131. David's POV. I've been worked up since Vera went missing. Same as Andrei. The both of us have not slept a wink and I've avoided Claire like a plague, ignoring her calls and text messages. It's all because of her that I'm in this mess but I seek to correct my mistakes. This time, no turning back. I'm damming all consequences now. If it's reputation, I don't mind losing it again. Fuck! My girl is out there in this cold weather with my baby in her belly. Thinking about Vera being helpless and alone is driving me crazy. I wonder how she's coping with our baby. This is literally the third day she's been missing and I'm broken. So broken. Stepping out of my room after brushing this morning, I see Irene waltzing towards me. "Good morning, sir." She humbly greets. The tray of food in her hands already tells me why she's here. Answering her greetings, I order her. "Irene, please take it back. I'm not hungry." There's a compassionate look in her eyes as she stares at me. It's
132. Vera's POV. I gasp at the splash of cold water on my face, waking up from sleep. My eyes bulge as I take in my surroundings. The room is bright, unlike before when it was all dark. But this isn't just a room, it looks like an office. But a huge one. There's a billiards table in the center with an overhead light. But that's not what makes my heart slump. It's the number of scary-looking men in the room, surrounding me like predators. My eyes scan them all. Tattoos both on their faces and body, piercing around their eyebrows, ears, and the corner of their lips. Some have a bald head, long hair, and short hair. My heart pulses as I examine the men more. None of their faces looks familiar. Since we got here, Russia, I've been in and out of consciousness. Actually, this is the first time I've taken out time to see my surroundings and the strange faces here. I nearly pee on my panties as I watch these men.Who are they? "So, this is the bitch we've looking for, huh?" One
Vera's POV. "Thanks, Evelyn." I smile at my housekeeper when she serves me the Earl Gray tea. I've never been a tea person that much but since my pregnancy clocked six months, I started craving it every morning. Today makes it eight months and two weeks since David and I married. An impromptu marriage. But no matter what I love it.It hasn't been easy. Not when David was ousted from the company by the board of directors because of the news Claire leaked. But we've been there for each other. He's been my rock and I've been his. Most days we spend time here in the courtyard, thinking of what other business we can establish and grow.Five months of brainstorming on that led him to establish a small business but it hasn't consumed his time. In fact, David devotes more time to me.Just like the news that spread—the news Claire released on the media, that's how David ensured to spread pictures of our wedding photoshoots. It got the media confused that he wasn't ashamed that he got mar
All my life I’ve called him daddy and he called kid.I love him because he always protected me. Always provided for me. David Truman is what everyone out there would wish to have as a ward or father figure.I was lonely when he picked me up from child protective services and became my foster dad.To others, David Truman was ruthless, coldhearted, and brutal. He kills without mercy. Fires without guilt. Hurts without batting an eye.You cross his way, he slaughters. But, he’s more brutal, deadly, and violent when it comes to me. David Truman is also known to be a great womanizer. Rumors had it that he'd taken about four wives. None of them were able to tame him nor handle his brutal side.Hell, my daddy is one that could make you shiver with just one look. His demeanor was always cold. He was always detached. However, women go horny at the glimpse of him. He's powerfully built. Handsome like a god…I mean more handsome than any Greek god. He's about six-four. You can imagine ho
Vera's POV. “Vera!” Someone calls out to my name amidst the blaring music in the ballroom. I jerk, almost thinking the person I’m waiting for has at long last arrive but when I register the voice as a feminine one, I scrunch my nose.It must be my all talkative BFF, Sage. Tonight is our prom night. I’m a senior. In fact, in the coming months we'll graduate and this is literally my last prom in school. Actually, we the seniors are allowed to bring a date even if they ain’t from our school and I thought it wise to call the man I want.I sigh, worried why he isn’t on his phone nor here yet. I made sure to ring this event like a bell in his ears. It’s my last prom in high school and I fucking want him here with me.I whirl around in the direction of the voice that called me and I see Sage strutting over in her signature cat walk. I take my BFF in. As always, Sage looks pretty. Hot even. Right now, her risqué red sequin dress is showing off her pert body. She styled her hair
David's POV. “So, Charlie consult the marketing team to handle the marketing of the new designs of the Truman’s cars.” I rattle off to my assistant as I walk across the hallway to my office.I just flew back from Arizona and rushed in for a board meeting. Last night had been hectic and fun too. My business associate I went to Arizona to meet hired women that gave us pleasure after the long hours of talks about business.I had to rush back to New York because of the board meeting and the presentation my assistant made in regard to the latest design of our cars.Shit, I forgot to tell Vera about my flight to Arizona it was an emergency, I bet that’s the reason she's been calling me.I couldn’t pick up the call because I was in the boardroom when she was calling. Ah, I’ll call when I calm my nerves down.“Okay, sir,” Charlie mutters a response to my instructions. He rushes before me and flutter my office door open for me to stride in. The boy’s too gentle. I’m sure I’ve
Vera's POV.“Go girl! Go girl! Go girl!” People cheer as Sage swings her ass in rhythm with the sensual music blasting in the background.Since we arrived here about an hour ago, we gathered by the pool and danced, drinking and competing on whose ass twerks better.Sage has taken the lead now, and I’m cheering her alongside others as she jiggles the flesh of her ass cheeks peeking through her bikini swimmer.“Woo-hoo!” Nick, booms, diving into the pool. He swims over and slaps Sage’s ass cheeks. She doesn’t stop. In fact, having our BFFs cheer makes Sage wiggle that waist and ass.“Oh, yeah. Twerk it mama… roll it. Up, down, up down!” She follows the tune, losing it all as her waist shakes sensually with the music.Someone slithers their hand from behind me and I turn to see Harry, smirking down at me.“Oh, boy!” I exclaim but he suddenly lands his lips on mine. I jerk away and slap him across the face.“Was just trying to be nice, c'mon, Vee.” He rumbles out and I give him an eye ro
David's POV. Thanks.” I let out as Irene quickly helps me to remove my suit. She hurried over to the very moment she heard driver sweep into the garage of the mansion.“My pleasure, sir.” She whispers in response, a smile flavoring her words. She tries to step away and take the suit to my room but my question makes her stop.“You haven’t gone home yet?” I ask, wondering why she’s still in the mansion. Usually, she goes home once it strikes ten p.m and now it’s already 1 a.m.Irene’s in her mid-forties, just a few years older than me. She’s married to one Andrew White, who works as a cab driver. They literally got married just a few months ago and she’s been caring for Andrew’s two children.Initially, Irene was a live-in maid but things changed when she and Andrew got married. She requested to still work for me and so to make things easy for her, I asked her to no longer be my live-in maid.Hence, every day Irene ends her shift around 10 p.m.She turns to face me with a t
Vera's POV. "Thanks, Evelyn." I smile at my housekeeper when she serves me the Earl Gray tea. I've never been a tea person that much but since my pregnancy clocked six months, I started craving it every morning. Today makes it eight months and two weeks since David and I married. An impromptu marriage. But no matter what I love it.It hasn't been easy. Not when David was ousted from the company by the board of directors because of the news Claire leaked. But we've been there for each other. He's been my rock and I've been his. Most days we spend time here in the courtyard, thinking of what other business we can establish and grow.Five months of brainstorming on that led him to establish a small business but it hasn't consumed his time. In fact, David devotes more time to me.Just like the news that spread—the news Claire released on the media, that's how David ensured to spread pictures of our wedding photoshoots. It got the media confused that he wasn't ashamed that he got mar
132. Vera's POV. I gasp at the splash of cold water on my face, waking up from sleep. My eyes bulge as I take in my surroundings. The room is bright, unlike before when it was all dark. But this isn't just a room, it looks like an office. But a huge one. There's a billiards table in the center with an overhead light. But that's not what makes my heart slump. It's the number of scary-looking men in the room, surrounding me like predators. My eyes scan them all. Tattoos both on their faces and body, piercing around their eyebrows, ears, and the corner of their lips. Some have a bald head, long hair, and short hair. My heart pulses as I examine the men more. None of their faces looks familiar. Since we got here, Russia, I've been in and out of consciousness. Actually, this is the first time I've taken out time to see my surroundings and the strange faces here. I nearly pee on my panties as I watch these men.Who are they? "So, this is the bitch we've looking for, huh?" One
131. David's POV. I've been worked up since Vera went missing. Same as Andrei. The both of us have not slept a wink and I've avoided Claire like a plague, ignoring her calls and text messages. It's all because of her that I'm in this mess but I seek to correct my mistakes. This time, no turning back. I'm damming all consequences now. If it's reputation, I don't mind losing it again. Fuck! My girl is out there in this cold weather with my baby in her belly. Thinking about Vera being helpless and alone is driving me crazy. I wonder how she's coping with our baby. This is literally the third day she's been missing and I'm broken. So broken. Stepping out of my room after brushing this morning, I see Irene waltzing towards me. "Good morning, sir." She humbly greets. The tray of food in her hands already tells me why she's here. Answering her greetings, I order her. "Irene, please take it back. I'm not hungry." There's a compassionate look in her eyes as she stares at me. It's
130. Third Person POV. Peter was bubbling with excitement inside of him now, knowing his ticket to freedom was now within reach. Years of searching for that daughter of his has come to an end. Fuck his dead wife, Helen, and yeah, fuck David Truman, Peter smirked inwardly. What he loved most about this minute is the fucking hatred and confusion he's implanting in Vera's mind. He's not here to just take the girl to Anton but he also intends to change her notion about David Truman. He wants to paint the man black before Vera and that's working. The very dark, distant look on Vera's face is a pure indication. Oops, Peter smirked again, wondering about the emotional turmoil Vera must be going through. It's obvious the girl had been seeing the man as her knight in shining armor but now, that same man is the bane of her existence. Damn, Peter loves this. It only means…he'll finally settle with his true love and live peacefully with this grandmother and child. That's the family he
129. Vera's POV. My heart has never been this broken before. It feels like it's about to pop out of my chest. I'm losing my breath and strength is leaving my body fast. Sitting in the subway station on this frosty night, I sob relentlessly. I can't stop the rivulet or tears. I can't stop replaying the scene that occurred before me four hours ago. I've been sitting here for two hours and I've missed the first train that swung by. I can't bring myself to move. All I feel is heartache. David…after all he said to me, he still chose her in the end, why? Indeed, I'm never and I'll never be enough for him. After all, he is what he's rumored to be. A womanizer. I guess I was too blindly in love with him to realize I'd end up like his ex-wives. Too bad now, I'm carrying his child. I chuckle bitterly at the situation I'm in. I feel like it's a blessed-cursed situation. I'm blessed because I have a baby made out of my love for a man. But cursed because even before the baby could come
128. David's POV. As Claire and I leave the elevator, I feel the tension becoming palpable. I can't find it in me to respond to whatever greeting my employees send my way. Claire's heels make uncomfortable sounds as it hits the floor. My posture rigid, I swing the door to my office open and walk inside. I hear Claire slam the door shut behind her. Before I can reach behind my desk, she rushes to me, holding my arm. In that moment of surprise, I turn around only for Claire to smash her lips on mine. Her teeth cling strongly to mine. It's all I can do not to barf. The fuck is she doing? I wonder to myself while gripping the back of her hair and pushing her off of me. In disgust, my hand swipes over my lips, wiping the trails of her kisses. I pant, doing everything I can to hold back my rage and sheer eagerness to lash out at her."Claire, need I remind you what boundaries are?" I say so calmly. She might think that's how I am on the inside but no, I'm nothing but calm. She b
127. Vera's POV. "Oww…" I whoosh a breath, watching the passersby while I tap my feet continuously on the asphalt. Checking the time again, I figure out five minutes have gone by and Evelyn still isn't here. "What are you still doing, Evelyn?" I mutter, thumbing through my phone to call her again. This dizziness has gone out of hand too. My vision suddenly blurred while I was in the cafe. I just came there to relax this morning but the dizziness struck with force. That's when I decided to head to the hospital. Evelyn's advice a while back was perfect but my stubborn self couldn't admit to it. I didn't even check a pregnancy kit. I prefer going to the hospital to be completely certain. That's why I called Evelyn to help me with my purse. I sigh and scroll a hand through my hair. I'm getting worked up but I'll get a solution soon. "Vee?" A tiny voice calls out to me and I turn my back and see Evelyn smiling from across the building I'm perched on. "Get over here, Eve!" I wave
126. David's POV. "Can you tell us exactly what went on here, Mr. Truman?" The commander asks, wanting to take note. I'll be the last person to reveal that what occurred an hour ago is a mafia war. Resolved to seal the secret, I shrug. "I don't how to explain how it all started, commander. But I'm thinking those are thugs, seeking some kinda attention." I say, my face deadpan. "Did you perhaps see any of their faces?" He asks again. Fuck yes, I did. It's all imprinted on my mind. Anton's. Peter's. It's all living rent-free in my head, I nearly growl but instead, I offer. "Commander, what happened was a flurry of shootouts and shits. Couldn't see any of their faces." The commander looks weak at my vague answers. It's better he is. "Okay, Mr. Truman. We'll make more investigations about that." He says and I nod lightly. The other sheriffs are scouting the place, looking for evidence to find but I know better. Mafias don't leave a trail you can find them with. Their shi
125. David's POV. All evening I've been tense, worried sick to my bones. The event, my problems with Vera, the viral pictures of me and Claire, and how to make things work out between Vera and I all race through my head, I nearly lost it. While the guests were coming into the ballroom, I move away, wanting somewhere quiet to get my shit together. I can't stop worrying about her. Vera. I fucking want to know if she's going to come over but calling her on the phone will be a dead end because she won't ever respond to the call. Secluded in one of the hotel rooms upstairs, I undo some of my buttons after removing my suit Jacket, cracking the bones of my neck. I make sure I come up here with a bottle of whiskey and I quickly uncork it and begin to drink directly from the bottle. I don't know what to think again. What to feel, so I let all sorts of emotions swing through me, emotions I can't define. Amidst all, that tiny voice in my head keeps telling me Claire knows something. Fu