Next update will be the day after tomorrow. And I'll take some time during the weekend to edit previous chapters.
Oh. My. God. I almost don’t know if I should laugh or spit in her face. But there’s one thing I’m sure of: she has absolutely no self-respect. She can reduce herself to Eason’s play toy all she wants. I’m not following her example. Yet before I can voice out my thought, Eason speaks up before me, “Val just cut if off.” Valerie widens her eyes in surprise, as if she didn’t expect Eason to go against her. But Eason has already risen up from his seat and walked up to her with one hand in his pocket. He takes the dress from Valerie’s hand and hands it back to mom with a faint smile, “Mrs. Ramirez, you have really a good taste. I’m sure everyone would fall for this dress. But we shouldn’t step in like this. Sorry about that.” Mom’s face remains cold even in front of his compliment. I’m sure she’s just as offended as I am. “Don’t worry about it dear,” mom gives him a polite yet frosty smile. “If your girlfriend likes it, it’s totally fine she can keep it. Like I said, there are plenty
His face remains calm and cold. Yet I still catch a fleeting glimpse of panic and disbelief passing through his eyes.“Surprised?” I sneer and take a moment to enjoy the look on his face. “I thought you knew…since you already brought your new girlfriend shopping today.”His face drops. “For the second time, Valerie is not my girlfriend.”“Just stop lying, OK? If she’s not your girlfriend, then what are you really? Why on earth are you guys together all the time?? No forget it…I don’t want to know.” I wave my hand dismissively.He suddenly stands up. Taken aback, I raise my head to look at him and find his face dark and sullen.“Are you asking me to cut connections with all my female friends?” he questions me in a strained tone. “Is this what you want? Because I can do that. If only you could stop talking to Alex!”Even though I was mad at him, I was able to talk to him in a calm manner. But these words enrage me instantly. Anger explodes in my head and the next thing I know I’m kneeli
Her sharp green eyes fix on my face. Those eyes are just like Eason’s, but they glint with an icy shine that makes the hair on my arms to stand up. “Do I know you?” she asks in a sharp tone, as if I’ve already offended her. I instantly regretted calling her. Hell, why can’t I just keep my mouth shut and quietly walk away? “Umm…” under her perching gaze, I gulp nervously before saying. “I’m Natalia. Natalia Moore. Maybe you didn’t remember but—” “Oh,” she raises her brow. “Right, Natalia.” She studies me, from head to toe, as if she’s examining a livestock. The way she looks at me is so arrogant and condescending that I can’t say I’m not embarrassed at all. “I’ll bring over your water Ms. Griswold,” I say hastily trying to get her to stop looking. “Wait,” she raises a hand. “Do you work here?” “Yes.” “But why?” she leans back squinting at me. “You and your mom don’t really need the money, right? Since…you have Shawn now.” I instantly understand the implication behind her words
Natalia’s POV “Me? Your date?” I frown. “What about Valerie?” “What about her?” “You brought her shopping for evening gowns the other day. So I thought you were taking her to the party,” I snort. “She stood you up, didn’t she? And that’s why you are coming back to me now because I’m your backup.” “You are unbelievable,” he sighs. He runs his fingers through his hairs as a spasm of frustration flits across his face. “Stop piecing everything together in your mind!” he growls, lowering his eyelids to avoid my gaze. “I took her shopping, but we didn’t go shopping for evening gowns. If you don’t want to come with me to the party, I might as well go alone.” That’s when I notice a pink tinge appears on his cheek and his ears are turning red. Is he embarrassed for being so honest? He almost never shares his real thoughts and true feelings with me, and this is actually the first time. Oh god I love the honest Eason way much more than the manipulative jerk he used to be. This is the ch
Time really flies by. Without even knowing it, we are only a few days away from the anniversary party. The party will be held at a lakeside country house. Mom is in hysterics, getting herself all worked up about everything looming on the horizon. She moved to the country house two weeks ago to make sure everything goes perfect. And three days before the party, she called me nonstop asking for help. I have no choice but to take a few days off from school and come to her side. Eason volunteers to drive me there. He picks me up at school in a red convertible, which is absolutely conspicuous in the school parking lot. People are actually turning their heads to look when I open the door and hop inside. “How many luxury cars do you own?” I ask him when he exists the parking lot. His hands are on the wheels, eyes straight ahead, as a playful grin appears on his lips. “Do you really want to know? Or are you just being ironic?” “I was being ironic, but I am also curious now,” I giggle. “L
The despise behind her tone is so obvious that I clench my fist immediately. The look on mom’s face couldn’t be uglier. She glares at Caroline and grits out, “I have other plans for my daughter.” “Everything else seems perfect, except for my room,” that vicious old crone smiles. “Shawn and I just finished a long discussion about our upcoming business plan. I’m quite exhausted. I’d really appreciate it if your daughter can help the cleaning lady get the room ready.” She is so evil and manipulative! Just like her son in some ways. I feel sad for my mom. I know she hates the woman, but she also can’t defy her because of her power and status. I have a gut feeling that Caroline will destroy anniversary party that mom has been planning for so long. I take in a long breath and make up my mind. Mom has done everything she could to protect me, and now it’s my turn to do the same for her. “Fine,” I say, looking at Caroline. “Where is your room? I’ll see what I can—” Right at this moment,
Natalia’s POV The sound is so annoying that it stops me from falling asleep. “What the fuck?” I groan, jumping off bed and heading towards the window. Then the next second, before I grab the handle, a bright and flashy beam of light shots up in front of my window. It’s a firework! I’m so amazed by the view in front of me that I freeze up on the spot. Those starry sparks explode into a thousand glamorous particles of light, like rainfall of diamond and gems, and completely light up the velvet summer night. Moments later, the show finally stops. I immediately rush forward and shove the window open. Looking down, I find Eason standing on the ground, holding a few firework sticks, grinning at me. This is probably the scene every girl has been dreaming for, a hot boy waiting in front of the window, lighting the firework. And on top of everything, Eason himself is every girl’s dream. “What—what are you doing here? Where did you get this?” I ask, breathing fast. “I brough it from yo
And we finally get to the day of the anniversary party.If this party dragged on any longer, mom would die out of anxiety, and she would take every single one of us down to hell with her.On that day, she forces me out of bed at 6 o’clock sharp and pins me down in the makeup chair. Before I even realize, there are already three people doing my hair, face, and nails at the same time.“Mom!” I protest. “This is your big day. Just leave me be.”“Oh honey, but I want you to look great as well…Apply more contour to her nose.” She instructs the stylist, while wearing a super expensive facial mask which costs like 100 USD per piece.Luckily, my makeover is done a little past noon. Just when I thought I was finally able to grab a bite, mom told me that I should stay famished, to better fit the evening gown.“Are you crazy?” I snap. My temper becomes worse because of hunger. “I’m not going on a hunger strike just because of a stupid fucking gown!”“Language!” Mom dodges the stylist’s brush and
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