I don’t know how long that kiss lasts. By the time I come back to my sense, I’m soaking wet and shivering from fingertips to toe. So I start coughing and sneezing right into his pretty face.He chuckles, “Alright. At least now I know how you felt about that kiss.”“No! It’s just—I’m freezing here. Don’t you feel cold?”“No. Not really,” he shrugs. “How can I feel cold with our passionate hot love burning in my chest?”“Eww, gross!” I hit him playfully. “Eason Ramirez, I don’t know you as a cheesy talking guy.”“Now you know. And it’s too late to have a second thought…ok enough of this. We’re heading back. You’ll definitely catch a cold if we stay out here a minute longer.”My feet are numb because of the rain. So I have to cling on his body and stagger forward. He signs and lowers his body having his back towards me. “Hop on.”I hesitate. “Umm…you sure? I weigh like—”“You weigh like a feather. And with your limp legs, we won’t be able to make it before dawn. So hop on.”I blush and c
Eason’s POV “Wow really?” James gasps in excitement. “She actually believed that you are in danger? She must really like you.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, staring at the stove while my mind flashes back to my earlier memories. -A FEW DAYS AGO- “I have an idea,” James announces eagerly. “If you play it right, she’ll be back in your arms at the end of this weekend.” “Listening,” I rub my temples and try to focus on his words. “You are not sure if she likes you, right? And she is a little—well, high-maintenance. So all you need right now is a chance to push her over the edge and force her to open up to you.” “And how I’m going to do that?” “A dangerous situation,” James smirks. “I checked the weather and it’s going to be raining like hell this weekend. Let’s say you are going for a swim in the sea and she is the only one who has noticed that your life is at stake…don’t you think she will do something really irrational under this scenario? And then you can take this perfe
I wake up next morning without him by my side. Yet there’s a delicious smell of fresh brewed coffee and French Toast coming from the kitchen. I immediately get out of bed and head towards the kitchen.Eason is standing in the kitchen, pouring coffee into the mug. There’s already two plates of ready French Toast on the counter with some fresh berries by the side and wiped cream on top.“Oh my god.” I fake a shocking expression walking up towards him. “Did you make this? Maybe I was wrong about you being a useless rich brat.”His eyes light up immediately when he sees me, and he drags me into his arms. A soft kiss lands on my forehead. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”I giggle and tiptoe to kiss him back. He holds the back of my head with one hand, fingers threading into my hairs deepening the kiss, while he brings the other hand down past my waist and gently squeezes my ass.I immediately feel a familiar heat building between my thighs. He has the magic to turn me on so easily.
Eason’s POVI know it’s stupid for me to get angry over those trifles. But I just can’t stand Alex, with him pestering Nat like a fucking annoying fly.I stare at them gloomily across the court before the game. Natalia is talking to him and then they both burst into laughter together. Her smile is so beaming and bright that I know she must have a special feeling for him as well. If I hadn’t made the move first, she would have been with him already.I can’t let that happen.The game began and I’m all in for it. James told me that fucking Alex is pretty good at sports too but I’m losing this one to him.At first, it was still a casual game played in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. But my intention to win was probably too obvious that Alex sensed it quickly. He got serious immediately. And it soon turned into a brutal one-on-one contest between me and him.Fifteen minutes later, after I managed to score another point, Katherine tosses the ball aside and collapsed to the ground. Hot s
My whole body tenses up immediately at his words. About Eason? Why? Did he find out about us??? Now that I think of it, we aren’t very careful about hiding our tracks. There is evidence everywhere: like yesterday, like that one time in the restaurant with my mom… I gulp and force out a smile, trying to sweep it under the rug, “but they are still waiting for us outside. Maybe some other time—” I want to escape the scene so bad. But before I can stand up, Alex puts his hand on my shoulder and forces me back. I’ve never seen him like this before. “You will want to hear this Nat,” he says sternly. I gulp as cold sweat starts to form on my forehead. Oh god, he is definitely on to us. What’s he going to say? Is he going to judge me for sleeping with my stepbrother? Is he going to tell my parents, my friends or everyone at school? If I beg him, will he keep the secret? My mind is a mess when suddenly I hear Alex says— “I think Eason is plotting something against you.” I blink and
An awkward silence fills the car. He waits patiently for my answer, threading his fingers through my hairs. I know there’s no way I can escape his questioning. So after a long pause, I finally open my mouth. “I—I just think it’s a weird timing, with you and James suddenly appear at the beach house…” I say in a low voice. “…and I thought you were giving up on me after—you know— that night. So what made you change your mind?” So that’s my final decision—not telling him the truth. I know a relationship counselor would probably tell me that it’s important to share things with my boyfriend and to keep it open and honest in a relationship. But I’ve decided against it. Eason is the most manipulative person I’ve ever known. I have to keep my guards up around him—even though I don’t want to. I really hope that I can just throw myself into his arms and pour my heart out. But there’s something about him—something that I can’t quite put my finger on—that stops me from fully committing to this
The next day after school, I go to a local coffee house for interview as planned. This job is nothing fancy, but it pays really well. Too well actually. If my job is to brew some coffee, serve some pastries and mob the floor, then I think I’m definitely overvalued given my wage. The coffee shop is in the university district, right next to a school library. So I’m not surprised to find that the room is packed with college students reading, writing and discussing assignments when I step in. There’s a cute girl with pink hairs and lip rings standing behind the counter. She welcomes me with a hearty smile, “Hey! What can I get ya?” “Hi,” I can’t help but smile back. “I’m here for interview. My name is Natalia Moore?” “Oh yeah! I’ve been expecting you. Follow me please.” She leaves the counter and leads me to the back and into an office. When we get in, she casually points me to a seat and sits down behind the desk herself, “can I offer you anything to drink? Water? Tea? Coffee?” It
Within the blink of an eye, Eason has come near us. He grabs Zack’s collar and hits him right into the face. Zack yells out in pain covering his nose and staggers back. Blood oozes out between his fingers. Eason doesn’t give him time to react as he raises his leg and kicks him down to the ground again. I stumble and fall, struggling to breath. I think I’m having a panic attack. Some passers-by gather up and try to help me up, but my legs feel so weak that I can barely stand. “Oh my god!” someone suddenly gasps. “I think he’s killing him…should we call the police?” I’m whipped back to reality. Through my blurry vision I see Eason nails Zack’s body down to the ground as he keeps pummeling him. Blood covers both his hand and Zack’s face. The sound of his fist hitting against the flesh makes the hairs on my arm to stand up. Zack is begging for mercy, whining and crying. He is a huge guy and he can easily take me with one hand. But he doesn’t stand a chance against Eason’s brutal beatin
A large group of people escort me downstairs. Because it is absolutely impossible to move in this dress by myself. The delicate lace of my gown sweeps along the polished wooden steps. I must move very slowly and carefully to avoid any mishaps. I grip the banister, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.At the bottom of the staircase, servants hold open the grand double doors leading to the garden.The scent of fresh flowers wafts in, mingling with the warm early summer breeze. I take a deep breath, letting myself savor this magical moment.And there my dad is, tall and dignified, dressed in his sharpest suit, waiting for me just by the doors.“Dad.” I whisper, reaching out to hold his hand.He turns, his eyes softening as they meet mine. “Nat, you look absolutely—”“Stunning.” I smile, “I know. Mom told me the same thing earlier in tears.”Then I am shocked to find that there are tears gleaming in his eyes as well.My dad is never a man of emotions. This is literally th
The next morning, I am woken up by the early sunlight and a series of noises.Still half-asleep, I groan and rub my eyes, frustrated.What is going on…Who is out there screaming and yelling…Somebody is trying to get some sleep here…Then something snaps me back to reality like a whip—Fuck! Today is my wedding day!!!Then I hear my mom’s shrieking in the living room, “Is she still asleep? She should be up half an hour ago!”“She is probably in the bathroom. Let me go check on her, Mrs. Ramirez.” That is Jenna’s voice.“Oh thank you darling. You are a life savor…”Light footsteps approach the bedroom door. I only have one quick second to grab the sheet and cover up my naked body before the door flies open.“Morning Nat—OMG, you ARE still in bed!”“…I couldn’t sleep last night.” I swallow, pretending to be calm.Meanwhile, I quickly scan the room—Good, Eason is gone already. I can’t imagine what kind of temper tantrum mom would throw if she finds out that we spent the night together.“R
Today is the last night before my big day tomorrow.Everything is under control. All the guests have checked into the mansion already. Through the window on the 5th floor, where my bridal suite is located, I can see workers working on the final decoration of the wedding venue in the garden.Everything is on the right track. Except for one.My mom.“Natalia, have you seen the seating chart?!”I stand in the center of preparation room, seeing my mom bustles around with a fervor that is both impressive and exhausting.Dresses hang from every available hook, shoes and accessories are scattered across the floor, and my mother’s meticulous lists cover the desk. The room buzzes with pre-wedding chaos, a stark contrast to the calm I crave.I sigh, “Mom calm down…”“I can’t find the seating chart anywhere! And we need to make sure the caterer knows about Uncle Frank's shellfish allergy!”“Mom—”“And where the hell is your wedding planner!!!” mom raises her voice and cries, “We paid him 1000 buc
Eason and Mr. Ramirez heard about what happened later that day.“Katherine?” Eason’s voice darkens immediately. “She is a fucking nobody. Her family went bankrupt. Their reputation stinks! How dare she fight you on this venue?”“And I hate it when people go behind my back and bother my family with things from work.” Mr. Ramirez says with a frown. “I will give my people a heads-up, telling them to cut off any connections with her and her husband immediately.”Looks like Rosa’s husband’s proposal will go down the drain even before it got a chance to be presented to Mr. Ramirez.It feels so great to be protected by your own family.Eason still seems mad, “I can’t believe anyone is still willing to marry Katherine! Don’t they know that this woman is crazy?”“Rosa’s family is new to the town,” mom says.Eason lets out a snort, his green eyes gleaming icily, “Maybe they will be interested in Katherine’s history.”I know what he is thinking.If he finds a way to leak Katherine’s history to Ro
I stare at Katherine with shock.Seriously, I am the thief?!She is the one who tried to steal Eason’s inheritance!She doesn’t look at all like the sweet and kind girl I first met, the one who exuded elegance.Now she is sharp and bitter, but her expression gives away how weary she really is. Her cheeks are pale, and her hair is dull and split. It must have been a long time since she last visited the salon.The bankruptcy really taken a toll on her. She doesn’t need me to make her more miserable. She has taken care of that herself.“Mom, let’s go.” I give Katherine a look of disgust. “Don’t waste our time talking to her.”I grab my mom and try to walk around Katherine.But Katherine blocks our way again.“Why are you leaving? Are you afraid? Afraid of facing me?” her voice is sharp and shrill. “Do you know what people have been saying about you? You are a slut, Natalia! You steal other people’s fiancé because you can’t stand them living a happier and more wealthy life than you are! Lo
I widen my eyes slightly in shock.That is the last thing that I expect.Honestly, where does that come from?“What letter?” my dad asks with a frown.“Oh, there is a letter that Eason wrote to Nat years ago, when they first met. He chose to do ask her out in the most traditional way—by putting it down on the paper. Don’t you think it would be so romantic and meaningful to read that letter on the wedding? You know, to commemorate the beginning of this relationship?”“What does the letter say?” Hallie asks curiously.“Well that is the main thig—none of us know, except for the two of them.”I let out a dry laugh.My mom doesn’t know about this but the letter actually means more than that. It not only marks the beginning of our love, but also the years-long prejudice and misunderstandings between us.It is literally the start of everything.I look over to Eason and want to see his reaction toward this.…He is blushing like a red ballon.I am so damn shock.Eason is the most barefaced, ego
I am too stunned to say anything.“We are in Fiji? How??”The last thing I remember from yesterday is drifting into sleep in Eason’s arms. So did we take a flight after that? How come I didn’t have any memory of that?!“Did you drug me?” I eye him suspiciously.He laughs heartly, “I didn’t. It all thanks to your own magic potion. Two bottles of them.”I rub my forehead embarrassedly. I was really hammered last night. I should have known that Eason was up to something to get me drunk.“So,” he smiles. “Do you like my surprise?”I stand on tiptoe to kiss him on the lips, “I love it.”Nothing is better than a getaway trip to Fiji after an exhausted month.Eason knows exactly what I need.The smile on his lips gets wider as he says, “Well, wait till you see this.”He holds my hand and leads me down the stairs, through the villa’s back yard and out to the beach.The sand is white and warm. The ocean is turquoise-blue. And there is a long table set on the beach, surrounded by roses and lilie
Our lives go back to normal after we return to New York.I have my school work and job hunting to do. And Eason has his company. We all have our own ways to stay busy and occupied. Yet since we already live in the same apartment now, we still get to spend plenty of time together.And living with Eason…is such a magical experience.He has lots of works to do, and yet he still manages to find time to buy me flowers, make us dinner and pick me up from school.He also sent away the cleaning lady. Because I didn’t like a stranger walking around in our apartment. And he was eager to share the duties.He broke a glass the first time he did the dishes, since—apparently—someone like him has never washed anything in his entire life.But he is a quick learner.Now every time I come back to our apartment, the laundries are done, the sheets are changed and all the dishes are nice and clean.I felt bad that he needed to find time after work to do those chores when he could easily hire someone to do
Natalia’s POVThe rest of my Christmas holiday is amazing.Eason and I get to cuddle on the couch all day watching our favorite movie or reading books together. Now that everyone in this house knows about us, there is no need for us to hide anymore.The only people I am still worried about are Mr. Ramirez’s friends and business partners. Those upper-class people can gossip.I just gave them one huge scandal to chat with when I exposed Ms. Griswold in front of a room full of guests. If they find out that the Ramirez heir is dating his stepsister now, God knows what more vicious words will come out of their mouth.Yet my deepest fear is bound to come true.One day, Eason and I are in the living room. He was playing his guitar. And one thing led to another. We start making out on the couch.No one is around. Our parents won’t come back until after dinner. We both let our sanity slip away.None of us notice the front door opening.And when we hear a horrified cry, it is too late.I jump o