Ranya said, his tone serious yet distant.“You talk as if the election doesn’t concern you. You’ve been showing up at the campaign more often. I still can’t believe how versatile you can be.” Damian laughed, enjoying the banter.“Go, Damian. I’m too busy with your nonsense talk.”“I will,” Damian replied, raising his hands. “It’s late. I thought we could grab a whiskey or something.”“Hmm,” Ranya hummed, shutting his laptop.“Is that a yes? God, I really need a break from all this election
“Mr. Windsor,” Calista called, walking cautiously into the bedroom, her eyes downcast.Ranya raised his head from his laptop, his brow furrowed as he watched her fidget with the hem of her extremely short gown that barely reached above her knees.“What?” he asked, silently gulping his drink. Calista was a marvel, and for many reasons, he couldn’t control the urge to have her.“I don’t know if you’re ready to eat now,” she said, feeling extremely shy as she watched his intensely handsome face stare back at her, an intensity that felt like it could consume her. She fought the urge to press her knees together as sensational feelings washed through her.A slight smirk cut across his face as he stood up from his bed. He closed the laptop and placed it on the desk. “I would like to eat now,” he replied, his eyes not leaving hers.Calista shifted, feeling uncomfortable at the unreadable expression mapped across his face. “Okay, sir,” she uttered, confused about the kind of food he actually w
“I told you he’s no good, but you won’t listen!” Mrs. Carolyn’s voice echoed as Ranya made his way to his father’s living room. He had been coming to this building frequently.He needed to convince his father that he was truly getting married for real. There was no way he would have enjoyed coming to a place that held so many hurtful memories.“Shut up, Carolyn. He’s way better than Anthony, who would have definitely done worse if he were here,” Mr. Lewiston barked back as he paced to and fro.Ranya snorted as he walked over to the door. The workers were all staring at him, whispering things he chose not to pay attention to.“I’m fed up with you, Carolyn, okay?” It was election day, and something as terrible as this was already making waves on the internet. This might ruin his chances of becoming president.“I know you always found something to say about my son, but I’m sorry to announce to you that he’s doing excellently well away from your shadows. You know he is,” she fired back, s
“Watch out, Calista!” Anthony yelled, laughing heartily as Willia threw snowballs at her. It was Christmas, and the city looked exceptionally beautiful.Despite the freezing weather, they couldn’t miss the chance to enjoy the wintry scenery.“You cheating ass!” Willia groaned, aiming a snowball at him instead. “The rules clearly state not to peek.”Ever since his father won the election two weeks ago, Anthony had been unusually affectionate and carefree. His mother made sure to call him every day without fail.“I cheated, and so did you,” he laughed, dodging the snowball. “The rules didn’t say we couldn’t retaliate.”“Now you see why I can’t stand you?” Willia sighed, packing some snow to throw at him. “You never let me win.”“You never gave me the chance.” Anthony winked, looking at her. “You’re too proud to admit when you need help.”Calista laughed, giving them space to play as she walked away.Anthony had wanted them all together for Christmas, but despite his wishes, her family w
“You’re still up?” Willia’s voice cut through the quiet, startling Calista.“My goodness!” Calista exclaimed, nearly dropping the steaming milk she was holding. “You frightened me.”“That’s because you were lost in thought, Cal,” Willia replied, walking towards her sister. Calista sighed, reminded that she was leaving for Texas the next day.“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, picking up the mug she had almost dropped. “So I came down here for warm milk. Do you want some?”Willia waved her hand dismissively. “Nah, I’m not ready to sleep yet. I have some work to do before I can finally go to bed. I’m having trouble winding down.”“So, what are you doing down here?” Calista asked, sipping her milk.“Just getting some water,” Willia responded, opening the refrigerator for a bottle. “I can stay awake with water.”“Okay,” Calista whispered, giving her a small smile.Willia grabbed two bottles of water and stood next to her sister. “So, you’re leaving with Anthony tomorrow?”“Yes,” Calista replie
The hospital buzzed with urgency as medics wheeled Calista into the emergency room. Tubes snaked across her fragile body, her face pale and lifeless. The doctor barked orders to his team, his voice sharp with authority.“She’s in critical condition! We need to stabilize her heart!”Ranya stood frozen in the hallway, his hands trembling as they clutched the edges of his blood-streaked jacket. His throat burned from inhaling smoke, but the agony in his chest far outweighed the physical pain. He paced, his eyes darting to the operating room’s red light. Every second felt like an eternity.When the doctor emerged, his face grim, Ranya rushed toward him, gripping his coat. “Save her!” His voice cracked, raw with desperation. “Do whatever it takes. I’ll pay any amount, give up anything—just save her!”The doctor placed a firm hand on Ranya’s shoulder. “We’ll do our best, but her heart is weak. She’s on life support now. The next 24 hours are critical.”Ranya staggered back, the weight of th
Ranya gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white with tension as he pushed the car to its limits. The tires screeched on the asphalt, leaving behind faint trails of smoke as the vehicle hurtled through the deserted road.His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, every beat a painful reminder of the urgency that gripped him. The image of Calista’s face - her laughter, her warmth - flashed before him. He gritted his teeth, muttering to himself.“Hold on, Calista. Hold on for me,” he whispered, his voice a mix of desperation and determination.Lynn’s voice crackled in his earpiece, updating him on the location. “Boss, the building is fully engulfed. Be careful.”“Careful?” Ranya barked back. “She’s in there, Lynn! Do you understand what that means?”Lynn’s silence was answer enough. Ranya’s foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as he weaved through traffic. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Was she alive? Was she trapped, crying out for him? The thought of her s
The whole crowd stirred the moment the old man spoke up, his voice reverberating through the grand hall. Chairman Hamilton, with trembling hands, pointed toward Signoral, his face etched with desperation. “Tell me now!” he rasped, eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “What did you do to my Allen?”Allen had always come to him in dreams, begging him to remember. Yet he would wake up to find his mind a blank slate—unable to recall anything.The guests murmured among themselves; the atmosphere turning electric. Whispers of confusion, disbelief, and anticipation rippled through the sea of faces.Signoral’s face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain composed. Clutching Ranya’s arm, her nails dug into his skin as she hissed under her breath, “Ignore him. Let’s finish this wedding. Now.”Ranya shoved her hands away and turned to her with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Afraid to lose, Signoral?” he asked mockingly, his lips twitching as he pressed a small button on his earpiece. “Ly
The wedding took place in the sprawling outdoors of a luxurious estate in Texas. Guests from across the globe - politicians, business moguls, and celebrities - graced the event. Despite the short notice, the wedding was a spectacle of grandeur. Ornate decorations, pristine floral arrangements, and the soft hum of a live orchestra created an enchanting ambiance. Ranya stood at the altar, his tailored suit exuding elegance, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned. Worry for Calista tightened his chest with every passing moment. He fought to maintain his stoic facade, yet memories of his promises, and the potential consequences of this union—haunted him. Thoughts of Calista filled his mind: her smile, her trust, and the despair she must have felt. His hands, clasped tightly in front of him, trembled imperceptibly, a stark contrast to the composed image he projected. With every glance toward the arriving guests, the whispers of his conscience grew louder, questioning h
Signoral stood in front of the full-length mirror, her reflection a striking vision of elegance. Her white gown, meticulously crafted with intricate lace and shimmering beads, hugged her figure as though it had been made for her alone. Penelope and a small team of stylists hovered around her, making final adjustments to her veil and train. The air felt stiff, not just from the preparations, but from Signoral's brewing thoughts. She couldn't help but feel something was wrong. But she had made Penelope check over and over for any sign of leakage whatsoever. Charlotte, too, had seemed to be in good health, but she hadn't wanted to take any chances. That was why she had wired a lot of money to her, with stern warnings that she had to disappear for good this time. Her phone buzzed on the vanity table, drawing her attention. She picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and swiped to answer. Charlotte's voice came through, sharp and accusatory. Talk of the devil. "Signoral," Charlott
The following morning, preparations for the wedding were in full swing. All of America buzzed with shock at the whirlwind announcement of Ranya and Signoral's wedding. Speculations ran wild, and everyone had an opinion about the sudden turn of events. Some believed Ranya was erratic, incapable of making rational decisions. Others celebrated, claiming that Signoral had finally secured her rightful place by his side. Meanwhile, a considerable number expressed disappointment, having grown fond of Calista and rooting for her relationship with Ranya. The media frenzy was unparalleled. Paparazzi and journalists flocked to both the Lewiston Estate and Signoral's residence, hoping for an exclusive statement from either of them. As expected, Signoral basked in the attention, offering vague yet tantalizing comments to reporters. Ranya, however, maintained a strict low profile, refusing to entertain any questions. Five hours before the open-air wedding—the most talked about in America—the
Washington, D.C."Did you do as I instructed?" Mr. Lewiston's voice emerged quietly, his hands working diligently on his laptop as he screened through the files the caller had sent him. "Yes, sir," came the composed reply of a woman from the other end of the call. "I sent you every single detail, including the supplements injected into his system. I had one of my men verify the data—it’s accurate." "And the real heiress?" Mr. Lewiston asked, his tone dropping lower. There was a brief pause before she responded. "She was spotted in China, sir, with your sister," she said, hesitating slightly. "But the authorities were already looking for her. I was about to make provisions to get her out, but they're out already... Mr. Windsor used his jet to take them out. They're on their way to Texas as we speak." "Good work, Rena," he said, leaning back in his chair as he moved his fingers away from the keyboard. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk while he processed the inform
Calista sat in the dimly lit room, her arms wrapped around the chair as the evening deepened into night. Anthony sat across from her, his expression torn between guilt and frustration as they both stared at nothing in silence. Signoral's guards loomed near the door, their presence a constant reminder of her captivity. Calista glanced at Anthony, her annoyance simmering beneath the surface. "Why?" she asked, her voice low and angry. Anthony raised his head and turned to her. Bruises marred his body from the beating. "Why what?" Calista turned away, her chest tightening. She couldn't shake her growing resentment toward Ranya. He hadn't even tried to reach out or threaten Signoral on her behalf. Did he even care if she was okay? He had told her the night before that he couldn’t breathe if she wasn’t near… but he sounded like someone who had enough oxygen to last him forever, even without her by his side. Her mind drifted to Signoral’s earlier words after she had ended Ranya’s
“The wedding wouldn't be held in Washington as I promised. We will have it here." Ranya ended the call with Signoral, his jaw tightening as the anger he had bottled up turned into weariness. The room fell silent for a moment, all eyes on him. Damian, Valerie, Lena, and Lynn exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and disbelief. "You didn't ask if she was doing okay…" Mr. MacQuoid's voice broke the silence. He couldn't help himself. His daughter was being held captive by someone who used to be her best friend. Ranya glanced at Mr. MacQuoid, knowing the man felt guilty and was beating himself up over Calista's kidnapping. Perhaps if he hadn't called her to talk about leaving Ranya, things wouldn't have escalated the way they had. "No," Ranya replied curtly, shoving the anger and worry aside. "Hearing her voice will only make me do nasty things I'd definitely regret." And that was the truth. He wouldn't be able to bear it if her voice betrayed any uneasin