(Anastasia's POV)I wake up swamped in my light blue covers, rubbing my eyes as the bright sunlight hits them. I glance over at my clock which is marked 8:05 am. Oh shit! I am gonna be late! Dashing off from the bed and quickly take a shower. As soon I was finished, I dressed in a white plain T-shirt and partnered it down with denim blue pants and black Converse. I apply a powder and lilting to my bare face before I brush my hair and tie it into a neat bun that rested on top of my head. I exited my apartment and headed to the Latte Cafe where I work as a cashier.Once I arrived, I stride inside the shop and was greeted by a warm smile from my co-worker."Good morning, Ana." "Good morning, Jane," I respond.After I set my belongings in my locker, I help Jane to set up everything before the customer dashes in. While doing our chores, Mrs. Smith arrived at the shop with a profound countenance."Ms. Hansley, to my office now." she coldly states.I glance at Jane but she just shrugged wh
(Caleb's POV)It was finally the night of the most awaited annual Carter charity event. Unfortunately, I have been feeling under the weather since this morning after waking up from a killer headache. Because of this event, my workload is packed more than ever and I had been traveling back and forth from the Carter main headquarters to several branches to handle management matters personally without a day's rest. I may love working but I also know how to appreciate rest days once in a while. And right now, spending some time alone in my penthouse with a cup of coffee and a book sounded good. I casually fixed my tux while looking at my reflection in the glass window of the library.A part of me is relieved that Lucas is handling the problem regarding my father's Will. Of course, I trusted my cousin. Josh is clever, smart, and an overall good kid. He's a Carter after all but I can't help but worry about him. Sometimes, there's a look on his face that spells trouble. I just hope that th
(Anastasia's POV)I followed Mr. Carter. to a private parking lot where all the VIP vehicles are. He unlocked the trunk of his car and took out a brown leather duffle bag, and pulled out a white cotton towel."Dry yourself first. I don't want you to catch a cold." he handed me the towel before putting the bag back in the trunk. He then unlocked the driver's seat and motioned his hand at me to get on the other side."I'll dry myself first. I don't want to ruin the seats. They look expensive."He rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows, "It doesn't matter, you can do it inside. Now, get in before someone sees you."Reminding me of how scary reporters can be, I hurriedly hopped in the passenger seat.He started to move out of the car from the parking lot with ease. "So, what's this important thing you were going to tell me?"I looked outside the windows as they go past building by building. "W-where are we going?" I also noticed how the rain seemed to have also calmed down a b
(Caleb's POV)After she signed the contract. We headed to her place to pick up her mom and sister. Since she said earlier that they must move out, Josh can't find a vacant apartment near my house or company, so he ended up with a condominium near my company."Turn left..." I followed her instruction on which way is their home. This place looks like a poor residential area, you can see a crowded neighborhood and a loud situation.Somewhere a dog barked, I could hear the risings and fallings of a conversation being held on a porch near the corner, chatting and yapping and playing and shrieking; a car passed on the street, the roaring sound of a motorcycle revving on the other side of the cemetery intrudes like a profanity. How can they live here peacefully?"JUST LEAVE THIS INSTANT!!""S-stop the car, sir." she unbuckles her seatbelt and was about to open the door, adrenaline rushed through me as I stepped on the brake. She jumped off the car and run toward the crowded people. Is she cr
Anastasia's POVI stare up at the ceiling in deep thought. What the hell did I get myself into? My life is going to take a drastic turn from this point. Did I make the right choice by accepting this deal? I just signed my life to a stranger himself. I let out a long sigh before standing up from my bed. Enough thinking, Anastasia.I grab my grey sleeping robe and put it on without tying it. While walking to the kitchen, I tie my hair into a messy bun and start making breakfast for my mom and sister. As soon as I finished, the doorbell rang. Striding towards the door, to reveal the most handsome man I've met."Mr. Carter?" I ask confused as to why he was here this early. He raises his hand for a 'hi'. "What are you doing here, Mr. Carter?... Oh! Come in!""I am here to pick you up, we need to go somewhere." He sat on the couch."Uhmm... C-Can we go some other time? I... I still need to explain to Mom about the situation." I keep glancing at my mom's room, but his dark brown eyes gave m
(Caleb's POV)The sun rays that peeked through the window collided with my face causing me to bring the covers over my head. I rub my eyes and sit up before realizing that it's already morning.Laying back down on the bed with a sigh as I place my arm over my forehead. I am exhausted from my paper works as I need to finish reviewing the important documents before my wedding this week.The grumble of my stomach distracts me from my thoughts and I decided to go find something to eat. I walk out of the bed and come out at the main staircase. I let my nose guide the way. I could smell eggs, bacon, and best of all freshly made pancakes.I enter the kitchen to find my chef and the back of a woman. The only thing I could see was her light brown blonde-tipped wavy long-length hair that seemed to shine in the light. She was wearing a red patterned flannel shirt dress and a pair of black boots.The woman had turned around, and now I had a full view of her face. Her light blue eyes stared at me,
(Anastasia's POV)Today is the day, the day that I have been wishing throughout the week not to come, the day I would be joined in a marriage I never asked for, a marriage that came without a choice.The wedding day.I was already in my wedding gown which Mom and Aunt Susan helped me into and was currently retouching my makeup which I didn't find necessary but Angelica insisted.After the family dinner at his ancestral mansion, everything went very fast, since Caleb had decided to push the wedding to this Saturday, for reasons best known to him."Okay, pretty bride it's time to go," Olivia said when she walked in with Trina. She is the organizer of the wedding, as she is very close to Caleb's family. I wonder why they didn't date."You look beautiful," Mom said with a loving smile. One thing that gave me joy, was seeing my mom and sister smiling and not having worries in life, they look so happy. Tears formed at the banks of my eyes.We exit Olivia's building and drove to the church wh
(Anastasia's POV)I was woken up by a tap on my leg. I yawned and shielded my eyes from the light reaching through the windows.The tap on my leg continued, and I could hear Rosalinda's voice calling my name as I slowly regained consciousness."Good morning, madam Anastasia," Rosalinda said, smiling at me.I did my normal yawning and moaning waking-up routine until finally, I was fully awake then rubs my eyes to fully see Rosalinda beside the bed wearing a worried face."Good morning, Rosalinda." I greeted yawning."The boss said I should inform you that you should eat breakfast with him.""Oh really, sorry I...."I wasn't able to complete whatever I was about to say when the door barged open, and an unreadable Caleb came in.He was still in his PJ trouser and a black top, his hands were in his trousers as he stood at the door scrutinizing me that was still on the bed wearing only an undergarment underneath the blanket. I immediately cover myself. I was usually sleeping barely naked, w
THALIA Warm tears escalated at the back of my eyes as I held my breath for a second. Lots of words and thoughts came across me, but I didn't know how to react to this, I didn't know how to face him, and I didn't know how I would feel.Fury and longing lingered in my chest as I turned to him with tears welling up in my eyes.There… a man standing three feet away from me, staring at me intently, lovingly, as if he hadn’t left me and made me miss him for a month.He looked the same. “Damon…”His eyes and lips formed a smile before saying, “Congratulations.”I scoffed as I held back my tears.He's really something.“Thanks.” I blankly responded.At least I'm thankful he showed up today, or maybe he's just visiting me, then begone again for a month.As he sensed the intense stare I gave him, his smile faded, and he sighed. “Did you stop waiting?” He said almost a whisper. “What do you think?”He remained silent as his eyes locked on mine using his soft, day-dreamy look, which I hate th
THALIAAFTER A MONTH“After Michael Scott was found dead a week ago, Alfred Laverde was found dead in Whiteface Mountain in the town of Wilmington in Essex County.”Wilmington… That's where Cassie's accident occurred years ago.I avoided my eyes from the TV as my heart suddenly pounded frantically. Anyway, I continue tying the lace of my sandal while trying my best not to react as best as I can at the news.Since Frederick's father was found dead, I'm having a hard time forgetting that news. It breaks my heart to see Fred in tears while mourning for his deceased father.He actually didn't deserve it because he didn't actually kill anyone. Well, almost, and that's us. Still… Fred was a great friend and we noticed he's turning his back on us. Maybe he's blaming us for his loss.And now… my granduncle is also dead.I gaze at my mother, who doesn't even show any emotions while listening to the news. I don't feel the sorrow of losing him. He killed my grandfather, and to be honest, I shou
THALIAMy eyes began to well up with tears of conflicting feelings. Anger, worries, and longing came out all at once. He disappeared without a trace after saying he would come back, and God knows if he’s alive or not. He made me fucking worried for nothing!“Where were you?” That was the only thing I asked.“I have to take care of something–”“Then why did you have to vanish like that?” My voice cracked up in the end as I failed to control it.He avoided my eyes with guilt lingering all over his face. I don't know what to feel. But there's only one thing I could figure out after seeing him again.“To protect you from harm.”I firmly shut my eyes, tears streamed down my cheeks as his words were like hitting my chest with a knife. All he could think was to be my protector, whereas here I am thinking he might have chosen the others over me.Am I being too selfish?I wiped my face as I looked around. Good thing my bodyguards are outside the university. “What happened to Uncle Michae
THALIAI flinched as I was startled when my phone suddenly rang. I got up in bed, sighing as soon as I saw the time. It's almost three, but my eyes won't even close just a bit.My attention was switched to my phone, which still kept ringing. Who would call at this hour?I answered it without looking at the caller.“Wha–”“Thalia.”My brows furrowed at the familiar voice in the end. I checked the number, but it's unregistered.“Ca-Cassie?”“I'm sorry for barking at the wrong tree.” My jaw fell as soon as I confirmed it was her. I jump off the bed and gaze outside the window.“Where are you? Who's with you?” I desperately asked.However, I heard her chuckle and sighed deeply.“I intentionally took the chance that my mother used to work with Laverde and got in as their so-called illegitimate family member.”Her words left me baffled. So… she's not a real Laverde?“What's your reason?”“I have found evidence and took a chance to get closer to the enemy.”“Evidence of what?”“I only want
THALIAI inhale sharply as soon as I exit the building. My chest feels heavy and tightened, and I don't know how to cope with the pain deep inside of me.My fingers firmly curled around the handle of my handbag.It's just my hunch. It's just my guts. It's just my suspicion that it was Damon. But why don't I feel this suspicion is real?I hate it.My phone rang, and Damon's secretary was plastered on my screen.“How was it? Is it Damon?”“No.”Then why did that jerk get Damon's phone?I scratched my temple as I walked to my car. I entered my car with a frown.“Where did that robber find it?”“He said a woman came and sold the phone.”I paused and confusedly thought about who that woman could be.“Woman? Who?”“He couldn't recognize her because she covered almost her face.”Why do people love covering their faces? Scared of the sunburn or hiding from the authorities?Since it's a woman, there's no way Damon is in trouble. So, I don't give a fuck with that woman who stole Damon's phone a
THALIAMom and Dad quickly went to Paris last night. Leander and I left here in New York so that we wouldn't be embroiled in the quarrel with Laverde.It's my mother's family, so I'm afraid Mom will break down. I heard her screaming to Uncle Adam on the phone before they left. I sighed as I put down my spoon on the table. I glanced at Leander, who was also in deep thought in front of his breakfast.“What's gonna happen now?”“What else? Mom possibly cut her ties with them.” I tightly shut my eyes in frustration. Why are there traitors in our lives? “Are we just going to stay here and wait? Mom might break down.”Leander let out a frustrating sigh. “Dad is with her. Also, they won't let us tag along with them.”It's been two decades since that happened. Doesn't the grandfather's case have a statute of limitations? I wonder how they found evidence despite the long period since it happened. Anyway, if it really proves my granduncle was the suspect of my grandfather's death, I hope he
THALIAOne week.It's been one week since Damon went missing. I even helped in looking for him but to no avail. Not even the authorities could find Damon Kane. There's no body or anything that can lead to his whereabouts. It was as if he vanished into thin air.I was depressed and cried every night while I had this hope every day of finding him together with the authorities.My parents and Leander didn't complain about how I poured everything into this search and rescue. They can see through me how desperate I am just to find him and I was hoping he's alive and in a safe place.Uncle Michael, who caused all of this, was on the run and hiding somewhere. Where's his courage to kill off my father's happiness now? Maybe he was also the reason why Leander's secretary was abducted and injured. Leander poured his soul into finding her but was also abducted by Uncle Michael. As of now, I don't know why Leander's secretary was abducted.I refused to talk to Frederick. Not because I hate his
THALIAI mustered my courage to point my gun at the person who was about to invade the car, but I stopped to see someone as my reflection, sticking his head through the window.“Leander!”“Thalia? What the hell are you doing here?!”I immediately jerked off from the car but was greeted by a woman leaning at the car. She was wearing corporate attire without a coat, and a red stain was visible on her dirty, white sleeve. “Who is she?”“My secretary. She's injured.” Leander opened the door, and I helped him place the girl in the back seat.Why is his secretary here? Did he come to get her?A rustling sound inside the forest, followed by repeated shouts from men, made us freeze.“They followed us.” My brother growled.He pushed me inside the backseat and entered the driver's seat. He was about to start the engine hastily, but I immediately stopped him.“Wait, Damon is still not here!”“We don't have much time.”He shoved off my hand, but I stopped him again.“No! We need to wait for Dam
THALIAI immediately wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me and kissing him harder than before. He lifted me and placed me on his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist. Our lips remained sealed. It was like we couldn’t get enough of each other, devouring one another. His hands were moving down, under my shirt, his fingers skimming over my skin, sending a rush of blood to every part of my body. His touch gave me the feeling of longing, and I relished every second he pushed his tongue and lips against mine. I lowered my hands and yanked his shirt up. He broke apart long enough to pull it over his head and toss it aside. His hands slid around my head, pulling me back to his mouth. I ran my hands down his abdomen. It was firm, with the perfect amounts of dips and ripples. His lips traveled down my neck and shoulders as he whispered sweet words in my ear. I gasped when he suddenly reclined the seat and softly moaned as I grabbed his face to meet my lips to communica