THALIAI swallowed the lump in my throat as I stride to where Mom is while glancing at the CCTV. She immediately wrapped her arms around me as if she hadn't seen me for years.It was warm and cozy. I badly miss her presence.Fortunately, I did not return to Damon's residence.Mom placed the paper bag she was carrying on the table while her eyes wandered the whole place. This is her second time coming here after months of not seeing each other.As I smell food coming from the paper bag she brought, I immediately look at what's inside.It's food! I miss my mom's food.While being busy sniffing the tasty aroma of the food like a hungry elephant, my attention was diverted to Mom, who was about to enter the bathroom.My eyes widened as I sprinted to the bathroom and shut the door closed, leaving her startled behind the door.“I-I can't hold it!” I nervously exclaimed, but my eyes darted at Damon's clothes in the laundry basket.She definitely knows that clothes are not mine at first glan
THALIAMy eyes went wide seeing Frederick again. The last time I saw him was when I argued with my brother. I know he felt uncomfortable during that time as he didn't intend to misinterpret everyone by dragging me into the hotel.“What–”“Hi, Tita!” He walked past me and approached my mother at the table.“Frederick dear! How are you!”I bit my bottom lip as I anxiously followed him, sitting next to my chair.“I'm doing fine.” His smile widened while gazing at me with a hint of something naughty.‘Just be careful not to report to my mother by mistake!’With a fake smile, I glared at him, enough to deliver the message I wanted to say.My heart was thumping wildly as I switched glances between him and Mom, but I caught my mother wearing a teasing smile at us. She's thinking differently again.“So… how's the progress between you two?”I rolled my eyes in annoyance. “There's no progress–”“It's getting there.”I abruptly shot him a glare. “That's great!”What the f*ck? He gives my mothe
THALIAThe abrupt meeting ended with Damon being the center of attention after showing off his alluring smile to everyone. I stayed in the restroom for a couple of minutes to avoid the stares and murmurs of the people, especially the employees in the financial department. I just realized how embarrassing that was.Damon left the conference room after the meeting and I didn't have a chance to ask him about what happened on the island. I thought he was busy finding the guy who pushed me and the stalker who escaped from the prison but instead, he flew to Russia because of a company matter.A smile crept on my lips as my heart fluttered seeing Damon's face earlier. The frustration and worries faded as soon as he smiled, making me wonder if I missed him and was not angry about not responding to my calls and texts. Damn… I miss him again– No! I need an update about the incident on that island.I finally came out of the restroom and went straight to Damon's office. Luke is the first person
THALIAConfusion was all over my face as I looked around and my eyes stopped at the person next to me. His smirk shows he's enjoying acting like a handsome kidnapper.“Frederick!” “Did I scare you?” He cracks up as he taps my shoulder simultaneously to annoy me.“Obviously!” I rolled my eyes and punched his stomach causing him to wince in pain but I know it didn't affect him a bit. “Take me back there.” I hissed.He stopped and glanced at me, looking so puzzled. “Did you forget?”My phone suddenly buzzes. “About what?” I irritatedly took out my phone and saw Damon was calling me.Damn it.I was about to send him a text while cautiously glancing at Frederick. “It's your Uncle's birthday.”I paused and stopped typing.“Uncle Adam?”“Since you are close to where I was, I insisted on being the sole person to pick you up instead of your brother.”I firmly shut my eyes and changed my message to Damon. Instead, I sent him a message that I couldn't meet him tonight.With a sigh, I turned of
THALIA“M-Mr. Kane, what are you doing here?” My lips were trembling as I slowly approached them with a pierced gaze towards Damon.“I have a business to talk with your father, Thalia.” My brows furrowed at how he called me casually. “I mean, Ms. Carter.”He looked at me with teasing eyes. Is he enjoying this?“You're really something.” Dad got up from his seat. “Then, join me there.”They headed to the other side of the pool. Damon winked at me as he passed by, causing the blood to gush through my cheeks. My gaze followed him and Dad as they mingled with my other relatives. I bet they are going to talk all about business the rest of the night.Mom offered me a seat as my Aunt Alice was giving me a glass of wine. I accepted the glass and chugged down the drink at once while my eyes were fixed on Damon only.Don't you dare slip that tongue of yours, Damon!I felt someone sat beside me and placed his arm around my shoulder. It's my brother.“Did you tell him–”I abruptly glare at him.
THALIA My heart beats furiously as I hear Leander’s voice slowly getting nearer. I covered Damon's mouth, praying that no one would discover us behind the door. Please… not now!I then felt Damon's lips forming a smile. With a glare, I mouthed at him to keep quiet.Why does it feel like this seems exciting to him?I held my breath when the footsteps of my brother stopped near the door or just an inch apart at the door. I can even hear his heavy breathing.Damon suddenly licked my palm causing me to suck in my breath. Amusement was painted in his eyes as if enjoying this moment.Is he crazy?“Come out now.” My eyes widened. He knew where we were. “Uncle Adam and Granduncle Alfred are here.” He said before his footsteps were slowly fading.I leaned my head into Damon's chest as I messed up my hair. If he knew what we were doing in here, he would scold me later for being brazen.I was about to get mad at Damon but I saw his brows furrowed.“What's wrong?” He let out a deep sigh befor
DAMONDeafening silence filled the car as we drove off the road, going to somewhere I don't know with Thalia's father, Mr. Carter.I actually plan to ask for their daughter's hand but that's not today. I wanted to end these things before asking Thalia's parents formally.However, it turned out like this.He noticed and saw us. He's indeed smarter than his only son, Leander.“This person you cherished the most…” My ears perked up and gazed at him. “... was this my daughter?”I looked away when he met my eyes, gazing at the dark road from the back seat.I slowly nodded as he was still waiting for my response, which he already knew the answer but still needed confirmation from me.He grabbed my coat and harshly pulled me towards him. His raging eyes were evident that he wanted to kill me right now as he heard what he expected to hear.“Why?!” His jaw tightened as he clenched his fist on my clothes. “Why of all people, Mr. Kane? She's too young for you!”He pushed me harshly, causing me t
THALIAI woke up when I heard the door finally open after fifteen hours of being locked up. And to think that it's already morning makes my rage increase at a boiling point.A man who has the same facial features as me came in with a smug face. “Leander,” I growled in fury.“What are you glaring at? Let's head down. It's time for breakfast.” He casually said and exited the room as if he hadn't done something yesterday that made me boil in rage. That jerk! If he hadn't been my brother, I would have strangled him the moment I first saw him today.I followed him with big strides as I couldn't match his pace. As we entered the dining hall, my eyes wandered to every corner of the room, looking for someone I'd been thinking about since last night.Then, I found my target.I swallowed the lump in my throat when I caught him staring at me intently, with a newspaper in front of him.All of the fury inside was swallowed by the nervousness as soon as I laid my eyes on my father.Did he already
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