Romeo blinked.It took a moment for him to understand what he had said correctly and the reason she was feeling so flustered. His eyes shone in realization."Oh wait no!" He exclaimed. "That is not what I meant. Okay, uh it's not what I meant to say. What I meant by what I said is that I want you to spend a fun weekend with us."Cara's brows creased. "Us?" She poured confusedly."No, uhm..." He rubbed his forehead and cleared his throat. "Okay. So a few close friends and I-- we knew each other from business and whenever they were throwing a party or hanging out somewhere, they always invited me so I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to invite them too. Anyway-- we are going on a cruise to celebrate, spending the weekend on a cruise ship and it would mean the world to me if you could attend it."Cara sighed softly. A sigh of relief. Why was it so flustering spending time alone with a man? There were women out there who hooked up with strangers and called it one night stands so why did
Romeo's brow twitched upward as he stared at Cara who didn't take her eyes off him. Why was she acting like she had just heard something ridiculously absurd about him? And she refused to get off the phone already so he could ask her about it!"Oh uh... I'll... I'll see what I can do about that." Cara hesitantly responded, finally looking away from him. She hung up and slipped her phone into her purse. "Okay firstly," Romeo started. "Whatever they said, I didn't do any of it."She let out a soft chuckle. "What in the world are you talking about?" She continued outside of her office after twisting the door knob open. Romeo followed. "I mean, the way you were looking at me made it look like they--whoever you were on the phone with--said something unbelievably terrible about me which obviously i didn't do cause I am just a little sweetheart." He smiled. Cara looked up at him as if he had just told a lie and his brow arched. "What's with that judging look?" He asked her. She smiled a
The wind blew through her hair, entering her lungs and calming her down from the inside. She breathed, unsteadily and uneasily. She hated how flustered she was feeling just because of him. 'So what if he is hot hmn?' She asked herself. 'He won't be the first hot guy you have ever seen before so why are you overreacting like this? Huh? Sure, he has an undeniable charm that lures women in, you're not the only one! 'So stop making a fool out of yourself whenever you are around him. Stop letting your guard down like that, besides, he is just a nice guy, you are the one making things complicated. He doesn't feel any special way towards you. Have you ever seen him blush when he is around you?'"Are you that mad about the elevator?" She flinched. Turning around, she saw Romeo standing behind her. "Huh?" She asked, her thin brow arching. "You have been standing here for over two minutes frowning and throwing your hands in the air. You're not saying anything out loud which makes you look r
The inside of the building was just as large as Cara had speculated. Different sections filled with dresses, shoes, jewelries and bags of all sorts. Then several top floors for the richer and richer and richer. Someone like her would probably be able to shop in the first floor and highest, the second. She turned to look at Romeo to catch his smile as he nudged his head forward, inciting her to continue their adventure together. Her eyes lingered on his perfect back as he stepped forward and buried himself in the lot of the place. "Wait up!" She hurried after him. Catching up to him, she looked up at his face and noticed his eyebrow twitch skyward thoughtfully and somewhat disappointedly. So she asked. "Is something here not to your liking?" His lips pouted childishly. "This section isn't for us. Come on, onto the next floor." He urged her on and started towards the elevator without waiting. An excited smile played on his lips as he went on. Cara's eyes widened, her mind slow to r
Lost in her own subconsciousness, a tall buff man in all black and black shades walked towards them, a toothpick in his mouth. "Excuse me?" He called out to them, snapping Cara out of her own thoughts. "Did you two happen to lose something?" Cara's eyes widened. "No, why would you ask that?" "Well because I noticed you on the cctv going from floor to floor without actually picking anything. It's a little suspicious, too suspicious for me. It makes me feel like you are trying to get a mapped detail of the place or something." He explained, hands tucked in his pocket, toothpick sticking to the side of his mouth. "Like for a robbery or something?" Cara's eyes grew wider the moment she realized what they were being accused of. "Your words, not mine, ma'am. If you will not purchase an item then do you mind escorting me to the station? Just for some questioning." He suggested. Her eyes bulged like they would pop out of her head and her fist clenched in anger. "Excuse me!" "Excuse us,"
Cara's eyes widened. One point seven what? So what? She owed a debt in billions now? Could she ever pay it back in her lifetime? How much of her property would she have to sell before she would be able to pay him back? The attendant nodded her head and began clicking on her laptop. "You--you are R--Romeo Ar--mani?" The security man stuttered as he asked.Romeo turned to look at him. "Oh, yeah, I am. Just another day out in a shopping mall trying to get my usual stealing on am I right?" He smiled. The man immediately bowed his head. A deep bow. "I am so sorry sir! I--I didn't know it was you, sir! I didn't recognize you! I am sincerely sorry!" Cara noticed Romeo's demeanor change, as if possessed by his other self. His brow arched up irritatedly and his smile vanished the sun in the night. "A thief huh?" His voice ran cold like a chill in the night. Brads of sweat trailed down the man's face as he hung his head upside down in a bow. "I am so sorry sir! I would have never... I woul
Jessica paced about in her living room. Ever since she caught Chris cheating, he was yet to return home. What if he never returned? Could he really abandon her and their smile child just like that? Why did he have to cheat on her? Of all the women in the world, she deserved to be loved by him forever. So why cheat? She felt like she was going crazy. Cara's words kept coming back to haunt her, why did she have to be right about Chris? She growled and pulled at her hair monstrously. What was she going to do with that son of a--"Is something the problem?" Jessica's head snapped to the side at the abruptness of a voice disturbing her concentration. She was about to spit out all of the venom inside her at the person when she realized it was her mother in law. "Oh," she said softly. "Nothing, nothing is wrong. I was just... Uhm..." "Is the baby driving you crazy with his tears?" Her mother in-law's brow arched as she asked. The woman walked sophisticatedly to the couch and sat down.
Crouching to the floor, she picked up one of the scattered papers on the ground and just like he had hinted on, it was a divorce paper. Tears trailed down her face as her heart wrenched. "You are going to divorce me?" Her voice shook as she spoke. "No no," Chris responded. "Those aren't meant for me. They are meant for you. You will divorce me when you can no longer live by my rules but if my plan works out perfectly then yes, I will divorce you." She looked up at him, teary eyed. "Chris, this isn't--""See you at home darling." His lips curved into a mocking smile. Running his hand through his hair, he returned both of his hands into his pocket and walked out of the room, hitting Jessica with his leg on his way out. She fell to the ground as more tears poured down her face. Why was this happening to her? Was it Cara's wish for bad luck to befall her happy marriage that was coming true? Yes! It had to be that! Because she didn't want to believe that it was Chris who had been such
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