(Caleb's POV)After our wedding, we were the talk of the country. Our photos were printed in every magazine and newspaper, and paparazzi followed everyone and everything related to us. It was getting on my nerves, but thankfully the spotlight will go away in a few weeks.I will be having a meeting later with some of my investors at the event, and I worked the entire morning together with the paper works, compiling it on my table.After hours of working, I lengthened my arms and opened a drawer to take some painkillers. But as I was about to reach it, the phone suddenly ring."Yes?""Mr. Carter, the charity event will be moved by two hours earlier, as requested by the investors." it was Kent, my secretary on the other line."WHAT?" a tiny gasps from a woman's voice overheard outside my office. "Okay, ready the private chopper." I ended the call as my attention is still outside my office. I don't remember that someone was waiting for me outside.My door was slightly open, that's why I he
(Anastasia's POV)He went back to ignoring me from the next morning onward. He didn't even look me in the eye and ignored me the entire day. I only saw him leaving the house since he came home after I slept. And then he ignored me the next day also.I'm totally confused by his sudden gestures towards me.I was sitting on a stool in the kitchen watching Fernando made food as he slightly sway his hips to the music banging from the radio. I know he was doing all this to brighten my mood and I find that very sweet and kind of him.Caleb was a box full of secrets. His entire life was a mystery full of discomfort and despair. His glare was enough to shut up anyone. Especially me, since he had been doing that a lot.I sigh and strode my feet to go back to my room and enjoy my horrible life watching movies. I miss Mom and Alice. Should I visit them? But Caleb warned me not to wander outside without his consent.Everything has been boring lately and I haven't spoken to Caleb since that dinner.
(Caleb's POV)Just finished my shower as I am putting on my white plain long sleeve, and paired them down with dark brown trousers. I decided to have breakfast with Anastasia since she didn't have dinner last night, is she still mad at me?After I fix myself, I strode my feet until I reach the door to exit my room. Arriving at Anastasia's door, I pressed the doorbell twice but no response. It was already 9 am, so I pressed the doorbell again."Anastasia." this time, knocking three times on her door but still no response.This is getting on my nerves. I pressed the doorbell spontaneously and won't stop until she won't open the door."CALEB!" and it works!I stop pressing the doorbell when she opens her door but only her head sticking out, her hair was quite messy as her brows are lowered and pulled closer together, and her lips tightened as if she was about to punch me."What took you so long?!" I can't help but raise my voice."I'm sleeping!!" she yelled back at me."Get ready, let's h
(Anastasia's POV)Today, I want to explore the whole hotel. Hoping to get the best out of my time here I quickly changed into a dress and ran to the elevator before Caleb could find me.After he kissed me yesterday, a blush crept up my cheeks. I was embarrassed and he noticed it, which is making me more mortified.I wasn't familiar with his new side but I was feeling very comfortable and happy with his change. His cellphone password makes a smile in crept again, our wedding date. But I knew that it would not last long. So before I could have any hope, I washed away all the thoughts of yesterday.I stood inside the elevator as its doors closed. But before that, I saw Caleb coming out in casual wear, wearing a black-collar t-shirt and beige pants.He looked my way but thankfully the doors fully closed and I went down.I didn't want him to see me blushing just by looking at him. So pathetic.After I got down, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked ahead and saw Caleb staring at me. Yeah, I
(Anastasia's POV)Caleb closed his eyes as ice cream dripped down his face.I stared at him in shock for a moment but then couldn't hold back the laughter that was trying to escape my lips. His cheeks were covered in vanilla ice cream making him look like a ghost you would find in scooby doo.Soon, I started cracking up. I kept my hands on the kitchen counter for support and bent down, laughing hard."Are you laughing at me?" Caleb asked with a serious tone but a few seconds later he chuckled seeing me laughing."I can't- you don't need a bowl. Just lick your face.""Well let's see how your wand works on you." Caleb winked and took my spoon and swung it just like I did.I gasped loudly when all the ice cream in the spoon was thrown at my face. I raised my head to look at Caleb only to see him laughing.He looks so cute when he laughs. Wait! What crawled up my ass today?After we both spent hours laughing at each other we both went to our rooms to take a shower. As I came out, Caleb's f
(Anastasia's POV)I woke up the next morning to a feeling of warmth. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a handsome man sleeping next to me. My hand was lying on his chest and his arm wrapped around my waist. Our faces were only inches apart, a slight move and our lips would meet.I stared at his perfectly carved face for a while until realization hit me. Suddenly, I jerked away and sat up straight. Due to my sudden movement, Caleb stirred and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes wandered around the room and then they fell upon me. His eyes widened in shock and he quickly got off the bed and put on his clothes.He ran his fingers through his hair and groaned in frustration."No." He whispered."What?" I ask in confusion."No." He shook his head looking down."Caleb--"I tried getting up but he stopped me."DON'T!... j-just... j-just get ready and pack your things. We shouldn't be late on our flight."He left the room in a hurry without looking at me, leaving me confused and heartbroken.My hea
(Caleb's POV)The sun beat down relentlessly, and even with the Air-conditioned cranked up, I could feel the heat inside my office."Kent, send me the draft for the meeting." I ended the call while still digging through the documents scattered on my table. But I am still careful to not rearrange the documents since they were already organized."Damn!"I harshly plunged a heap of documents in frustration. Letting my whole body collapse in the swivel chair and run my fingers through my hair as I let out a deep breath.I'm being out of focus since yesterday. I am bothered by Anastasia, about what happened in Germany. I shouldn't have done that in the first place. That time, I crossed the line.Why?Why am I always attracted to her?I did everything to ignore and avoided her but I really can't help myself from getting close to her.Seeing her makes me out of control and this is not good for me and also for her. I know that this will not work out because of the contract.As I brush my face
(Anastasia's POV)Tita Susan and Tito Rey were supposed to be here in the morning but due to some meeting, they had to postpone the lunchtime visit.No one wanted to talk about the other day, nor about what happened in Germany. It was all the talking we've been doing for the past few days. Just some monotonous responses and answers. I could tell how different the situation was, he didn't want to acknowledge anything.This early morning, he sounded a bit irritated as he continued to do whatever was on his phone. I didn't understand what had happened to him."Caleb, let's just order-""Hello, yes Kent. Yeah, I have seen them..." he was on the phone before walking out of the hall, completely ignoring me. I knew he had heard me but choose to ignore my words.'Now, what do you expect Anastasia? You are nothing to him, just a contract, Remember that' I whispered to myself as a stray tear fell from my eyes before I quickly whipped it away.I walked upstairs to change. Suddenly, the doorbell r
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
THALIAMy breath trembles as Uncle Michael pours the awful smell of gasoline a distance away from our feet. Is he trying to burn us alive? I can't believe this!"What have we done to you? My family treats you like a family!" I burst out in tears as I kept glancing at my unconscious brother beside me.He's not dead, right?I saw how Uncle Michael stopped pouring the liquid on the floor. He gazes at me, or should I say glare, with fury in his eyes."Family? Your father took something from me! Is that a family!!"I tightly shut my eyes in horror as his voice echoed in the whole place. Where are we anyway?"I don't know anything about the feud between you and my father!" I yelled back while I secretly gazed around, trying to figure out where we were.This is not a room, and obviously not a house. All I can see is steel everywhere; the walls, the roof, and the floor are made of steel as if we were inside a huge shipping container– shipping container?"That project was my idea!" I flinched