"Better safe than sorry," I muttered, thinking about the after-pill I'd taken this morning.Years of living with Valerian, I knew he wasn't the type to want a family. He'd probably still be banging hundreds of women even after getting gout or arthritis, and he'd shrug off having a child of his own. Let alone create a family with me.As if I'd let him plant a seed in me!His legacy as a perfect man is still unknown in which cave he'd shoot his almighty sperm.The celebration Ute mentioned was happening just a few sashay away from where I was. I could see Valerian having some careless conversations with his brothers, those family-oriented, more reserved types.Only if his life were as private as I wanted it to be, maybe we'd still be married? But no, a man with a face like his would never live in peace, especially since he had a history with women. My heart was full of doubt, and I found it hard to trust someone who was too good to be true.He's got the face, the body to die for, and a
Did something happen last night between Valerian and me?"Never in this shitty ass chance," I muttered, playing with the pen in my hand."Excuse me, Ms. Beaumont. Is there something you want to say?" A fat old man, who lacked hair, pulled me out of my thoughts. When I lifted my eyes, I saw him looking at me with expectations. But it wasn't just him who was looking at me; it was the whole board."Oh, uh... I'm sorry, I'm not saying anything," I chuckled awkwardly, waving my hands in the air, refusing the idea of giving them anything useful from my mouth. "Please, continue."I received a lot of questioning looks from these old people before they switched their engrossment back to where their eyes should be.His presentation continued regarding the expansion of the branch my father and I were involved with. I wasn't even planning on biting what Dad had my feet in, but I'm taking risky risks for a reason. And for some unfortunate circumstances, Valerian was also currently present at the m
"Mr. Blackwood is currently in a meeting with the board members, Ms. Beaumont," Chen said politely. "But the boss instructed us to let you into his office if you decided to visit.""I don't care where he is or what he's doing right now. I need to talk to him," I interrupted sharply.Valerian's personal assistant, Chen—who, by the looks of him, also got his boss' taste in fashion—stood out like a sore thumb. The guy from the coast was decked out in every color. Like, who wears a bright orange necktie on a blue casual suit?Chen merely smiled, scratching the back of his neck before standing up and asking me to follow him."Mr. Blackwood usually doesn't like being disturbed during work, but I think he'll make an exception for you," he said, walking in an exaggerated, almost cartoonish way, his arms swinging loosely by his sides.I rolled my eyes, pretending not to hear the comment, and diverted my mind to something more productive—something to ease my anxiety.If Chen was always around,
Clutching my head, I waited like a good girl in his office. In fact, I was forced to do so, and this is harassment.Those people—they heard everything. Even our little... heated encounter."God, I am so cheap," I groaned, sinking onto the soft black sofa of Valerian's office. "I shouldn't have brought him there. I shouldn't be here! What the hell was I thinking?"Gnawing my cheek, I scanned my eyes around the office. Everything is in the right place, and all were neatly organized. The only mess in this room is me.My hand touched my lips. I can still feel the softness of his lips against mine, the warmth of his kisses. The way he held me was so comforting and eager at the same time. But what's not comfortable is my wet underwear.Shifting in my seat, I tried to adjust my underwear through my skirt to ease my discomfort. Just then, the door suddenly burst open, revealing the devil I'm so weak for.Valerian immediately noticed my tilted sitting position and my hand fishing for the garte
The tapping sound of my heel hitting the carpeted floor of his office didn't help fix the awkward atmosphere.My reflection in the sliding door of the cabinet told me I looked like a desperate ex-wife who'd failed attempting to be fucked hard in Valerian's office. There's no denying it; I was being a cat.And speaking of Valerian, he's quite concerned about the show we just gave a few intolerable minutes ago. So unlikely of him.He sits on a single-seater couch, leaning back, and clutching a throw pillow right above his crotch just to hide his excited "thing.""Mr. Blackwood, are you sure you want to continue the interview?" A redhead young woman decided to break the silence as she crouched by the long couch, obviously sensing the pressure building from three towers.Rachel's eyes were stuck on me like she would have a seizure if she ever failed to show me her wildest glare. She sits there with a whole lot of tension on her back, holding her pen tightly in her hands.Generosity is at
Rub two stones together, you get fire. Pour oil on it, it burns brighter. But between Valerian and I, we made a wildfire that lasted for hours.I was still catching my breath, eyes closed, feeling his kisses trailing a path from my lips down to my neck. Licking and nibbling my skin. It was like a freaking inferno down there.My hands, weak as a kitten's, lifted to run through his hair."Please," I thought, "just a little more," I wanted to say but my whole body was so weak, so exhausted, and so... used.Valerian was a freaking machine. Still had the energy for more.His hands, big and strong, were all over me, soothing me, while his kisses took whatever was left of me."Tired?" he whispered in my ear, lifting his head to meet my sleepy eyes."Very," I admitted, leaning my face into his hand that was resting on my cheek."Regretting asking me to fuck you hard?" he teased, that wide grin plastered across his face. "Pussy sore badly, huh?""Shut up," I rolled my eyes, pushing him away wi
"When a person plays with their food, it usually means two things: they don't like it, or they're thinking about something." Dad's voice pulled me out of my trance. "I'm assuming it's the latter since you're a big fan of my pasta dishes. So, what's bothering you?" Discussing my weaknesses wasn't my favorite thing to do, and my problems weren't exactly the topic I wanted to talk about. Forcing a smile, I crunched my nose, hoping I could pull off the act of a great liar. “It’s—” “Nothing? Yeah, I thought so,” he interrupted, swirling his wine. “But what’s that nothing about? I’m curious.” I shrugged, still feeling the ghost of Valerian’s touch on my shoulders. I twirled some pasta on my fork. “I’m just being a woman,” I mumbled, taking a bite even though I had no appetite. Dad sipped his wine. “Does being a woman make you a liar?” I almost choked. “What? No!” "What am I going to expect? I've encountered so many women in my life, and all of them have this unusual att
My left eye kept twitching, and no, it’s not because I lack magnesium—or his cum! I mean, it’s not about lacking anything in my body; it’s all because of the anger, the fury, the raging flames inside me, and just me embodying the temperature of hell all mixed up. Summer is supposed to be hot; I get that. But it didn’t help me extinguish the burning rage within. "Dad said you have an impressive talent, E! I watched the video, and it was superb!" Bree chimed in enthusiastically as she plopped herself on the couch next to me, checking her neon green nails. "It was almost Broadway-level drama. I should've been there." Last night was the most embarrassing moment of my life. How many times do I need to remind myself never to get drunk? I drunkenly drove in my lingerie and robe, broke down and cried, and ended up getting pranked, a little? But it was all my father's fault. Valerian was in the hospital, sleeping, because he got punched in the jaw by some huge brawny guy after causing a s
Rubbing the bottom of my nose, I can smell the approaching change of the season—just like the shift in my mood. "Dad organized the event, and a lot of people are coming tonight. I believe he told me it’s a celebration of the 37th year since the company opened," Bree explained while I pouted, my eyes scanning the names of the invited guests. Ever since Dad landed here on the coast, I haven’t seen him, but Bree said he brought his work with him. I’m neither happy nor upset about it. Technically, it’s not exactly work—just related—but it still makes my bones jitter, whether from annoyance or something else I can’t quite name. "He’s bringing a date with him," she added. "Does going there require bringing a date?" I raised an eyebrow, squinting at a particular name on the list. Valerian Blackwood. It was written in beautiful golden calligraphy, perfectly matching how elegant and powerful he is. But in my eyes, he’s still a bastard. "It’s a must. A ridiculous rule Dad made for tonig
I hadn't considered any day special—until yesterday. I feel like the heavy thing that had been making my heart feel like it was about to explode is suddenly gone, and now there's just peace.But no matter how magical the scene was, I like to take things slow.And when I say slow..."What are you doing here?" I spat as soon as I opened my door and found Valerian holding a bouquet of sunflowers and a jar of... pickles?"Just came here to visit my pregnant Elodie," he said comfortably, lifting what he had in his hands.Arching my eyebrows, I gave him a deadpan glare.Just because we settled one thing doesn’t mean we’re already fine. I still want to play hard to get, and nothing goes fast—aside from his... No, no, no. I’m not going back to that kind of mindset anymore.I've refreshed my mind, and I am no longer a sinner. Or so I assume."This is private property, Mr. Blackwood. I suggest you back off before I call the police," I warned him, but as expected, it didn’t faze him—not even the
Still enduring the hard pounding of my heart, I entered the restaurant with my chin up like nothing had happened."Keep it together," I grumbled to myself.I had a business to deal with. My personal life should be set aside. I would cry about it later.My heels hit the carpeted floor. The smell of expensive edibles lingered in the air, along with the chatter polluting the area bathed in golden lighting."Ms. Beaumont?"A man clad in a stylized black suit stood up from a chair, offering me his hand and a formal smile."Atticus Lark, Larkvish Corporation. My good old friend, Mr. Kaufman, asked me to personally bring you his apology and also to inform you that he won't be able to join us for this meeting." He handed me a bouquet of flowers.His neatly brushed back salt-and-pepper hair seemed like it was smothered in butter leaving just a group of strand dangling before his forehead like Superman.He had a scarf around his neck that matched the color of his hair, a swaying cross earring o
"Dad..." I picked up his call while driving myself to the building.I know my father is a great man. He has his flaws, and he let those flaws ruin us. But just like Bree, he's straining his best to fix our relationship as a family.Was it my fault that I found it hard to trust anyone? I forgave, but it's hard to forget. It was marked in my head."Missed you here at the resort," he said, his voice carrying a hint of his age. "Lois mentioned that you're heading to a meeting. I just wanted you to know I'd like to spend time with you while I'm here."Parking the car, I let out a soft exhale. "Sure," I replied."I know you still feel a sense of resentment towards me, daughter. I only wanted what I thought would make you happy.""I don't—" I plopped the back of my head against the headrest, closing my eyes as I turned the engine off. "I don't hate you, Dad. Remember, I already forgave you.""Doesn't feel like I'm forgiven, Elodie.""Look, Dad, we'll just talk later, okay?" I cut him off, no
Clinging closer to my cardigan, I felt the gushing wind brush against my skin, blowing my long hair.I watched as the waves lapped by the shore.The resort was doing well; it was bustling behind me—the staff rushing, the guests laughing, and glasses clinking. But I felt like I was on the other side of the world, just watching this scenery from behind a glass.It had been almost two months. Fifty-three days without him, to be exact.No calls, no messages.What kept me updated about him were the papers—the things written in the news. His business, his relationship with his shareholders, his status in life.He was open to the media, aside from what was really personal.Valerian was true to his word when he said he would keep his promise—from the moment he let me go until now.Letting out a soft sigh, I placed my hand on my small but noticeable bump. My baby was growing. Our baby.My life was moving forward every second, but I think my heart was unwell. It was paralyzed in time, right at
My breath hitched as he placed the last piece of the puzzle. He had aided the jumbled pieces, but still… I'm incomplete.Bree, my own flesh and blood—she betrayed me. Now I understand why she kept pushing me to him. And Dad? Valerian said it all. He was part of this too.Valerian planned this. All of it.My second chance. My engagement. My life with him. I thought this was a fresh start. I didn’t know it would come with a new, more painful trouble.It’s like my whole system shut down, and the only thing I could feel was my heart pounding against my ribs, fueled by my sharpened fury and… heartbreak.“They knew all along, and they let you?” I said. My voice was barely above a whisper, but it cracked like thunder, exposing the storm building up inside me. My eyes clouded.“Don’t blame them, Ellie. If you’re going to be mad at someone, it should only be me,” he said bravely, accepting where he was wrong, denying nothing. “I asked them myself. I made them promises. They only wanted you to
"Earth to E, hello?" Bree waved her hand in front of my face. "Where is your head?"Blinking twice, I adjusted my dark glasses—the ones protecting me from being recognized or, worse, attracting someone who’d want to ruin my day.There were eyes everywhere. The city was the most chaotic place to be at the moment, especially now that what happened at the event had started circulating on the internet.Athena was playing the victim, but unfortunately, a lot of people weren’t falling for her kind of drama even after the press conference she held.But I pushed her aside in my mind. I had a bigger problem to deal with. Yes, bigger than her."I'm doing my best to suggest a lot of things, and you're not listening?" Bree groaned, pointing at the notes on her phone. "I thought you called me for some girl talk, to brainstorm and this and that, but I think I'm the only one talking. And thinking."I clutched my head. "Sorry, it's just that... my mind is blown.""You gave Valerian a 'blow'... job?"
When we got to the hospital, Liam was doing better than when we first saw him. He could move more easily, was vomiting less, and was regaining pieces of his memory faster than expected.Even Valerian bragged that he helped him recover quickly.His bruises had faded, but he still needed supervision and a lot of rest since his bones hadn’t completely healed.I remembered the doctor saying it would take at least a month before he could be discharged."That was... fast?" Liam said uncertainly. "How long have you guys been together?" He tilted his head to the side, frowning. His eyes were locked on my hand, where the engagement ring sat. If I had to guess, he looked a bit bewildered.I met Valerian’s gaze. His eyes were droopy, still high from what I did in the car. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his head tilted back while his stare stayed fixed right on me.Moving my tongue in my mouth after taking a mint, I could still taste the sweetness and saltiness of his juices—wh
Her hair was in a messy ponytail, her face painted in deep colors, matching her black get-up, making her seem like she came from the dark world.She’d been gone for a while and came back with a dark motive. But that friendly smile she’s giving doesn’t exactly help me accept her lightly.I gave Valerian a glance. He’s composed, as always. Am I the only one getting antsy in this situation?Now I hope Bree didn’t leave."Don't look at me like that," Rachel snorted, snatching Valerian's drink and taking a gulp.The sommelier Bree was flirting with earlier approached us, but Valerian showed his palm."I'm not here to ruin anything, if that's what you think this is." She rolled her eyes and pulled out her recorder. "I'm just here to make a story. I promise to be a nice girl."She meant no harm? Then why do I feel like she does?The way she flicked her hand, the way she beamed at me—it gives me trauma. And should I even mention her recklessness that almost cost Liam his life?I can't help bu