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Chapter 38
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 39
Bernice wakes up with the soft morning sun peeking through the curtain. She is lying cozily in Rafael's arms. The thoughts of last night brought a soft smile onto her lips. Gently, she turns towards Rafael who is sleeping serenely, his breathing rhythm normal.As if to say he could feel her gaze upon him, Rafael stirred. His eyes fluttered open-his somewhat heavy eyes looked squarely at him. When finally he found her, a soft grin spread into his face."Morning, beautiful," Rafael whispered huskily from his sleep."Morning," Bernice replied softly, brushing the strand of hair off his forehead.Rafael leaned forward and pressed a light kiss on her lips, drawing backward far enough only to look into her eyes. "How are you feeling?" he asked with a genuinely curious note in his voice."Happy," Bernice admitted as her heart warmed up to the display of affection in his gaze."Ah, thank goodness," Rafael said, shifting onto his side to prop himself up on his elbow. "I thought, how about we s
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 40
The ride back to the apartment was dead silent, tension hanging thick in the air. Bernice's mind reeled with what to say-how could she explain all this? She had this dread inside her, knowing this might just be it, where everything fell apart between them.No sooner were they inside than Rafael whirled to her; his face was grave. "You don't have to say anything, Bernice. I know.Bernice widened her eyes in surprise. "What? "Ethan's my nephew, I know how he can be when he wants to get back at someone," Rafael said, his tone even but a thread of anger underscoring it. "He wanted me to doubt you, to push you away. But for some reason ,I knew he was lying."Bernice's heart stuttered in her chest. "Why didn't you say anything?"Rafael leaned back an inch or so to peer at her. "Let's just forget about Ethan tonight, and let's focus on us. We've been through enough."Bernice nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile. "I'd like that."Bernice stared out the window and smiled, the street li
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 41
“Ethan, we need to talk, now!” Olivia’s voice was very tense when she burst into the apartment, breathless. Dropping her purse on the couch, she narrowed her gaze upon Ethan at his usual spot by the dining table working away in front of his laptop.Ethan looked up, surprised at the fire in her voice. “What is it, Olivia? You look like its the end of the world.“It might as well be!” Her hands were shaking, and she snapped at Ethan. “ I will sooner or later get a bump. We need to get married now.”Ethan sighed, shut the screen of his laptop and leaned back. He knew that at some point he had to have this conversation, but it always seemed so far off, and now the time is here. Olivia, I realize you are being driven by nerves and a physical need for the rocking part of marriage; that if we get married all these problems will vanish. We need to be sensible about this.“Don't even think about it, Ethan,” His outrage carried Olivia's excited tones to shrill wavelengths. “People are going t
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 42
“You're putting Bernice in charge of the wedding?” Olivia's voice barely concealed her frustration as she aimed at Rafael, trying to keep her emotions in check. They were in Rafael's large living room, where they had just taken a unanimous decision. Olivia would have liked for Rafael to foot the bill without Bernice's help but things went from bad to worse.Rafael leaned back on his chair, his face holding an inscrutable look almost devoid of emotion as he assessed Olivia. “Yeah, Bernice will be doing the wedding preparations. She's got a good eye for these things, and I'm paying for it so her call works out.” Instant discomfort washed over Ethan, who was sitting next to Olivia. He could feel the tension among the women and had no interest in falling victim to friendly fire. He also knew that disagreeing with Rafael was not an option if he wanted to remain in the good books of his uncle. “That is kind of you, uncle,” he said as earnestly as possible. "We appreciate it."Bernice rem
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 43
"White roses? How utterly predictable." Bernice practically snarled in disgust, reaching automatically for the sample book that the wedding planner now thrust across her, “But we want something more classic than this. Olivia, don’t you agree?"Olivia clenched her teeth, hoping to keep her voice steady. White roses are the classic ones. They are elegant and timeless.It just made Bernice raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Timeless, yes; but also boring. We can do so much better. Perhaps orchids or peonies."Madam Alice has been watching the exchange silently, she agrees with Bernice “Orchids would be luxury indeed, they are not as common and conventional as roses.”The wedding planner, a well-groomed woman who appeared in her early forties with an air of professionalism, added "Oh orchids are a very beautiful choice and you can get different types of arrangements to match the style. But if the bride insists on roses…”The bride," Bernice interjected caustically, "is mega stressed and not
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 44
As Olivia sat with the wedding planner, she was fidgeting in her chair. Her anger was right under her skin, still steaming over from yesterday. Every few minutes she looked at the door, hoping Bernice would arrive soon.Mrs. Davis, the wedding planner, smiled sympathetically at Olivia. It's okay, we will find something for you today. This is your day, after all.”Her smile was faint and didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I just want something that resonates with me, not just what others think I need." Mrs. Davis Bobbed her head and looked sympathetic. “I am going to try my best to help you with that," she said.A couple of seconds later a black, high-end car pulled up. Olivia felt her heart clench as she saw the driver get out and open a back door with an elaborate bow. Bernice emerged from the car and immediately began to fill the place with her commanding presence even before stepping inside.“Good morning, ladies “ Bernice minced over to them, all honey-voiced with a twinge that made O
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 45
"You're still going through with this?" Ethan leaned against the counter of the kitchen as Olivia stood at the window, sipping her coffee in a seemingly normal manner. "I thought after yesterday, you'd reconsider."Olivia didn't turn around. Her reflection in the glass showed the calm, composed face he had grown so familiar with. "Reconsider?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why would I do that?""Because this whole thing is insane!" Ethan pushed off the counter, his frustration boiling over. "We are not ready to get married, Olivia. Bernice…”"Bernice isn't the problem," Olivia broke in, her voice keener now. At last she turned to him, her eyes cold and steady. "She thinks she is, but she's not. What you don't seem to understand, Ethan, is that I'm not doing this for her. I'm doing it for us, for our child."Ethan's jaw clenching seemed to make his face even darker. "This isn't the way I wanted any of this to go down. You think I'm ok with us getting married just because you're pregn
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 46
"We're running out of time, Olivia," Ethan muttered, pacing the length of the room. His footsteps on the spotless marble floor of the wedding planner's office echoed off it, with tension evident in his movement.Olivia sat calmly on one of the plush chairs, flipping through a booklet of flower arrangements. "Relax, Ethan. We have everything under control.""Under control?" Ethan stopped mid-step and turned to face her. "Bernice is practically breathing down our necks, and you're acting like everything's just fine."Olivia didn't look up. "Ethan, we have been through worse, haven't we? Besides, Bernice is harmless. She is just trying to assert herself because she's jealous.""Jealous?" Ethan mocked. "She's more than that, Olivia. You know it. Not jealous, but she's trying to sabotage this wedding. It just feels like she does everything on purpose, to make things a hundred times harder.Olivia's lips twitched upwards into a small smile as she finally looked up. "Well, that's just exactl
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 108
Bernice grasped the wheel as if to hold it for dear life, the minute she pulled into Rafael's office parking lot. Today was supposed to be routine-quick, business-focused, in and out. Yet, for some reason, that old tension that always hung in the air where Rafael was concerned seemed to ratchet a notch higher today. She steeled herself and exhaled in an attempt to keep her cool through whatever new turn this meeting might take.She entered the office, heel to toe, clicking softly on shining marble floors, and prepared herself by silent rehearsals for yet another strained-for-civility professional encounter. But as she went into Rafael's office, what greeted her was not the now-familiar figure behind the large desk but the large, empty room: the leather chairs there, the mahogany desk stood as it ought. But without Rafael's presence, the room sounded silently unread, unfinished.Frowning around. Where was he? So engrossed in steeled words and curbed emotions, she was quite caught of
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 107
"Why are you being so hard, it doesn't have to be this way," Rafael was saying in a low tone as he relaxed back into his chair, the intensity pulling at her stomach. "We've shared… a lot more than just business, haven't we?"She met his gaze steadily, hiding the frustration bubbling just below the surface. "Rafael, please," she said calmly. "Why don't you get it and just stop making this harder than it already is."He huffed, his head tilting as if he was studying her. "You make it sound so cold. I'd hoped…” He let the silence hang a little too long."I'd hoped we might find a way back, somehow. Clear the air. If not now, then perhaps… over dinner?""I don't think that's such a good idea. I'd rather keep things professional," Bernice shot back.“Professional,” he repeated, a bite to his words as he leant forward almost scoffing. "Is that really the way you want to play this?"Bernice's fingers closed over the edge of the table. "It's how it needs to be, Rafael. You made your choices.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 106
Alexander's head had whipped toward the hall the instant Ethan's cell phone had buzzed on the coffee table."Ah, I need to take this," Ethan muttered, snatching up his phone and moving toward the door. He turned back to Alexander, his brow furrowing briefly with suspicion. "Be right back."Take your time, Alexander said with a wave of his hand, even as he settled back into the couch in that same nod of the head, waited for the door to click shut behind Ethan before springing up himself in one swift second, his expression going from one of relaxation to one of focus in that same swift second.Here it was.Alexander padded down the narrow hall, his eyes flashing to either side into the rooms on both sides. Light of foot and keen-eyed, scanning for any sign that might hint at where the burner phone was. It would not be out in the open; Ethan was too careful for that. But a man could get sloppy when he thought he was safe, and Alexander had no intention of leaving without a closer look.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 105
"Alexander, I have an update," Detective Marcus said, the sound of his voice crackling through the phone, the seriusness of his tone a prologue to the weight of the news he was about to deliver. "We figured out the phone used to contact the kidnappers."Alexander's hand tightened on the phone as he traversed the expanse of his study. "And?""It was a burner phone. Disposable. Untraceable beyond the initial purchase, but enough to confirm someone's trying hard to cover their tracks."Alexander exhaled low and narrowed his eyes. "So Ethan and Olivia think they can outsmart us. It only makes me sure they're hiding something."For a couple of seconds, Marcus didn't say another word, his voice low. "Be careful, Alexander. If they are in this, they are playing with fire already."Alexander's jaw clenched. "I know that, and that's just what makes me have to keep pushing. Thanks for the update, Marcus."As Alexander tucked the phone back into his pocket, he hung up the call. New determinatio
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 104
"Ethan," Alexander said, his tone silky, deliberate, as he sat down opposite him, easing his body into the leather chair with a casualness that didn't quite fit the discussion about to take place. "We don't get to sit down like this often. Thought it'd be nice to… change that."Ethan's eyes fluttered, shoulders guarded. "I didn't realize you were interested in spending time… outside of business."Alexander hunched his head forward and loosed a low husky laugh; the sound broke up in a relaxed clap of hands. "Business, business," he muttered wryly, flashing Ethan a sly smile. "Seems that's all I ever talk about these days. I figured you'd understand-the need to unwind a little."Ethan nodded shortly, eyes narrowed at Alexander guardedly. "I don't have many people I. trust, to put it mildly.”Alexander lifted an eyebrow; his face slackened just enough to show empathy. "Oh, I get that. I've heard enough about Rafael's dynamic relationships to understand loyalty is hard to come by around h
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 103
"Business, Rafael," Bernice's voice cut, keen as a knife, as she looked up from the table, her eyes like steel. "That's what we are here to discuss-the partnership. Nothing else."Rafael leaned back in his chair, one corner of his mouth tugging upwards in a smirk as his eyes lingered on her. "Oh, but Bernice," he said innocently, "you make it sound so. impersonal. We have history. Surely that entitles us to a bit of friendly conversation?"She didn't bat an eyelid. "This is a business meeting, not a reunion.”Rafael's head leaned in, but that smirk never faltered. "You always did know how to cut straight to the point." A soft clearing of a chuckle emitted from him at the rhythmic tap of his fingers against the table. "Can't deny that's something I missed about you."She bit back, choking down her urge to roll her eyes as her gaze fell onto the stack of documents in front of her. She was ready for this, knew all of Rafael's games. It didn't make a difference to being incensed over it.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 102
"Tell me, Bernice," Rafael's tone was indolent, but his eyes flashed with something darker as he leaned back in his chair, never once looking away from her. "Are you really ready to work with me?"Bernice met his gaze, her eyes unflinching. "That depends. Are you?"A smirk played on his lips, his eyes masking their true expression. "You were always… amusing. I've missed that about you."She cocked her head to one side, undisturbed by his words. "I don't miss anything about you, Rafael."He chuckled low in his throat. "We'll see about that."Alexander stood across the room, his jaw clenched, while this all transpired. Every time Rafael so much as looked in Bernice's direction, his entire being bristled. He hadn't wanted her to agree to this, and every second she spent in Rafael's presence felt to him a willful and calculated attack on his own resolve.Bernice sailed through the conference in detached grace, her voice flat and professional, her face a mask of resolve. When Rafael ventur
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 101
"Rafael has agreed to the deal," Gabriel began, his voice cool, even, as he spoke to Alexander and then Bernice in the silence of the posh restaurant's private room. The next words to leave his lips, though, were laced with the weight of a complication neither could easily disregard. "On one condition—he wants to work directly with you, Bernice."Alexander's eyes narrowed and his hand tightened around the edge of the table. "Of course he does," he muttered, speaking low enough that his frustration did not escape.She sat silent, composed, her face unreadable. She had expected this move from Rafael; it was just the kind of strategic play she had anticipated. Rafael didn't want a simple business arrangement; he wanted an opportunity to draw her back into his orbit, to see if he could unsettle her."Is that all right with you, Ms. Bernice?" Gabriel asked as if he hadn't seen the clenching of Alexander's jaw or the way Bernice's fingers rested tautly upon her thighs.Alexander turned a s
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 100
Bernice shut the door of her hotel room, feeling this weird mix of triumph and something unsettling, like a ghost she thought she'd long since buried was whispering just behind her. She took a deep breath, leaning her head back against the door, replaying the events of the day in her mind-the meeting, Rafael's silent, searching gaze, and the way she had remained poised and unwavering. She'd hardly let herself look at him, hardly allow him to register as more than another face across the table.But of course, it wasn't that simple.She muttered to herself, as though the silence could be broken by firm resolve. "It doesn't matter anymore. None of it matters."But she knew it wasn't quite true. She could still remember the incredulous look that had crossed his face that night, the fire of his anger blazing in his eyes. And how he had cut her out of his life without a single question, without letting her explain what had happened. She didn't know today how that stranger had been in her
