Chapter One.Allysa's POV.It was an ordinary day, my work revolved around meetings and creative planning. My eyes roamed around the ridiculous amount of paperwork on my desk. Grimacing slightly, I spared a glance at the grandfather clock standing still like a guard on duty at the corner of the office.I thought my day would end just like the same, but instead, I was suddenly summoned to my father’s office. I could not even say goodbye to some of my workmates as I was told to make haste.Walking towards the office, I saw some of the executive officers getting out one by one. I smiled at them happily but to my surprise, they looked away and walked directly past me. I was quite dumbfounded but didn't mind, perhaps their meeting didn’t turn out quite alright.It did not take a while until I reached my father’s office, twisting the silver door knob, and the tinted glass double door opened silently.Click.I saw my father sitting on his swivel chair, his back facing me.“I’m here Dad, what
Chapter Two. Allysa's POV. As I walked past the long hallway, I saw the board of directors coming out from another room, and with them my stepmother. Everyone stopped and looked at me, I didn’t give them a chance to look at me with pity as I stopped and glared at them. My stepmother was alarmed and tried to smile lovingly. “Dear, what happened to you? Are you crying? Having a bad day?” My anger almost burst out from the pent-up hatred, I suddenly had the urge to grab her black hair and pulled it. But instead, I smirk at her and everyone. “Nice try joking mother, very funny to the point I have almost forgotten to myself from slapping your stupid face. And I doubt you will ever see me cry, maybe at your funeral I will.” I answered sharply and didn’t bother to analyze their surprised faces. I went straight to the elevator and pressed the button. Thankfully, it opened very quickly and no one was inside. I went in and turned around to see their faces painted with disbelief, confusion
Chapter Three.Allysa's POV. “Ouch,” I whined and the impact made me take a step back. Raising my right hand, I rubbed the gap between my forehead. It didn’t hurt too much but it was pretty hard. And wait? How did a wall freaking get in my back? “Sorry, are you hurt?” a deep voice asked in concern. My body halted as I was processing what happened. I immediately took my hand and looked up, there I saw a tall handsome young man with bright blond hair, he was wearing a black retro wayfarer sunglasses. I immediately took a step back and shook my head. “No, I’m fine. It was my fault for stopping mid-way.” I apologized and offered a smile. He looks down and his sunglasses slip down revealing a pair of bright alluring blue eyes behind the lens. He offered a kind smile and sigh in relief. “That’s great! I really thought you were hurt.” I stared at him, he looked so easygoing and carefree. "By the way, why are you just standing there?" He asked in a curious tone. Suddenly, I got embar
Chapter Four. Allysa's POV It was a sight to behold. Wearing a plain white shirt and black pants, he dominated my eyes. I am not one for an eye candy but that man just screams for attention. I have never dated guys before nor did I entertain one, it was all due to my busy schedule or because of my brazen personality. I was too bold for them to handle, arrogant and shameless as they put it. My word appears arrogant to them, I find it difficult to sugar-coat my words. I don't them to misunderstand and wait like a fool, I don't want them to waste their time, and mine. In the business world, time is gold, essential if you want to climb higher. But I have never said that I was not interested in dating, so how come I would let an opportunity like this down the drain? This opportunity is hard to come by. I won't waste it, rather than sulking here and just witnessing others enjoy themselves, I would rather entertain myself. "Heh." I chuckled as I swirled my drink. Now that I think abou
A gasp escaped from my lips when I heard his voice. I was relieved and I feel much safer than before. But contrary to feelings, the pervert was driven mad. "Who the fuck are you to meddle with our problem! You want a piece of me huh!?" he said with madness as his attention slip away from me and walk towards the raven hair guy. I was suddenly nervous about what might happen. I am afraid that a fight might break out! We can't let that happen! Fighting inside a bar is dangerous, and I don't want this good man to be dragged into my affair. My conscience would not let me sleep if something bad happens to him because of me. "Wait—" I shouted as I tried to stop the man but I was completely cut off when the madman raised his right arm and made his hand curled into a fist. I gasped when the pervert man made a punching action. Leaning backward and raising his hand to ear level, push it forward and swing it. "Oh my gosh no!" I screamed in horror. Smash! Plop. A soft sound echoed, I was v
They say that if you want to catch your prey, you must not only put the bait. You also need to catch them off guard but must be also wary of the other lurking predators.In the wild, never assume you’re the only one hunting. There’s more a lot of hunters than prey.“Hi, there! Can you grant this miserable woman who’s never been in a relationship, a favor?” Allysa asked pretty boldly, cheeks flushed red due to alcohol.The girls around him paused and straight look up at the new woman. Their eyes scanned her whole frame as if they were some re-tribunal judges, here to pass down judgment.Women.One of the most amazing and sympathetic living beings lives in society.Ah yes, besides that title they are also the nastiest creature on earth.They will not back down on a challenge, especially on a delicious prey sitting right next to them. If it comes to the things they want, they would tear the limbs and cut them out. Leaving no other hunter alive to pry on her prey.They will do anything, e
Randall’s eye were wide open as he tried to process everything. His gaze landed on the beautiful woman long think lashes, as her eyes were closed. Her hair was dark yet against the light that was shining from a small disco bar, it looked like there were stars twinkling within the strands.She was indeed pretty, and bold. Randall just stood there like a statue for moment before the woman’s eye slowly opened. Her light eyes were looking straight into Randall’s jet-black eyes and for some reason, it sent small thunders down his spine; and when he trailed up and down her body subtly, not that she was doing that too, he tried his best not to stare at where her fitted jean was hugging her thighs.There lips were still connected, both were not pulling apart and staring to each others eyes. Randall was having a headache and Allysa’s heart was pounding loudly.Allysa move pulled back and give the man a sly grin. She sniffed at the lapel of Randall’s dress shirt as she let out a small giggle, “
Randall lean forward before picking a kiss on the intoxicated Allysa. Which, she returns as a giggle and steals a longer kiss, tongue twisting and fighting for dominance. When both of them pulled away, a string of saliva was shared.The raven-haired man scooped her by the waist. The light-headed Allysa instinctively hooked her legs and tightened her hug to prevent falling as Randall stood up. With a little giggle, she buried her face toward the man’s neck, inhaling his scent.Randall carried her effortlessly from the place they were sited and walked past through the dance floor. There were shared whispers of jealousy and curiosity as they passed by the dance floor which made Randall kind of irritated. He doesn’t want their privacy to be pried on, which is why he looks around to look for the nearest exit.Nero, who was chatting fairly with his customer felt saw a familiar figure in the background. On the dance floor, a raven-hair man was twisting his head, wanting to get away from the
Chapter Thirty-Eight.Sleep didn’t come easy. I tossed under the silk sheets of Randall’s bed, the storm outside like a lullaby sung by giants. Rain traced invisible paths down the tall windows, and every clap of thunder felt like a warning from the past—a reminder that I was teetering on the edge of a truth I wasn't ready to face.Exhausted, my body refused to settle. The images from earlier replayed in my mind like a relentless highlight reel: Vivian’s smile, the scarred man, those shadowy camera feeds inside the warehouse. She had looked so comfortable in that world—confident, in control. It was like she was an actress on a stage she knew all too well.The scariest part? She hadn’t even tried to hide it. The ease with which she handed that envelope over to the man with the scar meant she didn’t expect to get caught. She was clearly involved in something much bigger than any of us had imagined, and the implications of that realization sent my heart racing, even as I lay motionless i
Chapter Thirty-Seven.The next morning greeted me with silver skies and a low growl of thunder rumbling in the distance. A storm was rolling in—outside, and I could feel the tumult within me echoing that same ominous energy. The diary still sat unopened, resting on my nightstand like a weight I couldn't yet lift. But today wasn’t about that. I had somewhere to be. Dressed in black jeans and a fitted leather jacket, I tied my hair back into a low ponytail. Nothing fancy. Just enough to blend in, like a shadow slipping between cracks. At exactly nine o'clock, my phone buzzed with a text from Nero, a simple message: “Car’s ready.”Since dawn, Randall hadn't spoken a word to me. He’d brewed my coffee, placed it beside my plate, and then disappeared into his office as if he needed the distance. I couldn’t blame him—he hated losing control, and here I was, about to walk straight into chaos.I hesitated at the elevator, waiting for Randall to call out, to stop me. But nothing came, only the
Chapter Thirty-Six.The penthouse was warm, its atmosphere imbued with the citrusy scent of fresh linens and the smooth undercurrent of Randall’s cologne—something woodsy and undeniably expensive, an infusion of cedar wrapped in midnight. The sun bathed the room in a soft glow, filtering through the expansive windows to cast golden light over marble floors and pristine walls. Everything was immaculate, a reflection of Randall’s fastidious nature, yet beneath its polished surface, I felt chaos swirling within myself.I sat cross-legged on the plush living room rug, half-opened suitcases scattered around me, boxes waiting to be unpacked, the diary resting in my lap like a cursed relic. The leather cover, worn with age, felt familiar yet foreign, and I let my fingers trace the initials “M.H.” — my mother's. It had been years since she'd left us, yet her presence lingered in the most unexpected ways. Old birthday cards with her elegant handwriting; a cherished recipe scrawled on a torn na
Chapter Thirty-Five.The light drizzle that misted Calderon City had stopped by the time I stood in front of Randall’s penthouse, staring up at the sky through glass walls that seemed to kiss the clouds. I could hear my heart pounding, not because I was scared, but because this moment felt like a turning point I’d never expected. I tightened my grip on the suitcase in my hand, the other wrapped around a paper bag of freshly picked carnations from the flower shop — a symbolic goodbye, maybe, or maybe just a touch of home.Randall opened the door before I could even knock.His hair was slightly damp, like he’d just stepped out of the shower, and his eyes, impossibly dark and piercing, softened just a little when they landed on me. "You're here," he said, as if he hadn’t been entirely sure I would come.I nodded. "I said I would."He stepped aside, and I entered the sprawling space that was now, unbelievably, going to be my new home. The air smelled faintly of expensive cologne and laven
Chapter Thirty-Four.“Tell me, what are your future plans together?” Amanesis pressed, leaning in with the tenacity of an investigator digging for answers.“I can’t exactly predict the future,” I replied playfully, “Perhaps something simple—cooking together, leisurely strolls through flower markets, and, of course, impromptu journeys to wine tastings.” “And maybe some historical tours too?” Randall injected with feigned seriousness, his lips quirked into a half-smile. “Just to keep her well-rounded.”“I’m sure it’ll only add to my charm!” I quipped back, feeding off his playful energy.“Honestly, the way you two interact, it warms my heart,” Amanesis exclaimed, her previous strict demeanor disappearing as her protective maternal instincts began to show through. “You both deserve happiness. And Randall, don’t you dare allow anyone else to distract you from what you have here.”Randall’s expression softened slightly, and he inclining his head slightly as a grateful acknowledgment.As l
Chapter Thirty-Three.After what felt like an eternity planning the intricate details of our relationship charade, I departed the terrace with Randall’s chuckle hanging in the warm, fragrant air. The sun stood high in the sky, casting a shimmering glow across the expansive estate, filling the mansion with an air of quiet elegance.“Are you ready for the culinary emporium the maids are about to unleash?” Randall mused as I led the way back inside. The sound of commotion grew louder as we neared the kitchen—the cheerful chatter of servants echoing through the halls, punctuated by the clatter of pots and pans.“Let’s hope they’ve stocked up on enough comfort food to win over your mother,” I replied, biting back laughter. “And I still need to figure out what to do with my hair. Got anything inspiring on you?”“Can’t help you with that,” he said with a feigned look of innocence before a more genuine smile crept in. “But you’ll look wonderful in anything. Just be yourself.”As I entered my
Chapter Thirty-Two.Sitting at the terrace of Randall's grand mansion, I watched the sun descend over the expansive estate, the golden rays glistening off the carefully trimmed maze garden that borders the property. I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me as I took in the view. But my peace was abruptly shattered by the sound of Randall’s phone ringing, followed by him snapping it up with an incredulous expression on his face.Bringing the cup of coffee to my lips, I looked at Randall waiting for him to pick up the phone.“Bencio?” Randall’s voice was laced with calmness and a hint of confusion.I leaned back in my chair, my curiosity piqued as I caught snippets of the conversation floating towards me through the warm, evening air. “Please don’t kill me,” Bencio’s voice echoed, making it hard for me to suppress a laugh. I stifled the chuckle, maintaining my composure as I watched Randall's expression turn alarmingly serious. “What do you mean my mother is coming over?” There was
Chapter Thirty-One.The sun shone gloriously over the sprawling garden of a mansion that had seen better days; its once-vibrant flowers were wilting slightly under the unrelenting afternoon heat. Yet, at least one thing still radiated with energy and color: Amanesis. She buzzed around the estate with the enthusiasm of a hummingbird, her vibrant dress swishing as she made her way to the office where Bencio was stationed.“Bencio, darling!” she called out with the flair of a theatrical heroine, throwing open the door without knocking. The assistant looked up, startled, as if summoned from some far, distant realm of paperwork and duty. “You will never believe the tragedy that has befallen me!”“Uh, good afternoon, Madam,” Bencio began, sliding his glasses up his nose as he attempted to shift his thoughts from spreadsheets to the whirlwind of drama that was Amanesis. “What seems to be the problem?”“Sit down, dear! You’re going to want to hear this,” she urged, waving her hand as if becko
Chapter Thirty.As our lips met, time seemed to come to a standstill, the world around us fading softly into a blur. The initial shock that coursed through my body melted away, replaced by a warm, comforting sensation enveloping us both like a soft blanket draped in tenderness. It wasn’t merely a kiss; it was a silent acknowledgment of the journey we were embarking on together, a beautiful testament to the intertwining of our lives in the most profound of ways.When we finally pulled away, breathless and a little awestruck, I saw a flicker of mischief dancing in Randall's deep blue eyes. "Did that meet your expectations?" he teased, his voice low and warm, sending delightful shivers racing down my spine.I couldn't help but chuckle, a delightful concoction of nerves and joy bubbling up inside me. "I suppose it will do for now," I said, my own teasing tone emerging, echoing his playful spirit. Somehow, the tension that had been momentarily knotted in my stomach loosened, replaced by an