Jessica slammed her fist on the table and rose to her feet, aggressively shoving the seat behind her further away. "This is outrageous! It is more than outrageous!" She fumed. "How can you ask for something as lowly as this from me?" She squinted. "I may have little value in your eyes but I know my worth enough to know that I will never be seen working the cash register at some dumb café!" She kept her head high as she spoke.Michael fumed. "How dare you talk back to your mother-in-law like that?!" He rose to his feet like a rising storm. "Do you have any idea of the gravity of what you just did?" He pointed a judgmental finger at her face. "This is the highest form of disrespect in front of your parents in-law!""Go ahead!" Jessica barked. "Get angry! Yell all you want but let me tell you this, however angry you get, it will not drive me to do something as lowly as this. Can't you even stop to think about this for once? This isn't embarrassing for me alone but the entire Knowles fami
Jessica bent her head to the side slightly. "Are you even hearing me?"The maid blinked. "Yes! Oh of course! Thank you so much! I really appreciate this opportunity ma'am, thank you so much! I promise to return this favor someday one way or the other." Tears brimmed at the young girl's eyes.She looked slightly over twenty with beautiful blue eyes and silky blonde hair. Her small body was wrapped in her maid uniform of black and white. Her small dress was black while the apron clinging on to her waist was white. A color to match the scarf on her head.Jessica stared at her with an unreadable expression and rolled her eyes. "Go on then. And next time, don't make a promise you're not so sure you can keep. Also, I don't know how long you get to keep the job so don't look at me like you worship me now."The maid chuckled softly before running off in excitement.Jessica rolled her eyes once more and shook her head. People were so gullible, she thought to herself.The thought led her back t
Chris got into his car and drove all the way to the place where Cara's ship had arrived. Unfortunately, he didn't meet anyone. He felt so angry but decided to calm down and check around, they couldn't have gotten too far ahead if he sped up.Only a while ago did Andrew update it that their ship had sailed back safely which meant they were still around somewhere.He bumped into one of the dock workers who immediately apologized to him on seeing his nice dressing and car keys in his hand."Uh excuse me!" He called out to the man who was about to walk away after a short bow of his head. "I'm looking for my... Friend...? My friend uh... Andrew Malhotra, his ship sailed in just a while ago and he texted me to meet up here but I don't know where.""Ohh, I'm sorry but I don't know that name. Except if he was one of young master Romeo Armani's friends." The man stated.Chris nodded his head swiftly. "Yes, yes! He's one of you-- one of Romeo's friends. He is tall, handsome, tanned skin and bro
"I think that is very weird but it's not important to me right now. Can you just tell me if Cara is here or not? I really need to talk to her like right now." Chris sounded desperate and pleadingly polite.Andrew let out a sigh. "I don't know the full story so I'm not going to pretend like I do. Just make it quick, I'll call her out for you."He poked his head into the shop and called out for Cara. Cara confusedly walked out with her boyfriend's arm around her shoulder and Rick and Camilla behind them as well and a small shopping bag. Her eyes squinted as they landed on Chris as if she wanted to confirm if she was hallucinating."Chris?!" Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, knowing that he was truly there. "What the f*ck?!""That's what I said except with an 'actual'." Andrew chirped in.Chris' eyes fell on Romeo's arms around Cara's neck and he angrily gritted his teeth. He frowned. "Have you slept with him yet?" His brow arched."What the f*ck! Why would you even ask me that!" She an
Chris rose to his feet under the watchful gaze of Cara. His body shook with anger and he clenched his fist. With a glare, he warned Romeo through gritted teeth. "This isn't over yet, pretty boy. I promise you."Cara scoffed a laugh, trying not to find it unbelievable that Chris was going to such extents. Didn't he boast on the day of their divorce that she would be the one to beg him to take her back? Why was he so desperate now?She watched him storm to his car and drive off, leaving them with nothing but his dust. Her eyes landed on Romeo and sorry flickered across them as she scanned his body for any sign of injury."Are you okay? Were you hurt?"Romeo smiled softly. He had been the one that landed the blows yet she was worried about him. His eyes lit up like an excited puppy. "I'm alright." He took her hand in his. "As long as you are."She nodded her head with a weak smile. A soft sigh escaped her mouth and Romeo cupped her cheek.He looked into her eyes, his emerald balls of mag
Days had gone by and silence was proudly dominating the home of the Knowles family. Sarah Knowles had not spoken to her husband ever since he took Jessica's side and not hers while Jessica herself walked around the house like a ghost no one could see.She didn't pretend to be nice to her mother in law, the woman was of no use to her. She smiled at her father in-law, acting nice to him just to get into his head like a parasite and feed on his brain.It was working, that was the only reason she kept it up.And to Chris, she ignored him like he was the ghost. A ghost she didn't see or cared less about. To her, he was just as insignificant as their plant to her. Less insignificant even.She found herself thinking of a man before falling asleep though, a handsome man, suit and tie yet underneath he was like Superman.He was handsome, impossibly good looking for that matter. With eyes that seduced just about anyone and a smile that was even more beautiful than a sunset and a sunrise.Romeo
Cara had a smile on her face. Winter had come and the weather was perfectly chill. Days had gone by in peace and she could finally escape from the stress of her work and meet up with her new friends who treated her no differently even though she wasn't rich like either of them.Andrew tossed her a can of chilled coke and sunk into his soft sofa. "You know I had a feeling that those two lovebirds would be the last to join us." He said to Cara."It's always them." Jastrow added."Hey, you can't blame them," Cara said with a smile. "They have a wedding to prepare for.""True but the wedding isn't today so why aren't they here yet? Just one day to plan the perfect surprise, we are all busy with our jobs so they should not use the wedding as an excuse." Andrew explained.Cara simply smiled. Wedding preparation was always more grand than outsiders thought. They couldn't know the stress unless they were the ones getting married.So she didn't bother to raise an argument to contradict Andrew'
"I think Romeo feels like he can truly breathe again thanks to you." Camilla said with a smile on her face.Cara felt her cheeks redden and she smiled softly."Okay. So that's what we are going to do. Now, let us share our duties. I will work on the decorations, what's left is cake, drinks, appetizers and presents. You all should decide on which one you feel capable of doing." Andrew said."I'll take the cake!" Camilla exclaimed excitedly. "The caterers in charge of our wedding makes the best of the best cakes. She is very talented and I think she will be able to make a good iron man cake."Do you think it should be a statue of him? I mean Iron man. I think that will look very cool and mature!""Sure, you're on cake. Just make sure it's perfect and more than one please." Andrew ordered."I'm on appetizers." Jastrow said. "Although the caterers should do that too but it's cool, I know someone anyway.""That girl you have been dying to hook up with?" Andrew asked. "I can't believe you a
Those were the exact same words she had said to him just now, to take a break, so why was she so heartbroken? Why did she feel a sudden chill snake up her back? Why did she crumble to the ground? Why was it hurting her so much? Tears trailed down her eyes freely, her heart beat like it was about to explode, it was not built for such pain. The way it made her feel, watching him walk out on her and slam the door without looking back, she was at the edge of losing her mind. Her heart was soon to explode. "Come back..." She mitered softly, hoping he had not left. Hoping he was still by the door outside, hoping he was only waiting for a second before walking back in and engulfing her in his arms. "Come back to me..." She muttered softly. She strength to even speak any louder than that had evaded her. No matter how hard she tried to reach for it, it kept slipping out of her grasp. So she remained on her knees, tears washing down her face like heavy rain, heart as burdened as ever, soul
Romeo took Cara home later in the evening, she had been silent all through the ride and it was to his notice. As they arrived in the living room, he was supposed to turn back and leave, after all, Giovanni was still waiting for him. They had some catching up to do. But instead, he sat her down and sat next to her. "Is everything alright? You did not say a single thing all through the ride back home." Cara had been lost in her own thoughts but she was thankful that he had noticed it. She sat up properly and asked him, "did you hear what your mom proposed to me today?" Her voice was soft. "The merger?" Romeo's brow arched as he asked her and she nodded her head in response. He continued. "Yes I did, what about it? I wasn't really paying attention to her." Cara let out a soft sigh. "Well you know enough to know what her proposal was. Why do I have to merge my company with yours?" "It's not that you have to, it's just something that seems like the right and normal thing to do." Rome
Cara despised pettiness, so she despised herself for what she did next. "Remember, Jessica, that bug could still be around here." She hinted at Jessica's ugly secret. Jessica knew what she was saying and fell quiet. She clenched her fist in anger. Cara continued. "If it pleases you that I leave the room, I will, just know that whatever Romeo decides is of his own choice and not mine." Jessica still did not say anything. Tori shook her head, "that's absolute nonsense." She touched Cara's hand softly. "You are the new woman in the home of the Armani, every decision taken shall be in front of you. We are one. You can counter his words if you wish, or you can comply. Whatever you do will be accepted because you are a part of us now." Cara responded with a soft smile. "Now," Romeo started off in a tone that rose with authority, "back to your case. My decision still stands, same as it was before. The Knowles family has been with us for a while now, sure, but ever since power was switc
As Jessica noticed that they were all walking towards her, she rose to her feet and tried to act as composed as ever. "So...?"Cara wanted to roll her eyes, knowing well that Jessica was acting like she was not worried of the situation. Romeo could discard her right away if he wanted to, Jessica ought to be smart enough to know that. But she said nothing about it and continued. "It has been decided. Both of you, you are going to pretend like you don't know each other. We are just going to tell Mr and Mrs Armani that you have a very low tolerance rate for bugs and you saw one under the table. That was why you ran out." "And if they ask about the bug or want to call the manager to take care of it?" Jessica questioned. "Then we will just tell them it has been taken care of. No story." Cara responded. Jessica was silent for a while before speaking. "Why are you helping me this much? It makes my skin crawl." "Because no matter how much of a b*tch you are to me, I am not a petty woman
Romeo discarded the restaurant's manager respectfully, after they made sure no one else was going to overhear their conversation, they continued to address the issue on ground. Romeo pulled Giovanni aside, "how could you do that, Giovanni?" Giovanni arched a brow. "How was I supposed to know she was married and involved with your company? With a kid! I had a one night stand Romeo, not everyone is as committed as you are. Even in your bachelor years, you did not hook up with any woman. You're perfect but I'm not." Romeo gave a roll of his eyes. "This is not about me being perfect, besides I'm not. I didn't do any of that because I chose not to. And I spent my nights at the company while others spent theirs at a club."Giovanni scoffed. "Oh please, that's just an excuse. What about college years? Even the time you spent with me in Japan, you are too good for your own health." "My college years were pretty wild, Giovanni, believe it or not. Not in the hooking aspect because I was com
The Armani family-- Cara included-- along with their guest stared at Jessica as she dashed out of the room, ignoring Tori's call to her. They could only wonder what could have resulted to such impromptu action. All except Giovanni of course. The look on his face was neither surprise nor pleasure. He was just simply staring. Cara involuntarily rose to her feet and chased after her former best friend. She had not even expected herself to do something like that but she was already standing outside the room before she realized it. "Jessica!" She called out to the runaway princess. Jessica stopped and turned around, surprised to see Cara outside as well. She waited until Cara had walked up to her before she began to spit out without a second thought. "What are you doing here? Did you come here to make fun of me? Did you come here to let me know how much of a failure I am?! Huh?!" "Calm down." Cara said softly. "You need to breathe or else you'll pass out at this state." Jessica stil
Jessica had made up her mind, she was more than ready to sleep with the handsome man that was standing right in front of her, opening the door to his hotel room. Thankfully, he would not be able to tell that she was a married woman due to the fact that she had hid her wedding ring.She was young and pretty, this knowledge was known to her herself. So there was nothing wrong in her acting like a young and careless spinster exploring the world and by the world, she meant different men. Chris would care less anyway. And so the door opened and he led her into the fanciest room she had never known existed in the club. Obviously, from his aura alone, she could tell he was a rich man and now the room confirmed it. Behind the closed doors, she was in his arms again. They were strong and manly, her chest was firmly pressed against his. Their bodies emitted warmth that made her want to growl in delight. She enjoyed it, the feel of being in a man's arms. She clung tighter onto him, wanting
Jessica was elated! She had been able to get a call through to Romeo's dad and managed to plead an audience with the man. If it all worked out then she would not be sent out of the Knowles family. "I can't believe that I scored such a huge goal! If I can just manage to convince him-- I hope I can-- then I will be able to embarrass Cara for treating me like shit!" She twirled around happily in her bedroom. "There's no time to waste!" She cautioned herself. Hurrying to her wardrobe, she dressed up in a fancy and official mini dress and combed her hair until there was not a single strand loose. Her looks alone would be her first impression that day to Marcus and she knew it. She her make up quite obvious to add to the depth of her beauty. She looked ready after putting on her nude colored heels but she did not feel ready. With a nervous breath, she picked up her hand bag and walked out of her room.Bumping into Chris in the hallway, her face was drained of its smile. She thought to
Cara opened her eyes to the realization that she was alone in bed. She sat up and looked around only to notice that Romeo's clothes were no where to be found. Had he gone without waking her? She asked herself. Climbing out of bed, she fetched a plain white T-shirt and threw it on over her naked body then went to the living room. The stomach tingling scent of fresh toasts and fish sticks as well as coffee hit her nose and she was drawn to the kitchen. She paused and leaned against the counter, a smile playing on her delicate face. Standing before her was a shirtless man in an apron, completely focused on the eggs he was preparing in a pan. His muscled arms were all she could stare at and his chest. The apron revealed part of his abs and most of his chest and all of his back. She would be lying if she said his perfectly built body was not a great turn on. Biting down on her lower lips, she watched him cook the meal like a pro, all she wanted at that moment was for him to cook her