“It does not take a genius to figure out who did it.” Enzo said as he poured me a cup of hot chocolate.
I was sitting by the counter, watching him fill the cup to almost the brim before he walked toward me. Handing me the cup, he fetched one for himself and settled down in front of me. I knew that he could read me like an open book at this point, so when a small smile nestled on his lips, I didn’t wonder why.
“You don’t want to accept it, do you?” He asked, amused at my blinded faith in my husband.
“I know Calvin is mad at me, but I don’t think he hates me so much that he would send a goon after me.” I tried to reason, “What if it is a coincidence. What if it was a robber?”
<A knock came on my door in the early hours of the morning, making me groan. I squinted my eyes at the partially closed curtains, fighting against the bright beams of sunlight slipping through them. As I looked at the clock on the wall above it, it revealed 8:30 am.That wasn’t so early after all. Perhaps it was the exhaustion from last night that put me to a good sleep way beyond my normal wake up time. Brushing the sleep from my eyes, I got up and straightened my clothes. Roughly combing my hair, I went to the door and opened it.Enzo was busy typing something on his phone on the other side. He was decked up in a polished black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath. He sported his usual Rolex on the hand that he shoved into his trouser pockets. His sharp eyes looked toward me in impatience, and I understood that
Later that afternoon, while I was lazing around in my room, I heard some commotion outside. I could hear some muffled voices, and I realized that one of them belonged to Lawrence’s and it was slowly rising. Wondering what it could have been about, I stepped out. As I walked into the living room, I realized that he was speaking to some on the other side of the door.In fact, it looked like he was blocking someone from entering.“Excuse me!” The voice said, “You better move aside right freaking now if you wish to keep your job. You don’t know who you are talking to.”As soon as I recognised that unforgettable voice, my eyes widened. Wow. What was happening?“That’s precisely what I’m worried ab
Becky's POV“Have you heard the news?” Calvin’s father, Peter said as he folded the newspaper. Tossing it on the sofa, he came to join us at the breakfast table.Calvin looked up in confusion. He had no idea of what he was talking about. But I did. And I couldn't wait to let this conversation unfold. “What?” He said.“News about Cassie.” Peter said, “She was attacked yesterday.”“Attacked?” Calvin exclaimed, dropping his spoon on his plate. “By who?”Peter raised his brows at him, giving him a sly smirk, as though he caught the culprit. “That’s what I’m wondering. Do you have anything to say?”“Me? Why would I…” Calvin’s eyes widened in realization, “You can’t possibly think I was the one behind it?”“Why not? It fits the plot.”
Cassie's POV “Ahhhh!!!!” I screamed in horror. I got up and sat straight at once. I frantically looked around, searching for my perpetrator. But he was nowhere to be seen. I then realized that I was not in the middle of nowhere. I was in my bedroom. I could feel sweat dripping from my face, and my breath becoming erratic. It was yet another nightmare. It was my third time today. In every dream, the same scene repeated in my head. I was taken to a dark lane and was attacked continuously. Before it could get any worse or before Peter could come to my rescue, I would wake up from sleep, utterly drenched with sweat and gasping for breath.Right then, the door to my room opened. Enzo walked in. “Cassie!” He said as he sat on my bed, “What happened?” “I’m sorry, it was nothing.” I said, “Another nightmare.” “Another?” He asked, surprised. “This is getting out of control. You need to see a doctor. They might help you.” “No,” I said, “I don’t want to start therapy again. I just need t
It took about an hour and a half to get done with the paperwork. The HR manager was a kind woman who seemed to have prepared a speech to talk me into accepting this job, but I didn’t need any convincing. Any qualms I had about working here right about vanished when I realized that it was Enzo who owned it. Nothing could be fishy about this place when the leader was so capable and trustworthy.However, I did take my sweet time reading all the documents before putting my sign on it. After all, it was always better to be safe and sensible about these things. After all, I checked with Lawrence if I could meet Enzo, but sadly, he was still in a meeting and had asked us to proceed for lunch without him.“We’ll go to your office next.” He said.“My office?” I asked. “I got an office room?”He winced, “My bad. I meant the tech department. Nobody there has an office room yet.”
“I’m guessing the meeting went well?” He asked, his features finally softening. He pulled the seat toward himself and took a seat on it, gesturing to me to do the same.“Yes.” I said, sitting across from him “It was a no-brainer actually. The moment I realized you were my employer, it wasn’t much of a debate. I had to sign the document.”He raised his brows, “So you’ve learned.”“It’s hard not to. Your name is everywhere.”He chuckled, “I thought you’d pick up sooner.”“My bad, I can be very dense sometimes.”Truly, I couldn’t believe I didn’t know this all these days. The fact that I didn’t even bother to ask my company’s name before showing up here for an interview says a lot about how my brain goes into an off mode when I’m around Enzo. He takes care of everythi
As the evening rolled, I cleaned the last bit of dust off the counter and threw the tissue away. As my eyes wandered around the apartment, I couldn’t help but grin in satisfaction. Ever since Enzo permitted me to redo his apartment yesterday, I have been on the task. I made all the purchases yesterday and they were readily delivered today. I took a bit of Kelly and Lawrence’s help to set the entire thing up, of course, and I was very proud of what we have achieved.Enzo had no idea that everything would be ready by tonight when he came home from work. I also ordered his favourite Chinese food for dinner, making it a complete evening packed full of surprises.“I must say you’ve outdone yourself,” Lawrence said as he walked from the living room. “It looks perfect, and I’m sure it's within Enzo’s preference. You have great taste.”“Thank you, and I wouldn’t have done it without you.
I recoiled backwards, growing acutely aware of how hard my heart was thumping against my ribs. The look on his face devastated me. I suddenly worried, what if it was all a waste? What if he didn’t like it? Oh, my God. What would I do then? The worst part was that I couldn’t read his expression well. Was he thinking I overspent? Was he regretting giving me the chance to redo his apartment? Shit! He gave me one job, one freaking job, and I ruined it! This was the least I could have done for him, and somehow I ruined that too. “Do you not like it?” I asked in a low voice, embracing myself for his response. “Like it?” He scoffed in astonishment, “Cassie! This is amazing! I love it!” The biggest sigh of relief rushed out of my lungs, “Oh, my God. Really?”“Yes!” He said, throwing his hands up in the air as he gestured around, “I can’t believe you did all of this by yourself, in under two days. Like, what are you made of? How did you pull this off?” I shook my head, “You scared me ther
Enzo watched me as I got ready for work.It was my first day back at the office and I couldn’t be more relieved. To say the past few days have been difficult would be an understatement. I needed a distraction from everything, and what was better than going to the office? With Enzo unemployed, I had to make sure that I could put some bread on the table. Although my grandparents have been continuously calling me, offering me help, or in their words - letting me have what was mine, I simply could not let them. That would be the last straw for Enzo. He was already beating himself up as he saw me working day and night to make ends meet. “Did you speak to that friend of yours you were talking about?” I said, “The lawyer. He was offering you a job, wasn’t he?” “I lost my license to practice, Cassie.” He said, “I can’t practice law anywhere else.” I turned around, puzzled. “But Raymond told me that he offered you a position of a legal advisor. You can’t be an member of the bar, but surel
On Monday, all our boxes were packed and shifted to transport. I cast one last glance at our house. I remember the time I first moved in when Enzo gave me the freedom to redo the entire apartment. I was so overjoyed and spent an entire day working on it. And now, as I watched them tear down and remove everything we had in there, I could feel my heart break. I could only imagine what Enzo must be going through. Enzo refused to stay for the final take over of the house. He left downstairs with Emmy while I waited upstairs to finish all the formalities and paperwork. Once I was done, I went down to join them. “It’s done.” Enzo nodded, “What’s the plan now?” He asked, “We could… go to a hotel.” “No.” I said, holding his hand, “Come with me.” We loaded our luggage into a cab and got in. Once I gave him the address, Enzo frowned at me, “Where are we going?” “I got us a house last week.” I said, “We’ll be staying there from now on.” “A house?” He asked. “Where?” “In Brooklyn.” “How
I anxiously waited outside the conference room. Enzo was in there talking to all of his clients in an attempt to explain to them that this was not his doing. Raymond was out here with me, pacing around the room. For the past few days, Raymond has been a tremendous help to us. Since Enzo was not in the right position to take care of everything, he stepped in to do all the negotiations. Today was the day that would decide our fate. Although I knew what was coming for us, I couldn’t help but hope that something miraculous would happen today and turn the odds in our favor. And then finally, Enzo came out. And his expression revealed that the meeting didn’t go well. “They’re taking everything.” He said, “Every single penny I own.” My heart sank. “Is there no other way?” “The clients think I betrayed their trust, so they’re seeking a higher compensation.” He said, “And since they’re doing me a favor by not pursuing this criminally, my lawyer thinks I should settle.” Criminally? Oh, G
“Who did it?” I asked, treading him carefully. In all these years of knowing him, I never saw him like this. This broken. This helpless. Enzo built that firm with his own blood and sweat. It was everything to him, and to have it all be taken away - it was a nightmare for me. Suddenly, I was enraged. The mere thought of Trent Dalton was making me shake with anger. But I knew that this was not entirely his doing. To pull off something like this, he needed someone on the inside, a mole, to give away such sensitive information. If the transactions are portrayed to be made by Enzo, then it must be an insider that had access to such sensitive information. “I don’t know.” Enzo said, “Whoever it was, they altered the firm’s accounting software to move client funds, trust funds, into my personal account. I had no idea of this, and nor did I receive any messages from the banks regarding giant transactions. Trent must have paid them to be silent as well.” “If they could get into accounting
“How old is your baby?” The nurse asked as she handed a crying Emmy back to me. “Four months now.” I sighed, patting her. “Oh, Emmy. Calm down. It’s over, isn’t it?”She just received her vaccine shot and came out of the doctor’s office bawling her eyes out. “She’s so adorable.” She mused, handing me my file. “I would agree but she’s throwing too many tantrums lately.” I said, “She could be a handful when she wants to.” “I wish I could say it gets better but it truly doesn’t.” She laughed, “But that’s what we signed up for, right?” “Yes.” I said, kissing my daughter’s tear stained cheek. “Let’s go home, shall we? Daddy’s waiting for us in the car.” Emmy just replied with another sob, burying her face in my neck. As we went out, I spotted Enzo’s car in the parking lot and headed toward it. I quickly got in. “These vaccination visits are so difficult.” I said, as I closed the car door. “I just can’t see Emmy crying so much. I just walked out of the doctor’s office today, can you
After the party, Enzo, Emmy, Sara and I headed back home. Sara was shook from the entire episode that played out and remained silent the entire journey home. As we went in, I looked at her. “Take the guest room. You can rest there.” She didn’t move an inch until Enzo looked at her. And then, she said, “I can’t live here.” She sighed, “I… I can’t… I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.” “Sara, you’re not a burden.” I protested, patting a sleeping Emmy on my chest. “I will be if we continue this arrangement.” She said, “I don’t want-” “How about this?” Enzo intervened, “I’ll give you a house. It’s right by your workplace. That way you won’t have to live with us, nor with your scum of a dad.” “A house?” She said, “I’m sure I can’t afford the rent.” “You can live there for free.” He said, “I just… I don’t ever want you to go back to that house.” Sara stared at him for a long while, as though she was trying to figure him out. “Why are you doing this?” “What?” “You didn’t even wa
Enzo looked at me and then back at the crowd, and then finally, a grin broke out on his face. “Wow.” he said, running his eyes over everyone. “That’s… my friends from college and my… how did you get them all together?” I shrugged, “After a month of thorough planning.” “I can’t believe you did this.” He said, “This is brilliant. Thank you so much, Cassie.” “You’re welcome.” I smiled. ”Now, let’s go.”One by one, Enzo’f friends and colleagues came up to him to meet him, but my eyes were looking for Sara. I found her at the far end by the bar, enjoying a drink with Mark, but her eyes were set on Enzo. She deserved to be here with us. “Oh, Emmy.” I heard Kelly’s voice coming from my side, distracting. I grinned as Emmy effortlessly slipped from my arms into hers. “Look at her, she looks like a darling.” She then looked toward, impressed, “Cassie, I must say. You completely transformed this place. Well done.” “Sara was of tremendous help, really.” I said, “I could not have done thi
Enzo’s POV I felt a small nudge on my stomach as I woke up. Assuming it to be Cassie’s limb, I ignored it. However, the nudge soon tickled it and then I felt something wet. My eyes opened to look at Emmy crawling on my chest, trying to bite my skin. A smile tugged at my lips upon the sight of her adorable face. Picking her up to my face, I placed a kiss on her cheek. “How did you come here, darling?” I mumbled as I shifted to my side. And right then, I saw it. A small cupcake was resting on the bed with a note that read: Happy Birthday Daddy. I widened my eyes in surprise and grabbed my phone to check the date. Damn. I really lost track of time. “Happy birthday, baby.” Cassie grinned, leaning down to kiss me on the lips. “First birthday with our daughter, aren’t you thrilled?” “Absolutely,” I said as I watched Emmy. She was making weird, excited noises now, eyeing the cupcake. Her hands were reaching out toward it, and I scraped off the frosting on top to place it on her lips.
As I went back home, I wondered what all of that was about. The man seemed weird, but should I tell Enzo? I was worried that he was already so stressed with everything at work. I was sure he would be overthinking with this even more. The last thing I wanted was to burden him, so I guess I would have to keep this one to myself. What Kent Rover said could’ve been a result of a massive ego hurt and nothing at all. In that case, there was no reason to alert Enzo. If he approached me again, then I would talk to Enzo about it. As I went home, I found Sara and Emmy playing in the living room as usual. However, what was strange was that Mark, Enzo’s associate, was added to the mix. And from the way Sara was laughing at whatever he had to say, I could tell that they were having a rather good time. “Hello.” I said as I walked in, “Didn’t expect you here, Mark.” He gave me a casual smile as he looked at me. “I’m sorry. I’m running errands for your fiance, please don’t mind.” “Not at all.”