“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
Hearing his voice, Ms. Dave frowns as a quick look of awkwardness comes into her eyes. I suddenly feel a burst of courage, so I go answer the door before she gives me a permission.And there he is, standing outside the door and looking at me with a gentle smile on his face.“You OK?” he asks in a low voice, lifting his hand to touch those scratches on my face. I nod and step aside, making way for him to come in.Ms. Dave stands up from her seat and says in a cold voice, “Mr. Ramirez, I don’t see why you should come in here. Please wait outside till—”“Till you blame everything on my sister and get her suspended? I don’t think so.”He walks directly pass Ms. Dave’s table and takes his seat beside me. He is totally ignoring Valerie. I notice that Valerie’s face is twisting with anger and disbelief, which gives me an immense sense of pleasure.“Carry on please?” Eason looks round the room.Ms. Dave takes in a deep breath and sits down with an icy face. She is probably weighing the situat
Jenna’s POV“Give it back to me, you asshole!” I yell at James, who has taken my phone away from me.“Fuck! You texted her? What did you say?” his thumb scrolls down my phone screen as quickly as possible.“The truth!” I bark. “The truth she should have known a long time ago!! Now give it back you filthy, disgusting liar!”I rush toward him trying to snatch my phone back, but he quickly dodges me again. Before I can reach him, he has found my text message to Natalia.“Oh, thank god you haven’t told her anything specific,” he heaves a long sigh, apparently relieved.I can’t believe how shameless he is.“You should be ashamed of yourselves! Both of you! Eason is a pure devil to plot against her like this and you are no less! How can you help her to hurt an innocent girl’s heart?! Are your hearts made of stones??” I roar.An hour ago, when James was in the shower, I took his phone and checked his messages with Eason. I’ve always sensed that something is wrong with that dude. And their me
The next morning, I slowly wake up in his arms. He is already awake. I catch him staring at me when I open my eyes.“…why are you staring?” I ask sleepily. “What’s on my face?”He holds me tighter in his arms and whispers, “nothing…I just can’t get enough you. I can do this all day—watching you sleep.”“Getting a little creepy here I think,” I sit up and stretch my back. “Today is Saturday. Do you have any plans?”He sits up with me, “So I was thinking…maybe we can go get some new furniture? You can redecorate a little.”The idea of decorating my first home definitely seems interesting. So I immediately jump on board.Since we are trying a simpler way of life now, I thought he would take me to IKEA or Target. But instead, he ends up driving me to a fancy mall with all those luxury designer brands.When the sales lady welcomes us into the VIP lounge again, I whisper to Eason, “I thought we are buying furniture. What are we doing here?”“They have house products here. And all decoration
Natalia’s POVI open my mouth, but no words come out of it except a shaky sob.He seems to realize something. The next second, his anxious voice comes out of the speaker again, “Nat whatever you heard, don’t make any rush decisions! Please come back to me and let me explain! Just—please, please don’t go.”He is begging me. I‘ve never heard of him begging to anyone before.But he deserves this.I take in a deep breath as tears blur my vision. Then I ask him between gritted teeth, “…is it true?”He growls lowly, “God what have you heard! I can explain everything—”“Just fucking answer my question!” I half-cry and half-scream. “Just do this for me…just stop lying to me for this one time!! Is it…is it true?”He lapses into silence. I hold the phone and press it tightly against my ear. I can hear his restrained and shallow breathing on the other side of the phone, and it makes my heart tremble.I can’t help but hope that he would deny it. And everything is just a bad dream. So that I can s
Eason’s POVI march into dad’s study. He is already there waiting for me.I used to dread this place. Whenever I made a mistake as a boy, he would ask the butler to bring me in here and sit me down for a long lecture. He had to make sure I knew that I wasn’t good enough to be the Ramirez’s heir.But now that I’m old enough, I’ve learnt not to give a shit about how he thinks of me.“Sit,” my father nods at me as I take my seat in front of me across the table. “Your security team reported some unusual activities to me today. I think I have to ask you the reason.”I lean back on the chair and raise my eyebrows at him, “My bodyguard snitched behind my back? How unprofessional.”A faint smile appears on his lips, “You can fire him if you like. But the new guy will still report to me. I can assure you that.”My face tightens out of my control. I know that’s a warning. He is telling me that I still don’t have any real controls over the family.“So? The reason?”I snort, “I was looking for so
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