DAMON“Welcome to the Kane Group, Miss…” I glance over at her resume in my hand. “Thalia Carter.”The corner of my lips lifted when she couldn't even meet my eyes after what she had done earlier. I almost bawled out on the floor when she painfully kicked where it hurt. I didn't know she was an amazon princess.She was uncomfortably sitting opposite me in my own office, which is only one floor above the financial department. “T-Thank you, Mr. Kane… I… I apologize for the misunderstanding earlier–”“Misunderstanding?” I scoffed as I glanced down my pants. “Not really… The disney princess didn't have time to find information about who her boss is?”I saw how she rolled her eyes secretly when I mentioned ‘disney princess’. That made me smile in amusement. This woman might be my foe here at work. She has a sharp tongue and an attitude. I know I made a good choice of accepting her in my company, even though she's the only daughter of the great Caleb Carter.I'm wondering why he let her dau
THALIAMy heart thrummed violently in my chest while dashing out of the elevator. The feeling of being alone with Mr. Kane was driving me insane. If I had known that he was my boss, I wouldn't have kicked him where it deeply hurt.Jeez, that's so embarrassing!Heading alone to my apartment, which was only a walking distance away from the company, I felt someone had been following me since earlier. I took a peek behind me and saw familiar faces, following my tracks while merging into the crowd of people. Do they think I wouldn't notice them?Just great, Dad! He still installed a human surveillance camera on me.We had a deal that I'll be free for three months. Is that difficult for his side? I'm an adult, and I know what good things to do and bad things to avoid.I took my phone from my pocket with a frown and was about to call Dad, but I was surprised when my phone rang. Dad is calling.“Da–”“Seriously, Thalia Carter? Kane Group? How did you approach them?” He started with a raging
THALIAI can sense his coldness a few feet away from me. I almost held my breath while staring at the floor, waiting for the elevator door to open, but I guess I might die if I continued doing that.Did he just arrive from the meeting? Why is he going downstairs, then?I should not give a f*ck about his whereabouts or what he's been doing. I'm not his secretary nor a girlfriend. I'm working far from where he is. I must finish that task before he arrives in his office later.My phone rang, which made me startled and ruined the silence. I immediately turned it off and glanced at the person I cautioned off.He's not staring directly at me but… through the elevator door mirror, shot on mine. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I avoided his intense stare at me. If he's just an ordinary person without a grudge against me, I might melt at his lustful stare– Jesus Christ! Why does this elevator take so long to arrive on the first floor? With a deep breath, I bit my lower lip because of t
THALIAMy fingers fidgeted with one another as I stood still, lowering my head to the floor, and avoiding eye contact with my boss, Damon. He looks somewhat furious at what Sarah had told him and I don't know what mistake I made earlier that made them both let out their rage on me.Sarah was furiously holding a small box where shredded papers inside.She was accusing me of something earlier but Mr. Kane came and stopped her from slapping my face. If ever that happens, that is my first slap since I was given birth. I don't know if that really hurts.“Speak.” Damon's cold tone makes me a creep, that's why I can't look at his scary eyes.“She ruined the proposal I made for the meeting later.” My eyes widened at Sarah's accusations. “I did not!”Why would I ruin someone else's belongings? Especially important documents. “Do you think I will accuse you without evidence? Let's go to the CCTV room!” Sarah exclaimed in rage.I frown in confusion. There is also evidence. How come? “I've bee
THALIAMy hands began to tremble in fear with the thought that someone just warned me using that creepy tone. My heart began to beat furiously as my eyes scanned my surroundings. Everyone was busy with their own business. No one was suspicious.I flinch when someone touches my shoulder.I was on the verge of tears when I turned around, but Damon's frown made my tears come back inside my socket.If he sees a single tear from my eyes, he will mock me for being a crybaby again.He's really a jerk.“Is there something wrong, your highness?” I immediately avoided his eyes. “N-Nothing.”“I saw you being followed the other day.”I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Followed? O-Oh… that's…” If I say that's my bodyguard, he will mock me for being a disney princess again. “Maybe an admirer?” What kind of dumb thing is that?I saw how he scoffed as if he had heard a ridiculous thing tonight. “Admirer? Well, I can say that you have the looks but…” He leaned in closer, enough for me to smell his
THALIARage was evident through his eyes as I laid my eyes on him. He's fuming in rage and that's because of what he just discovered this morning.“Mr. Kane–”“Did you apply for an internship to be a spy for your father and to sabotage my company?”My heart pounded furiously at the way he gritted his teeth. “N-No, no! It's not me, Mr. Kane!”“Then what about this?” He angrily pointed at the documents on the table. “Are you fucking playing dumb?”I stared at the papers and thought through if I had even mistakenly used my computer for the past few days. However, I've been in Mr. Kane's office for three days and a half.He slammed his hand on the table causing me to jolt in fear.“I-It's not really me!” I grabbed the papers and looked at the date of the transaction. “The date… It was deposited in my account two days ago. But I'm not in the office at this time. I didn't use my computer for three days. I've been working my butts off for three days here in your office, Mr. Kane.” I desperat
THALIAMy heart was beating furiously when the black Ferrari suddenly turned on as the window at the back seat rolled down.I almost cursed to see Mr. Damon Kane's mug, glaring at me like he wanted to bury me alive.“I'll deduct your stipend if this was damaged.”I don't need your stipend!“I a-apologize, sir.”“Going home?” My brow raised in doubt at his question. Did he wait for me? Nah, stop being delusional–“Get in.”“Ha?”“Don't make me wait.” His tone was cold and firm, and if I won't move, he will cut my head down at this moment.I immediately entered his car.This is better than walking or taking a cab. It feels safer– wait… safer? I abruptly looked at him with widened eyes as the engine came alive.Why did I feel I'm safer in riding his car? What if he will take me somewhere unknown and kill me without anyone knowing? What he knows is that I took his one million.I bit my lower as my fingers fidgeted on my lap. Anxiety kicks in as I keep glancing at the window, making sure
THALIA “If there's anything else, just call the nurse.” The doctor said before leaving the VIP room where Mr. Kane is confined.Well, he was not literally confined. He only needed time to rest or sleep without distractions. Mr. Kane needed time to rest himself from work. He over-stressed his mind and body, causing him to experience severe head pain. And his insomnia added to the situation.I stride to the fridge and drink some water to relieve my worries about what happened to Mr. Kane.To be honest… I was scared to death.He was so pale, and he was not responding to my slap on his face. If he's alright, he should have reacted and scowled me for touching him.With a sigh, I turned to Mr. Kane and saw him sleeping peacefully on the king-size bed.His face was now relaxed, and that made my heart feel lighted.He made me worried.Wait… why am I overreacting? Is it because he's my boss? Will my internship certificate be at risk if something terrible happens to him? Also, I have no one
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
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