Taking some time at work to write. Hope i don't get fired over this lol.
“Great speech,” Zack sneers. “You guys done?”Eason’s voice becomes cold again, “I’ll give you 30 seconds. State what you want.”“Ten million USD in traveler’s checks. A car with full tank. No cops. And you must come alone!” Zacks blurts out at once. “Then you can have your little whore back.”My heart sinks.Oh my god. Ten million USD!!!Even if the Ramirez can gather that much money in a short amount of time, how will I ever be able to repay them?“How touching,” Eason says sardonically. “You talked about how your parents and sister were mistreated. But what now? You are going to abandon them and run away yourself?”Zack’s jaw tenses and his face twists in anger.“Do you want her back or not!” he snarls. “Because if not, I can have so much fun with her—”“One hour,” Eason cuts him off sharply. “And send me your location now. One hour later, I want to see her safe and sound without a scratch. If you dare land a single hand on her, I promise you now, you will die miserably. I will hav
Is this how I am going to die? I can feel Zack’s grip gradually loosen and my body is falling backwards. A terrified scream escapes my lips as my entire life suddenly fast-forwards in front of my eyes. I want to tell mom that I wish her a lifetime of happiness; I want to tell dad that I’ve forgiven him by now and he also deserves to be happy with his new girlfriend; I want to take a look at my friends again, Jenna, Alex, Katherine, and even Eddie… But most importantly, I want Eason. I want to hug him once more and let me him know my feelings. I love him. And I don’t care how the rest of the world sees us. I want to trade in everything I have to be with him. But…everything that I want seems like a luxury now. Yet right at this moment, the roar from the car fills the air. Zack suddenly reaches out and grabs me by the shoulder, pulling me back from the cliff. He murmurs in disbelief, “You hear that?” I fall to the ground, too terrified to utter a single word. Cold sweats soak my
I hurry and follow him while asking, “What show? What are you talking about?”“You will see,” he wraps his arm around my shoulder and walk me to the side.“Are we going to walk?”He lets out a short chuckle, “No of course not. How do you think I managed to get here in such a short time?”Then I hear a loud clattering sound coming from above. I snap my head up and see a helicopter fast approaching. It eventually lands in the open space in front of us, causing a gust of strong wind.A real chopper! I’ve only seen one before on TV!“This is so cool!” I shout to his ears as he picks me up and helps me onboard. “But how much is this going to cost!”“A lot cheaper than you think!” he shouts back. “It doesn’t cost anything if you own it!”I gasp in shock. So buying fancy cars isn’t his most luxury hobby then. This is.He places me on the passenger seat and fastens my seatbelt. I widen my eyes when I see him switch seats with the pilot and start checking the dashboard.“Wait!” I raise my voic
Natalia’s POV “What? Where did this come from?” I almost laugh out loud. That is the most ridiculous I’ve ever heard. I’m literally shaking with laughter. Before I moved to Miami for good, Jenna flied here once and stayed with me for a week to help me pack. She met Eason a few times that summer. But it was such a long time ago! And they didn’t even speak to each other. So something is definitely wrong with her memory. “You got it wrong. We were friends, but nothing more. In fact, I saw him dated at least 4 girls that summer. I even had dinners with his girlfriend! Do you still think he had a crush on me?” Jenna frown, shaking her head in perplexity. “No, I’m pretty sure about it. He used to stare at you in a funny way, like he was ready to take you as his personal prisoner any minute.” “Ewww, gross!” I shiver in disgust. “You are totally fantasizing things. He was probably just sick of me following him around.” “No! I know it for sure because—” “Because?” “One day you were o
Mom breaks down in fresh tears again when she sees me. I can’t get her to stop crying. Eventually, Mr. Ramirez comes forward and try to soothe her.But mom immediately turns against him, “What do you mean everything is OK? This is my only daughter! And your son took her out and injured her on our anniversary party!”I sit awkwardly on the bed twisting fingers in anxiety and don’t know what to say. I hate that mom is accusing Eason of my injury. She didn’t know that Eason did everything he could to save my ass. But nor can I tell her the truth now…since a man’s life was involved.Amidst the silence, Ms. Griswold speaks up in an expressionless voice, “My son has nothing to do with this.”Mom’s face turns an ugly purple. She jumps up like a furious hen trying to project her baby chicks and points a finger at Ms. Griswold, “How dare you! It’s him who took her out and we haven’t even heard a single word of explanation from him yet! How can you be so sure that he’s not involved?”Ms. Griswo
“What—why…what’s all this?!” He holds his hand in the midair waiting for me as his smile grows wider, “What does it look like? It’s a surprise.” “Yeah I can see that. But why?” “Well…remember that dance you promised me?” I pause for a moment, and then suddenly remember that we did talk about it once before the anniversary party. I said I would save my first dance for him. Yet then so many things happened and that plan got completely ruined. I didn’t know he’d still remember this. A sudden wave of strong emotions flushes through my heart that makes me want to hug and kiss him. Taking in a deep breath, I place my hand in his palm. “That’d be my honor,” I say in a slightly shaking voice. He pulls me into his arms and leads me into the dancefloor. A beautiful music is playing in the background, and we dance to it. I’m not a very good dancer, but gladly my partner knows his moves very well. He holds me tightly by the waist and waltz me through the dance floor. It’s like flying abo
A key. But a key to what?Suddenly, an absurd idea flashes across my mind as I gasp, “You are not asking me to move in with you, are you?!!”He gulps and sits up straighter. I haven’t seen him this nervous before.“Yeah, that’s what I’m doing,” he smiles awkwardly. “But honestly, this isn’t the reaction I was looking for.”I sit there still, my mind completely blank.He is asking me to move in with him? But we are only 18! And, of course, he isn’t like normal students since he has his own house and everything, but regardless, we are still too young to make such huge commitment!I am the only one to think that moving-in is a huge, huge step for a couple?Amidst the silence, he leans over and grabs my hands, “OK now you are scaring me a little. You make it seems like that I’m holding a gun to your head and forcing you to jump off a cliff.”I force out a smile, “been there before.”“Just tell me your real thoughts. It wouldn’t be the first time you rejected me, and I think I can take the
I agree to move in together with Eason, but we haven’t really nailed down the details yet. At first, I thought I would be moving into his penthouse, but later he told me that we were going to get a new apartment.“But why? Your penthouse is well furnished and it’s not very far from school,” I ask confused.He shrugs, “I’ve been living in that apartment for almost three years. It’s about time to make some changes. I want a brand-new start with you in a brand-new place.”He speaks like tossing away some old clothes.I simply can’t understand his lavish lifestyle.“You seem worried babe. What’s the matter?” he studies my face and asks.I sigh, “I’m simply worried that mom and Mr. Ramirez will find out about this if we make such a fuss about moving…and plus, what about the cost?”I know it’s probably stupid to worry about money now since I’m dating the billionaire’s son. But I don’t want the beginning of our relationship to be an unequal one.His face is full of surprises when he heard me
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