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CHAPTER 41
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2024-09-26 21:51:35Related chapters
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 42
I rolled my eyes, though a part of me enjoyed that he'd be there to save me. "Yeah, well, try not to look so heroic next time. It's giving people the wrong idea.".I looked at him, and for one brief instant, there was something in his eyes-something gentle, not that cold, businesslike stare to which I was so accustomed to him. Thrown off, I shifted forward in my seat, trying to focus on anything else.I wasn't stupid. I knew why we were here, what we had to do, but for some reason, I felt more involved in this than I should be. We'd agreed this whole marriage thing was just a business deal, a way to get what we both needed. But now, sitting here with him, it wasn't that easy.We sat there for a moment, silence hanging in the air between us. It was awkward, but not in a bad way. It was like we were both thinking the same thing but neither of us wanted to say it.Then out of nowhere, he asked, "Hey, uh
Last Updated : 2024-09-27Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 43
I asked, very aware of how dumb that sounded but enjoying the look of slight shock crossing his face.He laughed-not in offense but more from surprise at my question-and though the sound did come out so, it was a real one, a rare break from his serious reserve."Oh, I don't think a second ceremony is necessary. The courthouse was quite sufficient."I rolled my eyes at that. "Yeah, because nothing says romance like signing papers in front of a judge."That was when his tone changed, and I wasn't expecting it. His eyes caught mine, his voice dropping into something deeper, more serious."You want romance, Millie?"I did blink, taken aback by the force of his tone. I leaned back in my chair, no longer sure where this conversation was going to go."I'll give you romance," he said, continuing, laying his elbows on the table, while bending in closer. "I'll sweep you off your feet, take
Last Updated : 2024-09-28Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 44
MILLIEI woke up the next morning, tangled in soft bed sheets, for a few seconds and forgot where I was. It all came back: Adán's kiss, the talk, him asking me to share the bed. I rolled over, expecting him to be lying beside me. Of course, there was nobody there; the space beside me had barely been disturbed.Classic Adán.I dragged myself out of bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, hearing faint sounds from the other room. I tiptoed out and peered around the corner. There he was, sitting at the small dining table, looking every inch at the business mogul in his crisp white shirt, tapping away on his laptop. There was no softness left on his face from last night."Morning," I said, not meaning actually to sound quite that awkward.He glanced up briefly, and nodded in greeting, but his eyes went right back to his screen. Cold, like the kiss last night, never happe
Last Updated : 2024-09-29Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 45
He stared at me, his face incredulous, like he couldn't fathom the shit spewing out of my mouth. "Do I look like some kind of man who needs a cooking class?""No, but I do." I snorted and then relaxed back onto the couch. "And just think about the headline. 'Adán Serrano teaches his wife how to cook.' It's gold.".He let out a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. "Millie, none of this is necessary."I frowned at him. Suddenly, I deflated. "What do you mean? Isn't that the whole point of this? This marriage-to make people think we're the real deal?"Adán's eyes softened just a fraction, and then he regarded me for one silent moment before speaking."We don't have to do any of that because they already believe it."I blinked. "They do?"He nodded. "You're more convincing than you think."I wasn't certain wheth
Last Updated : 2024-09-30Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 46
"Yeah, my neighbor just called. She said he's been asking people if they know where I am."For a second, there was something in Adán's eyes. Then, about that length of time later, it was gone, his face once more returning to the cold mask he wore so often."Did she give a description?" he asked low.I nodded."Yeah,” she said he's tall, has dark hair, and is wearing a suit, sunglasses. sounds like some secret agent type, according to her."Adán was quiet for a moment, his eyes drifting past me as if weighing something. Then he said,"I'll look into it.""You'll look into it?" I echoed frowning. "What does that even mean? You think it's one of your people from the speakeasy?"He didn't say anything, which, of course, did nothing to soothe my nerves. What he did say, though, was
Last Updated : 2024-09-30Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 1
MILLIE POV I walk down the busy streets of Los Angeles trying to get to work before Cassie has my head sitting pretty on her desk, watering my tendrils every morning. Wasn't just ready to receive taunts and remarks about my choice of clothes, brand of shoes and how I look like a trash lunch lady on a gloomy summer morning, type of lip gloss I wore and whatever nonsense that she spews out from those brains of hers. It is a mystery how she got this job, well apart from her dad’s connections. Her brain is literally the size of a pea in a pod. By 1am, she sent an email about this impromptu meeting which is to be held by 11 am this morning. I went bananas when I woke up to the notification by 10:35. Like who does that!! I thought beauty queens value their night sleep more than chocolates. How the hell does she expect me to be awake by 1am after the workload she dumped on me. Heck! I slept by the foot of the kitchen door because I was too tired to drag my ass to the bed.I rounded the
Last Updated : 2024-08-07Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 2
MILLE POV“Those are our targets. The affluent. The rich. Don't want some middle-class lady or peasant using my product as a body cream. Or use it to fry some eggs because they can't have the patient to wait for it to work. The rich will invest in it because in the long run they will still look young like me”. Cassie smiled, giving a twirl for everyone to see. Her short mini skirt bounced with her.I wonder if she still feels that this is high school or sophomore.“And there you have it…. our loss”. Eva, a bursty, dark-hair girl with deep brown eyes. Button nose and pale pink lips spoke up. Oh! My best friend too.“Excuse me”“Your product is failing Cassie. It's our loss. You don't value any other person's opinion if it doesn't align with how you feel. You don't listen to anyone's idea or pitch. Alec just made a good suggestion. Millie gave a good pitch on the first day but you didn't even let her finish. Stacy gave a good face cover and ideas on how to promote the product. But no,
Last Updated : 2024-08-07Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 3
ADAN’S POV I sat in the pub on the top floor of my Amatorio Reine restaurant looking below at the guests that dined and drank wine. Their gold chains and diamond rings, pressed designer suits and flowing long gowns, pale stretch skin and dainty nails. All laughing and merry. Fake life and hidden skeletons in each of their closest.Sad.I watch as my employees move swiftly, rendering their service as they are programmed to do. The sparkling wine poured around tables and the delicious meals scrumped up by customers. It is a fine evening indeed.“Boss”.I turn to my bodyguard who signals towards the entrance of the restaurant. A group of rugged men walk in. With sneers on their faces and scars adorn as fine jewelry.“Give them the balcony table at the extreme end” I instruct, taking a sip of my 1967 Bourbon. “I don't want them giving the customers a scare”. It's not Halloween.“So, what's our move? They are here”.Marcello, a tall blond-haired man with pink lips and fair muscle mass, as
Last Updated : 2024-08-07
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Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 46
"Yeah, my neighbor just called. She said he's been asking people if they know where I am."For a second, there was something in Adán's eyes. Then, about that length of time later, it was gone, his face once more returning to the cold mask he wore so often."Did she give a description?" he asked low.I nodded."Yeah,” she said he's tall, has dark hair, and is wearing a suit, sunglasses. sounds like some secret agent type, according to her."Adán was quiet for a moment, his eyes drifting past me as if weighing something. Then he said,"I'll look into it.""You'll look into it?" I echoed frowning. "What does that even mean? You think it's one of your people from the speakeasy?"He didn't say anything, which, of course, did nothing to soothe my nerves. What he did say, though, was
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 45
He stared at me, his face incredulous, like he couldn't fathom the shit spewing out of my mouth. "Do I look like some kind of man who needs a cooking class?""No, but I do." I snorted and then relaxed back onto the couch. "And just think about the headline. 'Adán Serrano teaches his wife how to cook.' It's gold.".He let out a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. "Millie, none of this is necessary."I frowned at him. Suddenly, I deflated. "What do you mean? Isn't that the whole point of this? This marriage-to make people think we're the real deal?"Adán's eyes softened just a fraction, and then he regarded me for one silent moment before speaking."We don't have to do any of that because they already believe it."I blinked. "They do?"He nodded. "You're more convincing than you think."I wasn't certain wheth
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 44
MILLIEI woke up the next morning, tangled in soft bed sheets, for a few seconds and forgot where I was. It all came back: Adán's kiss, the talk, him asking me to share the bed. I rolled over, expecting him to be lying beside me. Of course, there was nobody there; the space beside me had barely been disturbed.Classic Adán.I dragged myself out of bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, hearing faint sounds from the other room. I tiptoed out and peered around the corner. There he was, sitting at the small dining table, looking every inch at the business mogul in his crisp white shirt, tapping away on his laptop. There was no softness left on his face from last night."Morning," I said, not meaning actually to sound quite that awkward.He glanced up briefly, and nodded in greeting, but his eyes went right back to his screen. Cold, like the kiss last night, never happe
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 43
I asked, very aware of how dumb that sounded but enjoying the look of slight shock crossing his face.He laughed-not in offense but more from surprise at my question-and though the sound did come out so, it was a real one, a rare break from his serious reserve."Oh, I don't think a second ceremony is necessary. The courthouse was quite sufficient."I rolled my eyes at that. "Yeah, because nothing says romance like signing papers in front of a judge."That was when his tone changed, and I wasn't expecting it. His eyes caught mine, his voice dropping into something deeper, more serious."You want romance, Millie?"I did blink, taken aback by the force of his tone. I leaned back in my chair, no longer sure where this conversation was going to go."I'll give you romance," he said, continuing, laying his elbows on the table, while bending in closer. "I'll sweep you off your feet, take
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 42
I rolled my eyes, though a part of me enjoyed that he'd be there to save me. "Yeah, well, try not to look so heroic next time. It's giving people the wrong idea.".I looked at him, and for one brief instant, there was something in his eyes-something gentle, not that cold, businesslike stare to which I was so accustomed to him. Thrown off, I shifted forward in my seat, trying to focus on anything else.I wasn't stupid. I knew why we were here, what we had to do, but for some reason, I felt more involved in this than I should be. We'd agreed this whole marriage thing was just a business deal, a way to get what we both needed. But now, sitting here with him, it wasn't that easy.We sat there for a moment, silence hanging in the air between us. It was awkward, but not in a bad way. It was like we were both thinking the same thing but neither of us wanted to say it.Then out of nowhere, he asked, "Hey, uh
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 41
Millie's POVI stood by the window as Mr. Serrano entered the room. My fingers were clutched around my phone so tightly that I was afraid I'd crack the screen.Sam had gone nuts, texting like a maniac since I told him the truth about well, about us.My heart was galloping, and I couldn't make out whether I wanted to scream or laugh at it all-the absurdity of it all.I caught Adán's gaze for one flighty second-my heart rate increasing more-before I turned my back to him in an effort to compose myself.Not exactly easy to do when my best friend was on the edge of a mental breakdown, and my sham husband had just strolled into the room.I could feel his gaze on me, that heavy gaze of his that never missed a damn thing. He was going to ask. I knew it."What's going on?" he asked evenly, with no hurry, the complete opposite of what was churning inside me.I bit my lip and kept staring out of the window, pretending somehow that I was still in control. "Just give me a second. I'm trying to ex
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 40
ADANLater that evening, we decided to grab dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.It was an upscale place, full of wealthy tourists and locals alike, all dressed in designer clothes and dripping in gold.Millie was dressed in one of those gorgeous dresses we bought at the mall, she looked breathtaking.We sat down at a secluded table near the back, and as soon as we did, I noticed Millie fidgeting with her dress, her fingers twisting the fabric absentmindedly.She glanced around the room, taking in the opulent surroundings with a mixture of awe and discomfort.I could tell this wasn’t her usual scene—she preferred something more laid-back, less pretentious.I felt a bit of guilt for dragging her into this world, but it was necessary.We needed to maint
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 39
ADANI leaned back against the lounge chair, my eyes following the soft ripples in the pool. I could hear distant laughter and the faint sounds of chatter from other hotel guests, but my mind was far away.On Millie.Millie had been quiet since the pool incident, and I couldn’t shake the image of her—so fragile, caught off guard, and vulnerable as she flailed in the water. It wasn’t just the fact that she had fallen; it was the look of panic that struck me. The moment I saw her struggling, instinct took over. I’d jumped in without a second thought.But why?I shook my head, trying to clear it. Isabella, who was lounging beside me with a cocktail in hand, interrupted my thoughts.“Adán, you're lost in your head again,” she teased, giving me a sidelong glance over the top of her sunglasses. “You've been quiet ever since you pulled Millie out of the water. Something on your mind?”I glanced at her briefly, offering a small smile. “No, just thinking about everything. It’s been a long d
Heartstrings and Agendas CHAPTER 38
MILLIEI stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, running my fingers through my still-damp hair, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened.My face was flushed from embarrassment, my mind replaying the mortifying moment when I slipped and fell into the pool.How does that even happen? Of course, it would happen to me.Typical Millie.After changing out of my wet clothes into a sundress that stopped mid-thigh and slipping into some comfortable sandals, I took a deep breath.The sundress was cute, light blue with tiny floral prints, and it helped me feel less like the clumsy idiot I’d been five minutes ago.At least I was dry now.And Mr. Serrano—Adán—had saved me. Of course, he had to be the one to dive into the pool, looking l
