"What should I do now?" asked Deric."Give me that drink," Caraline ordered."Isn't it near you?" Deric looked at the glass on the nightstand and Caraline in turn. His forehead wrinkled in confusion."You're my slave now. So, I have the right to command you whatever I want." Caraline rolled her eyes. "What are you waiting for? Get me that glass now!"Deric picked up the glass from the nightstand, handing it to Caraline. His hand hung in the air for a few seconds.Caraline turned her head towards the balcony window when Deric thrust the glass towards her. The woman deliberately let Deric hold the glass a little longer. She wagged her hair and shirt at the cleavage a few times."I hope this water doesn't evaporate too quickly," Deric said, "you know, this room is getting hotter than the last time I entered it."Caraline couldn't stop the smile. She knew the word "hot" was directed at her. It was a good sign that Deric was starting to flirt with her. Now, it was just a matter of how far
Caraline felt her face heat up after saying that. Her body shook violently from a feeling that could not be described with any words. She might be labeled as crazy for saying that, but she didn't care as long as it was for Deric.Deric, on the other hand, was silent as he looked at Caraline closely. The shock was still visible on his handsome face. His hands clenched into fists and soon relaxed again. "Are you sure? I think... that's too much.""Are you running away from your responsibilities?" snapped Caraline with her arms folded in front of her chest. The woman could feel her heart pounding madly. She couldn't imagine Deric doing that to her. Would she faint or act out of control? Hopefully not."It's a little hard for me to explain," Deric said, scratching hair that wasn't itchy at all. "Didn't you say that you didn't want to be touched by my dirty hands?"Caraline rolled her eyes, trying to find the right answer. "Forget about it! I just want you to take responsibility for what y
Caraline woke up to the sound of her alarm going off. The woman quickly sat up, scanning her surroundings."What happened to me?" Caraline tried to remember. When the woman saw the glass on the nightstand and that she was wearing the same clothes as last night, her eyes rounded and her consciousness returned. "It wasn't a dream."Caraline moved to the dressing table. She examined her neck, chest, and other limbs. Her face turned tense for a moment. There was no trace of anything left there. "Where's Deric?"Caraline pressed a button on the left side of the window, and the curtains opened. It was still dark and quiet outside."What happened to me last night?" Caraline closed the curtains again, examining her body in the mirror more carefully. "Did Deric and I do 'it' last night? But why aren't there any marks?"Caraline looked around with questioning eyes. She sat down on the vanity chair, letting time march on with the memories she was trying to unearth. Her body suddenly shook violen
"What do you mean?" asked Deric, "and what choice are you referring to?"Caraline suddenly fidgeted, trying to find a plausible answer. She couldn't afford to make Deric think anything. "You … you ... should have changed my clothes first before putting me to bed. You went too far. It could have been because of your stupid actions that I caught a fever.""I wouldn't have done that when you were unconscious," Deric argued, "wouldn't that be an act of harassment?"Caraline pretended to cough. It's true what Deric said, she thought. However, if she had to be honest, she wouldn't mind if Deric did that to her. "Get me some water!"Deric walked over to the refrigerator, returning with a glass of water.Caraline immediately grabbed the glass, gulping down the contents. Her face screwed up as she realized that nothing had happened between her and Deric. "You have to take responsibility.""Responsibility for what?" Deric asked. "Responsibility... if I catch a fever tonight," Caraline said wit
Caraline sat on the chair, letting out a long breath. Her head was filled with Deric. From cleaning to changing, to breakfast, to traveling to the office, Deric was the only person who lingered in her mind.Caraline leaned back, massaging her head. "Why isn't Deric tempted to touch me? I'm almost frustrated that he didn't dare to do it to me last night."Caraline scrutinizing her appearance from top to bottom. "I am beautiful, attractive, and perfect. I must admit Deric treats women well, but I hate that he dared not touch me. I've never even acted that crazy before towards any man.""Miss Caraline." Helen's voice came from outside along with a knock on the door.Caraline didn't answer immediately. She opened her laptop and some reports. "Come in, Helen."Helen entered the room."What's wrong?" asked Caraline as she turned to Helen. Her assistant looked beautiful today. The clothes she wore suited her figure."I just wanted to remind you that the product launch event for our partnersh
Caraline felt like time was slowing down. After returning from work, she spends almost an hour soaking. She used a variety of beauty products from hair to foot care. Caraline also deliberately chose some clothes to wear later that night. She was getting impatient.By the time it was getting late, Caraline was already on the veranda waiting for Deric's arrival. She stood with her arms folded across her chest, occasionally poking her head into the man's path. There was still about five minutes before dinner started. She called someone to inquire about preparations."Everything is ready," Caraline said with a deep breath. She felt her heart beating very fast. The atmosphere was too hot for her. "This is your last chance, Caraline. Don't do stupid things like last night."Caraline quickly checked her appearance when she saw Deric riding along in a wheelchair. Her body was wrapped in a short red dress with a fairly revealing top. " You can do it.""Are you waiting for me?""What would I do
Deric scanned every corner of the room. He looked up at the transparent dome adorned by stars scattered in the sky."This place is still as beautiful as the last time I was here," Deric said, "I'll stay here a second time?"Caraline suddenly coughed at that remark. Deric was insinuating that the incident a few months ago had happened to him."This place is a hundred times better than your shabby shack," Caraline snapped with her arms across her chest. She followed behind Deric.Deric circled the fountain with his hands deliberately touching the water. "I... am reminded of my old home.""I never saw a water fountain in the Aberald family's rundown shack," Caraline snickered, "you've got to be kidding.""I mean... my house in Summertown," Deric interjected, "I still remember that my mom and I had our picture taken in a lounger with a fountain in front of it.""I know." Caraline rolled her eyes. " You were still a kid, and damn it, you were still as handsome as ever. I remember you weari
Caraline made sure her plan went perfectly. She went back to enjoying the meal when Deric returned."How long are we going to be in this place?" Deric asked.Caraline rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, we'll be staying here overnight and returning in the early morning."Deric was silent for a moment. His hand that was just about to pick up the spoon and fork instantly stopped. "That's... a pretty good idea. I suddenly remembered the time when you picked me up in the early morning in your sleeping pajamas barefoot.""Stop it!" Caraline pounded on the table. She remembered everything clearly. "It was embarrassing and I don't want to remember it anymore!""You looked funny back then, but I didn't dare laugh because you must have struggled to get to this place. Honestly, I feel grateful."Caraline tucked her hair behind her ear, turning her head to the other side to hide her heated face. Deric made her fly to the high heavens. "I-I... I... don't want to hear that nonsense from you.""So whe
Jeremy, Jonathan, and James looked tense as they followed a bodyguard to the edge of the park. The crashing of the waves was a musical accompaniment to their racing hearts. The three men suddenly fell silent when they saw Deric with his back to them near the fence. Shortly afterward, the bodyguard chose to excuse himself. For a few seconds, there was only silence between the four men. Jeremy, Jonathan, and James exchanged glances with each other, confused as to what action they should take at this point. Should they say goodbye? Deric slowly turned around, smiling to greet his three half-brothers. He walked over, but Jeremy, Jonathan, and James did not move from their places or even turn their heads towards him. "I've been waiting for your arrival," Deric said. Jeremy, Jonathan, and James had not paid any attention to Deric's words. Their faces had not completely lifted either. "Didn't you miss me a lot, James?" asked Deric, "you even called me and sent me messages almost every da
Six months later The news of the Universe Corporation President's marriage sent the country into a frenzy. Many of the women who dreamed of becoming his wife suddenly felt heartbreak and deep sadness.Rumors circulated like mushrooms in the rainy season about who the lucky woman who would become Jacob Balderic's partner would be. Six months after the Universe Corporation President appeared in public and introduced himself, the man never appeared in front of the media again. However, the news about him continued to fill news lines and television shows.A week after the news of the wedding broke, the media managed to uncover the lucky woman, who was none other than Caraline. Many people agreed with this because they felt that the two were a good match. However, some sneered and bullied Caraline on social media. Even so, the wedding was held in a private location in the city of Summertown.The news of the wedding became the top and hottest topic ever, and even the news of Caraline and D
All eyes were on Deric who had just recognized himself as the presiden of the number one company in the country. The atmosphere of the event was instantly silent, as were the people watching the news on television channels and the internet. Shortly afterward, the adoring admiration was met with thunderous applause."Oh my," said Helen, "isn't that Mr. Deric? How could this be possible? He can walk on both feet and right now he's in front of us."Helen turned to Caraline who was looking down with a smile on her face. When she realized something, Helen quickly controlled herself. She knew the reason behind Caraline's change over the past two weeks."Miss Caraline," Helen called with a bright smile. Despite the crack in her heart, she was happy to see Caraline now.Caraline was silent and didn't dare to raise her head at the moment. The praise and admiration directed at Deric made her even more terrified of losing him.On the other side, Diego and Wilson were watching the show on the scr
A week passed after Caraline met with Deric on the rooftop of the building. However, her happy smile never faded. Helen, Stevan, and the rest of the maids and guards couldn't understand her attitude. While Caraline had been saddened a few months ago, for the past week, she had been overwhelmed with happiness.Caraline visited an event organized by one of Universe Coporation's subsidiaries in a large park. Many famous officials and businessmen attended the event, including Henry Hulbert.Caraline couldn't sit still while watching Henry Hulbert perform on stage. Her eyes were often drawn to the surroundings. There was a good chance that Deric was also at this event, she thought.Caraline hadn't received any messages from Deric all week. She also deliberately did not contact him. If longing had been excruciating in the past, this longing had only intensified the love."Do you need something?" asked Helen, who was sitting next to Caraline's chair."Nothing." Caraline shook her head, turni
Caraline and Deric looked at each other for some time, lost in their feelings. The lights around the rooftop seemed to change color as time passed."I'm just afraid that you'll lose consciousness like last time," Deric said suddenly."What do you mean?" asked Caraline with flushed cheeks."You know, you suddenly passed out when we were about to do... 'it' in your room." Deric laughed, gently stroking Caraline's hair."Passed out?" Caraline raised one eyebrow. "Didn't we ever do that?""Not at all," Deric said, "you seemed to be so nervous that you passed out, especially since you didn't stop smiling during your sleep."Caraline suddenly turned her back on Deric, closing her eyes with a very red face. She was embarrassed when she heard that. So, all this time she had only dreamed about doing 'that' with Deric. "Don't talk to me anymore. I hate you.""I know if your heart says otherwise." Deric stood beside Caraline."No, I'm serious." Caraline turned her gaze to the other side. "You ar
Caraline's whole body shook even more when she saw Deric standing in front of her. She dropped her cell phone because she couldn't contain her shock. For a few moments, she could only hold her breath with an unblinking gaze.Caraline felt shocked on top of the shock. She had wanted Deric to walk again, but when she saw it firsthand, Caraline was left stunned and unable to do anything. Her lips half opened, but quickly closed again.Didn't Deric look perfect with his current appearance?Caraline pinched her left arm hard. She felt a great pain there. It signaled that she was in the real world. However, Caraline still felt lost in dreamland. Deric, who she thought was a man who had lost his dreams, was the mysterious figure that people wanted to know about. Deric was none other than the richest man in the country.Doesn't Deric look perfect in his current position?Caraline looked back as her feet hit the rooftop barrier. She was at the edge of the room and there was no turning back. Fo
"Deric."Caraline could only remain silent with wide-rounded eyes for some time. Her mouth was half open with a look of disbelief. All the images of her time with Deric instantly faded away, making her body almost collapse on the floor. Tears were rolling down her cheeks relentlessly.Caraline knew that she missed Deric more than anything. However, when he was in front of her right now, she could only stand still without being able to get closer or even hug him tightly.Time seemed to stop for Caraline. All the scenery around her suddenly turned black and white, except for Deric alone. At the same time, the world became eerily silent.Could this all be a delusion?Could it be that he was in a dream?Could it be that God had answered all her prayers and hopes?Caraline still couldn't quite believe what was happening. For months she had searched for Deric's whereabouts with everything she had, but nothing good had come of it. However, at this moment, Deric came to him alone on this roof
Two months laterA talent show organized by one of Universe Corporation's subsidiaries received an overwhelming response from the public. The show had the highest ratings for several weeks. It culminated in the finale that aired last night. The participants put on an incredible show of entertainment and performance. The show was even aired in several neighboring countries. The enthusiasm of the public and netizens for the program was so high that the organizers intended to re-organize a similar event with a fresh and new concept.As a token of appreciation for the achievement and success, a lavish banquet was held for all partners who joined the program. Several Universe Corporation officials were present, one of whom was Henry Hulbert.Caraline was still in the room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She put on the earrings Deric had given her to complete her look tonight. The search for the man had been ongoing until now, but his whereabouts had yet to be discovered."Wherev
One month passed quickly. Caraline reorganized her life. Diego was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for the crimes he had committed. Although it wasn't worth it, it was enough to make her feel relieved. On the other hand, Wilson was also put behind bars. Although the Wattson family tried to get him released, he was sentenced to eight years in prison.Caraline's life gradually returned to the way it was before knowing Deric. She was busy with office work. However, her longing and love for him became even more unstoppable.Caraline has a new habit now. When she missed Deric the most, she would go to his former residence and spend the night there. Caraline would smile at the pictures on the wall and cry shortly after.The search for Deric, Lucy, and Thomas was still ongoing. However, there was no sign that they will be found. Caraline felt that this was her punishment for hurting and wasting Deric's presence all this time. This longing and regret tormented her.On the other hand, Cat