Leonard's displeased sound loud enough to make James and Ben jump a little. They were afraid of her braveness. Nobody dared to bargain with the master of money as he just told her. It’s only Leonard Duncan who could determine the destiny of his employees. Everything, depended on him, only one man!Stella shrugged.“I’ve changed my mind now, I want four times my salary or I’ll leave right now. And I’ll make sure Sam knows about what had happened to me.”She gave him the last offer and a bit of threat made herself ready to step out of the room.“If you step out of this room, your life will never be the same again.”The low voice intimidated and his face turned stern, his eyes were staring at her seriously with a displeased gesture.The bodyguards looked at each other and were really praying for the pretty Miss as they quite liked the way she challenged against the boss’s authority for a change, lucky for them to see such a brave girl in front of their eyes. The one and only. They hoped
Leonard sat behind the big desk in the center of the room. Behind him, there were tall cabinets stood against the big wall, full of books and folders. In front of the desk, there were two chairs, on the left corner, there was a set of dark brown leather sofas and a mini bar near the wall. This room was his office, everything he needed for work was right in here.He stopped reading the reports, put the folder down and looked up to his bodyguards. He heard them whispering for a while and it got on his nerves.“What is it?”He asked with an annoyed tone. gazing at the two tall men. They were standing with their hands in front of their crotch like they were so scared of him, but he knew his bodyguards too well, they were just pretending to be afraid… gave him a lot of bullshit sometimes. “Uh … nothing, boss. We’re just seeing Sam posting on his Facebook. He’s got injured.”James reported. Leonard immediately frowned with worry in his eyes.“Really? What happened. He didn’t mention it las
Leonard was pleased to see her face had gone pale with a shock. a corner of his mouth jerked up with a smirk. He looked at her hands, she was wearing yellow rubber gloves, saw earphones in her ears, that’s the reason why she didn’t hear him. he pulled them off for her so that she could hear him talk.“Caught a liar, red-handed.”The low husky voice said. He stepped to stand behind her, his body touched her back. Stella knew what he was trying to do. This lustful evil brother of Sam’s, he couldn’t think of anything else apart from taking advantage of a woman!She turned around with angry eyes. It was such a sudden turn, forgot to think that the nose of the thug was waiting around there.Her cheek touched his nose as he expected. He smiled a little, pleased with his instincts of guessing her reaction. He pressed his nose on her blushing cheek, inhale the nice fragrant smell from it, put his hands on the edge of the sink to lock her body in his arms. She froze because he was so close, an
The voice commanded again. Two bodyguards eyed each other. Never saw the boss behaved like a naughty mischievous boy who liked teasing a small pretty girl like this before. They didn’t know where the brutal mafia who was feared by the whole city disappeared at this moment.“Is everything alright?”Mother’s smooth voice rose up behind. Stella quickly turned to her. Her mother’s eyes were fixing on the man that was still holding her hand tightly.“Ah … this is Mr. Leonard, my boss. Mam.”Stella had to introduce him to her mother with no choice. To Stella's surprise, she saw the crazy man stood up and bowed his head to greet her mother politely. Her mother then gave him a friendly smile.“Oh! Hello, nice to meet you. Please let us know if you want anything. Wine, take good care of your boss, will you, sweetheart?” Mother changed her tone back to her kind personality.“Yes, sure, mam.”Stella replied with a forced smile on her face, didn’t want her mother to worry about her. Mother patted
“Hey, Wine? Are you still there? What’s going on?” Sam’s voice asked from the phone.“I’m in trouble right now, Sam. Your brother…” She spoke like she’s running out of breath.“What?! My brother’s there with you?” Sam said with a surprise in his voice.“Yes, and he heard everything you said, and now he knows that we aren’t lovers and he’s going to get crazy and he’s going to kill me.”Stella was rapping, that’s what in her imagination at this moment, the bad crazy mafia out there, he’s going to kill her.“Hey, don’t be silly. My brother won’t kill you, he’s a good man.” Sam said.“What?! A good man? You’ve got to be kidding me, Sammie. Your brother, he’s ev…”She was going to say he was evil and everything she thought he was. But then she stopped the tongue in time.Sam still didn’t know that his brother kissed her and tried to chase her and threaten her like she was his enemy. He was happy when she told him that she’d move to work at the Chicago branch, but the latest news about her
Stella stopped. The voice that she recognized well without the need to turn to look at. Inside she felt tired of her poor fate.What the heck?!Of all the hundreds of restaurants in Chicago, and he happened to be at this one, right here, right now, and right behind! She thought with sick. She pretended not to hear him and continued walking to Bernardo’s table.“Stella!”The aggressive voice called again. She ignored and walked to Bernardo. She stopped in front of him. The Grand Costa mafia gave her a charming smile and extended his hand in front but before she accepted, the tall figure came to stand behind her.She then turned to look, pretending to be surprised a little. Leonard Duncan, all big and powerful in his prime looks. Beside him, there was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair holding his arm.Bernardo lifted his eyebrow when he saw Leonard followed his guest, and stood behind her with no consideration, ill-mannered as usual!“What’s up? Didn’t think I’d see your face here
She tried to push him away again and again. Leonard was amused to see the small and slim figure fight against him. Her face was so grumpy, there was a big fire in her huge dark brown eyes, the fire that wanted to burn him alive! That’s more like it! That was the girl he remembered.“Don’t waste your energy, Stella. Save it for later.”He said. Inside, he was still frustrated about her willingness to have dinner with the Bastard Bernardo. But look at her now, never failed to show that she hated him.Well, he didn’t expect her to like or feel anything for him by the way. She wasn’t that important. He had got more important people to deal with.But since she wasn’t Sam’s girlfriend, so his intention to teach her lessons because she had dared to punch him in the face in the middle of the road in his own city four years ago. That should be re-installed into his Must-Do list, shouldn’t it?She had gone out with Bernardo. And from the information he had gathered from his men, John White had
Stella looked at the colorful face, black and blue and now red with blood. She must have given him some good punches there, which made the cracked brow bleeding. His suit looked priceless, meaning...garbage."Use the cloth there!"She spoke with a hard voice, pointing at the cloth she had thrown in the used-to-be hot water bowl. He still did not let go of her and his strong arm tightened when she tried to move. She stopped punching him. Her fist was red, spoiled with his blood."Do it for me. You caused it."Leonard ordered. She was feeling pitiless for the mafia boss, even she was not a cruel person, but what he just did to her, it made her too suspicious to trust this man. He was a mad dog!Everything about this man was so opposite to Sam, his brother. They were completely different, apart from their looks. That was the only thing indicating that they were related!She wiggled again and was surprised that this time he let her off his ŀȧp. But he still grabbed her arm."Sit here, and
When Stella was due to give birth, Leonard took her to the private hospital. He was with her all the time in the delivery room, supporting his beloved wife. Until when he saw the baby came out in front of his eyes. Leo felt so overwhelmed with happiness to witness and being with her in every step of the baby's natural vaginal delivery. The doctor and nurses did what they had to do according to the procedures in the delivery room.Later on, Stella was transferred to a VIP room. The little baby had perfect health, weighed 7.5lb. He could cry very loudly as though he was trying to announce his coming on earth to everyone to know. "Very good. That's my son! You must be loud and clear just like your father." The new father was very pleased with his baby. He was standing and looking at him in the cradle. Stella was looking at the tall handsome man who never left the baby's side yet since they had arrived in the room.He looked up at her then walked to sit on the bed beside her and bend d
That night, everything went well. The party had finished at midnight. In the penthouse, Stella stood in front of the mirror. Leonard came to embrace her from behind and planted a kiss on her shoulder. They looked at each other in the mirror. He lifted her left hand up with his. They were wearing wedding rings. He smiled happily while looking at their joined hands. "Do you like the ring?" He asked, raised her hand to kiss. His heart was overwhelming with happiness. They were really married and their hearts were united as one now. "Yes. I love it, especially the message." Stella answered. His ring was engraved 'Forever Wine' on it. And hers had 'Forever Leo' on it. He reached out to rub her belly gently. "Hey, baby. Your mummy and daddy are now married. Are you happy? I love you so much and I can't wait to see you." He said softly while caressing her stomach gently. Stella smiled. He was so adorable when he was talking to the baby like this. Leo turned her to face him. "From now
"You don't have to put your nose in my personal business and worry about me. Just pay attention to your own stuff. Mine is well taken care of."James said and lifted the glass to sip. Ben laughed in his throat."Really? I am glad to hear that. But let me know if you need my help. Looking at your slow motion I don't know how many more New Year's Eve to count down for you to get your own Eve."Ben was teasing his slow friend."Hey! Have you ever heard the saying...Slow but sure? A good man won't take advantage of the woman he cares for." James responded. "Wow, since when you become a gentleman?"Ben pretended to make a shocked look."Well, when you meet the right one, you will understand, man. And stop barking. It's time to count down now."James said. Then the boss raised his glass up."Ready everyone? Let's do it!"10... 9... 8...7...6...5...4...3...1...Happy New Year!Then the boss pulled his missy to kiss to celebrate their new year and more happy moments to come.Two weeks after
Stella kept herself warm with a thick and soft sweater, coat and scarf. She wore black jeans and boots. All that was because Leo had to make sure she was not going to get cold. The square and shopping center was crowded, full of shoppers. People were walking and rushing like armies of ants, their hands were full of bags. The big Christmas trees, the lights, and all decorations made the atmosphere look exciting and made people feel joy in their hearts, ready for the special time of the year.Stella walked hand in hand with Leo having Ben and James followed."Don't walk too fast, you might stumble. And I don't want people to walk into you." Leo said. Stella smiled at him and nodded just to give him peace of mind."I think you should go and sit down at the coffee shop. Let me do the shopping. It looks crazy and I don't feel like seeing you walking here and risking to be knocked down."Leo said when he saw that there were too many people. He decided to take Stella to the nearest coffee
"Yes, they are. But I have put them nice and tidy in the drawer for five times already and you keep taking them out like this, um..."She was teasing him. Leo shrugged and ignored her words.Ben and James were laughing silently, so amused to see their big boss being crazy around the baby's cute stuff. It had been a week since the boss found his missy and brought her home. Now they understood each other and being so sweet to one another. "Wine, don't walk too quickly, you're gonna fall."The sentence Ben and James had heard a lot recently. The boss warned his missy every time when she lifted her feet from A to B which was only in the penthouse and it was a very safe area."I am very careful here, don't worry."She said and lifting Summer's toy basket up. Leo hurried to take it."Don't lift it. Why are you so stubborn? How many times do I have to tell you not to carry any heavy things?"He scolded. Stella looked at the man who carried Summer's basket and picked the puppy's toys up from
After eating, they returned to the room at 1 a.m. Leo carried his small suitcase which he always had in his car just in case.They brushed their teeth and changed clothes and jumped into bed and snuggled together. The weather was cold outside but warm inside just like their hearts right now, warm and filled with love. "I missed you so so much."He said and kissed her gently. Stella put her arms around his neck and kissed him back. They were telling each other by using the action to show their love to one another until the room was filled with the heat from the love telling process."I couldn't eat or sleep. Without you, life isn't the same for me. "The deep gentle voice whispered. The big hands removed all his and her clothes and finally naked.He touched and kissed her until she felt her body become hot from the heat of desire."Me too." She whispered back to him. They caressed one another until their breathing had become faster. Leo kissed on her neck and licked her nipples. He s
Stella lifted her face up to look at him."Let's get inside."She said and pulled him into the room and closed the door."How did you find me?"She asked, walked to sit down on the edge of the bed. Leo followed and sat beside her."Summer."He answered. She nodded to acknowledge as Summer had a tracking device on him. She looked down at her hands. He pulled her into his arms again. She leaned her face on his wide chest. He put his chin on her head."Why did you run away from me? I worried to death that you might be in danger and get hurt."His voice shook when asked. Stella bit her lower lip, trying not to cry."I am just stupid. I don't know what I was thinking. I am sorry to make you worried."She said with a sober voice, the tears started to flow out again. Having seen him like this, she was happy but hurt by the memory buried in her heart for a long time. Leo pressed the chin on her head."I understand."He said gently, his hands touching her back to soothe her.Leo felt relieved
Leo drove to the apartment parking lot. He was hoping she was here. Somebody opened the door and he followed then he went up to her apartment and was pressing the bell. But nobody answered. So he was sitting on the floor in front of her room.Leo called James to asked if she came back home yet but the answer was no. He kept calling her and left messages. Time had passed slowly than ever for Leo. He called Sam and Sophia in case she decided to join them but they did not know and now they were worried, too.Leo believed she would be here so he was sitting leaning against her room's wall. He was awake until three o'clock then he fell asleep. Leo woke up about five. He rang the bell in case she came and sneaked in while he was sleeping but no response. He went down and asked the security there. The guy said he had not seen her come."Where are you, Wine?"Leo was so worried and stressed. The weather was very cold and she had not taken her medication and supplements with her.Where did she
Stella told the taxi driver that she wanted to stop at the supermarket on the way to the apartment. There was a place that allowed small pets to go in with their owners.She wanted to buy a few things, milk and coffee for example.When being outside like this, she felt lonely. She missed him because of the habit that he had always been with her by her side. Why did she let the silly emotions attack her like this? The feelings of jealousy and painful memory. She should not let it hurt her at all. As it was not the present. It was the past and it's long gone."Oh ... I'm sorry."Stella hurried to apologize when her trolley accidentally bumped into the back of an American woman."It's okay. No worries."She turned to said to Stella and she was staring at her for a second. "Um ... Are you Thai?"She asked. Stella nodded and gave her a smile."Yes. I am. How did you know?"She was surprised that the lady could point out."Well, I am an American-Thai.""Realy? Wow! I am Stella Willaiwan,