"A-A-Antonio," Andrea stuttered, looking like the blood had drained out of her face, as though she was seeing a ghost.The little boy stared with admiration at the man before him and shouted alarmingly, "Santa's in Town!"He wiggled his little body out of her arms and offered to carry the hats in. Antonio chuckled and insisted that he'd do that himself but placed one on the little guy's head. John thanked him and rushed back in excitedly."W-What are you doing here?""Oh where are my manners not replying to your greeting. Merry Christmas to you too Miss Santa," he said sarcastically, causing her to roll her eyes with a chuckle."Merry Christmas to you too Santa Claus. But what are you doing her?""What do you think? I came to adopt. It is an orphanage after all," he said nonchalantly."Huh?" she asked stunned."Except that I'm hearing from sources it would be easier if I had a wife. But how would I get one who would actually like orphaned kids they barely know. Most of the women I kno
Andrea was backed against the wall with Antonio trapping her with both his hands blocking her from the sides. She was absolutely flushed and even cuter than usual. In no time, their faces were barely an inch away. Andrea's mind was a mess. She was being towered by a muscular dominating man. She could barely focus on anything other than the hazel brown eyes staring down at her so intensely with an expression she couldn't read. His hot pink sumptuous lips tensed her up even more as the slightest move could whined up in a kiss.Antonio, who only intended to tease Andrea, found himself unable to move away. He hoped this would ease whatever awkward feeling she might have had seeing him again after their previous encounter. Up close, Andrea was indeed truly breathtaking. Her glossy pouty lips only made it harder, working like a magnet pulling him closer. Just when their lips were sure to meet, Andrea snapped out of her daze. She shut her eyes and turned her face."I-I believe you were maki
The festive season was over. It was a new year and all seemed well and in its usual with Lana back in the apartment. However, torment from the just ended holidays hovered over Andrea, like a dark mist waiting to consume her. After the donation to the orphanage, that very night, Antonio mailed her the contracts which she refused saying, "I'm not about to jump into the lion's mouth."He responded, "I'm not going to persuade you anymore. Where persuasion fails, force is applied. You will work for me Andrea Cabrera. I'll see you next year."These words have been haunting Andrea ever since. 'How far is he willing to go? I can't just give in when I know he just wants to punish me. What do I do now?' she thought distressed. She didn't feel she could confine in Lana about everything because she didn't want the lecture on 'self-control' and 'avoid trouble'. Most of all, she feared her sister would get involved in order to help her out.★★★Meanwhile...Antonio's study...Antonio and Lauren whe
In Andrea's attempt to help the woman, she took her over to the back seat and before she could open it up, the door flung open and she felt a sting on her neck. In the blink of an eye, there was complete darkness."Take the wheel," Lauren said to the man who opened the door while the man who sedated her carried her into the car. "To the warehouse," she said and they immediately sped off.★★★The apartment..."She's still not answering," Lana said, pacing back and forth. "I shouldn't have sent the text first. She's not gonna pick. She's upset.""Calm down love," Jackson said soothingly as he tried to console Lana, rubbing her arms. She however gave him a sharp look before moving out of his embrace. "Maybe Andrea's not coming back right now because she's infuriated by the fact that I'm here. She probably doesn't want to come and meet me here. You could text her and tell her we're stepping out to talk. We won't be long so long as you don't want to.""We definitely won't be long," she sai
"Miss, you need to stop this. The..." Before Dan could complete his statement, Eric flipped the switch and Andrea dropped into the water, still bonded to the chair. At that very moment, the other door flew open, almost coming off, startling everyone in the room."Boss!"Antonio scanned the large room eagerly in search of Andrea when he suddenly spotted the cable in the water with ripples forming at the surface. A second's glare should have been good enough to tell Eric, 'If you truly intend to continue living, you had better lift the lever.' Unfortunately, the terrified man, paralyzed with fear, stood mouth and eyes wide open, as he watched Antonio approaching him with quite some speed for a walk. Finally realizing his certain predicament, Eric immediately lifted the lever to pull her out. Unfortunately, it only managed to bring out her head before the cable snapped sending her back in. Antonio, in the twinkle of an eye, dived in to pull her out. He tried to get her out of the seat but
When she could hear no more footsteps, Andrea took a peek outside. Seeing that there was no one around, she left the stand behind and made her way down the stairs as quickly as her weak body could go. She took the hallway behind the huge staircase and saw a slightly open door. She slid the door to open up a little more. It was the kitchen. The best part was seeing another door on the other side of the kitchen, fully opened and leading to the great out doors. She smiled to herself and rushed to the open door but..."And where do you think you're going?" she heard a familiar hoarse voice ask from the other side of the large kitchen."A-Antonio," she whispered. 'How didn't I see him earlier,' she thought, staring at him as tears formed in her eyes. There and then, she felt all hope was lost...yet she didn't want to accept that fate. In an attempt to defy all odds, her little weak legs made an attempt for the light but unfortunately, a pair of large strong arms lifted her, her feet wobble
Andrea saw so much worry in Wanda's eyes. Suddenly she murmured to Andrea, "Don't dare him. He'll do it!"Once they stepped out, Antonio locked the door manually. Each click of the locking door made Andrea feel regretful."Now that it's just the two of us," Antonio said deviously, "...how shall we deal with a naughty girl."Andrea's heart started to race intensely, seeing Antonio unbuttoning his shirt. "W-W-What are you doing?" She panicked sitting up in bed. He merely looked at her with a horrifying grin."There are so many ways I can get you to eat," he said putting his hands into his pocket after unbuttoning halfway. Andrea couldn't help but take a peek at his gorgeous chest. His firm tanned broad chest and a little if his abs."You wanna see it better?" He teased with a cheeky smirk. Andrea's face turned red. She lay back down and shut her eyes hard."Listen Liliana...""Andrea," she interrupted sharply."I don't care. Your name is your name. If you hate it so much, take it out al
Night time...."Boss," Arnold greeted Antonio who just walked into the study. "You seem exhausted.""Try dealing with a brat like that," Antonio murmured with a scoff. "You've got something for me?" Antonio fell on his seat, sighing in exhaustion and relief."Yes boss. We just found her phone a few hours ago. It was still unlocked and she had many messages and calls not replied. It was her sister," he said, handing over the phone."When you found it, it wasn't unlocked?" Antonio asked, expressing a bit of shock. 'This only means Lauren didn't cover her tracks,' he thought, rubbing his temples. 'This means her actions weren't well planned. It's almost as though she wanted to be done with Andrea quickly. If that is the case, why did she put her through that much hardship? What were your real intentions Lauren,' Antonio thought, troubled, yet with an unfazed expression."No need to be disturbed about that sir. I already dealt with the situation. Apparently, the lady has a course to be an
Lana opened the door to their apartment, acknowledging a knock. There stood three men, each holding two suitcases with the exception of one, who held just one and a board with a sheet requiring a signature. "Hello Ma'am, we're from Flash Delivery Service," the young nervous man in front informed. "Yeah, I can tell from the outfit," she immediately struck his confidence down, obliviously and curiously fixated on the luggages. The young man took a deep breath before continuing their mission, "We have a delivery for one Miss Lily Andrea Rob...sorry...Cabrera." "Uhm....sure. Please bring the things in. I'll get her for you." Lana screamed, almost sounding excited, calling Lily out. Clearly irritated and looking sleepy, Lily made her way to the living room, rubbing her eye with her sleeve-covered fingers. Andrea's P.O.V "Is there a prob...." My words failed to completely escape the source when my eyes landed on the men holding the suitcases, dressed in the yellow and dark blue unif
"Now, she has really crossed the line with me. I'll make her stay here as miserable as possible," Lauren mumbled to herself as soon as she was sure Antonio was out. Little did she know that he was yet to completely shut the door. He chuckled under his voice at what she said before thinking to himself, 'I know you will Lauren. You're my ticket to getting back at that wild cat.'***Around the promised hour, Antonio picked up Lauren from the office and made their way to the warehouse. Immediately the Audi came to a halt, the door flew open instantly, making way for the brightness of day that was shun out by the tinted windows. They were welcomed by a man dressed in a black sleeveless turtleneck shirt, a dark themed soldier camouflage pants with multiple side pockets, black wellington boots, wore a pair of black leather gloves, and had on a black headband. Arnold was followed by two others dressed similarly who stood at the entrance of the building, one holding a black briefcase with a g
"Lana, let go. I'm fine. It's nothing....""Nothing? Your once flawless skin is suddenly covered by dark patches after you disappeared for almost a month and you're telling me it's nothing? Get dressed. We're going to see the doc...""No!" I aggressively yanked my arms out of her grip. "I'm fine. It's nothing so please leave me alone. It's no big de...""No big deal? You think I can't tell these are from healing bruises? That means something did happen and if you won't tell me what, I'll find out myself," she said angrily and stormed off, taking her phone out of her pocket."Lana!" I immediately went after her, while putting a t-shirt on. "You're exaggerating. It's nothi....""Don't give me that Andrea. You...""Fine, it's simply none of your business," I boomed, cutting her. The air in the living room instantly became thick and suffocating. The astonishment and sadness drawn on her face was soft and yet heart-wrenching. "How can you say that? I...""Lana, you wanted me out of your b
Andrea's POVAfter about 3 weeks of being locked up in the Monster's mansion, I was released with three days of rest before reporting for work at Robles Corp. To be honest, my stay there wasn't all gloomy and stormy but it certainly feels good to be back in the apartment, with the exception of having to play the silent treatment with Lana. I knew she had been worried about my whereabouts but there was no way I could tell her that. I couldn't afford to get her involved in this, being already way in over my head with my little brother involved. I'd probably have had to sell myself for her and that would have been a nightmare, to be enslaved to Antonio. Sadly, that was already the case...just in a slightly less traumatizing way.On the other hand, Lana's return to Jackson had me up in arms. Just the thought of them together fused with the memory of his birthday party made me livid. I was worried about her well-being. Jackson, as everyone knew him, was said and proven to be a no-good spoi
"Where's Jenny by the way?" "Somewhere," he replied, nonchalantly. "By the way, tell your boy to get himself together and do the needful. Time is running and we must honour our word.""Mr Leon, don't you think..""I don't want to hear any excuses. You live with him for crying out loud. You practically raised him so you better start demanding that respect. He's basically your son. Let him know that. Do you understand?""Mr..." "Do you underst..." He was unable to complete his statement when a violent cough took over his sore throat. "Mr. Le...." Her words were cut short once again by the abrupt end of the call. "Oh dear Lord," she said, her heavy British accent loaded with panic. "I need to speak to Antonio about...""Speak to me about what?" a hostile hoarse voice interrupted from behind, just as she opened her bedroom door to step in."Good Lord!" she exclaimed out of fright, losing her grip over the keys. Thankfully, Antonio was swift enough to catch them before they were landed
"You're in no position to ask me to do anything. Don't forget I'm your boss now. In case you didn't know because you ignorantly failed to read the contract before signing, you begin work two days after you are fully discharged by the doctor...""You bast...""Complete that and it'll be the death of you Andrea Cabrera," he threatened with a stone cold gaze. "I'll take my leave now. Enjoy your grace period and try not to worry too much. It won't help you get better soon so you can finally start your dream job." He majestically walked out of the room with a satisfied grin, leaving behind a raging and panicking Andrea. She was left to her wild imagination to drive her mad, wondering what's next.***Hours later..."Mr. Perkins," the Vice Chancellor called out as he walked in, interrupting the ongoing lecture. He whispered something to the lecturer whose clearly displeased and confused expression suddenly turned to a stunned one. Jake, watching the scene playing before him from the end of
"Speak already Antonio and quit staring like that. It's rude to stare." He leaned in closer till his lips were barely an inch away from her ear and whispered to her. Suddenly, she stood frozen as he moved away to enjoy the look of horror on her face."You're kidding," she barely whispered, only making his grin grow wider. "You must be out of your mind!""You have till I get out of the shower to determine your brother's fate...""W-What about Lauren? You can't...""I never said I was firing her Andrea. Now, the ball is in your court. Either you work with me...as my personal assistant...""Antonio....""Or your little brother and the rest of your family suffer the consequences.""Y-You wouldn't harm them. You're not as cold as you portray yourself to be. You're....""Underestimated, that's what I am. As I said, you have till I step out of the shower to make your decision. I trust that you're not that dumb to test me. In the meantime, I'll leave you to start mentally preparing for what's
Lauren spent the night in the office, seeing to it that the technical department located the hacker as soon as possible. It then dawned on her to contact Antonio to make sure he knew she was doing her duty and would be giving him the good news soon. Hundred percent was an understatement of her certainty that Rachel was responsible. 'The best thing would be to present the grand gift of her location with undeniable evidence and gain Antonio's acceptance once again. I should at least let him know I'm aware and working on it.'She left the department and went to her office to make the call. Unfortunately, the confidence with which she announced the soon identification of the location was blown into bits by Antonio."I didn't hear from you last night, neither did I hear from the team after the breach. Forget about it. I've already located the hacker myself and I'll deal with the situation on my own," he said in his hoarse iconic nonchalant tone."I-I'll tell the men to get the warehouse re
"Sweetie, if Antonio hated you, you wouldn't be in his room. You would have been locked up in the basement no matter how severe your injuries must have been. He never let people come into his room. Honestly! At a point, it was so intense that, he personally took care of its cleaning, only permitting me to help him out. That, however, had to come to an end since the gentleman was often too occupied. Yet, even till date...or at least until you came into the picture....only a trusted few, hand picked by yours truly....had been authorized to attend to his room with me. That was until you came around. Now, he has given up his bed...I mean his BED...for you....""Wanda, don't say things like that....""But it's the truth Andrea. From what I know, he even beat up one of the guards who had you kidnapped and he was so so close to hitting Lauren....""Then don't say it like that. He just probably feels guilty. No, no, no, that would just mean he has a conscience and he certainly doesn't. It must