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
THALIALike a barrage of steel, the rain fell in a straight, silvery stream. It clattered into the pavement roads and the buildings. The thunder created some sounds like grand pianos crashing, then subsided to a gentler continuous rumbling, which was virtually smothered by the sound of the rain.The sky is lonely. That was all I thought while watching the rain alone-- I mean, not totally alone.I was shoved in Mr. Kane’s direction when a woman full of baggage dashed through the door.Mr. Kane's warm fingers curled in my arms. My heart began to pound when I realized his warmth reached my chest.I immediately stepped away from him.The long silence was deafening. Even the sound of the car's engine passing by didn't move away from the silence between us.“H-How are you feeling? Are you really fine?”“For the nth time, yes, I'm fine, Thalia.”Thalia… he called me casually for the second time. He yelled my name earlier, though. He usually called me ‘Your Highness’, so it's surprising he fi
DAMONI glare at her as she awkwardly smiles at me. Why force herself to do stuff she isn't willing to do? It's obvious she's hesitant to stay in a man's house, and most of all, it's her boss's house.My car keys jangle in my hand as I turn to her with confusion. “You sounded not sure.”“I… am.” She shrugged.“Stop playing and just follow me–”“Look, it's raining hard.”I'm not blind, woman.“My car has a roof.” I firmly said.“B-But–”“Enough.”I reached for the towel, which was wrapped around her shoulders, and pulled her out of the house. She doesn't have any choice but to follow me while pouting.I'm thankful that she accompanied me to the hospital. I'm not sure what happened but I know it's because of stress. I'm having trouble sleeping too, which added to my condition.We were on our way to my garage when suddenly a thunderstruck lightning passed by in the sky. Then, a loud grumble echoed, causing Thalia to scream at the top of her lungs and drop to the ground.“F*ck.” I cursed
THALIAHaving meals with a man whom I was supposed to avoid was the most awkward meal I had all my life. Despite him being my boss at work, I also insisted on staying at his place because it was raining so damn hard.I'm scared.The fact that someone has been following us since earlier and Mr. Kane might collapse again while driving the car, I'm also scared of the thunderstorms. I'm scared to be alone in this kind of weather. I hope, Mr. Kane didn't notice my cowardness. He will tease me someday because of this. After meals, I headed upstairs to the guest room. The maid lent me simple clothes and led me to this room. I laid down the bed with a heavy sigh. “Should I ask my Dad to bring back my bodyguards or not?”Suddenly, I don't feel safe when I realize how scary the world is. Dad has eyes everywhere, so if something happens to me, he will know first. I rolled down the blanket while groaning in frustration.My pride was killing me. If I contact my Dad, I will accept defeat. That
THALIAA moan escaped from my lips as I felt a sudden headache when my consciousness was back. With a heavy sigh, I open my eyes slowly. The first thing I saw was the russet ceiling, which was the opposite color of my room.My eyes widened and sat straight up in the bed.Right, I'm in Mr. Kane's room. Last night…“You're awake.”I almost had a heart attack at his hoarse voice. I scanned my surroundings to find Mr. Kane on the couch with his laptop on his lap.“U-Uhmm…”Did he not sleep last night? It seems he's obsessed with work first thing in the morning.Shame ran through my veins as I buried my face in my knees while slowly reaching for the blanket to cover myself.Being on his own bed while he was there on the couch the whole night was giving me an embarrassing moment of my life.Where's the courage I had yesterday when I pleaded to let me stay for a night? “Ralf Torpio… you know him?” He suddenly asked, which made me flinch.“Wh-Who's that?”“The attacker last night. His target
THALIAThe whole ride was giving me anxiety as we got closer to his company. I'm really uncomfortable every time people see us together. We are both from high-profile families and people might misinterpret what they might see.Why did he have to wait for me? I really sometimes can't read what's on his mind. But to be honest, this is better. I'm more afraid to walk alone. I'm afraid that more than one person is planning to kill me.Do I really need to ask my father for help? The car came to a stop because of the traffic. I panicked when I noticed that we were getting nearer to the company.“I-I can walk from here–”I was about to open the door but I heard a click. He just locked the door.“Can't you see the sign?” I glance at where he's looking. My shoulders dropped as soon as I saw the no-drop-off signboard at the side of the road. “Th-Then… We can go straight to the parking basement–”“I’m late for my meeting.” He cuts my words off as he starts the engine back.“Mr. Kane!” I turn
DAMONThe meeting started with the Beta team to report on the progress of our project. However, I keep glancing at Thalia, who seems uncomfortable in her seat. Her fingers fidgeted at her pen while staring at her laptop.She didn't expect this to happen.I can sense the whole room's ambiance. They also didn't expect to see the daughter of Carter in our meeting. I'm not sure why I decided to keep her near me. I'm just bothered that it's not only a stalker scheme. I feel like that jerk who tried to kill her was not alone. They're watching her from afar. Monitoring her movements. I really want to talk to Caleb Carter to protect his daughter but seeing Thalia afraid that her father might hear about this, I'm now torn.I'm torn between protecting her or just letting her die. She's not my responsibility. She's only a trainee in my company and a daughter of my nemesis. But the attempted murder happened in my place. So I believe I'm involved now.I've been curious about who's behind this
THALIAMom came to visit me because she couldn't reach me last night. Upon hearing that, I immediately agreed to meet her because I just wanted to see her right now.I need her warm embrace.As soon as I saw her, I held back the tears that welled up in my eyes. I just couldn't open up about what happened last night.The only thing she said when she felt my tightened hug was ‘Just go back home.’I can't face my father after I bravely said that I can do well on my own.After being dramatic, we headed to a restaurant. It's too early for dinner, so maybe Mom is just starving. As soon as we arrived, some men in black followed us inside the restaurant and some were scattered outside. “Mom… the bodyguards…”There are too many of them and it's too embarrassing. It feels like I'm the daughter of the president of the United States.“It's only been three weeks since you roamed freely in this city. You are not immediately used to seeing them?”“I…” I paused as I remembered that I almost got kill
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