NATASHA"I love you, Michael."The words flowed effortlessly from my lips, causing him to tense up as if he had just been doused with ice-cold water.My hands could feel the tension he grew in him.Those three words, I had never said it outloud until this very moment.I was afraid that I might get rejected even after the countless times he confessed what he feels for me.And this is the very moment I have been keeping myself from.I couldn't help but smile. My heart felt light and liberated after finally expressing something I had kept inside for so long.Michael grasped my shoulders, creating a distance between us.His eyes sparkled like crystals in the sunlight, clearly taken aback. His jaw dropped in shock, not a muscle moving.My confession stirred a whirlwind of emotions on his face, but surprise was the most evident."Michael?" I called out, trying to snap him out of his trance.His hand, which had been resting on my thigh, loosened its grip as he remained still, saying nothing.
NATASHAAs I woke up feeling cold, memories of our most cherished moments flashed through my mind, reminding me of how we filled the silence with our unity.A small smile formed on my lips as I stretched my limbs, still groggy from sleep.Michael was no longer in bed, but his warmth lingered on the sheets where he had been lying.My eyes automatically found the clock on the bedside table.It was three in the morning.Rubbing my eyes, I looked around and found him standing by the balcony, his back turned towards me.He looked calm yet troubled. He looked peaceful, but I know that there's so much chaos in his head.I've been there, in fact, I am feeling the same way. And I understand him.Pushing myself up, I used the thin blanket to cover my body as I shuffled towards him.Not even the sound of my footsteps dragged his engrossed attention to me.From where I approached, I caught a glimpse of his eyes staring into the air, lost in deep thought. It was as if he was searching for somethin
MICHAEL"Good morning," I murmured, wrapping my arms around her petite waist and nestling my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling the scent of my minty soap on her skin."Michael! That tickles," she protested, nudging me gently with her elbow.Her bashfulness never failed to amuse me whenever I became sweet and clingy.Fuck, I never saw myself behaving this way with a woman."Come on, let's have breakfast," she suggested, attempting to disentangle herself from my grasp. When I refused to let go like a mitherfucking koala on a branch, she groaned in exasperation. "Michael.""Yes?" I feigned innocence, planting a soft kiss behind her ear. I could almost hear the response I was hoping for.Her moan."I felt so empty this morning, baby." I pouted, pressing myself against her back. "You woke up too early."I knew she had trouble sleeping last night, despite my best efforts to comfort her with soothing words and gentle touches. Something was clearly bothering her.She had barely slept,
NATASHA"Don't be embarrassed, sweetheart. I'm actually pleased to see you're finally comfortable with him," Mom reassured me, sipping the tea Michael had prepared for her. "After all the chaos in life, you've found a home with him."I could still feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment.Recalling what had happened just a few minutes ago, I couldn't help but cover my face with my hands.Crossing my legs, I could still feel the sensation of Michael's finger sliding inside me.He had the nerve to tease me!I couldn't get it out of my head. Every time the memory resurfaced, my whole body would tingle."I don't know if I've said this before, but I'm really happy for you."Mom reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her smile was sweeter than chocolate, brighter than moonlight, and more beautiful than any jewel.A mother's smile is priceless, and I was blessed to witness it."Thank you, mom," I responded, appreciating her kind words as I returned the gesture."I don't want to l
MICHAEL"Natasha, it was an accident," I reassured her, noticing her anxiety.She was visibly nervous, sweating and fidgeting in her seat. Pierce seemed just as restless.Olga will be discharged tonight after spending nearly an hour in the operating room.Although she was hit, it wasn't a fatal injury, thankfully."Why do you think it was an accident?" Natasha questioned, her skepticism evident.I knew it wouldn't be easy to convince her, especially when she suspects something."Michael, it might be Elena. She must have found out that I told you something. You know she wants to harm my family. I... I can't bear to lose them, Michael. I can't," she almost sobbed.She hid her unshed tears by lowering her head and pacing back and forth.I tried to calm her down multiple times, but it seemed that I wasn't enough to put her at ease."Elena won't find out anything, Natasha. It was just the two of us in that room, in that house. Just the two of us, baby. The only way she could know what we t
NATASHA"I'm glad you're okay," I whispered to Mom as I sat beside her bed, lightly squeezing her hand.Mom wore her usual smile. "I wouldn't be if it weren't for Michael," she replied. "My memory is fuzzy from our journey to the hospital, but I remember his attentive care."I found myself speechless, managing only a weak smile as she continued to speak."Don't look so worried about me, my sweetest Natasha. I'm fine now. There's no need for concern," she reassured me, trying to quell my overthinking.My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, including various theories about what had just happened.Despite my desire to fully trust Michael, a nagging suspicion suggested he might be deceiving me."I'm just... thinking about something," I admitted, tracing the lines of her aged hands with my fingertips."Would you mind to sharing it with me? I might be able to help ease the storm in your mind," she suggested, her voice upbeat despite her circumstances.I shrugged, releasing a sigh. "I think...
MICHAEL"I don't know how to thank you, really."Pierce approached me as we arrived at the house, while Natasha and Olga headed straight upstairs."Can I borrow some of your time? It's about Quintus," he said."Sure," I muttered and led the way up to my office. "I asked a friend for help, and he said he could provide more details about Quintus if I wanted.""No, I'm not going to ask anything private about him anymore," he dismissed the topic.We entered my office, and Pierce looked around, checking the furnishings and design.I offered him a chair and walked to the table to pour drinks for us.He groaned as he sat down comfortably."You have good taste," he commented. "This mahogany desk is superb, son."I chuckled and agreed. "I like to think of every place I own as a person, and I have to dress them nicely," I replied, handing him the drink and sitting adjacent to him."Thank you," he mumbled, staring at the drink for a moment. "I just want to talk in private. I hope you don't mind.
NATASHAPouting, I glanced at the clock. Three hours had passed since Michael left me."I swear I'm going to kill him once he steps foot in this house," I grumbled, crossing my arms as I watched the time tick by.He's something else, and I can't comprehend how I've fallen so deeply for him, especially when he's such a mischievous man.However, I won't deny that I want to keep him close, like my favorite trinket in my pocket.My phone rang - it was Laura."Hey," I greeted, met with her cheerful voice."I heard from Mom that you're planning on becoming a momma," she teased, and I rolled my eyes at that. "Congratulations and welcome to the world of motherhood.""That's a huge misunderstanding," I countered as I stomped my foot on the floor, making my way to Michael's closet."What do you mean? You don't want to be a mother?""No, I didn't mean it like that." I opened his wardrobe, looking for something to change into, since all my clothes were left at my apartment. "Mom and Dad caught us