(Anastasia's POV)Caleb opens the door widely causing my naked skin to shiver through the frigid breeze thrusting inside the house.I was taken back to see Lianne with her luggage, drenched in sweat, her left cheek is crimson red and her countenance looks miserable."Lianne? Are you okay?" Caleb asks with concern. He held her luggage, leading her towards the living room as I followed them behind."C-can I stay here for a while?" Lianne said with her watery crimson eyes. It seems like she's not in good condition right now."Of course, you can, Lianne." I was surprised glancing at Caleb, he is caressing her head to keep her calm while staring at her, full of worries. He became soft and gentle in an instant.He is always gentle when it comes to his best friend, Lianne. But I don't know why my chest felt a tingling sensation and was about to tear up. Why can't he be fully gentle with me? Why only to Lianne? Is she that special to him?I lowered my head as I let out a chuckle. Who am I to
(Caleb's POV)I am at the top floor of the company and was getting fully dressed accompanied by Josh and Damian, who were patiently waiting for me to finish in the next room.A smile escapes from my lips as I remember Anastasia last night. I felt a boner last night but I held myself devouring her beautiful body as that was her punishment. Her beautiful face keeps rummaging in my mind and I can't help to smile from time to time, remembering her beautiful soul.I finished dressed in a formal neat dark black suit that matched my other accessories as I put on the final of my outfit before heading out of the room."Finally, what took you so long, dude," Damian complained as he stood up from the sofa. Josh just gave me a bright smile on his face as they both walked up in my direction."Looking nice." Josh complimented me while looking at my attire with a curved on his lips. It was a beautiful dark combination that suited my dark and domineering aura."We better get going or we are going to b
(Anastasia's POV)The bright Monday morning shunned the blue sky covered with fluffy white clouds as I walked inside the Carter's Enterprise building."Good morning." I greeted the receptionist with a smile as I swiped my card through."Good Morning, Mrs. Carter," I walked inside the elevator. I took a glance one more time at the watch on my wrist which indicates 6:57 am before I press the top floor.Taping my foot on the glass floor repetitively, I tried to calm my nerves as people got on and off the elevator to their sections. When it finally reached the top floor, I glance back at my watch as I exited the elevator once again, 6:59 am. I hastened walked into his office and knocked on his door."Come in." His hoarse voice spoke coldly.I opened the door slightly before I entered fully inside his office. Walking towards the table, I placed the coffee in front of him before taking a seat. He looked up at me as he nodded."Morning, I am on time," I said grinning while placing the files
(Anastasia's POV)I groaned to myself as my empty stomach starts grumbling like a hungry lion. I took a glance at my watch, it was just past one pm and I haven't gotten a chance to eat my breakfast yet.Setting the papers on the desk, I stood up and strode my feet to the door. I stuffed my hand in my pocket walking towards the elevator, taking a few glances at Caleb's office, but he is nowhere to be found. He must be still in a meeting.I quickly walked into the cafeteria room. Feeling a little lonely, eating by myself, I took out my phone and ask Ava to have snacks with me. But they are having a meeting, so she is out. I decided to eat alone then.I was silently eating a macaroon in the corner inside this wide expanded room filled with few employees as they are busy devouring their own business while I was busy with my own business too. I was about to take a huge bite when my name echoed inside the cafeteria causing me to stop in a trance.I turned my head and see Byron runs in my dir
(Anastasia's POV)Caleb's brows were drawn together. Then, Lianne followed his gaze.I don't know how to react in this situation but all I know is my heart is about to burst. I looked away from them trying to remain composure. As much as I want to drag Lianne by her hair out of Caleb's room, I need to control my emotion as I am not his real wife."What is it?" Caleb asked. Lianne is already leaning on the couch with crossed arms while Caleb strides his feet towards my direction with a frown face.What? Did I interrupt their romantic moments? Am I on their way? I rolled my eyes out of annoyance."I need a suitcase, mine's broken, just send it to my room," Turning my back without waiting for him to respond, striding my feet back to my room.I almost burst into outrage.***I exited the bathroom, yawning, after being done cleaning myself, and yet, still sleepy. I haven't slept a wink last night and don't ask me why. They are just very close like real siblings, don't get them wrong. But
(Anastasia's POV)"Have you ever been outside and walked around the city just for fun and to explore?" e He shook his head. "I never thought there was a good reason, it was a waste of time, but not anymore until you came." I immediately looked at him, surprised. It's because of me?I ignore my thought and nodded in response as I pluck out a dandelion from the ground. Blowing on it, the seeds flew around spreading all over the air.Caleb just watched in interest."Here try it," I said while plucking another one and handing it to him. He looked at me like I gave him the most challenging task in all of mankind. I chuckled slightly and picked one up for myself. "All you have to do is put it close to your face and blow on it lightly. The seeds will fall all over." I said while demonstrating how to do it.He brought it close to his face and blew on it. But the problem is, he brought it too close to his face so he inhaled some of the seeds causing him to cough nonstop. I tried to hold back
(ANASTASIA'S POV)-ANTONIO LAVERDE, THE SON OF A MULTI-BILLIONAIRE IN EUROPE, SHOT TO DEATH- HeadlineAntonio Laverde? I felt relieved when it turned out it is not my father.Photos of his body that looked almost too explicit for the public were posted on television. He does look like my dad but I don't think it's him.I mean, the man was shot to death, he has a different name too, and most of all, he is the son of a multi-billionaire in Europe. It's so hard to believe that he is my father. But they do have facial feature similarities. I couldn't help but feel bad for the man. Who wanted him dead so badly that made it occur like this?I'm trying to compose myself as I keep eating my chocolate almond. I looked at Caleb when he placed his hand on my lap."As I stare at your father's picture, I just figure out now that he and Antonio look alike," he said, can't stop staring at the tv."I almost had a heart attack, thinking that my father is a multi-billionaire." I let out a chuckle but Ca
(Anastasia's POV)"W-what? Who... who are you?""Adam. Adam Laverde." He replied with a slight smile. "You as well. Dad has told me a lot of stories about you and my other younger sister, Alice." He said and my face turned dark."There are only limits to that. If Dad told you anything about us, maybe you also know why he left us." I replied while leaning forward to grab a water bottle."Mhmm, he only told me about having a mistress with our maid before and left us for her.""Well, you do know who killed him, right?" "I do not. No one does." "His brother." he stops moving his wine for a second with his hand before he sighs and shot me a glare."Do you have evidence?" he sternly asked before avoiding my eyes and drinking his wine. He seems relaxed, not even surprised about what I just revealed. He must know everything."He said in the video that he left, for us to be safe. And his brother will go after us this time. Are you aware of that?" I said in a slightly sickening tone at the end
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
THALIAThe whole ride was filled with silence. He is driving his Ferrari while I'm here, sitting in the passenger seat with a lump in my throat. I don't know why I suddenly felt anxious being alone with Damon. The last time we saw each other, we were both fuming in our situation. But still, here I am, wanting to be with him while ignoring the supposed protocols.I gazed at him and saw his furrowed brows and solemn eyes focused on the road. Did he feel the same? Did he feel the awkwardness between us?"H-How did you find us?" I killed the silence."Actually... Leander and I talked before the abduction."I immediately gaze at him. "A-Are Are you the one who caused his wounds?" "Of course not. Do you think I'll harm your brother in that way?"I looked away while reprimanding myself for thinking he would do such a thing."N-No... you would not.""When I was going home after meeting him, Leander's secretary called me and tracked his phone." He explained, which left me with no choice but
THALIAI held my chest and felt my pounding heart while hearing his voice, calling my name repeatedly. Is that really him? Did he come to rescue me just like in fairytale movies?It's only been weeks since I haven't heard his voice and not seen his face, but it felt like I hadn't heard from him for years.The back of my eyes warmed, and I chuckled silently at my thoughts.He's always there when I'm in danger. He came to my rescue when I needed him the most. He's really indeed my knight in shining armor--"HERE!" I flinched when Leander shouted near my ear as he pounded his fist on the wall.That woke me up, and I immediately screamed at the top of my lungs. "DAMON, PLEASE SAVE US! THE CONTAINER IS BURNING INSIDE!""FUCK!"I leaned my ear on the wall when I only heard him cuss but eventually distanced myself from the wall because it was getting hotter."Are you sleeping?" He said while coughing.I raised my gaze and glared at Leander but he only scoffed annoyingly. I was about to talk