Thank you for reading! The next chapter is tomorrow afternoon.
In the extravagant home of the James, the fifth-richest family in Braeton, Luca James was drowning himself with liquor. His face was flushed, his eyes were red, and his hair was disheveled. He gulped down another glass of brandy, hoping to relieve himself of the growing discomfort in his chest. “Sir, there is a man here to see you,” one maid called his attention from inside his study. “He said his name is Mister Holmes.” “Let him in,” Luca answered in a hoarse voice, his heart racing from the anticipation. He had been waiting for Mister Holmes the whole day. It did not take long for the man named Mister Holmes to enter his study. The man sat in front of his table and handed Luca a sealed envelope. For a moment, Luca darted on the envelope. His hand struggled to reach for it. As he lazily opened the contents, Mister Holmes revealed, “It’s true. Based on what I have gathered, Scarlett Barnes is in a relationship with Kaleb Wright.” “I also had my men follow Scarlett around these
Flashing her left hand in front of Kaleb, Scarlett asked, “What is this?” “Woah, that is some diamond ring. Whoever gave you that is a man worth keeping, a man worth loving, and a man worth marrying,” Kaleb said before a sly grin became painted on his face. “You are a very lucky woman.” Scarlett was ready to have an argument with him, to point out how the ring was too extravagant, considering how she will merely work as a paralegal at a law firm, and how the ring would not bind her in any form of wedding commitment, at least not yet. However, with his response, she found herself chuckling, her face turning red. “What? You did say to put a ring on it,” he reminded, his half-naked body leaning on the door frame of Liam’s door. “Yeah, but. I did not expect it to be given the next day, and at the way you did too,” Scarlett replied reluctantly. “All the more, not this big, not this fancy. How much does this thing even cost? Why do I feel like it cost more than my life?” “Everything
“Our next performers are Jake Morgan and Liam Wright. They are going to play a piano duet of Heart and Soul by Mozart! Let's give the boys a round of applause!" An announcer said while directing everyone's attention to the side of the elevated platform. Hoots and applause could be heard as Liam and Jake walked onto the stage in their formal attires, their heads occasionally turning to the audience, both looking for their loved ones. Liam noticed how Jake was waving at his parents. He also examined the audience in search of Scarlett and Kaleb. He smiled, seeing his grandmother Samantha, his uncle Boris and Kaleb already there, but a frown easily formed on his face realizing that Scarlett was not present. It was the night of Liam's recital and everyone was gathered in the school's auditorium. Two groups have already rendered their performance. Liam and Jake's presentations were next. While Jake was walking to the piano, Liam remained at the side, his eyes wandering to the door an
Luca was holding Scarlett’s wrist, his eyes fiercely looking down at her. He asserted, “Scarlett, please. Let’s talk.” “But, I’m with the child. I cannot talk right now -” “Just, there.” Luca pointed out one corner of the lobby. “Leave the child in the seat and we can speak while you can still monitor him.” Reluctant about his proposition, Scarlett hailed for one of the front desks, asking the lady to watch over Liam. She followed Luca to the isolated part of the lobby where they both practically whispered their exchange. Seeing that Liam sat on the sofa with the receptionist, Scarlett returned her gaze to Luca. She asked, “What is it, Luca?” “Why are you letting another child call you a mother?” Luca asked. “I thought you wanted a child you could call your own.” “Of course, I want my own child, but it does not mean I cannot love another,” she quietly answered. “And why are you asking this? It’s really none of your business.” Luca swallowed air down his throat. He peered in ano
***BACK TO THE PRESENT*** “He will not come here again,” Kaleb said while pulling down the blanket of his bed. “Let’s get some rest now. Don't worry, I’ll take care of Luca.” Seeing that Scarlett was still bothered, he asked, “What’s on your mind, kitten?” “It’s just that I’ve always known Courtney was crafty, and after seeing her get along with her biological mother, I have long concluded that I could not trust mother Analisa too, but Luca’s father?” Scarlett said, shaking her head. "I don't know what I did to him to make a lie about me." “Hmmm.” Tapping the pillow next to him, he urged, “I’ll take care of him too. Just focus on your job and your studies. Leave the rest to me." After the heated exchange with Luca and Scarlett, Kaleb came in between them. He ordered Luca out of the hotel and warned him about entering any of the same Diamond Hotels again. Back then, he declared, "From now on, the Jameses are banned from the Diamond Hotels." Since Scarlett was uneasy after Luca’s s
“Well, what is it?” Scarlett asked. She looked at her watch and said to her three visitors, “Please. I still have a dance practice with Kaleb. I can’t miss it.” Scarlett was looking straight at Cindy, Courtney, and Analisa. Her patience was wearing thin at how the three were stalling. “Your sister, Courtney, is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice,” Cindy finally spoke. “For you.” “Oh,” Scarlett replied, her brows raised as she reacted. “That’s surprising.” Instantly, she saw how Courtney’s eyes watered. She reached for a tissue from her bag and wiped the corners of her eyes. “What sacrifice are you going to do for me, my dearest sister?” Scarlett asked, utterly curious. “Scarlett, Courtney will end her relationship with Luca. She figured, you are still so hurt about your breakup with Luca that you are making it difficult for us - you know, with your father’s will,” Cindy explained. “Sister, I did not want to make things difficult with father. He is really going through so
While riding inside Kaleb’s Knight XV, Scarlett had been staring blankly at her phone, waiting. “Kitten?” Kaleb called. “We have to act normal. You are not acting normal right now.” “They haven’t called,” Scarlett faintly pointed out. “Exactly the reason, we have to go to my parent’s party, as planned,” Kaleb suggested. "We would be acting suspiciously if we did not." Scarlett sighed. She softly replied, “The fact that they never bothered to call me meant they did not see me as anyone important -” “Another reason for you to act like your usual,” Kaleb asserted. He pressed his lips against her ear and suggested, “Your father will be fine. They took the medical flight to Swaxon. Your father will be treated by the best doctors.” Scarlett and Kaleb agreed that Philip technically followed Aurora out of Braeton City under false pretenses. It was best not to reveal how they were responsible for him being missing. Still, what shocked Scarlett the most was how Cindy and Courtney had no
“How about a beach proposal?” Gaby suggested. “Kyle did that on his anniversary proposal.” “At the rooftop! Hire a private chef. Get a helicopter ride!” Kate advised. “I saw that on TV. Seems great!” “You can surprise her at the office,” Kenzie added. “An intimate one is fine too, son. Just… do it right,” Samantha also gave her two cents. The ladies surrounded Kaleb as he sat on one chair in front of the table. Scarlett settled across from them, feeling sheepish at how Kaleb’s family was practically planning his proposal right in front of her. “And what kind of proposal is that when you simply put it in her hand? While sleeping, I might add,” Kenzie questioned. Wincing, Kaleb turned to his elder sister, asking, “Wait? Did Andrew propose to you that way? Because as far as I can remember -” “This isn’t about me?” Kenzie swayed her finger in front of Kaleb. “Nope! This is about you - learning from all of us… Because you know how each one of our husbands asked our hands in marria