As Mr. Wolfman led me to my office, he paused to introduce me to my new secretary, Olive. I was immediately struck by her warm and friendly demeanor — there was no hint of the typical stiffness one might expect from a corporate employee. "Olive is my niece," Wolfman shared, a note of pride in his voice. "I handpicked her to assist you, knowing she would be a perfect fit." Olive offered me a bright smile, and I couldn't help but feel at ease in her presence.Once settled in my office, I dove into reviewing the sales ledgers and financial records, meticulously combing through the data. Something caught my eye — a discrepancy in the recent sales accounts that didn't quite add up. I brought it to Wolfman's attention, but the managing director seemed unfazed, and unperturbed by the issue.However, my instincts, honed through years of working under my father, told me there was more to this than meets the eye. As soon as Wolfman left to prepare for the team presentation, I summoned Olive to
After the meeting, I found myself lingering in the office to finish some pressing work. The three employees implicated in the embezzlement scandal had been temporarily detained, awaiting further investigation. I intended to sift through the records, unearthing any past discrepancies before deciding their fate. A nagging suspicion lingered in my mind about Mr. Wolfman; I couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't as innocent as he appeared.After combing through the files, I placed everyone under compulsory travel restrictions until the investigation concluded.After working tirelessly, Cadmus arrived to pick me up, whisking me away to meet Nic. Knowing that most of the employees had already left for the day, I strode confidently into the building."Lavender!" I heard a voice call out just as I was leaning against the elevator wall, waiting for the doors to open. I glanced away from my phone and smiled; it was Giovanna. She stood there in black tailored pants that hugged her figure per
I stretched up on my toes, arching my back slightly as a loud yawn escaped my lips. I felt utterly exhausted, every movement met with the crack and creak of my weary bones. Since starting work last week, I have poured every ounce of energy into identifying and correcting the flaws within the company. With just two days left before my night out at the club with my friends, I knew I needed to take a breather to be in top shape for the party. I was the type to fall ill at the first hint of too much alcohol or the overwhelming pulse of loud music after days of stress. It never helped me unwind.Having wrapped up the urgent tasks, I planned to work from home the next day, hoping to catch up on rest and steal a bit more time with Nic. With the recent success of the new launch, including Zach's product, he hadn't had much free time either."You're late, again." Speak of the devil. I instinctively halted my movements and peeled my tired eyes open, my arms still stretched above my head. A wear
Rominic's hands explored every single strand of my hair, threading through it as if he were crafting a delicate crown just for me. He hovered above, his gaze locking onto my hazy eyes as I breathed heavily, my pulse quickening. Heat radiated from my face, igniting a giddy sensation in me, as if I were melting under the influence of something intoxicating. His hand moved to cup my cheek, and I instinctively closed the eye above it, surrendering to his touch. His thumb caressed the soft flesh, brushing over my rosy cheeks in a way that sent a thrill racing through me, leaving me both curious and breathless about his next move."Try not to make a sound," Nic commanded, his voice low and sultry, as his kisses traveled down the curve of my neck, igniting a fire beneath my skin."Is that an order?" I challenged, my tone laced with defiance. He paused, that simmering challenge hanging in the air. "And what if I don't do as you say?" I teased, a smirk curling on my face.Nic brushed his tongu
A breathless gasp fell from my lips as I threw my head back, my back arching off the bed in a deliciously desperate stretch. But Rominic didn't give me a moment to acclimate to the powerful wave of sensation that crashed over me. He began to rock his hips, plunging in and out at a maddening pace from the very start, driving me wild. My entire body burned with an insatiable heat that pooled tantalizingly in my abdomen, each thrust igniting a fever that coursed through me. I was quickly lost in the delirious bliss of our bodies colliding relentlessly, surrendering to the rhythm we created together.Rominic hovered over me, his presence consuming, as he cuffed my hands to the bed above my head, rendering me beautifully helpless. He hardly slowed his pace; in fact, every time he felt my walls tighten around him, he responded with heightened urgency, relishing in my pleasure. I could barely obey any order he barked at me, my capacity for restraint evaporating under his relentless assault. A
Lavender's viewpointI waited patiently in Rominic's and my bedroom, my legs stretched out comfortably on the bed while my back rested against the headboard. My eyes skimmed over the words on the page, racing through each line, but my focus was fractured. I was worried about Rylee, who Rominic had said was in tears. That wasn't something he would lie about, nor was it unusual for me to hear.Rominic was usually the first person Rylee turned to whenever she faced a problem. It always struck me as strange how they could barely stand each other's presence yet relied on one another during emotional turmoil. Their relationship was perplexing, but I had come to understand it was a unique bond. It reminded me of my own children, Zach and Savia. They bicker and fight more than any other siblings I know, yet their love and understanding for each other run deep. It seemed that Rominic and Rylee shared a similar dynamic—even after ten years, their connection remained unchanged.What truly worried
I stepped quietly into Rylee’s bedroom, the familiar scent of black cherry with a subtle touch of ‘black rose’ filling the air. My hands were shoved deep into the kangaroo pockets of my hoodie, fingers curling into fists. I stopped at the foot of the bed, watching her fragile figure huddled in the middle, clutching her knees to her chest, her face buried in the folds of her arms. The bedsheets, deep red with scattered flaming stars, were tangled around her legs, a stark contrast to the gray sadness that seemed to engulf her. Seeing her like this—so vulnerable—twisted something deep inside me. Rylee never showed her softness, not to anyone. But I knew better than to offer comfort too soon; she would push me away. Being sweet didn’t work with her. When she felt cornered, she lashed out.I exhaled a heavy sigh, the kind that weighed more than just air. I sat down at the edge of the bed, my body turned sideways so I could still see her face, or at least what was left of it beneath the ve
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to stay calm, tapping the arm of the chair rhythmically. Plans had changed last minute, and we had to cancel on Giovanna. But this wasn't a trivial decision; it was because of Rylee. I couldn't leave her alone—not in the state she was in. Anna, Tyra, and Ginger agreed without hesitation. Rylee had become part of our circle, and right now, our priority was coaxing her into facing her mistakes. We gave Giovanna the ticket as a peace offering, hoping she'd understand.Anna, Tyra, and Ginger had practically moved in to help me keep an eye on her. Suzanne couldn't be here physically, but she regularly sent messages of support. Phineas frequently checked on Rylee through me, and Nic, despite his lingering frustration with his sister, never missed a chance to ask after her. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how alike the two of them were in their stubbornness and loyalty.I was seated in the living room, Tyra gently braiding my hair whi
Lavender stood in the dimly lit living room, her nerves fraying with every passing second. The soft glow of the overhead light bathed the space in warm hues, but it did little to soothe the tension crackling in the air. Rominic was pacing, his creamy blonde hair disheveled, winter-gray eyes stormy as they pinned her in place. He wasn't speaking yet, but his silence was worse than yelling. It was the kind of silence that suffocated, pressing down on her chest like an unseen weight.She laughed nervously, the sound brittle as it broke the stillness. "It's not what you're thinking," she said, her voice softer than she intended. "I swear, Rominic, it's not.”His eyes flickered, sharp and unyielding, and she could feel his temper bubbling just beneath the surface. The faint ticking of his wall clock was the only other sound in the room, an infuriating reminder of how slowly time seemed to move in moments like these.Lavender inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. Her cinnamon-brown hair
Apollo's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts, sharp and unrelenting. "You alone could've prevented everything, but you chose not to. That's exactly why I despised you. None of you deserve him.""True," I whispered, my voice trembling but steady enough to hold the weight of my resolve. "I don't deserve him." I lifted my gaze to meet his, my expression calm despite the storm raging inside me. A soft, bitter smile curved my lips. "But neither does he deserve me."For a moment, Apollo's sneer faltered, his sharp retort caught in his throat. I turned away before he could recover, the silence between us broken only by the muffled sounds from outside and the deafening beat of my own heart.The room was still thick with the lingering stench of sweat and mildew, but somehow, the suffocating weight of the earlier confrontation had begun to lift. The muffled groans and rhythmic thumping from the other side of the door persisted, but I could almost tune them out now. Apollo leaned back agains
"Useless," I muttered, shaking my head and leaning further into the armrest of the sofa. The fabric felt damp, and I shifted again, trying to touch as little of it as possible.Apollo leaned back against the wall, his legs stretched out and his arms crossed over his chest. He looked as though he were perfectly comfortable, but I knew better. He thrived on tension, and this situation was no different. A heavy silence settled between us, but it was far from peaceful. The noises from outside—the cries, the moans, the unmistakable sound of a furniture slamming against a wall—filled the void like an unwelcome guest."You've changed," Apollo finally said, his voice cutting through the cacophony. I turned to him, my expression flat and unimpressed. "What?" "What you did out there…" he trailed off, his tone strangely contemplative, though the familiar edge of derision lingered."I don't see anything wrong with seducing my husband," I replied sharply, emphasizing the word ‘husband' with veno
You know how sometimes things don't go as planned? Well, my situation was one of those.At first, everything seemed to be going perfectly. I had managed to get under Apollo's skin so effectively that he stormed off, his face tight with fury. Victory tasted sweet—at least for a fleeting moment. With him out of the picture, Rominic was mine, entirely mine. We flirted, trading sharp smiles and lingering glances that set my skin ablaze. We kissed, his hands firm yet teasing, and for a brief while, the club's chaotic energy seemed to fade into the background. Then, as if the universe couldn't let me revel for too long, Lilith and a group of men I'd pointed out started brawling. Rominic and Phineas stepped in, practically dragging them apart before things got bloody. They saved lives; I mostly tried not to get crushed.And somehow—still baffling to me—I ended up here. In the mixed-gender restroom. With Apollo.Let me clarify: calling it a “restroom” was a cruel joke. There wasn't a toilet i
The bass-heavy music from the club reverberated through the walls as I stepped inside, the heavy scent of alcohol, sweat, and expensive cologne hitting me instantly. The lights pulsed in rhythmic patterns, casting shadows that danced across the crowded floor. Bodies moved in sync with the music, a chaotic symphony of energy and decadence.Beside me, Lilith was in her element. Her barely-there silver dress sparkled under the strobe lights, the hem so short it was a miracle it managed to cover her at all. She sauntered forward, her electric-blue eyes scanning the room with the eagerness of a predator sizing up its prey."Isn't this fun?" she chirped, her voice loud enough to cut through the music.I smirked at her. "You're certainly having the time of your life, Mrs. Zǐmò." I say, intentionally reminding her about who's she married to and the possibility of him destroying this club if any man should lay their hands on her.Lilith shot me a wink—ignoring me—before sashaying ahead, her dy
I sat cross-legged on the bed, my laptop balanced precariously on my knees as the soft hum of its fan filled the room. The faint scent of sweet peas lingered in the air from the diffuser on the nightstand, mingling with the faint aroma of vanilla shampoo from Savia and Serenity's braiding session.Lilith sprawled on her stomach on the other end of the bed, her dyed pink hair spilling over her shoulders as she kicked her legs lazily in the air. Her electric blue eyes gleamed with mischief as she rambled on and on about her latest escapade in the digital world."So, there I was," Lilith began, her voice animated, "watching this idiot try to bypass a firewall that I set up in, like, ten seconds. And guess what? The guy thought using a brute-force algorithm would work. Can you believe that? Brute force! In this times! What is he, a caveman?"Zachary, seated on the floor beside the bed, leaned forward with an intrigued expression. "Wait, what kind of firewall? Was it encrypted with—""Trip
As she scurried away, still visibly dazed, Apollo watched her go with a satisfied grin. "Too easy," he murmured under his breath as he took a seat beside Phineas."You ever get tired?" I asked with irritation.Apollo shrugged, brushing his long hair over his shoulder. "Of what? Being this irresistible? Never."Phineas snorted, picking his phone back up.Apollo leaned back in his chair, the dim light catching the faint shimmer in his silver eyes. His smirk returned, sharper now, almost taunting. "You know," he said, his tone taking on a biting edge, "you're wasting your godly features on Lavender."My grip tightened around the glass in my hand, the faint creak of the strain barely audible over the music. "Careful," I said, my voice low and firm, each word deliberate. "Lavender is my wife, and you'll show her respect."His smirk faltered for just a moment, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite place—was it irritation? Jealousy? But just as quickly, he scoffed, looking away
Rominic's POVThe music hit me the moment I walked into the club, a pulsing bass that vibrated through my chest and resonated with the faint buzz of the conversations around us. Strobe lights flickered in neon greens and purples, casting fragmented shadows across the packed dance floor. The air smelled of a heady mix of alcohol, sweat, and the faint sweetness of spilled cocktails.Phineas was walking ahead of me, running his fingers through his recently dyed reddish-blonde hair. He looked back with a playful grin, his sky-blue eyes gleaming under the ever-changing lights."You could have warned me you were dragging me into this circus," I muttered, adjusting my cufflinks and glancing down at my wristwatch—a Patek Philippe with a sleek platinum finish and a blue enamel dial. A gift from Lavender."It's called spontaneity, Nic," Phineas replied, his voice cheerful over the thumping beat. "And we both know Apollo couldn't shut up about it. He wouldn't have let us off the hook."My gaze d
Lavender's POVI sat curled on the plush armchair in the living room, the soft hum of background music barely registering in my ears. My phone was in my hand, the screen glowing with an all-too-familiar face staring back at me. The article on Apollo was everywhere, plastered across every major news outlet.I scrolled through it begrudgingly, my thumb moving slower than I wanted it to. Why am I even reading this? I thought bitterly, glaring at his perfectly curated image.Apollo Dean Stine. Even his name sounded ridiculous. The man wore charm like armor, his bright silver eyes twinkling with a cheerfulness I could only describe as infuriating. They had a strange quality to them, shifting colors subtly with different lighting. People always gushed about how unique and mesmerizing they were, but to me, they were nothing short of absurd."Who in the world has stupid eyes like that?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.I scrolled further, my eyes catching on his recent look. He'd